Milliners Wharf
Milliner’s Wharf – an Introduction
Redpath Bruce have served as the Managing Agent for Manchester development, Milliners Wharf since its initial construction in 2009. During this time we bore witness to the terrible events of the 2017 fire at Grenfell Tower and the subsequent changes in UK legislation to improve upon fire safety and building regulations in large residential complexes.
We have been dedicated to working with the Board of Directors and residents over the intervening years and are now delighted to see work progress on the building’s improvements (while residents remain in their homes) with the contractor Intelligent FS.
Analysis and risk assessment work began in late 2018 with Omega Fire (now BB7) and Adaston Ltd looking at fire safety and compliance within Milliners Wharf. After identifying some key areas of concern, reporting work began with increased scope to encapsulate the whole building, including all external wall systems and cladding.
By mid 2019, Adaston Ltd had recommended a new evacuation strategy along with the installation of new fire equipment and associated training which was implemented in conjunction with Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service. We also lodged an insurance claim regarding these legacy issues. While the new fire strategy and training policies were implemented quickly, the insurance claim is still active.
The Building Safety Fund
In March 2020, the Government announced the creation of the Building Safety Fund, implemented to fund the remediation of cladding on high rise residential buildings in the wake of the Grenfell Disaster. Redpath Bruce lodged an application on behalf of the Milliners Wharf Management Company in July 2020 and at the end of a lengthy and detailed application process, we were delighted to receive notice in June of this year that the application had been successful and works could commence.
It was a requirement of the Building Safety Fund for Project Design team to be assembled, and we worked closely with the Board who, following a review process, appointed PMP Ltd, an established and independent consultancy providing a full range of services in building surveying, project management and cost consultancy, to oversee the works at Milliners Wharf.
In August of this year, Intelligent FS set up site offices and have entered Phase 2 of the work schedule. The next key milestone for the project is the installation of the first mast climber to the building. This will be installed to allow investigation surveys to continue but will also stay in place for the cladding works to follow.
We will keep you updated on progress as it continues at Milliners Wharf throughout the project stages.