Bassetlaw District Council has granted planning approval for a 2.5 million square foot logistics and business park next to the A1 in Nottinghamshire. The development, to be built in Harworth, will comprise units ranging from 100,000 square foot to 800,000sq ft. Planning consultancy Barton Willmore secured the permission on behalf
Leading energy, services and regeneration specialists, ENGIE, has started work on a £9 million project in East Grinstead. The development, named Lingfield Lodge, will comprise of 48 contemporary extra care sheltered apartments, complete with associated communal facilities and landscaping, and will be carried out in partnership with Eldon Housing Association
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire-based construction firm Hobson & Porter has completed the £12 million construction of the Aura Innovation Centre at the Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle, East Yorkshire. The centre will deliver ground-breaking low-carbon projects and accelerate new ideas by bringing together experts at the University of Hull with businesses
Midlands-based main contractor MCS Group has completed the construction of a new £9 million BMW car dealership in Cardiff. Sytner Group appointed MCS Group to deliver the new 43,000 sq ft development on the site of the former McDonalds and Kismet Park in Grangetown, Cardiff, replacing an existing dealership in
Regular maintenance of earth-moving machinery is essential for ensuring a smooth operation. The last thing you want is to encounter a technical issue while you’re out there operating on the mining site. Improper equipment maintenance will not only result in unwanted downtime, but it can also reduce the lifespan of
The vast majority of people love trips to casinos, whether in Sin City, Macau or anywhere else around the globe. However, what most do not seem to realize is that casinos are actually scrupulously designed mazes that effectively force people to spend insane amounts of money and lose all track
Everton Football Club will submit its planning application for a state-of-the-art, 52-000-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, within Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters development, on Monday, December 23, the Club has revealed. In a blog post today (December 13) updating fans on progress with the People’s Project, Stadium Development Director Colin Chong
Unfortunately, there are many risks to construction workers in the UK. But the majority are easy to avoid if the right procedures and systems are in place. It’s essential for workers and companies to be aware of all the hazards associated with the site they are on, so they can
If you want your business to thrive, it’s essential to get your marketing right. Fail to advertise your company correctly could mean potential customers go to your competitors, costing you work and money. You’re probably an expert in construction but not so much a marketing whizz – so take a
Bury based Alpine Fire Engineers have proudly announced that they have been ranked in the Sunday Times Fast Track ‘Ones to Watch’ 2019. This achievement follows on from a year of successes for the privately owned company and is a well-deserved recognition for the Alpine team and their growth achievements
Bassetlaw District Council has granted planning approval for a 2.5 million square foot logistics and business park next to the A1 in Nottinghamshire. The development, to be built in Harworth, will comprise units ranging from 100,000 square foot to 800,000sq ft. Planning consultancy Barton Willmore secured the permission on behalf of Mulberry Commercial Developments. The consultancy said the scheme would see the creation of nearly 3,000 jobs. Dan Mitchell, partner at Barton Willmore, said: “As well as economic growth and the creation of thousands of new local job opportunities, the larger warehouse units in Harworth will give their occupiers much greater flexibility in their day-to-day operations with the added bonus of being located close to air, sea, rail links and of course the motorway network via the A1.” Mark Day, development director at Mulberry Developments, added: “The logistics sector, led by retailers and third-party logistics operators, has moved towards very large-scale regional distribution centres at key transport locations, and this new planning consent enables us to respond to the demand with a logistics park of the very highest quality to serve the North Midlands and South Yorkshire markets.”
