'˜South Shields needs a proper department store' say readers

The former Streamline Garages site, which forms part of the
365 regeneration area in South Shields.
Readers would like to see a department store. — The former Streamline Garages site, which forms part of the 365 regeneration area in South Shields. Readers would like to see a department store.

Dozens of people turned to the Gazette’s website and Facebook pages to express their views after it was revealed phase four of the town centre ‘masterplan’ has been deferred.

Phase one of the plan has seen work start on a new digital media and library hub – The Word – during the last few months, along with a revamped market in Market Place.

The second phase, which was recently approved, will see a new transport interchange located in Keppel Street and the current Post Office being demolished.

Phase three aims to bring new leisure and retail facilities to the town centre. The project was set to be delivered over the next 10 years.

Many readers thought the town didn’t need a new supermarket, with Asda and Morrisons having stores nearby.

Nicola Todd wrote: “It doesn’t need another one. We need a proper department store, something that has a bit of everything under one roof and different floors.

“We need decent clothes shops, especially for men, and a decent shoe shop.”

Kieran Alex Stevenson believes the transport interchange should have been created first.

He said: “I think the transport should have came first and they should have made the shelter for the market bigger, as it only covers half of the stalls.”

Red Yawn asked the question: “So, if there is not going to be a supermarket development, what is going to happen to the empty waste land behind Fowler Street?”