Wendy’s is opening five restaurants in the UK, including in London and Reading. American burger restaurant Wendy’s is set to reopen in the UK, two decades after it closed down. The fast food chain is known for its iconic square burgers and is still going strong in the US, but
Thermal Earth has begun work on a ground source heating system for 170 sustainable homes in Wales. Specialists in renewable heating and cooling systems, Thermal Earth have recently begun the process of drilling over 100 boreholes at the largest development in the Cardiff Living housing scheme. The boreholes will provide
Caddick Construction’s North West team is making great progress on the expansion of Alpla’s Warrington UK manufacturing facility in Golbourne. Global packaging and recycling specialist, Alpla, appointed Caddick Construction to deliver the multimillion pound Design and Build contract. It covers a series of phases, including a bridge link over the
A firm offering specialist services in land procurement and development opportunities has launched in Birmingham, enabling landowners, investors, builders and developers to capitalise on the growing opportunities in the city and beyond, as the development landscape looks to be ramping up after a pandemic-induced dip. Atlas Land & Planning, based
The Faculty of Construction Crafts at Leeds College of Building recently held its first-ever Institute of Carpenters (IOC) City Hub Event. The virtual session exposed students to the varied career opportunities available to qualified carpenters and joiners. Using Microsoft Teams, the College’s Level 2 Bench Joinery & Shopfitting group met
Keepmoat Homes continues to grow its development portfolio in the North West after acquiring three new land deals that will see the top ten UK housebuilder deliver 723 new homes, with a combined Gross Development Value (GDV) of £135m. The sites are located in Leyland, Accrington and Stoke on Trent
New research from Deltek, a global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, reveals that the nation’s architecture and engineering (A&E) firms say data-rich technologies including data science, big data and machine learning, are most important to their business. The increasing urgency to process data could either indicate growth
An antique bed and mattress can transform your bedroom into a unique and beautiful place. However, due to the uniqueness of the bed, you need to know how to choose a suitable antique mattress. You have various options to choose a mattress for your antique bed. You do not have
Living spaces have been getting smaller over the years. We can’t overlook the perks of this growing trend. For instance, it’s a great way to start if you’re passionate about adopting a minimalist lifestyle. More so, it can help you reduce your carbon footprint. A lot of homeowners with tiny
Wendy’s is opening five restaurants in the UK, including in London and Reading. American burger restaurant Wendy’s is set to reopen in the UK, two decades after it closed down. The fast food chain is known for its iconic square burgers and is still going strong in the US, but hasn’t been here since 1999. Just as life is starting to return to normal after the pandemic, the company plans to open up to 400 outlets nationwide. The plans will roll out over the next few years and are expected to create at least 12,000 jobs. And it’s good news for any Wendy’s fans living around Reading, as the first new restaurant will open up in the city next month. Full list of Wendy’s opening in the UK While there are big plans to open hundreds of restaurants up and down the country, these are the only confirmed locations so far: Reading (opened June 2) Stratford (opening in the second half of 2021) Oxford (opening in the second half of 2021) There are also two more restaurants opening in the UK this year, but the locations have not been confirmed. Steven Derwoed, Vice President, Global Design and Construction for Wendy’s, said: “We’re very proud of our restaurant design in Reading, and I’m confident that we’ve built a place that our customers will love to go and our employees will love to work. “The interior has a cool vibe with a focus on natural wood, dark contrasts, comfortable seating and fun art making it feel fresh and current. “Creating a frictionless and convenient experience for our customers is at the heart of our design, whether a customer places their order via mobile before they set foot in the restaurant, at a kiosk once they arrive or at a traditional front counter with one of our friendly team members. “We’ve even incorporated an exterior walk-up window to create speedy access for delivery providers so customers can get their Wendy’s food even faster. We look forward to serving customers soon!” Wendy’s bosses first revealed the firm was returning to the UK in late 2019, with the chain currently running 6,700 outlets across 30 countries.
