Construction sector small business support group expands into Lincolnshire

Terry O'Mahony

A new business networking event for the construction sector is launching in Lincolnshire after successful networking and business growth organisation the Construction Leaders Club (CLC) announced it is expanding.

The pilot session takes place in Lincoln on 15^th September and is open to anyone who works within the construction sector or in a business associated with the construction industry.

Sponsored by Lincoln-based The Preparation Group, the trial networking event follows the success of CLC in Nottingham. Its monthly networking meetings attract professionals from across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Leicestershire. It also run a series of aligned and well-received business growth programmes for small business owners and senior decision makers.

Terry O’Mahony, who founded and runs the organisation, said: “Over the last four years the Construction Leaders Club has been very successful in building a networking event for construction industry professionals in the Nottingham, Derby, Leicester area and we want to take it east and north to Lincolnshire and the surrounding districts as a proven formula for connecting businesses and their professional teams.

“As well as networking opportunities, we offer business growth and development training programmes for small businesses associated with the construction sector. We welcome anyone working in the sector or alongside the sector who is interested in networking or in business growth and development to join us on 15^th September at our trial event in Lincoln.”

Earlier this year the CLC became what is believed to be the only business growth, leadership and management development organisation for the construction industry to be awarded the new Chartered Building Consultancy status.

Construction Leaders Club has held the accolade of Chartered Building Consultancy status for the past three years but the CIOB asked holders to re-apply after setting down new and tighter rules for compliance in a bid to drive up standards within the sector.

Founded by business growth expert Terry O’Mahony in Nottingham, CLC was established as a networking and business growth organisation supporting businesses and individuals related to, or associated with, the UK construction industry. As well as monthly networking events, CLC also runs development programmes and workshops for individuals including a Mastermind Programme, aimed at business owners and senior decision makers, and a Rising Stars Programme for high potential individuals who want to step-up to the next level. New courses on each programme are expected to begin this Autumn.

The organisation is supported in Nottingham by Nelsons Solicitors, insurance and risk brokers Arthur J Gallagher and audit, tax and consulting services provider RSM, who will also be sponsoring the Lincoln event.

Terry added: “We very much hope that the construction community in Lincolnshire, South Yorkshire and surrounding areas will support our expansion by joining us on 15^th September and also by considering sponsorship of any future events. If it is to become a regularly held and successful networking event then we need some leading organisations to step forward, get involved and support us.”

September’s event will include a presentation by group managing director of The Preparation Group, Tracey Glew, on setting the industry standards, and takes place between 10am to noon at The Training Hub, Preparation House, Deacon Road, Lincoln LN2 4JB. It costs £30 per head and includes Danish pastries and coffee.

For more details or to book the event on 15^th September, or to find out about the small business coaching offered by CLC, visit http://www.constructionleadersclub.com/ 

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

East Midlands fbe Awards 2017 launched

2016 fbe awards winner GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory

Nominations are now being invited for the annual East Midlands fbe Awards which recognise and reward the teams behind some of the best construction projects in the region.

Returning for a second year is the Best Rising Star category, which will shine the light on the construction and development sector’s most promising young professionals.

Entries for the awards are expected from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. 

The categories include Regeneration, Residential, and Non-Residential developments, along with Rising Star of the Year. The winners of the first three categories will automatically form the shortlist for the Overall East Midlands Scheme & Team Award.

Free to enter, the awards will be presented at an event run by the East Midlands fbe (Forum for the Built Environment) on 12th October 2017 at the City Rooms in Leicester. Around 150 professionals from the construction, development and property sector in the region are expected to attend the ceremony, which last year sold out in advance.

“The East Midlands fbe Chairman’s Dinner & Awards night is a popular date on the calendar of the region’s construction sector,” said Eddie Mewies, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe and MD of M-EC Consulting Development Engineers.

“The awards are the chance to recognise and celebrate some of the region’s top projects, as well as the teams who are behind them. We are pleased that once again we will have a category for the Best Rising Star, so that we can shine a light on those young people who are showing outstanding achievements in their field and celebrate the next generation of leaders and influencers in the East Midlands construction sector.”

As well as entries now being open, sponsorship opportunities are also available for the event.

Details about the awards and entry forms, as well as sponsorship opportunities and tickets for the awards ceremony, are available from http://www.fbeonline.co.uk/east-midlands/events/fbe-east-midlands-chairmans-dinner-and-awards-2017.htm or by contacting Mary Daw on 07883 033552.

The deadline for award nominations is Friday 1^st September 2017.

Last year’s overall winner was the GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, a building unique in the UK in its design and focus on ‘green chemistry’, which was nominated by Morgan Sindall.

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. As well as running the annual awards scheme, the East Midlands branch also organises a number of social and other events. The East Midlands branch covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

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

J Tomlinson helps army reserve centre light up in red

J Tomlinson joins EMRFCA to light up Army reserve centre

An army reserve centre in Leicester is being illuminated in red to mark the centenary of World War One, thanks to help from contractor J Tomlinson. 

The centre on Ulverscroft Road is taking part in the Leicestershire commemorates initiative in which organisations are invited to light up their buildings in red. 

