Build-Lite is pleased to be involved in a brand new £50m retail and commercial town Centre development, in north Sheffield due to open in June 2016. The 29-acre site built on a former steel works, includes the largest Aldi supermarket in the region, Ponti’s Italian kitchen’s only restaurant outside London, and world champion silver medalist Tony Gibbs’ first cycle concept store.
The Fox Valley development located in Stocksbridge consists of 32 retail units, cafes and restaurants as well as offices and houses. It’s one of the biggest commercial projects in the area attracting over £8m of European funding and is seen as a major regeneration for the region.
One of the key criteria in securing European funding was to bring the project forward and reduce any possible delays to the opening. Less than 2 years ago, the site was part of the Tata specialty steels complex that has an industrial heritage going back to 1842.
This was the year that Derbyshire born Samuel Fox took over a disused corn mill and started manufacturing wire for textile pins. By 1851 he had begun to develop the famous Paragon umbrella. (the umbrella used by John Steed in every episode of the TV programme, ‘the Avengers’) and within a few years had expanded to producing railway lines and springs.
In the 1960’s the company became part of the nationalised British Steel Corporation employing around 8000 people. Today, the site produces high quality steel primarily for the automotive and aerospace industry but with 10% of the workforce.
It is against this background of industrial pollution and major site reclamation coupled with a short time frame to construct a complete retail development, offices and housing that prompted the developers to look at the advantages of using our Stone – Coat, a unique stone effect product.
Manufactured off site, the mouldings can be produced to suit any profile. On this development they were used to provide copings and retail store fascia surrounds. This helped to speed up the construction process, and because they can be moulded to any shape and size, each frontage could be unique.
Stone-Coat is lighter than traditional materials, yet fully complying with Health and Safety regulations, is easy to install as it does not need heavy lifting equipment and can made to suit any profile. At Build Lite, we specialise in Unique Stone-Coat Products, offering unmatched knowledge and skill in architectural transformations across the UK. To learn more about how we can help you, make sure to get in touch with our team.
Click here for the latest news about the Fox Valley Development.
