From Scotland's carbuncle ... to a new-look Cumbernauld

IT IS Britain's most maligned and derided town centre. Hated and condemned by residents and critics as a grim modernist monstrosity, Cumbernauld holds that least coveted of titles: "most dismal town in Britain".

Not even its appearance as the backdrop for parts of Bill Forsyth's much-loved Gregory's Girl was enough to lend a nostalgic sheen to its maze of corridors, which have been described variously as "a rabbit warren on stilts", "the Lego fantasy of an unhappy child" and the "Kabul of the North".

But planners sought to bring an end to the Lanarkshire town's woes yesterday, when they unveiled a £40 million shopping centre that they claim will transform its reputation.

However, residents begged to differ on the impact it is likely to have, claiming that the new mall was "too little, too late".

It is hoped that the 350,000sq ft Antonine Centre will breathe new life into the beleaguered area.

High street names, including Woolworths and TK Maxx, have agreed to pour cash into the town by establishing stores in the flagship mall.

Town officials believe it will also boost employment levels and help restore confidence in the town.

They are confident it will encourage people living in the Central Belt to head to Cumbernauld rather than Stirling or Falkirk for their shopping.

The new development is the first phase in a long-term regeneration project for the town, which has taken a knock in recent years because of the poor state of the former shopping centre.

But locals claimed the new development would not solve Cumbernauld's plight, and said that planners should have demolished the older shopping centre before building a new one.

Housewife Sandra Gribben, 40, said of the new centre: "I would not be surprised if the shops are all boarded up this time next year.

"So far the new building looks lovely, but I do not think it will be enough to change the town's reputation - they should have pulled down the other shopping centre as well. I also think there are too many of the same old shoe shops, sports shops and pound shops in here."

Hairdresser Katrina Murray, 30, who also lives in the town, said she was sceptical.

"I still think this is the worst town. I don't think a new shopping centre is enough. There is no point building this and leaving the rest of the place as it is.

"It would be better if they also had a bowling alley or something like that."

Mother-of-five Lisa McMillan, 33, said: "I definitely think the money could have been spent more wisely. It would have been better if they had done up the old shopping centre and spent the rest on better facilities for families."

But Gerry McElroy, chairman of Cumbernauld Campsie Centre, which will oversee the regeneration of the area, claimed that the opening was a landmark moment.

He said: "I think this new shopping centre will go a long way to restoring confidence in the town centre area as a whole.

"It is a quality development, a quality building. It provides quality shopping facilities and it brings employment prospects into the area."

North Lanarkshire provost Thomas Curley, who opened the building, said the town's future looked bright.

He said: "This is the first phase in the redevelopment of Cumbernauld. There will be other things provided as the years go by. I am sure when people see the new shopping centre they will want to develop further."

Almost 7,000 people attended the grand opening, which featured a pipe band and a troop of Roman soldiers.

LONG AWAITED

THE road to the refurbishment of Cumbernauld's centre has been long and winding. Plans were first unveiled in 1995, but ran into legal difficulties. The Antonine Centre itself was delayed in 2003 when the owners of the existing shopping centre objected to the closure of a pedestrian path during construction.