The red lighting is in place for the duration of the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal, which is running until Remembrance Sunday on 13 November.  

Steve Kirkland, Managing Director – Repairs and Maintenance and Facilities Management, at J Tomlinson, said: “Lighting up a building in red is an eye-catching and effective way to promote the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal. 

“We are proud to have helped our client East Midlands Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (RFCA) to take part in this initiative by carrying out the necessary work to the lights so that Ulverscroft Road Army Reserve Centre is illuminated in red at night, in support of this commemoration.” 

J Tomlinson, which is based at Beeston near Nottingham, currently provides planned, preventative and reactive maintenance for sites managed by RFCA. 

Martin Capewell, Head of Estates at RFCA, said: “East Midlands RFCA manage the maintenance of Army Reserve Centres in the region, so we were delighted to be asked to take part in the ‘light up your building’ project this year. 

“LED flood lights with red filters have been installed across the length of the building adjacent to the road at Ulverscroft Road Army Reserve Centre. We wanted to commemorate the centenary of the First World War and show our support for the Royal British Legion’s (RBL) Poppy Appeal, so believe lighting up the training facility is a great way of doing this.”   

The Light Up Your Building project is a local initiative organised by Leicestershire’s World War One Reference Group with the support of the Leicestershire and Rutland branch of the RBL. 

J Tomlinson provides a range of integrated building solutions including construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical services (M&E), and facilities management, operating across the East Midlands, West Midlands and Yorkshire.

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

Finalists in East Midlands fbe Awards 2016 revealed

The finalists for this year’s East Midlands fbe Awards have been announced and include four university projects, a fire station and new residential accommodation for a nationwide charity.

Organisers of the annual awards which recognise and reward the teams behind some of the best construction projects in the region have just unveiled this year’s shortlisted entries.

The finalists in the Residential category are Tur Langton in Leicestershire, a scheme of six new build family homes on the site of the Old Bull’s Head, nominated by SGP Architects; Green Lane in Nottingham, which is a development of five low energy one-bedroom single storey flats for Framework Housing Association, put forward by North Midland Construction; Cathedral Court in Derby, a 350-ensuite study bedroom student accommodation scheme for the University of Derby, nominated by D W Hicks; and an accommodation block for national charity Canine Partners, which trains assistance dogs for disabled people, at Osgathorpe in North West Leicestershire, which was nominated by North Midland Construction.

The finalists in the Non-Residential category are Nottingham University Science Library, the extension and refurbishment of the George Green Library, put forward by Galliford Try; Nottingham Trent University’s Heart of Campus project at the Clifton campus which has provided two zero carbon buildings with excellent BREEAM ratings and which was nominated by Pulse Associates; and GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratories for Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham,  a building unique in the UK in its design and focus on ‘green chemistry’, which was nominated by Morgan Sindall.

The finalists in the Regeneration category are Hollygate Park at Cotgrave in Nottinghamshire, the first section of phase one of a total of around 450 homes being built on the site of the former Cotgrave Colliery, nominated by BSP Consulting; London Road Fire Station in Nottingham, a new three-storey, energy efficient building for Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service on a former brownfield site, nominated by J Tomlinson Ltd; and Dakeyne Street, Sneinton, in Nottingham, a new creative hub following the major refurbishment and modernisation of 18th and 19th Century buildings that have created workspace for SMEs in creative and digital industries, nominated by architects Maber.

The finalists in the Best Rising Star category are Alexsandra Perobelli, graduate mechanical engineer at BSD, Joe Gent trainee electrical estimator at J Tomlinson Ltd and Sarah Grocock part II architectural assistant at RG+P.

The winners will be revealed at a sold-out awards ceremony on 6^th October at the City Rooms in Leicester – an annual event which has become a firm fixture on the calendar for the region’s construction, development and property sector.

“We had an excellent array of nominations from across the region and across a range of sectors, illustrating the high standard of developments that are being completed in the East Midlands,” said Jef Todd, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe and business development director at civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting.

“Our criteria for the nominated projects focused on sustainability, good design, and interaction and engagement with the local community.

“The judges were particularly pleased to read about the entries in the Best Rising Star category, our new category for this year, and to see the younger generation of professionals who are making a significant contribution to the built environment.

“I’d like to thank all the teams who nominated projects and individuals, and congratulate the finalists on their success.”

More than 120 professionals from the construction, development and property sector in the region are expected to attend the awards ceremony, which will be hosted once again by former BBC East Midlands political editor John Hess, who is now honorary professor in politics at the University of Nottingham.

All tickets have now been sold for the event. The awards have been sponsored by D W Hicks Building Co Ltd, integrated building solutions company J Tomlinson Ltd, civil engineering, mechanical and electrical (M&E) engineers BSD, engineering and environmental consultants M-EC Consulting Development Engineers and chartered accountants and business advisers Duncan & Toplis. Civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting has sponsored the drinks reception.

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. As well as running the annual awards scheme, the organisation also organises a number of social and other events. The East Midlands branch covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. 

