On behalf of CEG, BAM Construction has completed its 37,800 sq ft seven-storey office development on Globe Road, marking the first new build office to be delivered in Leeds this year. BAM Construction commenced the development in May 2021. Simon Sutcliffe, Construction Director for BAM added: “We are delighted to
The lead contractor behind the redevelopment of Birmingham’s iconic Alexander Stadium is reflecting on the success of the project and the wide range of community benefits brought to the local area following its recent completion. McLaughlin & Harvey has detailed the outcomes of its social value programme which was implemented
Bouygues UK has reached a key milestone in the third phase of Hallsville Quarter, the new town centre in London’s Canning Town. As the main contractor for this phase of development, the construction partner celebrated completing the structure of the build with a topping out ceremony on Wednesday 17th August,
PLANNING permission has been granted on a new manufacturing facility in Scotland – producing HVDC cables for what will be the world’s longest subsea infrastructure for the Morocco – UK power project. The infrastructure forms part of an ambitious initiative that will power seven million UK homes by 2030. Leading
Construction works have been completed on a new first school on the Bramshall Meadows estate on Ivinson Way in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. Midlands-based main contractor G F Tomlinson has been leading the construction of the school since works started on the 12,000 sq. metre site last year. The school will offer
SPORT and leisure specialist GT3 Architects has completed a new gateway leisure centre in Coalville, Leicestershire, allowing residents to access the centre’s state-of-the-art facilities five months earlier than anticipated. Replacing the former Heritage Leisure Centre in neighbouring Whitwick, this leisure destination has been completed ahead of schedule after seamless collaboration with contractor
Commercial property developer Stoford has secured funding for the construction of a new warehouse for British Salt, the UK’s leading salt manufacturer and part of Tata Chemicals Europe. It has signed a funding agreement with ICG, the global alternative asset manager, for the 184,493 sq ft state-of-the-art warehouse in Middlewich,
Prologis, a leading owner and developer of UK logistics real estate, has further strengthened its portfolio in London and the South East, with the acquisition of two prime urban logistics estates in Park Royal and Watford. This transaction continues the company’s strategic focus on Greater London, following recent acquisitions in
A PIONEERING Warwickshire facility, which challenges the traditional notion of a leisure centre, has received planning permission thanks to sport and leisure specialists GT3 Architects. Located in Miners’ Welfare Park, the Bedworth Physical Activities Hub – delivered on behalf of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council – has been designed to be
As the football season is about to kick off, Southern Central Premier Leagues Hednesford Town Football Club is the latest winning team to partner with Leep Utilities – but this time it’s as club sponsor. The deal will provide much needed support to the thriving non-league semi-professional football club, with
On behalf of CEG, BAM Construction has completed its 37,800 sq ft seven-storey office development on Globe Road, marking the first new build office to be delivered in Leeds this year. BAM Construction commenced the development in May 2021. Simon Sutcliffe, Construction Director for BAM added: “We are delighted to have completed Globe Point, it is a striking building and delivers the highest quality office space. This is the first of many of CEG’s developments in the Temple area and we look forward to starting the second office development in the near future.” Globe Point provides next generation workspace for over 400 people and its striking flat iron design offers spectacular views across the city from the roof terrace gardens. Designed to BREEAM Excellent, the workspace maximises natural daylight to deliver healthy, flexible workspaces. The ground floor café kitchen and business lounge will open in autumn creating a vibrant use at this site which lies just a few minutes’ walk from Leeds City Station’s southern entrance. Marketing and data science agency, Jaywing, is taking the 6,437 sq ft third floor. Antonia Martin Wright, head of investment at CEG, said: “Globe Point has been designed to deliver the highest quality workspace in a great location close to the station. It is the first of our developments to complete in the Temple district, and a first for Leeds this year. It is set to create a buzz in Temple and, as the numbers of people living and working in the area continues to grow, this will help to support the fantastic bars, restaurants and other amenities, including our events space partnership with Chow Down.” Fox Lloyd Jones and Knight Frank are marketing the building on behalf of CEG. Nick Salkeld from Fox Lloyd Jones said: “Globe Point is an exemplary landmark building at the gateway to Temple and sets the benchmark for the wider masterplan in Leeds’ most exciting district. “It’s a market leading product which has responded to current day occupier needs and boasts best in class features including business