Willmott Dixon to deliver £136m Luton town centre regeneration

Willmott Dixon has been awarded a £136 million contract to lead a major mixed-use regeneration scheme in the centre of Luton, marking a key milestone in the town's wider redevelopment strategy.

The project, known as The Stage, is being delivered through the Southern Construction Framework and represents a flagship component of the Luton Town Centre Masterplan. Backed by £20 million from the Government's Local Regeneration Fund, the development will replace the former Bute Street Shoppers car park with new homes, commercial space, and public amenities.

The scheme will deliver 292 apartments, including 84 designated as affordable rental homes. Alongside the residential element, the project will include several commercial units aimed at supporting local businesses, a multi-purpose venue offering curated food and beverage options, and a new public garden square designed to enhance connectivity and green space within the town centre.

Sustainability features prominently in the design, incorporating energy-efficient systems, improved insulation, and on-site renewable energy via photovoltaic panels. The public realm will also include Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) and biodiversity-focused landscaping.

The development's central location near Luton's rail station, bus interchange, and taxi rank is expected to make it one of the town's most accessible destinations for living, working, and visiting.

Stewart Brundell, chief operating officer at Willmott Dixon's construction division, said the project reflects the company’s commitment to delivering integrated regeneration schemes: "The Stage represents exactly the type of comprehensive urban regeneration that can revitalise town centres and create lasting positive impact for communities."

Councillor James Taylor, portfolio holder for Regeneration and Inclusive Growth at Luton Council, said the development is a critical component of the town's strategy to improve its urban core and reduce poverty.

"This is a crucial element of the Town Centre Masterplan and supports our mission to eradicate poverty in Luton. Improving this gateway to the town will help create a more positive first impression," he said.

Willmott Dixon will deliver the scheme in collaboration with consultancy Rider Levett Bucknall and engineering firm WSP. The project adds to the contractor’s growing portfolio of urban regeneration work, which includes recent developments in Oldham, London, and south-west London.