Work on a three-storey, specialist training facility for those in the healthcare sector has now been completed at Nottingham Trent University’s (NTU) Clifton Campus. The renovation of existing NTU buildings and the completion of a new building will serve as a base for the Institute of Health & Allied Professions, which offers a range of specialist courses such as adult and mental health nursing and paramedic science. The whole facility is focused on equipping the healthcare providers of the future with the knowledge and hands-on skills required for modern healthcare. Independent property, construction, and infrastructure consultancy, Pick Everard provided architecture, interior design and principal design services from concept to completion, working with main contractor Henry Brothers during the construction period. Devika Parmar, director of architecture at Pick Everard, said: “We are delighted to have provided services for such an important scheme for the university and its healthcare students. “We won this project via a competition under the NTU consultancy framework, where we put forward our concept proposals to create a gateway building to the campus that would be visually striking, functional and inspirational for anyone hoping for a career within health services. We’re thrilled that the completed building aligns very closely with our original concept sketch. “Blending our healthcare and HE knowledge, we designed a building that caters to nursing, paramedical, and other healthcare professionals. It accommodates a variety of clinical simulation spaces that support teaching, assessments, and learning opportunities. “Underpinning our design approach was a modular grid and a simplicity in design to create flexibility and standardisation in space planning and construction delivery. Working closely with university stakeholders, we meticulously planned the building to meet user requirements and allow for new educational technologies to support the evolving learning demands.” With flexibility of use in mind, multi-use spaces have the potential to provide students with fully immersive experiences. The new building also provides a welcoming gateway building to the campus with the external façade treatment and quality materials providing aesthetic interest. One floor of the new development is dedicated to realistic simulated healthcare environments for the training of healthcare students. This includes hospital wards, consultations and counselling rooms and a mock flat for home and emergency care scenarios. Meanwhile, a further two floors provide office and flexible teaching space to accommodate creative learning approaches. David Shaw, national design director at Pick Everard, said: “The architecture of the new development has been designed for maximum visual impact on arrival to the campus. We wanted to ensure this new addition to an evolving campus would be complimentary but also distinctive both externally and internally. “The whole consultant team worked closely to deliver this project to ensure the architecture, interior design and engineering has been holistically considered. We were intent on combining the existing building into the project, with the atrium space connecting the refurbished and new accommodations to bring people together in a central collaboration space. “With such unique requirements for its end use, this development provided room for a number of innovations to be adopted. This included the inclusion of virtual reality training spaces that completely immerse students into situational experiences, which is an incredibly valuable experience for their training. “The pandemic has reaffirmed the need for training facilities like this to make sure that the healthcare professionals now and tomorrow have the best quality teaching experience possible. We very much look forward to seeing the building fully occupied by students and professionals and seeing them make the most of their new teaching spaces.” Dr Anne Felton, head of the Institute of Health & Allied Professions at NTU’s School of Social Sciences, said: “We’re incredibly excited that our new teaching centre is now open. The courses we’re providing will directly increase the supply of professional qualified staff into the NHS and related services, as well as providing a dedicated facility to allow greater opportunities for Continuing Professional Development for existing health practitioners within the local area. “The virtual reality training facilities that will provide students with fully immersive situational experiences are a demonstration of NTU’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of the learning experience, while the audio-visual recording equipment installed within the simulation suites will enable feedback and reflection on students’ performances, creating a truly modern learning experience.” Ian Taylor, Managing Director at Henry Brothers Midlands, the contractor for the development, said: “It’s great to see this project reach completion and I look forward to seeing it full of students. Despite being a challenging project delivered during difficult times, I’m really pleased with how the whole team came together to deliver a great looking building for the university’s students and staff.”

