Runcorn Shopping Centre

History

Opened in July 1972 by Queen Elizabeth II, Halton Lea, then called Runcorn Shopping City, was designed by the Chief Architect of Runcorn New Town, Fred Roche, as the centrepiece of the massive development. After its construction in 1971 (officially opened 1972) it was the largest enclosed shopping centre in Europe.

During that period the centre attracted huge numbers of shoppers brought by Runcorn's unique transportation system and its central location between Manchester and Liverpool. However this did not last, as the owners at that time, Grosvenor, pushed rents up in an attempt to capitalise on the centre's popularity. Spiralling rents soon saw many of the big names that were attracting shoppers close and move to centres with lower rents such as the Golden Square Shopping Centre in neighbouring Warrington.

In 1989, Asda opened a 90,000 sq ft (8,400 m²) superstore on West Lane. The store was recently extended to 106,000 sq ft (9,800 m²). Some of the problems the centre was experiencing during the late 1980s and early 1990s were incorrectly blamed on the Asda Superstore; however, it arguably helped to keep the centre alive, bringing customers to the area during the centre's poorest years.

The centre suffered for many more years after Grosvenor sold the centre to its current owners, Peel Holdings. Poor management had left the centre in disrepair. Asbestos, building faults and out of date decor led to a huge redevelopment of the centre and eventually to its renaming to Halton Lea. Since then the centre has grown to include an outdoor mall named the Trident Retail Park, which hosts many big name shops such as Sports Direct, Jollyes, Wynsors, TK Maxx and Home Bargains. The flagship unit is a 9-screen cinema complex currently owned and operated by Cineworld.

In 2011 the centre was sold to F&C Reit asset management for approximately £29.1million, F&C Reit intend to redevelop the centre and have begun with the redevelopment of the car parks.

In 2013 the centre was rebranded to become Runcorn Shopping Centre with a new logo. Tesco had operated a large supermarket in the shopping centre since the 1970s. The floorspace was reduced in the early 2000s, and the store was rebranded as a Tesco Metro store. Tesco decided to pull out of Runcorn and closed the branch altogether in 2015.

Future

The centre is still undergoing large-scale redevelopment which is to include internal redevelopment and re-distribution of unit space as well as the development of new retail space both inside the centre by opening the unused second floor (which will add at least another 500,000 sq ft (46,000 m²) of retail space) and the construction of more retail parks around the centre.

In September 2009, Halton Lea was taken into receivership which is being managed by Savills. Meanwhile, it will "trade and operate as normal".

In about September 2010, the centre was put up for £27.8 million by Savills, £27.8 is a roundabout amount that is wanted. Once again everyone has been reassured that the centre will trade and operate as normal, throughout the sale.

On 24 March 2011, it was announced Halton Lea Shopping Centre had been sold to F&C Reit Asset management, for approximately £29.1 million.

During mid-2012 plans were shown around the shopping malls at Halton Lea showing the plans for the exterior of the building. The architects impressions from Leach Rhodes Walker of Manchester show a new look for the building. The current exterior has not been modified significantly since the buildings original construction in the 1970s. In 2010 a net was fitted around the building to stop tiles from falling onto the public as it was a potential health hazard, however no one has ever been harmed by this.

A new Lidl store opened in 2013 with work to begin on a, pub and retail units on Land near the centre on the site of the former Vestric House. Its developer is Opus Land North.

The Post Office was relocated into Tesco, but when the company decided to pull out of the shopping centre, the Post Office had to vacate the supermarket premises.

The centre was re-branded in November 2013 to Runcorn Shopping Centre to help attract major retail to the centre.

The centre spent in excess of £5million pounds in bringing its three car parks up to an award winning standard. The centre offers 2,200 free car parking spaces to its customers.

Background information

The centre is located close to the local district police station, the law courts and Halton's General Hospital.

It is near the M56 motorway, just off the A533, about 5 minutes from Runcorn Town Centre, and The Brindley arts centre, and 20 minutes from Warrington, and 15 minutes from Daresbury. It is situated in the centre of Runcorn New Town, and buses are available from the two bus termini to Liverpool, Chester and Widnes; it has excellent transportation links.

Shop Information

Halton Lea comprises over 85 shopping units including banks, bakeries, clothing shops, electrical shops and general supermarkets (Iceland), etc. In addition the adjacent Trident Park includes a huge multi-screen cinema and many other large retail outlets (such as a SimplyGym gym).