Sustainable redevelopment of landmark Derbyshire building receives high commendation
November 2, 2021
A major refurbishment and modernisation scheme of one of Ilkeston’s most distinctive buildings has received high commendation at the East Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards 2021.
The 1930s-built Toll Bar House building, which is owned by Erewash Borough Council, recently underwent a transformative refurbishment process after previously being declared “unlettable” due to its previous non-energy efficient status.
The project saw building, refurbishment, maintenance and energy services partner, J Tomlinson, working with Erewash Borough Council to future-proof and decarbonise the 90-year-old building - creating 27 managed offices that will be let to local businesses.
Low carbon installations - reducing carbon emissions by 13 tonnes per year
Works included upgrades to windows, heating, lighting, water systems and thermal installation, as well as installation of a range of low carbon technologies such as roof-mounted solar PV with battery storage, energy-efficient storage heating, and LED lighting across all three storeys.
The £976k scheme was made possible thanks to £126k worth of grant funding, which the Council was able to secure via Salix Finance’s Decarbonisation Scheme, with support from J Tomlinson’s team of low carbon specialists. In addition, it received £425k of funding from D2N2’s Local Growth Fund, which supports projects, such as this one, that ‘benefit the local area and economy’.
It is expected that the works will reduce carbon emissions by 13 tonnes per annum, which is the equivalent of 8.7 homes’ electricity use for one year. As well as contributing to EBC’s sustainability agenda in line with the government’s 2050 net-zero target, the Council will also benefit from additional revenue spread over the lifecycle of the newly refurbished building as a result of the secured grant funding.
Fusion21’s National Construction Works framework
The scheme was procured via Fusion21’s National Construction Works framework, which was created to support public sector organisations in the delivery of capital work programmes. J Tomlinson is active on several key industry-leading frameworks, including Fusion21, helping clients access low carbon building solutions via a cost-efficient route – whilst avoiding lengthy procurement processes.
Quote - Iain Davies, managing director (Commercial Refurbishment) at J Tomlinson Ltd:
Iain Davies, managing director of J Tomlinson’s Commercial Refurbishment division, commented: “It has been a pleasure to play a key role in getting this local landmark building back up and running, with the addition of low carbon and renewable technologies to help significantly reduce its impact on the environment.
“We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Erewash Borough Council for the past seven months and, as Toll Bar House is just 20-minutes away from J Tomlinson’s head office in Beeston, we look forward to seeing the new building in use as new occupants move in over the coming weeks.”
The building’s location in the centre of Ilkeston makes an ideal working hub/base for future occupants, who will be less than a 20-minute drive away from the cities of Nottingham and Derby. It is expected that the project will create over 90 jobs in the local area, with occupants able to combine spaces to create larger letting units if they wish.
Quote - Carol Hart, leader of Erewash Borough Council:
Councillor Carol Hart, leader of Erewash Borough Council, said: “We give our thanks to J Tomlinson and all those involved in transforming this iconic building into an eco-friendly landmark that offers a great opportunity for small businesses. Partnership working at its best.”
J Tomlinson Ltd: Providing sustainable building and maintenance solutions
J Tomlinson provides a range of integrated and standalone building solutions including refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, renewable energy, facilities management, construction, engineering services.
The company’s expertise in energy efficiency and renewable/low carbon energy solutions stretches from auditing and consultancy and design through to installation and maintenance.
For more information, please visit https://www.jtomlinson.co.uk/services/low-carbon-services/ or email [email protected]
J Tomlinson, which was founded in Nottingham the 1950s, works primarily across the Midlands, Yorkshire and Northern and Central England.
The company provides a range of sustainable building solutions including refurbishment, repairs and maintenance, engineering services, extra care construction, renewable energy, and facilities management, working across a range of key sectors including extra care, healthcare, blue light, social housing and local government.
