Unsworth Sugden Group

A training specialist has seen a rise in the number of people starting apprenticeships in Nottingham over the last year.

Client Positive Outcomes, which is based in South Normanton, more than doubled the number of people it signed up for Government-funded training in 2011/12 compared to the previous year’s figures.

From August 2011 to July 2012 Positive Outcomes signed up 638 apprentices, a huge increase on the 249 who started apprenticeships between August 2010 and July 2011.

Chris Longmate, Managing Director, comments: “We think this is a really encouraging sign that people of all ages are keen to learn new skills and work towards nationally recognised qualifications through work-based training.”

Of the 638 apprentices signed up over the last year, 96 were aged 16 to 18, a figure Positive Outcomes is hoping to increase over the next year with its new Paid to Learn scheme.

Paid to Learn is a brand new website, created by Unsworth Sugden’s digital team, that provides a tailored service to 16 to 18-year-olds seeking apprenticeships around the country, allowing teenagers to find and apply for roles online, as well as access advice and support.

Since its launch in August, Paid to Learn has already generated 300 applications from eager apprentices around the country.  We’re delighted with the success of the website so far, it’s a great example of how fresh design and tailored SEO and PPC can really drive results.

Chris Longmate, Positive Outcomes' Managing Director

Homebuyers interested in purchasing one of the few remaining luxury apartments at client Kebbell Homes’ Caedmon’s Prospect development in Whitby were invited to a special open evening on Thursday 27th September where they could meet their potential new neighbours.

The event allowed those thinking of purchasing at the development the fantastic opportunity to view the limited number of apartments left available and to meet those residents already calling Caedmon’s Prospect their home.

Linda Tillisch, Northern Sales Manager for Kebbell Homes, comments, “This event at Caedmon’s Prospect provides potential customers with an excellent opportunity to visit the development, view the remaining luxury apartments and also talk to those who have already taken the opportunity to purchase here. There’s a really friendly community spirit here and we hope that by holding this open evening this will come across and help convince people that this really is the place to be in Whitby.”

Front Elevation of Kebbell Homes’ Caedmon’s Prospect development

Stuart Stokes, Site Manager, with students from The Lyng Primary School with their designs behind them on the construction site’s hoardings.

Children from The Lyng Primary School, have leant their artistic talents to client Barratt West Midlands at its The Lyng development, and recently visited the site to see how their creative flair has been used to decorate the construction site’s hoardings.

Local residents are being advised to keep their eyes peeled for fresh artistic designs as the hoardings are set to be updated with new pictures from the area’s youngsters every few months.

“We’re delighted with the artwork that the children have produced” commented Katie Yates, Sales Manager for Barratt West Midlands. “It has given the site a real splash of colour and we’ve all been really impressed with the creativity of the children’s pictures.

“It was great that the children had a chance to see how their creative efforts have contributed to the site. Our aim at The Lyng is to involve local people as much as possible and working with nearby schools is an important part of that.

“We would like to thank The Lyng Primary School and all the children for taking part, their artwork gives the site a real boost. We’re thoroughly looking forward to seeing what they create for our hoardings as the months go by.”

Unsworth Sugden designers helped produce creative hoardings turning the children’s artwork into large scale graphics.  We also sent a photographer down to site to get a few pictures!

Residents enjoying their coffee and cakes

Well done to the residents at client David Wilson Homes’ Newton Park development, who took part in the World’s Biggest Coffee Morning and raised over £700 for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The housebuilder gave a helping hand by accommodating the event in the show home on Wellington Avenue in Newton near Bingham and donating a huge chocolate hamper as a raffle prize.

Ruth Lilley and her parents who have lived at Newton Park since March helped organised the event. She said, “We were expecting to raise about £200 so we’re all thrilled that we’ve so much more has been donated.”

Newly recruited David Wilson Sales Adviser Bridgett helped the residents set up the event. She said, “It’s been so much fun helping out at the fundraiser. There’s a fantastic community spirit here - I’ve only been here a few weeks and the residents have made me feel so welcome.”

