The New Cross Shopping Centre in Hamilton is about to close and scheduled for full demolition.
In February South Lanarkshire Council unveiled a masterplan that included a much-reduced amount of retail floorspace, taking account of changing shopping habits and a large drop in footfall in shops in recent years.
The masterplan instead placed a new emphasis on town centre living, with around 450 new homes and civic spaces in the heart of Hamilton.
It was agreed that New Cross Shopping Centre, which was returned to council ownership in September 2021 was in a very poor state of repair and should be closed as soon as possible and demolished to prepare the way for redevelopment. The closure has now partially happened with the last of the tenants firming up their exit plans.
The Executive Committee also agreed that the council should waive its right to buy back the town’s Bairds building. The building was marketed by JD Wetherspoon, after it decided not to proceed with plans for a new pub and restaurant there.
SOUTH LANARKSHIRE Council leader Joe Fagan said: “These really are significant steps in making our vision for a thriving Hamilton Town Centre a reality.
Fagan continued, “Unfortunately, New Cross does not have a retail future. It would require massive investment which makes no sense in the current market. Instead, the area can have a new future where families can live and grow in a new town centre community.
“Waiving our rights to the former Bairds building will hopefully allow it to become another key part of that new future, and it would be good to see that landmark site once again part of a bustling town centre.”
A sad day and an announcement which will undoubtedly see further decline in footfall in the town centre.
