Fort Regent revamp 'taking longer than expected'

A project to upgrade Fort Regent is taking longer than expected, officials have said.

Jersey Development Company's plans for the £110m revamp in St Helier, includes a 2,500-seat theatre, a 12-lane bowling alley, a six-screen cinema, play areas, climbing and bouldering facilities and places to eat and drink.

The island's government said the scheme was delayed, partly due to the election period and partly because of refinements to the scope of works within phase one of the project.

Official said £43m already approved for Fort Regent remained in the 2027 budget proposals and project leaders were committed to the first phase of works.

The funding would cover the essential repairs and infrastructure needed to secure the building and enable future phases, officials said.

The government said it would include repairs to the historic roof and extensive glazing, conservation works to the walls, the replacement and upgrading of outdated services, and drainage and fire safety improvements.

It said design work was continuing and the current programme was to submit a final planning application for the phase one works towards the end of November.

"Fort Regent is a complex listed Georgian fort," officials said.

"The design, planning and conservation considerations required for a project of this nature add to the time needed to ensure the work is carried out appropriately."

The government said, subject to planning approval, expressions of interest would be sought from the construction market in the new year, ahead of the main procurement process.

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