Next Steps in Shrewsbury Town Centre Regeneration Set for Approval
Shropshire Council is set to approve the next stage of the Smithfield Riverside project next week, as it looks to drive forward the regeneration of Shrewsbury town centre and capitalise on its recent Levelling Up Fund money win.
Led by the council and its development manager, RivingtonHark, Smithfield Riverside is the ambitious regeneration project for the area between The Darwin centre, Roushill and the River Severn in Shrewsbury town centre.
Earlier this year Shropshire Council, supported by the Shrewsbury Big Town Plan Partnership, secured almost £19 million of Levelling Up Fund money from the Government to further support the regeneration of Shrewsbury town centre – kickstarting practical work on the Smithfield Riverside project.
Cabinet, at its meeting on Wednesday 18 October 2023, will be asked to authorise the immediate start of a public consultation on the emerging masterplan for Smithfield Riverside, including plans for Roushill Park – a significant new outdoor public space.
This approval would also trigger a December 2023 planning application for the demolition of the Riverside shopping centre and former Riverside medical practice – paving the way for key enabling works and the construction of the park.
Details on the emerging Smithfield Riverside masterplan are set to be unveiled at the start of the public consultation.
Proposals – designed by FaulknerBrowns Architects – aim to better connect the town centre to the Riverside area through a vibrant mix of leisure, residential, office and outdoor public spaces, and open this area up to the River Severn. One of the masterplan’s core objectives is to deliver low carbon development that seeks to mitigate climate change, increase flood resilience and support biodiversity.
The masterplan will provide enough flexibility to incorporate any future reconsiderations of the surrounding road network, which is set to be consulted on soon as part of the council’s wider Movement Strategy, as well ensuring business as normal for amenities like The Darwin centre and Premier Inn during any future construction phases.
Ian Nellins, Deputy Leader of Shropshire Council, said:
“The Smithfield Riverside vision is really starting to become a reality. We’re looking forward to updating Cabinet on the impressive progress we’ve made on the project and getting agreement for this important phase of public consultation.
“We are confident that the developing masterplan, including the demolition of the former Riverside shopping centre, is going to have a hugely positive impact on the town. This modern and sustainable new destination will open up the centre to embrace one our best assets, the River Severn, and help us attract new visitors, residents and workers into Shrewsbury – growing our local economy.”
Nat Green, local Shropshire Councillor for Quarry and Coton Hill, said:
“This is a really exciting time for Shrewsbury and Shropshire, and it’s great to see the project start to come to life. If approved by Cabinet, I encourage our local residents and the business community to get involved in the consultation and have their say.”
With Cabinet’s approval, the first phase of public consultation on Smithfield Riverside will launch on Thursday 19 October and run for four weeks.
Fareham Council and RivingtonHark Take Keys to Town Centre
Council buys Fareham Shopping Centre
Fareham Borough Council has today confirmed that it has bought Fareham Shopping Centre and several adjoining properties on West Street from Madone Ltd. The £14.25M acquisition forms part of the Council’s broader regeneration programme, which includes £16.7M for Fareham Live and £2.5M to replace Osborn Road multi storey car park, which has reached the end of its useful life, with a modern surface car park.
The shopping centre has a key role to play both now and in the future, and ownership will enable the Council to provide stability and reassurance to its tenants as it works with them and other key partners to develop a new all-encompassing strategy leading to a more vibrant town centre.
Specialist shopping centre advisors, RivingtonHark, have been appointed by the Council to advise on strategic direction and improvements to the shopping centre that will benefit both shoppers and businesses. The day-to-day management will continue to be delivered by Munroe K which will retain its constant presence in Fareham Shopping Centre.
Councillor Seán Woodward, Executive Leader of Fareham Borough Council, said:
“Purchasing the shopping centre presents a unique strategic opportunity for the Council to take control of key assets at the heart of the town centre at a time when we are developing a new strategy to transform the current offer and enhance its appeal. The unprecedented levels of funding we are injecting into this area underline the significance we place on having a vibrant, economically successful town centre and send a clear signal to the market that Fareham town centre remains very much open for business.
“It is important to say that the acquisition will form part of a long-term regeneration strategy for Fareham town centre, and we will work with the businesses that trade there to understand their views around what is required to improve the vibrancy of our town centre.
