Tuesday, May 24, 2005
Shopping Centre
Miliband Welcomes Shopping Centre News
Following the disclosure in this weblog that BHS are to take a unit in the new shopping centre in Waterloo Vale I have received the following comments from our MP, and Cabinet Minister, David Miliband;
"I am delighted that work is progressing well on the new development in Waterloo Vale - this is great news for residents and tourists. Next and Debenhams are respected high street names and it is fantastic that they have decided to open stores in the town. It is important that we continue to focus on the whole of our town centre, to ensure that shops in King Street and Fowler Street benefit from the new developments. I will continue working with South Tyneside Council to ensure that progress continues in the town centre and surrounding areas."
The Shields Gazette carried the following story on the front page of this evening's edition;
YET another big-name department store is coming to South Shields in a massive town centre revamp, the Gazette can today reveal.
After months of speculation, British Home Stores (Bhs) is now finalising plans for its flagship store at the new Waterloo Square development in the town centre, bringing with it 35 jobs.
Three of the four units have now been confirmed, with retail giants Next and Debenhams announcing their plans earlier this year.
The news is being welcomed as a huge coup for the town centre, which was widely regarded as going downhill after the closure of the Binns department store in 1994.
Peter Winfield, from the South Shields Chamber of Trade, said: "It's an excellent opportunity for the town again. To get three of the top names in retail to come here is amazing."
"This is a real vote of confidence and I'm sure they will be happy to be associated with South Shields."
With the new-concept store, Bhs finally confirmed the rumours circulating South Tyneside, ending speculation that has been ongoing since the turn of the year about the retailers signing up to the multi-million-pound Keppel Street development.
Leader of South Tyneside Council, Coun Paul Waggott, said: "This is yet more great news for South Shields and the borough as a whole.
You'd have been forgiven for thinking it couldn't really get any better after Next and Debenhams said they were borough-bound but it just has, thanks to BHS.
Every store but one has now been snapped up, and I'm sure it is only a matter of time before we can put the final piece in the jigsaw."
Coun Eddie McAtominey, lead member for corporate development, added: "The borough is on a roll and it is important that we capitalise on the job opportunities that this significant investment will bring.
People in South Tyneside have long been asking for major retailers to take root in the borough, and the presence of these three names is symbolic of the progress we are making.
This progress is down to the fact that we, as a council, believe in action not promises, and it is this approach which is making people sit up and take notice."
Store bosses confirmed their intentions today and said they are "very happy" to play a role in the redevelopment of South Shields town centre.
Frederick Street parking problems
This weblog has stirred up more action, with Northumbria Police promising increased traffic warden activity following the publication of my photograph of the area. However action may not be immediate as they wait for South Tyneside Borough Council to complete road markings and signage.
Senior Traffic Warden Harry Mellish said
"This has been like this for the past four years due to the regeneration of Frederick Street area and the lack of enforcement is because the council have still not completed road markings and also signage on the roads and parking areas, however they do promise me that it will be done in the very near future!"
However, I have asked him to look again at my photograph which clearly shows vehicles parked in a marked bus stop and alongside clearly marked double yellow lines!!
_________________________________________________________________
Following the disclosure in this weblog that BHS are to take a unit in the new shopping centre in Waterloo Vale I have received the following comments from our MP, and Cabinet Minister, David Miliband;
"I am delighted that work is progressing well on the new development in Waterloo Vale - this is great news for residents and tourists. Next and Debenhams are respected high street names and it is fantastic that they have decided to open stores in the town. It is important that we continue to focus on the whole of our town centre, to ensure that shops in King Street and Fowler Street benefit from the new developments. I will continue working with South Tyneside Council to ensure that progress continues in the town centre and surrounding areas."
The Shields Gazette carried the following story on the front page of this evening's edition;
YET another big-name department store is coming to South Shields in a massive town centre revamp, the Gazette can today reveal.
After months of speculation, British Home Stores (Bhs) is now finalising plans for its flagship store at the new Waterloo Square development in the town centre, bringing with it 35 jobs.
Three of the four units have now been confirmed, with retail giants Next and Debenhams announcing their plans earlier this year.
The news is being welcomed as a huge coup for the town centre, which was widely regarded as going downhill after the closure of the Binns department store in 1994.
Peter Winfield, from the South Shields Chamber of Trade, said: "It's an excellent opportunity for the town again. To get three of the top names in retail to come here is amazing."
"This is a real vote of confidence and I'm sure they will be happy to be associated with South Shields."
With the new-concept store, Bhs finally confirmed the rumours circulating South Tyneside, ending speculation that has been ongoing since the turn of the year about the retailers signing up to the multi-million-pound Keppel Street development.
Leader of South Tyneside Council, Coun Paul Waggott, said: "This is yet more great news for South Shields and the borough as a whole.
You'd have been forgiven for thinking it couldn't really get any better after Next and Debenhams said they were borough-bound but it just has, thanks to BHS.
Every store but one has now been snapped up, and I'm sure it is only a matter of time before we can put the final piece in the jigsaw."
Coun Eddie McAtominey, lead member for corporate development, added: "The borough is on a roll and it is important that we capitalise on the job opportunities that this significant investment will bring.
People in South Tyneside have long been asking for major retailers to take root in the borough, and the presence of these three names is symbolic of the progress we are making.
This progress is down to the fact that we, as a council, believe in action not promises, and it is this approach which is making people sit up and take notice."
Store bosses confirmed their intentions today and said they are "very happy" to play a role in the redevelopment of South Shields town centre.
Frederick Street parking problems
This weblog has stirred up more action, with Northumbria Police promising increased traffic warden activity following the publication of my photograph of the area. However action may not be immediate as they wait for South Tyneside Borough Council to complete road markings and signage.
Senior Traffic Warden Harry Mellish said
"This has been like this for the past four years due to the regeneration of Frederick Street area and the lack of enforcement is because the council have still not completed road markings and also signage on the roads and parking areas, however they do promise me that it will be done in the very near future!"
However, I have asked him to look again at my photograph which clearly shows vehicles parked in a marked bus stop and alongside clearly marked double yellow lines!!
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