Building Briefs – October 15th

Work has been completed on a full refurbishment of an existing city centre building originally constructed in 1907 in the heart of Glasgow city centre.

The Anchorline Aparthotel project saw the upper floors provide a 64 bedroom apart-hotel accommodation, containing a mix of studio and one bedroom apartments and incorporated a single storey extension at roof level.

Emtec were employed by key clients ISG Construction to supply, install & commission the complete mechanical, electrical and plumbing services to the hotel.

Due to the building constraints, co-ordination of services were key to the success of the project and working closely with ICA Architects and Atelier Ten Consultants on yet another hotel project, Emtec said it was able to produce a product which is not only aesthetically pleasing but is functional and easy to use for the guest experience.

New base opens for Whiteinch and Scotstoun Housing Association social enterprise

Glasgow’s Depute Lord Provost, Bailie Philip Braat, has opened new premises for a new local social enterprise company set up by Whiteinch and Scotstoun Housing Association.

WS Estate Services employs eight staff and provides close and back-court cleaning services and multi storey concierge services to a total of 1,300 housing association tenants and 550 owner occupiers in Whiteinch and Scotstoun.

WS Estate Services was established as a social enterprise company last year by the local housing association to handle all its close and back court cleaning and the multi storey concierge services, which had been previously provided by four separate contractors.

It has been based in temporary accommodation, until the move this week to the little-used ground floor of the housing association’s Curle Street multi-storey, which has been extensively renovated to include three large fitted, modern offices, and supporting facilities and a bright, welcoming reception area with concierge station for residents.

Major other improvements included a new entrance canopy to the multi-storey, with viewing window and bright concierge station and the refurbishment completed with new automatic sliding doors, new flooring, lighting and decorative tiled walls.

A9 Dualling schools programme wins major award

The Academy9 programme has won the British Construction Industry Skills Impact Initiative of the Year award.

Academy9 is an exciting and evolving educational framework developed by Transport Scotland, linked to the A9 Dualling programme. It promotes skills and learning, STEM education and employment opportunities for future generations.

It has been developed in partnership with teachers local to the A9, to ensure it works with the existing curriculum and adds value, reinforcing skills development and everyday learning.

Caithness kitchen manufacturer welcomes new apprentices

A Wick-based kitchen manufacturer is expanding with an intake of trainees following a period of growth which saw annual sales hit more than £16 million.

Family-run firm Ashley Ann, which employs 150 people at its Caithness headquarters and is one of the largest private employers in the area, welcomed a further five apprentices to its manufacturing facility this week.

It reported turnover for the last financial year of £16.8m.

Established some 30 years ago by husband and wife team Stephen and Ellen Bremner, Ashley Ann now manufactures around 3,600 kitchens per year. It has eight showrooms in Scotland, and supplies 105 dealerships across the UK, with the majority of these south of the Border.

Stephen Bremner said the company’s flexibility means it can compete with its manufacturing rivals in Germany.