North East shopping centre marks new store openings with boost to local charity !

North East shopping centre marks new store openings with boost to local charity !

27 April 2011

The completion of building work at Morpeth’s Sanderson Arcade development has been marked with a special event in the  Northumberland market town.

The centre was opened in 2009 and six months later work started on the second phase of the ambitious town centre project. Now the contractors Mansell have completed that second phase allowing the new businesses to move in to the final units which were officially opened with a balloon launch helped by the children of Morpeth's Goosehill Nursery.

The development is owned and managed by South Yorkshire based retail specialists Dransfield Properties Ltd – and since opening its doors to shoppers nearly 18 months ago 410 new jobs have been created and 2.9 million visitors have crossed the threshold.

The first phase of the development has brought 360 new jobs with a further 50 being created in the new retail units in  phase two which have been occupied by Monsoon, Mountain Warehouse and JoJo Maman Bebe who chose Sanderson Arcade over other locations to open their first North East store.

The Corbridge Larder and Bar Luga Deli are also opening at the centre later in the year.

Managing Director of Dransfield Properties, Mark Dransfield said: “Since the main part of the development opened in November 2009 we have been working on the plans and then the delivery of this important final phase which completes the piazza area at the Arcade.

“We first submitted our planning application for Sanderson Arcade in 2005 and it is fantastic for everyone involved in the project to be able to see the whole scheme completed.

“The development has brought 410 new jobs to the town and is bringing new visitors every week. We have been delighted to see other retailers moving into the town, not just at The Arcade, which is testament to Morpeth’s standing as a great retail destination.” 

The second phase of the development has been built on the site of the former Comrades Club which has been hoarded off throughout construction work. The Club relocated last year to their new first floor premises above the Arcade’s Edwardian gallery.

At the launch event a cheque for £30,000 was also presented to The Children’s Foundation – the Arcade’s chosen charity during its first 18 months.

The money has been raised through the Dransfield Properties annual charity cycle ride and events at the centre including the Miles for Smiles challenge held in October last year.

Picture shows Mark Dransfield presenting the cheque to the Childrens Foundation, Sanderson Arcade's chosen charity since opening in November 2009.

For further information contact Amanda Holmes 01226 360644.

For further information, contact:

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