Leeds cast plasterer completes work on £75m Barton Square transformation project

Award-winning cast plasterer Ryedale Interiors Ltd has completed a large-scale cast plasterwork project as part of a £75m transformation of intu Trafford Centre’s Barton Square.

The Leeds-based firm successfully designed, manufactured, and installed 8000 glass reinforced gypsum casts to support the restoration and redevelopment of the historic Manchester retail destination, led by global construction giant, VINCI Construction UK.

The £1.75m contract is the largest yet for the 25-year old firm and represents the rapid rate of its growth over the last four years.

Ryedale Interiors won the competitive tender in June 2018 after impressing VINCI with its history of exquisite and detailed cast plasterworks.

Owned by industry specialist, Roger Hannon, the firm has been a trusted supplier for over 25 years to some of the country’s most prestigious construction companies, supporting the restoration, redevelopment and design of a variety of visually stunning projects across the retail, commercial property and leisure sectors.

Some of their most recognised work includes The Majestic, Leeds, The Rock, Bury; Resorts World, Birmingham, and Soar at intu Braehead.

Roger Hannon, managing director of Ryedale Interiors Ltd said: “A lot of work went into the securing of this project back in early 2018 and even more so in completing it with the added difficulty of Covid-19 during the final few weeks. The teams involved have worked tirelessly to ensure we deliver a quality product.

“Detailed work was carried out to ensure we had the correct casts ready to install at the correct time, all this on a fast-moving construction site with ever changing challenges.

“The sheer scale of the works required here was a challenge, but I am proud of the skills our apprentice-trained operatives have shown both on and off site.”

The centrepiece attraction of the Barton Square project is the new 36m diameter central domed area, for which Ryedale has created the ornate plasterwork, incorporating the high-level circular centre mural feature which is sat 30m up above the ornate fountain. Six decorative GRG petals drop into a large classical cornice detail around the dome’s base.

Ryedale has also installed cornices, Greek key mouldings and column casings to match those installed in the courtyards and malls.

Whilst the initial design concepts were developed once again by Leach Rhodes Walker Architects, Ryedale Interiors developed the design and produced around 100 CAD detail drawings for the Barton Square cast plasterwork.

Once re-open, the refreshed site will remain home to a host of brands including the Sealife Centre, the Lego Discovery Centre, and allow new, anchor tenant Primark to trade.