Big freeze delays £100m Co-op head office

Construction on the Co-operative Group’s new £100m headquarters in Manchester has fallen behind schedule due to the cold weather.

Lead contractor Bam Construction has had fewer days than expected available to pour concrete due to the sub-zero temperatures seen in recent weeks, the Co-op said.

“The exceptionally bad weather before Christmas has severely hampered construction projects across the UK and our new head office project is no different,” the company said in a statement.

“Concreting activities to the main structure have fallen behind as a result of the worst weather period since records began but we are working closely with all involved and will endeavour to ensure that the overall project will recover from this unfortunate setback over the coming months and will be completed on schedule.”

A spokesman for Bam stressed that the project would be completed on time: “The snow has meant every construction firm has suffered delays,” he said. “But we are at a relatively early stage in a long-term project and there is plenty of time to catch up.”

The 16-storey building, designed by 3DReid, will total more than 325,000 ft² and is due for completion in August 2012.

It is understood that Laing O’Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine and Bovis Lend Lease were all in the running for the project.