CUMBERNAULD took its first steps towards rebirth yesterday as work began on the creation of a multi-million pound shopping centre.
Twice in the past five years dubbed the nation's most dismal town in the scathing Carbuncle Awards , its GBP40m Antonine Centre will usher in retailers such as Next, TKMaxxx, Woolworths and JJB Sports.
Home to 42 stores and 3000 parking spaces, the 250,000 sq ft site is expected to create 600 jobs and attract visitors to the town, long the subject of haphazard and stalled regeneration initiatives.
Civic leaders gathered as the first structural steelwork was erected at the centre, due to open in May next year. Those behind the scheme expressed hope yesterday the development would create lasting change.
Councillor Barry McCulloch of Campsies Centre Cumbernauld Ltd (CCCL), the company set up to redevelop the town centre, said: "Cumbernauld is going through a major transition. This centre not only represents a substantial investment in the future of (the town) but will also create 600 jobs.
"I hope that this will cement the continued regeneration of Cumbernauld town centre."
There has been such concern among the townspeople over its overplanned and predominantly private-owned centre that Cumbernauld Community Forum and the Association of Community Councils called a special meeting.
People felt that there was a lack of a "sense of place" and that regeneration projects - like their predecessors - would prove little more than "all talk".
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