26 May 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal Investment transaction volumes in Q1 2016 of offices across the UK were 26 per cent lower than that in the same period last year, according to a briefing by commercial real estate firm Avison Young. This was reflected in the Central London
New research by Savills and Scottish Woodlands ‘Spotlight on the UK Forestry Market 2016’ reveals the cumulative value of the UK forestry market has increased by more than 200% in the last five years and the sector accounted for £137m worth of investment last year. According to the research, forestry
24 September 2016 – by David Hatcher Birmingham-based IM Properties has launched a strategic land division from which it is aiming to facilitate the development of £1.3bn of houses. IM Land already owns 1,103 acres of land in Bath, Solihull, Bromsgrove, Lichfield, Warwick and Stratford-Upon-Avon valued at £325m on which
Browser does not support script. Contact us The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the longlist for the 2016 RIBA House of the Year Award, the UK’s most prestigious award for a new house or extension. Amongst the 20 architect-designed homes in the running for the award are
Wates Living Space Homes is set to start building work next month on new bungalows to replace 1930s almshouse accommodation in Newcastle. The St. Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus Trust has been given planning permission for the £5.2m scheme, which will see the creation of 49 bungalows designed to provide
Sometimes, we can all do with a good laugh. The beauty of humour is that it’s universal – anything can be funny; it just depends on how it’s done. If you think of stand-up comics through the ages, it’s the delivery of the material that sets them apart from someone
When we find the home of our dreams, we like to settle in and get comfortable. Unfortunately, so does all our stuff, which, rather than growing up and eventually flying the nest, tends to loiter in corners and slowly accumulate through the years. Many family homes reach bursting point without
Does your family look the same as it did ten years ago? No. So why does your kitchen? As the heart of the home, it only makes sense for our kitchens to get updated every time something new happens in our household, whether it’s a furry new addition or adult
Sarah Smithurst MBE will be joining Tecserv UK. The fire and security alarm systems company have announced that they have recruited Sarah in order to strengthen the relationships the company has with its customers. Sarah is expected to bring her extensive knowledge and experience of BBC news reading, Police and
Howarth Timber and Building Supplies took part in fundraising for Cancer Research UK this month. The Timber and Building Supplies company completed the Relay for Life in order to raise money for the Cancer Charity. Relay for Life is an event that took place in Stockport on the 8th of
26 May 2016 | Herpreet Kaur Grewal Investment transaction volumes in Q1 2016 of offices across the UK were 26 per cent lower than that in the same period last year, according to a briefing by commercial real estate firm Avison Young. This was reflected in the Central London office market where “recorded transactions fell from the record high in Q4 2015 to stand at £1.99 billion, but were nonetheless higher than the corresponding period in 2015”. The Central London occupier market remains competitive and although the year got off to a relatively slow start, quarterly take-up of 2.72 million square feet in Q1 was up slightly on the Q4 2015 level. Take-up levels in the West End remained similar to the final quarter of 2015, with 642,000 sq ft of new lettings reported – 34 per cent below the level reached in Q1 2015. Total take-up in 2015 was 3.46 million sq ft compared with the five-year average of 3.71 million sq ft. Take-up across the City market as a whole was up by a third in Q1 2016 to stand at 1.27 million sq ft, though this was in itself a third lower than the total for Q1 2015. Take-up for 2015 as a whole reached 5.75 million sq ft. After a strong year of leasing activity in 2015 (with 2.5 million sq ft of take-up) Q1 2016 has seen a marked reduction in take-up in the Midtown market with only 305,422 sq ft of new lettings, roughly half the amount let in Q1 2015. Source link
New research by Savills and Scottish Woodlands ‘Spotlight on the UK Forestry Market 2016’ reveals the cumulative value of the UK forestry market has increased by more than 200% in the last five years and the sector accounted for £137m worth of investment last year. According to the research, forestry remains a strong performer amongst all land-based investments, with more than £130 million being traded last year and a rise in the average value per hectare. Following a stable market over the previous four years, the overall area of forestry transactions grew by about 30% to nearly 21,000 hectares in 2015, compared with just over 16,000 hectares in 2014. However, this sharp rise was largely due to a few significant off-market portfolio sales, including 16 properties sold by UPM to the Church