Tameside One

Halfway through construction of the Tameside One development – a key phase in the Vision Tameside regeneration project – the original contractor went into liquidation, bringing the project to a halt overnight. Robertson entered into an Early Works Agreement with Inspired Spaces Tameside and was on-site within weeks getting the project back on track with 95% of the original supply chain.

With clear time and cost pressure for Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council, our project team worked with stakeholders and the supply chain to quickly conclude retenders and establish a schedule that ran close to the original and mitigated cost exposure. Less than twelve months later, Robertson handed over Tameside One on time and on budget.

Tameside Council and the Advanced Skills Centre for Tameside College share the town centre building. The new location brings students and service users closer to good transport links; accessibility is further improved with council and partner services under the one roof; and the property itself is more energy efficient than Tameside Council's previous administrative offices.

Following the collapse of the original contractor, Oliver Ryan, Councillor and Executive Member (Finance and Economic Growth Committee) at Tameside Metropolitan Borough said,

"We wanted a new contractor in, someone that we could trust and someone that would work holistically with the model that we were trying to build. We are not a developer; we are not really used to doing huge projects like this. It was the single biggest issue that council faced at the time and I think if we hadn't found the relationship we found with Robertson at the time that we did, Tameside Council would not be in the position we are in today."

The 15,500m² development has user experience at its heart both internally and externally: a library entrance creates a welcoming environment and is shared by all visitors; learning spaces are modern and user-focused for vocational courses; public services are located in the one area; retail outlet space will attract more footfall; seating and raised planters create an attractive outdoor public area.

The project team addressed several design issues in the original proposal to ensure the building delivered on stakeholder expectations. The design also maximises flexibility with raised access floors, demountable partitions and ceilings, and loose, lightweight furnishings allowing easier reconfiguration to suit future market trends and opportunities.

Key facts

• The new location saves Tameside Council £1.5 million each year in energy and operational costs.
• 95% of the existing supply chain were retained on the project.
• 75% of the original delivery team were employed by Robertson, i.e. 100% of those who wanted jobs.
• The building achieved a BREEAM rating of Very Good and an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate.
• Robertson Facilities Management won the contract for maintenance and support services for 286 buildings across Tameside.