£25m upgrade plan for Monks Cross Shopping Park (From York Press)
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£25m upgrade plan for Monks Cross Shopping Park
11:20am Monday 25th February 2013 in News
By Julie Hayes, Business editor
£25m upgrade plan for Monks Cross Shopping Park
DEVELOPERS have unveiled £25 million plans to expand Monks Cross Shopping Park on the edge of York, creating two large anchor stores and up to 175 jobs.
Under the proposals, the existing Marks & Spencer, Sports Direct and Laura Ashley units would be converted into one anchor store of 70,000 sq ft and a second anchor store of 60,000 sq ft would be created by combining WH Smith and Outfit.
The plans also seek to divide the existing Clarks shoe shop into two smaller units, providing a more suitably-sized unit for Clarks and also helping to accommodate the retailers displaced through the creation of the larger units.
Monks Cross Shopping said the project was the minimum it needed to do to keep the centre viable, after two of its main occupants, Marks & Spencer and Next, confirmed they were opening new stores in the nearby Oakgate scheme beside the new community stadium.
The centre warned that 40 per cent of its retailers had said they wanted to leave, or needed units of a different size or position.
Eric Hall, of property company TDH Estates, which has prepared the planning application, said the centre needed anchor stores to generate the footfall that the other retailers trade off.
The company is in talks with a clothing retailer that would be new to York, over the larger 70,000 sq ft store, and Mr Hall said they were “more than reasonably confident” of a deal.
They also hope a department store will relocate into the 60,000 sq ft store.
The 15-year-old shopping centre has had no major works for a number of years and previous plans involving extending two units into car parking space and adding mezzanine floors to existing units were turned down last May.
Mr Hall said the new plans involved no new buildings or extensions, but existing mezzanine flooring in some of the units earmarked to become new anchor stores would be extended.
Mr Hall said the plans would increase floor space by 48,000 sq ft without adding any new ground floor accommodation.
He said: “The priority has to be to attract key retailers to Monks Cross Shopping Park for the benefit of the city of York and the wider area.
“We feel this proposal would do just that and position York and particularly Monks Cross Shopping as a retail destination of choice with much to offer.”
Local councillor Carol Runciman said she hoped there would not be local disruption during the construction work, such as over parking.
Coun Runciman said: “A tremendous number of local people shop at Monks Cross, and if this scheme improves shopping in the local area and creates new jobs, that has to be a good thing.”
Mr Hall said he hoped to have a named occupier for every part of the scheme by the time a planning application is submitted in spring.
The scheme would help to retain 120 jobs and safeguard the future of the park, which employs 1,000 people in total, while also creating up to 175 jobs during the year-long construction work, which could start by the end of the year if plans are approved.
The Oakgate shopping scheme, which was approved as part of the community stadium project, will include Marks & Spencer, Next and John Lewis stores.
Comments(53)
The Great Buda
says...
11:51am Mon 25 Feb 13
#prayforYorkCityCent
re
neutral observer 2
says...
11:52am Mon 25 Feb 13
Well done all you councillors for allowing it.
Pete the Brickie
says...
11:56am Mon 25 Feb 13
, creating two large anchor stores and up to 175 jobs.
These shops seem to be aiming for to narrow a market to me, there is no way the Captain of a large seagoing vessel is going to travel this far inland to buy an anchor on its own, they need to offer propellers and masts as well.
goreds
says...
12:42pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Oakgate will split Monks Cross and lead to less shoppers between the 2 sites not to mention the extra travelling for fotball fans.
Haywire
says...
12:59pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Pete the Brickie wrote:Peter, I know what my wife would say if I'd cracked that one!
, creating two large anchor stores and up to 175 jobs.
These shops seem to be aiming for to narrow a market to me, there is no way the Captain of a large seagoing vessel is going to travel this far inland to buy an anchor on its own, they need to offer propellers and masts as well.
Haywire
says...
1:01pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Pete the Brickie wrote:In fact, you should be reduced to hod carrier for an indeterminate period! LOL!
, creating two large anchor stores and up to 175 jobs.
These shops seem to be aiming for to narrow a market to me, there is no way the Captain of a large seagoing vessel is going to travel this far inland to buy an anchor on its own, they need to offer propellers and masts as well.
BioLogic
says...
1:21pm Mon 25 Feb 13
No one to blame but the CYC councillors on the planning committee. Utter fools.....
speaks99
says...
1:39pm Mon 25 Feb 13
BioLogic wrote:You mean, like the mezzanines were appealed on the same basis?
