An aerial photograph of the huge construction project that will deliver the Cotswolds Designer Outlet shows the scale of the endeavour. Building works began in November 2023 and work ahead of opening in Spring 2025. Cotswolds Designer Outlet, off junction 9 of the near Tewkesbury, will introduce up to 90 new, high-quality fashion, sports, lifestyle and F&B brands in a 186,000 sq ft Cotswolds-inspired setting.
The designer outlet aims to serve the areas between Bristol and Birmingham as well as tourists visiting the Cotswolds, with the historic town of Tewkesbury on its doorstep. Bouygues UK is the main contractor delivering the of Cotswolds Designer Outlet in Tewkesbury, a project by Robert Hitchins Ltd. It is now working with the DWP to target job seekers who are work-ready to join the team during the construction phase.
Cotswolds Designer Outlet is being delivered in two phases and will create up to 500 new retail job opportunities for the area. It is hoped it will be a major boost for the local and regional economy that will act as a catalyst for growth. Nick Toulson, Bouygues UK’s social value advisor on this project, is working with the (DWP) Gloucester and Tewkesbury Job Centres as part of their SWAP programme.
The sector-based work academy programme (SWAP) gives jobseekers who are 16 and over and are claiming benefits, the opportunity to apply for jobs. This programme can last up to six weeks and includes pre-employment training, on-site training and mentoring, a sho.