As Owners of Newton Aycliffe Town Centre, Daejan was disappointed to read the report in the Newton News. We were asked for comment with one hours notice when the most knowledgeable personnel were not available.
Both Daejan and the Centre Manager were fully conscious of the impact the development was going to have generally within the centre. Prior to the works commencing on site, we held several open days for tenants to meet with the project team and discuss the plans and the programme of works. Each tenant was provided with a detailed phasing document outlining how the works would be carried out.
The comments we received at this meeting and from Head Offices including Boyes was overwhelmingly positive, and still are.
In these days of austerity it is rare to see a private owner willing to invest nearly £3m to improve our town centre. We have already attracted Aldi to the town centre and are continuing to invest in order to attract more new retailers. Sadly this is not the case in many town centres where there is no investment and a rising number of vacant units.
There was never any question that there would be some inconvenience during the programme but this will be more than balanced with the positive impact the development will have on the whole of Newton Aycliffe.
The contractors have worked very hard to minimise disruption and we have endeavoured to maintain not only full access to all shops but to the centre itself.
To help in this substantial directional signage has been provided, relocated the disabled parking to a level surface with ramp access via Beveridge Arcade and have indeed provided advice via the Centre Manager to Newton News.
Neither us nor the Managing Agent have been approached by any shops with indications that the works were causing them excessive difficulties
We have listened to comments made by the public about the “Aldi Wall” – This wall was originally put in place for safety reasons due to the proximity of the Aldi loading bay to the footpath.
We recognise that this has caused access issues and have agreed to a specification of works which will allow for this area to be opened to public use once safety procedures have been put in place. The walkway from the multi-storey car park alongside Boyes will be open to the public on 24th July.
We do not accept comments made that the Taxi Rank on Greenwell Road is a ‘long trek’. It is directly accessible from the middle of Town via the passageway at the Halifax Bank and is a short walk from Dalton Way and Beveridge Arcade. The relocation of the taxi rank was a matter for Durham County Council., however, the previous location in a busy service road used by delivery lorries was always a significant safety concern to Daejan.
In conclusion we would advise all Newtonians that all shops within the centre are fully accessible at all times and there is full and easy access from –
Dalton Way, Beveridge Arcade, Halifax Passage and Stephenson Way.
Beveridge Walkway – no access to Town Centre for prams or wheelchair users.
Going forward we have now relocated Coffee Pronto to purpose designed new premises at what will become a major new entrance to the centre at Aldi and we are currently in the process of tendering for upgrading the former HSBC bank to replicate the frontage of Coffee Pronto.
In addition we are tendering for upgrading the former Your More Store and Woolworths. Again two major projects of benefit to the Centre. The future of Newton Aycliffe as a viable Town Centre is a positive one and something we should all be proud of.
John Tinley, Director
Editor: Newton News refute the statement that Daejan were given 1 hours notice to comment. We have copies of e-mails sent on Tuesday 25th June at 3pm and a record of telephone calls to the Manager at Aycliffe and the company in London which prove how hard we tried to get a response in time from them in the same issue, even holding our deadline back to give them time. Daejan’s response, 15 days later, still does not adequately cover the concerns of residents or answer the problems facing their tenants.
