Retailers across London could see their business rates bills increase by anything between 25% and 435% as a result of the Business Rates Revaluation set to come into effect on 1 April 2017, new analysis from Savills has revealed. By estimating the rental movement from 1 April 2008 to 1 April
William Hare was previously in line to construct the 62-storey tower’s steelwork, but main contractor Multiplex has now chosen to go with Severfield for the work. It is understood Severfield is due to start work in mid-December, subject to final contracts being agreed. Other subcontractors working on the project include
A spate of security breaches related to internet connected devices has been welcomed by the UK government with new guidelines that seek to ensure the software is automatically updated, the passwords can’t be reset to factory defaults and that any sensitive data transmitted by apps is encrypted. However, James Fenner,
Knauf Insulation and Veolia have officially opened a new high-tech glass recycling facility in St Helens. Each year, over 60,000 tonnes of used glass bottles and jars will now be given a new lease of life as the partners join forces to clean, separate and refine household glass, before transforming
PEPPERMINT Junction, a road scheme representing the first stage of Peppermint Park – a 60,000 sq m food enterprise zone (FEZ) in Lincolnshire – has officially opened, celebrated at an event to showcase the opportunities available at the site on Friday (9 Feb). The scheme is being delivered by Perfect
Leading infrastructure services company FM Conway has been working with Trime UK limited to develop a smart lighting tower that sets a new bar in health and safety. In line with its focus on innovation, the business – which operates across London and the south of England – identified the
BIM Awards 2018, part of BIM Show Live in Newcastle upon Tyne, has announced Space Architects as the winners of the ‘Doing It: Architect’ category. Space Architects have been using digital construction methods to improve their workflows since 2001 when they purchased their first copy of Revit and now they
Artist’s impressions of how the second handling centre for cruise ship passengers and their luggage at Kiel’s Ostseekai Cruise Shipping Terminal will look when complete have been made public for the first time at the ITB Berlin. Construction work is expected to begin in August 2018 and end next spring
William Davis Homes, Loughborough-based housebuilder, has congratulated the most recent graduates from its award-winning apprentice scheme. The firm is now recruiting for the 2018 apprentice intake, which marks the first time the company is seeking construction groundworks. The graduates of this year are Sam Beaver, Jake Dominy, Jack Harrison, Ryan
The builders merchant D.W. Nye will be hosting a free Demo Day on Saturday the 24th of March, where it will be serving barista coffees and artisan cheese toasties. Customers will have the chance to stroll around the four-acre depot, watching demonstrations from world-class suppliers like Acheson and Glover, makers
Retailers across London could see their business rates bills increase by anything between 25% and 435% as a result of the Business Rates Revaluation set to come into effect on 1 April 2017, new analysis from Savills has revealed. By estimating the rental movement from 1 April 2008 to 1 April 2015 (the dates used for the 2010 and 2017 rates revaluations) on the capital’s key retail streets, Savills has calculated the notional increase in rates payable for units, both with and without the application of transitional relief to cap increases. According to this analysis, Mayfair is set to see the highest proportional rates increases: Dover Street rates could rise by 435% if there is no transitional relief applied (50% with relief), Conduit Street by 195% (33% with relief) and Mount Street by 180% (32% with relief). Click here to see London Prime Retail Business Rates – Analysis by Savills rating team The revaluation of business rates is taking place to bring them in line with rental values of commercial property, which have grown substantially since the last valuation cycle in 2010. Ratepayers will be able to find out what their new rateable values will be when the Valuation Office Agency publishes the draft 2017 rating list on 30 September 2016. David Parker, head of rating at Savills, comments: “Although any rise in business rates is very likely to be phased in incrementally, the mechanics and timing of the phasing are yet to be formally announced, and hence we don’t know what the cap on any increase will actually be. This leaves many retailers in limbo as to how much exactly they can expect to pay. The topline, however, is that in most locations in Central London rates bills are set to soar, with phasing cushioning the initial impact, but not for long.