CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is urging construction companies to use Blue Monday 2021 as an opportunity to take positive action around mental health, including taking advantage of free resources such as the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s (Lighthouse Club) mental health and wellbeing training and their Helpline App.
East Midlands based fire and security installation and maintenance company Tecserv UK has revealed it is optimistic of achieving its year-end targets having secured a forward order book of over £1m heading into 2021. The company, which is privately owned, was founded in January 2001 and is also celebrating its 20th anniversary.
A new look has been unveiled for a Newcastle former office block as scaffolding is removed by Kapex Construction. Eldon House at Gosforth’s Regent Centre is undergoing a £5.37million transformation to redevelop the former vacant office building into 66 luxury apartments. Construction work is three months ahead of schedule and
O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd has taken delivery of the very first C50R-5A tracked carrier sold in the UK. Retailed through Taylor & Braithwaite, Yanmar’s official dealer for Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham (including Tyneside and Teesside), the new model will be used for a wide range of earthmoving applications. Added to
Specialist building solutions firm increases spend by 80% in the past 12 months A Northern Ireland based producer of high-value specialist building products is increasing its investment in Research and Development as part of a business development strategy throughout the UK and Ireland. Fivemiletown headquartered, AG (formerly Acheson + Glover)
Construction companies can now benefit from a ‘UK first’ innovation which allows three-metre aluminium flagpoles to be installed onto standard shipping containers used as site offices and stores. The new container flagpoles system enables contractors to make building sites highly visible to visitors and passers-by as soon as work starts
Finding the right vacuum cleaner can be one of the most challenging decisions to make. But at the end of the day, what makes a vacuum cleaner best is its efficiency. Each device offers a different cleaning experience. One model that has remained a popular choice is Duo clean Vacuum
THE end of the Brexit transition period has passed, and with it many rules and regulations are changing across the board for many industries – including construction. Jonathan Oram, national framework manager at Pagabo, discusses the changes expected in public sector procurement following the UK’s departure from the EU. What
AFTER vital restoration works, the iconic Grade 1 listed Westminster Hall – the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster – has been returned to its full glory so it can be appreciated for decades to come. Works to clean the hall’s 14th century hammer-beam roof internally; carry out essential repairs to the roof timber trusses; repair and restore the lead-covered roof lantern;
Leading Italian render specialist, Fassa Bortolo, has recently finalised a prestigious project for The Duchy of Cornwall, in collaboration with Midas Construction. The project launched in November 2017 after Fassa was recommended by one of its largest applicators to transform the external envelope of the new Nansledan school. A final
CHAS, the supply chain risk management expert, is urging construction companies to use Blue Monday 2021 as an opportunity to take positive action around mental health, including taking advantage of free resources such as the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity’s (Lighthouse Club) mental health and wellbeing training and their Helpline App. The third Monday in January is sometimes referred to as Blue Monday because it is supposedly the saddest day of the year due to the impact of post-Christmas blues, poor weather and stretched finances. With latest HSE figures showing mental health issues at work are on the rise and coronavirus exacerbating the issue, Blue Monday 18th January 2021, has the potential to be a particular low point. CHAS is using the day to raise awareness of the availability of free resources to help construction businesses and workers take positive action around the awareness of and management of mental health. The Lighthouse Club, which provides mental, physical and financial wellbeing support to the construction community, has several free resources including a free helpline, free training programmes and a free app, described as the ultimate self-help tool in the palm of your hand. CHAS has pledged an annual donation through the Lighthouse Club’s Company Supporter programme for several years and donates £1 for every satisfaction survey that a contractor completes. In addition, in 2021 CHAS will be highlighting the Lighthouse Club to its 30,000 contractors and 2,000 clients in every monthly newsletter and on the My Contractor Portal as a reminder that the charity is there whenever construction workers need them. Sarah Still, Marketing Communications Manager at CHAS comments: “The work of the Lighthouse Club is so important and like so many other charities at a time when their work is needed funding is squeezed. We have supported them for several years, during which time their work has touched many people’s lives and helped numerous construction workers and their families. “When we heard that they had lost £750,000 in 2020 due to the cancellation of all its events and organisations being unable to hold planned ‘Lighthouse Days’ we wanted to help ensure they could keep shining their light brightly even in these difficult times. In 2021 we will continue our financial support for the Lighthouse Club and we have also pledged to help them raise awareness of the essential work they do and the resources they provide.” Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity adds: “We are delighted to be partnering with CHAS to ensure that their members can access all the support they need and deserve, whether that’s support with mental, physical or financial wellbeing. As well as helping us spread the word they are also one of our valued Company Supporters who pledge an annual donation to ensure that we have predictable and sustainable income going forward. Thank you so much to everyone at CHAS for making sure that we achieve our mission of ensuring that no construction worker or their family is alone in a crisis.” Find out more about the Lighthouse Club at: https://www.lighthouseclub.org/ For more information on improving mental health in the workplace, see: https://www.chas.co.uk/blog/six-steps-to-improve-mental-well-being-in-the-workplace/
