Member Article

Boots added to £20m Dunston redevelopment

The £20m redevelopment of the former Rocket site at Ravensworth Road, Dunston has secured retailer Boots to take over the proposed new pharmacy on the premises.

The store follows the delivery of an Aldi food store, along with an older peoples’ apartment block built by Keepmoat for Vela Housing Group.

The new pharmacy will also be built by Keepmoat and the contract further strengthens Keepmoat’s growth in construction outside social housing following the successful delivery of two NHS projects and appointment to the Lidl construction framework.

Construction works are now underway and it is anticipated that Boots will relocate into the new premises in September. This will then enable the final block of flats – all that remains of the 1970s Rocket scheme that once dominated Dunston, designed by architect Owen Luder– to be demolished.

Ian Prescott, land and partnerships director for Keepmoat in the North East, said: “We are delighted that Boots have signed up for the new pharmacy we had planned on the site.

“Our introduction of Aldi to the regeneration scheme has already attracted many new shoppers to Dunston and we are sure that the new Boots premises will provide a further boost to the Ravensworth Road retail area.

“Our partnership relationship with the council is bringing a significant investment to the heart of a great local neighbourhood.”