Wolverhampton City Council partners with local business in wake of Carillion debacle

Wolverhampton City Council partners with local business in wake of Carillion debacle

Two leading independent Midlands construction firms, Jessup Brothers and Besblock, have formed a partnership with Wolverhampton City Council to give the city’s regeneration plans a boost.

Privately owned developer Jessup Brothers from Cannock has been appointed as the main contractor for the construction of 52 houses on the site of the former Danesmore Primary School, with Telford-based concrete block manufacturer Besblock Ltd installed as a major part of the supply chain.

This underpins the Council’s initiative to drive local growth and prosperity for the Wolverhampton area, helping to create additional jobs and opportunities for local people and businesses.

It’s a timely union for the construction industry, coming on the back of Carillion’s high-profile demise which has sent shockwaves across the sector.

Besblock, which has two factories in Telford producing award-winning concrete blocks, is one of the nation’s leading construction firms. Its flagship product is the revolutionary Star Performer, as the ‘ultimate block for the house builder’.

Sales Director Martin Fulwell explained: “It’s a good news story all round. Along with Jessup’s, we have developed some really positive partnerships with several of the contractors involved in the Council’s initiative giving us confidence to embark on a significant expansion plan and employment drive.”

Jessup’s MD Clive Jessup said: “This year we celebrate 30 years of delivering homes in the Midlands, built using local suppliers and sub-contractors, so we are delighted to be working with Besblock on these much needed homes in Wolverhampton, benefitting the community and the local economy.”

Councillor Peter Bilson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for City Housing and Assets, said: “WV Living has a major part to play in developing much-needed housing in the City of Wolverhampton.

“At the same time, it is also creating opportunities for local construction companies and the supply chain.

“We are delighted with the part Jessup Brothers and Besblock Ltd are playing in delivering the first WV Living homes on the site of the former Danesmore Primary School.”

Mike Leonard of the Building Alliance, added: “We need to create maximum value and maximum return for the whole of the Midlands community.

“It’s all about the circular economy: we should be using the materials we make in the region, with local workforces providing the skills, to ensure our housing stock lasts 150 years. The construction industry generates a return of £2.84 to the economy for every pound of investment.”

The 52-home scheme follows on from the completion of multi projects across small derelict sites managed by Wolverhampton Homes, the Arm’s Length Management Organisation (ALMO) which manages the council houses across the city.