Pictured above: (l-r) Matt Breakwell (Cornbrook), Clare
Allaway (Teme Veterinary Practice) and Mike Langridge
(Cornbrook)
One of Tenbury's longest-established veterinary practices is
settling into its new home after it enlisted the support of a local
building firm.
Teme Veterinary Practice, which has been working with local
farmers and pet owners for more than 50 years, has worked with
Cornbrook Construction to transform a disused industrial unit on
Tenbury Business Park into a state-of-the-art practice.
The £50,000 project has been completed in just five months
and gives the organisation an additional consulting room, operating
theatre and separate kennel rooms for treating cats and
dogs.
It has also addressed a serious parking problem that plagued it
whilst located in the town, with more than eight spaces now
available.
Clare Allaway, Partner at Teme Veterinary, was delighted with
the result.
"We are pleased to have settled in and operating from our new
home, where we regularly treat more than 100 different cases every
week.
"Whilst there are obvious space benefits from being in a bigger
facility, it was more important for us to provide an enhanced
experience for the animals we care for and the clients we deal
with."
She continued: "This is something we feel we have achieved.
Parking is now a lot easier, the reception is modern and welcoming
and we have all the state-of-the-art facilities in place that you
would expect from a leading veterinary practice."
Teme, which also has branches in Ludlow, Clifton-upon-Teme and
Leominster, chose Cornbrook Construction after it came out of the
competitive tender best on price, quality and customer
service.
A team of five craftsmen - led by Tenbury-based site manager
Mike Langridge - worked on the ambitious project, which involved
gutting the existing industrial unit and completing a full
refurbishment programme in keeping with the plans produced by
specialist veterinary architects Geeling.
Clare, who runs the organisation with Andrew Crook and John
Owen-Thomas, picked up the story: "For a challenge this big it was
a very smooth process and a large part of that can be attributed to
the dedication and professionalism of Cornbook.
"In addition to completing on time and to budget, the company
has also been quick to add its expertise and experience to the
project, helping to fine tune the plans to overcome certain space
issues and suggesting solutions for structural work.
"They've also been remarkably flexible. For instance, they had a
team on five-day standby to start the work while we were sorting
lease issues out and were instrumental in transferring the existing
equipment in phases to speed up the moving process."
Cornbrook, which employs more than 35 people at its Cleobury
Mortimer head office, is one of Shropshire's fastest-growing
construction firms, offering anything from loft conversions and
extensions to commercial refurbishments, local education contracts
and multi-million pound care home developments.
Re-housing a veterinary practice represents one of its first
moves into this specialised field, but it is an area of growth Matt
Breakwell, Managing Director, is keen to explore:
"This has been one of our favourite jobs of 2011 and we're
delighted to be able to give Teme Veterinary a great new facility
in which to provide their essential services to farmers and local
pet owners.
"We have worked closely with Clare and the team from the outset,
overcoming challenges along the way and providing solutions for
maximising space. It is safe to say that the people of Tenbury now
have a truly 21st century veterinary practice."
Teme Veterinary Practice boasts seven vets across the four sites
and offers a 24-hour emergency call-out service.
It is set to host a special open day on 20th August (between
11am and 2pm) where there will be a Bird of Prey display, charity
stalls, colouring competition, face painting and prize raffle.
Opening hours for Teme Veterinary Practice are 8.30am until 6pm,
with consultation times by appointment only and between 9-10am and
4.30-6pm.