Reflecting on our growing role in heritage construction projects

Like many businesses, we’re taking time amidst the chaos of the festive period to reflect on our achievements, our challenges, and most importantly, our development as a family business. It’s a great time to take stock, while also looking ahead and planning for the contracts we’re set to deliver in 2026.

In doing this, a couple of things stood out.

Firstly, we remain thankful for our trusted network of preferred suppliers who enable us to do what we do. With the EU announcing plans to increase taxes on imported steel, we’re set to see another sharp rise in steel prices – and given that around half of all steel used in the UK supports construction projects, this will inevitably have a ripple effect across the sector. As we navigate this challenge, it only reinforces how grateful we are to have built a close-knit community of local suppliers we trust to collaborate openly and honestly so we can continue to give our clients the best value service.

Secondly, and most excitingly, we’re becoming increasingly involved in heritage construction projects. Whether restoring a building to its original condition, sensitively modernising/re-purposing it, or gently adapting certain features to improve performance, this work requires a delicate balance between preserving the past and enabling the future.

Every building carries a growing collection of stories; a history that gives it meaning for those who use it today. Some, however, are steeped in a past that predates us – connected to an important person, event, purpose, or simply valued for its architectural and/or cultural significance. Offering such a tangible link to the past, these buildings are often formally listed, meaning that significant approval is required to make any changes to them.

When working with buildings of this nature, we are committed to preserving their original character and treating every element with the utmost respect. While a redevelopment can bring new life to them, we never forget what these structures once were. Collaboration is essential, and we work closely with other suppliers to ensure we all meet the same conservation parameters. Often, there’s even a limited selection of materials we are permitted to use.

In 2025, we were honoured to be part of a £7.5 million conservation-led transformation for Newhaven Fort – a Scheduled Ancient Monument and point of national heritage. Our work here included restoring the surrounding casemates and ramps, installing bespoke balustrades, and extensive structural strengthening to uphold the original staircase. With other businesses on board, we followed a strict environmental and conservation strategy, ensuring the Fort’s military heritage was honoured while creating a modern, accessible experience for residents and visitors to enjoy.

Looking ahead to 2026, we’re delighted to be involved in improvement works at Portsmouth’s Spitbank Fort – a highly unique historic sea fortress. Today, it’s a luxurious event venue and hotel, but originally, it was home to hundreds of soldiers guarding the approaches to Portsmouth from the 1860s onwards.

As the Fort continues to grow in popularity, we’ve manufactured a new ladder to ensure its remote location on the water does not limit accessibility. The building’s evolution into a luxurious venue was undertaken with great care and respect for its former role and, as always, we intend to match this same sensitivity and attention to detail in our work.

Whether we’re maintaining original structural elements or installing new foundations all together, heritage projects present unique challenges, but they also deliver some of the most rewarding outcomes. We’re proud to play a part in preserving and improving these important buildings for generations to come. It’s amazing to think that the S-FABS work of today could be looked back on as a significant moment in time for future construction projects.

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If you need a team to deliver expert structural steel fabrication and architectural metalwork – with the utmost care for the building at hand – get in touch with us today. We’re always happy to help

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