The local economy will be boosted through our support for the local supply chain, creation of jobs and apprenticeships and offering work experience placements for those considering a career in this rewarding and important sector.

We are committed to restoring local heritage for local communities, ensuring they benefit from projects now and in the future. Part of this will see us working directly with communities on projects with tangible benefits, such as the maintenance of green spaces which have a significant impact on health and wellbeing.

Social, environmental and economic value will be delivered to local communities in every one of our contracts. Quadriga Contracts Ltd is currently working on Baskerville House, the Burlington Hotel and Moseley Road Baths, all of which will produce substantial benefits for the local community and economy.

Native to China, Buddleia Davidii (the most common species we see on buildings) was first introduced at Kew Gardens in 1896 and quickly became naturalised. The first record of a wild plant was in 1922. It is a fast-growing shrub and its small winged seeds can be easily carried over great distances by water, wind and even on the currents from cars and trains. The seeds are then deposited into crumbling masonry, terracotta voids and eroded mortar where the root system takes hold, weakening masonry.

Historic buildings generally are vulnerable to biological growth, largely due to lack of maintenance, inappropriate repairs and environmental conditions which create the perfect environment for plants such as buddleia to thrive. Plant growth can seriously affect the structural integrity of the building and can cause significant and costly damage. In worst cases, the structures can become unstable and are at risk of collapse.
Although we can’t completely stop the spread of buddleia, we can take steps to mitigate its impact and ensure a positive future for our heritage structures. We need to take care of our buildings, making sure that any issues are dealt with quickly and repairs are carried out using appropriate materials by specially trained operatives. The best defense against biological growth is routine inspection and maintenance so it can be dealt with at the earliest opportunity. If growth is left, the root systems will further damage the structure and more plants will spring up in the vicinity. It’s important to note that plants aren’t always causing damage so as assessment of actual and potential damage should be carried out before a decision is made whether to remove the plant or not.

As you’ll have probably noticed, there is an abundance of buddleia in our cities, Manchester and Birmingham are two notable examples of this. Whether you view buddleia as a metaphor for the adaptability and hardiness of the UK population or as a symbol for dereliction and neglect, it is important that we take steps to reduce its impact on our heritage assets, particularly those which are already in a vulnerable state.

To find out more about how we can help with our survey and restoration services, click here.

Thanks to a grant of £4.3m from the Hamish Ogston Foundation, this in-work heritage skills and apprenticeships scheme is possible.  The grant is the largest single investment ever awarded to heritage construction training in England.  It aims to increase expertise in essential crafts and Quadriga have committed to employ and help train an apprentice in heritage carpentry.   The apprentices will acquire important skills and knowledge and will be offered a clear pathway into heritage construction.

The hope is that a future workforce will be attracted to the heritage sector through this five year scheme and will represent the diversity of the country.  By working alongside Historic England we are confident we can tackle the skills shortage, provide fulfilling career opportunities and ensure a bright future for our heritage assets.

Barton Arcade was designed by Corbett, Raby and Sawyer and named after developer John Hope Barton who was a local property owner.  Behind its unassuming frontages (on Deansgate and St Anne’s Square), you will find a beautiful example of a Victorian iron and glass arcade with four stories, ornate curved balconies and abundant natural light from the large glass domes above.   It is surrounded by the Barton Buildings and was one of the first structures built on the newly widened Deansgate.  Its design was inspired by the Galleria Vittorio Emmanuele II in Milan, which although not completed at the time of Barton Arcade’s construction, had already been featured in The Builder.

Arcades became popular around this time as Manchester tried to shift away from its industrial image of factories and warehouses to a more cosmopolitan one.  Barton Arcade was popular with the middle-class crowd, particularly women as it offered a safe and covered environment in which to shop and socialise.  There is, in fact a record of a pick pocket being caught operating in the arcade who had dressed in smart clothing to blend in with the clientele and avoid being spotted.

Although other arcades were built in Manchester (Exchange Arcade, Victoria Arcade and Deansgate Arcade), they were all lost and Barton Arcade is the only surviving example.

