THE new offices for The Press were redeveloped by one of the oldest construction companies in the world.

York-based William Anelay, founded in 1747, carried out the refurbishment of the former Poads building, named after the corn and seed merchant which occupied the Walmgate premises in the Victorian times.

The company, which is also based out of Manchester and employs almost 100 staff with a turnover of £30 million, worked alongside other firms as part of the entire project, harmonising with Vinci Construction UK Ltd and R N Wooler & Co Ltd, based in Keighley.

Anelay site manager Adam Hickey said: "It works like an orchestra, with all parties in constant communication with each other.

"We have all taken charge of different phases of the overall project and close liaison has been essential in such a tight working environment.

"This is collaborative work in the real sense of the word by three firms that are normally competing against each other.

“We have overseen demolition, alterations and the construction of an extension to the Poads while Vinci focus on the new build student accommodation to the rear, due for completion in August 2015, and Woolers tasked with a new hotel build on adjacent land."

William Anelay Ltd started on site at the start of February 2014 and completed their phase of works, valued at £780,000, at the end of August.

Mr Hickey added: "Our phase of works has focused on providing a modern working environment for The Press team to ensure their continued presence in the city centre.

"It’s involved partial retention of the existing building together with the creation of a three storey extension.

"We’ve carried out limited repointing and repairs to the outside of the building but the main thrust of works saw us demolish the entire ground floor, including supporting walls, and install more than 80 prop beams and columns up to the first floor to ensure structural integrity while the building was being worked on.

"A great deal of salvage work has taken place with roof slates, radiators and bricks reclaimed for use in the refurbishment

"The Poads building is in a Conservation Area and is considered a Building of Merit by the local council. That has meant that we have had to adhere to many regulations in terms of what we can and cannot do but that is par for the course for Anelay given that we work on so many historic landmarks across the UK.

"Logistics has been key here. Working collaboratively is not only essential for the successful running of each of the projects, its essential for the continuity of the local populace that thrive in this busy city centre location."