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Socio Economic Benefits

01

Jobs, incomes and a broader local economy

The most immediate long-term benefit is the scale and breadth of new employment. The independent 2017 socio-economic assessment estimated around 990 to 1,120 full-time equivalent jobs on site, with a midpoint of approximately 1,060 FTE jobs, equivalent to about 1,400 full and part-time posts. The roles would span retail, food and beverage, hotel, centre management, security, cleaning, maintenance, marketing and guest services. This mix provides entry-level opportunities, flexible and part-time work, supervisory roles and routes into management.

  • Local access to jobs

    The assessment expected well over half of posts to be taken by people living in Grantham and the immediate surrounding area, with around 60% to 65% potentially filled by South Kesteven residents.

  • More inclusive labour-market opportunities

    Likely recruits include school and college leavers, residents returning to work, people currently commuting elsewhere for retail work and those seeking flexible work later in life.

  • A meaningful income injection

    The original assessment estimated approximately £15 million a year in wages and salaries before tax and around £34 million in annual gross value added when the full scheme is trading.

  • Local multiplier effects

    Employee spending and purchases of maintenance, cleaning, professional and other services can circulate part of that value through Grantham and South Kesteven.

02

Skills, apprenticeships and routes into work

GDOV can connect a major new employer base directly to local education and training. The planning case proposed a Retail and Leisure Skills Academy with Grantham College or another comparable local provider, supported through the Section 106 agreement. Its purpose is to help district residents gain the skills and experience needed to secure jobs and apprenticeships in retail and leisure. The original concept included bespoke retail and customer-service training, employability support and Level 2 and 3 programmes for post-16 learners.

  • 01

    A £65,000 Section 106 contribution towards delivery of the Retail and Leisure Skills Academy.

  • 02

    A clearer transition from education into employment for local young people, including apprenticeship and early-career pathways.

  • 03

    Opportunities for existing workers to improve customer service, digital retail, hospitality and management skills.

  • 04

    A platform for coordinated recruitment, helping tenants and the centre operator reach local candidates before opening and as the scheme grows.

03

Construction, investment and supply-chain activity

The development phase itself creates a substantial, time-limited economic stimulus. Based on the cost plan available in 2017, the socio-economic report estimated around 680 to 940 person-years of construction employment, with a midpoint of about 800 person-years. It estimated an average of approximately 270 jobs supported during the two construction phases. These figures are historic planning-assessment outputs and should be refreshed against the current design and cost plan before use as contemporary forecasts.

  • 01

    Work for contractors and specialist trades, together with opportunities for local professional, technical and support services.

  • 02

    Spend by construction workers and suppliers in local accommodation, food, fuel and services.

  • 03

    A visible private-sector commitment capable of improving confidence in Grantham as a location for further investment.

04

Visitor economy and linked trips

GDOV is intended to operate as a destination experience. Independent research forecasts approximately 2.8 million annual visitors in Phase 1, rising to approximately 3.8 million visitors following future expansion. Because designer outlet visits are less frequent, longer-distance and more leisure-led than routine shopping trips, the scheme can introduce Grantham and South Kesteven to customers who might not otherwise visit the area.

  • 01

    The 2017 assessment modelled £8 million to £12 million of additional tourism day-trip expenditure that could be spent elsewhere in South Kesteven, including Grantham town centre.

  • 02

    That visitor expenditure was estimated to support around 150 to 210 total jobs, or approximately 110 to 160 FTE jobs, in the wider visitor economy.

  • 03

    The planned hotel, restaurants, coach facilities, tourist information and family-friendly public realm can encourage longer dwell times and wider itineraries.

  • 04

    Local attractions, events and heritage destinations can be promoted as part of a combined day out, helping spread benefit across the district and surrounding area.