5th Jun 2008 – Foremans Completes 8th Project for Leeds City Council

Foremans Relocatable Building Systems, the UK’s leading supplier of pre-used modular buildings, has completed its eighth construction project for Leeds City Council – a single storey training and enterprise centre that forms part of a £20m regeneration initiative spearheaded by the Council.

The centre in Seacroft follows the completion of three projects for Leeds City Council using second hand modular buildings at Parklands High School, and other schemes at schools in Scholes, Harehills and Wetherby.

The latest project, a 15,000sqft modular building, accommodates a range of construction skills teaching facilities for local people, as part of the East and South East Leeds (EASEL) project.  It also provides a valuable classroom resource and a drop-in enterprise centre.

The new centre has been funded through the Government’s Local Enterprise Growth Initiative, which aims to inspire enterprise and grow local businesses in some of the most deprived areas of England.

The partially brick-clad building, which Foremans completed in less than two months, comprises a large workshop area, two classrooms, generous shower, WC and washroom facilities, and an open plan office that offers local entrepreneurs accommodation for business support and networking.

Commenting on the choice of the Foremans approach, Mark Scott, Service Manager – Jobs and Skills Service at Leeds City Council, said, “The boundless possibilities for re-use within the long life of the EASEL project was the driving force behind our choice of building type. As the building is fully relocatable and can easily be reconfigured, it provides us with a cost-effective alternative to traditionally constructed, permanent accommodation.” 

He added, “The main advantage of a second hand, refurbished modular building is that it can be occupied in a matter of weeks from delivery. Regardless of the bad weather, the building was very quick to complete. We are very pleased with the finished building and are looking forward to using it to its full potential.”

Lisa Smith, Programme Officer from the East Area Regeneration Team at Leeds City Council, said, “The new training and enterprise centre will give local people a greater opportunity to acquire practical skills to help them succeed.  It is a great facility.”

“The workshop area can be split into four sections for teaching bricklaying, plastering, joinery and other building skills. The classrooms will be used as a satellite learning facility for training providers and the catalyst centre is designed to encourage and support local entrepreneurs.  It will serve our partners with the extra resources they need to improve training, education and business support for local people.”

The 37-module building was already 70 per cent complete when it was delivered to site, which reduced the programme time.  Power points, lighting, carpets and sanitary ware were pre-installed. Additional work carried out by Foremans included installation of brick cladding to the front elevation, a suspended ceiling with recessed air conditioning and a hardwearing but easily replaceable vinyl floor.

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