Work to begin at landmark Chesterfield town centre development despite coronavirus

Building work will begin at the Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre on Monday to ensure the site is available for local businesses to move in to ‘at the earliest possible opportunity’ when lockdown restrictions are eased.

Contractor Robert Woodhead Ltd will take control of the site and begin groundworks on part of the Donut Car Park as preparation for the construction of the new centre.

The building firm has confirmed it will follow strict social distancing guidelines to ensure the safety of employees and the public.

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Councillor Terry Gilby, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for economic growth, said: “We appreciate there may be concerns around any construction activity starting in the town centre right now, given we remain at a key stage of the national response to the COVID 19 outbreak.

“The contractor will be working to the latest Construction Site Operating Procedures published by the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) in response to the coronavirus outbreak.

“With these essential works progressing safely we hope to minimise any delay to the start of the main build and ultimately its completion.

“This major construction project will also help contribute to Chesterfield’s post-Covid-19 recovery with the council’s requirement for Robert Woodhead Ltd to source local labour, supplies and equipment.

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“The project will result in high quality, flexible, office space being made available on easy-in and easy-out letting terms to businesses just starting out or looking to grow their company here in Chesterfield.”

Tom Woodhead, business services director at Robert Woodhead Ltd, said: “Over the last few weeks, we have been working with our industry peers, government and industry bodies to understand how the government guidelines and CLC site operating procedures can be implemented on construction sites.

“We have developed stringent operating procedures, risk and method statements to enable us to start on site to deliver this exciting project in collaboration with Chesterfield Borough Council.”

The new Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre will accommodate a range of businesses within 32 office suites.