01 May 2014 – Success at Swaffham

Tesco’s key to success at Swaffham

Ceremony to mark completion of the store

Millngate, the developer of the new Tesco on Castle Acre Road, Swaffham, is delighted to have completed development of the store. The occasion was marked with a ceremony attended by the Mayors of Swaffham and Breckland Council and other district and town councillors.

Tony Sweeney of Millngate presented the keys to the store to Ed Heppenstall of Tesco in the presence of Cllr Anne Thorp, Mayor of Swaffham, and Cllr Paul Claussen, Chairman (Mayor) of Breckland Council, and members of both councils. Cllr Thorp then unveiled a plaque to commemorate the event. The store is due to open in June.

Tony Sweeney, Managing Director of Millngate, said:

This is a very important day for Swaffham in the delivery of a Tesco store which so many members of the local community campaigned for. I’m particularly delighted to welcome the Mayor of Swaffham and to thank her and the Town Council for their support from the very start of this project going back to the first public consultation.”’


Cllr Thorp, Mayor of Swaffham said:

“I am pleased to officially hand over the keys from Millngate to Tesco for this new store. It is great to see the development start to breathe life into an area that has stayed dormant for so long.”

Cllr Paul Claussen, Chairman of Breckland Council, said:

It’s been a long journey for Breckland and it’s thrilling to see the fulfilment of that.”

Bryn Woodward, Tesco Corporate Affairs Manager said:

We are really excited about the chance to serve the local community here in Swaffham. We can’t wait to open our doors and start serving customers.”


Picture caption (l to r): Tony Cotsworth, Millngate; Ed Heppenstall, Tesco: Cllr Shirley Matthews, Deputy Mayor of Swaffham; Cllr Anne Thorp, Mayor of Swaffham, who unveiled a plaque commemorating the handing over of the keys to the store; Cllr Paul Claussen, Chairman of Breckland Council; and Tony Sweeney, Millngate.

Notes to editors:

  • The Tesco store will sell predominantly food with a limited range of non-food products such as clothes, newspapers and magazines
  • Millngate was established in 1997 and has much expertise in retail development. Millngate operates throughout the UK and has a strong track record of working in East Anglia
  • The new supermarket is located on Castle Acre Road, close to the existing Eco Park. The site previously comprised a terrace of empty business and derelict industrial buildings
  • Planning committee approval was granted by Breckland councillors during summer 2012. Since then Breckland Council, Norfolk County Council, Millngate and Tesco have been completing the various planning legal agreements with planning consent subsequently being issued, allowing Millngate to commence construction
  • Previous consultation on the then proposed Tesco saw 800 people view the plans at an exhibition with around three quarters giving the plans the thumbs up
  • The development boasts a number of environmental features. It has been constructed using renewable materials and will be heated by a new Combined Heat and Power plant

Contact: Kelly Edwards of Instinctif Partners 0118 983 9459 or on 07734 977310