Whitbread PLC, the owner of the Premier Inn chain, has started the construction of its most high-profile hotel development in Ireland at Dublin’s Clerys Quarter. Leading construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash has been appointed as the principal contractor for the development which is an important part of the regeneration of
Contractor Henry Brothers is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the opening of its first English office with record turnover and growth. Part of the Northern Irish-based Henry Brothers Group, the company set up in Nottingham in February 2015 and following significant success in the North established an office in Manchester
A long-serving director at family-owned contractor Beard says the company’s commitment to developing young talent plays a vital role in supporting their growth ambitions. Dean Averies joined the Wiltshire-headquartered company as a 16-year-old trainee in 1988, after writing without success to some 50 other firms seeking an apprenticeship opportunity. Since
Strong financial results presented with a focus on balance and consolidation, during a time of economic and industry upheaval, together with diversification into new and fast emerging sectors including Data Centres, Life Science, Ports, Civils, Infrastructure and Commercial. Glencar, a leading UK based construction company recognised for its past ranking
A new primary school will be coming to Stafford this year, opening to students for the start of the new school intake for 2025/26. Burleyfields Primary School will be located on Martin Drive in Stafford and will be part of the Creative Learning Partnership Trust, catering to demand for extra
Work came to a standstill on all Ashe Group sites for an hour this week for an innovative safety initiative. The special event, Stand Down for Safety, devised by Ashe’s health and safety team, involved everyone in the company stopping work for an hour to watch a presentation live streamed
Sir Robert McAlpine is under renewed scrutiny after another cladding panel became loose on the Hilton Hotel in Woking, forcing yet another road closure. High winds last weekend led to the discovery of the issue, prompting the closure of the adjacent A320 Victoria Way for safety inspections and repairs. This
Award-winning Shropshire constructor McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd is building on the success of its milestone 60th year, kicking off 2025 with a strong order book across diverse sectors. The company marked its diamond anniversary throughout 2024 with a series of celebration events and initiatives – starting with its ’60 for 60′
Kirklees Council has approved funding for the second phase of its ambitious Huddersfield town centre regeneration programme, Our Cultural Heart. The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting on January 21, marking another milestone in the transformation of the town’s cultural and leisure offerings. Phase one of the project is
Providing vital online access and technological support for those in need, McLaren Construction is launching a new initiative to donate repurposed laptops to charities across the UK with the first donation taking place in the Midlands and North. Kick-starting the initiative, 20 repurposed company laptops were donated to the St
Whitbread PLC, the owner of the Premier Inn chain, has started the construction of its most high-profile hotel development in Ireland at Dublin’s Clerys Quarter. Leading construction and fit-out company, Gilbert-Ash has been appointed as the principal contractor for the development which is an important part of the regeneration of one of Dublin’s most iconic department stores. The 229-bedroom hotel will be in the heart of the city at Earl Place, just off O’Connell Street, and will form part of a mixed-use development of Clerys Quarter, a new city centre destination that will regenerate Dublin’s landmark street. Gilbert-Ash’s scope of works at the former warehouse site include the construction of an eight-storey hotel plus basement and roof, with restaurant and reception on the ground floor. Whitbread acquired the development site in summer 2022 as part of its strategy to expand Premier Inn in Ireland, securing full planning permission to build the hotel from Dublin City Council in June 2023. The hotel, which is set for completion in summer 2026, will offer Premier Inn’s latest generation style bedrooms, and will be designed to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ target sustainability rating in line with Whitbread’s ‘Force for Good’ sustainability strategy. Emma O’Shiel, Project and Programme Manager for Whitbread in Ireland, said: “This new Premier Inn in the Clerys Quarter is an exciting step in Premier Inn’s growth story in Ireland. Dublin is a vibrant, high-demand market for both domestic and international travellers, and this hotel will offer guests an unbeatable city-centre location within one of Dublin’s most iconic and interesting areas. “We are thrilled to be contributing to the regeneration of such a beloved landmark and to bring the Premier Inn experience to more guests in Ireland. This development aligns with our commitment to creating outstanding hotels that deliver great value and comfort for our guests and it is sure to be one of the most popular Premier Inns in Ireland when we open the doors in 2026.” Gilbert-Ash Project Director, Sean Doran said the new hotel will be a key addition to the Clerys Quarter development: “Gilbert-Ash has a long-standing and excellent working relationship with Whitbread and we look forward to continuing this with the Clerys development. “For generations, the Clerys Department Store was an iconic Dublin