Chartered Builders, Greendale Construction Limited, who celebrated its 30th year in business in 2020, is looking forward to exciting new challenges having successfully negotiated the Covid-19 pandemic. With work halted on its sites across the South for a 2 month period as the country went into lockdown in March 2020, by mid-May 2020, Greendale was not only able to re-open sites (having put safe government stipulated procedures in place), but also continue with its expansion plans, and invest in its staff and training.
In March 2020, Greendale opened its Winchester office headed up by Contract Manager/Quality Surveyor, Nick Child, taking on the role of Office Manager, with Andy Musselwhite, Director. Strategically, this has enabled the firm to expand its operating area and gain from opportunities eastwards into Hampshire, Berkshire, Surrey and the M3 corridor.
The commercial sector continues to be strong for Greendale, who reached completion on a number of high profile projects in its’ 30th year, including The Tank Museum, Bovington, and Acre Court housing improvement project in Andover for Aster. Greendale’s heritage and conservation projects also continue to grow. In June 2020 the firm achieved practical completion on The Museum of East Dorset (formally The Priest’s House Museum), in the centre of Wimborne. The building has been given a new lease of life with a new Tourist Information Centre and display and exhibition spaces. Structural repairs were completed at The Regent Centre, Christchurch, and the team commenced a refurbishment project at Christchurch Priory to reinstate and repair centuries old walls.
In the health sector, projects of note included Greendale completing a ward improvement project at Bridport Hospital, and the creation of a new Lewis Manning cancer care, treatment and office centre in Poole. The education sector continues to be a busy one for the Company, with a number of SCOLA recladding projects for Hampshire County Council handed over, with more ongoing throughout 2021. Greendale continue to work closely with Bournemouth University, having delivered Christchurch House Phases 1 and 2, with work continuing on Studland House. The firm also continues work on a large new library and assembly hall refurb project at Canford School, Poole.
Greendale Electrical continues to build its own strong client base, as well as now being an approved ROLEC electric vehicle charger installer, and the firm’s Small Works’ Division successfully works with a variety of projects and clients across all sectors in the value range £20k to £500K.
Rob Hooker, Co-founder and Director, Greendale Construction Limited, commented: “We have, with the hard work of our very adaptable staff, carried on safely to deliver some amazing projects. Opening our Winchester office has been a great success, with our geographical presence in this area bringing in more profitable business with Hampshire County Council and other blue-chip clients. In our 30th year we are proud to have delivered a diverse range of first-class projects across all sectors, and even worked for the Royal Household at Windsor Castle.
“We continue to raise funds and awareness for our chosen charities, and involve ourselves in school careers days, offering advice and mentoring to those considering one of the many available careers in construction. We’re also very committed to the apprenticeship programme and currently employ 3 apprentices with a view to taking on more in 2021. Training is key to providing a well informed and qualified workforce, and so we continue to invest heavily in this essential area to provide our clients and customers with the best well trained and knowledgeable staff. The past year has been tough for everyone, but it’s also been a very steep learning curve in teaching us how to adapt and thrive, enabling us to come out the other side stronger.”