Town Centre Regeneration

[River Don]

This is a big question for Doncaster.

What they are trying in Stockton on Tees looks interesting. The council has just bought the main shopping centre to knock it down.


https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/aug/21/forget-shops-how-stockton-on-tees-ripped-up-the-rule-book-to-revive-its-high-street

[StocktonRover]

Things are developing well with the regeneration of Stockton.

The council have realised that shops are not the future in the modern world so are trying something different.

They are building their future plans around culture, entertainment, bars and cafes.
Some years ago they developed plans to turn the former Globe theatre which stood empty after stints as a bingo hall back into a 3000 capacity music venue.
The plans stalled when the costs around asbestos crippled the budget, but they dug in and secured more funding on the back of providing a loan to build a Hilton hotel based on the Globes reopening.
The hotel is already up and running.

This size of venue fills the gap between “town halls” and stadiums so should attract some great artists.
The formerly empty building beside the Globe has been converted to a smaller venue for 200-300 and will offer smaller shows to be held as well. It is planned to be open through the day for more informal shows and offers coffee shop and cafe facilities alongside the entertainment.

There are already a number of successful smaller music venues in the Town which will only benefit from and compliment the new set up.

Many of the formerly closed bars in the Town are now refurbished and ready to open and the Globe opens its doors very shortly for its first set of sold out gigs.

Micro-pubs have sprung up and are attracting new punters into the town.
Coffee shops are in abundance with some turning into bars on a night.

The closure of the old Cleveland shopping centre will allow the shops that remain to relocate to the other smaller shopping centre in the Town and the space created by the demolition will form an elevated garden and plaza to the riverside for street entertainment, outside events, specialist visiting markets, etc.

Stockton already has a well established week long riverside festival with entertainers from all over the world performing. This has in the past also had a fringe festival with music and comedy stages.
I’ve seen the Cribs, Beautiful South, Proclaimers, James, Futureheads, Maximo Park, to name just a few.

The music and comedy gig culture should attract visitors from outside the area into the town helping to sustain the new plans.

All very positive and forward thinking (unless we get another COVID type situation).

[SydneyRover]

Broadmarsh Centre Nottingham is part demolished atm. The era of the big centre is going going ..........

[River Don]

Imagine if they flattened the Waterdale centre, as was proposed at one time I think, and instead of building a lot of houses, landscaped it as parkland and planted a few trees.

You'd have a really nice open area infront of the new theatre and council offices with the potential for outdoor events.

Put a bomb under that Sainsburys at the end of the Frenchgate  and you could create a nice square. It would clear a view from the station right into the town. And you might then even be able to do something with the Grand theatre. Shame there's a motorway bisecting the town there though.

[chrisfisher]

Imagine if they flattened the Waterdale centre, as was proposed at one time I think, and instead of building a lot of houses, landscaped it as parkland and planted a few trees.

You'd have a really nice open area infront of the new theatre and council offices with the potential for outdoor events.

Put a bomb under that Sainsburys at the end of the Frenchgate  and you could create a nice square. It would clear a view from the station right into the town. And you might then even be able to do something with the Grand theatre. Shame there's a motorway bisecting the town there though.

There's currently a mural being painted on the back of Sainsburys. Looks very good. Also, the office block to the right of the station is being demolished and the new station square extending, with a large new commercial development being built next to it.

The Frenchgate owners own the Grand Threatre, and unfortunately, they have no interest in doing anything with it.

[River Don]

Putting on a mural on that Sainsburys is like putting lipstick on a pig. That office block hasn't been built long, the area will look better without it but still a waste of rescources.

[chrisfisher]

Putting on a mural on that Sainsburys is like putting lipstick on a pig. That office block hasn't been built long, the area will look better without it but still a waste of rescources.

You work with what you've got. No one is going to sanction the demolition of half the Frenchgate Centre.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

No but why aren't we looking at higher quality centre type flats and creating a more vibrant town centre with more quality housing which in turn improves the economy of the area.  It's always surprised me we haven't done more to develop the land between the two main bridges behind at George's church. That would be a prime spot for decent quality appartments.  You could do much the same with waterdale and make it a really nice place to live.

[chrisfisher]

No but why aren't we looking at higher quality centre type flats and creating a more vibrant town centre with more quality housing which in turn improves the economy of the area.  It's always surprised me we haven't done more to develop the land between the two main bridges behind at George's church. That would be a prime spot for decent quality appartments.  You could do much the same with waterdale and make it a really nice place to live.

