VINCI Construction UK secures multi-million pound contract for Stoke-on-Trent bus facility

VINCI Construction UK has been selected by Stoke-on-Trent City Council as the principal contractor for the development of a landmark new bus station in Stoke-on-Trent. This modern structure is the first phase of a £350 million regional shopping and leisure centre, known as City Sentral, which will create a top regional shopping destination in the city.

VINCI Construction UK was chosen from 16 organisations that showed a strong interest in undertaking the bus station project. The appointment will make VINCI Construction UK one of the main faces in the transformation of Stoke-On-Trent’s city centre. The bus station, being led by Stoke-on-Trent City Council in partnership with developers Realis, has been designed by Grimshaw Architects and the initial concept provides a prominent and distinctive landmark that will act as a gateway to the city.

Chris Hamer, Managing Director, VINCI Construction UK Building Division – North said,

“VINCI Construction UK is helping to initiate the redevelopment of Stoke-on-Trent’s city centre with the construction of the first phase of City Sentral, the new bus station. We are replacing a tired 1960’s building with a new visually captivating facility that will kick start the redevelopment. It is exciting to be part of a project that will have such a positive effect for Stoke-on-Trent and improve the public realm.”

Councillor Ruth Rosenau, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for regeneration, said:

“Over the next few years Stoke-on-Trent city centre will start to look very different as major projects such as the regional new shopping centre, bus station and improvements to the public realm area’s are developed. The new city centre bus station will create an important facility and stunning new gateway in to the city centre. It is exciting to see the project progressing to the next stage with Vinci.”

Duncan Mathieson, Managing Director of Realis Estates, said:

“The bus facility is an important first step towards transforming City Sentral. Work on the new bus station is set to progress quickly, setting the scene for us to move ahead with the main City Sentral development. Once completed, City Sentral will transform Stoke-on-Trent city centre with the stunning new bus station acting as a landmark gateway to the Midland’s newest regional shopping and leisure destination”.

The existing facility is dated, offering an unattractive environment and insufficient capacity for the growing numbers of people traveling in and out of the city by bus. The relocation of the bus station creates the opportunity for Realis to redevelop the existing bus station site together with the adjacent East West Precinct to create City Sentral which will include a new 100,000 sq. ft. department store, more than 80 shops and stores, an 80-bed hotel, multiplex cinema, restaurants, cafes and a multi-storey car park.

VINCI Construction UK will start the next phase of work on the bus facility by the end of the year with work due to be completed on the facility in December 2012.

Published: 03/01/2012