15 Aug, 2024
Works have commenced on a £15 million healthy living centre at The Pentagon Shopping Centre in Chatham. Strategic asset and development manager, Ellandi is working with Medway Council to reinvigorate the shopping centre as part of the council’s wider regeneration plan. In repurposing the redundant retail space in the centre, Ellandi’s analysis showed, that not only were more civic uses needed to address health inequality and crime, but they would also bring an extra million visitors to the centre each year. The shift to civic occupiers would create a more robust mix of occupiers with strong covenants and keep local public sector spending within the borough. Ellandi used evidenced-backed business cases to approach public sector occupiers and show the positive impact a central location would have on their operations: interest began as smaller units grew to much larger anchor space. In 2019 Medway Council acquired their local shopping centre as a pivotal piece in their wider regeneration plan. Three years on The Pentagon is midway into a multi-use civic hub that delivers value for both its community and the council. The regeneration that has taken place will lead to better health and social outcomes for Chatham and will create a stable source of income to fund wider regeneration. Plans include redeveloping the council-acquired office building that sits above the centre to residential accommodation, improving parking and creating ‘pocket parks’ throughout the public realm. NHS Kent and Medway, and Medway Council have worked in partnership to develop proposals to bring it to the Pentagon Centre and create a hub for patients to access a greater range of services, more quickly and conveniently. Brooke Tahau, Director of Development at Ellandi, said: “The development of the James Williams Healthy Living Centre is a great testament to our dedication to enhancing Retail Plus Health. There is a growing imperative to bring healthcare back to the community, and this centre embodies our commitment to providing accessible, comprehensive care in the heart of centres. By working together with the NHS and Medway Council, we are excited to create a space that not only meets the immediate needs of residents but also adapts to future healthcare demands.”) Medway Council’s Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder of Public Health Teresa Murray said: “We are delighted that we are one step closer to opening a first-class health facility in Chatham town centre, providing quality care in an easy-to-access location. “I am honoured to confirm that the new centre is being named after our late Director of Public Health, James Williams. James was an inspirational figure and huge driving force behind improving health outcomes across Medway, as well as addressing health inequalities across the South East. “The James Williams Healthy Living Centre will stand as a fitting tribute to his work and aspirations and is a big step towards helping to reduce health inequality and improving the health and wellbeing of residents in Medway. I look forward to seeing this exciting project start to take shape over the next year.” Paul Bentley, NHS Kent and Medway Chief Executive, said: “This is outstanding news for the people we serve in the Chatham area. We know more needs to be done in parts of Medway to help improve people’s health and wellbeing and this healthy living centre will help people access the right care, in the right place. “With good transport links and a central location, the centre will also have room to expand over time to offer more services for local people meaning we can join up services, to provide care around people’s individual needs.” Medway Council has appointed Ellandi as development manager to lead the team; contractor partn er Bauvill; architecture firm LSI Architects ; and Structural and MEP consultants Ingleton Wood and Black Cat Building Consultancy as project managers.
