Kershaw Mechanical Services has been awarded an M&E contract worth almost £5m as part of the development of Elmer Square in Southend-on-Sea.
The Square will benefit from a new 9,450m2 building - The Forum - which will be positioned at the centre of the town's educational quarter, currently undergoing redevelopment.

Kershaw will be responsible for installing the full building services into the four-storey, municipal and educational facility.

The £27m project is a partnership between Southend-on-Sea Borough Council, the University of Essex, and South Essex College of Further and Higher Education.

The Forum will consist of an integrated public and academic central library, a children's library and play area, a modern teaching resource for South Essex College and a research and learning environment for the University of Essex, together with a new home for the Focal Point Gallery, a café, lecture theatre with over 200 seats and a large, outdoor LED screen for showing cultural events.

Ian Greenstock, Kershaw Mechanical's sales director said 'Securing this job reflects the wealth of experience we have built up working on education and mixed use projects over the years.' He added 'We are also delighted to be working with Wates Construction, the main contractor on this project.'

Separately, Kershaw Mechanical Services has also been awarded the full M&E package for a new further education building at West Suffolk College, Bury St Edmunds. With improved study facilities, as well as student support and recreational areas, it will be the first phase in the college's long-term redevelopment plan for the site. The main contractor is ISG Jackson.