Kier appointed on £85M Eastbourne Arndale Centre

Kier has won the first phase of the £85M redevelopment of the Arndale Centre in Eastbourne after being appointed by Legal & General Property.

Work is due to begin shortly and is due to be completed in time for Christmas.

The first phase will see the creation of a modern glass atrium at the Centre’s west entrance and upgrades carried out to nearby shopfronts and facades to fit aesthetically with the style of the new extension.

The initial work will be performed overnight to allow scaffolding to be erected with minimal disruption to businesses. A temporary entrance will be installed and in use for the majority of the work. Access to the centre will continue throughout the construction period with businesses opening as usual.

Retail Development Manager at Legal & General Property, Neil Crawford, said: “We are delighted to announce that Kier Construction will be carrying out the first phase of this very exciting regeneration project. It is great to show the people of Eastbourne our vision for the future of the centre and to physically start moving things forward and changing the town.”

Work on the main part of the 170,000sq ft extension will begin in 2016. The project will be spread over three floors and see the creation of a further 22 retail units, a multiscreen cinema, seven restaurants and an extension to the car parking facilities.

Several big high street names are already confirmed including Nando’s, Next, and H & M with more expected to be announced in the near future.

Eastbourne MP, Caroline Ansell said: “I am delighted to welcome this large investment into our town. Around 800 jobs for local people will be created by the extension. The aim of the plan is to encourage more retailers to set-up-shop in Eastbourne, and consequently encourage local people to do their shopping in the town – rather than going to Brighton or elsewhere. Because of the increased numbers of shoppers, independent traders should also benefit if we work on sign-posting and road design, offering shoppers a characterful and unique taste of Eastbourne.”

Phil Durigan, Kier Construction Managing Director for the South, said: “We are especially pleased to have been appointed contractor for the first phase of the Arndale extension. With four offices in the south-east, Kier Construction has a real affinity with the region and considerable knowledge and experience of working with the local supply chain.”

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