Building Briefs – April 7th

• Spectrum Properties in the corner of Glasgow boxing gym

The Scott Harrison School of Boxing, run by the former WBO featherweight champion’s father Peter, is in fighting trim, helped by significantly subsidised rents which allow it to keep fees at an affordable level.

Mr Harrison’s boxing and fitness club, which has trained a number of professional fighters, including Commonwealth Gold Charlie Flynn and former British champion Willie Limond, is now housed in a custom-built facility owned by Spectrum Properties.

Spectrum Properties owner and director William Roddie stepped in when the existence of the highly-respected club came under threat as its previous premises became subject to a compulsory purchase order.

Mr Roddie, whose family-owned company has some 700 commercial properties around Glasgow, said that Spectrum Properties is supporting the gym with sponsorship and helping with kit costs.

• Bellway supports NHS heroes

Bellway Homes Ltd (Scotland West) has given a helping hand to the NHS by delivering face masks, gloves and hand wash to staff at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

The housebuilder collected supplies from its sites in the West of Scotland, after hearing reports about the shortage of personal protective equipment for hospital workers during the current corona virus pandemic.

Andy Borland, construction director, said: “We have all heard about NHS staff having to work without the correct equipment, placing their own lives in danger. 

“This is the last thing they should have to worry about at this extremely stressful time and we were keen to do what we could to help.

“The hospital was delighted to receive the protective equipment and we are currently exploring other ways to assist the NHS if we can.”

• Arbroath Flood Protection Scheme delayed

Tenders for the Arbroath Flood Protection Scheme have been returned to Angus Council and are now being evaluated.

However, as with most other areas of business and public life, the coronavirus pandemic will delay this process which will, in turn, delay the £12 million project, which had been due to begin next month.

The project team are confident that this will not be a long delay and are working hard to complete the evaluation process. Updates will be provided once the wider impact of the current emergency have been fully assessed.

Arbroath (Brothock Water) Flood Protection Scheme – funded by Scottish Government and Angus Council – has been designed to reduce the risk of flooding in the coastal town, providing a one in 200-year standard of protection. It is a national priority project under the Flood Risk Management Strategy and has been developed in partnership with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA).

It is focused on holding flows back in the catchment above Arbroath to protect parts of the town that have suffered from flooding in the past and remain at risk from flooding.

It will remove the threat of flooding and for 530 people and their properties, preventing flood damage that averages at £840,000 each year. Once underway, the project will take approximately 18-months to complete.