Newly finished high street fenced off after days

A delayed town centre regeneration project has been partially fenced off for further regeneration work days after it had been finished.

The redevelopment of Abington Street and Fish Street in Northampton began in February last year and was due to be completed in early 2025.

The street reopened on Friday but barriers have been put up for work on the demolition of the former BHS and Marks & Spencer stores, both on Abington Street.

A West Northamptonshire Council spokesman said: "This work is to pave way for a vibrant new scheme of new retail and leisure spaces coupled with 200 high-quality homes."

Preparation work on the demolition of the two former department stores began earlier this month, with the project scheduled for completion in early 2026.

The spokesman for the authority said that "as previously advised to the public last month, various parts of Abington Street will be restricted throughout the summer" for the work.

He added the public response to the work on Abington Street was "positive" after it was opened up and the town's carnival passed through it on Saturday,

The work involved installing new paving, seating, additional trees and landscaping on Abington Street and Fish Street.

It was paused during the winter months following "quality concerns" with "bespoke materials" for the scheme.

The project follows the reopening of the revamped Market Square last year.

The work is part of a multimillion-pound regeneration of Northampton town centre.

It includes the former Market Walk shopping centre on Abington Street, which is set to be converted into an entertainment venue, and development on the site of the former Greyfriars bus station will include 1,000 homes, an amphitheatre, shops and restaurants.

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