Bullring team lead town revamp
Top architects who have designed some of the most famous shopping centres in the world have been named as the "lead masterplanners" behind possible multi-million pound plans for Telford. Top architects who have designed some of the most famous shopping centres in the world have been named as the "lead masterplanners" behind possible multi-million pound plans for Telford. International architects, Benoy, have now been chosen by the owners of Telford Shopping Centre, Apollo Real Estate and Hark Group, to re-design the centre, transforming it into a place fit for the 21st century. If the plans are given the green light by Telford & Wrekin Council, the shopping centre could follow in the steps of the Bullring in Birmingham and Kent's Bluewater, which were also designed by Benoy architects. Read the full story in today's Shropshire Star
Birmingham's Bullring centre." class="imageframe alignright" height="130" src="http://www.shropshirestar.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/11/revamp2tm.jpg" width="175"/>Top architects who have designed some of the most famous shopping centres in the world have been named as the "lead masterplanners" behind possible multi-million pound plans for Telford.International architects, Benoy, have now been chosen by the owners of Telford Shopping Centre, Apollo Real Estate and Hark Group, to re-design the centre, transforming it into a place fit for the 21st century.
If the plans are given the green light by Telford & Wrekin Council, the shopping centre could follow in the steps of the Bullring in Birmingham and Kent's Bluewater, which were also designed by Benoy architects.
Bosses from the award-winning architects said they are "delighted" and hoped to "transform and inject vitality into the heart of the town".
The team of architects at the company office in Newark, Nottinghamshire, are working on the designs.
Plans would open up areas which designers said are currently under-utilised and also include changes for Telford Town Park and Southwater Square.
Benoy said: "These features would play a key role in the creation of a landmark waterside leisure destination that will help to re-enforce the town's role within the region.
"Once complete, the design proposals promise to turn Telford Town Centre into a genuine destination for commercial, cultural and social activities."
Last month, Telford & Wrekin Council set out a blueprint to guide development of the area, in which chiefs said the town centre was "bland", car dominated and must be transformed to be fit for the 21st century.
The 120-page document, which is only at an early proposal stage, said the centre must be made "people friendly" by providing more and improved public space and the main road around the shopping centre should be made into an "urban street for people".
The document, drawn up by council planners and called the Central Telford Area Action plan, said the town was dead at night, lacked character and was overwhelmed by main roads.
Rob Cossey, of Hark Group, said: "With the benefit of their experience working on regional centres across the UK and around the world, Benoy's involvement on this 50-acre plus town centre site will enable us to respond rapidly to the various discussions already started with retailers, residential developers, leisure and hotel operators."
Simon Bee, Benoy's executive director and head of urban design and masterplanning, said: "The team are putting their heart and souls into this project and are genuinely excited to be working on such an influential development.
"We all look forward to seeing our designs come to life and ambitions realised for the people of Telford."
The plans will be submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council after public consultation.
An artist's impression of the multi-million pound plan for Telford.
The eye-catching Selfridges building at Birmingham's Bullring centre.
nextpage
The Bluewater Shopping Centre in Kent was designed by Benoy architects.