Another milestone for Northgate transformation
The highest point of the new Bridgwater Northgate development has now been reached.
Last updated 20th Dec 2021
Work to transform Bridgwater's Northgate site has reached another milestone after the highest point of the new seven-screen cinema has now been built.
Five restaurants, a sports bar and ten-pin bowling alley are also due to open there in October next year as part of the ÂŁ16 million Northgate leisure regeneration project.
Sedgemoor District Council and main contractor Willmott Dixon held a topping out ceremony to celebrate the final steelwork being installed at the highest point of the structure on the site.
Guests and children from the adjacent Northgate Primary School took to some of the steel beams with pens to sign their names to mark the occasion.
In reference to a 14th century building tradition in Northern Europe, a small yew tree was taken to the top of the building for the ceremony and will be planted in the redeveloped Brewery Field later.
Reaching a total height of 41.8ft, the last piece of steel was secured on the roof of the 40,000 sq. ft scheme which will be boasting a state of the art 7-screen cinema operated by WTW Scott Cinema, an 8-lane bowling alley and sports bar operated by Allstars. The development will also feature 12,000 sq. ft of flexible restaurant space in five restaurant units with outdoor dining areas, available for local, regional and national food and drink brands.
Councillor Alan Bradford, Chairman of Sedgemoor District Council, said: "Northgate Yard is a huge investment in the town centre and is set to be a landmark destination for both locals and tourists.
"We’re delighted that so much progress has been made on the construction and that we’re already at such a landmark stage in the build – it won’t be long before we’ll all be enjoying the leisure and entertainment facilities that will be on offer."
Rob Woolcock, Director at Willmott Dixon added: “The topping out ceremony marks a key stage in the construction of Northgate Yard, and we’re delighted to be working with Sedgemoor District Council to deliver this landmark project. Â
"We are committed to leaving a positive legacy in the communities where we build, so it was great to have the pupils from Northgate Primary School at the ceremony to sign the steel and be a part of this exciting development.”Â
The scheme will also feature outdoor meeting places and landscaping. The adjacent green space, Brewery Field, will be improved and updated to feature an outdoor children’s play area and parkland with a pond and landscaped planting.