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

East Midlands fbe awards 2016, one month until nominations close

Winner of the regeneration category at the East Midlands 2015 fbe awards 

There’s just one month to go before the nomination deadline for the annual East Midlands fbe Awards. The awards recognise the teams behind some of the region’s best construction projects. 

Entries are expected to be received from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, with categories including Regeneration, Residential, Non-Residential and the new Rising Star of the Year award.

The new category aims to recognise and reward the construction and development sector’s most promising young professionals in the region.

Winners of the first three categories automatically form the short list for the Overall East Midlands scheme and team award. 

Entry is free and those wishing to be considered have just one month left to enter before the closing date of Friday 19^th August 2016. The awards will be presented at the City Rooms in Leicester, on 6^th October, at an event run by the East Midlands fbe (Forum for the Built Environment). 

The event is being hosted, once again, by former BBC East Midlands Political editor John Hess, with more than 120 professionals from across the construction, development and property sectors in the region expected to attend. 

“With just a month to go before the deadline closes we look forward to receiving candidates’ nominations to help us recognise and celebrate the achievements of those in the construction and development sectors in the region,” said East Midlands fbe chairman Jef Todd, who is business development director at East Midlands civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting.

“Each year we receive a strong set of nominations which reflect the work being undertaken in the East Midlands and we are looking forward to hearing more about the latest schemes being submitted.”

Details about the awards and entry forms are available here http://www.fbeonline.co.uk/east-midlands/events/fbe-east-midlands-chairmans-dinner-and-awards-2016.htm  as well as sponsorship opportunities and tickets for the awards ceremony. 

The fbe organises a number of social and other events, as well as running the annual awards scheme. They are a national organisation with branches across the UK and are the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. The East midlands branch covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. 

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

Launch of East Midlands fbe Awards 2016

Overall winner of the East Midlands fbe awards 2015

Nominations are now being invited for the annual East Midlands fbe Awards which recognise and reward the teams behind some of the best construction projects in the region.

New for this year is an additional category – Best Rising Star – which will shine the light on the construction and development sector’s most promising young professionals.

Entries for the awards are expected from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire. 

The categories include Regeneration, Residential, Non-Residential and Rising Star of the Year. The winners of the first three categories will automatically form the shortlist for the Overall East Midlands Scheme & Team Award.

Free to enter, the awards will be presented at an event run by the East Midlands fbe (Forum for the Built Environment) on 6^thOctober 2016 at the City Rooms in Leicester. More than 120 professionals from the construction, development and property sector in the region are expected to attend the ceremony, which will be hosted once again by former BBC East Midlands political editor John Hess, who is now honorary professor in politics at the University of Nottingham.

“The East Midlands fbe Awards are a firm fixture on the calendar of the region’s construction sector, having been staged for several years now. They are the chance for us to recognise and celebrate some of the region’s excellent projects, as well as the teams behind them,” said Jef Todd, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe and business development director at civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting.

“I’m delighted that this year we are introducing for the first time the Rising Star of the Year Award, which is open to individuals working within the construction sector in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire, who are under 30 years of age and who have shown outstanding achievements in their field, whether that be in construction, design or associated professional or support services for the industry. We are looking for role models who have made a significant contribution to the built environment so that we can recognise and celebrate the next generation of leaders and influencers in the East Midlands construction sector.”

Details about the awards and entry forms, as well as sponsorship opportunities and tickets for the awards ceremony, are available from http://www.fbeonline.co.uk/east-midlands/events/fbe-east-midlands-chairmans-dinner-and-awards-2016.htm The deadline for award nominations is Friday 19^th August 2016.

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. As well as running the annual awards scheme, the organisation also organises a number of social and other events. The East Midlands branch covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire.

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

Event marks the opening of BSP Consulting’s new Leicester office

Guests at the opening of BSP Consulting's new office in Leicester

East Midlands civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting staged a social networking event to mark the opening of its new, larger premises in Leicester.

The firm has literally gone up in the world after expanding and taking on more staff, and has moved to a new floor in the building in De Montfort Street that it has occupied since the end of 2007. The new premises doubles the previous office space and can accommodate the growing team at BSP, which currently numbers 11 in the Leicester office.

To celebrate the occasion, BSP organised a social networking event for clients, associates and members of staff, mainly from the Leicester and Leicestershire area, which attracted around 50 guests

BSP Consulting associate director Paul Elphick said: “BSP has steadily grown its Leicester office and presence in the county since first opening premises here more than eight years ago, and it was great to be able to welcome so many clients and associates to the official opening of our new, larger office.

“It proved the perfect chance to mark the occasion, and also for our associates and clients in the construction and development sector to network and catch up.”

BSP Consulting, which has its headquarters in Nottingham and also has offices in Derby and Sheffield, provides civil, structural, traffic, transportation, geotechnical and environmental engineering services across the construction industry. An award-winning business, the firm operates across all the major sectors, including health, residential, retail, leisure, education, rail and industrial. 

The Leicester office is currently working on a number of schemes in Leicestershire and the Midlands, including refurbishment schemes with Loughborough University, multi-storey student accommodation in Leicester, residential housing schemes, site investigations, flood risk assessments and traffic impact assessments direct for Leicestershire County Council, and has been involved in several high-profile projects in the area, such as Brooksby Melton College and the new HQ for Dunelm.

