Castle Morpeth Redevelopment

Leading North East law firm Crutes has advised Castle Morpeth Borough Council on its £38m town centre redevelopment plans.

Crutes team, lead by partners Paul Bell and Paul Earnshaw, exchanged binding legal contracts at the end of June after a detailed negotiation process. Development will soon be underway which will deliver new retail units, the redevelopment of Back Riggs and Sanderson Arcade shopping centre, creating over 120,000 square feet.

The project will include a 20,000 square feet extension to the Morrisons supermarket and a brand new filling station and car wash facility. There will also be new long and short stay centrally managed town centre car parking, creating a significant number of new parking spaces in the town. All of this will be connected by a new bus interchange.

The negotiations between the Council, the developer, Morrisons and Arriva have been continuing for some months. A detailed umbrella agreement holds all the legal documentation together and controls the timeframe for the scheme.

Ken Dunbar, Chief Executive of the Council, said “This is the second time in three years that Crutes has supported the Council through some complex negotiations with a number of players to deliver key projects and includes our office move as well as this vital town centre regeneration project. Their advice and professionalism has been outstanding which, in turn, ensures we act in the best interests of the Council and the community”.

Paul Bell of Crutes said “We were delighted to be chosen by, and to act for Castle Morpeth Borough Council in relation to this exciting scheme. I was brought up in Morpeth, and I was therefore particularly pleased to be a part of this exciting new redevelopment.”

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