CONSTRUCTION STAFF CELEBRATE COMPLETION OF £2.3M MUSIC FACILITY

Posted on September 30, 2014 by rbd

It is music to the ears of one of the region’s top performing independent schools that its new music block has been completed in time for the start of the new academic year.

Hymers College, based in Hymers Avenue, west Hull, has a long-standing reputation for nurturing musical talent amongst in its students. Indeed, it was recently ranked the highest independent school in Yorkshire for GCSE results and second for A Level results.

Now, teachers at the college are hoping the new £2.3m facility will further enhance these standards when it comes to fostering musical excellence. Hull-based Hobson & Porter, a renowned family-run construction company founded in 1971, has worked around the clock to ensure the state-of-the-art development is ready on time.

Headteacher David Elstone said: “All of our students will take part in some form of music studies during their time at Hymers College. A large percentage of our students also further this education by learning a musical instrument full-time, taking part in orchestras or choirs every week and staging public performances either individually or as part of a group.

“We have made an investment of £2.3m in the new music facility to build on our existing reputation as a centre of musical excellence. The new music centre will boost our capacity to develop musical talent and further enhance students’ experience of music studies at school, no matter their age or ability.”

The music block includes several private tuition rooms, a recording studio and a state-of-the-art IT suite. Mr Pybus, Head of Music at Hymers, said: “The new music block’s facilities are among the best available in the country for students – the design of the facility is the result of a significant level of research into national best practice. The investment demonstrates our continuing commitment to music both as an academic and as an extra-curricular pursuit.”

Dave Blades, business development director at Hobson & Porter, said: “We were delighted to work with Hymers College on this exciting development, which will add to the school’s rich musical heritage.

“I am certain that this new music block will provide plenty of positive opportunities for students at Hymers College to further enhance their experience of music studies – something we are proud to have played a pivotal role in.”

The music block will be used for the first time in September 2014 and the redevelopment of the music block is part of a larger project that Hymers College is currently undertaking to revamp the school that will also include the construction of a new, hi-tech learning resource centre.

£17m regeneration project underway in Scunthorpe with start of affordable housing development

Posted on September 26, 2014 by rbd

A £17m regeneration project in Scunthorpe is moving closer to completion almost a decade after initial plans were unveiled.

Hull-based construction firm Hobson & Porter is building five two and three bedroomed houses and 19 one and two bedroomed apartments on West Street and neighbouring Gurnell Street. Around 30 car parking spaces will also be created.

Dave Blades, business development director at Hobson & Porter, said: “The need for affordable housing is growing and we are delighted to be working with The Guinness Partnership to deliver this project.

“At Hobson & Porter we are always looking for projects to work on that will make a real difference to the local community in which they serve and I have no doubt this one will do just that. The original properties were beginning to create a bit of an eyesore in the town and we are looking forward to providing a fresh new look to the area.

“Works are progressing well on site and we hope to be in a position to hand over the keys for the apartments by the end of March 2015 and the houses a few months later.”

The development is being funded by The Guinness Partnership, which provides a range of services including care and support, neighbourhood investment, housing management and rental or ownership opportunities to more than 60,000 homes nationwide.

Allan Ramsay, director of investment and regeneration in the North at The Guinness Partnership, said: “The Guinness Partnership is pleased with the progress made on site and looks forward to offering these high quality homes to local people for rent. We are also delighted to able to kick-start the regeneration of this part of the town centre and are particularly grateful for the support of the council and the Homes and Communities Agency for contributing £413,000 grant subsidy to help make the rents on these homes affordable.”

Works on the remaining Advance Crosby Regeneration Project site are set to be completed over the coming years.

Haltemprice Leisure Centre

Posted on September 12, 2014 by rbd

Hobson & Porter is delighted to have completed the £6m refurbishment of Haltemprice Leisure Centre.

These improvements at the Springfield Way-based facility, in Anlaby, has seen the opening of a new Tone Zone.

The centre was first opened in 1973 and is a popular community facility in the East Riding of Yorkshire. It is hoped that the revamp will give the centre a new lease of life. Following the recent opening of the new pool area, which features a state-of-the-art moveable floor, a 90-station fitness suite has now also opened to the public.

Open days have been held across the bank holiday weekend, with the centre officially opening to the public today.

