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Exterior panel replacement works to Victoria Place Woking’s long-awaited four-star hotel and conference centre are expected to be completed by summer 2024.
Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, said: “Despite my frustration with the unacceptably long delay in resolving this matter, I welcome Sir Robert McAlpine’s commitment to complete these works by next summer.
“I acknowledge that risks remain as these works must be completed safely and properly. Yet it has been over 18 months since the exterior panel failure, and it is imperative that McAlpine and their specialist façade sub-contractor, Prater, commit the resources necessary to complete this project as quickly as possible.
“I am confident that once these works are complete, and Hilton take management of the premium hotel and conference centre later in the year, we can look forward to its successful and long overdue opening.”
Opening of the hotel and conference centre was delayed in October 2021 due to a failure of the building’s exterior panels.
Since then, it has been the responsibility of the main construction contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine, and its specialist façade subcontractor, to develop and implement a robust solution which is currently underway.
A spokesperson for Sir Robert McAlpine, said: “We have been working very closely with Woking Borough Council and our façade subcontractor, Prater, to solve this complex issue. We have collaboratively created an approach which meets the council’s exacting specifications for the replacement works.
“Our teams are now fully committed to implementing the permanent remedial works necessary within the time frame agreed with the council so that the hotel can open safely by summer 2024.”