Co-operative proposal to regenerate its Charing Cross site in St Helier
For Immediate Release
The Co-operative invest in revitalising Charing Cross site in St Helier
The Channel Islands Co-operative has submitted a formal planning application to revitalise and redevelop its site at Charing Cross, St Helier. The Society has re-iterated its commitment to the town centre by submitting a scheme which includes 2 large retail units and 38,000 sq feet of high quality office space for lease with 17 basement car park spaces.
The development will have three key benefits for this important anchor site in the town centre. Firstly, it will regenerate and revitalise a site which commands one of the principal gateways into the town centre. Secondly, it will deliver new architecture of exemplary quality in a development which will settle seamlessly into its surroundings and thirdly, it will secure the high quality repair and beneficial reuse of the majority of historic buildings on the site.
Colin Macleod, CEO of The Co-operative said "This is a large, high quality redevelopment scheme that highlights our commitment to an important anchor site between the waterfront and town. Working with Axis Mason, it has taken us 9 months to develop the right proposal and we are delighted with the results. It will provide excellent retail and office space and help to regenerate that area. It is a very significant piece of investment for our town centre."
The site has a number of historic buildings within it and The Co-operative Society itself has had a presence on the site since 1919. Therefore the Society's primary focus has been to restore the site in a sympathetic manner. Mr Macleod continued "The redevelopment has been proposed because the buildings on the site are of an age and condition where they have come to the end of their economic life. It is time for some much needed revitalisation and careful restoration."
The retention and refurbishment of the majority of these historic buildings will enable the Society to fulfil a number of community objectives including the beneficial reuse of some units as a result. Mr Macleod said "As a community based retailer, we take our responsibility towards projects such as this very seriously. One building will be used as a business start up unit (and has the support of Economic Development) and another will be turned into a studio and exhibition space, complete with living accommodation, for a community artist or someone like that."
Colin Macleod, CEO of The Co-operative concluded "We believe we have got the balance right between an exciting development on a pivotal site alongside important conservation objectives and community needs."
The Co-operative intend to trade from a bigger, brighter and improved Locale store of 5,000 sq feet on their existing Charing Cross retail site and will also continue to trade throughout the period of redevelopment.
The Society will hold a public exhibition of their plans at the Town Hall on Monday the 19th and Tuesday the 20th of September and are encouraging anyone interested to attend. Senior Co-operative representatives and architects will be available to explain the redevelopment proposal and listen to feedback from local businesses and residents.
