Tuesday, August 02, 2005
Waterloo Square
Retailer revealed as River Island
After the rumours and speculation, which incidentally have turned out wrong, we have had an announcement today that the fourth and final retailer to take their place in the new Waterloo Square shopping centre will be River Island. They will take a 40,000 sq. ft. unit alongside Debenhams, Next, and British Home Stores.
Cllr. John Anglin, Chairman of the Town Centre Core Group told Curly's Corner Shop,
"The fourth major retailer in the development is River Island who have shown their faith in Council strategy by increasing their retail area
significantly."
The building work is progressing very nicely as this photograph taken today shows (click on the thumbnail to enlarge)
The scheme should be completed in time for Christmas shopping and should go some way towards stemming the drain of shoppers to our rivals in Sunderland, Newcastle, and Gateshead.
Cllr. Anglin added,
"You will have noted that Debenhams are actively looking to recruit new staff with a view of trading successfully by Christmas."
River Island already operate from premises in King Street and it is unclear what will happen to that building, which requires an upgrade, but perhaps will become available for another retailer.
We also have to face the problem of how to deal with the old multi-story car park in Mile End Road, it has been suggested that it be demolished and redeveloped as office accomodation. If this is to be it's future, then I would ask that consideration be given to including retail units on the ground floor of the new development, with a view to low cost rents/leaseholds to encourage local "specialist" retailers to thrive alongside the national chains. We must work towards preventing the "cloning" of our town centre as has happened in countless other High Streets the length and breadth of this island. We need to look at towns like Hexham, Morpeth, Tynemouth, Thirsk, Penrith, and evaluate how they have managed to retain such a great mix of local and national traders within the same streets.
_________________________________________________________________
After the rumours and speculation, which incidentally have turned out wrong, we have had an announcement today that the fourth and final retailer to take their place in the new Waterloo Square shopping centre will be River Island. They will take a 40,000 sq. ft. unit alongside Debenhams, Next, and British Home Stores.
Cllr. John Anglin, Chairman of the Town Centre Core Group told Curly's Corner Shop,
"The fourth major retailer in the development is River Island who have shown their faith in Council strategy by increasing their retail area
significantly."
The building work is progressing very nicely as this photograph taken today shows (click on the thumbnail to enlarge)
The scheme should be completed in time for Christmas shopping and should go some way towards stemming the drain of shoppers to our rivals in Sunderland, Newcastle, and Gateshead.
Cllr. Anglin added,
"You will have noted that Debenhams are actively looking to recruit new staff with a view of trading successfully by Christmas."
River Island already operate from premises in King Street and it is unclear what will happen to that building, which requires an upgrade, but perhaps will become available for another retailer.
We also have to face the problem of how to deal with the old multi-story car park in Mile End Road, it has been suggested that it be demolished and redeveloped as office accomodation. If this is to be it's future, then I would ask that consideration be given to including retail units on the ground floor of the new development, with a view to low cost rents/leaseholds to encourage local "specialist" retailers to thrive alongside the national chains. We must work towards preventing the "cloning" of our town centre as has happened in countless other High Streets the length and breadth of this island. We need to look at towns like Hexham, Morpeth, Tynemouth, Thirsk, Penrith, and evaluate how they have managed to retain such a great mix of local and national traders within the same streets.
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Curly Born in 1956
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