Hampton Trust has teamed up with Octobre Properties to carry out the long-awaited £50m redevelopment of Middleton town centre and Octobres Arndale Centre, in Greater Manchester.
The joint venture will refurbish the existing 27,870 sq m (300,000 sq ft) Arndale Centre and build another 23,225 sq m (250,000 sq ft) of new retail space around it on land owned by Rochdale council. The entire scheme will be rebranded the Middleton Centre.
Ted Dadley, development director at Hampton Trust, said: “A major overhaul of the Arndale Centre, together with the councils land is long overdue. This will be the catalyst for the regeneration of Middleton as a whole.”
Dadley confirmed that the JV is in talks with the council to redevelop the site and the whole of the town centre, although it has not yet received preferred developer status.
The scheme forms part of a regeneration programme planned for the whole of central Middleton, including a Tesco superstore, a civic and leisure centre, and a dry sports centre. The council is believed to be inviting other landowners to come forward to discuss development possibilities.
The JV is now working up its proposals, which also include redevelopment of the towns bus station and infrastructure works, and an application will be submitted next summer.
Morrison Developments, the councils former preferred developer for the regeneration of Middleton, was dropped earlier this year because it failed to bring its proposals forward in time.
Dunlop Heywood is advising the council. Tushingham Moore and Churston Heard are representing the JV.
EGi News 17/11/00
