(9 Dec 2011)
The largest retail scheme currently being delivered in the UK, the £350m Trinity, Leeds development, marked impressive progress in December with a festive ‘topping out’ ceremony.

Marking the completion of steelwork and the start of glazing for the feature grid-shell roof, local school children performed Christmas carols for 80 assembled guests from the top of the building – offering a close-up of the intricate dome structure and views across Leeds city centre.

Lighting up the Leeds skyline with its Select tower cranes, the Trinity development has delighted the client with its progress since start on site in late 2010.

CEO of Land Securities Francis Salway, commented: “Projects of this scale are never just about a building’s design, they are about jobs and this has never been more important than in today’s economic climate. There will be a peak of 1,000 construction workers building the scheme and Trinity Leeds will employ some 3,500 in retail and services jobs once it opens.

“Laing O’Rourke have been fantastic in helping us to make sure that through schools and colleges we are involving local youngsters and allowing them to get experience of construction, engineering and property. Working with us, they are also offering training programmes and supporting a number of apprenticeships.”

Laing O’Rourke’s Roger Robinson, CEO Europe, added: “We have thoroughly enjoyed working with a client who knows exactly what they want. We are on programme and look forward to handing over on time and on budget in Spring 2013.”