Parkgate Development, Solihull

Local regeneration mixes commercial and community

A £33m retail and residential project is breathing new life into the Shirley district of Solihull, in the West Midlands. But it’s been a complex development.

BAM has not just been working on a new food superstore, retail spaces and homes in what’s now known as Parkgate, but also regenerating small-scale community facilities.

Project details

Customer: Shirley Advance
Architect: Nicol Thomas
Quantity surveyor: DBK Partners
Structural engineer: Nolan Associates
M&E Services engineer: DW Pointer & Partners

View related projects

500+

vehicles can park in the underground car park

years of planning challenges

800

new jobs could be created by the development

Commercial success

Parkgate is attracting leading retailers to the town, generating new jobs and creating a better experience for shoppers.

The BAM team worked day and night in the final few weeks to make sure that ASDA – the anchor superstore – opened on time. More than 600 local people attended its official opening.

Investing in local people

The team has also been updating community facilities including Shirley Park itself, Royal British Legion and Scout Group buildings, and the Shirley Baptist Church.

BAM worked with Solilhull Council to recruit sub-contractors, giving local firms the opportunity to work on this important scheme for the town.

A long wait for a positive outcome

Planning issues meant the project was nearly a decade in the pipeline. But ultimately the redevelopment has been well received. Local resident Simon Mciniery said: “They have done an amazing job in a short amount of time.”

Another comment – left on a local resident’s Facebook page who has been recording the project’s progress – sums up the community’s reaction…

(A) massive thank you from Shirley Baptist Church, Solihull UK to BAM for all the hard work that went into our new halls! We had our opening celebration this Sunday and everyone was blown away by the quality of the building.

Don't just take our word for it...

“Welcome to Shirley’s new shopping experience.”

The Parkgate website has all the latest news and photographs
Local magazine ‘Your Solihull’ showcased the improvements BAM has made to Shirley Park.

Read the feature
“No doubt it will act as a catalyst for further development and regeneration in the area.”

The Birmingham Post spoke to Robert Birch from Shirley Advance as the development finally opened in May 2014.

See the article
A Facebook page maintained by a local resident has tracked the progress of Parkgate over the years since 2011, with many fascinating photos and stories.

Visit the page

Tags: Retail Mixed development Midlands

Parkgate Development, Solihull

Local regeneration mixes commercial and community