Mayor pledges support for Wallsend

25-JUN-10

Issued by: Jeanette Hedley

North Tyneside's Elected Mayor has reaffirmed her commitment to the regeneration of Wallsend despite a delay in the opening of a new supermarket.

Earlier this month Wm Morrison Supermarkets Plc was granted full planning permission for the development of the former Co-operative store in Forum House, Wallsend, that would provide a supermarket on the ground floor.

The company have now confirmed that due to a review of their capital investment plan, they will not be able to open in the Autumn as planned but hope to open the store early next year.

Morrison's are reluctant to progress the project unless they have secured confirmed occupations of the upper floors of the property and this has not been possible in the current economic climate.

Elected Mayor, Linda Arkley, who will make a public statement on the matter to a meeting of the Council next week said: "It is obviously disappointing that the opening of the Morrison's store has been delayed."

"As a council we have done everything we can to support Morrison's plans to come to Wallsend. We have even considered leasing the upper floors for council offices, but would not offer good value for money at present.

"I can reassure residents of Wallsend that we are fully committed to the regeneration of the town.

"The North Bank of the Tyne project incorporates plans to deliver improvements for the town itself as well as the riverside. We have already commenced the assembly of land at Hedley Place to allow the remodelling of the shopping centre and opened discussions with the owners of the Forum about the opportunity to bring forward a major refurbishment.

"We will continue to work with Morrisons to seek a long term solution that will meet the needs of the company and local residents."

The North Bank of the Tyne project is a partnership between North Tyneside Council, Newcastle City Council, One NorthEast and the Homes and Communities Agency.

The partnership appointed international property and regeneration experts GVA Grimley to prepare a framework for one of the country's biggest regeneration projects, together with an implementation strategy that results in a vibrant and vital district for living, working and leisure.

Over six months a series of public engagement events canvassed public views on issues ranging from how to improve housing, the future use of the former Swan Hunters site, how the regeneration of Wallsend can boost employment opportunities for borough residents, and whether the riverside should be opened up for leisure use.

The overall master plan will replace all previously produced plans and tackle social and economic issues, including how the partnership can seek to build on the successful marine industries along the North Bank of the Tyne and provide increased employment opportunities for the region.

This includes recommendations on the future use of the former Swan Hunter shipyards site and the regeneration of Wallsend town centre, as well as improving accessibility to the riverside and transport linking the riverside and adjacent neighbourhoods.