Nottingham firm appointed on £440m Oxford shopping centre redevelopment

Nottingham-based company Essential Projects has won the contract to install bespoke metal and glass work within the Next Retail store that is to open in the newly constructed Westgate Shopping Centre in Oxford.

The £440m Westgate development will transform the existing shopping centre into an 800,000 sq ft retail and leisure destination. The new Westgate shopping centre will feature over 100 new retail stores, 25 restaurants and cafes, a boutique cinema, roof top terrace dining and a wealth of new public spaces.

Funding for the project has been acquired by the Westgate Oxford Alliance, a joint venture between Land Securities and the Crown Estate, who have nominated Laing O’Rourke as the principal contractor for the project.

Following approval by Oxford City Council, preparatory works began at the Westgate development in February 2015 and the project is due to be completed in Autumn 2017.

As part of the ongoing development, Essential Projects was contracted by Laing O’Rourke to design, manufacture and install bespoke feature metal and glass staircases, make structural alterations, as well as manufacture a number bespoke steel architectural features required within the new Next retail store located within the development. They expect to complete their work within the Next store by the end of September in a project that is valued in excess of £100,000 and has so far created four new fabricating positions.

Essential Projects managing director Eliot Saxton said: “It is a privilege to work on a scheme of this magnitude. It is our understanding of our clients’ needs which enables Essential Projects to provide truly bespoke solutions which caters to their exact requirements.”

Essential Projects, based in Bulwell specialises in the manufacture of glass and steel staircases, balustrade and other metalwork. The company employs a team of in-house metal fabricators and on-site installation teams.

Close