Wallsend Area - Developments

[inmh88]

From someone on Twitter I know, they have been on a 'save our shops' campaign for Wallsend High Street. Here is that campaign page:-

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-O...808745?sk=info

Seems like from the info page, that directly elected Mayor - Linda Arkley is taking some stick for Morrisons not being let in.

[BigLebowski]

Originally Posted by inmh88

From someone on Twitter I know, they have been on a 'save our shops' campaign for Wallsend High Street. Here is that campaign page:-

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Save-O...808745?sk=info

Seems like from the info page, that directly elected Mayor - Linda Arkley is taking some stick for Morrisons not being let in.

Thats just baffling... Morrison's not being let in? They were practically ushered in, they only got cold feet when Byker Asda was given the green light (and as much as i disagree with the Byker development, Morrisons dummy-spitting ultimatum was tantamount to blackmail)

[Newcastle Historian]

Wallsend shopping centre plan creates jobs
by Sonia Sharma, Evening Chronicle, April 7th 2011


An artist's impression of how the new shopping centre could look

HUNDREDS of jobs could be created through a major scheme to revamp a town centre.

NewRiver, the owners of the Forum Shopping Centre, in Wallsend, have put together plans to refurbish the site and members of the public are being asked for their views on different options to transform the area.

The firm wants to bring in big retailers, create more shop space and better parking facilities. One of the main features would be a foodstore. It is believed between 300 and 500 jobs could be generated through the project.

The plans were presented at a community meeting attended by more than 230 residents and are currently on display in an empty shop at the Forum.

And over 200 people have completed questionnaires with their views. Around 95% said it was essential for improvements to be made to the town centre, and 96% felt it was necessary to have a foodstore. When asked what types of stores people would like to see, shoe shops were the number one choice along with clothes retailers, a Wilkinsons and a DIY store. In addition, residents called for a supermarket.

NewRiver has said it is in discussions to sign up a foodstore. The company hopes to submit a planning application for the redevelopment later this year and says the proposals would be subject to consultation before being finalised.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1IrxQMdAP

[Newcastle Historian]

Morrisons shelves plans for Wallsend store
by Sonia Sharma, Evening Chronicle, May 3rd 2011


A SUPERMARKET giant has shelved plans to open a new branch in a town centre set for regeneration.

Morrisons bought the old Co-op building near the Forum Shopping Centre, in Wallsend, North Tyneside, in 2009, and put together a scheme to open a new store at the site.

But the plan suffered delays and was put on hold after rivals Asda drew up proposals for a store in nearby Byker, Newcastle.

Morrisons felt there was not enough custom to support two supermarkets and objected against the Asda project.

However the Newcastle plan was given the go-ahead by the city council earlier this year.

Now Morrisons have confirmed they will not be opening a branch at the Forum and will put the building up for sale.

The company said the city council’s decision to grant permission for the Asda development had “significantly added to what is an already highly competitive local market”.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1LIHO6Pft

[Newcastle Historian]

.
We have covered the attempts to save the BOROUGH THEATRE, then its eventual sad demolition, in numerous posts on this thread. Now, at least, there is a bit of good news from one of the former occupants of the theatre building . . .

Dad and daughter start new Wallsend studio
by Sara Nichol, Evening Chronicle, May 3rd 2011



AS a piece of Tyneside music history vanishes, another is launched.

The former Borough Theatre, in Wallsend, was once home of Impulse Recording Studios, where international stars Sting and Lindisfarne started their careers.

But the town’s music legacy faced disappearing completely when the theatre was demolished, prompting a local father and daughter Geoff and Jill Heslop to take action.

Now the pair have opened a new studio in the hope bringing the area’s recording tradition back to life.

The Shipyard Studios is now up-and-running in the Pametrada Building, on Davy Bank.

And Geoff, 64, is himself a living memory of the old studios, where he used to be an engineer and producer, recording more than 100 albums.

Jill, 28, of Heaton, said it was important to keep Wallsend’s music tradition alive.

She said: “It was quite sad that Impulse Studios was demolished as some big names – such as Sting and Lindisfarne – started out there.

