Friday Update

Friday seems to have flown around once again and as we welcome in July we find ourselves halfway through what has undoubtedly been an incredibly challenging and unprecedented year so far, and one that has impacted on all our lives. Aspects of the freedom we all once took for granted are now within grasp once again as we slowly return to some form of normality, with many of the ‘niceties’ returning this weekend and throughout July. Once again I hope you will proceed with a degree of caution as the pandemic is far from over and we must all now play our part to ensure infection rates continue to decline. With rumour of potential localised lockdowns as seen in Leicestershire, I would urge you not to worry. If any such restrictions are imposed that directly affect our operational area we are now fully prepared with all necessary policies, procedures, guidance and signage in place to continue to work safely, and we will once again adapt according to government guidance to keep you all safe.

Whilst it has been incredibly difficult times and unimaginable for those who have been directly affected by the pandemic I do consider us rather fortunate to be working within the construction industry which enables us to keep moving forwards whilst many businesses remain stalled with many unlikely to survive. Whilst acknowledging the severity of the situation, I do always like to take positivity from any situation, and I do believe that we can now operate more efficiently, are better prepared for adversity and consider much of the negative perception surrounding the industry has been diminished by the pandemic, as our importance to society and the economy has offered a new found understanding and appreciation for the work we do. Lets hope this will go some way to encourage more young people to consider construction as an exciting and varied career choice, which will go some way to addressing the vast skills gap that we as an industry face. Recession of course still looms but with building at the centre of the government’s future growth strategy and with talk of sizeable injections of capital funding directed at ‘an infrastructure revolution’ and the promise to “build, build, build and build better” with enhanced spending focused on education and keyworker housing, we are very well placed to benefit and prosper from this future opportunity.

This week has given me opportunity to get back to site and visit Simon, Martin and Darren at The Hill Littlebourne to view the progress being made on behalf of Leath Park Developments and Moat Housing. The site is now moving faster than pre-COVID times and the infrastructure and works to Phase 1B have progressed significantly. The two show homes at the front of the site are coming on very nicely, and are expected to be ready to showcase the development to potential buyers later this year.

Reports from all other sites remain positive and encouraging, and this week saw the concrete pour of Block B on site at Kings Hill (as pictured below showing both during and after) which will deliver 16 mixed tenure apartments of the overall 166 residential units. The pour took 55 loads of concrete delivered by Gallagher and we understand that their batching plant was closed to everyone except Jenner, which once again shows the strength of the relationships we have established with our supply chain, and the scale of works we are now able to deliver.

It has been a busy week on site at Folkestone Seafront too which has accomplished two project milestones, with the completion of the piled foundations and demobilisation of the piling contractor alongside the arrival and installation of the permanent site accommodation. The accommodation will be fitted-out over of the next couple of weeks and the team will be operating from the new set-up before the end of month. In fact our implementation of COVID-19 safe operating procedures on this site has been openly praised by our supply-chain and endorsed by the comment “I wish all my customers would take the same approach as Jenner Contractors”. The stock piles of excavated material on site in front of Marine Crescent have also been reduced in height and re-profiled which we hope will alleviate some of the concerns raised by local residents.

At Canterbury Medical Centre the powers of modern technology has allowed us an interactive ‘sneak peek’ into what the new facilities will look like internally when they complete later this year. The 360 tour (click to view) certainly brings the centre to life allowing future users to fully visualise their new facilities, creating interest and intrigue and heightened support of our ongoing activities and the benefits this will bring.

It is positive to hear of the tremendous progress made on the Jennison Building at the University of Kent Canterbury campus with the site back to 100% productivity and the enhanced guidelines not negatively impacting on progress. Collaborative working has been essential on this project which boundaries the site of the new Kent Medical School being delivered by National Contractor Willmott Dixon. Site Manager Kirk Longman has proactively engaged and established strong working relationships with their team (as pictured below) to ensure necessary overlap of certain working areas have not delayed delivery in any way and it is great to see collaboration of this nature with a fellow contractor at a time when we all need to pull together in our common aim to move construction projects forward.

Thank you to each and every one of you for your continued efforts and enthusiasm whether based out on site, in the office or remotely working and for the patience of those who remain furloughed. All joinery staff are now back in action which is great news and reception hours will return to normal next week from 8am-5pm.

More awards were announced this week with the annual Constructing Excellence Awards 2020 presented virtually through an online ceremony. The endeavours of our client East Kent Hospitals to bring the Harmonia Village in Dover to life, addressing the vast and growing numbers of people living with Dementia were recognised and rewarded in achieving Runner-Up status in the ‘Client of the Year’ category. This is a remarkable achievement for a local project within a highly esteemed national awards programme. Central Parade in Herne Bay were a long-list finalist but sadly did not make the final two. Well done to all involved.

It is always nice to finish the week with positive news and our warmest congratulations are extended to Josh and Kirsty Foad who safely welcomed their first child, baby Hughie, into the world on Wednesday (1st July) and I’m pleased to report they are all doing well.

Special birthday wishes are also sent to Colin Hougham, based out at Kings Hill, who celebrated his half-century milestone this week too! Happy Birthday to you Colin and I hope there were plenty of cakes on site to celebrate!

That’s all from me for another week aside from wishing you well for the weekend, and I look forward to a host of new professionally administered hairstyles next week! And if you do happen to venture into the realms of your local hostelry then please do approach with moderation, but most importantly stay safe.