Williams Tarr have been kept busy throughout the COVID-19 lockdown period. At the outset of restrictions, we had just commenced a £5 million design and build contract on one site for an International manufacturer that was classified as an “essential project”. It was important that construction work on site could continue without delay, to get the facility up and running quickly.

In consultation with our client and health and safety professionals, we worked round-the-clock to devise a comprehensive range of supplementary measures for safe working practices. Thanks to the positive attitude and excellent co-operation from all our staff, supply chain and the client, we have avoided any stoppage of work on site and are on track to complete the contract by the original completion date.

Trevor Hughes, Williams Tarr Contracts and H&S Director, is in charge of the project, keeping a close eye on the works and compliance with H&S guidelines. Trevor explained:

The wealth of experience of COVID Secure measures we’ve gained over the past few months working on this contract has been invaluable as we now resume construction on other sites post-lockdown. We are familiar and strictly compliant with Government rules for ‘COVID-19 Secure in 2020’ and the ‘5 Steps’ that include risk assessment, hygiene, working from home if possible, safe distancing in the workplace and managing transmission risk.

Williams Tarr Managing Director, David Wilkinson commented:

We are fully operational and open for business as usual, with some staff working efficiently from home. However, with the ever-present risk of another spike in the pandemic, we believe that it will be essential to maintain rigorous COVID-19 Secure measures throughout the business for the foreseeable future.

Williams Tarr have commenced the phase one refurbishment of Cheetham Hill Retail Park for Sports Direct Property Ltd. The £2.6m design and build project to reconfigure and refurb half of the park, entails extensive work to the building envelope including an eye-catching new flat ceramic panel façade with expansive curtain walling and feature entrances.

Internally, a large area of floor slab is to be renewed and piled foundations are being installed to support the new 4,000 m² concrete mezzanine floor, which will almost double the phase one retail floor area. Other internal works include new escape staircases, pits for lifts and an escalator, new party walls and modifications to sprinklers and emergency lighting.

External works involve adaptations to the car park and entrance pavings, drainage and mains services.

The busy adjoining stores are occupied by B&M Bargains and Currys/PC World, so it is essential that the work does not impact on their trading whilst ensuring full unhindered and safe access to customers. With completion of the shell scheduled in December, Lidl are set to be one of the new occupiers.

Cube are Project Managers for the Client, Pozzoni are the Architects and WYG are carrying out the structural design.

Williams Tarr M.D. David Wilkinson commented:

We’ve been working with the Sports Direct team developing the design on this scheme for some time and we’re delighted that we can now get construction operations under way.  The new facades will give the park a truly outstanding, modern look on this prominent corner site.