York-based building group Shepherd has clinched a batch of lucrative contracts nationwide, collectively worth £50 million.

Shepherd Developments, the commercial property development arm of Shepherd Building Group has commenced work on the new Leeds Innovation Centre, which it is jointly developing with the University of Leeds.

This marks the commencement of an important new partnership which renews the long association between Shepherd - one of the largest privately-owned groups in the European building sector - and the university.

The centre, scheduled for completion by next Spring, will provide convenient, well-equipped and serviced accommodation for hi-tech businesses, which will benefit from links to the university.

There will be 30,000 sq ft (2,783 sq m) of gross space and the £2.2 million building cost is being funded by Shepherd. Leeds University has provided the land and the joint developers have formed Leeds Innovation Centre Ltd to manage the completed investment.

Shepherd Developments' chairman and managing director, Mark Shepherd, said: "This will provide first-class accommodation for young and dynamic businesses which will benefit from having the resources of one of the largest and most-respected UK universities on tap."

Vice-chancellor of the University, Professor Alan Wilson, said: "The centre's facilities are tailored to nurture innovative companies during their early stages - traditionally one of the most difficult phases. It will provide a physical base for the enterprises and will boast excellent office and computer networking facilities.

"Money from a recent £4.5 million grant to the White Rose partnership of the Universities of Leeds, York and Sheffield, from the University Challenge Fund will provide seed corn funding for the new companies."

Architects for the Leeds Innovation Centre is Carey Jones; quantity surveyor Franklin & Andrews; the main contractor is Totty; and the letting agent is Knight Grant.

Meanwhile, Shepherd Construction has won a £10.5 million contract to design and build a multi-storey retail and leisure building known as The Circus in Manchester city centre.

The five-storey building will be the focal point of the £20 million leisure scheme in the centre, recently launched by AMEC Developments.

Shepherd is working with structural consultants Ove Arup & Partners and Leslie Jones Architects throughout the project.

Furthermore, Shepherd Construction is working on a prestigious £10 million contract to design and build five high-quality speculative industrial units at Bromford Gate in Birmingham Heartlands, for Richardson Developments.

In addition, work is about to start on Birmingham's Bull Ring Indoor Market. The £23 million contract has been awarded to Shepherd Construction by the Birmingham Alliance - a partnership of three of the UK's largest property developers and investors - Hammerson plc, Henderson Investors and Land Securities plc.

Further South, Shepherd Construction has begun work on a £3.4 million project to refurbish The Clarendon Shopping Centre, in Oxford, for Lothbury Property Trust, the property investment subsidiary of the National Westminster Bank Staff Pension Fund.

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