Antonine Centre
Encyclopedia
The Antonine Centre is a Shopping Centre in the Scottish
New Town
of Cumbernauld
. The Centre has 350000 sq ft (32,516.1 m²) of retail space including a 100000 sq ft (9,290.3 m²) Tesco Extra (in a separate building to the main centre, attached by walkways) and a 43000 sq ft (3,994.8 m²) Dunnes
. The centre was expected to open sometime in May 2007, but instead opened on 6 June 2007, following delays caused by planning disputed over the pedestrian walkways connecting the complex to existing buildings.
, developed in the 1950s, has been considered one of the ugliest in Britain, twice winning Prospect magazine's Carbuncle Award for the most unpleasant town centre in the country; in 2001 it was described as "The Kabul
of the north" while the entire town centre was nominated as Britain's ugliest structure in the Channel 4
programme Demolition
. This is ironic as much of the surrounding area contains highly sought after residential property and is ideally located for ease of access to the major conurbations.
The £40 million Antonine Centre project was launched in 1995 as part of a deliberate plan to radically change the nature of the town centre and public perception of the town. Unfortunately, some have remarked that the new centre seems to have been designed to complement the architecture and look of the existing structures, which are so disliked by the majority of local residents.
council Deputy Leader Jim Smith stated that the aims of the centre were to "Bring new jobs, new opportunities, new investment and new life into Cumbernauld (and) help make sure local money stays local by encouraging people to stay in the town instead of heading for Edinburgh, Stirling or Glasgow".
The building incorporates the historic clock from St Enoch railway station
in Glasgow
, made famous in the 1981 film Gregory's Girl
.
The former Tesco (connected to the new development by a network of walkways) was also subdivided into smaller retail units.
and Next. It is projected that the centre will increase expenditure in the town by 84%, while total retail spending in the town is projected to rise by 166%, transforming the local economy.
The centre contains four "civic spaces" designed for community use, and a commemorative artwork commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of the town of Cumbernauld.
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
New Town
New towns in the United Kingdom
Below is a list of some of the new towns in the United Kingdom created under the various New Town Acts of the 20th century. Some earlier towns were developed as Garden Cities or overspill estates early in the twentieth century. The New Towns proper were planned to disperse population following the...
of Cumbernauld
Cumbernauld
Cumbernauld is a Scottish new town in North Lanarkshire. It was created in 1956 as a population overspill for Glasgow City. It is the eighth most populous settlement in Scotland and the largest in North Lanarkshire...
. The Centre has 350000 sq ft (32,516.1 m²) of retail space including a 100000 sq ft (9,290.3 m²) Tesco Extra (in a separate building to the main centre, attached by walkways) and a 43000 sq ft (3,994.8 m²) Dunnes
Dunnes Stores
Dunnes Stores, also known as Dunnes, is a supermarket and clothing retail chain, that is based in Dublin, Ireland.The chain primarily sells food, clothes and household wares. In addition to its main customer base in Ireland, the chain has operations in Great Britain and Spain...
. The centre was expected to open sometime in May 2007, but instead opened on 6 June 2007, following delays caused by planning disputed over the pedestrian walkways connecting the complex to existing buildings.
Historical background
Cumbernauld Town CentreCumbernauld Town Centre
Cumbernauld town centre is the main shopping centre for the New town of Cumbernauld, Scotland. It is widely accepted as the UK's first shopping mall and was the world's first multi-level covered town centre . The centre has now been expanded by the newly completed addition of the Antonine Centre...
, developed in the 1950s, has been considered one of the ugliest in Britain, twice winning Prospect magazine's Carbuncle Award for the most unpleasant town centre in the country; in 2001 it was described as "The Kabul
Kabul
Kabul , spelt Caubul in some classic literatures, is the capital and largest city of Afghanistan. It is also the capital of the Kabul Province, located in the eastern section of Afghanistan...
of the north" while the entire town centre was nominated as Britain's ugliest structure in the Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
programme Demolition
Demolition (TV series)
Demolition is a 2005 television series from Channel 4, which can be seen as being the reverse of the BBC's 2003 series Restoration. The public were encouraged to vote for buildings which they want demolished and replaced, with 12 buildings making The Dirty Dozen.The show was shown on four days,...
. This is ironic as much of the surrounding area contains highly sought after residential property and is ideally located for ease of access to the major conurbations.
The £40 million Antonine Centre project was launched in 1995 as part of a deliberate plan to radically change the nature of the town centre and public perception of the town. Unfortunately, some have remarked that the new centre seems to have been designed to complement the architecture and look of the existing structures, which are so disliked by the majority of local residents.
Construction
After over ten years of delays, construction began in April 2006. North LanarkshireNorth Lanarkshire
North Lanarkshire is one of 32 council areas in Scotland. It borders onto the northeast of the City of Glasgow and contains much of Glasgow's suburbs and commuter towns and villages. It also borders Stirling, Falkirk, East Dunbartonshire, West Lothian and South Lanarkshire...
council Deputy Leader Jim Smith stated that the aims of the centre were to "Bring new jobs, new opportunities, new investment and new life into Cumbernauld (and) help make sure local money stays local by encouraging people to stay in the town instead of heading for Edinburgh, Stirling or Glasgow".
The building incorporates the historic clock from St Enoch railway station
St Enoch railway station
-External links:* *...
in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, made famous in the 1981 film Gregory's Girl
Gregory's Girl
Gregory's Girl is a 1981 Scottish coming-of-age romantic comedy film written and directed by Bill Forsyth.The film is set in and around a state secondary school in the Abronhill district of Cumbernauld. It features Gordon John Sinclair, Dee Hepburn, and Clare Grogan, among others...
.
The former Tesco (connected to the new development by a network of walkways) was also subdivided into smaller retail units.
Shops and projected effects on the local area
As well as the Tesco Extra and Dunnes superstores, the centre has 42 other retail outlets including River IslandRiver Island
River Island is one of Britain's best known high street fashion brands and can be found in most cities across the UK. The brand also has stores in Singapore, Turkey, Poland, Ireland, the Netherlands, and the Middle East.-History:...
and Next. It is projected that the centre will increase expenditure in the town by 84%, while total retail spending in the town is projected to rise by 166%, transforming the local economy.
The centre contains four "civic spaces" designed for community use, and a commemorative artwork commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of the town of Cumbernauld.
External links
- Antonine Cumbernauld , developers of the Centre