Leading energy, services and regeneration specialists, ENGIE, has started work on a £9 million project in East Grinstead. The development, named Lingfield Lodge, will comprise of 48 contemporary extra care sheltered apartments, complete with associated communal facilities and landscaping, and will be carried out in partnership with Eldon Housing Association in addition to local charitable providers. Work is set to be completed in January 2021, with the scheme aiming to provide a better standard of affordable housing and facilities for residents and the community, with ENGIE working in partnership with Mid Sussex District Council and West Sussex County Council through Eldon Housing Association. The site, located in East Grinstead, saw the demolition of the existing apartments to make way for the new modern facilities. Simon Lacey, Regional Managing Director at ENGIE, commented: “It’s great to be involved in a project that will make a real difference to residents’ living standards with brand new apartments and the development of communal areas. “The project will see us make the most efficient use of the land, without disrupting existing amenities in the surrounding area. It’s an exciting project, and we’re looking forward to seeing the positive impact providing 100% affordable homes will have on the local area.” Working in conjunction with FUSE Architects, ENGIE plans to build a variety of high quality properties, ranging from 1 – 2 bedroom appartments. For further information on ENGIE, visit www.engie.co.uk/places
Yorkshire and Lincolnshire-based construction firm Hobson & Porter has completed the £12 million construction of the Aura Innovation Centre at the Bridgehead Business Park in Hessle, East Yorkshire. The centre will deliver ground-breaking low-carbon projects and accelerate new ideas by bringing together experts at the University of Hull with businesses in the Humber region and beyond. The aim is to provide a ‘front door’ for the university, giving businesses easy access to advanced facilities, specialist funded support and a space to innovate and collaborate with academic and industry experts. Despite not being officially launched until early next year, the university’s Programme Manager Sarah Clark says there’s been a lot of interest in the building. She said: “As the global economy shifts towards a low-carbon future, the green energy transition opens up a myriad of challenges and opportunities for businesses of all shapes and sizes. “More than 200 dynamic, high growth businesses have already engaged with the Aura Innovation Centre to find out how the University of Hull and Aura can help them accelerate their sustainable innovation projects. “13 funded projects are currently live and are being delivered with colleagues across the University of Hull, with over 26 more in the pipeline before the centre has even opened.” From the very outset of the project, Hobson & Porter and University of Hull set out to create a sustainable building, which exceeds environmentally-friendly standards. The centre has already been recognised for its excellence in sustainability. It is positioned within the top 10% of sustainable UK new non-domestic buildings, thanks to its clever design, and construction, sustainable materials sourced and local supply chain used where possible – achieving an ‘excellent’ standard in BREEAM, the world’s leading sustainability assessment for buildings. The AIC was also awarded an A-rated Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) of 18, considerably higher than most new buildings of a similar scale (which would expect to achieve a rating of 31). The ten-month project is the latest in Hobson & Porter’s growing portfolio in the renewables sector. In the last five years the firm has seen a total revenue from the sector totalling more than £22 million. This also includes: New onshore operations base and warehouses for Ørsted to service its Westermost Rough Wind Farm. The creation of the East Coast Hub – the UK’s largest offshore wind operations and maintenance facility. Richard Hunter, managing director for Hobson & Porter, said: “We’re delighted to have completed the construction of the Aura Innovation Centre, which will play a huge role in strengthening the region’s reputation as a leader in offshore wind innovation, bringing together the major players in the industry. “The construction has gone very well, with our team completing the project on time, on budget and to an extremely high standard. “It’s been a real team effort and down to the hard work of everyone involved – from the onsite team, planners, the consultants and the supply chain partners who supported the project. This building will have a really positive impact, not just on this area, but nationally, so we are proud to have played our part in it.” Whilst carrying out the construction work, Hobson & Porter also made time to engage with local school children. Pupils from All Saints’ CE Federation in Hessle were taken around the site, with students also designing posters which were put up around the Aura. Staff also went into schools to teach them about the work and the construction industry. Mr Hunter said: “We’ve really enjoyed engaging with local school children. They are our future and it hasn’t just taught them about the construction industry, but also about the renewables’ sector.”
