The Yorkshire region has seen several redevelopment projects being either completed or proposed in the last couple of years. Here at GME, we’re looking at some of these projects specifically in the Barnsley and Leeds area. Both have seen some incredible development opportunities recently, and both have begun to thrive from different industries, not just the ones they have been originally associated with.
Victoria, Leeds
The new development in Leeds combines the already established Victoria Quarter, which has been active as a shopping area since its complete renovation in 1996, and the newly built Victoria Gate which opened its doors on the 20th October 2016. Victoria Gate was estimated to have cost around £156 million, and has a similar emphasis on upmarket retail, much like Victoria Quarter. Department store John Lewis is the most prominent store to feature in the area, and occupies 265,000 square feet, and is the first John Lewis to open in Leeds.
Town Centre, Barnsley
Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council are leading the project of renovation to Barnsley’s town centre, and is estimated to be worth around £50million. The total renovation will see the implementation of a new library, public square, new retail and leisure space, a newly built cinema and family entertainment centre as well as a number of new cafes and restaurants occupying spaces. Much of the building work is expected to be completed in 2017. However, the proposed leisure and retail facilities will begin construction in 2017, expecting to be completed in 2019. The building work completed includes a digital media centre, a new transport interchange and a new college which accommodates up to a thousand students.
Trinity, Leeds
Trinity shopping and leisure centre opened back in 2013. However, the site recently won ‘best of the best’ designed shopping centre in the world, and has catapulted Leeds back as one of the forefront cities in the UK for shopping. The shopping area consists of two parts, Trinity East – which is a newly built site and Trinity East, which is a redevelopment of the previous Leeds Shopping Centre. Trinity sees an annual spend of just under £2 billion, and has created around 3000 new jobs in the Leeds area.
At GME we’re inspired by regeneration projects in the Yorkshire region. We’re a commercial painting contractors based in Wakefield, operating the surrounding areas including both Leeds and Barnsley. Please feel free to contact one of our team to discuss any queries you may have on 01924 723723.