Wykeland Group has today announced the appointment of Graham Tait as the Centre Manager of Flemingate, Wykeland’s 162,561 sq ft retail and leisure development in Beverley. Graham joins from Westfield Stratford, where he was a senior projects delivery manager.

Under construction and opening in October, Flemingate is anchored by a 40,000 sq ft new concept Debenhams, a 33,723 sq ft six-screen Parkway digital cinema, and an 80-room Premier Inn hotel. Other key brands in Flemingate’s line-up include H&M, Outfit and Wilkinson. Flemingate also has a 500-space multi-storey carpark, the largest in Beverley, and Zizzi has signed as the first restaurant brand.

Prior to his three years at Westfield, Graham was a UK Project Manager at Ikea, working for the company for 12 years in a variety of key operational roles. He has also worked for leading fashion brands, Jaeger and Aquascutum.

Commenting on the appointment of Graham, Dominic Gibbons, Managing Director of Wykeland Group, said: “We are delighted to have been able to attract such an experienced and skilled centre manager as Graham. He comes to Flemingate with a wealth of knowledge of the UK retail sector and shopping trends in general, and his enthusiasm for Beverley as an all-round shopping and tourism destination shone through during the interviewing process.

“His appointment is another landmark in the development of the scheme, especially as we are now in the final run-up to the Flemingate’s opening in late October.”

Graham added: “To be part of something that is going to change Beverley immeasurably for the better is just an opportunity too good to miss. With the opening of Flemingate in October, Beverley will be an entire day’s visit, extending into the evening with the cinema and restaurants, with the ability to say overnight for those travelling from further away.

“Flemingate will be a magnet to bring people into Beverley from the surrounding areas and can only enhance the centre and the town. It is a turning point for Beverley – everything is coming together.”

According to research by CACI, Flemingate will increase Beverley’s market potential by 60%. The catchment also contains twice the number of affluent Acorn groups as the UK and regional averages.

Flemingate’s retail and leisure offer is complemented by a 60,000 sq ft campus for East Riding College, construction of which commenced on site two weeks ago. 130 new homes have already been delivered as part of the mixed-use development. Once finished, Flemingate will create approximately 700 jobs, with a further 130 during construction.

Fawley Watson Booth and McMullen Wilson are Flemingate’s retail agents. Metis Real Estate Advisors is the leisure agent.