Local figures have challenged claims that Newton Aycliffe town centre is in "terminal decline" and a "ghost town", insisting it still has "much to offer".
Newton Aycliffe has recently been featured inthe national media as a "prime example" of British high street decline.
The Guardian wrote about the area’s downturn, noting that 23 of its 45 shops are currently vacant and exploring the political factors behind the situation, whileThe Mirror labeled the centre a "ghost town".
While accepting that the coverage highlights the genuine challenges faced, local leaders say Aycliffe is in a similar position to many town centres nationwide and continues to provide positive community spaces and events.
Daniel Austin, clerk of Great Aycliffe Town Council, said: “It is definitely not all doom and gloom.”
Councillor Arun M Chandran added: “Having travelled to many shopping centres in the locality, sadly all are very much in decline. Aycliffe is no exception, nor worse than elsewhere in that respect.”
The Northern Echo spoke to Newton Aycliffe’s Town Clerk, a councillor and the Mayor, all of whom pointed to national factors behind the decline, including high rents, business rates and changing retail habits.
Residents increasingly shop online or at large supermarkets outside the town centre, contributing to reduced footfall.
Great Aycliffe’s Mayor, Ken Robson, said: “It is a problem filling shops, as it is across the country. As the big supermarkets retail most of the items required on a weekly basis, it is difficult for entrepreneurs to find something to sell which can't be discounted by Tesco and Aldi”.
Despite these pressures, the town centre continues to host outdoor events and monthly food markets, which Cllr Robson described as “a focal point” for attracting visitors.
Last year, the centre hosted a mobile cinema in August, screening family films throughout the day. In October, a free-entry funfair took place during half term, followed by Christmas events throughout December.
In June, the town centre also hosted the Knife Angel for a short period, after Zoe McGill, who lost her son to a stabbing, campaigned to bring the sculpture to Newton Aycliffe.
Local leaders acknowledge ongoing problems, including high shop vacancy rates, the closure of the multi-storey car park and an increase in anti-social behaviour.
Councillors raised these concerns, along with questions about development plans, when site managers last attended meetings.
However, there is a shared view among community figures that the current managers are doing what they can under difficult economic conditions.
Mayor Robson said: “Yes the town centre is in need of a refurb, but the current town centre managers are trying their best with limited resources.”
That raises questions about why resources are so constrained.
National reporting has partly linked the issue to a lack of investment from the town centre’s London-based owner, Benzion Holdings. The company’s £3.2m property portfolio in Newton Aycliffe represents just 0.12 per cent of its global holdings.
Town Clerk Mr Austin said: “I feel that there is a lack of active involvement and communication from the London-based owners of the town centre.”
Great Aycliffe Town Council attempted to purchase the town centre in 1983, but the proposal was deemed financially unviable. The Department of Environment also insisted the site must be sold as a whole, rather than to individual shopkeepers.
Looking ahead, leaders say both local and national reforms are needed.
READ MORE:
-
Council to create new 'vision' to transform County Durham towns
-
Aycliffe's 60 year Santa Tours tradition to be reviewed after controversial changes
-
High street funding unveiled after Darlington's House of Fraser announces closure
Cllr Chandran added: “Many town centres are suffering from the same largely national issues - the economic climate, rise of out-of-town shopping centres and interest shopping.
“The long-term viability rests on abolishing business rates so they can compete with online shopping and out of town shopping sites on more level terms and perhaps offering short term leases and below market rents.
“Surely 17 empty shops or more would be bettered if they filled most shops, just to bring footfall into the town centre and show vibrancy, rather than leaving the shops empty?”
Share