Aug 2022
packages through the OJEU process, evaluating bids from all areas of the European Union, aligning the project risk register and making recommendations for appointment. The R.C.P. as it was affectionately known, was reopened as a centre of excellence for UK diving and was used during the 2014 Commonwealth Games. “The entire external structural frame and façade was hydraulically propped, braced and supported to allow the complete internal structure to be broken out, excavated and rearranged to modern standards; forming a main Commonwealth sized competition pool, diving and training pools, all of which had state of the art movable floors; it was spectacular. That project cost close to £40 million”. Missing the hustle of daily life onsite David was attracted to move into the fitout sector with another Tier 1 company who specialised in high-profile Blue- Chip Retail, Leisure and global fashion houses. Some of their clients included Arsenal FC, Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, Signet, World Duty Free, Breitling, Tag Heuer and Omega just to name a few. David’s speciality concentrated around airport development & fit-out. Beginning with Belfast International and then working across Leeds Bradford, Dublin T1, Birmingham and Belfast City finishing up developing units within the South Terminal retail area of Gatwick Airport, London. “We were initially awarded the World Duty Free Store at Gatwick South which was a new concession area as passengers left security control. A multi-million-pound development all of which was delivered within a 14- week period. It took many long shifts, working day and night much of the time, as the airport remained fully operational. We had a close relationship with the Main Contractor arranging several diversions for the many thousands of passengers who use the Terminal daily.
disturbance, noise, vibration and dust with permitted control of all work elements being a meticulous and constant focus” On reflection, David admits; “Gatwick was one of the most challenging projects but the most rewarding to see concepts and plans developing over the course of only days, as well as improving facilities which would demonstrate our work for many years. Even today when I’m passing through, I can still see the detail and work we put in, and it’s a great feeling knowing I was involved and managed that.” On the back of Duty-Free, Ernest Jones secured one of the retail units. As one of his most important clients their investment at the airport delivered another £1 million project in just under 9 weeks. “That particular project introduced several major watch brands to the Terminal and the store had some of the most exacting standards and pinpoint accuracy for each concession. The store area also sat within a smoke extract zone for the Terminal retail space and through some design ingenuity the team concealed this with a plasterboard ceiling, cut and shaped to replicate the Union Jack. This subtle feature trended on social media for many months after completion and can still be seen today”. Read full article here
A lot of the heavy lifting took place at night to minimise
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