Beton Bauen to Begin Concrete Restoration at Newport Civic Centre on Behalf of Newport Norse

Work begins next week at one of Newport’s most significant landmarks in order to repair/restore original concrete features and implement structural waterproofing.

Imagery/Photo credit: South Wales Argus, LDRS

Beton Bauen estimate the project to run for approximately three weeks, and in that time, the Caerphilly based specialist contractor plans to carry out a series of concrete repairs, as well as delivering a resin injection solution to provide long-term structural waterproofing. The works are part of a  five-year action plan that has been put in place to repair and make improvements to Newport’s historic Civic Centre.

The Newport Civic Centre is a municipal building located in Godfrey Road, Newport, South Wales. It serves as the headquarters of Newport City Council and is a Grade II* Listed building. Designed by architect Thomas Cecil Howitt, construction began in 1937 but, interrupted by the war and subsequent austerity, the building was not completed until 1964 with the erection of the clock tower and the completion of the central hall as per the original specification. With large areas of the building unoccupied and, given longstanding financial pressures, there are onerous maintenance issues. The clocktower is described as "the most visible expression" of this neglect. A heritage impact statement has been prepared as part of the supporting information for the application by Newport Norse, acting as agent on behalf of the applicant Newport City Council. A structural assessment was carried out in 2023 which resulted in a recommendation that  the clocktower not only needed cleaning but required a series of essential repairs, including descaling, repointing and pinning of the rotated stones. Other areas of the Civic Centre buildings were also earmarked for restoration. CONTINUING TO WORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NEWPORT NORSE

This is the second major project that Beton Bauen has worked with the acting agent (on behalf of Newport City Council), Newport Norse. Newport Norse was established in 2014 to facilitate a total property service to Newport City Council, including existing/proposed education facilities. Between 2022 and 2025 Beton Bauen were appointed to work on the renovation of many aging school buildings suffering from concrete corrosion and defects, not only cosmetic, but also those that posed a potential risk to structural integrity.

The project faced not only logistical, but also environmental challenges, particularly related to the handling and disposal of construction materials. Working in an active school environment required strict adherence to safety and environmental regulations. Dust, noise, and debris had to be carefully managed to prevent any adverse impact on students, staff, and nearby residents. A phased approach, meticulous planning and coordinated project management ensured Beton Bauen was able to deliver a high-quality product/service. 

Stephen James, Senior Building Surveyor at Newport Norse summarised,

" Beton Bauen have carried out concurrent concrete repairs at multiple schools to a very high standard, often working under challenging conditions. The company has shown great commitment and client care by working over several weekends and reacting to changing circumstances in a timely and sensitive manner. Their proficiency, technical advice and execution of works has been exemplary throughout the renovation programme."

This project displayed advanced concrete repair methodologies to address critical structural issues in aging school buildings. The precision and effectiveness of these techniques not only restored the structural integrity of the buildings but also extended their service life. The project’s successful implementation of these sophisticated repair methods exemplifies best practices in concrete repair and sets a benchmark for future projects in the UK.  

CONCRETE REPAIR & CATHODIC PROTECTION PROJECT The ‘Newport Schools Project’ (in conjunction with structural engineers Jubb, and materials manufacturer Fosroc) used Beton Bauen’s comprehensive skill set and technical abilities to deliver a high-quality end product, requiring the seamless coordination of complex repair work for the client (Newport Norse), across several (operating) primary and secondary schools.

For further details and to download a PDF Mini Case Study concerning this project, click here or on the thumbnail image. For further project and service information, please visit WWW.BETONBAUEN.COM.