Structural engineer building own business

John Noone has started his own structural engineering business in Royton

A CHARTERED structural engineer and building surveyor has branched out on his own with the opening of an office in Royton.

John Noone has been based in Oldham town centre for just over 30 years and worked at a number of town centre practices. Now he has opened his own office on Royton's Rochdale Road and is looking for new projects.

Over the years, he has worked across the UK and the Middle East on projects ranging from homes and shops to mills, factories and power station sites. He has also been called as an expert witness in court cases.

He said: "I've set up a new office and am keen to take on small and medium-sized projects. I take on all sorts of structural commissions, from simple wall knock-throughs or dormer extensions to complicated sites and building disputes. Clients include estate agents, home owners, landlords and businesses.

"I often find that if one area of work quietens down then another area becomes busy. For example house sales have been quieter in recent times but I've done a lot of work for landlords, including landlords based in London."

His specialisms include advising on building and structures based on difficult locations, such as shifting ground or steep slopes.

For example, he was involved in an Oldham case during 2014 when a large crack appeared on the side of an empty office building on Union Street.

He was called to the site at the junction of Peter Street after problems were discovered by builders who were due to start repairs on the property.

Work was halted when the builders found structural problems and tram services were disrupted through Oldham town centre for several hours amid safety fears over the state of the building.

Over the years, he has worked for clients on some well-known buildings including the Stott Benham mill in Royton and the Rhodes mill chimney in Middleton.

Mr Noone grew up in Old Trafford and attended art college for a while, before switching to structural engineering. He began his career with Redpath Brown in Trafford Park, where he obtained his professional qualification.

He later joined consulting civil and structural engineers Bertram Done in Manchester city centre before moving to the Department of Transport, working on various aspects of highways including being on the site of what is now the M66. It was the first motorway to be built using metric units.

This was followed by a return to structural engineering when he joined Co-operate Wholesale Society's architects' department, working on supermarkets, factories, offices and new warehouses.

He went on to establish John E Noone and Associates in Oldham and was later with Gamble King & Noone.

Over the years, work has taken him to the Trawsfynydd nuclear power station in north Wales and on overseas projects in Oman.