A UK SHOPPING centre is set to be demolished after over 60 years in operation.
The complex, which was first opened in 1965, will make way a for new residential, retail, and healthcare development.
Plans to demolish St John’s Shopping Centre in Preston have been confirmed as three high rise buildings are confirmed for the site.
St. John’s is currently home to about 20 retailers, including Shoezone and H&M, and is described on its website as “the perfect place to grab a bargain”.
Planning officer Patrick Marfleet described St. John’s as a “typical post-war…shopping centre”, with “no historic value”.
He added that the centre is in “a pretty tired and…half-empty state these days”, with the local authority having “no objection to its loss”.
In contrast, Marfleet said the new development “will create a high-quality gateway into the city centre”.
The planned new facilities have been described as “a very important regeneration opportunity within the city centre”.
The new buildings, which reach up to 16 storeys in height, will include 500 apartments, commercial units, and an NHS health facility.
A tree-lined “central boulevard” will conncecting the markets quarter to local transport links and will also feature a new Animate cinema, restaurant, and leisure development.
Presenting the proposal on behalf of applicant Wansfell Ltd, Chris Hartley, said: “For many visitors arriving by bus [in] Preston city centre, this location forms their very first impression of the city.”
Despite the local transport links, committee member Michael Peak pointed out the ratio of just 23 car parking spaces to almost 500 residential properties was “a joke”.
Hartley cautioned that there would be “no immediate commencement” of construction work.
Marfleet stressed that imagery accompanying the proposal is only “indicative” at this stage.