Unfortunately, the arcade sustained some damage in the Manchester Blitz of December 1940 and one of the glass domes was shattered.  The building was extensively restored in the 1980s, so the floor and shop fronts are not original.  However, the balconies and domes which feature ironwork from MacFarlane’s Saracen Foundry in Glasgow are original and as striking as they were when new.

Barton Arcade is now home to offices on the upper floors and various retailers and cafes on ground floor and is well worth a visit.  Despite being situated in the centre of the city, it remains somewhat of a hidden gem.

Package: Competitive salary dependant upon experience, company vehicle, laptop, 25 days paid holiday +bank holidays.

Due to natural growth and planned expansion, an excellent opportunity has arisen for a Contracts Manager to join the Quadriga team in their Manchester office.

Quadriga Contracts Ltd is a private, specialist restoration contractor with its head office in Northwich Cheshire and further offices in Manchester and Birmingham.

The company has been responsible for restoring some of our nation’s oldest and most famous landmarks including The Royal Liver Building, Manchester Royal Exchange, Manchester Victoria Station and The British Museum in London to name a few.

Main Activities/Responsibilities

Carry out surveys and pricing of new enquiries and positively encourage repeat business through effective communication with clients.

Chasing existing tenders to establish whether successful and analyse results.

Ensuring all projects are delivered against budget and timescale.

Leading and managing site teams on the projects under your control.

Reporting to Directors on progress, programme and cost control on allocated projects.

Procurement of sub-contract packages.

Ensuring close coordination and communication with clients, subcontractors and suppliers.

Ensuring all site related Risk Assessments and Method Statements are in place and issued.

Manage own workload and areas of responsibility.

Ensure continuity of work for entire labour workforce and instigate additional labour requirements where necessary.

Organising and sourcing of sub-contractors.

Review of contract requirements including preparation of Health & Safety Plans, COSHH, Data Sheets etc.

Mobilisation of Foreman/Supervisor to ensure that they are aware of specific requirements for each job.

Ensure contracts are set up in accordance with Health and Safety ISO45001, ISO14001 and ISO9001 requirements.

Prepare and submit labour costs weekly to head office for payment.

Inform health and safety consultants of any potential problems and hazards.

Prepare valuation and invoices.

Check and sign purchase invoices.

Attend weekly planning meeting to discuss current workload, cost to date and planning of future jobs.

Prepare monthly report.

Knowledge/Experience/Attributes:

HNC/HND/Degree in a construction related field or at least 5 years’ experience working for a similar contractor.

Good existing network of labour and clients.

CSCS card.

Proven track record of leading and delivering successful projects with values of £200k and above.

Strong client interface.

Highly presentable with the ability to gain trust and respect.

High degree of initiative.

Excellent leadership and management skills.

Technical experience and knowledge.

Commercial and financial awareness.

Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.

Problem solving skills.

Ability to remain calm under pressure.

As part of our commitment to apprenticeships and reducing the skills gap, we are now looking to recruit an apprentice stonemason to join our team from head office, Northwich.

This apprenticeship offers the opportunity to gain a wide range of experience onsite and involvement in the day to day running of project whilst studying towards a level 3 qualification in order to become a qualified stonemason.

candidates with  some experience working within a construction environment would be an advantage.

Strictly No Agencies.

If this role sounds like a good fit please email Lindsay Law on lindsay@quadrigaltd.com

Package:              £30,000 to £44,000 per annum dependent upon experience, company vehicle, office parking, laptop, 25 days paid holiday +bank holidays.

Due to natural growth and planned expansion, an excellent opportunity has arisen for an Estimator/Projects Manager to join the Quadriga team in the midlands area, reporting to the Contracts Manager who heads up our Birmingham regional office.

Quadriga Contracts Ltd is a private, specialist restoration contractor with its head office in Northwich Cheshire.  Established over 20 years ago, today the company has a team of surveyors and skilled craftsmen located throughout the north of England and the Midlands.

The company has been responsible for restoring some of our nation’s oldest and most famous landmarks to include The Royal Liver Building, Manchester Royal Exchange, The Tower Building and The British Museum in London to name a few.

Main Activities/Responsibilities

Carry out surveys and pricing of new enquiries and positively encourage repeat business through effective communication with clients.

Generate new enquires.

Estimating using specifically designed software to provide tenders in Quadriga format.