East Midlands based fire and security installation and maintenance company Tecserv UK has revealed it is optimistic of achieving its year-end targets having secured a forward order book of over £1m heading into 2021. The company, which is privately owned, was founded in January 2001 and is also celebrating its 20th anniversary. It believes it has managed to stay on track due to a consultative approach towards helping office and school building facilities managers, retailers, hotel owners and restaurant operators to fully understand their legal and compliance obligations in regard to fire safety whilst adhering to covid-19 restrictions. The new projects that company has won include Akeley Wood School in Buckinghamshire and several London based hotel and restaurants fire alarm system upgrades. The company has also been appointed to install fire and security systems into temporary buildings that have been erected in order to expand capacity at schools and health centres in order to ensure the requirement for social distancing measures can be accommodated. The £1m pipeline of new projects includes system installation and maintenance contracts for several retail outlets, more schools and a number of new build installations comprising fire, security, CCTV and access control systems. Commenting, Grahame Tilley, Chief Operating Officer, who was one of the founding directors said, “As soon as Government announcements were made in March 2020 we got on the front foot and started to advise our customers on how to maintain their fire and security systems, particularly in buildings that might not be occupied for some time. As a result of these discussions, many customers decided to use the building closure as the ideal opportunity to carry out upgrades to existing systems. This was a reaction we did not anticipate, but we are extremely grateful for this additional work as it is one of the reasons we were able to keep our team of service engineers operating at full strength.” Sales & Marketing Director Colin Milligan added, “Our company is built on care, dedication and a passion for delivering honest advice, great results and excellent customer service. The entire team has pulled together to help to ensure we reached this important milestone anniversary and can be optimistic about our future.” Tecserv UK is based in Underwood, Nottingham and employs 50 people including a team of field bases service engineers who work 24/7 on a UK wide basis 365 days a year. As well as maintaining fire and security systems for schools and businesses of all sizes, some of the more prestigious and high profile buildings Tecserv projects include, St Paul’s Cathedral in London, Harvey Nichols stores, M&S Foodhalls, The Bvlgari and Ritz Hotels, Pinewood Studios and many National Trust Heritage sites.
A new look has been unveiled for a Newcastle former office block as scaffolding is removed by Kapex Construction. Eldon House at Gosforth’s Regent Centre is undergoing a £5.37million transformation to redevelop the former vacant office building into 66 luxury apartments. Construction work is three months ahead of schedule and is due to complete in early 2021. Kapex Construction, part of Newcastle-based Morton Group, was appointed by Regent Centre owners Omnia Property Group to deliver its 2nd phase of its residential scheme, with Broadfield Project Management acting as client representative. Construction work started on the Eldon House development, which will create a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments over 8 floors, in March 2020. The extensive redevelopment project was originally due to complete in Spring 2021 but despite lockdown it is scheduled for completion in early 2021. Work on the scheme involves the complete removal of the existing façade, new cladding of the existing structure, along with thermal upgrades, a complete new MEP installation and internal fit out. It will be the second ‘office to residential’ conversion at the Regent Centre – the first being Northumbria House – and will be available to rent through Omnia Space. The area is known to be popular with students and employees based within the business park. Gary Morton, CEO of The Morton Group, said: “It’s fantastic to see the scaffolding come down on Eldon House and I hope people are pleased with the transformation so far. Work will continue on the development and we’re pleased to be able to deliver this office to residential development three months ahead of schedule. “Our track record in converting concrete frame office blocks into sleek, high quality living spaces is second to none, and we have drawn on our experience gained through the conversion of Eagle Star House into Regents Plaza apartments just 300 metres away.” Dave Lovatt, Commercial Director at Kapex Construction, said: “It’s exciting to see the progress starting to take shape at Eldon House, which will breathe new life into the 1970s office building and provide much needed housing in a highly sought after residential location. “In the past, Eldon House has been home to tenants such as Rolls Royce so it’s exciting to prepare the building for a fresh wave of tenants who will benefit from the close proximity to Gosforth High Street and bus and Metro transport links into Newcastle. It will be a thriving space tailored to modern, active lifestyles.”
