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Steel structure completion reinforces Durham city regeneration vision

Multi-million pound plans to rejuvenate Durham city centre are picking up pace, as construction on one of three key redevelopment projects has reached a critical stage.

The city’s Durham Gates redevelopment, part of three major contracts across the city which represent a total £195m of investment, has been bolstered by a new steel structure enabling the facilitation of a future retail and entertainment complex.

Providing a base for exciting leisure and hospitality plans to follow, the contract success was especially pleasing for Finley’s founder and managing director John Finley.

John, who has specialised in North East construction for almost 40 years, explained: “Even going back to my original steel erecting days in the late 1970s, I’d never worked on a project in the city.

“And since starting out in business in 1981 that pattern has continued, despite many student accommodation projects being carried out around the city in recent years.

“So to have finally won a contract in Durham city is very much a personal victory for me and the company and we’re naturally delighted.”

Finley’s part of the project was to fabricate and erect 1,100 tonnes of steel on top of an existing concrete structure. The firm started on-site at Durham earlier this year and has recently finished.

The steel project is supporting at least 30 local jobs, including a local drawing office and labourers.

Finley added: “It’s a transfer structure, with a new steel frame that sits on top of that, so it’s quite a challenge.

“Building up into fresh air is straight forward, but fixing down into existing concrete structures is always much more complex.

“But it’s a good local project we’re all excited to be involved with, and we’re working with main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine, with whom we have a long-standing partnership.”

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