Housing job finds replacement after contractor collapses

A replacement contractor from the same group as the client has been appointed to a £9.8m housing complex in Liverpool following the collapse of Crossfield Construction.

Merseyside-based HMS, part of the Torus Group, has been appointed by Torus Developments to the scheme, called The Vaults on James Street, in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle.

The scheme was intended to make 64 affordable apartments available for rent-to-buy as well as providing commercial space. It is scheduled for completion next spring.

However, the project was halted last year after Liverpool-based contractor Crossfield was placed in liquidation with outstanding debts of £5.9m.

The failed firm, which worked on new-build and refurbishment jobs primarily in the North West of England, blamed the impact of the pandemic, rising material prices and wider economic conditions in the construction sector.

Its sister development company Crossfield Living folded shortly afterwards, owing creditors more than £3.5m.

Reaffirming its £9.8m commitment to the scheme, Torus said HMS would complete all internal works as well as a number of remedial and external works to bring the project to completion.

Torus director of development and sales Steve Alcock said it was the sixth project HMS had stepped in to complete for Torus in similar circumstances. He expressed confidence that the scheme would be in safe hands.

“The team are becoming experts at completing this type of project and delivering high-quality homes in difficult circumstances,” Alcock said.

HMS turned over £89m in the 2021/22 financial year and made a pre-tax profit of £2.3m.