Thermal Earth has begun work on a ground source heating system for 170 sustainable homes in Wales. Specialists in renewable heating and cooling systems, Thermal Earth have recently begun the process of drilling over 100 boreholes at the largest development in the Cardiff Living housing scheme. The boreholes will provide ground source heating and hot water to 170 new homes on the former site of Eastern high school. The boreholes will be configured in arrays of shared ground loops which will be connected to individual MasterTherm AQ17i ground source heat pumps installed in each of the properties, giving residents complete control over their own climate preferences and energy usage. The AQ17i from MasterTherm is one of the smallest ground source heat pump models available in the UK, making it a key contender for the replacement of gas boilers in new build residential properties as the gas boiler ban rapidly approaches in 2025. Shared ground arrays provide savings for the installation of highly efficient ground source heating systems and enable installation to be deployed at scale. This solution will play a key part in the UK government target to install 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028, which is part of the 10-point plan to reach carbon net zero by 2050. The Cardiff Living development which is being managed by Wates Residential, has been awarded £4.1m of funding from the Welsh Government Innovative Housing Programme (IHP) and will take energy performance standards to a new level as each of the homes will incorporate renewable technologies and smart energy management systems to reduce the energy demand on the grid, as well as helping to tackle fuel poverty by significantly reducing energy bills. Thermal Earth is working with Cardiff-based sustainable energy services company, Sero to incorporate low carbon technologies into the development of all the new homes including ground source heat pumps, smart thermal storage, electric vehicle charging points, solar panels and smart controls for residents. Sero will provide an innovative grid energy control network that will intelligently draw, discharge and anticipate energy demands, almost completely avoiding the National Grid at peak times.
Caddick Construction’s North West team is making great progress on the expansion of Alpla’s Warrington UK manufacturing facility in Golbourne. Global packaging and recycling specialist, Alpla, appointed Caddick Construction to deliver the multimillion pound Design and Build contract. It covers a series of phases, including a bridge link over the highway to connect Alpla’s existing production facility with the adjacent former Carlsberg unit (GB4) which the company acquired in 2019 as its new logistics hub. The Caddick Construction team is delivering the latest phase, which includes a substantial expansion of the logistics hub, along with associated external works. Work will complete in autumn 2021. Ben Edwards, contracts manager at Caddick Construction, said: “The team has already started the delivery of the bridge link and is delighted to have secured this latest phase, expanding the company’s logistics facility. “The project will allow this family-firm to expand in the UK in response to a rising demand for it’s products, creating new employment opportunities and boosting the local economy. The bridge link will also create business efficiencies, enabling products to be safely conveyed between Alpla’s manufacturing and storage facility without the need to hand transport between the buildings.” Alpla produces innovative packaging systems, bottles and moulded parts for a wide range of customers, including packaging for hand sanitisers and cleaning sprays. The company is headquartered in Austria and employs more than 20,000 staff worldwide. Alpla occupies a number of manufacturing and distribution facilities at Stone Cross Business Park in Warrington, close to junction 23 of the M6. Pozzoni Architecture designed the expanded facility and bridge link. Caddick Construction has delivered a series of retail, manufacturing and production facilities for clients around the UK, including Carlsberg, Arla Foods, Heineken, Tesco and Morrison.
