UKWSL has retained the contract to provide trade waste services to independent brewing and pub retailing business, Marston’s. The news comes as its existing contract draws to a successful conclusion after being named 2019 winners of the ‘Partnership Excellence – Commercial category’ at the National Recycling Awards. The new five-year,
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has published the new Level 2 Facilities Services Operative apprenticeship standard and assessment plan. The Level 2 Facilities Services Operative (FSO) apprenticeship is ideal for those new to the profession who are looking for an entry level role in the industry. It offers
Hamilton-based Platinum Facilities Maintenance which employs twelve people in the Lanarkshire town and carries out work throughout the UK, has been accredited as a member of the British Engineering Services Association, (BESA). BESA is a leading trade organization for building engineering services contractors which represents the interest of firms active in
The ventilation solution for indoor sports facilities needs to adhere to special requirements, as the climate changes constantly depending on what activities are going on inside the facility. Moreover, moisture and odours from athletes and spectators affect the air as well. Therefore, it is important that the ventilation solution is designed
Britain may not face quite the same seasonal drop in temperatures as other countries however our winter weather conditions can still pose serious health and safety risks to those working on construction sites. Michael Knibbs, Managing Director, SafeSite Facilities outlines the top five hazards on construction sites in winter and
The Board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has fully approved plans for a number of new health facilities, worth some £50 million. The business cases approved include £11 million for Stobhill Mental Health Wards and £19 million for Clydebank Health and Care Centre. The next and final stage of
Derby-based Davlyn Construction has secured a £6 million contract as the main build contractor for Repton School in South Derbyshire. Davlyn will be transforming the sports facilities at the historic school. Phase One has already been completed and a new strength and conditioning gym, together with a 1250 m2 state-of-the-art
Automated transport and logistics technology could be adopted on a wide scale at UK airports in the future. A report commissioned by Aberdeen Standard Investment’s AIPUT fund (Airport Industrial and Property Unit Trust) produced jointly by specialist UK aviation real estate consultancy, ChappellKing and Dornier Consulting International GmbH, explores the potential
WORK to redevelop the historic Grade II listed Newcastle City Pool and Turkish Baths in Newcastle upon Tyne has started. The Pool and Turkish Baths – which holds fond memories for many locals – first opened in 1928 and closed to the public in April 2013. Now developer Fusion Lifestyle,
Over the last five years, we have seen interesting changes to the hospitality industry. As development consultants, we help organisations deliver built projects across a range of sectors. The leisure industry is one of the key areas in which our business operates, and it is really growing for us. The
UKWSL has retained the contract to provide trade waste services to independent brewing and pub retailing business, Marston’s. The news comes as its existing contract draws to a successful conclusion after being named 2019 winners of the ‘Partnership Excellence – Commercial category’ at the National Recycling Awards. The new five-year, multi-million-pound deal will continue to cover the 1,000-plus sites that Marston’s currently operates so day-to-day procedures and practices are to remain unchanged. The partnership, which commenced in October 2016, has seen Marston’s achieve zero waste to landfill and increase its recycling rate to circa 77 per cent: both of which contributed to an overall saving of six per cent on its annual waste spend. Max Kanda, Managing Director of UKWSL, commented: “Having fine-tuned our operations throughout the Marston’s estate over the past three years, we feel optimistic about improving on an already-impressive recycling rate, continuing to save costs and exploring additional closed loop solutions. “We are grateful to Marston’s for giving us an opportunity to steer this partnership to greater heights.” Andy Kershaw, Group Head of Facilities and Capex at Marston’s, added: “We are delighted that UKWSL has been awarded the Marston’s trade waste contract until 2024. The partnership has succeeded in achieving its cost saving, recycling and zero waste to landfill goals and we look forward to partnering with them once again for the next five years.”
The Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education has published the new Level 2 Facilities Services Operative apprenticeship standard and assessment plan. The Level 2 Facilities Services Operative (FSO) apprenticeship is ideal for those new to the profession who are looking for an entry level role in the industry. It offers the opportunity both to master practical workplace skills and gain IWFM professional recognition. On completion of this standard – typically in 12 months – FSOs will be able to provide facilities services support to customers and facilities management departments in a wide range of workplace environments. The FSO role is outward-facing and will involve substantial liaison with customers, as well as compliance with legislation and organisational policies. IWFM played a key role in the Trailblazer group which created the new standard, working alongside sector employers, training providers and educational institutions. This built on our earlier collaborations developing the higher level FM apprenticeship standards critical to providing the industry with the professionals it needs to help address its productivity and skills challenges, whilst also promoting social mobility. IWFM Head of Professional Development Fraser Talbot, said: “This key entry level pathway to our profession couldn’t have come at a better time for those wanting an opportunity to take the first step to a career in workplace and facilities management. “Apprenticeships provide a valuable alternative to academic routes and they are crucial to bringing new talent into the profession. As an apprentice you earn as you learn, gain a professional qualification and get an experience-based launchpad to a career, irrespective of your background. Employers gain assurance that their workforce has the knowledge and skills they require. Investment in professional development also provides a more engaged and productive workforce. It’s a perfect win-win” For full details of the apprenticeship standard click here.
