Tolent score highly at Milburngate

Gateshead-based contractor Tolent has cemented its reputation as a considerate contractor after receiving a certificate of excellence from the national Considerate Constructors Scheme (CCS).

Presented to the team on site at the £120m Milburngate development in Durham, the scores given from its recent CCS inspection show Tolent is at the forefront of industry best practice, demonstrating the very highest level of achievement of the Scheme’s Code.

Covering areas including site appearance, community, environment, safety and workforce, special mention was given to the team in its response to dealing with COVID-19.

Welfare facilities have doubled on site to facilitate social distancing for upwards of 200 subcontractors and staff. Along with thorough daily cleaning routines, additional entrances and exits have been put in place around the site along with extensive one-way systems and multiple sanitising stations.

With a commitment to building and nurturing a local supply chain, it was noted that 73% of the site spend is within a 25-mile radius of the development.  

David Thompson, regional director for Tolent, said: “This is fantastic recognition for project director Michael Rutherford and his team on site, who work tirelessly to uphold our reputation as a considerate contractor.

“At the start of the year the team were facilitating numerous site visits for schools, colleges, universities and local business and residents and although we’re having to adapt our community engagement plans, we’re looking at new ways to engage including developing virtual lesson plans for schools.”

The site reached a significant milestone earlier this month with the completion of the steelwork for the new Premier Inn hotel.

Along with the 92-bed hotel, phase one of the development will also feature a mix of premium leisure operators, such as Everyman Cinema, along with 153 built-to-rent apartments and the high specification office building, One Milburngate.

Ian Beaumont, Project Director for Milburngate, which is being developed by a joint venture of Arlington Real Estate and Richardson, said: “The Considerate Constructors Scheme forms a crucial part of our Social Value Policy at Milburngate and Tolent perfectly represent our ambition for the development to become a valuable part of the local community, not only when its finished, but throughout its construction.  Achieving this recognition from the Considerate Constructors Scheme demonstrates how they are going above and beyond their role as our construction partner and playing an important role in the community.”

The Considerate Constructors Scheme is a not-for-profit, independent organisation founded to raise standards in the construction industry. Construction sites, companies and suppliers voluntarily register with the Scheme and agree to abide by the Code of Considerate Practice, designed to encourage best practice beyond statutory requirements.

To find out more about Tolent visit www.tolent.co.uk

NS&I worker marks retirement at Milburngate

The team at Milburngate has helped a former employee of National Savings & Investments (NS&I) mark her retirement with a trip down memory lane.

Gill Richardson from Newton Hall, Durham, has spent the last 40 years working for NS&I, 35 of them based at Milburngate House, which used to be located on the site of the Milburngate scheme currently under construction on the riverside in Durham City.

Due to coronavirus restrictions, Gill, who is married with three children, hasn’t been able to celebrate her retirement in the usual fashion with a party. However, she wanted to take her career full circle by returning to the place where it all started in 1980.

She joined NS&I in the Holdings Files Department and progressed through the organisation working in the Death Claims and Complaints departments before reaching her retirement. Along with her colleagues, she left Milburngate House in 2015, prior to its demolition, moving across the River Wear to Freemans Reach to brand new offices, which were also built by the joint venture partners behind Milburngate, Arlington Real Estate and Richardson.

When Milburngate House closed Gill was involved with arranging reunions for ex-NS&I staff that worked in the building and plans to help organise retirement parties when possible for those colleagues who celebrations have also been impacted by the pandemic.

Gill was given a tour of the Milburngate development by Tolent project manager Michael Rutherford and presented with a bouquet of flowers and a bottle of wine to toast her retirement.

She saw up close how Milburngate is taking shape with the construction of the 92-bed Premier Inn hotel, three apartment blocks, which will feature 153 apartments, and the first of the retail and leisure units, which will include the Everyman Cinema.

Gill Richardson said: “The restrictions we have to live with at the moment mean that I can’t celebrate my retirement surrounded by my colleagues of the past 40 years, but I wanted to do something special.

