REL awarded M&E package for £20m school refurbishment

Willmott Dixon has appointed REL Building Services to deliver an M&E package as part of a £20m project to refurbish and expand a secondary school in Romford, Essex.

The contract will require building services to be sensitively designed and installed within a Grade II listed building at Royal Liberty School. The project will also see REL provide M&E solutions for new facilities, including a food technology room, extra science laboratory, additional classroom space, a larger canteen, and a separate external sports hall.

REL’s managing director, Toby Buckley, said: “This refurbishment draws on our skills and experience in both the education and heritage sectors. It requires a carefully modelled M&E solution featuring the latest energy-saving technology and a skilled installation to ensure modern services don’t alter the property’s original fabric or features.”

The contract follows the success of Romford’s flagship Sapphire Ice Rink and Swimming Pool, which opened in 2018. The development, which featured an ice rink on top of a suite of leisure facilities, was also constructed by Willmott Dixon with REL responsible for all electrical services.

Steve Kitchen, director at Willmott Dixon added: “We’re exceptionally proud of Sapphire Ice and Leisure, which has been a popular addition to Romford and was recently named the UK’s Civic Building of the Year.

“We’re keen to make a similar impact at Royal Liberty House School and having worked with REL on a number of projects, know the team has the M&E expertise required to help us achieve this aim.”