Washington Square, Workington

Allerdale Borough Council and North West Development Agency (2002 - 2006)

A double award-winning £50 million scheme to replace the existing and run down 1960/70s shopping centre with a modern 275,000 sq ft retail-led mixed use complex.

Harrison successfully attracted Debenhams as anchor store for a prestigious development which is already providing a major boost for the economy of the region. Imaginative design and excellent marketing resulted in major brand-leading high street retailers coming to Workington for the first time. These include HMV, River Island, Laura Ashley, Home Bargains, Costa Coffee and many more.

Harrison's scheme won the overwhelming support of the local community, and Harrison maintained its consultative approach to keep the community on side during the development phase. The company was praised by its development partners for its co-operative partnering approach.

Sensitive management of all aspects of the project resulted in a number of "gains" - for example, all objections to the necessary compulsory purchase order were withdrawn by negotiation, avoiding the need for a costly and time-consuming inquiry.

To hear Allerdale Council's experience of working in partnership with Harrison, click here

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Commercial Project Award

North West Business Insider property awards winning - 'Retail/leisure project of the year'.

Winning awards

S Harrison Developments' highly acclaimed £50 million Washington Square development received two top property awards in the same week in 2007. The Workington development won the RICS North West Surveyors Commercial Property Award . It also triumphed as the first ever winner of the Business Insider's Retail/Leisure project of the year award.

According to Michael Taylor, editor of Insider, the judges felt that the challenge that was overcome in Workington was altogether greater than the other projects.

Michael says, "The Workington scheme has been transformational and Harrison deserves great credit for its bravery. To attract an occupier of Debenhams' stature to anchor an unproven market is impressive."

In their citation, The RICS award judging panel agreed that, "The Washington Square development has radically transformed Workington town centre. The development is a massive improvement on the 1960's town centre that previously existed. The transformation is impressive and the development has succeeded in one of its main objectives in making Workington a major shopping destination within the region, attracting a number of major high street retailers to the town. In short it has changed the face of Workington."

<< Back to Completed Projects

Projects - Washington Square