Latest News - Press Release
Walsall Wins ‘gold’ at Midlands top Property Awards - 21 November 2008
Walsall Regeneration Company (WRC) has been acclaimed for overseeing the ‘Regeneration Project of the Year’, winning ‘gold’ at the Midlands’ most prestigious commercial property awards.
WRC chief executive Dr Peter Cromar was presented with the award before an audience of 650 of the region’s leading property figures at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole last night (Thursday).
The award recognises WRC’s leadership in ‘ringmastering’ the private and public sectors to drive the town’s renaissance.
Judges said: “Walsall Regeneration Company put forward a range of strong projects that demonstrated excellence in regeneration, in terms of business and socially.”
WRC’s entry highlighted the £100 million Walsall First scheme - including the new college at the centre of proposals for Walsall Gigaport - the £174 million Manor Hospital development and its involvement with dramatic changes in the town centre.
Dr Cromar said WRC’s ‘ringmaster’ approach gave those it works with the opportunity to exchange best practice, access networks and align business programmes.
WRC chairman Ben Reid said: “This is great news for Walsall. There are some fantastic schemes being developed across the West Midlands, so for Walsall to be voted ‘Regeneration Project of the Year’ shows how far the town has come.
“This is yet another sign that Walsall is on the way back to becoming a leading town in the Black Country and the West Midlands, which is good news for the people of Walsall.”
Dr Cromar was joined on stage by WRC programme director Akshay Parikh and board member Geoff Archenhold. The award was presented by Paul Spooner, the new regional director of the Homes and Communities Agency.
The other finalists were economic regeneration company Transforming Telford and developer St Modwen for its Longbridge, Birmingham, project.
WRC was also a finalist in the Inward Investment of the Year award category.
The Insider Property Awards are run by the Midlands Business Insider magazine.
Ends