Repairs start at Saga HQ as Clissold reopening put back

Repair work is finally due to go ahead this year on the Saga headquarters building in Folkestone, six years after the building was completed.

QS News understands Saga bosses green-lit a programme of works on the £20m Sir Michael Hopkins and Partners-designed building last week. This followed a report submitted to the board of directors last month.

The team working on the repairs includes Davis Langdon, which worked on the original scheme, and architect Bickerdike Allen. The work is understood to have been split into separate packages for specialist contractors and is believed to be costing the client around £8m. Saga was unable to comment on the repair work as QS News went to press.

Problems emerged in early 2000, soon after completion, when the retirement services firm confirmed a number of faults with the 13,000m2 headquarters.

The client confirmed later in 2003 that remedial works were being commissioned to address problems associated with leaks, which had persisted since the opening.

Problems first emerged in early 2000, soon after completion, when Saga confirmed a number of faults with the 13,000m2 headquarters

The building includes offices, conference facilities, a crèche, a nursery and a 900-seat dining room. Other issues with the scheme were understood to have centred on the cladding system, designed to allow natural ventilation. This appeared to allow too much air to blow in, leading to draughts and disturbances from rattling window blinds. The project team on the original building also included construction manager Schal and structural engineer Arup.

The development at Saga comes as further delays hit repairs to the troubled Clissold leisure centre in Hackney, north London. Bickerdike Allen is also working a design solution to the scheme, which has been beset with problems concerning its roof.

A statement from the mayor of Hackney, Jules Pipe, said the swimming pool would be re-opened at the end of the year.

Pipe said: "The design team is working hard to finalise a practical and affordable solution which will ensure the long-term operation of the centre." Contractor Wates is working on the repairs, which were priced last year at the £5m mark, putting the total cost of the scheme at £37m. The leisure centre was first opened in 2002 but closed a year later after a host of defects emerged.