West Bromwich Albion Football Club

This project formed part of the 125th anniversary celebrations of The Hawthorns Stadium. GI Sykes was appointed to carry out a full external refurbishment and protective coating programme to all four stands, associated steel structures, and bespoke floodlight towers. The works were complex due to the age of the stadium, the varied nature of the substrates, and the logistical constraints of working around major highways, a school, and active club operations.

What we did

The brief required the preparation and recoating of extensive areas of plastisol cladding, structural steelwork, window frames, louvres, doors, railings, and significant bespoke floodlight structures. Given the stadium's mixed construction and differing exposure conditions, each stand and corner required a bespoke approach, tailored access solutions, and careful planning to ensure both safety and quality. Due to uncertainty surrounding the condition of the floodlight towers, roof steels, and the need for permits for pavement and lane closures, GI Sykes initially advised a programme of 30 weeks. Through meticulous planning, high productivity, and continuous coordination with the club and local authority, the works were completed in half the expected duration. Access methods included MEWPs, rope access teams for high-level steel trusses and floodlight structures, and scaffolding. Every stand and individual corner were treated as a self-contained project due to their differing conditions, heights, and access restrictions. All works were undertaken strictly in accordance with PPG's project specification and product data requirements, including Johnstone's Steel & Cladding Semi-Gloss Topcoat, Johnstone's Performance Coatings Smooth Metal Paint, and specialist primers and mordant solutions for galvanised and previously coated metal.