Leicestershire architects instructed on £6m project in Saudi Arabia
IMA Architects has been instructed by FABEC, a Saudi Arabian architectural design company, on a project that will see the creation of a new luxury holiday park in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The new project is IMA’s first scheme in Saudi Arabia. It will see the development of 30 luxury chalets – each complete with a private swimming pool – alongside first-class public amenities, from dining and entertainment establishments to gym and office facilities. The scheme is expected to be completed in 2024.
Working in partnership with Saudi Arabian architectural company FABEC and structural, mechanical and electrical engineers PHI from Jordan, IMA was assigned to the design development phase of the project. FABEC designed the concept stage.
Tasked to prepare a construction package and coordinate the design with other appointed consultants, the IMA team have quickly familiarised themselves with local building code and compliance requirements to deliver high quality architectural plans on time and to spec.
Dr Asem Bunni, architectural project lead at IMA, says: “We are enjoying collaborating with international colleagues and broadening our knowledge in terms of working to a different building code. The expertise of UK architectural practices is highly valued within Saudi Arabia and we have been able to provide our client with cutting edge design techniques with integrated Building Information Models which ensures full coordination across the design team involved and a smooth delivery on site.”
Anthony Day, director at IMA, added: “We are delighted to have won the contract for this project, and to extend our presence and expertise into the Middle East. It has been a real pleasure to work alongside our international partners, sharing different design and construction ideas, and we hope that this signifies the start of our business profile in the region.”
Only 4 days left for property and construction firms to enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
Offering an ideal opportunity to shout about your business’s achievements, there are only 4 days left to enter the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022!
The annual event, organised by East Midlands Business Link Magazine, is an independent awards and publicity programme recognising development projects and people in commercial and public building across the region – from office, industrial and residential schemes, through to community projects such as leisure schemes and schools.
The prestigious awards attract leaders from across the region and are the perfect way for businesses to promote themselves and those they work with. Indeed winning one of these awards will add considerably to a company’s or individual’s brand and enhance their commercial reach significantly.
Award categories include: most active estate agent, commercial development of the year, responsible business of the year, residential development of the year, developer of the year, deal of the year, architects of the year, excellence in design, sustainable development of the year, contractor of the year, and overall winner.
Winners will be revealed at a glittering awards ceremony on Thursday 15 September, at the Trent Bridge Cricket Ground – an evening that will also provide plenty of time to forge new contacts with property and construction professionals from across the region.
To submit a business or development for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 before nominations close on Friday 19 August, please click on a category link below or visit this page.
Thanks to our sponsors:
- Most active estate agent
- Commercial development of the year
- Responsible business of the year
- Residential development of the year
- Developer of the year
- Deal of the year
- Architects of the year
- Excellence in design
- Sustainable development of the year
- Contractor of the year
- Overall winner (this award cannot be entered, the winner will be selected from those nominated)
Book your tickets now
Tickets can now be booked for the awards event – click here to secure yours. The special awards evening and networking event will be held on 15 September 2022 in the Derek Randall Suite at the Trent Bridge County Cricket Club from 4:30pm – 7:30pm. Connect with local decision makers over canapés and complimentary drinks while applauding the outstanding companies and projects in our region. The event will also welcome John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby, as keynote speaker, as well as award-winning mind reader, magician, and professional mentalist Looch, who will bewilder and astonish guests during the evening’s networking. Dress code is standard business attire.
To be held at:
Northampton packaging firm snapped up
FFP Packaging Solutions have signed a deal with Constantia Flexibles who have acquired 100% of the share capital in FFP.
This milestone event in the history of FFP will provide Constantia Flexibles with their first consumer packaging plant in the UK, forming an important part of the wider business portfolio.
Constantia Flexibles is the world’s third-largest producer of flexible packaging. Some 8,660 employees manufacture tailor-made packaging solutions at 38 sites in 16 countries.
Founded in 1967, FFP Packaging Solutions has over 55 years of excellence and is a long-term trusted partner for major food brands & UK retailers. With over 100 employees, FFP operates from its headquarters in Northampton, which boasts a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.
Robin Chudley, chairman of FFP Packaging Solutions, says: “I am extremely proud of FFP’s position in the UK flexible packaging market and the respect that FFP has developed across the industry. This legacy is something that was started by my father back in 1962 and has been continuously built upon through my own leadership of the business and more recently since the appointment of the management team in place today.
