VELIKO TARNOVO EXPANDS

In the last few years many new buildings have gone up in and around Veliko Tarnovo and this year 900 building licences were granted.  There are currently over 25 new apartment blocks under construction.  Discussions have now taken place between the Mayor and architects from Veliko Tarnovo regarding future development and a plan will be prepared to control future chaotic construction.

 It is proposed that expansion will take place to the west, south and north east of Veliko Tarnovo.  It is also planned that a new transport system will be constructed.  One idea is to make the main street, Vasil Levski, into a pedestrian only area and divert the traffic near to Marno Pole park.  There is also the possibility of making a new road from Kartala to the Varusha quarter. 

New developments are also taking place near Debelets, Kilfarevo and the region of Voneshta Voda.  it is planned that more than 200 decares will be developed in these areas.

A British company has announced that it plans to build a housing complex in the Veliko Tarnovo area, most likely Kartala, where they have bought 7–8 decares of land for which they paid 2.42 million Euro.   The company state that all relevant permits for construction on the land have been granted.   

Another development is planned for Veliko Tarnov, near the Sofia-Varna highway, which will be an enclosed complex with restricted access and there is yet a further project planned for the old capital.  It is to be hoped that the developers will take into account the need for parking spaces when they are planning their projects as the streets of Veliko Tarnovo are already heavily congested with parked cars.

Let’s hope that all these new developments will be done sensibly and sympathetically and that the wonderful old character of Veliko Tarnovo will not be spoiled.  After all it is the charm and history of the town which attracts so many people to it in the first place.

- Eunice

LIFT YOUR SPIRITS AT THE TZAREVETS

It has been announced that a ‘hoisting device’ built 20 years ago to take tourists up the Patriarchate at the Tzarevets Fortress is now planned to be put into operation.    A group of experts is expected to arrive in November this year to test the elevator and decide on what restoration is necessary in order to make it functional. Once at the top there is a splendid view of Veliko Tarnovo and the surrounding area – I know I have climbed the numerous steps to get there but it was well worth it.

There are also plans to restore the wooden drawbridge at the main entrance to the Tzarevets.  Just at happened centuries ago the drawbridge will be raised every evening and lowered again each morning in the presence of guards dressed in medieval uniform.  The cost of this will be 50,000 leva and some funding for this is to be made available from the National Institute of Cultural Monuments.  There are also plans to repair the first bridge of the Tzarevets the following year.  - Eunice

This information is compiled from an article in the October issue of ‘Veliko Tarnovo’’, http://www.veliko-tarnovo.net/.

NEW SHOPPING CONCEPT IN VT

The new Central Mall Shopping Centre opened in Veliko Tarnovo on 15 September 2006  Situated near the Technomarket superstore its a new concept in shopping for the area.  There is underground parking although during the opening weekend many people were parked anywhere they could find a space in the surrounding streets - not good for local people who live there!

Compared with many UK shopping centres the Central Mall isnt large but for Veliko Tarnovo its certainly an experience in retail therapy.  In addition to the shops there is a state of the art, fully equipped gym, a bowling alley with approximatley 10 lanes and pool hall with about 7 tables.  There are the usual food outlets you would expect to find in a centre of this kind although there are not enough of them and certainly not enough seating.  The prices however are very high compared to the bars and restaurants in VT itself so perhaps they wont be needing too many seats once the novelty of a new shopping centre has worn off!  The numerous clothes shops are mainly designer wear with prices to match, and in fact many prices are as much as, if not higher, than in the UK. 

In spite of the numbers of people who flocked to the centre during the opening weekend any shopping bags they were carrying seemed to be from the Piccadilly Supermarket located in the Mall, rather than from clothes shops.  The supermarket is very well stocked with an extremely good range of goods and the prices are comparable to CBA.  However, without transport, unless you live locally, its either a long walk or a taxi ride (approx 2.30 leva from VT centre) to get to the Central Mall and this may stop people shopping there.

- Eunice

INVESTMENT IN TOURIST COMPLEXES

According to report in Yantra Dnes Newspaper a Dutch business family are to invest Euro 300,000 in Novo Selo and Mindya.  Their intention is to build a holiday complex for VIP Dutch tourists at Novo Selo and at Mindya the plan is to build a holiday complex plus camping site for tents and caravans for 200 people.  Both of the complexes are to have purifying water stations.  A member of the family said the decision to go ahead with this type of development was made because cheap holiday places are not yet developed in Bulgaria.

- Eunice (Your undercover VT reporter)

PRAKTIKER COMES TO VELIKO TARNOVO

On Thursday 30 November 2006 the new Praktiker store opened in Veliko Tarnovo.  Although the weather was not at its best – drizzle and mist –  this did not deter the hundreds of people eager to see what Praktiker had to offer.  Once again, as with the new Central Mall – not enough space has been given over to car parking and the surrounding roads were choc-a-bloc with vehicles.  Apparently this situation was even worse over the weekend!

Inside the store there is a huge choice of many things – very similar to the B & Q stores in the UK.  Obviously many of the items on sale are not readily available anywhere else in VT and this is one of the major benefits of this store.  In addition to the usual DIY items on sale there is a large selection of Christmas decorations and artificial Christmas trees. 

I think this store will be a very popular venue for everyone, although at the moment there is a touch of the novelty about the store, but once that has died down, it will be a very useful source of all things for the home.