King & Co has jointly instructed Savills and Carter Towler as the letting agents at 1 Canal Place in Leeds, following a comprehensive refurbishment. The three-storey historic warehouse has been converted to provide creative office and studio space totalling 9,046 sq ft (840 sq m), featuring exposed brick walls and
5 September 2016 | Marino Donati Ampersand has won a five-year contract to be the catering partner for the British Medical Association (BMA). Under the contract Ampersand will provide catering services to 29 individual event spaces, including courtyard and garden, at BMA House, the association’s conference and events venue
Londoners opting to improve not move With house prices predicted to fall and the high cost of moving, more Londoners could opt for improving the space they have rather than move. Robert Wood from London-based loft, extension and basement specialist Simply Construction Group says: “To date, the impact of Brexit
Aircrete block supplier H+H UK has named from Wavin boss Calum Forsyth as its new managing director. He will take over on 1st May from Mark Oliver who leaves the company after eight years in the job. Above: Calum Forsyth Calum Forsyth was managing director of IAC Acoustics for two
A carpenter’s daughter has developed a new type of kneepad for construction workers after witnessing her father suffering with osteoarthritis. Above: Vicky Hamilton and her Recoil Kneepads Recoil Kneepads have springs sandwiched between two layers acting as a shock absorbing and pressure reduction system. Pressure is reduced across the entire
Following a pre-let to Care UK, Savills, on behalf of AK Property Investment Ltd, has agreed the off market sale of a new purpose built 59-bed care home, Sherwood Grange, in Kingston Vale, London to LaSalle Investment Management. The developers of the 0.55 acres (0.22 hectare) site, secured planning permission
A SunLife research has revealed that a quarter of baby boomers are considering equity release to pay for a property makeover. They have already benefited from an average three-fold increase in property values over the last 20 years (£73,469 in 1998 versus £226,756 in 2018) and are now planning to
An official ‘kettle switching on’ ceremony has been held by Independent Connections Provider Matrix Networks, to mark the completion of its utility infrastructure works at the SEGRO Logistics Park in East Midlands Gateway, at M1 Junction 24. Attending the event were key project personnel from Matrix Networks, Independent Distribution Network
Bradford city centre could see the building of a new hub railway station that has the potential to boost the region’s economy by £1.5 billion, said new research from consultancy and construction business Mace. Conducted by senior ex-Treasury economist Christ Walker, the research has examined the impact of building a
The skills shortage in the construction industry is set to increase as the Brexit deadline inches closer. 78% of contractors already admit to skills shortages in their teams and this is said to increase as a large percentage of the workforce is made up of migrant workers. For construction companies, the need
King & Co has jointly instructed Savills and Carter Towler as the letting agents at 1 Canal Place in Leeds, following a comprehensive refurbishment. The three-storey historic warehouse has been converted to provide creative office and studio space totalling 9,046 sq ft (840 sq m), featuring exposed brick walls and LED lighting throughout. The landmark building is located adjacent to the A58 motorway and less than a 10 minute walk from Leeds railway station and the city’s retail core. Paddy Carter, associate director in the office agency team at Savills, comments: “Following a major refurbishment, 1 Canal Place combines the character of its previous life as a canal side warehouse with high quality office accommodation. The building would be well-suited to occupiers seeking creative space close to Leeds city centre.” Quoting rents at 1 Canal Place are £14.50 per sq ft (£156 per sq m). Source link
5 September 2016 | Marino Donati Ampersand has won a five-year contract to be the catering partner for the British Medical Association (BMA). Under the contract Ampersand will provide catering services to 29 individual event spaces, including courtyard and garden, at BMA House, the association’s conference and events venue and headquarters in Tavistock Square, London. Ampersand will also provide catering for the newly refurbished 1832 Café and Restaurant. Sarah Bright, head of events for BMA House, said the association was impressed by Ampersand’s versatile approach, which would accommodate the BMA’s wide range of needs. “We believe Ampersand’s strong connections with healthy eating, led by award-winning nutritionist Amanda Ursell, provide the perfect fit with the BMA’s vision for a healthy nation, we are excited to be working with them,” she said. Bright added that services from Ampersand’s sister company ITA, a venue booking service, would open up new market opportunities. Ampersand is the specialist venue and visitor attraction catering division of CH&Co. Source link
