Client Barratt North Midlands was joined by two very special guests last month, to help celebrate the launch of its latest Nottingham development, The Courtyard on Barlock Road.

The PR Team put their heads together and came up with the idea of inviting some X Factor judge look-a-likes along to spend the day meeting and greeting visitors. People flocked to visit the development and see Dan Hadfield and Jenna Scottow AKA Gary Barlow and Tulisa, who we invited to be the guests of honour at the X Factor themed launch. Since the event they have had a lot of interest from magazines and TV programmes. They have even appeared on The Xtra Factor with the real judges as their ‘fake judge’ look-a-likes, and had their picture in Heat Magazine!

To officially open its new development, Falcons Rest at Doseley Park in Telford, client David Wilson Mercia hosted a falconry display put on by The Falconry Centre to entertain families visiting. Visitors could touch and hold the birds, which included an Eagle, Owls and Falcons. Our photographer Toby Savage got some great pictures of the birds being held by visitors during their visit.

The region’s first certified PassivHaus office at client Raynsway Properties’ Watermead Business Park in Syston was given the seal of approval by Business Secretary Vince Cable MP last night after he visited the recently completed project.

Dr Cable praised the ‘extraordinary building’ as he was given a tour around the 6,000 sq ft premises by representatives from key partners Raynsway, Interserve, CPMG Architects and environmental building consultants CPW, during which he was able to learn more about sustainable development and more specifically about the principles of PassivHaus.

He congratulated everyone involved in the project and spoke of the need to look at similar schemes for industrial and commercial buildings across the country, saying that “energy efficiency needs to be a key consideration in the construction of any new build offices and commercial premises”.

The £1.5m state of the art facility pushes the boundary of environmentally friendly design and is now home to around 50 employees from Interserve - one of the world’s foremost support services and construction companies.

Vince Cable is given a tour around the new PassivHaus office at the Watermead Business Park in Leicester

Tom Watkinson from Raynsway Properties (right) speaks in more details to Vince Cable MP about PassivHaus

The new PassivHaus office at Watermead Business Park

The PR team set up an interview this morning for client Compendium Living to talk about its Castleward project in Derby.  This major regeneration scheme has attracted the attention of much of the regional press, taking pride of place on page three of today’s Derby Evening Telegraph.  Take a listen Compendium’s Managing Director Dave Bullock talk about the project bbc-radio-derby-281011-0821.

Dave Bullock, Compendium Living and Adam Wilkinson, DCC, at Castleward

Client Compendium Living has signed a deal worth £100m with Derby City Council, signalling the start of a major transformation of the city centre, which will provide a new and vibrant link between Derby Midland Station and the Westfield shopping centre.

Compendium Living will develop some 30 acres of existing industrial and amenity space in the Castleward area into a high quality city community which will become the new gateway into Derby.

This high profile scheme, which is being developed in partnership with Compendium Living’s sister companies, Lovell and The Riverside Group, will ultimately provide some 800 new homes, 215,000sq ft of commercial space, community facilities, leisure opportunities, a school and open spaces.

The area’s existing central footpath will be transformed into an exciting and cosmopolitan boulevard, with new trees, homes and businesses, which both residents and passersby will be able to enjoy. 

Along the new boulevard, the transition between old and new will really be felt as the team behind the project plan to incorporate building designs that reflect Derby’s railway heritage as well as its contemporary features.

Dave Bullock, Managing Director of Compendium Living said, “The regeneration of Castleward signifies a new era for life in Derby, really setting the standard for development and becoming the city’s new front door.

“By drawing on the knowledge and expertise of our partners we aim to carve out a new place to be, one that refers to Derby’s industrial past as much as it celebrates its cutting edge present.

“Living or working in the new Castleward will mean being able to take advantage of everything Derby has to offer right on its doorstep. 

“Above all, we look forward to being able to give Derby something it can be proud of.”

Councillor Phillip Hickson, Leader of Derby City Council added, “We are delighted to be working with Compendium Living to revive the Castleward area of the city. This project will deliver major regeneration benefits and provide a fantastic boost for the city. The development of this sustainable community embodies our strident ambition to attract investment into Derby despite the tough economic climate.

