First phase of £17m former prison redevelopment now open for business

The first phase of the Treadmills regeneration project in Northallerton has opened to the public.

Supermarket group Lidl – the retail anchor for the £17m scheme – and frozen food specialist Iceland have begun trading, with a third 1,300 sq ft store unit available for occupation.

The project is being driven forward by Central Northallerton Development Company Ltd (CNDCL), a joint venture between Hambleton District Council and Yorkshire developer Wykeland Group.

Once finished, it will be a mixed-use destination incorporating retail, leisure and co-working office space for the formerly derelict site of Northallerton Prison which closed in 2013.

The second phase of the scheme is well advanced and involves extensive redevelopment of five Grade II listed prison buildings.

The former main cell block and the female wing will house the 7,000 sq ft Centre for Digital Innovation (C4DI) Northallerton, creating a community of tech specialists.

Dominic Gibbons, Wykeland managing director and a CNDCL Board member, said: “We’re excited to see this major regeneration project bring this landmark site back to life.

“The opening of the first phase of the development, focused on retail, adds greatly to the choice available to shoppers in Northallerton and there is much more to come as we transform the former prison buildings.”

Jonathan Stubbs, Wykeland developer director and CNDCL Board member, added: “The next phase is due for completion in March, despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

“This will blend old and new – the conservation and restoration of historic buildings and the creation of hi-tech jobs with innovative digital businesses.

“These new facilities and the jobs they will create have never been more important and will be crucial to the economic development and future prosperity of Northallerton.”

C4DI Northallerton will have a focus on agritech – the use of technology in agriculture, horticulture and food processing – to help these sectors develop and grow.

The hospital block is being renovated to create 1,500 sq ft of offices and meeting rooms with additional breakout areas on the upper floor.

Its ground floor will offer up to 4,500 sq ft of space for a bar/restaurant.

The 3,500 sq ft tenement block is also being converted, for potential use as a digital education facility, complementing C4DI, as well as a retail unit.

In addition, the former Governor’s House is being remodelled to accommodate a café on the ground floor and mixed uses on the upper floor, creating 3,500 sq ft of new space.

Councillor Peter Wilkinson, deputy leader of Hambleton District Council and a CNDCL Board Member, said: “Seeing the first two shops open in this development is a major landmark – they bring much-needed choice for our shoppers and festive cheer during this difficult time.

“Phase two is moving on at pace – the historic buildings are being transformed into a new community hub which will have a heavy emphasis on agritech businesses.

“And the education project will be announced soon as we look to work with a local university and college.”

Graham Bell, Northallerton BID (Business Improvement District) manager, said: “The opening of the first phase of Treadmills is wonderful news. It really broadens the appeal of Northallerton and it’s brilliant to see prestige companies moving in.

“It’s a real vote of confidence in our local economy, particularly during these challenging times for everyone.”

Lidl has created 40 jobs and its store is supporting the community by giving surplus food and customer donations to a number of local charities.

Lidl GB’s regional head of property, David Murphy, said: “We would like to thank all those who have played a part in bringing this new Lidl store to Northallerton.

“It’s great for us to be able to create more jobs and investment opportunities in the area and we are proud to serve the local community at this time.”

Yorkshire contractors are playing a leading role. Leeds-based Castlehouse Construction has built phase one, while the phase two works are due to be completed by Northallerton-based Moody Construction by mid-February.

Hull-based office design company Chameleon Business Interiors is on site delivering the interior design, fit-out and furnishing services, ready for occupiers to move in by the end of March.

Treadmills is being supported by the York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, which has secured £1.8m from the Government’s Local Growth Fund.