SMEs in the East of England have seen a strong order book growth thanks to the development of Signature Senior Lifestyle's luxury care home, Bentley House, on Pegs Lane, with over £600k in work packages appointed locally to date.

Main contractor, Wates Construction, began building work in October last year and has been joined on site by a number of the region's sub-contractors. These include joiner, SJ Eastern, which is currently delivering a work package in excess of £300k.

The project is seeing Wates convert a former 1980s office building into a 5,000 sq m high quality care and nursing home, which will include 85 private apartments ranging from spacious studios and one-bedroom suites.

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Designed by PRP Architects, the luxury scheme will also provide 18 specialist dementia suites, shared lounge areas and bath spas on each floor. Additional facilities will comprise a cinema room, a hair salon and private dining areas.

Wates is currently delivering the building’s interior fit-out following the first phase of external remodelling, which included the installation of a new roof, plant equipment and enhancements to the building's insulation.

Also currently working with Wates on site are Herford-based J Hare Diamond Drilling and McGinley's Logistic and Construction Solutions. Further work packages are expected to be appointed locally ahead of scheduled project completion at the end of the year.

Phil Shortman, Business Unit Director, Wates Construction, Northern Home Counties and East, commented: "Building and development works are an essential means to boosting the regional economy and subsequent employment opportunities for local people. It is for this reason that we have made a shared commitment with Signature Senior Lifestyle at Bentley House to engage local SMEs in the project."

(CD)