Trinity Square is currently being developed by Spenhill, the development arm of Tesco, to provide a fantastic range of shops and facilities in Gateshead town centre.
The site, which represents around 20% of Gateshead centre, includes the areas formerly occupied by Gateshead's 1960s-built Trinity Square Shopping Centre and the multi-storey car park (which have both been demolished) as well as the existing Tesco store and car park.
Over 1,000 new jobs will be created by the development, including those in construction. The new Tesco store alone will offer 750 jobs (400 of them new), and up to 400 jobs could be available in the new shops. The new Tesco will also be a regeneration partnership store, which means it will focus on providing employment for the long-term unemployed, those seeking flexible local employment and school leavers.
Plans for the new shopping development include:
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Over 45 new retail units for high street chains, independent shops and banks
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A Tesco Extra Superstore (over 180,000 sq ft)
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Provision for cafes, bars and restaurants
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A new town square
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Accommodation for almost 1,000 students
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Space for offices
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Pedestrian links to connect the scheme to the rest of the town centre
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Underground parking for around 700 cars including disabled and parent and child spaces as well as motorcycle and bicycle parking spaces
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Potential for a 120-bed hotel facing the town square
In addition, the scheme promises to bring a range of sustainable features such as bird boxes, environmentally friendly brown and green roofs, tree planting, a combined heat and power plant, carbon reduction technology, rainwater harvesting and sustainable materials and the potential for an artificial nesting platform for peregrine falcons.
Timescales
Work started on the site in 2011 and it is expected to be finished by the end of 2013.