FIREFIGHTERS were called to a collapsed building in the early hours of this morning following an explosion inside Crews arrived at the scene in Eastern Avenue West Thurrock at 1.50am to find a brick building The building was used for waste water pumping Firefighters worked quickly to make the area safe and used a thermal imaging camera to help search for any casualties Watch Manager Mark Hampton said: “Thanks to the swift actions of our crews and the support of other agencies This incident is a great example of teamwork and cross-agency collaboration with everyone working together towards a shared goal.” Crews handed the scene over to Essex Police and Anglian Water at around 4.15am but it is not suspicious and does not pose a further risk in the area Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value" A chemical manufacturing company has been fined £2.5m following two incidents of uncontrolled releases of highly corrosive acids at its site in West Thurrock Industrial Chemicals Ltd pleaded guilty following the incidents in 2020 one of which caused the release of a hydrogen chloride gas cloud that resulted in schools in the area to close The first incident on 6 January 2020 resulted in an uncontrolled release of hydrochloric acid from three chemical storage tanks Three hundred thousand litres of the substance was released via poorly maintained pipework As it came into contact with the atmosphere this created a hydrogen chloride gas cloud which spread to nearby towns Nearby CCTV footage shows the atmosphere being engulfed in the cloud within 60 seconds Local businesses were affected and schools in West Thurrock and Chafford Hundred were advised to close Due to the risk to local residents of exposure to the migrating fumes advice was provided by emergency responders to close windows and doors Hydrochloric acid is highly corrosive and hydrogen chloride is a toxic gas The incident lasted approximately 24 hours On 29 August 2020 another uncontrolled release This resulted in the release of 87 cubic metres of sulphuric acid being released into the atmosphere The valve that was designed to control leaks in the event of cracks did not operate as intended increasing the risks to operators and delivery drivers Sulphuric acid is highly corrosive and can cause lung damage if high levels are breathed in A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and Environment Agency (EA) into the release of the hydrochloric acid in January 2020 found that pipework had not been installed maintained and inspected sufficiently which led to several smaller pipe failures before the more serious loss of containment The investigation found that pipework had not been properly maintained and a protective chemical-resistant coating had not been applied to the full height of containment walls An investigation by HSE into the release of sulphuric acid in August 2020 identified a lack of inspection and maintenance of the pipework and valves The leak continued for a further two days due to the inability to operate a manual valve to stop the process The loss of containment was eventually stopped on 31 August 2020 other workers and members of the public from potential harm In relation to the January 2020 incident:   In relation to the August 2020 incident:   In a hearing at Westminster Combined Court last week (Friday 28 March) the company was fined £2.4 million in relation to charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and a further £100,000 in relation to charges under the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016 HSE principal inspector Maria Strangward said: “The uncontrolled release of significant quantities of hazardous substances in these cases was entirely avoidable “An appropriate planned maintenance programme should have been in place to ensure that pipes do not fail The proactive maintenance of pipework and safety critical valves is extremely important at sites such as these “Industrial Chemicals Limited’s West Thurrock site is classified as an upper tier site under the Control of Major Accident Regulations 2015 so that businesses and communities are protected said: “The Environment Agency takes its regulatory responsibilities seriously to protect communities and the environment “We expect businesses to comply with their environmental permits and will take appropriate enforcement action when they fail to do so an appropriate inspection and maintenance programme could have prevented an environmental and public health risk.”   The HSE prosecution was brought by enforcement lawyer Samantha Wells who said: “At the sentencing hearing the judge noted the previous history of poor health and safety standards by this defendant which included previous incidents relating to poor maintenance of pipework at this site showing a careless attitude to health and safety which was treated as an aggravating factor which uplifted the sentence imposed.”   The EA prosecution was brought by EA lawyer Laura King All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0 A DISPERSAL order has been put in place in West Thurrock following concerns about a car cruise event is in place from 2pm on Saturday 12th April and will remain in force until 2am on Monday 14th April.  We’ve the decision to put the order in place after receiving information to suggest that vehicles from a car cruise event are likely to attend the Lakeside area.  This order gives officers the powers to direct people suspected of being involved in this activity to leave the area or face arrest of the Thurrock Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “I want everyone to enjoy Thurrock and Lakeside safely and while car enthusiasts often gather in towns across Essex without incident there have been occasions of street racing and burnouts.  “We will not tolerate any form of anti-social behaviour If you are causing disruption due to your driving My team will be in the area to enforce the rules of the road and uphold the message of this post.” There have been occasions when our officers have been forced to take enforcement action when drivers have put other road users and spectators in danger excessive engine noise leading to complaints We understand people love their cars but that cannot be at the expense of people’s safety or local residents’ quality of life two spectators were knocked over by a driver racing in Thurrock and spectators have been killed at car meets in other parts of country In the first three months of 2025 there have been more than 250 reports of nuisance vehicles into Essex Police many related to car cruise events and anti-social driving ON busy Friday and Saturday nights in Thurrock you will see our officers out on patrol across the district.Sergeant Adam Priest says: “We know our neighbourhoods and that knowledge helps us to keep you safe “We know the trending crime types and put operations in place to tackle them.