K VILLAGE IN KENDAL TOPS OUT

The new ‘K Village’ has taken another step closer to completion following a topping out ceremony to signify the completion of the podium roof of the £100m development by Kendal Riverside Ltd.  Philip Weir, Project Director, Kendal Riverside Ltd, was invited by Miller Construction to have the honour of laying the final concrete pour.

Philip was joined by Frank Joyce, Area Director, Miller Construction North-West, who acted as master of ceremonies.  The topping out was commemorated by an ancient Persian ritual, believed to be 500 years old, involving local dignitaries and senior members of the K Village team adding symbolic elements to the final concrete pour to ensure the prosperity and success of the development.

Once completed the mixed-use K Village project will provide over 300,000 sq ft of premium factory outlet space, restaurants and cafes, over 400 underground car-parking spaces, tourist facilities, a Heritage Centre, 15,000 sq ft of offices and 90 luxury riverside apartments.

Frank Joyce said: “We are delighted today to be conducting the topping out of Kendal Riverside.  The project itself is stunning and will be a welcome addition to the riverside vista, the work by the architects and planners should be commended when you see how the development complements its existing surroundings.   Miller Construction is delighted to be involved in this project and today marks another major milestone in the project, for us and for Kendal Riverside Ltd.  The site is thriving with activity with the fit-out of some of the retail units well underway.

“It has been an honour for us to host today, and while the topping out ceremony is traditionally used to bestow good fortune on the development, we are confident that the quality project being delivered will contribute to the success of K Village.” 

Philip Weir added: “As the countdown to our opening date gathers pace, we are delighted to have reached another significant milestone in this major project.  Whilst not without its challenges in terms of difficulties caused by inclement weather and the impact of the economic climate, it has been an extremely rewarding scheme to have managed and one of which the whole team is extremely proud.  We are particularly grateful to the Council and the local community for their ongoing support and we are confident that K Village will more than play its part in contributing to Kendal’s future growth and prosperity.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:
The Persian topping out ceremony dates back some 500 years and consists of a number of different elements being added to the concrete pour to be incorporated into the building.  The ingredients are as follows:
Wine – to bring fertility and wisdom
Oil – to preserve liberty and as a symbol of prosperity
Corn – for the property to ripen in abundance
Salt – added as a sign of purity and hospitality
Yew Branch – the final ingredient, which is added to ward off any evil spirits from the building

L-R: Nigel Graveson, Project Director, Miller Construction; Mayor of Kendal, Cllr John Veevers; Tim Farron, MP; Robin Mackie, Chief Executive, Miller Construction; Mandy Dixon, Centre Manager, K Village Outlet Centre and Philip Weir, Project Director, Kendal Riverside Ltd.