Haltemprice is the most well-used leisure centre in the East Riding and the upgrade was designed to make it fit for the demands of more than a million visitors a year.

The transformation of the centre has included bringing a GP surgery and library under the same roof.

We are now glad to see the expanded centre in full use.

Wyke College

Posted on September 9, 2014 by rbd

Hobson & Porter was proud to be at the forefront of the redevelopment of Wyke College, which saw the creation of a whole new sixth form campus in Bricknell Avenue, Hull.

A total investment of £20 million saw the development of three new buildings. The Ash building, which opened first in 2008, houses science, art, humanities, information and communication technology, health and social care and modern foreign languages. In April 2010 the new Oak building was opened, completing the college’s £20 million redevelopment project.

In November 2013, we built the fourth new building, Elm, which completed the transformation of Wyke College. There is an enormous Learning Resource Centre, allowing more students than ever to access both reading materials and on-line resources. The building provides excellent sports facilities, with a four badminton court sports hall. The contemporary theatre space accommodates Dance, Drama and Music performances.

The Music department features a high tech recording studio and the Media department now benefits from video editing facilities, an apple mac suite and a visual effects green room. The Refectory and Coffee Bar provide a welcoming environment for students to socialise in. The landscaped area outside links all four buildings and provides an extensive social space.

Kingston & Winget Regeneration

Posted on September 9, 2014 by rbd

Hull City Council commissioned Hobson & Porter to undertake a significant refurbishment programme of some of its housing stock, as part of the Green Deal scheme.

After funding was committed for regeneration in the Preston Road area over a five year period, we began refurbishment and structural works to Kingston and Winget properties.

The £3 million refurbishment contract involved us carrying out external wall insulation and render, which formed part of a series of other work required to achieve Decent Homes standard.

Yorkshire Housing – Thimblehall Lane

Posted on September 9, 2014 by rbd

Yorkshire Housing, a registered social landlord which provides more than 16,000 affordable homes throughout Yorkshire, appointed Hobson & Porter to develop a scheme of new build properties.

We worked hand in glove with this not for profit organisation to ensure the new homes we built on their behalf in Gilberdyke continued to position Yorkshire Housing as one of the best providers of homes and support in the region.

Thimblehall Lane, in East Yorkshire, provides a peaceful residential setting with a mixture of both houses and bungalows creating a thriving new community.

The Octagon

Posted on September 9, 2014 by rbd

When Goodwin Development Trust invested £5 million in building The Octagon, a state-of-the-art community facility in Hull, they turned to Hobson & Porter to manage the project.

The centre accommodates West Hull Primary Care Trust, a childcare facility and Hull City Council Customer Services Centre. The centre also provides conference facilities and meeting rooms.

Since the building opened in September 2005 the conference rooms have become a viable business, bringing much-needed investment to the heart of one of the most deprived communities in the city.

Goodwin Development Trust was set up as a charitable organisation in 1994 by a group of residents on the Thornton Estate in Hull who saw it as a way to improve their quality of life and the services available on their estate.

The trust’s services now range from fitness centres to childcare support, and from job advice to community wardens. Goodwin’s board of trustees comprises residents of the Thornton Estate who have been appointed by fellow residents to represent their interests.

Over the past 12 years, the trust has successfully improved quality of life on the Thornton Estate, and some of its projects now operate right across the city. Today the Goodwin Development Trust employs around 300 staff working across 38 sites and has a turnover of £9.2 million a year.

Affordable Housing in Pocklington

Posted on September 9, 2014 by rbd

Hobson & Porter was commissioned by East Riding of Yorkshire Council to develop a series of new build properties as part of its Affordable Housing programme.

The properties are located in Clayfield Lane, Pocklington, and included two bedroomed homes as well as bungalows.

Frontage Refurbishments, Boulevard

Posted on September 9, 2014 by rbd

Hull City Council commissioned Hobson & Porter to carry out frontage improvement to council owned properties in Hull’s Boulevard area.

The £5 million project saw us carrying out frontage works and rendering, as well as replacing garden walls, gates, railings and paving work to improve the appearance of the fronts of the properties in Welstead Street.

Hobson & Porter worked closely with the local community to minimise diruption to residents who were still living in their properties whilst the work was carried out.