Commissioners for around £50 million. The average value per productive hectare rose by 13.5% during the 2015 forest year to £8,615 per hectare. There was a general upward trend in average plantation values but, as with the farmland market, factors such as location, quality, access, timber species and plantation age have determined price paid. The highest values continue to be achieved within the South Scotland region which, along with the Borders, is focused on timber production. This is followed by England and Wales, where a scarcity of transactions and competition for property has strengthened prices. Jamie Adamson of Scottish Woodlands said: “In 2015 we saw some polarisation in the market, with forest properties that did not tick all of the boxes, in terms of normal investment criteria, sticking on the market unless competitively priced. “Forest values are increasingly influenced by the productive capacity of the asset. Well managed commercial spruce forests, that are high yield class with good access to timber markets, will remain in strong demand. Younger forests, or land for new planting, may also tempt those who anticipate a seismic shift in timber prices in the long term, say 20 to 30 years. “Forestry is a long-term game and investors should be looking towards a minimum 10-year investment horizon. Looking ahead, strong growth in the demand for wood fibre (biomass), an upturn in demand for wood use in construction, and an increasing world population providing ready markets for excess capacity, will all contribute towards wood being a sought-after commodity.” Timber Prices There was a slight annual increase (1.2%) in the Forestry Commission’s Timber Price Indices for Coniferous Standing Sales in the year to September 2015 but this represents a loss in momentum, after almost twelve months of continuous upwards price movement. While the timber sector benefitted from the upturn in house building last year, the strengthening of the Pound against the Euro and Swedish Krona enabled imports of sawn timber to undercut domestic producers. This resulted in a reduction in demand for home-grown timber (prices for domestic carcassing fell by over 10%). The currency markets also impacted UK competitiveness for timber product exports, including paper. There are [Winter 2015] fresh indicators of a weakening in Sterling around discussion on a the EU Referendum and there are also signs that some of the most important EU industrial economies are recovering which should strengthen the Euro in the medium term. In addition, there is healthy demand for wood products, which is likely to further strengthen the sector. Andy Greathead of Savills said “Forestry has long shown resilience in times of uncertainty. Although UK timber markets will fluctuate, the prospect of a longer term upward trend in timber pricing structures remains real, and we are confident in the future of forestry as an asset. “Forestry investment offers multiple benefits and is particularly well suited to forming part of a balanced asset portfolio, underpinned by its long-term nature and link to a valuable commodity.” Click here to access Savills Spotlight on the UK Forestry Market 2016. Source link
24 September 2016 – by David Hatcher Birmingham-based IM Properties has launched a strategic land division from which it is aiming to facilitate the development of £1.3bn of houses. IM Land already owns 1,103 acres of land in Bath, Solihull, Bromsgrove, Lichfield, Warwick and Stratford-Upon-Avon valued at £325m on which around 6,000 homes could be built. It is seeking more land and is looking to work with landowners and joint venture partners to unlock projects considered too complex by some housebuilders or promoters. IM is entering the market owing to strong demand from housebuilders to continue expanding despite their subdued share prices in the wake of the EU referendum and the fact that sentiment remains strong in the residential sector, particularly outside central London. However, housebuilders are also becoming increasingly risk-averse regarding land projects. All the content from this weekís magazine, including this article, is available in the new app. The company has recruited a team with expertise in the housebuilding sector so it can work effectively with the companies it is likely to sell to or work alongside. It will be led by strategic land director Jonathan Dyke. Dyke said: “The market has thrived in recent years but there is still too much risk and too little certainty in the planning system. We have assembled a very strong team which understands every stage of the residential planning and delivery system, so we can help our partners through what can be a daunting process. Click here to meet the team Source link