“And we know what worries you so we provide reassurance and crime prevention advice to reduce the chances of you becoming a victim of crime.” officers were swift to make two arrests in connection with separate assaults that happened that same day A 35-year-old Hornchurch man has since been charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a knife after a fight in Hampden Road while a 31-year-old man has been charged with two assaults after an incident in Lodge Lane Adam says: “Residents will naturally be concerned about any incident of violence but officers swiftly arrested suspects after both incidents and they have been charged.“Overall across the district incidents of violence have dropped 10.3% in the year to 31 January 2025 and we will continue to focus on reducing them still further.” Officers also conducted several stop searches and a vehicle search during the evening They use stop and search when they suspect people are carrying drugs One man was issued with a community resolution for possession of cannabis.Adam says: “Stop and search is a policing power which can deter people from carrying knives and dealing drugs in public And it can avoid arrests if the outcome is negative.” Anti-social behaviour associated with car cruising at Lakeside and the surrounding West Thurrock area is also a focus at weekends Thurrock Council renewed the public spaces protection order (PSPO) for three years in December 2024 Car cruising events have decreased significantly in the past year but community policing officers continue to patrol regularly with Thurrock Council staff looking out for vehicles being driven anti-socially along straight stretches of roads or in car parks While council staff issue tickets for breaches of the PSPO police officers deal with criminal matters which is a form of careless driving.“Many drivers and their passengers attend car cruises because they simply want to meet and chat with fellow enthusiasts but some drivers break the law and endanger the safety of other road users and it is that behaviour we target,” explains Adam “We have seen a huge decrease in car cruising events because they all know we will enforce the law and the rules of the PSPO.“And we’ll be doing it all again this weekend!” crime has decreased by 5% across Thurrock in the past year but we need the public to help us reduce it still further Adam says: “We have several operations to tackle specific criminal activity in the district They are informed by what the public tell us about crime and anti-social behaviour in their neighbourhoods “This information helps us to identify emerging crime trends which we then focus our operational activity on.“So please tell us what you know You can provide information online at www.essex.police.uk/ro where you can also use our Live Chat service THURROCK Council is set to introduce 20mph limits and bar traffic from some roads in a bid to encourage residents to walk and cycle more reports the Local Democracy Reporter A report on council’s Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan will be discussed at cabinet on Wednesday wheeling and cycling local trips to main town centres train stations and large retail and employment sites “Traffic-calmed streets” with speed limits of 20mph include stretches of London Road The report says streets that carry less than 2,000 vehicles per day are considered to be low traffic streets enabling people to cycle and walk safely and comfortably but do not form part of the main road network measures such as “modal filters” preventing through-traffic but retaining access for local residents and visitors can be done through “camera-enforced restrictions such as bus gates which allow certain permitted vehicles to pass through and fixed or moveable bollards Such measures have proved unpopular in some parts of the country with particular concern around access for emergency vehicles but the council says the plan will be subject to consultation and feasibility studies It includes improved junctions to allow safer crossing for pedestrians cyclists and those who use wheelchairs and prams New cycle paths will include those “fully separated” from traffic using road space rather than pavements The report says several streets could accommodate protected cycle facilities The report said: “Supporting a programme to deliver active travel infrastructure will help in the council’s wider aims of reducing carbon emissions and reducing congestion and car dependency through increased walking and cycling levels “Increased walking and cycling can support both mental and physical health benefits for residents helping to reduce stress and fight depression as well as helping to prevent long-term health conditions such as obesity and access improvements aligns with council priorities and strategies in supporting the wellbeing of residents.” This is going to be the council hope another cash cow from the pockets of the motorists Industrial Chemicals Ltd has been fined £2.5 million following two incidents of uncontrolled releases of highly corrosive acids at its site in West Thurrock The company pleaded guilty to health and safety and environmental violations including the release of hydrochloric acid and sulphuric acid which posed significant risks to local residents and the environment when three chemical storage tanks at the site released 300,000 litres of hydrochloric acid due to poorly maintained pipework As the acid came into contact with the atmosphere it formed a toxic hydrogen chloride gas cloud that spread to nearby towns The cloud led to school closures in West Thurrock and Chafford Hundred and emergency responders advised residents to close windows and doors due to the risk of exposure to the fumes The release lasted for approximately 24 hours when a crack in a pipe led to the release