Midlands-based main contractor MCS Group has completed the construction of a new £9 million BMW car dealership in Cardiff. Sytner Group appointed MCS Group to deliver the new 43,000 sq ft development on the site of the former McDonalds and Kismet Park in Grangetown, Cardiff, replacing an existing dealership in the city. The new showroom includes a 22-bay workshop, two MOT bays, a drive-in service area and 654 parking spaces, including 151 on a roof deck car park. MCS Group has also transformed two existing detached buildings into facilities for wash/valet services and cosmetic repairs. Keir Edmonds, managing director of MCS Group, said: “This is a fantastic new dealership and a significant investment by Sytner in Cardiff. BMW customers now have a showroom and service facilities of the very highest quality and I’m sure it will be a huge success for Sytner. “We’ve delivered similar new developments for Sytner Group in recent years and it has been wonderful to work alongside them again on such a prestigious project.” He added: “We are hugely experienced in delivering high-quality car dealerships in line with the corporate image of premium brands such as BMW and we look forward to working alongside Sytner on future projects.” Sytner Cardiff is located on the Penarth Road, just outside Cardiff City Centre and less than eight miles off junction 33 of the M4 motorway. The new two-storey dealership will stock new and pre-owned BMW vehicles, including electric cars from BMW’s ‘i’ division. The wider project team included Edge Property Solutions as project managers and cost consultants; MDG Architects as architects; and Sanderson Watts Associates as structural engineers. MCS Group has built and refurbished more than 300 car dealerships since its inception in 2003. The Warwick-based company has worked on a string of high-profile projects for brands including Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche, Mercedes and Jaguar Land Rover. The ambitious constructor has enjoyed a period of sustained growth in delivering projects across the motor retail, industrial, storage and distribution sectors and has set itself a target of increasing profits and raising turnover to around £200 million. The new Sytner Group BMW dealership in Cardiff, delivered by MCS Group.The ambitious constructor has enjoyed a period of sustained growth in delivering projects across the motor retail, industrial, storage and distribution sectors and has set itself a target of increasing profits and raising turnover to around £200 million. About MCS Group: Established in 2003, MCS Group is a driven and dynamic construction company with a proven track record of delivering complex and fast track projects to an exceptional standard. We have invested heavily in recruiting the right people, training staff, offering apprenticeships and developing the range of specialist services we provide. It is all part of a strategy designed to see our growth continue with major projects across the UK.We have completed more than 1,000 projects in the industrial, automotive, commercial, retail and social care sectors. For more information please visit www.mcs-ltd.com.
Regular maintenance of earth-moving machinery is essential for ensuring a smooth operation. The last thing you want is to encounter a technical issue while you’re out there operating on the mining site. Improper equipment maintenance will not only result in unwanted downtime, but it can also reduce the lifespan of the machine itself. Faulty machines also increase the risk of accidents as many workers lose their lives each year due to mechanical errors. To make the work environment safer and more efficient, it’s imperative to keep earth-moving machinery maintained at all times. This should include professional maintenance from the leading mining equipment supplier but requires these 5 tips that you can apply when maintaining heavy equipment to prevent injuries and death. 1. Make sure the equipment is lubricated at all times Earth-moving machinery consists of many moving parts. These parts are prone to failing if there isn’t sufficient lubrication due to excess friction. This friction can accelerate the wear and tear of the machine and deteriorate its performance. Also, the lifespan of the moving parts will shorten and the repair costs can add up significantly over time if the equipment isn’t properly lubricated. Before operating earth-moving machinery, check if there is enough lubrication in the moving parts. The key is to lubricate these parts with just the right amount. Too little lubrication and the parts won’t move freely and too much lubrication can cause leaking, grease accumulation, and inefficient energy transfer. Refer to the equipment manual on which lubrication to use as different manufacturers recommend different types of lubrication for their machines. 2. Keep the machinery as clean as possible Earth-moving machinery is frequently exposed to all kinds of dirt, debris, and other environmental particles that can damage its parts if not properly cleaned. To ensure optimal performance, the machine should be cleaned on a regular basis. While the seals and filters do a good job of keeping dirt and grime at bay, over time these particles can accumulate and deteriorate the condition of the seals. If a seal cracks or breaks, the intricate parts of the machinery will be exposed. Clogged filters will reduce the efficiency of the equipment and contaminated machine cabs will malfunction if left uncleaned. Keep earth-moving machinery as clean as possible by blasting it with high-pressure washer to dislodge stuck particles. Accumulated grease should be treated with a degreaser to effectively remove the gunk. One of the