NewsBeat
One of UK’s first American-style shopping centres home to M&S and Primark to be BULLDOZED after 43 years
ONE of the UK’s first ever American-style shopping centre is set to be demolished after 43 years in business.
The space, which contains multiple vacant units, will be torn down to make way for a new development featuring housing, green spaces, and leisure facilities.
Ridings Shopping Centre in Wakefield will be demolished as part of a city centre revamp, with the local council agreeing to buy the site.
The centre, which first opened in 1983, is now less than two thirds occupied, with the site’s M&S recently announcing its relocation.
Wakefield Council said it also expected Primark to announce plans to leave the site.
Deputy council leader Jack Hemingway explained the authority wanted to create “an economy that’s sustainable and has a future, and that’s why the Ridings has got to change.”
He revealed the government was providing £17.9 million towards “a once in a generation opportunity to transform the city centre”.
“The Ridings is looking dated now, it’s a shopping centre from the 1980s and high streets are changing and it’s right that we look at that,” he said.
The development to the city’s Cathedral Quarter will include a new public square and green spaces, as well as a cinema, library, museum, and car parking.
In addition to the shopping centre’s demolition, 260 separate flats will also be knocked down.
The council previously backed out of a deal to buy the centre in 2023, when it was purchased by Zahid Iqbal, who has now agreed to sell it for an undisclosed amount.
Regeneration specialist Muse is said to lead the development, which also includes 1,000 new sustainable, affordable, and private homes.
The development is expected to take 10 years to complete, with no date confirmed for the closure of the shopping centre.
Businesses within the shopping centre have been told the council will help them find alternative premises if they plan to stay in Wakefield.