Property briefs: Artez, Conlon and Grand Central

A GROUNDBREAKING ceremony has been held to mark the official start on site for a 1,000-space multi-storey car park next to Stockport train station.

The development, funded by insurer Canada Life, is the first phase of the Grand Central scheme, which will also include offices and a hotel.

Representatives from Stockport Council, developer Muse Developments, Network Rail and contractor Morgan Sindall gathered on site to mark the occasion.

Councillor Iain Roberts, executive member for economic development and regeneration at Stockport Council, said: “With construction for the multi-storey car park now on site, we’re one step closer to delivering a welcoming commercial and commuter hub right next to the train station. Once completed, it will provide much needed additional car parking for rail users and visitors, as well as paving the way for the next phase of development.”

The first commercial office building and the hotel will be part of phase two, to be completed by 2015, and phase three will see more buildings go up on a phased basis up to 2020.

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CONLON Construction has completed a £2.2m project to extend Larkholme Primary School in Fleetwood.  

The extension work saw the Preston-based firm demolish part of the school and re-build and extend the junior and infant buildings.

Around a third of the school was rebuilt to provide upgraded teaching facilities, an outdoor play area, a new cycle shelter and an outdoor classroom.

Construction director, Michael Conlon, said: “The new facilities and outdoor space has hugely improved the look and functionality of Larkholme Primary School and adds to our ever growing experience in the sector across the North West. The buildings offer a great learning and teaching environment for everyone, something which will benefit the school children and staff today and for many years to come.”

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CONSTRUCTION company Artez has completed a series of projects on behalf of clients in the North of England.
 
The schemes include Hamilton House in Liverpool where Artez undertook glazing replacements to the six-storey block of apartments. The company has also completed works at Cecil Court in Hale after it was appointed by client’s agent Lambert Smith Hampton to fully refurbish the commercial property late last year.
 
In Yorkshire the company has completed works at the University of York where the team carried out maintenance work on the Market Square Building of the campus.
 
Artez founder Mike Banton, a former director at developer Urban Splash, said: “I established Artez with a view to bridging the gap between traditional builders and clients. This means that we as a team have a cradle to grave commitment to the schemes we work on; it results in better planning, tighter site management and ultimately better results for the client. We are now working well beyond the north west of England and are looking to secure our first job in Scotland over the next few weeks.”