Shopping centre demolition plans move closer

Queensmere and the adjoining Observatory shopping centre could be about to be sold

Plans to demolish two town centre shopping malls could be about to move nearer because they are close to being sold, a council leader has said.

Proposals to knock down the Queensmere Observatory shopping centres in Slough, Berkshire, and replace them with new homes, shops, offices and a public open space were approved by councillors in September 2022, but no work has been done since.

Slough Borough Council has confirmed the centres are being marketed by their owner, the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA).

The authority said the owner has received a number of bids that were "now being turned into best and final offers".

The malls are being marketed by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA)

The redevelopment of the connected shopping centre is a major part of the town centre regeneration plans.

In March last year, it was reported that ADIA was seeking help from the government to continue with the project.

A legal agreement between ADIA and the council needed to confirm planning permission - known as a Section 106 agreement - is still yet to be signed, although a council spokesperson said it was "being finalised".

The confirmation came after council leader Dexter Smith told other councillors at a meeting he believed the sale was "about to go through".

ADIA did not respond to a request for comment.

British Land, ADIA's development manager for the Queensmere Observatory project, said it could not comment at this time.