Building Briefs - October 30th

Building services provider Arc-Tech has completed a mechanical and electrical project for the newly launched Broomhill Gardens Community Hub, an initiative that has been delivered on behalf of Inverclyde Association for Mental Health.

The new centre has transformed two derelict brownfield sites into a series of streets dividing the site into three distinctive areas: The Walled Garden with Community Rooms, The ‘Green Route’ with ornamental gardens, growing gardens and demonstration areas. It will offer local residents a new community hall, coffee shop, training & meeting rooms together with new dedicated office space for Inverclyde Association for Mental Health’s trading subsidiary “In-work Enterprises Ltd”.

In-work Enterprises Ltd is an award winning social enterprise owned by Inverclyde Association for Mental Health who will manage the training, voluntary and work-related opportunities for people in the Inverclyde area who have experienced mental health issues or who have experienced long term unemployment. The new facility will allow the ambitious social business to expand its business and offer additional training opportunities in office and catering skills alongside existing horticultural and landscaping training.

Arc-Tech was the principal M&E contractor in the delivery of the Community Hub providing a full turnkey Building Services solution which included Heating, Ventilation, Plumbing, Drainage, Electrical, Fire, Security and solar PV system.

John Gallacher, Arc-Tech Managing Director said: “Arc-Tech are delighted to be involved in the Broomhill Gardens Community Hub. It is very rewarding to have helped deliver a project that will go a long way to improving the mental health of many people and with the facilities on offer, it will surely be enjoyed by the local community for years to come.

“The entire M&E solution for the project was installed within a 7 month period which is a remarkable achievement. Our team performed excellently ensuring that all services were installed efficiently and to the highest quality standard.”

Works commenced on the construction of the Broomhill Gardens Community Hub in January 2017 and was completed in July 17.

Profits down at Malcolm Group

Glasgow-based logistics and construction firm Malcolm Group saw profits nudge down in the year to the end of January despite a six per rise in turnover to £225.7 million.

Profits before exceptional items were down from £10.5m to £10.4m.

Chief executive Andrew Malcolm said it was “a robust performance given the increasingly competitive trading conditions prevalent in both sectors.

He added that “the group remains well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities”.

Kelos’s Roxburgh Street to close to allow for restoration work

Roxburgh Street in Kelso will be closed to traffic for a further six weeks at least to allow repairs to be made to a privately owned dangerous building.

A structural engineer has investigated the gable wall of the building, which has brought to light that the extent of repairs needed to make the wall fully safe are greater than initially thought. This means a large section of the gable facing Roxburgh Street requires to be removed and rebuilt.

As a result, the current scaffolding needs to be kept in place in order to keep the building safe, meaning the road remains closed to traffic, although pedestrian access will continue to be maintained.

As soon as the structural engineer is satisfied that the building is stable following the repairs, the width of the scaffolding can be reduced, allowing traffic to once again use the road.

The road was closed to traffic and pedestrians on Friday 22 September following the discovery of the dangerous building which had the potential to cause significant damage.

Pedestrian access was restored on Friday 6 October after the removal of a dangerous chimney from the building. However, the road has remained closed to traffic since due to the dangerous gable wall on the same building.

The Council is now directly undertaking the work under powers granted by the Building (Scotland) Act 2003, and is making every effort to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, while also making sure public safety is the priority.

During the road closure, to enable access, the one-way order on Union Street has been temporarily suspended. Diversion signage is in place and is directing traffic from the town centre through Woodmarket, Rose Lane, East Bowmont Street and Bowmont Street.

Additional signage has also been put up to advise members of the public that local shops remain open as usual.

Chair of bpha to retire at the end of his term of office

Robert Burgin, chair of bpha, has announced his intention to retire at the end of his current term in the spring of 2018.

The recruitment process to appoint Mr Burgin’s successor will be led by senior independent director Peter Male and the organisation will be working to achieve a smooth transition.

Mr Burgin said: “I was appointed nearly three years ago to take the organisation through a period of transformational change and restructuring to ensure that it is ‘fit for the future’. During this time the Board has been strengthened, circa 1,500 new homes have been built and a new Business Unit operating model has been established.

“bpha’s 2016/17 Financial Statements demonstrate a strengthening of its overall position and I was delighted when our G1 and V1 ratings were confirmed by the HCA in September following their lengthy and detailed IDA process earlier this year; that result reflects great credit on the entire association and everyone involved here at bpha.

“It has been a privilege to lead the Board during what has been a very busy period of transitional change and I would like to take this opportunity to thank my colleagues and the association’s many stakeholders for their help and support during my period of office.”

Kevin Bolt, bpha’s chief executive, said: “Robert has made a significant contribution to bpha during his tenure and we wish him well in his retirement. He will be leaving the organisation in a strong position.”

Buccleuch Property’s brace of deals at Kettering Business Park

Private property investment and development company Buccleuch Property, has completed two deals on its multi-million-pound Kettering Business Park development, and welcomed a host of new occupiers, including Northamptonshire Police and luxury automotive interiors specialists, I M Kelly.

The Northamptonshire Police Northern Accommodation Hub includes a contemporary high specification, three storey office building totalling 29,482 sq. ft as well as a bespoke custody facility.

The building was completed in July 2017 and provides modern workspace for up to 350 staff, whilst the environmental credentials of the office will help to deliver a significant reduction in life cycle costs compared to existing accommodation.

The second deal announced sees IM Kelly – a luxury automotive interiors specialist – acquire a 5.9 acre site. Enabling and infrastructure works have now commenced and are expected to finish in December 2017. Following completion of these works, IM Kelly plan to construct a 100,000 sq ft office and industrial complex which, when operational, will employ 200 staff.

Accountants, CFW are also due to complete their new 7,000 sq ft office in November and they will join BSD consulting engineers who took occupation of their new office earlier in the year.

Only one, five-acre plot remains available on the 35 acre, phase one site. Given the strength of occupation demand, Buccleuch Property is now preparing a planning application for the next phase of development. A further 70 hectares has been allocated for business and employment use and could bring a further 6,500 jobs to the park.