Plans to purchase Cumbernauld town centre to transform the site have taken a huge step.

We previously reported that North Lanarkshire Council had revealed plans to purchase The Centre Cumbernauld (TCC) as part of a multi-million-pound programme to regenerate the town centre area.

Now the purchase has been completed, with the council acquiring the shopping centre from Hamcap (Cumbernauld) LLP as of Friday, June 30.

Council leader Jim Logue has hailed the move as a “once in a lifetime” opportunity that will transform the role of the town centre in the community and how it is used by residents and businesses.  

Glasgow Times:

He said: “The wider regeneration plans will have a significant impact on Cumbernauld town centre but will take a number of years to bring to fruition.

"It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a multi-use town centre that focuses on sustainable urban living.

"Once hailed as a new town of the future, Cumbernauld will once again be seen as a forerunner for more inclusive, greener and better-connected town-centre living."

The move has been supported by funding from the UK Levelling Up Fund, which awarded the council £9.2m. 

TCC will continue to operate as a shopping centre until the plans can be fully put in place.

Cllr Logue added: “By working with local people and businesses to redesign a place-based town centre that is fast-growing, experience-based and adaptive to the many societal, technological and economic changes taking place, Cumbernauld will be re-framed to meet the needs of its communities.

“Integrated local services, repurposed office space, new retail and amenity spaces, excellent transport and digital infrastructure, homes set in the heart of the town centre that are connected with a network of sustainable and active travel links will see Cumbernauld as a modern, vibrant town.” 

As well as the shopping centre, the Tryst sports centre, the library and other offices in the town centre will now be included in the major redevelopment programme, which could see facilities transferring to a new state-of-the-art hub.

Glasgow Times:

The council will also continue to work with partners and other town centre users to ensure that once developed, key services and facilities can be fully incorporated.  

Gatehouse Property Management Limited has been appointed to manage the property on behalf of the council and will continue to manage the building and work with the retailers inside the shopping centre. 

Cllr Logue added: “This purchase is a significant step forward in the transformational change to Cumbernauld in collaboration with communities.

"It will take a number of years to realise and until then, Cumbernauld is open for business and the council will work with retailers and other businesses to maximise their potential and continue to attract custom.”