“The Milburngate site is so precious to me as I spent so much of my working life there and it was great to visit the development and I can’t wait to come and visit the cinema and some of the bars and restaurants when it’s finished in 2022.”

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “Gill has enjoyed an impressive career with NS&I and we were delighted to welcome her to Milburngate to help her celebrate this amazing milestone. She is a great example of the wonderful people we have in our city and we all wish her the very best in her retirement.”

Delivering Social Value

Delivering social value is an essential part of any successful regeneration project, which is why where we’re committed to creating a brand new place at Milburngate for the long-term benefit of the communities it will serve.

Milburngate is being delivered by the Arlington Richardson Development Partnership which has created a successful reputation for delivering social value through their development of strategically important regeneration projects across the North East of England; all of which have attracted significant inward investment, created extensive employment and established new communities.

Not only this, their proactive support of the arts and culture is demonstrated through their long-term commitment to the Lumiere Festival, as well as their continued contribution to local charities.

Now, working closely with main contractor Tolent, the partnership is focused on continuing to drive social value at Milburngate, where a wide range of delivered and planned initiatives are helping make a significant difference to the community in which they operate.

All of this activity is driven by four guiding principles, which help inform the strategy, outcomes, and measures of success to ensure we maximise the positive socio-economic impact and value Milburngate has on the communities it serves.

Delivering Sustainability

We are committed to ensuring Milburngate is designed and delivered with sustainability in mind. By responding to the needs of the people it serves and the environment in which it sits, we can ensure Milburngate becomes a place where the success of the local community is driven by a wide range of environmental, socio-economic and wellbeing benefits.

Creating Opportunity

Milburngate will set a new benchmark of social opportunity for the city. From the physical spaces and connections on-site, to the wider economic and job creation benefits we are helping deliver, our ambition is for Milburngate to be recognised as an inclusive place where the necessary opportunities for people to succeed and flourish are engrained in its very fabric.

Building Community

People sit at the heart of any successful place and Milburngate is no different. This is why we have taken an integrated approach to engaging with the local and wider community from the outset. In doing so, we are building positive and lasting relationships that will underpin a place where people have the networks and support to truly thrive.

Supporting Culture

We understand the socio-economic value of culture is vital to the identity of place and the positive impact it has on those who experience it. By supporting world-class cultural activity within the city, Milburngate is dedicated to playing a major role in enriching local people’s lives, as well as driving economic growth and community cohesion.

You can view and download Milburngate’s Social Value Policy in full here.

Milburngate Milestone for Premier Inn

Milburngate has reached a significant milestone in the development of its Durham City centre scheme with the completion of the steelwork for the new Premier Inn hotel.

The hotel forms a key element of phase one of the living, working and leisure destination, which is due for completion in 2022.

The structure gives an indication of the outstanding views from the hotel of Durham’s riverside and the UNESCO World Heritage site featuring the cathedral and castle.

Containing 740 tonnes of British steel, supplied by North East based Finley Structures Ltd, the framework of the 92-bed room hotel has been completed by its sub-contractors and paves the way for the next stage of development, which includes the installation of windows and weather tightening before internal works begin before Christmas.

Joining the Premier Inn hotel at Milburngate will be Whitbread’s Bar + Block Steakhouse restaurant. Together the hotel and restaurant are expected to create up to 75 jobs in Durham City on opening.

With 15 restaurants across the UK, Bar + Block is an informal all-day dining restaurant with a focus on high-quality steaks. The contemporary restaurant design features a large open kitchen, spectacular central bar and rustic design elements including timbers, exposed brick walls and warm lighting.

The Premier Inn and Bar + Block restaurant will take their place alongside a number of other premium leisure operators, as well as an Everyman Cinema, at Milburngate, which is being delivered by a joint venture partnership between Arlington Real Estate and Richardson, supported by a £120 million forward funding commitment from LaSalle Investment Management.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “This is an exciting moment for Milburngate as we are really starting to see phase one take shape with the completion of the steelwork of the Premier Inn and the three apartment blocks which will see 153 build-to-rent apartments delivered right in the heart of the city.

