AMBITIOUS plans to revamp the run-down shopping centre in Newbury town centre and build 400 homes have been unveiled.
Lochailort Newbury wants to redevelop the Kennet Shopping Centre, to create a multi-million pound shopping centre with 30 shops, restaurants and co-working space.
The developer says the new-look shopping centre, called Eagle Quarter, would be “carefully curated” for independent, local and artisan businesses.
It wants to build 400 homes next to the centre, offering most of them for rent, and a headquarters office building.
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There are also plans to upgrade the food and drinks area, the cinema, and pedestrian walkways, and expand the 415-space multi-storey car park.
The shopping centre, which was built in the 1970s, was sold to the developer for £10 million in January 2020.
Lochailort Newbury is running a public consultation and urging people to have their say before it submits a planning application to West Berkshire Council.
Hugo Haig, the company’s managing director, said: “Newbury has been my local town for 26 years.
“My children grew up here and I have seen first-hand what has happened to the Kennet Centre.
“We have worked hard with the retailers and others through this tricky period and we are very grateful for their efforts to try and make the centre work.
“However, the redevelopment of the site, retaining the Vue cinema and multi-storey car park, offers the town a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create something very special that will enhance and rejuvenate this town centre site.”
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