Levelling up in Stoke-on-Trent

With some £20M of levelling up funding from the Government, Stoke-on-Trent is set for a transformational development of the city centre.

Plans have been revealed for a number of schemes in the area, including the mixed-use Etruscan Square, which is set to procure both its development and construction through Pagabo’s national frameworks.

Etruscan Square will transform the city centre with a 3,600-capacity arena, 82,000sq ft of commercial space, 285 homes, a 138-bedroom three-star hotel, and a 701-space multi-storey car park to support existing demand and new amenities alike.

The council has stated that the £20m of levelling up funding for the development will be defrayed to de-risk and support the early delivery of the multi-storey car park, infrastructure and first phase residential proposals, which will act as the catalyst for the wider masterplan.

Plans for the area’s development were revealed at MIPIM, the global real estate conference, which has seen Mayor of West Midlands, Andy Street, also announce huge investments.

The procurement strategy reveals the council’s commitment to the comprehensive delivery of the Etruscan Square masterplan, outlining the use of Pagabo’s Developer-Led Framework to ensure the successful delivery of high-quality, mixed-use development.

Meanwhile, the Etruscan Square multi-storey car park will be delivered via a stand-alone two stage design and build contract between the council and a main contractor, which will be procured through Pagabo’s Major Works Framework.

Jonathan Parker, head of construction at Pagabo, said: “We’re incredibly pleased to be working with Stoke-on-Trent City Council on the procurement of such an exciting development, which will bring huge transformation and opportunity to the city.

“The government’s levelling up plans and funding have been widely welcomed, and we’re very pleased to see Stoke-on-Trent City Council has been so quick to put that funding towards schemes that will benefit the wider city. Being able to support schemes like this with simple, yet efficient and compliant procurement processes is something that we’re really proud of and that allows us to help turn these plans into a reality.”

Planning approval for the development is expected to be granted in the summer, shortly followed by the tender process to appoint the key parties through Pagabo’s frameworks to deliver the transformative scheme.

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