“The Premier Inn and Bar & Block restaurant is an excellent fit for Milburngate, and we are really looking forward to completion of this phase of the development, which will create much needed additional hotel rooms for our city.”

Richard Aldread, head of construction for Premier Inn in the north of England, Scotland, and Ireland, said: “Milburngate is a fantastic development for Premier Inn to be part of in Durham.

“The new Premier Inn hotel will give our guests a prime location to stay in the city centre, a stone’s throw away from Durham’s historical colleges, and with lots of on-site leisure options to enjoy during their stay.

“We’re confident the Premier Inn hotel and Bar & Block restaurant will trade very well once we open our doors to guests and diners in 2022 and we can’t wait to become part of the community when we do.”

David Thompson, regional director for Tolent, said: "The team continue to make great progress across the site and works to the external facade of the Premier Inn will begin in the next few weeks. Following this, internal works can start to begin creating the individual rooms, corridors and restaurant in the period leading up to Christmas.

To find out more about Premier Inn, or to book a room, please visit their website here.

'Milburngate Talks' Progress

In the latest episode of our ‘Milburngate Talks’ series, we catch up with our very own Allan Cook who gives us an update on the great progress we’re making on-site.

'Milburngate Talks' Retail & Leisure

With Covid-19 impacting on all sectors, part 2 of the latest episode of 'Milburngate Talks' sees JLL’s Nick Ferris and Neil McMillan continue their discussion about how the retail and leisure market is adapting.

'Milburngate Talks' Retail & Leisure

In part 1 of the latest episode of our 'Milburngate Talks' series, we caught up with JLL’s Nick Ferris and our very own Neil McMillan, to discuss how the retail and leisure market is responding to the impact of Covid-19.

Waddington Street Centre Makeover Complete

A makeover project delivered by the developers of Milburngate and North East construction company Tolent at Durham mental health charity, the Waddington Street Centre, has been completed, giving the building a fresh new look in preparation for reopening following the coronavirus lockdown.

A makeover project delivered by the developers of Milburngate and North East construction company Tolent at Durham mental health charity, the Waddington Street Centre, has been completed, giving the building a fresh new look in preparation for reopening following the coronavirus lockdown.

Waddington Street Centre is a small independent mental health resource centre with almost 40 years’ experience offering a wide range of informal educational activities and support services based on individual needs and aspirations. It plans to reopen during August and the lockdown provided the opportunity to update the interior of the centre.

The project involved redecorating the main communal areas of the centre, helping to provide a refreshed environment that promotes positive mental health for members when they begin to return.

Waddington Street Centre is within a mile from the landmark Milburngate development, which is being delivered by a joint venture partnership between Arlington Real Estate and Richardson, supported by a £120 million forward funding commitment from LaSalle Investment Management.

Allan Cook, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “The Waddington Street Centre does some fantastic work with the local community in Durham. We have all been affected in some way by the ongoing global pandemic, and we were delighted to be able to offer some support to those who need it in our communities.

“We hope the redecoration helps provides a really welcome environment to its members who benefit from its services when they return.”

Ali Lee, Centre Manager at Waddington Street Centre, said: “We are really pleased with the new look of the Centre, and the effort that Milburngate and Tolent have put into the project is very much appreciated. It is essential for us to be able to provide and environment which makes people feel valued and fosters positive mental health, and the new look helps us to achieve that.

“Now that the lockdown restrictions are beginning to be relaxed, we are looking forward to welcoming back our members, many of whom have been socially isolated and struggling with their mental health during this difficult time.

“We look forward to rebuilding our service and the centre’s fresh new look will be a wonderful gift for our members.”

Andy McLeod, CEO of Tolent, said: “It was a pleasure to be given a tour around the centre and see the difference our donation has made to the look and feel of the place. We're committed to making a difference to the communities we work in, and I know those who use the centre will be eager to return after what has been a challenging few months.”

Once fully reopened, Waddington Street Centre operates Monday to Saturday and one Sunday per month, as well as four evenings per week.

For more information, please visit: https://www.waddingtoncentre.co.uk/.

