Antonine Centre

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The Antonine Centre is a Shopping Centre in the Scottish New Town of Cumbernauld. The Centre has 350,000 sq ft (33,000 m²) of retail space including a 100,000 sq ft (9,300 m²) Tesco Extra (in a separate building to the main centre, attached by walkways) and a 43,000 sq ft (4,000 m²) Dunnes. The centre was expected to open sometime in May 2007[1], but instead opened on 6th June 2007[2], following delays caused by planning disputed over the pedestrian walkways connecting the complex to existing buildings.[3]

Contents

[edit] Historical background

Traditionally, Cumbernauld Town Centre has been considered one of the ugliest in Europe, twice winning the Carbuncle award for the most unpleasant town centre in the country[4]; in 2001 it was described as "The Kabul of the north"[5], while the entire town centre was nominated as Britain's ugliest structure in the Channel 4 programme Demolition. This is ironic as much of the surrounding area contains highly sought after residential property and is ideally located for ease of access to the major conurbations.[6]

The £40 million Antonine Centre project was launched in 1995[7] as part of a deliberate plan to radically change the nature of the town centre and public perception of the town. Unfortunately, some have remarked that the new centre seems to have been designed to complement the architecture and look of the existing structures, which are so disliked by the majority of local residents.

[edit] Construction

After over ten years of delays, construction began in April 2006.[8] North Lanarkshire council Deputy Leader Jim Smith stated that the aims of the centre were to "Bring new jobs, new opportunities, new investment and new life into Cumbernauld (and) help make sure local money stays local by encouraging people to stay in the town instead of heading for Edinburgh, Stirling or Glasgow".[9]

The building incorporates the historic clock from St Enoch railway station in Glasgow, made famous in the 1981 film Gregory's Girl.[3]

The former Tesco (connected to the new development by a network of walkways) was also subdivided into smaller retail units.[10]

[edit] Shops and projected effects on the local area

As well as the Tesco Extra and Dunnes superstores, the centre will contain a 42 other retail outlets including River Island, Next and Woolworths. It is projected that the centre will increase expenditure in the town by 84%, while total retail spending in the town is projected to rise by 166%, transforming the local economy.[11]

The centre will also contain four "civic spaces" designed for community use[10], and a commemorative artwork commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of the town of Cumbernauld.[12]

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  1. ^ Welcome to Our New Sister Shopping Centre. Cumbernauld Shopping Centre. Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
  2. ^ “Time Drags On for Centre”, Cumbernauld Today, 2007-05-02, <http://www.cumbernauldtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle.aspx?sectionid=961&articleid=2845869> 
  3. ^ a b Paisley, Jonathan (2007-04-04), “Walkway Hitch May Delay £40 million Shopping Complex”, Evening Times, <http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/display.var.1306336.0.0.php> 
  4. ^ Duffy, Judith (2005-10-23), “Fear and Loathing in a Town Called Carbuncle”, Sunday Herald, <http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4156/is_20051023/ai_n15718354> 
  5. ^ “Cumbernauld: Radiant City or Carbuncle?”, The Daily Telegraph, 2002-08-31, <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml;$sessionid$E0BWVVBLMBCS5QFIQMGCFFOAVCBQUIV0?xml=/property/2002/08/31/pcumb31.xml&sSheet=/property/2002/08/31/ixpmain.html> 
  6. ^ Brown, Craig & Smith, Claire (2007-03-08), “Don't You Dare to Knock Our Town - We Do That Ourselves”, The Scotsman, <http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=1542&id=367742007> 
  7. ^ "Passionate About Cumbernauld" (2006-05-16). Shopping Centre Magazine. William Reed Publishing. 
  8. ^ Rebirth for "Dismal" Town Centre. BBC News (2006-04-11). Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
  9. ^ High Level Delegation Tours £40M Shopping Centre. Build (2007-05-15). Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
  10. ^ a b New Lease of Life for Cumbernauld. North Lanarkshire Council (2002). Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
  11. ^ Shopfitting begins at Cumbernauld's Antonine Shopping Centre. Commercial Property News (2007-02-07). Retrieved on 2007-05-29.
  12. ^ A Summer of Celebrations in Cumbernauld. North Lanarkshire Counci; (2007-04-23). Retrieved on 2007-05-29.