Hamilton-based Platinum Facilities Maintenance which employs twelve people in the Lanarkshire town and carries out work throughout the UK, has been accredited as a member of the British Engineering Services Association, (BESA). BESA is a leading trade organization for building engineering services contractors which represents the interest of firms active in design, installation, commissioning, maintenance, control and management of engineering systems and services in buildings. “Membership of BESA is a recognized badge of quality within the industry and we are delighted to have been admitted to membership” said Colin Chambers, MD of Platinum whose business provides regular facilities maintenance programmes for a range of customers in both the public and private sectors. “BESA acts to gain agreement from a wide range of specifiers, clients and insurers to ensure that membership is a requirement in a high proportion of future tenders”, he said. Platinum deals with a range of building compliance issues from ventilation cleans, kitchen canopy and extract cleans, water hygiene and legionella testing and plant room maintenance for all types of buildings, including hotels, restaurants, leisure and shopping centres, nursing homes and housing associations. Its specialty lies in bringing water, heating and ventilating systems up to the legal standard. The company was presented with its BESA membership certificate at a Scottish Vent Hygiene Forum earlier this year by Rab Fletcher, BESA Scotland Chair, and Iain McCaskey, Head of BESA Scotland and Northern Ireland.
The ventilation solution for indoor sports facilities needs to adhere to special requirements, as the climate changes constantly depending on what activities are going on inside the facility. Moreover, moisture and odours from athletes and spectators affect the air as well. Therefore, it is important that the ventilation solution is designed to handle these changes in humidity, temperature, etc. without creating discomfort for the people using the facility. Sports facilities cover a number of different application types, each requiring its own unique solution. Each application requires a thorough assessment of the important parameters, such as room dimensions, the primary purpose of the air, the risk of corrosion, special temperature requirements, elements affecting the induction patterns and so on. Thus, sports facilities also place great demands on the flexibility of the solution. The best suited dispersion technology for sports facilities is therefore fabric ducting. It is the solution that offers the greatest design flexibility while eliminating the risk of condensation and corrosion. Textile channel systems are designed for the specific application. This means that flow models and dispersion patterns can be completely adapted to the individual needs. The design flexibility covers all elements, such as the duct profile, type of fabric and its permeability, flow models and flow patterns, as well as the suspension method. The system is tailor-made and arrives ready for installation, in typically less than two weeks from the order is released for production. The textile channels are also distinguished by weighing far less than conventional metal solutions. Therefore, they are suitable for retrofitting in existing buildings. They weigh as little as 300g / m2 despite the fact that they provide a much better air distribution than the other technologies on the market. They can therefore easily be retrofitted in older sports facilities. Since the very beginning in 1973, even air distribution, no drafts and no condensation have been at the heart of FabricAir’s innovative technology. This is why technology quickly spread across application types and national borders. More than 40% of all countries in the world today use this fabric-based air dispersion technology because comfort, design freedom and other important features, such as condensation-free, are essential parameters in choosing the ideal ventilation solution for sports facilities.
