Rushden Lakes Retail Park

Rushden Lakes is a sustainable retail and leisure destination beside the Nene Wetlands, bringing commercial ambition and ecological care together in one place.

We led all three phases of the project, providing project management, cost management, employer’s agent and principal designer services.

Delivering complexity with care

We led all three phases of the project, providing project management, cost management, employer’s agent and principal designer services.

Phase 1 delivered 500,000 ft² of retail and restaurant space anchored by M&S, Primark and House of Fraser. It also introduced waterfront dining, a boathouse and a lakeside visitor centre, features that helped reconnect the site with its landscape. The early infrastructure works included a new A45 roundabout, a pedestrian bridge and complex s278 highways improvements.

Phase 2 added family-focused leisure: a 14-screen cinema, climbing arena, indoor golf, soft play, a trampoline park and nine new restaurants. Phase 3 brought visitors closer to nature. Raised boardwalks over Skew Bridge Lake offer wide views, while a sculpture trail, wildlife zones and a Relaxation Zone give families space to explore and play. People can take to the water by canoe, kayak or swan pedalo, with accessible paths making the site welcoming to all.

We worked with Highways England, Natural England and more than 60 tenants. Construction was planned around wildlife, including seasonal working to protect nesting birds, antiglare glazing, checks on machinery oils and steps to prevent roosting in buildings.

Flood risk shaped the project too. The lakeside walkway sits on raised piles to allow for a 1in100year flood, and the floodplain and central car park are designed to absorb excess water without affecting shops or restaurants.

Across all phases, sustainable design features supported the wider vision. These included solar PV and inclusive amenities such as one of only 11 fully accessible adult changing facilities in the UK. We kept tenant work moving smoothly so agreements to lease, fit outs and handovers were all ready for opening day.

A benchmark for sustainable retail

The scheme achieved BREEAM Excellent and strikes a balance between commercial success and environmental care. It offers extensive public realm, water sports access and one of the UK’s leading inclusive facilities.

Connecting community and environment

Rushden Lakes redefines out-of-town retail by putting nature at its heart. It brings economic benefit, supports schools and community groups and shows how thoughtful design can create a place that works in the real world – for visitors, for wildlife and for the local area.