Work to start on £250m Telford Southwater site
Telford & Wrekin Council's ambitious vision of a vibrant new heart for the town centre takes a major step towards becoming reality today when work formally starts on site to create the £250m Southwater development.
The work will take 18 months to complete but will ultimately result in the building of an 11 screen cinema, a string of restaurants and bars and a hotel,
Initial steps will see hoardings go up around the relevant sites with ground works beginning in November.
The aim is to create a vibrant night-time economy in Telford Town Centre and the beginning of work is the latest major step in a scheme that has taken 10 years to develop.
Telford & Wrekin Council leader Kuldip Sahota said: "The plans for Southwater have evolved over time but I am delighted that we are now in a position where we will see tangible evidence of what we have been promising start to rise up before people's eyes.
"We've had to be patient. It took a full year for services to be installed in the ground so that all the planned buildings would be able to function properly but now we can start building it is a very exciting time."
The development includes an 11 screen cinema to be operated by Cineworld, restaurants and bars including Zizzi's, Nando's, Chimichanga's, Wagamama, Harvester, Bella Italia, Pizza Express and a hotel operated by Premier Inn.
The leisure element of the development is being led by Citygrove Developments and the contractor who will build the individual units is Thomas Vale Construction.
Toby Baines, chairman of Citygrove, said: "Southwater Square has attracted high quality tenants such as Wagamama, Pizza Express and Cineworld and will result in a £25 million investment in Telford creating 260 jobs.
"Along with the commitment, focus and forward thinking of Telford & Wrekin Council, I am confident that we will jointly deliver a first class leisure destination and one which will be enjoyed for many years.
Tony Hyde, Managing Director, Thomas Vale Construction, added; "As a local company, Thomas Vale are extremely proud to be undertaking this amazing transformation for Telford Town Centre on behalf of Telford and Wrekin Council and Citygrove Developments."
Additionally, in order for the sites to be developed, the current small council-operated Southwater car park will close as the space will be needed for on-site operations.
