Trinity Walk nears Reality

Shepherd were awarded the contracts for a 600,000 sq ft city centre retail scheme, the new Marsh Way Road scheme and the new Market Hall building for Wakefield Council.

Design work on the scheme has been in progress for several years, after Simons Developments were selected as the preferred developer by Wakefield Council in 1998.

The new state-of-the-art Market Hall will replace the current 1960s building and is expected to be open in spring 2008. City centre shops, the new Marsh Way roadworks and other buildings are due for completion in 2010.

The former site of Sun Lane swimming baths will be turned into a temporary, 80 space, pay and display car park to replace the space lost as a result of the regeneration project.

The Market Hall will be the first large retail centre, with plans to build a new Sainsbury's supermarket, Debenhams, Next and New Look shop. This will be along with another 50 retail units with offices, 72 residential apartments and a new public library.

The grand scheme will also include a state-of-the-art library with roof-top terrace, two public squares measuring a total 25,000 sq ft with one of them incorporating the listed Elizabethan Gallery, Brook Street, and a redesigned outdoor market.

Andy Wallhead, Wakefield Council’s Corporate Director for Regeneration, said:

“Appointing the contractors Shepherd is a major step forward to starting work at Trinity Walk.

“This is a huge development for the centre of Wakefield and will open up the city to exciting new retail opportunities, as well as a new city centre library. We are looking forward to a start being made this summer.”

Phil Greer, Divisional Construction Director for Shepherd, said:

“Trinity Walk is an exciting and ambitious project which will bring new life to the city centre. It is a scheme we understand well and which will require skill, dedication, drive and energy to deliver.”