Northumberland shopping centre closes ahead of £90m town centre redevelopment works

The Keel Row Shopping Centre in Blyth has formally closed, ahead of major redevelopment works in the town centre.

Ivy Lear, who originally opened the centre in 1991 turned the key to close the centre for the final time on the evening of Tuesday, 20th February.

Also present when the centre closed were Trevor Gyllenspetz, Centre Manager and Jacque Bate, Store Manager of Bon Marche, which was the last store to close. The Centre will now be closed until a planned demolition later this year prior to redevelopment as part of the £90m Energising Blyth Programme to improve the town centre.  

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

Cllr Kath Nisbet, Ward Councillor for Croft Ward, commented: “This is a very sad day for me but also an important one to mark because the centre has been a vital part of the life of the town for many years.   

“I would like to thank all the businesses that have traded from the centre over the years and I know many residents will have fond memories of its heyday.  I would also like to thank Trevor Gyllenspetz and the management team at the centre who have kept the centre going in tough times over recent years. 

“I’m looking forward to seeing positive development of the town centre in the coming years as part of Energising Blyth and with building work now underway on a new and exciting offer for the town. 

"Blyth continues to have a range of excellent businesses so please keep visiting and spending time in our town which has lots to offer and even more to come as new investment delivers improvements to the area.”

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