Browser does not support script. Contact us The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) has announced the longlist for the 2016 RIBA House of the Year Award, the UK’s most prestigious award for a new house or extension. Amongst the 20 architect-designed homes in the running for the award are a contemporary part-house part-gallery on the beach in Brighton & Hove (The Narrow House), a Japanese inspired terraced house extension (House of Trace), a new family home in Jersey rising from the huge granite walls of an earlier building on the site (Le Petit Fort), a stunning beach house in Dungeness that echoes the areas former fishing huts, an ingenious and contemporary take on a traditional lean-to in Harrogate (Contemporary Lean To) and a house in Cornwall that hovers dramatically over a cliff to take in the enviable views across the Fal Estuary (The Owers House). RIBA House of the Year is proudly supported by Hiscox & Paint and Paper Library. The 20 new homes on the longlist for the 2016 RIBA House of the Year are: House Architect Location 1 Ansty Plum, Coppin Dockray Ansty, Wiltshire, England 2 Contemporary Lean-to Doma Architects Harrogate, Yorkshire, England 3 Contour House Sanei Hopkins Architects Baslow, Derbyshire, England 4 Covert House DSDHA Clapham Old Town, London, England 5 Edge Hill Sutherland Hussey Harris Darras Hall, Newcastle upon Tyne, England 6 Garden House Hayhurst and Co. Hackney, London, England 7 House of Trace Tsuruta Architects Lewisham, London, England 8 Le Petit Fort Hudson Architects Jersey, Channel Islands 9 Modern Mews Coffey Architects London, England 10 Murphy House Richard Murphy Architects Hart Street, Edinburgh, Scotland 11 North Vat Rodic Davidson Architects Dungeness, Kent, England 12 Outhouse Loyn & Co Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, England 13 Private House in Cumbria Bennetts Associates Cumbria, England 14 The Cheeran House John Pardey Architects Reading, Berkshire, England 15 The Narrow House Sanei Hopkins Architects Brighton & Hove, England 16 The Owers House John Pardey Architects Feock, Cornwall, England 17 House 19 Jestico + Whiles Old Amersham, Buckinghamshire, England 18 Private House 1109 GA Studio Architects Cheshire, England 19 Tin House Henning Stummel Architects Shepherd’s Bush, London, England 20 Zinc-House LJR+H Chartered Architects near Monikie, Angus, Scotland The RIBA House of the Year award will be broadcast as part of a special Channel 4 Grand Designs series, presented by Kevin McCloud. Now in its second year, Grand Designs: House of the Year, produced by Boundless, is to be broadcast weekly for four weeks later in the year. Featuring a selection of properties from the longlist for the UK’s most prestigious new house award, it will reveal the shortlisted and winning homes. ENDS For further information contact Howard Crosskey howard.crosskey@riba.org +44 (0)20 7307 3761 Press images and the judges citations can be downloaded here: https://riba.box.com/s/7cx4ekbj5trgs9owik0l5jdwekuphwvm The RIBA House of the Year award is awarded every year to the best new house or house extension designed by an architect in the UK. It was created in 2001 and for many years presented by the RIBA as the Manser Medal. Previous winners include Skene Catling de la Peña for Flint House (2015), Loyn & Co for Stormy Castle (2014), Carl Turner Architects for Slip House (2013) and Acme for Hunsett Mill (2010). The judges for the 2016 RIBA House of the Year are: Meredith Bowles, Mole Architects (jury chair); Charlotte Skene Catling, Skene Catling de la Peña; Jonathan Dallas, Dallas Pierce Quintero; Phillip Thorn, Head of Direct Home for Hiscox and Jenny Éclair, novelist, actress & client of the 2005 award-winning house. SPONSOR: Hiscox is a global specialist insurer with a 100 year heritage of insuring unusual or complex risks, such as high value homes, fine art and other collections. For further information, visit www.hiscoxgroup.com. SPONSOR: Paint & Paper Library was founded over twenty years ago in London by interior designer David Oliver. Providing inspiration, colour expertise and design ideas for interior decorators, architects and specifiers worldwide, they offer a distinguished pallette of 180 unique colours, manufactured to exceptionally high standards in the UK. www.paintandpaperlibrary.com Grand Designs: RIBA House of the Year is produced by Boundless, producers of Grand Designs,
Wates Living Space Homes is set to start building work next month on new bungalows to replace 1930s almshouse accommodation in Newcastle. The St. Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus Trust has been given planning permission for the £5.2m scheme, which will see the creation of 49 bungalows designed to provide sheltered housing for elderly residents. Work will include the phased demolition of 40 existing bungalows and construction of one- and two- bedroom homes including some designed for wheelchair users. Wates Living Space Homes has made a pledge to use its delivery of the project to bring benefit to the community and economy. This commitment will include the appointment of a local supply chain and the creation of training opportunities for local people. St Mary Magdalene & Holy Jesus Trust chairman Sir Leonard Fenwick said: “As a highly successful and progressive Almshouse Charity, the opportunity to completely replace the Holy Jesus estate with bungalows that enable independent living and in such a convenient setting near to the heart of the city, is a truly positive contribution that serves to build upon our longstanding commitments.” This article was published on 19 Aug 2016 (last updated on 19 Aug 2016). Source link