“My dad and I are both heavily involved in the music industry, and we just thought it would a great idea to open a new studio in Wallsend and keep the music tradition going.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1LII7HdSh

[Newcastle Historian]

.
Some more information about the above-mentioned "Pametrada Building" . . .

Room for a bright future in arts world
by Tony Henderson, The Journal, May 11th 2011



PROPERTY boss Tony Mann is launching a project to help the cuts-hit arts world at a riverside site which pioneered the powering of ships.

The former Wallsend Research Station site in North Tyneside next to the Swan Hunter shipyard researched and designed steam and gas turbines for 40 years after the Second World War. It also designed the turbines which powered the QE2 liner.

Five years ago Mr Mann, director of the Oceana Group property company, bought the 12-acre site and has spent £2.5m upgrading it.

The site includes three office and research blocks – including the three-storey, ship-like Pametrada building – which were built in the late 1940s, and turbine testing facilities.



Mr Mann, who has his company headquarters at what is now called the Oceana Business Park, has set up the Pametrada Arts Centre charity.

His aim is to offer low-cost space to arts and creative enterprises and individuals in the Pametrada building, with its art deco features.

His ambition is to establish a creative hub at Wallsend after being impressed by what has been achieved by similar ventures at Lime Street in the Ouseburn and the Mushroom Works in Newcastle, and the Bed Shed in a former furniture store in Gateshead.

He estimates the building can be converted into around 50 studios, with a 220 sq ft space for rent at £40 to £50 a week.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-e...#ixzz1M24W8zKS

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[Newcastle Historian]

Wallsend estate's six-year wait for road repairs
by Sonia Sharma, Evening Chronicle, August 8th 2011


Residents of a Persimmon-built estate in Rosehill, Wallsend, who are angry about the state of the roads

FED-UP families on a new estate are still waiting for their roads and footpaths to be finished – six years after moving in.

People on the Rosehill estate, in Wallsend, North Tyneside, are living with roads that are unsurfaced, uneven and peppered with raised manholes – prompting health and safety fears.

They say the lack of progress in resolving the matter is causing frustration and anger.

And residents are calling on builder Persimmon Homes to speed up work to complete the estate.

There are about 148 homes in the area, a mixture of apartments, detached and semi-detached properties. Some houses were bought for between £200,000 and £235,000.

David Griffin, 42, of Dilston Grange, said: “We were told the estate would be completed in three-and-a-half years.

“Yet we are in a situation where the roads are still incomplete. There are raised manholes, large holes and uneven surfaces where people are tripping over and cars are being damaged.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1URHYdLof

[Stagknight]

Originally Posted by Newcastle Historian

Morrisons shelves plans for Wallsend store
by Sonia Sharma, Evening Chronicle, May 3rd 2011


A SUPERMARKET giant has shelved plans to open a new branch in a town centre set for regeneration.

Morrisons bought the old Co-op building near the Forum Shopping Centre, in Wallsend, North Tyneside, in 2009, and put together a scheme to open a new store at the site.

But the plan suffered delays and was put on hold after rivals Asda drew up proposals for a store in nearby Byker, Newcastle.

Morrisons felt there was not enough custom to support two supermarkets and objected against the Asda project.

However the Newcastle plan was given the go-ahead by the city council earlier this year.

Now Morrisons have confirmed they will not be opening a branch at the Forum and will put the building up for sale.

The company said the city council’s decision to grant permission for the Asda development had “significantly added to what is an already highly competitive local market”.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1LIHO6Pft

Now this makes no sense, to start with Byker is Newcastle city council and Wallsend forum is North Tyneside council, never the twain shall either talk to each other about anything in there own balliwick. And secondly, Wallsend is heavily populated with older persons, the co op was full of them, but in order to go to asda or morrisons they need someone with a car to take them as getting a bus with a weeks shopping is hard, I know I tried. The bus to Benton Asda, our nearest, takes such a convergent route that it takes over an hour to get there. Wallsend needs more than the poor choices available in netto, it needs one of the big stores, and for once I wouldn't complain if it was Tesco.

[AngerOfTheNorth]

Originally Posted by Newcastle Historian

Wallsend estate's six-year wait for road repairs
by Sonia Sharma, Evening Chronicle, August 8th 2011


Residents of a Persimmon-built estate in Rosehill, Wallsend, who are angry about the state of the roads

FED-UP families on a new estate are still waiting for their roads and footpaths to be finished – six years after moving in.