A firm offering specialist services in land procurement and development opportunities has launched in Birmingham, enabling landowners, investors, builders and developers to capitalise on the growing opportunities in the city and beyond, as the development landscape looks to be ramping up after a pandemic-induced dip. Atlas Land & Planning, based on Cornwall Street in the heart of Birmingham’s finance district, offers a personal, exclusive and highly efficient approach to every stage of land disposal and development planning. Its portfolio of potential buyers, with whom the firm has built strong relationships over many years, benefit from the fact Atlas is part of a wider network of specialists providing access to finance, tax advice and specialist risk and insurance services. Headed up by Phil Roberts – an expert in land procurement who has worked in the industry for almost a decade – including at Fine and Country Land and New Homes – Atlas offers a personalised service to clients, from smaller developers through to national house builders, PLC organisations and national registered providers of affordable housing. Phil explained: “The pandemic has brought many challenges to the development landscape, including furloughed staff causing delays in development or planning application progress, and a shortage of building materials causing a price hike and impacting profit margins – also exacerbated by Brexit. At the same time, as restrictions now ease, the development opportunities are soaring as land becomes available again. “Land that was earmarked for office development is now likely to be re-purposed for residential use, while property such as disused office space as a result of the remote working scenario will also be ripe for redevelopment. Additionally, with the plans around HS2, city living will become a much more attractive prospect. There is also of course a real housing shortage, and we work closely with providers of affordable housing. All of this is great news for developers and we think there is a rapidly growing appetite and that the market is set to accelerate again,” he added. Atlas prides itself on dealing exclusively with a landowner, working with them to manage expectations around land worth – all off market to avoid de-valuing the land – and can choose the best buyers based on the firm’s connections. Atlas works proactively, rather than waiting for buyers, and works all at risk as it does not command any up-front fees. This ensures transactions are seamless, efficient and fast – all important factors in this industry. Atlas is part of the ARMCo group, which combines specialist lending, corporate support and insurance services, so can arrange for funding to be in place if needed by the developer – as well as tax advice or specialist risk insurance. ARMCo founder Russell Martin commented: “Atlas Land & Planning is a great addition to our group, and significantly aids our clients who benefit from this central services approach. The opportunities in the property and development market are currently there to be capitalised on, and we are confident that our offering is the best solution to the specific needs of this sector – regionally and nationally.”
The Faculty of Construction Crafts at Leeds College of Building recently held its first-ever Institute of Carpenters (IOC) City Hub Event. The virtual session exposed students to the varied career opportunities available to qualified carpenters and joiners. Using Microsoft Teams, the College’s Level 2 Bench Joinery & Shopfitting group met industry innovators and heard from employers about the latest techniques and materials. Speakers included representatives from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Historic England, Structural Timber Association (STA), MEDITE SMARTPLY, IOC, Trussed Rafter Association, and Timber Trade Federation (TTF). The event kicked off with a welcome by Derek Whitehead, Leeds College of Building Principal, and an introduction by Geoff Rhodes, IOC President. This was followed by a range of 20-minute seminars from other carpentry and manufacturing experts. Programme topics covered: national career opportunities in the construction-related sector; specialist handcraft-skills; working as a builder in the heritage sector; the Housing and roofing sector and innovative new materials; ground-breaking MDF and OSB panel products; sustainability, renewables and certification; and TTF statistics covering the scale of the global timber industry. This virtual event is just one of the latest IOC enhancements to the student experience at Leeds College of Building. Through the partnership, Carpentry and Joinery students now have free membership to the IOC. The affiliation lasts for the duration of their studies and for a year after graduation. The IOC showcases the industry as a modern and exciting route into trades. It supports innovative new construction methods, including research into waterproof timber structure at a molecular level. Geoff Rhodes, IOC President, said: “For two years now, we have been developing and rolling out our national programme of IOC City Hub meetings with FE colleges across the UK in order to add meaningful value to the learning experience of all student learners. The partnership with Leeds College of Building is another great example of seeing this reality in action.” Derek Whitehead, Leeds College of Building Principal, said: “Leeds College of Building was delighted to host this first virtual IOC City Hub; our students greatly benefitted from the collective knowledge shared by all the industry experts who contributed. The students gave very positive feedback about the training session, as did the presenters who benefitted from networking themselves. I’d like to express enormous appreciation to the IOC for creating this initiative and the fantastic support shown to the College. We look forward to more initiatives like this in the future.” Michael Martin, Leeds College of Building Curriculum Manager added: “I’m thrilled this event came to fruition after nearly a year of planning and being stalled by the COVID-19 pandemic. What was meant to be a fair of industry stallholders and specialist seminars instead became a virtual event of experts across diverse fields. “This event was a fantastic opportunity for our learners to find out more about the wider industry and global career opportunities before they progress to Level 3 in September. We now have solid foundations to build upon and next year we intend to have a face-to-face event. The hope is to bring carpentry and joinery professionals together with the next generation of craftspeople.”