Britain may not face quite the same seasonal drop in temperatures as other countries however our winter weather conditions can still pose serious health and safety risks to those working on construction sites. Michael Knibbs, Managing Director, SafeSite Facilities outlines the top five hazards on construction sites in winter and advises how to ensure your site and workforce is safe and productive during the colder months. Put the ground work in Keep driving surfaces, parking area and walkways free of pot holes. When the ground is frozen it is much harder to maintain these areas. Keeping them well looked after before the big freeze arrives will make removing snow and ice an easier job. Any areas that can be repaired, or holes filled, should be clearly marked out and cordoned off, using safety barriers, so they are visible, even in the snow. As part of your overall site safety plan, ensure that you have adequate stores of sand, salt and grit. Even if temperatures don’t drop below freezing, rain can make surfaces and equipment, such as ramps and scaffolding, slippery and dangerous. If you choose to use de-icer, make sure site environmental requirements are met. De-icers that are salt based can change the pH and conductivity of ground water. Consider ordering in specialist ground protection mats that have an anti-slip surface for optimal vehicle grip and pedestrian safety. Vehicle and equipment checks Fluids, such as engine and hydraulic oils, should be rated for the temperatures in your area. Replace them if necessary and put antifreeze oil in pneumatic tools and air hoses. Check that heaters inside vehicle cabs are regularly serviced and working as they should be. Ice or snow should be routinely cleared from windscreens, walkways and steps. Don’t let ice cause your safety plan to slip up Slips and falls can happen at any time of the year on construction sites but winter weather increase the risk due to ice and wet, slippery surfaces. When temperatures drop, ice may form and accumulate on scaffolding, ladders, walkways, and stairs. If these areas are not treated correctly or built from weather resistant materials, the consequences could be fatal. If there are areas where safety cannot be guaranteed then restrict access using clear signage, safety barriers or fencing. Wrap up against the elements Personal protection equipment can be bulky and restrictive so it’s important to balance protection against the cold with productivity. Choosing the wrong kind of protection can even cause additional hazards such as fogging (if you’re using safety eyewear); reduced hearing (if there is layering around workers’ heads and ears); snow glare and diminished traction over difficult ground. Waterproofing is essential for gloves, footwear and outwear. These items should also be breathable for comfort and to let perspiration out. Get ready to spring back into action If there has been heavy snow and rainfall bear in mind that at the end of winter additional equipment, such as pumps and hoses, may be needed to remove excess water from site. Review your site plan and ensure that water run-off areas are adequate and whether ditching systems will be able to handle the volume of water that may accumulate based on the amount of snow.
The Board of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde has fully approved plans for a number of new health facilities, worth some £50 million. The business cases approved include £11 million for Stobhill Mental Health Wards and £19 million for Clydebank Health and Care Centre. The next and final stage of the process of developing each facility involves the submission of a full business case to the Scottish Government Capital Investment Group for consideration in November. “I am delighted the full business case has been approved. This is another major milestone for plans to build modern, state-of-the-art facilities for our Mental Health in-patients at Stobhill,” said David Williams, chief officer, Glasgow City Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), about the Stobhill development. “The HSCP’s commitment to providing high standards of effective care in appropriate settings is clearly demonstrated by NHSGGC’s decision today. This will see our patients staying in modern wards that are at the very forefront of modern Mental Health in-patient accommodation,” added David. Speaking about the Clydebank Health and Care Centre, Beth Culshaw, chief officer, West Dunbartonshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP), said: “I am delighted that the full business case has been approved. This is another major milestone for plans to rebuild a modern, state-of-the-art health and care centre for the people of Clydebank. The HSCP’s commitment to tackling health inequalities in areas of high deprivation and promoting social regeneration is clearly demonstrated by NHSGGC’s decision today.” “The national transformation of primary care means that this project is not about a simple replacement of an existing facility. It is about taking the opportunity to create a centre where the people of Clydebank can expect to be supported by a wide range of professionals, closer to their home, and enabled to live healthier, more independent lives,” Beth concluded.
Derby-based Davlyn Construction has secured a £6 million contract as the main build contractor for Repton School in South Derbyshire. Davlyn will be transforming the sports facilities at the historic school. Phase One has already been completed and a new strength and conditioning gym, together with a 1250 m2 state-of-the-art sports hall, designed by Matthew Montague Architects, is in place. The new facility will be used for indoor hockey, netball, basketball and football along with new squash courts, changing rooms, seating and sports storage area. The contract, worth £3 million, also included the demolition of the old 1960s squash courts. The second phase, which is also worth £3 million, is now being delivered by Davlyn. This will see the existing Tanyard Building extended and refurbished to create a new entrance, changing rooms, briefing room, link corridor, social area, viewing gallery and the creation of a bigger car park. “Firstly, we’re delighted to have been appointed as the main build contractor on such a prestigious job at Repton School. We’re really pleased to have delivered phase one of the project to a high standard and on time and it’s fantastic to see the school and its students benefiting from it,” said David Gaskin, Director at Davlyn Construction. “Now we are very much focused on phase two and delivering that to an equally high standard. We have the constraints of working on a live site and within a conservation area but that is something we are very experienced in. We have worked with Repton School for over 14 years and have established a very good working relationship with them. We are proud to be part of their plans to deliver even better facilities for their students and staff. Education is a very important sector for us as a company so we are particularly pleased to have been awarded this contract,” David added. Repton School, established in 1557, is a co-educational independent school for boarding and day pupils and has around 650 students.
