Willmott Dixon has underlined its credentials for building mixed-use developments that act as a catalyst for town centre regeneration by securing a contract to build the £80 million Rochdale Riverside.

Delivered by a joint venture between Genr8 and Kajima in partnership with Rochdale Borough Council, the development will contain 200,000 square foot of retail and leisure accommodation in the centre of the town, including a six-screen cinema, which will sit above the retail units. The development, with a central pedestrian street a key feature, will transform the retail and entertainment offering in the town and encourage further inward investment.

It follows Boots, JD Sports and River Island announcing recently they would be investing more than £3 million opening new stores within the development, which is more than 60 per cent let ahead of construction work starting.

Mike Smith, partner at Genr8 Developments:

“We are very pleased to announce Willmott Dixon as lead contractor and look forward to seeing work commence on-site later this month. The scheme is now over 60 per cent let and with works commencing on-site we expect to be able to announce further lettings soon.”

Willmott Dixon will focus on ensuring it uses local companies whenever possible, and expects to spend over £20 million direct with companies across Greater Manchester in areas including groundwork, steelwork, roofing and cladding. As part of that process, the company will host a ‘Meet the Buyer’ event which will give local companies an opportunity to find out more about the work packages.

Willmott Dixon’s North West team, based in nearby Oldham, will work with the architect TP Bennett to deliver the scheme by summer 2020. It’s the latest in a series of similar developments Willmott Dixon has built in recent years that have transformed towns and cities, including Beverley, Keynsham, Cardiff, Lincoln, Romford, Woolwich and Redcar, with the Keynsham development named 'Best of the Best' at 2015 BCO National Awards.

Anthony Dillon, managing director of Willmott Dixon in the North West:

“We are delighted to have been appointed for this flagship project which will be a fantastic new addition for the town as well as a catalyst to encourage new inward investment. We'll also support the local economy by using businesses from the area whenever possible during the build programme; we want to leave a lasting legacy that all can be proud of.”