Felling Town Centre

Reeves & Co. are acting on behalf of The Helmsley Group and The Felling Syndicate to aid with proposed plans that will see a transformation of Felling Town Centre. This page has been set up to provide interested parties with a platform to view the proposals and to make comments on the development. Additionally updates will be provided by the developer in the ‘comments’ section at the bottom of this page

SUMMARY

The proposals will see total demolition of the existing Felling Shopping Centre to make was for a new Supermarket and a brand new parade of retail units. The scheme will be built in two stages with the new parade being constructed while the current one remains in situ until such a time as the tenants can be relocated across to the new scheme.

The proposals will see an increased footfall to Felling Town Centre and are expected to be the first step in a major scheme of regeneration for the area which has suffered from a lack of investment over recent years. Reeves and Co. are assisting in relocating the tenants from the existing parade into the newly proposed scheme as well as dealing with enquiries from other potential tenants.

ANTICIPATED TIMING

Planning application – 20th January 2012 – SUBMITTED

Planning approval - March 2012

Start on site – February 2013

Completion – November 2013

DESIGN PROSAL

The proposals will see the scheme facing towards Victoria Square (The main Town Square), this proposals will include a scope of re-modelling of Victoria Square to make it more visually and practically appealing. The orientation of the scheme and the car parking will encourage customers towards Felling High Street and provide the catalyst for regeneration

INDICATIVE PLANS

Plan – As existing

Elevations – As existing

Plan – As proposed

Elevations – As proposed

Proposed view from Outside the Bingo Hall, looking towards Booth Street (Click image to enlarge)

Proposed view from Crowhall Lane towards Booth Street (Click image to enlarge)

FORMER BINGO HALL AND AMUSEMENT ARCADE

On behalf of our clients we have recently acquired (March 2012) the former Bingo Hall and Arcade at Felling, we are currently seeking interest in either building and have a few options in the pipeline to see the buildings re-occupied. Details of the property can be found by clicking HERE

COMMENTS

Please leave any comments on the below form, or contact us directly on 01904 682800 / info@reevesandco.com

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48 thoughts on “Felling Town Centre”

Max Reeves on October 26, 2011 at 3:20 pm said:

Thank you to everybody who attended the public consultation on 19th and 20th October at Felling Shopping Parade. Over 1,000 made the effort and the responses and comments recieved are invaluable to us. We were pleased to see that the response was generally very positive, we are looking at addressing a number of the concerns and issues that were raised by local residents and will be updating again in due course. If you wish to make any further comments please do so on his site or contact us directly on 01904 682800 / info@reevesandco.com

Regards,
Max Reeves
Max Reeves on October 26, 2011 at 3:23 pm said:

Link to a press release regarding the proposals at Felling:

http://www.gateshead.gov.uk/Council%20and%20Democracy/news/News%20Articles/PublicconsultationonmajorimprovementsforFelling.aspx
Max Reeves on October 26, 2011 at 3:27 pm said:

We are seeking local residents thoughts on what they would like to see happen to Victoria Square. Please add any ideas? Many comments were recieved from the public consultation that the Square could be returned to its original form before the planters were added? – All thoughts welcome
D on December 6, 2011 at 4:45 pm said:

I welcome the plans, a bright vibrant new Felling Square. I agree with removing the planters as they can be welcome during the summer months but cluttered during the winter months. I’d like to see more open space in the centre of felling so maybe good quality paving with some form of pavement lighting feature to make the area feel safe and secure.

I also wondered after looking at the plans, there seems to be a lot less stores in the square development at this stage than currently exist, are there plans for a phase 2 to include the area where the former Kwiksave and empty shops currently lie?
Anonymous on January 6, 2012 at 3:28 am said:

will there be more career opportunities for local residents?
maxreeves2 on January 13, 2012 at 11:27 am said:

D – We are currently working on the design for Victoria Sq. with Gateshead Council, your comments are appreciated and I will pass these forward.

The intention of the scheme is to provide a catalyst for further regeneration in Felling. We (as the developer) have no control over the former Kwiksave site/High steet althrough we are exploring another large site within Felling for improvement.

Max
maxreeves2 on January 13, 2012 at 11:37 am said:

Anonymous – It is predicted there will be a significantly increased number of jobs created from the development. the present Shopping parade employes approx 59 full time equivalent jobs, the proposed development will be approx. 172.

Max
D on January 13, 2012 at 12:13 pm said:

Thanks for your comments Max, it is good to hear about further opportunities being investigated and look forward to hearing more about that as things progress.

