Town Centre

Access ramp at the bottom end of Yoden Way, prior to the construction of Lee House, c.1973.

Yoden Way looking towards Lee House, c.1977.

Ground level shops and access ramp the upper level shops, Yoden Way.

Children playing on the roundabout opposite the original Magistrates Court and Police Station on Yoden Way, c.1977.

The Broad Close, Peterlee Town Centre.

Diana Princess of Wales made an official visit to Peterlee on the 7 August 1983. Part of her itinerary included the official opening of the Fisher Price Toys factory.

The ornamental pool in the town centre was situated on The Broad Close.

Dewhurst Butchers, Peterlee Town Centre, c.1976.

Greengrocers, Peterlee Town Centre, c.1976

Concrete sculpture on Yoden Way by John Pasmore, c.1974.

Concrete sculpture on Yoden Way by John Pasmore, c.1974.

Plans for the new town centre started to be developed in 1960 by Chief Architect Roy Gazzard. The process would go through eight sets of revisions before they were finally approved in 1968. Yoden Way was then pedestrianised, and the small row of shops built in 1950’s was incorporated into the new shopping precinct, forming the north western end of Yoden Way. Like many other town centres across Britain undergoing modernisation, the high-street was split onto two levels, with ramps providing access to raised walkways.

The construction of Lee House (named after Peter Lee) started in 1974. Once completed, the Development Corporation moved its Headquarters from Old Shotton Hall to Lee House in 1976, occupying the building until it was sold in 1984 and remaining staff relocated to Newton Aycliffe.

Enhancing the built environment, Peterlee Town Centre was furnished with play equipment, an ornamental pond, open air escalators, and a sculpture by John Pasmore (son of Victor). These features were later removed after the town centre was sold to Teesdale Investments (Peterlee) Limited in 1985.

© The Story at Mount Oswald