“ London‘s West End, including Oxford Street, New Bond Street and roads around Covent Garden, are also set to see a substantial rise in rates, reflecting the fact that rental values in these locations increased by up to 20% year-on-year between 2008 and 2015. However, future rental forecasts put likely annual rises at approximately 5% in prime locations, with rates increases therefore outstripping gains in value. Rental value growth on the Kings Road and Kensington High Street, meanwhile, has been among the lowest in Central London, which will be reflected in much lower rate rises compared to other locations. Anthony Selwyn, head of Central London retail at Savills, adds: “As London has grown as a visitor destination, tremendous value has been unlocked in recent years so we don’t expect retail rents to rise as quickly over the next five years as they did in the previous five. The prospect of significant business rates increases on the horizon will create a cost challenge to some retailers and landlords may find themselves having to allow for a little more flexibility on deals to capture quality tenants. “It will be prudent for owners, where possible, to look at ways of improving their offer to retailers. For example, this could include creating better configured stores and more attractive shopping environments to ensure they attract interest from retailers who in turn will have more options to consider. The rate rise will also contribute to a fall in premiums which will affect retailers’ recent ability to walk away from underperforming stores with substantial sums. Areas which see a much lower increase in rates may well show better rental growth over the next five years as they become more attractive from a cost base. “Fundamentally, if Central London continues to attract high volumes of tourist spend, the rates change in part will be absorbed. However, it would be wrong for landlords and tenants to not be acutely aware of the changes and look at ways of best protecting their positions”. Source link
William Hare was previously in line to construct the 62-storey tower’s steelwork, but main contractor Multiplex has now chosen to go with Severfield for the work. It is understood Severfield is due to start work in mid-December, subject to final contracts being agreed. Other subcontractors working on the project include Keltbray, which has been carrying out demolition and excavation work in the building’s basement, and Careys, which is constructing the tower’s concrete core. The 22 Bishopsgate design replaced the previous Pinnacle scheme, for which construction began in 2008 before being suspended in 2012 due to the economic downturn. The new designs include a 278 m-tall tower – 10 m lower than the previously approved scheme – with 130,000 sq m of office space. Severfield has been contacted for comment, while Lipton Rogers, Multiplex and William Hare declined to comment. Source link
A spate of security breaches related to internet connected devices has been welcomed by the UK government with new guidelines that seek to ensure the software is automatically updated, the passwords can’t be reset to factory defaults and that any sensitive data transmitted by apps is encrypted. However, James Fenner, founder and managing director at Silk Road, argued that by only issuing guidelines, and not making them legally binding, the government has fallen short in its care of vulnerable homeowners. “The Internet of Things is expanding at an incredible pace and there is much that smart tech can do to enhance home life. However, the pace of introduction means that the government has been left scrabbling to keep up and has been left wanting when it comes to matters of security,” said James. “Where vulnerable groups such as the elderly are using this technology in their homes in order to boost their independence, it is particularly important that security concerns are addressed swiftly and robustly.” Instead of using locks and burglar alarms to protect their homes, people have started turning to technology to achieve that. In the US, 73% of millennial women see smart home technology as a way to keep their homes safe. But despite the proliferation of these technologies, many consumers are concerned about their smart home data being hacked by cybercriminals. For this reason, many companies have started developing security devices to protect the connected homes. But it is the government that should be doing more about the possible cyber-attacks because if it doesn’t, then it will be those with money to spend who will benefit from the best protection. “Smart tech has an important role to play in the way that we live in and enjoy our homes. We just need to ensure that security matters are addressed at the same pace as innovations are achieved,” concluded James Fenner.