“Having led FFP as a family-owned business for many years, we recognized the importance of succession planning to secure FFP’s long-term future. This is the reason that we appointed David Cooper as Managing Director & CEO in 2017 and since then David and his team have done a phenomenal job in making sure that FFP’s know-how, core competencies and values remain aligned with the needs of our customers and, in doing so, keeping FFP at the forefront of flexible packaging development.
“The sale of FFP to Constantia Flexibles is another important step on the firm’s journey and I am delighted that David and his team will remain with the business to ensure a successful integration and continue to build on FFP’s success long into the future.”
David Cooper, Managing Director & CEO of FFP Packaging Solutions, says: “On behalf of the directors and the whole team at FFP, we thank Robin and the wider Chudley family for their trust and support whilst we have been building FFP’s strategy to drive the revolution of sustainable, flexible packaging in the UK.
“We are extremely excited to be joining the Constantia Flexibles family, and we are all looking forward to combining our resources and wider business capabilities to accelerate the development of sustainable, flexible packaging and, in doing so, continuing to provide significant value for our customers.”
Pim Vervaat, CEO of Constantia Flexibles, says: “The acquisition aligns well with our Vision 2025 growth strategy of investing in competitive businesses with potential for future growth. FFP Packaging Solutions joining the Constantia Flexibles Group will expand our overall market position.
“Its significant experience and credibility allow for strong relationships across the UK food industry. We will be working with the existing management team to continue driving the revolution of sustainable flexible packaging in the UK and beyond.”
He continues: “Sustainable packaging solutions are no longer a trend. They are a must-have. FFP Packaging Solutions figures already show it. And together, we are committed to a circular economy, driving the transformation with more sustainable packaging.”
Plant machinery supplier moves into new 5,000 sq ft HQ
Plant machinery supplier, Stirlin Plant, has moved into a new headquarters near Lincoln.
The new HQ occupies a prominent position on Riverside Enterprise Park in Saxilby (a commercial development by Stirlin and Castle Group), adjacent the A57 trunk road, with proximity to Lincoln City Centre and easy access to the Lincoln Bypass.
The 5,000 sq ft office and warehouse was designed by Johnathan Roberts Architects and built by established property developer and construction company, Stirlin.
Sales manager of Stirlin Plant, Ady Brodrick, says: “We are thrilled to have now moved into our new HQ in Saxilby. The purpose-built facility provides us with the space to expand our team, our services and our product portfolio, as well as allowing us to provide a more streamline experience for our customer base.
“The spacious new premises gives us treble the workshop space, with contemporary meeting rooms to host client meetings and a larger display area to showcase our extensive product range.
“We are extremely grateful for our loyal and supportive customers and our supply partners, who have contributed to our exciting growth. We’re looking forward to the new opportunities the new HQ will bring and to inviting our customers over for an official open day when we’re settled in. Thank you to the team at Stirlin for all their hard-work.”
Tony Lawton, Managing Director of Stirlin, says: “We are delighted to have brought this project to a successful fruition and hand Stirlin Plant the keys to their new HQ. It’s been a pleasure to work with them throughout the design and construction process and bring their ideas to life, providing the space for their business to grow.”
Saving the Last Major Bellfoundry in Britain Project: plans revealed for new museum as work goes to tender
The Saving the Last Major Bellfoundry in Britain Project continues at pace as it invites a specialist museum and heritage fit-out contractor to develop and deliver the interpretation of Loughborough Bellfoundry’s refreshed museum. The museum is located in the still-operational Grade II* Listed bellfoundry buildings in the heart of Loughborough, Leicestershire.
Designs for the new-look museum have been drawn up by museum design consultancy Redman Design which will create interactive and engaging exhibition spaces for all ages to enjoy. All part of the wider project funded by a number of generous donors and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
The design for the refreshed museum aims to create an authentic visitor experience that is rich in the history of the site and the people who lived and worked here, including design, engineering and crafting tools from across the ages, and of course lots of bells to touch and ting! There will be plenty of other objects and information for people of all ages to discover and investigate.
There will be two primary spaces for visitors to explore within the museum – a ground floor timeline detailing the history of both the bellfoundry and the art of bellfounding and the Patternmaker’s Gallery, which will display a series of objects that have been recovered from existing foundry spaces, located in the original pattern making workshop.
Throughout the museum, visitors will be encouraged to handle and investigate objects, making it an immersive and intriguing experience for families, schools, bell enthusiasts and history lovers alike.
