AVDC takes over the development of the new Waitrose store

Archived press release

Date Published: 15/02/10

Waitrose is coming to Aylesbury

Aylesbury Vale District Council has adopted a new strategy to secure the developments on the south side of Exchange Street through the completion of the Waitrose foodstore, a hotel and the National Enterprise Academy.

The council is aiming to complete the foodstore and leisure developments, which form an important part of the wider Waterside regeneration project and connect with the new theatre, in 2012.

AVDC is taking forward the delivery of the Waterside project as challenging economic conditions have made it increasingly difficult for Warner Estate to progress to the detailed planning application stage within the timescales agreed.

The council expects to press ahead with the regeneration of the north side of Exchange Street with a development partner as soon as the retail investment market picks up. In the meantime, the council remains in discussions with Hale Leys Shopping Centre owner Warner Estate.

Councillor John Cartwright, Leader of the Council, said: “This is a disappointing outcome for both Aylesbury and Warner Estate but, given the economy, it’s not wholly unexpected. Planned new shopping centres up and down the country are unfortunately in a similar position. However, there is no question that Aylesbury needs more shops and places to eat, so we are looking to move ahead with the development of the north side of Exchange Street when the economy recovers.

“The good news is everything else is going ahead. Aylesbury Waterside Theatre is nearing completion and will open later this year, the new Waitrose store next to the theatre will open early in 2012 and the National Enterprise Academy is building its national HQ at the head of the canal basin. These are all great assets for the residents of Aylesbury Vale and will help give the area an economic and cultural boost. We are also looking to provide an 80-bed hotel on the site next to the theatre and Waitrose, and we are in talks with hotel companies.”

Dan Howson of Warner Estate said: “We remain committed to Aylesbury town centre and to our long-term investment at Hale Leys Shopping Centre, though the timescales for our plans for the adjacent Waterside development have been affected by current market conditions.

“In order to maintain momentum Aylesbury Vale District Council is now progressing, with our full support, the foodstore and leisure elements of the proposed Waterside development following the pre-letting we agreed with Waitrose. In the meantime,  we continue to discuss with the council how we may participate in the future.”

Demolition work will go ahead as planned on the Civic Centre, the old swimming pool and the adjoining multi-storey car park. This will give a clear vista into the town centre from Exchange Street. Once cleared, the area will be used as a surface car park until new retail development plans are in place.

Plans for the public space around the theatre have been submitted to the council for planning permission and they include a new pedestrian crossing by the theatre entrance in Exchange Street, a minor realignment and improvements to the banks of Bear Brook, ecological work and repairs to the Grand Union Canal. The plans also include the landscaped space outside the theatre, which will feature a statue of actor Ronnie Barker, who started his career in the Aylesbury Repertory Theatre.

Following negotiations with Aylesbury Canal Society and British Waterways, the marina at the canal basin will move to a new location at Circus Fields this year.

Downloads:

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Podcast by Nigel Brooke on Waterside development		6MB 56Kbps Modem: 14 Minutes Broadband : 1 Minute 37 Seconds