lounge, café facilities. The workspace has a truly unique ceiling detail with a mix of coffered and trucell finishes and can be offered in both traditional and fully fitted solutions. It’s added much needed Grade A supply to the market where occupier demand remains high particularly at the prime end.” CEG has worked with specialist local consultants on the project. Sarah Dodsworth, Founding Partner of interior design consultancy Ekho Studio, said: “Globe Point is an interesting and unique project that will both fit with and elevate the surrounding area. It’s a special scheme, and one we’re really proud to be associated with. “The ground floor building amenity has been designed as a community space, reflecting the diversity and energy that is synonymous within this vibrant city neighbourhood. It offers a daytime to evening coffee bar, kitchen and events space with a mix of dwell spaces in which to lounge or co-work. “Every design solution represents the commitment to delivering a sustainable and healthy end product. The statement bespoke artwork pieces further reflect and celebrate the grain and architectural richness of the area, whilst the large video wall creates opportunities for events and social gatherings.” Award-winning Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios is the architect for Globe Point. Amanda Whittington, Partner, Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios said: “The workplace and what tenants want is changing and this building has pre-empted this. Globe Point is part of a wider masterplan that is really going to revitalise and lift the area, and as one of the first buildings within the masterplan, its position at the head of the site creates a new landmark for the area. The detailing of the brickwork, crown and curved glazing come together with the informal and natural materials of the interior design to create an exciting new destination for Leeds.” Globe Point is the first of CEG’s developments to complete within the Temple district of the city. CEG has also handed over Drapers Yard on Marshall Street to Labcorp for the fit-out of its life science centre of excellence. This new headquarter facility is set for completion early next year and will boast a new façade, roof top amenity space with a green, sedum roof and new landscaping and planting.
The lead contractor behind the redevelopment of Birmingham’s iconic Alexander Stadium is reflecting on the success of the project and the wide range of community benefits brought to the local area following its recent completion. McLaughlin & Harvey has detailed the outcomes of its social value programme which was implemented over the course of the redevelopment in a report published today (17 August 2022), including impressive local job creation figures, ethical procurement, and a range of community partnerships. A total of 370 jobs were created and sustained throughout the redevelopment of the stadium over the last two years, as well as a total of 35 apprenticeships, work placements and internships, and 756 weeks’ worth of vocational training. 58% of employment was created for those living within 30 miles of the site, and an impressive 334 members of the workforce were upskilled throughout the course of the project. 91 community and education groups and over 600 school pupils have been engaged throughout the redevelopment, and £80,000 of community investment, both financial and in-kind, was achieved. McLaughlin & Harvey recently won the Inspiring Change in the Community Project Award for their Employment & Education Academy initiative on the project, which addressed the employment and skills gap by removing inequalities and barriers in employment and education. Judges at the Inspiring Change Conference & Awards, organised by CECA, praised the contractor for their outreach to local ‘hard to reach’ community groups, which ultimately led to 48 new entrants to the industry, including 26 long-term unemployed. Ethical procurement and working with local suppliers was also key to McLaughlin & Harvey’s social value programme. 50% of project spend was with local businesses and in total the social value programme generated £21.5m of local economic value. Martin Keys, Operations Director at McLaughlin & Harvey, said: “The greatest challenge faced was ensuring the project ran to time and budget. This was achieved amidst a world health pandemic and a global shipping crisis – to name a few – thanks to the collaboration, engagement and one-team approach from all partners involved. “Alongside this excellent achievement, today’s report also highlights the real benefit we have brought to local communities here in Birmingham, both engaging with young people and hard-to-reach groups, encouraging them into work and bringing a lasting legacy to the area, which as a business, we are very proud of.” The £72.4m stadium redevelopment project was part-funded by West Midlands Combined Authority (£25m) and the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (£20m), with Birmingham City Council providing the remainder of the funding. Cllr Ian Ward, Leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “Anyone who visits the venue knows what an amazing job our contractors have done on the redevelopment of the Alexander Stadium – which is now the undisputed premier athletics facility in the country. “But the community story is just as impressive. McLaughlin & Harvey told us they would be good neighbours and project partners and they backed up their words with a really impressive programme of community engagement and support for grassroots projects not only in Perry Barr, but right across the city. “They’ve set a standard for other firms working on projects for the council to meet.” Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA chair, said: “We invested in the stadium redevelopment because we knew that it would provide a world class sporting facility for the region and enhance our reputation on the global stage. Anyone can see the contractors have certainly delivered on that. “This project also creates a social legacy as we can see with hundreds of quality construction jobs and training opportunities created and supported through the pandemic and engagement with the community including local school children who will be inspired by their experiences for years to come.” Anita Bhalla, Interim Chair, Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) said: “After successfully completing the redevelopment of Alexander Stadium on time and on budget, this latest report highlights how McLaughlin and Harvey also managed to deliver a wide-ranging and impactful community engagement programme. “Increasingly, social value is at the heart of how we measure our GBSLEP investments like the £20 million that went into this City Council project. We recognise how critical it is that local people feel the benefits of the major developments that are happening on their doorstop. This contributes to driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth across our region and for all our communities.” The report can be viewed at https://www.mclh.co.uk/media/6076/mclh-alexander-stadium-social-impact-report.pdf
Bouygues UK has reached a key milestone in the third phase of Hallsville Quarter, the new town centre in London’s Canning Town. As the main contractor for this phase of development, the construction partner celebrated completing the structure of the build with a topping out ceremony on Wednesday 17th August, alongside Linkcity and One Housing Group. The £240m (GDV) Hallsville Quarter scheme is one of London’s biggest regeneration projects, and the third phase, expected to complete in 2024, will be the largest to date, more than doubling the number of new homes the scheme has delivered so far. Bouygues UK has been working closely with its property development sister company Linkcity, One Housing Group, Grainger and the London Borough of Newham to deliver Phase 3 which will include: 278 private rental homes situated across two blocks owned by Grainger, including 2,400m2 commercial space within the blocks 245 shared ownership (including 10 shared equity) 50 extra care 47 affordable rent (including 10 London affordable rent) 6,800m2 of commercial space owned by Linkcity which it intends to let and/or sell to a commercial investor. Download A computer generated image of Hallsville Quarter from Rathbone Street (c) HawkinsBrown This latest phase of the Hallsville Quarter development will also deliver an integrated health centre under an innovative new model with local health partners, 1,125m2 of business accommodation, a new basement car park for 143 vehicles, and new high-quality public spaces, including fountains and play areas. In total, the Hallsville Quarter development, which is part of the Canning Town and Custom House regeneration project, will provide 1,100 new homes, over 30,000m2 of leisure and retail space, and more than 2,975m2 of space for community facilities, as well as new public spaces, pedestrian links, cyclist provision and secure parking spaces. Gerald Farque, Bouygues UK Managing Director said, “It’s wonderful to be here to celebrate reaching this important milestone at Hallsville Quarter Phase 3, one of the most significant town centre regeneration projects. I am particularly proud of our in-house civil works teams who have delivered, as with previous phases, the reinforced concrete frame. I would also like to congratulate the project team on their commitment to social value, in particular supporting local labour at each phase of this regeneration scheme.” Phillippa Prongué, Linkcity Managing Director said, “For over 10 years, Bouygues UK and Linkcity have been working closely with the London Borough of Newham to deliver the regeneration of Canning Town. It’s great to be here to celebrate reaching this stage of the build in a project which will transform this area of east London and help create a thriving centre. Congratulations to everyone involved in reaching this point.” Robert Marcantoni, Group Director of Development for One Housing (Part of Riverside) added, “One Housing are delighted to partner with Linkcity and Bouygues UK to provide over 300 much needed social homes within one of our key London boroughs. This milestone is a fantastic achievement and builds on the existing homes we have within this community. In this housing and cost of living crisis this 3rd Phase of Hallsville Quarter provides much needed affordable homes and delivers a 50 unit Extra Care Scheme where we will be providing support and personal care services to adults over 55 years old. Following the recent off-plan launch of our Shared Ownership homes, we have already had great interest and feedback and we look forward to the handover of these great affordable homes.”
