2-879-158 - Historic England Archive/Heritage Images

Millburngate, Durham, County Durham, 08/08/1985. A view from Milburngate Bridge looking south-west towards construction of Millburngate, with a tower crane in front of the first stage of the centre. Construction of the second phase of Millburngate began in August 1984. Phase I, shown in this photograph beyond the construction site, had been developed in 1974; Phase II would increase the centre from 102,000 sq ft to 187,000 sq ft. The second phase would be linked to Phase I by a covered pedestrian mall. The five storey complex would comprise one main floor of shopping, with storage above, and two lower levels of car parking and servicing, offices, and restaurants with views over the River Wear. During construction, numerous engineering and groundworks problems were encountered, including the contiguous piled wall and its ground anchors. The remodelling of a supermarket, which would provide a link between the Phase I and Phase II developments, could not begin until the current occupier had moved out.