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

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

Expanding civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting moves to larger office

BSP Consulting's Leicester team

East Midlands-based civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting has gone up in the world and moved to larger premises on the floor above its office in Leicester.

The expanding team has outgrown its Leicester base and has now moved to a new floor in the building in De Montfort Street, which doubles its existing office space.

“Since opening our Leicester office at the end of 2007, with three staff, we have gradually grown as we established ourselves in the city,” said BSP Consulting associate director Paul Elphick. 

“We have added new services to the portfolio of services that we offer from this office, including traffic and transportation engineering and pre-planning services, and this has been one factor in expanding the team here.

“As the market has grown, we have responded by increasing staff numbers across all our services to ensure we continue to meet our clients’ needs across the Leicestershire region and beyond, and had outgrown our initial space.”

The firm, which has its headquarters in Nottingham and also has offices in Derby and Sheffield, now employs 11 staff in Leicester out of a total of around 50 employees.

It is currently working on a number of schemes in Leicestershire and the Midlands, including refurbishment schemes with Loughborough University, multi-storey student accommodation in Leicester, residential housing schemes, site investigations, flood risk assessments and traffic impact assessments direct for Leicestershire County Council, and has been involved in several high-profile projects in the area, such as Brooksby Melton College and the new HQ for Dunelm.

“Our Leicester office has become an integral part of the construction sector in the city and county, and we are very pleased that we have been able to find suitable premises so close to our previous office for BSP to expand into,” said business development director Jef Todd. “The move has been seamless and it is business as usual for the team.”

BSP Consulting provides civil, structural, traffic, transportation, geotechnical and environmental engineering services across the construction industry. An award-winning business, the firm operates across all the major sectors, including health, residential, retail, leisure, education, rail and industrial. 

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

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

Do yourself a flavour – new Cherizena flavoured coffees launched

Coffee specialist Cherizena is launching three new flavours in time for the festive season.

To accompany this year’s limited edition Christmas Coffee, the Leicestershire-based family business has also created Viennese Flavoured Coffee, Cognac Flavoured Coffee and Malt Whisky Flavoured Coffee.

The new flavours are the latest in around 30 flavours of coffee created by the company, which has its headquarters on the Wartnaby Estate near Melton Mowbray.

“We’ve been experimenting and trialling new flavours and blends, and are delighted with the latest batch of flavoured coffee that we’ve developed. The flavours are stunning and we think they are a really welcome addition to the extensive range Cherizena already offers,” said Kate Jones, who runs the mail order coffee supplier, which is also a regular at events, markets and food fairs across the East Midlands.

All of Cherizena’s flavoured coffees are produced in-house in small batches and use the Colombian medium roasted bean as the base coffee. The blends contain no added sugars, syrups or coatings – they are just finest quality beans infused with flavours. 

Available as regular or decaffeinated, beans or ground coffee, the new flavoured coffees sit alongside popular and unusual Cherizena blends such as Banoffee Pie Flavoured Coffee, Chocolate and Coconut Flavoured Coffee and Sticky Gingerbread Flavoured Coffee. 

Its limited edition Christmas Coffee - with a delicious aroma reminiscent of plum pudding – is the company’s most popular flavoured coffee.

The new Viennese Coffee blend incorporates the creamy flavour and aroma of fig married with the Colombian bean and is based on the coffee traditionally served in Austrian coffee houses.

Perfect for after dinner, the Cognac coffee blends French Cognac aromas and flavour with Cherizena’s Colombian medium roasted coffee, while the Malt Whisky Flavoured Coffee has a delicious warming hint of peaty whisky flavour.

The new flavours cost £3 for a 115g pack and will become permanent additions to the Cherizena range. Christmas Coffee is priced at £3.25 for a 115g pack and is available until Christmas, with final orders taken on 21^st December 2015.

All the coffees are available from www.cherizena.co.uk. 

Cherizena is a specialist supplier of premium, speciality and flavoured coffees, and supplies coffee mail order across the UK and abroad. Its Twitter handle is @CherizenaCoffee

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

J Tomlinson completes key contract for international business GE

A major refurbishment project for global technology organisation GE has been completed by J Tomlinson following a fire at the premises last year. 

The GE Measurement & Control site at Groby in Leicestershire includes a new world class clean room for silicon processing – a critical part of the manufacturing process for the advanced industrial pressure sensors made at the site. It is the only British manufacturer of pressure sensors and industrial calibrators that manufactures the key sensor element entirely in-house. 

J Tomlinson’s role in the project involved refurbishing approximately 1,600m² of office accommodation over two floors, which had been damaged in the fire that originated in an adjoining building. 

The £2 million office refurbishment was a joint venture between the company’s construction division and its electrical engineering services team. 

Construction managing director at Nottingham-based J Tomlinson, Martin Gallagher, said: “GE is a major globally known business – the Groby site is one of 40 GE Measurement and Control facilities in 25 countries. J Tomlinson is proud to have carried out the refurbishment of its two-storey office block in Groby, which is a key part of its operation.” 

