Wakefield's Ridings Centre to be demolished

Wakefield's Ridings Shopping Centre is to be demolished as part of a major transformation of the city centre after the council agreed a deal to buy the site.

Plans have been drawn up to replace the 1980s-built precinct with a new development, including housing, green spaces and leisure facilities.

Four nearby tower blocks will also be knocked down, with Wakefield Council promising to rehome all those affected.

Deputy council leader Jack Hemingway said the authority wanted to create "an economy that's sustainable and has a future, and that's why the Ridings has got to change."

Opened in 1983, The Ridings was one of the first American-style shopping malls in the UK, but is now less than two thirds occupied.

The council's decision to buy the centre follows the announcement that Marks & Spencer were relocating their store to City Fields.

The authority said it also expected Primark would be announcing plans to leave the site.

Hemingway said the government was providing £17.9m towards redeveloping the area, describing it as "a once in a generation opportunity to transform the city centre".

"The Ridings is looking dated now, it's a shopping centre from the 1980s and high streets are changing and it's right that we look at that," he said.

The Cathedral Quarter development will include a new public square and green spaces aimed at families and children.

There will also be a cinema, new library, museum, and extensive car parking.

As part of the plan, four tower blocks, Warren House, Manor House, Tudor House, and Trinity House, which are owned by social housing company Vico Homes, will be demolished. In total 260 separate flats will be knocked down.

Hemingway said: "We want to give an absolute commitment that we will look to support the rehousing of those tenants within Wakefield city centre, ideally with a move into good quality accommodation."

The council backed out of a deal to buy the centre in 2023, before it was bought by Zahid Iqbal, who has now agreed to sell it for an undisclosed amount.

He said: "It's like owning the Titanic, it's a big scheme, it's all the safety factors, security, cleaning and it's impossible to cover the costs with small traders.

"These plans are in the best interests for the future of the city, and I really hope everyone gets behind these bold plans."

Development will be led by regeneration specialist Muse, which said it planned to build 1,000 new sustainable, affordable and private homes on the site.

Simon Dew, director of development management at Muse, said: "Our proposals to deliver residential, leisure and commercial accommodation in the Cathedral Quarter will act as a major catalyst for this part of the city centre, bringing more people into Wakefield and driving economic activity for the city."

The project is expected to take 10 years to complete, with no date set for the closure of the shopping centre.

Businesses within The Ridings have been told the council will help them find alternative premises if they want to stay in Wakefield.