Castlefields' new £11m village square for Plus Dane Housing Group has reached its first major milestone as the new shop units are officially handed over and the first store to move in – Martin McColls – officially opens its doors.
Martin McColls convenience store and the local Post Office began trading from its new premises in the village square in December in a move that has created 6 local jobs.
Cruden commenced construction on the Village Square development in March 2010 to create a new, mixed-use community space providing new shops, a new community centre, affordable new homes, improved lighting and transport facilities centred around a vibrant new public square.
Work is now in the final stages, with the development of the new community centre well underway and the finishing touches being made to the public square which will become a vibrant new hub for the local community.
Other shops are due to move into the square soon, including Causeway Racing and a new hot food takeaway.
Ingrid Donakey, Project Manager at the scheme's lead developer, neighbourhood investor Plus Dane Group, said: "The new village square is really starting to take shape and I'm delighted that McColls have now opened their new shop in the square, which is looking fantastic and will make a real difference to the local community.
"Plus Dane and partners have worked closely with local businesses, the local community and Cruden Construction to make sure that this development delivers the facilities they want from their local centre and to minimise disruption to local residents while work is underway.
"The village square development, including the community centre and health centre, should be completed by Spring 2012 and I'm really looking forward to celebrating further milestones in this major regeneration project as it progresses."
McColls and Causeway Racing have been trading from temporary bases in Shepherds Row since construction began on the Village Square.
Partners in the scheme, including Plus Dane Group, Homes & Communities Agency, Halton Borough Council and John McCall Architects, have worked closely with the shops during the project and invested in securing their temporary premises to enable them to continue trading in the area while work has been underway. This has ensured that both businesses were retained in the area along with the Post Office.
The Village Square project has received £2.5m investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), £2.84m funding from Halton Borough Council, over £2m investment from Plus Dane and £50k funding from WREN.