Ground breaking at £45m town centre development

A GROUND breaking ceremony has taken place at the new £45m Redrock Stockport development where Wates Construction has begun building work.

The event underlined progress on Stockport Council’s £1bn ‘Invest in Stockport’ programme.

Stockport Council chief executive Eamonn Boylan, joined Wates and Keith Pullinger from The Light Cinema on site to celebrate the start of construction work.

The event was held as Wates began work in earnest on the brand new leisure development. Once complete, Redrock Stockport will comprise 75,000sq ft of leisure, retail and restaurant provision, including a 360-space NCP multi-storey car park, a 10-screen cinema operated by The Light Cinemas.

Also forming part of the scheme will be Pizza Express and Zizzi restaurants, which the Council announced as its flagship restaurant tenants in March this year.

Wates was appointed to the project through the North West Construction Hub (NWCH), a procurement body designed to save time and money in the delivery of new public sector developments.

Wates and Stockport Council have made a joint pledge to ensure that local SMEs are engaged in the build and that on-site training and employment opportunities are created.

Boylan said: “I am thrilled that we have reached this landmark stage on Redrock Stockport, and that our vision of transforming this area of the town centre is becoming a reality.  The new cinema, restaurants and retail units will bring a new vibrancy to this area of our town centre making a great place to visit and spend time.

“Redrock is just one of our Investing in Growth projects that are underway at the moment, each improving different areas of the town making Stockport an even better place to live, work and visit.”

Pullinger said: “We are delighted to anchor this exciting scheme, bringing a first class, luxury cinema to the heart of Stockport. We look forward to working with Stockport Council on delivering this outstanding development”

Tony Shenton, business unit director, Wates Construction North West, added: “There is an anticipation growing for Redrock Stockport and for good reason; it is going to become a great asset for the town, the economic benefits of which will keep on building.

“As with all of our projects, employing a local supply chain will be a key part of our delivery of Redrock Stockport, as will our ongoing engagement with and support of neighbouring businesses.

“As contracting partner to Stockport Council we have spent many months developing an understanding of their vision and this has created a relationship that I’ve no doubt will result in a fantastic leisure development for the town.”