Pictures: Transformation of Telford Shopping Centre under way
Work on the first phase of Telford Shopping Centre's multi-million pound transformation is starting to take shape.
Steelwork for the new Southern Quarter is shooting up, giving for the first time an idea of the scale of the new development.
New restaurants on the site of the former Focus DIY store or 'Green Shed' are set to be unveiled next spring, with TGI Fridays, Prezzo and Handmade Burger Company already announced.
The building includes a landmark tower facing Brown Elm Car Park.
The new restaurants will all face on to a crescent-shaped public space with outside seating.
The Southern Quarter is the first part of the extensive redevelopment proposals for the centre, which will add up to 800,000 sq ft more retail and leisure space.
Matt Lloyd, from Halogen PR, a spokesman for the shopping centre, said: "On the other side of the centre, up to seven new large shops are planned as part of the Northern Quarter, on the site of the former Asda superstore facing Red Oak car park.
"The project already has planning consent and negotiations are now under way with a number of exciting new stores.
"Plans are also being progressed in partnership with Telford & Wrekin Council and Arriva Midlands & Shires to redevelop Telford's bus station on its existing site.
"The redevelopment will also provide new flagship stores and a new entrance from Northfield Street."
Work began in January on the new area, which will see the site of the former 'Green Shed' replaced with restaurants, and companies have already signed up for the 26,500 sq site, which is expected to be completed early next year, and which links the centre to the recently-regenerated Southwater development.
It follows the start of work to demolish the old Asda store to make way for the new Northern Quarter development.
Overall, the £200 million regeneration of the centre will add up to 800,000 sq ft of new retail and leisure space to Telford's town centre, with outline planning permission having been secured in 2013.
Work on the Northern Quarter building will continue throughout 2016, with completion scheduled for 2017. Demolition of the old Asda petrol station on Red Oak was finished before Christmas.
Guy Beaumont, of Sovereign Centros, which is managing the redevelopment of the centre, said that talks with occupiers for the new Northern Quarter stores were under way while construction took place.
The proposals are part of a five-year masterplan for Telford Shopping Centre, which was first given the green light by Telford & Wrekin Council at the end of 2013.