Knauf Insulation and Veolia have officially opened a new high-tech glass recycling facility in St Helens. Each year, over 60,000 tonnes of used glass bottles and jars will now be given a new lease of life as the partners join forces to clean, separate and refine household glass, before transforming it into high performance, energy-saving insulation solutions. Veolia’s world-first facility uses the latest technology to sort and separate glass at a micro-level with exceptional accuracy, delivering an ultra-pure glass cullet. The state of the art machinery includes vibrating screens for size sorting, magnets to extract ferrous materials and eddy current separators[i] for non-ferrous materials. The new facility enables Knauf Insulation to secure its glass supply and maximise the use of recycled materials instead of virgin minerals. Also the proximity of the new facility will save approximately 375,000 miles of road journeys. The glass collected equates to over 350 million bottles thrown out yearly – which could otherwise end up in landfill or pollute our environment. With a £10M investment and a decade long commitment from Knauf Insulation, both companies are demonstrating their dedication to sustainable and circular manufacturing. John Sinfield, Managing Director at Knauf Insulation Northern Europe, said: “Our insulation solutions play a key role in helping reduce carbon emissions and benefit the environment. “This is also a real boost for the circular economy and the fact we have delivered this in partnership with Veolia demonstrates what can be achieved when two leaders in their respective fields work together to achieve mutual goals.” Estelle Brachlianoff, Senior Executive Vice-President at Veolia UK & Ireland, said: “This innovative new facility is a £10 million investment in the UK green economy which is good for jobs, good for the community and good for the planet. [i] The Eddy Current Separator is an advanced metal sorting unit that is capable of separating non-ferrous metals, (such as aluminium and copper) from dry recyclables
PEPPERMINT Junction, a road scheme representing the first stage of Peppermint Park – a 60,000 sq m food enterprise zone (FEZ) in Lincolnshire – has officially opened, celebrated at an event to showcase the opportunities available at the site on Friday (9 Feb). The scheme is being delivered by Perfect Circle – a consortium comprising Pick Everard, Gleeds and AECOM. The three innovative industry leading firms were appointed for the scheme via Scape Group’s National Built Environment Consultancy Services (BECS) framework, which provides the broadest range of consultancy services available to the public sector. The consortium has completed the master planning proposals which will transform this strategically important site – located adjacent to the A17 and A151 in Holbeach, Lincolnshire – into a residential and commercial space. The proposals also include the expansion of the University of Lincoln’s enterprise site. “We’re delighted to be involved in the emerging plans for Peppermint Park in South Lincolnshire – with Peppermint Park now making excellent progress, with the land being unlocked thanks to the completion of the £5 million roundabout and road project. We recognise that this is a really important scheme for the area and one we are very pleased to see making progress,” said David Shaw, associate at Pick Everard. “As well as creating commercial space and an estimated 2,000 jobs for the local area, plans include highways improvements and the provision of approximately 900 new homes for the south of the county. “Thanks to funding secured through the Great Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership’s (GLLEP) Growth Deal Programme, the FEZ is starting to become a reality,” continued David. The scheme will focus on work in the food technology sector, supporting the farming county’s £2.5 billion agri-food contribution to the economy. It’s a sector that’s continuing to grow and is an area seeing significant investment, earmarking it as an industry of great importance for the future. “With Greater Lincolnshire’s third largest sector being agri-food and food manufacturing this development will really make a huge difference to the county – and the UK’s food economy,” added David. Ursula Lidbetter MBE, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “Greater Lincolnshire is at the heart of the UK’s food sector and we’re a nationally important cluster for food and agricultural technology, innovating in robotics and automation of the food chain. To support the sector our LEP is investing £6.8m to drive forward its three emerging Food Enterprise Zones. “A provisional allocation to the University of Lincoln of a further £2.4m will enable development of an Agri-Food Centre of Excellence at Peppermint Park later this year, building on the success of the National Centre for Food Manufacturing at Holbeach.” Victoria Brambini, managing director of Scape Procure, said: “It is great to see the development at Peppermint Park starting to take shape. Through the use of our unique framework, Greater Lincolnshire have been able to take advantage of the efficient engagement of the Perfect Circle team, starting the transformation of the area so as to achieve the huge community benefits as early as possible.”
