05/03/2026 - Groundbreaking ceremony marks start of The Stage construction

Council leaders, project partners and key stakeholders gathered today (Thursday 5 March) to put the symbolic first spades in the ground.

The assembled audience heard speeches from council chief executive Mark Fowler and Cllr James Taylor, portfolio holder for Regeneration and Inclusive Growth, who spoke about how The Stage fits into the long-term vision and wider regeneration of the town. 

Luton South and South Bedfordshire MP Rachel Hopkins and Simon Ramage, managing director for lead delivery partner Willmott Dixon’s London and East construction region, also spoke, before guests headed out on to the construction site itself.

The Stage is being built on what was most recently a car park. The site had also previously housed the town’s main bus station, and before that the Luton Bute Street railway station. 

Once complete in 2028, the development will deliver:

• 292 apartments, including 84 affordable rental units

• Commercial space

• 600-capacity performance venue

• Food and drink area

• Public garden square

The Stage is a major project within the Luton Town Centre Delivery Plan, and is partly funded with £20 million from the Local Regeneration Fund (previously the Government’s Levelling Up Fund).

Councillor James Taylor, portfolio holder for Regeneration and Inclusive Growth at Luton Council, said: “The Stage is our largest capital investment in a generation, and the latest milestone in our journey to reshape our town centre for the long term. Together with Power Court, we will create a vibrant new gateway to the town centre, elevating the area to new heights.

“It was wonderful to come together with some of our key partners to celebrate that we are turning this vision into reality.”

Mark Fowler, Chief Executive of Luton Council, said: “Our recently launched Economic Growth Strategy is driving inclusive and sustainable growth over the long term, turning Luton into a regional powerhouse for investment, innovation and skills.

“The scale of opportunity in Luton is huge, and The Stage is an integral part of this future success. Today’s groundbreaking signals progress, and demonstrates that regeneration in Luton is not theoretical, it is happening.”

Rachel Hopkins, MP for Luton South and South Bedfordshire, said: “It was brilliant to be a part of the groundbreaking ceremony for The Stage today. This moment not only acts as a marker for this exciting development to begin taking shape physically, but also the start of a new chapter of regeneration and investment in our town centre.

"With works to install lifts at Luton Station and Luton Town Football Club’s new Power Court Stadium under way, our town centre will transform over the next few years, becoming a hub of economic opportunity and investment. We are reinvigorating pride in Luton, making our town a fantastic place to live, work and be.”