Minor Disruption – Business as Usual
Ramp to be demolished
New central layout
Heavy equipment moves in next week to continue the redevelopment of the town centre.
Measures have been taken to ensure shops and shoppers are not inconvenienced and phased work will ensure good access with safety. Town Centre Manager Bryan Haldane is personally very excited about the way the town centre will appear after this phase is completed in November.
New patterend paving, new lights, seating areas, trees and interactive play areas for children. “I have reason to be very optimistic about the future of Ayclife Town Centre. it has a good occupancy rate and there is a lot of interest from traders in the redevelopment.” said Bryan.
The Aldi development has given the town a boost, integrating the Tesco area with Beveridge Way. The plans for the older part of the centre will enhance what has been achieved and begin to provide a more attractive shopping precinct.
Next year Churchill House and the top row of shops adjacent will be demolished to give a clear view of Beveridge Way from Stephenson Way.
People who fear the town clock will be lost are assured there are plans to re-erect it elsewhere in the Town Centre. It is also planned for the Library and other public facilities to be re-located in Beveridge Arcade opposite Bon Marche in a project to be undertaken by the County Council.
The wall barring shoppers from the Multi-storey car park access to the Town Centre is still under review. It was erected deliberately to stop pedestrians using this area as there is danger from large HGV delivery vehicles which supply Aldi and other large stores in the area.
However the problem has been recognised and if it is possible to safeguard the general public the wall will come down.
Phil Wilson MP said: “I am pleased the improvements to the town centre are continuing and seem to be building up momentum. The works that are about to start will improve the shopping experience in Newton Aycliffe. I’m looking forward to the changes the town centre owner’s have promised in transforming the town centre over the next year or so. I believe we need to remember how far we have come. The health centre has been demolished, the library has been moved and the new Aldi store has opened. With the Hitachi announcement bringing over 700 jobs to the town I believe Newton Aycliffe’s future is on the up.”
Bryan Haldane said: “The Centre management are delighted to see this next phase of the master plan for the regeneration on Newton Aycliffe coming to fruition. We have had enormous support from the County Council, our local MP and the retailers all of whom are very keen for the works to get underway. This £2M investment in Phase 3 follows hard on the heels of the now open £1.5m Aldi supermarket.
At a time when town centre retailing has been under pressure nationally and major retail chains are closing the landlords have demonstrated their continued commitment to Newton Aycliffe by pressing ahead with major projects such as these. We are working with existing tenants to ensure they benefit from the improvements and will be relocating some tenants such as Coffee Pronto to more prominent locations so they and all other tenants can benefit from the new shoppers being attracted to the town centre.
This rolling programme of investment and renewal will continue and we have recently made a planning application to convert the former HSBC bank to a new shop unit.”