All of that relies on private sector investment. The council have been touting the riverside area for more than ten years to attract the kind of developers you mention. In fact they've spent millions preparing the site for development, access road, utilites etc. No one is interested in developing the site further.

On another note, the old co-op building has been converted to high quality apartments. They cost a fortune, and all have been sold, although they are then sublet out to people on benefits and the homeless.

Doncaster will never be somewhere like Leeds or Manchester. Compare it to other towns, Rotherham, Barnsley, Scunthorpe, Scarborough etc, and it has far more going for it, even if it is looking a little run down.

[Sprotyrover]

There is a town centre regeneration plan down load it and read.

[chrisfisher]

There is a town centre regeneration plan down load it and read.

There is, and it is ambitious, but until private developers start to invest in the town, it will only ever be a plan.

[Herbert Anchovy]

I actually think that Donny Town Centre is in a pretty good place when compared with most other places I travel to. In fact, I think Donny as a whole is a town in the up.

It’s a good point about the need for private investment though. The Government alone won’t fund the level of regeneration that the town wants. Now EU money has disappeared other ways need to be considered.

I do remember that 20-25 years ago there was talk of pulling Waterdale down and rebuilding with apartments, shops and restaurants but I guess nothing came of that?

[chrisfisher]

I actually think that Donny Town Centre is in a pretty good place when compared with most other places I travel to. In fact, I think Donny as a whole is a town in the up.

It’s a good point about the need for private investment though. The Government alone won’t fund the level of regeneration that the town wants. Now EU money has disappeared other ways need to be considered.

I do remember that 20-25 years ago there was talk of pulling Waterdale down and rebuilding with apartments, shops and restaurants but I guess nothing came of that?

Part of Waterdale has been demolished. Some new units have been put up, and some new bar units next to the new cinema, but again, it needs private companies to occupy them.

I agree Doncaster is far better than a lot of other towns. It isn't perfect, but where is?

[SydneyRover]

I actually think that Donny Town Centre is in a pretty good place when compared with most other places I travel to. In fact, I think Donny as a whole is a town in the up.

It’s a good point about the need for private investment though. The Government alone won’t fund the level of regeneration that the town wants. Now EU money has disappeared other ways need to be considered.

I do remember that 20-25 years ago there was talk of pulling Waterdale down and rebuilding with apartments, shops and restaurants but I guess nothing came of that?

I agree HA, it has certainly improved over the decades and has good pedestrian areas, but yes there are a few areas that need plenty of work. Waterdale never quite worked and even earlier separating the station from town with the ring road wasn't a good idea in my view either but it would take a lot of money to fix that.

[Sprotyrover]

I actually think that Donny Town Centre is in a pretty good place when compared with most other places I travel to. In fact, I think Donny as a whole is a town in the up.

It’s a good point about the need for private investment though. The Government alone won’t fund the level of regeneration that the town wants. Now EU money has disappeared other ways need to be considered.

I do remember that 20-25 years ago there was talk of pulling Waterdale down and rebuilding with apartments, shops and restaurants but I guess nothing came of that?

I agree HA, it has certainly improved over the decades and has good pedestrian areas, but yes there are a few areas that need plenty of work. Waterdale never quite worked and even earlier separating the station from town with the ring road wasn't a good idea in my view either but it would take a lot of money to fix that.

When they built the ring road they also built littlewoods and they found 20% of the Roman Fort Walls were still 3 courses High needless to say it all went into tipper lorries as rubble. Would that have happened today?

[roversdude]

I’m surprised we never made more of the water front near St George’s - it would be ideal for the cafe culture

[drfchound]

I seem to recall that Roman ruins were found near StGeorges as well.That could possibly halve been used as a tourist attraction instead of being reburied.

[Not Now Kato]

I’m surprised we never made more of the water front near St George’s - it would be ideal for the cafe culture

Been saying that for years.  Same with Lakeside, great opportunity to capitalise on leisure/cafe culture.  So what do they do?  Build houses!  Doncaster Council are devoid of cultural ideas.

[River Don]

I actually think that Donny Town Centre is in a pretty good place when compared with most other places I travel to. In fact, I think Donny as a whole is a town in the up.

It’s a good point about the need for private investment though. The Government alone won’t fund the level of regeneration that the town wants. Now EU money has disappeared other ways need to be considered.

I do remember that 20-25 years ago there was talk of pulling Waterdale down and rebuilding with apartments, shops and restaurants but I guess nothing came of that?

I agree HA, it has certainly improved over the decades and has good pedestrian areas, but yes there are a few areas that need plenty of work. Waterdale never quite worked and even earlier separating the station from town with the ring road wasn't a good idea in my view either but it would take a lot of money to fix that.

