Jobs boost for Watford as BAM secures shopping centre deal

Five hundred construction jobs will be created in Watford following news that BAM Construction has won a contract to build an extension to the town's shopping centre.

Retail client Intu's £100M plans include joining together the one million square foot Watford shopping centre with the adjoining Charter Place shopping centre, which will be partly rebuilt and renovated.

Once complete the extended facility will provide 1.4 million square foot of retail, dining and leisure space including a cinema. A new public square will also be created to host community events.

BAM will initially develop designs for the shopping centre extension, which include demolition of the old precinct, refurbishment of a car park and provision of a feature canopy roof over the public square.

BAM Construction director Adam Harding said: "The plans for Intu Watford are very exciting and our work on the extension section will create a townscape in keeping with the heritage of the area. In the process we will be bringing 500 construction jobs which will be good news for the town."

Intu regional director Rebecca Ryman added: "The redevelopment of Intiu Watford and the adjoining centre will transform the town into a major retail and leisure destination considerably boosting its position in the UK retail rankings, placing it firmly in the top 20."