Primark have recently opened its new retail outlet in Gelsenkirchen near Dusseldorf ,Germany. The leading high street retailer has 191 stores throughout the UK, Ireland, Portugal, Germany and the Netherlands. John Sisk & Son Ltd were appointed as main contractor for the fast track refurbishment project with the outlet scheduled to open ahead of the Christmas trading period. The original building was constructed of reinforced concrete in two phases. Unfortunately after the internal demolition contract was underway it was discovered that the concrete in the older part of the building had carbonated to the depth of the steel reinforcement where low cover was also identified. This had allowed the steel to corrode, with subsequent cracking and spalling of the concrete elements. Larsen were invited to meet on site and inspect the works and draw up a technical proposal and programme. The ambitious construction programme required maximum commitment from all trades as time for structural concrete repair had not been originally anticipated.