One of Wales’ fastest growing construction companies has increased turnover by more than 30 per cent in the last year. EvaBuild has seen revenues increase to £4.5million from the previous year’s £3.2million in the year to the end of June. The number of staff has also risen in the past
Muhammad Uddin and Isobel Moorhouse, two Yorkshire Housing apprentices, have fought off stiff competition to make the final shortlist for Yorkshire and Humber regional apprenticeship awards 2018. Both apprentices made the shortlist, which showcases the diverse range of sectors engaged with apprenticeships and celebrates outstanding apprentices, such as Muhammad and
Experienced rendering contractor M P Plastering of Somerset excels with the use of high performance, technically advanced products manufactured by Saint-Gobain Weber. As a specialist applicator, M P Plastering has a wealth of experience in the application of sprayed renders and external wall insulation. Projects range from one-off domestic applications
When it comes to future of oil consumption, over the next 20 years it is clear that we will reach our peak-capacity. However, demand continually appears to rise as the global production of oil decreases. In light of this, the construction industry still requires most of its energy sources from
Unispace has completed the strategy, design and delivery for Hogan Lovells new office in Birmingham, a world class new workspace in one of the UK’s most dynamic office markets. The 2,147 sq. m, project managed by specialist project managers Buro Four was completed by Unispace’s London studio for one of the world’s
ZF Services Nottingham Off-Highway centre increases capacity through workshop expansion and engineer recruitment More customers to benefit from “complete range of transmission and axle solutions” Expansion reflects recent full year growth of world’s top 50 construction equipment manufacturers* ZF Services UK has expanded its capacity to remanufacture and repair transmissions,
WORK has started on the brand-new UK headquarters for award-winning international power tools manufacturer Festool. Pick Everard – the independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy – is providing a full design and project management service for the 2,800 m2 two-storey scheme. The project represents an investment of £10 million and
An initiative to address the skills shortage in the construction sector and make the industry more diverse and inclusive is calling for businesses to get involved and inspire the next generation of workers. Organised by Built Environment Skills in Schools (BESS), a series of Construction Careers Weeks are taking place this autumn
Charcon Hard Landscaping, a division of Aggregate Industries, has completed the development of a central campus square to provide a multi-use outdoor venue at the University of Leicester. The project, which was part of a wider scheme to renovate the area, saw the Fielding Johnson car park transformed into a
The first housing development exclusively for clinical staff will open in Salford to help plug an acute staff shortage in the NHS. Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust has teamed up with housing association Salix Homes to provide a 26-apartment complex for doctors, nurses and other clinical staff who work at
One of Wales’ fastest growing construction companies has increased turnover by more than 30 per cent in the last year. EvaBuild has seen revenues increase to £4.5million from the previous year’s £3.2million in the year to the end of June. The number of staff has also risen in the past 12 months from 21 to 31. To coincide with the latest financial performance, the company has unveiled a fresh brand identity and website. EvaBuild was founded in 2011 by Managing Director Nick Evans. In 2015, it won the Fast Growth 50 award for being the fastest growing business in Wales. The firm, which is headquartered in Newtown, carries out civil engineering, construction and groundworks projects for public sector and private sector organisations in England and Wales. It specialises in groundworks for modular and traditional building works. Nick said: “We have had a fantastic 12 months culminating in year-on-year growth of over 30 per cent and the addition of 10 new people to the EvaBuild team. “We are passionate about finding great new people to join our team whether it is a young apprentice looking for a break or a more experienced project manager. All of them receive the best possible training and opportunities to grow as our business grows. “We have seen a step-change in the quality of contracts we have secured in the past couple of years and are now working with some household names in a number of sectors including education and healthcare. “We have further significant plans for growth over the coming years and felt that the time was right to unveil a new brand identity and company website which will support us in the next stage of our expansion.” EvaBuild has also just achieved the prestigious ISO 14001 accreditation, the international standard for an effective environmental management system. Nick added: “We put customer service and having the right systems and processes at the very core of everything we do at EvaBuild. “We work around our clients, whether a busy hospital or a school during term time, to minimise noise, dirt and disruption. This approach has enabled us to gain a large proportion of our business through recommendations.”
