Extensive project completed to overhaul town shopping centre
The £3.3m makeover of the Colonnades shopping mall in Doncaster town centre has been completed.
The scheme of works has been co-ordinated by Doncaster Council and funded by the Sheffield City Region Local Growth Fund.
Built in the 1980s, the brick built building has received a major overhaul. The investment has seen the visual appearance enhanced inside and out. The five floors have been transformed into the prime office space needed in the town centre and the enhancements to the retail area have also been finished.
The retail improvements are intended to make a significant difference to the look and feel of the shopping mall.
A new white ceiling, modern LED lighting and white painted walls and columns have brightened the retail area up and made it a better experience for shoppers.
Ros Jones, Mayor of Doncaster, said: “The renovation of Colonnades is one of the numerous projects helping to transform Doncaster town centre and deliver on the jobs and economic growth front.
“There is no surprise given its superb location that the premium office space in Colonnades is let or under offer, while the improvements to the retail area will make a big difference for shoppers and businesses.
“As well as fulfilling our Urban Centre Masterplan, we have a raft of major schemes right across our borough which will contribute to making Doncaster a great place to live and desirable location for investment, new companies and visitors. I have big plans for Doncaster and schemes like this show how we are putting that into action.”
Dan Jarvis, Mayor of the Sheffield City Region, said: “It’s great to see the refurbishment of the Colonnades. This is another example of how we are investing Sheffield City Region Local Growth Fund money to support communities across South Yorkshire.
“It’s vital that we rethink how our town centres work to ensure they are vibrant and sustainable places where more people want to live, work and visit.
“Doncaster has set out an ambitious but deliverable master-plan to achieve that and I am working closely with Mayor Jones to help drive that plan forward.”
Minister for the Northern Powerhouse and Local Growth, Jake Berry MP, said: “We are committed to boosting economic growth across the Northern Powerhouse and levelling up every place in the UK as we prepare to leave the EU on 31 October.
“Ensuring our towns are supported to thrive is at the heart of this ambition and, thanks to £2.28m of Local Growth Fund support for this important development, people in Doncaster will benefit from new facilities which will create jobs, attract investment and improve the experience of visiting the town centre for everyone.
“Alongside the Government’s Future High Street Fund and forthcoming Town Deal, we’re backing Doncaster to prosper for generations to come.”
The Sheffield City Region Local Growth Fund contributed £2.28m to the Colonnades project with just over £1m coming from the council’s capital funding pot. This is money that cannot be spent on day-to-day services.
The Local Growth Fund (LGF) is Government funding awarded to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) for projects that benefit the local area and economy.
