Demolition of the run down shopping centre at Symes Avenue has paved the way for a major redevelopment of the Hartcliffe and Withywood areas of Bristol.
The £20m scheme being developed by Morrisons is supported by Bristol City Council, the South West Regional Development Agency and the Hartcliffe and Withywood Community Partnership. The main contractors are Carillion.
The scheme includes building a new 83,000 square foot Morrisons supermarket, which will be the centrepiece of the redevelopment. The new supermarket, which will employ 350 people, is expected to be open by the end of 2007.
A community building and new library are also planned as part of the development and will include meeting areas for visiting community advice services, a creche, meeting and function rooms for hire, and space to train local people in office and IT skills.
Other benefits from the scheme include more than 12,300 square feet of other new retail units; a new play area; improved landscaping; new public art and a replacement scout building in nearby Bishport Avenue. Investment from the project will also support new community transport provision, new community-run youth projects in the local area and new training schemes for local residents.
Peter Holloway, development manager, South West of England Regional Development Agency, said: "It is very encouraging to see that the months of hard work behind the scenes are finally coming to fruition. Symes Avenue is a vital regeneration project for the neighbourhood and one of a series of major investments in South Bristol by the Agency designed to make substantial improvements to the whole area."
Morrisons project manager, James Brook said: "We are delighted to begin work on site and are looking forward to delivering shoppers in south Bristol with their new Morrisons store in late 2007, offering customers an unrivalled shopping experience."
Councillor Barbara Janke, Leader of Bristol City Council, said: "The disused shops along Symes Avenue have been an eyesore that has blighted this part of Bristol for too long. The demolition of the derelict shops, marks a long awaited milestone in our effort to regenerate the area and a visible sign of change.”
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