Wolverhampton 2016 regeneration highlights

Regeneration in Wolverhampton has been powering forward through 2016, with new developments springing up across the city as part of £3.7 billion of investment in the pipeline or on site. There is more to come in 2017 - but for now we take a look back at this year’s highlights. Watch video…

Hope Centre benefit from Heath Town relocation

Residents are already beginning to feel the benefits of City of Wolverhampton Council regeneration under the Heath Town estate Masterplan.

It will bring new housing, refurbished homes, and improved leisure space.

As part of this, the ground and lower ground floors of Ling House have been refurbished to provide new office and community space for the Hope Centre. 

The charity, whose roots on the estate go back more than 30 years, has been relocated from its dated Chervil Rise premises, which are due to be demolished as part of the wider transformation.

The centre supports people in need in Wolverhampton through youth intervention, family support, women’s empowerment, older people engagement and volunteering programmes.  Its strength lies in outreach work.  Every activity undertaken at Hope comes from door-knocking and listening to the community’s needs.

The work on the new premises was completed by the council’s Strategic Construction Partner, Wates Living Space, in time for Hope to carry out its Christmas activities. Read more...

December 22  |  Issue 36

Final three shortlisted for city Interchange design competition

City of Wolverhampton Council has revealed the battle to win the Wolverhampton Interchange design competition is down to the final three contenders.

The full brief was released last month and focuses on i9, the former Steam Mill site, and a refreshed masterplan for the remaining parcels of land within the city’s £132 million transport hub and commercial gateway.

Ten of the UK’s leading architects and urban design practices put forward submissions.

AHR, Glenn Howells Architects, and Barton Willmore have made the final shortlist and will present to a judging panel at the end of January. Read more...

Civic Halls to close for full refurbishment to get underway

Wolverhampton’s Civic Halls will hold their last event on Friday, December 23 before closing for full refurbishment works to get underway in the New Year.

Enabling works on the multi-million pound refurbishment of the Grade II listed venue were completed earlier this year. 

The doors to the Civic Halls temporarily reopened in October for a host of big-name events, which wrap up with Roy Chubby Brown on Friday. 

The contractor will be named in January when the main works will start. Read more...