Work under way on ‘one-off’ shopping centre scheme
Capital&Centric has released new images of its plans to turn a 1960s Newcastle-under-Lyme shopping precinct into more than 40 homes.
Contractors have been on site at the former York Place shopping centre in the town for several months now, completing demolition work ahead of the main conversion project.
The project will preserve the existing reinforced concrete frame of the building, repurposing it into 42 apartments clustered around a pocket park, which the developer says will become a “vibrant new destination” for the town.
The vision includes bringing the site back to life with over 11,000 sq ft of spaces for indie shops, bars and cafes, and a new music venue.
The former York Place shopping centre in Newcastle under Lyme is being converted into 42 apartments. Credit: Place Midlands
The project is part of a wider £90m regeneration of Newcastle-under-Lyme, supported by the borough council and recently backed by a £19m funding boost from Homes England.
It sits alongside Capital&Centric’s other upcoming town centre sites, “Karparc”, a residential-conversion of the former Midway Car Park into homes, and “Rye Park”, a residential scheme built on a former supermarket site in the Ryecroft area of Newcastle-under-Lyme.
John Moffat, Joint Managing Director at Capital&Centric, said: “This project is rethinking what a town centre can be, and it joins Karparc and Rye Park as part of an epic transformation of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Instead of demolishing the 60s shopping centre, we’re giving it a major reboot and turning it into a distinct, design-led collection of homes.
“We want to preserve the brutalist charm while adding a fresh, contemporary vibe. We’re buzzing to get going and create a new destination that locals can be proud of, with indie hangouts and a new music venue right in the mix.”
Simon Tagg, Council Leader at Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: “As well as building homes and creating commercial space from the shell of the old building, the reshaping of Astley Place will open up the way from Rye Park through the town centre and to the market.
“Add the plans by Joule’s Brewery to create a music venue adjoining the Old Bull’s Head and this is an exciting link in the multi-million pound chain of redevelopment running across Newcastle.”