The newly completed block has now been officially handed over by J Tomlinson following a refurbishment project which involved installing energy and cost-saving LED lighting alongside associated office electrical and building works. 

M&E Director, Carl Derrick from J Tomlinson commented saying: “The office refurbishment at GE, Groby provided us with an opportunity to work alongside our construction division, delivering benefits to the client as part of our integrated solutions approach.” 

With a combined 40-year history of silicon processing and sensor manufacturing at the Groby site – first by Druck Ltd and then by GE when it acquired Druck in 2002 – GE has earned a reputation for high quality, high accuracy pressure sensor equipment for aerospace, oil and gas, power generation and the automotive sector. Today, about 680 people work at the Groby site. 

Graham Dawber, business leader for the Groby site, said: “After a challenging 13 months, it is fantastic to have a new world class silicon facility where we can focus on meeting our customers’ needs now and in the future. 

“With these improvements, we can better serve customer demands and extend our leadership position in our target markets.” 

President and CEO of GE UK & Ireland, Mark Elborne, was joined by local dignitaries, including the Mayor of Hinckley and Bosworth, Councillor Mrs Janice Richards, and members of the nearby community for an official opening and tour of the building. 

The clean room building for silicon processing was recently completed by HCM Projects, with Precision Clean Rooms completing the rebuild of the 8,600 sq ft laboratory.

J Tomlinson, which offers services in construction, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, mechanical and electrical engineering, energy efficiency, renewables, and facilities management, is based in Lilac Grove, Beeston, near Nottingham, and has offices across the East and West Midlands. 

Earlier this year J Tomlinson was named in Deloitte’s Businesses Leading Britain 2014 report, which provides insights into the UK’s 1,000 fastest-growing businesses with annual revenues between £30 million and £1 billion. The company is expected to see its turnover increase from £54 million in 2014 to £67 million this year, and with a forecast to rise again next year to £90 million.  

For more information visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

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

Finalists announced for East Midlands fbe Awards 2015

The East Midlands fbe (Forum for the Built Environment) has unveiled the names of the top construction schemes shortlisted as finalists in its annual awards after receiving a record number of entries.

The finalists include projects across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire and Rutland.

“We had a record-breaking number of nominations to our awards scheme this year, highlighting the excellent quality of developments being undertaken in the East Midlands,” said Jef Todd, regional chairman of the property, development and construction professionals' group. “This has made the judges’ decision difficult, but we are delighted to announce the shortlisted schemes and would like to congratulate the teams behind them.”

The shortlisted entries are: 

Regeneration;

·         34-38 Upper Tichborne Street, Leicester, nominated by HLP Architects (the conversion of three Victorian terraced villas, located within a Conservation Area, from former run-down emergency homeless hostel accommodation into eight family homes and three bedsits suitable for supported living)

• Lincoln Science & Innovation Park, nominated by Pulse Associates (LSIP is a joint venture between The Cooperative Group and the University of Lincoln to regenerate a dilapidated brown field area South of Lincoln city centre. Joseph Banks Laboratory (JBL) is phase I of this regeneration and includes the £10.4m extension and fit-out of an existing Grade II listed building)
• Abbey Mill, Abbey Parks Street, Leicester, nominated by RGP architects (a £6.3 million refurbishment of the former Abbey Mill Building to provide 78 apartments, including 50 extra care flats part-funded by LCC Adults Social Care, for people of all ages and abilities, as an extension to the existing Wolsey Building extra care facility)
• The Malt Cross, Nottingham, nominated by Wm Saunders (The refurbishment of Nottingham’s only surviving Victorian music hall, built in 1877, and one of relatively few in the country)

Residential;

• Whitwell House, Whitwell, Oakham, nominated by FCD Architecture (a five-bedroom detached house on the north shore of Rutland Water, designed to Passivhaus standard by the architect for his family)
• Youlgrave, Derbyshire, nominated by Lindum Construction and EMH Group (Six houses and two bungalows – a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership homes with priority for local people)
• Albert Road, Nottingham, nominated by HLP Architects (a redevelopment of a brownfield site which previously contained a hostel and ‘move on’ and office accommodation to create 13 two and three-bedroom affordable family houses)
• 34-38 Upper Tichborne Street, Leicester, nominated by HLP Architects (the conversion of three Victorian terraced villas, located within a Conservation Area, from former run-down emergency homeless hostel accommodation into eight family homes and three bedsits suitable for supported living)

 

Non-residential;

• Leicestershire and Rutland Wildlife Trust Volunteer Training Centre, Rutland Water, nominated by Corporate Architecture (a new £1.1 million centre for a growing band of trust volunteers, a base for operations and an attractive flagship for LRWT)
• RAS buildings ( Rutland Agricultural Society ), nominated by D W Hicks (a new headquarters for the Rutland Agricultural Society and clubhouses for Oakham Rugby Club and Royce Rovers Football Club)  
• Borderville Sports Centre, Stamford, nominated by LK2 architects (a £6 million scheme to provide an enhanced sport science, leisure and education facilities alongside a community football club into a single facility)
• Rushcliffe School Sixth Form Centre, nominated by Pulse Associates (a new sixth form centre for the school in West Bridgford, Nottingham, which included additional teaching classrooms for whole school use, together with 6th Form administration, social and private study spaces.