When they built the ring road they also built littlewoods and they found 20% of the Roman Fort Walls were still 3 courses High needless to say it all went into tipper lorries as rubble. Would that have happened today?

Trafford way has been a problem dividing the church, bus station and railway station from the town. A duel carriage way running so close to the town centre isn't ideal.

[chrisfisher]

I’m surprised we never made more of the water front near St George’s - it would be ideal for the cafe culture

Been saying that for years.  Same with Lakeside, great opportunity to capitalise on leisure/cafe culture.  So what do they do?  Build houses!  Doncaster Council are devoid of cultural ideas.

Again, its down to private companies opening up businesses such as these.
The Lakeside has plenty of planning permission for such types. As does the town centre by the river.
If no one is willing to come in and develop the sites for that purpose, then it won't change.

You only have to look at the empty restaurant units next to the new cinema to show there is very little market for that type of thing in Doncaster.

[Not Now Kato]

I’m surprised we never made more of the water front near St George’s - it would be ideal for the cafe culture

Been saying that for years.  Same with Lakeside, great opportunity to capitalise on leisure/cafe culture.  So what do they do?  Build houses!  Doncaster Council are devoid of cultural ideas.

Again, its down to private companies opening up businesses such as these.
The Lakeside has plenty of planning permission for such types. As does the town centre by the river.
If no one is willing to come in and develop the sites for that purpose, then it won't change.

You only have to look at the empty restaurant units next to the new cinema to show there is very little market for that type of thing in Doncaster.

We were in Beverly yesterday.  The contrast with Doncaster is extreme. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of reasonably priced town centre parking; plenty of restaurants/cafe's; higher quality shops; no empty units. And the town centre is around the same size overall though the catchment area is much smaller. Brighter, cleaner, smarter.
 

[chrisfisher]

I’m surprised we never made more of the water front near St George’s - it would be ideal for the cafe culture

Been saying that for years.  Same with Lakeside, great opportunity to capitalise on leisure/cafe culture.  So what do they do?  Build houses!  Doncaster Council are devoid of cultural ideas.

Again, its down to private companies opening up businesses such as these.
The Lakeside has plenty of planning permission for such types. As does the town centre by the river.
If no one is willing to come in and develop the sites for that purpose, then it won't change.

You only have to look at the empty restaurant units next to the new cinema to show there is very little market for that type of thing in Doncaster.

We were in Beverly yesterday.  The contrast with Doncaster is extreme. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of reasonably priced town centre parking; plenty of restaurants/cafe's; higher quality shops; no empty units. And the town centre is around the same size overall though the catchment area is much smaller. Brighter, cleaner, smarter.

Donny Town Centre is far bigger. I used to live Hull way. I'd compare it more to Bawtry rather than Doncaster.

[Axholme Lion]

I’m surprised we never made more of the water front near St George’s - it would be ideal for the cafe culture

Been saying that for years.  Same with Lakeside, great opportunity to capitalise on leisure/cafe culture.  So what do they do?  Build houses!  Doncaster Council are devoid of cultural ideas.

Again, its down to private companies opening up businesses such as these.
The Lakeside has plenty of planning permission for such types. As does the town centre by the river.
If no one is willing to come in and develop the sites for that purpose, then it won't change.

You only have to look at the empty restaurant units next to the new cinema to show there is very little market for that type of thing in Doncaster.

We were in Beverly yesterday.  The contrast with Doncaster is extreme. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of reasonably priced town centre parking; plenty of restaurants/cafe's; higher quality shops; no empty units. And the town centre is around the same size overall though the catchment area is much smaller. Brighter, cleaner, smarter.

Beverly is very nice. If i feel the urge to go to a town, that's where i go. Very low quota of deadbeats compared with the norm.

[SydneyRover]

The giant centres such as meadowhall and of course online shopping etc have taken many people away from the town centre. Maybe in the future we'll be back to shopping strips and a market.

[Sprotyrover]

I’m surprised we never made more of the water front near St George’s - it would be ideal for the cafe culture

Been saying that for years.  Same with Lakeside, great opportunity to capitalise on leisure/cafe culture.  So what do they do?  Build houses!  Doncaster Council are devoid of cultural ideas.

Again, its down to private companies opening up businesses such as these.
The Lakeside has plenty of planning permission for such types. As does the town centre by the river.
If no one is willing to come in and develop the sites for that purpose, then it won't change.

You only have to look at the empty restaurant units next to the new cinema to show there is very little market for that type of thing in Doncaster.