Sometimes, we can all do with a good laugh. The beauty of humour is that it’s universal – anything can be funny; it just depends on how it’s done. If you think of stand-up comics through the ages, it’s the delivery of the material that sets them apart from someone telling a boring story. And so it is with print advertising. Take plumbing and heating service, for instance. How can you inject some humour into something as mundane as blocked drain services or central heating engineers? You’d be surprised. We have 7 perfect examples that may well make you laugh out loud. Special Brew: This irreverent spoof advert for Carlsberg Special Brew was created by the Viz comic. Given the alarming rise in homelessness in recent years, it’s safe to say that it would still cause many sharp intakes of breath now. Still funny, though. Heil Hvac: Air conditioning and social commentary may not be obvious companions, but this vintage advertisement for a firm of US air conditioning installers from 1977 certainly catches the eye, and not in a good way! Das Neue Handwerk Whether you like it or not, builders’ bums and plumbers’ cracks are a common sight these days and form the butt (!) of many a joke. This ingenious camouflage t-shirt shows a photo of German Chancellor Angela Merkel with a slogan that translates as ‘more attractive than you think’. Whoever said Germans don’t have a sense of humour? Care Heating Cooling Another old American advert for a central heating company entices husbands to look after their wives, with the little ditty ‘Show her you care, fix the air’. Professional Plumbing This cute vintage enamel is sure to bring a smile to many a qualified plumber. And perhaps gives a little reminder to householders that choosing a professional plumber is worth paying extra for? Budget Rod Whoever thought to introduce ’Budget Rod’ into an otherwise unremarkable advertising poster for a local plumbing and boiler Breakdown Company clearly had maximum eye grab in mind! British Gas The 2013 Twitter campaign following an unpopular 9.2% price rise by British Gas led to the creation of this creative spoof advert.
When we find the home of our dreams, we like to settle in and get comfortable. Unfortunately, so does all our stuff, which, rather than growing up and eventually flying the nest, tends to loiter in corners and slowly accumulate through the years. Many family homes reach bursting point without anyone being able to remember how they got there. It’s just suddenly noticed one year, after venturing into the garage for a bicycle on the first dry weekend of summer. You’ve been oblivious for years, but something makes you realise that every nook, cupboard and shelf in your home is inexplicably full. Luckily, you’ve already found the solution – it’s that garage. If, like most other garage-owning households in the UK, yours is generally used as a storage container, it’s time to reclaim that precious square footage. Clear out the junk (sell it, bin it, donate it – it doesn’t matter), and spend a weekend hanging some drywall, sealing the floor, and giving the whole thing a lick of paint. Without any of the upheaval (and expense) of a full-blown garage conversion, you’ve got a whole new room for activities! Here are our suggestions about how to tailor it to your family. The Dedicated Petrolhead A garage is the natural home of the car enthusiast, and tidying up the space for car maintenance can only be a good thing. For starters, unlike your spouse or resident teenager, the car is not going to feel outcast for being moved into the garage. On top of that, it can reduce your insurance cost, ultimately saving you money. Spare parts, oils and wax should be labelled and moved onto shelves, while tools can be hung on a customised pegboard for a satisfyingly ordered storage system. Before moving your motor inside, make sure your garage door is working properly – if it’s started to get stiff or heavy it might be a sign that it needs replacing. Up and over style doors are considered the most secure, and will keep your pride and joy safe while you sleep. The Keen Crafter If you’re living with a scrapbooker, cross-stitcher or avid Pinterester, you’re probably fed up with finding shreds of paper, sewing needles and glitter in every room of the house. Banish their craft to the garage, where they can cut and stick to their hearts content, without making everything indoors sticky and sparkly. Open shelving is a must for housing craft supplies, and decent lighting should be installed to help your crafter produce their best work. The Entrepreneur Office conversions are becoming increasingly common in the UK, as more people ditch the commute and work from home. A full renovation will make this a professional space long-term, but in the meantime, you’ll need a couple of things. Firstly, ensure your garage internet connection is (literally) up to speed – it’s no good setting up a distraction-free den if you have to come back into the kitchen to get anything done. Secondly, make sure that