GROUNDWORKS CONTRACT FOR NEW WILLMOTT DIXON HOTEL DEVELOPMENT

Willmott Dixon has turned to Ashridge once again for this groundworks, drainage and external works contract for a new multi-million pound 76-bedroom Travelodge hotel in Chichester town centre. The new hotel will be opposite the famous Cathedral and will be part new build, part refurbishment of a listed façade which is being retained. The Travelodge hotel will be constructed above and behind the Post Office, in West Street (shown opposite), which will not be affected by it, with retailing on the ground floor. A building immediately behind the Post Office will be demolished to make way for the hotel, and guests will be able to use an underground car park close by. Work on this contract for Ashridge has involved breaking down piles, casting pile caps and a reinforced ground floor slab with bolts cast in to take the steel frame for this new budget hotel.

The initial 4 week programme was very tight and had a delayed start date of 19th April due to an over-run by another contractor working at the site however Ashridge managed to achieve the deadline and poured the final part of slab on 14th May.

The first floor slab is due to be poured by the end of May. Foul and storm drainage as well as other ducting has been laid under the slab ready for Ashridge to return in October to complete the external works.