landmark, and it is great to see the development work that has already gone on there. The Premier Inn hotel project forms part of the wider Clerys Quarter regeneration which will breathe new life into this historic location in the heart of the city. “Gilbert-Ash has an exceptional record delivering stand out projects in the hotels and leisure sector and we look forward to delivering another superb addition to Dublin’s expanding hospitality industry.” With the former department store a popular focal point for Dubliners and tourists alike, the regeneration of the area has been welcomed. The Clerys department store has been refurbished for a mix of business, retail and leisure uses with the development set to be fully open this year. The wider Clerys Quarter development will also boast the bustling Earl Place Market which will be a mecca for food and drink fans and a centre for Dublin’s thriving independent bar and restaurant scene. Whitbread has been growing rapidly in Ireland following the opening of the first Premier Inn hotel in Dublin City Centre in October 2021. The business currently offers its customers a choice of six hotel locations across the capital and Cork and is targeting 5,000 Premier Inn rooms in eleven towns and cities across Ireland where it wants Premier Inn to be represented. Gilbert-Ash has a unique approach to construction, fit-out and refurbishment based on the belief that great buildings come about through hard work, inspired innovation and genuine collaboration. Sustainability is a key focus for Gilbert-Ash with a number of initiatives underway to help the company to drive down its carbon footprint. To find out more about Gilbert-Ash visit www.gilbert-ash.com. For more on Whitbread plc visit www.whitbread.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Contractor Henry Brothers is celebrating the tenth anniversary of the opening of its first English office with record turnover and growth. Part of the Northern Irish-based Henry Brothers Group, the company set up in Nottingham in February 2015 and following significant success in the North established an office in Manchester in September 2022. It was originally named Henry Brothers Midlands and launched with a handful of staff. Under the leadership of managing director Ian Taylor and fellow directors John Sowter, John Fielding and Justin Hicklin, the company has grown strongly and consistently to become a £65m-a-year-turnover business, with a team of 60. Now renamed Henry Brothers Construction to reflect its work nationally, the business has expanded across the country – delivering key infrastructure developments including schools, university buildings, defence facilities and blue-light schemes. MD Ian Taylor said: “The Nottingham office was opened in 2015 to complement Henry Brothers’ offices in Northern Ireland and Scotland. “We started from scratch in the Midlands and have steadily grown to become a key member of the construction industry across the Midlands, into Yorkshire, the North West and further afield. “Our current order book stretches from the East of England across to the West Midlands and up into the North West, supporting our clients with significant infrastructure schemes. “We have delivered major projects for a wide variety of sectors including education, health, blue-light and defence, as well as for public bodies and commercial businesses. Many of these have been repeat contracts. “I am beyond proud of the team we have created at Henry Brothers Construction, thrilled at the growth we have achieved, and look forward to building on what we have already accomplished for both the company and our many clients.” Among the projects delivered by Henry Brothers since launching in the Midlands ten years ago are the joint headquarters for Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service, the net zero nursery and forest school at Staffordshire University, Loughborough University’s SportPark Pavilion 4 – the first Passivhaus development on the university campus – and multiple projects at various military bases including a new dye pod facility for the Red Arrows at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire, plus four schemes delivered for Nottingham Trent University, including the Dryden Enterprise Centre. Henry Brothers Construction is currently on a number of well-established national and regional Frameworks including Crown Commercial Service, Pagabo, Procure23, Department for Education, Ministry of Justice, North West Construction Hub, The University of Manchester and more. It specialises in delivering projects up to £30m in value, working in partnership with clients across a range of sectors including education, defence, blue-light, health, custodial and commercial. With defence projects a significant part of the work undertaken by Henry Brothers Construction, more than 75% of staff are security cleared. “Our ethos has always been to work hard and get the job done,” added Ian Taylor. “Our practical approach ensures integrity, reliability, quality, innovation and sustainability for all our partners and in all we do. These values were in the DNA of Henry Brothers when it was first established and are still very much evident throughout the business today. “We take enormous pride in our work because when we take on a project, we see it as an opportunity to deliver something inspiring that will benefit the community and the environment, long into the future. We are proud that many of our projects are secured through repeat business.” Henry Brothers Construction has an outstanding health and safety record, having been RoSPA Gold Award holders for eight years, with another rating due shortly. Last year, Henry Brothers received a King’s Award