Contractor appointed on £30m regeneration scheme
The Mansfield Connect scheme has taken a step closer following the appointment of a contractor for the design and redevelopment the former Beales building in Mansfield.
Mansfield District Council has appointed Kier Group to build phase one of the scheme, which will see the 1930s former Beales building in the town centre transformed into a multi-agency and community hub.
Phase one was given the green light in a delegated decision taken by Councillor Craig Whitby, Portfolio Holder for Corporate and Finance, on Friday afternoon (22 March). The council will tender and award a contract for phase two in the Autumn, which will see the main construction work being undertaken.
Project work is expected to start on site in January 2025, with it being fully operational and open in January 2027.
Following a submission made by the council, the scheme was allocated the full £20m from round two of the government’s Levelling Up Fund in January 2023. It is expected to house a variety of public, educational, enterprise and health and well-being services, along with space for private sector investment and Mansfield District Council’s new headquarters.
The project is anticipated to cost around £30m to complete.
Executive Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “Mansfield Connect is a key regeneration project that will transform the long vacant Beales department store into a multi-use, multi-service community and civic hub.
“Its creation will significantly improve access to a range of public services to support our communities; create new opportunities for enterprise and skills development; provide important new town centre amenities; and, by re-opening long closed frontages, will support greater footfall and high street vibrancy.
“The co-location of the council with partners in the town centre represents an opportunity to bring key services together, facilitating service transformation and significant efficiency gains within the council and across partner services.
“This once-in-a-lifetime regeneration project is a fundamental step forward in creating a brighter and transformative future for Mansfield’s residents, and we anticipate it will stimulate further private sector investment and economic opportunity in the town centre and beyond.”
The council bought the building in December 2021. It forms a key part of the council’s adopted Town Centre Masterplan
The CEO of Mansfield BID, Jay Rowlinson, said: “The impact the multi-agency hub will deliver to our local businesses is two-fold. We will see an increase in footfall in the town centre by having a one-stop shop for council services, education, benefits, and job support.
“Also, our town centre businesses will further reap the benefits with all these staff and additional visitors using their eateries, shopping with them for goods, and enjoying what the town offers.
“It will not only increase the vibrancy of Stockwell Gate, a key entry point into our town, but it will also bring a building that has stood empty back into use, and I look forward to seeing the progress get underway.”
It is thought that the front art-deco of the former Co-op building will be retained, and the remaining parts of the building could be demolished with a new building created.
Two shopping link footbridges over Stockwell Gate will be removed as part of the scheme, opening a key entrance into the town centre. More details will be confirmed during the phase one process, and subsequent planning application due to be submitted later this year.
