Work Accelerates on new TA centre and £75m retail scheme for the city

 

More than a hundred builders and contractors are now hard at work on the former vinegar works site at Lowesmoor as the first stage of works directed by developer Carillion Richardson nears completion.

A major focus of activity is the internal refurbishment of the massive, grade two listed, former Vinegar filling shed which is occupying around 65 builders and local contractors led by Vinci Construction UK Ltd. The externally preserved building will provide a range of first class facilities for the Territorial Army which is an important part of the city’s proud military heritage.

The new TA centre due to be completed by September will provide larger, improved administration and training facilities. It will also become the permanent home for the 214 (Worcestershire) Battery Royal Artillery (Volunteers), a detachment of the Hereford & Worcester Army Cadet Force and the Worcester Sea Cadets. The centre will also house the regimental archives of the Worcester and Sherwood Forrester Regiment. As part of the move the TA will also be gaining additional facilities at Midland Road on a 0.7 acre site including a 4,500 sq ft building. The Midland Road facility will provide most of the army’s garaging reducing the need for the heavy vehicles to travel into the city centre.

Colonel Tim Weeks, Chief Executive of the West Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association said: “The new centre is of national importance. The design and scale of these facilities will represent a considerable improvement for us and the profile of the armed forces in Worcestershire will be enhanced significantly.”

The next stage of development later this year will see the new ASDA store and its multi storey car park take shape.  A team of over 30 Carillion builders has already laid much of the groundwork with a complex network of supporting foundations to preserve the historic vinegar cellars below the main ASDA store building.

A Carillion Richardson spokesman said: “We are delighted with the progress which has involved some extremely skilled work and it is great to see exciting plans that will bring significant benefits to the city starting to take shape.”

  

 

 

 

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