PLANNING permission has been granted on a new manufacturing facility in Scotland – producing HVDC cables for what will be the world’s longest subsea infrastructure for the Morocco – UK power project. The infrastructure forms part of an ambitious initiative that will power seven million UK homes by 2030. Leading independent property, construction and infrastructure consultancy Pick Everard has been acting as lead consultant on the project, appointed by HVDC subsea cable manufacturer XLCC. The new facility, in Hunterston, North Ayrshire, will produce four 3,800km long cables, connecting solar and wind energy all the way from the Sahara to the UK, as part of the Xlinks project. Once operational, the brownfield site is expected to support up to 900 jobs, with thousands more generated in the wider supply chain. Santosh Patel, director at Pick Everard said: “We’re excited and proud to be involved in creating a new high tech green industry for the UK and supporting the drive towards Net Zero.” “From a manufacturing perspective, it will see undersea cables created to a length not previously seen, while consumers will be able to benefit from a much lower unit cost for their energy once the project is fully implemented. Net zero requires huge expansion of solar and wind to be a success, and XLCC stands to help deliver in this respect.” XLCC’s manufacturing operation in Hunterston will meet the UK’s growing demand for high-voltage, direct current (HVDC) power transmission. Landowners at Hunterston have thrown their support behind the scheme, with work transfer opportunities expected to be provided for local employees, following the decommissioning of Hunterston’s B power nuclear station after 46 years. As well as acting as lead consultant, Pick Everard has provided complete design services, as well as health and safety consultancy, BIM coordination and BREEAM assessments. Now, the firm is expected to continue to act in a technical advisory capacity, with construction on the new factory expected to commence in early 2023. Mark Colby, partner at Pick Everard, said: “We are focused on delivering better together with our cross-industry partners, achieving excellence in everything we do. This particular project sees us – together with the wider project team – delivering a scheme that benefits everyone from the local community through jobs to the whole planet through its sustainable elements.” Project director for XLCC, Alan Mathers, added: “We look forward to delivering a factory of great local and international importance for HVDC subsea cable. The UK will be positioned as a world leader in the green economy, with the site at Hunterston playing a key role in connecting cheap, green energy from renewables projects around the world.” Pick Everard employs more than 600 staff across its 15 offices, providing a range of project, cost, and design consultancy services. For more information, please visit https://www.pickeverard.co.uk.
Construction works have been completed on a new first school on the Bramshall Meadows estate on Ivinson Way in Uttoxeter, Staffordshire. Midlands-based main contractor G F Tomlinson has been leading the construction of the school since works started on the 12,000 sq. metre site last year. The school will offer places for pupils from four to nine-year-olds, as well as nursery placements and looks forward to welcoming the first cohort of pupils at the start of the academic year in September. An official opening ceremony will be held in October. The £4.3 million scheme has been completed through Staffordshire County Council’s Capital Framework and has been designed and project managed by Entrust. Now complete, the school will be led and managed by The Uttoxeter Learning Trust. The new, single storey 1 form entry (1FE) first school has been developed as part of a wider plan to expand first school provision in Uttoxeter in response to an increased demand for places generated from new housing in the local area, such as the Bramshall Meadows housing development. It represents the first school to be constructed in Uttoxeter in response to growth, comprising a nursery, classrooms, a multi-use hall, catering space, outdoor sports pitch, play areas and car parking. G F Tomlinson has been entrusted to deliver five schools to date for Staffordshire County Council with Bramshall Meadows First School being the latest, following the recently completed Fradley Park Primary School in Lichfield. Chris Flint, Managing Director at G F Tomlinson, said: “We feel very privileged to have been able to deliver this brand-new, high-quality school building for Staffordshire County Council which will create much-needed school places for children in the local area. The project is the first to be completed in response to the rise in demand for places within Uttoxeter and we feel very proud. “We very much look forward to seeing the school welcome pupils in September as the children take their first steps to embark on their academic journeys. The school has been designed with future growth and expansion very much in mind to provide an excellent learning environment for the growing community.” Jonathan