News in Brief: July/August 2021

Steelwork contractor Severfield has reported an 11% revenue increase to £363.3M for the year ending March 2021, compared to £327.4M in 2020, which represents a ten-year high for the Group. Underlying profit before tax was slightly down to £24.3M, compared to £28.6M the previous year and Severfield Group CEO Alan Dunsmore said this demonstrates the resilience of the Group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Manchester City Council has appointed Laing O’Rourke to construct the Abraham Moss Library and Leisure Centre in Crumpsall, forming a major key part of the area’s ongoing regeneration. The facility will have a sports hall, two squash courts, gym and dance studio, along with a modern library. It will also have a six-lane swimming pool, learner pool, steam room and sauna.

Plans for the proposed redevelopment of Liverpool FC’s Anfield Road Stand have been given the green light by the city council’s planning committee. The redevelopment will increase the stadium’s capacity by around 7,000, taking Anfield’s overall capacity to more than 61,000.

The multi-million-pound transformation of Darlington railway station has taken a major step forward as a formal planning application has been submitted to Darlington Council. The £100M redevelopment will create three new platforms on the east side of the existing station to accommodate current and future services, a new station building and a footbridge linking the new platforms and building with the existing station.

Kier has been appointed by Sunderland City Council to create a new £12.5M special educational needs (SEN) school for disabled children. The project has been procured through the North East Procurement Organisation (NEPO) framework. The 4000m² new-build school is set to replace a current facility that is at the end of its life. Provsions for pupils will include rebound therapy, a hydrotherapy pool, sensory facilities, soft play and each class will have a storage area for mobility equipment.