Dr Chrissie Van Mierlo, museum director at Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust, said: “We are delighted to be progressing with our plans to repair and refurbish the historic Loughborough Bellfoundry – and the redevelopment of the museum is the latest part of those plans as we look for a contractor to carry out the work.
“More than 25,000 bells, which can be heard in more than 100 countries, have been cast here since the present bellfoundry was built in 1859 – and when you walk into the museum, you will be able to feel and appreciate all of that history as you look around. We really want to capture that authentic experience for everyone to enjoy.”
Stephen Marsh, associate and senior 3D designer at Redman Design, said: “It is a pleasure to be working on this project for the Loughborough Bellfoundry Trust. Our approach to the museum design has been to capture the character of Taylor’s Bellfoundry with a wide range of objects and stories on display for an in-depth experience.
“We’re very pleased with the designs for the new museum as it will transform the space into an interactive place to visit where all ages can discover the history of this unique bellfoundry and the fascinating art of bell making.”
The Loughborough Bellfoundry is also known as John Taylor’s Bellfoundry, and is the last major bellfoundry in the UK and Commonwealth.
Rutland and Melton bid for £23m investment through Levelling Up Fund
Rutland County Council and Melton Borough Council have joined hands to submit a joint bid for the second round of the Government’s Levelling Up Fund, which if successful could see a £23m injection to help boost the economy of the local towns and improve connectivity between them and more rural areas.
Oakham and Melton Mowbray are rural, historic market towns with huge potential for growth. The submission focusses on realising the economic potential of both areas through leveraging distinctive local assets and delivering 5 key projects which will focus on economic innovation, cultural destination and mobility.
At the heart of Rutland’s vision is the proposal to maximise the potential of the health sector and improve the area’s mobility by the development of a new digital innovation facility and Mobi-Hub at the Rutland Memorial Hospital site, as well as supporting the economic regeneration of the area by the introduction of a mobile, digital visitor experience at Rutland County Museum.
The Rutland Memorial Hospital site proposals accommodate a £3.5m, 1000m2 facility, providing lab and light assembly space for the development of medi-tech level clinical trials, a Continuous Professional Development centre for clinicians working in the area and a training base for students involved in relevant disciplines at the local universities, including medical schools and schools of nursing. This investment would build on the well-established understanding at Health Education England (now a core part of NHSE&I), that the antidote to the skills shortages, at the heart of rural health inequalities, lies in the development and training of people in rural settings themselves.
The facility would also be a community health related hub, including a café and housing health trainers and potentially care workers developing their business on a self-employed basis.
Further proposals to the Rutland Memorial Hospital site could also see the implementation of a £6.5m, 500m2 travel anchor mobi-hub. The Mobi-Hub will be supported by a Demand Responsive Transport system based on the Bus Service Investment Plan approach developed by Rutland Council and extended to cover the Melton Borough area linking the overall package of Levelling Up investments. It would focus on two routes, which have been developed through evidence led analysis, with further refinement to be completed. This service would enable people to access work, learning and services more fully across the two market towns
Rutland’s proposals also include a £2m investment to Rutland County Museum, which would see the creation of a mobile, digital visitor experience to view two of the area’s unique heritage treasures – the largest Ichthyosaur fossil in Europe and the remains of a stunning 4th Century Roman Villa with an exceptional mosaic. Neither of these assets can currently be displayed easily to the public directly, however these proposals aim to create the virtual models, storage and touring facilities to enable the finds to be showcased in Oakham and across the region. It will also form the basis for co-funding with the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) delivery new gallery spaces and visitor facilities on the existing Museum site, transforming the visitor offer.
Also, if successful in the bid, Melton Borough Council propose to develop over 2500sqm of flexible food and drink production units within the Stockyard, creating a food and drink innovation showcase alongside a multifunctional event space which could host exciting events and activities throughout the year. The site will include a support service to help small or upcoming local producers develop and grow in the Rural Capital of Food.
In addition, the funding would be used to deliver a multifunctional event space at the stockyard which could host exciting events and activities throughout the year, bringing additional footfall and attracting repeat visitors to the area.
The bid will also look to improve the SMB College Group’s Melton campus theatre. These upgrades will make the space more accessible, ensuring it is able to secure and attract larger scale commercial events more often to provide a regular calendar of activity that will, alongside the stockyard, support the town centre and its burgeoning evening economy.
