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

Focus Consultants sets sail on boatbuilding college scheme

Project managers at Focus Consultants are helping to create a new £5.5 million Boatbuilding and Heritage Skills Training Centre.

The firm is working with Portsmouth Naval Base Property Trust and the International Boatbuilding Training College on the project to restore and refurbish Boathouse 4 – an iconic building within Portsmouth Historic Dockyard.

PNBPT recently received a £3.75 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for the scheme, which will become a centre of excellence for boatbuilding training and will also include exhibitions and displays relating to the British Navy’s small boats.

Boathouse 4, built during the 1930s rearmament period, is currently in a run-down state, and Nottingham-based Focus Consultants has been appointed as project manager and quantity surveyor for the restoration and refurbishment scheme, which is due to get underway on site in August 2014.

The boatbuilding training college, which will focus on preserving and celebrating valuable traditional skills, is due to open in April 2015.

“Focus Consultants is proud to be playing a part, not just in restoring a significant building in the dockyard, but in helping to create training facilities that will support boatbuilding and heritage training skills for the future,” said Steven Fletcher, partner at Focus Consultants, which is based at Phoenix Business Park, Nottingham.

“Portsmouth Historic Dockyard is the centre of the nation’s maritime heritage and there are exciting plans to include displays and exhibits that tell the story of some of the famous small boats in the British Navy.”

IBTC Portsmouth, the new, south coast branch of the International Boatbuilding Training College, and Highbury College will deliver courses at the centre, which will provide annual Heritage Bursaries, offering local people currently unemployed or disengaged with education the opportunity to undertake one year’s full time traditional boatbuilding training, leading to a City and Guilds qualification and an IBTC Portsmouth Diploma.

The project has also received £479,000 from the Regional Growth Fund, a government initiative supporting large projects with the potential to create long-term private sector jobs, as part of a £1.3m award towards PNBPT projects.

Focus Consultants, which also has offices in Leicester, Boston, Aubourn near Lincoln, and in Holborn, London, has been involved in a wide range of schemes linked to the heritage of the British forces, including an impressive new visitor centre for Second World War cruiser HMS Belfast, which opened earlier this year. The firm is currently working on a multi-million pound redevelopment at the National Army Museum in Chelsea. The company also recently carried out a feasibility study for a new heritage attraction at RAF Scampton – the home of the Royal Airforce Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows, and the base from which 617 Squadron carried out the Dambusters raid 70 years ago.

www.focus-consultants.co.uk

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Business is booming at Southglade Food Park, Nottingham

Southglade Food Park is fully occupied once more after one new tenant moved onto the pioneering business park in Nottingham and a second company currently on the site has expanded to take an additional unit.

A waiting list of firms interested in securing premises on the site remains, said Fiona Anderson, managing director of The Food and Drink Forum which is based at the business park in Gala Way.

“Since opening in 2005, Southglade Food Park has been popular with food and drink firms, and we are delighted to welcome the latest tenant and to hear of the expansion plans of an existing tenant,” said Fiona Anderson.

“Southglade was designed to provide different-sized high-grade food manufacturing premises for firms at different stages of development, with the opportunity for companies to move into larger units as they grow.

“That vision has turned into reality with the business park proving popular with food and drink companies due to the quality of the premises, the presence of the on-site business centre, the food industry experienced support from The Food and Drink Forum, its convenient location, and the fact that the park is dedicated to firms all working in the same sector.

“I am very pleased to see that Southglade Food Park is full once more, and it is heartening to hear that other companies are keen to move in when suitable premises become available.”

Distributor TransFresh, which recently moved off the site to larger premises in Wigwam Lane, Hucknall, is the perfect example of how Southglade Food Park was designed to work, she said.

“The firm moved into an incubator unit at Southglade in early 2007. When it grew, it took additional space. Now fully established, TransFresh has moved to its own larger premises elsewhere – freeing up space for new and growing businesses to move in to Southglade,” said Fiona.

The new tenant of Southglade Food Park is gluten-free, dairy-free and additive-free cooking sauces and condiments company Dovedale Foods, which manufactures the brand Sauces of Choice and which has moved into one of the smallest-sized units on the park – 433 sq m premises known as nursery units. The firm, run by directors Ian Noakes and his partner Leah Montgomery, and Ian’s mother Ann Noakes, supplies to farm shops, delis and direct to the public via its website www.saucesofchoice.co.uk

“The unit is purpose-built and perfect for small companies such as ourselves,” said Ian. “The proximity to The Food and Drink Forum and the facilities in the Business Centre that we can tap into are also extremely useful.”

Existing Southglade Food Park tenant luxury baker Cake and Biscuits LLP has also taken a nursery unit to accommodate expansion plans.

“The moves show that Southglade Food Park is operating just as it was planned, with firms occupying different sized units as they grow and develop,” said The Forum’s Food Technical Manager Richard Wigley. “We are very pleased to welcome a new company onto the park, and to help Cake and Biscuits LLP with their development, and wish them well for the future.”

When it opened, the £4.7 million Southglade Food Park was the first business park of its kind in the UK dedicated to food and drink production and containing an on-site business centre offering support to firms.

The build and first three years of operation were funded by East Midlands Development Agency (emda), the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Nottingham City Council. Since then the park has been self sustaining.

