44 | Tees Business
DOME
IS WHERE THE HEART IS
Mandale plan to create “ spectacular ” new shopping arcade
Tees property specialists Mandale are looking to breathe new life into Northallerton town centre by investing £ 1m into creating a new shopping arcade with domed glass roof .
Mandale , who have been at the heart of a series of Grade A commercial property refurbishments across the North-East and beyond , are applying for planning consent to revitalise retail units on the North Yorkshire market town ’ s Regency Mews .
Along with a parade of six retail units overlooking the Tesco car park that the firm has owned for 30 years , Mandale recently invested an undisclosed fee to purchase three further high street units .
The two parades are linked via an existing openair mews – but plans are afoot to transform the outdated cut into an attractive , modern shopping destination that retains its old-world charm .
Mandale property specialist Joe Darragh said the firm is excited about the prospect of giving the town ’ s shoppers an investment boost .
“ It will be spectacular when it ’ s complete ,” he said . “ We ’ re going to create something very special that we ’ re confident business owners , residents and visitors will all love .”
The high street area boasts a number of national brands including Costa Coffee , Pizza Express , New Look and Waterstones , as well as local independent names such as Betty ’ s tearooms , Lewis & Cooper and Barker ’ s department store .
But Darragh believes positive steps need to be taken to avoid a deterioration in the offering .
He added : “ Northallerton has a won a reputation as a lovely place to live and visit but last time I counted there were 12 shops vacant on the high street . Twenty years ago that was unheard of .
“ Unfortunately , M & S and Morrisons are among those who ’ ve pulled out , but we ’ ve always been big fans of Northallerton and we ’ re keen to invest