We were in Beverly yesterday.  The contrast with Doncaster is extreme. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of reasonably priced town centre parking; plenty of restaurants/cafe's; higher quality shops; no empty units. And the town centre is around the same size overall though the catchment area is much smaller. Brighter, cleaner, smarter.

Beverly is very nice. If i feel the urge to go to a town, that's where i go. Very low quota of deadbeats compared with the norm.

Beverley is awash with money, it's a posh suburb of Hull, just have a drive through the nearby countryside, 2 Polo clubs says it all!

[turnbull for england]

try North Berwick  - its basically Edinborough by the sea as only 20mile away  place is minted independent shops cafes etc  everywhere   , not exactly hamstrung by the same  issues as Donny  town centre 

[Axholme Lion]

I’m surprised we never made more of the water front near St George’s - it would be ideal for the cafe culture

Been saying that for years.  Same with Lakeside, great opportunity to capitalise on leisure/cafe culture.  So what do they do?  Build houses!  Doncaster Council are devoid of cultural ideas.

Again, its down to private companies opening up businesses such as these.
The Lakeside has plenty of planning permission for such types. As does the town centre by the river.
If no one is willing to come in and develop the sites for that purpose, then it won't change.

You only have to look at the empty restaurant units next to the new cinema to show there is very little market for that type of thing in Doncaster.

We were in Beverly yesterday.  The contrast with Doncaster is extreme. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of reasonably priced town centre parking; plenty of restaurants/cafe's; higher quality shops; no empty units. And the town centre is around the same size overall though the catchment area is much smaller. Brighter, cleaner, smarter.

Beverly is very nice. If i feel the urge to go to a town, that's where i go. Very low quota of deadbeats compared with the norm.

Beverley is awash with money, it's a posh suburb of Hull, just have a drive through the nearby countryside, 2 Polo clubs says it all!

Nice to visit. No druggies to avoid and other undesirables. If Donny town centre was cleansed of suchlike maybe more people would go there?

[rich1471]

I’m surprised we never made more of the water front near St George’s - it would be ideal for the cafe culture

Been saying that for years.  Same with Lakeside, great opportunity to capitalise on leisure/cafe culture.  So what do they do?  Build houses!  Doncaster Council are devoid of cultural ideas.

Again, its down to private companies opening up businesses such as these.
The Lakeside has plenty of planning permission for such types. As does the town centre by the river.
If no one is willing to come in and develop the sites for that purpose, then it won't change.

You only have to look at the empty restaurant units next to the new cinema to show there is very little market for that type of thing in Doncaster.

We were in Beverly yesterday.  The contrast with Doncaster is extreme. Lots, and I mean LOTS, of reasonably priced town centre parking; plenty of restaurants/cafe's; higher quality shops; no empty units. And the town centre is around the same size overall though the catchment area is much smaller. Brighter, cleaner, smarter.

Beverly is very nice. If i feel the urge to go to a town, that's where i go. Very low quota of deadbeats compared with the norm.

Beverley is awash with money, it's a posh suburb of Hull, just have a drive through the nearby countryside, 2 Polo clubs says it all!

Nice to visit. No druggies to avoid and other undesirables. If Donny town centre was cleansed of suchlike maybe more people would go there?

Totally agree ,used to enjoy shopping in Donny now I avoid it like at all costs ,it's a horrible place

[ravenrover]

Broadmarsh Centre Nottingham is part demolished atm. The era of the big centre is going going ..........

If you actually lived in Nottingham you would know that The Broadmarsh is not in the city centre. It is an eyesore of a building, basically a multi storey car park with cheap shops most of which stood empty. It's only benefit was as a covered way to the station. The plans are for the area to become a green re-generation area, the one thing Nottingham is missing is a green space. As the name suggests it was a broad area of marshland to the south of the city, many old buildings were demolished in the building of the centre, imagine York city centre. It is hoped that it will become an attraction to the City.

[SydneyRover]

Broadmarsh Centre Nottingham is part demolished atm. The era of the big centre is going going ..........

If you actually lived in Nottingham you would know that The Broadmarsh is not in the city centre. It is an eyesore of a building, basically a multi storey car park with cheap shops most of which stood empty. It's only benefit was as a covered way to the station. The plans are for the area to become a green re-generation area, the one thing Nottingham is missing is a green space. As the name suggests it was a broad area of marshland to the south of the city, many old buildings were demolished in the building of the centre, imagine York city centre. It is hoped that it will become an attraction to the City.

It wasn't an argument RR just a point of fact.