Construction National

Flowcrete UK wins FeRFA award for high-end cattery project

Flowcrete UK took home a coveted prize at the FeRFA Best Practise Awards 2016, winning the Highly Commended Small Industrial Project category in partnership with Resin Coating Specialists.

The award, presented during a glittering ceremony held in the Woodlands Suite of the Belfry Hotel, was in recognition of a flooring project at Larton Livery, located in Frankby on the Wirral peninsula, which was building a new, high-end cattery.

Larton Livery’s owners knew that they needed a high performance flooring solution in order to maintain a clean and attractive appearance despite the multiple hygiene difficulties inherent to a cattery facility. It was also important that the floor’s colour and design would impress clients visiting the site and emphasise the high quality service that Larton Livery prides itself on delivering.

Read more: Flowcrete UK wins FeRFA award for high-end cattery project

UK SMEs find start-up process challenging

Fewer than four out of every 10 (38%) UK business owners feel that the UK actively fosters and encourages an entrepreneurial environment, according to the Close Brothers Business Barometer, a quarterly survey of over 900 UK SME owners and senior management across a range of sectors and regions.

When asked the question ‘do you feel the UK encourages entrepreneurs?’, 38% said ‘yes’; 42% answered ‘no’ and 20% were undecided.

“Business owners are telling us that more needs to be done to help encourage entrepreneurship in the UK,” said Neil Davies, CEO, Close Brothers Asset Finance (pictured). “This is despite the UK ranking near the top in a number of global polls that measure entrepreneurism.

Read more: UK SMEs find start-up process challenging

Michelmersh wins the Architect’s Choice Award for Whitty Theatre

On November 10th the Brick Development Association hosted the prestigious 40th Brick Awards ceremony which entailed a special accent of glamour for the ruby celebration that rewards exemplary brick design and construction. Michelmersh had yet another successful year, grasping the accolade of Architect’s Choice award for the Whitty Theatre designed by van Heyningen and Haward Architects.

Niamh Cronin, Project Architect at van Heyningen and Haward Architects, said: “The volume of the auditorium at the Whitty Theatre is expressed in brick both externally and internally. We looked at dozens of bricks to find the right colour and texture appropriate for the heritage setting of the School’s grade II listed house as well as a brick that would create a warm and intimate atmosphere within the theatre auditorium. As we could not find a standard brick to meet our requirements, a bespoke Luckley mix from the Freshfield Lane Synthesis range was created especially for the project. The building sits elegantly within its context, and creates a state of the art theatre for students and the local community. It has been a fantastic project to work on, and winning a brick award for the project is an honour to be proud of.”

Read more: Michelmersh wins the Architect’s Choice Award for Whitty Theatre

Hi-vis clothing should be right for the conditions, warn safety experts

Many construction employers think they are providing their project teams with the best high-visibility (hi-vis) work wear, when in fact they are putting their lives at risk this winter, says leading safety equipment specialists OnSite Support. 

“At this time of year when construction teams are working outside in low light and poor visibility conditions, they need to be wearing reflective clothing that reflects from all angles,” says safety clothing specialist Chris Wellgreen from OnSite Support. “Clothing that’s visible during the day but almost invisible in low light because it’s dirty or not marked with the proper reflective striping, is a safety hazard which puts workers’ lives at risk.”   

Read more: Hi-vis clothing should be right for the conditions, warn safety experts