Automated transport and logistics technology could be adopted on a wide scale at UK airports in the future. A report commissioned by Aberdeen Standard Investment’s AIPUT fund (Airport Industrial and Property Unit Trust) produced jointly by specialist UK aviation real estate consultancy, ChappellKing and Dornier Consulting International GmbH, explores the potential efficiency gains from automation across airport-related functions such as cargo-handling and logistics operations, as well as passenger transportation both to and within airports. This includes London’s Heathrow, which recently received the formal support of Parliament for its third runway plans. Nick Smith, AIPUT fund manager, said: “Autonomous technology promises enormous benefits to airports and the service companies that support them, transforming the way airports work and improving efficiency and safety, both for passengers and other airport users. At Gatwick, for example, 90 per cent of the airport’s airside vehicles are stationary at any one time, which is both hugely inefficient and demands a vast amount of space. A much smaller pool of electric-powered autonomous vehicles would drastically cut costs, free up land, reduce emissions, and improve safety. In Düsseldorf, a newly developed robotic car parking system has demonstrated a 60 per cent reduction in required parking space compared with human drivers. He added: “Airports and airport real estate providers need to be ready for the introduction of automated technology as soon as operational and safety regulations permit. AIPUT intends to stay ahead of the curve by embracing automation, working with our tenants and partners to build autonomous technology into our site masterplans; which we believe will adapt and future-proof our UK estate assets, ensuring that our clients’ buildings and facilities will be able to accommodate and benefit fully from the rapid development of autonomous technology.” Trials of a variety of autonomous technological applications have already taken place at several UK airports, says the report. The first trials of automated airside vehicles have been completed at Heathrow in collaboration with IAG Cargo and Oxbotica. Gatwick, meanwhile, recently became the first airport in the world to trial the use of autonomous vehicles to shuttle staff across the airfield, demonstrating that autonomous vehicles can operate safely in highly complex airfield environments. This winter in Norway an autonomous snowplough was tested at Fagernes Airport – a single machine was able to clear an area of 68 acres in an hour. Autonomous technology increases the precision with which snowploughs operate, improving safety during the removal of snow and while driving in formation and low visibility, says the study. The UK Government has signalled its support for the industry, with the announcement of £22.4 million of funding under the Industrial Strategy for off-road self-driving vehicles, which it believes will revolutionise productivity in a range of sectors, including mining, ports and airports. As in many other fields of technological development, airports provide the test bed for a plethora of different autonomous applications, say the researchers. AIPUT, which currently holds two million square feet of buildings at Heathrow, dedicated to supporting the airport’s freight and logistics service providers states that it will ensure “it is at the forefront of planning for and providing the cutting-edge facilities that greater automation will require”.
WORK to redevelop the historic Grade II listed Newcastle City Pool and Turkish Baths in Newcastle upon Tyne has started. The Pool and Turkish Baths – which holds fond memories for many locals – first opened in 1928 and closed to the public in April 2013. Now developer Fusion Lifestyle, in partnership with a group of specialist companies including leisure, design and build expert Createability, will begin the £5m renovation of the city centre building. An expert team will begin work immediately on the project, which has faced unforeseen delays often associated with buildings of this age. Fusion, a registered charity, has developed exciting plans to bring the pool, Turkish baths and spa back to life, and add a fitness suite and café bistro to the site. The plans include restoration of the Turkish baths and swimming pool, the creation of a new state-of-the-art fitness suite, glass fronted conditioning studios on the first and ground floor and contemporary changing areas. Works will also deliver a new spa which will offer a range of treatments and improved access for disabled people. It is estimated the works will be completed by the summer of 2019. Anthony Cawley, operations director at Fusion Lifestyle, said: “We’re delighted to start the exciting work to bring the Newcastle City Pool and Turkish Baths back to life for a new generation. “The reinvigorated venue will bring between 100 to 150 jobs to the city once re-opened.” Fusion Lifestyle secured planning permission and listed building consent from Newcastle City Council in 2016 after spotting the historic venue thanks to the community campaign to save the building by Re-open Newcastle Turkish Baths and City Pool Group. The charity – which runs leisure venues across the UK – reinvests profits back into its operations to provide affordable health and fitness facilities for communities. Leader of Newcastle City Council, Councillor Nick Forbes, said: “It’s great to see redevelopment work starting on this historic city treasure. This is a beautiful building that we were determined would not be lost