A multi-million pound project to revitalise Chesterfield town centre – helping the borough thrive for generations to come – is set to be considered by Chesterfield Borough Council. The £10.28m Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield scheme aims to transform the look, feel and flow of the town centre – creating a contemporary market town that has better connections between key public spaces, and a more attractive physical environment. It includes plans for significant improvements to Chesterfield’s historic market grounds, along with proposals that will help maximise the potential of the iconic Crooked Spire as a key attraction for visitors, while also re-imagining town centre spaces for a range of flexible uses including markets, festivals, events, cultural celebrations and community gatherings. Together with the £17m refurbishment of Stephenson Memorial Hall – which received planning permission in March 2022 – the project is being brought forward thanks to almost £20m which the council secured from the Government’s levelling up fund at the end of last year. The latest designs for the scheme will be considered by the council’s Cabinet on 17 May and, if approved, the proposals will be subject to a consultation period running from 24 May to 8 July 2022 before a final Master Plan is developed. Councillor Kate Sarvent, Chesterfield Borough Council’s cabinet member for town centres and visitor economy, said: “Chesterfield has been a flourishing market town for hundreds of years, but like places everywhere, we must address the challenges that the rise in online shopping presents to the future sustainability of our town centre. “Our town has so much to offer, and we want to harness and build on this to create a town centre that remains vibrant, and relevant in today’s world. “This project, together with the scheme to refurbish our historic Pomegranate Theatre and Chesterfield Museum, will transform the experience for those visiting the town centre, and help sustain the economic future for the wider borough.” Levelling up funding will be used to extend the council’s planned regeneration of the market grounds, with extra investment now centred on key public spaces and the connections between them – including Burlington Street, Corporation Street, Rykneld Square, Spire Walk, Market Square and New Square. It is proposed that new paving, seating, lighting, and street furniture will combine with more greenery, to create better-looking and better-connected spaces which people can enjoy and socialise in. The Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project will complement work to regenerate the Northern Gateway and – at the other side of town – will connect with plans to transform the area around Chesterfield Station. Key areas of focus are:

• Corporation Street – a tree-lined boulevard with improved paving and lighting will transform this key gateway to the town centre and provide a welcoming environment for visitors to the refurbished theatre and museum.
• Spire Walk – the council will work in partnership with the Church of St Mary and All Saints to create a more welcoming and attractive space in which to enjoy the iconic Crooked Spire.
• Rykneld Square – the proposals seek to make better use of this open public space – providing a better connection with the Crooked Spire, improving the feel and flow of this area.
• Burlington Street – proposed upgrades to paving, planting and lighting will create a more attractive main route – better connecting the Market Place and High Street through to Rykneld Square and Spire Walk.
• New Square and Market Place – a multi-million pound investment will revitalise Chesterfield’s historic market. Plans will create a modern, vibrant town centre experience with additional space alongside traditional markets to host outdoor events and speciality markets. The council is working with local traders to develop a revised market stall and layout design for the main market, and to consider how New Square could be used to complement the town centre offer in future.
• Packers Row – under existing plans, in place before the successful bid for levelling up funding, this area will also undergo improvement, following the completion of similar public realm works at the nearby Elder Way. Plans include improved lighting and paving, with an overhead light canopy to add character. Work here is set to start in spring 2022.

Councillor Sarvent added: “We have been successful in pulling in millions of pounds of extra funding into our borough over the last 18 months, which is fantastic news for local people. It will complement the significant investments that we and our partners are already making and puts Chesterfield town centre in a strong position for the future. “We want Chesterfield to continue to be the go-to place and we’re confident that, taken together, the widespread improvements will achieve this by creating a contemporary market town that builds on our proud history and heritage.” The work will be carried out in phases from spring 2022 and is due for completion in 2025.

Derby company and Rolls Royce supplier, FTT (UK) Ltd, has taken 3,500 sq ft at Cardinal Square, securing the future of the company in the city, which celebrates its 10th anniversary in the UK next year. FTT (UK) Ltd, which is part of the Turbine Technologies division of US-based Kratos Defence & Security Solutions, joins Freeths, City Fibre, Randd, Bulkhead and the NHS at the popular Derby landmark office building. Currently undergoing a £150,000 enhancement of its substantial internal courtyard which includes a water feature, greenery and seating areas to promote employee wellbeing, Nurton Developments has invested some £1.5 million in the offices over the course of the past three years. Arturo Rutter, Managing Director of FTT, said the location, flexibility and quality of the space at Cardinal is ideal to accommodate the future expansion plans for the UK team. “We’re hoping to grow our customer base and increase the team from 14 to possibly 40 or 50 people over the next few years and Derby is an important strategic location for us to achieve this and attract the labour-force we need including design and stress engineers. “The offices are also near to our other facility in the city, a workshop and lab, and offer a high-quality working environment, with amenities close by which will also be important for attracting and retaining talent. “Being a family founded business, the health and wellbeing of our team has always been important to us and we’re confident Cardinal Square is a positive move they’re all looking forward to, a place to secure our future for the next decade.” David Dyas, asset manager at Nurton Developments, said he was pleased to welcome FTT to Cardinal Square. “It’s been tough few years for businesses generally, however I’m pleased to say that Derby has shown great resilience and we’re delighted to still be bringing news of new occupiers with expansion plans in the city. “FTT is a great name to add to the offices and our hands on approach means we get to know occupiers well and are able to work with them to accommodate future growth plans and ensure their success is retained in Derby.”

