Construction consultancy involved in Belfast’s BT Tower appoints administrators

Francess McDonnell

One of the North’s longest established firms has been forced to appoint administrators after 117 years in business.

WDR & RT Taggart, an award-winning partnership led by architects and structural and civil engineers, designed and delivered some of the North’s landmark buildings including BT Tower and the Soloist in the heart of Belfast.

The firm also provided engineering and consultancy services throughout the North, Britain and the Republic but its managing partner said on Thursday that “challenging” market conditions had created issues it could not overcome.

Stephen Heaney, WDR & RT Taggart’s managing partner and a former chairman of the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) Northern Ireland Branch, said: “It is with great sadness and deep regret that we have been forced to call in the administrator following a protracted period of trading difficulties and challenging market conditions.

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“Despite the skills, talents and experience of the outstanding team of professionals at the firm, the trading environment could not be overcome. “

Specialist insolvency practitioners, Gildernew & Co, have been appointed and are currently assessing what options may be available for WDR & RT Taggart and its 30 strong work force.

The administrators have said they are also in the process of contacting the firm’s suppliers.

Separately it has emerged that before WDR & RT Taggart entered administration certain parts of the former consultancy practice were sold on to a newly established business - WDR Taggart Limited.

In a statement WDR Taggart Limited said that it had taken over the architectural, waste and energy parts before the WDR & RT Taggart partnership entered administration and that the acquisition would “secure approximately one quarter of the existing jobs” of the firm in administration.

‘The new company has a very experienced management team, and together with the employees who transfer to us, we will work to ensure that WDR Taggart Limited delivers quality services to clients. In time, in addition to securing the legacy of the parts of the Taggart business that we have acquired, we wish to grow and build new business.”