best ways to protect your machinery is to store it inside a building. A sheltered machinery will remain clean for much longer compared to one that’s frequently exposed to the elements. Anything from a garage or shed will work just fine as long as it’s clean and free of any standing water. By sheltering earth-moving machinery, you’ll prevent rust and grime build-up while keeping maintenance quite low. 3. Create a maintenance schedule Creating a maintenance schedule will go a long way towards ensuring the equipment stays in good condition all year round. Within this schedule should be notations on how frequently the parts should be serviced. Identify potential problems through thorough inspection and make sure to address any issues immediately. Maintaining heavy equipment every now and then is not enough to keep it in good working order. Thus, a consistent maintenance schedule is crucial to its overall performance. As part of the maintenance routine, gaskets and seals should be checked to ensure they’re not broken or damaged. Belts and pulleys should be properly aligned and the bolts should be tightened with the correct torque. 4. Train employees on how to properly operate earth-moving machinery More than anything, it’s the knowledge and proper training that will help minimise unwanted accidents while operating earth-moving machinery. Without these, the workers could potentially damage the equipment and risk injuring themselves. The workers must be skilled to operate heavy equipment and knowledgeable enough to look for potential issues. All incoming workers must undergo extensive training and current workers should be given refresher courses to not only maintain the condition of the equipment, but their safety as well. 5. Pay attention to wear and tear Earth-moving machinery such as Vibrating Feeders WA are subject to wear and tear on a regular basis. Being aware of these signs is important to the function and performance of the equipment. If neglected, worn-out parts can cause machinery to malfunction (which requires costly repairs). Some of the most common signs of wear and tear are excessive heat, vibration and dragging issues, and distorted belt shape. Higher temperatures are often a result of improper lubrication while vibration issues are caused by misaligned belts and/or gear glitches. The sooner you identify these signs, the less likely it’s cause long-term damage to the machinery. Maintaining earth-moving machinery is something most operators neglect. But doing so can end up with catastrophic results and harm the workers surrounding the equipment. Make sure to follow these tips when maintaining heavy equipment to prolong its lifespan and ensure a safer work environment.
The vast majority of people love trips to casinos, whether in Sin City, Macau or anywhere else around the globe. However, what most do not seem to realize is that casinos are actually scrupulously designed mazes that effectively force people to spend insane amounts of money and lose all track of time. This is actualized through clever casino planning and design. Here are some casino design elements that keep players hooked for far more than they should be. Disorienting Arrangements In most casinos, once players have stepped foot inside, getting to a restaurant, a restroom, a retail outlet or the like involves taking a convoluted route that makes it very easy to get lost. This is no accident, with the intent being that disoriented players who are unable to find their way to wherever they wish to go will choose to abandon whatever they might have previously resolved to do and instead focus on having fun at any of the numerous slot machines, craps tables and the like. However, such a trick does not apply to online casinos. Time Flies There are never any clocks in a casino. This is because the casino does not want players bothered with the passage of time or thinking about their appointments for the day. Essentially, this leads to a suspension of both space and time, with this impression being reinforced by the lack of windows by which players can gauge how much time has passed since they sat down to gamble at a casino table. Mazing It Up There’s a reason why casinos prefer a maze design with exits and entrances that are randomly arranged, as well as narrower, shorter passages, over straight and lengthy rows with countless slot machines and gambling tables arranged in order. The reason has to do with avoiding overwhelming players with the goodies on offer and instead forming small islands where players can effectively feel at home and so spend forever playing casino games. Comfort Me Casinos go out of their way to make their players feel super comfortable. This fact can be most clearly seen in high roller rooms and suites that are designed for the utmost comfort and convenience. As can be imagined, comfortable players do not feel any need to go elsewhere and can play for long periods without tiring. Player Engagement One key way that casinos effectively prevent players from even thinking about going home is through the crafty engagement of all the senses. This includes the playing of chirpy music, displaying an array of bright lights and ensuring lots of exotic smells and scents. All these motivate players to keep on playing till the cows come home and retire for a cud-chewing session, when they should instead be thinking of quitting and coming back another day. Casinos also offer free food, drinks and the like to tired players to invigorate them and can comp a room where tired players can have a short rest. And that’s it, folks! The next time you pay a visit to a casino, do look out for all the above-listed details and disregard them at your likely peril!
