'Bold new vision': Shopping centre and high-rise flats to be demolished to create new city Quarter
Major plans have been revealed to demolish a West Yorkshire shopping centre as part of a “bold new vision”.
Wakefield Council looks set to buy The Ridings Shopping Centre to make way for a “vibrant new quarter” to include new homes, leisure facilities and spaces for events.
The scheme also involves bulldozing a number of 1960s residential tower blocks as part of the transformation of the so-called Cathedral Quarter.
Jack Hemingway, the council’s deputy leader and cabinet member for regeneration and economic growth, said: “We have a once in a generation opportunity to transform the city centre, with government funding ready and available to kick start the first phase.
“The Cathedral Quarter redevelopment is the bold move our city needs to thrive.
“It is critical that we make a big, fundamental change now to give Wakefield the future it deserves.”
The council said the regeneration scheme would take place in stages over ten to 15 years.
The first phase of the project is being funded through £17.9m from the Ministry of Housing, Community and Local Government (MHCLG).
The amount covers the acquisition of the shopping centre as well as the costs of “planning applications, grant funding, business cases and wider resources.”
The sum paid for the centre has not been disclosed, but a spokesperson for the council said the figure “reflects independent commercial advice on its market value.”
The council’s cabinet members are expected to agree to the first stage of the plan at a meeting on February 17. The local authority previously planned to buy the centre but backed out of making a deal in December 2022.
The centre was then bought by Yorkshire-based businessman Zahid Iqbal. New proposals for the Ridings site now include a public square, library, museum, cinema, green spaces and “extensive” car parking.
The announcement comes after Marks & Spencer said last month that it would be moving out of The Ridings and opening a new food hall on the outskirts of the city centre.
It is also understood that Primark plans to relocate from the centre to another part of the city later this year.
Coun Hemingway said: “We don’t underestimate the strength of feeling about The Ridings. It’s been a huge part of our city and once helped to put us on the map.
“But that is not the shopping centre you see now.
“Like many high streets across the county, it has faced significant challenges due to the rise of online retail, decline in footfall and has struggled to return to its former levels of activity.
“The departure of M&S and Primark relocating elsewhere in the city is a hammer blow to The Ridings.
“Over recent months we stepped up our discussions with Mr Iqbal and we’re pleased to be working with him to seize this opportunity for a new future for Wakefield.
“City centres must change to survive and create a long-term, sustainable future.
“It is time to be bold and make this change now to create a city that attracts more investment and jobs, and a city that everyone is proud to call home.”
A management company is expected to be appointed to continue to run the centre until it is redeveloped.
The council said businesses currently operating in The Ridings would receive support.
Centre owner Mr Iqbal said: “The Ridings has been a key part of the city for over 40 years and I am proud to have been a part of that.
“But now it is time for change.
“These plans are in the best interests for the future of the city and I really hope everyone gets behind these bold plans for Wakefield.”
Included in the Cathedral Quarter footprint are some of the high-rise blocks currently owned by social housing provider Vico Homes, formerly Wakefield District Housing.
The plans would see them replaced by 200 homes for Vico residents in the first phase of redevelopment.
The council also said it was working closely with the company to make sure residents are supported.