Muhammad Uddin and Isobel Moorhouse, two Yorkshire Housing apprentices, have fought off stiff competition to make the final shortlist for Yorkshire and Humber regional apprenticeship awards 2018. Both apprentices made the shortlist, which showcases the diverse range of sectors engaged with apprenticeships and celebrates outstanding apprentices, such as Muhammad and Isobel, who go above and beyond to champion apprenticeships. Isobel, from Bradford, joined Yorkshire Housing in 2015 as apprentice surveyor and in May 2018 completed the level three apprenticeship in property maintenance surveying, achieving 100 per cent distinctions for elements of her surveying qualifications and also received the chief executive award. During her apprenticeship Isobel carved a niche for herself as a priceless member of the repairs investment team. She is also a member of the young ambassador network. Fellow awards shortlisted candidate Muhammad Uddin started his Yorkshire Housing apprenticeship straight after leaving school, joining the benefits and advice team. Within 12 months he achieved his level two business admin qualifications and successfully secured a role as customer complaints apprentice, enabling him to do his level three business admin qualification. Last month he was shortlisted in the top 20 Young Leader Inside Housing finalist awards. Muhammad has been instrumental in the rollout of a new complaints system, mentoring new apprentices, running workshops and training staff. As an active apprentice champion he’s spoken at local BME forums, career events, been featured on podcasts, websites and represented on the Young Apprentice Ambassador network. Shortlisted candidate, Isobel Moorhouse said: “I feel very privileged and shocked to have been shortlisted for this award. I’m really pleased as getting to the finals is very exciting and I really look forward to finding out who the winner is!” Kiran Olak, Yorkshire Housing’s senior people development coordinator, said: “Muhammad and Isobel are a real credit to Yorkshire Housing and have really gone above and beyond to champion apprenticeships. I am very proud that their great work has been recognised and they have been shortlisted for this prestigious award, acting as great ambassadors for apprenticeships.” We wish them the best of luck at the regional finals on 26 September 2018. You can find out more information on the National Apprenticeship Awards on their website.
Experienced rendering contractor M P Plastering of Somerset excels with the use of high performance, technically advanced products manufactured by Saint-Gobain Weber. As a specialist applicator, M P Plastering has a wealth of experience in the application of sprayed renders and external wall insulation. Projects range from one-off domestic applications to large new-build developments for NHBC registered property developers. Training plays an important role at M P Plastering and managing director Mark Pickthall personally invests in regular training for himself and his expanding team. “All our jobs come with written specifications and guarantees so it is essential that we ensure exemplary standards of craftsmanship if we are to be considered for more work in the future.” In maintaining these standards Mark and members of his 35-strong team have undertaken on-site training provided by Saint-Gobain Weber to install floors using their existing render pumps to apply screed to floors. They have also undertaken training in floor screed application at the Saint-Gobain Technical Academy in Flitwick. “Expanding the services we can offer has given us the opportunity to tender for both rendering and flooring contracts on some of the bigger projects,” says Mark. A perfect example is the contract M P Plastering has won from Cotswold Homes Limited, a prestigious property developer dedicated to delivering quality new homes in the South West, at their Corsham Rise development in Bath. Guy Edge, head of construction, Cotswold Homes, comments: “We’ve got a great relationship with Mark Pickthall of M P Plastering. He and his team have been involved in some outstanding render applications over the years; while he champions the Weber brand, Cotswold Homes share this opinion.” The concrete floors in the kitchens and bathrooms required perfect levelling in preparation for a tile covering. Here weberfloor 4716, an acrylic primer for use with Weber’s flooring systems and products, has been brush applied to the concrete substrate. M P Plastering then followed with a pump-applied application of weberfloor 4150 fine flow at an average thickness of 10mm. This levelling compound, designed for application at thicknesses between 2 to 30mm, is formulated to combine consistent and reliable drying characteristics with strength and durability. It is supplied as a pre-blended dry powder and designed specifically for renovation of existing solid floors in domestic and commercial applications. “The reason we got involved with Weber for the floor preparation is that we are constantly looking to achieve as perfect a finish as is possible before we cover them with beautiful tiles. Mark enthusiastically recommended Weber’s pump applied floor screeds and, without a doubt, both the application and the quality of the product has been a great success. We’ll be using Weber’s screeds again,” says Guy