of 87 cubic metres of sulphuric acid into the atmosphere The incident was exacerbated by a malfunctioning valve resulting in a prolonged release that lasted until August 31 Sulphuric acid is highly corrosive and can cause severe respiratory damage if inhaled A joint investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and the Environment Agency (EA) revealed that the pipework and valves had not been properly maintained the January release of hydrochloric acid was linked to inadequate inspection and a failure to apply a protective coating to the containment walls The investigation into the August incident highlighted the lack of maintenance of both the pipework and the valve system “The uncontrolled release of significant quantities of hazardous substances in these cases was entirely avoidable An appropriate planned maintenance programme should have been in place to ensure that pipes do not fail The proactive maintenance of pipework and safety critical valves is extremely important at sites such as these." “The Environment Agency takes its regulatory responsibilities seriously to protect communities and the environment We expect businesses to comply with their environmental permits and will take appropriate enforcement action when they fail to do so an appropriate inspection and maintenance programme could have prevented an environmental and public health risk.” Worker killed when malfunctioning door closes on his head; manufacturer pleads guilty to violating safety standardsThe incident which involved the malfunctioning of a pneumatic discharge door led to the death of a 20-year-old employee Wood products manufacturer fined over £1M after 2 workers suffer severe injuries less than 6 months apart“This is the second time in five years this company has been handed a large fine for failing to protect workers." Stone manufacturer fined £18K for repeatedly exposing workers to respirable crystalline silicaThe company was initially served with seven improvement notices but when the HSE conducted a follow-up inspection in September 2023 five of the improvement notices had still not been addressed Room for Improvement in Safety in the Workplace"Safety first is promoted but supervisors look the other way when deadlines are at risk," says BSI report Beyond Compliance: How to Build a Safety-First WorkplaceOur latest Industry Insight explores the limitations of compliance-driven safety and provides actionable strategies to help facility managers create safer The Future of Safety TrainingKey insights from the 2024 State of Safety Training Survey offer direction on how to elevate your safety program This is a premium article and requires an active subscription You will need your print Customer ID ready to set up an account you'll find this on your welcome email and cover sheet delivered with each print magazine Register now Key Publishing Ltd is a company registered in England and Wales with Company Number 2713662 Work is taking place to make sure grass is cut in the borough's cemeteries Teams have been out cutting grass using a new system of working that will provide a more consistent service Operational issues and equipment breakdowns have hampered work over the last few weeks which has seen grass becoming overgrown in cemeteries so a more reliable service will make sure our cemeteries look neat and tidy This week teams have been cutting the grass in Corringham Stanford-le-Hope and West Thurrock cemeteries along with all the smaller churchyards managed by the council Next week teams will be mowing Chadwell St Mary cemetery and both cemeteries in Grays Grass cutting and maintenance work will continue regularly throughout spring and summer For more information on the work we do to maintain grass, hedges and shrubs, go to www.thurrock.gov.uk/grass Kanadevia Inova (formerlyHitachi Zosen Inova) it has engaged Essex-based Statom Group to support key early-phaseconstruction activities at Thameside Energy Recovery Facility (ERF) at the Port of Tilbury Thiscollaboration marks an important milestone in the development of the facility underscoringViridor’s commitment to working with local partners wherever possible is a leading provider of residential and commercial civilengineering and groundworks services With extensive experience in concrete substructures andsuperstructures Statom Group is well positioned to support the initial stages of construction andwill be responsible for a range of critical site preparation activities Head of ERF Projects at Viridor says: “We are delighted to welcome Statom Groupas a key partner in the early development of the Thameside ERF Their expertise in civil engineeringand groundworks is invaluable in ensuring we have a successful start to the construction of thisimportant facility and it’s great that we are able to employ a company based in the local area.”Paul Whelan Statom Group’s Managing Director added: “As a company based in West Thurrock,we are proud to be contributing to a project that will benefit the local community We look forwardto collaborating with Viridor and playing a vital role in the successful delivery of the ThamesideERF.” The Thameside Energy Recovery Facility will generate energy from residual black bag waste thatcannot be recycled it will produce enough electricity to power the equivalentof 93,000 homes Viridor aims to reach commercial operation of the facility in 2028 For more information about Viridor and the Thameside Energy Recovery Facility, please visithttps://viridor.co.uk/energy/energy-recovery-facilities/thameside-erf/. THURROCK Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services issues statement following tragic death of a child in South Ockendon Cabinet Member for Children’s Services has issued a statement following the tragic death of a child in South Ockendon on Sunday 15 December Cllr Hartstean said: “I was shocked and deeply saddened by the news of Lincoln’s death It is difficult to imagine the pain and suffering of his family his friends and the community at Bonnygate Primary School “We have been working closely with the school in every way we can to make sure they have the support and advice they need as they help the community pay tribute to Lincoln and to come to terms with this tragic loss “I want to thank Essex Police and other emergency services for their response to the incident over the