BSP Consulting secures first overseas contracts

Civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting has won its first international contracts with appointments on a major highway scheme and building project in Kurdistan. 

The company has secured work in the area as part of a major infrastructure development programme in the region. 

BSP has been appointed by the Ministry of Culture as checking engineer for a new theatre in the capital, Erbil. Work is due to get underway on site on the Holi Gel theatre project shortly. 

The firm has also been appointed to provide project management services on a road scheme in the region’s second city, Slemani. Work on the 40 km dual carriageway, between the towns of Dukan and Chwarqurna, features a number of bridges and is expected to take two years. 

BSP, which has its headquarters at Oxford Street, Nottingham, and branches in Derby, Leicester and Sheffield, now has two engineers in Kurdistan who are overseeing the work. 

“For a while we have been looking at opportunities in the Middle East in places like Abu Dhabi and more recently Kurdistan, and we are very pleased to have secured these two contracts,” said BSP managing director David Sumner. 

“The downturn in the UK construction sector gave us the chance to fully explore areas overseas that were looking for British expertise. Our investment in this over the past few years is now coming to fruition, and we hope that further opportunities will be forthcoming.” 

Representatives from BSP have travelled to the Middle East on a number of occasions for a series of meetings and trade exhibitions ahead of securing the work.The contracts mark the first overseas developments undertaken by BSP.

“Since forming almost 15 years ago, we have gradually expanded as a company and we now cover the whole of the UK. The recently won work in Kurdistan is our first international development, however,” added David. 

As an oil-rich region, Kurdistan is investing heavily in infrastructure, including roads, hospitals, schools, housing and cultural amenities. The Kurdistan Regional Government has a large spending programme underway which involves major public schemes.

BSP is now registered to operate in the region, which is part of Iraq, and hopes to be involved in additional projects in the future, said David. 

The company provides a comprehensive range of consultancy services in civil, structural, geotechnical, transportation and environmental engineering to all sectors of the construction community, from architects, project managers and contractors to developers and estate agents.

For more information visit www.bsp-consulting.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Top museums success for heritage and cultural experts Focus Consultants

Focus Consultants is celebrating a link with four of the top 20 free museums and galleries in the UK recommended by The Guardian newspaper. 

The company has worked on many high-profile museums across the UK, including the National Army Museum in Chelsea and the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, Exeter, which was named UK museum of the year in 2012 by the Art Fund charity.

Now four museums that Focus has worked with or is currently involved in have been named on a top 20 list of free family friendly museums recommended to visit by The Guardian. 

They are the V&A Museum of Childhood in London, St Fagans National History Museum in Cardiff, Coventry Transport Museum and Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry. 

Focus Consultants, which has its headquarters at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, and has branches in London, Leicester, Boston and near Lincoln, specialises in creative approaches to securing funding packages. The firm has worked to help many significant heritage, ecclesiastical, arts, culture and leisure schemes gain grants from a range of funding sources. 

Since establishing in 1994, Focus has helped to secure £1 billion worth of grant assistance for a range of projects and businesses across the UK.   

Partner at Focus Consultants, Kevin Osbon, said: “It’s great news to see that so many of our projects have made it onto this list of recommended museums and galleries to visit. Focus is proud to be part of the teams that are creating such high quality destinations that are filled with interesting and interactive activities for families.”  

The firm worked for the V&A on a multi-million pound redevelopment of the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green, which houses the V&A's national collection of childhood-related objects, including dolls' houses, toys and games, furniture and clothing. As well as overseeing the redevelopment, Focus also secured the funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF), which both made significant contributions to the successful opening of the project in early 2007. 

At St Fagans, Focus helped the project to secure £11.5 million - the largest ever grant award in Wales by the Heritage Lottery Fund - and was then appointed project managers and cost managers for the open air museum near Cardiff. The St Fagans project is now out to tender with works due to start on site shortly. 

Focus was strategic lead on the creation of the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum initiative - a £12m complete redisplay of the museum and art gallery including the creation of Coventry History Centre and the development of a huge glazed canopy to effectively turn the building around 180 degrees… completely changing its orientation so that it could be linked to Coventry Cathedral and Coventry University via a major public square.  

