Part of a well-known family-run group of independent coffee shops across Hampshire, Josie’s is recognised for its speciality coffee, all-day breakfasts, and relaxed brunch offering.

Working alongside TEKNE throughout the project, our team carried out a full programme of refurbishment works, including plumbing, roofing, carpentry, decorating, and general upgrades throughout the property. Great care was taken to preserve and restore the character of the historic building while introducing modern functionality suited to a busy café environment.

The finished result is a beautifully revitalised space that celebrates the charm and heritage of the original property while creating a warm and welcoming destination for customers to enjoy.

Internal alterations completed at WKB Toyota, Waterlooville, Hampshire.

C&G Building Contractors have successfully completed the first phase of a two phase project at WKB Toyota in Waterlooville. The internal alterations included increasing the floor area within the main workshop area by reconfiguring the existing layout and the construction of a new canteen facility for staff use. Works to phase two are due to complete in April 2017.

If you have a commercial refurbishment project you would like C&G to look at then please contact the office with further details.

Part of the Safety Schemes In Procurement (SSIP) network, CHAS assess contractors by the following criteria:

1. Health and safety policy statement;
2. Organisation for health and safety;
3. Specific health and safety arrangements to a standard acceptable to our buyers and to others.

Managing Director, Keith Hellyer comments, “We have always viewed health and safety with the upmost regard ensuring the necessary safeguards are in place to protect employees, sub-contractors, the public as well as the environment. We aim to maintain our exemplary safety record and continue our CHAS membership for years to come”

The development incorporating two new build homes and associated outbuildings has been completed in the village of Corhampton, set amongst the idyllic South Downs National Park. Winchester City Council have put forward the nomination for design and finished standard of the homes, the standard of work and supervision and the fact this has all been achieved despite restricted site access.

The project included a range of sustainable materials sourced from local suppliers wherever possible and has incorporated renewable technologies such as air source heat pumps and on site sewerage treatment plant.

For further information on our new build services please contact us.

A development incorporating two new build homes is making good progress in the village of Corhampton set amongst the idyllic South Downs National Park.

Working alongside PWP Architects the project is approaching the half way stage with groundworks now under way on plot 2 whilst plot 1 is entering the fit out stage.

Keith Hellyer, Managing Director at C&G Building Contractors comments, “We are delighted to be involved with this impressive development. C&G have been building and extending homes for over 25 years so are well rehearsed in projects of this type. Our company motto ‘Where Quality is Assured’ acts as a benchmark ensuring all projects are delivered to the highest standard. That’s what we do!”

With the worst of the weather behind us now it makes life on site that much easier. Conditions have been tough at times especially with areas of localised flooding throughout the Meon Valley. Luckily even extreme weather does not detract the efforts of the C&G team which has helped ensure that this project has remained on schedule.

For further information on any of our services please contact us

A survey by the Chartered Institute of Marketing Construction Industry Group (CIMCIG) found that just 35% of product manufacturers believe the Green Deal will be an ‘important opportunity’, while only 31% have suitable products to meet the demand.

The initiative, due to come into effect in 14 months, aims to tackle carbon reduction and generate economic growth, yet both organisations and individuals are unsure how they will take advantage of the scheme. The report suggests that the construction industry may be at risk of falling behind energy companies and retailers when the Green Deal is implemented.

The government believe that 100,000 qualified installers will be available by 2017, tasked with improving energy efficiency in the nation’s 29 million households. Businesses will also be targeted.

A YouGov survey conducted earlier this month indicates that while 61% of homeowners would consider installing technology such as hydro power or solar PV panels, they are generally unsure how much money they can save. Over half said renewable technologies were too expensive, and a similar percentage did not realise that the Green Deal pertained to energy efficiency at home.

The CIMCIG report should be taken seriously by both installers and manufacturers, many of whom seem oblivious to the financial potential of the Green Deal.

The report warns that all branches of the construction industry, from the contractors and wholesalers to the trade associations and manufacturers, must work together to help educate the public as to the benefits of the Green Deal.

The Federation of Master Builders (FMD) has also revealed that retrofitting the nation’s homes could add up to £6.5 billion to the weakening Repair, Maintenance & Improvement (RM&I) market.
However, the CIMCIG report noted a lack of cohesion between manufacturers’ sales and marketing departments, and recommends changing ‘buzz words’ to appeal to the public. The Department of Energy & Climate Change (DECC) are also researching fresh ways to incentivise the public.

The problem for homeowners is that they are often not given a clear timescale as to when they can expect a return on their investment. Installers and manufacturers must work together to promote energy saving technologies while underlining the cost-saving advantages to the customer.

One recent success story has been The Green Home Company, a subsidiary of GML Construction, which has installed over £1 million worth of solar PV systems in England’s South-East. It has also secured private finance to install free solar photovoltaic systems in Kent.