weekend and all they have done since to support those directly affected “It is a desperately sad time for those who knew and loved Lincoln An electrified fleet hub with parking and charging facilities for between 250 and 500 vans is being planned after a multimillion-pound acquisition by Infinium Logistics The European asset management and energy transition company has completed the acquisition of two adjoining sites in West Thurrock for £15 million the land is located on Motherwell Way in West Thurrock Site one is a three-acre open storage investment property Infinium is now working with customers on proposals for an electrified fleet hub a parking and charging facility that can accommodate up to 500 vans.  said that the acquisition is a “strategic milestone” for the business as it works to expand its capabilities in electrified transport infrastructure “The site’s prime location and our development plans align perfectly with our mission to deliver optimised facilities that meet the growing demand for efficient and low-carbon transport,” he added “We are excited to integrate these new sites into our platform and look forward to the positive impact they will have on the local community and the broader energy transition efforts “We would welcome further opportunities to review in core 'last-mile' logistics locations across Western Europe.” offers proximity to key parcel carrier hubs in Essex and north-east London its proximity to Lakeside Shopping Centre provides opportunities for local businesses to utilise its fleet hub model said: “As we continue to build our platform and capabilities strategic acquisitions like this one enable us to meet the growing demand for EV infrastructure “As the total cost of ownership (TCO) of EV continues to decrease we anticipate fast growing demand for this essential infrastructure “By combining smart energy procurement and storage solutions with advances in technology and efficient real estate design “This will contribute to cleaner air and a healthier environment for the local community while providing competitive advantages for forward thinking fleet operators.” Gareth has more than 20 years’ experience as a journalist having started his career in local newspapers in the 1990s he worked in the public sector as a media advisor and is currently news editor at Fleet News Register to receive our range of digital content By submitting any material to us you are confirming that the material is your own original work or that you have permission from the copyright owner to use the material and to authorise Bauer Consumer Media to use it as described in this paragraph You also promise that you have permission from anyone featured or referred to in the submitted material to it being used by Bauer Consumer Media If Bauer Consumer Media receives a claim from a copyright owner or a person featured in any material you have sent us we will inform that person that you have granted us permission to use the relevant material and you will be responsible for paying any amounts due to the copyright owner or featured person and/or for reimbursing Bauer Consumer Media for any losses it has suffered as a result If you’ve ever been curious about becoming a foster carer, Foster Care Fortnight is the perfect opportunity to find out more Foster Care Fortnight is the UK’s biggest foster care awareness raising campaign and aims to showcase the positive impact foster care and the need more foster carers Foster Care Fortnight will run from Monday 13 May until Sunday 26 May Keep an eye out as starting from Monday 13 May Thurrock Council's Fostering team will be popping up at several shops libraries and shopping centres across Thurrock to share more information around fostering and answer any questions you may have Check below to see when our fostering team will be near you You can also join our team in-person on Thursday 16 May, 10am to midday, for a presentation and chat in Committee Room 1 of the Town Hall at the south end of High Street, Grays – Google Maps: Town Hall, High Street, Grays For more information on becoming a foster carer, to sign-up for an information session or to make an enquiry, go to www.thurrock.gov.uk/fostering Image below: Thurrock Fostering, phone 0800 652 1256, Facebook /thurrockfostering Win HappyPremiumSearch Rayogreatest hitsbeds bucks hertsnewsMan jailed for GBH after hitting Hertfordshire man with car in ThurrockThe victim suffered life-changing injuries who suffered life-changing injuries when a car was deliberately driven at him after a night out in West Thurrock has spoken about the ongoing impact on his life The 28-year-old was knocked into the air during the incident and spent weeks in hospital He is still recovering at home more than seven months later The victim said: “My life has completely changed since that night I can only walk with support of crutches or a frame and am having physio to help get stronger "I can’t work and the days are so long but I’m trying to be positive and rebuild my life "I’m really grateful to the police for their thorough investigation and support which ensured my attacker faced justice.” Brandon Stewart deliberately drove at his victim in a West Thurrock multi-storey car park He was jailed for 15 years by the judge at Basildon Crown Court On Friday 5 January this year officers were called to an incident at a car park at Lakeside shopping centre following a report from ambulance service colleagues that a man had been hit by a car and the suspect had left the scene The car had been driven the wrong way round the car park by Stewart colliding with a barrier and then hitting the victim before returning to his vehicle and jamming a lighter and rag into the petrol tank The incident happened at around 11.30pm after the victim and the suspect had both been in mini-golf venue Puttshack earlier in the evening sat in his car and waited for the victim to appear He then reversed his car back into the service road The victim suffered life-changing injuries including multiple broken bones in his legs He spent an extensive amount of time in hospital and is still recovering involving talking to numerous witnesses and the victim himself officers arrested Stewart within 48 hours of the incident He refused to answer any questions when interviewed by officers He admitted attempted arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered and then during his trial at Basildon Crown Court he pleaded guilty to causing serious injury by dangerous driving On Tuesday 13 August a jury found him guilty by a majority verdict of 10-2 to the one outstanding charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent He was sentenced the same day to 15 years in prison He was jailed for 12 years for grievous bodily harm with intent and three years for attempted arson He received a 40-month prison sentence for causing serious injury by dangerous driving He was also disqualified from driving and must retake his test before being allowed to drive again He was ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228 Acting Detective Sergeant Nima Fouladipour said: “The victim suffered extensive and life-changing injuries because of Stewart’s actions on that day We will not tolerate the use of violence in Essex and we fully investigate and will do everything we can to bring those responsible before the courts to face the consequences of their actions "This investigation was a fast-paced piece of police work Our focus was always the victim of this attack no-one should be made to feel unsafe while simply on a night out "He has shown incredible strength and commitment throughout a difficult year and I hope this verdict and sentence helps him and he can move forward with his life.” they really supported me through the investigation and during the trial.” Hear all the latest news from across the UK on the hour, every hour, on Greatest Hits Radio on DAB, smartspeaker, at greatesthitsradio.co.uk, and on the Rayo app. Company number 01176085; Bauer Radio Limited Company number: 1394141Registered office: Media House Peterborough PE2 6EA and H Bauer Publishing Company number: LP003328; Registered office: The Lantern London NW1 2PL All registered in England and Wales VAT no 918 5617 01H Bauer Publishing are authorised and regulated for credit broking by the FCA (Ref No: 845898)   Show page links for this section 'Land of the Fanns' is a low-lying area to the north of the river Thames The landscape spans about 185 square kilometres (71.4 square miles) from Dagenham in the west to the outskirts of Basildon in the east from Brentwood in the north to the Thames shoreline in the south The natural environment is a river plain made up of the northern Thames-side marshes interspersed with low hills and ridges cut by local river valleys with their own marshes From the river it rises in geological platforms to a range of hills that include – from west to east – the Havering Ridge 'Fann' is a Saxon term for low marshy land or a low-lying district The fanns and fann men were often recorded in local parish records during the 17th and 18th centuries For more about the area, go to Thames Chase: 'Land of the Fanns' local history In December 2016, the Heritage Lottery Fund confirmed an award of £1.35 million to the Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership the partnership worked on a 5-year plan to restore and celebrate one of the last landscapes of London The total value of the programme is £2.4 million The areas of focus within Thurrock include Belhus The Fanns in North and South Ockendon and Langdon Hills The programme offers local people the chance to get involved in a range of events and activities to improve understanding and help restore the local heritage Activities will range from travelling archaeology exhibitions to opportunities for learning new skills in natural Find out more about the Land of the Fanns Landscape Partnership and projects The outline map below shows Land of the Fanns in Thurrock and other boroughs THE results of Thurrock Council’s elections have been announced.  There were elections in 17 of the borough’s 20 wards The full list of results are available at: https://www.thurrock.gov.uk/vote2024 Just don’t do what Ralph did and hop over to another party Recipe box company Gousto has pre-let its second big shed in as many weeks after securing a 10 year lease on a 196,178 sq ft unit in West Thurrock Gousto snapped up Mountpark Logistics’ 307,807 sq ft distribution centre at Mountpark Warrington Omega II in the North West only two weeks ago The move follows rapid expansion due to lockdown The company reported strong trading from the start of the year with revenues for the first quarter reaching 70% year-on-year growth – within the first six months of 2020 Gousto reported that revenue surpassed the £83m of sales recorded for the whole of 2019 The company is looking to at least triple capacity by 2022 said: “The recent lockdown accelerated structural trends which were already firmly underway opening up the recipe box market to a far larger audience with new customers won over by our market leading choice and variety and the convenience of having fresh ingredients delivered to their door with no hassle or food waste.” The West Thurrock facility is known as Chillbox and is temperature-controlled It has undergone a major refurbishment including an upgraded Ammonia Glycol chiller plant There are four individually controlled chiller chambers and the 32 ceiling-mounted coolers to ensure each chamber is at a temperature of +1 -3 degree centigrade The facility also includes a two-storey office welfare suite and ample car parking spaces The building is located on the Tunnel Estate close to Junction 30 of the M25 motorway and the A13 CBRE Global Investors acted on behalf of the landlord DTRE and BNP advised CBRE Global Investors Its new facility in North West is planned to go live at the end of 2021 CBRE and JLL acted for Mountpark and Gousto was represented by SBH Construction at Mountpark Warrington Omega II started earlier this year and the first two units of 307,807 sq ft and 203,180 sq ft are on schedule to complete in January 2021 Mountpark Warrington Omega II is at the gateway to Omega South part of the 575 acre mixed use Omega scheme at Junction 8 of the M62 north of Warrington Liza Helps is the contributing property editor at Logistics Manager magazine She is an award-winning journalist with more than 30 years’ experience covering topics ranging from the logistics of redeployment of the British Army from Afghanistan to e-commerce and the in and outs of warehouse development and design She has specialised in logistics property for the magazine AMAZON Logistics has announced