Leading infrastructure services company FM Conway has been working with Trime UK limited to develop a smart lighting tower that sets a new bar in health and safety. In line with its focus on innovation, the business – which operates across London and the south of England – identified the need for a safety feature to guard against towers becoming unstable in a site environment. Paul Cerexhe, Head of Plant and Workshops at FM Conway explained, “We are aware that most lighting tower suppliers offer a safety system that prevents a tower light unit being moved whilst the mast is in the upright position. However, in keeping with our ultimate site safety ethos, we wanted to create an additional system, just for our own use, that would only allow the mast to be erected if the stabiliser legs had been properly deployed.” Paul and his team approached leading lighting manufacturer, Trime UK and outlined its specific requirements. To comply with this request, Trime engineers set about developing a series of sensors attached to each of the stabiliser legs that relayed back to the control panel confirming that the legs were in position prior to the lifting of the main mast. Following several successful trials, FM Conway confirmed an order for 16 of Trime’s X-ECO LED lighting towers fitted with this individual accessory. Another deciding factor why FM Conway decided to invest in the X-ECO is its market leading environmental benefits. X-ECO LED is an energy saving lighting tower with many sustainable features built-in as standard. Trime has calculated that the X-ECO uses approximately £336.00 less in fuel each month, when compared to many lighting sets currently available. These savings equate to a reduction in C02 output by around 888kg per month. Thirteen X-ECOs can be loaded on one single truck which potentially means less traffic on the already busy UK highway network and potentially reduced delivery costs for users of Trime sets. “Keeping an open mind when we receive specific requests from organisations is just one of many factors that have pushed us on as a market leader in the manufacture of site lighting towers,” says Paul Hay, Trime (UK) Limited, Managing Director. Paul Hay continued, “We were pleased that we could work with FM Conway to satisfy their particular requirement. It is a testament to their focus on providing added safety features on the equipment they supply to site.” Trime has significant knowledge in the lighting tower market with individuals completing over 50 years of experience in developing and marketing environmentally sustainable lighting sets for the construction and rental markets. Trime UK is headquartered in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire. Based in Sevenoaks, Kent, FM Conway delivers construction and maintenance services for roads, buildings, structures and public spaces across London and the south east. The business has over 50 years’ experience in championing innovation to drive cost efficiencies for public and private sector clients.
BIM Awards 2018, part of BIM Show Live in Newcastle upon Tyne, has announced Space Architects as the winners of the ‘Doing It: Architect’ category. Space Architects have been using digital construction methods to improve their workflows since 2001 when they purchased their first copy of Revit and now they are seen as pioneers in the digital construction industry. “BIM is changing the way we design, construct and manage buildings. At Space Architects we have always strived to stay ahead of the curve and lead the way with regards to innovation and best practice. To be recognised for our achievements at the BIM Awards is an honour and a compliment to the team here at Space Architects,” said Paul Broadfoot, Director at Space Architects. All of Space Architects’ projects follow the principles of the Government’s strict Level 2 BIM mandate and, in addition, the company has also established a specialist consultancy called BIM.Technologies that has worked on high profile projects such as the Vauxhall Sky Gardens, London Design Museum and Centre Court 2 at Wimbledon. Back in 2005, they were believed to be the only practices in the UK adopting the BIM technology when they completed the design of Washington School using 3D modelling in Revit. Five years later, BIM became their central strategy and Space Architects has gone from strength to strength since then. They have been active in the promotion of BIM for over 15 years and have effectively encouraged others to adopt the practice to raise the standard across the industry. Space Architects is part of Space Group and were founded by Arnold Waring and Leonard Netts in Newcastle-upon- Tyne in 1957. The practice was recognised for its quality social housing and, as a result, its work grew steadily in size and scope. Today they are known for their specialist knowledge and experience in the design of buildings for education, commercial and health sectors and cemented its reputation with an award-winning portfolio.
Artist’s impressions of how the second handling centre for cruise ship passengers and their luggage at Kiel’s Ostseekai Cruise Shipping Terminal will look when complete have been made public for the first time at the ITB Berlin. Construction work is expected to begin in August 2018 and end next spring at the start of the 2019 cruise shipping season. “Sea tourism is a strong growth market sector for the port of Kiel. With a second terminal building we will be in a position to expand our capacities and increase handling quality,” said Dr Dirk Claus, Managing Director of the PORT OF KIEL. “We are taking a great leap forward against a background of ever more visits by cruise ships and increases in the sizes of those ships. A terminal for every ship berth means the best possible service for shipping companies and passengers.” PORT OF KIEL is investing around €7.5 million in the expansion of the cruise shipping terminal. The 3,700 m² two-storey new building was designed by architects Hillenkamp & Roselius within the framework of a co-operative workshop process. “The multi-phase workshop process format was seen as particularly suitable for this task because of the specific functional demands,” said the Head of the Municipal Planning and Building Control Office Doris Grondke. “I am delighted that joint discussions with the port resulted in the realisation of such an eye-catching concept for this important site on the fiord.” The new structure will be built as an integrated northern extension of the existing terminal building with connections on both levels. The new building’s frontage picks up on existing surroundings and impresses with the transparency afforded by large glass surfaces. The two buildings create a V-shaped reception area for arriving visitors. From there, travellers can enter the terminal itself, while visitors are led up an outside flight of stairs to a generously-sized viewing terrace. The ground floor will be used for baggage handling and the upper floor will be reserved for passengers and check-in procedures. After the check in, travellers will be conducted directly across a gangway and onto the ship.