Focus is also lead consultant on a project to create an internationally significant transport heritage attraction by redeveloping Coventry Transport Museum, which has received initial support for a £4.9m grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) and £3m from the European Regional Development Fund.  The complete redisplay of Coventry Transport Museum is about to start on site. 

The Guardian published its list as part of the newspaper’s ‘How to see the world for free (or almost)’ series.

Visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Thrill-seekers sought for skydive in aid of Nottingham Hospitals Charity

Daredevils still looking for a challenge in 2014 are being invited to take the plunge and join a charity skydive in aid of Nottingham’s hospitals.

Adventurous patients, staff and members of the public are being invited to sign up to the sponsored event – and help raise money for charity in the process.

Nottingham Hospitals Charity is looking for volunteers to take part in sponsored tandem freefall parachute jumps from 10,000 ft at Langar Airfield in Nottinghamshire on either Sunday 16^th March or Sunday 15^th June 2014.  

Participants need to raise a minimum of £395 in aid of the charity, and can nominate which area of the hospital they would like to support. In return, they will receive training and get the opportunity to complete an exhilarating skydive strapped to an experienced instructor.

 “Many people like to set themselves a challenge each year, and we’d urge those who haven’t already done so to think about undertaking a sponsored skydive in 2014,” said Barbara Cathcart, Chief Executive at Nottingham Hospitals Charity.

“Of course it’s not for the faint-hearted, but those who have skydived previously say it’s a pretty memorable experience.”

Last year Nottingham University  Hospitals Trust chief executive Peter Homa took part in a skydive for the Charity, along with his wife and daughter. Peter said: “The three of us all wanted to do something to support the hospitals through fundraising and the skydive was a fantastic experience for us, really exhilarating and fun. By fundraising for Nottingham Hospitals Charity, we can all make a difference towards improving services for our patients, visitors and staff.”

Nottingham Hospitals Charity exists to benefit patients, staff and facilities at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s City Hospital, Queen’s Medical Centre and Ropewalk House campuses. Donations are used to enhance patient care by providing added extras such as specialist equipment, medical research and staff development.

Participants in the skydives can choose which area they wish to support, such as Nottingham Children’s Hospital, breast cancer research, Hayward House hospice, the Cystic Fibrosis Campaign or any other part of the hospitals.

Anyone interested in taking part or signing up should contact Nottingham Hospitals Charity on charity@nuh.nhs.uk or 0115 9627905.

To find out more about Nottingham Hospitals Charity, to make a donation or to get involved in fundraising, go to www.nottinghamhospitalscharity.org.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Organisations given grant advice by Focus Consultants and architects Purcell

Millions of pounds worth of grants are available for heritage, cultural and arts organisations and projects….but the key is in finding the best way to unlock them.

That was the message for representatives from organisations across the Midlands and beyond who were given an insight into how to go about sourcing funding for capital schemes.

Experts from Focus Consultants and architects Purcell staged a seminar aimed at unravelling the process of applying for grants and other funds. As well as highlighting the opportunities, the event turned the spotlight on how to overcome challenges and obstacles.
 

The seminar, which was held at Nottingham’s Council House, also focused on creative ways of maximising assets to help towards resourcing projects. 

It attracted delegates from cultural organisations across the Midlands and beyond that are involved in the conservation, restoration, regeneration and development of arts and heritage projects and initiatives.

Kevin Osbon, a partner at Focus Consultants, whose head office is based at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, and a speaker at the event, said afterwards: “Over the past 20 years, Focus Consultants has helped to secure £1 billion worth of grant assistance for a range of projects and businesses across the UK. We specialise in creative approaches to securing funding packages, and have worked to help many significant heritage, ecclesiastical, arts, culture and leisure schemes gain grants from a range of funding sources.
 

“Via the seminar, we wanted to share some of the expertise we have built up over the years and offer some signposts to organisations that could benefit from the funding available.” 

The audience of around 120 delegates also heard from Niall Phillips, head of design at Purcell, who focused on several schemes that the company had worked on and highlighted the importance of partnership working, as well as the key role that volunteers could play in projects.