I also wondered whether I would be right in assuming the supermarket in question is to be an Asda? my attention to detail noticed that on the plans the supermarket has a George stockroom, which of course is the Asda clothing brand.
maxreeves2 on January 16, 2012 at 10:37 am said:

D – We cannot at the moment announce who the supermarket operator is, we hope to be able to do this shortly – Please treat the plans as indiciative for the time being.

Max
Mark Watson on January 23, 2012 at 11:06 am said:

what will hapen to the staff in the co-op will they get first choice of the jobs in the new supermarket
D on January 23, 2012 at 11:19 am said:

Hi Mark, my understanding is employment opportunities will go to local people so I am assuming that staff from the Co-Op (assuming they are not relocating as part of the development) will be able to apply for any vacancies at any of the stores! Personal experience of the Co-Op though is they look after there employees!
Mark Watson on January 25, 2012 at 9:10 am said:

it was in the local paper yesturday and thr radio that it is asda that has got the store
maxreeves2 on February 1, 2012 at 1:21 pm said:

After some delay we are pleased to confirm the planning application was submitted last week. Details are available to view on the Gateshead Council website. All going to plan the development is due to commence January 2013. Regards, Max
Anonymous on February 1, 2012 at 5:46 pm said:

it would be very helpful if there was a link thank you
maxreeves2 on February 2, 2012 at 1:28 pm said:

As requested Anonymous: Copy the folowing into your searchbar to link to the Gateshead Council planning page:

http://public.gateshead.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=LY3V8MHK3Y000

Alternatively the reference is: DC/12/00080/FUL

Regards,
Max
Anonymous on February 17, 2012 at 10:27 pm said:

that is all very well but until someone does something about the awful public houses in the felling, it will never be what it used to be, a nice friendly place to live where people knew each other and cared. It is not new building’s that make a community they have even closed one of our best schools, sad that people do not know what is important anymore..
carl on February 21, 2012 at 7:25 pm said:

is it going to be asda or morrisons there.
D on February 21, 2012 at 7:42 pm said:

I’d love a Morrisons but have a hunch it will be an Asda!
Anonymous on February 21, 2012 at 9:07 pm said:

hope it will be an morrisons lyk
Anonymous on February 21, 2012 at 9:08 pm said:

hope it willbe an morrisons lyk
mark on February 25, 2012 at 12:51 pm said:

is there any more word, news on who has got it yet thanks
maxreeves2 on February 27, 2012 at 11:33 am said:

We still cannot confirm the operator I am afraid, this will ba announced fairly shortly.

Regards,
Max
maxreeves2 on March 6, 2012 at 3:38 pm said:

I am pleased to announce we have recently purchased the former Bingo Hall and Amusement Arcade at Felling. At present we have no firm plans for the buildings and are currently seeking interest from any parties. However this does represent an exciting opportunity for further regeneration in Felling, we already have interest in the site from a number of potential occupiers and so hope to have the building re-opened in one form or another before the completion of the overall Felling centre re-development.

All enquiries please contact Max on 01904 682800

Regards,
Max
Andy on March 10, 2012 at 8:33 pm said:

Cant really tell from the plans but can the developers be sure to include adequate litter bins sited at sensible positions around the site. I know there will always be people too lazy to use them but more bins will hopefully lessen the amount of litter deposited on our streets. One small step to improve the area we live in.
Anonymous on March 18, 2012 at 1:00 pm said:

As a Felling resident and homeowner it is encouraging that investment looks to be forthcoming in an area of Gateshead that desperatly needs it. However the benefits will not be maximised if the current retailers are simply allowed to transfer their low grade trade to new retail units. More effort is needed to drag the standards of Felling retail out of the proverbial gutter and bring in more innovative businesses. I find it difficult to buy into the promised increase in footfall if the same businesses are merely given a superficial polish. Too many retail zones are filling with bookmakers, pawnbrokers and other such purveyors and proponents of the insidious destruction of local retail (to say nothing of the impacts of a single major supermarket).
D on March 18, 2012 at 4:14 pm said:

I couldn’t agree more I really hope that we manage to maintain the bigger multiples presence at Felling Square including Boots, Greggs & Dicksons! I am guessing that lloyds will use the opportunity to close their branch and move all business to Gateshead which seems to be quite common amongst high street branches but it woud be great to see them possibly moving into a a refurbished existing unit on high street or around the development. I also saw somewhere that Holland & Barrett have a requirement for a store in Felling which could be a useful addition to this development! Wishlist for Felling retailers!! Iceland, Argos, Holland & Barrett, Starbucks? (Just a pie in the sky wishlist but thought it would be fun to get a census of the sort of retailers people would like to see)
D on March 18, 2012 at 4:17 pm said:

oh and great news on the bingo hall! I’d love to see this brought back into use as a local amateur dramatics theatre, engaging the local community! I’ve seen this work in other towns before and gives kids the chance to engage in something positive in the area, whilst allowing a leisure activity for residents of felling!
Alan Higgins on March 19, 2012 at 9:09 pm said:

