Expansion approved for Thader Shopping Centre and Commercial Park, Murcia

Thader shopping centre and commercial park is set to get bigger, with more shops, restaurants, leisure spots, and plenty of new parking

The Thader shopping centre and commercial park in north of Murcia city is set to grow, with plans approved to expand the area near La Ladera. The project will add more shops, restaurants, and entertainment venues, but it also raises questions about traffic and daily life in the area.

The expansion will cover over 325,000 m², creating a business and commercial area with space for shops, restaurants, entertainment, offices, and even hotels. More than 700 new parking spaces are planned, along with green areas to buffer nearby residential neighbourhoods and reduce the impact of the A‑7 motorway. Roads and utilities will also be upgraded to handle the extra activity.

The benefits are clear: more places to shop, eat, and spend time, as well as new jobs. The project also shows that Murcia’s economy continues to pick up, bringing more shops, services, and facilities that benefit the entire Region of Murcia. There are some challenges, though. Traffic is already heavy at peak times, and construction will bring noise and disruption over the next couple of years. The development will also need to protect local waterways and green spaces.

City officials say the timing is right for the project, and the plans include steps to improve traffic flow and public spaces. The expansion is expected to strengthen the area overall while managing the usual challenges that come with growth.

Some residents, while welcoming the new shops and amenities, are still concerned about heavier traffic and the disruption construction may bring over the next couple of years. Thader sits literally across the parking lot from Ikea and is also close to Nueva Condomina Shopping Centre and the football stadium, forming part of a busy retail and leisure corridor in northern Murcia. The roundabout leading into Ikea is already well known for the traffic, which makes careful traffic planning even more important for the expansion.

Images: Centro Comercial Thader