Glencar has assumed responsibility for a major construction project near Cambridge originally started by Readie, a contractor that has gone into administration.
- Originally appointed in November, Readie commenced building the Sidney Sussex facility in Chesterford Research Park but ceased operations three months later.
- Glencar is set to complete the 5,500 square metre lab and office building by October 2025, bringing much-needed stability to the project.
- The building’s flexible design allows it to adapt to changing needs, with the added aim of enhancing biodiversity through renewable energy and ecological initiatives.
- Challenges faced by Readie include cost inflation and issues with subcontractors, illustrating broader industry pressures.
Glencar has stepped up to continue the construction of a significant life sciences building near Cambridge after the original contractor, Readie, entered administration. This development follows Readie’s appointment last November to construct the Sidney Sussex building at Chesterford Research Park, a site co-owned by Aviva Investors and Uttlesford District Council. The transition to Glencar’s oversight began at the end of May.
The project, which is supported by £40 million in private funding, involves the completion of a 5,500 square metre, three-storey laboratory and office complex. This facility is designed with adaptability in mind, allowing areas to be reconfigured to meet diverse requirements. Projected to be finished by October 2025, its current suite offerings vary in size from 200 to 800 square metres, catering to evolving organisational needs.
Aiming to integrate sustainable practices, the building will partially operate on renewable energy sources. Environmental enhancements include the installation of a pond, bird and bat boxes, and an increase in tree planting to promote biodiversity. This reflects a commitment to environmental stewardship, in line with emerging trends in construction.
Eddie McGillycuddy, CEO of Glencar, remarked, “This project is not only a testament to our growing expertise in life sciences construction but also a significant addition to our portfolio, following other successful projects we have delivered and are delivering currently at Harwell Science and Innovation Campus.”
The project’s location, Chesterford Research Park, holds strategic significance as part of the life sciences ‘golden triangle’, drawing notable tenants such as pharmaceutical giants AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, and Sanofi. This underscores the area’s prominence in the industry and the importance of completing the facility to serve these enterprises.
Readie Construction’s difficulties arose from ‘inflationary cost pressures, numerous subcontractor failures, and chronic tightening in performance bond and trade credit insurance markets’. These challenges, as evidenced by their email correspondence, highlight wider economic pressures impacting the construction sector. Prior to its administration, Readie was renowned for its work on industrial and logistics buildings, illustrating the breadth of its operational scope.
Glencar’s intervention ensures the continuity of a key infrastructure project, maintaining momentum in the region’s life sciences sector.
