Robertson wins £21m contract for Blackpool regeneration

Robertson has been appointed as main contractor on the next phase of regeneration of Blackpool’s town centre – with a new four-star hotel at the heart of the project.

The firm, which has a growing presence in the north west of England, has secured a £21m contract for the work at Talbot Gateway, which is due to commence at the start of this month.

Blackpool Council and Muse Developments have been working in partnership to develop the area since 2009. Robertson won a competitive tender for the project, in large part due to their extensive experience in the hotels sector.

Phase 2 of the Talbot Gateway project will see the demolition of the existing Wilko store, the completion of a new tramway interchange at Blackpool North Station, a new underpass, the creation of a Holiday Inn hotel and restaurant as well as new retail outlets.

Robertson will begin the demolition works this week, with work due to commence on the other elements of the project between October of this year and January 2021. The overall construction programme is expected to take around two years to complete.

It follows on from the first phase at Talbot Gateway, which saw the opening of a Sainsbury's supermarket and the development of offices which now accommodate more than 1,000 public and private sector employees.

Robertson has delivered a number of hotels across the country, with the team in the North West currently building a new Moxy Hotel in Chester for client Vastint.

Dirk Pittaway, Managing Director, Robertson North West, said: "Talbot Gateway's regeneration continues to gather pace and as a growing business in the region we are thrilled to be playing our part. Robertson has significant experience in the hotels sector and we will use that to deliver a facility that is best in class and something everyone in Blackpool can be proud of.

"We will work closely throughout with Blackpool Council and Muse Developments, who have both shown real commitment and drive in continuing to progress the project during recent months. Clear procedures, including social distancing, will be in place to ensure the safety of everyone involved on site.

"We will also put local people at the centre of the project to ensure the wider community can benefit. Indeed, we've already started to work with the local college, with the aim of providing real opportunities to people throughout the project and beyond. Talbot Gateway is hugely important to the town and we cannot wait to get started."

Councillor Simon Blackburn, Executive Leader of Blackpool Council, said: "The team have been working tirelessly around the clock to ensure that the delivery of this flagship commercial development stays on course and goes ahead as planned. We are confident that all the correct procedures have been put in place to secure the health and safety of all the construction workers, which is our top priority at this critical time, and we will be monitoring activity on site very closely to ensure that all the government workplace guidelines are followed.

"As we emerge out of the current emergency crisis and into a period of recovery and rebuilding, it is really important that as a community we stay committed and focused to the successful delivery of the ongoing regeneration projects throughout the town, to ensure the town is in the best possible place it can be to achieve economic recovery, improve long term resilience, create new opportunities and secure long-term jobs for the people of Blackpool.

"Phase Two Talbot Gateway will transform this key entrance into Blackpool and we are delighted to be one step closer to realising our long term ambitions for the town."

Mike Horner, Development Director at Muse Developments, said: "It's a proud moment for everyone involved at Talbot Gateway, as we take the next step on the journey to transform the town centre, by bringing in a new hotel and high-quality brand to strengthen the hotel offering in the town. We will also be creating a number of much-needed jobs in the process.

"Blackpool is going through a renaissance at the moment, with partners driving in the same direction to bring a real sense of vibrancy and place to the whole town and we're delighted to be playing an important role in delivering this vision and making Blackpool a better place to live, work and relax."

Blackpool Council has entered into a franchise agreement with International Hotel Group (IHG) for the 144-bedroom Holiday Inn, which is due to open in 2022, creating up to 50 full-time jobs.