Experiences and entertainment have more than shown their worth in helping shopping centres attract footfall in the post-pandemic era and this is the route Eldon Square in Newcastle plans to take.
Accordingly, there are now big plans to redevelop spaces close to and within the Eldon Square mall in Newcastle, turning them into new family leisure and entertainment hubs.
The closure in 2021 of Debenhams, TopShop and Dorothy Perkins resulted in vacant retail space in Eldon Square accounting for over 200,000sq ft and this will now be repurposed to bring a mix of food, socialising, art, culture and music performances.
The top floor of the former Debenhams department store is also set to be redeveloped into a separate entertainment hub. There are plans for a venue for live music and theatre, as well as street food stalls and a microbrewery.
Meanwhile, the shopping centre’s frontage on Blackett Street will be modernised and a new ground floor entrance will also be created.
Plans have also been submitted to Newcastle City Council to turn the former Eldon Leisure Recreation Centre into a sports hub featuring gaming zones, virtual reality experiences, mini-golf, batting cages, pool, as well as bowling and indoor go-karting.
General Manager of Eldon Square, Cormac Hamilton, told the BBC: “Since taking responsibility for the management of Eldon Square, we have worked hard to ensure that vacant retail space within the shopping centre is re-occupied by new retailers wherever possible. However, large units such as the former Debenhams have been purpose-built as department stores, which make 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.”
