Council acquires Blyth shopping centre with major new development planned

Northumberland County Council has acquired the Keel Row Shopping Centre in Blyth with major new development planned for the site including new education, innovation and leisure facilities.

Like many UK retail outlets, the Keel Row Shopping Centre has been struggling for several years and the centre is not commercially viable. Just 8 of the 20 units in the centre are currently let to commercial tenants with only 25 percent of lettable floor space producing a commercial rent.

The Keel Row Shopping Centre remains open until a planned closure in early 2024. The County Council is working with all affected parties to provide support to remaining businesses based in the centre to find new premises within Blyth should they wish to do so and offer support to any affected employees.

Today’s announcement means that following closure, the County Council will ensure the site is brought back into positive use as part of the £90m Energising Blyth regeneration programme to grow, renew and connect the town.

The programme is being delivered by Northumberland County Council and funded in partnership through UK Government, Northumberland County Council, North of Tyne Combined Authority and support from other partners.

The County Council has acquired the shopping centre, car park, and the vacant property at 7-9 Bridge Street from Northumberland Estates. Following closure, the site will become the location for a new development area in early 2024.

Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, cabinet member for Supporting Business and Opportunities, at Northumberland County Council, said: “The Keel Row Shopping Centre has been an important part of life in Blyth for many years but has been struggling. This is despite the efforts of the owner, the managing agent of the centre, and everyone who works there.

“The acquisition means we can bring forward more development in the town centre including investment in educational, innovation and cultural activities. This will make the town a more welcoming, safe and popular place to visit attracting a wide range of people wanting to work, learn and enjoy all the town has to offer.”

Michael O’Driscoll, commercial property investment director at Northumberland Estates said: “We have owned Keel Row Shopping Centre and car park for several years and despite additional investment into the site and ongoing efforts to market retail units within the centre, there has been a sustained decline in tenancies.

Cllr Warren Taylor, mayor of Blyth Town Council said: “We are optimistic that the development of the cultural venue in the Market Place, alongside the other Energising Blyth projects, will provide a boost to retailers in the town centre and encourage other businesses to invest.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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