The winners of the East Midlands fbe Awards, which recognise and reward schemes and the teams behind them, will be announced at a sold-out dinner and ceremony to be held at the City Rooms, Leicester, on 15^th October 2015. Around 150 people from the region's construction sector are expected to attend the event, which will be compèred by former BBC East Midlands political editor John Hess. 

The awards have been sponsored by construction recruitment specialist Hays Recruitment, civil engineering, building and M&E contractor North Midland Construction, engineering and environmental consultants M-EC Consulting Development Engineers, DW Hicks Building Co Ltd and chartered accountants and business advisers Duncan & Toplis. Civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting has sponsored the drinks reception.

As well as announcing a winner from each category, an overall winner will also be crowned as project of the year at the awards ceremony, which is supporting the East Midlands NSPCC 'now I know' Appeal as its charity.

Shire Horse Society stages second annual open day at Shire Farm, Rockingham Castle

Twelve months after attracting hundreds of people to its first ever open day, the Shire Horse Society is preparing to throw open its gates once again.

Visitors to this year’s event on 13^th September at Shire Farm, Rockingham Castle, will have the chance to find out more about the gentle giants of the horse world and see them in action.

Featuring demonstrations, the event will celebrate the survival of a breed that nearly died out a century ago, but is still endangered. It will also mark the second anniversary of the opening of the national charity’s headquarters at Rockingham, near Corby, on the Leicestershire/Northamptonshire border.

“Last year’s event was a great success and we were delighted to welcome so many visitors to our headquarters,” said Shire Horse Society secretary David Ralley-Davies.

“We hope that Shire horse lovers will support us again this year. Our event gives us the opportunity to raise awareness about the place the breed has in history and why it is important for us to protect Shires for the future. It also enables us to raise much-needed funds to continue the work of the Shire Horse Society charity.”

The Shire Horse Society is the only charity dedicated to the protection, promotion and improvement of the Shire horse. Since 1878 the organisation has been working to protect the breed, which was then known as the Old English Breed of Cart Horse.

It moved to Rockingham Castle from its previous headquarters at the East of England Showground near Peterborough in 2013.

The event on 13^th September will include drays from Thwaites Brewery and Youngs Brewery, ridden and in-hand displays, and the chance to see Shire horse foals. A meet and greet with Shires will take place at 1.30pm, with a parade scheduled for 3pm. There will also be a bouncy castle, stalls and refreshments.

The event, which runs from 11am to 3pm on Sunday 13^th September, is free to enter for Shire Horse Society members, or costs £5 for adults. Entry is free for children under 12.

All profits go to the Shire Horse Society Charity, which runs the Save Our Shires campaign to protect the breed for years to come.

For more information visit www.shire-horse.org.uk or follow the charity on Facebook or Twitter - https://www.facebook.com/shirehorsesociety and @saveourshires

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

Search begins for East Midlands fbe Awards winners 2015

Entries are now being invited for an awards scheme that highlights some of the best construction schemes across the East Midlands. 

The East Midlands fbe (Forum for the Built Environment) will be staging its annual awards event on 15^th October 2015 at the City Rooms in Leicester. Around 120 professionals from the construction, development and property sector in the East Midlands are expected to attend the East Midlands fbe’s sixth annual awards ceremony and dinner. 

MC for the evening will be BBC East Midlands political editor John Hess. 

Now the hunt has begun for worthy winners of the awards, which recognise and reward the scheme and the whole team behind it. 

Last year’s overall winner was The King Richard III Visitor Centre in Leicester, which also took the best Non-Residential Award. Best Refurbishment and Regeneration Award went to Castleward in Derby, which is being developed by Compendium Living. St James Gate, Anstey, in Leicestershire, received the Best Residential Award. 

This year the awards will feature the same three categories – Non-Residential, Residential, and Refurbishment and Regeneration. They are free to enter and are open to any schemes in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire that have been completed between October 2014 and September 2015.  Nominations can be made by anyone involved in the scheme, not just members of the fbe. 

The deadline for nominations is Friday 21^st August 2015. Entries will be judged by a select panel of construction professionals. 

East Midlands fbe regional chairman Jef Todd, development director at civil and structural engineering firm BSP Consulting, said: “Each year it becomes more difficult for the judges to choose the winners, which illustrates the very high standard of development in schemes over many sectors in the East Midlands, and we are looking forward to seeing the nominations that are put forward this year.” 

Tickets and sponsorship opportunities for the event are also now available by visiting http://www.fbeonline.co.uk/east-midlands/events/fbe-east-midlands-chairmans-dinner-and-awards-2015.htm 

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. Initially established in the East Midlands, as well as running the annual awards scheme, the organisation also organises a number of social and other events. It covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. 

For more information about the fbe, the branch and to download a nomination form visit www.fbeonline.co.uk. Details about October’s awards night are in the events section.

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

Focus Consultants working with asra Housing

Focus Consultants has won a number of contracts to administer almost £5 million worth of planned improvements to homes run by asra Housing. 

