The contractor for the first phase development of the Commissioners Quay site on Blyth Quayside has now been appointed.
Bowmer & Kirkland Limited will build the landmark new development, known as Blyth Workspace, which will help to regenerate the long term vacant site to enhance Blyth Estuary’s reputation as a centre of excellence in renewable energy and research. Bowmer & Kirkland Limited won this competitive tender and are a well experienced North East contractor in building workspace.
The work will begin onsite this month with a building completion date of February 2015.
Over the next three years Arch, The Northumberland Development Company is leading the delivery of a mixed use development of the wider Commissioners Quay site as part of the broader regeneration of Blyth Estuary and town centre.
Arch’s vision is to create a high quality mixed use scheme, which could include commercial, residential and retail/leisure uses. To realise this vision, Arch has appointed a specialist team led by award winning Xsite Architecture to produce a new masterplan for the site, of which Blyth Workspace will be a centrepiece and first phase of the development.
Blyth Workspace will be a high quality, well designed, sustainable and contemporary workspace, targeted to attract organisations within the energy sector. The superb new serviced office accommodation will consist of approx. 1,950 sq. m (21,000 sq. ft.) of high quality new office space to let with a range of office sizes; informal meeting and social areas; conference room facilities; high quality landscaping and access.
The development has received investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Competitiveness Programme 2007 – 2013, the Homes and Communities Agency, Arch and the NELEP North East Investment Fund.
Alan Johansen, Bowmer & Kirkland Regional Director said: “We are delighted to be working with Arch to create this high quality development which will raise the profile of the Northumberland area and help bring increased investment into the region.”
Arch has been established by Northumberland County Council as an arms-length development company to drive capital economic development, physical regeneration projects and business growth in Northumberland.
Cllr Dave Ledger, deputy leader of the council and chair of Arch said: “I am looking forward to seeing this Workspace project develop – and to it becoming core to the on-going regeneration of the Blyth Quayside area.”
Michael Bellamy, North East LEP board member and general manager of Cramlington-based PII Pipeline Solutions, said: “It’s great that Blyth Workspace is progressing, following North East LEP funding for the project. This is an important new development for Northumberland and the wider LEP area. It boosts the development of the Enterprise Zone site at the Port of Blyth which will help to attract new inward investors in the offshore, marine and energy sectors to the region.”