Latest phase at Morpeth town centre gets under way
Jan 28 2009 by Peter Leathley, The Journal
A CAR park in Morpeth town centre is about to close to make way for the latest phase of the town’s £32m shopping redevelopment.
The 25-space Corporation Yard car park will close to the public from Sunday to allow the Sanderson Arcade retail and office project to move forward.
More than 100 extra parking spaces were created at Dark Lane in advance of the development work starting, so that drivers can be accommodated just off the town centre. Once the building work is completed later this year, more than 50 new spaces will be created in the town.
Yesterday Mark Dransfield, director of town centre developers Morpeth II, said: “Significant progress is being made with the development and we are currently on schedule to have all units completed and in operation by the end of 2009.
“The closure of this car park is vital in order to keep up the momentum of progress and enable construction to begin on the new Marks & Spencer store, which will be open in time for Christmas this year.
“We are looking forward to seeing the first milestone reached in February, with the completion of the new bus interchange.’’
Work started on the £32m scheme last June and the first retail unit, due to be occupied by Country Casuals, is currently undergoing internal fit out works and will be opening for trade in February.
