Origin Retail Property Services – Middleton Grange Shopping Centre, Hartlepool

BCE Northern Ltd were appointed as Principal Contractor by Origin Retail Property Services following a rigorous selection/tender process undertaken by Middleton Grange Shopping Centre’s Managing Agents, Cushman & Wakefield, for approved selected Contractors.

The works consisted of the reconstruction of Queen’s Parade, a major public area & pedestrianised route and main access to the recently refurbished shopping mall.

The scope of works involved the lifting and disposal of the existing pavement materials, reconstruction of drainage outfalls and supply and laying of new high quality decorative paving and features to enhance the entrance of the Shopping Centre which covered approximately 1,000m2.

The entire length of the scheme was fronted and faced with the busy shopping centre retail units, and as part of our contractual obligations we were required to maintain complete uninterrupted access at all times for both staff and shopping centre visitors.

As a consequence a robust Health & Safety procedure was planned and adopted by all stakeholders involved to ensure the safe and uninterrupted progress required.

As Principal Contractor a fully prepared CDM Health & Safety file was managed throughout the project with all relevant risk assessments and method statements produced and approved by the Client prior to works commencing on site.

This involved extensive signing and guarding, with phased dated and scheduled “change overs” of pedestrian traffic flows and sequenced letter drops and site liaison with a designated Site Officer who dealt with Centre Management and Retailers on a daily basis.

Throughout the duration of the phased works a fully fenced, signed and guarded safety fence was erected to the perimeter of the works.

All works were undertaken whilst the Centre remained live and during normal working hours with zero incidents affecting the General Public, Workforce or Retailers.

All works were completed ahead of time and within the scheme budget.