Newark and Sherwood District Council hold drop-in event for questions about former M&S Stodman Street redevelopment

People who want to find out more about the work taking place at the former M&S building are invited to speak with the council and contractors at a drop-in event.

The event, organised by Newark and Sherwood District Council, will be held from 11am to 3pm on Friday, December 8, at a stall in the Market Place.

Attendees will be able to speak directly to council officers and construction specialists Stepnell, who are working in partnership on the project which is funded by Newark Towns Board’s successful application to the Government’s Towns Fund initiative.

Officers will also have information boards with the latest images for what the area will look like in the future.

The project is still in the first phase of work, which is likely to take place until the start of 2024.

Construction will take place soon after, with completion expected to be in summer 2025.

Matthew Spoors, portfolio holder for sustainable economic development at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “This event is a great opportunity to come and meet our economic growth team and find out more about this exciting project. Whether you have a specific question to ask or whether you are just interested in general, come along and find out more. If you are unable to make it, please drop us an email us with your questions.

“It’s exciting to see this project underway. We are committed to showing that initiatives like this can help to develop town centres for the better. Without the council’s intervention, this prominent building could have fallen into disrepair and while we tried hard to find tenants for it, no interest for such a large unit was forthcoming. By splitting it up as we are, we are turning a building that could have been abandoned into a thriving and active area where living, working and shopping come together.”

The project will see the empty building on Stodman Street converted into a hub of 29 homes and two new retail units which aim to attract more people into the town centre.

Tom Sewell, regional director at Stepnell, said: “Working in partnership with Newark and Sherwood District Council to keep the community at the centre of the development as it progresses is extremely important to us. As a result, we look forward to being part of an ongoing strong communication programme, which prioritises keeping local people and businesses informed on this exciting project.

“As considerate and collaborative complete construction partners, we pride ourselves on being able to add value to every project we are involved in. A big part of our work here in Newark therefore will centre around social value and leaving a lasting legacy. So, not only will local people and businesses have a fantastic retail space to invigorate the town centre once works are finalised, but throughout the process we look forward to investing money and resources in the area. From working with a local supply chain, to supporting schools with educational talks and creating job opportunities too.”

The council says it is confident occupying smaller retailer units will continue to work for a town the size of Newark, due to its work with tenants needs in the small number of town centre buildings it owns — including Tambo Lounge, Iguazu, Specsavers and Inspire.

There is also an emphasis on sustainability in the project and the development will have solar panels on the roof, modern insulation and will recycle up to 90% of all materials removed from site.

New green planting will also be created as St Marks Lane is expanded, opening up the link between Lombard Street and Stodman Street.