The company has studios across the UK and in Asia Pacific, and the seminar marked a year since Purcell opened a studio in Nottingham. Purcell is working on a number of schemes in the area, providing heritage consultancy advice and architectural services. Most recently, the practice prepared a Conservation Management Plan for the Malt Cross which contributed to its successful Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) bid. Focus Consultants led the process to secure £1.8m for the original complete restoration and refurbishment of the Music Hall.

Service manager for museums and galleries at Nottingham City Council, Ron Inglis, shared the grant-seeking experiences he had been involved in for a number of Nottingham projects, including the multi-million pound improvements at Wollaton Hall.

The seminar was told by Kevin Osbon that Focus dealt with around 100 different sources of capital and revenue funding, and outlined some of the key ones. He explained that the role of LEPs (Local Enterprise Partnerships) was very important, as European funding awards would be considered and approved by these organisations.

“Now is the time to liaise with and make your case for funding support to your LEPs as European funding is likely to come on stream in the summer,” he added.

Kevin highlighted some of the Nottingham projects that Focus had been involved in, including the Nottingham Playhouse Sky Mirror, Broadway Media Centre and the New Art Exchange, and talked about the funding packages that the firm had helped to secure for these schemes.

“Funding opportunities come and go,” he told the audience. “Keep your networks. Keep looking. I am pleased to say that we have had lots of success and I hope we can help you with securing funding for your projects and initiatives.”

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar in Leicester returns

Leicester diners will get the chance to sample authentic, highly acclaimed Southern American inspired smoked dishes once more when The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar re-opens later this month.

The exciting culinary concept arrived in Leicester as a pop up restaurant at The Obar in Braunstone Gate for four weeks towards the end of last year.

Now it’s back by popular demand, and will re-open on February 27^th….once again as a pop-up concept.

As before, the restaurant will serve up a range of smoked food, created using an authentic grill imported from the States, with some meats smoked for up to 14 hours.

Chef Liam Watson has developed a menu unique to Leicester – with the Obar serving up a selection of craft beers to complement the dishes. 

“Feedback from The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar when we opened for four weeks in November and December was great,” said Liam. “Diners loved the concept, the food, the beers and the atmosphere. Reviews were really positive.

“We know that many of them wanted to return and we also realised that many who would have liked to give it a try weren’t able to do so in the four weeks that it was available, so we’re re-opening on February 27^th to bring another flavour to the Leicester dining scene once more.”

The (Pop Up) Smokehouse @ The Obar is housed in the upstairs room at The Obar, which has been transformed into a cosy dining space. It will serve up authentic dishes inspired by southern state American soul foods with an Orange Tree twist.

The menu will feature dishes such as St Louis cut pork ribs with BBQ glaze, 12 hour smoked brisket of beef served in a brioche bun with pickled red cabbage and crispy onions, and stuffed butter nut squash topped with smoky tomato and chipotle sauce.

Lauren Pepper, general manager at The Obar, said: “We felt the pop up restaurant was a great addition to the Braunstone Gate area, as well as to the dining experience on offer in the city as a whole, so we’re delighted to see it back. It’s a case of diners voting with their feet, and if the demand is there we will keep it rolling.

“Both smoked food and pop up dining experiences are very much on trend at the moment, and we believe that what we’re offering at The (Pop up) Smokehouse is unique in Leicester.”

The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar received a string of rave reviews when it opened first time round.

Leicester food blogger Tim Burke said: “Here was very good, down-to-earth flavour-led food at fair prices...You should try it while it’s here. I’m certainly going back.”

Customer Emma Rees said: “Outstanding food and brilliant service - tastiest food we've eaten in ages.”

Customer Emily Horwill said: “The food was AWESOME! Really good value for money.”

Customer Karen Cheesman said: “Had a meal here last night, one word FANTASTIC!!”

The Obar is part of the independent Orange Tree Group of pubs and bars in Leicester, which also runs The Orange Tree in High Street, The Lansdowne in London Road, and The Basement in Wellington Street. Chef Liam has experience of working in rosette standard kitchens, and is usually based at The Lansdowne.

