Centre revamp project tender

Aug 22 2007 by Iain Laing, The Journal

LAW firm Crutes has advised Castle Morpeth Borough Council on its £38m town centre redevelopment plans.

Crutes team, led by partners Paul Bell and Paul Earnshaw, exchanged binding legal contracts for the development of sites in the centre of Morpeth after a detailed negotiation process.

Development will soon be underway which will deliver new retail units, the redevelopment of Back Riggs and Sanderson Arcade shopping centre, creating over 120,000sq ft of retail space.

The project will include a 20,000 square feet extension to the Morrisons supermarket and a brand new petrol station. There will also be new long and short stay centrally managed town centre car parking. All of this will be connected by a new bus interchange.

The negotiations between the council, the developer, Morrisons and Arriva have been continuing for some months. A detailed umbrella agreement holds all the legal documentation together and controls the timeframe for the scheme.

Council chief executive Ken Dunbar said: “This is the second time in three years that Crutes has supported the council through some complex negotiations with a number of players to deliver key projects and includes our office move as well as this vital town centre regeneration project. Their advice and professionalism has been outstanding which, in turn, ensures we act in the best interests of the council and the community.”

Paul Bell of Crutes said “We were delighted to be chosen by, and to act for Castle Morpeth Borough Council in relation to this exciting scheme. I was brought up in Morpeth, and I was therefore particularly pleased to be a part of this exciting new redevelopment.”

Crutes has acted in three different town centre redevelopments in the last twelve months.