Progress being made on the demolition of former Riverside Leisure Centre in Morpeth
The site of Morpeth’s old leisure centre looks a lot different now as work continues to demolish it in order to create more parking spaces.
The Riverside building is owned by Northumberland County Council and became redundant when a new leisure centre and community services hub was built in another part of town.
Our photos taken during the last week show that most of the building has now been knocked down.
The local authority has previously said that extensive work to market the site failed to attract the type of development that it had aspired for the site and the town.
The scheme, which started last month and will be completed by mid November if all goes to plan, will extend the existing Newmarket West car park onto the site.
It will create an estimated 108 additional parking spaces and 10 dedicated motorcycle spaces.
Local ward county councillor David Bawn said: “Morpeth is a busy and vibrant town, with people coming from far and wide to enjoy the wide variety of quality shops, cafes and pubs it has to offer.
“Parking is an issue and these additional spaces that will be created will make a significant difference to shoppers and visitors to the town.”
A small area of paving and public realm will also be created at the southern end of the site facing the river and Carlisle Park.
It is intended to relocate the two food outlets currently in Newmarket East car park onto this area.
The move will improve pedestrian safety and release this space for extra parking.