Business

UTV set for first class production with McLaughlin & Harvey

Announcing the UTV and McLaughlin & Harvey are (from left) Alan Mackey, operations manager UTV; Ivan Hutchinson, contract manager McLaughlin & Harvey; Rhianna Jordan, site manager McLaughlin & Harvey; Tim Boyle, property executive Belfast Harbour Commissioners; and Jacqui Bradley, head of support services ITV News and Regions
Announcing the UTV and McLaughlin & Harvey are (from left) Alan Mackey, operations manager UTV; Ivan Hutchinson, contract manager McLaughlin & Harvey; Rhianna Jordan, site manager McLaughlin & Harvey; Tim Boyle, property executive Belfast Harb Announcing the UTV and McLaughlin & Harvey are (from left) Alan Mackey, operations manager UTV; Ivan Hutchinson, contract manager McLaughlin & Harvey; Rhianna Jordan, site manager McLaughlin & Harvey; Tim Boyle, property executive Belfast Harbour Commissioners; and Jacqui Bradley, head of support services ITV News and Regions

ITV has appointed Belfast-based engineering and construction specialists McLaughlin & Harvey to carry out the fit-out of the new UTV studios at City Quays 2 at Belfast Harbour Estate.

The new facility represents a multi-million pound investment by ITV, which acquired UTV over a year ago.

The work, starting next month, involves the complete fit out of the entire floor from its current shell, and should take 16 weeks to complete.

UTV is vacating its Havelock House headquarters after half a century to take over the entire 11,000 sq feet eighth floor of the waterfront building.

When work is complete it will be home to a modern broadcasting centre, with an HD studio, the latest in editing technology, corporate offices, with administration, finance and sales areas to accommodate all UTV staff.

Terry Brennan, head of news and programmes at UTV, said: “This marks a major milestone in our plans. We're delighted to have got to this stage with such a well-established local company as McLaughlin & Harvey and look forward to them being on site from the end of August.

"And by next summer UTV will be broadcasting from one of the most modern news centres in Europe.”

Richard Cheevers, director at McLaughlin & Harvey, added: “We are extremely pleased to be working with ITV on this new facility at City Quays 2.”