Keepmoat Homes continues to grow its development portfolio in the North West after acquiring three new land deals that will see the top ten UK housebuilder deliver 723 new homes, with a combined Gross Development Value (GDV) of £135m. The sites are located in Leyland, Accrington and Stoke on Trent and have all obtained planning approval from local authorities. The three schemes are: A 520-plot development Farington Mews, Leyland A 157-plot development at Biddulph, Stoke on Trent A 46-plot development Acorn View, Accrington The developments will offer two, three and four bedroom homes which will be available in multiple house types and various purchasing options from open market sale to shared ownership. Homebuyers will also be able to benefit from the Government-backed mortgage guarantee, allowing first-time and current homeowners to obtain a 95% mortgage from lenders. Gareth Owen, Land & Partnerships Director at Keepmoat Homes, said: “Our team has been working hard over the 6 months with local authorties and registered providers and the latest acquisitions are a testament to their efforts. We’re delighted to have aquired these three significant sites, all in ideal locations, which brings our total of active developments in the North West to 15. “As a business, our ethos is to not just build homes, but transform communities and improve the lives of local people. We’re driven to deliver increasingly sustainable and affordable homes and we’re taking action to reduce carbon emissions from our operations, our supply chain and the homes we build and adapt our operations and homes to our changing climate. Our Acorn View development in Accrington will feature car charging points for those with electric vehicles at each of the homes and we take pride in providing green open spaces for both residents and the local community to enjoy. “We can see from our existing developments, across the North West in particular, that demand for new homes is increasing and following these successes, we’re driven to remain active across the region and are seeking new land opportunities for residential led developments.”
New research from Deltek, a global provider of software and solutions for project-based businesses, reveals that the nation’s architecture and engineering (A&E) firms say data-rich technologies including data science, big data and machine learning, are most important to their business. The increasing urgency to process data could either indicate growth in data maturity as businesses roll out their digital transformation, or show that operational shortcoming during the pandemic have revealed a need for greater enterprise visibility. The research, which comes from the Deltek Clarity Architecture and Engineering Industry report, found that: 82% of UK architecture firms and 72% of UK engineering firms cite data science as the most important technology to their business 80% of UK architecture firms and 71% of UK engineering firm believe that IoT is one of the most important technologies 79% of UK architecture firms and 69% of UK engineering firms say that big data is one of the most important technologies 79% of UK architecture firms and 69% of UK engineering firms say that AI is one of the most important technologies However, despite firms seeing the value in a suite of emerging technologies, only around a third of UK A&E firms are applying big data and no more than four in 10 are applying data science today. Deltek identified cost of technology (60%) as the standout barrier to adoption for UK firms. A lack of strategic technology understanding is a clear issue in this market: 52% of firms have difficulty prioritising applicable technologies and 43% cite lack of employee education about trends and how they apply to the industry as major barriers. To overcome these challenges, Deltek says businesses must recalibrate to boost performance. To do this, UK A&E firms are planning to develop strategic implementation plans and a budget for strategic investment. However, the UK is also far more likely than the total sample to be identifying technology partners (49% v 40%). Commenting on the research findings, Neil Davidson, Regional Vice President of EMEA & APAC at Deltek, said “The UK is leading the way when it comes to digital transformation maturity: 10% of firms describe themselves as ‘Advanced’ compared with just 4% of the total sample. In five years, 49% expect to be Advanced. However, the results show still a heavy reliance on spreadsheets and relatively low adoption of emerging technologies. This shows there is great upside potential from accelerating transformation, and more data-driven business management.”