The councillors were warned it would happen when permitting the Oakgate development against planning policy, and lo and behold it has. Now if CYC reject this application, Monks Cross will appeal and the Oakgate decision is a precedent.
No one to blame but the CYC councillors on the planning committee. Utter fools.....
TerryYork
says...
1:41pm Mon 25 Feb 13
The Great Buda wrote:Utter nonsense.
This is truely the end for the city centre.
#prayforYorkCityCent
re
ymugmike
says...
1:49pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Have to make a comment
says...
2:09pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Very sad to lose these retailers. Who next?
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
2:12pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Who needs his ridiculous Get York Building ideas, which are only interested in looking after the social housing sector, and stopping private housebuilding with unworkable affordable housing targets.
Sillybillies
says...
2:23pm Mon 25 Feb 13
meme
says...
2:29pm Mon 25 Feb 13
CoYC have no grounds to refuse this change due to granting MXS planning so it will happen but its better it trades well rather than empties.
I suspect these changes would have taken place regardless on MXS decison which has just hastened the process.
MX is now a major retail destination in its own right..Look how busy it is at weekends so someone is doing something right and you cannot blame the owners for making sure it stays attractive but you can blame our insane politicians for allowing MXS planning against all their planning policies to save York City FC and saddle us with a financial white elephant instead.
By the way I have nothing against YC FC its just that its a private business and should stand on its own two feet and not rely on our money ie £4 million to date confirmed for survival and a home.
Pleas dont erespond ardent YCFC suporters by saying its a community stadium as it patently is not..
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
3:48pm Mon 25 Feb 13
dctyke
says...
4:37pm Mon 25 Feb 13
neutral observer 2
says...
5:19pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Easier access for wasters from Strensall.
So glad that Alexander has not claimed credit for this.
Who needs his ridiculous Get York Building ideas, which are only interested in looking after the social housing sector, and stopping private housebuilding with unworkable affordable housing targets.
Garrowby Turnoff
says...
5:21pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Have to make a comment wrote:None of these retail shops have appeared at Monks Cross or Clifton Moor though. They closed because of nationwide tough trading conditions, not because they were in York city centre.
Yes, Sony centre GONE, Raynors Opticians (Been in York donkeys years) GONE, Jessops GONE, HMV and REPUBLIC how long left?
Very sad to lose these retailers. Who next?
Every city has out-of-town shopping now. But York, unlike everywhere else, has a ring road incapable of handling the traffic between the two out-of-town sites!
neutral observer 2
says...
5:23pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Pretty cheap compared to the Tories then and their tax cut for the richest.
Alexander 'bought' the votes of YCFC fans with the £4m of tax payers money used by the council to subsidise the bail out of the private McGill majority-owned club, but how many votes did he lose Labour with this transparent decision ?
Last i saw the Labour majority for York Central was bigger than 2500 and i do believe that Leeds Tory for outer York supports it.
Try UKIPs coat tails, they take in any obsessive nutter i hear.
Keepthewheelsturning
says...
5:40pm Mon 25 Feb 13
pedalling paul
says...
5:49pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Garrowby Turnoff wrote:Car dependant developments will ultimately go the way of the dinosaur....
Have to make a comment wrote:None of these retail shops have appeared at Monks Cross or Clifton Moor though. They closed because of nationwide tough trading conditions, not because they were in York city centre.
Yes, Sony centre GONE, Raynors Opticians (Been in York donkeys years) GONE, Jessops GONE, HMV and REPUBLIC how long left?
Very sad to lose these retailers. Who next?
Every city has out-of-town shopping now. But York, unlike everywhere else, has a ring road incapable of handling the traffic between the two out-of-town sites!
JHardacre
says...
6:05pm Mon 25 Feb 13
goreds wrote:Hardly big enough for a proper JL or M&S. If you actually shopped in either of these stores then you would know that.
Why not accomodate MS and JLewis in these 2 'new' units, knock Oakgate on the head and give surplus money to renovate Bootham Crescent for fotball and rugby ?
Oakgate will split Monks Cross and lead to less shoppers between the 2 sites not to mention the extra travelling for fotball fans.
BTW what is fotball?
York Shire
says...
7:28pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Even AndyD
says...
7:37pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Makes a change this point of view. Normally we hear YCFC fans are a tiny minority. So on that logic, wouldn't it be stupid to alienate the majority of voters for us few thousand? Cannot have it both ways squire!
