The firm has linked up with the Fringe Comedy Festival in Edinburgh for the initiative as it sees laughter being a good source of stress relief.

akp is currently delivering a multi million pound refurbishment of 80 George Street, Edinburgh.

The akp staff canteen is hosting a number of young, up and coming comedians for 10 min slots throughout August.

The move also provides the comedians with a good opportunity to trial material and sell tickets for their shows.

Roz Malcolm, akp business development, marketing and CSR manager, said: “This project at 80 George Street was a great contract win for akp, and so when we knew that that site would be live throughout the Fringe it was a ‘no brainer’ that we HAD to do something to get involved with the culture, comedy and performers around Edinburgh in August.

“The initiative was a 2 stage concept, colleague and akp proposal & marketing co-ordinator Elaine Smith suggested we engage the comedians in some way and I took care of the logistics and bringing the idea to life.

“We wanted to build the event in a safe comfortable place on site for the operatives and so built a small stage in the staff canteen, created a stage backdrop and microphone so it was much like an open mic set up, which many comedians would be familiar with.”

With health & wellbeing and particularly staff mental health a topic of more and more concern within the construction industry, the link of laughter being good for your health was the basis of the initiative, which the company aptly named ‘Constructing Comedy’

A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.

Laughter is also known to boost the immune system because it decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.

Roz added: I was amazed at the response we had from new comedians and even some well-schooled performers with much stage time under their belts.

“But, the initiative was a win win for all involved. Not only was it a great Health & Wellbeing initiative but it gives the comedian the chance to trial out their new material on an audience, who let’s face it are not easily offended or shocked!

“It was also a great vehicle for the comedians and performers to drum up sales for their ticketed Fringe shows.

“All in all the feedback we have had from the staff and design team on site at 80 George Street has been great. We would definitely look to do this again in the future.

“I would like to extend a special thanks to comedians whom have taken part and are due to take part in the coming weeks comedians; Joe Bains, Steve Chang, Jonathan Flanagan, Jade Allen, Malcolm Rose (AKA Rafro DeFontain), Jacob Justice, Lenny Hastings, Connor McDonough-Flynn and Tosh Sauce. And thank you also to cabaret and musical acts; See Rock City & Other Destinations, Macsonnetries Petra Reid and Graham Dickson.”

John Black, akp site manager, said: “Having the chance to enjoy some of the Fringe comedians certainly brightens up your day. It’s also a great team building exercise. No matter what your job on site and at what level you work at everyone has a sense of humour! This initiative has definitely brought an already close knit team even closer together and that can only be a good thing.”