Trades wanted for Appledore

Torridge District Council, in partnership with BAM Construction, is reaching out to local tradespeople for the upcoming construction of the Appledore Clean Maritime Innovation Centre. 

An information event will take place at St Mary’s Church Hall in Appledore on Tuesday, 22 October, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.

Slated to open in 2026, the centre aims to foster cutting-edge research and collaboration in various fields, including clean propulsion, maritime cybersecurity, aquaculture, and environmental intelligence. 

The facility will boast flexibly designed innovation workshops and offices to support businesses in their sector-leading research and development efforts. 

Additionally, a new quay wall will provide direct access to the estuary, enhancing the centre's capabilities.

Construction is expected to commence in early 2025, and local trades are needed in multiple areas, including:

• Piling, Groundworks, and Retaining Wall
• Steel Frame
• Roofing and Cladding
• Masonry
• Windows, Doors, Rollers, and Shutters
• Firestopping
• Drilling, Cutting, Sawing, Mastic
• Partitions, Ceilings, and SFS
• Joinery
• Painting and Decorating
• IPS and Hygienic Wall Cladding
• Soft Flooring
• Signage
• Surfacing and Road Marking
• Fencing and Hoarding
• Scaffolding (NASC Approved Only)

Interested tradespeople are encouraged to attend the event at St Mary’s Church Hall, located at Bideford, EX39 1RL. 

Councillor Ken James, Leader of Torridge District Council, said: “Torridge officers and other agencies have been working hard behind the scenes to get us to this very important and exciting stage of the project.  With the resolution to grant permission secured, we are now looking forward to working with our contractor to get started on the building and construction works.  We hope that this phase of the project is just the start of bringing new jobs and education prospects to Appledore and the surrounding area.”

Keith Treharne, Procurement Manager, BAM Construction, said: “Local companies are key to the successful delivery of any BAM project. Utilising local labour and local knowledge is always a focus for us. This event provides local companies an opportunity to engage directly with the BAM project team, identify potential opportunities and ask any questions regarding our prequalification process and the project itself.”

For those unable to attend but seeking further information, please contact ktreharne@bam.com for more details.