Alexander 'bought' the votes of YCFC fans with the £4m of tax payers money used by the council to subsidise the bail out of the private McGill majority-owned club, but how many votes did he lose Labour with this transparent decision ?
As for Alexander buying votes, wasn't the plan originally brought in under the Lib Dems?
Finally - bail outs for private companies?? You mean like te £1.5 trillion used to bail out the banks? Or the £billions Amazon and the like don't pay in tax?
Even AndyD
says...
7:41pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Monks Cross hasn't killed off Woolworths, or Jessops, or HMV etc etc. This is a nationwide phenomena and like I say, centres will need to evolve. You can try to block Monks X but buyers will do as they please - go to Leeds or Meadowhall instead of York for a start. Stemming progress is not the answer..
ouseswimmer
says...
7:46pm Mon 25 Feb 13
ymugmike wrote:Also RAW on Feasegate, Kannoo travel on Stonegate and Creative glass in Swinegate. More to come I fear.
I see that the Sony Centre has already closed in Church Street, before all this new work has started.
Ageing Hippy
says...
8:02pm Mon 25 Feb 13
neutral observer 2 wrote:Wasters from Strensall???? I know a few people from that village and they appear to be fine upstanding citizens! have you had a different experience or are you just one of those troll things??
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Easier access for wasters from Strensall.
So glad that Alexander has not claimed credit for this.
Who needs his ridiculous Get York Building ideas, which are only interested in looking after the social housing sector, and stopping private housebuilding with unworkable affordable housing targets.
directdebbie
says...
8:39pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Sillybillies
says...
8:43pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Car dependant developments will ultimately go the way of the dinosaur....
The pedal cycling brigade have just about got there already, a dying breed from the distant past
lezyork1966
says...
9:17pm Mon 25 Feb 13
this is a good thing and can be taken advantage of, with the right mind set.
neutral observer 2
says...
9:30pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Ageing Hippy wrote:It was more specific than a generalisation.
neutral observer 2 wrote:Wasters from Strensall???? I know a few people from that village and they appear to be fine upstanding citizens! have you had a different experience or are you just one of those troll things??
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Easier access for wasters from Strensall.
So glad that Alexander has not claimed credit for this.
Who needs his ridiculous Get York Building ideas, which are only interested in looking after the social housing sector, and stopping private housebuilding with unworkable affordable housing targets.
Something SP likes to do on every attack of anything positive relating to council actions.
Clearly failing on this occasion as Duffy points out.
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
10:01pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Even AndyD wrote:The Lib-Dems didn't push it through planning with a cut and shut planning report, though, did they ?
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Makes a change this point of view. Normally we hear YCFC fans are a tiny minority. So on that logic, wouldn't it be stupid to alienate the majority of voters for us few thousand? Cannot have it both ways squire!
Alexander 'bought' the votes of YCFC fans with the £4m of tax payers money used by the council to subsidise the bail out of the private McGill majority-owned club, but how many votes did he lose Labour with this transparent decision ?
As for Alexander buying votes, wasn't the plan originally brought in under the Lib Dems?
Finally - bail outs for private companies?? You mean like te £1.5 trillion used to bail out the banks? Or the £billions Amazon and the like don't pay in tax?
The banks are a bit more important than YCFC.
Amazon don't pay their taxes so that's an acceptable excuse for CYC wasting our money ?
Scarlet Pimpernel
says...
10:01pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Even AndyD wrote:The Lib-Dems didn't push it through planning with a cut and shut planning report, though, did they ?
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Makes a change this point of view. Normally we hear YCFC fans are a tiny minority. So on that logic, wouldn't it be stupid to alienate the majority of voters for us few thousand? Cannot have it both ways squire!
Alexander 'bought' the votes of YCFC fans with the £4m of tax payers money used by the council to subsidise the bail out of the private McGill majority-owned club, but how many votes did he lose Labour with this transparent decision ?
As for Alexander buying votes, wasn't the plan originally brought in under the Lib Dems?
Finally - bail outs for private companies?? You mean like te £1.5 trillion used to bail out the banks? Or the £billions Amazon and the like don't pay in tax?
The banks are a bit more important than YCFC.
Amazon don't pay their taxes so that's an acceptable excuse for CYC wasting our money ?
pedalling paul
says...
10:16pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Sillybillies wrote:So why is it that in mainland European cities some 10% of retail journeys are made by bike, compared to a measly 2% in this country?
Car dependant developments will ultimately go the way of the dinosaur....
