Author: Matt Tobin

SECBE Awards feature Sunshine Café, Dreamland in blog

The Sunshine Cafe, Dreamland finalist in Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards

As part of the countdown to the Constructing Excellence Awards at the end of June, SECBE have featured our Sunshine Café project at Dreamland. Our project is a finalist in the Preservation & Rejuvenation category.

Delivered in partnership with Thanet District Council and Judge Architects, The Sunshine Cafe was our second phase of major redevelopment at Dreamland.  The amusement park continues to play an important part in Margate’s heritage following our previously completed programme of works to Dreamland’s Grade II listed buildings.

The Constructing Excellence Awards are unique in their recognition of outstanding built environment companies and projects that have delivered improvements in all-round performance through collaborative working and a real desire to make a difference.

You can read the post and find out more about how local staff with family connections to Dreamland have helped preserve this building for future generations here.

Further details of our work at Dreamland and the Sunshine Cafe can be found on our website.

 

Maximising local economic impact with Canterbury Christ Church University

The Creative Arts Building is an exciting c.2650 sqm project, which will contribute to the social and economic growth of the region by developing sought after skills in the creative industries.

We always look to maximise the positive local economic benefit of our construction projects. With the Creative Arts Building being prominent in our local community, this was no different. Our approach focused on the three pillars of sustainability: Economic, Environmental & Social.  An overview of some of the positive outcomes of our work with Canterbury Christ Church University are highlighted below.

Economic

We always look to maximise the local economic impact of construction, The Arts Building was no different:

  • Estimated £2.51 local economic benefit from every £1 spent on construction: based upon the Local Economic Multiplier Effect and our efforts to capture spend locally.
  • Maximising local economic benefit: as a Canterbury-based contractor, we used our local staff to deliver this Canterbury-based project. Thereby maximising retention of expenditure for both Canterbury and Kent. Our staff our proud to have delivered a project in their local community which will benefit the region for years to come. 54% (14) of our staff on the project live in Canterbury; with 16% (4) in Medway and 28% (7) in Thanet. 100% of our staff involved in the Arts Building live in Kent.
  • Capturing local spend: 52% of subcontract orders were placed with companies based within 20-miles. Over 21% with companies based within 5-miles.
  • Developing much needed creative skills: The Arts building will support the development of Canterbury’s economy and cultural capital by providing key skills in the creative industries and helping create a supply of graduates with the right skills sets to find employment. The Creative Industries currently contribute £10.5m per hour to the UK Economy.
  • Utilising local apprentices: The Arts Building gave a number of our existing apprentices the opportunity to continue their training. A Canterbury-based carpentry apprentice; a Canterbury-based bricklaying apprentice and a Medway-based carpentry apprentice all gained first-hand experience. In addition to our own apprentices, the Arts Building hosted training for apprentices from our supply chain. A further 5 apprentices worked on the project including two electrical apprentices; two mechanical apprentices and a carpentry apprentices from our subcontractors.
  • Enhancing local construction skills: we provided in excess of 500 training days for Kent-based staff.

Environmental

The environmental impact of The Arts Building was minimised in a number of ways.

  • BREEAM “Very Good”: energy saving measures include maximising natural light through large areas of glazing and roof lighting; thermally efficient concrete frame; building management system; solar gain control in addition to water efficient fixtures, use of recycled material and tree protection measures.
  • 100% of waste was recycled: working with a local waste management company over 260 tonnes avoided landfill.
  • Reducing C02 and local congestion by eliminating c.3,000 car journeys. Our Site Management adopted the “Cycle to Work Scheme”. Following the good example of our Site Managers members of our supply chain started cycling too – at least another 6 operatives cycled including mechanical & electrical trades and labourers.
  • Minimising CO2 emissions by using local skills: 18 subcontractors were based within 15-miles of site minimising the carbon miles.

Social

The Arts Building will provide a variety of benefits to wider society for years to come. For instance, it will provide an important additional location for arts events throughout the year and be part of the Canterbury Festival. While the arts community housed within the Arts Building will help enhance Canterbury’s cultural capital. During works we engaged with the wider community, including:

  • Supporting the “Minilympics” teaching 140 pupils from 9 local primary schools about sport, healthy eating and teamwork.
  • Sponsoring the University’s Women’s Football Team and their Women’s Cricket Team.
  • Working with the University’s Archivist to document the build.
  • Meetings with Havelock Residents Group discussed concerns and upcoming works.
  • The design celebrates the historic foundations of the campus, exposing sections of the original St Augustine’s Abbey wall beneath a glass floor.

