NEWS

North Lanarkshire Councillors visit new Antonine Shopping Centre
31 March 2007

Dawn Construction’s new £40million Antonine shopping centre for Cumbernauld took another step forward recently with a high-level delegation of North Lanarkshire councillors touring the facility.

North Lanarkshire Council Leader Jim McCabe, Deputy Leader Jim Smith and chief executive Gavin Whitefield were shown around the soon-to-be-completed 350,000 sq ft shopping centre by Senior Project Manager Alan Russell and Centre Manager Karen Johnston.

The £40m Antonine Centre is on schedule for completion in May 2007 and will create 300 jobs. With more than 40 shops and 3000 town centre parking spaces, the centre is being developed by London and Regional Properties and built by Dawn Construction.

Ray Eve, managing director of Dawn Construction, said: “Dawn Construction was involved with the design team in the creation of the Antonine Centre for around 2 years before the construction work actually started on-site, inputting our expertise in design, construction and cost management gained from many years of experience in creating top-end retail and shopping environments.

“The build, in common with any new development of this type, has not been without its obstacles, but I’m pleased that Dawn Construction’s team has managed to overcome these and is on schedule to deliver the project on time.

“The new shopping centre will certainly strengthen the economy of Cumbernauld, not only by creating jobs, but by keeping consumer spend in the town, and Dawn Construction is pleased to have played a part in the town’s regeneration plans.“

Antonine Shopping Centre manager Karen Johnston said: "If people haven't seen the Antonine Centre yet, it really is amazing the progress that has been made in the past 15 months.

"It was great to see the looks of pride on the councillors' faces as they toured the centre and see that something they have been working for the past 10 years has finally turned from dream into reality."

Retail analyst CACI estimates the centre will increase expenditure in the town by 84% which equates to £175 million, while retail business consultant FSP estimates a 166 per cent rise in retail sales - from £45m to £119m, once the shopping centre opens.