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Scottish Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Our stunning UK city is blighted by ‘eyesore' shopping centre that NEEDS revamp – or will send us into ‘downward spiral'
The centre has become a hotspot for antisocial behaviour GROT SPOT Our stunning UK city is blighted by 'eyesore' shopping centre that NEEDS revamp – or will send us into 'downward spiral' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) LOCALS say their stunning city has been blighted by an "eyesore" shopping centre that needs a revamp. The rundown building has been affected by crime and antisocial behaviour. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 Templars Square Shopping Centre is in desperate need of a revamp Credit: Alamy 4 Local politicians are keen for developers to go ahead with plans to revive the centre Credit: Alamy The Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, Oxford, first opened on May 11, 1965 - 60 years later, there are concerns that it is on a "downward spiral." In March 2022 the property was bought by Redevco, a real estate investment manager and developer, for £38.8 million. They hoped to turn the centre into a mixed-urban scheme, however, they said they are still "some way off" from being able to publicly share their plans. They last held a public consultation in late 2022, with around 9000 locals invited to attend. In the meantime, they are trying to encourage independent retailers to move into the empty units. These delays are leaving local politicians frustrated by the lack of change. The city council had approved redevelopment plans back in 2017 which included building a hotel, restaurants and 226 flats and was set to cost £60 million. These plans were made by developer NewRiver prior to selling the centre to Redevco. Councillor Linda Smith, the cabinet member for housing at Oxford City Council told Oxford Mail: "The city council aren't holding Redevco back at all. "We understand it's a difficult time for investment in this kind of development. Historic George square statues removed "But if it is going to take time, then it's really important that the centre isn't allowed to just spiral downwards and get worse." As it currently stands she said it is "not fit for purpose" and is "nothing less than an eyesore in places." Not only is the building ruining the cityscape, but it has also become a hotspot for crime. Police were recently called to the site following reports that groups of youths were having organised fights in mid-March. Annaliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, raised concerns over crime in Cowley earlier this year, and is keen for more resources in the suburbs. There were 189 crimes recorded by the Oxford Cowley Neighbourhood Policing Team in December 2024, largely occurring near Templars Square. Locals celebrated the 60th anniversary of the centre on the 11th May with an Elton John tribute act, a display of three Leyland Princess cars, and an historical walking tour with historian Maurice East. We have approached Oxford City Council and Thames Valley Police for comment. 4 Councillor Linda Smith said the building is 'not fit for purpose' Credit: Oxford City Council
The Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Our stunning UK city is blighted by ‘eyesore' shopping centre that NEEDS revamp – or will send us into ‘downward spiral'
LOCALS say their stunning city has been blighted by an "eyesore" shopping centre that needs a revamp. The rundown building has been affected by crime and antisocial behaviour. 4 The Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, Oxford, first opened on May 11, 1965 - 60 years later, there are concerns that it is on a "downward spiral." In March 2022 the property was bought by Redevco, a real estate investment manager and developer, for £38.8 million. They hoped to turn the centre into a mixed-urban scheme, however, they said they are still "some way off" from being able to publicly share their plans. They last held a public consultation in late 2022, with around 9000 locals invited to attend. In the meantime, they are trying to encourage independent retailers to move into the empty units. These delays are leaving local politicians frustrated by the lack of change. The city council had approved redevelopment plans back in 2017 which included building a hotel, restaurants and 226 flats and was set to cost £60 million. These plans were made by developer NewRiver prior to selling the centre to Redevco. Councillor Linda Smith, the cabinet member for housing at Oxford City Council told Oxford Mail:"The city council aren't holding Redevco back at all. "We understand it's a difficult time for investment in this kind of development. Historic George square statues removed "But if it is going to take time, then it's really important that the centre isn't allowed to just spiral downwards and get worse." As it currently stands she said it is "not fit for purpose" and is "nothing less than an eyesore in places." Not only is the building ruining the cityscape, but it has also become a hotspot for crime. Police were recently called to the site following reports that groups of youths were having organised fights in mid-March. Annaliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, raised concerns over crime in Cowley earlier this year, and is keen for more resources in the suburbs. There were 189 crimes recorded by the Oxford Cowley Neighbourhood Policing Team in December 2024, largely occurring near Templars Square. Locals celebrated the 60th anniversary of the centre on the 11th May with an Elton John tribute act, a display of three Leyland Princess cars, and an historical walking tour with historian Maurice East. We have approached Oxford City Council and Thames Valley Police for comment. 4 4
