Stores on the £30 million Abbey Retail Park, on the Working Men’s Club site, were expected to be open before Christmas, but none made this deadline.

When the Daventry Express went to print only one unit, Carpet Right, was open, letting in its first customers on Boxing Day.

Work started on site in April with the demolition of the old Working Men’s Club and then contractors said the whole scheme would be finished by late December and expected shops to be open by Christmas.

But major construction work at the site was only formally completed on Christmas Eve, and Ashford Developments still have ‘snagging’ issues to correct and landscaping to complete.

Richard Ashford, managing director of the developers, said: “There will be a list of issues that will still need to be finalised, but the major works are finished.

“The majority of the retailers are still fitting out. We are still waiting for dates when they will be opening.

“We are delighted that work is over and the contractors finished by the end of the year.”

Halford, Pets At Home, Homebase, Carpet Right, Paul Simon Curtain Superstore and Dreams all took possession of their units in December, ahead of schedule, and were fitting them out with some expecting to be open before Christmas.

The national chains will occupy six of the main units, with the seventh still being marketed. There are also six smaller units facing onto Abbey Street.

Opening dates for most of the units are still unknown, however Halfords said its shop is expected to open in late January.

Reasons for the delays are not known.

Daventry District Council’s economic and regeneration portfolio holder Chris Over said: “It didn’t exactly run late, but a little late.

“I think one would have hoped that it had opened on time before Christmas, which I believe was the target.

“But it is more important that the construction is finished, that the shops are properly fitted out and secure and that everywhere is safe before opening it.

“We were advised as councillors that it probably wouldn’t all be open for Christmas and there would be an overrun into the new year.

“I think it will be a great benefit to the town, particularly providing new facilities as the town grows. The retail park can be judged a success when people are going there and making use of it.”

n See page three for a report on how Daventry’s other shops are bearing up to the credit crunch.