for Enterprise for Sustainable Development in recognition of its commitment to responsible business and sustainable practices, which have been at the heart of Henry Brothers’ operations since its inception. The story of Henry Brothers first began in 1976 when Jim Henry set up a small construction business called H&K construction, focusing on small-scale construction projects in Northern Ireland. Trading under this name for ten years, in 1986 the business became known as Henry Brothers. As it continued to flourish, several acquisitions followed during the 1990s, and Henry Brothers – along with the acquired businesses – became part of the wider Henry Group. Henry Brothers is now recognised as a leading construction company with offices in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland. The Henry Group, meanwhile, comprises a number of manufacturing and construction sector companies, ranging from external construction through to interiors fit-out. For more details visit www.henrybrothers.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A long-serving director at family-owned contractor Beard says the company’s commitment to developing young talent plays a vital role in supporting their growth ambitions. Dean Averies joined the Wiltshire-headquartered company as a 16-year-old trainee in 1988, after writing without success to some 50 other firms seeking an apprenticeship opportunity. Since then, he has progressed from school leaver to estimator, surveyor, contracts manager, construction director and leader of Swindon-based Beard’s 110-strong Oxford team. Dean’s 22-year-old son Corey is following in his father’s footsteps as a carpenter having joined Beard as an apprentice six years ago. Beard confirmed its continued commitment for supporting young talent during National Apprenticeship which kicks off on 10 February. Dean said: “When I left school in 1988, careers advice was limited, and I had no idea what roles existed in construction. “I sent hand-written letters to companies, and Beard was the only one to offer me a chance. Their support for young people was unusual at the time, as many other companies were asking for degrees. “Had Beard not supported me, I don’t think I would be working in construction today. The support I received – through on-the-job training, professional qualifications, and career development – shaped my entire career. “I’m proud to see the company continuing that legacy with a new generation of apprentices.” Tackling the skills shortage At a time when the construction sector faces a critical skills shortage, with estimates predicting that the industry needs more than 250,000 extra workers by 2028, Beard continues to offer young people opportunities to build lasting careers. The business currently supports 10 employees on degree apprenticeships and a further four in apprenticeship roles. Melissa Barber, Beard’s head of people and communications, added: “Dean’s story is a great example of why investing in young people has always been important to us. “The skills shortage in construction is well-known and we must take big steps to train, support, and retain talent at all ages. “Apprenticeships have always been an important part of this ambition. I look forward to us developing the next group of committed apprenticeships who can expect a fulfilling and rewarding career in this industry.” Beard is one of the few contractors that directly employs apprentices from age 16, providing a vital entry route into the industry at a time when many firms require prior qualifications or higher education. The firm also actively engages schools and colleges to improve careers advice and showcase the range of roles available in construction. Dean added: “Beard took a chance on me as a teenager. Now, in my role as director, I see it as my responsibility to do the same for the next generation. It is also an important part of helping a business like ours to continue to grow. “Those joining us today are the next generation of industry leaders. We need to do everything possible to attract, develop and retain them.” To find out more about Beard’s apprenticeship and career opportunities, visit https://www.beardconstruction.co.uk/careers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Strong financial results presented with a focus on balance and consolidation, during a time of economic and industry upheaval, together with diversification into new and fast emerging sectors including Data Centres, Life Science, Ports, Civils, Infrastructure and Commercial. Glencar, a leading UK based construction company recognised for its past ranking among Europe’s fastest-growing businesses and known for delivering high quality projects across various sectors, most notably in Logistics & Industrial, Life Sciences & Pharma, Data Centres, Commercial, Ports, Film Studios & Leisure and Civils, has today announced its annual results for the period ended 30th September 2024. The results demonstrate a strong improvement in all financial metrics with improved profitability, net asset value, and cash. This has been achieved through a commitment to doing the right kind of work, alongside further investment to deliver best in class processes. Repeat business and long-standing customer relationships accounts for a significant percentage of turnover, with current retention levels exceeding 80%. Meanwhile, expansion into new markets and targeted new opportunities continues, particularly in the Life Sciences and Data Centre sectors. To enable sustained growth and efficiency, significant ongoing investment in head office and core business support functions has been implemented and Glencar has positioned itself within the market to take on upcoming