£25M Revamp for Ridings

29 August 2007

The Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield is set to undergo a host of structural and cosmetic changes, including a 100,000 sq ft extension, re-designed entrances, a re-designed food court, a new café and other aesthetic improvements

Moorfield Group, the Investment and asset manager of Moorfield Real Estate Fund who acquired the Centre around eighteen months ago, has submitted plans to Wakefield Council for the improvement works, which are expected to take place during the course of 2008 at an estimated cost of around £25M.
 
The plans include a three storey extension to the Centre which will provide modern retail space to help attract new retailers to the centre and create an opportunity for existing stores to take larger premises.
 
The Centre’s food offer will also benefit from the improvement works with plans to not only re-design the existing food court but also to create a new café at the Cathedral Walk entrance.
 
Aside from works to the Centre, Moorfield will also build a new 12,000 sq ft building with its own dedicated car park for Johnston Press, home of the Wakefield Express, as part of the extension proposals.
 
Award winning, Leeds based architects, DLG, were appointed by Moorfield Group to draw up the proposals for the Centre which will help to improve the appearance of all three entrances. It will also encourage the use of Almshouse Lane, a road that has been identified by the Council as a key route between Wakefield’s Cathedral Precinct and the new Waterfront development.
 
It is anticipated that work will commence early in 2008, avoiding the busy Christmas trading period. The construction programme will be carefully phased to prevent disruption for shoppers and retailers alike.
 
Speaking about the proposed changes, Mark Holmes of Moorfield Group said:
 
“Wakefield is a city where we see enormous potential for growth, and we are really excited about the plans for its regeneration. When we first acquired The Ridings back in November 2005, Moorfield recognised the huge potential that Wakefield has to establish itself strongly as a retail destination, and we are committed to helping this process through further investment in the Centre.
 
“As we now move towards realising that commitment with these plans for The Ridings, we look forward to playing our part in the wider regeneration of the city and continuing to work closely with the Council.”
 
Speaking about their new offices, Helen Oldham from Yorkshire Weekly Newspaper Group, commented:
 
“We are delighted to be staying in the city centre in new offices which will improve the working environment for all of our staff and customers. We will work with Moorfield Group throughout the design and construction process to ensure that the move from our existing building to our modern new premises is a smooth transition for all.”