University Reception Building Gets A Fresh Look

The £1.2m internal refurbishment of the Holgate Building for York St John University has now received planning permission for the external elements of the design. The project aims to deliver a ‘one stop shop’ for the provision of highly visible, flexible, accessible and exceptional learner support services for the students in the heart of the University.

The new facilities will provide an increased access to flexible areas for group work and social learning. Improvements to the support services will enhance the student experience even further. Other facilities include Student Advice team reception, offices, interview and meeting rooms, IT, media and group learning facilities, promotion and exhibition facilities and the University reception.

Work is anticipated to start in April 2013 with a completion date of September 2013.

New Morrisons Store Open at Blyth

Watson Batty Architect have successfully delivered a new 60,000 sq. ft. gross Morrisons store in the heart of Blyth Town centre. The Blyth store is one of the first in the North East to be designed around Morrisons ‘Store of the Future’ concept and aims to deliver an innovative fresh food offer which is not available elsewhere while still maintaining great value. The store includes new misting technology which is used to optimise the freshness of the food on offer in the ‘fresh market’ which will stock everything from carrots to tinkerbell peppers and yellow courgettes. The store also includes a continental style deli counter, 140 cuts of meat in the butchery and an unrivalled selection of more than 80 cheeses from the UK and around the world. At the bakery there will be up to 48 varieties of bread baked fresh from scratch throughout the day by Morrisons bakers.

McLaren Construction are now proceeding with the final phase of the project, demolishing the existing Morrisons store forming the remaining car park. Due for completion in summer 2013.