DSM Demolition has secured a £5.9m contract to clear and remediate the Anglia Square site in Norwich ahead of long-awaited regeneration plans.

The Birmingham-based contractor beat off 14 rivals to land the job, which will see full demolition of all buildings and foundations at the former district shopping centre.

The works include the removal of above and below ground structures and full site remediation. The nine-month programme is expected to start on 28 July and run to May 2026.

The contract award follows Norwich City Council’s purchase of the shopping centre in a bid to revive the stalled £300m Anglia Square redevelopment.

Weston Homes pulled out of the scheme earlier this year citing planning delays, cost inflation and the impact of the second staircase rule.

Anglia Square plan

The council’s acquisition, supported by Homes England, marks a major milestone in efforts to transform the northern city centre with around 1,100 new homes.

A further grant bid has been submitted to Homes England to help fund demolition and enabling infrastructure needed to get the wider scheme moving.

Norwich received 15 tenders for the demolition job, with all but one coming from SMEs. Unsuccessful bidders included John F Hunt Regeneration, R. Collard, Armac Demolition, Downwell and Total Reclaims Demolition.