If there is no indication on the plans re the security aspects of a bank (vault etc) I would suggest that Lloyds have made their mind up and are leaving Felling. Alan H
maxreeves2 on April 4, 2012 at 1:35 pm said:

We are pleased to announce that planning for the new development was granted today (4th April 2012).

The vote was passed unanimously by the planning committee.

Further announcements will follow confirming the tenant line up and an announcement of the Supermarket operator.

Development is still due to commence on 1st February 2013. It is planned that all existing tenants will remain in occupation until this time.

Regards,
Max
D on April 4, 2012 at 1:37 pm said:

Thats fantastic news and a big vote of confidence in Felling! are there any developments in relation to the former bingo hall and potential new uses?
Mick on April 5, 2012 at 8:56 am said:

If you look at the small print in the corner on the plans it does say ASDA, so looks like thats what we are getting.
carl on April 5, 2012 at 9:02 am said:

Can you tell us who is going to be in the supermarket is it Asda as everyone thinks it is go on you can tell me I wont tell anyone go on spill the beans.
carl on April 5, 2012 at 9:23 am said:

Just noticed it does it does say Asda on the plans so felling is getting a new Asda supermarket.
I just hope greggs and boots stay in felling.
mark on April 5, 2012 at 9:30 am said:

I KNOW WHERE I WILL NOT BE DOING MY SHOPPING
Anonymous on April 5, 2012 at 12:16 pm said:

Will you be tackling the issue with drug users around the kwik save building and youth ASB around the high street???
maxreeves2 on April 5, 2012 at 3:59 pm said:

D – We are in discussions with a number of tenant’s with a variety of uses for both the Bingo Hall and adjoining Arcade. We are planning to re-open both at the same as the main car park development.

Mick/Carl – Please treat the plans as indicative at this time, it won’t be long before we can announce the occupier (I have been saying that for a while now but it really will be very shortly!)

Anonymous – Unfortunately as private developers we have no ownership or control of the Kwik Save building or the High Street. We hope that by introducing investment into the area we can help to improve it and the effects should filter across to the other areas of Felling, such as the High Street.
maxreeves2 on April 10, 2012 at 7:45 am said:

Chronicle press coverage: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/north-east-news/evening-chronicle-news/2012/04/05/felling-revamp-plans-get-green-light-from-councillors-72703-30701807/
D on April 17, 2012 at 9:05 am said:

Any developments on the supermarket commitment? Also you mentioned that you were looking at another large development site in Felling, was this the former Bingo hall you were referring to or is there another site? Has there been any commitments in relation to existing tenants at Victoria Square committed to staying as part of the development? Namely Boots & Greggs?
mark on April 22, 2012 at 8:13 pm said:

will you be buying or tacking over the old kwik save store as well as the development that is going on or not
carl on April 28, 2012 at 4:36 pm said:

have you any other news for the development in felling.
maxreeves2 on April 30, 2012 at 4:04 pm said:

Mark – We have no involvment or plans for the Kwiksave. We have considered what would be done with it and not thought of many solutions! Hopefully this new development will be enough of a draw to attract a new tenant into the building.

Carl/D – I will be doing an update within 14 days on here
D on May 20, 2012 at 9:49 am said:

any news on the update?
mark on May 20, 2012 at 9:50 am said:

i true its been more than 14 days
carl on May 21, 2012 at 5:10 pm said:

have you any news for the development in felling yet
Margaret Johnson on May 27, 2012 at 1:52 pm said:

What is the point of a 20th century shopping complex in Felling Square while Felling High St. is stuck in the 18th century? The back of the shops is over-run with rats and would be more suited to a Dicken’s novel. If a complete facelift isn’t achievable then the High St. should be demolished as it will drag the new complex down with it. You only have to look at Gateshead with the regeneration on the quayside and the new bus station built to welcome tourists but one look at the state of Gateshead High St. says it all.
Anonymous on May 28, 2012 at 9:14 pm said:

where are you expecting the extra footfall to come from???
Anonymous on May 30, 2012 at 4:21 pm said:

when are we going to get the update?
D on May 30, 2012 at 4:24 pm said:

think we can only assume that there is no news to report!

Reeves & Co