Demolition of Glovers Walk shopping centre to begin in "days"
A contractor has been appointed by the council
Last updated 9th Oct 2024
The demolition of a former shopping centre in Yeovil town centre will begin in a matter of days following the appointment of the contractor.
As part of the Yeovil Refresh regeneration programme, South Somerset District Council (and its successor Somerset Council) attempted to bring forward disused brownfield sites within the town centre for redevelopment, including the Glovers Walk shopping centre on Middle Street and the former cattle market off the A30 Reckleford.
The council confirmed in August that it would spend just over £2.7m purchasing the Glovers Walk site and demolishing the structure ahead of a planned regeneration, delivering a mixture of residential and commercial space in the heart of the town.
Having gone out to tender for the demolition in April (at an estimated cost of £1m), the council has now formally appointed Walters UK to demolish the site – and has indicated work could begin by the end of this month.
Survey works have already commenced on the Middle Street site, combined with a range of other activities to make the site ready for demolition.
The initial phase of demolition will focus on the building interiors, with the external structures being tackled from mid-November and the work being completed in its entirety by the early spring of 2025.
Yeovil bus station will remain open throughout this process, with the council working with First Bus and South West Coaches (along with other neighbouring tenants) to “make appropriate arrangements” for access and public safety.
Councillor Mike Rigby, portfolio holder for economic development, planning and assets, said: “Thanks to £4.8m of future high streets funding allocated by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), we can now move forward with the demolition and redevelopment of this strategic site.
“Initially, we will create a new space for temporary ‘meanwhile’ use. This is to ensure that the site – once levelled – is utilised positively and effectively while we consider long-term development options.
“The creation of green spaces featuring a range of activities would be one example of this type of ‘meanwhile’ use.”
The £4.8m grant from MHCLG is being allocated across four residential regeneration schemes in Yeovil town centre, with Glovers Walk receiving the lion’s share at just over £2.7m.
Of the remaining amount, £502,000 will be spent delivering 18 flats and revamped commercial space at 66 Middle Street (the former Turquoise Kitchen restaurant), and £301,000 will be used to deliver nine flats and commercial space at 96 Middle Street (provided that planning permission is swiftly granted.
The final £1,440,500 will go towards delivering 43 affordable flats at Grimsby Corner, as part of a scheme from Taunton-based Acorn Homes which secured planning permission in January.
Jim Webb, regional director of Walters UK, said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the demolition contract that will kick-start the next, final phase of regeneration works as part of the Yeovil Refresh.
“It is a hugely exciting project for us and we very much look forward to working with Somerset Council on this milestone project.”
Love Yeovil and Yeovil Art Space have been commissioned by the council to gain the views and opinions of the local community and organisations in developing this site and the wider town centre.
Further details of this consultation are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.