Price, Staffordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education said: “Bramshall Meadows has been built in response to increased housing in the area, which has meant there will be more demand for school places. Whenever there is new housing in an area, we always work with developers, local schools and the Department for Education to put plans in place to meet increased demand for school places. “It’s fantastic that local children will be able to learn in a brand-new school with lots of amazing facilities, and I am sure they are looking forward to starting school life in September.” Andrea Cairns, Executive Headteacher at Bramshall Meadows First School, commented: “We are absolutely delighted with the new school and the high quality of the build project with all of its amazing facilities. We are very excited to welcome the first children into school in September!” To find out more about the school and further information about student places, visit: https://www.bramshallmeadows.org.uk/
SPORT and leisure specialist GT3 Architects has completed a new gateway leisure centre in Coalville, Leicestershire, allowing residents to access the centre’s state-of-the-art facilities five months earlier than anticipated. Replacing the former Heritage Leisure Centre in neighbouring Whitwick, this leisure destination has been completed ahead of schedule after seamless collaboration with contractor Metnor, project manager Paragon, landscape architect OOBE and M&E and BREEAM consultant Envision. The project, delivered on behalf of Everyone Active and North West Leicestershire District Council, includes an eight-lane, 25m pool, teaching pool with movable floor, eight-court sports hall, three squash courts and a 120-station fitness suite with spin and dance studios. Clare Noble, senior architectural technologist at GT3, said: “We were delighted to deliver this leisure centre so efficiently in collaboration with a host of great firms and contractors. We’ve worked with Everyone Active, Metnor and Paragon on a variety of leisure schemes and have a brilliant working relationship – this communication and transparency (combined with a lot of individuals putting in hard work) is what allowed us to accelerate the completion of the Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre. “A good working relationship is exceptionally important to GT3. We aim to create beautiful spaces while delivering transparency, inclusivity, and added value – which is why collaborating seamlessly with our partners is central to our work. Our ‘people architecture’ ethos extends beyond the people we’re designing for to the people we’re designing with, too.” One of the themes central to the site’s design was the sensitivity to its setting. Situated opposite an existing further education college, the new pool hall gives the appearance of pre-patinated copper cladding on its overhanging roof to reflect the design of the college. External glulam timber columns were carefully chosen to mirror the National Forest setting, and full-height glazing in the café opens up the centre to its surroundings. The bricks incorporated into the design have been locally sourced from nearby Ibstock, just 3.5 miles away, linking Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre further to its surroundings. The scheme has already seen great interest, with impressive engagement from the local community. Paul Sanders, head of community services at North West Leicestershire District Council, said: “Our state-of-the-art Whitwick and Coalville Leisure Centre is a fabulous facility for the district which, fits well into its National Forest setting. It’s a building we hope will get people excited about getting fit and active, and demonstrates our commitment to ensuring high-quality design.” The centre opened its doors to the public on 14 February and will facilitate a healthy lifestyle for the local community, with memberships to the former Hermitage Leisure Centre automatically transferring to the new state-of-the-art scheme. For further information visit www.gt3architects.com or join the conversation over on Twitter @_GT3Architects
Commercial property developer Stoford has secured funding for the construction of a new warehouse for British Salt, the UK’s leading salt manufacturer and part of Tata Chemicals Europe. It has signed a funding agreement with ICG, the global alternative asset manager, for the 184,493 sq ft state-of-the-art warehouse in Middlewich, Cheshire, which will enable British Salt and Tata Chemicals Europe to store the high purity salt and sodium bicarbonate products manufactured at its three sites in Cheshire and streamline its packaging and supply chain operations. The funding agreement, the first between Stoford and ICG, comes as Cheshire East Borough Council granted planning permission for the unit, which will be built at the British Salt manufacturing site on Faulkner Drive, Middlewich. The new warehouse will support Tata Chemicals Europe’s existing operations, storing products destined for the food and pharmaceutical markets and support its future business plans in Cheshire. Edward Peel, Stoford’s