Northgate Yard Bridgwater, UK

Client

Sedgemoor District Council

Location

Bridgwater

Project Value

£16m

Sector

Leisure

Northgate Yard is a £16million development featuring a 7-screen cinema, 8-lane bowling alley, sports bar and four restaurants.

The Northgate Yard Project in Bridgwater was initiated as part of the town’s regeneration strategy.

Located within the defined boundary of Bridgwater’s town centre, the site covers approximately 1.1 hectares, and its strategic location offers excellent connectivity to the surrounding road network, with easy access to Junctions 23 and 24 of the M5 Motorway. Previously, the site housed various commercial and recreational facilities, including the Sedgemoor Splash swimming pool. However, following its closure, the site was primarily used as town centre parking, and the proximity of the site to key destinations, such as Angel Place Shopping Centre and Brewery Field, made it an ideal location for redevelopment.

After successfully navigating a competitive tender process, Corstorphine & Wright were appointed as the Lead architects for the Development.

Our first step was to engage with the Council to thoroughly understand their vision and objectives, which included:

Delivering a cinema-led leisure development with 4 restaurants and a gym, by Autumn 2022;

Delivering the project within the agreed project budget and programme;

Delivering a high-quality design that promotes a positive image for the town centre;

Engaging positively with town centre stakeholders during the design and delivery phase; and

Ensuring value for money and a lasting, positive legacy is created for the scheme.

We recognised the importance of delivering a design that respected the town’s existing context while enriching the surrounding fabric both visually and physically.

Because of this, community engagement was central to our approach, and we conducted a series of public consultations to ensure that our design aligned with local needs and preferences.

With this understanding, we utilised the SCF framework to execute the project efficiently, sustainably, and in alignment with Bridgwater’s broader vision.

This approach allowed us to bring Willmott Dixon on board early in the process and, upon their involvement, it became apparent that the project’s costs were exceeding initial estimates. We conducted several value engineering exercises to address this, ensuring that the design met its objectives while remaining cost-effective.

The cinema building, featuring six screens, a boutique studio auditorium, and a Director’s Lounge, was designed to offer a diverse range of film choices and a premium viewing experience. Leveraging our extensive experience with cinema projects, we addressed the technical challenges of sound and acoustics, applying our lessons learned and sharing knowledge throughout the process. We also encouraged the local cinema chain to relocate to the new site, enhancing the cultural fabric of the area.

The lower-scale A3 units and the first-floor leisure building create a dynamic façade overlooking the square, with glazed shopfronts activating the ground level.

We played a key role in securing suitable occupiers for the building, which includes both large chain and local business tenants, as well as identifying the operator for the bowling and sports bar facility on the first floor.

Recognising the need to mitigate noise from the first-floor bowling alley, we implemented additional acoustic treatments in the ceilings to protect the tenants below.

The architectural design reflects a contemporary interpretation of Bridgwater’s history, with exposed brick bases, stone-look cladding panels, and vertical fins that echo the site’s industrial past. We also designed the roofs to be adaptable for future installation of photovoltaic panels should the tenants choose to, ensuring the development is future-proofed and sustainable for years to come.

Sustainability

In line with the town’s vision of becoming an energy-conscious and environmentally responsible community, our design prioritised sustainability.

The development utilised a range of energy-efficient strategies, including improved building fabric, enhanced air tightness, and the incorporation of renewable energy technologies where possible.

The choice of building materials prioritised those with high sustainability ratings, locally sourced materials, and responsible sourcing practices.

Water efficiency measures, such as the use of water-efficient sanitaryware, were implemented to reduce water consumption. We also integrated a Sustainable Drainage System that channels water from the carpark into the park area at Brewery Field. This system includes a pond and swale, designed to naturally filter contaminants from water as it flows through. The aquatic plants in the pond and swale help clean the water of pollutants and sediment, enhancing water quality. This setup not only manages runoff effectively but also increases biodiversity and ecological value in the park.

Other biodiversity enhancements, such as bird and bat boxes, native tree planting, and species-rich hedgerows, were integrated into the design to support local wildlife. This approach has provided valuable educational opportunities for local schools and the community. The integration of sustainable features serves as a living classroom where students can learn about water management, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship. Local schools, including Northgate Primary School, can use these features for hands-on learning experiences, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainability practices.

Ultimately, the Northgate Yard development has invigorated Bridgwater by stimulating economic growth and supporting local businesses, while also enhancing the town’s appeal.

This project exemplifies how strategic design and community collaboration can transform urban environments, standing as a testament to our ability to deliver impactful projects that generate lasting benefits.

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