Recent larger projects in this sector include hotels, sporting clubs and showcase developments intended to raise the profile of an area. Funding has come from sources such as the lottery, local authorities and private developers. Often sporting facilities are accompanied by the development of playing fields, either grassed or artificial, and training pitches. Our practice has the experience to provide design criteria for aspects of such developments.

The practice has completed projects for numerous Healthcare Trusts throughout the north west since it was formed in 1978. Though we still complete a considerable amount of work under traditional procurement, the majority of our commissions are now through the Procure 21 route. We have extensive experience in the area of major healthcare development secured by this method. Through a traditional procurement route, Alan Johnston Partnership has worked on most hospital sites in the north west for many years and holds close relationships with many NHS trusts in the region.

Within the higher education sector, Alan Johnston Partnership has a long-established relationship with Edge Hill and Liverpool Universities, and a more recent association with the University of Chester. We have worked with Edge Hill University over a period of fifteen years and to date have completed twelve projects with a build cost of £45m. Recently, we were commissioned to complete three projects for the University of Chester.

Over the last ten years, the practice has expanded into this market with current significant projects in Manchester and Newcastle-upon -Tyne. Our experience now extends from retail park development and industrial buildings through to office accommodation. Each sector brings its own unique challenges and, in particular, programming and practical solutions. High quality office accommodation often needs to reach an excellent BREEAM rating and there is usually a requirement to expose or emphasise major structural components.