SouthGate - Newsletter
FORUM - Issue 1/Spring 2007
Multi Development have issued the first quarterly SouthGate
newsletter which is designed to provide key information and
points of contact for the duration of the development.
Introduction
Joint venture partners Multi Development and Morley are
delighted that the redevelopment of the Southgate area of Bath is
now underway.
The 1960s Southgate centre will be replaced with a series of
beautiful Georgian- style buildings containing a mix of new shops,
leisure facilities, restaurants and homes. Bath will benefit from a
state-of-the-art transport interchange, newly-designed streetscapes
and a grand public square.
In its role as development manager Multi Development has had
experience in developing over 110 retail schemes in the heart of
many city centres across Europe; therefore bringing a wealth of
experience to SouthGate. Completion has been brought forward by one
year after permission was received to build a temporary bus
station at Avon Street which means SouthGate can be open one year
ahead of schedule. More details on the development programme are
provided inside the newsletter. Please see related documents
Multi are aiming to attract a range of leading quality retailers
to Bath, who currently don't have representation in Bath. Securing
Debenhams to anchor the development sets a great benchmark as to
the calibre of stores that can be expected to populate
SouthGate.
SouthGate is now at its most exciting phase in the development
of the city as a regional retail centre and international tourist
destination. I trust you'll find this first edition of our
quarterly newsletter Forum informative and look forward to sharing
SouthGate news with you in many more editions to come.
Paul Sargent, Managing Director, Multi Development UK
Ltd
Regeneration
Phased construction of SouthGate is now underway and will take
approximately four years to deliver. During this time Multi and
Morley will work closely with Bath & North East Somerset
Council to minimise disruption and ensure that the city remains
open and accessible for residents, visitors and businesses. Given
that SouthGate covers nine acres of land, there will be some degree
of disruption around the Southgate area. Disruption relating to
construction will be kept to a minimum and publicised well in
advance.
Jon Munce, Development Manager, Multi Development UK
Ltd.
Introducing new retailers to Bath
Multi is aiming to attract retailers who currently have no
representation in Bath. The tenant mix Multi is aiming for is a
quality retail mix of shops that will complement Bath's existing
offer.
Richard Green, Leasing Manager, Multi Development UK
Ltd
SouthGate shops will open as early as 2009
2007
Contractors Sir Robert McAlpines and HBG have been appointed to
build the scheme, which will be delivered in three phases. The
first phases to be delivered will be the state-of-the-art transport
interchange. Over £13 million is being invested in Bath's new bus
station, with another £6.5 million being invested in the Bath Spa
railway station. When open in 2009, the transport interchange will
provide brand new bus facilities and enhance disabled and taxi
parking facilities. The completion of this phase in 2010 will
provide access to Bath Spa railway station and an open public
space.
PHASE I :2009
In 2009 Bath's new bus station opens. By Autumn 2009, the retail
units along Southgate will be open and trading.
PHASE II & III : 2010
Debenhams department store, along with the remaining new shops,
new restaurants and cafes, and SouthGate's two level basement car
park will be open in 2010
The upgrading to Bath Spa railway station will complete 2010 and
Vault Square, which includes five restaurants, will also open
2010.
Construction
The works carried out to date in the SouthGate development
include the temporary closing of the Southgate bridge for servie
diversion works, commencement of the strip out of Churchill House,
felling of a number of trees along Dorchester Street and a
temporary substation installed at the south side of the Broad Quay
roundabout.
The Dairy and Engineering buildings and part of the old
Southgate centre and Churchill House have been demolished and soft
and asbestos strips are ongoing in the remaining section of the
Southgate centre and Churchill House, to prepare for complete
demolition.
The temporary car parking deck has been erected on Avon Street
and preparations for the temporary bus station are progressing well
with the first accommodation units in place.
Over the course of the next six months the temporary car park
and bus station will be fully operational; demolition will continue
of the existing Southgate centre with archaeological and
contamination investigations on-going.
Ham Gardens will be closed to the public from 21st May this year
and there will be a one-way system and bus-only route to New
Orchard Street introduced in June.
Looking ahead, demolition is due for completion in November
2007; the footbridge and tow path works will be carried out during
the Summer of 2008 and the new permanent bus station will be
operational from March 2009.
Mark Lynch, Project Manager, Multi Development UK Ltd
Mark Williamson, Project Manager, Sir Robert McAlpine
