A vacant building in a Nottinghamshire city center will be transformed into 29 residential units. The former Marks and Spencer building in Newark has been empty since 2019 when the retailer closed the store, but plans could see construction begin on the building this summer.
Following the contract award, the Newark and Sherwood District Council expects to appoint a developer over the next few weeks to advance plans for new housing and commercial units on Stodman Street. The new homes will provide additional downtown housing for the area, and plans also include two renovated commercial units that will enhance Newark’s commercial offering.
Councilor David Lloyd, Co-Chairman of the Newark City Board and Leader of the Newark and Sherwood Borough Council, explains: “We want our urban centers to have a prosperous future where life, work, shopping, play and enjoyment come together. While Newark does well compared to the UK average in terms of the number of vacant commercial units in the city centre, it is important that we continue to do all we can to attract people.
Read more: Work will begin on the creation of a new 60-unit development in the ‘idyllic’ Nottinghamshire village
“Commercial change should not mean the decline of the city center. It should be an opportunity. By repurposing a major downtown site, we hope to inject new life into the area with the goal of making the heart of Newark a great place to live and shop. Newark is unique and already has a lot to offer with fantastic independent retailers nestled alongside national stores, but this development will really add to the vibrancy of our historic market town.
“I am delighted that we expect to appoint a construction contractor imminently with work starting this summer.” The District Council has already completed preliminary work on the vacant site, which included the removal of large amounts of asbestos and cleaning of internal partitions to prepare the site for the proposed redevelopment.
Despite inflationary pressures, the District Council said it will not vacate the building any longer, but despite approaching a long list of retailers to occupy the store, the council says the current unit is too large for the most merchants in downtown locations. Once Cabinet approval is sought on February 21, 2023, the District Council will pursue the development.
Subject to Cabinet approval and agreement with the designated contractor, the council is optimistic that work on the site could start by late summer. The construction phase would then occur in late 2023 and the building would be completed in the summer of 2025.
The Stodman Street development is one of the projects funded by the Newark Board of Cities’ successful application to the Government Cities Fund initiative. Other projects include the £3 million restoration of Newark Castle, a £2.1 million cultural project that aims to provide a varied and exciting program of events.
Read next: