Harlow Timber Group Donates Timber Storage Building To College

STEPHENSON

COLLEGE in Coalville are delighted with new timber storage structure which has been donated by Harlow Timber Group.

The new 7.5 x 6.5 x 4.1m structure will be used to store timber for apprentice students.

Constructed in July 2023, it further solidifies the partnership between Harlow Timber, Coalville and the SMB Group, who have been providing timber supplies for students to use as part of their education for the past 40+ years.

The HTG Manufacturing team worked with Paul Wright to design and build exactly what the college needed. Starting with an initial full site measure, the Harlow Timber team were able to draw from their 80 years of agricultural building knowledge to advise on a building that would be both practical and aesthetically pleasing.

Using 22x125 pressure treated Yorkshire boarding from imported European softwood, meant that the finished cladding would be suitable to withstand the elements, but also protect the timber being stored within it and still allow it to be a breathable working storage unit.

Former Palais de Danse is for sale: £1.65m+

IDEAL LOCATIONS are offering for sale the former Palais de Danse building and car park on the corner of Humberstone Gate and St James Street, in Leicester city centre.

Details of previously approved plans for 42 residential units and 2 retail units are available from the selling agents.

Guide Price: £1.65m to £1.75m. For more information, contact Ideal Locations of Ilford on 0203 907 2879.

Went into a pub and asked if they did hot chocolate. The barman said “I’ll give it a go. It started with a kiss….”

Major step forward for £60m stadium redevelopment

PLANS FOR A £60m redevelopment of Leicestershire’s Uptonsteel County Ground have taken a major step forward with the formation of a new working party.

The group has been formed to drive forward the transformation of Leicestershire County Cricket Club’s home stadium and will include one of the leading figures behind Leicester City’s move to King Power Stadium.

Steve Kind, currently a nonexecutive director at Leicestershire CCC, oversaw Leicester City’s departure from Filbert Street and will now bring his wealth of experience to the working party, which also comprises representatives from Leicester City Council and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

Namita Patel, community and EDI Director, will play an important role in liaising with residents and wider groups to continue the club’s commitment to giving everyone a voice during the period of consultation. A series of community focus groups have already taken place to inform neighbouring residents about the proposals.

The redevelopment proposals were first revealed earlier this year and extensive talks have been ongoing with a view to beginning the first phase of development in the winter of 2023. Among the options being explored are the development of residential homes, healthcare and retail outlets.

Other members of the working party include Bruce Cruse; Director of Facilities at the ECB, Tom Lo’Monte; Head of Capital at Leicester City Council, Ian Kendall; Director of Leisure Projects at LCCC, Chairman; John Thorpe and Stadium Manager; Dan Archer.

• Due to the cost of living crisis, 21% of builders can’t afford the new tools they need • 20% use damaged tools because they can’t afford replacements

NEW RESEARCH has revealed that UK builders spend an average of £1,042 on tools each year.

The study, conducted by ElectricalDirect, asked tradespeople about their outgoings on tools, maintenance and repairs, and found that 21% of builders can’t afford the new tools they need.

Furthermore, 9% keep their tools for longer than they used to, and 13% are now more likely to repair their own equipment.

Worryingly, 20% are even using damaged tools as they can’t afford replacements.

Across all trades, workers spend £1,110 on tools each year.

The amount spent on such costs varies significantly by trade. Caretakers and maintenance workers spend the most (£1,753 per year), followed by electricians (£1,546) and plasterers (£1,502).

The trades that spend the most and least on tools each year, on average, are:

Almost a quarter of these costs (22%) are spent on maintenance and repairs (£246), but the research suggests that an increasing number of tradespeople are tackling these jobs themselves to reduce outgoings.

Compared to before the cost-ofliving crisis, around one in six (16%) are now more likely to repair their own tools, rather than paying to get them fixed. Scaffolders are most likely to fix their own kit, with a third (33%) doing it themselves.

Furthermore, more than a quarter of tradespeople (27%) now keep their tools for longer to avoid paying for new ones, and one in seven (13%) even continue using damaged tools because they can’t afford replacements.

Other cost cutting measures include reducing usage of power tools to lower fuel costs (30%), and buying secondhand equipment instead of new (42%).

Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at ElectricalDirect, said: “The cost-of-living crisis has affected tradespeople in many ways, and workers have had to adjust long-standing habits in order to reduce bills.

“However, it’s important that people don’t take any potentially dangerous risks, and using damaged or partially repaired tools can lead to major problems. There are many far safer ways to cut day-to-day outgoings, and that’s why we’ve partnered with experts to share practical advice.”