Development Manager, said: “Securing funding for this strategically important warehouse for British Salt is great news. The business has ambitious plans to invest in the region it has called home for more than 50 years. Now that funding and planning approval have been agreed, we’re putting plans in place to start construction work as soon as possible and are looking forward to delivering this warehouse.” Building begins in August with a projected completion date by July 2023. Angus Vause, Sales & Marketing Director of Tata Chemicals Europe, said: “We are delighted that Cheshire East Borough Council has granted planning permission for our new warehouse, which is a key part in the delivery of our future growth plans for the business in Cheshire and will enable British Salt to deliver enhanced customer service and supply chain excellence.” Chad Brown, Managing Director at ICG Real Estate, added: “We’re pleased to be partnering with Stoford on the forward funding of this well located and mission critical asset. This is an attractive deal for ICG, underpinned by strong real estate fundamentals and favourable lease dynamics, with the firm eager to deploy further capital in the sector across the UK and Europe.” Stoford and British Salt were both advised by DTRE on the sale and Avison Young were the appointed planning consultants.
Prologis, a leading owner and developer of UK logistics real estate, has further strengthened its portfolio in London and the South East, with the acquisition of two prime urban logistics estates in Park Royal and Watford. This transaction continues the company’s strategic focus on Greater London, following recent acquisitions in Croydon and Erith in July. Comprising more than 360,000 sq. ft. of prime last-mile logistics space, on a total of 17 acres, both estates offer a range of Grade A units and are 100% leased to customers operating in diverse industry sectors including distribution, construction, pharmaceutical and film and television. Located in two densely populated urban markets, Prologis Central Park (Park Royal) and Prologis Imperial Park (Watford) are strong additions to the UK portfolio, with both benefiting from excellent connectivity to London and beyond. Situated at the heart of Park Royal, the capital’s premier industrial and logistics estate, Central Park was built in 2014 to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ specification. Imperial Park was built in phases from 2000 and is well located less than 5 minutes from Junction 5, M1 in Watford, north west London’s principal commercial district. The purchase of both assets complements Prologis UK’s existing portfolio – expanding holdings at Park Royal and, in the case of Watford, increasing the company’s presence along the southern M1-London corridor. The Watford site in particular adds to a number of successful projects in Hemel Hempstead. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK: “The purchase of these prime urban logistics estates illustrates our confidence in and appetite to grow our last mile offering servicing London and the South East. We look forward to working with new customers across the two parks, all of whom are welcome additions to our business.” The assets were acquired from Schroders Capital who were advised by Gerald Eve.
A PIONEERING Warwickshire facility, which challenges the traditional notion of a leisure centre, has received planning permission thanks to sport and leisure specialists GT3 Architects. Located in Miners’ Welfare Park, the Bedworth Physical Activities Hub – delivered on behalf of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council – has been designed to be welcoming and inviting for all user groups. The new hub will replace an existing centre, providing a new set of facilities that better meets the needs of the local community, utilising GT3’s ‘people first’ approach. The facility includes a 25m eight lane pool, learner pool with a moveable floor, 120 station fitness suite, two studios, a spin studio and associated changing areas as well as a café and multipurpose room. In addition, the surrounding park will undergo a major transformation with a focus on creating an active landscape that wraps around the new building. Matt McCreith, project architect at GT3, said: “We’re delighted to reach this important milestone of the project. The new hub is going to be a major asset for the borough and the landscape design for the park is truly transformational. The scheme aims to create an ‘active landscape’ that offers a variety of different activities and areas in a bid to promote movement and enjoyment of outdoor space. This includes exercise & play areas, walking routes and seating spaces. “We are approaching this project more like a community building as opposed to being a leisure centre that is only sports focused. It’s been designed to be accessible from the park as well as the main entrance, encouraging more people to use the building for a variety of reasons. The aim is to get more people active, but this can be achieved away from the traditional sports activities hosted in the building. “Playing a part in a project