General Features

A large new shopping mall in Seaham is being developed and is expected to open later this year. The £12 million mall named Byron Place is expected to serve the needs of the immediate community and improve the prosperity for the area.

Andrew Crewther of Modus Properties spoke to Mike Parr at Breakfast on BBC Radio Newcastle and he explained how big this will be:

"In terms of size it is 105,000 sq. feet and in terms of value you're looking at a value of £12 million and an end value of about £23 million, so it is a significant investment into the Seaham area."

"Dalton Park is very much fashion driven and it probably takes from a much larger catchment area. Our Seaham scheme is designed to service the needs of the immediate community and that's why we've targeted the food stores.

"We've got Farm foods, Wilkinsons, Peacocks, Argos, Select and Greggs all signed and we have another 11,000 sq. feet under offer to high-street retailers and have about 10,000 sq. feet left before completion.

"The ASDA will be open from September but the main mall will be opening approximately in the middle of November."

New jobs

Seaham is going through many changes and Andrew Crewther explains the opening of the Byron Place mall will continue to expand their horizons of the town:

"Seaham has struggled to retain its identity as a place and something needed to be done and the regeneration company that has assisted us in providing the scheme.

"They have given good investment and that's apparent from the new office buildings being erected and the influx of the residential developers coming to the area. All these measures are very positive for the area and will bring in new jobs and prosperity to the area."

The BBC Bus and Radio Newcastle is coming to Seaham

The BBC Bus will be in Seaham from 21 - 25 May, so make you sure you pop along to the green near the War Memorial. If you have any stories or memories about Seaham over the years then don't hesitate to get in touch: