Inside shopping centre opened by Queen now so neglected barely any shops remain

19 November 2023 , 12:07

401     0

Runcorn Shopping City was at one point Europe's largest enclosed shopping centre (Image: MEN MEDIA)

A shopping centre proudly opened by the Queen is so dilapidated it now boasts just has a handful of visitors with most of the shops having been shut for years.

When Her Majesty opened Runcorn Shopping City in 1972 it was then called Halton Lea and Runcorn Shopping, and the future for the area seemed bright. The monarch appeared overjoyed at the level of modernisations sweeping the north of England, and this was further evidence that things were on the up.

In fact, it was the largest enclosed complex in Europe and offered proof that Britain was at the forefront of social development. Intended to be the centrepiece of Runcorn's New Town, Cheshire, it had futuristic walkways "in the sky" which linked it to the nearby hospital, courts, and surrounding estates. But before long, the cracks started to show.

Pictured in 1987, the centre was starting to run into difficulties (Getty Images)

There were no signs of trouble early on. A huge hit years after doors were opened, travellers from all over visited - including people from Liverpool and Manchester. But today, Runcorn Shopping City has fallen into complete neglect and decline and it stands as a shell of its former self, Express.co.uk report.

The centre now feels dated, and visitors say there are hardly any shops there. The rot set in during the Eighties when disputes arose between owners and businesses renting the units and continued with further fallout between successive owners and contractors tasked with managing the building.

Queen suggested Andrew devote himself to charity work as way back, says source

Many big names have shut their doors in recent years, including Tesco and The Ranger, leading most people to revert to their old high-street shopping habits or simply shop online. While some units remain open, they are often flanked by empty stalls.

The centre's number of customers slowly started to dwindle (Getty Images)

Adam Killen, 29, a barber in Runcorn's Old Town, described it to Cheshire Live as a "shopping centre with no shops in it." Gail Mayers, 61, shopping with her daughter, Lisa, said: "It's always been the same. There’s nothing here," before Lisa chipped in: "We've had everything in here but it’s getting worse, emptier."

Gesturing towards the former Santander branch, she added: "Even the bank has shut down." Many shops, such as favourites B&M, have since moved to neighbouring shopping centres, like the Trident Retail Park. Some units once home to shops now house medical facilities, such as the NHS clinic, Halton Health Hub.

Now not many shops remain open for business

Many of those asked noted that they see the same faces frequenting Shopping City, hinting that it isn't bringing in any new money. "I've been working here for twenty years, and it’s the same faces you see coming in every day," said Rob Garrett, 39, who works at ACT:R, a menswear shop that opened in Shopping City more than 30 years ago.

"They’ve tried to do things to get new people in – there was a crazy golf course [in the square at the centre of Shopping City] last summer – but I think a lot of people would rather go to Warrington or Widnes now."

In 2012, many hoped that Shopping City might get a much-needed injection of cash after plans were announced for the renovation of the exterior of the building and three of the four multi-storey car parks. The sum of £3million was invested, and more money was pumped into the centre the following year, though according to its regulars, more is needed to revive it to its former glory.

Joel Day