to the city. “Newcastle has been through a lot of difficult changes as a result of Government austerity, and we have had to search for new ways of providing the services residents want and depend on. “The investment about to go in to the City Pool is a great example of that. Newcastle City Council said we would not turn our back on leisure facilities and keep all options open, and by working with Fusion we see this building saved for people to enjoy. “This time next year we’ll be getting ready for a renewed City Pool bringing with it at least 100 jobs to our city centre. I look forward to that next step.” Ian Cotgrave, managing director of Createability, said: “The restoration plans will turn this historic 1920s building into a stunning leisure destination fit for 21st Century use. “We have more than 20 years’ experience working alongside leisure trusts, including Fusion, sensitively redeveloping and refurbishing old leisure venues and this has to be one of the most exciting projects we have worked on to date. We cannot wait to reveal the beautiful facilities to the local community once more.” The works will include careful restoration of many of the building’s original features, such as the original 1920s pool tiles, wood-panelled changing rooms and terrazzo flooring in the Turkish baths. Cait Read of the Re-open Newcastle Turkish Baths and City Pool Group said: “We are delighted that work will finally start to restore and re-open Newcastle City Pool and Turkish Baths. “What great news, in this year that is the 90th anniversary of the building first opening its doors to the public, that it will be restored, renewed and will re-open serving the people of Newcastle and visitors to the city as was originally intended. “We will continue to be involved alongside Fusion to ensure that the building re-opens as an affordable and accessible facility for all. “We are also planning to explore the unique heritage of the City Pool and City Hall building and to mark the 90th anniversary of its original opening in 1928.” For more information and to register for updates, please visit www.citypool.co.uk.
Over the last five years, we have seen interesting changes to the hospitality industry. As development consultants, we help organisations deliver built projects across a range of sectors. The leisure industry is one of the key areas in which our business operates, and it is really growing for us. The ‘Air BnB’ effect, as it has been coined, has changed the way people look at hotels. There is much more choice available now, and consumer trends suggest that travellers are booking places which offer more homely and comfortable features in increasing numbers. This is true for business travellers as well, who might be staying away for work, and like the idea of having more than just a room to reside in. Apart-hotels and the serviced apartment sector is expanding, with companies like Staybridge Suite hotels pursuing major growth plans in this area. The company reports that globally, there are 250 Staybridge Suite hotels open, with a further 151 hotels opening in the next three to five years. What is the appeal? More space seems to be key. Travellers benefit from relaxed suites, with fully-equipped kitchens, separate working areas, entertainment and free Wi-Fi. They get the comfort of home, with the benefit of hotel-standard services. Communal areas follow suit, providing further usable cooking, dining and eating spaces, which during the evenings become the setting for hotel organised-socials. For developers, dual-brand hotels – which see hotel companies combining their offerings, so that apartment-style hotels are partnered with more conventional hotels, allowing an element of shared services – are an appealing prospect. Companies are able to share the cost of construction as well as operational expenses, resulting in development savings as well as increasing the likelihood of achieving economic feasibility on a project. The future… The dual-brand offering, which in itself is not a new idea, looks set to increase in popularity. This is arguably the hotel industry’s response to the ‘Air BnB effect’ and to a rise in demand for serviced apartments. Dual-brand hotels will be new to many cities in the UK, although the trend is growing here, following huge success throughout Europe and America. Manchester has recently started construction of its first Crowne Plaza/Staybridge Suite, which is planned to open later in 2018. The Global Serviced Apartments Industry Report 2016/2017 comments that “the future is no longer just a serviced apartment sector or a hotel sector. It is no longer binary. Hotels are introducing apartment-like hotel rooms with apartment style facilities and amenities.” Our experience… Within the leisure sector, we have significant experience in delivering hotels, including multiple projects under the Ibis brand across Wales and the South West and a £16.5 million hotel development in Liverpool that was ultimately operated under the Novotel brand. We are working on a 17 bed extension on the Holiday Inn Express in Colliers Wood, and a refurbishment of the Holiday Inn Express in Cardiff, which we’re doing the contract administration and cost management for. We are also excited to be part of the development of South Wales’ first co-branded hotel, which combines an apart-hotel with a traditional hotel. It’s an interesting time for the leisure industry, and it’s fantastic to be part of a positive movement which responds to consumer demand and provides an elegant solution, which benefits both the developer and the end user.
