Halton Lea
| Location | Runcorn, Cheshire, England |
|---|---|
| Opening date | July 1972 |
| Developer | Grosvenor Group |
| Management | Mayfield Asset and Property Management |
| Owner | Peel Group |
| No. of stores and services | 130 (With capacity for 250) |
| No. of anchor tenants | 3 |
| Total retail floor area | 545,082 sq ft (50,640 m²) |
| No. of floors | 3 |
| Parking | 2,200 |
| Website | Runcorn Shopping Centre |
Runcorn Shopping Centre, previously known as Halton Lea, is a medium-sized covered shopping centre in Runcorn, Cheshire, England. It is the main shopping area in Runcorn. It was the centrepiece of the New Town of Runcorn and was opened by Queen Elizabeth II in 1972.[1]
History
Opened in July 1972 by Queen Elizabeth II, Halton Lea, then called Runcorn Shopping City, was designed by the Chief Architect of Runcorn New Town, Fred Roche, as the centrepiece of the massive development. After its construction in 1971 (officially opened 1972) it was the largest enclosed shopping centre in Europe.
During that period the centre attracted huge numbers of shoppers brought by Runcorn's unique transportation system and its central location between Manchester and Liverpool. However this did not last, as the owners at that time, Grosvenor, pushed rents up in an attempt to capitalise on the centre's popularity. Spiralling rents soon saw many of the big names that were attracting shoppers close and move to centres with lower rents such as the Golden Square Shopping Centre in neighbouring Warrington.
In 1989 Asda Stores Ltd, then part of ASDA MFI, opened a 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m2) superstore on West Lane. The store was recently extended to 106,000 sq ft (9,800 m2). Some of the problems the centre was experiencing during the late 1980s and early 1990s were blamed on the ASDA Superstore; however, it arguably helped to keep the centre alive, bringing customers to the area during the centre's poorest years.
The centre suffered for many more years after Grosvenor sold the centre to its current owners, Peel Holdings. Poor management had left the centre in disrepair. Asbestos, building faults and out of date decor led to a huge redevelopment of the centre and eventually to its renaming to Halton Lea. Since then the centre has grown to include an outdoor mall named the Trident Retail Park, which hosts many big name shops such as Currys, JJB Sports, Blockbuster, TK Maxx and Fitness First. The flagship unit is a 9-screen cinema complex currently owned and operated by Cineworld.
In 2011 the centre was sold to F&C Reit asset management for approximately £29.1million, F&C Reit intend to redevelop the centre and have begun with the redevelopment of the car parks.
In 2013 the centre was rebranded to become Runcorn Shopping Centre with a new logo.
Future
The centre is still undergoing large-scale redevelopment which is to include internal redevelopment and re-distribution of unit space as well as the development of new retail space both inside the centre by opening the unused second floor (which will add at least another 500,000 sq ft (46,000 m2) of retail space) and the construction of more retail parks around the centre.
In September 2009, Halton Lea was taken into receivership which is being managed by Savills. Meanwhile, it will "trade and operate as normal".
In about September 2010, the centre was put up for £27.8 million by Savills, £27.8 is a roundabout amount that is wanted. Once again everyone has been reassured that the centre will trade and operate as normal, throughout the sale.
On 24 March 2011, it was announced Halton Lea Shopping Centre had been sold to F&C Reit Asset management, for approximately £29.1 million.
During mid-2012 plans were shown around the shopping malls at Halton Lea showing the plans for the exterior of the building. The architects impressions from Leach Rhodes Walker of Manchester show a new look for the building. The current exterior has not been modified significantly since the buildings original construction in the 1970s. In 2010 a net was fitted around the building to stop tiles from falling onto the public as it was a potential health hazard, however no one has ever been harmed by this.
A new Lidl store opened in 2013 with work to begin on a, pub and retail units on Land near the centre on the site of the former Vestric House. Its developer is Opus Land North.
The Post Office was recently relocated into Tesco and is now open 7 days a week.
The centre was re-branded in November 2013 to Runcorn Shopping Centre to help attract major retail to the centre.
The centre spent in excess of £5million pounds in bringing its three car parks up to an award winning standard. The centre offers 2,200 free car parking spaces to its customers.[2]
Background information
The centre is located close to the local district police station, the law courts and Halton's General Hospital.
It is near the M56 motorway, just off the A533, about 5 minutes from Runcorn Town Centre, and The Brindley arts centre, and 20 minutes from Warrington, and 15 minutes from Daresbury. It is situated in the centre of Runcorn New Town, and buses are available from the two bus termini to Liverpool, Chester and Widnes; it has excellent transportation links.
Shop Information
Halton Lea comprises over 85 shopping units including banks, bakeries, clothing shops, electrical shops and general supermarkets (Tesco and Iceland), etc. In addition the adjacent Trident Park includes a huge multi-screen cinema and many other large retail outlets (such as a Fitness First gym).
References
- ↑ Smith, Mark (24 September 2009), "Business as usual", Runcorn Weekly News (Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales), p. 1
- ↑ http://www.runcornshopping.co.uk/?p=880
External links
Coordinates: 53°19′38″N 2°41′53″W / 53.3273°N 2.6981°W