Pictured: (l-r) Clive Harrison, Site Manager for Mansell
Construction, Richard Thorpe, Senior Designer at CPMG Architects,
Maureen Adams-Cooke, Contract Director at Webs, Pete Sisson,
Training Director at Webs and Nick Gregory, Director at CPMG
Architects
Webs Furniture Training Ltd has celebrated the completion of the
steel framework and the laying of the first bricks for its new
state of the art £2.2 million training facility which is
being built on its site in Beeston.
Webs Furniture Training Ltd is a national provider of quality
apprentice and adult training for the furniture and associated
industries. It is expanding its business with the refurbishment of
a late Victorian Lace Mill and construction of a new two-storey
extension to provide a 1900m2 training facility. This will provide
high quality teaching space, offices and facilities for the 14
staff and 200 learners.
Mansell Construction Services is undertaking the work which
began in August 2011. The asbestos removal, demolition, groundworks
and subsequent steel frame erection has taken four months to
complete. The new two-storey extension and refurbishment of the
late Victorian Lace Mill are due for completion in April 2012.
The new multi-million pound academy is being part funded by the
Skills Funding Agency and has been designed by Nottingham-based
CPMG Architects. They have worked closely with the team at Webs to
deliver a design that will provide a more effective use of space
and will facilitate expansion of the core business activity to
allow the latest technologies and equipment to be incorporated.
Holly Mill, a late Victorian lace mill which also occupies the
site, will be retained and completely refurbished. This will
include a change to the roof profile to allow for the insertion of
a mezzanine floor, creating a light and airy workshop space for the
apprentices to develop their skills.
Webs works with employers to help them develop their skilled
workforce by providing City & Guilds approved apprenticeship
training in; Cabinet Making, Frame Making, Kitchen Installation,
Upholstery, Cutting and Sewing, Wood Machining and Polishing. The
company was recently recognised in Ofsted's list of outstanding
providers for 2010/11 released with its annual report.
Peter Sisson, Director at Webs Furniture Training Ltd said:
"It's been fantastic to see the building taking shape and the
laying of the first bricks is a real milestone, as it brings us
even closer to final completion in April. With young people and
employers continuing to face challenging times it's vital that
quality workmanship is maintained in the UK furniture industry,
with our new facility we will be providing a valuable service
teaching skills using the latest techniques and equipment that
apprentices and their employers will benefit from."