Focus Consultants appointed to project manage phase two of Trent Basin scheme

Indicative sketch 

Focus Consultants has been appointed to project manage the second phase of the Trent Basin development in Nottingham.

The company was project manager, energy and sustainability advisor, and employer’s agent for phase one of the scheme, which was completed at the end of 2016 and featured 45 low energy homes, including eight apartments.

Now the company has been appointed as project manager, employer’s agent and sustainability advisor (HQM) for phase two, with work by builders Willmott Dixon now underway on the next 31 homes.

When the whole scheme is finished, the £100 million residential development will have created 500 low energy homes as part of the 250-acre Waterside Regeneration area in Nottingham beside the River Trent.

Partner at Nottingham-based Focus Consultants Keith Butler said: “The Trent Basin scheme is unique in Nottingham and a pioneer in terms of low energy living.

“As a company with specialists in low energy construction and development, Focus is very pleased to be playing key roles in this scheme. Almost all the properties built in phase one have been sold or reserved, and we are looking forward to working on phase two to bring additional low-energy, low-carbon homes onto the residential market in Nottingham.”

The second phase of 31 properties will comprise a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses along with two-bedroom maisonettes. The first of these new homes will be ready to move into in 2019.

Trent Basin is the vision of award-winning Nottingham developer Blueprint and has high green energy credentials.

It is setting the bar for community energy schemes by installing Europe’s largest community battery (2MWh), and solar photovoltaics that will generate, store and distribute energy at a neighbourhood level, and is also launching a unique energy company for residents. Funded by Innovate UK, the pioneering energy scheme has a project team behind it which includes a large consortium headed by the University of Nottingham.

Nick Ebbs, chief executive of Blueprint, said: “We’re thrilled we’ve got the green light from the city council’s planning committee to start work on phase two and we can’t wait to see our vision come to life along this historic stretch of the River Trent.

“There’s already a commitment to low energy living shared among the residents, with many of them embracing electric cars, car-sharing and cycling to work. We plan to install additional electric car charging points at Trent Basin and are looking forward to the completion of Nottingham’s first Eco Expressway along Daleside Road which will complement our ambitions for the community by giving buses, bikes and electric vehicles priority along one of Nottingham’s busiest routes.”

Focus Consultants, which is based at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham, and also has offices in Leicester, London and Boston in Lincolnshire, provides a range of services to the property and construction industry, including sustainable development support, project management, building surveying and quantity surveying.

The company also specialises in funding and economic development including area regeneration strategies, funding applications, economic impact appraisals, business plans, and research and evaluation. Since 1994 Focus has also secured for clients more than £953 million of grants for projects and businesses across the UK and delivered more than £1.3 billion worth of projects and programmes – making it one of the most successful businesses of its kind in the country.

Further details about the Trent Basin development can be found at www.trentbasin.co.uk Visit www.focus-consultants.co.uk for more information about Focus Consultants.

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

Baker Butt Foods wins SOHO Coffee Co. listing for sourdough naans

SOHO Coffee Co. Pulled Pork & Red
Pickles Naan- made from Butt Foods sourdough naan

Specialist baker Butt Foods has gained a contract to supply its tasty innovative sourdough naans to independent coffee shop chain SOHO Coffee Co.

The ethical coffee shop company, which has 40 branches, has created a range of delicious applications for the four-inch Baked Earth sourdough naans, which have just been unveiled on the group’s new Autumn menu.

Handmade in SOHO’s own kitchens using the Baked Earth naans, the menu items include chicken fajita naan, chickpea masala and paneer naan, and pulled pork and red pickles naan.

Nottingham-based Butt Foods launched the sourdough naans earlier this year in response to trends for premium and new wave Indian food dining experiences. Following a study of the Indian restaurant sector, the firm highlighted that the sector is moving away from traditional curries into a world of new flavours, snacks and small plates, different presentation and extended meal occasions – and created a special sourdough naan which would be just right for this exciting new trend.

The Baked Earth artisan sourdough recipe naan benefits from a live cultured sourdough with a long fermentation process to improve flavour and texture – creating a naan bread that’s bubbly, soft and suitable for a range of meal applications throughout the day and ideal for both the Indian restaurant world and the foodservice sector in general, with its current demand for street food-style dishes.

The company, which has been baking naan breads for more than 25 years and also produces a range of other breads, commissioned celebrity chef and former BBC Food Personality of the Year Cyrus Todiwala OBE to develop a number of uses for the naans to illustrate the flexibility of the flat breads.

He created a range of innovative dishes for all times of the day – from breakfast and brunch through to tapas small plate dishes - for the sourdough naans.

