Scheme for new £25m shopping centre to boost town’s profile

The Pennine Shopping Centre would be demolished and re-built under plans by The Harris Partnership.

The 123,000 sq ft re-development, which also includes land adjacent to the existing centre, would double the size of the existing retail space.

Michael Schorah, managing director of The Harris Partnership, based in Wakefield, said: “We are providing large, open, single-floor retail space which suits the demand out there in the market from retailers who are wanting to come into the centre rather than sit on the out-of-town retail parks.”

The site sits on four streets: Horton Street, Church Street, New Road and Union Street.

The centre is currently home to Argos and B&M Bargains, which would be lost to development along with the Pump Room pub and Halfords auto centre.

Halifax Model Railway Club is based at premises in Deal Street, which will remain.

Development, which would take about 18 months once planning is approved, would include demolishing garages on adjacent land to extend the site.

In addition, an adjacent vacant building on Horton Street, which has a facade of local interest, according to The Harris Partnership, is to be restored and split into two retail units.

Work could begin next year when tenant leases expire. A 500-space car park is included in the scheme, along with paths to Halifax Piece Hall and the town centre.

Mr Schorah said: “This is another key draw for Halifax because there is under-parking in the town at the moment.”

The Harris Partnership believes development would balance work currently under way at Broad Street to boost leisure and entertainment attractions.

Phase one of Gregory Property Group’s £50m Broad Street Plaza development, which comprises over 85 per cent of the scheme, is due to be completed next March.

Situated directly opposite the listed Halifax Town Hall, it will house the town’s first large scale multiplex cinema, branded restaurants and car parking.

It is one of the largest regeneration schemes to start on site in Yorkshire this year, generating in excess of 220 long term jobs, as well as almost 200 construction jobs for Elland-based Marshalls Construction – main contractor for the scheme.

Mr Schorah said: “The key thing in planning terms is that the south of Halifax is becoming rather run down and, with this anchor, our principle entrance to the new retail development fronts out on the access route that goes to the Piece Hall and links to the Woolshop Shopping Centre, and the new leisure development – Broad Street Plaza – at the other side of town.

The development will open up a previous route that was blocked when the Pennine Shopping Centre was built to improve pedestrian access through the town’s conservation area. There are no tenants or operators lined up for the new development as yet. It is anticipated the site would be occupied by one large retailer or split into up to four large units.

There is currently no name for the new shopping centre but Mr Schorah said it would depend on the tenants it attracted.

Pennine Shopping Centre was built in the 1980s but Mr Schorah said it needed to be re-built to attract new retailers and improve the surrounding area.

He said: “Small unit footprints don’t suit retailers now and because the site is on a steep hill it has level issues across the car parking. The centre is of its age and is not adding anything to the conservation area in aesthetic form.”

Submission of the planning application follows two years of collaboration between The Harris Partnership, owner Royal London Asset Management and the chief planner and head of conservation at Calderdale Council.

They said a public exhibition held in June received positive feedback.

Mr Schorah said: “Our client has identified a need to redevelop a site which will radically enhance this part of Halifax while complementing the existing shopping facilities.

“The design is striking, utilising quality materials throughout and will be a welcome addition to the town centre. We are delighted to be playing such a key role in the regeneration of the town which is becoming a great retail destination.”

Ripley buys prime site

Investment firm Ripley Asset Management has bought a prime retail site in Halifax for £1.78m.

The Harrogate-based company, run by Julian D’Arcy and Michael Hardman, has bought 26-30 Southgate in Halifax on behalf of the Longcross Investment Fund from a private seller.

Tenants of the 5,000 sq ft of retail space include Sports Direct and the Banana Beach Tanning Company. The headline rent is £55 per sq ft, providing a yield of 8.45 per cent.

Mr Hardman, former partner at Yorkshire Bank, said: “This is an excellent off-market acquisition for us. The property is in the heart of the pedestrianised area of Halifax.”