Milburngate to give the Waddington Street Centre a makeover

The developers of Milburngate and North East construction company Tolent have joined forces to help Durham mental health charity, the Waddington Street Centre, with a building makeover, in preparation for reopening after COVID restrictions are lifted.

With the help of a generous donation, the project will involve redecorating the main communal areas of the centre, helping to provide a refreshed environment that promotes positive mental health for members when they begin to return.

Waddington Street Centre is a small independent mental health resource centre with almost 40 years’ experience offering a wide range of informal educational activities and support services based on individual needs and aspirations.

Among the services offered by Waddington Street Centre are arts, crafts, writing and music workshops, as well as yearly exhibitions and performances, all of which are designed to help members improve their mental health and socially connect with each other.

It also has a partnership with New College Durham, running courses to help members develop soft skills to help them with their recovery.

Waddington Street Centre is within a mile from the landmark Milburngate development, which is being delivered by a joint venture partnership between Arlington Real Estate and Richardson, supported by a £120 million forward funding commitment from LaSalle Investment Management.

The site, currently under construction, is situated on the banks of the River Wear in the heart of Durham City. Phase One of Milburngate will feature a mix of premium leisure operators, such as Everyman Cinema and Miller & Carter, as well as 153 built-to-rent apartments, a high specification office building and a 92-bed Premier Inn hotel.

Steve Wakefield, assistant manager at Waddington Street Centre, said: “We’re really grateful for the support from Milburngate and Tolent. We want to provide an environment which makes people feel valued and fosters positive mental health. For many of our members, our centre is a haven from the stresses of home, illnesses and the wider community.

“Lockdown has been difficult for many of our members who are socially isolated. Due to the pandemic more people than ever are struggling with their mental health and we expect to see an increase in referrals.

We look forward to rebuilding our service and the centre’s fresh new look will be a wonderful gift for our members.”

Allan Cook, managing director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “After hearing about the great work that the Waddington Street Centre does for the people of Durham, and in light of its proximity to Milburngate, I was keen to help during what is a particularly difficult time for local charities.

“The building has lots of character and I am sure our team will help create a new welcoming environment for the centre’s members to benefit from its services and the excellent support it provides. I hope that once it can reopen, the members of Waddington Street Centre will enjoy the space and the new look of the service.”

Andy McLeod, CEO of Tolent, said: "We're always looking for ways to enrich the communities we work in, to bring a greater social value to our developments.

“We can all appreciate the impact the ongoing global pandemic is having on the most vulnerable within our communities and I'm delighted that this fantastic centre will be able to maximise this donation to ensure its members can look forward to its much needed reopening.”

Once fully reopened, Waddington Street Centre operates Monday to Saturday and one Sunday per month, as well as four evenings per week.

For more information, please visit: https://www.waddingtoncentre.co.uk/.

Major civil engineering feat at Milburngate

One of the region’s largest and most sophisticated civil engineering feats has completed on Durham’s Riverside as progress continues on the £120m Milburngate development.

Measuring 236 metres - the equivalent of nearly three football pitches - the construction of the three-storey retaining wall has taken 10 months to complete. Using approximately 20,000m3 of concrete, it required the use of one of the largest piling rig in the UK.

The completion of the wall was a crucial part of the development enabling the various elements of the working, living and leisure destination to take shape.

Continuing safely throughout the ongoing global pandemic, the project’s main contractor, Gateshead-based Tolent has completed around 60 percent of the concrete super structure, which provides the primary support of the three, seven-storey apartment blocks that will now begin to be constructed.

With the structural steel frame of the 92-bed Premier Inn Hotel almost complete, this week also sees the arrival of the second of three tower cranes on site. The steel and concrete works carried out over the last few months have all been completed by local companies based within a 10-mile radius of the development including Finley Structures and Wyn Construction.

Milburngate is being developed by a joint venture partnership between Arlington Real Estate and Richardson, supported by a £120 million forward funding commitment from LaSalle Investment Management.