like this, that aims to make such a positive impact in the community, is very exciting and we can’t wait to move on to the next stage and start construction.” The project has come to fruition through a great deal of collaboration across the project team to ensure the final design was truly pioneering. There is a strong focus on cycling throughout the scheme, with British Cycling recently funding a series of new mountain bike trails in the park and a Cycle Hub within the building that will offer bicycle hire services for users. There will also be a new all-wheels skatepark, learn-to-ride area and pump track provided as part of the approved proposal. Councillor Sue Markham, portfolio holder for public services at Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said: “Due to start on site this autumn, this has been an exciting venture where collaboration has been key. The project team, which includes Sport England and leading contractor BAM Construct UK as well as civil engineering firm, Hexa Consulting. The culmination of experience and expertise involved with the Hub will offer something completely new and bespoke for the community here and I am excited to see work get underway.” Dave Strong, director at Hexa Consulting, said: “This project is set to deliver a truly outstanding facility and we’re pleased to have played our part in getting it to this stage. It’s been fantastic to work alongside GT3 to provide a full suite of assessment and design services, which aligns this project with the wider regeneration of Bedworth. We look forward to seeing the leisure centre brought to fruition through a continued collaborative team effort.” The team’s project approach combines a unique blend of uses to create a leisure destination which will play a role in the regeneration of Bedworth and act as a catalyst for further future developments. For further information visit www.gt3architects.com or join the conversation over on Twitter @_GT3Architects
As the football season is about to kick off, Southern Central Premier Leagues Hednesford Town Football Club is the latest winning team to partner with Leep Utilities – but this time it’s as club sponsor. The deal will provide much needed support to the thriving non-league semi-professional football club, with a growing youth academy and as a vibrant and active part of the local community. It will also support its ambitious plans to return to the English Football League and again compete in matches like its 1997 FA Cup fourth round nail biter against EFL Championship side Middlesbrough. As part of the deal, Leep Utilities’ logo features on the First Team players’ shirts. The owner-operator of regulated and non-regulated multi-utility networks across the UK is also sponsoring centre midfielder Lewis Hayden and will feature on pitch-side advertising hoardings and in all home game programmes. Hednesford Town Football Club’s Chairman and Co-Owner Graham Jones said: “We’re thrilled to welcome on board Leep Utilities as a main sponsor this season. We’re both ambitious and the next 12 months looks equally bright for both of us.” “Our pre-season friendlies have been brilliant and we’re really getting noticed by the bigger teams, such as Aston Villa and Birmingham City, who are sending over topflight players and are keen to play against us. They recognise that our game quality is high, and that they’ll have a great physical fight on their hands for 90 minutes or more. As a club, we’re moving in the right direction, for sure, and we can’t wait to see what this next season has in store.” “We’re also really looking forward to getting back into creating exceptional match experiences for our sponsors. I took over the club in May 2020 and the pandemic put a stop to the match day experience. But it’s back and we can’t wait for our sponsors to enjoy our corporate hospitality and use our games as an enjoyable and valuable networking experience as well. We’re aligned to some very successful organisations, and we can’t wait to welcome them all here, to enjoy great football and hopefully business opportunities, from 6th August.” Leep Utilities’ CEO Louise Manfredi said: “We’re delighted to be able to help kick off the new season as a main sponsor at Hednesford Town Football Club. As a company, Leep owns and operates and owns essential “last mile” utility infrastructure in local communities – connecting new buildings across the UK to electricity, gas, water and wastewater networks – and we have very ambitious growth plans of our own, just as Hednesford Town Football Club does. “ “This summer marks some very important milestones in our development. We’ve recently won our 200th project, we’ve moved into spacious new offices to accommodate our growing team and we’re enjoying some truly wonderful successes. We’re certainly excited about our future and it appears that Hednesford Town Football Club is at a similarly exciting point.” “So, I’d like to take this opportunity to wish the Hednesford Town’s First Team the very best of luck this season and we’ll be cheering you on from the side-lines, when we come along to watch with many of our business partners.”
