Construction firm wins £9m contract to build charity’s community centre

CONSTRUCTION firm Stepnell has won a £9.2m contract to build a centre for deafblind charity Sense in Birmingham.

The Rugby-based company will deliver the 70,000 sq ft centre in Selly Oak, which is due to be completed in summer 2017.

The TouchBase Pears centre has been designed by Birmingham firm Glenn Howells Architects and it will be used by the charity to deliver specialist services to help people with sensory impairments.

The overall cost of construction is expected to be £14m, of which the charity has a fundraising target of £5m.

Sense chief executive Gillian Morbey said: “We are one step closer to delivering a resource to the Midlands that will not just benefit people with sensory impairments but will also be a hub for the wider community.

“The TouchBase Pears centre will make a huge difference to many people’s lives and we can’t wait to open the doors next year.”

The centre will also offer a welcoming hub for wider community services in Selly Oak, including an arts and performance area, gallery, nursery and public café.

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