Simpson successfully completed our 8^th LFC project for Sainsbury’s at Hillthorn Park, Washington, Sunderland and with another 2 LFC projects starting in the coming months it highlights our standing as the preferred choice contractor for this work stream with Sainsbury’s.

The “LFC’s” are Local Fulfilment Centres for Sainsburys, Argos operations. As many will know, Argos stores have predominantly now moved into Sainsburys supermarkets. As a result of this, the stock holding availability of these stores is reduced and a greater reliance on nearby distribution networks are needed.

We install vehicle to ground dock lifts for HGV unloading into the LFC, the stock is then located on the warehouse racking before being picked and distributed via the fleet of Argos vans. Each LFC is designed to hold in excess of 100,000 lines of various products from electronics to toys and garden to home wares.

Security is a client focus area and as part of the works, we create a secure yard with new automated vehicle gates and ANPR systems. Access control is installed along with CCTV and alarms systems and monitoring station with metal detector shrouds.

Offices, meeting rooms and staff facilities are created and follow a standard fit out solution that is the same on most LFC projects. The Simpson joiners shop provided the unitary which was installed by Simpson joiners and available (in between jobs) site managers with joinery skills.

As part of Sainsburys push to be more carbon efficient the engineering model utilises new Air Source heat pumps which we supply and install on concrete plinths as well as the required below ground drainage for the defrost cycle.

A new addition to the Washington LFC design was the inclusion of a full vehicle washdown station, which houses all the facilities you would need to clean and maintain the standard fleet of vans. Including new drainage, concrete plinth for the equipment along with ductwork for services to the location in the yard.

Our site managers Gary Fagan and Steve Barwick turned out a well finished project and the client team at Sainsburys Argos have been very happy and offered excellent feedback to our team.

A great night was had last night at the RICS Yorkshire & Humberside Awards, especially when Ledston Hall was awarded the ‘Heritage Project’ award. Here's looking to the national awards on the 4th October.

Works have now been completed on the new referral centre for LVS in Hammersmith, and is now open ready to provide the highest standard of care to all pets. 

Conversion of a former training centre and office premises into the new referral centre took approx. 52 week period to complete and consisted of:

• Demolition and strip-out works
• Enabling and roof plant deck works
• Installation of the new vet hospital and offices, including: drainage, M&E, specialist works associated with MRI, x-ray and CT, full hygiene specification fit out with feature reception desks manufactured by our joinery workshop. 

The new referral centre now offers, Advanced Diagnostics suites, including high-field MRI and CT, for precise diagnoses, extensive surgical and recovery facilities, consultation and in patient care.

Located in Tanzania, East Africa, 19,341 feet hight, Mount Kilimanjaro is not only Africa's tallest peak, but the tallest free-standing mountain in the world. Kilimanjaro is also one of the ‘seven summits’.  

Approximately 30,000 people climb Kilimanjaro every year however, reportedly and mostly due to altitude sickness 50% of all climbers fail. 

This wasn't the case for our James Allerton and Sam Simpkin who in the early hours of yesterday morning (Monday 10th June 2024) reached the summit in just 5days. 

This is such a great achievement and send the boys the biggest of congratulations in completing such in impressive feat.

St Michael le Belfrey, a thriving Grade I listed church in York city centre, has awarded the Contract for Impact - its major repair and reordering project - to Simpson.

The Belfrey quoted. 

“We are delighted to award this contract to Simpson. The care for their clients and their expertise demonstrated on current projects such as Salford Cathedral and York Minster’s Centre of Excellence gives us confidence that they will help us fulfil our aim to beautifully transform our medieval church building into a more welcoming, accessible and flexible space,” explains Rev Andy Baker, Interim Priest in Charge, The Belfrey. Andy goes on to say: "We look forward to working with a York based company which fits with our Sustainability Strategy and supports the local economy.”

Impact will be the first major building refurbishment St Michael le Belfrey has seen in more than 150 years. The significant repairs necessary include a new roof, masonry repairs and conservation of the medieval stained glass. The creation of a new gallery, better toilets, flexible seating and a beautiful, accessible, full immersion baptism pool ensures The Belfrey can serve York and the Region better for generations to come.

Simpson quoted. “We are proud and excited to be appointed to deliver the major reordering works at St Michael le Belfrey. It will be a privilege to work closely with Rev Andy Baker, Gillian Shepherd and the whole professional team in transforming this beautiful Medieval Church in the middle of our home City York, comments Andrew Gatenby, Managing Director, Simpson. “The refurbishment and restoration project will certainly transform St Michael le Belfrey and in doing so enhance the facilities for the clergy team, congregation and the local community, ensuring this Historical place of worship continues to “serve its city.”

Following a competitive, public tender process, Simpson have been appointed as Main Contractor for the major redevelopment of Kala Sangam’s Grade II Listed arts centre, with work having started on site on Monday 22^nd April 2024.

The project will see the creation of a new theatre, five new dance studios, a new central staircase and a permanent home for volunteer-led community radio station Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB). The introduction of a new entrance, two new lifts and a dedicated Changing Places facility will ensure the building is fully accessible for the first time in its 140-year history. The building is scheduled to reopen as Bradford Arts Centre in Summer 2025, as a landmark moment in Bradford’s year as UK City of Culture.

As works prepare to get underway, global professional services company Turner & Townsend have also been appointed to the project as Capital Project Manager. Specialising in major programmes and programme management, Turner & Townsend have significant experience supporting the successful delivery of cultural and heritage capital projects around the world, with examples in the UK including the redevelopments of York Guildhall and Battersea Power Station.

Turner & Townsend join a Capital Design Team led by Principal Architects and Contract Administrators Halliday Clark Architects, who have been developing the project with Kala Sangam since its inception in 2018. Also staying with the project are Quantity Surveyors DKP Consulting, Mechanical and Electrical specialists BWB Consulting, and Structural Engineers SGM Structural Design Ltd.