Morpeth Jeweller Leads Line Up for New Shopping Experience

Morpeth Jeweller Leads Line Up for New Shopping Experience

11 September 2007

Morpeth’s specialist jeweller, The Jewellers Guild, is the first retailer to sign up for an outlet in Sanderson Arcade, which is part of the town’s £30 million redevelopment.

The family business, which is highly respected for its innovative design, will occupy a prime location at the entrance of the Edwardian style arcade in Bridge Street on a 15 year lease.

Work started last month on the long-awaited project that will help to transform shopping facilities in Morpeth. Targeted on the 1930s Sanderson Arcade and Back Riggs area, it will result in a 24 shop Edwardian mall, an extended Morrison’s supermarket, a new bus interchange, a petrol station, 41,000 sq ft of office space and almost 100 extra parking spaces.

This first phase of the scheme involves building the new long stay car park and carrying out road improvements before the main work starts next year.

It is being developed by Barnsley based, Dransfield Properties Ltd, which is confident that – based on research by independent analysts – that the scheme will deliver a huge boost in trade for the town.

The Jewellers Guild is the first of many potential retailers who have expressed huge interest in the project. Further announcements are expected in the next few weeks.

Managing director of The Jewellers Guild, Keith Peters, who has been trading in the town for seven years, is also confident that the project will help to breathe new life into Morpeth. He said

“This is an exciting opportunity and I am very very enthusiastic about our new home. Over the years it has become increasingly apparent that much of the town’s vitality has been ebbing away. This scheme will play a key part in reversing that trend.

“The Edwardian style design is superb and will add a new dimension to shopping in Morpeth and I am delighted that The Jewellers Guild will be helping to provide that experience”, added Mr Peters, whose design-led business has a widely respected reputation in the jewellery industry.

He has recently opened a workshop, which is managed by a former student of the year at Birmingham School of Jewellery, who has the responsibility for designing, re-styling and creating works of art in diamond, platinum and gold.

Mr Peters stressed that the business would continue to trade at its current site until the new Sanderson Arcade store is ready for occupation in the autumn of 2008.

Cathy Conway, PR and Marketing Manager at Dransfield Properties, is also very enthusiastic about the future of Morpeth:

“We are confident that the scheme will be vital in helping to enhance the reputation and fortunes of this attractive market town. It is a pleasure for us to be a part of its future.”

For further information, contact:

Public Relations Department, Dransfield Properties Ltd
Tel: 01226 360644
Email: pr@dransfield.co.uk