Eagles Meadow

Eagles Meadow is an area of Central Wrexham that has had a variety of uses over hundreds of years. Originally used as stables for local gentry its currently being developed into a major shopping centre. Eagles Meadow was originally lying on lower land than the surrounding area, this has changed with new development.

History

Used as local gentry's stables.

During World War II, the area was used for storing US Army vehicles.

In the mid-twentieth century the area was used as the main weekly market in the town.

In the 1970's the land was divided between a large urban car park and a small retail development which included a new ASDA supermarket. A fly-over bridge was constructed which carried the town's ring road between the Beast Market and Salop Road.

The ASDA Store closed in the late 1990's, replaced by a much larger new-build supermarket further down the ring-road in the Maes-Y-Dre area. The Market moved to a new location at the Civic Centre car park close to Llwyn Isaf, leaving a derelict supermarket and a large car park.

A number of proposals were put forward for re-development on this prime land (which is close to the impressive St. Giles Church). Firstly John Lewis signed up to anchor a retail based development, which included a number of other stores and a supermarket. This development fell through, and the current landowner and largest stakeholder Wrexham council decided to put the land up for tender with a number of developers.

A large number of tenders were received and in 2003 the winner was chosen as Wilson Bowden in partnership with architects Bernard Engle. The >£100m development includes two large department stores, cafes, bars, restaurants and over 40 other stores. It includes a number of landmark buildings and urban plazas, including a 'Spanish Steps' style area. A number of high rise city style apartments are being constructed on the town centre side of the development. Construction began in early 2006 and should be complete by October 2008.

Shopping

The new development will have an unprecedented effect on Wrexham's retail economy. Once finished it is thought the town will become the prime regional retail and leisure destination in North & Mid Wales and parts of neighbouring Cheshire and Shropshire.

Committed Stores include (over 50% of retail space has been pre-let):
* Debenhams
* Marks & Spencer
* H&M
* Next
* Jane Norman
* Starbucks
* Clinton Cards
* Orange
* 3
* River Island
* Muffin Break
* Birthdays
* Bank
* Dorothy Perkins/Burtons
* Topshop/Topman
* Wallis
* Carphone Warehouse
* Mountain Warehouse

Dining & Leisure

* Nandos
* Franky & Benny's
* Pizza Express
* ODEON (Cinema)
* TenPin (Bowling)

External links

* [http://www.eagles-meadow.co.uk/ Eagles Meadow official site]