O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd has taken delivery of the very first C50R-5A tracked carrier sold in the UK. Retailed through Taylor & Braithwaite, Yanmar’s official dealer for Cumbria, Northumberland and Durham (including Tyneside and Teesside), the new model will be used for a wide range of earthmoving applications. Added to the Yanmar portfolio in 2020, the next-generation C50R-5A can transport up to 3,800kg (standard) and 3,500kg (turning vessel). With a total width of 2.2 meters, length of 4.54 meters and ability to turn 360 degrees on the spot in seven seconds, it sets the standards for performance and productivity. Featuring Yanmar’s Stage V-compliant 111hp (83.2kW) 4TNV94FHT direct-injection engine, the carrier delivers 410Nm of torque at 1700rpm. Fitted with a common rail system and full electronic engine control, power is delivered precisely when needed. Recently delivered to the O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd Penrith headquarters, the C50R-5A is already proving a valuable investment. Tom O’Malley, Director, commented: “With demand for groundworks high, continuing to expand our fleet with the latest and most innovative compact equipment is hugely important. “When we heard about Yanmar’s all-new Stage V-compliant C50R-5A tracked carrier, we knew it would be a valuable addition. The perfect partner for a six, eight or even thirteen-tonne excavator, its capacity, speed, power and capability guarantees maximum productivity. With carefully designed tracks and an innovative hydraulic tensioning system, it’s perfect for moving heavy loads without damaging the ground – an important feature considering most of our work is delivered in environmentally-sensitive areas. “With site safety paramount to our daily operations, having the option of turning the seat 180° (to further improve visibility when reversing) is also hugely valuable. This, alongside a steel grid protecting the operator’s side, ground-accessible service areas and full ROPS/FOPS certification, makes the C50R-5A a great addition to almost every job.” The C50R-5A is the fifth Yanmar model that Tom has purchased in the past 12 months, adding to the SV26, ViO17, C30 and C12 units he specified in 2020. He continued “We’ve used Yanmar machines for years and have always been hugely impressed with their performance, reliability and comfort. “The C50R-5A is no exception. It’s the perfect blend of Japanese style and build quality, supported with state-of-the-art operator technologies and unique design features. “We have a 2006 C50R-3 tracked carrier, which is still working flawlessly 14 years later, so we’re confident that the all-new C50R-5A will be another excellent purchase. What’s more, thanks to the support of Taylor & Braithwaite, we can be safe in the knowledge that our latest models are backed up by a knowledgeable and committed team.” Ian Burton, Director of Sales at Taylor & Braithwaite, added: “We’ve worked in close partnership with Tom and the team for a number of years, providing class-leading equipment to suit a wide range of applications. The C50R-5A is an excellent addition to Yanmar’s compact portfolio and we’re confident that it will deliver over and above expectations for O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd.” Established in 1968, O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd has delivered plant hire, groundworks, civil engineering and haulage services across Cumbria, Dumfriesshire, Co Durham and Lancashire for more than 50 years. Undertaking an extensive range of contract work, including excavating, drainage, concreting, formwork, reinforcement, kerbing and paving, the company is renowned for its experience, enthusiasm and attention to detail. For more information about O’Malley Plant Hire Ltd, visit www.omalley-groundworks.co.uk. For more information about Taylor & Braithwaite, visit www.t-and-b.co.uk. For more information about Yanmar’s latest range of compact equipment, including the C50R-5A, visit https://www.yanmar.com/gb/construction/.