workplace necessities are easily accessible. That includes a supportive desk chair, stationery supplies and snack box. The Budding Rockstar Musicians of all ages will appreciate getting their own rehearsal venue, and creating a dedicated space in the garage will be one less headache for their unwilling audience in the main house. The vital additions are soundproofing, somewhere to store accessories and music sheets and a couple of comfy chairs to accommodate the occasional visit from their fans. The Big Kid Wish you had more space for fun in your life? Don’t we all. Luckily, an unused garage is the perfect space to set up a games room, whether you’re a foosball fan or a console connoisseur. Any kit that you want to keep clear of little ones (we’re looking at you, darts fans) are ideal candidates for getting relocated outdoors. More space for you, less chaos in your living room. Two problems solved. The Aspiring Brewer Fresh hops don’t give off the most pleasant aroma, and funnily enough, neither do fermenting ones. Resist the urge to empty that home-brew kit into the sink, and clear out some clutter to welcome your very own micro-brewery. All booze-making paraphernalia can be relegated to the garage, and installing an adults-only bar area allows your previously unused space to double up as an entertainment area for thirsty guests. The Whole Family If your house is just generally bursting at the seams, why not use a neglected garage as a second living room? Invest in a comfortable sofa, TV and sound system and a Wi-Fi extender if you need one, and enjoy having the flexible space to share as a family, or to complement your current lounge and prevent arguments over who’s watching what.
Does your family look the same as it did ten years ago? No. So why does your kitchen? As the heart of the home, it only makes sense for our kitchens to get updated every time something new happens in our household, whether it’s a furry new addition or adult children leaving the nest. If your kitchen is looking more than a little tired, it’s time to bring it up to the standard of the rest of your home, and make it work harder for your household. The first step in your renovations should be to get as much inspiration as you can, to help you decide the overall design for your updated space. We’ve listed four of the most popular styles right now to get you started, and how to create them in your home. Industrial The industrial kitchen is all about rugged textures and functionality. Chunky wood is contrasted against gritty brickwork and gleaming steel for a look that’s urban, masculine and striking. Build it at home with: Industrial kitchens are about paring back, so strip away fussy tiles and bright lino to leave exposed brickwork, concrete floors and bare space. Go for luxe finishes like copper or crystal, which will stand out against simple, natural finishes. Window frames should be black, highlighting the geometric shapes that should be echoed in your cabinetry and furnishings. Signature finishes: No industrial kitchen is complete without a statement light fitting with filament bulbs. String them on braided flex over your table or kitchen island, experiment with different shapes and heights to add interest. Finishing touches should be used to bring balance and softness to the scheme; a sheepskin rug thrown over a chair, or fresh cut flowers on a butcher block table. Contemporary Sleek, minimal and playful in design, contemporary kitchens bring all the freshness of modern design and give it a playful twist, with curving edges and unusual materials. Build it at home with: Invest in cutting-edge appliances and gadgets, like induction hobs and integrated coffee makers. The idea is to create an ergonomic space that stylishly answers all of the demands in a modern home. Use light-reflecting materials, like glass and steel generously, while keeping the overall design of your kitchen clean and uncluttered – have a look at an ALNO style contemporary kitchen for inspiration. Signature finishes: Break up the monotony of clean lines with surprise splashes of pattern and colour. A decorative backsplash using a combination of square and rectangular tiles can add interest, while running a pop of yellow, orange or vivid green creates a little spice. Rustic Perfect to complement a hipster home, rustic kitchens look like they belong in your hand-built log cabin in the woods. They’re exceptionally trendy right now, and their use of rough, natural materials means they’ll look classic for years to come. Build it at home with: The key to a rustic kitchen is distressed materials and authentic wear and tear – oh, and that there’s no such thing as “too much” wood. Head to your nearest salvage yard to get inspiration, maybe from a heavy farmhouse-style sink, or patinated wooden cabinet. Your colour scheme should veer away from flat blacks and stark whites – choose a grainy ecru or warm claret instead. Signature finishes: The centrepiece of your rustic kitchen has to be a hearty fireplace or traditional wood burner, and what better way to add character and charm than with antique & reclaimed fireplaces? Carve your