Coronavirus update – the latest news from Yorkshire businesses

Sheffield and Leeds-based architects firm BDP has secured a key role in the national effort to convert large event venues into emergency field hospitals.

Working under main contractor BAM, BDP is converting the Harrogate Convention Centre into a temporary 500 bed level three critical care field hospital for COVID-19 patients.

BDP is collaborating with clinicians, consultants, contractors and the army on site to deliver this emergency facility.

The NHS Nightingale instruction manual published by BDP last week displays its fit-out strategies and processes used at ExCel Centre and is providing guidance for the construction of other locations.

At Harrogate, the exhibition halls vary in shape, size and location, requiring bed bay configuration plans and ward facilities to be adjusted for each floor.

BDP clinical planners have been instrumental in tackling the challenges this has presented.

The army and BDP have also been sharing their expertise and knowledge of designing for effective infection control.

BDP architect director, Mihalis Walsh, said: “These hospitals are a result of exceptional collaboration in truly unprecedented circumstances.

“People are all too aware of the need for these projects to be completed in the time allocated and all our teams have been working tirelessly to ensure this happens.”

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South Yorkshire-based Gala Tent has won the contract to supply 36 large commercial emergency tents to be used as drive-through test stations at the Nightingale Hospital in the NEC exhibition complex, Birmingham.

The tents are being used on entry to the emergency hospital to provide preliminary testing to those admitted and will form a vital part of the operation which is being installed by global construction giant Interserve.

Gala Tent managing director, Jason Mace, said: “It’s no secret that Covid-19 is hitting the personal and professional lives of every person in Britain and the wider world, so there’s little pleasure in knowing what the tents will be used for.

“But there’s huge pride in knowing Gala Tent has contributed in such a significant way to fighting this horrible virus.”

The NEC Nightingale is the second such hospital to be built in the UK to help the NHS cope with a massive increase in Covid-19 related cases, but it is the first to use Gala Tents in this way.

It is the biggest project of its  kind Gala Tent has been involved in during the pandemic. But it is just the latest of many that the company has supplied its products to.

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A Halifax food wholesaler which saw its customer base disappear due to lockdown restrictions has turned its operation into a doorstep home delivery service.

In late March Cottage Foods’ management team was forced to make some quick decisions in response to the emergency.

Having previously focused on serving cafes, restaurants, coffee shops, family entertainments, schools and institutions, the firm quickly adapted its operations to focus on home deliveries instead.

To date Cottage Foods has delivered to over 700 households along with a further 100 families choosing the click and collect option.

A spokesman for the company said: “Our focus has remained on helping vulnerable and at-risk members of our community through this difficult and uncertain period.

“Not only has this change benefited those in need, it has allowed Cottage Foods to continue to trade and provide employment for the bulk of its locally based team.

“This quick change in terms of business model has presented a number of operational challenges along with an adaptation and upgrade of online ordering, delivery scheduling and order processing.

“Our reaction to the rapidly changing circumstances in the UK has demonstrated how businesses can adapt quickly to a changing consumer environment and how smaller SMEs can meet a national calling when often overlooked by local and national government.”

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A hygiene specialist is working to ensure vital supplies make it to workers on the frontline.

Bradford based Christeyns UK, which manufactures and supplies a range of detergents and hygiene chemicals, has put procedures in place to ensure continued supply of much needed hygiene products.

Managing director Nick Garthwaite said: “Our first line of action has been to protect our staff and families, many who are now working from home.

“However, as a key supplier, supporting the healthcare sector and hygiene in food and beverage production, it is crucial that we ensure supply is available for our customers as needed.”

Christeyns, which also operate from Warrington and Whalley Bridge, will keep its liquids and production facilities up and running in order to meet demand, while being especially mindful of the safety through the use of social distancing and appropriate PPE equipment.

Garthwaite added: “We are very much aware that our customers face their own challenges, but we are doing our upmost to support them as best we can.

“As the fall-out from Brexit left a high level of stock in storage, Christeyns are well placed to provide hygiene solutions for all areas of our business.

“As an industry, it is crucial that we support each other as best we can whilst making sure we all stay as safe as possible.”

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