The Irish Sun
12-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Our stunning UK city is blighted by ‘eyesore' shopping centre that NEEDS revamp – or will send us into ‘downward spiral'
LOCALS say their stunning city has been blighted by an "eyesore" shopping centre that needs a revamp. The rundown building has been affected by crime and antisocial behaviour. 4 Templars Square Shopping Centre is in desperate need of a revamp Credit: Alamy 4 Local politicians are keen for developers to go ahead with plans to revive the centre Credit: Alamy The Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, Oxford, first opened on May 11, 1965 - 60 years later, there are concerns that it is on a "downward spiral." In March 2022 the property was bought by Redevco, a real estate investment manager and developer, for £38.8 million. They hoped to turn the centre into a mixed-urban scheme, however, they said they are still "some way off" from being able to publicly share their plans. They last held a public consultation in late 2022, with around 9000 locals invited to attend. Read more News In the meantime, they are trying to encourage independent retailers to move into the empty units. These delays are leaving local politicians frustrated by the lack of change. The city council had approved redevelopment plans back in 2017 which included building a hotel, restaurants and 226 flats and was set to cost £60 million. These plans were made by developer NewRiver prior to selling the centre to Redevco. Most read in The Sun Councillor Linda Smith, the cabinet member for housing at Oxford City Council told "We understand it's a difficult time for investment in this kind of development. Historic George square statues removed "But if it is going to take time, then it's really important that the centre isn't allowed to just spiral downwards and get worse." As it currently stands she said it is "not fit for purpose" and is "nothing less than an eyesore in places." Not only is the building ruining the cityscape, but it has also become a hotspot for crime. Police were recently called to the site following reports that groups of youths were having Annaliese Dodds, MP for Oxford East, raised concerns over crime in Cowley earlier this year, and is keen for more resources in the suburbs. There were 189 crimes recorded by the Oxford Cowley Neighbourhood Policing Team in December 2024, largely occurring near Templars Square. Locals celebrated the 60th anniversary of the centre on the 11th May with an Elton John tribute act, a display of three Leyland Princess cars, and an historical walking tour with historian Maurice East. We have approached Oxford City Council and Thames Valley Police for comment. 4 Councillor Linda Smith said the building is 'not fit for purpose' Credit: Oxford City Council 4 The centre has become a hub for antisocial behaviour Credit: Alamy
BBC News
09-05-2025
- Automotive
- BBC News
Oxford shopping centre 'not fit for purpose'
A city's 60-year-old shopping centre is not fit for purpose and is "nothing less than an eyesore in places", a councillor has said. Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley, Oxford, was built in 1965 and currently has several empty units inside and outside. Linda Smith, Oxford City Council's cabinet member for housing, said the council was "impatient" for the centre's owner to "crack on with [its development] ASAP". Real estate company Redevco, which bought the centre in 2021, said complications with the site's ownership structure meant it was "some way off" being able to share plans. Plans were approved to redevelop the centre in 2017, but its then-owners New River sold the shopping centre to Dutch real estate company Redevco for £38.8m in 2021. The company last undertook a public consultation on its plans in 2022 but said no further consultations were currently planned. Speaking to the BBC, Ms Smith said the council was "impatient" for the centre to be redeveloped. "The city council aren't holding Redecvo back at all," she said. "We understand its a difficult time for investment in this kind of development."But if it is going to take time, then it's really important that the centre isn't allowed to just spiral downwards and get worse."Oxford East MP Anneliese Dodds previously told BBC Radio Oxford of her "despair" at the state the former site of the Lord Nelson pub on Between Towns said she had been "really pushing" Redevco to begin redevelopment of the site "as soon as possible". Redevelopment 'some way off' Claire Yeadon, asset manager for Redevco, said the company were continuing to "evolve" plans for the centre but was "some way off" from being able to share plans publicly. The company was meeting with the city council regularly and was working to fill the empty units with independent retailers, she added. Meanwhile a display of classic cars at the centre will mark its 60th anniversary on 10 and 11 May. Oxford historian and tour guide Maurice East, who has helped organise the event, said Templars Square had played a crucial part in Oxford's car-making history, but needed to change. "Cowley Centre [as it was previously known] was meant to be the centre of industrial Oxford," he said. "I think it still serves the community in and around this area, but Oxford city centre has re-asserted itself with the Westgate. "I think what [Templars Square] needs is to find a new purpose and [find a new way] to attract people here". You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