Edge. weberfloor 4150 fine flow is suitable for covering with a wide variety of finishes including tiles, carpets, flexible floor coverings and parquet flooring. weberfloor 4150 fine flow has excellent spreading and smoothing characteristics, has low alkalinity and low emissions during drying, is casein-free and manufactured to BSI Quality Assurance Scheme ISO 9001 in the UK. Weber’s floor screeds have been developed for optimum speed, durability, strength and smoothness, essential for allowing early access by following trades that contribute to project efficiencies and the fastest possible completion times. Here the use of proven, pumpable screeds, that harden rapidly and are self-smoothing, will achieve durable surfaces that are ready for foot traffic in just 2 to 4 hours after application. “In this project the floors were ready for light foot traffic in 4 hours and ready for covering a week later,” comments Mark. “weberfloor 4150 fine flow is probably the most straight forward product we have worked with and is proving successful every time.” “My real love is using render as you can see it and admire it for years to come. With floor screed it is hidden by a variety of coverings and completely hidden from sight, that’s the nature of the product.” For more information about this project, or for technical support including award winning training courses and the new RIBA-Assessed Flowing Floor Screeds CPD, please contact Saint-Gobain Weber on 08703 330 070, or visit www.netweber.co.uk. A free download of the Weber App for iPhone and iPad users is also available from iTunes and from Google Play for Android smartphones and tablet users. Follow Saint-Gobain Weber on Twitter @SGWeberUK for the latest company news and updates.
When it comes to future of oil consumption, over the next 20 years it is clear that we will reach our peak-capacity. However, demand continually appears to rise as the global production of oil decreases. In light of this, the construction industry still requires most of its energy sources from oil-based fuels. Within the Western world, cheap crude oils are relied upon so that the construction industry can power vehicles and other equipment. Surprisingly, within the UK, 50% of all carbon emissions produced by machinery and production are accounted for by the construction industry. Attitudes are slowly but surely beginning to change when fossil fuels are considered, even though this is still a slow and gradual process. However, it isn’t just construction firms that need to be conscious of the environment during construction. Post-construction, firms are also encouraged to incorporate green technologies within the build to benefit the environment once construction is complete. Revenues from eco-friendly construction reached $245 billion in the US last year, and the UK could also be taking advantage of this booming market. With the help of Reconomy, providers of waste management solutions for recyclable materials and skips for hire, we explore how the construction industry is becoming more environmentally friendly: What it involves: environmentally friendly techniques Three benchmarks should be considered before construction, in order to ensure a construction job is ecologically beneficial: Establish whether materials have been locally sourced or if they’re renewed; if they aren’t, can they be recycled in the future? During construction, is any energy being wasted? Machines can often be overused during the production process, which leads to expendable energy that is wasted and can never be used again. Electric vehicles and machines with hybrid-engines should be used, so that when a motor is being overworked an electric engine can be engaged to cope with the load. Finally, once building the structure is complete, is there any energy generated within it that is wasted? As an alternative to purpose-designed roofing insulation, recycled paper can be used instead. Insulation materials are often expensive. By using a cheaper and practical alternative, the cost of producing insulation for one roof will be minimised drastically by using already existing materials. Furthermore, timbers sourced from sustainably managed forests in the local area can also be used. As well as reclaimed wood, this is an alternative to chopping down trees that are used within construction. Implementing these processes Eco-friendly techniques and practices can be utilised and implemented in many different ways. Here are some of the best examples: Solar energy panels. To generate electricity within a building, or domestically to power boilers and other electrical equipment, solar energy is fast become a cheaper alternative to other forms of domestic power. Drainage systems and water filtration. With these systems in place, water can be re-used when biological waste is treated safely, which can then be recycled. Rainwater can also be collected in specific drains and storage taps, as opposed to always relying on water from a tap. Low-energy lighting. Accounting for an energy saving of 100%, low energy lighting lasts twice as long as a regular lightbulb. Eco-friendly construction can always be beneficial Operation and maintenance costs are usually expensive, accounting for 80% of a building’s overall running costs. Green initiatives reduce the total running costs of a building