Edward Street Quarter, the £120 million redevelopment of the former Amex House site in Brighton, is implementing a substantial £9,059,004 of benefits to the city in its first year of construction, despite the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Since work began on the site in November 2019, property developer First Base and main contractor, McLaren, have worked closely to deliver an ongoing social value action plan. The plan’s focus has been on local employment and training, including voluntary support services for the unemployed such as CV advice, mock interviews and career mentoring.
Earlier in the year, McLaren held a construction skills certification event for disadvantaged youths. The event provided a unique opportunity for those looking to develop the confidence, skills and credentials needed to succeed in long-term employment in the construction industry.
In addition, McLaren has targeted local businesses to partner with through its supply chain, further ensuring the development benefits the local economy, employment and lives of local people for many years to come.
During the development process, First Base has played an active role within Brighton’s business community, providing expert business advice to local SMEs and partnering with Brighton Chamber, sponsoring its annual summit and organising networking events for local businesses.
Steve Eccles, Project Director at First Base, commented: “Edward Street Quarter is an incredibly special development which is already adding significant value to the wider community. For instance, we now have several full-time employees from the immediate area, who were previously unemployed, working on-site. We also have a number of local young people in training or on apprenticeship schemes with us.
“In addition to opportunities on-site, Edward Street Quarter has been supporting the local school, charities, community groups and Brighton-based businesses wherever possible – sourcing locally-based staff and services.
“This is a great start and much of the local support provided has been particularly appreciated in these current times. We look forward to continuing to deliver genuine social, economic and environmental value in Brighton & Hove long into the future.”
As part of their efforts, First Base and McLaren have made significant financial contributions to a range of community projects including £2,000 to the Young City Reads campaign for the provision of books for local primary school, Carlton Hill.
Local youth charity, Tarner Community Project, received funding for its annual ‘Winter Warmer’ event which caters for hundreds of neighbourhood residents, and donations of food for vulnerable local people. First Base and McLaren also funded care packages for local care workers, in partnership with a local community organisation.
As the biggest office development to come to Brighton in over 25 years, Edward Street Quarter will deliver 110,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, 39,000 sq ft of retail and leisure units and 168 new apartments.
