Ayrshire architects open branch office on East Coast of Scotland

THE Ayrshire firm of architects Lawrence McPherson Associates has opened a new branch office on the east coast of Scotland in a historic former mill building at Eskmills, Musselburgh.


[Picture: Scott Allan who is heading
up LMA’s new east coast office.]

Founded in 1994, Lawrence McPherson Associates has grown significantly in recent years with an existing staff of 17 people in their Ayr office.

Partner Euan Lawrence commented: “The partners and staff are delighted to be opening our Eskmills office, which is required to satisfy our existing and projected workloads. The Eskmills office will be headed by Scott Allan who lives locally in East Lothian and has extensive experience of the Edinburgh and Lothian development sector.”


[Picture shows: LMA partners Stephen McGhee,
Euan Lawrence (centre) and Stuart McPherson.]

Originally based at Beresford Court in Ayr, Lawrence McPherson Associates is currently based in the former Salvation Army Citadel building in New Road, which has been internally redesigned to provide a high quality design studio.

Current projects for the firm include hotel and restaurant developments throughout Scotland, several large housing developments throughout central Scotland for both national housebuilding companies and housing associations, together with several important healthcare projects including the masterplan for the new Irvine Community Hospital.

Euan added: “Within Ayrshire we are delighted to be working on private residential projects with major companies such as Stewart Milne Holdings, Dickie & Moore, Dawn Homes and Dickie Homes, and on social housing projects with Ayrshire Housing, Shire Housing and Atrium Homes.

“We also enjoy a significant healthcare workload with NHS Ayrshire and Arran, and an extensive hotel and restaurant development programme with Whitbread plc. Our expansion to the east coast has been built on our success in Ayrshire, and we look forward to continuing to grow both offices.”

Projects and further information can be viewed on the firm’s new web site at www.lawrencemcphersonarchitects.co.uk

Building contractor William Skinner
plays Santa to CLIC Sargent children

AT their recent staff open day building contractors William Skinner & Son with headquarters in Ayrshire and a Southern Office at Meldreth, Cambridgeshire raised a grand total of £3,130.50 for children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent.


[Picture shows CLIC Sargent fundraising manager May Gilchrist (left) receiving a cheque from William Skinner & Son director Ken Wales (centre) and project manager Brian Galloway as Santa Claus. CLICK ON EITHER IMAGE TO VIEW / DOWNLOAD FULL-SIZE VERSION]

William Skinner & Son directors, staff, suppliers and friends all contributed by means of a raffle, donated prizes being auctioned and donations.

William Skinner & Son director Ken Wales, receptionist Susan Stobbs and project manager Brian Galloway (as Santa Claus) went to CLIC Sargent’s home at Prestwick last week to hand over the cheque, and Santa gave out presents to all the ten children currently staying there.


[Picture shows CLIC Sargent fundraising manager May Gilchrist, back left, next to William Skinner & Son receptionist Susan Stobbs, director Ken Wales, centre, and project manager Brian Galloway as Santa Claus with children at CLIC Sargent’s Malcolm Sargent House, Prestwick, Ayrshire.]

Managing director of William Skinner & Son Sandy Cunningham said: “We are delighted to have raised this money in time for Christmas, and look forward to continuing to support CLIC Sargent and all the invaluable work that they do in the future.”

CLIC Sargent fundraising manager May Gilchrist said: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank the management and staff of William Skinner for their continued support over the years and for this fantastic donation which will make such a difference to children with cancer who holiday at Malcolm Sargent House. On behalf of the children and families I would like to wish all at William Skinner & Son best wishes for 2008.”

CLIC Sargent is the UK’s leading children's cancer charity. It provides the widest range of services and the highest number of care professionals to look after children and young people with cancer and their families.

CLIC Sargent was formed in 2005 after a successful merger between CLIC and Sargent Cancer Care for Children. Both charities had a rich history of excellent care and support, and together they are stronger and more effective, providing more for more children and young people with cancer and their families.

www.clicsargent.org.uk

ABOUT WILLIAM SKINNER & SON

Building contractors William Skinner & Son’s Ayrshire and Cambridgeshire bases cover Scotland and Eastern England with activities including building maintenance with 24-hour helpdesk, retail refurbishment and construction, painting, joinery manufacture, metal fabrication, terrazzo tiling, shopfitting, Sika Trocal and Ward Topdeck roofing, and solar hot water installation.

William Skinner & Son have recently diversified into tree houses with contracts from leading hotel and conference centre group De Vere Venues.

They have also made a successful entrance into the solar heating market, attracting a large number of new clients throughout the UK, and have demonstrated their commitment to the wider field of renewable energy by installing a 6kW Proven wind turbine at their HQ in St. Quivox and including PV panels in the design for their proposed office extension.

The aim now is to offer general advice on the suitability of any of the available renewable energy techniques, or any mix of them, to solve individual energy supply problems, and they are developing a consortium of available local expertise to help them develop that.

www.williamskinner.co.uk