Work has started on the ambitious £250 million development to create a brand new ‘convention quarter’ on the doorstep of The International Centre at Telford.
The development is taking place next to the venue, will give the area a new bustling and vibrant heart, take 18 months to complete, and will ultimately bring an 11-screen cinema, a string of restaurants and bars, and a new hotel.
The scheme is a joint project between Southwater Event Group – the owners of The International Centre – and Telford & Wrekin Council.
SEG chief executive, Tom Gray, said:
“We’re delighted that work is actually now beginning on site and that we’ll be able to see real progress.
“A convention quarter right outside our front door will give our visitors an incredible range of entertainment and dining options, and the new Southwater Square will be a wonderful addition to the area and a real boost to the night-time economy.”
The development includes an 11-screen cinema to be operated by Cineworld, restaurants and bars including Zizzi, Nandos, Chimichanga, Wagamama, Harvester, Bella Italia, Pizza Express, and a Premier Inn hotel.
Citygrove Developments are leading the leisure element of the development and Thomas Vale Construction will build the individual units.
Development work will not affect events at The International Centre itself:
“All the work is being carefully phased to ensure that disruption is kept to an absolute minimum, and our site will be unaffected by any development work, so event organisers can rest assured their events will go on as planned.”