Phase One of the development will feature a mix of premium leisure operators, such as Everyman Cinema and Miller & Carter, along with 153 built-to-rent apartments, a high specification office building, One Milburngate, and the Premier Inn hotel.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, said: “We are really pleased with the progress we are making at Milburngate and this significant civil engineering project will be a catalyst for the next stage of the development of Phase One.

“Developing a site of this scale next to a river in a historic city brings a range of challenges and we have been impressed with the innovation and expertise of Tolent and its supply chain to successfully deliver this major part of the construction of Milburngate.”

Andy McLeod, CEO for Tolent, said: “Our foundations are in the civil engineering sector and our teams continue to deliver exceptional standards of work now, as they have for some forty years.

“Working collaboratively with our client and supply chain partners Billinghurst George & Partners and Volker Ground Engineering, we created an innovative solution to deliver the retaining wall as you see it today - something that was initially deemed unachievable. A great achievement for all involved.”

Durham’s riverside continues to evolve

Durham city’s riverside continues to evolve as two multi-million pound developments take shape.

Construction work on Milburngate and Durham County Council’s new headquarters are taking shape as the city’s riverside continues to evolve. 

Taking place during the next 18 months, the first phase of Milburngate will include the addition of an Everyman boutique cinema, a 92-bed flagship Premier Inn Hotel along with premium bars and restaurants such as Bar + Block and Miller and Carter.

The structural steel erection of the Premier Inn Hotel is under way, along with the construction of the Everyman Cinema screens building and adjacent restaurant units. Further foundations of parts of phase one are also being laid, along with drainage and piling works to the areas of the site.

To ensure safe working conditions, Milburngate’s main contractor Tolent has implemented enhanced site operating procedures that include the reduction of the number of people on site and the staggering of shifts and break times.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, part of the Arlington / Richardson JV developing Milburngate, said: “This is a unique and challenging time and we are working closely with Tolent to consistently review and evolve safety procedures, ensuring the safety of everyone on site as we follow government guidelines to continue the construction of Milburngate.”

Andy McLeod, Chief Executive of Tolent, said: “The safety of our staff is paramount and by administering rigorous social distancing and health and safety protocol, we are able to safely continue work in some areas of the site.”

Alongside the leisure offering, the development will include 53,701 sq ft of Grade A office space within One Milburngate, which is expected to create up to 400 jobs in the city, and 153 built-to-rent apartments.

Across the river, work to build the council’s new headquarters started in August last year and will replace the local authority's current building at Aykley Heads. 

The development, which is being completed by Kier Property, will include a council chamber, cafe and new civic square that will be linked to the Penny Ferry Bridge.

A spokesperson for Kier Property said: “In the coming months we will continue with the installation of precast concrete floors and wrapping the external envelope before work starts on the internal elements of the building.

“The health, safety and welfare of our people is paramount and, as a responsible business, we have reviewed our sites to ensure they can operate in a way which continues to comply with the construction leadership council’s site operating procedures, which are based on the guidance issued by Public Health England.

“Following this review, the sites that are able to comply with these procedures, which includes Durham County Council headquarters, continue to be operational.”

Milburngate Progress Update

In accordance with Government guidance and advice from Public Health England, work on phase one of Milburngate is currently ongoing.

The development’s main contractor Tolent has implemented enhanced Site Operating Procedures, issued by UK construction industry body, Build UK, to protect its workforce.

This includes revising work programmes to reduce the number of people on site, as well as full-time cleaning services and staggering shifts and break times. To ensure effective social distancing modified risk assessments are undertaken, alongside one-way access to work areas.

With these procedures in place, some works are continuing on site, including the structural steel erection for the Premier Inn hotel, continued construction of the Everyman Cinema screens building and adjacent restaurant units. Further foundations for parts of phase one will also continue to be laid, along with drainage and piling works to areas of the site.

Allan Cook, Managing Director of Arlington Real Estate, part of the Arlington Richardson JV developing Milburngate, said: “This is a unique and challenging time and we are working closely with Tolent to consistently review and evolve safety procedures, ensuring the safety of everyone on site as we follow government guidelines to continue the construction of Milburngate.”

