2020: Year in review

Such was the unprecedented nature of the coronavirus pandemic, the Scottish Government’s plan for a phased return of construction from lockdown was the most read story of 2020.

Unveiling its route map out of the current lockdown restrictions, the government permitted the construction sector to return to work on a phased basis from May 28, with physical distancing measures in place and staggered start times and flexible working encouraged.

SCN kept its readers abreast of all the sector guidance as it was issued and updated regularly by the government, which deemed some construction work amongst work of critical importance.

The year also saw the unfortunate demise of Glasgow-headquartered Central Building Contractors (Glasgow) Limited, which was placed into administration in April following years of “challenging trading conditions in the construction sector”. Established in 1971, the company provided a range of construction design, development and maintenance services throughout Scotland, employing 159 people.

Another company to collapse was Mars Black Sheep Hotels Limited, which had owed Aberdeen-based construction firm Douglas and Stewart Construction more than £3 million at the time of liquidation.

In more positive news, Clydebuilt Limited Partnership’s plan to amalgamate and transform two Glasgow retail units to provide a seven-screen cinema caught the eye.

The firm was given the green light to combine two units in the Crown Street Retail Park to provide a 600-seat cinema.

Elsewhere in the city, outline plans were submitted for a major residential development plus commercial units on a site on the east side of Carlisle Street, north of Inverurie Street/Endrick Street, in Cowlairs.

Over on the East coast, work to demolish a dilapidated Dundee pub and replace it with new homes and plans to demolish unlisted tenement buildings deemed too expensive to maintain wrapped up our most read articles for the year.

Thanks to all our readers, contributors and advertisers for keeping SCN sustained during the tough months. We’ll be back in 2021!