Blyth shopping centre to close ahead of major redevelopment
02 Feb 2024
The Keel Row Shopping Centre in Blyth will close on 29th February 2024 ahead of major redevelopment as part of the Energising Blyth programme.
Until the end of February, the centre and remaining outlets remains open for business.
Like many UK retail outlets, the Keel Row Shopping Centre had been struggling for a number of years and the centre was not commercially viable, with only eight of the 20 units in the centre being let to commercial tenants and only 25 percent of lettable floor space producing a commercial rent.
Last year the County Council acquired the shopping centre, car park, and vacant property at 7-9 Bridge Street from Northumberland Estates. Remaining tenants were kept informed at every stage and the County Council worked with all affected parties to provide support.
The site will now be redeveloped bringing new facilities into the Town Centre as part of the £90m Energising Blyth regeneration programme to grow, renew and connect the town. The programme is being delivered by Northumberland County Council and funded by the UK Government, the County Council, North of Tyne Combined Authority and support from other partners.
The site will undergo a masterplanning process to optimise the benefits to the town with the main focus being the second phase of the Energy Central Campus - the Energy Central Institute, a cutting-edge higher education facility supporting the growing low carbon and renewable energy industry in Blyth. The site will continue to include town centre parking and potentially a hotel to support the growing economy and the new Energy Institute. We will be engaging with stakeholders and the public in the summer to discuss design proposals.
The Willie Carr statue will be stored safely for the time being and the Council is developing a longer-term plan for the statue which will remain in the town.
Councillor Wojciech Ploszaj, Cabinet Member for Supporting Business and Opportunities, at Northumberland County Council, said: “While this does mark the end of an era, retail remains an important part of the town centre and we’d encourage people to continue to visit while we improve the town.
“Anyone that has visited Blyth recently will see all the regeneration work that is taking place. From the STEM-focused Energy Central Learning Hub taking shape at Port of Blyth to the new cultural venue work starting on Market Place,
“The Keel Row acquisition means we can bring forward more major development in the town centre including investment in educational, innovation and cultural activities. This will make the town a more welcoming, safe, and popular place to visit, attracting a wide range of people wanting to work, learn and enjoy all the town has to offer.”
Tony Quinn, Director of Technology Development at Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult and vice chair of the Town Deal Board, said: “The purchase of the site paves the way for the development of the hugely exciting Energy Central Campus project that will bring the cutting edge research facilities we have in Blyth closer to the region’s colleges and universities, creating learning opportunities and jobs, through apprenticeships and partnerships.”
Cllr Warren Taylor, Mayor of Blyth Town Council said: “As sad as it is to see the Keel Row close, we are optimistic that the developments taking place on the Market Place such as the culture venue, the proposed higher education facility and a new hotel, will provide a boost to retailers in the town centre and encourage other businesses to invest.”
Cllr Kath Nisbet MBE, County Councillor for Croft Ward, added: “I’m very sad that the shopping centre is closing and we’ve all tried our best to keep businesses in the town.
“The town centre has a host of excellent businesses and small independent traders, and recent new entrants have improved what’s on offer. Looking forward, I hope everyone will keep visiting the town as there is lots on offer and bigger things to come.”
For the latest information on Energising Blyth, visit: www.northumberland.gov.uk/energisingblyth