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In the April issue of


The Business Magazine


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www.businessmag.co.uk Vision turns into reality


As The Business Magazine was going to press last month luxury cars were being unloaded from the recovered containership Hoegh Osaka. What could have been a maritime disaster which blocked a crucial waterway was avoided, but the incident, coupled with roadworks and rising rail costs, has brought numerous Southampton access issues into focus, while existing, inspiring regeneration continues, writes Sue Hughes


Watermark WestQuay (Photo courtesy of Hammerson)


“Progress with the plans for Royal Pier and the actual start of site work on the WestQuay Watermark project are proof that the face of Southampton really is changing,“ said Hampshire Chamber chief executive Stewart Dunn.


“Turning a long-term blueprint for city centre regeneration into practical action on the ground is not easy. It requires a complex, holistic Master Plan rather than a piecemeal approach. To get us to this exciting stage, a huge amount of work has been done by local and central government in partnership with the business community and our universities.


“Of course, much still remains to be done but the prize will be a reinvigorated international maritime city that creates and maintains lasting jobs and is a catalyst for further growth.


“It is entirely right that we see leisure and retail- led regeneration at WestQuay. These are both vital elements in a revitalised city, even more so when they spring from hitherto derelict or vacant brownfield land. The WestQuay development also features high-quality housing, public-realm improvements and flexible employment space, all equally essential regeneration ingredients.


“By transforming the seafront through bold redevelopment, the Royal Pier plans will, I believe, deliver many onward economic opportunities along with a better transport network. The new purpose-built Red Funnel terminal at Trafalgar Dock will be an excellent boost for leisure and business passengers.


“There is no doubt that construction work creates disruption for residents, commuters


and businesses. Temporary changes to road networks and increased heavy site traffic can be annoying, but I‘m afraid it‘s a case of ‘no pain, no gain‘ when the long-term benefit will be a vastly improved city. At the same time, we call on the planners and traffic managers to do all they can to co-ordinate the various regeneration schemes so as to minimise the impact on transport infrastructure during construction.“


Southampton was named best cruise departure port in the country for the sixth year in 2014, with more than 1.5 million passengers passing through its terminals. Southampton Airport is under new ownership but operating as before, and recently introduced links which allow passengers to fly (via Dublin) to North America.


However, what is occurring in the very heart of the city is good news for 2015. Watermark WestQuay is starting on site with three occupiers already announced, and the Arts Complex is progressing well, again with an occupier announced.


Other announcements cover plans for the former Meridian Studios, Chapel Riverside and St Mary‘s Road. Inland Homes hopes to turn the brownfield, riverside site into a mixed-use development, after being chosen by Southampton City Council as development partner. Inland intends to seek planning permission for a mixed-use development consisting of approximately 6,500 sq m of commercial space and some 350 residential homes and flats, in addition to a new public park and an extension of the existing riverside walkway. It expects to submit the application in the second half of 2015.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – MARCH 2015


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