BUILDER Koru Property Services has won the contract to work on the makeover of a Northumbria University library.
The Gateshead firm will work on the £576,000 project to refurbish the Coach Lane campus library. The first of the two phases will see a complete remodelling of the ground floor of the building and an overhaul of the library’s IT suite.
As well as relocating and upgrading the cafe and renovating the reception area to include an impressive glass lobby, Koru is moving the current IT suite, which has 25 computers, to the first floor and will also be erecting external extensions to the building.
Peter Day, construction manager for Koru Property Services, said: “We have a large number of employees working on site in order to complete this contract in such a short time and also ensure the library can remain fully operational.
“This is our second contract for Northumbria University in as many months and we are delighted to be able to have the resources and team in place to carry out the works in such a tight framework, keeping disruption to a minimum.”
The works, which are expected to last until mid-November, are expected to employ up to 20 members of staff on site. Upon completion of the contract, a further stage of refurbishments is expected to commence in the summer of 2012.
Philip Kennerley of Northumbria University’s campus services said: “The library at Coach Lane, which exclusively services the School of Health, Community and Education Studies, was built 15 years ago.
“We are excited about upgrading our facilities for the benefit of staff and students alike. I really look forward to seeing the building used to its full potential. It is important to have an inspiring and quality space for our students.
The contract follows the company’s work to completely refurbish and remodel laboratory buildings at Northumbria University’s Ellison Building.
The bulk of the contract, which is expected to be completed by next month, covers 650sq meters and is seeing a complete transformation of the current space, including the replacement of mechanical, electrical and air handling units, together with the replacement of laboratory furniture and equipment.
The firm, which was launched in 2002 by Tony Henderson, Neil Reed and Mark Taylor, and has a workforce of 40, previously completed the refurbishment of two Northumbria University lecture theatres, also in the Ellison building.
Koru is currently looking to add up to £6m to its turnover and create jobs after clearing its debts and investing in a new repairs and maintenance division.
In 2005, the firm won £100,000 investment from Newcastle-based NEL Fund Managers and an extra £250,000 in late 2006, which helped the business grow dramatically.
It has now cleared its debts and bosses say it is ready to grow further, despite the tough construction market. It expects to recruit 25 more members of staff over the next five years.
Other recent contract wins include a £140,000 renovation contract from South-Shields-based medical diagnostic company Immunodiagnostic Systems Holdings.