Local people have helped shape the future for Wolverhampton’s St George’s, with fresh community feedback calling for a lively and creative multi-use space full of activity day and night.
City of Wolverhampton Council and social impact developer Capital&Centric brought together a multi-generational roundtable, inviting students, young people, older residents, community groups, and academics to share what they want from the city centre site.
The session, chaired by Councillor Chris Burden, Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, discussed the unmet needs of the city, and how the St George’s site should best be developed.
A clear theme emerged: people want an all-day destination with a mix of uses to suit all generations and space for the community and creatives. They called for a strong food and drink offer with room for local independent operators to come together.
With the college and wider learning City Learning Quarter nearby, younger participants also called for comfortable co-working and study space, whilst older residents wanted somewhere relaxed and welcoming in the evening.
Plenty of green space to relax, take part in outdoor exercise and socialise was also high up the agenda. There was strong support for a greener public square at the front of the site, with more seating, better lighting and space for events and informal play.
The discussion forms part of the next stage in shaping plans for the five-acre St George’s neighbourhood, which will also bring hundreds of new homes to the site and place the Grade II listed St George’s church at the heart of the wider community.
Martin Crews, Development Director at Capital&Centric said: “From the outset, we wanted to listen first rather than rock up with a ready-made answer. People want somewhere full of life day and night, whether that’s local independents, a coffee and study spot, or somewhere outdoor to hang out. It’s exactly the kind of community-led thinking that can help make St George’s a real destination for Wolverhampton.”
Councillor Chris Burden, City of Wolverhampton Council Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “It was great to see residents of all ages at the workshop to help understand what they would like to see from this exciting regeneration scheme planned for our city centre.
“It was particularly interesting to note that they all pretty much wanted the future St George’s neighbourhood to deliver similar things.
“Capital&Centric have an excellent track record in delivering complex urban regeneration schemes and this is a chance to deliver much-needed homes alongside events and public spaces, shops and amenities, creating opportunities for our communities and enhancing lives at the heart of the city.”
The wider vision will see award-winning architects Mikhail Riches transform the facade of the former Sainsbury’s building, helping give the retained structure a very different look and feel.
A full planning application is expected to be submitted this autumn following further public consultation.