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Lidl to anchor transformation of former Northallerton Prison

Fast-growing UK supermarket group Lidl has been announced as the retail anchor for the redevelopment of Northallerton’s former prison.

The popular brand will take a 21,000 sq ft unit in the exciting Treadmills scheme – and bring up to 40 new jobs for the local community.

The multi-million pound investment will be the key element of the first phase of the Treadmills scheme, which will also feature another 6,000 sq ft retail unit and parking for around 130 vehicles. A detailed planning application for the first phase is expected to be submitted this summer and, subject to planning approval, construction is likely to begin early next year with the Lidl store due to open by late 2019.

The scheme forms part of Lidl’s continued expansion across the UK which has seen it open more than 700 stores and a network of regional distribution centres, employing a total of more than 22,000 people.

Hambleton District Council and Hull-based regeneration company Wykeland Group have formed the Central Northallerton Development Company to drive forward the North Yorkshire town’s most significant regeneration scheme for decades.

As well as the major stores, the £16m scheme will include independent retail units, managed workspaces, restaurants, a cinema, an area for public events and a heritage centre within the 3.5-acre former prison site.

The scheme will preserve and enhance a major part of Northallerton’s history and heritage; regenerate a large brownfield site; deliver a major boost to the local economy; and bring significant new community assets and facilities to the town.

Five listed former prison buildings will be refurbished and incorporated into the Treadmills scheme – whose name reflects that the jail was once home to the world’s largest treadmill and several other treadwheels – which were used by inmates sentenced to hard labour.
Wykeland Development Director Jonathan Stubbs, speaking on behalf of the Central Northallerton Development Company, said: “We’re delighted to have secured one of Europe’s leading food retailers for Treadmills. Lidl is a highly popular brand and has identified this scheme as ideal for their successful format.

“Lidl’s commitment is a major step forward for the project and we believe local residents will welcome the quality, value and additional choice it will offer to shoppers.

“This announcement reflects the very strong interest we are seeing as we develop the commercial opportunities available and work with our partners at Hambleton District Council to realise the ambitious vision for this exciting redevelopment.”

Lidl UK’s Regional Head of Property, David Murphy, commented: “We are delighted to be bringing a new store in Northallerton, which marks another milestone in our ambitious store expansion programme. We’ve seen incredible demand for Lidl stores across the country and look forward to offering our quality products and incredible value to shoppers in and around Northallerton.”

Northallerton Prison housed prisoners for more than 230 years before closing in 2013. Hambleton District Council bought the site from the Ministry of Justice in 2014 to secure a key strategic site close to the town centre for development.

Hull-based Wykeland is one of Yorkshire and the Humber’s leading commercial property developers and was selected last year as the council’s development partner for the Northallerton scheme. Wykeland has an outstanding track record of delivering significant regeneration schemes, working with public and private sector partners.

For further information please contact:

John Meehan
Meehan Media & Comms (on behalf of Wykeland Group)
Tel: 01482 223479 or 07803 199492
E-mail: john@meehanmedia.co.uk

Aly Thompson
Communications Officer, Hambleton District Council
Tel: 01609 767063 or 07940 594853
E-mail: aly.thompson@hambleton.gov.uk

Treadmills to live on in Northallerton

The multi-million pound redevelopment of Northallerton’s former prison is to pay homage to its historic past.

The 3.5 acre site is to be called ‘The Treadmills’ recognising that not only was the prison home to the world’s largest treadmill, but that at one time the number of wheels at the prison ran into double figures.

Hambleton District Council and the Hull based Wykeland Group have formed the Central Northallerton Development Company Limited (CNDCL), to drive forward the regeneration scheme – which will include shops, managed workspaces, restaurants, a cinema, heritage centre and an area for public events.

“The name reflects the prison’s history and makes sure we never forget what life was like for prisoners behind those famous walls,” said CNDCL Board Chairman, Councillor Peter Wilkinson.

“The future of this site is very exciting – we are looking forward to see it starting to take shape and breathing new life into a central part of our historic market town.”

Already much of the old prison has been demolished – leaving just five listed buildings which will be incorporated into the development, and the gatehouse which will be removed as part of the project. Archaeological work has also been undertaken which revealed the foundations of the large treadmill. It is believed there could have been as many as six ‘mills’ in the prison at one time – with women and men being put on the wheels as punishment. They were also used to pump water around the buildings and grind corn for the local farmers.

A planning application for the regeneration scheme – including details of phase one which includes two retail sites and car parking – is expected to be lodged this summer.

Northallerton Prison dates back to 1780 and housed prisoners for more than 230 years before closing in 2013. Hambleton District Council bought the site from the Ministry of Justice in 2014 to secure a key strategic site close to the town centre for development.