Strong year for contractor refurbishing Civic Halls despite Covid-19 challenges
The group refurbishing Wolverhampton's Civic Halls has reported strong financial results for 2019 despite the economic challenges of the last three months.
Willmott Dixon saw annual turnover of £1.24 billion and profits of £31.3 million and had significant levels of activity within the West Midlands.
As well as being appointed in September to deliver the delayed £38m Wolverhampton project, at the end of 2019 the contractor completed the high-profile teaching and learning building for the University of Birmingham.
Willmott Dixon is also currently building the new Christ Church Secondary Academy in Yardley Wood and the School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham.
Nick Gibb, the company's deputy managing director for the Midlands, said: “These results are a significant indication of the strength of the opportunities that exist for the right construction partner. We have delivered – and are continuing to deliver – some truly ground-breaking projects across the Midlands, working alongside customers and our trusted supply chain and design partners.”
Throughout the year, the company has also continued delivering a number of other significant schemes within Wolverhampton, including The Marches, which is a 266-home development for WV Living..
Willmott Dixon, which has local bases in One Snowhill, Birmingham and Coleshill, is a privately-owned contracting and interior fit-out group.
Group chief executive Rick Willmott said: “Our performance in 2019 has provided a good platform for our company to continue delivering projects for customers during the challenges created by Covid-19.
“It’s been a phenomenal team effort from our people as we have adjusted our business to maintain operations during Covid-19, one that has required a high level of resourcefulness.
Adaptations
"Our people quickly embraced the changes required to adhere to the Construction Leadership Council’s site operating procedures, with projects and processes reconfigured to provide a safe working environment for our people and supply chain partners, whose support has been brilliant over the past few months.
“Our sites have remained open throughout, using adaptations like one-way systems for circulation, GoPro technology to capture progress, motion-activated voiceover systems to remind people to abide by social distancing and staggered breaks and lunchtimes, with clear signage for social distancing in canteens.
"We now expect all sites to remain open, although Covid-19-related safety measures and availability of materials will mean that output levels will be reduced compared to before the pandemic.
"While this will inevitably impact upon pre-pandemic expectations in terms of timescales and budgets, I really appreciate how supportive our customers are being on this issue.”
Work at the Civic Halls, which was scheduled to reopen in the autumn of 2021 but may have been pushed back later due to the latest delay, involves essential structural, engineering and electrical works – with visitors set to benefit from a second balcony for the Civic Hall and a balcony in the Wulfrun Hall.
The height above the stage to the rear of the Civic Hall will be increased to attract bigger and better shows
And more comfortable seats, bigger and better bars, more space, expanded and revamp toilets – as well as lift access to balconies – will be offered when it is completed