by one third, which amounts to around 53.3% of a building’s running costs. One thing that should always be incorporated into a building’s design is daylight. The ‘indoor environment quality’ of a building can also be improved when daylight can shine through a building, which benefits the health of all of the occupants who are present in the building. Once the construction of a building has started, recyclable materials and practices should always be implemented. As a result, fewer new materials will be used within the structure, helping to reduce costs whilst less energy is consumed (from crude oils) in order to produce the structure. Slowing down the rate of climate change is a difficult task, but it can be done quicker by using environmentally friendly construction techniques. The end goal for the construction industry then should be to produce homes and buildings that are greener, economically efficient and conceptualised with the environment in mind. Sources: http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/ecofriendlyconstructionmethodsmaterials.html http://www.nationwideconstruction.us/eco-friendly-construction-8-advantages-of-green-building/ http://www.inc.com/best-industries/issie-lapowsky/green-construction.html http://www.sustainablebuild.co.uk/ecofriendlyconstruction.html http://www.innovationsforthebuiltenvironment.co.uk/ http://www.livingbeyondgreen.com/development-construction/
Unispace has completed the strategy, design and delivery for Hogan Lovells new office in Birmingham, a world class new workspace in one of the UK’s most dynamic office markets. The 2,147 sq. m, project managed by specialist project managers Buro Four was completed by Unispace’s London studio for one of the world’s largest law firms as it expands its operations across the UK. The final design is a key element in the pioneering, new project for Hogan Lovells to set out an open-plan template for its working environments and minimise the need for private office space. Dale Woodcock, Regional Principal, Business Development at Unispace, said: “This project was a significant step in the evolution of the legal workplace – the move to a more agile environment which constantly evolves and expands in line with a growing team is a bold step. Hogan Lovells’ growth in Birmingham has been rapid, and its new office needed to offer a degree of fluidity and provide organic space that could be tailored to demand. “The Birmingham office was founded on the need to provide a workplace of excellence for the Hogan Lovells’ team and increase staff attraction and retention in the face of strong local competition. This is a workspace that changes the attitude of the business to the environment around it, imbuing it with agility and flexibility and all the positive outcomes that these qualities generate.” The new workplace is an interchangeable open space, with a variety of different options that adapt to specific task requirements – modules can become an open plan space, a room to an office, to a phone room and a system of flexibility. Collaboration spaces includes long benches, booths, putting green, table tennis table and phone rooms. There are also touch down workspaces, informal meeting areas and break out areas for socialising. In the firm’s previous workspace there was an overreliance on cellular offices that provided a physical barrier to the integration of the workspace and inhibited information sharing. “A crucial element of the legal workplace is understanding storage requirements– to become open plan you need to promote tidiness and give each worker enough space” explained Peggy Kan, Senior Designer, Unispace. “A significant challenge was mitigating the buzz that an open plan design produces in a working environment with the need for privacy. The answer was a desk configuration where each lawyer gets their own storage, desk, chair, but they can still see everyone else working – this allows them to feel as though they’re in their own pod.” The new workspace also must work hard to attract talent from a relatively constrained pool of potential employees with relevant expertise. Unispace introduced a comfortable and welcoming front of house area, collaborative spaces throughout, including “the Hive” and produced branding materials such as a global map to impress upon visitors the scale of the business. The aesthetic for the project was driven by a requirement to portray the firm’s global identity, as a global top 20, professional law firm. With the look and feel, the Unispace team wanted to create a palette which was comfortable and relatable, to portray an element of elegance and sophistication, and link to the global identity within the reception space. Michael Gallimore, Partner & Head of Birmingham at Hogan Lovells, said: “Birmingham is an active and vibrant community and we are proud to be a part of it. We are investing in and supporting the city, both through providing credible and attractive career opportunities and also through our citizenship and pro bono activities. “The new workplace in Birmingham will act as a significant draw for both clients and staff alike as Hogan Lovells expands in a vibrant and confident market. The legal workplace has trodden a familiar path for a long-time and the new office provided an opportunity to re-think the way our teams work.”