Everton Football Club will submit its planning application for a state-of-the-art, 52-000-seater stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, within Peel L&P’s Liverpool Waters development, on Monday, December 23, the Club has revealed. In a blog post today (December 13) updating fans on progress with the People’s Project, Stadium Development Director Colin Chong thanks the public for their contribution to the consultation process and confirms the date on which its detailed application will be formally lodged with Liverpool City Council. Combined with Everton’s plans for a community-led legacy project at Goodison Park, the transformational proposals have the potential to deliver a £1bn boost to the city’s economy, create up to 15,000 new jobs and deliver £237m of additional societal value. The stadium plans will be followed by a separate outline planning application for Goodison Park, with the intention for both applications to be determined by Liverpool City Council at the same time. The planning milestone follows more than two years of consultation with the general public, city stakeholders and fans, which has revealed widespread support for the proposals. Writing in the blog post, Colin Chong, Stadium Development Director at Everton Football Club, said: “I’m pleased to confirm that our detailed planning application for a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock will be submitted on Monday 23 December. “Working alongside our design consultants, we have analysed the feedback to enhance the concepts we’ve already shared for the look, feel and layout of a stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock, including our plans to not only preserve but to also celebrate the site’s heritage. “It is a case of evolution rather than any major changes to the design presented during the second stage consultation. The results of that consultation made it clear Dan Meis’ design was incredibly well received. The elements that the feedback told us people really loved about the design – the use of brick, the steepness of the stands, the respect to the area’s heritage and nod to Archibald Leitch’s architecture in the brickwork as well as the blending of new and old – will all be present within our final proposals.” The blog also provides more details of the technical assessments which have gone into the final proposals. These have included using fluid dynamics software to map how fans, staff and visitors will move around the stadium, Fan Plaza and public areas, and detailed studies of the acoustics at Goodison Park, which have been used to help create a “sense of intimacy in a larger space” and to “maximise the atmosphere” within new stadium. The Club has confirmed it will be releasing new images of the final designs, as well as updating its app and flythrough video, on evertonfc.com and peoples-project.co.uk from the afternoon of Monday, December 23. In November, the Club revealed the results of its record-breaking public consultation for the People’s Project, which generated more than 63,000 responses across two stages of public engagement. Analysis of the data revealed that 96 per cent of the 43,039 respondents to the second stage of consultation wanted The People’s Project to continue, and that eight out of 10 non-Evertonians also support the progression of the plans. In what is believed to be the largest commercial public consultation in Liverpool’s history, the results showed near universal support (98 per cent) for Dan Meis’ design of the Club’s 52,000-seater stadium, which will form part of Peel L&P’s £5.5bn Liverpool Waters development, and 92 per cent support for Everton’s outline design for the redevelopment of Goodison Park. The Club’s first stage public consultation, carried out in November and December 2018, was also met with overwhelming support with 94 per cent of the 20,168 respondents backing the principle of a new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and 95 per cent supporting Everton’s plans for a community-led regeneration at Goodison Park. To be kept up to date with activity on the project, please visit the campaign website www.peoples-project.co.uk or follow The People’s Project social media channels.
Unfortunately, there are many risks to construction workers in the UK. But the majority are easy to avoid if the right procedures and systems are in place. It’s essential for workers and companies to be aware of all the hazards associated with the site they are on, so they can take steps to reduce the risks to their health and safety. Here, we look at how many work-related injuries are suffered in the construction industry in the UK, what these are and how they can be avoided. 79,000 people suffer from work-related injuries in the construction industry each year The latest statistics from HSE show that in 2018-19, there’s 79,000 construction industry professionals suffering from work-related illness. A massive 62% of these are musculoskeletal disorders, 21% stress, depression or anxiety related, and 17% other health issues. This shows that nearly two thirds of injuries are to tendons, muscles, ligaments, joints, nerves or bones – highlighting the true extent of the risks that site accidents can cause. Falls from a height caused 18% of non-fatal injuries in 2018-19 On average, there are 54,000 non-fatal injuries to workers every year in the construction industry. There’s no denying that there are many risks to workers onsite, but appropriate risk management strategies can be put in place to reduce their likelihood. The statistics have shown that falling from a height caused 18% of non-fatal injuries to construction workers, a huge difference to other industries where only 8% of recorded accidents were caused by falls. There was just under 1,000 people (926) that fell from a height in 2018-19, of which 568 were “specified” by RIDDOR and 358 had to take over seven days off work. How can accidents be prevented? It’s essential for all workers and companies to put appropriate measures in place to reduce the risk of falling from a height. Firstly, everyone working onsite should complete thorough safety training, educating them on hazards and the safety standards they must abide by. They should be able to access company health and safety policies with ease and be told who the onsite first aider is and where to find them. Secondly, adequate safety systems must be implemented across the sight to reduce the risks of falling. Ladders must be secured, scaffolding erected correctly, and any walkways guarded to make sure there is a safe exit from the construction site. Thirdly, all workers should wear good quality PPE (personal protective equipment) at all times. Hard hats are essential particularly to protect workers from falling objects or personal falls. Goggles, gloves, capped safety boots and high-visibility clothing should also be worn. What should workers do if they have an accident at work? It’s important that any worker suffering injury due to an accident at work reports it to their employer, makes written notes of it in the company accident book, and reports it to a medical professional. It may be worth taking pictures of the injury and asking witnesses for their contact details, should you need them to provide an account of what happened. If you are unable to work after your accident, you should take a look at the government advice on Statutory Sick Pay to see if you are eligible. You may also be able to claim compensation through companies like National Accident Helpline, if the accident wasn’t your fault. This may give you financial support if you’re out of work and also highlight safety issues to stop this happening to anyone else in the future.