It is the second year that the firm has been appointed to run the housing group’s kitchen, bathroom, window and roof replacement scheme. 

At the same time, Focus has also been appointed to a four-year consultants’ framework by asra Housing for contract administrator and stock condition surveyor roles for planned works for properties in the London area and the Midlands.

Partner at Focus Consultants, Keith Butler, said: “Focus Consultants has worked with the asra Housing Group for several years and we are very pleased to be extending our existing close relationship with the group through these contracts and through being appointed to the consultants’ framework. 

“Asra is one of the UK’s leading housing and regeneration providers, with a property portfolio of more than 14,000 homes in the Midlands and London, and this work represents a major investment in the group’s housing stock.” 

The contracts are being administered by the Leicester office of Focus, which has its headquarters in Nottingham and branches in Holborn in London and at Boston and Aubourn near Lincoln. 

Work has now got underway on two contracts, which in total represent almost £2 million worth of new kitchens and bathrooms to around 300 properties in Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Northamptonshire. The projects are due to be completed by autumn. 

In addition, the Focus team is also administering a scheme to install almost £3 million worth of new windows, doors and roofs on around 500 properties over the same three counties which starts in the summer and will run until spring 2016. 

For more details visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

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

Focus Consultants announces Leicester promotions

Left to right, James Garner and Chris Green

Two internal promotions have been made in the Leicester office of Focus Consultants following growth in the firm’s building surveying department. 

James Garner has been appointed as senior consultant and continues to head up the traditional building surveying commissions. Chris Green has become a consultant, two and a half years after joining the company straight from university. 

Focus experienced a 20% growth in building surveying work in its Leicester office during 2014, over the previous year. 

Both James and Chris are based at the Princess Road East office of Focus, which also has branches in Nottingham, London, Boston and Aubourn in Lincolnshire. The firm offers a range of services to the property and construction industry and is also a specialist in energy and funding. 

Partner Keith Butler said: “These promotions are a reflection of the hard work and commitment provided by both individuals which has contributed to the growth of the department. It is particularly pleasing to provide clear career paths and witness the personal development of key members of staff.” 

Focus is celebrating its 21^st anniversary during 2015. The company offers a range of building services to the property and construction industry, including building surveying, quantity surveying, project management, CDM Co-ordinator services and sustainable development support. 

Since its creation in 1994, Focus has also helped to secure more than £925 million of grant assistance for a range of projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.0 billion worth of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country.

For more details about Focus Consultants visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk

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

Cherizena Coffee celebrates its 10th anniversary on the Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire border

Coffee specialist Cherizena is celebrating ten years since it became the first business to move onto the Wartnaby Estate on the Leicestershire/Nottinghamshire border. 

Kate Jones and husband Tom bought the business in 2004 from two Northamptonshire women who had launched it some years earlier. After running it in its existing premises for a few months, the couple moved the business to a converted cow shed on the Wartnaby Estate – becoming the first enterprise to move into what is now a small rural business hub. 

Since then, Cherizena has steadily grown and now supplies premium, speciality and flavoured coffees across the UK and abroad to both consumer and trade customers. 

“We were looking for somewhere to run the business from that was not too far from our home near Melton Mowbray so we asked Wartnaby Estate manager Geoff Johnson if there was a unit, barn or suitable space on the estate somewhere that we could rent,” said Kate. “It was agreed that we could move into a former cow shed. When we saw it the first time it still had straw on the floor and a trough in the corner. 

“The estate converted it into a unit, with an office and other facilities, and we were literally the first business to move onto the estate in January 2005. We used to have cattle and sheep looking out at us across the farm yard when we first moved in.” 

Cherizena sends out 6.5 tonnes of coffee from its premises every year. It specialises in flavouring its own coffees, and has more than 20 different flavours available ranging from salted caramel flavour, sticky gingerbread flavour coffee and its most recent blend, banoffee pie flavoured coffee. 

“There’s been a definite increase in demand for coffee over the years, both in premium and speciality coffee, and in flavoured coffees, which are particularly popular with the younger generation,” said Kate. “The British public has a real taste for coffee at the moment. 

“The amount we sell has steadily grown and we’re delighted with the way we’ve been able to expand from our home on the Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire border.” 

As well as specialising in flavoured coffees, Cherizena at times also supplies rare and unusual coffees from far flung places in the world, depending on availability. 

The company sells direct to customers via mail order, with regular customers all over the UK and further afield such as Australia, USA, Cyprus and EU countries. It also supplies to trade customers such as coffee shops, hotels, pubs, restaurants and farm shops and regularly sends to trade customers as far afield as Singapore and India. 

Cherizena is a regular at food and drink fairs across the country, as well as those closer to home such as Melton Mowbray Food and Drink Festival. 

As part of its 10^th anniversary celebrations, Cherizena is offering 10% off everything on its website including coffees and coffee equipment during January 2015. For more information visit www.cherizena.co.uk

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

Business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum stages its annual networking event

Around 85 guests attended the flagship event of business support organisation The Food and Drink Forum. 

Staged at Southwell Racecourse, the annual supper is one of the largest networking events for the East Midlands food and drink sector and attracted delegates from across the region. 

