282 - The Galleries Redevelopment Project

The Council is seeking a Strategic Development Partner ("SDP") who is able to work with the Council on a long term basis.

The role of the SDP is expected to include development management, devising a funding strategy and overseeing delivery of the Scheme. It is also anticipated that the SDP will have the opportunity to act as developer on elements of the Scheme to be agreed through the procurement process.

It is anticipated that the Scheme will be brought forward on a phased basis due to the size of site and scale of development opportunity available. The Council wishes to appoint a SDP who can not only partner with the Council on a long term basis but also be flexible in their approach to each phase of development. This will include tailoring the SDP's role and level of commercial return to reflect the specific circumstances of each development phase.

The Council's key requirement for the redevelopment of the Site ("the Project") include

• repurposing surplus retail and other redundant space within the Site boundary for uses which help to support the economic development of the Town Centre which includes increasing footfall, encouraging an evening economy and helps to catalyse further development within the town;
• the Site should be developed for a mixture of uses that could include, but are not limited to residential, hotel, food and beverage, a new leisure offer, (such as cinema or bowling), market /independent retail, education, health and/or flexible workspaces;
• as part of the new development scheme the Council would like to provide new facilities for the indoor market within the Site, which will help to improve both the quality and mix of market stalls and to increase the market's prominence on the High street where the intention is to relocate it inside the former Marketgate building;
• to improve the pedestrian permeability of the Site and to connect with other areas of the Town Centre;
• to deliver a Scheme of a high architectural and urban design quality, which responds positively to the surrounding conservation areas and creates a new place within the Town Centre;
• to work with the Council and other key Town Centre stakeholders, over an extended period of time, in a strategic partnership to deliver the Project working together to deliver a phased regeneration of the Site.