Chasing of existing tenders to establish whether successful and provide feedback to CM to analyse results.

Ensuring all allocated projects are delivered against budget and programme.

Leading and managing Project teams on the projects under your control.

Reporting to Contracts Manager on progress/programme/and cost control on allocated projects.

Procurement of sub-contract packages.

Ensuring close coordination and communication with clients, subcontractors and suppliers.

To ensure all allocated projects Risk Assessments and Method Statements are in place and issued.

Manage own areas of responsibility.

Organising and sourcing of sub-contractors.

Mobilisation of Site Supervisor to ensure that they are aware of specific requirements for each job allocated.

Prepare and submit labour costs weekly to Head Office for payment.

Inform Health and Safety consultants of any potential problems and hazards.

Prepare valuation and invoices for allocated projects.

Check and sign purchase invoices.

Attend weekly planning meeting with Contracts Manager to discuss current workload, cost to date and planning of future jobs.

Knowledge/Experience/Attributes:

Relevant HNC/HND/Degree/NVQ4 preferred, but not essential.

At least 5 years’ experience in working for a similar contractor.

Good existing network within the midlands of clients and labour resources.

CSCS card essential.

Driving licence essential.

SMSTS or equivalent.

Proven track record of leading and delivering successful projects with values of £100k and above.

Strong client interface.

Highly presentable with the ability to gain the trust of clients and contractors.

Able to model behaviour that shows, respect, helpfulness and co-operation.

High degree of initiative.

Ability to work well independently and as part of a team.

Excellent leadership and management skills.

Technical experience and site knowledge.

Commercial and financial awareness.

Excellent interpersonal and communications skills.

Problem-solving skills.

Ability to remain calm under pressure.

The successful candidate will be required to work from our Birmingham City centre office with the remaining time visiting potential and live projects.

Strictly No Agencies.

If this role sounds like a good fit please email Lindsay Law on lindsay@quadrigaltd.com

Here’s a run-down of 5 of the most remarkable and interesting religious, spiritual and holy sites in Britain.

Stonehenge

Of course, we couldn’t leave Stonehenge off the list.  Arguably the most famous sacred heritage site in the UK, this prehistoric henge in Wiltshire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site visited by 800,000 tourists a year.  It is believed that the construction of Stonehenge was carried out in phases with a circular earth bank and ditch built around 5,000 years ago, followed several hundred years later by around 80 bluestones being raised into place in a circular formation.  The third phase took place around 2000 BC and during this time sarsen sandstone slabs were arranged in an outer crescent.  Some were arranged in structures of three, in the centre of the site; the trilithons we now associate with Stonehenge.  The huge sandstones weighed up to 40 tons with the tallest measuring 24 feet and it is believed they were sourced 25 miles away.  The bluestones were smaller but were found to have originated over 200 miles away in Wales, leading scholars to wonder how prehistoric people transported these 4-ton boulders so far across the UK.

It’s likely that different groups or tribes of people contributed to the construction of Stonehenge, but its overall purpose is still shrouded in mystery.  There is archaeological evidence of the site having been used as a burial ground, but most historians and scholars believe there is more to it.  Perhaps it was used for ceremonies or as a destination for religious pilgrimage, maybe a site for our ancestors to commune with their ancestors.  In the 1960s, astronomer Gerald Hawkins suggested the placement of the stones correlated with astrological events such as solstices and eclipses.  Although this is still a contested point, many people nowadays make the trip to Stonehenge every year to celebrate the summer and winter solstices and reconnect with their spirituality.

Shrine to Sulis Minerva

The city of Bath was built over hot springs which have likely existed for tens of thousands of years.  Prior to the Roman invasion of Britain, the Celts held the springs sacred believing them to be the work of the Celtic goddess Sul, associated with fertility, healing and medicine.  Celtic coins found at the site suggest offerings or a means of communication with the goddess.   When the Romans successfully invaded Britain in AD 43 they set about creating cities and convincing the natives to integrate themselves into the Roman Empire.  One way in which the Romans achieved this was through the adaptation and subsequent Romanisation of Celtic traditions and beliefs.  When they discovered the springs at Bath, they renamed the town Aquae Sulis and merged their goddess Minerva with the Celtic goddess Sulis.  Sulis Minerva was born!  A temple to Sulis Minerva was created at Aquae Sulis and became a focal point for worship; not only would people visit to enjoy the restorative qualities of the hot spring, but pilgrims would also visit to pay their respects to the goddess.   There was a courtyard surrounding the classical style temple with a great altar in front which was the focus of sacrifices, worship, rituals and ceremonies.  There was a cellar under the temple where the cult statue of the goddess was kept in a windowless room, illuminated only by the sacred fire that burnt before it.