ZF Services Nottingham Off-Highway centre increases capacity through workshop expansion and engineer recruitment More customers to benefit from “complete range of transmission and axle solutions” Expansion reflects recent full year growth of world’s top 50 construction equipment manufacturers* ZF Services UK has expanded its capacity to remanufacture and repair transmissions, axles and gearboxes for off-highway applications, covering construction, agriculture and material handling. In response to an upsurge in market demand, the company’s Nottingham-based repair centre has been developed to ensure customers further benefit from a complete range of support solutions from repair and remanufacture, to parts and technical support. The expansion includes a dedicated axle repair and remanufacture work area, with additional technicians recruited to meet the increased demand, now trained to deliver ZF OEM standard transmission and axle workshop repair and reman solutions. The centre also stocks and distributes genuine ZF parts, as well as providing a non-ZF gearbox remanufacture and reverse engineering service. The recent expansion has also led to further recruitment in other areas, with growth in the sales team. Boosted field service support Field service support has also been boosted by the recent expansion, allowing more certified ZF trained technicians to carry out diagnosis, health checks and commissioning of gearboxes in many demanding, often extreme off-highway environments. This enables even more ZF Aftermarket customers to gain full advantage from improved service performance, efficiency and cost reductions, through simplified access to service, repair and maintenance of gearboxes, as well as product support and technical advice, all in one place. Larger capacity, stronger offering Fully ISO accredited, the ZF Aftermarket Repair Centre is a dedicated, modern facility and boasts a 6500m² workshop area to further underline the company’s position as a leading industry specialist. Its industry-dedicated workshops with multi-brand capabilities uses only industry trained technicians who are multi-skilled and work to OEM standards. Every component is tested to original ZF factory specification, with ZF product updates made on every remanufactured production, all backed by a 12-month, 1500-hour warranty for off highway applications. Each part is remanufactured to original specification and upgraded to the highest level where possible. Gavin Donoghue, Business Manager – Off-Highway, said: “The top 50 construction equipment manufacturers experienced significant growth in 2017 and nearly all OEMs reported double digit growth*, which is reflected in our own aftermarket business, in particular in Off-Highway at the moment. “The recent expansion of ZF Services ensures we’re more than primed to keep up with this demand.” For more information about ZF Services UK, please visit www.zf.com/uk.
WORK has started on the brand-new UK headquarters for award-winning international power tools manufacturer Festool. Pick Everard – the independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy – is providing a full design and project management service for the 2,800 m2 two-storey scheme. The project represents an investment of £10 million and will be completely electric, with energy provided by photovoltaic cells. Festool’s 55 UK office-based employees will move from their current office to Suffolk Business Park once work has completed in 2019. The new headquarters will include meeting rooms, office space, a service centre, demonstration facilities, warehouse, cafe and show zone. Paul Darlow, regional director at Pick Everard said: “We are delighted to be working on such a flagship project that will continue employment growth within the technology industry in the area. “Festool’s current lease was ending so we were appointed to evaluate a number of options for the potential relocation or renovation of its current UK headquarters. “During this process it became clear that Festool would require a purposely designed building to meet its needs and the Suffolk Business Park, promoted by Churchmanor Estates Company PLC, provided the ideal opportunity. “Being the first company to consider moving to the park provided Festool the opportunity to select the most suitable plot.” The building work, which is being carried out by Ipswich-based Barnes Construction, is expected to be complete in March 2019. Paul added: “Festool tools have a reputation for being reliable, durable and intelligently designed, and our brief was to deliver a building that conveyed these brand qualities. “The new building also had to be an aesthetically-pleasing, high quality development. Furthermore, the set BREEAM target – which assesses and rates the sustainability of buildings – for the build was ‘excellent’ to reflect Festool’s approach to reducing CO2 emissions. “Due to a number of constraints, we have a tight timeline in which to design and deliver the project. But, as a result of working closely with all parties, in particular the local planning authority, the project is expected to be delivered ahead of schedule. “Festool’s investment is great news for Bury St Edmunds, which will result in a building that provides a sustainable and modern environment in which the company can continue to grow.” Suffolk Business Park, which is around 57 acres, is a new gateway development creating an extension to the prime commercial area of Bury St Edmunds. Councillor John Griffiths, leader of St Edmundsbury Borough Council said: “This is brilliant news. The borough council played a lead role to secure the eastern relief road and through that, the delivery of Suffolk Business Park. “This development will enable local businesses, such as Festool, to further their commitment to the area and create new opportunities for employment.” Ole Held, UK manging director at Festool said: “This is a very exciting project for us and long overdue. For us, Bury St Edmunds is our UK home and we are delighted to expand our operation in a building fit for purpose. “Pick Everard has worked with us for a number of years to identify and secure this opportunity and they are doing an outstanding job in designing and delivering the project on our behalf.”