The Food and Drink Forum, which is based at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham, has members across the district, including manufacturers, food service operators and businesses providing services for the food and drink sector. 

The supper heard from several key speakers including Beckie Rowland of bakery giant Greggs who spoke about the recruitment of ex-offenders and the importance of this within the community. 

Oliver Brown from Derbyshire family firm Bluebells Real Dairy Ice Cream also spoke about the difficulties milk farmers face and farm diversification as a solution to this. 

He also added that the Food and Drink Forum had played a vital role in helping his company to achieve SALSA approval allowing them to expand to sell to the National Trust. 

Other speakers included Dips Patel from Loughborough-based Mistry and Co. who spoke of their mission to use food to educate and inspire others. 

Key industry figures from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland attended the event which also featured displays by Nottingham Trent University, The Federation of Small Businesses, Chemex and From The Notebook Ltd. 

Food and Drink Forum chairman Peter Knight said that the food and drink sector had faced an interesting and exciting year, speaking in particular of the success of the Leicester Food Park, with the Forum having recently secured the management of the park in a joint bid with the Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce. 

He said: “I am very pleased with how the first members’ supper at Southwell Racecourse has gone. The evening has been a great success with members’ produce enjoyed by around 85 guests and thought-provoking speeches.” 

Peter Knight also thanked the Local Enterprise Partnership D2N2 for helping the Forum move forward once again. 

Chairman of D2N2 Peter Richardson said the Food and Drink sector was key in creating new jobs. 

He said: “The Food and Drink Forum are vital in providing businesses in the private sector with everything they need to drive themselves forward. 

“In the East Midlands we are at the heart of the UK’s economy and we need to strive to be at the heart of Europe’s too. However, to do this the private sector needs a voice, and the Food and Drink Forum offers companies that voice.” 

The Food and Drink Forum was founded in 1988 as a not-for-profit, membership-led organisation to stimulate and support the sustainable growth and development of the food and drink industry in the East Midlands. 

Its aims include championing the food and drink sector in the East Midlands, developing strategic influencing partnerships within and outside the East Midlands, and acting as a centre for information and knowledge on all subjects relating to the food and drink sector in the region. 

It also aims to stimulate and facilitate sustainable change within companies of all sizes across the food chain, generate income and secure resources to meet the needs of a high-quality service, and promote the food and drink sector to future employees through education and the raising of skills. 

For more information please visit www.foodanddrinkforum.co.uk

The photo shows, left to right Oliver Brown, from Bluebells Real Dairy Ice Cream, Dips Patel and Parisha Mistry, both from Mistry and Co, and Peter Knight, Food and Drink Forum chairman.

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

Awards shortlist announced by East Midlands fbe

The East Midlands fbe (Forum for the Built Environment) has unveiled the names of the shortlisted finalists who are in the running to receive an accolade at the organisation’s annual awards ceremony. 

The winners of the best construction projects from across Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire will be revealed at a special dinner on October 9^th. Around 120 people from the region’s construction sector are expected to attend the fourth annual East Midlands Awards evening at the City Rooms, Leicester. 

“Once again, we had some outstanding entries for the East Midlands fbe Awards. The number and standard of entries continues to grow each year, making the judges’ job more difficult,” said Jef Todd, regional chairman of the property, development and construction professionals’ group. 

The awards, sponsored by civil and structural engineering company BSP Consulting, construction firm North Midland Construction, civil engineering firm M-EC Consulting Development Engineers, and accountants Duncan & Toplis, reward the whole team on the project, as this reflects what fbe is all about … working with like-minded professionals. 

Divided into three different categories, regeneration, residential and non-residential developments, the shortlisted entries are as follows: 

Refurbishment and Regeneration; 

• Construction of a retail and commercial landmark development, Queen’s Place, Mansfield
• Third and final phase of the CODE student accommodation development on Western Road, Leicester
• Phase 1 of the mixed use development Castleward, Derby

 Residential;

•  New build housing development off Southworth Road, Breedon on the Hill, on the  Leicestershire/Derbyshire border
• Development of 165 new homes at St James Gate, Anstey, Leicestershire
• Ten new-build flats at Knighton Fields Road West, Leicester
• Eight new homes at Ruby Court, Southwell

 Non-residential;

• Structural repairs to Arnold Hill Academy, Nottingham
• Extensive refurbishment at Bagworth Community Centre, near Coalville, Leicestershire
• The development of the King Richard III Visitor Centre, Leicester

 As well as announcing a winner from each category, an overall winner will also be crowned at the awards ceremony, which is supporting the East Midlands NSPCC 'now I know' Appeal as its charity. 

The fbe is a national organisation, with branches across the UK and is the longest established networking group for the property, development and construction industries. Initially established in the East Midlands, as well as running the annual awards scheme, the organisation also organises a number of social and other events. It covers Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire. 

For more information about the fbe and the branch visit www.fbeonline.co.uk.

The fbe’s twitter handle is @fbeonline and the hashtag #EMfbeawards is being used. 

Just a handful of tickets for the evening remain, and can be bought from http://www.fbeonline.co.uk/east-midlands/events/east-midlands-dinner-and-awards.htm

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