Andy McLeod, Chief Executive of Tolent, said: “The safety of our staff is paramount and by administering rigorous social distancing and health and safety protocol, we are able to safely continue work in some areas of the site.”

68m tower crane installed at Milburngate

Members of the construction team at the Milburngate development will get some of the best views of Durham City and the surrounding area following the installation of a 68-metre-tall lifting tower crane.

Positioned at the heart of the six-acre site on Durham’s Riverside, the Saez S-65 crane, which is taller than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, will play an instrumental role in the construction of the first phase of Milburngate over the next 18 months.

In fact, the crane has been positioned in what will be the location of one of the four Everyman boutique cinema screens with the building being constructed around the base of the crane until close to completion when it will be dismantled.

Supplied by London Tower Cranes, it is controlled by an operative in a cab at the apex of the tower and jib and is directed by a banksman at ground level via radio.

With a ten-tonne capacity, the tower crane will support logistical operations for the construction of Milburngate, which is being delivered by main contractor Tolent, and specifically includes the creation of the development’s concrete core that will form key elements of Phase One.

Covering 70 percent of the entire Milburngate site, Phase One, includes, in addition to the boutique cinema, a 92-bed flagship Premier Inn Hotel along with premium bars and restaurants such as Bar + Block and Miller & Carter.

Alongside its leisure offering, the development will include 53,701sq ft of much-needed Grade A office space within One Milburngate, which will help attract up to 400 jobs to the centre of Durham City and 153 built-to-rent apartments.

Milburngate is being developed by a joint venture partnership between Arlington Real Estate and Richardson, supported by a £120 million forward funding commitment from LaSalle Investment Management.

Ian Beaumont, Project Director for Milburngate, said: “We have made good progress on the early stages of Milburngate, and this tower crane will facilitate the construction of some of the main elements of Phase One.  It certainly is an impressive sight on the Durham City skyline and highlights the size and scope of Milburngate and its importance to the future social and economic future of the riverside.”

Michael Rutherford, Project Director for Tolent, said: “The arrival of the first of three tower cranes on site at Milburngate marks a significant milestone in our construction activity. Over the coming months, the site will really start to take shape as the various elements within the development start to become more visible. We've been working continuously over the past 10 months with our experienced civil engineering team to ready and prepare the site and we're now really starting to see the vision of Milburngate become a reality.”

Cllr Carl Marshall, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Anyone who drives through Durham cannot fail to notice the arrival of the tower crane. It’s a particularly symbolic addition to the city’s skyline as it marks the start of phase one of the Milburngate development, which will bring more than 400 new jobs to Durham.

“Over the next 10 years, we’re expecting to see £3.4 billion of investment in the county, creating more and better jobs through developments such as Milburngate. By continuing to provide an environment that attracts investment and supports growth, we hope to be able to support the creation of 30,000 new jobs across County Durham during the next 15 years.”

'Milburngate Talks' Retail & Leisure

Durham's a bustling retail and leisure destination that attracts customers from across the region and beyond. Check out our latest Milburngate Talks film, where Jojo Hatfield catches up with of some the city's thriving brands.

Located on the banks of the River Wear in the heart of Durham city centre, Milburngate presents retail and leisure occupiers with a range of high-specification units, all set within a stunning 450,000 sq ft mixed-use development that will also feature more than 200,000 sq ft of office space, as well as 153 luxury apartments.

Already we've set the bar high, attracting prestigious tenants including Everyman Cinema, Miller & Carter and Bar+Block, as well as a 92 bed Premier Inn; all of whom have chosen Milburngate and Durham city centre as a place to benefit from its high footfall, vibrant culture, rich heritage and the millions of visitors who choose to visit each year.

Indeed, Durham city centre is home to a diverse range of quality retail and leisure operators, all of whom are benefitting from locating in the city. From premium national brands, to rapidly expanding regional independents, all of those that choose to invest in Durham city centre are enjoying great success.

'Milburngate Talks' Everyman

Further to Everyman increasing their boutique cinema offering to four screens at Milburngate, we caught up with Anna Coates, manager of their Newcastle venue, to hear more about why they're so excited about coming to Durham.