If you want your business to thrive, it’s essential to get your marketing right. Fail to advertise your company correctly could mean potential customers go to your competitors, costing you work and money. You’re probably an expert in construction but not so much a marketing whizz – so take a look at our top tips that will help you smash your online marketing this year. Target customer ‘personas’ A customer persona is essentially a ‘character’ or a semi-fictional ‘person’ that represents all the key traits of your target audience. This hypothetical customer is created using in-depth research and analysis of real customers. You may look at their buying behaviour, their reasons for purchasing, what their values are, how they like to communicate, what they dislike and what influences their decisions. Once you have a firm grip on your customer personas, you can create marketing and advertising campaigns that speak to them – with clear, detailed information you know they’re looking for. Follow your customers’ journey Understanding your customers’ journey from start to finish is essential if you want to maximise conversions. Customers are likely to take a lot of small steps before employing you, from searching for building companies on Google and reading customer reviews online, to dialling your number and employing you for the work. This is where software like intelligent call tracking comes in handy – as you can link your phone sales to your digital marketing campaigns – giving you better results. Companies like Responsetap provide integrated solutions so you can spend less time analysing data sets and more time on the job at hand. Produce engaging content Content is king in marketing – it is how you will communicate to potential customers, showcasing your company values and experience. It’s important not to produce as much content as you can in the hope of attracting attention, as it’s likely to have the opposite effect. Users may be confused if there is too much information to read and may get bored, leading them to an alternative website. Instead, create specialist content that is relevant to your target audience and answers their questions. It should be written and presented in a way that’s easy to digest and understand, so it may be worth investing in a mix of written, video and graphic content. Implement SEO strategies This may not be your area of expertise, but don’t underestimate the value of a strong SEO strategy. Being visible in search engines like Google is more important than ever, particularly in the construction industry where competition is fierce. This is where SEO comes in – helping to rank your website higher than your competitors’ in search engines. With customer buying behaviour and markets changing constantly, it’s important to remain a step ahead and be prepared to change your marketing tactics in line with current trends. This is the only way your company will stay on top for decades to come.
Bury based Alpine Fire Engineers have proudly announced that they have been ranked in the Sunday Times Fast Track ‘Ones to Watch’ 2019. This achievement follows on from a year of successes for the privately owned company and is a well-deserved recognition for the Alpine team and their growth achievements to date. Earlier this year Alpine celebrated a strong year for the business, including a 30 per cent year-on-year growth with sales hitting more than £19m, as the business also relocated its office to accommodate its 60-strong and growing workforce. The Sunday Times annual Ones to Watch feature aims to identify the next stars among the UK’s fastest-growing private companies. This year Alpine was one of only three companies that were chosen that provide business services, the other seven operate in the consumer goods sector. The decision to list Alpine as ‘Ones to Watch’ was based upon a number of factors, including past sales, growth forecasts, expansion, branding and investment. Louise Plant, Service & Business Development Director, who joined the company 12 months ago, commented; “We look forward to an amazing 2020 reducing risks to people and property with our bespoke fire suppression systems.” “Our forward thinking and growing team are delighted to receive this iconic recognition”