One of Europe’s largest wooden framed buildings, the Gramophone Works in Kensal Green, West London, has been brought back to life following a £25 million refurbishment programme as part of a major collaboration between main contractors Grahams and the country’s fastest growing M&E specialist, Dowds Group This historic building now
Sick days cost UK businesses around £77 billion in lost productivity each year, equating to roughly 30 days of absence per employee1. Poor or unmaintained ventilation can cause ‘sick building syndrome’ in employees and could lead to longer periods of staff absence and potential operational disruptions too. In a bid
The face-to-face event returns to the London Excel on October 15th and 16th It will be the first, large scale, property investment exhibition to be held face to face in London since Covid restrictions curtailed the events industry over a year ago. The two days are packed with exhibitors including
Work is underway on the refurbishment and conversion of a former school and sixth form centre in Sussex that will become a new base for social care services and pave the way for the development of hundreds of new council homes. Brighton & Hove City Council has chosen Willmott Dixon
Derwent Facilities Management Ltd have been awarded a place on Crescent Purchasing Consortium’s (CPC) framework for the provision of Total Facilities Management Framework Agreement CPC/EK/01/2021. This framework provides access to a broad range of facilities management services including hard and soft FM services as well as a full facilities management
Looking ahead, Andrew Henry Interiors has applied its’ insight and vision to uncover the interior design trends to watch out for in the warmer seasons of 2022. Influenced by the challenges of 2021, the period will see our homes continue to be more than just a place to retreat to.
Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Christopher Pincher MP, has visited Graven Hill, the UK’s largest custom and self-build development site, in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The visit follows the Government’s launch of a 12-week consultation to create a vision for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework, which aims to guide the
Bow River Capital (“Bow River”), a private equity firm based in Denver, Colorado, announced today that it has completed the recapitalization of Progressive Roofing (“Progressive” or the “Company”). Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Progressive Roofing is a full-service commercial roofing business providing re-roofing, new construction, service, and emergency repair solutions to
There’s surely no better recommendation for the company you work for than wanting your child to join and enjoy a long and fulfilling career with them too. The North West office of national housebuilder Bellway is keeping it close to home in bringing the next generation through, with four of
The demand for homes in the South-East county of Essex have increased by 56% since June 2020, in particular the county’s rural villages which have experienced a 69% increase in house sales. Providing fantastic news for current Essex residents looking to relocate to a quieter location but stay within the
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
One of Europe’s largest wooden framed buildings, the Gramophone Works in Kensal Green, West London, has been brought back to life following a £25 million refurbishment programme as part of a major collaboration between main contractors Grahams and the country’s fastest growing M&E specialist, Dowds Group This historic building now offers some of greenest credentials of any work space in London, offering some 64,132 sq ft of office accommodation, five outdoor terraces overlooking the nearby Grand Union canal, a 2,400 sq ft reception and event space area, together with a café and bar. As part of the refurbishment programme, Dowds installed sustainable PV units and heat pumps and low energy LED lighting to achieve the coveted ‘Excellent’ BREEAM rating – a challenging task in part of a 100-year-old building which had never been designed to incorporate modern infrastructure. Dowds Group Contracts Director Wayne Kemp explained: “We quickly discovered that working in a wooden framed structure also created several issues such as fire prevention, that needed to be addressed. This meant that we had to protect all new equipment with film before Graham Construction could spray the entire building with fire retardant.” Work started on the site, which is spread over five floors, in August 2020 with Dowds providing a full design and installation service for a building which is now expected to be turned into a creative hub. The Old Gramophone Works opened on its present site in the early 1920s. The building went on to house Saga Records, acquiring Trojan Records in 1975 and becoming the epicenter of reggae music for the whole of Europe .