An antique bed and mattress can transform your bedroom into a unique and beautiful place. However, due to the uniqueness of the bed, you need to know how to choose a suitable antique mattress. You have various options to choose a mattress for your antique bed. You do not have to choose an old school mattress just because an antique bed is old school. Here are tips to help you select an antique size mattress. Consider a Custom Mattress Some old-style antique beds come in awkward sizes, making it hard to get a mattress that fits in. However, that should not be an issue since you can get a custom mattress. If you do not know what to change the frame of the bed, consider a custom mattress. A custom mattress comes with flexibility and comfort since you choose a specific style. You can select your desired materials for the mattress and get it the way you expect. While a custom mattress is costly, it is worth your money and time because it gives you value and comfort. Remember, when you approach a company that sells the products, ask questions about custom beds to help you make informed decisions. For example, find out if the mattress will have box springs. Also, ask about the mattress depth and height and any other components to help you choose the right mattress. Choose a Firm Mattress When sleeping, you need to be comfortable to enjoy the night. However, this is not possible if you do not have a firm mattress. The best way to choose a firm mattress is by considering your body weight and comfort. If you like to sleep on the side, a firm antique mattress will be a good option. A medium tension mattress is the most popular type, especially for a couple of variable weight. You can also choose a medium-firm tension mattress if you want a firmer feel. If you weigh above sixteen stone, then a firm tension mattress can be the best option. An extra firm tension mattress is also another option if you need additional support for your back. In short, choose a mattress that suits your lifestyle and needs. Determine the Measurements Knowing the size of your bed can help you choose the right antique size mattress. You may think that looking at the bed is enough to determine the mattress size. But you could be wrong. It is best to get the actual measurements and choose a mattress that fits in well. First, measure the outside corner as you stretch out the tape towards the other edge. Then, when done with one side, move to the next side and do the same thing. Ensure you have accurate measurements for the length and width before you start shopping for a mattress. Inquire about any additional features that come with the mattress. Take a Picture or Video After taking the bed measurement, it is imperative to take a photo or video of your bed frame when visiting the seller. This will help the seller to identify the best mattress for your bed. You can also call the company and send a video or photo if you want to buy the mattress online. The company will help you make the right choice. The Bottom Line When selecting a mattress for your antique bed, ensure you understand the nitty-gritty before making an order. Using the tips above can help you choose the best mattress that suits your lifestyle and needs. You may also want to compare prices and mattress features from different companies before making the final choice.
Living spaces have been getting smaller over the years. We can’t overlook the perks of this growing trend. For instance, it’s a great way to start if you’re passionate about adopting a minimalist lifestyle. More so, it can help you reduce your carbon footprint. A lot of homeowners with tiny apartments often look for space-saving furniture that will complement other home décor elements. This type of furniture is the key to keeping your home organized and will make your stuff easily accessible. Fortunately, brands like Furco.co.uk are proactive about providing functional solutions for small spaces. It’s imperative to invest in the furniture pieces we’ve listed below. 1. Sofa beds Sofa beds are both practical and comfortable. They are now a favorite piece for small apartments and families of all sizes. A sofa bed will offer a 3-in-1 function comprising of a bed, sofa, and storage option. The creative storage solution is useful for storing your bedding and other items. Corner sofa beds are versatile and will come in handy when you’re alone or in the company of your family or guests. 2. Floating desk A floating deck is a practical, convenient, and cost-effective solution for reading and working. Some wall-mounted models feature storage sections. The good thing is that this piece of furniture will only take minimal space in your home. You can install a floating desk in your living room, bedroom, or home office. It comes in different variations, so it’s best to assess your needs and the space you can spare before making a purchase. In case you’re planning to use it for work, go for an option that is large enough for your PC and a few supplies. 3. Wardrobes Built-in wardrobes remain one of the top modern living ideas. You can incorporate double hanging to maximize your space. Another space-saving hack is to place storage baskets on top of the wardrobe for storing accessories. Install hooks on the inside of your wardrobe door to keep jewelry and other accessories. It’s ideal to use the floor space in your wardrobe creatively too. Try decluttering your wardrobe from time to time. This will save you time and space. 4. Wall-mounted ironing board We usually pass a message to others with our choice of clothing. Clothes that are crispy and wrinkle-free will boost your confidence, thereby making you irresistible. This type of ironing board is a must if space is at a premium in your laundry room. Install a quality one in the right spot, and remember to fold it once you’re through with ironing. New models of wall-mounted ironing boards have features such as flexible board, adjustable height, built-in hanger, and can even double as a mirror. 5. Murphy bed A murphy bed will ensure that you have enough space to entertain your guests and sleep comfortably. This furniture piece relies on a smooth mechanism that enables it to emerge and retract seamlessly. It’s suitable for individuals who want to use their guest room as office space without trading one for the other. Most murphy beds come with features like shelves, drawers, and desk flaps.
