News in Brief: February 2017

Barnshaws Section Benders said it has introduced a beam welding service by installing a new semi-automated submerged arc welding machine. The company’s Commercial Director Greg North said: “This machine gives us increased capability to support requirements from customers in demanding industries.”

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has approved the redevelopment of Croydon’s Whitgift shopping centre by the Croydon Partnership – a joint venture between Westfield and Hammerson. The project could create 7,000 jobs, deliver nearly 1,000 new homes, and provide the local community with brand-new leisure and retail facilities, and rejuvenated public spaces.

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet in Ashford, Kent has revealed that a £90M expansion to the discount shopping centre will open by 2019, creating 500 new jobs and bringing in 50 more luxury brands. The company has confirmed that McLaren Construction has been appointed as main contractor for the 9,200m² steel-framed extension.

Kier, VolkerFitzpatrick and Wates have been chosen by Public Health England (PHE) to build its new £400M public health science campus and headquarters in Harlow, Essex. Main construction work will start next year with the campus set to be fully operational by 2023.

The University of Kent has awarded a £13.4M contract to Willmott Dixon to build its new School of Economics. The three-storey facility will be located on the north-western part of the campus in Canterbury and is expected to be ready in time for the 2019-2020 academic year.

In last month’s (January) issue of New Steel Construction we reported that SMD had installed metal decking at 100 Bishopsgate in London; this was incorrect as Prodeck-Fixing did the work.