Balfour Beatty sets the pace for £15m retail deal

Balfour Beatty has moved to the head of the queue for a £15m retail deal in Clydebank, near Glasgow.

Insiders say that the firm has stolen a march on Costain - its only remaining rival for the Co-op Insurance Society scheme at the Clyde shopping centre.

Bids from two other contenders - Carillion and Interserve - have been shown the door.

The project involves building an extra 3,000m2 of retail space. It includes refurbishing four squares, installing glazed roofing and new flooring and lighting.

Piling, access and enabling works are also featured.

A start on site is expected in September, with completion scheduled within 92 weeks.

l Carillion is among four firms expecting to hear next month which of them has won the contract for an £18m design and build office project in Edinburgh.

Skanska, Sir Robert McAlpine and Kier complete the line up for the Morrison Developments scheme.

The project, at Leith Docks, includes a 12-storey and nine-storey block, giving around 23,000m2 of accommodation, and is expected to begin in January 2002.