North Tyneside retail owner hits out over multi-million pound Silverlink expansion plans

Store wars is threatening to break out over a developers expansion plans.

A retail centre owner is objecting to a rivals multi-million pound plan to expand the Silverlink complex, claiming the scheme puts North Tynesides regeneration at risk.

Property giant The Crown Estate has submitted a planning application to extend the Silverlink Shopping Park, potentially creating 50 new construction jobs.

The application details how the former Travelodge site opposite the park will be converted into a retail area, with 102,000sqft of space split into four units, the largest of which would be earmarked for a flagship Next Home and Garden store.

And a specific proposal in the application which has been welcomed by North Tyneside mayor Norma Redfearn would see The Crown Estate work with the council to deliver two training packages, creating almost 50 new construction jobs for local young people.

Now, however, NewRiver Retail owners of Wallsends Forum Shopping Centre and The Beacon Centre in North Shields has offered a stark warning that the regeneration of North Tynesides town centres will be put at risk if the Silverlink complex plans are approved.

NewRiver Retail said experts GL Hearn are predicting an annual loss of 1.1m and 3.5m in trade in Wallsend and North Shields respectively, should the plans be allowed to go forward.

The key town centre investors have made a detailed representation to the council urging them to think very carefully about the consequences of an expansion in out-of-town shopping for fragile and recovering local town centres.

The company believes that the Silverlink planning application should be refused when it comes up for decision on Tuesday, February 17.

Allan Lockhart, property director at NewRiver said: Taking spending power out of the town centres will reduce the willingness of retailers to open in Wallsend and North Shields.

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North Tyneside retail owner hits out over multi-million pound Silverlink expansion plans