Crewe based Construction and Property Maintenance Company, Construction Linx recently joined the BBC DIY SOS team in one of their biggest projects to date.

The Veterans’ Village Project was supported by supplying three contractors who all volunteered for a 12 hour day

A first of its kind partnership, the project brought together Manchester City Council, the BBC’s DIY SOS: the Big Build project, charities Walking WithThe Wounded and Haig Housing, and Adactus Housing Groups – along with a huge amount of time and expertise donated to the project by volunteer contractors.

During the project Construction Linx supplied a painter, plasterer and a general labourer who all took part in helping to ready the houses for occupation and the company worked alongside many other constructions firms to develop a veterans’ community by bringing 25 empty homes back into use in East Manchester.  

During the first phase, eight of the street’s empty homes were refurbished to create three larger adapted residential homes for veterans and their families, one standard size property and a veteran walk-in support and advice centre – all in time for the end of September.

The aim of the project was to create a veterans’ housing community within the existing community. The advice centre will have a private space for therapy and counselling – run by Walking With The Wounded – and provide a space for community use.

Training and employment opportunities are being developed for veterans and existing residents.

At the same time, street scene improvements provided disabled access parking, a planting scheme was introduced, and each of the 62 properties on the street received a facelift – ready for a group of veterans and their families to move in at the end of the month.

Construction Linx Director Gareth Williams commented: “As soon as we heard about the project we jumped at the chance to get involved. It’s a great project for a great cause. These guys have given so much to the country, it is only right we give back what we can.  As a company we were so proud to be involved.”

Nick Knowles, the BBC DIY SOS presenter, said: “We couldn’t have done this without the amazing support of all these trades. The enormous amount of help – in time, materials, labour and much more- is a tribute to our nation’s building industry.”

Cllr Bernard Priest, Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, said: “This is an incredible project that will help improve the lives of veterans in Manchester. As the project begins, I would like to thank all of the contractors and suppliers who have volunteered their time, expertise and manpower to make the new community a reality.”

To learn more about Walking With The Wounded or to donate please visit www.walkingwiththewounded.org.uk

Crewe construction and property maintenance firm Construction Linx has marked its 10th anniversary year by winning the South Cheshire Chamber Small Business of the Year Award.

The company was named Small Business of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony held at Crewe Hall recently with judge Solicitor Graham Neyt from local law firm Beswicks Solicitors saying “The management team at Construction Linx are clearly focussed on building the business. They’ve managed to do just that during a difficult economic time by delivering customer service that’s second-to-none in the industry.”

Speaking after the ceremony, Construction Linx Managing Director Gareth Williams said: “It’s fantastic to win the Small Business of the Year title, especially in our 10^th anniversary year, and it’s testament to the commitment and hard work of all of our team at Construction Linx for their role in delivering a quality product and excellent customer service. However, awards like this are also important to our customers as they provide reassurance that Construction Linx is an established and successful construction and property maintenance company.”

Gareth adds: “When I started Construction Linx 10 years ago I entered The South Cheshire Chamber Business Awards and won the Young Business Person of the Year so it is fantastic that in our anniversary year we achieve recognition as Small Business of The Year and reflects a successful year which has seen our business grow with an increase in the number of clients, the breadth of services we offer and the fact we have taken on new staff and are planning further recruitment in 2016.  All of this puts us in an excellent position as we approach 2016.”