What once was just a few new homes in a small, countryside village, Newton is now home to over 80 families and a growing community – the Macmillan coffee morning is just one of a long line of events for them.

Resident Karl Richardson, aged 42 said, “Having lived in cities for quite some time, it’s really refreshing to be in a rural area and Newton Park itself has taken shape as a really welcoming community.”

Congratulation from Unsworth Sugden for raising a remarkable amount for Macmillan Cancer Support and we hope to see future events to turn out just as successful.

A Barratt Homes show home in Buckingham, has been kitted out with a pink theme to help raise awareness of the Breast Cancer Campaign.

The brightly coloured show home at Windsor Park on London Road boasts hot pink walls, a girl’s room with a ballet theme, as well as pink curtains, mirrors and wallpaper throughout the house.

Barratt Homes has also asked its construction teams to switch their standard yellow high viz waistcoats for some girly pink ones and wear them on site on today (Friday 26^th October).  Visitors to Windsor Park may find the traditional masculine builder looking a little more feminine! They will even wear pink hard hats too!

Barratt Homes’ Northampton division will be donating £100 to the breast cancer care charity for every home reserved at Windsor Park during October.

Sales director Sue Blackman said, “We are delighted to show our support for this incredibly worthwhile cause and the charity deserves every bit of help it can get.”

Everyone here at Unsworth Sugden hope that they raise as much as possible for the Breast Cancer Care charity. We’re also doing our bit by wearing pink in the office today.  Look out for pictures!

Inside the show home which is kitted out in pink.

Construction team on site dressed in pink!

A new sports playing field and pavilion named after the Queen, to mark her Diamond Jubilee, has been unveiled in West Bromwich.

And Prince William - HRH the Duke of Cambridge and patron of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge - has sent a letter of support to Sandwell Council.

The Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields are part of client David Wilson Homes’, Churchfields Place and Aspire developments off All Saint’s Way, on the site of the former Churchfields High School.

Funded by David Wilson Homes, the £1 million playing fields include grass sports football pitches with a sports pavilion, all designed to the latest Sport England standards. Also included is a children’s play area.

Sandwell’s Mayor Councillor Keith Davies unveiled a plaque produced by Unsworth Sugden at the playing fields.

Councillor Davies said: “This is the first time for some years that a new sports field and pavilion has been constructed in Sandwell, and it contributes to protecting and enhancing sports provision following the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

The PR team also helped the event by preparing a speech and worked with Sandwell Council’s press office on the press release.  We also sent photographer Steve Baker along to record the event.

Entrance to the sports pavilion.

Unveiled plaque to the new sports playing field and pavilion.

Unsworth Sugden is proud to announce that client Raynsway Properties was named a double winner at September’s Insider East Midlands Property Dinner. The event saw over 400 industry professionals gather at the East Midlands Conference Centre in Nottingham.

The developer, which owns and manages the Watermead Business Park in Syston, a portfolio of office and industrial premises totally some 500,000 sq ft in Thurmaston and Leicester Marina, adjacent to Watermead Country Park, was recognised for a number of achievements.

The PR team at Unsworth Sugden spoke to Tom Watkinson, Managing Director at Raynsway Properties about the win.  He comments, “We are thrilled to be named Commercial Developer of the Year at this prestigious regional awards evening. To be recognised for your achievements within the industry is fantastic and a real feather in our cap.”

He added, “For the Interserve PassivHaus office to be named Sustainable Development of the Year was really icing on the cake for us. The judges said it was a hands down winner for setting new green standards nationally and also commented that the property sector needs more brave and innovative projects like this to take the whole industry forward. For this to be happening right here in Leicester is fantastic for the city.”

Congratulations to Raynsway Properties for this huge achievement.  Let’s hope there are many more in store for the future.

(From left to right) Gyles Brandreth; Tom Watkinson, Managing Director of Raynsway Properties; and Simon Dale, regional director of the award sponsor Mace.

Client, Schlüter-Systems Ltd, has recorded an increase in sales of 40% for its underfloor heating product.