Overview

The building is arranged over two and three storeys. A café and central exhibition space are at ground floor along with specialist music, practice, rehearsal, recording and performance spaces. On the first and second floors studio spaces are provided to house courses in graphic design, web design, multimedia design, digital media, illustration and photography. To place students at the heart the building, central open learning spaces are provided on the first and second floors.

The Arts Building is the latest in a long line of projects for Canterbury Christ Church University. Previous projects include The Salomans Centre, Tunbridge Wells , Maxwell Davies Building and St Gregory’s Music Centre both in Canterbury. More information about the courses on offer at the Arts Building can be found here.

Luxurious development at Southall Close underway

Coombs have been appointed to carry out a luxurious new development of twelve detached homes in Thanet

Located in the desirable pretty village of Minster and consisting of just twelve, luxurious three and four bedroom detached homes, Southall Close is privately set back within a quiet cul de sac. Some of the plots have far reaching views to the sea.

These fabulous brand new houses are currently under construction and will offer modern contemporary living with various layouts to suit individuals preferences. Each property will be finished to a high quality, including integrated kitchen appliances, a downstairs cloakroom, an en suite to the master bedroom, a garage and drive.

The properties, being delivered on behalf of Red Lion Square Developments Ltd, will soon be available through Miles & Barr with prices ranging from £350,000 to £520,000. For further details or to register your interest please contact 01304 273 340 or email: lanh@milesandbarr.co.uk 

Dreamland announced Constructing Excellence Awards Finalist

The Sunshine Cafe, Dreamland has been announced as a finalist in the Preservation & Rejuvenation category at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards.

Delivered in partnership with Thanet District Council and Judge Architects, The Sunshine Cafe was our second phase of major redevelopment at Dreamland.  The amusement park continues to play an important part in Margate’s heritage following our previously completed programme of works to Dreamland’s Grade II listed buildings.

The Constructing Excellence Awards are unique in their recognition of outstanding built environment companies and projects that have delivered improvements in all-round performance through collaborative working and a real desire to make a difference.

Returning for their 13th year, the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards identify exceptional winners.  Their rigorous judging process reflects the high quality, innovation and inspiration of all those involved. Winners will be announced at an Awards Ceremony in late June.

For further details of our work at Dreamland and the Sunshine Cafe can be found on our website.

Image courtesy of Judge Architects

Place secured on unique Pagabo multi-regional framework

Coombs win position on the Pagabo Medium Works Framework

Pagabo, the construction procurement specialists, have launched an ambitious and ground-breaking Medium Works Framework. We’ve secured a position on this national framework in both the £1m to £5m and the £5m to £10m lots. The framework sets out to deliver SME friendly solutions for its clients and partners.

From January 2019, it means the public sector will have access to a gold standard service in a unique framework that offers the very best in standards at a local level – a bundle never before assembled on such a scale to SME construction organisations across the UK.

Social Return on Investment will also figure prominently whereby a positive impact is matched by the social value in monetary terms to benefit sectors such as local authority, education, health and housing.

With a fully supported and tailored solution, the new framework benefits are:

  • Coverage to 73 regional areas across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales – the big national framework on a local level.
  • Construction projects within the range of £250K to £10m.
  • SME friendly inclusive of transparent, simple, flexible and compliant procurement.
  • An emphasis on Social Value allocated 10% of the total award criteria.
  • Clients supported fully through tailored and dedicated project management.

Pagabo, Chief Executive Officer, Simon Toplass, said: “We’ve got off to a flying start with our Medium Works Framework, which is already gathering momentum. The team at Pagabo dedicated a great deal of time, to develop a ground-breaking framework that hits so many spots – tangible social value, supportive of SMEs with a  thorough regional focus.

“We constantly hear from our clients that they’re not just buying a building, they want a service that gets them to the outcomes they want. With our contractors sharing our vision, we will certainly demonstrate the very best in service to our clients. We’re very excited about working closely with Coombs, who have a great track record in delivering outstanding outcomes. We’re looking forward to a great future.”

For more information

Medium Works, like all Pagabo frameworks, simplifies the process but considers how the client wants to procure, their timings, speed of appointment and ‘on-time’ delivery. The Medium Works Framework went live on 1 January 2019. For information on using Pagabo and its framework as a client contact Pagabo on 01482 975 883 or email simon.toplass@pagabo.co.uk.

Alternatively, contact our Pre-Contract team on 01227 457 641.