William Davis Homes, Loughborough-based housebuilder, has congratulated the most recent graduates from its award-winning apprentice scheme. The firm is now recruiting for the 2018 apprentice intake, which marks the first time the company is seeking construction groundworks. The graduates of this year are Sam Beaver, Jake Dominy, Jack Harrison, Ryan Hill, Josh King and Liam Moss, who will remain with the HBF 5 star housebuilder to develop their careers. Jake Dominy has enjoyed a successful year, winning five awards: “Starting a construction apprenticeship was the best choice I could’ve made. I’ve learnt a skill for life and gained a professional qualification but have also been encouraged to take up other opportunities such as talking to school leavers , which has helped me develop presentation skills and grow my confidence.” Gary Long, M&E and apprentice manager, has commented on the company’s decision to recruit for the new class: “Our annual apprentice intake typically seeks to employ aspiring bricklayers, carpenter/joiners, plumbers, electricians and maintenance mechanics but we’re now extending our search to include construction groundworks.” “Our college partners now offer a two year Civil Engineering NVQ Level 2 for this trade, which focuses on infrastructure design such as roads and sewers as well as housing foundations, substructures and pavements, so it made sense to expand our scheme and find future construction groundworks,” he added. For 2018, William Davis Homes will be offering up to 13 apprenticeship and technical trainee placements. The closing date for the applications was during National Apprenticeship Week, which took place last week, and the new recruits will start working in August. In addition, they will also be mentored by the graduates of 2018. The award-winning apprentice scheme has been running for over 50 years and the company estimates it had trained almost 500 apprentices in this time. “We’re exceptionally proud of the longevity of our scheme, which has undoubtedly made a significant impact on our business as it’s enabled us to train and retain a directly employed workforce, but also for the careers it has forged, in some cases resulting in more than 30 years’ service and roles within senior management or on the executive board,” said Gary.
The builders merchant D.W. Nye will be hosting a free Demo Day on Saturday the 24th of March, where it will be serving barista coffees and artisan cheese toasties. Customers will have the chance to stroll around the four-acre depot, watching demonstrations from world-class suppliers like Acheson and Glover, makers of state-of-the-art stone and concrete products, and tool specialist Makita. Also present at the event will be Brett, Digby Stone and Artificialgrass.com, who will be on-hand to introduce the very latest products to DIY enthusiasts in the local area and answer any questions visitors may have. Homeowners and trade customers will also benefit from exclusive offers and discount available for one day from 7.30am until 2pm. The event will be focused on landscaping products for customers looking to renovate their gardens in the wake of winter and the D.W. Nye’s team will be available for expert advice on all manner of building projects. “Following the huge success of our Demo Days last year, we wanted to provide an opportunity for customers to come and hear about the latest landscaping products, get expert advice, receive discounts and pick up some DIY inspiration along the way. It’s a great chance to chat to our retail and trade customers while treating them to a tasty lunch. We look forward to welcoming people on the day, there’s no need to book – just turn up,” commented about the event Rex Nye, owner and Managing Director at D.W. Nye. The Demo Day will be taking place at the company’s depot on the A24 at Kingsfold, north of Horsham and a few miles from Dorking. To find out more about the event, please visit: http://www.dwnye.co.uk/. D.W. Nye Builders Merchant is a family-run business based in Kingsfold, Horsham. Operating since 1985, the company supplies building, timber and landscaping materials to trade, DIY, and retail customers. The company prides itself on providing high quality customer service and has built an excellent reputation in the local community.
