Specialist contractors Blackmoor Knight Ltd, from Essex, have been commissioned by Veterans Aid to complete the final phase of the charity’s £7m hostel redevelopment.
This involves construction of a new third floor, addition of 10 extra bedrooms and full refurbishment of the main New Belvedere House building.
CEO of Veterans Aid Dr Hugh Milroy said, “The company has hit the ground running and established a good relationship with staff and those residents who will be living at the hostel during this most intrusive phase. It is perhaps the most exciting and the most challenging part of the project and we are delighted to have ‘BMK’ on board. They are a family firm and we have a family ethos, so this is an excellent fit.”
Work started in May and the target completion date is June 2018. Managing Director of Blackmoor Knight Ltd, Mr David Brimley (Snr), said, “My team and I are proud to be involved with Veterans Aid in such a prestigious and challenging contract. We know it will require skill and diplomacy from all involved but the entire team is prepared to rise to the challenge.”
New Belvedere House is presently home to 55 ex-servicemen who were homeless or facing the prospect of homelessness. Since the current building opened in 1973 it has helped more than 800 veterans get back on their feet. By 2015 it was in urgent need of a refurbishment. “We decided to go beyond simple repairs,” said Dr Milroy. “By making a virtue of necessity and investing in significant development we will turn New Belvedere House into a world class facility – one that will endure and inspire.”
First visitor to the completed Phase One Old Rectory was HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The development project has been praised by former Mayor of London Boris Johnson and supported by two LIBOR grants.
Founded in 2005 by David Brimley (Snr) and his eldest son David Brimley (Jnr), Blackmoor Knight Ltd has grown to become a multi service contractor specialising in “challenging” projects. Mr Brimley (Snr) said, “Our ethos is to form a professional yet close bond with our clients and provide a service tailored to suit their requirements. The challenge is to adapt.”
Other notable contracts carried out and in progress by BMK include The Charles Dickens Museum, The Geffrye Museum, New Horizons Youth Hostel, Lords Cricket Ground and the Department of Trade in Whitehall. “We use directly employed engineers wherever possible,” added Mr Brimley (Snr) and I am proud to say that some have now completed 10 years uninterrupted employment with the company.”
For further information about the New Belvedere House project contact Glyn Strong on 07806 920 087 or media@veterans-aid.net
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