Refurbishment begins at The Malls
Published: 25 August, 2010
The Malls in Basingstoke, which is owned by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, is having a facelift as part of a £5.9m scheme, due for completion in summer 2011.
The refurbishment will include a clear roof canopy, using the same technology as the Eden Project domes, which will provide better protection from the bad weather, and allow more natural light and air circulation.
The shopping centre will also have new shop fronts, outdoor landscaping and a new landmark gateway entrance.
Paul Nightingale, project manager at Wates Construction, said: “We are working in close partnership with the Council to refurbish The Malls, the modern roof will not only be a striking feature for shoppers, but with the natural light and ventilation it will be much more sustainable. We continually work with our clients to make sure we can maximise new technologies where ever possible to ensure our builds not only bring good value for our clients, but are future assets that will be long lasting.”
Cabinet member for finance and property, Cllr James Lewin, said: “This is an exciting time for The Malls and for the borough as a whole. This refurbishment has been a long time coming and was certainly a priority for us when we bought the shopping centre earlier in the year.
“This work will significantly improve the shopping centre and bring it into the 21st Century. It will not only be a much more modern and pleasant place to shop, but the centre will also contribute towards improving the overall image of the area and achieving the council’s long term vision for the borough.”
