Willow Place unveils Corby's first ultra-rapid EV charging hub
Be.EV has launched Corby's first ultra-rapid electric vehicle (EV) charging hub at Willow Place Shopping Centre, following an investment of GBP £900,000.
The installation comprises six ultra-rapid Kempower chargers and provides what is currently the town's most powerful public charging point, addressing previous reliance on lower-powered rapid and low-voltage charging options in Corby.
The charging facility is positioned within Willow Place Shopping Centre, a retail and leisure complex that hosts more than 150 shops, bars, and restaurants, and offers 470 parking spaces. The chargers have been installed in dedicated bays to enable drivers to recharge their vehicles while visiting the centre.
The new charging hub is part of a broader collaboration between Be.EV and Northdale Advisors, which spans a number of UK retail locations. Alongside Willow Place in Corby, the initiative extends to The Priory Centre in Dartford, Yate Shopping Centre in South Gloucestershire, and One Stop Shopping in Perry Barr, Birmingham.
The sites are owned by Magnetar, an alternative asset manager, with Northdale Advisors acting as Magnetar's operating partner. Magnetar is providing the investment necessary to equip its retail portfolio with public charging infrastructure.
According to Be.EV, each ultra-rapid charging bay can add hundreds of miles of driving range in under 30 minutes, providing a faster, more reliable charging option for both local residents and visitors.
Investment in retail infrastructure
Asif Ghafoor, Chief Executive Officer of Be.EV, said retail destinations such as Willow Place are crucial locations for public charging infrastructure. He stated:
Retail destinations like Willow Place are exactly where we need high-quality charging - they're busy, accessible and already part of people's everyday lives. By investing nearly GBP £900,000 here, we're making it easy for EV drivers to plug in while they shop, and supporting Magnetar and Northdale in future-proofing their portfolio for the transition to electric.
He added, "This is what our network is about: building infrastructure where it makes the most sense, and making sure it works reliably for drivers."
Daniel Pickard, Willow Place Centre Director, commented on the partnership and its alignment with broader efforts to reduce environmental impact, saying:
We are pleased to partner with Be.EV on Willow Place, which will deliver the first ultra-rapid bays in Corby. As EV adoption continues to grow in Northamptonshire and beyond, this investment reinforces our commitment to offering essential infrastructure, services, and facilities for visitors and shoppers to Corby town centre & Willow Place. Partnering with Be:Ev soon after the installation of over 200 solar panels further demonstrates our commitment to reducing our environmental impact.
Supporting EV uptake
The launch at Willow Place follows other Be.EV ultra-rapid charging installations at UK retail and leisure sites, as part of an ongoing expansion to support increasing demand for EV charging services. Be.EV has set a target to grow its UK network from over 750 live charging bays to 1,600 by the end of 2025, with financing provided by investors including Octopus Energy Generation, NatWest, and KfW IPEX-Bank.
The move to expand high-speed charging capabilities at sites with high footfall is aligned with efforts by property owners and operators to support the transition to electric vehicles among consumers and businesses.
The Corby charging hub is now operational and available for public use at Willow Place Shopping Centre.