Specialist business property adviser, Christie & Co, has sold Kingfisher Day Nursery, Porchester Road in Nottingham, which is part of the successful East Midlands group, Kingfisher Day Nurseries. Kingfisher Day Nursery, Porchester Road is a well-established day nursery with two successive ‘Good’ Ofsted ratings, capacity for 60 children aged 0 to 5 years, and an effective workforce. The setting occupies a large, detached property located on a significant commuter route into Nottingham, amongst a densely populated residential suburb. The setting was previously owned by Mrs Helen Allanson who decided to sell to downscale the Kingfisher Day Nurseries group after the successful sale of its Derby setting in December 2020. Following a confidential sales process, this Kingfisher Day Nursery setting has been sold to Hollies Day Nurseries Ltd, a family-run day nursery group in Nottinghamshire. Helen Allanson says: “I bought the nursery 17 years ago and have worked hard to transform the building into an open, light-filled space with excellent care and learning opportunities. I intend to continue working with the other three settings for the next few years.” A spokesperson for Hollies Day Nurseries Ltd says: “Hollies Day Nurseries is excited to take over Kingfisher and welcomes the team, children, and families to the Hollies family. We are looking forward to all the new and exciting opportunities we will offer them all.” Jassi Sunner, associate director – childcare & education at Christie & Co, who handled the sale, says: “It was great to work with Helen again and I knew that this setting would garner a range of interest from the first time we visited the site. The property is deceptively large, with lots of areas open to reconfiguration and a large outdoor space which will be attractive to children and parents alike. “After a short marketing campaign, we received a range of enquiries and quickly agreed a sale with the existing group, Hollies Day Nurseries. We wish the Hollies team the best of luck with the new acquisition and have no doubt they will be able to replicate their excellent success and reputation at this site.” Kingfisher Day Nursery was sold for an undisclosed price.

Pagabo has announced the awards for its brand-new £1.1 billion demolition and land preparation framework, including Derby firm Cawarden. The framework has been developed to provide clients with confidence that the demolition organisations they engage with are monitored and audited to ensure they maintain a high level of safety. All suppliers appointed to the demolition project types are members of the National Federation of Demolition Contractors, providing additional compliance confidence for any client. The framework, which is Pagabo’s first framework dedicated to demolition services, is now live and will run for four years. The framework contains a total of five value band lots, nine project types and up to 15 geographical regions in lots 1 and 2, and 10 geographical regions in lots 3, 4 and 5. It provides clients with compliant access to suppliers with expertise in both demolition and land preparation services, which allows a client to be able to both redevelop existing estate stock and develop on brownfield sites. Jason Stapley, Managing Director at Pagabo, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the response we had to the tender process for this framework and are really pleased to be bringing a unique and compliant procurement route to demolition services to the market with such a strong set of companies. “There is a huge focus on the environmental impact that construction projects can have, and so demolishing old buildings with a negative impact and redeveloping brownfield land is becoming increasingly important for development schemes. But with these approaches come a whole host of challenges that require specialist services. “This framework will ensure that clients can access those specialist services from the firms best placed to support, providing any scheme with the best start possible before redevelopment – and doing so in the most compliant and efficient manner possible in the market.” Included in the range of projects available is structure demolition, ground improvement works, bulk earthworks, industrial dismantling, and the demolition of non-traditionally constructed high-rise structures. The framework will cover a wide range of sectors, including local authorities, NHS and health services, emergency services, highways and infrastructure, public utilities, education and universities, museum and leisure, prisons, housing associations, and central government and associated agencies. In order to be considered for the framework, providers were required to go through a rigorous, PCR2015 compliant tender process, and prove financial suitability and related experience. As well as this, providers on Pagabo’s frameworks are required to share the company’s passion for social value and innovation. Cawarden, which won Contractor of the Year at Business Link’s 2021 East Midlands Bricks Awards, was recently appointed demolition contractors for phase two of the £200m Becketwell regeneration scheme, to make way for Derby’s new 3,500 capacity performance venue. It has started preparing for the structural demolition work on the site of the former Pink Coconut nightclub, NCP car park, Padley House, and Dubrek Studios. Demolition of the former Debenhams store, which occupies part of the Becketwell site, was also completed by Cawarden, in Summer 2020, followed by the former Central United Reformed Church and properties on Victoria Street in March 2021.