that it will open a new delivery station in West Thurrock The 10,000 square metre building is expected to be fully operational this autumn and will serve customers based in the Thurrock area in addition to over a hundred driver opportunities for Amazon Logistics’ delivery service partners and Amazon Flex delivery partners Delivery stations power the last mile of our order process and help speed up deliveries for customers Packages are shipped to a delivery station from neighbouring Amazon fulfilment and sortation centres loaded into delivery vehicles and delivered to customers Amazon is also offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to build their own business delivering Amazon packages as well as independent contractors the flexibility to be their own boss and create their own schedule delivering for Amazon Flex visit www.logistics.amazon.co.uk and flex.amazon.co.uk said: “We are excited to continue to invest in the Thurrock area with a new delivery station that will provide efficient delivery for customers and create new jobs for the talented workforce.” Amazon employees receive competitive pay and comprehensive benefits Pay starts at £11.10 per hour and employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package income protection and an employee discount – which combined are worth more than £700 annually – as well as a company pension plan an innovative programme which pre-pays 95% of tuition for courses in high-demand fields regardless of whether the skills are relevant to a career at Amazon We prioritise the safety and health of our people above all else and we invested more than $10 billion globally to help keep our people safe and deliver products to customers throughout 2020 We implemented more than 150 significant process enhancements in our operations from deep cleaning of our facilities to processes that allow for effective social distancing and more URBAN Edge Architecture has submitted plans to Thurrock Council for a multi-million-pound modern landmark workshop in West Thurrock for Spectrum VR a leader in the maintenance and repair of commercial vehicle body shells Urban Edge’s proposal will replace the existing HGV service and repair workshop on the site with a new 1,726sq m 7-bay purpose-built facility to accommodate Spectrum VRs expanding operations and offer them a more visible presence on a busy intersection within the London Commuter belt Urban Edge worked with multi-sector specialist contractor rationalising the layouts and ensuring the spaces were the best options for the required functions The main workshop will contain a paint centre with bespoke specialist equipment installations An attached two-storey office block will house day-to-day operations as well as wellness spaces for Spectrum VR staff The plans will also enhance the landscape buffer separating the service yard from a busy round-about as well as creating outdoor amenity spaces for staff explains: “The building is a bespoke industrial development with specific requirements in the workshop and office space elements both requiring a good understanding of the client’s operational requirements and technical processes on a recommendation from a long-standing client who recognised our skill and ability to deliver complex schemes in this sector precisely to the client’s needs We look forward to continuing onwards with the detailed design and delivery of the project.” The proposed unit will be contemporary in design contrasted with dark grey windows and sections of feature brickwork on key corners The workshop bays are defined with half-height brick and contrasting cladding colours between bays The main entrance to the office is marked with double-height corner glazing adding definition as well as natural light to the public-facing workspace A dark grey feature surrounding the glazing and main entrance doors further identify the main entrance The project proposes an energy-efficient external envelope with high thermal performance and a high air tightness rating The energy strategy focuses on renewable energy with the roof space maximised to accommodate a high number of PV panels The overall development is aiming to be highly energy efficient which is a key consideration for the Client in looking to reduce their ongoing operational costs THE B&Q store in West Thurrock is to reopen this morning (Saturday 18th April) The store is among the 14 stores the retailer is to re-open over the course of the coming days to trial social distancing measures the retailer said that “having watched other essential retailers support social distancing measures” it had decided to reopen its Paisley and West Thurrock stores this morning B&Q stores have been closed since the end of March and customers have only been able to use click and collect services to buy goods But B&Q has said it is now in a position to “follow best practice” on hygiene and social distancing measures in order to keep its staff and customers safe Click and collect will no longer be available at the two stores which have already reopened they will be open to customers from 8am until 5pm A B&Q spokesperson said: “Similar to shopping at a supermarket we’ve introduced social distancing controls at these re-opened stores “We’re strictly limiting the number of customers in store at any one time and so customers may need to queue before entering the store “To help remind everyone to respect each other’s personal space we have two metre floor markers throughout these stores and also perspex screens at the checkouts.” Customers visiting the stores will only be able to buy products that are available to shop and takeaway on the day Services such as kitchen and bathroom design timber cutting and key cutting are not available for the time being B&Q will also only be accepting card and contactless payments “We’re urging all customers to follow the government’s social distancing guidelines and to shop responsibly only for what is necessary” the spokesperson added THE Dulux dog has officially opened brand new Dulux Academy training facilities in the West Thurrock Dulux Decorator Centre The iconic Dulux dog made a star appearance at the store welcoming customers to the grand opening at the site on Motherwell Way The new facilities are aimed at helping more of the region’s painters and decorators brush up on their skills or learn new ones Courses covering professional techniques like wallpapering and spraying to business skills such as using social media will be delivered from the new purpose-built facility in the West Thurrock store.  