Contract Award : HMP Glasgow

We have been awarded the preconstruction services contract to deliver HMP Glasgow, a new prison, which is set to replace Victorian-era HMP Barlinnie, in 2026. HMP Glasgow will be a modern facility built on a 54-acre site in Provanmill. SPS intends that it will be designed to deliver safety and security through the use of technology and design innovation in a way which supports positive outcomes for those in the care of SPS and the wellbeing of the wider community, as well as operating in a fully-sustainable way throughout its lifecycle. Work will now begin on the pre-construction phase, closely collaborating with SPS as part of a strategic alliance and combining its national custodial experience with its Glasgow-based regional delivery team, to deliver the best possible design for this state-of-the-art new building. We will explore options for delivering a net zero carbon facility which also operates as a ‘smart building’, using automated processes and technology to support the operation of the new prison, for example through automated prisoner movement. The project will be delivered by using modern methods of construction underpinned by the use of digital technology to further support decarbonisation goals during construction and an efficient delivery programme. We will also fully support SPS’s ambitions for delivering social value through contributing to improved leaver experience for those in SPS care gained through its Making Ground programme and supporting local spend and upskilling. Teresa Medhurst, SPS Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to award the contract for preconstruction services to Kier Construction which represents a significant step forward in delivering the new HMP Glasgow. The investment that we have...

Success at the North West Regional Construction Awards!

We were delighted to pick up three awards and a highly commended at last night’s North West Regional Construction Awards where we won the following: People Development for Kier Construction “Almost a manual on ‘how to do it!’ The submission demonstrates an outstanding array of development and inclusion measures across the whole business that has been externally accredited. This is an exemplar of how a leading UK contractor can demonstrate excellence in the way it attracts, develops and maintains critical resources and develops people. The roadmap and targets for success are clearly defined for the next five years.” Client of the Year for Knowsley Council “In order to deliver a unique project, the client had to develop an exceptional collaborative vision and significant background research undertaken to “get it right” the first time. What resulted is an excellent example of the end-to-end importance of project management, the creation of strong governance and a focus on best in class from design, through construction to social value and local economic impact. Without this leading example of client leadership and behaviour the delivery of Shakespeare North – a replica of the Cockpit-in-Court, designed for Charles I by architect Inigo Jones in 1629 – would not have been possible.” Sub-Regional Project of the Year (Liverpool) “A brilliant submission, demonstrating performance across a wide range of constructing excellence principles. Collaboration was the key with the challenges of the project being met directly through co-location. To successfully deliver this unique project the client had to conduct significant background research to “get it right” first time. What resulted is an excellent example of the end-to-end importance...

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine – Topping out ceremony

Last week we marked a key milestone on the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine project, by hosting an event to celebrate the completion of a key phase in the refurbishment with a ceremonial laying of the building’s final brick by iiCON’s founding Director Janet Hemingway, and LSTM’s Director, David Lalloo. L-R Sean Fenner, Regional Director, Kier – Professor David Lalloo, Director, LSTM – Professor Janet Hemingway, Director iiCON – Bob Adams, Director, Kier Operated jointly by Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and iiCON: Infection Innovation Consortium, the new centre, Pembroke House, builds on the Liverpool City Region’s world-leading capability in infectious disease research and innovation. The building, located in the heart of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter is undergoing an extensive refurbishment and this involves the external façade being retained while internal works deliver an attractive, contemporary space with state-of-the-art facilities with immersive and experiential technologies at its core. Once complete, the centre will provide a bespoke centre for world-class collaborative and interactive online learning, industry collaboration, and community engagement and training. The centre will accelerate the development of transformative technologies, and future-proof the region as a world-leading centre for infection innovation, research, and learning. Professor David Lalloo said: “Pembroke House responds to a growing need for a step-change in training to equip health professionals to deal with the global health challenges of the future. “The new centre will support impactful global partnerships with multiple stakeholders in teaching and research and enhance LSTM’s educational collaboration with overseas partners and students by linking learning on-campus in Liverpool into a world-class, globally connected digital learning environment. “It’s exciting to be ‘topping out’ the...

Shakespeare North Playhouse has officially opened its doors!

On Friday evening, the Shakespeare North playhouse officially open its doors to the public with a celebration event and parade held in Prescot town centre. The project team was invited to take part in the parade and even Kieran and Kiera had their first event out since the pandemic began. Wearing their PPE, they took part in the parade along the main street of Prescot, up to the doors of the new building. Kieran and Kiera loved meeting all the people of Prescot and the children were very happy to see them! Click here to read more about the...

The Bemrose School – Education Estates Awards

We are delighted to confirm that The Bemrose School project has been shortlisted at this year’s Education Estate Awards in the Refurbishment of the Year category. Placing learning at the centre of our solution, this regeneration scheme brought an outdated estate up to modern standards, delivered within a live environment. Comprising extensive refurbishment of this locally listed 93-year-old school over 3 phases, we blended traditional, modern, and innovative refurbishment construction methodologies to provide high-quality education facilities whilst retaining The Bemrose’s heritage character. The project was delivered in consultation with Derbyshire County Council’s Heritage Officer to ensure full compliance with listed building regulations. A new build extension and landscaping completes 5 overall phases. To provide an enhanced learning environment and improved sustainability (e.g. energy efficiency), works included internal reconfiguration/refurbishment, full slate roof strip and re-installation, full window replacement, structural steelwork repairs, brick 2 of 3 rebuilding, exposed external concrete repairs, and complete M&E replacement. The new M&E systems ensure reduced running costs, diverting money to educational needs. With the inherently complex works within an expansive listed building, our team had to constantly adapt and reassess the programme and methodologies as our site investigations uncovered previously unknown issues, e.g., steel reinforcement to degraded concrete. Thank you to all involved for all of the work that has gone into this and the impact this will have on pupils’ and staffs’ lives and ultimately education. I can most definitely say that every pound has been well spent for the pupils of today and also into the future.I have been at the school for 20 years…I’ve never received so many positive comments about the...

Success at the Constructing Excellence Yorkshire & Humber Awards

We’re proud to have picked up two awards and one highly commended at last week’s Constructing Excellence Yorkshire & Humber Awards: Diversity and Inclusion – Kier Group (Winner)Client of the year – Leeds City Council at Newmarket House (Winner)Building project of the year – Newmarket House (Highly Commended) Diversity and Inclusion is recognised as a business imperative, and following the first company-wide audit in 2021, a D&I roadmap was created to outline our plans for the next five years. Since then, amongst other things, we’ve enhanced our family friendly policies, become an accredited Real Living Wage employer, launched four new employee networks and introduced the Expect Respect campaign, designed to educate employees on the importance of inclusive language and communicating our zero-tolerance approach to bullying and harassment. We’re delighted that our work to create a new home for Leeds City Council’s environmental services has also been recognised. Newmarket House features a range of measures focusing on sustainability and achieving Net Zero Carbon including 50 electric vehicle charging points, LED lighting and roof-mounted PV arrays. Our approach to building this fantastic new facility included carbon-offset design, use of recycled materials and energy efficient components throughout design development. Congratulations to everyone...