The pedal cycling brigade have just about got there already, a dying breed from the distant past
Separately,does the absence of an LDF prevent CYC Planners from resisting more car dependant developments of this type?
Even AndyD
says...
10:18pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Whoa horsey. You brought up the sin of paying public money to private business not me. I just pointed out that its hardly unheard of. £1.5trillion unheard of!
Even AndyD wrote:The Lib-Dems didn't push it through planning with a cut and shut planning report, though, did they ?
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Makes a change this point of view. Normally we hear YCFC fans are a tiny minority. So on that logic, wouldn't it be stupid to alienate the majority of voters for us few thousand? Cannot have it both ways squire!
Alexander 'bought' the votes of YCFC fans with the £4m of tax payers money used by the council to subsidise the bail out of the private McGill majority-owned club, but how many votes did he lose Labour with this transparent decision ?
As for Alexander buying votes, wasn't the plan originally brought in under the Lib Dems?
Finally - bail outs for private companies?? You mean like te £1.5 trillion used to bail out the banks? Or the £billions Amazon and the like don't pay in tax?
The banks are a bit more important than YCFC.
Amazon don't pay their taxes so that's an acceptable excuse for CYC wasting our money ?
LibDems committed to the stadium project, got it off the ground, spent money on it. I'm sure they would have seen it through too. Or are you saying they'd have u-turned and had people howling about 'waste of money'.
Why is money being wasted on a Community Stadium? Your opinion that it is wasted but not universal - you don't speak for us all. I'd say an asset worth about £17m achieved for £4m is a good idea. Better than borrowing £37m for new council offices. Housing all staff in luxury when surely back office staff could have been accommodated more cheaply out of town.
Look - nothing in life is perfect, but I'd say the MX and stadium project is an attempt to provide this city with sporting and retail facilities enjoyed by other towns and cities across the country for years. Many in places which are smaller than York. Population of pushing 200,000 deserved better facilities.
Just my opinion.
strensall red
says...
10:28pm Mon 25 Feb 13
neutral observer 2 wrote:twit
Scarlet Pimpernel wrote:Easier access for wasters from Strensall.
So glad that Alexander has not claimed credit for this.
Who needs his ridiculous Get York Building ideas, which are only interested in looking after the social housing sector, and stopping private housebuilding with unworkable affordable housing targets.
bob the builder
says...
11:29pm Mon 25 Feb 13
Have to make a comment wrote:All overpriced compared to competitors, failed to keep up with changes in retailing, and were the architects of their own demise. M&S appeal to a faithfull unwavering older shopper so I can't see them failing (unless they do something stupid like try to anticipate fashion or leave the city centre). WH Smith is the one I'd bet on going down next, it's like a jumble sale and past it's sell by date (coincidentally Next is similar, cheap piled high imported clothing).
Yes, Sony centre GONE, Raynors Opticians (Been in York donkeys years) GONE, Jessops GONE, HMV and REPUBLIC how long left?
Very sad to lose these retailers. Who next?
Magicman!
says...
3:18am Tue 26 Feb 13
Keepthewheelsturning wrote:Hmmm, maybe, but it'd still be smaller than their Manchester store and possibly smaller than their Leeds store.
Clothing retailer wanting 70,000 sq feet? Only 1 I can think of. That really would be the death of the centre.
I don't suppose this 'upgrade' for Monks Cross includes rebuilding the bus lane that has been shut for three years or to put up signs so pedestrians know not to walk along the cycle lane? No, didn't think so.
Also, if Monks Cross is so popular why is it that the main bus service that goes there from the city centre that actually serves any areas of housing finishes at 5pm whilst Clifton Moor's equivalent bus service runs on until nearly midnight??
Even AndyD
says...
7:17am Tue 26 Feb 13
Given all that, is there a plan to manage York centre through this transition? Yes, tourism makes us somewhat unique, but is that enough? Should we be looking to bringing more niche traders in with the carrot of lower rents?
I don't pretend to be an expert, I'm just interested. Have watch the city centre essentially thrive (despite gloom mongers every decade saying otherwise) for the last 40 yrs and I'd like to think someone has his/her eye on that continuing rather than just wing and a prayer.
dsom73
says...
9:22am Tue 26 Feb 13
The ring road will HAVE to be upgraded to accomodate. It won't happen instantly, but it will happen. It will probably only change between MonksX and Clifton moor, or at least the A64 and MonksX, but that's better than nothing.
New jobs for loads of people = money for loads of people = happier people in the City = nicer place to live for everyone.