Specialist building solutions firm increases spend by 80% in the past 12 months A Northern Ireland based producer of high-value specialist building products is increasing its investment in Research and Development as part of a business development strategy throughout the UK and Ireland. Fivemiletown headquartered, AG (formerly Acheson + Glover) confirmed today that its spend on Research and Development had grown by 80% in the past 12 months. AG Chief Executive, Stephen Acheson, said he believed innovation and new product development were key sources of competitive advantage for the 60-year old firm. “From our earliest days AG has been synonymous with innovation and the pioneering of new technology within the concrete industry. Now, more than ever, we see this as being of crucial strategic importance as we seek to strengthen partnerships across our customer base in the creation of walling, paving and facing brick solutions that truly add value for clients across the UK and Ireland. “Innovation is one of our core company values and within the past 12 months we’ve had great success from several new product launches including our Long Stone paving and Woodward facing brick solutions, both of which have already established themselves as amongst our best sellers. We have also received UK-wide recognition for our Anchor® Vertica® Machine Install Segmental Retaining Wall system which has won a number of prestigious awards for both innovation and health and safety.” As part of AG’s drive towards best-in-class innovation it has established a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) with Queens University Belfast. This has included the provision of a new Associate Engineer, Catherine Campbell, who is supported by a team of academics. As part of the increased focus on Research and Development AG has recently invested more than £0.5m in a new processing line at its Toome facility to produce surface protected flagstones. Stephen Acheson said that the factory-sealing process will improve its flagstones in number of ways. “The factory-sealing means our products will be of a higher quality and they will be easier to maintain once installed. This innovation, coupled with the plans we have for this year and beyond, will further reinforce our products as being amongst the best in Europe from both an aesthetic and performance perspective. “We expect 2021 to be a big year for us in terms of product development, with a number of significant enhancements and additions being made to our portfolio of walling, paving and brick solutions that have been created to make construction better, faster and safer.”
Construction companies can now benefit from a ‘UK first’ innovation which allows three-metre aluminium flagpoles to be installed onto standard shipping containers used as site offices and stores. The new container flagpoles system enables contractors to make building sites highly visible to visitors and passers-by as soon as work starts and before main site branding is installed. The innovation has been launched by Harrison Flagpoles, which is the UK’s only independent manufacturer of glassfibre, aluminium and stainless-steel flagpoles. Featuring a proprietary ‘twist and lock’ mechanism, the company believes it is the first manufacturer in the UK to design, build and launch a shipping container flagpole system. National housebuilder Redrow was the first company to benefit from the innovation and is initially using the container flagpoles for both branding and wayfinding at a number of sites in England’s southern and eastern regions. Harrison Flagpoles sales and marketing director, Anthony Leonard, commented: “Our container flagpole system enables construction companies to become highly visible as soon as work starts on site. As far as we are aware, we have achieved a UK first by being the only company in the country to design, build and launch this type of flagpole innovation. “Once a site is up and running, our container flagpoles can also be used as wayfinders to various locations on site such as first aid stations or security. We are able to provide clients with an integrated service from supply to installation and service, whilst also providing custom designed, branded and manufactured flags for the containers.” According to the company, the aluminium container flagpoles are easily installed and a one metre swivel arm top with a white mushroom finial means flags remain seen even if there is no wind. Founded in 1987, Harrison Flagpoles operates nationally and internationally from its headquarters and manufacturing facility in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham. The company serves the construction, housebuilder, automotive, retail, hospitality, leisure and public sectors. For more information visit www.flagpoles.co.uk
Finding the right vacuum cleaner can be one of the most challenging decisions to make. But at the end of the day, what makes a vacuum cleaner best is its efficiency. Each device offers a different cleaning experience. One model that has remained a popular choice is Duo clean Vacuum cleaners like Shark NV801UKT. Duo clean vacuum cleaners offer many extra features that make it user-friendly and sought after. If you still have a doubt why people go for Duo clean Vacuum cleaners over the other types, here are a few reasons why. Go from Upright To Portable Models like Shark NV801UKT can be easily changed from an upright vacuum to a portable vacuum just with two clicks. It makes it more flexible and easy to use. With this feature, you can clean the stairs easily without lugging the vacuum cleaner around. When it is assembled upright, the hose and handle offer good flexibility. With the machine at ground level, you can easily clean even the seventh step without difficulty. The