“There will be a full programme of public engagement and consultation, using a wide variety of methods, over the next six months to ensure that the long-term plans for the town centre are driven by the needs and aspirations of Fareham’s residents, businesses, shoppers and visitors alike.
“A key early priority will be to look at how the town’s evening economy can be enhanced by improving routes between the successful restaurants and bars in West Street and the Fareham Live venue in the evenings, for when it opens in 2024.”
Mark Williams, Executive Director and co-founder of RivingtonHark, said:
“RivingtonHark is delighted to support Fareham Borough Council and LSH the Council’s investment agent following this strategically important acquisition. Fareham Shopping Centre offers huge potential to improve the wider town offering and we look forward to working with the Borough Council in evolving and influencing those plans.”
As owner of the shopping centre, the Council can now take a view of the town centre as a whole. Work on a new regeneration strategy for Fareham town centre, which will seek to build on its positive aspects and identify ways it can be improved, is well underway.
St John's - The Liverpool Media Wall in Pictures
Liverpool Media Wall: 15 Defining Moments
After 15 years as the Gateway to Liverpool, thousands of campaigns and two £1 million facelifts, the legendary Liverpool Media Wall, Ocean’s first ever large format full motion screens, deserves its moment in the spotlight.
So here are 15 milestones and special moments which define the Liverpool Media Wall, its originality, place and purpose.
- Top of the Pops. Measuring a mighty 36m long and 6.58m high, the unmissable Liverpool Media Wall (LMW) was first unveiled on July 22nd 2008 with big brands like Coca-Cola, now official partner of Liverpool FC, among the first advertisers.
- That was the year Liverpool was European Capital of Culture, the LMW adding to the international reputation of Liverpool as a modern, forward-thinking city.
- Ocean’s first large format full motion screen was originally designed as a façade along the Lime Street entrance to St John’s shopping centre. It’s a one-of-a-kind bespoke City Gateway which sits directly facing the entrance / exit to Liverpool Lime Street.
- From Usain Bolt and Stormzy to Kermit the Frog, a plethora of famous faces, stars and legends have lit up the Liverpool Media Wall which reaches more than one million people a fortnight.
- The Liverpool Media Wall not only walks the walk, it talks the talk. In 2009 Virgin Trains advertised their fast connections to London by “talking” to people passing by, delivering personalised messages in real time.
- In 2013, the LMW became a permanent fixture, receiving a £1million upgrade using smart technology to reduce its running costs and power consumption. Better screen resolution also improved the viewer experience.
- For the People. “The Liverpool Media Wall has become part of the fabric of Liverpool. It forms part of Liverpool’s annual Remembrance Day Services and is used to mark important events like the 30thanniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster. In its role as a community noticeboard, the Media Wall will continue to support causes that are important to the city and people of Liverpool.” – Susan Finnigan, Commercial Director, Culture Liverpool.
8. Lest We Forget. On November 8 2015 the Wall broadcast a specially produced film made by Welton Media, telling the story of Liverpool’s involvement in the Great War, featuring photographs of local people and their role in the war effort. This was the first time that long play content had been designed specifically for broadcast through DOOH.
- The LMW continues to push boundaries. In 2017 it was transformed into a vast virtual tank using CGI to raise the plight of Orcas being held in captivity. Created on behalf of The Born Free Foundation, the work went on to win a prestigious Cannes Lions.
- Liverpool in lockdown. During the pandemic, the LMW joined other landmarks saying thank you to local heroes and key workers on the frontline who had gone above and beyond to keep the city going.
- Bigger and better. In 2022 the LMW underwent its second £1 million upgrade introducing the latest technology, an added experiential area for immersive events and games and spectacular 3D and AR displays.
- The LMW also hosted the first ever World’s Most Supportive Poster, a unique collaboration with the Lighthouse Club, krow Group and Toolstation, giving people working in the construction industry instant access to confidential expert advice about their concerns and worries, helping to end the industry’s stigma about mental health issues and depression.
- Liverpool is an iconic city of music and when it was chosen to host the Eurovision Song Contest,the LMW became a natural gathering point for live music performances, busking talent and a mega Tik Tok
- And on July 21, British grime artist Stormzy and Rockstar Energy took over the landmark for an interactive digital concert featuring five seamlessly changing virtual worlds. Rockstar Energy’s Press Play domination marked the launch of its in app concert experience on Spotify.The LMW showcase combined sampling with a mobile AR token hunt, giving the public a chance to win merchandise.
