Plans revealed for major Eldon Square revamp

Eldon Square has revealed plans to revamp underutilised areas of the shopping centre into two new venues, which could create 400 jobs and would bring the former Debenhams back into use.Under the plans, 200,000 sq ft of vacant floorspace will be transformed into a family leisure attraction, which will offer indoor sports and entertainment across parts of the centre including the former Eldon Leisure Centre site.A national family leisure operator is being lined up to occupy and repurpose the space, which was once much loved by local residents.The circa 120,000 sq ft venue will include arcade games, virtual reality, crazy golf and electric karting.Additionally, the top floor of the former Debenhams department store will be redeveloped into a space which will mix food, socialising, art, cultural entertainment and music performance.By removing limited parts of the building’s roof, there will also be a recessed external seating area with a retractable roof.Plans are already advanced for a major national retailer to occupy two floors of the former Debenhams.Once operational, the new venues could generate an additional £16m per year for the city’s economy.Before applications are submitted to Newcastle City Council, the proposal will be on display to the public in the former Paperchase unit at St Andrew’s Way in Eldon Square on Saturday 2 December between 10am and 5pm.Cormac Hamilton, on behalf of Eldon Square, said: “Since taking responsibility for the management of Eldon Square, we have worked hard to ensure that vacant retail space within the Shopping Centre is reoccupied by new retailers wherever possible. However, large units such as the former Debenhams have been purpose-built as department stores, which makes them difficult to re-let unaltered.”We are confident that we can soon announce the retailer who will be taking two floors within the former Debenhams department store, and we are delighted that the remaining space will also be brought back into productive use. The leisure occupier that we are in advanced talks with is a leader in their field and they will bring something truly unique to Newcastle.”He added: “These changes will help to generate a large number of new jobs and bring a new vibrancy and extra footfall to the city. We look forward to sharing more information with the community on Saturday 2 December. We hope that people will come along and see for themselves what is being proposed.”Stephen Patterson, chief executive of NE1, the Business Improvement District company for Newcastle city centre, said: “This is great news for Newcastle, its residents and visitors to the city.”Thankfully, the city centre has relatively low vacancy rates and there is strong demand for the right property in the right location. These plans provide an innovative and exciting use of current vacant retail space, that will deliver investment, jobs and perhaps most importantly an uplift on what is currently on offer in the city.”Newcastle is a growing city and it is hugely important that it continues to evolve. As the city grows, its offer must too. This is a fantastic step in the right direction.”