An initiative to address the skills shortage in the construction sector and make the industry more diverse and inclusive is calling for businesses to get involved and inspire the next generation of workers. Organised by Built Environment Skills in Schools (BESS), a series of Construction Careers Weeks are taking place this autumn in Greater Manchester, Birmingham and London. The weeks aim to take positive steps in helping to reduce the skills shortage by informing and inspiring young people – with the help of businesses and employers – so they have a better understanding of their built environment, and the varied careers contained within it. Manchester Construction Careers Weeks will start 24 September, focusing on diversity and gender, with the Inspire Summit at the Bridgewater Hall on 25 September a key date. Barbara Res – the first woman to oversee the construction of a major skyscraper, Trump Tower, is the headline speaker. As well as encouraging schools, colleges and universities to register and bring students, the Inspire Summit organisers are keen to get relevant businesses involved with speaking opportunities, exhibition spaces and attendance. In Birmingham, the careers week will start 8 October, focusing on the future of construction and tech, with a number of activities taking place at UK Construction Week at the NEC Wednesday 10 October. Finally, London Construction Careers Week will takeplace from 15 October and focus on past, present and future. Additional activities will take place at London Build Wednesday 24 October. With thousands of students across the country expected to take part, BESS is urging businesses to get involved. Businesses can get involved by demonstrating how tech such as virtual reality is used in the industry, site tours, classroom demonstrations and digital broadcasts. Previous years have seen digital broadcasts from railway lines and from the top of a crane. Kathryn Lennon-Johnson, founder of BESS, said: “Last year we held Construction Careers Week in Birmingham and had over 400 students take part in all kinds of activities. When we first met the students, on average only 2 per cent stated an interest in a role in construction and less than 10 per cent could name job roles other than architect or bricklayer. After meeting with businesses and employers, 60 per cent of students said they were surprised about the breadth of opportunities. “Meeting and engaging with the students, whether on site or through the use of technology, is a vital step in attracting more young people into the sector, as well as making it more diverse and inclusive. With many schools and colleges across all three regions taking part this year, it’s important we have as many different businesses on board.” For more information, visit the BESS website and Inspire Summit website.
Charcon Hard Landscaping, a division of Aggregate Industries, has completed the development of a central campus square to provide a multi-use outdoor venue at the University of Leicester. The project, which was part of a wider scheme to renovate the area, saw the Fielding Johnson car park transformed into a public space for students and staff, offering the opportunity to hold a wide variety of events. Charcon was appointed for the job to provide a robust solution which would add visual appeal to the campus. Over 1,500m2 of Andover Textured Block Paving in Mid Grey, Silver Grey, Pink Granite and Heather Porphyry was specified for the main central square, having been carefully selected to complement the architectural styling of the campus. A combination of sliver grey concrete aggregate paving was selected for the square, with deeper colours also chosen to add depth. Perfectly suited to high volume pedestrian areas, the Andover Textured Block Paving offers exceptional durability whilst incorporating uniquely formulated Cornish aggregates to provide both enhanced performance and superior aesthetics. The upgraded square, which was designed to create an open space with clear access routes to the surrounding campus buildings, is now being used as a shared area for socialising, relaxing and studying. Since completion, the space has hosted Christmas markets, career festivals and Freshers’ Week activities. Mark Bodman, Director at Barry Chinn Associates, said: “We specifically chose Charcon as opposed to other key manufacturers of hard landscaping as we felt the quality of product successfully met our precise brief. The Andover Textured Block Paving lent itself extremely well to the project as it seamlessly accompanied the surrounding campus aesthetic.” Clinton Young, National Specification Manager at Charcon, said: “This project demonstrated our capabilities perfectly and we’re delighted that we have been able to deliver a full solution to the University of Leicester and we hope that the transformed space can be used to its full potential.” For further information, visit www.charcon.com. For technical support, please call 01335 372 222 or email landscaping@aggregate.com.