At the heart of the food park community is a Business Support Centre run by The Food and Drink Forum, which maintains an on-site presence and manages the park services. It features meeting rooms, a new product development kitchen and other facilities for firms both on and off the park. Tenancies are managed by Nottingham City Council.

There are plans to expand Southglade Food Park to offer additional units when funds become available.

www.southglade.co.uk

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Meet the Shire Horse Day at Croots Farm Shop in Derbyshire

Visitors have the chance to find out more about the gentle giants of the horse world when Croots Farm Shop stages a Meet the Shire Horse Day later this month.

The event at Farnah House Farm, Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, takes place on Sunday July 17th.

The farm has been home to Shire horses for around 45 years, and has bred many award-winning animals. Foals born at the farm have moved to countries all over the world.

The event, which runs from 11am to 2pm, features plaiting displays and the chance to talk to Shire horse owner and judge Jim Yates to find out how the horses are cared for. There will also be horse-related activities for children.

“There’s something quite special about Shire horses. Many of our customers love them and often ask questions about them when they come to the shop,” said Steve Croot, who runs Croots Farm Shop. “We thought it would be nice to have a day where visitors can get to know some of the horses and foals that live at the farm and learn more about them.

“Shire horses have been in the family for generations and have lived at Farnah House Farm for decades. Jim is renowned in the world of Shire horses, and has judged at Shire horse shows in many different countries.”

Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen is open Sundays from 10am to 4pm (café until 3.45pm), and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (café until 4.30pm). It is closed on Mondays.

For more information visit www.croots.co.uk

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Croots Farm Shop birthday raises almost £1,200 for Derbyshire children’s charity Treats

Birthday celebrations at Croots Farm Shop in Wirksworth Road, near Duffield, have raised almost £1,200 for Derbyshire children’s charity Treats.

Staff at the farm shop and kitchen took part in a sponsored walk – clocking up 66 miles between them – and a luxury food hamper was raffled during a family fun day to mark the business’s third birthday.

The hamper was won by Edith Hough, of Hulland Ward, Derbyshire, a regular visitor to Croots’ award-winning butcher’s counter, deli and café.

Treats was set up 25 years ago to help under-privileged children in Derbyshire. It is one of Croots’ chosen charities for 2011.

Farm shop owner Steve Croot said: “It was a great effort by customers and staff. It’s great to have raised so much for Treats.

“The fun day included free face painting and a bouncy castle as well as a barbecue serving some of our award-winning sausages and meats.

“Earlier in the week staff pulled out all the stops, walking 66 miles in relays along the drive from the front of the shop to the main road and back. In all, we raised just short of £1,200.”

Online donations can still be made by visiting www.justgiving.com/Steven-Croot

Croots, based at Farnah House Farm, opened its doors three years ago and has gone from strength to strength. As well as the shop and café, it recently opened a plant nursery.

Its sausages and meat products have won numerous awards. Last year it was a runner-up in the Best UK Independent Food Retailer 2010 category of the Observer Food Monthly Awards. The year before, it was named in The Independent’s top 50 best food shops.

Croots Farm Shop & Kitchen is open Sundays from 10am to 4pm (café until 3.45pm), and from Tuesday to Saturday from 9am to 5pm (café until 4.30pm). It is closed on Mondays.

For more information visit www.croots.co.uk

Nottingham PR company Perfect 10 PR www.perfect10pr.co.uk

Sherwood Truck and Van’s Fiat Fiorino helps PCS Motor Factors to deliver

Sherwood Truck and Van, the East Midlands-based commercial vehicle group, has secured a deal to supply seven Fiat Fiorino 1.3 Multijet vans to car component distributor PCS Motor Factors.

From July, the mid-sized van will form the mainstay of the company’s 34-strong fleet after an initial six were acquired from Sherwood Truck and Van in 2010.

Confidence in the van was matched by confidence in the service provided by South Normanton-based Sherwood, according to PCS senior partner Steve Marsden.

“Everything Sherwood promised, they delivered,” he said.

“We can’t afford downtime. A vehicle off the road means a reduced service for our customers, and that goes directly against our philosophy. Sherwood understands that.

“They will service our vehicles at any time, 24 hours a day, and that’s of huge value. It’s the same with breakdowns. We haven’t had any yet, but I have every confidence Sherwood will respond if the need arises.

“Success in our business depends on four very important things. We have to be flexible, competitive and knowledgeable, but most of all we must be able to deliver when the customer needs us to – anything less is simply unacceptable.”

PCS was formed in Clay Cross, near Chesterfield, 33 years ago and supplies parts across the East Midlands.

Sherwood Truck and Van is part of West Bromwich-based Ian Guest Holdings, one of the UK’s largest independently owned commercial vehicle dealers.

The group covers an area that includes the West Midlands, North Wales, Cambridgeshire, Leicestershire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Staffordshire and South Yorkshire.

Regional director responsible for the four Sherwood locations, Helen Waterfall, said: “I am delighted that PCS Motor Factors has ordered from Sherwood Truck and Van again after being so pleased with the vehicles we supplied last year.”

Sherwood is a leading supplier of new and used commercial vehicles, established in 1978. The company also maintains, services and repairs commercial vehicles across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire and most of Cheshire.

www.sherwoodtruckandvan.com

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