Tender called for Douglas crossing store

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Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) has invited proposals for a new tender at the Douglas crossing in British Columbia

The land was previously occupied by Heritage Duty Free Shop until its lease expired in 2000. Prospective bidders can contact CCRA for the tender documents, and the deadline for bids has been set for September 20.

Said Frontier Duty Free Association (FDFA) president Julian Lewin: "We are very happy with the announcement. The new duty-free shop will create a lot of business and will serve the travelling public well. FDFA is in favour of any new duty-free outlets at land crossings, particularly where there are significant numbers passing through, as there are at Douglas."

One party known to be interested in the site is Peace Arch Duty Free, which has recently been granted a lease allowing it to build a 32,000sq ft (2,973sq m) store, if it wins the tender. If constructed, the company claims that the new outlet would be the biggest at a North American land border. However, TRW understands that more than one party has expressed an interest in the Douglas site.