Owen Paterson MP opens New Retail and Residential Development in Market Drayton Town Centre
THE doors have been opened on a new multi million pound residential and retail complex in the centre of Market Drayton.
The Royal Oak Court development in Frogmore Road was officially opened last week by North Shropshire MP Owen Patterson.
He was joined by the Mayor of Market Drayton, Councillor Roy Aldcroft and executives from the developers J.Ross Developments of Oswestry from the Pickstock Group of companies.
Royal Oak Court will accommodate at least three retail outlets including B & M Bargains, who moved in two weeks ago, providing 25 new jobs. It also includes 14 town centre apartments, which are being sold through Barbers Estate Agents.
This is the second phase in J.Ross’s involvement in redeveloping Market Drayton town centre, after refurbishing Frogmore Road car park and the opening of Argos and Wilkinson stores in 2006.
Building work was carried out by J.R. Pickstock, a fellow group company of J.Ross Developments.
J.Ross Developments Chief Executive Nick Scott said: “Our teams have worked hard over the last four years to regenerate these important town centre sites. The combination of phase 1 and 2 delivers a substantial increase in the quality of retail accommodation available in Market Drayton which will attract shoppers into the town and help maintain a vital and vibrant town centre allowing linked trips to take place with existing retailers on the adjacent High Street..
“Along with the 14 apartments it should ensure that Market Drayton town centre remains active during both the day and night.”
Mr Paterson said, “I am delighted that there’s been a major multi-million pound investment in the town, which is bringing jobs and people to Market Drayton.
“The extra number of low cost flats will enable young people to continue living in the area and I hope the new retail outlets will keep people shopping in the town and make Market Drayton a more vibrant place.”
Councillor Aldcroft said he hoped Royal Oak Court would help Shropshire Council push ahead with refurbishing Market Drayton’s indoor market to give the town a ‘regenerated retail area’.
