Construction giant Urban Splash has restarted work on its building sites and at its modular factory after taking “robust” precautions to keep workers and the public safe.
The Manchester-based company suspended operations across the UK in March 2020 as the pandemic crisis tightened its grip on the UK.
But it said that following housing minister Robert Jenrick’s call for developers to get back to work it has taken the decision to restart operations.
It is understood the company is bringing back furloughed workers in phases with factory and construction site staff following strict and “robust” safety procedures. Non-site staff will continue to work from home.
The company, which docked shareholding directors’ pay by 30% during lockdown, has restarted work at its House by Urban Splash modular factory, in the East Midlands, and is now in action again at building projects including Port Loop in Birmingham, New Islington and Avro in Manchester, Park Hill in Sheffield and the Melville building at Plymouth’s Royal William Yard. It has also acquired some new sites during the lockdown.
Urban Splash chairman Tom Bloxham said: “The health and wellbeing of our team, suppliers and subcontractors has been the driver in every decision we’ve made this past month. And now, following the latest Construction Leadership Council guidelines, we are pleased to recommence construction, while continuing to keep our hard working colleagues safe.
“We have taken the time to brief colleagues in-depth on the specific processes at each site, allowing them to adhere to robust new health and safety measures, new ways of working and respect social distancing guidelines; with these in place, we are confident that we can protect our workforce and will continue to monitor the guidelines issued by the Government moving forward.”
Urban Splash stressed that measures have been put in place to ensure safe working environments. For example, operatives and subcontractors have spent the past fortnight implementing new ways of working, before fully reopening the Plymouth site this week.
Urban Splash and lead contractor atelierBUILD are transforming the Melville building, a Grade I listed structure standing in the centre of Royal William Yard, into offices and commercial space.
Cornwall-headquartered Hubbox is due to open a water-facing restaurant, and “sofa” cinema chain Everyman has submitted plans for its triple-screen picture house.
The Steel Brew Co’s microbrewery has already begun production, behind closed doors, in a part of the Melville building which was first to be renovated.
Melville, one of the final buildings to be transformed within the revitalised waterfront community, has 90,000sq ft of floorspace over three levels.
Emily Handslip, commercial director for Urban Splash, said: “We are delighted to recommence work on the south west’s most exciting new workspace. Melville provides businesses in the region with a wonderful new commercial opportunity and we look forward to now restarting dialogue with companies who want to be part of this exceptional waterfront community.”