The temple of Sulis Minerva was an important worship site until the late 4^th century AD when Christianity was gaining pace and pagan traditions were increasingly marginalised.  When pagan temples were forced to close in AD 391, it fell into a state of disrepair and sadly collapsed.  Some remains of the temple courtyard are kept at the Roman Baths Museum.

Lindisfarne

Known also as Holy Island, Lindisfarne is an island off the coast of Northumberland, only reachable across a causeway at low tide.  The island is first mentioned in the 6^th century AD and was a focal point of Celtic Christianity after a monastery was founded by St Aidan in AD 634, with monks travelling from other communities to live there.   Cuthbert moved to Lindisfarne where he ran the monastery for a time and was revered as a spiritual guide and healer. When he later died on a nearby island, his body was returned to Lindisfarne and buried there.  As people visited his grave to pray, there were claims of healing miracles and so it was decided that 11 years after his death his remains would be exhumed so he could be declared a Saint.  The declaration of his sainthood was not only a day of celebration but a day of shock because when his coffin was opened, his body was complete and undecayed.  St Cuthbert became the most important and popular saint of Northern England and Lindisfarne cemented its role as a major pilgrimage site.

The priory at Lindisfarne was home to beautiful manuscripts believed to have been written in the 11 years after Cuthbert’s death, alongside treasures for religious ceremonies and other precious items when the vulnerable island found itself victim to a Viking raid in AD 793.  The monks living on the island were murdered and their relics and treasures stolen.  This raid was not only physically devastating but also psychologically, as pagans had attacked one of the country’s holiest shrines and St Cuthbert had not intervened.

A few decades later, the surviving Lindisfarne monks left the island, carrying St Cuthbert’s coffin and other treasures that had been spared for 7 years until they finally settled in Chester-Le-Street, Durham.  St Cuthbert’s remains were moved again in AD 995 and enshrined in Durham Cathedral where they remain to this day.

Durham monks briefly returned to the island in the 12th century, establishing a new priory in 1150 on the site where St Cuthbert’s shrine is said to have stood.  Even visiting today, you get a sense of the sacred importance of this beautiful island.

Stones of Stenness

Considered the oldest henge monument in Britain, the Stones of Stenness on Orkney are the remains of a huge stone circle on an ancient ritual site.  Visiting today you can see four upright stones in a circle which would have originally contained 12 boulders, the tallest of which is 6 metres.  The stones are part of the Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage Site and date back to 3100 BC.  The ditch around the Stones of Stenness is 2 metres deep with a diameter of 44 metres and due to it sitting lower than the water table, it would have constantly been filled with water.  There is speculation that this water was considered a gateway to the spirit world or that this ditch separated this ritual site from the outside world.

In the centre of the circle is a stone setting reminiscent of a prehistoric hearth, suggesting that something was burnt here possibly in sacrifice or ritual; bones of cattle, sheep and wolves, pottery and charcoal were found in the hearth.  We may never know exactly why these henges were constructed but it seems likely that they were sites of ceremony, ritual and perhaps burial with the stones seen as possessing magical properties, something which survives in folklore to this day.

A nearby stone known as the Odin Stone had a circular hole in it and was visited by local couples who would hold hands through the gap as they got engaged.

Creswell Crags

Creswell Crags is an enclosed limestone gorge on the Derbyshire/Nottinghamshire border containing several caves that were lived in during the last ice age approximately 40,000 years ago.  One of the caves, Church Hole contains the oldest verified cave art in the UK including depictions of animals amongst abstract and potentially religious symbols.  Since then, locals and visitors have passed through the gorge, leaving their marks carved into the rock.