People on the Rosehill estate, in Wallsend, North Tyneside, are living with roads that are unsurfaced, uneven and peppered with raised manholes – prompting health and safety fears.

They say the lack of progress in resolving the matter is causing frustration and anger.

And residents are calling on builder Persimmon Homes to speed up work to complete the estate.

There are about 148 homes in the area, a mixture of apartments, detached and semi-detached properties. Some houses were bought for between £200,000 and £235,000.

David Griffin, 42, of Dilston Grange, said: “We were told the estate would be completed in three-and-a-half years.

“Yet we are in a situation where the roads are still incomplete. There are raised manholes, large holes and uneven surfaces where people are tripping over and cars are being damaged.


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1URHYdLof

Is there any reason why a developer would want to leave a development like this officially "unfinished", i.e. would they need to pay some money to the council (such as a lump of money towards play facilities, schools or public art as part of a 106 Agreement) as soon as they put the finishing touches to the development?

[Stagknight]

Don't know if anyone has read page 9 of the cron today, but if you have can I have comments on the article about the old wallsend baths and fire station, and the old drill hall. I will let you know why after you comment, trust me it's a doozy!

[AngerOfTheNorth]

Originally Posted by Stagknight

Don't know if anyone has read page 9 of the cron today, but if you have can I have comments on the article about the old wallsend baths and fire station, and the old drill hall. I will let you know why after you comment, trust me it's a doozy!

Is there an online link to the article?

[newcastlepubs]

Originally Posted by Stagknight

Don't know if anyone has read page 9 of the cron today, but if you have can I have comments on the article about the old wallsend baths and fire station, and the old drill hall. I will let you know why after you comment, trust me it's a doozy!

This it ?

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...2703-29244004/

[Stagknight]

That's the one. Now here the clincher. They included in that package the community centre on Vine street, the thing being that centre has a house in it, and I am still living in it and was not told they were selling. The last thing they bothered to tell me was that they had a new group to run the community centre if the existing group, there since 1971, did not wish to continue. Of course they did not want to continue, they were told the rent was going up, from £1200 a year to £12000, now I know why, they wanted to sell it off and couldn't find a way to terminate the contract without penalty. So nice of them to keep me informed about them selling my house out from under me.

[Steve Ellwood]

Originally Posted by Stagknight

That's the one. Now here the clincher. They included in that package the community centre on Vine street, the thing being that centre has a house in it, and I am still living in it and was not told they were selling. The last thing they bothered to tell me was that they had a new group to run the community centre if the existing group, there since 1971, did not wish to continue. Of course they did not want to continue, they were told the rent was going up, from £1200 a year to £12000, now I know why, they wanted to sell it off and couldn't find a way to terminate the contract without penalty. So nice of them to keep me informed about them selling my house out from under me.

Surely there is some law to prevent a landlord increasing the rent at that rate?

[Stagknight]

We enjoyed the contract as was from 1971 till 2006 from then on it was automatically renewed on a 12 month basis, we were told at the beginning of 2010 that that April would be the last renewal and an up to date contract would have to be negotiated.
We were in favour of an update as the original contract stated that even though we paid rent the council were not responsible for repairs or maintainance. A small rent increase in order to get the council to do the work would be acceptable. We expected the rent may go to £1500 and could just manage that with a small increase on our hire charges, the charity making as we did about £7000 a year. We were told that any new contract would be under the existing terms but with a updated rent. The council told us that under central government legislation the council was forced to charge current market rent, our rent would increase immediately to £12000 with further increases over a five year period to a final market rent of £25000 a year. This scheme was supported by VODA who are supposed to help charity's to find funding, as a result all grant funding was stopped until we brought the building up to a standard that the council and VODA were satisfied with. Catch 22. With out funding we could not continue with the rolling programme we had in place to update the centre, add to that damage to the roof caused by lead thieves and the heavy snow fall in November pulling off slates as it slid off the roof and we had no option but to close in March. I am looking round for a new home but it takes time. The council are now refusing to speak to me it would seem and are planning to sell the building with me in it.

