VIDEO: Longbridge – Ten years on
TO mark the tenth anniversary of the closure of MG Rover, regeneration specialist St. Modwen has produced a special video (see below) taking a look back at the history of the site and what its grand design for the rebirth of the Birmingham suburb will look like.
St. Modwen’s Longbridge story began in 2001 when it was selected as a development partner for 57 acres of surplus land at the site. The company acquired a further 228 and 183 acres in 2003 and 2004 respectively, and following the collapse of the carmaker in 2005, set about transforming Longbridge into a mixed use, high quality urban environment.
The completion of Longbridge Innovation Centre and Devon Way in 2007 helped reinvigorate employment in the local area, with further opportunities created following the completion of The Cofton Centre in 2008.
In 2011 plans were conceived for a new £70m town centre at Longbridge, incorporating shops, restaurants and offices. The year also saw the completion of a new £66m purpose-built facility for Bournville College.
Construction completed on phase one of the £70m town centre – which includes the new three-acre £2m Austin Park, in 2013. Tenants include Sainsbury’s, Premier Inn, Costa Coffee, Greggs, The Cambridge and Beefeater Grill.
A 150,000 sq ft Marks and Spencer store will be opening on the site in late 2015. As one of the largest Marks and Spencer stores in the UK, the two storey outlet will offer clothing, food and a restaurant. A further nine retail units, offering 45,000 sq ft and a multi-storey and surface car park, are set to be delivered for Christmas 2015.
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