David Williams, commercial director of family owned Butt Foods, said: “We are thrilled and proud that SOHO Coffee Co., with its tremendous reputation for serving innovative, on-trend delicious food and drink, has selected the Baked Earth sourdough naans for its new menu.

“The dishes that have been created for the menu are exactly the type of applications we had in mind when we developed the sourdough naan – items that would be simple and convenient for chefs to create, and incredibly appealing and tasty for customers of cafés, pubs, bars, restaurants and other foodservice outlets.”

Penny Manuel, Managing Director of SOHO said: “We love it when our suppliers develop innovative products like these – the great pairing of the sourdough texture and flavour with what we all know as traditional naan complements each other perfectly and allows us to develop an exciting range of fillings, offering our customers something deliciously different, whilst being a true reflection of SOHO’s artisan roots.”

The Baked Earth naans, which come in four-inch and six-inch sizes, are available through frozen food distributor Central Foods. Videos of the dishes created by Cyrus Todiwala are available in Chef’s Corner at www.buttfoods.co.uk.

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

Christmas events announced for Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire

Santa and Croots elves 

Derbyshire-based farm shop Croots has unveiled a Christmas cracker of events leading up to the festive period.

Throughout November and December, Croots Farm Shop near Duffield is set to host a number of festive events, kicking off on Thursday 9^th November with a Taste of Christmas Event. This will be the perfect chance to preview Croots new Christmas range with the opportunity to enjoy mulled wine and mince pies, and to sample the wares of local suppliers.

Singer Neil White will be providing entertainment by singing seasonal songs.

Running from 5.30pm to 8.00pm, the event is free to attend and visitors will be treated to 10% off their shopping.

Festivities continue throughout December with the Holly Jolly Breakfast or Tea with Santa – held on a range of dates. For just £13.50, children can spend time with elves, enjoy festive gingerbread making and a chance to meet Santa and receive a gift. Further details and dates are on the Croots website. Booking is essential and early booking is advised by calling 01332 843032.

Looking to once again bring festive cheer to the Derbyshire Children’s Holiday Centre, the farm shop will be stocking reindeer food in the run up to Christmas. All proceeds from the sale of the reindeer food will be donated to the charity, which has been supported by Croots Farm Shop for several years.

A Christmas hamper raffle will also be staged in aid of the charity, which was established in 1891 to provide Derbyshire children having troubles in their home lives with a holiday in Skegness, Lincolnshire. It currently provides 660 holiday places per season.

Croots, which is based at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, is open Monday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (Shires Eatery until 4.30pm) and from 10am to 4pm on Sundays. Croots runs Fresh Fish Thursdays between 9am and 1pm on Thursdays.

For more information, visit www.croots.co.uk Find Croots on Twitter @crootsfarm_shop or on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Croots-Farm-Shop

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

Winners of the East Midlands fbe Awards 2017 announced

Overall winner of the East Midlands fbe Awards 2017

The refurbishment of the Engineering Building at the University of Leicester has been crowned the overall winner at the East Midlands fbe Awards 2017.

Nominated by Pulse Associates, who provided project management for the scheme, the work involved replacing 2,500 pieces of glass to the roof and façade of the Grade II listed, architecturally significant building and the creation of an internal environment fit for modern-day teaching needs.

Sponsored by building company DW Hicks, the award was the top accolade presented at the East Midlands fbe Chairman’s Dinner & Awards night, held at the City Rooms in Leicester, with the judges saying: “This was a truly deserving winner, based on the high status and complexity of the project, and the overall effort, costs and risks involved in securing the retention of a highly valued building for future generations.”

The scheme had earlier won the Regeneration Award sponsored by insurance expert Arthur J Gallagher. The judges said: “This was a highly complex retention and renovation of a listed, iconic and well-loved building. The intensive consultation and collaboration was to deliver improved performance and increased flexibility. 

“Considering the building’s unique detailing and considerable works, the judges were impressive that the building remained in use throughout the works.

“Architecturally significant in its originality, aesthetics and structural engineering solution, the judges had to acknowledge the time and commitment to restoring the structure and retaining the celebrated design.”

The winner of the Residential Award, sponsored by building solutions firm J Tomlinson, was a Rural Housing Exception scheme at High Street, Brant Broughton in Lincolnshire, nominated by architects Halsall Lloyd Partnership.

Judges said of the housing scheme: “This development managed to achieve a high level of sustainability whilst not losing aesthetic appeal. The retention of existing site features and characteristics is admirable and shows a good understanding of its sense of place. The judges also noted its collaboration with the local community.”

The winner of the Non-Residential Award, sponsored by consultant development engineer M-EC, was Birkett House School, Wigston, Leicestershire, nominated by civil and structural engineer BSP Consulting and contractor Willmott Dixon Construction.

