Builders tackle Scholes & Giggs at football hotel + latest industry news

Twitter link to a great photo of a gang of builders tackling Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs during a kick-about on the roof of the new Hotel Football being built next to Old Trafford.

Other industry news includes the latest Deloitte survey showing that the cranes are well and truly back in London with 64 major office projects under construction and 45% of the 9.2m sq ft already let; the top 24 UK Universities are to spend £9bn on construction;  and a welcome 9% rise in builders taking on apprentices is another sign of industry confidence in a sustainable recovery.

The Buyers & Specifiers Forum is open for business at Timber Expo 2014. This proved to be a very successful way of doing good business at the last show and 100% of those involved said they would be back this year. Follow the links below to more about this and the top product and project stories on Buildingtalk.

And finally, I was very sad to see the fire damage to the beautiful Glasgow School of Art designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh – a new fire prevention system was due to be fitted!

TOP 10 STORIES

Buyers & Specifiers Forum open for business at Timber Expo 2014

Green Deal Installer schemes re-launched following proposals from DECC

New IKOpro Sprayfast adhesive takes the backache out of fast-track economical bonding

ASSA ABLOY high security timber & steel doorsets tested to latest LPS1175 standard

External fire resistant doors and windows limit injury or death risk

London hospitals pilot BREEAM scheme

BAL adhesives for award-winning tiling at Tate Britain redevelopment

Rooflight guide to ensuring non fragility for 25 years is launched

Secondary glazing and sound sails provide acoustic insulation in church

BBA improves assessment of construction products and installers

LATEST PROJECTS & OTHER STORIES

Treated softwood decking for roof terraces and walkways at Wigmore Street development

John Lewis install Euroheat wood chip biomass boiler at their Snowdonia Spa

New Tesco development meets sustainability targets with Celotex FR5000

External Wall Insulation produces durable, aesthetic solution at flats

New colours added to Geo-panel interior decorative panelling system

SoundFlex absorption panels was a sound choice for new Redcar sports hall

External wall insulation rock system improves aesthetics of properties

Mistrale 75 natural ventilator ventilation solution for best and future-proof performance

Disabled toilet facility provides independence for Morrisons customers

Fibre cement slates incorporating non-asbestos fibres fitted at site

TWEETS OF THE WEEK

Building that takes pollution out of the air – find out how

Builders footie game at Hotel Football with Neville, Giggs and Scholes

9% rise in builders taking on apprentices – watch video comment

Save your back – new PU bonding adhesive applicator

Is fracking for fuel a better option than being held to ransom by Putin?

UK top 24 Universities to spend £9bn on construction – no wonder fees up!

London Shard wins the best new skyscraper award

Building work is the most dangerous job in the country

How much office construction is happening in London right now?