The Ridings Shopping Centre, Wakefield
Owners: The Ridings Unit Trust
Date of purchase: 5 November 2005.

The Ridings Shopping Centre is situated in Wakefield City Centre immediately behind the main Cathedral Precinct and provides 265,000 sq.ft. of retail space.

The main Centre was constructed in the early 1980’s when it was also attached to the early 1970’s built Kirkgate Centre with the combined Centre opening in 1983.

Built on a sloping site and over three levels, giving access to street level from all three malls, the Ridings had the country's first shopping centre Food Court re-modelled in 1996. The latest re-modelling at the western end of the scheme saw the combination of two previous long term unoccupied units into the Primark store which increased their floor space by over 30%. A new access staircase to the Car Parks was also installed at that end of the scheme.

Car Parking comprises of three interlinked multi-storey levels giving 1070 spaces working on a coin chip pay on foot payment system. The Blue Car Park also houses a Shopmobility scheme which is run in conjunction with the Local Authority.

The Centre is anchored by Marks & Spencer, Bhs, Boots, Morrison, TK Maxx and Primark and are amongst over 90 stores which form The Ridings. Other major stores include WH Smith, Argos, Internacionale and The Arcadia Group.