Carillion Secures Third Modus Contract

07/07/04

Business and Construction Services company Carillion has negotiated a £13m contract from Modus Properties Ltd. The Windmill Shopping Centre in Smethwick will comprise a two-storey Market hall, a terrace of seven retail units, an Asda superstore shell and construction of a replacement Sunday School and Gospel Hall for the local community.

Carillion will start on site in July with the staged demolition of existing masonry buildings. In keeping with Carillion’s commitment to sustainable construction, the demolition materials will be crushed and recycled for use in the permanent works. Construction of the new Gospel Hall will re-use some of the original stained glass from the old building which will later be demolished. Completion of the 63-week contract is scheduled for October 2005.

Carillion Commercial Director, Paul Atkinson says, “We are delighted to be carrying out this contract for one of our key clients, Modus. This project forms the first part of a regeneration project in Smethwick’s Cape Hill area. It has the full backing of the local council with a view to kick-starting other developments in the area.

“Regeneration is a sector within which Carillion is providing significant added value through the capability available across the organisation. Through an ability to partner with both the public and private sectors Carillion is able to “join up” complex inter-related regeneration initiatives to deliver projects that create real social and economic benefits within the areas we operate, as is the case with the Cape Hill area.”

Sandwell’s cabinet member for urban form Councillor Bob Badham said: “ I very much welcome this development by Modus in Cape Hill. This is part of the council’s overall strategy to support investment in and the redevelopment of all of the borough’s town centres. There are lots of things going on in Sandwell at the moment, with major developments in all of our town centres. These show that the council's efforts to attract developers to the borough are bearing fruit.”

Development Director for Modus, Mike Riddell said: “The extensive regeneration plans will offer the residents of Smethwick a modern and pleasant shopping environment to be proud of.”

This is Carillion’s third contract for property developer Modus Properties. In 2001 they completed the £10m construction of a new police station, courts, fire station and Asda shell at Peterlee in Durham, and are currently nearing completion of a £5m shopping centre at Whitley Bay, Tyne and Wear.