Friday Update

As predicted, and following on from the glorious spring-like sunshine that we were momentarily able to bask in last Friday, the snow arrived on Sunday and seems to have covered all corners of Kent, resulting in the usual delays and disruption that freezing conditions naturally bring to bear. Whilst the resulting winter wonderlands are incredibly picturesque and a delight to see, once again for us in construction the aftermath is a far from the idyllic, causing further delays amidst already challenging working conditions and once again impacting on productivity and turnover. Whilst many of us can thankfully work from the comfort and warmth of our homes and are now getting pretty good at doing so, I must express huge credit to all our diligent site teams in progressing as best they can in these challenging conditions and carrying on regardless of the sub-zero temperatures. To that effect it was most impressive to hear that whilst Folkestone seafront recorded a wind chill of minus 7 on Tuesday, our key subcontractor O’Halloran and O’Brien, who are delivering the concrete frame on the development, continued to drive forwards with over 50 operatives on site, so I do feel that further praise is warranted for our valued supply chain as well in keeping us moving with a degree of momentum. Thanks to all those who sent in images of their sites in the snow, as shown below (Folkestone Seafront, William Muge, Christchurch School Erith and the latest Jenner mascot from the team at Littlebourne, who I fear won’t survive into next week) and which received lots of attention via social media.

I would imagine that most of you are now, much like me, patiently awaiting the next government briefing expected on Monday 22nd February when Boris intends to address the nation once again, this time to outline his roadmap for recovery and intentions to ease lockdown and the ongoing restrictions. With education earmarked as the critical first-stage in any form of recovery it will certainly be interesting to hear if the intended date of 8th March to re-open schools across the UK will go ahead as planned, and if so what this means for all other aspects of society. At this juncture, I would encourage you all to remain open-minded and realistic in order to manage your own personal expectations of what life for the next few months may look like, as I do believe the transition back to any aspect of normality will be a very slow process indeed.

Nonetheless, with rates of infection on the slide and falling below 1 across all four nations of the UK for the first time in what seems like forever, death rates stabilising and the mass vaccination programme firmly on track with well over 13 million first doses now administered, I feel there is certainly good reason to allow ourselves a little optimism that we are at least moving forwards in the fight against COVID-19, with great hope that we will overcome the pandemic. I am informed on good authority that many of you across the business are proactively electively testing using the symptom-free testing service, with many doing so on a fortnightly basis which is extremely encouraging to hear and which is imperative in our ongoing attempts to reduce spread of infection within the office and across our sites. If you haven’t yet tested in this manner I would please encourage you to do so and report your results back to us, and to aid you in this process please see below a reminder of the link through which you can book your test (which is recommended every 2-3 weeks for your safety and peace of mind and to protect your colleagues and loved ones): https://kcc.healthit.org.uk/covbook/home

Taking a brief look at the economy, construction output currently mirrors the wider state of play as all sectors have predictably tanked throughout 2020 and early into 2021 due to the effects of COVID-19 and faster than any era since the 1920’s, narrowly avoiding a double-dip recession. Whilst our recovery, and that of the industry as a whole has stalled and we continue to face difficult times ahead that will undoubtedly test our resilience amidst a highly competitive marketplace, we continue to receive our usual high level of new business opportunities from both existing clients known to us as well as enquiries from potential new clients which is again very pleasing to see, and gives us added confidence for the future. That said, client confidence has naturally been affected and clients are requesting more and more assurance of stability prior to tendering which makes our reputation, ongoing performance and the relationships we work so hard to nurture more vital than ever to allow us to continue to secure new business. With this in mind please do not underestimate the vital role each and every one of you plays within the business and I sincerely thank you all for your ongoing conduct and efforts in the face of continued adversity.

Moving on to news of a very positive nature, we have been notified this week of the award of a new contract to deliver 26 new build homes; a mix of 1 bedroom flats through to a large five bedroom accessible home on behalf of existing client Dover District Council on the Napchester Road, as the affordable element of the much larger Whitfield Urban Expansion project. As soon as we have some images of what the scheme will look like I will share these with you as the scheme proceeds through pre-construction and mobilisation onto site with a view to commencing in March. Well done to all involved in securing this exciting new £4million project for us to deliver.

Following on from updates over previous weeks relating to the handover of Ivy Court Doctors Surgery, the project received excellent press coverage in Kent Online earlier this week with our client praising Jenner within the article, openly stating: "They pulled out all of the stops to get the building finished by February and we can't speak highly enough of them" which serves as huge testimony to the team once again and is incredibly positive PR for Jenner. Ivy Court has now become a designated COVID-19 vaccination centre which reiterates the importance of our work in construction in delivering fit-for-purpose facilities that prove fundamental to society and in this case in the ongoing fight to overcome the global pandemic. You can read the full write-up via the following link: Tenterden's Ivy Court Surgery moves into new building (kentonline.co.uk)

Finishing with some people-focused news, I am delighted and relieved to report that Steve Cullen is now out of intensive care and comfortable on the main ward. Whilst Steves wife Pat says she has no idea yet when he may be able to come home, the medical teams caring for Steve are fully focused on his rehabilitation and encouraging movement after many weeks of immobility. I am sure you will all join me in extending our very best wishes to Steve on his ongoing journey back to health, and to all his family in supporting him at this worrying time.

I would also like to congratulate Aimee Clayton-Brennan who this week received the result of her Chartered Institute of Marketing examination where she has passed with distinction achieving 94%. Aimee has kept busy with her studies to strengthen her knowledge and skills in her role as Marketing Manager, whilst furloughed over recent months. Alongside this, more recently she has been undertaking work directly and on a voluntary basis on the front-line to support the NHS with their vaccination programme, on many days enduring 12 hour shifts, which I sure you will agree is an incredibly noble and proactive use of her time and positive reflection on Jenner too. Well done to you Aimee, on both accounts.

If anyone else is volunteering, training, or generally doing something positive amongst their local community or has anything newsworthy to share of either a project or people-focused nature then please don’t be shy. Many staff report back to me that the Friday Update has become part of their weekly routine, keeping them informed and updated on everything happening across the business when non-essential access to the office and sites is prohibited and communication with colleagues is limited, so please do send your updates in to me via the Front-of-House team for future inclusion.

That’s all from me for another week other than to wish you an enjoyable weekend as it looks like temperatures will rapidly increase to clear the snow so we can get back to normal. Or at least normal as we currently know it.

Please do continue to stay safe and well.