opportunities with the availability and mobility of the right people and teams. Amongst the highlights include : 2024 2023 Secure project pipeline 2025 – £350M 2024 – £300M Revenue £406.8M £405.9M Profit before tax £4.8M £2.2M Gross Profit 5.7% 5.1% Average contract value £18.7M £16.9M Project completions 32 28 Average considerate contractor score (CCS) of 50 43 43 Commenting on the results Glencar CEO Eddie McGillycuddy said: “We have continued to respond to the rapidly evolving and changing customer expectations and the needs of the market. We retain a key focus and true specialisation in Industrial & Logistics and have delivered important and high-profile developments in the period. We are seen as a trusted delivery partner and achieve extremely high levels of customer retention and repeat business. Through this our exceptional teams and delivery partners continue to push the boundaries in terms of design, delivery, materials and processes. We have reevaluated our commercial strategy, ensuring we focus on the right type of work in order to deploy our resources efficiently, whilst effectively managing risk. We look forward to the year ahead with a sense of optimism and confidence with a strong order book and an exceptional team. We have already secured a robust order book of £350 million for 2025, with strong project margins and well-established delivery teams. At the same time, our commitment to innovation and the integration of smart processes and technology is accelerating, ensuring that we stay at the forefront of industry trends. We are targeting 10% revenue growth in the next financial year, followed by 10% in the following year. This ambitious goal is underpinned by our strategy of cultivating repeat business with our key client base while actively exploring strategic opportunities with new clients and in emerging markets. A core focus for us remains the sustained improvement of profit margins, whilst all the while maintaining the high standards of service delivery that our clients expect. We are dedicated to achieving this delicate balance and ensuring that our growth does not compromise the excellence of our services. Recognising that our success is intrinsically linked to our people, we are committed to investing in our workforce. This investment will involve increasing the number of team members and expanding our comprehensive training company-wide. Simultaneously, we will direct our investment towards fortifying our internal systems and processes, ensuring their resilience to provide both our customers and supply chain partners with the best possible service”. To watch a video the summarises our highlights throughout the period please visit our YouTube page: Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new primary school will be coming to Stafford this year, opening to students for the start of the new school intake for 2025/26. Burleyfields Primary School will be located on Martin Drive in Stafford and will be part of the Creative Learning Partnership Trust, catering to demand for extra school positions in the area. Led by Midlands contractor, G F Tomlinson and Entrust, construction works will be delivered through the Constructing West Midlands framework on behalf of Staffordshire County Council. The scheme will involve the construction of a new two-storey 2FE school with landscaping, car parking facilities, and pedestrian and vehicular paths – providing 420 places from reception to year six which will be opened in a phased approach year on year. The school will have 15 classrooms in total and the build will also include a library, SEN rooms, hall, kitchen facilities, offices and breakout spaces for staff, alongside a studio. Burleyfields has been commissioned as part of the Burleyfields housing development, which has provided 1600 homes in the area, and the primary school is the 10th school delivered for Staffordshire County Council using the Touchstone design model. A ground-breaking ceremony on Friday 17th January marked the start of construction works and was attended by members of the school and stakeholders including G F Tomlinson, Staffordshire County Council, Entrust and the Creative Learning Partnership Trust. Close liaison has been established with local residents to ensure they are kept up to date with site developments, and a delivery time management schedule has been put into place to minimise disruption to the surrounding area. G F Tomlinson has vast experience working within the education sector, providing high quality school provision across the region. Through their long-standing relationship with Staffordshire County Council and Entrust, the contractor has delivered nine schools to date, the most recent being St Leonard’s Primary School and Beaconfields Primary School in Stafford. The new cohort of students has been asked to imagine and design what they believe their new school will look like and colours and ideas will be incorporated into the final elements of the school design, giving back to the local community. In line with social value commitments, G F Tomlinson will provide site tours and engagement events with the school, meeting local families with pupils who will join Burleyfields in the new school intake. Group managing director of G F Tomlinson, Adrian Grocock, said: “It’s an honour to continue our long-standing relationship with Staffordshire County Council providing much needed educational provision in the region. “Following our ground-breaking ceremony, we are well-positioned to deliver the build for this landmark primary school, ensuring much-needed primary and nursery places in the area.” Staffordshire County Council Cabinet Member for Education including SEND, Jonathan Price, said: “It’s great to see the start of work on the new school, which is really important for the area and for the families in the new estate. “It’s vital that we have sufficient school places for children from across the county and that our schools are fit for future learners. We know that having good facilities helps improve children’s learning, and once open with its state-of-the-art facilities, I’m sure children will thrive. “The new school will also be one of the most sustainable in the County, which will help meet our target of reaching net zero by 2030. I look forward to seeing the school grow over the next few years.” Sam Compton, CEO of The Creative Learning Partnership Trust said: “We as a Trust are delighted to support the Local Authority, the Department of Education and GF Tomlinson in the opening of Burleyfields Primary School. We are excited that Burleyfields will become part of our family of schools in our trust. As a trust, we have a mission to create transformational educative opportunities, promoting social justice and unlocking individual freedom. Burleyfields Primary School will be part of the Burleyfields community offering a welcoming environment where children can flourish academically, creatively and socially. We look forward to welcoming the first cohort of children who will be walking the Burleyfields way.” Rebecca Bell, Principal Designate, said “We have a strong culture of collaboration and look forward to meeting our new children and their families as they embark on their educational adventure.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work came to a standstill on all Ashe Group sites for an hour this week for an innovative safety initiative. The special event, Stand Down for Safety, devised by Ashe’s health and safety team, involved everyone in the company stopping work for an hour to watch a presentation live streamed to all of Ashe’s construction sites and offices. A presentation was given by one of the UK’s most inspirational speakers, Jason Anker MBE, who was paralysed from the waist down due to an avoidable accident on a construction site when he was just 24 years old. Statistics released by the Health and Safety Executive recently revealed a rise in fatalities in the construction industry with 51 fatal injuries to workers in the year to March 2024, an increase on an average of 42 deaths per year during the previous five years. The sobering figures also revealed 47,000 construction workers sustained non-fatal injuries at work during the same period. Jason told the story of his life after falling 10 feet from an untethered ladder whilst undertaking roofing works on a construction site. Initially told he would recover from his injuries, tests showed he would never walk again. Jason explained the ripple effect of his decision not to tether the ladder; the months in rehab, the strain on his marriage and the affect his injuries have had on all aspects of his life including his family and friends. The training initiative, saw over 600 people across 20 sites in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Warwickshire, Leicestershire, Oxfordshire and London attend the presentation designed to be a hard-hitting way of sending the construction safety message home to all those connected to Ashe’s projects. Among those attending were employees and directors from Ashe Construction and Ashe Roofing, architects, project subcontractors and their directors, and clients. Subcontractor, Hayden Topp who is senior site manager at Bellwood Interiors attended the presentation at Ashe’s Bedford Academy site and said: “A big thank you to Ashe Group for hosting a very insightful seminar based on health, safety and wellbeing. The seminar covered a wide range of topics such as workplace safety, including the impact it has on you, your employer, your colleagues and family.” The presentation also covered mental health awareness and steps on improving wellbeing, such as improving sleep and the way diet and attitude can affect the way you feel both physically and mentally. Ben Hamblin, architectural technologist at GSSArchitecture watched the presentation and said: “Jason’s presentation highlighted the impact that serious injuries can have, not just on those injured, but also on the people, they know, and that your decisions are important. “Part of our responsibility as architects is to design out the risks, such as working at height and we factor in the safety of those who’ll undertake the future maintenance of our buildings, too. Jason’s talk was a great reminder that if you spot something unsafe on site, you must speak up.” Ian Berrie, head of health and safety said: “I have no doubt the impact of Jason’s story will leave a lasting impression on all of us and my hope is it will help encourage safe working on our sites and be a springboard for safer working for all in 2025 and beyond.” Robin Blake, Ashe’s group chief executive said: “Whilst process and procedures always receive much attention, we wanted to do something more to enhance our safety culture. Stand Down for Safety is an opportunity to consider the human aspect of our work, the impact it has on family and wellbeing. “Jason’s story is a powerful way of reminding us of our responsibilities and how something that could easily be avoided can have life changing consequences. Don’t gamble on your safety, particularly for the sake of your family. Speak up if something doesn’t look right or feel right.” Ashe Group employs 130 people and operates from offices in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. The company specialises in building schools and healthcare facilities. Major projects currently underway include MK East and Bedford Academy. Ashe has recently been awarded Five Stars in a British Safety Council Audit. