WORK to redevelop the former Market Hall site in Bromsgrove is starting to get underway.

The site, which is currently home to the temporary events space, BirdBox, is set to be transformed into a multi-use building housing flexible office space, with restaurants and bars on the ground floor and a Pavilion building for exhibitions and community events.

A date for physical work to start on the site is yet to be confirmed but the council says residents may spot contractors and officers conducting on-site surveys.

Ecological and topographical studies have already been completed with transport and highways assessments and structural investigations due to take place before the end of the month.

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Leader of Bromsgrove District Council, Cllr Karen May, said: “The development of this site will create a new town centre destination, increasing day-time footfall and strengthening the evening economy to improve the viability and vitality of Bromsgrove.

“BirdBox gave us a taste of what is possible, and we will build on the success of this.

“In the meantime, we really want the community to continue using this space as much as possible.

 “We want to take users of the BirdBox on the journey with us as we look to redevelop this site, so look out for consultation on this coming very soon.

“Whilst the structure of the site might change, think of it as ‘building a better BirdBox’ because we’ll be getting a new and improved indoor and outdoor space for all of our communities, businesses, and residents to enjoy.”

Works to regenerate the site are funded through a £14.5m grant secured by the council from the government’s Levelling Up Fund.

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The grant will also fund the demolition and site clearance work of the former fire station and library on Windsor Street ahead of planned redevelopment by a private residential partner, as well as highway improvements to High Street South.

Residents, organisations, and businesses are being encouraged to continue using the BirdBox, whilst plans to build on the site’s success continue to take shape.

In this interim period, hirers of the event space will also receive help and support from the council for their proposed events, to encourage as many organisations, businesses, or individuals to take up the offer as possible and keep the BirdBox in use ahead of any potential redevelopment.

Cllr May added: “Successfully bidding for the levelling up funding for this project was amazing news and now, lots of work is taking place in the background to take this forward and make our vision a reality.

“A project and cost management consultant along with a multi-discipline design consultant have now been successfully appointed and the ball is well and truly rolling on this project.

“The future for Bromsgrove looks better than ever.”