Carl Stokes, Divisional Manager at Schlüter-Systems, comments, “The increase in enquiries and sales for our Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM system is something we have been monitoring for some time, with the rise in the number of self-build projects in the UK a possible key factor.

“Underfloor heating systems such as ours are no longer only found in spas, hotels and other high-end projects with many domestic customers now viewing it as a perfect way of adding a touch of quality to their projects. We’ve also been able to benefit from the recent poor weather with many self-builders opting to install the system now so they can be prepared for the unpredictable British climate.

“Schlüter®-BEKOTEC-THERM is seen as the perfect investment thanks to its quick and even distribution of heat and low supply temperature, which in turn lead to low heating costs. As well as its simple installation, top performance and ease of use, what really makes it stand out from the crowd is its five year covering assembly warranty. Unlike other systems, which just provide component warranties, our customers have the peace of mind that our warranty covers the whole floor assembly therefore adding additional safety and benefits to this innovative system.”

This news comes as the Office for National Statistics yesterday announced that the UK is officially out of recession. Could this be a sign that things are on the up?

Carl Stokes, Divisional Manager

Client Schlüter-Systems Ltd has recently launched a series of practical workshops where tilers across the country can learn skills first-hand from the experts. Based at the company’s Coalville head office, these one-day sessions will focus on detailed practical training for tile specialists with each focusing on a different key area.

Ian Knifton, Divisional Manager, comments, “As the world’s leading supplier of fixing and protection systems we already offer a number of award-winning training courses to help fixers become more accomplished in working with tiles, such as the Schlüter Online Academy or via our existing detailed theoretical training programmes.

“However our new Innovation Workshops will provide detailed practical training right here at Schlüter-Systems which in turn will offer many benefits to the installer. These include an increase in knowledge and skills and a potential increase in their earning capacity. With more and more professionals turning to us for training we envisage these new Innovation Workshops will prove extremely popular.”

At the end of each Innovation Workshop, attendees will be certificated by Schlüter-Systems Ltd for a period of two years. Once this period has elapsed they will be encouraged to attend a refresher course before being issued with further certification. As one of our clients, we know that Schlüter-Systems are dedicated in keeping up the quality of work tilers across the country provide for their customers.

The Unsworth Sugden team supported the launch of the Innovation Workshops with a special model shoot, which took advantage of the talents of some of the country’s best tilers, press releases and print advertising as well as a brand new website.  Find out more at http://www.trainedwithschluter.co.uk/

Divisional Manager Ian Knifton talks to Stevenage tiler Andy Howard at a trial of the new Innovation Workshops from Schlüter-Systems.

We are pleased to say that the new high street shop that opened in late September on Ashby’s Market Street has proved a hit with local shoppers after more than 100 people turned up to take a look.

The shop, which acts as an information hub for client David Wilson homes for sale in the area is a brand new concept for them. It means that local people can find out more about the five star housebuilder’s newest housing schemes at the same time as buying their groceries or picking up a prescription.

Sales Director Philip Lacey explains the decision to have a retail presence. “We have received a lot of interest online in our new sites in the area, especially the two in Ashby. Without anything built yet, it’s difficult for homebuyers to have an idea of what they can expect from each development so we decided to offer them the resources they need all under one roof at an easy to reach location, well before the developments themselves open their doors.

“We hope that this will save homebuyers time and effort, helping them pinpoint the perfect home for them, but there are a number of other benefits too.

“What’s more, those who wish to stamp their personal preferences on their home before moving in can do so by buying off plan.”

The new homes centre has already taken three reservations, one at Hastings Park on Leicester Road and another two at Ivanhoe Fields on Smisby Road in Ashby.

Philip continues, “As a housebuilder that is synonymous for high quality, we work hard to ensure that this translates not only to the finish of our product but to our customer service too and we hope many have been able to use the new homes centre as a valuable resource.”

The PR team has helped David Wilson Homes so far secure three press cuts for the opening and are working on ideas to promote this new concept further.

Inside the new David Wilson Homes high street shop