Warden is bringing the spirit of Christmas to Manchester once again as it commences work on the city’s world-famous Christmas Markets.

Each year, the Manchester Christmas Markets attract millions of visitors from across the UK and beyond, transforming the city centre into a festive destination filled with food, craft, and celebration.

Marking its third consecutive year working on behalf of Manchester City Council and North West Construction Hub, our specialist teams will be delivering the project ahead of the grand opening on Friday 7 November.

The programme of works is extensive, with operations running 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The scope includes organising deliveries, managing mechanical and electrical installations, coordinating crane lifts, installing and removing fencing, and overseeing full traffic management to maintain the safe flow of people and vehicles throughout the city.

This year’s installations will span a record ten locations, covering Piccadilly Gardens, Market Street, Cathedral Gardens, Exchange Square, Corn Exchange, New Cathedral Street, Exchange Street, St Ann’s Square, King Street, and Albert Square.

Ian Williams, managing director at Warden, said: “The Manchester Christmas Markets are such an iconic part of the city’s festive season, and we’re incredibly proud to once again be part of delivering them.

“It’s a demanding and logistically complex project that really highlights the teamwork, expertise, and dedication of everyone involved. From our site managers and electricians to our traffic management partners, each team plays a crucial role in creating something truly special for the people of Manchester.”

The professional team for the installation includes WMB Installations (electricians), Arena Group (fencing), and Go Traffic Management (traffic management).

To celebrate the opening, Warden will host a client event in central Manchester, bringing together partners and stakeholders who contribute to the success of the markets each year.

Warden has appointed Peter Heskine as commercial manager to help drive growth and operational performance.

Peter has over two decades of experience in the construction industry and joins from Pinington, where he worked as commercial director for seven years.

Reporting to commercial director Adrian Atkinson, Peter will lead our eight-person commercial division, overseeing all stages of the construction process, from pre-construction and procurement to delivery and post-completion.

He will be responsible for driving excellence in cost management, contract negotiation, supply chain performance and risk mitigation across our diverse project portfolio.

Adrian Atkinson, commercial director, said: “We’re happy to welcome Peter to the team. His industry knowledge and commercial insight will be invaluable as we continue to push our expansion into new regions.

“Peter brings a strategic approach to commercial management that will enhance how we manage risk, deliver value, and maximise performance across our projects. His leadership will play a key role in ensuring our clients continue to receive the best outcomes.”

Peter added: “I was drawn to Warden because of its strong reputation, impressive range of projects, and the way it balances commercial focus with its commitment to delivering social value. It’s a business that clearly values doing things the right way.

“This is a great opportunity to use my commercial experience to strengthen client and supply chain relationships and support Warden’s continued success.”

Peter’s appointment marks another important step in Warden’s ongoing investment in people and capability to support its delivery of high-quality projects in sectors including education, healthcare, commercial, residential and sports and leisure.

Warden’s social value co-ordinator, Heather Thompson, and Ian Powell, head of group development, recently spent the day at Riverside College in Widnes to deliver an engaging programme of works session to over 100 students.

The visit formed part of our wider initiative to promote careers in construction and inspire young people to explore the vast opportunities available across the industry.

During the interactive sessions, Heather and Ian provided valuable insights into how real-world construction projects are planned and delivered, covering everything from design and logistics to teamwork and problem-solving.

The hands-on format encouraged students to think critically and work collaboratively, bridging the gap between classroom learning and on-site experience.

Heather said: “It was a fantastic experience to speak with such an engaged group of young people who are clearly passionate about their future careers. We’re grateful to Riverside College for inviting us in and for the opportunity to share how diverse and rewarding a career in construction can be.”

Lecturers at the college praised the session for its relevance and impact.

Jade Naughton, plumbing lecturer, commented: “Great session with Heather and Ian, giving some real-life construction experience in a classroom environment. Students enjoyed thinking and working out how construction projects are planned and implemented.”

Ben Whitfield, joinery lecturer, added: “The interaction with industry professionals inspired our learners to think beyond the classroom and consider opportunities other than their chosen trade. It had a genuine impact on our students’ aspirations and understanding of the sector.”

Jayne Barnes, work placement officer, said: “As a work placement officer, I found Warden’s programme of works lesson to be invaluable for our students. It provided the students with real-world insight and practical understanding that will support their future careers.

“A heartfelt thank-you to Heather and Ian for delivering such an engaging and insightful session – your time and expertise made a real difference.”

Warden has completed work on a major project at Southport Hospital that will boost clinical capacity and enhance patient care.

A new £3.4m standalone endoscopy unit has been delivered, with a a £4.3m CT department extension underway, in collaboration with Vinci Facilities, on behalf of the Mersey and West Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

The single storey endoscopy unit features two state-of-the-art treatment rooms and eight recovery bays, offering modern facilities to support growing demand for diagnostic and therapeutic procedures.

Works included the installation of internal doors, integrated plumbing systems (IPS), flooring, external cladding and associated external works.

The CT department project involved an extension to increase clinical space and house a new scanner that will support with the provision of quicker diagnostic results, as well as a full internal refurbishment and remodelling of the existing area.

Located close to other wards, the works demanded enhanced air quality, vibration, and noise monitoring to protect vulnerable patients throughout the programme.

Ian Williams, managing director at Warden, said: “We’re proud to support Southport Hospital with the delivery of these essential new healthcare facilities. It’s a significant investment in the future of local healthcare infrastructure and will provide vital services that speed up patient care.

“Projects like this demonstrate how modern construction can bring real value to local communities, improving patient experience while also supporting the hardworking NHS professionals and creating opportunities for future talent.”

The professional team on this project included Ryder Architecture (lead designer and principal designer), Steve Hunt Associates (M&E consultant), and Burrows Graham (structural & civil engineer).

Community engagement has played a role throughout the project, with the Warden team supporting apprenticeship training weeks and charity initiatives.