In 2019, hundreds of symbols and marks were found carved into the walls and ceilings of the caves.  They ae believed to be Witches’ Marks or Apotropaic marks (from the Green apotrepein meaning ‘to turn away’).  These marks are often discovered at entry points of older houses and churches to protect those inside from evil spirits.  The collection at Creswell Crags is believed to be the largest collection of Apotropaic marks found anywhere in the UK.  Some of the marks found here allude to the Virgin Mary, likely in response to illness or other hardships.  In the past, people feared what they could not explain, and this included much of the natural world; it is possible that locals feared what might be lurking below the ground or in the twists and turns of the rugged natural landscape. The number of marks suggests either a significant place of protection or a place of fear, we may never know for sure.

The Basilica of St. Denis just north of Paris is considered to be the first Gothic building in the world and demonstrates the evolution from Romanesque architecture. In 1122 Abbot Suger, friend of French kings began to rebuild and enlarge the existing abbey, citing the building’s inability to deal with the large crowds of pilgrims who visited. He aimed to introduce more space and light. This was achieved with the use of flying buttresses and large stained-glass windows and through his work, Gothic architecture was born.

Typical features

The Flying Buttress

A defining feature of Gothic architecture, a flying buttress consists of a half arch that projects from a building wall down into a pier, conveying to the ground the weight and horizontal force of a roof, vault or dome. The balancing forces allow the construction of grander, taller and more elaborate buildings. By diverting the weight of the roof away from the walls, the walls could be made thinner and more windows installed providing the buildings with an abundance of natural light. As well as serving a functional purpose, flying buttresses are also decorative in nature featuring ornate designs.

The Pointed Arch

When we think of Gothic architecture, the pointed arch is probably what first comes to mind. As with many of the features of this style, the pointed arch is as much functional as aesthetic. Its shape distributed the force of ceilings, transferring weight onto columns and other load bearing supports, freeing up the walls. The stronger arches allowed for vertical expansion, being built tall to reach up to the heavens, with their design emphasising the height of the building.

The Vaulted Ceiling

The ribbed vault was popular in Gothic architecture due to the reduced need for inner load-bearing walls, allowing the interior space to be opened up. Ribbed vaults are composed of a framework of crossed or diagonal arched ribs and they were added to the Romanesque barrel vault to increase the transfer of loads to the ground. Ribbed vaulted ceilings can cover vast spaces and provide visual symmetry.

Tracery

Tracery involves the division of windows into sections of various sizes and shapes by stone frames or moulding. Tracery in the Gothic period increased the amount of glass panelling to allow more natural light and usually featured lancet or oculus patterns. A lancet window is narrow with a pointed arch whereas the oculus or rose is circular, almost like a wheel with radiating stone spokes.

Stained Glass

Large stained-glass windows were prevalent in Gothic cathedrals, showcasing a kaleidoscope of colours and patterns as well as detailed biblical scenes. The large windows allowed more dazzling natural light to enter the building.

Ornate design

Gothic architecture was revolutionary in its incorporation of aesthetic values. No longer were buildings purely functional, they had architectural merit and beauty in their own right. As the appreciation for architectural beauty grew, more ambitious and ornate designs came to fruition.

Famous examples of Gothic architecture

Chartres Cathedral

Chartres Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, described as “the high point of French Gothic Art.” It is well preserved with the majority of the original stained-glass windows surviing intact and only minor changes having been carried out to the architecture since the early 13th century.

Cologne Cathedral

Cologne Cathedral is a dramatic example of Gothic architecture and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.  It is the tallest twin-spired church in the world and Germany’s most visited landmark.

Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey sits just west of the Palace of Westminster and is the traditional place of the coronation and burial of British monarchs.

Notre-Dame de Paris

Considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture in the world, Notre-Dame is one of the most widely recognised landmarks in Paris.  After a devastating fire in 2019, restoration of the cathedral is hoped to be completed by Spring 2024 in time for the Paris Summer Olympics.

Canterbury Cathedral

Canterbury Cathedral is one of the oldest and most famous Christian buildings in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site.

Although founded in 597, the cathedral was rebuilt in the 1070s and again in the 12th century following a fire.