Londoners opting to improve not move With house prices predicted to fall and the high cost of moving, more Londoners could opt for improving the space they have rather than move. Robert Wood from London-based loft, extension and basement specialist Simply Construction Group says: “To date, the impact of Brexit on our business has been minimal. We’ve had quite a few clients delay decisions by a couple of weeks since the referendum result, but are now deciding to move forward as there doesn’t appear to be any short-term financial risk.” Opting to renovate your home with a basement, loft or extension can give you the space you crave and can add value to your house. London has experienced a boom in renovations with basements generating the most headlines. As the nation comes to terms with the result of the EU referendum, which saw 52% vote for Brexit, and a new government in place, people are starting to get their confidence back despite the backdrop of uncertainty. Wood said: “We don’t know what will happen in the long term. That all depends on the deal we get and how the market reacts to it.” Wood is no stranger to economic headwinds. He began his business in 2008, the start of the Great Recession, with his wife Helen Wood. However, this did not stop them winning work. “It was the fall in house prices in 2008 and 2009 that saw the trend for improving not moving,” said Wood. “In unstable times people look for certainty and offering fixed prices helps clients to feel reassured. What homeowners don’t want is any surprises. “ Source link
Aircrete block supplier H+H UK has named from Wavin boss Calum Forsyth as its new managing director. He will take over on 1st May from Mark Oliver who leaves the company after eight years in the job. Above: Calum Forsyth Calum Forsyth was managing director of IAC Acoustics for two year until August 2014. Before that he was with Waving for more than 10 years, latterly as UK and Ireland managing director. “I am excited to be joining H+H to build on the strong legacy that the H+H Management team have created under Mark’s leadership,” Mr Forsyth said. “The business has been through a major turnaround to become the clear market leader and a very successful business. Through my experience I believe I can bring further value to H+H UK and build on its success.” Group chief executive Michael Andersen said “We welcome Calum to the H+H Group to lead our UK business into its next phase of development which will include upgrading our Borough Green plant to make it the most advanced aircrete facility in the UK.” This article was published on 12 Apr 2016 (last updated on 12 Apr 2016). Source link
A carpenter’s daughter has developed a new type of kneepad for construction workers after witnessing her father suffering with osteoarthritis. Above: Vicky Hamilton and her Recoil Kneepads Recoil Kneepads have springs sandwiched between two layers acting as a shock absorbing and pressure reduction system. Pressure is reduced across the entire knee joint rather than focusing on one small area. The double layer system pivots so the user can kneel from side to side without the kneepad slipping away and the strap rests on the shin rather than the back of the knee, improving comfort. Vicky Hamilton, aged 25 and from Glasgow, originally developed Recoil Kneepads as part of her final year project while studying product design engineering at the University of Strathclyde. She was inspired to help her dad, Gordon Hamilton, 48, who suffers from osteoarthritis, which he believes has been caused by his lifelong career as a joiner. After graduating, Vicky had a safe job offer waiting for her but instead, with the support of entrepreneurial organisations including the Scottish Institute for Enterprise, she decided to turn Recoil into a business. Vicky said: “The idea for Recoil came about one evening when I was listening to my dad complain about his sore knees at the dinner table. None of the kneepads he had tried were helping and it suddenly clicked that I could create something that would improve life for him and other tradespeople. “A huge amount of research has gone into the development of Recoil Kneepads over the last four years to create a product that outperforms those already available on the market.” The kneepads have been put through their paces at the University of Strathclyde laboratories, with tests finding they decrease pressure by 76%, making them more effective at reducing pain than the major competitor brands. The nearest competitor reduces pressure by 60.7%. Her father, Gordon Hamilton (pictured with Vicky below), said: “I am extremely proud of what Vicky has achieved. She has certainly found a solution to a problem myself and many others in the trade suffer from. I find Recoil Kneepads extremely comfortable and they make prolonged kneeling a lot more bearable. I never thought my complaining would have resulted in such a fantastic product!” Vicky added: “I want Recoil to have a positive impact within the UK business community. We manufacture the kneepads in the UK in Edinburgh, and I plan to invest in job creation over the next year. I’m also very interested in connecting with potential stockists over the next few months.” Recoil Kneepads weigh 445g and measure 26cm x 14cm x 13cm. They are available for £39.99 including at: www.recoilkneepads.com. Further Images This article was published on 21 Jun 2016 (last updated on 21 Jun 2016). Source link