It will allow professionals from the surrounding area to benefit from the expert training that is currently delivered from the Dulux Academy HQ in Slough Training is delivered by experienced Dulux Academy Skills Development Consultants who are all former professional painting and decorators providing attendees with knowledge and expertise that gives them a meaningful competitive advantage.  The West Thurrock Dulux Decorating Centre Dulux Academy facility is the third new store location to offer the service from October 28th which recently opened at the start of October Store Manager at West Thurrock Dulux Decorator Centre said: “We are absolutely delighted to be opening the Dulux Academy training facilities in our store “The purpose-built facilities will provide our customers with a really valuable new resource to ensure they can develop and refine the skills and techniques that will keep their businesses flourishing.” Managing Director at Dulux Decorator Centre comments: “Our commitment is to be an ongoing source of support and advice for those within the painting and decorating industry professionals develop their skills and drive their businesses forward “Partnering with the Dulux Academy means we can make it easier for customers to train in new techniques that will help to ensure they can offer a stand-out service to their clients.” Dulux Academy Lead adds: “Since launching five years ago helped thousands of professionals learn new skills “We’re immensely proud that our training can move the dial for decorators “By being able to offer our courses at Dulux Decorator Centre locations across the country delighted to be able to expand the help and support that we can provide to the trade.” Dulux Academy is the UK’s first dedicated training centre for professional painters and decorators.  For more information and to book a course visit: https://www.duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk/dulux-academy FOLLOWING the success of its recently opened stores in the prime retail locations of Bluewater smart sleep and home brand Sleep.8 continues its mission to bring consumers face-to-face with sleep solutions showcasing the widest variety of products yet in the largest square footage Sleep.8 store to date The Thurrock store is the first in their new store design optimised for retail parks improving upon previous models to maximise the customer journey due to the plentiful floor space Special features include a comprehensive Tech Lounge where shoppers can experience luxury massage gadgets a large Mattress Zone for testing different firmnesses and a Pillow Bar complete with 18 specialised pillow models the brand offered a bed and mattress to customers for only £999 The lucky first 10 shoppers on opening day received a bed and mattress for the unbelievably low price of only £500 an unmissable deal that resulted in a pre-launch queue of hopeful customers on the opening morning The opening event was supported by television star and influencer Elma Pazar and local sports star John ‘The Gentleman’ Hedges an undefeated professional boxer and Sleep.8 brand sponsor The Thurrock store launched in late January a time when shoppers are preoccupied with plans for the year ahead and keen to discover ways to revitalise their homes in the post-Christmas recharge period New Year’s resolutions for the health-focused will also attract customers to this location where sleep is not just viewed as a necessity but a key with which to improve your overall wellness with its innovative and technologically advanced approach to sleep solutions is determined to help remedy the disturbed sleep of UK consumers by providing products that eliminate and soothe factors that inhibit our best possible night’s sleep A range of premium made-to-order beds offers myriad options for customisation Innovative bedding such as the Beyosa Dual-Zoned Duvet S8 Tech Mattresses with specialised adaptations for all body types and sumptuous jersey-covered pillows are among their must-have sleep saviours with a plethora of items aimed at solving certain sleep complaints Smart adjustable electric bed bases and luxury easy-transformation sofa beds are amongst other exciting innovations offered by the brand which will have pride of place in the immersive Thurrock store.  The brand’s mission is to empower shoppers to focus on their own physical and mental well-being and get their optimal 8 hours of sleep The new Thurrock store features a design lounge allowing customers to tailor the bedroom of their dreams with advice from our in-store experts.  From innovative gadgets using NASA-born light therapy technology to help you sync your circadian rhythms to a luxurious range of made-to-order beds the brand’s offerings are designed to create a relaxing haven you can escape to and forget the stresses of the day customers will find a pillow bar featuring 18 different pillow styles with staff able to guide you through a consultation to match you to your perfect pillow; mattress and sofa testing areas; and a headboard display fixture which showcases the brand’s finest offerings These features allow the customer to have full autonomy in curating their sleep experience aided by Sleep.8’s cutting-edge products Innovative zoning makes full use of the retail space allowing for an immersive yet relaxed shopping experience whilst also demonstrating the zoning potentials with Sleep.8’s furniture They have elevated standard room displays by implementing visually striking wooden house frames which inspire the imagination and a ‘Mattress Zone’ where customers can truly relax while testing their prospective mattresses From the designated relaxation area with the luxurious full-body massage chairs and pillow testing gondola to the Ergomotion adjustable beds where customers can experience the weightlessness of Zero-Gravity sleep every detail has been carefully considered to produce an enthralling enabling them to match you to your perfect mattress and pillow in free 1-1 consultations                                                               Sleep.8 Global Vice President has worked his entire career in retail and is