Refurbishment work at the new Union Society building for Newcastle University has reached a milestone 20,000 man hours.

Fifteen weeks into the programme, the five storey, 5,500 square metre structure is in the final stages of its demolition, and installing first phase mechanical and electrical components, structural works and partitions.

The contractor behind it – Newcastle-based BAM Construction - says work has already brought significant benefits to the North East economy.

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BAM's Construction Director for the North East, Andrew Warwick, said: "Subject to meeting our demanding quality criteria, BAM’s approach is to support local economies and communities by placing its orders locally. We take the opportunity with our projects to give something back to the communities where we build. Around 80 per cent of the value and number of orders placed so far on the Union Society building have been with local firms totalling around £2.6 million. Over 175 men have so far worked on this project, and at peak we expect there will be around 100 people working on it simultaneously."

Andy Wilson, Managing the £6 million construction project for BAM, added: "People passing through the campus this month will be able to see that we’re currently completing restoring the external facades and starting work on new curtain walling and windows. We've also got plans to launch an exciting first for a national charity here in a few weeks."

(CD)