The transformation of the former munitions site in Hereford into a dedicated business incubation centre has triumphed at the top Midlands property awards.

The Shell Store, located on Skylon Park, Hereford, won the Commercial Development of the Year category at the Insider West Midlands Property Awards, which took place in Birmingham on November 4.

The awards attracted a record number of entries from across the region, but the £7.3m Shell Store project beat tough competition to win the accolade in the 21^st edition of the awards.

Barnwood Construction, the principal contractor of the project, transformed the First World War site into 2,500 sq. meters of business space while maintaining much of the iconic building’s original features.

The judges commented on the project saying: “This unique scheme stood out not only because the redevelopment was handled sensitivity, but the character, as well as parts of the framework of the original building were both retained and celebrated. A restoration project to be proud of.”

Chairman of Hereford Enterprise Zone, Andrew Manning Cox, said: “The building had lain empty and derelict for more than 50 years, meaning the contractors faced some tough challenges to bring the structure back to life.

“The Shell Store is Herefordshire’s first dedicated business incubation centre and will also be home to business support services to aid recovery post-pandemic.”

Ben Ramsay, Managing Director at Barnwood Construction added: “The project essentially required a building to be created within a building — a lot of the construction taking place during lockdowns.

“This posed a number of the normal construction challenges when remodelling existing spaces into state-of-the-art working environments. But by working collaboratively with our customer, suppliers and contractors we were able to complete the works safely while maintaining all of the Covid-19 protocols.”

Councillor David Hitchiner, Leader of Herefordshire Council, said: “I am delighted that this outstanding Herefordshire Project has won this prize against competition from across the Midlands area.

“The Shell Store is now a rejuvenated feature of the Herefordshire business landscape and will provide unique space for up to 40 businesses across a range of sectors.

“Receiving the top honour in the Midlands awards demonstrates just what a transformation this project has been — both in the physical structure but also in the commercial opportunities for businesses across the region.”

The Shell Store was funded by Herefordshire Council, the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and a loan from the Marches LEP’s Marches Investment Fund.

It was officially opened by Robert Jenrick MP, then Secretary of State Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), in July 2021.

Energy and construction specialist Ecogee has been named as one of just four local contractors selected by Sefton Council to deliver work through its LA Flex scheme over the coming years.

The initiative, an extension of the government’s Energy Company Obligation scheme, is managed by local authorities, allowing them to recommend up to 50% of the funding available under ECO4, meaning that more households can benefit from energy saving measures.

Ecogee, a long-term provider of ECO grants across the North West, will have several million pounds of funding available as part of the partnership, which will contribute to works such as boiler repairs and installations, wall and roof insulation, central heating and more.

Managing Director at Ecogee Brendan Helm said: “We are delighted to be selected by Sefton Council as one of just four providers delivering the LA Flex scheme, meaning that we will be able to support even more households that are currently living in fuel poverty. In the UK alone, over 2.4 million households are currently living in fuel poverty with rising energy prices making things more difficult. This often comes as a result of insufficient energy measures throughout the home such as a faulty boiler or insulation that is not up to standard. As a firm these are the services that we will continue to provide and thanks to the grants available, many will benefit from having their work subsidised or in some cases covered completely.

“Since we established almost 10 years ago, we have gained a reputation as a leading ECO grants provider in the North West, and this has seen us partner with local councils and housing providers to deliver high quality workmanship while making a genuine difference to people’s lives. With that in mind, we are so pleased to be working alongside Sefton Council.”

Ecogee has already delivered over ten million pounds in ECO grants across Merseyside since 2012 and the firm hopes to support as many households in the Sefton area over the next four years as part of its latest partnership.

Business Development Director at Ecogee Denis Hennigan said: “At Ecogee our main ethos is to help local people while providing a quality service, utilising local tradesmen and materials wherever possible. The LA Flex scheme under Sefton Council provides us with the resources to carry out essential work on properties with the aim to improve energy efficiency and enhance the quality of life for residents.

“We were awarded the partnership in early October and have already started to look at potential properties that will qualify for funding towards insulation and heating upgrades as the colder winter weather starts to set in. The work carried out as part of these government backed schemes has incredible benefits for the local community from improving homes to enabling us to provide employment across the region – something that we’re incredibly passionate about with 100% of our permanent staff and many of our contractors based out of Merseyside.”

The retaining wall of your industrial or commercial property will be one of your property’s major barriers against erosion and other issues, and it follows that it needs to be designed and built as accurately and carefully as possible. But whilst the design is one thing, your chosen material is another – and this is where the proper knowledge is crucial. Different materials will have their merits, but there are cons to various materials as well. So what should you know about different retaining wall materials for your project? Here’s your list – and their pros and cons.

• Concrete blocks

 Concrete blocks are similar in design to Spanish architecture. One advantage of this is that it is a more accessible material to work with if you want to produce a curved wall. One con, though, is that you can only ideally use it for walls below one metre. It isn’t as strong as other materials, either.

• Precast concrete

Precast concrete is known for its strength and versatility, and it will be more robust than other materials like concrete blocks. Keep in mind that precast concrete is different from concrete poured on-site, as on-site concrete requires a certain amount of skill to cast and form. If you want to make sure that your retaining wall is immaculate and of the highest quality, it’s best to choose precast concrete over concrete poured in place. You can, for instance, opt for a king post retaining wall, which you can have made to order from a manufacturer. It is a smooth and sleek-looking material ideal for modern themed landscapes, and it is also cheaper than other materials.

• Stone veneer

Natural stone will vary in terms of style and colour, but it’s crucial to match it with the current architecture in your property, as it will look out-of-place otherwise. In addition, you have to pay attention to its design, which would often require the skill and qualifications of a landscape engineer or architect or contractor. However, this material can have a strong core, which you can have designed in varying heights and thicknesses, and it has a pleasing appearance.

• Wood or timber

Wood or timber is an accessible and easily-found material, and it comes with an easy process of installation. If you install it with suitable accompanying materials and proper treatment and waterproofing, it may last for more than two decades. However, one downside to wood or timber is that it is prone to rot, and even if it may last for over two decades, it still doesn’t have as long a lifespan as other materials. Wood or timber is also more ideal for lower walls of about one metre.

• Brick

Brick is known for its strength and durability, although it comes with a higher cost of labour than other materials, and it takes a longer time to construct. You also need to consider drainage accommodations. However, if the landscape and buildings in your property are traditional in theme and you have the budget for extra labour expenses, it may be a good choice.

• Dry boulder/stone

Dry boulder or stone is the most natural wall material you can use, although it is more suitable for country or rural settings. You would also have to factor in the water flow, as water can accumulate in the wall’s interior and hamper its integrity.

Image copyright: JPConcrete.co.uk