Mace to take on £350m Stevenage town centre regeneration project

Construction company Mace has been unveiled as the firm which will be responsible for Stevenage’s £350m town centre regeneration project, with construction set to start next year.

The scheme is set to bring over £300m of private investment into the town and the planned development is for the western side of the town centre, where the council offices, the Plaza, bus station and several surface car parks are currently located.

The vision laid out by Mace includes new shops, homes, and a bespoke central venue for a library, exhibition space, health services and council offices. It will also create a new linear park, and food and drink space with bars and restaurants in the heart of the town.

Commenting on the announcement, David Grover, chief operating officer for development at Mace, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen as the development partner for this exciting landmark opportunity to transform Stevenage town centre, and deliver new homes, shops, jobs and other fantastic benefits for the town and its residents. We are looking forward to working closely with the council, local businesses and the wider community to develop our joint vision and will bring forward proposals for consultation in 2018.”

The company was selected as the successful partner following a tendering process that saw three other national developers competing for the work.

Sharon Taylor, leader of Stevenage Borough Council, has hailed the news as a pivotal milestone for the town. She added: "This appointment makes large-scale regeneration of our town centre a reality. Mace’s scheme will complement the development already underway – most notably in Park Place – providing new spaces, facilities and homes in the centre of Stevenage and a boost to our local economy with the potential for hundreds of new jobs and training opportunities for local people. The commitment of the council, our partners, local businesses and the property sector specialists that have helped us reach this milestone all demonstrate Stevenage’s significance as a local and regional centre.”