Lift-away Feature Many Duo clean vacuum cleaners come with the Lift-Away body feature, especially models like Shark NV801UKT. When you use the lift-away section in one hand and the tool or handle in the other, you have a limited radius to reach. But these duo clean models offer a right cord length. With a decent cord length, you can reach the top of the stairs without looking for alternate plug sockets to move the machine around. Dual-roller And Suction Power If you have hard floors and large carpeted areas, duo clean vacuum cleaners can help clean them effectively. The dual-roller and suction power, cleans hard floors easily. It picks up 100% of the dust without flicking it out or brushing in the front. The flocked rollers are also helpful for day-to-day use. It picks up the dust that sticks to the polished floor and also sucks in pet hair quickly. Helpful Accessories Duo clean vacuum cleaners also come with the right package of helpful accessories. Certain models include an upholstery tool which cleans crevices and corners well. Long metal tubes with the crevice tool attached reach a good height. Mini-turbo tool is one to look out for in the duo clean vacuum cleaners. The Boost Feature The boost feature is one of the most sought after options that makes duo clean vacuum cleaners a popular choice. If there is any stubborn dirt on carpets or hardwood floors, you can turn on the boost feature. It gives extra suction and removes the stubborn dirt from the floor fairly easily. Anti-allergen seals If you or your family members are allergic to dust or other allergens, you must take extra care when you buy a vacuum cleaner. It is also a feature that makes duo clean vacuum cleaners a popular choice among buyers. Duo clean models come with anti-allergen complete seals that guarantee to trap 99.9% of allergens and dust. It is a very useful feature to look out for if you have even mild dust allergy. Works Well With Pet Hair Duo clean vacuum cleaners have rotating dual brush bars which when used on hardwood floors can easily retrieve pet hair from tiles, parquets and laminates. The front rollers grab the hairs, and integrated combs push them to the bin effectively. Some vacuum cleaners when run on pet hair, sometimes ball up the hair. Duo clean vacuum cleaners easily clean long hairs without balling them up. You can even clean your pet’s beds with the turbo tool. Many users have a soft spot when it comes to Duo clean vacuum cleaners. With its myriads of features, it gives a whole new user experience without much effort from you. If you are looking to buy a new vacuum, add duo clean vacuum cleaners like Shark NV801UKT to the list.
THE end of the Brexit transition period has passed, and with it many rules and regulations are changing across the board for many industries – including construction. Jonathan Oram, national framework manager at Pagabo, discusses the changes expected in public sector procurement following the UK’s departure from the EU. What will change? Jonathan said: “From the beginning of 2021, we are no longer bound by the EU Procurement Regulations, but the public sector remains bound by the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR2015). Initially, the main impact of Brexit on the procurement process is that all future public sector opportunities will be advertised on Find a Tender, which replaces the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU). “No longer bound by the EU’s regulations, the UK government has had the freedom to begin the process of reviewing the current suite of procurement regulations. The government’s ‘Transforming Public Procurement’ green paper – published last month – has some interesting thoughts around trying to bring public sector procurement into something that is more suitable for the sector as a whole, acknowledging that not one size fits all and that there are shortcomings in the current processes.” The proposals in the green paper are at initial exploratory stages, but procurement professionals will watch with interest to see how these will map into new policies in the future. Jonathan continued: “We are expecting to see amendments to PCR2015, most likely over the next 12 to 18 months – being re-released as PCR2022. There are already some additional requirements being implemented alongside the current PCR2015 requirements that tie into the government’s procurement strategies surrounding social value, carbon neutrality and SME engagements – with good examples of this being included in ‘The Construction Playbook’. “However, any future amendments would still have to be in line with the principles of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA), which is an agreement for World Trade Organisation (WTO) members, including the UK. This would include embedding the principles of public procurement within the law and would expand on the three existing ‘EC Treaty’ principles of transparency, integrity, and fair treatment of suppliers to also include value for money, efficiency, and non-discrimination.” Increased flexibility will be key for the future of procurement Two areas that the green paper proposes are around updating and simplifying procurement procedures, as well as the types of resulting frameworks and dynamic purchasing systems, which will have the most impact. Jonathan said: “Within the procurement procedures, one of the more interesting proposals centres around what is being termed the Competitive Flexible Procedure. This would be similar to the existing Light Tough Regime, which is only applicable to procure specific social, health or other services. It would replace some of the existing procedures and give commercial teams the flexibility to design a compliant procurement process that meets both their needs and the needs of the