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University of Kent’s Cornwallis Central building is to be upgraded by Coombs.

The University of Kent chose us for the £3m Cornwallis project following a tender competition against a number of other local contractors. Our project understanding, exceptional track record of similar higher education projects and our contractor’s proposals contributed greatly to our success.

With now over 20,000 students at Kent, our works will help the University to meet the needs of their growing student body. When completed Cornwallis Central will be used as seminar rooms, study areas, offices and support areas.

Cornwallis Central will be upgraded to a more modern internal environment while providing improved academic office facilities. The extensive internal refurbishment includes some rooms being reconfigured to create additional toilet, kitchen, office space and a sound recording studio.

The internal refurbishment also includes for new mechanical and electrical services, new internal doors and frames; redecorations; new floor and ceiling finishes with new blinds to windows. Externally envelope refurbishment will comprise the installation of a new flat roofing system; new external windows and doors; repairs to external concrete and redecoration.

The existing 1970s building is located at the centre of the campus, bounded by occupied university buildings. As a result our considerate approach to construction will be employed. This approach helped Folkestone HEART achieve a 98% Customer Satisfaction rating.

Three storey Cornwallis Central is linked to the George Allen Wing at first and second floors. Safe and secure access will be maintained throughout the project.

A huge well done to everybody involved in the delivery of Folkestone HEART

98% customer satisfaction was received for this refurbishment project known as Folkestone HEART. Which is even more impressive given our customer was in-situ throughout.

Our works involved refurbishment of a Grade II listed property to create a museum with new exhibition spaces for the town’s civic collection. As well as the creation of a new multifunctional suite and Council Chamber.

The building housing Council offices, visitor information and a first floor cinema. With the building being in continual use works were carefully managed to maintain the safety of Council staff, visitors, the general public and our site team at all times. Some highlights of the feedback received include:

• 10/10 – for our approach to health & safety;
• 10/10 – for our sensitivity to those working in and around the building;
• 10/10 – for our management of the programme;
• 10/10 – for Quality of Product;

We were also rated as Significantly Better than contractors they had used in the past.

Our appointment to deliver the expansion of The Craylands School follows hot on the heels of being awarded a similar project at Harrietsham Primary School.

Both Craylands School and Harrietsham Primary School were secured following mini-competitions judging our pricing and qualitative proposals as superior to the competition.

Our project at Craylands will provide accommodation so the school can expand from 1FE to 2FE from September 2018. The scheme was procured under a D & B contract as part of Kent County Council’s Principal Contractor Framework Agreement.

Designed by Hazle McCormack Young (Architects), Evans & Langford (Engineers) and Hamson Barron Smith (Services Consultants) the project involves the relocation of an existing multi use games area to make the best use of the school site.

A new detached two storey teaching block of 8 classrooms, two group rooms and ancillary accommodation will be provided complete with all services, associated external works.

Coombs have been selected to expand Harrietsham Primary School under Kent County Council’s Principal Contractor Framework Agreement.

We will be working with Hazle McCormack Young Architects (HMY) to develop a scheme focussing on buildability and cost certainty of design.

The original Harrietsham School was an exemplar in low energy design successfully integrated into a sensitive landscape setting. As a result, with HMY and CTP Consulting Engineers we will develop a respectful expansion that is compatible in scale, form and appearance with the existing school and local context.

Harrietsham Primary School is the latest project for Kent County Council in our education portfolio. Other school projects undertaken on behalf of KCC include Brent Primary School, East Folkestone Primary School, St James The Great Primary School and Broomhill Bank School.

The Coombs Sports & Social club held its annual Quiz Night in aid of Catching Lives.

The night was a great success with the Catching Lives Quiz team emerging victorious on the evening.

We would like to thank the wide variety of local businesses who kindly donated raffle prizes including Odeon Canterbury, Leeds Castle, Tesco Whitstable, WAHL, Morrisons Canterbury, The Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Business Equipment, UK Paintball, Greenfields, Active Life, Graham Plumbers Merchant, The Canterbury Tales, Antoniou Hair & Beauty, Caraccio’s and Kent County Cricket Club.