Building Briefs - September 21st

• CALA joins generous Aberdeen businesses to raise £30K for winter coat appeal

The event, which has been sponsored by CALA Homes since 2018, is hosted each year and bring companies from across the North East together in aid of Cash for Kids’ Coats for Kids Appeal.

Despite its cancellation, a number of table hosts who had booked to attend the event kindly donated their table fee to the charity, which will help provide local disadvantaged children with warm clothing to see them through winter.

Michelle Ferguson, Cash for Kids charity manager, said: “Our Coats for Kids Appeal is a fundraising campaign to provide clothing vouchers to children who do not have warm winter clothes to enable them to purchase a winter coat, hat, scarf gloves and shoes. 

“This appeal is always oversubscribed which demonstrates the very real need for our help in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. In 2019 we provided 1,559 vouchers and we expect this number to increase significantly this year as many families will find themselves in difficult circumstances due to the effect Coronavirus has had on their income and ability to provide for their children. 

“We are blown away by the kindness of our table hosts who have supported Cash for Kids through this lunch for the past two years. Paying for tables at an event that has had to be cancelled is remarkable and we cannot wait to see them all in 2021 if the lunch is able to go ahead then.”

Mike Naysmith, managing director for CALA Homes (North), said: “We have supported Cash for Kids and its vital appeals for many years and we’re particularly passionate about supporting this campaign as no child in the area should have to endure the winter without the proper cold weather essentials.

“As this year will prove even more challenging for people in need, we are very proud of our fellow local businesses that chose to donate the table host fees.

“This generosity will help Cash for Kids meet voucher requests at a time when many charities have seen a drop in donations due to cancelled fundraising events.”

To find out more about Cash For Kids Coat Appeal and to make a donation, visit here.

• New Kilmarnockcommunity launched by Barratt Homes

Barratt Homes has officially launched ‘The Scholars’ in Kilmarnock, a 63-home community of three and four-bedroom properties.

With lots of amenities nearby – including restaurants, golf courses, supermarkets, schools and nurseries – Barratt Homes is expecting a surge in demand from first-time buyers, families looking for more space and those who are looking to move out of Scotland’s major cities.

Estelle Sykes, sales and marketing director at Barratt West Scotland, said: “With our plans for The Scholars proceeding well, the variety of properties on offer will make fantastic homes for buyers from all walks of life. We’ve already received lots of positive interest from prospective buyers and we’re looking forward to creating a new bustling community in the heart of Kilmarnock.”

• New fitness studio plans to Maxim-ise health and wellbeing at Eurocentral

An ambitious new functional fitness and nutrition studio is set to open its doors at Maxim Park, led by entrepreneur and ex-military man Jamie Read.

Enduro Fit Studio will begin operating at the end of October 2020, occupying around 9,000 sq. ft. spread over two floors at Maxim 3, which features stunning bay windows facing onto the business park’s plaza.

The studio will offer a range of services to people based at Maxim and beyond, with access to professional nutrition advice, top of the range exercise equipment, and a variety of classes delivered by specialist trainers. It will be open 24/7 to accommodate people at all times, whatever their schedule.

On choosing to locate at Maxim Park, Jamie Read added: “Maxim Park is right at the heart of Eurocentral, one of the main hubs of economic activity in Scotland. It’s just off the M8 and easy to access for people in the local area as well as commuters between Glasgow and Edinburgh who may want to do a work-out on their way home without having to go out of their way. It’s a great location for me to launch and grow my business.”

The Enduro Fitness Studio is the latest in a series of new tenants and amenities at Maxim Park. It was announced earlier this year that US healthcare technology company LumiraDx would take a substantial amount of space at the park, while Sure Thing Insurance added to its existing operation.

Last year, well-known Glasgow-based sandwich shop chain Piece arrived at Maxim Park, while a new quality restaurant called Regis was also introduced to expand the food and drink selection to tenants and the local community.

• Barratt Homes development sells-out with last home purchased

Barratt Homes has confirmed that its Colville Gate development has sold-out after the purchase of its final three-bedroom home.

Launched in 2018, Colville Gate – a 97 home community in Motherwell – has proven to be incredibly popular with first-time buyers, families and upsizers, who have taken advantage of the many incentives and offers available to make the move to a new three or four-bedroom home.

Fortunately, for those who have missed out, Barratt West Scotland continues to develop its offering across the region. A range of four-bedroom homes is now available at the nearby Brackenhill View development in Hamilton.

Estelle Sykes, sales and marketing director at Barratt West Scotland, said: “Lanarkshire remains a desirable location to live and work with its proximity to Glasgow and its own local character. The popularity of Colville Gate has come as no surprise and we’re excited that many happy buyers have chosen to call it home.

“We’re experiencing a lot of interest in our nearby Brackenhill View development as buyers continue to search for homes with added space and modern, flexible design. Every home we build is done to a certified five-star standard and our offering across the west of Scotland means there is plenty choice for buyers from all walks of life.”

• 21.2% increase in contract awards in August

The total value of construction contract awards in August 2020 was £4.4 billion based on a three-month rolling average, according to industry analysts Barbour ABI.

This is 21.2% higher than for July but is a decline of 8.5% compared with August 2019. The rolling three-month average data is positive, but examination of the raw monthly data shows that contract awards in August were 37.6% lower than for July with value of £3.9bn. However, July was particularly buoyant and the raw monthly data for August perhaps reflects a return to more normal growth levels, however, is still 146.9% higher than the recent low point of £1.6bn for May 2020.

The latest edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review highlights levels of construction contract values awarded across Great Britain. Analysis by sector indicates that residential maintained lead sector status in August accounting for 37.6% of awards. Infrastructure was the second largest sector in August with attributable share of 30.5% of awards. Vying for third place the education and industrial sectors accounted for 9.4% and 9.0% respective share of contract awards this month.

• Resurfacing improvements require A7 Galashiels closure

Resurfacing improvements require a section of the A7 north of Galashiels to close for seven working days later this month.

The resurfacing works will take place within the 40mph limit from Monday 28 September to Tuesday 6 October, between 9am and 5pm.

The road will be fully open on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October.

Preparatory works will take place at the same section from Wednesday 23 to Friday 25 September, with traffic lights in operation.

Electronic signage is already in place to advise road users of the works, but access for walkers and cyclists will be maintained throughout.