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Multi Celebrates SouthGate Groundbreaking Ceremony
Multi Development UK Ltd, together with Morley, on Thursday 11th October celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony in Bath, which marked the start of the excavation for the basement car park in SouthGate, their £360 million 9-acre regeneration scheme in the city.
The ceremony was held at the SouthGate development area and attracted a significant number of local businesses, contractors and sub-contractors working on the scheme as well as representatives from Bath & North East Somerset Council.
Commenting at the ceremony Paul Sargent, Multi UK Managing Director said:
"SouthGate is an essential element in the regeneration of the southern area of Bath. SouthGate has tremendous potential and will benefit the local business community and its customers as well as bringing a new lease of life to this area of the city. I'd like to reiterate Multi and Morley's commitment to delivering SouthGate to Bath. We started on-site in the New Year and are delighted with how swift progress on-site has been. Together with Morley we are hopefully demonstrating our commitment to Bath to ensure that the aspirations the city has for its retail sector will become reality."
Cllr Francine Haeberling, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council, said: "I congratulate Multi and Morley on their successful start to the Southgate redevelopment. The shopping centre and new integrated transport interchange are the first steps in a move towards a more sustainable city, captured within our overall Vision for Bath and North East Somerset. I believe the work achieved so far gives us real confidence for the future of our city."
At the ceremony, Multi Development and Morley announced their intention to support Julian House, a local homeless charity in Bath. Commenting on the donation at the event Cecil Weir, Funding & PR Manager said: "This is a terrific boost to our work. Raising funds is always a challenge for an organization like Julian House. The fact that this commitment of support from Multi Development and Morley is over an extended period makes it even more helpful. Most of our clients have no homes and their possessions often consist of what can be squeezed into a holdall or rucksack. Their status means that they are amongst the most marginalized people in our society.
Multi Development and Morley's endorsement will not only allow us to give more support to more clients, it will also raise awareness of a problem that is often overlooked."
Also at the ceremony a class of Year 2 children from Widcombe Infant School presented various items representing life in Bath today for 6-7 year olds, for burial in a time capsule onsite at a later date. Items included currency, a copy of The Bath Chronicle, a programme for a Bath Rugby match and postcards of Bath Abbey among other items and aims to provide later generations with a local, regional and national picture of this moment in history.
2009 biodegradable balloons were launched to mark the opening of the first phase of the development.
SouthGate
SouthGate will significantly improve Bath's retail offer with over 400,00 sq ft of prime retail space including a Debenhams department store, retail and leisure space and over 90 residential units. In addition, a modern integrated transport hub including a state-of-the-art bus station and new underground car parking facilities (860 spaces) will be created. Several new public open spaces and streets, including a large central square, will be created. All of the newly created spaces will have tree planting, seating, opportunities for public art and access to public conveniences.
SouthGate will be delivered in three phases. In Autumn 2009, phase I will open, which consists of retail, residential and leisure accommodation along Southgate and the new bus station. Phase II and III will open in Spring and Autumn 2010 respectively. Spring 2010 will see more retail and leisure units open, with Debenhams opening that Autumn. The upgrading to Bath Spa Railway Station, which includes five new restaurants will also open in Autumn 2010.
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