House extension, loft conversion & other building works by Stockport based builder CPM Design & Build

So it was the sunniest November since records began – and you'd think was great news for the construction sector! But here in the North West, surprise surprise, it was one of the wettest, just what you need when you have teams out on half a dozen different sites, from house extensions to major commercial construction projects. But we're not complaining, during the worst recession for many years that has been the death knell of several regional construction companies, a bit of rain hasn't stopped us taking advantage of the commercial and residential opportunities that continue to come our way.

We've also been out on site capturing some new images for the website. You'd love a beautiful sunny day to do that, but we think the rain dripping off lintels says more about the real world of a commercial builder!

In our news section you can see details of a commercial property project in Greater Manchester and a house extension in Cheshire. We have just delivered the final element of a public sector contract for the Greater Manchester Police and put a new roof area on to the 16th Century Underbank Hall in Stockport, home to the NatWest Bank. As we enter 2010 we are looking at a stronger order book than we might have expected 12 months ago.

So as we approach Christmas, let's hope that we don't get the traditional “white out” that everyone seems to clamour for. Apparently the odds are as low as 5 to 1 for a white Christmas in Stockport – lovely for the kids, but for the construction sector we'd settle for coming back to work in the warmest and driest January since records began!

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you all.

CPM Design & Build is well under way in the development of three commercial retail premises for a north west property development client. On site since the start of November, the project is expected to be completed by end of February 2010.

The property was formerly an old farm house which was subsequently converted to a garage and filling station with a forecourt and service bays. The new units, 720 square metres in size, are clad with brickwork and polished steel cladding, with a profiled steel frame roof, which incorporates the extension of existing steel frames and insulating concrete slabs, to the flooring area.

Stockport's iconic railway viaduct viewed from the Garrick Theatre

CPM Design & Build has been commissioned by the historic Stockport Garrick Theatre Trust, to carry out preliminary design work for a proposed £150,000 of refurbishment during the first quarter of 2010. The Theatre was founded in 1901 and has been housed at its current location in Exchange Street since 1920. Prior to becoming a theatre, the building was used as a mill and is set against the backdrop of Stockport's grand Victorian viaduct - built in 1840 and one of the largest brick structures in Europe.

As part of the refurbishment, new windows in the Theatre will be designed in the style of the viaduct, which is also the Theatre's emblem. Internally, the reception area is to be redesigned to provide easier access for disabled and elderly theatre goers alongside a full refurbishment of the bar area and toilet facilities.