The first housing development exclusively for clinical staff will open in Salford to help plug an acute staff shortage in the NHS. Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust has teamed up with housing association Salix Homes to provide a 26-apartment complex for doctors, nurses and other clinical staff who work at the organisation. It comes after the Trust revealed it was struggling to fill 200 vacancies, with the lack of affordable accommodation one of the barriers to attracting people to the area. Ian Moston, group chief finance officer for Salford Royal, said “Like most organisations in the NHS we have a significant number of vacancies. Our partnership with Salix Homes will provide a major benefit to us in helping to attract people to work and settle in Salford. “For the majority of us, the ability to live close to where we work is an important part of balancing work and home life. Through this partnership with Salix Homes we hope to provide people choosing to come to Salford with good quality, affordable housing whilst they establish themselves in the City on a long term basis. “We hope this venture with Salix Homes is the first of many areas where we believe we can collaborate to improve the health and wellbeing of people living and working in Salford, and the area and can become a template for other communities.” Salix Homes has spent more than £2million converting the former sheltered housing complex Alexander Gardens in Broughton into modern one and two bedroom apartments. The project was partially funded thanks to a £780,000 grant from Homes England Shared Ownership and Affordable Homes Programme. Alexander Gardens on Gorton Street has stood empty since the Boxing Day 2015 floods after the former residents were re-housed when their homes were damaged by the worst flooding to hit Salford in decades. Since that fateful night, extensive flood resilience measures have been implemented within the facility and the wider area to help protect against future floods. Sue Sutton, executive director of operations at Salix Homes, said: “It’s no secret that the country is in the grips of a housing crisis, but it really brings it home when our own local hospital cannot recruit staff due to a severe shortage of suitable and affordable accommodation. “In the year our wonderful NHS turns 70, we are very proud to be able to offer a solution to provide affordable accommodation for doctors, nurses and other health professionals and help ensure our NHS can continue the fantastic work it does for another 70 years and beyond. “We believe this project to be among the first of its kind in the country and shows the importance of the health and housing industries working together to help overcome some of the most critical issues facing our sectors.” Salix Homes, which owns more than 8,000 homes across Salford, has worked alongside its partner contractor A.Connolly Ltd to completely transform and remodel the facility to create 16 two-bedroom and 10 one-bedroom apartments. Salford Royal intends to let the homes to new recruits for a period of six months in a bid to encourage more medical professionals to come to Salford to work, and reduce its reliance on agency staff. The fully-furnished properties, kitted out by north-west based Fusion Furniture, will be let as part of a comprehensive employment package provided by Salford Royal and will be available for single people, couples and families. Salford City Mayor Paul Dennett said: “This unique project is one we are extremely proud of in Salford. Salix Homes and the NHS have worked closely together to pull this together, in conjunction with our bid to Homes England to support the scheme. “There is a national shortage of affordable homes –and a national crisis in housing – so anything that can support the fabulous staff who work tirelessly for the NHS and bring more of their workers to our city is welcomed.” The project has also provided work and opportunities for local people. Chris Connolly, commercial director at contractors A Connolly Ltd, added: “Supporting communities is important to us and we have employed local people through our partnership with Salix Homes, as well as recruiting two apprentices through the Build Salford project. “A.Connolly Ltd is pleased to have played a part in this unique scheme which will enable more medical professionals to live and work in Salford. “Major refurbishment work is in of our key specialisms and we were delighted to be able to use our expertise to support Salix Homes in bringing this building back into use.” The refurbishment and remodelling work is expected to be completed this summer and it’s hoped the first residents will move in during October.