At least 20 new jobs are on the cards at a Colchester firm which scooped a £4 million contract to resurface the world's largest roof.

A multi-billion project is set to get under way at London's St Pancras station.

It includes creating a new shopping centre and various other improvements.

And a Colchester firm has got in on the action.

Sui Generis, based in The Hythe, has been called in to strip down and resurface the roof of St Pancras.

It has the world's largest single span roof - a roof without supports in the middle.

The roof was created in the late 19th century and has an exceptionally-high lead content which means it is highly-specialised work.

Winning the contract, worth £4.1 million, is a double celebration for the firm, which is also celebrating its seventh birthday this month.

Based in Hythe Quay, Sui Generis, meaning unique in Latin, currently employs 50 people but is hoping to recruit 20 more people to see the contract through.

Managing director Ron Stone said: "It is a major contract and part of a much bigger project. It is great news for Colchester.

"We also do in-house blasting and we make our own blasting equipment which we do not sell to others so that helps us stay ahead of the game."

Published Thursday, June 12, 2003

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