Retail regeneration in Cumbria: A study of Penrith’s New Squares Development

Abstract

This study has been conducted on the New Squares development in Penrith, Cumbria. The New Squares was built to act as a new retail destination for people living in the surrounding communities and was intended to attract tourists and visitors to the town. The scheme however was met with controversy from the early stages and the proposed development was met with lots of criticism from the local population. The study was conducted in order to determine whether the New Squares had achieved the key goals that had been laid out by the schemes developers and whether it could be deemed a success. Two questionnaires were carried out: The first by members of the Public and the second by business owners in the town. The finding of the questionnaires showed that the local population felt that the retail unit in the New Squares were mainly vacated and the scheme had not benefitted the town. The finding of the business questionnaires confirmed the same results, noting that the scheme had not boosted the economy of the town or increased visitor numbers. The results of the study indicate a lack of engagement from Eden District Council to bring more retailers to the town and a lack of drive to promote Penrith as a must visit shopping destination within Cumbria.