The (Pop up) Smokehouse @ The Obar will be open from 6pm Tuesday to Saturday. For bookings, telephone 0116 255 8223 or email obar@orangetree.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Mail order coffee supplier Cherizena serves up new banoffee pie flavoured coffee

Cherizena's banoffee pie flavoured coffee

Mail order coffee specialist Cherizena has launched a new flavour to tickle the tastebuds of dessert-loving coffee drinkers.

The firm’s new banoffee pie flavoured coffee is a tasty blend of banana and toffee flavours – sweet and creamy, just like the pud…. but without the calories normally associated with the delicious dessert.

Available mail order as beans or ground, regular or decaffeinated, the blend is one of more than 25 different flavoured coffees offered by UK supplier Cherizena. The firm also sells premium, speciality and seasonal coffees, which are delivered direct to the door.

Cherizena has a reputation for creating striking and unusual flavours. In recent years the family-run firm based on the Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire border has developed a number of new flavours such as salted caramel coffee, toffee apple flavour coffee, cider apple flavour coffee, sticky gingerbread flavour coffee and Caribbean calypso flavour coffee.

“Our customers love our flavoured coffees, and we always enjoy developing new ones to tickle their tastebuds,” said Kate Jones, who runs the company. “This latest banoffee pie flavoured coffee has all the taste advantages of the popular dessert, yet virtually none of the calories.”

Just like all of the coffees in Cherizena’s flavoured range, the banoffee pie flavour contains no syrups or coatings. It can also be used for cold frappés, as well as hot drinks.

Cherizena is a leading UK specialist producer of coffee and sources premium, rare and speciality coffees, as well as creating its own range of superb flavoured coffees.

The new banoffee pie flavoured coffee is priced £3 for a 115g pack. Other pack sizes are available, and beans can be ground to different sizes to suit percolators, cafetieres and espresso equipment.

Visit www.cherizena.co.uk for more information or to order.

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Bassingham scouts supported by Focus Consultants and Linden Homes

A scout group has been given somewhere safe to store their equipment after two Lincolnshire firms teamed up to help.

Employees at Focus Consultants have been working with the 30^th Lincoln 1^st Bassingham Scout Group to help them find the funding to provide a new equipment store to replace old buildings which have to be demolished at their headquarters in Bassingham, near Brant Broughton.

Focus spotted a 20-foot metal storage container which had come to the end of its useable life span and which was owned by Linden Homes, a company that Focus has been working with on their Oasis development at Carholme Road in Lincoln. The development is now in its final phase so the timing was perfect for Linden Homes to come to the rescue by donating one of their old storage containers from the site to help the Bassingham Scout Group.

Jon Blanchard, site manager for Linden Homes at the Carholme Road development said: “We were only too pleased to help out with this as it fits in with our community engagement work we do as part of the Considerate Constructors Scheme where we are always looking at how we can go the extra mile.”

Senior building surveyor Darren Booker, from Focus Consultants, said: “As funding and building consultants we always strive to find new ways of helping projects succeed and are very pleased to help, especially when the local community benefits.”

Alison Kelly, who is the Bassingham Chief Scout Leader, said: “We can’t thank Focus and Linden Homes enough for their help and donation.  As a charity we are always looking to find new ways of funding equipment and activities for the children because without funding and volunteers we could not function; and it is times like this we really appreciate the generosity and thoughtfulness of people such as Linden Homes and Focus Consultants.  With support like this from local businesses it helps to make our funding stretch that bit further.”

Focus Consultants has offices at Endeavour Park, Boston, and Manor Farm, Aubourn near Lincoln, as well as branches in Nottingham, Leicester and London. It provides a range of consultancy services to the construction industry, including construction and property services, project and programme management, energy carbon sustainability support and economic development and funding advice.

Linden Homes, part of the Galliford Try Group, is a leading homes builder, with branches across the country. Linden Homes is an award-winning housebuilder and the sixth largest residential developer in the UK.

Visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

Press release issued by Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR, on behalf of Focus Consultants. www.perfect10pr.co.uk