September 23, 2011
Capital Shopping Centres has received overwhelming support for its proposed The Avenue development at The Potteries Shopping Centre in Stoke on Trent. CSC is planning to add 58,000 sq ft of new use to the existing 566,000 sq ft centre by adding family friendly leisure facilities, including six restaurants and a cinema.
99% of those who filled in consultation postcards at the public exhibition held in The Potteries Shopping Centre last week were in favour of CSC’s proposed leisure development within the city centre. 97% of respondents also felt that the economic benefits of the scheme are an important feature of the proposals.
Many respondents mentioned the need for improved leisure facilities and for quality restaurants in the city centre as part of their support for the proposed development. Local job creation and investment in the city centre was also a popular theme, with the development planned to create 100 construction jobs and 185 permanent jobs once completed. Others welcomed the proposals for family-friendly facilities appealing to all age ranges, accessible via public transport.
Martin Breeden, asset management director (north), CSC London said: “Leisure and catering is vital to the CSC mix and where we are able to extend such offers through redevelopment we will do so. At The Potteries it’s great to see such overwhelming public support from our shoppers ahead of our upcoming planning application.”
CSC will submit a planning application for the new Avenue development later this year. If plans are approved, the extension could be ready as soon as Spring 2014.