Sedgefield, County Durham

A replacement 33,000 sq ft food and meat wholesale and retail complex for a major North East butcher in business.

Following destruction by fire of the original complex, it was important that the business was re-established as soon as possible.

Design and build tenders invited by the client were rejected on grounds of cost and lack of flexibility.

Following a strong recommendation by a leading meat plant design consultant, "Management Construction" was selected as the favoured delivery system. Following preparation of the cost plan to assess feasibility and for use by the client's financial advisors, the work commenced quickly on site.

The complex comprises a fully equipped abattoir with cold rooms and freezers, cutting and preparation rooms, bakery, restaurant and a 9,000 sq ft shop and offices.

The client's principal requirement was for a start on site before all of the detailed design and layout problems had been resolved. He also required flexibility of programming and interfacing of the many trade contractors in order to avoid conflict and the inevitable claims for delay.

Collaboration and direct decision making between client, lead consultant, architect and construction manager was the solution.

In spite of the complexity of the building and changing design brief, the "Management Construction" system delivered the project successfully and which the client described as 1,000 per cent better than the unit it had replaced.

In the assessment of the lead consultant, "Management Construction" was the only route capable of satisfying all the client's requirements, and of achieving a successful outcome.

Return to Commercial Client Index