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Sir Robert McAlpine is under renewed scrutiny after another cladding panel became loose on the Hilton Hotel in Woking, forcing yet another road closure. High winds last weekend led to the discovery of the issue, prompting the closure of the adjacent A320 Victoria Way for safety inspections and repairs. This marks yet another disruption, as the road had only recently reopened in mid-January following similar concerns raised in December. Cllr Ann-Marie Barker, Leader of Woking Borough Council, expressed frustration over the ongoing problems:“The closure of Victoria Way is incredibly disruptive, and I am deeply frustrated that another panel has failed despite previous assurances that they were secure. A plan is in place to address the issue, and we are urging swift action to prevent this from happening again.” A spokesperson for Sir Robert McAlpine confirmed that the latest issue followed the impact of recent storms:“Following Storm Herminia and Storm Eowyn, one cladding panel was found to be loose on the western elevation of the hotel. For safety reasons, Victoria Way will remain closed until the panel is secured and further checks are completed. Unfortunately, this is expected to take several weeks, and we apologise for the disruption caused.” Woking MP Will Forster has written to McAlpine’s chief executive, Neil Martin, demanding a clear remediation plan to prevent further incidents. Meanwhile, local leaders continue to push for a permanent solution to ensure public safety and minimise future disruptions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Award-winning Shropshire constructor McPhillips (Wellington) Ltd is building on the success of its milestone 60th year, kicking off 2025 with a strong order book across diverse sectors. The company marked its diamond anniversary throughout 2024 with a series of celebration events and initiatives – starting with its ’60 for 60′ food bank donation programme and culminating in the launch of its new McPhillips Community Fund. Managing director Paul Inions said the company was looking to build on its recent successes and maintain its position of strength and diversity in its project portfolio. He said: “Last year was momentous for McPhillips – it was a chance for us to take stock of everything we’ve delivered in the last six decades and to celebrate with all the people who helped us achieve this success. “In the summer we brought together 400 of our staff and their partners which includes our directly-employed workforce working on more than 30 projects across the Midlands, North West and beyond, for a party at Telford International Centre. And in November, we celebrated with our supply chain, against the dramatic backdrop of aircraft at RAF Cosford. We would not be where we are without them.” A flagship project completed in December 2024 was the Heart of Africa development at Chester Zoo, creating new wildlife habitats. The company’s proven expertise in delivering complex schemes has led to a further contract with the zoo to create 51 new luxury lodges on site. This safari-style accommodation project, which includes a two-storey welcome building with restaurant and bar facilities, will continue until summer 2025. January 2025 will see the McPhillips team start on new multi-million projects in Telford & Wrekin and Stafford, progress a £20m project in Newport for retirement living developer Untold Living and deliver a number of ongoing schemes across the Midlands and North West. Company secretary Val Hardy said 2025 would see a continued focus on skills and workforce development, including recruitment into the McPhillips Apprenticeship Scheme. She said: “We are a rarity in our industry because we choose to directly employ our workforce. This sets us apart from many contractors and is rooted in our commitment to training our talent and building their skills for the future. “Although it undoubtedly creates additional overheads compared to competitors who rely on subcontracted labour, our sector crisis is caused by a skills gap. “If we don’t train our own and do our bit, then how can we expect it to be any different? So, we’ve got to keep doing what is the right thing to do – train people and employ them directly. The result is consistently high-quality delivery for every client, whether public or private sector,” she added. The company’s commitment to social value took a significant step forward in 2024 with the launch of the McPhillips Community Fund, delivered in partnership with Shropshire Community Foundation. The fund will support innovative projects across Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin that help improve mental health, reduce social isolation and promote long-term wellbeing in local communities. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Kirklees Council has approved funding for the second phase of its ambitious Huddersfield town centre regeneration programme, Our Cultural Heart. The decision was made at a Cabinet meeting on January 21, marking another milestone in the transformation of the town’s cultural and leisure offerings. Phase one of the project is already well underway, focusing on revitalising the former Queensgate Market. The space is being transformed into a vibrant community hub featuring a library, food hall, and a new public square designed for socialising and events. Plans for phase two, revealed earlier this year, aim to breathe new life into the historic four-storey former library building. One of Huddersfield’s most significant landmarks, it is set to become a state-of-the-art museum and art gallery. The plans include a 50-seat