• INSPIRED SHOPPING

Development update August 2016

Tuesday, August 30th, 2016


The large hoarding was fully erected toward the end of June and we have now dressed it to improve the appearance and inform customers of what changes they can expect.

We are looking at additional lighting for the hoarding to help brighten up the area now that much of the natural light is blocked.

Customers are using the new stairwell and Waitrose lifts to move between the roof level car park and first floor. The loss of the centre passenger lifts don’t appear to causing too much of nuisance to visitors.

Automatic door sensors are due to be installed from the first floor car park to the first floor mall during September. At present, a security guard is stationed at these doors to assist customers with mobility needs as well as parents with children. Once the door sensors have been installed, this guard will no longer be required.

Behind the hoarding, the contractor has finished stripping out the old retail units formerly occupied by Next, Waterstones and, Toystop and is now focusing on the demolition of the passenger lifts and the columns.

Demolition of the spiral stair case is complete, see for yourself the below before and after!

The columns are made of reinforced concrete and progress has been slow. To help speed things up, the contractor has decided to deploy a robot who will be able to work harder and longer to bring the columns down. A video of this is soon to be posted.

The passenger lift cars and motors have been completely removed. The contractor is still working on removing the lift structure.

The majority of demolition works have been carried out outside of shopping centre opening times to ensure that customers and tenants are not affected by noise and dust.

The project is on schedule and there have been no significant delays or issues.