Watson Batty held another successful Autumn Reception recently at the practice’s headquarters in Leeds. The event was well attended with the usual 2 barrels of Landlord’s bitter being emptied in record time.
The event also saw the announcement of a tier of new managerial staff being introduced into the business. Five Longstanding members of staff all with varied design and technical backgrounds were promoted to associate positions.. Ben Pickersgill, Catherine Blain, Keith Southernwood, Scott Lonie and Scott Lunn will now move into their new roles in helping support the business in continuing its success and expansion over the coming years. Watson Batty Architects have performed well in the recent period of recession with increasing workloads now flowing to both the Leeds office and the more recently established Loughborough office.
For those of you who couldn’t make it to this year’s reception we hope to see you in 2014 at our next event.
Watson Batty Architects have been working closely with Royal Mail Group over the last 6 months to help the organisation improve the experience their customers encounter when they visit there local Delivery Office.
New Customer Service Points are been constructed across the country with Watson Batty installing the first one at the recently completed Croydon Delivery Office.
The initiative also includes improved staff facilities including offices, work time learning and welfare areas.
Croydon Delivery Offices opens its doors to the public in January 2014.
Work continues on site to provide new outdoor sports facilities at York St John University. The floodlit artificial sports pitches and courts are due for completion in 2014 forming part of a new sports park development.
The new £2m outdoor all weather facilities for rugby, football, netball, tennis and a range of leisure pursuits will be further complemented by a new multi-million pound sports hub building also designed by Watson Batty Architects sports specialists. Working alongside York based sports pitch consultant Richard Macgregor the playing surfaces will meet the current standards of the FA, RFU, RFL, LTA and England Netball. A new car and coach park also forms part of the current construction work.
GB Building Solutions are approaching the end of the construction programme for the Learning and Leisure Centre at the University of Huddersfield. The handover of this BREEAM Excellent building is due in January 2014. This unique project designed by Watson Batty features an eye catching sports hall which is clad in metal mesh and illuminated with coloured LED lighting. The lights will add to the towns festive illuminations with the big switch on happening today, the 13th December. The Captain of the Huddersfield Giants will be flicking the switch and will see the building illuminated in the Giant’s team colours.
The hall's LED lighting can be programmed in an infinite number of colours and cycles so the building may never look the same twice!
The £22.5m project, which is one of the most complex that the education team has undertaken, on a very challenging site, will become the new heart of the University campus.
Please click here for further information on the ceremony. Alternatively you can visit our website by clicking here for further project information.
In an effort to raise money and awareness of men’s health
issues, 4 determined members of Watson Batty joined the Movember cause in
growing a moustache throughout the month of November. Strict rules of
engagement, including starting from a freshly shaved top lip were adhered to by
all volunteers as they all set out to create impressive and unique pieces of
face garnish. With varied rates of follicular success the quartet raised over £250
for the charity with some members deciding to retain their lip warmer for the
winter months.
For more information on Movember cause please click here
Business Secretary Vince Cable visited the Morrisons Farmers Boy processing site in Bradford today to see the company’s investment in the future of its manufacturing operation. The visit comes following the opening of the 28,700 sq.ft extension and alteration works, designed and administered by WBA, earlier this year. The Famers Boy facility in Bradford, West Yorkshire was originally designed by Watson Batty in 1998.
For more information please click here
Watson Batty Architects have completed another series of national strategy projects for the Royal Mail Group as part of our ongoing long-term appointment.
The strategy covered the majority of the country with sites in Basingstoke, Beckton, Bodmin, Coventry, Crayford, Milton Keynes, Newcastle, Newport, Norwich and Rotherham.
The project took one year from inception to completion, and all the depot’s were completed in the summer ahead of Parcelforce’s Christmas peak period.
The parcels sector of Royal Mail is the largest growing sector and these Local Depots are a welcome addition to the Parcelforce estate.
Christmas came early to Skipton on Sunday as 1200 Santa’s prepared for their busiest night of the year by competing in the Rotary Club Santa fun run.
Peter White, Managing Director is pictured readying himself for the event, following an intensive warm up routine led by one of Santa’s little helpers!
The race which has been run annually for the last couple of years is a charity event, raising much needed funds for Sue Ryder Manorlands, Martin House Children’s Hospice and The Yorkshire Dales Society.
As ever the race was well supported by ‘bemused’ visitors to the town and the concluded with hot coffee and mince pies!