- So what lies ahead for the next 15? Mark Williams, Executive Director, RivingtonHark, said: “An integral part of St Johns, the iconic Liverpool Media Wall is designedto welcome everyone to a creative, friendly and diverse city. Ocean have been great partners to work with and have enthusiastically partnered with us in supporting Liverpool through all major events that have impacted the city. Over the next 15 years, working together, we will continue to deliver long term value to all stakeholders, the wider community, Liverpool City Council and the people of Liverpool.”
RivingtonHark bolsters Asset Management & Finance Capabilities
Continuing its growth RivingtonHark, the UK’s leading town centre regeneration specialists, welcomes four new hires into the business across its Asset Management and Finance teams.
Sabri Marsaoui joins as Director of Asset Management from Crosstree Real Estate Partners where he was responsible for asset and property management across the Fund’s portfolio which included retail, hotel, residential, and office assets. He asset managed Edmonton Green Shopping Centre and was a key part of the team that successfully secured a residential led mixed use planning consent for the scheme.
The asset team is further enhanced by the arrival of Dan Tucker as asset manager. Dan previously worked at Thackery Estates and LCP where he focused on a mix of assets; Dan will be working on the Redical portfolio with a principal focus on The Liberty Centre, Romford.
The finance team has been joined by Viqaas Cheema as Head of Finance. Viqaas joins from Resolution Property and brings with him 12 years of experience in real estate finance. He will lead the finance function of the business including the oversight of financial reporting to external investors.
The quartet of hires is completed by Krishna Nagalla who joins as Analyst supporting the asset management and development management teams. Krishna joins from JLL where he worked for 6 years in the capital markets and investment advisory teams. He will be working across all of the existing portfolio assets on reporting, data analysis, business planning and new acquisitions.
Mark Harvey, Executive Director says “I am delighted to be welcoming Sabri, Viqaas, Dan and Krishna into the team. Our continued success in winning new mandates is testament to our people, skill and expertise in being able to deliver investor objectives across asset and development management services. These new hires will help support our further growth and I look forward to working with them”.
L-R: Dan Tucker, Asset Manager; Sabri Marsaoui, Director, Asset Management; Viqaas Cheema, Head of Finance; Krishna Nagalla, Investment Analyst
Regeneration Programme Boost for Swansea Businesses
The Regeneration Plan is transforming the heart of Swansea
According to Lisa Hartley, Quadrant Shopping Centre Manager, Swansea Arena, and other developments, which are part of the £1 billion regeneration programme in the heart of Swansea, have helped to raise the city centre’s profile and attract more visitors.
The arena, which was developed by Swansea Council, in partnership with RivingtonHark, and is run by Ambassador Theatre Group, has had a significant impact on footfall in the Quadrant, particularly following the pandemic.
In addition to the arena, there are a variety of other council-led projects aimed at furthering the regeneration, and reinvigoration of Swansea. For example, plans are in place for a revamped Castle Square Gardens, which is set to include new outdoor seating areas, more greenery, and a new water feature. There is also the ongoing construction of a new modern office development on the site of the former Oceana nightclub on The Kingsway – paving the way for flexible modern workspaces for 600 for tech and digital workers.
Ben Davies, Managing Director of Belvoir Swansea, is also excited about the ongoing developments in the region. He believes that “Swansea has much untapped potential” and that the city has the potential to be “truly incredible with increased investment”.
Breathing new life into the city, a project like this creates the prospect of more people relocating to Swansea as a result of the ongoing developments. This is sure to have a positive impact on the housing market and create even more new opportunities for residential developers in the region.
The ongoing conservation and transformation of The Palace Theatre and preservation and construction work at the Hafod Morfa Copperworks site, have created opportunities for residential and commercial development; the upcoming opening of Penderyn Distillery and visitor centre at the Hafod Morfa Copperworks site is a particularly exciting development for the region.
Finally, plans are in place for a public services hub to be established at the former BHS building on Oxford Street, which is yet another example of the city’s ongoing regeneration efforts.
The Swansea regeneration programme has been a catalyst for the city, creating new opportunities for businesses and residents alike, and paving the way for a bright and exciting future.
