Leisure & Retail
As a part of the plans to revitalise Hereford, ESG has appointed a world class team, including Stanhope and Allies & Morrison, to design and develop a retail and leisure masterplan for the old livestock market site.
Hereford as a destination is facing increased competition from rival centres in the region, including Worcester, Cheltenham and Birmingham. In redeveloping the old livestock market site, we hope to attract new high-calibre high street retailers that will help to put Hereford back on the map, attracting new visitors to the City who will benefit the existing retail and tourist industries of Hereford and add to the vitality of the mix of national and independent shops and restaurants in the City.
From the outset Stanhope has been committed to an approach which sets the retail element of the ESG project in the context of the wider enhancement of Hereford. The team understands that improving the connectivity between Hereford's existing retail and the former livestock market site will be integral to the long term success of Hereford as a retail destination.
The new vision for Hereford will enable shoppers to move quickly and more easily between the historic city core and other retail areas; following the pedestrian-friendly redesign of Newmarket Street and Blueschool Street the proposed retail and leisure development will be just 200m from High Town.
After listening to the views of local stakeholders, ESG and Stanhope have made significant changes to the original masterplan including a reduction in the scale of the proposal. In particular the focus has been on connectivity to the existing retail in and around High Town and ensuring that it is strengthened by the new proposals. The revised scheme will be 250,000 sq ft and will include a small concept department store, a small food store and a multi-screen cinema along with 15 or so shops and some restaurant units. Understanding the local community's vision for Hereford will be vital in producing a development that will be sustainable in the long term. Stanhope is committed to continuing to engage with local residents, business and other stakeholders and plans to start public consultations in earnest later this year.
Old Livestock Market
The 12.5 acres Old Livestock Market site will be developed when the market has relocated to its new site, on the city outskirts at Roman Road. Planning permission for the new market was granted in November 2009 and on completion will provide a modern facility for the farming community
In the meantime Stanhope plc, which has been appointed to develop the area into a new vibrant leisure and retail destination, is preparing detailed plans in readiness for the start of the public consultation process prior to announcement of key anchor tenants in autumn and a planning application being submitted to Herefordshire Council later in the year.