Work on Kettering’s new Restaurant Quarter started this week with the preparatory works for the Market Place Restaurants.
Over the last few days the site has been secured with fencing and a site compound has been established on the Council’s staff car park. Archaeologists are currently on-site to oversee the necessary underpinning, demolition and excavation works. Come July, the steel structure will rise from the basement level as the building will start to take shape.
The development – which will be complete in Spring next year - will house two ground floor restaurant units and ten high quality apartments, with parking at basement level.
The new building will also see part of the town’s history being restored. Old photographs of the town show the buildings that used to flank the Market Place. The new buildings will bring both businesses and residents to the area contributing to the feel of the Market Place as place that people enjoy and want to return to.
The building marks the second phase of works in and around the historic Market Place. The first phase saw the Market Place refurbished as a focal point for family events, with this second phase comprising the new restaurants and a second phase of Public Realm works (which is due to start in the summer). The scheme is being funded through Growth Fund from the Homes and Communities Agency with support from Northamptonshire County Council and North Northants Development Company (NNDC).
Martin Hammond, Deputy Chief Executive at Kettering Borough Council, said:
“We are pleased to have started this landmark development which will help the regeneration of this part of the town centre.”
Simon Evans, Chief Executive of NNDC, said:
“After all the hard work that has gone into planning this exciting project, it is great that people will now be able to see work get underway. This will be a high quality development in an historic setting. It will provide a safe and attractive family friendly destination in the heart of Kettering, delivering increased footfall for neighbouring retailers and a welcome boost for the town’s evening economy.”
John Sisk & Son Ltd (Sisk) is the lead contractor for the development. Speaking about the project, Chris Dyer Director Midlands Region, Sisk said:
“It’s really pleasing to start work on site having worked closely with the council on the planning permission. We are thrilled Sisk is part of this new scheme that will help shape the next chapter in the historic Market Place of Kettering, as a welcoming setting with distinctive buildings for local people and visitors.”
~ENDS~