Clearly, the Green Deal has the potential to be a cash cow for the construction industry, but until they capitalise on it, it is destined to fail.

Constructionbytes.com is a free construction news and resource site established by construction professionals for fellow industry members. If you like the site then please subscribe to our regular newsletter to receive future news and information articles. http://constructionbytes.com

Paul James | Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_X_James

The course gives you the knowledge and confidence to deal with a first aid emergency in the workplace. Now completed our successful candidates receive an HSE approved certificate valid for three years.

The government’s Plan for Growth aims to create a competitive tax system, make the UK a good place to do business, encourage investment and exports to rebalance the economy and create an educated workforce. To achieve these aims, there are tax changes, proposals to reduce red tape and plans to provide additional apprenticeships and work placements plus expansion of the University Technical Colleges programme. There are also changes to capital allowances and the creation of eleven Enterprise Zones across England.

These may all provide benefits for the construction industry, including the simplified planning rules in the Enterprise Zones. However, there are also various measures that are aimed specifically at construction. These include:

• Publication of the National Infrastructure Plan 2011 that sets out the UK’s long-term view of future projects. This will be backed up by the quarterly publication of a rolling two-year forward programme of infrastructure and construction projects that have had public funding agreed.
• Reform of the planning system so that consent will be given for sustainable development unless there are strong reasons to refuse permission. There will be a twelve-month guarantee to process all applications and appeals plus a fast track system for major infrastructure projects.
• Removal of nationally imposed targets with the aim of opening up more land for development while at the same time safeguarding the greenbelt.
• Accelerating the release of public sector land in order to encourage new homes and jobs. This includes the piloting of land auctions that will start with public sector land.
• Strengthening residential property demand by reforming the stamp duty land tax rules for bulk purchase. There will also be the creation of a £250 million scheme, partly funded by house builders, which will offer over 10,000 first time buyers an equity investment of 20%towards the deposit on new build homes.
• Encouraging builders to put forward innovative solutions rather than having to take part in wasteful and bureaucratic procurement processes.
• Easing the 2016 zero carbon tax targets so that new home building is more practical. This will be combined with an additional £3 billion funding for the Green Investment Bank.
• Proposals to make it easier to convert commercial premises for residential use.

The 2011 Budget was not, however, all about growth, with a 20% reduction in costs planned through reforming the procurement methods for public sector construction and infrastructure projects. The emphasis will be on standardisation rather than on bespoke designs and a review of construction standards will aim to remove redundancy and duplication. This builds on the proposals of the ‘Infrastructure Cost Review, published in December 2010, which identified savings of 15% on projects that could amount to £2-3 billion a year.

By Paul James

About the Author: Constructionbytes.com is a free construction news and resource site established by construction professionals for fellow industry members. If you like the site then please subscribe to our regular newsletter to receive future news and information articles. http://constructionbytes.com/ Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_X_James Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6252694

One of East Hampshire’s most visited villages now has state of the art toilets thanks to East Hampshire District Council. It’s taken six years of planning between Selborne Parish Council, EHDC, the Gilbert White Museum and the National Trust but at last visitors (and locals) who are taken short can spend a penny in clean, hygienic and attractive surroundings. The toilets in the car park behind the Selborne Arms are packed with features including ‘sun tubes’ which pipe natural light into the cubicles from the roof and heated floors to keep them dry.

Designer Brian Redwood says they are also incredibly hygienic:
“Everyone knows that one of the main ways to spread germs is to touch surfaces with dirty hands. In these toilets you don’t have to touch anything – the taps, soap, hand drier and even the flush are operated by passing a hand in front of a sensor.

“We have also made the cubicles extremely accessible – they’re suitable for people with children needing changing facilities, wheelchair users, and visitors who are partially sighted. We even made sure the large number of walkers or hikers who come to Selborne will have room for their rucksacks.”

Cllr David Parkinson, Leader of East Hampshire District Council said:
“I am delighted with the high standard of these toilets, and hopefully as the South Downs National Park opens we shall provide a useful facility for visitors in this popular village.”

The toilets were also carefully designed to be in keeping with rest of the village, which is a conservation area. Special red bricks were chosen to match the red facings that large parts of the village were built with, along with Marlstone that some years ago was quarried within Selborne district. Oak beams and columns were also used.

Hayley Carter, the Landlady of the Selborne Arms said:

“The old toilets were in very bad repair so this really needed doing, particularly as this is such a touristy village. I was the Chairman of the Parish Council at the beginning of this project, and we wanted to make sure the design of the toilets would really suit the village, and I’m really pleased with the results.”

Keith Hellyer, Managing Director of C&G Building Contractors from Waterlooville who built the toilets said:

“This was an interesting project for lots of reasons. The outside is very traditional with handmade bricks, oak beams – but the inside is state of the art. On top of that we were building through the winter so at one point we had two feet of snow to contend with. Despite all that we got it done in time and in budget, so I am very proud of the result.”