[Steve Ellwood]

Originally Posted by Stagknight

We enjoyed the contract as was from 1971 till 2006 from then on it was automatically renewed on a 12 month basis, we were told at the beginning of 2010 that that April would be the last renewal and an up to date contract would have to be negotiated.
We were in favour of an update as the original contract stated that even though we paid rent the council were not responsible for repairs or maintainance. A small rent increase in order to get the council to do the work would be acceptable. We expected the rent may go to £1500 and could just manage that with a small increase on our hire charges, the charity making as we did about £7000 a year. We were told that any new contract would be under the existing terms but with a updated rent. The council told us that under central government legislation the council was forced to charge current market rent, our rent would increase immediately to £12000 with further increases over a five year period to a final market rent of £25000 a year. This scheme was supported by VODA who are supposed to help charity's to find funding, as a result all grant funding was stopped until we brought the building up to a standard that the council and VODA were satisfied with. Catch 22. With out funding we could not continue with the rolling programme we had in place to update the centre, add to that damage to the roof caused by lead thieves and the heavy snow fall in November pulling off slates as it slid off the roof and we had no option but to close in March. I am looking round for a new home but it takes time. The council are now refusing to speak to me it would seem and are planning to sell the building with me in it.

OK, see the position now, or at least I think I do - had previously thought it was just the house that you were renting, now it appears it is a lease on a commercial premises so perhaps your protection as a residential tenant are not as great?

[Newcastle Historian]

Just a single bid for Wallsend Town Jewels
by Tony Henderson, Evening Chronicle, August 16th 2011


Wallsend fire station is one of the town centre buildings North Tyneside Council was hoping to sell

THEY were once at the centre of the community, but now stand silent and have an uncertain future.

North Tyneside Council invited offers for the 1912 Wallsend swimming baths and adjacent former fire station.

But the two listed buildings have been withdrawn from the market because of a lack of interest. The buildings on Lawson Street are part of an Edwardian complex which fronted by Wallsend Town Hall – completed in 1908 – and police courts.

Also up for sale was a drill hall in Vine Street opposite the baths, which was built in 1904 for the Northumberland Fusiliers, and which was later used as a community centre.

The aim was for buyers to find a new use for the buildings which would involve the restoration of the baths and the fire station.

But, after receiving only one offer in six weeks, the buildings have been withdrawn from sale.

The baths and the fire station closed in the 1980s. The baths building is described as being in poor condition and suffering from slow decay


Read More - http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north...#ixzz1VYUPdroC

[GrahamSoult]

Hopefully, in a bit of better news for Wallsend, it looks like the old Woolworths site has found a new occupant. When I passed by yesterday, I noticed that the 'to let' sign has been changed to 'let agreed'.

I can't find any information on who it might be, though Store Twenty One - already in the Jarrow and South Shields Woolworths, plus many others elsewhere - is advertising for a store manager for an unspecified "Tyne & Wear" store.

Does anyone else know anything?

Image credit and blog: http://www.soultsretailview.co.uk/20...-wallsend-too/

[GrahamSoult]

Originally Posted by GrahamSoult

Hopefully, in a bit of better news for Wallsend, it looks like the old Woolworths site has found a new occupant. When I passed by yesterday, I noticed that the 'to let' sign has been changed to 'let agreed'.

Good news for Wallsend High Street - Heron Foods is opening in the old Woolworths this coming Monday (21 November):

Image source and more info: http://www.soultsretailview.co.uk/20...ening-planned/

[Newcastle Historian]

Plans for Wallsend Centre set to go on show
Thursday 17 November 2011, News Guardian


WALLSEND residents are being invited to have their say on plans for the town.

An information event is being held next Wednesday on the regeneration plans being lined up.

The former card shop next to Iceland in the Forum shopping centre will display information on schemes either planned or under way.

Staff will be available between 1pm and 5pm to answer any questions.

Plans for homes in Hedley Place and York Drive, Wallsend Metro station, a boulevard creating a new pedestrian link between the station and town centre will be on show, as will job creation proposals from offshore firm OGN.


Read More - http://www.newsguardian.co.uk/news/l...show_1_3976375