Building Briefs – May 25th
Reading time: 9 minutes
CMS gives students taste of working world
CMS Window Systems has demonstrated its commitment to promoting local employment and building the skill sets of younger generations by giving students a taste of what it is like to work for the business.
Throughout April, the designer, manufacturer and installer of energy-efficient windows, doors and curtain walling systems played host to the Primary 7 classes of six feeder primary schools for Our Lady’s High School in Cumbernauld. The educational activity days, around the theme of social, environmental and economic sustainability, were part of a P7 transition project between the high school and its feeder primaries.
Eleven-year-olds from the six schools spent time at CMS’s flagship Innovation Hub in Castlecary to learn about current issues in sustainable housebuilding, before putting their new knowledge to use by designing their own eco-houses. All six primary schools will visit Our Lady’s High School on Tuesday 21st June to present their Eco House of the future models.
CMS ran the scheme as part of the Scottish Government’s ‘Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce’ initiative which aims to establish a stronger connection between education and the world of work.
CCG begins next phase of Hillhead window installation contract
CCG is underway with the next phase of a window installation contract for Hillhead Housing Association in East Dunbartonshire.
The company’s Specialist Building Services is now on site with Phase 11 of the deal, which involves installing new windows at 65 properties.
The works will be carried out over a 34-week period.
Screwfix sales rise
B&Q owner Kingfisher grew like-for-like sales by 3.6 per cent to £2.7 billion in the first quarter, driven by strong growth at trade outlet Screwfix.
The retail group said likefor-like sales at Screwfix – adjusted to account for store openings or closures – jumped 16.2 per cent as it benefited from extended ranges and the opening of 10 new outlets.
Like-for-like sales at B&Q rose 3.6 per cent in the period and chief executive Veronique Laury, who is overseeing a turnaround plan at the retailer, said the results represent a “solid start to the year”.
Aberdeen hotel market shows signs of recovery
The hotel market in Aberdeen – hammered by the fallout from the depressed oil price – is showing signs that it may be improving, according to figures out today.
The monthly Scottish Intercity Report from Edinburgh-based tourism consultant LJ Research shows that hotels in the Granite City recorded the least steep reduction in occupancy in over a year.
Having recorded 12 months of consecutive double-digit decreases, Aberdeen hotels achieved an occupancy rate of 62.6 per cent in April which was down by only 2.5 per cent on last year.
But the ongoing challenges faced by the sector in the city were highlighted by a fall of 26.8 per cent in average room rates over the past year to £67.74.
Call for entries for 42nd NHIC Annual Awards
Entries are now invited from across the spectrum of housing modernisation projects and associated activities for the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) Annual Awards.
Awards will be presented in the following four categories: Energy Efficiency in Local Communities; Gas Safety in Social Housing; Excellence in Roofing; and Aluminium Systems for Windows, Doors and Facades.
Companies and organisations working in disciplines covered by the award categories can enter a project or projects completed within the past year.
Entry is free and full details can be found at www.nhic.org.uk and by clicking on NHIC Annual Awards an application form can be downloaded. All submissions must be received by the NHIC before 23rd September 2016.
Winners will be announced at a special luncheon in Gladstone’s Library, One Whitehall Place, London, SW1 on Thursday 17th November 2016.
Kirkwall link road officially opens
The new link road built in Kirkwall was marked with an official road opening ceremony yesterday.
Works for the new road, called Foreland Road, began last September. The £1.7 million scheme was completed by local company Andrew Sinclair – Contractors and Plant Hirers.
It is a little over 600 metres in length and will link the New Scapa Road and Old Scapa Road.
The link road provides access points for the island’s new hospital and healthcare facilities and will reduce the impact on the surrounding roads.
The scheme includes a new roundabout at the junction of Foreland Road, New Scapa Road and the Holm Branch Road. In addition, pedestrian and cyclist access along the road has been incorporated with a significant level of planting and comprehensive drainage work to help blend the area into the local environment and encourage wildlife.
New £11.5m primary school opens in Glasgow
A new £11.5 million primary school has opened in Glasgow.
The Garrowhill Primary school and nursery building was unveiled by Bailie Liz Cameron on Friday.
Features include an all-weather 3G pitch and 17 teaching spaces arranged around three flexible teaching breakout spaces.
In addition, external play areas and large areas of roof glazing were also developed on the upper floors.
Scottish Land Fund awards £85,000 grant for BCDC project
The Scottish Land Fund has provided £85,000 towards a redevelopment project in Barmulloch, Glasgow.
