A LONG-awaited £5.5m north Hull shopping centre is expected to open in December. The 11-unit centre is being built on the site of the crumbling 1960s shopping parade off Orchard Park Road.
The first tenants could move in as early as December, with the final unit expected to be finished by March.
David Savage, development manager at Chester dev- eloper Cityheart Ltd, says the scheme is well on schedule with most of the existing buildings having now been demolished.
He said: "We are scheduled to complete the first phase, consisting of ten units, by December when the first tenants should move in.
"The second phase, with one more unit, should be finished by March."
Cityheart was appointed by Hull City Council to build the centre in March 2010.
The scheme has been hit by delays, due to difficulties in securing tenancy agreements.
However, Mr Savage said the centre will contain a good mix of shops.
The Mail previously revealed Heron Foods will take the largest unit.
A McColls newsagents, a post office, Cooplands and King's Kebabs are also thought to have signed leases.
Mr Savage said: "We have had a good amount of interest, which has certainly been enough to justify the scheme.
"We are very pleased with the way things are going.
"It is making very good progress and everyone has stuck with it."
Residents of Orchard Park are also keen to see the development come to fruition.
Mr Savage said: "We carried out the public consultation about three years ago and there was a lot of backing.
"Councillors have kept residents informed about the progress and that support remains strong.
"We have been faced with a number of issues, but they have all now been resolved."
Mr Savage said a full list of the businesses that will be moving into the centre will be made public shortly, once legal agreements have been signed.
Ward councillor Terry Geraghty is excited by the scheme.
He said: "It all seems to be going very well.
"There are a number of new flats going up round about and most of it should be completed by the end of the year.
"People in Orchard Park are happy something is finally happening.
"There have been promises over the years but it has ended up with disappointment.
"There have been some developers that have gone into liquidation, which is no one's fault, but the council money has always been there.
"This has been a long time coming and we shall keep out fingers crossed."
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