The judges said: “With its range of bespoke learning facilities that challenge previous norms, Birkett House offers well-designed and executed specialist facilities that were not currently met in the area.

“The integration of sustainable design into the teaching and learning process gives a strong and comfortable sense of place. Birkett House has been further recognised for its extensive level of collaboration and involvement outside of the construction team, the build being carbon neutral as well as its use of local labour.”

The Rising Star Award – presented to a young person under the age of 30 working within the construction sector in Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire or Nottinghamshire who has shown outstanding achievements in their field and which was sponsored by business and tax advisor Duncan & Toplis – was presented to Joe Gent, a trainee M&E quantity surveyor at Nottingham-based J Tomlinson.

The judges said of Joe: “The Rising Star category is always the hardest to judge and this year the competition seemed to be particularly stiff. It’s fantastic to see there are so many young people in the region achieving great things.

“Joe Gent secured the accolade because of the level of his accomplishments in such a short period of time. His achievements are commendable and it is clear that he is both a highly valued and well-liked member of the J Tomlinson team. In both his practical and academic work, Joe has shown hard work and dedication and has excelled in both areas. With his ambition and can-do attitude as well as the ability to build professional relationships and secure contracts at a relatively young age, Joe has been awarded the FBE Rising Star 2017 award. He has an incredibly bright future ahead of him.”

Around 130 professionals from the construction, property and development sector in the East Midlands attended the annual ceremony, which included a welcoming drinks reception sponsored by consulting engineer BSD.

Compèred by former England international rugby player and ex-Leicester Tiger player Peter Wheeler, the evening also raised £1,378 for the Wooden Spoon charity, an organisation dedicated to providing rugby coaching for disabled, or disadvantaged, children. The charity aims to positively transform the lives of young people across the UK and Ireland.

Eddie Mewies, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe and MD of M-EC Consulting Development Engineers, said: “A huge congratulations to all the finalists and especially the winners of these awards, which highlight and reward the teams behind some of the best construction projects in the East Midlands and also shine a light on the young people who are showing outstanding achievements in their areas of work.

“The East Midlands fbe Awards give us the opportunity to recognise and highlight the great projects that are undertaken in this region, and I’d like to thank all the companies that nominated and took part this year.”

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.

Photo caption left to right, Eddie Mewies, regional chairman of the East Midlands fbe, Nick Emmett from the University of Leicester, Ian Carey from Pulse Associates, Samuel Hicks, director at award sponsor DW Hicks, and Peter Wheeler, former England international rugby player and ex-Leicester Tiger player.

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

J Tomlinson awarded its largest single contract following Ashfield Homes £30 million investment plan

Contractor J Tomlinson has been awarded the company’s largest single contract.

Following an extensive European Procurement exercise, Ashfield Homes Limited and Ashfield District Council has announced that Nottingham-based J Tomlinson has been appointed to carry out investment works valued at more than £30 million to the Council’s housing stock over the next five years.

Work will include replacement kitchens, bathrooms, central heating systems, electrical installations, roof coverings, windows and external doors.  There is also scope to undertake other improvement works to benefit tenants’ homes and their surroundings, including carbon and environmental efficiency saving measures.

Ashfield Homes manages Ashfield District Council’s rented housing stock of about 6,900 properties, and the works will be carried out right across Ashfield.

Steve Kirkland, Managing Director of J Tomlinson Limited said:

“This is the largest single contract we have ever been awarded and will lead to the creation of up to 40 new jobs in the local area, and will provide work for at least 12 apprentices over the next five years.

“We have worked on refurbishment, maintenance and repairs contracts for Ashfield Homes for more than ten years now, and we are genuinely excited about the prospect of further strengthening our close working partnership with Ashfield Homes. 

“It is our intention to open a new base in the area to service this new contract, and we have also devised a programme of community involvement in association with Ashfield Homes, which will include offering apprenticeship and work experience opportunities, mentoring support, employment and training events, as well as school activities.”

Paul Bingham Director of Asset Management of Ashfield Homes, said: “This contract is a great opportunity to continue enhancing our tenants’ living conditions, maintain the high standard of accommodation we offer, and ensure that our present and future customers enjoy the benefits of good quality housing for years to come.”

Cllr Keir Morrison, Portfolio Holder for Housing and Asset said:

“I'm delighted J Tomlinson contractors are working in partnership with Ashfield District Council and Ashfield Homes in providing the best possible standard of housing we can.  J Tomlinson recruit local labour and have a comprehensive apprenticeship scheme, they also pay the Living Wage rate to their employees. 

“We look forward to a successful business partnership and achieving the best living standards for our tenants across the Ashfield District.”

For more information about J Tomlinson visit www.jtomlinson.co.uk

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