Shropshire Star

Fireworks mark Southwater party

Lanterns and fireworks marked the official opening of Telford's £250 million Southwater complex – as town leaders looked forward to its next phase.

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New plans should be submitted around Christmas, according to Councillor Bill McClements.

The first phase, officially opened at the weekend, has seen the opening of a new library plus a selection of restaurants, bars and a cinema.

The second phase, set to start in the spring, will see the opening of shops together with more than 100 apartments.

About 15,000 enjoyed live music and theatre at Southwater's official launch, with a further 6,000 watching the night-time fireworks.

Councillor McClements said: "The launch was a great success. There were lots of people. You could not find a restaurant to eat in it was so busy."

The car parks around Southwater were full to bursting on Saturday as a town turned out to see the development – which includes a lake, a new library, Costa Coffee, Cineworld iMax and Starbucks and a host of restaurants including Nando's, Zizzi's and Pizza Express.

From noon market stalls filled the walkways around the gleaming new complex, selling food, ales, cakes and crafts.

There was street theatre, family activities and art and crafts sessions all put on Telford residents.

There were also stage performances from local musicians, drama and dance groups, and entertainment from children's TV and Free Radio presenters Sam and Mark before the parade finale.

Amanda Thrift, 34, from Hadley, was there in the afternoon with husband Daz, and joined later on for the fireworks by children Samantha, 14, Owen, 11 and Zara, five.

Daz and Paula Thrift, from Hadley

She said: "I think it's really important for Telford centre, it has given it a real boost.

"I'm a childminder, so it's really nice with the park and the library, and it's all more accessible.

"It's a lot more family-friendly with all the family restaurants. We tried to book Bella Italia but it's fully booked up for a couple of weeks.

"Telford town centre was dying off really, it had got a bit dated - but this has a vibrant and modern feel to it."

Sisters Caz and Ami Stockley from Brookside, had come along to the see the festivities with Caz's boys Jaden, four, and Joseph, two, and Ami's girls Esme, two and baby Josie, four months old.

Caz, 25, said: "It think it's a lot better than what it was - it looks better and it makes Telford better. There are more choices, more places to eat. We've walked around and had something to eat and the kids have enjoyed it."

Margery and Terry Deakin from St Georges said they had watched the new complex take shape and thought it was the best thing to happen to Telford in a long time.

Margery, 74, a retired admin assistant with Telford Development Corporation, said: "We come perhaps twice a week to walk around the park and do a bit of shopping.

"We've watched it growing. It's just wonderful - we've been here all our lives and this is the best thing they could have done. It's certainly put us on the map.

"It has transformed it, it's wonderful now and there are always a lot of people here."

In front of the main stage in the park during the day were a fire engine, ambulance and police cars - but there wasn't any trouble, the emergency services were there to chat with the crowds and give children big and small the chance to sit behind the wheel of their iconic vehicles.

PCSO Carl Hartsthorne, from Malinsgate Police Station said: "This is ideal for us as it gives us the chance to engage with so many people in a different situation to usual.

"People can get to see the vehicles and raise any issues they want to, and cadets are walking round and engaging with people."

Telford Southwater official opening

Close by, a big number 12 double-decker bus had driven into Southwater - apparently headed for Marblearch.

It was in fact a bar run by Keith and Simon Morgan of Shardlow Brewery in Burton-on-Trent.

Keith said: "It's come up from London, it came out of commission in 2004. We take it to events like this."

He said the day had gone very well. "It's something we can all join in with, there are quite a lot of people here."

In the evening scores of people joined in with the lantern parade, many with their own home-made lanterns, before being wowed by the fireworks at 8pm.

Telford & Wrekin Council leader Councillor Kuldip Sahota, said: "We are very pleased with it. All the restaurants and businesses are busy and that means more jobs and more growth for the local economy.

"The Southwater project has also given confidence next door to Telford town centre, with £200 million being invested over five years. You do not just get investment like that coming in, it shows they have the confidence in Telford."

He said the project's second part could see apartments built at the site.

  • See also: £250m Telford development 'exceeding all expectations', says council boss

Daz and Paula Thrift, from Hadley
Telford Southwater official opening
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