mantelpiece from a vintage timber, and have a comfortable rocking chair nearby for cosy evenings. Farmhouse Traditionally reserved for countryside homes, this style is making a firm comeback even in urban environments. Cosy and bright, a farmhouse style offers practicality and comfort, as well as giving you cooking a homey hint of nostalgia. Build it at home with: The three cornerstones of a farmhouse kitchen are an old-fashioned range cooker, an apron-front sink and freestanding cabinetry. You can’t exactly cheat the first two, but adding bun feet and corbels to your existing cabinets will create a convincing imitation without replacing the whole carcass. In a farmhouse kitchen, everything you need should be easy to access. That means storing open shelving, door-less cupboards and vertical plate racks – which will also keep the space looking airy and inviting. Signature finishes: With so much open shelving, it’s important that your finishing touches don’t overwhelm your kitchen and make it look cluttered. Opt for co-ordinated dinnerware in a simple pattern, like this set from Denby, and accessorise your counters with vintage finds like milk churns or bread bins from your local flea market. Whichever style of kitchen you prefer, make sure you plan the space to meet the demands of your home right now, with space to cook, eat and socialise. If it’s a design that works for you, it’ll be a room your family can enjoy for years to come.
Sarah Smithurst MBE will be joining Tecserv UK. The fire and security alarm systems company have announced that they have recruited Sarah in order to strengthen the relationships the company has with its customers. Sarah is expected to bring her extensive knowledge and experience of BBC news reading, Police and charity fund raising to the company in order to improve Tecserv’s business relationships. Tecserv UK was first founded in 2001 and offers specialist advice for fire prevention as well as building security. The company focuses on offering an excellent level of customer service and high quality products with in this industry. It is thought that Sarah Smithurst MBE will be able to help the company make their services better as well as making sure that Tecserv is in a position to become the specified contractor when a commercial project is in need of fire, intruder CCTV and access control solutions. Sarah Smithurst has a varied work background including delivering the Most Wanted section of the BBC and ITV TV, working for Nottinghamshire Police and have experience of a Sales and BD role at The Games Workshop. Sarah’s advanced negotiation skills will serve her well in this new position for the fire and security alarms company and will be bolstered by her experience of working with a range of people from a mixture of diverse backgrounds in order to figure out how to best meet the requirements of the client and what Tecserv can offer. Sarah was awarded her MBE in 2012 as part of the New Year’s honours as part of her work with the Nottingham Police and Ghana Police and her part in the detection and reduction of crime. Sarah was the force’s co-ordinator for the Crimestoppers initiative which offers a hotline service which allows crime to be reported anonymously.
Howarth Timber and Building Supplies took part in fundraising for Cancer Research UK this month. The Timber and Building Supplies company completed the Relay for Life in order to raise money for the Cancer Charity. Relay for Life is an event that took place in Stockport on the 8th of July and included a team of eight from Howarth Timber and Building Supplies. The company were involved in the event that involved teams working together to complete a 24 hour relay in order to raise money for Cancer Research UK. Howarth Timber and Building Supplies managed to complete the 24 hour endurance challenge and in total the eight member team that took part in the event managed to raise £3,000 which will go toward funding groundbreaking research in order to fight Cancer. Involved from the construction supplies and timber company was the Marketing Manager, Neale Brewster and the Marketing Executive Danny Grahame who lead the rest of the team. Also from Howarth who were involved in the relay event was John Brandon, Gary Froggatt, Stephen Hudson, Chris Jeffrey, Katie Mamwell and Ratinder Sandhu. The Howarth Timber and Building Supplies team completed the event by walking around the relay track for the full 24 hours. An amazing accomplishment that managed to raise a great deal of money for such an important charity. The team captain for the Relay, Neale Brewster has expressed his pride at being involved in such an amazing fundraising opportunity, and with the team for managing to complete the challenge. Howarth Timber and Building Supplies have been working to raise money for Cancer Research UK throughout the course of this year by making the most of company-wide initiatives and other individual staff member fundraising opportunities. The money that is raised for the charity is invested into developing new techniques to detecting Cancer earlier and for treatments in order to potentially save lives.