Work Experience Week at RivingtonHark
Max Lewis spends an action packed week at RivingtonHark. Considering whether he wants to follow in his father’s footsteps or get a proper job!
He got the opportunity to learn about our asset management, development and placemaking activities across projects in Enfield, Shrewsbury and Leeds including some very essential window shopping with potential Leeds retailer.
Day 1 – Max spent some time with Edie, Operations and Marketing Manager, getting stuck in to all things admin! He was a great help, and made sure all our files were organised, helped us update our records, and even made us some new signs for the office to facilitate our work towards becoming a more sustainable business.
Day 2 – Andrew and Will, who work in Development and Asset Management took Max through one of our projects in Enfield. They spoke about each of their roles, how they differ, and which part of the project timeline they come into contact with. They helped Max put together a presentation to present at the end of the week, to show us everything he has learnt over the time he spent with us.
He also attended a few meetings for our project in Romford, and spoke about all things luxury with our resident sartorial expert, Rob Hadfield.
Day 3/4 – An overnight trip to Shrewsbury! One of our most recent, and most exciting projects, Max accompanied David and Spencer to the beautiful, historic town of Shrewsbury. They were shown round the local area by members of the council, and explored RivingtonHark’s role in rejuvenating the town centre.
There was also time for a quick game of pool!
Day 5 – Max spent the day pulling together all of the information he learnt over the week, and perfecting his presentation, ready to present to an audience of 4 of our employees – including Directors and senior management!
We really enjoyed having Max along for the ride this week – he was an amazing help to all of the departments in our business – and we hope he got a good idea of everything we do here at RivintonHark.
“The highlight of my week at RivingtonHark was the two day trip to Shrewsbury, the commute into London and being able to work with all the lovely staff at the office.”
Thanks again, Max!
Good luck in your future endeavours, and we hope you enjoyed your first look at the world of work!
New Mural for Ridley Place, Newcastle City Centre
Newcastle is known for its vibrant art and culture scene, and the city has recently welcomed a new addition to its art landscape – a stunning mural in Ridley Place. The new mural will be one of several colourful additions commissioned by Newcastle City Council to the city centre this year.
The mural is the work of street artist and Newcastle-native, Peter Manning, who is known for his large-scale murals and community art projects. Peter Manning’s vibrant and bold pop-art creations draw influence from his history in print-making, and showcase an amalgamation of the colourful and eclectic spirit of the reanimated city centre.
The murals, which are sure to become a popular attraction for tourists and locals alike will play a role in the placemaking for Ridley Street and the surrounding area:
In addition to the murals, over the next few months new street furniture and planters will be installed, with a pocket park created near to Northumberland Street – providing a place to relax and enjoy the new surroundings. There will also be new chain lighting across the street to illuminate the area and offer opportunities for artwork and other installations to be displayed.
The new mural is a significant addition to Newcastle’s public art collection and is a visual celebration of the city’s cultural heritage. The mural is a testament to the city’s thriving art and culture scene and serves as a symbol of Newcastle’s unique identity. The project has had a positive impact on the community, bringing people together and creating a sense of pride in the city. The new mural is a must-see for anyone visiting Newcastle and is sure to become an iconic landmark in the city’s cultural landscape.
RivingtonHark is retained by NCC to provide commercial and placemaking advice.
New Openings at Victoria Leeds
VICTORIA LEEDS: Leading lifestyle and shopping destination announces five new openings and an exciting upsize this summer.
Yorkshire’s leading aspirational lifestyle and shopping destination continues to flourish with the announcement that five new brands will be arriving to its iconic arcades over the next few months. Victoria Leeds will add Phase Eight, Whistles, The Whisky Shop, Jimmy Fairly and Townhouse Nails to its already impressive portfolio of brands. Premium trainer specialist Size? have also expanded their space to offer a unique conceptual retail experience.
Victoria Leeds continues to cement its position as the preferred destination outside of London for trailblazing, desirable brands that would typically be located in aspirational districts in the capital, such as Marylebone High Street, Covent Garden and Chelsea.
Located in the heart of the city centre, this destination blends historic architecture with contemporary design across Victoria Quarter and Victoria Gate to create a stunning unique lifestyle destination where visitors can shop, dine and experience more.
