Horizon Platforms Blog

Why keeping Westfield Bradford on track is crucial

When you take its history into account, it’s vital that progress on the £260m Westfield Shopping Centre development in Bradford City Centre stays on track and on budget. This is, of course, true for any building project, but none more so than in the case of Westfield Bradford.

The impact of recession hit the Bradford development hard. With its well-publicised delays, “gaping hole in the ground” headlines and problems securing tenants, the project and its developers experienced a rocky ride to say the least. Thankfully, the tide has now turned.

A full decade after demolition of buildings on this prime city centre retail site first started, building work began – as did the involvement of Horizon Platforms with the project.

Why quality work at height platforms and reliable delivery is key

Since January 2014, excellent progress has been made on the 550,000 sq ft two-level mall. Steelworks are in place, cladding is going up, floors are being laid and the roof is on.

As the building has risen from the ground, so has the optimism of Bradford people and there seems to be a real buzz around the city. We’ve witnessed this first-hand. Horizon has been on site many times during the last year, delivering the full range of access platforms to local contractors involved in the build – from cherry pickers and scissor lifts to boom lifts.

We are acutely aware that unless things run like clockwork, building work grinds to a halt. That simply can’t happen on this project, and we’re playing our part by ensuring we deliver the right tools for the job, on time, every time, and to the exact location where they’re needed.

Inevitably on a project of this scale, our customers’ needs change, so we have to be as flexible and responsive as possible. If a contractor or sub-contractor using an access platform from Horizon wants an extra 10 platforms on site at short notice, we’ll go the extra mile to ensure they are delivered.

We look forward to continuing to contribute in our small – but important way – to progress on the Westfield Bradford Broadway project and look forward to its successful completion later this year.

To find out about platform hire as well as IPAF training to enable safe work at height, call Horizon today on 03301 342661.