Glasgow-headquartered fit-out contractor Morris & Spottiswood has secured a £1.2 million contract for the redevelopment of the airside retail offer at Edinburgh Airport.

The firm, which also has offices in Edinburgh, Warrington and Leeds, secured the contract following a competitive tender process.

Project manager Scott Ramsay said the retail works – the largest of four current Morris & Spottiswood projects at Edinburgh Airport - involves a complicated redevelopment of the existing departures lounge retail offer.

“We were tasked with stripping out the existing duty free and retail area and reconfiguring it into smaller retail units for Boots, WHSmith and World Duty Free,” he said.

“We’ve just completed phase one of the retail shell and core works. In phase two we will create six further retail units by the end of May 2016. As part of the project we are removing old ceramic tiles, configuring sprinkler systems to allow individual unit control and putting in new ventilation systems and chilled water systems.

“The repeat business has been as a result of a wider review undertaken at Edinburgh Airport of its supply chain, ultimately creating the opportunity for us to provide a quality competitive bid. In addition to the departures lounge retail development we are also working on a variety of other projects across the airport campus including minor terminal enhancements, works in Immigration and at the airport Fire Station.”

In addition to Scott Ramsay, Morris & Spottiswood has deployed two site managers, three site supervisors, an administrator and an M&E project manager to Edinburgh Airport for the duration of the works.

Mr Ramsay said that, to keep passenger and airport staff disruption to a minimum, much of the fit-out work is being carried out overnight.

“Working in an airport presents a number of unique challenges,” he said. “For instance, anyone who works in an airport has to go through a rigorous vetting procedure. Then there is the logistical challenge of transporting the materials we need for our projects across the airport campus.

“Adapting to the airport environment and ensuring that we adhere to all the rules and regulations has been key. Our professionalism as well as the quality of our work is what has helped us to secure further contracts. Security and health and safety are of paramount importance on any project, but arguably come into even sharper focus when you are working in an airport.”