Telford's Southwater development is on course
[gallery] The £250 million Southwater scheme to transform Telford Town Centre is picking up pace, with new buildings rising up as the project nears its completion.
Builders say they are on target to finish work by April, when an 11-screen Cineworld cinema will open incorporating chain restaurants Harvester, Pizza Express, Chimichanga and Zizzi.
An 85-bedroom Premier Inn will house high street giants Bella Italia, Nandos and Wagamama.
And an iconic piece of architecture clad in gold will become a one stop shop for public services.
Southwater One will be home to a new library and council customer service teams.
Also inside will be the Citizens' Advice Bureau, the primary care trust and the Prince's Trust.
The bare bones of the hotel stand on what was once Southwater Lake and next week builders will pour the first drops of water into the newly carved pool.
Kate Turner, Telford & Wrekin Council's assistant director for development, business and housing, said: "People loved the lake and wanted to retain it and keep the same size so that's what we've done.
"We want it to provide a focal point for families and we are introducing some fun into the public forum with an urban beach scene.
"There will be metal beach huts that people can sit in and instead of benches we will have loungers so it will be quite quirky.
"We are also planning a residential scheme with a lake view which will be really attractive.
"This area will be quite urban gradually blending into the park which will be much greener."
Interesting structures of varying designs will create the new skyline below which people will enjoy boulevard style shopping, alfresco dining and vibrant public spaces.
Now, standing proud behind the shopping centre is outline of the 600 space multi-storey car park.
"We are on target to open at the end of March," said Jeff Boothroyd, project manager for contractor Morgan Sindall which is building Southwater One, public areas and the multi-storey car park.
"We are progressing well," he added. "Half of the frames are up and we are now filling in the brickwork.
"Each building will look individual in terms of design but there's a theme within the choice of brick which will blend them together but set each one its own merit."
He said 97 per cent of the material from demolition of existing buildings had been recycled into the new project.
"The concrete and rock got crushed and used under the footpaths," he said.
