A dedicated interactive hub for the ongoing city centre improvement works has this week opened in Queen Square.

The ‘Urban Room’ will provide drop-in sessions at set times, pre-booked meeting opportunities and direct assistance from staff at City of Wolverhampton Council and contractor, Taylor Woodrow​.

It will give businesses, residents and visitors easy access to information about the scheme and dedicated support for any concerns or issues they have as the two-and-a-half-year programme, which started in January, progresses.

The first Urban Room sessions will initially take place between 12pm and 1.30pm on Tuesdays, with the plan to increase the number of sessions over time.

Works on the major £19million transformation of Wolverhampton city centre are underway on Darlington Street and will move onto Lichfield Street and Queen Square. It follows extensive consultation with businesses, the public and key stakeholders.

The completed scheme will deliver high-quality improvements such as wider, brighter, safer streets; vibrant public events spaces; more trees, greenery and seating; and easy access for buses, cycles and taxis.

The aim is to stimulate more visitors and spend with businesses and act as a catalyst for further investment, while contributing to creating a pleasant environment to support and encourage healthy city living lifestyles.

It is the third and final phase of City of Wolverhampton Council’s city centre improvements programme following completed schemes in the Victoria Street and University of Wolverhampton at The Halls areas that have seen regular events staged in the new spaces, increasing city centre footfall and economic spend and attracting new investment such as Superbowl UK, set to open their new venue in the Mander Centre units off Victoria Street on May 21.

Councillor Chris Burden, the council’s Cabinet Member for City Development, Jobs and Skills, said: “We want people to enjoy our city centre from the moment they arrive, and these works are the next step in our transformation plans that are delivering positive outcomes.

“This is a scheme for everyone, and the Urban Room is another way we are connecting with businesses, residents and visitors to ensure they are supported during the works and fully understand it so they can maximise the opportunities it presents to them.

“Funded totally by external funding, it will create an enhanced walking, cycling and dwell space, as well as infrastructure for events and attractions, and a better environment for city centre living, which will all help boost the local economy.

“The works will also complement other transformational development schemes already underway or in the pipeline in the city centre, including the £150 million Interchange and commercial district, and thousands of new homes coming at Smithgate and Canalside – all helping to create hundreds of new jobs and further investment opportunities.”

Stuart Townsend, Taylor Woodrow Operations Manager, said: “We are excited to announce our drop-in sessions for businesses and members of the public to address any queries, concerns, or compliments.

“During these sessions, we will showcase drawings of the scheme, have updates on our social value projects locally, and we will be displaying information, including a video about the scheme.

“Additionally, we will provide information about our chosen charities, The Way Youth Project Board, and have brochures available for career opportunities. “This is a positive step in keeping stakeholders and the passing public updated on how we Taylor Woodrow and the council are working together to deliver a better city centre.”

Funding for the scheme consists of £13.5million from the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) fund, £3million from the Towns Fund and £2.6million from the Active Travel Fund.