CONTRACTOR Willmott Dixon has secured a lucrative £9 million contract to carry out improvement works at Delamere Forest.

The company has been appointed by Forestry England to build a new wooden-framed visitor welcome hub to welcome the forest’s 750,000 visitors each year.

Improvements will also be made to accessibility and the car park as well as the construction of a new café, which will include increased indoor and outdoor seating.

Willmott Dixon, part of the Scape National Construction framework, will start work later this month and finish the main phase by summer 2020.

As part of the project, Forest Holidays has also started to create a new cabin location, so people will have the opportunity to stay overnight in a cabin in the heart of Delamere Forest.

Northwich Guardian:

“The new visitor hub is the most significant investment for Forestry England this year and shows how important Delamere Forest is as a visitor destination,” said forest management director Paddy Harrop.

“It is an important green space for people living in nearby cities and towns to come and enjoy, and these new facilities will really improve their experience.”

Mark Robinson, chief executive of Scape Group, added: “Our outdoor spaces are so important for health and well-being, and the new sustainable visitor centre will hugely enhance Delamere Forest’s already fantastic reputation within the local and surrounding communities.

“The expertise within Willmott Dixon will guarantee that the project is delivered with the highest quality whilst ensuring that the site remains open for the visitors.”