St. Modwen has successfully completed the bespoke construction of a £3 million building for Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service at its Trentham Lakes business park in Stoke-on-Trent.

The 22,400 sq ft property provides a single location for the maintenance and servicing of the county's 208 strong Fire and Rescue fleet ranging from incident response vehicles to reserve appliances and all associated equipment. The Service's Transport and Engineering, Maintenance Facility was previously located at Hanley Fire Station; however it was moved to accommodate the rebuild of the fire station, which commenced in March. 

The building was delivered two weeks ahead of its tight construction schedule by St. Modwen which project managed the development from its North Staffordshire office. Working closely with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service from conception to completion, St. Modwen's expertise in delivering construction projects also enabled build cost savings to be recommended to the Service when agreeing the base build specification.

"Delivering this project on budget and on schedule was not only vital to the Fire Service but also to the local community which requires a reliably and fit for purpose Fire and Rescue fleet 365 days of the year," commented Andy Cox, development surveyor for St. Modwen (which manages the project for Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration Ltd).  "Our experience in working with the public sector and local authorities enabled us to project manage this development without an external lead contractor, ensuring a close working relationship with the client from start to finish. Built to specific requirements, the building will maximise the efficiencies of the Service while providing a pleasant working environment for employees who we hope will enjoy being part of the thriving commercial community here at Trentham Lakes. We are thrilled with the finished property and feel honoured to have provided the Service with a modern facility that will support all 30 Fire Stations across the county."  

Chief Fire Officer/Chief Executive, Peter Dartford added: "We are absolutely thrilled with the new Transport and Engineering, Maintenance Facility. It really is a top of the range facility that will be the envy of other fire and rescue services across the country!" 

"This is our first new building to open in 2010; we have three brand new community fire stations also opening this year so it really is an exciting and busy time for the Service."

Chairman of the Fire and Rescue Authority, Cllr Len Bloomer said: "Having a single centrally located site at which we can maintain all of our vehicles and operational equipment is a huge asset to Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Authority and will enable us to continue to ensure all of our fire engines and equipment throughout the County are maintained to the highest possible standards every single day of the year." 

Fleet Engineering Manager, Rob Mason said: "The new location at Trentham Lakes is a big improvement for the department as the road network allows better and quicker access to all stations day and night. To have this purpose built facility to work from with all the relative equipment has taken the whole department forward into the 21st Century and future proofed the Service's Transport and Engineering department."

Situated on the 400 acre Trentham Lakes business park which is being developed by Stoke-on-Trent Regeneration Ltd, the joint venture between St. Modwen and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service's new building started to go operational in mid-January. The property includes 12 vehicle servicing and repair bays alongside a machine workshop, spray booth, storage areas and a training/meeting room, also the building incorporates a equipment store for the emergency response team. This will enable the maintenance of the ladders, rescue equipment, light portable pumps, portable generators, hose reel tubing and branches plus a host of other essential pieces of firefighting equipment required across the county.

Annual servicing and large repairs will be carried out within the premises with safety inspections, minor servicing and repairs undertaken at the various 30 fire stations located throughout the county of Staffordshire.  Apprentice Fire Service mechanics will also train and be based at the Trentham Lakes building. 

An established mixed use business park, Trentham Lakes is situated in a premier location in North Staffordshire and is widely recognised as the home of Stoke City Football Club's Britannia Stadium. To date, the highly successful scheme has attracted over 50 commercial occupiers across its Trade Park, Office Village and Business Quarter, with 70 acres of the site left to develop. Existing occupiers include Lexus, Audi, Screwfix, Pets at Home and Glen Dimplex with onsite amenities including Holiday Inn Express, Greens Health and Fitness, plus other sporting, retail and dining facilities.