Transforming Shrewsbury’s Riverside: Delivering Major Demolition, Regeneration, and Lasting Social Value for the Smithfield Quarter

As the appointed Principal Contractor, Cawarden successfully delivered the full enabling, demolition, and site preparation works for the landmark Riverside Shopping Centre regeneration scheme. This complex project required the safe removal of multiple interconnected structures in a live town-centre environment – while maintaining public safety, minimising disruption, and protecting adjacent assets.

The works encompassed the demolition of:

• Medical Centre
• Shopping area
• Offices
• Market
• Night club
• Pride Hill bridge
• Raven Meadows bridge

Operating in the centre of a busy urban environment, our role extended far beyond demolition, ensuring meticulous planning, risk management, and community engagement at every stage.

Enabling & Demolition Works

Before the main demolition phase commenced, we implemented a comprehensive enabling programme to ensure safety, regulatory compliance, and minimal disruption to surrounding businesses and residents.

The demolition phase combined manual precision with mechanical efficiency, adapting techniques to each structure’s unique challenges:

• Scaffold-Assisted Deconstruction: Erection of encapsulated scaffolding to control dust, debris, and protect the public realm.
• Mechanical Demolition: Deployment of high-reach demolition machine for larger structural elements, including the shopping centre and multi-storey office buildings.
• Remote-controlled Brokk and Crane Operations: A remote-controlled Brokk was used to assist with bridge dismantlement work whilst mobile cranes were used to lift down large primary beams and bridge components, ensuring safe removal without overstressing remaining structures.
• Manual Dismantling: Selective hand removal of glazing, delicate architectural features, and high-value materials for recycling or re-use.
• Bridge Demolition: Pride Hill and Raven Meadows bridges were dismantled in a controlled sequence
• Slab & Foundation Removal: Breaking out and excavation of concrete slabs and substructures to leave a clean, development-ready footprint.
• Specialist Removals: Demolition of the disconnected substation

Earthworks & Remediation

Following demolition, we carried out reclamation, remediation, and targeted earthworks, including the removal of contaminated “hot spots” identified in the SI report. We installed a reinforced piling mat to create a stable and secure foundation platform, enabling the next phase of construction to proceed safely and efficiently while meeting all engineering standards. This ensured the land was environmentally sound and primed for regeneration.

Sustainability Highlights

• Material Recovery & Recycling – Over 99% of the demolition materials were recycled, including on-site crushing of concrete and brick into 6F2 aggregate.
• Environmental Protection – Advanced dust suppression, continuous noise and vibration monitoring, and tree root protection systems implemented.
• Circular Economy Practices – Salvaged and reused structural elements such as bricks, slates, metal beams, and roofing components.
• Biodiversity Awareness – Tree protection zones established, nesting bird checks undertaken, and site teams briefed through targeted toolbox talks.

Challenges & Solutions

Operating in a dense, high-traffic urban location demanded advanced planning and agile execution.

• Urban Constraints – Strategic demolition sequencing minimised disruption to surrounding properties and transport routes.
• Logistics & Safety – Careful scheduling of heavy deliveries and road/footpath closures to maintain public safety.
• Environmental Compliance – Real-time monitoring for air quality, dust, and noise, ensuring works remained within permitted thresholds.
• Flood Risk Management – Given the site’s location in an Environment Agency flood zone, a flood risk plan was developed, with the team registered for real-time alerts and ready to act when needed.

By integrating these measures, we ensured the Smithfield Riverside Shopping Centre works were delivered responsibly, safely, and with lasting value for the local area.

Engaging the Community & Driving Social Value

Understanding that strong local engagement is key to a successful project, we took a proactive, people-first approach. From the earliest stages, our site management team worked to build trust, ensure transparency, and deliver real social value alongside the demolition and enabling works.

The Impact: A New Chapter for Shrewsbury

We were proud to play our part in this major regeneration project to pave the way for the Smithfield Riverside area to transform into a dynamic, mixed-use, and accessible new quarter – with a new park at its heart and a future-led development designed to enrich the city’s urban fabric.

This case study showcases how our expertise can drive urban regeneration while maintaining a commitment to sustainability and community well-being.