Sick days cost UK businesses around £77 billion in lost productivity each year, equating to roughly 30 days of absence per employee1. Poor or unmaintained ventilation can cause ‘sick building syndrome’ in employees and could lead to longer periods of staff absence and potential operational disruptions too. In a bid to tackle this very real issue, Plasma Clean, trusted pioneers in innovative and affordable infection prevention solutions, has partnered with global tech company Airthings to deliver life changing air quality technology to protect the UK’s workforce. This significant partnership between two leading providers of air quality technology can provide advantageous benefits for offices as well as health and leisure facilities and schools. Studies show these include long term cost savings, over 60 percent better cognitive performance and a 30 percent decrease in headaches and respiratory issues1. Indoor air has been found to be over five times more polluted than outdoor air in the UK2. The impact of this is acute and has been directly linked to asthma, anxiety, lack of concentration, lower productivity and the increased spread of infectious diseases. The industry leading businesses have joined forces with the aim of helping everyone to breathe better air. Utilising Airthings’ highest grade air quality sensors, Plasma Clean will be able to monitor CO2, temperature, humidity, radon, VOCs, pressure, light and virus risk – all in real time. The battery-operated and wireless sensors can be placed in any building and indoor air quality with advanced cloud analytics is monitored through the comprehensive Airthings Dashboard via desktop. Plasma Clean, which has been dedicated to improving indoor air quality for the last 13 years, will analyse the data collected to produce a detailed report complete with a range of recommended solutions for any identified inefficiencies. The recommendations give clients options to take the next step to neutralise bacteria and virus cells in the air, and ensure continuous disinfection. Steve Keogh, CEO of Plasma Clean, explained, “We are thrilled to be announcing our partnership with Airthings, which will help to deliver life changing technology to offices, leisure and health facilities and schools across the country. “Without the proper ventilation systems in place, an office full of people can quickly increase the amount of harmful gases in the air and dramatically reduce the indoor air quality, impacting negatively on cognitive function.” Airthings works with major brands and businesses to deliver affordable and innovative technology solutions to improve indoor air quality on a global scale. Airthings has sold more than 300,000 monitors worldwide with its premium product range. Oyvind Birkenes, CEO of Airthings commented, “We’re so excited to be working with a like-minded company such as Plasma Clean. Our collaborative approach allows us to use the very best technology to analyse indoor air quality and deliver a solution to help protect people long term. Together we are dedicated to helping everyone breathe better air.” To find out more about Plasma Clean’s infection control range, visit: www.plasma-clean.com
The face-to-face event returns to the London Excel on October 15th and 16th It will be the first, large scale, property investment exhibition to be held face to face in London since Covid restrictions curtailed the events industry over a year ago. The two days are packed with exhibitors including Hamilton Fraser, Knight Knox, Crowd Property and the NRLA. Many high-profile speakers have been confirmed and these include: ● Ben Beadle, CEO of the newly amalgamated NRLA as keynote ● David Cox, Compliance and Licensing Director at Rightmove (also keynote) ● Paul Shamplina, TVs Nightmare Tenants, Slum Landlords Founder of Landlord Action ● Vanessa Warwick, Co-Founder of Property Tribes ● Simon Zutshi, Co-founder of both Property Investors Network and CrowdProperty ● Richard Bowser, Editor of Property Investor News ● David Sandeman, MD of Essential Information Group and THE Property Auction guru The infamous, indefatigable Russell Quirk will also be hosting two panels including ‘The State of the PRS’ on Friday 15th October at 10.30am. In this forum, he is set to reveal his predictions for the 2022 property market and his view on where house price growth is going. Russell was notable for taking bets amongst industry colleagues in early 2020 with him backing a ‘no fall in house prices despite the pandemic’ prophecy despite just about every other pundit saying the opposite. “The rest, as they say, is history,” says Russell. “I successfully called the property market right in early 2020 despite the negative forces of a pandemic and the aftermath of Brexit whereby experts from across the industry predicted house price Armageddon. They were wrong and I was right, just like in previous years when I’ve correctly forecast what the market will do. Join me on Friday 15th October where I’ll explain what will happen in the next 12 months and why. Bring your chequebook,” he adds. Panel debates include the following and a full list of speakers and panels can be found here: ● Is now a good time to be investing in UK property? ● Holiday Lets – expert advice on how to maximise yields ● How to buy and sell at property auctions – the way the pros do ● Fraudulent Tenants – identifying them and avoiding them ● How to fund every property deal – dispelling the myths ● Using data to boost your investment outcome ● How to mitigate the three big tax traps for landlords ● Starting and growing your property development business ● The State of the PRS (Keynote Panel) And there’s much more to come with more panel announcements and speakers to be confirmed in the coming weeks. Nick Clark, Managing Director of the Property Investor Show says “We will be the first large-scale event in the industry to welcome visitors and exhibitors back to the face-to-face environment. It’s the first opportunity in two years for anyone interested in investing in property and for suppliers that want to reach investors, to network together and to benefit from each other.’ ‘Networking is such an important part of our sector and I suspect that most of us are rather Zoomed out now after many months of sitting in front of a screen.’ ‘Our forum is a place to meet, build relationships and conduct business across the property investment space and I’m delighted our event is leading the way in facilitating such.” Mortgage funders, estate agents, lettings agents, developers, property management, PropTech, legal firms and investment platforms alike can once again look forward to showcasing their products and services directly to the huge audience that The Property Investor Show provides. The full list of 68 seminars and multiple, well know industry speakers can be found here
Work is underway on the refurbishment and conversion of a former school and sixth form centre in Sussex that will become a new base for social care services and pave the way for the development of hundreds of new council homes. Brighton & Hove City Council has chosen Willmott Dixon Interiors to transform the site at the corner of Mile Oak Road and High Street in Portslade, into 23,336 sq ft of office accommodation for staff in its children’s services team. The council’s planning department granted a change of use for the vacant building which previously housed sixth formers from Portslade Community College and was once home to Windlesham House prep school. The move will allow the relocation of council staff from underused office space on a site at Moulsecoomb, which has been earmarked for the development of more than 200 new council homes. Willmott Dixon Interiors will carry out demolition works and a full strip out of the former Portslade school building, as well as some structural interventions and external remedial works and repairs. New M&E services will be installed, with parts of the building segregated through new access control doorways. The £3.7 million project was awarded through Orbis, a public sector partnership between East Sussex County Council, Surrey County Council, and Brighton & Hove City Council. It is expected to be complete in spring 2022. Willmott Dixon Interiors will deliver a minimum of 5% social return on investment of the project value, through activities including local employment opportunities, education support and a hoarding artwork competition with local schools. Graham Shaw, managing director at Willmott Dixon Interiors, said: “This is a strategically important project for Brighton & Hove City Council, that will not only deliver new office space for social care services teams, but provide much-needed council homes in the area. The project has been designed to retain the existing internal configuration of the building to avoid large scale structural alterations. We will also have a full crew of operatives on site, including a dedicated traffic marshall to assist with delivery of materials and minimise disruption for residents and commuters.” The project team includes Potter Raper as quantity surveyor, project manager and employer’s agent.
