Friday update

As the weeks go by I continue to closely monitor the ever-changing government guidance and turbulent political landscape we find ourselves in, but remain optimistic that we are heading in the right direction and the additional localised lockdowns and pub and restaurants closures imposed in the north of the country will be avoided here. Let us hope so at least.

Continuing our front-line of COVID defence in order to minimise risk of potential infection so that we can ensure everyone remains safe and well, we have introduced a new non-contact infra-red temperature measuring device (as shown in the attached image) which will be used in reception at Century House. This should be used in conjunction with the non-contact hand sanitiser dispenser which was installed a week ago as part of our enhanced hygiene measures and to avoid cross-contamination. The new device can be used on the forehead or wrist and is very quick and easy to use. If your temperature is within the acceptable range of 35C to 37.3C the green light will switch on and if your temperature is outside this range a red light will appear. If you do get a red light reading I suggest you repeat the temperature check a further 3 times and if the red light continues to show you will be required to vacate the building and report this to your line manager and HR immediately. All staff and visitors must record their temperature on arrival at the office each day without exception. For those who arrive before reception is manned please enter your temperature on the sheet provided and once Katie has arrived she will take over this procedure, again to avoid any further risk of cross-infection. I trust this is all fairly self-explanatory but if you do have any questions or queries it would be best to speak directly to Derek Kedwell.

September has seen a further surge in activity and confidence throughout the construction industry with reports of the sharpest rise in new business secured since the start of lockdown and optimism is at a seven month high. Housebuilding has led the way with the commercial sector rebounding strongly, and which is encouragingly reflected in the new project enquiries coming through to us at this time as well. It is always good to know we are aligned to the wider industry and positioned to capitalise on opportunity. With some 244,000 people across Kent still furloughed I think we should be particularly proud of our post-COVID resurgence and must now continue to push forward to retain our enviable position as a leading and highly respected contractor and business in Kent and beyond.

Congratulations this week go to Ella, who out of the blue has won the accolade of Septembers National ‘Women in Construction Award’ with Design & Build UK, following a nomination by one of our clients in recognition of her excellent work, representing various industry committees such as the Kent Construction Focus Group, Kent Women in Construction and Constructing Excellence as well as her most recent appointment to the governing body of East Kent College Group and as the new Chair of the Folkestone College Board. The award also recognises her charitable work as a Trustee of Donations With A Difference and her continued efforts promoting construction as an industry that is available to both women and young people alike, but is often overlooked by both. Well done Ella on your hugely deserved success.

In looking to the future I am delighted to announce that after a frustrating run of ‘close seconds’ on many of our recent tenders, we have this week been awarded two new residential projects on behalf of Dover District Council. The works will be delivered by our General Works department and involve the redevelopment of two former garage sites in Stockdale Gardens, Deal (8 Units) and Kimberley Close, Dover (16 units) to provide new residential accommodation as part of Dover’s ongoing regeneration programme. The projects will now continue through design development to start on site in the new year and I am certain will no doubt have been influenced by the exceptional and trusted relations established with the Dover District Council development team who have openly expressed their desire to continue to work with Jenner in the longer term. This serves as a perfect example of the power of relationships that we work so hard to nurture and the value of consistent delivery and open and honest dialogue with our clients.

This month we have featured in the very first edition of a new publication ‘Avery Life’ produced by Avery Healthcare who, alongside Leath Park Developments we are delivering Edenbridge Manor Care Home for. The countdown to completion is very much on and I get the distinct feeling that Ben, Vinnie and the team are actually counting down the sleeps until this extremely challenging project is over the line. Our article features the importance of the built form on future care provision and openly illustrates the remarkable work of the team in delivering this state-of-the-art care facility which they should be extremely proud of, and I encourage you all to have a read via the link below:

https://issuu.com/icon.publishing/docs/averylife_issue1_finalissuu

Continuing to look at project progress I am pleased to report that Wateringbury Extra Care is also progressing very well and gearing up towards the final stages of finishes, fixtures and fittings to complete the works on behalf of Rapport Healthcare. The 51 units will provide residential accommodation for the 55+ demographic and is another project that has been subject to scrutiny from local residents but will ultimately deliver an impressive, modern new building vastly improving the aesthetics of the area in regenerating a formerly redundant site. The drone footage shown below, captured by Tom Welch, serves as firm visual testimony to this.

Another aspect of the business that I am extremely keen to promote, led by Tony Collins, is to undertake smaller scale private residential repairs, refurbishments and extensions given the vast increase in home improvements coming forwards possibly owing to a post-COVID world that forces us all to remain at home more than usual. I am certain this has great potential to be a prosperous area of the business, and with this in mind please do make sure you guide anyone you know personally looking for a reliable builder to engage with Tony, overheard as quoting “FYI…no job too small”. Some great images (taken by Tony himself) are displayed below to demonstrate recent works of this nature;

(1) Dormer repairs, window replacement and internal repairs

(2) Bargeboard repairs and window renovation

(3 & 4) New build triple garage

Following on from my note a few weeks back calling upon volunteers to join together to assist the ‘Folkestone Town Sprucers’ with future beach cleans and litter picks, as part of our commitment to the community in developing the Folkestone seafront, we have had a few willing participants come forward but still need more, so if you are interested in helping out please do let me or Ella know.

Lastly, on behalf of NHS Blood & Transplant we have been notified of an extra blood donation session being held in Folkestone on Thursday 29th October 2020. Please see the attached poster for details, which will also be displayed around the main office if you would like to donate.

Another substantial update this week full of positivity and progress and this gives me the prime opportunity to thank you all once again for your continued efforts, dedication and enthusiasm and please do keep up the good work.

That’s all from me for another week, other than to wish you all an enjoyable weekend.