The City of London Corporation has appointed Turner & Townsend to project manage the construction of a purpose-built wholesale market facility in Dagenham Dock and Gardiner & Theobald as cost consultants
The appointment of Turner & Townsend and Gardiner & Theobald was awarded through the Procure Partnerships Framework and will see the contractors deliver project and cost management services.
The new site is set to become the future home of Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield Markets as part of the City Corporation’s Market Co-Location Programme.
The City Corporation was awarded outline planning approval by the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham in March for the plans which would co-locate the three historic markets together for the first time.
The concept design for the site will be progressed in September.
Turner & Townsend have been tasked with defining the requirements for pre-construction services (including enabling works, surveying and testing of the site and substructures), the management of the construction of three new markets and their ancillary buildings, and with managing the highways and public realm works to meet planning obligations.
Modern facilities for markets thrive and grow
Policy chair at the City of London Corporation, Catherine McGuinness, said: “The appointment of Turner & Townsend and Gardiner & Theobald marks another significant step towards realising our vision of Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield Markets growing and thriving alongside one another at a single state-of-the-art location.
“The Market Co-Location Programme is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create one of Europe’s largest wholesale market destinations. It has the potential to deliver thousands of jobs, training opportunities, millions of pounds to the local economy and billions of pounds to the national economy.
“We are confident our plans will give our markets and traders the modern facilities they need to thrive and grow, delivering significant benefits for future generations.”
Director at Turner & Townsend, Steve Perkins, added: “Market developments are complex and multi-faceted, requiring a full understanding of tenants’ businesses and fresh produce logistics, site operations, health and safety, and customer experience.
“We are looking forward to working with the City of London Corporation, its tenants, and its partners, as well as the new community in Barking, to deliver an exemplar facility reflecting the critical role the traders of Billingsgate, New Spitalfields and Smithfield play in supplying the capital’s fresh produce market.
“Supporting the traders through this migration is critical to the long-term success of this relocation programme.
“We have significant experience working with Covent Garden Market Authority and Birmingham City Council in the delivery of their new wholesale market facilities, and our team will work in close collaboration with the City Corporation as they develop and refine their proposals, setting this incredible programme up for success.”