Seville Cathedral

Completed in the early 16th century, Seville Cathedral is the fourth largest church in the world and the largest Gothic Church.  It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

The hall was built for the Oddfellows Friendly Society around 1915.  The Oddfellows is a non-political international fraternity first documented in London in 1730.   The society promotes friendliness, benevolence, charity and philanthropy.  Oddfellows Hall was built in the Edwardian Baroque style and decorative features can be found throughout the building from the terrazzo floor to the ornate tiles to the mosaic on the floor of the entrance, depicting the Oddfellows Society crest.  The building came under ownership of the university in the 1960s with the society relocating twice since.

The building was initially set to be demolished in 1970 and was designated for temporary use in the meantime.  The Manchester Museum of Science and Technology (now know as the Science and Industry Museum) needed temporary premises while its Liverpool Road site was being redeveloped so it moved into the building along with the Methodist Chaplaincy.

After the Methodist Chaplaincy left in 1972, the museum took over the whole site, renaming itself the North Western Museum of Science and Industry and decorated the side of Oddfellows Hall with a huge mural depicting industry.

The museum remained until 1983 and until recently, the building served as university offices and also housed the University Language Centre.

Quadriga were employed to carry out surveys and following this to restore this historic building.

Following its completed restoration by Quadriga, it will now serve as an integral part of the £400 million campus development and is a great example of using heritage buildings within a modern context.

Works included

• Super-heated steam clean of facade
• Terracotta repair and replacement where required
• Re-pointing and repair of brickwork
• Repair, replacement and redecoration of timber windows
• Constructing a new timber cupola frame with copper cladding to the dome
• Tile repair
• Stained glass repair and replacement
• Replacing brass hinges on windows
• Terrazzo floor repair
• Restoration of decorative floor in entrance
• Installation of suspended ceilings
• Installation of a new roof light

Job Purpose

• To be an active member of the Company’s Estimating Team, undertaking high quality and accurate Trades pricing as part of the production of tender opportunities from the initial pre-qualification stage through the preparation and adjudication process to final submission. Working will be either autonomously or as part of a team environment dependent upon the size of the bid.

Accountabilities and Key Tasks

• To be a proactive member of the estimating team, providing accurate and auditable costings
• To be responsible for the delivery of fully costed and detailed pricing in response to client specifications with appropriate back-up data and audit trail documentation.
• Assist in the production and submission of tenders for various clients under the direction of the Operations Director.
• Control of all actions, methods & output of each estimation under his/her remit
• Provide support to other members of the team.
• Liaise with the client’s representatives to ensure correct interpretation of their requirements and constraints
• Carry out site surveys and produce spreadsheet analysis of the results
• Liaise with the operations staff to ensure a complete solution is put forward against the specific requirements
• To comply with the Company’s Policies, Management Plans and Procedures
• To fulfil Health & Safety responsibilities by adherence to the requirements of the Company’s Health & Safety Policy and Health & Safety Management Plans
• To support the Company’s Quality Policy Statement and actively participate in the achievement of Company and personal Quality objectives

Essential Criteria:

• Relevant industry experience as an Estimator
• Commercial awareness
• Sound working knowledge of the local market.
• Extensive trades knowledge
• Time, resource & financial managerial experience
• Able to plan and organise effectively
• Well-developed people management skills
• Strive for business excellence & continuous improvement.
• Health & Safety
• Quality control
• Strong communication skills – both written and verbal
• Highly computer literate and analytical – competent in use of Microsoft Excel and estimating software
• Current driving licence

Quadriga delivers award-winning refurbishment projects across the public and commercial private sectors.

Quadriga is an equal opportunities employer and encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of gender, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity.

If this role sounds like a good fit please email Lindsay Law on lindsay@quadrigaltd.com

New flooring has been laid throughout from the entrance foyer and administration office, up the stairs to the finance and contracts department, complimented by geometric wallpaper and bespoke modern art by Splash Art.  New metal and glass doors have been installed throughout letting a huge amount of natural light in, illuminating the workspace.

As the entrance hall was completed last December, we thought it’d be nice to share some pictures of the space looking festive, even though last Christmas feels like a lifetime ago!

We look forward to welcoming you safely back to our offices as soon as possible.