In February 2005, Regenter won the PFI contract for the construction and maintenance of a new walk-in joint service centre in the heart of the Bentilee residential community in Stoke on Trent. The project involved the demolition of the existing centre, the design and construction of the replacement building and the provision of maintenance and domestic services to the centre for 25 years.
Prior to embarking on the work, Regenter erected a temporary retail village to ensure existing shops in the former centre could continue serving the local community during the project. Regenter also agreed to underwrite income from these shops until they were re-housed within the new centre and, furthermore, to guarantee rent to Stoke on Trent City Council for any vacant retail units in the new building. All the former site’s retailers were offered first refusal on availability in the joint service centre and Regenter is pleased to say that the large majority transferred across.
Construction was completed and the Centre became fully operational in February 2007. The new joint service centre offers local residents access to local authority, primary care and community services under one roof. A doctor’s surgery, dentist, housing office, library, computer suite and youth centre are located alongside a number of retail units which include a pharmacy and community café.