“Castleward is a key element of the Council’s ongoing commitment to stimulating the local economy. We believe that the Castleward will provide a high quality residential neighbourhood with the many benefits of city centre living and this will support Derby’s quality of life offer.”

The project will also include major improvements to the Bass recreational ground and include more than 200 affordable homes.

The Castleward team hopes to submit a planning application for the first phase of the development early in the New Year.

 Pupils from St Mary’s C of E Primary School in Burton Latimer were provided with bright yellow high-viz slap it wrist bands thanks to a colourful donation from David Wilson South Midlands. The donation coincides with National Walk to School Month which takes place throughout the month of October and aims to keep them visible on their walk to school, as well as raise awareness of safety and levels of noise while pupils walk to and from school. Thanks a lot to our brilliant photographer Steve Baker who went along to snap the children looking extremely pleased with their new wrist bands!

The pupils proudly wearing their wrist bands

Derek with his veg

Client David Wilson Mercia is ready for Halloween at its Shrewsbury site, Chatham Park, as one of the construction team has been growing pumpkins on his very own on site vegetable patch! Derek Allman, a forklift driver for the division, is growing a variety of vegetables including the seasonal pumpkins after his granddaughter wanted some to take to school for Halloween. His patch now includes potatoes and cabbages, and is doing so well he has now started handing out his produce to staff and residents at Chatham Park. Even our photographer Toby Savage, who took some great pictures of Derek with his vegetables, recieved a cabbage to take home with him.

Amey Rayns

As Monday 9am approached I felt quite nervous to say the least as although I have recently finished university I don’t have a lot of experience within an office environment and a PR department and I didn’t really know what to expect. But as soon as I walked in and Hannah introduced me to everyone and gave me a guided tour I quickly settled in.

I thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of my week, from learning how to write press releases to doing the tea and coffee rounds. Although I studied marketing and advertising within my business management degree, I had no real understanding of PR before this week or how important it is. I definitely do now; in fact it has really made me wish I’d taken a different degree!

The most interesting part I think was the extent to which the PR department deals with property, I have always been thoroughly interested in property and researching and writing press releases surrounding current developments has been wonderful. I wrote blog posts, compiled documents of journalism information, investigated how social networking can be used to benefit clients, created contact lists and updated AVE information.

The team at Unsworth Sugden is so nice, and everyone is so helpful and inviting. It is a brilliantly motivating working environment!

I will take a lot away from my week at Unsworth Sugden. My confidence in my ability to speak with clients, colleagues and multi task has improved and my writing skills now for press releases compared to only a few days ago are worlds apart.

I have really enjoyed my week at Unsworth Sugden and want to say a huge thank you to Hannah and her team for being so lovely and teaching me such a lot!

Client and regional property developer Raynsway Properties last week teamed up with Apprentice star and entrepreneur Joanna Riley following the re-launch of her Leicester based cleaning company Cleancom Ltd.

 Raynsway Properties has agreed a deal with Joanna which will see its tenants given a 15% discount for the first year if they sign a new cleaning contract with Cleancom.

Cleancom Ltd, based in Syston, Leicester has expanded from a small firm to a nationally recognised business that offers a wide variety of services related to cleaning including domestic, commercial and retail, specialist cleaning and pest control.

 We spoke to Joanna about her latest contract and she said, “When I appeared on The Apprentice, Lord Sugar and his team taught me many invaluable lessons that have given me the business tools to re-launch my cleaning company, Cleancom based in Syston. Meeting with Raynsway Properties was very positive and I hope to have an ongoing relationship with them in the future.’

 If you would like to read more about Cleancom or arrange a meeting with them today, please call 0116 216 6565, email info@clean-com.co.uk or visit the website at www.clean-com.co.uk

Client Barratt West Midlands had some extraordinary visitors at its Monarch Fields development in Telford during a Part Exchange event weekend this month.

A selection of animals from Hoo Farm Animal Kingdom located a few minutes drive from the development on Humber Lane were out to meet and greet visiting families, and included a meerkat, a Burmese python, a racoon and a barn owl.