passionate about supporting and revitalising the high street post-Covid He launched his first shop in Romford in 2020 with the goal of creating a conversation around the importance of prioritising and taking ownership of our sleep He sees this expansion into larger retail spaces as key to showcasing just what Sleep.8 can deliver to improve a customer’s well-being as well as their home interior “With our latest brick-and-mortar shops we can really educate consumers about their sleep The surplus of floor space available at Thurrock’s destination retail space has allowed us to play on previous layout designs and create something really special that shows off everything Sleep.8 can offer shoppers It’s about creating the connection with the customer and helping them to find the sleep solution that is right for them such as with our pillow match consultations.” “As someone who comes from and believes passionately in retail it’s been distressing to see job loss customer service decline and the demise of high street retail Our online presence is strong but as a brand that believes in the importance of the high street our priority is to look after our people and customers face-to-face wherever possible and it’s important to us that this philosophy is visible to our customers from the moment they step into our new stores.”  SleepExpertsWith the help of Sleep.8’s expert staff customers are able to tailor their sleep space to their precise needs Sleep.8 also has an in-house somnologist who is always on hand for advice or quotes should you be interested Says Sleep.8’s in-house sleep expert Ana: “Sleep has an effect on many of our physiological systems our cardiovascular system and brain functions Insufficient or irregular sleep and poor sleep quality can lead to health problems for some and have been associated with poor mental health and anxiety.” following personal advice from a Sleep.8 consultant Beds and mattresses are of premium comfort standards including a large selection of body-contouring mattresses designed to provide appropriate soothing sensations to ensure rejuvenating sleep B&Q will open the doors to its newly revamped home improvement store in West Thurrock B&Q West Thurrock will host a day of family fun with an array of activities being held in the new look store between 11am and 4pm on 12th November 2016 customers will be treated to a throng of fun activities and giveaways Families are encouraged to come down for chance to get hold of gift cards to spend in store There will be crafts for kids to get creative and stuck into as well as a face painter to transform them into their favourite character or animal plus a balloon modeller to twist super shapes to take home Investment at the B&Q West Thurrock store has seen it thoroughly modernised with new innovation throughout The store is now brighter and better than before having been completely revamped to offer customers a huge variety of new products and features These include new home and lighting ranges a brand new kitchens and bathrooms display more visual ranges of flooring and tiles and a new tool shop where customers can try out some great products in store Customers will also benefit from a bigger and better Click & Collect service and a new cafe which will both be stationed at the front of the store The makeover represents B&Q’s commitment to West Thurrock and its loyal customers said: “We can’t wait to welcome customers to our revamped store and celebrate with a day of family fun We’re ready to show off our new look to West Thurrock’s residents and inspire them to start a new home improvement project under the guidance of our expert advice.” The B&Q family fun day will take place on Saturday 12th November 2016 from 11am to 4pm Source: Insight DIY Team & B&Q Press Office For more news on new stores, revamps and trials, don't forget to sign up for our weekly Insight DIY newsletter Insight DIY always publishes the latest news stories before anyone else and we find it to be an invaluable source of customer and market information Amazon Logistics has announced that its new delivery station in West Thurrock has opened ahead of the festive shopping period The 10,000 square metre building is now fully operational West Thurrock has created around 50 permanent jobs comprehensive benefits and leading training and development opportunities in a safe The opening of the delivery station in West Thurrock has also created new driver opportunities for independent delivery service partners and Amazon Flex delivery partners Amazon West Thurrock Delivery Station Manager “We’re excited to open the doors to our new delivery station in West Thurrock The team at Amazon in West Thurrock is ready to deliver for our customers ahead of a great festive shopping season while also creating local job opportunities across a wide range of disciplines in a safe and welcoming environment.” One of Amazon West Thurrock’s new employees who’ll be helping deliver for customers this Christmas is Elena Margarint Elena has continued to develop her team building skills with a focus on effective teamwork Elena enjoys working at Amazon as it allows her to interact with people from different cultures; something she’s been missing due to COVID-related restrictions “I joined Amazon because the company offers competitive pay fantastic benefits and excellent training and career development and learning opportunities I’m excited that our delivery station in West Thurrock is now open and I’m looking forward to helping put smiles on our customers’ faces this Christmas.” team games and Christmas Jumper days are just some of the things taking place throughout November and December as the delivery station team delivers for customers this Christmas Delivery stations power the last mile of Amazon’s order process and help speed up deliveries for customers Pay starts at £10.00 or £11.10 per hour depending on location and employees are offered a comprehensive benefits package Amazon also offers employees Career Choice Amazon prioritises the safety and health of its people above all else and the company invested more than $10 billion globally to help keep its people safe and deliver products to customers throughout 2020 You need to be over the age of 16 to view this content If you’re not over 16, click here to visit the homepage to keep watching Essex-TV programmes