Aldi confirms interest in Festival Walk
As part of the ongoing regeneration of Spennymoor by Hellens Group, Aldi has confirmed an interest in the redevelopment proposals for the Festival Walk.
There has already been an announcement for proposals for the site, which would see Hellens take over the majority of it and demolishing a large part of the existing shopping centre to create one new large retail unit.
As part of the scheme, the remaining units will be refurbished and modernised with Durham County Council looking to invest £600,000 to purchase and demolish a section of the site.
This would be to lead the creation of a new town centre car park and the improvement to local road junctions to allow better access to the site.
Cllr Neil Foster, Durham County council’s cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: ‘The public confirmation of Aldi’s interest in the site is brilliant news for Spennymoor and its residents. Together we have been working extremely hard to bring forward these proposals which promise to resolve the longstanding problem of the outdated Festival Walk scheme thereby completely transforming the centre of the town.’
Spennymoor has proved to be a popular location for new housing in recent years due to the accessibility across the county with a link to A167 to Durham city and Newton Aycliffe. The town has seen housing expansion on a number of sites and the town centre has scope to improve its retail offer with development opportunities available.
The existing property at Coulson Street, Business Durham has made a further £65,000 investment in their existing property, with a result of all four units now fully occupied employing 10 people.
The 1960s shopping precinct will be redeveloped with proposals to demolish a significant part and create new development plot which will be occupied by food store operator that wishes to expand its operation and remain in the town. All information about the redevelopment can be found here.
After having done some research within the town there was a clear divide into people’s thought of the Festival Walk and the redevelopment. With opinions, such as ‘Pull the lot down its an eyesore’ to ‘It would help regenerate interest in the town centre.’
One resident said, ‘This town and its people are tired of vague and false promises that the council fails to deliver. Durham gates for instance. I don’t trust this council at all.’
Cllr Neil foster continued to say, ‘While we have seen many millions of pounds already invested in the area through the local masterplan, we know that the Festival Walk remains a key priority for the people pf Spennymoor. So I am personally delighted that Hellens and Aldi have confirmed their interest in the site.’
The Festival Walk is controversial topic in the town, with many wondering why should Adli move from its existing location from one side of the town to another.
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