Independent construction and property consultancy Edmond Shipway has been appointed to provide mechanical and electrical (M&E) consultancy services for a multi-million pound enterprise hub building in Stapleford, Nottinghamshire, called the Pencil Works.
The multi-use hub will comprise of seven ground-floor starter units which will be occupied and fitted out by local businesses, as well as office spaces on the upper floors that will be rented out by Broxtowe Borough Council.
Edmond Shipway was appointed in a joint bid with Maber Architects following the successful completion of the Arnold Market Place, a similar scheme that the two worked on together under Gedling Borough Council. Having recently received planning permission, the project is due to start on site in May and is expected to complete in 2026.
Josh Croft, director at Edmond Shipway, said: “It’s always rewarding to work on projects that benefit the community, and the Pencil Works is no exception, delivering vital business and retail space that prioritises small businesses and enables them to get a foot on the ladder.
“We’re working closely with the Stapleford Towns Fund team at Broxtowe Borough Council, as well as Maber Architects on what will be a fantastic space for local people and businesses to enjoy together.”
As part of the project, the team at Edmond Shipway carried out energy modelling to predict the energy consumption of the all-electric building. Adopting a fabric-first approach, the hub will utilise heat pumps, mechanical ventilation with heat recovery, and high efficiency LED lighting, while solar PV panels will also be installed on the roof.
Funded through the £21.1m Stapleford Towns Fund, the hub is expected to create 50 jobs and 1,000 square metres of new retail, leisure and office space, including spaces for specialist craftspeople and artists, retail units for food and drink outlets, and flexible office space for small businesses. Disabled parking, bicycle storage and public toilets are also included in the plans.
Emma Georgiou, head of environment at Broxtowe Borough Council, said: “Our new Pencil Works building exemplifies our commitment to sustainability.
“With a fabric first approach and all electric systems, we are utilising heat pumps, solar panels and LED lighting to minimise the building’s carbon footprint. The project showcases our focus on energy efficiency and the council’s proactive role in mitigating climate change.”
