By Matt Fray, Account Manager for Horizon Platforms
Electric and diesel scissor lifts from the Horizon Platforms’ fleet are helping in the fit out of the new flagship John Lewis department store in Leeds.
The scissor lifts are being used by electrical and mechanical contractors to install heating, lighting and electricity in the 24,000m2 store – one of the largest outside London and the jewel in the crown of the new £165m Victoria Gate retail development in Leeds City Centre.
The city’s history and culture had a strong influence on the design of Victoria Gate: the John Lewis store will featuring a façade designed to reflect the city’s textile heritage; it will be linked to the existing Victoria Quarter by two new street arcades – a nod to Leeds’ long tradition of arcade building.
Retail developer Hammerson and construction contractor Sir Robert McAlpine are spearheading the prestigious development. The first phase – which began in April 2014 – involves the construction of 37,000m2 of retail space featuring stores, restaurants, cafes and leisure space. A multi-storey car park for up to 800 cars will also be built on the site of the former Leeds Police headquarters at Millgarth Police Station.
A second phase will include additional retail units for major high street brands, leisure space, restaurants and a food court as well as further parking and a Low Carbon Energy Centre.
As well as complementing the well-established Victoria Quarter, Victoria Gate is expected to generate thousands of construction employment opportunities and create more than 1,500 new retail and hospitality jobs when it opens in late 2016.
For more details on the access platforms being used on the Victoria Gate development, and to find out about the range of work at height platforms available to hire from Horizon Platforms, call 0330 134 6458 or visit http://www.horizonplatforms.co.uk/hire-platforms.html