Following a pre-let to Care UK, Savills, on behalf of AK Property Investment Ltd, has agreed the off market sale of a new purpose built 59-bed care home, Sherwood Grange, in Kingston Vale, London to LaSalle Investment Management. The developers of the 0.55 acres (0.22 hectare) site, secured planning permission and the support of the local residents association, who welcomed the idea of a care home to the area. Care UK has agreed to a new 25-year lease upon completion. Shaun Reed, National Director at LaSalle, comments: “There is a strong need for care homes in London and good quality, future-proofed assets constructed well above minimum standards are in high demand. As with build to rent or student housing, care homes let to leading operators offer our clients attractive long term, index-linked returns.” Colin Rees Smith, director of healthcare at Savills, says: “At a time when there is some adverse publicity in the sector, this deal reflects the strong appetite to invest in the healthcare market. This was a complicated site to develop, given its size and former petrol station use and we are very pleased to have sold the completed investment to LaSalle having secured the pre-let to Care UK and to coincide with the site’s practical completion in mid April.” LaSalle Investment Management was advised by Gerald Eve LLP. Source link
A SunLife research has revealed that a quarter of baby boomers are considering equity release to pay for a property makeover. They have already benefited from an average three-fold increase in property values over the last 20 years (£73,469 in 1998 versus £226,756 in 2018) and are now planning to use equity release to invest in more living space, double glazing or home comforts, adding thousands more to the value of the property. SunLife’s dream shopping basket suggests that an extension, including a loft conversion, would cost £35,000; double glazing would cost approximately £7,000; and the addition of a downstairs cloakroom would cost £3,000. However, even though it looks expensive to conduct a makeover, long-term renovations and extensions could increase property values by more than a third. For example, loft conversions that add an extra bedroom and bathroom increase property value by around a fifth, while double glazing increases property values and improves home security and energy efficiency and a new toilet could add 5% to the property price. According to SunLife’s research, investing £35,000 in a property makeover could result in an increased property value of £13,000. “With the average family home tripling in value over the last 20 years, for many, property has been the most rewarding investment and it makes sense for baby boomers to reinvest some of that property wealth, to make home a nicer place to live, while adding to its value,” said SunLife’s equity release director, Simon Stanney. “Not everyone is eligible or suitable for equity release, but for those who are and who find they haven’t got the funds to afford a home extension or home improvements and adaptations, equity release could be the answer,” he concluded.
An official ‘kettle switching on’ ceremony has been held by Independent Connections Provider Matrix Networks, to mark the completion of its utility infrastructure works at the SEGRO Logistics Park in East Midlands Gateway, at M1 Junction 24. Attending the event were key project personnel from Matrix Networks, Independent Distribution Network Operator UK Power Distribution, as well as development directors from Roxhill and SEGRO. The official task of boiling the kettle to prove the electricity connection was fully up and running was carried out by Roxhill Senior Development Director, kate Bedson. The multi-utility project, designed and installed by the Warrington-based business to provide power, heat and water for the 700-acre development, was delivered on budget and ahead of schedule. Over the past 12 months, Matrix Networks has worked to excavate a 12.5 km route to the nearest Western Power Distribution connection point – the furthest distance the Company has ever had to negotiate. It has also designed, installed and commissioned a new 33/11kV primary substation to supply 28MVA; designed, installed and commissioned the on-site 11kV infrastructure with secondary substation to supply on-street lighting; and provided a medium pressure gas main and a water main. “SEGRO Logistics Park – East Midlands Gateway is a significant project both regionally and nationally. From our initial conversations around contract and design, through to installation and ‘power on’, I’m proud of the professionalism, commitment and passion the Matrix Networks team has shown. Throughout the project, we’ve worked to respect the wishes of our client and have delivered our brief ahead of schedule, without risk to them and on budget. We aim to exceed our customers’ expectations through uncompromised service and delivery, and I hope through bringing this development to life, we’ve achieved that,” said Matrix Network Managing Director, Rob Sparkes. Matrix Networks was appointed for this development by Roxhill due to their long-standing relationship and its past success on multi-utility contracts. “Today’s site visit marked a significant milestone for the site. Our thanks go to all at Matrix Networks who have worked so incredibly hard over the past 12 months and beyond, to provide the connections we need. This was a complex, detailed brief to deliver which wouldn’t have been achieved so proficiently without the commitment of their expert team,” said Senior Development Director, Kate Bedson.