Councillor Lucy Stephenson, leader of Rutland County Council, said: “We are pleased to be working alongside Melton Borough Council on the Levelling Up bid. This bid focusses on key priorities for us in Rutland. If successful we will see real benefits to our residents, businesses and visitors by reducing health inequalities, increasing highly skilled job opportunities, improving mobility throughout the area, increasing access to cultural offers and much more.”
Councillor Joe Orson, leader of Melton Borough Council, said: “Through building closer links between the two regions and developing the proposals on offer we can help make these two rural regions on the East Midlands, vibrant hubs for tourism and innovation.”
Alicia Kearns, MP for Melton and Rutland Constituency, has been supportive and involved throughout the bid process and said: “This fantastic bid sees Rutland and Melton make the case that we can be rural powerhouses. The proposals would deliver on the aspirations and priorities of our local communities around health, transport, job opportunities and celebrating our unique heritage and culture and help level up our rural way of life.”
Expanding tech company brings jobs and investment to Lincoln
A rapidly expanding company has moved into a unique building in Lincoln to accommodate its growth and high-spec tech requirements.
Since 2019, research and development business SRC UK has grown from 1 employee to 30 and the company is looking to double in size again by the end of the year. Its core business is with the Ministry of Defence, providing analytical software, big data analytics, consultancy and training.
SRC UK was initially based in the Boole Technology Centre at Lincoln Science & Innovation Park but this month moved into the Gravity R&D building part of the Park’s second phase of expansion. This specially designed facility, part funded by the Greater Lincolnshire LEP and the Midlands Engine, was developed for firms like SRC UK.
“The Gravity Building gives us enough space to grow into,” says Steve Davies, SRC UK’s managing director. “And its sophisticated design is ideal to our needs.” This means that SRC UK can run its own software and produce its own data within the building on a unique cloud-based system as well as provide innovative space for other local companies to use.
Steve, worked in the RAF as a Weapons Systems Officer for 36 years and was retiring just as the opportunity to set up the UK division of US-based research and development company SRC Inc came up. “I was in the right place at the right time with the core skill set that they needed,” says Steve. “Since then, everybody who has joined has played a vital role to get us to where we are today so quickly.”
“Our ethos is centred around collaboration; whether that be creating a new way of working with other companies, the unique way we build the company around graduates or building new products based on our people’s ideas.”
The company has broken the mould with how the government works with graduates in the sensitive area of big data analytics. “Initially, the government would only work with people with decades of experience in this niche area. We take STEM graduates with a sound educational background and layer on targeted training so they have specific experience and skills and they evolve into the job that suits that individual the most.” This blended approach has led to SRC UK being the first company in the UK to have early career graduates supporting MOD data production.
SRC UK is a not-for-profit company committed to making a positive impact on the city and county. It aims to employ locally, including graduates from the University of Lincoln, collaborate with local businesses and to use local resources. SRC UK, which is a disability confident employer, has signed up to the Lincoln Social Responsibility Charter and supports charities such as the Give an Hour scheme where staff volunteer in local schools, the C2C2C charity bike ride around Lincolnshire and Lincoln food banks.
“We see ourselves as a responsible company which is very keen on generating revenue and jobs for Lincoln and being part of the Science Park’s community and its continuing expansion,” says Steve.
“The Gravity Building gives us enough space to grow into,” says Steve Davies, SRC UK’s managing director. “And its sophisticated design is ideal to our needs.” This means that SRC UK can run its own software and produce its own data within the building on a unique cloud-based system as well as provide innovative space for other local companies to use.
Steve, worked in the RAF as a Weapons Systems Officer for 36 years and was retiring just as the opportunity to set up the UK division of US-based research and development company SRC Inc came up. “I was in the right place at the right time with the core skill set that they needed,” says Steve. “Since then, everybody who has joined has played a vital role to get us to where we are today so quickly.”
“Our ethos is centred around collaboration; whether that be creating a new way of working with other companies, the unique way we build the company around graduates or building new products based on our people’s ideas.”
The company has broken the mould with how the government works with graduates in the sensitive area of big data analytics. “Initially, the government would only work with people with decades of experience in this niche area. We take STEM graduates with a sound educational background and layer on targeted training so they have specific experience and skills and they evolve into the job that suits that individual the most.” This blended approach has led to SRC UK being the first company in the UK to have early career graduates supporting MOD data production.
