Estate banks on revamp of shops (From Gazette & Herald)

Estate banks on revamp of shops

A MAJOR landowner has started a half-million pound building scheme in a bid to attract big business and quality retailers to a North Yorkshire town.

Fitzwilliam Estate will spend more than £500,000 developing three sites in two of Malton's main streets, Wheelgate and Yorkersgate. The work will create larger shop units, preferred by major retailers.

"This work will improve the vitality of the town," said a spokesman for the Fitzwilliam Estate. "It will increase the town's attractiveness to people who live and shop in it. There's increasing competition from retail parks and out-of-town shopping plazas, like Monks Cross in York, which means Malton needs to attract new shops and new shoppers."

Work has started to combine two shops into one larger retail unit at 11-13 Wheelgate. This development is due to be completed in March next year.

Refurbishment of 42 Wheelgate has also started. Work to restore the former Dales Greengrocers shop, which was ravaged by fire last October, was held up because of complex insurance issues.

It will be made into a large shop with a separate office on the first and second floors. Work is expected to be completed by late spring.

Redevelopment of the Yorkersgate site, which was previously occupied by builders' merchants Travis Perkins, is being carried out by The Yorkshire Property Company.

The first stage will be to refurbish the outside of buildings that front on to Yorkersgate. It will be converted for retail, residential and office use.

"The estate's investment in the building work is a positive step for Malton," said Roddy Bushell, estate manager. "These are complicated and sensitive sites. While it has taken many months to get to this position, I am pleased that work has now begun.

"I am also delighted that the estate has been able to appoint local contractors to carry out all the necessary building and redevelopment work - putting a significant amount of money back into the local economy.

"The investment signals the estate's continued commitment to the town and its vitality. It also confirms that we are still working hard to attract new businesses into Malton town centre - all of whom demand ever higher standards of accommodation," said Mr Bushell.

Updated: 12:02 Wednesday, October 29, 2003