market, which can only be seen as a good thing. “The green paper also talks about the possibility of open frameworks to introduce more flexibility. As it stands, frameworks are locked, meaning once suppliers are appointed there is currently no mechanism within the regulations to add on new suppliers during the term of the agreement. The proposed open type of framework would, at specified points, allow new organisations to bid, and for already appointed organisations to update their previously successful bid to reflect the prevailing market conditions. “The Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) process is also set to be reviewed once more. The rules were made more user-friendly in PCR2015 when compared to PCR2006, but the expansion of the scope and flexibility of DPS could see it fit for wider purposes, with the creation of DPS+. Dynamic purchasing systems are starting to become more prevalent and are proving to be a very useful tool for public sector organisations in supporting local and social value agendas.” Centralised data to support SMEs and greater accountability Jonathan also predicts a tightening up around the past performance of suppliers and how that may influence a bid, saying: “As it stands, past performance can be considered when looking at a bidder’s application for tender, but it remains difficult to exclude them because of it. “At the moment we have the ‘prompt payments’ league table, which will see a company reviewed should they fall off it. What we may see introduced in the future is a reversed form of this, with the building of a supplier list whose performance can exclude them from procurement activity.” As well as increased flexibility, the government is working towards a centralised procurement database, on which company details will exist and link together with tender processes. Jonathan said: “In reality, this is something that has needed to happen for a number of years. Making this standard practice will really help to reduce costs, as well as remove barriers for SMEs, and help with government initiatives to engage with these companies more on procurement activity. “There is a proposed requirement to provide more information throughout the life of a contract. This could be via an opensource data standard such as Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS), which is used by more than 30 governments around the world and would allow more transparency and quicker transfer of information. By having this openness, supply chains will be able to run more smoothly and ensure that the correct suppliers can be engaged at the appropriate points. “Overall, any changes that come in the next few years will be positive ones from which the public sector will greatly benefit from. The introduction of much more flexibility is the key and will allow procurement and built environment specialists to work together and ensure that the best results are delivered for clients on a truly case-by-case basis.” For more information, please visit https://www.pagabo.co.uk/
AFTER vital restoration works, the iconic Grade 1 listed Westminster Hall – the oldest part of the Palace of Westminster – has been returned to its full glory so it can be appreciated for decades to come. Works to clean the hall’s 14th century hammer-beam roof internally; carry out essential repairs to the roof timber trusses; repair and restore the lead-covered roof lantern; install fire safety equipment, including an automated fire detection and voice alarm system; and install all cabling infrastructure for a future lighting scheme have now been completed. Built environment consultancy Pick Everard – operating under Perfect Circle’s unique collaboration – provided project management services for the scheme, which was accelerated by SCAPE Consultancy, a direct award framework that drives collaboration, efficiency, time and cost savings. Gary Buick, director at Pick Everard, which is one of Perfect Circle’s shareholders and founding partners, said: “Westminster Hall is a key thoroughfare to the Palace of Westminster and used by hundreds of people daily. Over the past few years, restoration and maintenance works have been carried out to ensure the hall remains safe for public use. “The roof lantern atop the hall has been carefully dismantled and restored using traditional craftsmanship. Hidden since 2005, the ornate timber interior of the lantern can be seen once more. “Not only can the public experience Westminster Hall in its original glory, but the beams and lantern shouldn’t require further conservation work for another hundred or so years, providing a lasting legacy for generations to come.” The hall – which is deemed to be the gateway to the Palace of Westminster, a UNESCO World Heritage Site – was originally built in 1097 by King William II and later remodelled to include the magnificent hammer-beam roof by Richard II in 1393. It is the only part of the palace that survives in almost its original form, despite being ravaged by a fire in October 1834 and damaged by an incendiary bomb during the Second World War. The uses of the hall have included great state occasions, tournaments, coronation feasts, state trials and even a marketplace. Notable historical events include the trials of William Wallace and Charles I and, in more recent years, ceremonial addresses by the Queen, Nelson Mandela and Barack Obama. Today, it continues to be used as the venue for lying-in-state royals, as well as a raft of events and public displays. After the hall was bombed in the war, the roof lantern that sits atop the roof was rebuilt in the 1950s. In 2005, a temporary crash deck was installed to ensure the structure was safe, but which obscured the view of the lantern – limiting public appreciation for more than a decade. Gary