Scaffolding back up at Arc complex

REPAIR work is taking place at a Suffolk shopping centre which opened a year ago.

Contractors are repairing cracks on walls and re-setting paving stones at the �100million Arc complex, in Bury St Edmunds, which has been put up for sale by developer Centros.

Paul Haynes, Arc centre manager, said the re-rendering work on three of the development’s six blocks was routine.

He said: “It is a vast area. They are going around bit by bit, making sure it is all perfect.”

Mr Haynes said the repairs, which were due to take up to three weeks to complete, were part of “snagging” work to touch up final parts of the development.

He denied entire panels of the buildings were being re-rendered.

He said: “These are very small areas of these buildings but, in order to make it safe, we have to put the scaffolding up. It looks far more extensive than it is.”

Centros hopes to sell off the controversial complex, which was opened in March last year.

But Mr Haynes denied the work was being completed to boost the centre’s sale.

“It would have happened anyway,” he said.

“There have been a few pieces of paving from construction time that need to be re-planted in order to look correct.

“We look to see if everything is completed before it is signed off as being satisfactory.”

As well as the re-rendering, work is also being carried out on paving, painting and edging.

A spokeswoman for the Arc, said: “The contractors on site are completing some snagging works in several locations as part of the delivery of the scheme.

“This relates to some typical non-structural shrinkage cracks caused by the drying out of the block work and render, and is common with these materials and for such a substantial project.

“The work is being conducted in a phased manner to minimise inconvenience to shoppers and we thank customers and staff for their patience.”