Member Article

New town centre set for take off

A rejuvenated town centre is attracting big name retail outlets as it prepares for a high-profile re-launch this weekend.

Teesside pop singer Amelia Lily, who finished third in the 2011 X Factor competition, will switch on the Christmas lights at Newton Aycliffe’s shopping centre from 4.30pm on Saturday.

The celebrations come as bosses claim well-known retailers are considering moving to the redeveloped precinct.

A total of £7m has been invested in Aycliffe’s tiring town centre over the last three years, with new Aldi and Tesco stores giving it a new lease of life.

The current third phase of a Master Plan development has just been completed, with a four-hour street party culminating with Lily’s appearance from 4.30pm on Saturday.

Town centre manager Bryan Haldane said: “Well-known retailers are now starting to look at Newton Aycliffe again, because of the major improvements that have been made in recent years.

“The place is unrecognisable from how it looked a few years ago and our occupancy levels are already above the national average.

“We currently have two very high-profile retailers looking at the former Woolworths and Your More Store units - big stores which will both be welcome additions to the town.”

The Mayor of Newton Aycliffe, Councillor Barbara Clare, admits the long-awaited overhaul of the town centre is “overdue” – but says it’s now wonderful.

The latest development, which started in February and has lasted all year, has included new paving throughout, new lighting, a new spiral staircase and eye-catching street furniture, while the ugly concrete ramp has made way to create more space.

“I think it is just wonderful,” said Cllr Clare.

“These improvements have been needed for a long time and it looks so much better without the ramp – there’s more space and it’s just a vast improvement.”

Freshwater invested £5m in the Aldi development, which was completed a year ago, with the latest works taking the total spend to £7m.

A further £3m is earmarked for the fourth phase of the plan, which involves the demolition of the shops along Beveridge Arcade and opening up the other end of the town centre, which is expected to start late January, early February 2014.

John Clare added: “It’s fantastic to see all of this work come to fruition and it really is great news for the town.

“What’s happening on Aycliffe Business Park is fabulous, businesses are really putting the town on the map, but this (town centre) has got to be the centre for the people of this town, and hopefully these developments will attract other well known retailers to further enhance the shopping experience.”

• Lily, 19, from Middlesbrough, will sing five songs during an hour-long stint in Aycliffe shopping centre from 4.30pm on Saturday.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Martin Walker .