The Barmulloch Community Development Company (BCDC) will use the funding to purchase the former All Saints Church and associated church house, known locally as the Broomfield Road Centre.
The company plans to modify and refurbish the buildings, creating more space for additional services and activities.
In addition, plans are in place to build small industrial units to the rear of the building, which will provide new employment opportunities and an additional source of income to support further community activities.
The funding was made available following a decision to open the Scottish Land Fund programme to both rural and urban projects.
Redevelopment work begins at Kirkintilloch Town Hall
Redevelopment work is underway at Kirkintilloch Town Hall in East Dunbartonshire.
Construction has started to transform the building into a “modern centre for heritage, arts, culture and community use.”
The council has been working alongside development partner hub West Scotland, contractors and East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture (EDLC) Trust to develop the town hall design.
Plans include creating:
• Ground-floor event space
• New entrance, reception and vestibule
• First-floor heritage display, reflecting Kirkintilloch’s rich history (in association with EDLC)
• New office and community space
• Kitchen, store room, toilets and locker room
Traditional building skills event to be held in Fife
A traditional skills building advice day is to be held next week in Fife, it has been announced.
Cupar Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS) and Fife Council will host the event for property owners and landlords in an effort to raise awareness for the local conservation cause.
In addition, the series of workshops are targeted at homeowners, building professionals and contractors who are interested in learning more about the historic environment and use of traditional materials.
Topics of the event will include building defects and maintenance, lime pointing and stonework repairs, timber, metalwork, slating, roof and window repairs, and energy efficiency improvements.
A further afternoon session will focus on common repairs, title deeds and owners’ responsibilities.
The event will take place from 9am - 3:30pm at County Hall, County Buildings, Cupar on Thursday, 02 June.
Carluke company paving the way for local construction students
Carluke paving and landscaping materials manufacturers Marshalls are helping two local construction students to lay the foundations for their careers in the building trades.
Dale Ritchie (19), and Scot Jackson (20) – both from Carluke - are half way through six weeks’ work experience with Marshalls as part of New College Lanarkshire’s annual industrial placements for Construction Pre Apprentices.
The students are being given a variety of tasks to do at Marshalls’ manufacturing site in Carluke, where the company - formerly known as Paver Systems until purchased by UK-wide business Marshalls plc in 2005 - has been based for more than 20 years. Nearly 50 staff are based at the Carluke site, which supplies to a range of customers including housebuilders CALA Homes as well as a large number of builder’s merchants throughout Scotland.
The College’s student placement programme aims to showcase the youngsters’ skills to potential employers and this year involves around 50 students - the largest figure to be sent for work experience since the College’s Construction Pre Apprentice course was launched 10 years ago.
NIA to host insulation sector briefing event
The National Insulation Association (NIA) is to host a special meeting for the managing directors of its 30 manufacturers and system certificate holder members to discuss matters of significant importance to the future of the insulation industry.
Key external speakers will be addressing the attendees at the Building Research Establishment (BRE) headquarters in Watford on a number of important topics covering:
CGC continues support for vital African charity
Citygate Construction this week announced it would continue its support of a vital charity which is doing good work in Malawi.
CGC has been a long term supporter of Classrooms for Malawi which was set up in 2012 and believes education offers a sustainable route out of poverty in the African nation. Its aim is to improve the learning environment for Malawian children and the wider community.
It has just celebrated another hugely successful fundraising Ball held in Glasgow and which CGC helped with a cash donation.
It is part of CGC’s long-standing support of communities – both locally and internationally.
Community projects in Scotland need your vote in Jewson competition
Five community projects from across Scotland have been announced as finalists in the 2016 Jewson Building Better Communities competition.
After beating 1,800 nominated projects they’ve made it to this stage, and now need your help to secure a share of the £250,000 prize fund.
New Hope in Oban, Kingdom Boxing Club, Stranraer Dementia Resource Centre, The Happy Club and Lapwing Lodge Outdoor Centre are calling on members of the local community to get behind the projects and cast their vote on the Jewson Facebook page.
Winners will be awarded building materials from Jewson to help transform buildings up and down the UK into warm, inviting and efficient spaces for the whole community to enjoy.
This year, applicants had the choice to nominate a project for either the main prize of a £150,000 transformation, using the Saint-Gobain ‘My Comfort’ building principles, or a share of a £100,000 regional prize fund, where they could ask for anything from £500 to £10,000 to spend on building materials.
People have until 19th June to vote for their local project.
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