The redevelopment of Queensway, The Pavement and Kingsgate was completed in November, under budget and on schedule, extending the redevelopment of the town's shopping hub after Queens Square was finished in 2017.
Delivered through the Crawley Growth Programme, the £2.2million scheme was funded by Crawley Borough Council, West Sussex County Council and the Coast to Capital Local Enterprise Partnership.
The project included the installation of new high-quality paving, larger disabled bays, new benches, bike racks, signage, lighting columns and planting.
As part of efforts to reduce anti-social behaviour and increase visibility in the town centre, dominant hedging was removed from the edge of Memorial Gardens opposite the existing retail units. The entrance to Memorial Gardens was also opened up, with benches installed alongside new flowerbeds.
To ensure the area remains in good condition, the council's Central Patch Team will undertake a comprehensive cleaning programme. However, in order to allow the new paving to settle, the work will be done without the use of heavy duty machines over the next few months.
The scheme is expected to encourage new investment in the town centre and we have already seen this happening, with new retailer Cards Direct opening at the end of November. The new store has taken over the unit previously used by Linens Direct, which had been vacant since early 2018 and brought in nine new jobs for local residents.
Cabinet member for Planning and Economic Development, Councillor Peter Smith, said: "I am thrilled this project is now finished. The redeveloped area compliments the look and feel of Queens Square and opens up our town centre, showing off our fantastic retail and leisure offer as well as our beautiful Memorial Gardens."
Bob Lanzer, county council Cabinet Member for the Economy, said: "The completion of the Queensway scheme is a key milestone within the Crawley Growth Programme.
"The scheme complements Queens Square and has made the whole area an even more attractive place to shop and spend leisure time. I am delighted that the Crawley Growth Programme continues to invigorate the town centre."
Jonathan Sharrock, Chief Executive at Coast to Capital, said: "We are delighted that phase two of the regeneration programme has been completed. The Crawley Growth Programme is creating exciting new opportunities which helps attract new businesses and visitors and we are pleased to see that new businesses are already being established in the town centre."
Regional Operations Manager at Cards Direct, Mark Watkins, said: "Established in 2012, Cards Direct is a fresh face in card and gift retailing. We offer high quality greeting cards, gift packaging, gifts & partyware at amazing direct from the factory prices.
"We are very excited to have recently opened in Crawley, a great vibrant town which is ideal for a business such as ours.The recent redevelopment of the Queensway and Queens Square area made it the perfect location for our 32nd store to open."
For more information about redevelopment and regeneration in Crawley, visit www.investcrawley.co.uk
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