In 1959 Cramlington was locally designated as a ‘New Town’, experiencing rapid and sustained population growth. As the population has increased, Cramlington Town Centre has expanded to serve the increasing demand for retail opportunities and the changing needs of the community.

The piecemeal expansion of Manor Walks and Westmorland Retail Park has left the town centre with a number of problems, including the isolation of community facilities away from the retail areas, poor signage and continuing parking problems. There is a need for the expansion of retail provision in Cramlington to reduce the amount of retail expenditure which is currently being spent outside the borough. The recently approved Blyth Valley Core Strategy sets out the required amount of additional retail floorspace for Cramlington Town Centre, which amounts to comparison 24,500 sq m (net) and 4,000 sq m convenience (net).

Hammerson has secured ownership of both Manor Walks and Westmorland Retail Park and, with the assistance of Blyth Valley Borough Council, are planning an integrated town centre with new public spaces, additional retail and leisure opportunities, improved community facilities, additional car parking, and improved public transport, pedestrian and cycle accessibility. The proposals for the town centre will accommodate all the additional retail floorspace set out in the approved Core Strategy.