Kier has been awarded a £24m contract by developer, Bond City, to deliver the £53m St James development in Dover town centre. The contract includes the construction of a six-screen cinema, hotel, restaurants, and shops.This forms part of the comprehensive redevelopment of the St James area to create 156,915 sq.ft of prime retail and leisure space in the high-profile location close to Europe’s busiest passenger port.
Pre-construction work on the site is already underway with piling works for the foundation of the cinema and restaurant complex due to start later this month. The main build is anticipated to be completed in Autumn 2017.
The St James development sits alongside the A20, the main road leading to the Port of Dover, and the design is sympathetic to the surroundings with a slate roof and flint wall used on the Townwall Street loading area.
The build includes 156,915 sq. ft. of new retail and leisure space, with parking for 445 vehicles. The retail offering will be anchored by a 16,000 sq. ft. M&S store, whilst the leisure offer includes a six screen multiplex Cineworld cinema, a 108-bed Travelodge hotel, and six restaurants.
Paul Abrahams, operations director, Kier Construction Southern, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Bond City, Legal & General Property, and Dover District Council to deliver this major project. It’s an important scheme for Dover and the area’s economy, and we will be building on our relationships with the local supply chain to help create valuable employment opportunities through the delivery of this key regeneration scheme.”
Clive Lynton of Bond City said: “This development promises to transform the retail and leisure offer in Dover with its prime town centre location and proximity to Europe’s busiest passenger port.” Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said: “We look forward to working with Kier to realise our vision for a rejuvenated town centre offer with an exciting range of new leisure and shopping opportunities for residents and visitors alike.”
Kier has offices in Sussex and Kent and is responsible for the delivery of many projects in the area, including the new £19m Templeman Library for the University of Kent in Canterbury.
Kier has also delivered over £20m of community projects in Kent through the Scape Minor Works Framework and is delivering Kent County Council’s programme of Schools for the Basic Needs scheme until 2020.