But best of all, loads of councillors will each get a new Yacht so they will have zero excuse for not f***ing right off.
meme
says...
11:49am Tue 26 Feb 13
There have been rumours of suspect officers but without substantiation at all so they are not relevant.
In my view councillors are motivated by the chance of getting votes and staying in power and will do anything to get these votes sometimes to yorks detriment whilst officers are leant on heavily by very politicised members and have to do what they say if they want to keep/progress in their jobs.
All independence appears to have gone...Scarlet Pimp and their servants want them to say...Much of what we base future decisions on is totally politically motivated to the detriment of us all.
Democracy has collapsed in CoYC and we are all suffering for it..God kniows how its resolved but its time for a new bunch with a new approach to step in, remove the politics and make decisions for York, not themselves
Have to make a comment
says...
12:32pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Garrowby Turnoff wrote:What I'm getting at is, yes these retailers have gone partly through their own fault BUT the council is giving the go ahead for more out of town shops when already there are plenty of empty shops in town. I know its more convenient to park out of town but we need to encourage local shoppers back in to town not encourage them to leave.
Have to make a comment wrote:None of these retail shops have appeared at Monks Cross or Clifton Moor though. They closed because of nationwide tough trading conditions, not because they were in York city centre.
Yes, Sony centre GONE, Raynors Opticians (Been in York donkeys years) GONE, Jessops GONE, HMV and REPUBLIC how long left?
Very sad to lose these retailers. Who next?
Every city has out-of-town shopping now. But York, unlike everywhere else, has a ring road incapable of handling the traffic between the two out-of-town sites!
Mr Trellis
says...
4:11pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Mr Trellis
says...
4:11pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Arblaster
says...
4:58pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Sillybillies wrote:A dying breed?Cycling?
Car dependant developments will ultimately go the way of the dinosaur....
The pedal cycling brigade have just about got there already, a dying breed from the distant past
How strange, therefore, that one of the growth areas in York retail appears to be in cycle shops; small independent shops, moreover, within the confines of York and not lurking empty around shopping ghettoes like Monks Cross.
jimmy120883
says...
5:57pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Mr Trellis wrote:£25million from private developer=MX
£25million and CYC are spending only 200k for the whole city refurbishment.
200k from tax payer=CC
If the CYC spent £Xmillions of taxpayers money on the city center there would still be plenty of nimbys complaining. Thats what holds this City back is all the Nimbys that like to complain over every little thing.
Mr John
says...
7:07pm Tue 26 Feb 13
York needs real jobs not low paid jobs for shop assistants.
Magicman!
says...
11:42pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Have to make a comment wrote:Then in that case you have to ask WHY are companies locating into these premises when there are empty shops in the city centre... could it be rates/rent? property size? availability of patronage?
Garrowby Turnoff wrote:What I'm getting at is, yes these retailers have gone partly through their own fault BUT the council is giving the go ahead for more out of town shops when already there are plenty of empty shops in town. I know its more convenient to park out of town but we need to encourage local shoppers back in to town not encourage them to leave.
Have to make a comment wrote:None of these retail shops have appeared at Monks Cross or Clifton Moor though. They closed because of nationwide tough trading conditions, not because they were in York city centre.
Yes, Sony centre GONE, Raynors Opticians (Been in York donkeys years) GONE, Jessops GONE, HMV and REPUBLIC how long left?
Very sad to lose these retailers. Who next?
Every city has out-of-town shopping now. But York, unlike everywhere else, has a ring road incapable of handling the traffic between the two out-of-town sites!
Magicman!
says...
11:46pm Tue 26 Feb 13
Mr John wrote:As much as I agree with that, the fact is we have to go for what we can get.
If you want shops - go waste your money in Leeds.
York needs real jobs not low paid jobs for shop assistants.
Yes by rights we should be trying to get proper jobs like manufacturing back into the city, but when the multinational companies that own what we see as 'british' brands know they can outsource labour cheaper to other countries, why would they invest here where they'd have to pay more wages and take out liability insurance? Even if the EU imposed rules that in all EU countries employers had to pay their staff the same as they would in England and had to take out insurance, the companies would move their main workforce base to africa or somewhere really cheap and full of people they can exploit.
Realistic ycfc
says...
9:02pm Wed 27 Feb 13
Magicman!
says...
2:55am Fri 1 Mar 13
queenselphie
says...
10:50am Sat 2 Mar 13
ReginaldBiscuit says...
11:36am Mon 25 Feb 13