A MAJOR multi-million pound retail park on the site of a former packaging firm is taking shape, with a number of units now visibly on their way to completion.

The scheme, on the former Fields printers and packaging site at Scott Works in Hollingwood Lane, was given unanimous approval by Bradford Council’s Regulatory and Appeals Committee last August.

The shopping park will feature an Aldi supermarket, a Home Bargains, Heron Foods, Greggs, a drive-through Starbucks café, and a Marstons family pub, and has one further unit to be occupied on completion, along with a shared 170 space car park.

Signage on the Marston pub, to be called ‘The Flying Squirrel’, has now gone up.

The firm says it hopes the new pub will become a hub for the community.

Due for completion in November, The Flying Squirrel is a nod to the history of the area, due to the pub being built on the land previously owned by the renowned Scott Motorcycle Company.

Marston’s Inns and Taverns say the pub is part of an ongoing new-build scheme to provide “top quality” pubs across Britain.

The Flying Squirrel will cater for 150 diners and will offer pub classics and a carvery.

Nigel Whitfield, Marton’s Inns and Taverns, said: “We’re extremely excited about The Flying Squirrel and hope when opened it will build a great reputation locally. “Offering top quality, value for money pub food and an array of drinks, including Marston’s cask ales from across the country, we are sure The Flying Squirrel will be a great community hub.”

A spokesperson for Jessops Construction said the firm was "delighted" with progress made on the retail park.

"The development experienced unavoidable challenges brought about by inclement weather in the early stages of the scheme, however the project team have ensured minimal delays for our client," they said.

"Over the coming weeks, works will continue as we fast approach project completion where we will hand over to the respective brands’ internal fit out teams. Externally, final tarmac surfaces on the car-park and pressed concrete to the Starbucks drive-thru will be laid, together with soft landscaping, to the site perimeter. Noticeable changes to the shell exteriors will be more visible with final signage and shop fronts installed to the remaining units. Energy efficient external lighting will be installed together with progressive electrical vehicle charging points."