Wakefield Council denies rumours it's planning to buy The Ridings Shopping Centre

By David Spereall
Published 2nd Oct 2020, 15:34 BST
Updated 2nd Oct 2020, 15:38 BST
The shopping centre first opened in the 1980s.The shopping centre first opened in the 1980s.
The shopping centre first opened in the 1980s.
The leader of Wakefield Council has dismissed suggestions it's about to buy the city's Ridings Shopping Centre.

Denise Jeffery said she'd been made aware of claims the local authority was planning to purchase the shopping centre, which counts Morrisons and Primark among its big anchor name retailers and is under private management.

Speaking at a full council meeting on Wednesday however, Coun Jeffery said there was no prospect of that happening.

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Coun Jeffery said: "I understand there's some rumours going round that we're buying the Ridings Shopping Centre. That's not the case.

Councillor Jeffery said rumours the council was looking to buy the centre were untrue.Councillor Jeffery said rumours the council was looking to buy the centre were untrue.
Councillor Jeffery said rumours the council was looking to buy the centre were untrue.

"It's not our role to buy into shopping centres.

"In the 1980s we did actually own The Ridings. We designed it, built it and owned it, but that's not the case now.

"We're looking after our communities and businesses but we're certainly not into buying shopping centres at a time like this."

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Related topics:Wakefield CouncilDenise JefferyMorrisonsPrimark

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