Phase Eight, of The Foschini Group (TFG) will take its flagship design, modelled on the brand’s Westfield White City location and will be positioned alongside Whistles, also of TFG, which is gearing up for its return to Leeds as a standalone store. Both new stores will be located in Victoria Gate and will be opening at the end of June.
Townhouse Nails will open one of their first standalone salons in the north of England, also in Victoria Gate, whilst Jimmy Fairly will open in Victoria Quarter, priding itself on being ‘the coolest optician in town’ and offering French-made eyewear and eye tests to the fashion-conscious customer.
Premium spirits experts, The Whisky Shop, will open in County Arcade, where visitors will find a huge range of whiskies, including limited-edition, rare bottles priced in excess of £70,000.
In addition to the new arrivals, designer trainer specialist Size? has upsized its space to a new three-floor unit on King Edward Street within Victoria Quarter. The space presents shoppers with a conceptual experience and is four-times the size of its former store.
Victoria Leeds has long been associated with some of the world’s most renowned retail and restaurant brands and is home to the likes of Harvey Nichols, Paul Smith, Vivienne Westwood, Boodles, John Lewis & Partners, Molton Brown, Penhaligon’s, and The Ivy Asia.
Experiential Encounters
The destination is asset managed by real estate specialists, Rivington Hark, and property managed by Montagu Evans.
Robert Hadfield, Director at Rivington Hark, said: “For us, retail is no longer just about real estate, and the days of relying on cookie-cutter shopping centre concepts for success are long gone. We are constantly seeking new ways of curating compelling experiences for both our brands and customers, which means traditional leasing activity has become somewhat of a by-product.
‘’Our focus is on delivering exciting mixed-uses that vary constantly to maintain the feeling of moment and wonder. All our new lettings alongside our existing tenants expanding their spaces, have ensured Victoria Leeds has significantly more entrants compared to one year ago. This is a great achievement and has strengthened our position to take a more strategic and longer-term view on our brand mix and what we can deliver for the discerning Victoria Leeds customer.”
Constantly evolving
Victoria Leeds has helped the city to become the third-largest retail destination outside of London. Jo Coburn, Senior General Manager at Victoria Leeds, Montagu Evans, said: “Retail is constantly evolving so acquiring a dynamic sense of ‘now’ has never been more important. The new brands are a welcome addition to Victoria Leeds as our brand mix is key to ensuring that our beautiful destination is first on the bucket list when you’re visiting our fantastic city.
‘’It is our aim to create engaging, relevant experiences and events around this mix, that build anticipation and engagement with our customers and, ultimately, a true sense of belonging to the Victoria Leeds community. From Fashion Weekenders and immersive activations to large-scale artistry and involvement in cultural city trails. We work proactively with all our city partners to make Victoria Leeds one of the most inspiring places to visit when you’re in the city centre.”
Website: https://www.victorialeeds.co.uk
Instagram and TikTok @victorialeeds_
Facebook @victorialeedsshopping
Daniel Kawczynski MP Meets with RivingtonHark
RivingtonHark has been appointed by Shropshire Council to implement the regeneration of Shrewsbury’s town centre.
Yesterday, Daniel Kawczynski MP welcomed representatives from RivingtonHark, the company appointed to implement Shropshire Council’s successful LUF bid, to his office in Parliament. He made it clear to them that the success of the LUF bid will be instrumental in not only transforming Shrewsbury’s town centre, but the local economy too. Daniel strongly stated how excited he is about the regeneration of the Riverside and Smithfield areas. The Representatives explained the reasons why they were carefully selected by highlighting their track record of success in transforming other towns across England and Wales. RivingtonHark aims to submit a complete planning proposal by August 2024 with shovels in the ground by March 2025.
‘The future of Shrewsbury’s town centre is in more than capable hands as I learned yesterday from my meeting with RivingtonHark. I was thrilled to finally meet with the company that boasts an impressive track record of revamping other areas.
‘Shrewsbury is finally getting the funding it deserves and I welcome the Conservative Government’s commitment to Levelling Up our town.
‘Rivington Hark has my wholehearted support!’
Photo (L to R): David Lewis, Executive Director, Daniel Kawczynski MP, and Spencer Winter, Projects Director
Business Rate Reforms - RivingtonHark's Proposals in React News
RivingtonHark were quoted in this weeks article in React News
