03/01/2012 - Thomas Vale secures £56 million forward-workload in Worcestershire

WORCESTERSHIRE-BASED Thomas Vale Construction has secured around £56million worth of regeneration projects for 2012-2013 in the county alone, alongside major public sector frameworks for the next 3-4 years.

The company whose headquarters are based in Stourport on Severn, has a strong heritage and commitment within the local area, employing around 700 local people directly on projects throughout the county and beyond.

With a record breaking £251million turnover in the last financial year, 2012-2013 looks to be another bright and successful 12 months, with the number of projects on their doorstep increasing with key clients which include Wyre Forest District Council, the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA), British Waterways, Worcestershire County Council and development-partner Clive Fletcher Developments.

The first of the projects is the prestigious Bridge Street redevelopment, located in Stourport Town Centre which is set to be transformed after the company and its development partners secured the concept through a competitive European procurement process.

It will be turned into a new pedestrian gateway to the canal basins, linking the popular Riverside Meadows area across Bridge Street through to the historic basins area.  

The gateway will also have a mixture of commercial retail and residential units which are expected to add to the appeal of the market town and the major criteria for the scheme is that it will create demand for homes and employment to boost economic growth potential. 

District council Leader, Conservative John Campion said: “The council and its partners have been working closely for some time now to bring forward this boost to the local Stourport economy that will increase its attraction as a visitor destination by making use of one of its heritage assets, the canal basins.

“I’m particularly pleased that the local developer partnership will also see more local employment being used during the construction which is another benefit.”

Stuart Buckley, development manager for the HCA Midlands, added: “We are pleased to have appointed Clive Fletcher Developments and Thomas Vale to develop this site, which will reconnect Stourport. This scheme will enhance the commercial and leisure offer for the town and provide a high quality canal side scheme. It will create demand for homes and jobs and boost local economic growth.”

The second scheme is a £25million development to be known as Marina Quay, on land owned by Clive Fletcher Developments and British Waterways, the new marina will have the capacity to moor 410 boats with ancillary and leisure facilities as well as 102 holiday apartments to attract tourism and investment. 

Elsewhere is the county, the £6.9million offices for Wyre Forest District Council are due for completion in 2012, part of a council led programme to replace more expensive leased buildings in the town centre.

Ian Miller, Chief Executive of Wyre Forest District Council noted: “The new building will reduce the carbon emissions from our office accommodation by 85% which is a significant saving. It will also provide revenue savings of £500,000 year on year which will save taxpayers money and can be directed into front-line services.

Alongside these, the company also secured a place on the £180million West Midlands Contractors Framework procured by Worcestershire County Council and the £1.5billion framework for Birmingham City Council, Constructing West Midlands.