Bradford city centre could see the building of a new hub railway station that has the potential to boost the region’s economy by £1.5 billion, said new research from consultancy and construction business Mace. Conducted by senior ex-Treasury economist Christ Walker, the research has examined the impact of building a new railway hub in Bradford city centre as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail line to improve east-west connectivity from Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford, Leeds and Hull. Using data on growth in Birmingham following the construction of the new Birmingham New Street Station, the report has explored how securing a Northern Powerhouse Rail hub in the centre of Bradford could transform the local economy, create jobs and unlock housing and business growth. Moreover, the estimated result of having a new railway station in Bradford as part of the Northern Powerhouse Rail could add a £1.1 billion to £1.5 billion a year economic uplift to the local and Northern economy and support the creation of more than 1,000 jobs. “For Bradford, direct connections across the North will mean more investment coming into the city and residents will greatly benefit from the regeneration this will kick-start across the district whilst also supporting the wider economic contributions to the North’s economy,” said Lisa Bowden, head of infrastructure in the North at Mace. “Mace is backing Bradford’s campaign for Northern Powerhouse Rail as we believe this is a truly once in a generation opportunity to change the city for the better, boosting economic growth, supporting the regeneration in the city and supporting the young and dynamic residents and businesses that call the city home, both now and in the future,” she added. Launched at a workshop hosted by Mace Group in partnership with City of Bradford Metropolitan District Council, the ‘Bradford Bonus’ report was seen by key transport leaders from both organisations, as well as by Transport for the North, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and the West and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce.
The skills shortage in the construction industry is set to increase as the Brexit deadline inches closer. 78% of contractors already admit to skills shortages in their teams and this is said to increase as a large percentage of the workforce is made up of migrant workers. For construction companies, the need to make use of sub-contractors is on the increase, which means risk management is essential to ensure site security. For contractors, a back-to-basics approach is necessary, coupled with innovative tech, to keep safety standards high during this critical phase just before the March 29, 2019 deadline. Ongoing training and updates on safety drills Construction companies that have a healthy approach to construction safety and those who embrace it, also enjoy a better retention of staff. At the heart of construction site safety, is the Construction Safety Officer. This person is responsible for ensuring that the construction site follows the laid-down policies and guidelines in construction site safety and also to remain abreast of new trends in construction safety. This then needs to be relayed to the workers in order to ensure they’re fully aware of the requirements, and regular safety drills are essential. Regular maintenance and upgrade of equipment Old, rickety and rusty scaffolding and equipment can be detrimental to a construction site. If repairs and maintenance are done in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, this will extend the life of the equipment which means replacement might not be necessary. However, as the incident in Qatar recently revealed proper maintenance of equipment is essential in ensuring the equipment is capable of performing the task at hand. If both corrective and preventative maintenance had been performed on the hoists used during the construction of the 2022 World Cup soccer stadium, the outcome for Mr. Cox might have been different. Steps the owner of the hoists would have followed during maintenance include: Regularly scheduled maintenance Maintenance after faults were discovered Condition-based maintenance, and more. Safety before deadlines Although meeting construction targets are important to keep projects going and shareholders happy, it should never be at the risk of the safety of the workers. Time schedules should work in accordance with regulations to ensure workers are not overworked and fatigued. Companies who do not comply with this face serious implications that could shut their doors, never mind halt the progress on their projects. Recent fatalities on constructions sites managed by a Chinese developer, resulted in over 2,200 projects halted as inquiries continue. Not only do officials at the company face serious charges, but they’ve also potentially lost millions in projects. This also means thousands of workers had to down tools and be without income to sustain their families. The safety on construction sites is not only crucial to meet the satisfaction of the regulatory bodies, but also improve the work life of staff. Regular maintenance also plays a big role in ensuring site safety.
