Developer unveils plans for North Yorkshire shopping arcade with domed glass roof

A property developer has announced plans to invest £1m in a new shopping arcade with a glass domed glass roof in Northallerton.

Mandale is applying for planning consent to revitalise retail units on the North Yorkshire market town’s Regency Mews.

Along with a parade of six retail units overlooking the Tesco car park the firm has owned for 30 years, Mandale recently invested an undisclosed fee to purchase three further high street units.

Mandale property specialist Joe Darragh said the firm is excited about the prospect of giving the town’s shoppers an investment boost.

“It will be spectacular when it’s complete,” he said.

“We’re going to create something very special that we’re confident business owners, residents and visitors will all love.”

The high street area boasts a number of national brands including Costa Coffee, Pizza Express, New Look and Waterstones, as well as local independent names such as Betty’s tearooms, Lewis & Cooper and Barker’s department store.

But Darragh believes positive steps need to be taken to avoid a deterioration in the offering.

He added: “Northallerton has a won a reputation as a lovely place to live and visit but last time I counted there were 12 shops vacant on the high street. Twenty years ago that was unheard of.

“Our plans are to refurbish all the units, creating an open aspect to those beneath the glass dome. It will be a fantastic environment that shoppers can stroll through in comfort and warmth along a parade between Tesco and the high street.

“We believe the completed development will attract that sort of quirky, specialist and boutique shops that people love to visit.

“We’re excited about it – and so too are the existing clients who are thrilled about the prospect. I think we’re all in agreement that the town and the retail sector generally needs this type of boost.”
If planning permission is granted, the development should be completed in less than 12 months.