Blueprint for a new city centre
THE public inquiry into the proposed £150million Centros development of Lancaster city centre gets under way on Tuesday.
But this week some key retail buildings were already undergoing major changes.
The city's former Tourist Information Centre (TIC) has been sold at auction for 375,000 and could now be turned into a showroom for a stone flooring specialist.
And work has also begun on fitting out Lancaster's new TK Maxx store. The cut-price fashion and homeware outlet is due to open in the former Woolworths premises in Market Square in mid-August, creating 32 new full and part-time jobs.
Work is also being carried out to shore up some existing buildings on a car park in Damside Street.
Hay Carr Estates Ltd has planning permission to build 17 new apartments and four shops on the land although they say once the shoring-up is finished, the area will be returned to a car park for the time-being.
Last week, a bidding war broke out at the auction at Manchester United Football Club for the former TIC and neighbouring Grade II listed Merchants pub.
The council sold the buildings to Staveley-based RR Stone Co Ltd
for at least 25,000 more than the guide price.
However, the pub has been sold subject to the existing 125-year lease brewery Punch Taverns agreed with the council in 1991.
RR Stone owns House of Stone off Caton Road in Lancaster, which specialises in stone floors and granite worktops.
Boss Richard Rogers said he had bought the TIC building as an investment and had no firm plans for it.
"We thought it was a lovely looking building in a nice conservation area," he said.
"We have not necessarily bought it for use as part of the business but it might become a showroom."
The Centros inquiry is expected to last three weeks and could determine the future of the city's main shopping area.
Lancaster City Council will speak in support of the scheme, while objections will be presented by English Heritage, Lancaster campaign group It's Our City, Save Britain's Heritage, the Campaign to Protect Rural England and Allied Lancaster Ltd, who own Marketgate.
Members of the public are also expected to voice their views at the inquiry which is expected to last three weeks.
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Weather for Lancaster
Friday 25 May 2012
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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