Phase 2 of the Rick Mather masterplan will initiate improved community amenities. Currently building an 86,000 sq ft supermarket, 100 private residential apartments above the store and a selection of retail and kiosk units at ground level. There will also be 350 car parking spaces with an additional 10 blue badge spaces for residents' use. The redevelopment will see ASDA supermarket move from its current site in Vicarage Field shopping centre to London Road, creating about 150 jobs in the process. Bouygues Development is also responsible for the delivery of part of a new public space to be named the Short Blue Place, which will form a pedestrian thoroughfare in the town centre, linking the new ASDA supermarket to the Technical Skills Academy.
The Academy and part of the new public space have been open for public use since the September 2012 at the beginning of the new academic year, whilst the remainder of the market square is due for completion in 2015. Councillor Cameron Geddes, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "We welcome these fantastic redevelopment plans for the western Gateway of Barking Town Centre. "New jobs, additional car parking, improved accessibility, increased footfall and investment and a host of public realm improvements will create the right mix of ingredients to help local people and businesses prosper."