A high level delegation of senior figures from North Lanarkshire Council has toured the £40 million Antonine Shopping Centre in Cumbernauld.

North Lanarkshire Council Deputy Leader Cllr Jim Smith and chief executive Gavin Whitefield were shown around the soon-to-be-completed 350,000 sq. ft. shopping centre by newly-appointed centre manager Karen Johnston of developer London and Regional Properties.

Also present were councillors from the Local Area Partnership and the board of Campsies Centre Cumbernauld Ltd (CCCL) - the company set up by North Lanarkshire Council to facilitate the redevelopment of Cumbernauld town centre.

Councillor Smith said: "North Lanarkshire Council and its partners put in many years of time, patience and planning in order to make this project a reality. It's incredible to see how quickly it's now coming together, and I am looking forward very much to the opening day.

"This new centre will bring new jobs, new opportunities, new investment and new life into Cumbernauld. It offers quality retail outlets and will encourage more inward investment. It will also help make sure local money stays local by encouraging people to stay in the town instead of heading for Edinburgh, Stirling or Glasgow. I am absolutely delighted to see all the hard work that has gone into this project now paying off."

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Antonine Shopping Centre manager Karen Johnston said: "Each day, the mall changes, which is always the case as shopping centres near completion. As the councillors toured the development, it was lovely to hear their proud comments and enjoy their delight in seeing something go from dream to reality, through their endeavours."

The £40m Antonine Centre is on schedule for completion in May 2007 and will create 600 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 two 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 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."

Last month shopfitters started work at the Antonine Centre with flagship store Dunnes along with high street retailers NEXT and Woolworths all starting fit-out of their shop units. The Antonine Centre has made significant progress in the last few months with retailers such as FOPP, Costa Coffee, Quiz Clothing and Herbmedic all signing up for pre-lets. In addition, River Island, Henderson Jewellers and Zumo have signed up for the new centre.

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.

The new centre forms part of a phased development of Cumbernauld town centre, facilitated by CCCL. January 2004 saw the completion of the first phase of the more-than 100,000 sq. ft. Tesco store development, a near-£20m investment, which has brought 300 extra jobs to Cumbernauld.

(CD)