café with an outdoor terrace and a new extension designed to improve accessibility and connectivity with the surrounding outdoor space and the broader Our Cultural Heart development. Councillors approved the release of £5.413 million from the overall project budget to fund contractor procurement and detailed design for phase two. An additional £250,000 was allocated for a master plan study to explore future phases of the programme. This study will investigate how to deliver the remaining elements of Our Cultural Heart without requiring additional capital borrowing while ensuring the project’s overarching vision is maintained. The council also approved reallocating capital funding for specific services within the programme. This includes £371,000 to support the West Yorkshire Archive Service’s relocation to the new library and £50,000 for preparations for future events in the public square. The report accompanying the funding decision outlined service operating costs and the financial requirements for the interior design and functionality of the museum and gallery. While the Museum Service will seek external funding to cover the estimated £14.48 million cost, the council noted that funds might need to be reallocated from within the existing programme budget if external sources cannot be secured. Councillor Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Regeneration said: “Our Cultural Heart is our most ambitious regeneration programme, when completed it will bring a new, community-centred arts and leisure offer to the town, providing cultural activities to enjoy during the day and into the evening. “It will play a significant role in making Huddersfield a family-friendly, prosperous town centre which provides exciting places to live, work or visit. “As with all large regeneration schemes, there are hurdles to jump and challenges to overcome, a worldwide pandemic and wars in other countries have of course made things even more complex. This has meant we’ve had to continually assess our finances and prioritise spend that will lead to the successful delivery of the first phases of the scheme, whilst still allowing for exciting new developments in the future. “Releasing the funds demonstrates our commitment to delivering something everyone can be proud of and doing that in a way that delivers real changes on the ground in the next few years. “Regeneration is not just about bricks and mortar. Our ambition is to give local people and visitors more reasons to spend time in the town centre. By increasing footfall, and in turn commercial opportunities, our plans will also benefit existing and future businesses from all sectors. Thriving businesses in turn provide employment opportunities for our communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Providing vital online access and technological support for those in need, McLaren Construction is launching a new initiative to donate repurposed laptops to charities across the UK with the first donation taking place in the Midlands and North. Kick-starting the initiative, 20 repurposed company laptops were donated to the St Helens-based Martin Murray ThinkFAST academy, providing young people with online support to help with educational development. McLaren Construction Midlands and North has a long-standing relationship with the Martin Murray academy, which aims to help young people with high-quality social support and development through the discipline and ethos of boxing. The laptop drop off is the latest support initiative for the academy and it follows a joint donation of £30,000 that was provided in 2023, by the contractor and Miller Developments. As part of McLaren Construction’s commitment to giving back to the communities in which it operates, alongside its sustainability strategy for 2025 – legacy computing assets that are fit for reuse will now go through an IT repurposing programme instead of secure disposal, to enable monthly laptop donations by the McLaren Construction Group. The new scheme will see approximately 250-400 laptops repurposed and donated annually to chosen charities across the UK and drop-offs will include protective equipment alongside the laptops to ensure longevity. The next donation will be a drop-off to Sele SEND School in Hertford and the ‘London & South’ region. Gary Cramp, managing director of McLaren Construction Midlands and North, said: “We are proud to be kick-starting our laptop donation initiative with our first drop off of the year at the Martin Murray academy in St Helens – helping young people and offering online and technological support at a fundamental time of their lives. Martin Murray, founder of the ThinkFAST academy, said: “The opportunities that can be harnessed through having laptop access cannot be underestimated and we can’t thank the team at McLaren enough for the laptops and their continued support over the past couple of years. The joint donation that we received from them along with Miller Developments in 2023 has helped to ensure that our academy can keep on doing the much-needed work that we do. “These laptops will provide access to a vast amount of information, enable interactive learning experiences and will be used to personalise learning, dependent on the young person’s individual needs.” Dan Blackman, Group IT and Security Director at McLaren Construction Group PLC, said: “Launching this initiative will enable our high-quality fit-for-use legacy assets to be repurposed and donated to those in need, and we are delighted to be contributing to our communities in this way, providing online access and a resource for educational development, to change lives for the better.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