SRC UK is a not-for-profit company committed to making a positive impact on the city and county. It aims to employ locally, including graduates from the University of Lincoln, collaborate with local businesses and to use local resources. SRC UK, which is a disability confident employer, has signed up to the Lincoln Social Responsibility Charter and supports charities such as the Give an Hour scheme where staff volunteer in local schools, the C2C2C charity bike ride around Lincolnshire and Lincoln food banks.
“We see ourselves as a responsible company which is very keen on generating revenue and jobs for Lincoln and being part of the Science Park’s community and its continuing expansion,” says Steve. Detailed planning application submitted for Mansfield industrial scheme
CEG and Henry Boot Developments have submitted a detailed planning application to develop a five unit industrial / logistics scheme on their 30 acre site in Mansfield.
As designed the development will provide a five unit scheme totalling 430,500ft². Units will range from 30,000ft² to 150,000ft² in size.
FHP are working with M1 Agency and CPP on the scheme and anticipate that units will be delivered Q1 2024.
The site is accessed directly from the A617 Mansfield and Ashfield Regeneration Route (MARR) and is well positioned to provide access to both Junction 28 and Junction 29 of the M1.
Bolsover District Council submits £14.2m bid to ‘Levelling Up’ fund
Bolsover District Council have submitted a £14.2 million bid to the Government’s ‘Levelling Up’ fund to help regenerate and breathe new life into Bolsover Town Centre.
If successful, the bid will support a range of town centre regeneration, public realm improvements, cultural and heritage projects within the town. The bid is being supported by £1.24 million in match funding from both Bolsover District Council and Old Bolsover Town Council, bringing the total value of the potential investment in the area to £15.48 million.
Council leader, councillor Steve Fritchley, said: “We are an ambitious council and this is an ambitious bid to help stimulate growth and providing town centre regeneration as well as cultural opportunities in the town.”
Working with partners, the bid is split into three distinct projects with environmental sustainability embedded across all the strands driving forward the Council’s ambition for carbon reduction.
The strands are as follows:
- Regeneration of vacant town centre retail units to create a new ‘Cultural Hub’ that includes an independent small cinema, theatre and live performance space, gallery, museum and exhibition space, food and drinks court and Artisan and producers centre. Adapting the derelict Oxcroft House building to support the town’s business base, offering a hub for training, co-working and in particular encouraging new business start-ups in cultural and arts sectors.
- A shop front improvement scheme that will improve the appearance of the town and enhance the retail offer to residents and visitors. Improvements will also be made to the public realm (pavements, signage, street furniture, etc) that will encourage visitors to spend more time in the town and connect the town to Bolsover Castle.
- Investing in 5G network and installing fibre in the town centre to help improve connectivity and provide much needed Wi-Fi. This will provide real time bus information and digital information totems in key locations. Digital technology such as ‘Park Here Now’ and new augmented reality experiences will help enhance the visitor experience and increase footfall in the town.
Three new occupiers for Teal Trade Park, Nottingham
On behalf of Northwood Urban Logistics, joint agents FHP Property Consultants and Phillips Sutton have secured three new occupiers for Teal Trade Park, Nottingham.
Occupiers including the Wooden Floor Store, Exhausts, Tyres and Batteries (ETB), and Klarheit Aluminium Windows & Doors, have taken new leases on Phase 2 of Teal Trade Park.
These further lettings complement the existing occupier line-up of Howdens, Screwfix, Toolstation, Karcher, Trent Valley Windows, Trent Vehicle Charging and PaintWell.
This leaves just three remaining units of Units 8, 9 and 10, ranging from 322m² (3,483ft²) up to 370m² (4,013ft²) with the ability to combine units.
Iain Taylor, director at Northwood Urban Logistics, said: “Enquiries remain strong at Teal Park since the market for trade units of this size remains on the up, particularly when you add in Nottingham’s excellent transport links with the rest of the UK.”
Chris Proctor of FHP Property Consultants said: “Teal Trade Park is becoming Nottingham’s premier trading estate with a complementary range of national and local occupiers now secured on the estate. We are down to the last three units and we see a real opportunity in particular for businesses from an electrical, plumbing and tiling background, which would further strengthen the line-up of trading occupiers on the estate.”
Brodie Faint of Phillips Sutton said: “It is fantastic to see the recent additions to the trade park, further improving the tenant line-up onsite and enhancing the offering to the surrounding customer base. Moving forward, the estate will only benefit further from the substantial residential developments being undertaken in the surrounding area.”
