West Dunbartonshire Town Centres Initiative - General Development - Dumbarton

Date: 21 Nov 2000

A flurry of interest from property developers, regeneration plans supported by public sector bodies and a proposal for an out-of-town retail park have all sparked renewed interest in the future of Dumbarton's Town Centre.

The town's College Way Shopping Centre and surrounding retail district have long been recognised to be in need of upgrading. However, little progress had been made in modernising the area, despite the best efforts of local public and private sector bodies.

Then, in March this year, a planning application for a comprehensive redevelopment of the town centre was accepted by the local council and welcomed by West Dunbartonshire Town Centres Initiative. In a parallel development, Allied Distillers received permission to go ahead with a 12.5 acre retail park on the town's eastern edge. The latter plan, which included a 5,000 sq.m metro superstore, were met with opposition from local traders who felt that such a development could have an adverse impact on their businesses.

Around the same time, West Dunbartonshire Town Centres Initiative a partnership of Scottish Enterprise Dunbartonshire and West Dunbartonshire Council and the private sector and in consultation with The Dumbarton Commercial Association, commissioned a Town Centre Action Plan to prepare a blueprint for the future of Dumbarton's shopping centre. Their remit encompassed the Town Square, High Street, Quayside, Church Street and other peripheral areas.

In August, another company - the Glasgow-based property group, VICO - threw its hat into the ring with a new proposal. VICO's more ambitious plan would involve a £10m refurbishment of the town centre, the creation of an enclosed, glass-roofed mall, new retail units and an additional 60,000 sq.ft. of retail space in College Square itself.

Property Director Colin Taylor said that 'there is no question in my mind (but) that Dumbarton is under-shopped at present. We are in talks with a number of retailers at present, most of whom are new to the town and we are confident that this is the right location. There is car parking all around, plenty of public transport and a wide catchment area'. However, VICO's proposal is conditional on their plans being accepted - and the company also voiced concerns about Allied Distillers' proposed retail park.

The latest twist in the tale occurred when Allied Distillers, after talks with West Dunbartonshire Town Centres Initiative and representatives of town centre traders, agreed to amend their proposed retail development. Their revised plan consists only of large units (over 10,000 sq.ft.) to be occupied by tenants traditionally found in such developments. They also pledged that none of the units would trade in goods, such as clothing or shoes, that would potentially conflict with High Street traders.

Ian Davison Porter, manager of the Town Centres Initiative, believes that 'although we have made significant progress over the past year in the proposed developments of Dumbarton, we still have a long way to go'.

'The Town Centre Action Plan is a comprehensive study of the planned developments for Dumbarton over the next eight years', he continued. 'However, now that we have the support of companies such as Allied Distillers and VICO Property Development, it is vital that those traders who remain in the High Street understand and realise the significance of the plan - and indeed the importance of their own involvement in the project.

'With proposals for both town centre and edge-of-town developments in the pipeline, and a series of public and private meetings scheduled to take place, events are now unfolding quickly in the town. The Partnership is confident that, with the understanding and commitment of the public and private sectors and the local community, we can raise Dumbarton's profile to greater heights - which can only be an exciting prospect for the community and businesses of Dumbarton.'

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