said: “As the roof lantern is a timber structure with lead cladding, cast lead detailing and internal timber panels, its restoration required a lot of specialist carpentry works. For health and safety purposes, we couldn’t put any additional weight on the roof so a complex, self-supporting scaffold bridge was constructed so work could be carried out. “It was of great importance that the lantern remained true to its roots, so the original sand-cast lead was removed, melted down and re-cast using the same traditional method that was applied when it was made in the 1950s. “Now the repair and restoration of the lantern is complete, the temporary crash deck has been removed, which has once again opened up its true magnificence to all walking through the hall.” Westminster Hall’s grand roof, which was commissioned by Richard II in 1393, is the largest medieval timber roof in Northern Europe. It is home to 13 oak hammer-beams, weighing some 660 tonnes, that were largely manufactured off site and transported to Westminster by barges and horse-drawn wagons for assembly. Gary said: “When essential repairs and cleaning were being carried out on the roof, 360 litres of dust was removed from each roof truss. A fully automated fire detection and voice-activated alarm system was also installed as part of the works. The equipment has been obscured from view – remaining sympathetic to the traditional design but updating the technology to suit modern standards and safety requirements.” Part of the project’s vision was for Westminster Hall to remain open to the public throughout the construction works, subject to closures as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. “One of the biggest challenges was to maintain health and safety and the operational requirements of the hall so the public wasn’t inconvenienced by the works,” said Gary. “This involved installing large vinyl canvases that included photos of the windows before the temporary, complex scaffolding was put up. Not only did these cover up the supporting framework but, as lots of tourists visit the hall, it meant they could still experience the oldest parts of Westminster rather than seeing a construction site. “A lot of the work was also undertaken out of hours during evenings and weekends so as not to disrupt the sitting of the House of Lords and House of Commons.” SCAPE Consultancy is fully OJEU-compliant procurement route that brings together the strongest collaborative team with value for money, while contributing substantially to local social value. Victoria Brambini, managing director of Perfect Circle, said: “We are delighted to have been involved in such a prestigious project to restore certain elements of one of Britain’s most iconic buildings, which has played a central role in our country’s history.” Mark Robinson, SCAPE chief executive, added: “After almost a millennium of service, it takes extreme diligence, skill and care to give a building like Westminster Hall the restoration it deserves. The expert guidance and consultation that Perfect Circle has provided to support this high-quality project is befitting of this unique building that contains volumes of British history. “The refurbishment of the public estate, including that at the very highest end of government, will play an important role in enabling the nation’s economic recovery. This project is an outstanding example of how it can be accelerated through the use of a framework that promotes collaboration and a collective effort to deliver outstanding project results.” For more information on Perfect Circle, please visit www.perfectcircle.co.uk.
Leading Italian render specialist, Fassa Bortolo, has recently finalised a prestigious project for The Duchy of Cornwall, in collaboration with Midas Construction. The project launched in November 2017 after Fassa was recommended by one of its largest applicators to transform the external envelope of the new Nansledan school. A final build design was agreed which saw the structure made from steel frame with block, and a sand and cement render finish that would be painted on completion. As a result, the team specified Fassa’s MS20, a cement-based masonry render, with a roughcast finish and a finishing propriety paint for added durability. The Fassa team worked closely with contractor A P Williams, who offered their technical expertise on window surrounds, demonstrating how the roughcast render would look by spraying MS20 onto a prefabricated mock wall for the Duchy of Cornwall to approve. A roughcast finish provides superior water-resistant properties, something which is considered a priority in Cornwall due to extreme costal weather. Paul Williams of A P Williams raised concerns about applying the render from a scaffold as it could cause “scarring”, which would cause imperfections in the finish. To achieve a look as consistent and even as possible, Genie lifts were brought in to apply the render, enabling the applicators to spray the surface and maintain a perfect finish. This willingness to meet the applicators needs is one of the many examples of the main contractor and the applicator working together to attain the best outcome for the client. The school was handed over on time in two phases, the first in June 2019 and the final in September 2019. Linden Williams, Fassa’s ASM for the south west comments: “It was amazing just how much time and effort was involved in every stage of the process. Relationships have grown over this project, with all parties including the main contractor, the architect, and our render contractor forging new connections. We’re delighted to have been selected to offer our services to such a prestigious project and are very satisfied with the outcome.” Visit www.fassabortolo.co.uk or call 01684 218 305.