Renowned Scottish landmark changes hands to advance development projects
In a significant move, North Lanarkshire Council has acquired The Centre Cumbernauld, a shopping centre in the heart of Cumbernauld, Scotland. On Friday, 30 June, the acquisition was completed, marking the beginning of a major redevelopment programme for the town centre.
The UK Levelling Up Fund has awarded North Lanarkshire Council £9.2m to aid in the acquisition and progression of regeneration plans. M&G Real Estate has been appointed to manage The Centre Cumbernauld, following the acquisition. Gatehouse Property Management Limited will continue to manage the shopping centre property on behalf of the council, liaising with retailers.
The shopping centre will operate as a shopping mall for a number of years, with a full retail offer remaining in place until plans can be fully implemented. The centre, along with other council-owned facilities such as The Tryst, the library, and offices in the town centre, will be considered as part of the redevelopment programme.
The regeneration plans aim to create a place-based town centre that is fast-growing, experience-based, and adaptive to societal, technological, and economic changes. The vision for the regenerated town centre is for Cumbernauld to once again be seen as a forerunner for more inclusive, greener, and better-connected town-centre living.
Cllr Jim Logue, the leader of the council, described the investment as a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity to transform the town centre's role in the community. He announced further steps in the regeneration programme, which include community consultation, robust engagement with businesses, review and development of the masterplan designs, and advancement of plans for a new multi-purpose hub.
The regenerated town centre will feature integrated local services, repurposed office space, new retail and amenity spaces, excellent transport and digital infrastructure, and homes set in the heart of the town centre with sustainable and active travel links. Facilities may transfer to a new state-of-the-art hub as part of the redevelopment programme.
Cllr Logue also mentioned that the wider regeneration plans will have a significant impact on Cumbernauld town centre but will take a number of years to bring to fruition. He emphasized that once hailed as a new town of the future, Cumbernauld will once again be seen as a forerunner for more inclusive, greener, and better-connected town-centre living.
The council will work with partners and other town centre users to ensure that key services and facilities can be fully incorporated once developed. The plans align with the calls made by housing experts and councillors from local authorities across the UK at the latest UKREiiF conference, who urged for Levelling Up plans to progress within a two-year timeframe to allow residents to quickly experience benefits and avoid long-term projects.
This regeneration programme is a part of a multi-million pound investment to revitalize the town centre, marking an exciting new chapter for Cumbernauld.
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