Derwent Facilities Management Ltd have been awarded a place on Crescent Purchasing Consortium’s (CPC) framework for the provision of Total Facilities Management Framework Agreement CPC/EK/01/2021. This framework provides access to a broad range of facilities management services including hard and soft FM services as well as a full facilities management provision – the 8288 members of the consortium will be able to procure facilities management services quickly and easily via this framework. The framework is also open to the wider public sector who can also use this framework to procure. The framework is split into 15 service areas with Derwent fm able to provide services across all 15 areas Grahame Sheeran, Head of Business Development at Derwent fm said “Derwent fm are delighted to be awarded a place on the CPC framework, we look forward to working with the team at CPC to provide their members with top class facilities management services.
Looking ahead, Andrew Henry Interiors has applied its’ insight and vision to uncover the interior design trends to watch out for in the warmer seasons of 2022. Influenced by the challenges of 2021, the period will see our homes continue to be more than just a place to retreat to. Therefore, the notion of our home space being our sanctuary will carve the way for the seasons style, with positivity and energy shaping each trend. “In summary, as the days lengthen and the temperature rises in 2022, we will see maximalism evolve with bold colour combinations, escapism will be expressed through cultural influences and natural materials will remain high on the styling agenda,” commented Andrew Henry, Director at Andrew Henry Interiors. The four key décor looks set to breathe new life into our homes during the spring/summer months of 2022 are: Sunny State This trend is driven by a need for optimism and joyfulness. In the wake of a global pandemic, householders will desire to surround themselves with constructive influences and joyful design. Art, colour, shape and materials all feed into this aesthetic of positivity. Colour is expressed on the walls, on kitchen cabinetry, on furniture and textiles as maximalism develops a step further this season. Key Words: Self-expression, inclusivity, aesthetics of Joy, 70’s nostalgia, design for play, Stay Positive Key Pantone Colours: Deep Sea Coral 18-1649, Pastel Lilac 14-3812, Cameo Green 14-6312, Crème Brulee 13-1006, Sunflower 16-1054 Colour Combinations: A playful palette of optimistic colour pops uplifts spirits in uncertain times. Clean pastel shades are merged in new zesty combinations, mixing in highlights of Deep-Sea Coral, Melon, Pastel Lilac and Cameo Green. Sunshine yellows are key throughout with a number of shades that can be combined for a nod to the 70s. Play with bold maximalist combinations that excite and surprise. Habitation This trend represents a more grounded pace of life. Deeper connection to the natural world is blended with inventive nature-inspired design in this rural organic trend. Interiors are brimming with natural textures and materials. New sustainable fibres come to the fore including nettle paper and vegan soy. Key Words: Designed by nature, do no harm, foraged & grown, wholesome Key Pantone Colours: Moss 16-0532, Mineral Gray 15-5704, Ruby Tan 15-1315, Major Brown 19-0810, Maroon 18-1619 Colour Combinations: A base of earthy neutrals merge with new coloured hues on lightweight fabrics for a breezy summer vibe. Sustainable dyeing techniques bring forth new vibrant shades of saffron yellow, algae green, duck egg blue and berry. Earth like Major Brown brings a grown-up weightiness to this palette. Sensorial Delight Drawing from spices, fragrant aromas, intense colour and heavily patterned textiles, this trend is inspired by Indian culture. With international travel curtailed due to both the COVID-19 pandemic and ecological awareness, summer 2022 will be a chance to celebrate the exoticism of different cultures within the home. Jewellery-inspired lighting makes a statement in living spaces incorporating with traditional wood furniture. Low benches and daybeds are key items. Key Words: Contemporary opulence, modern India, culturally rich, vibrant, highly patterned Key Pantone Colours: Bellini 13-1114, Meadow Mist 12-0106, Wood Violet 19-3325, Endless Sky 16-4022, Teal 17-4919 Colour Combinations: A palette of knocked back pastel shades, inspired by the faded walls of grand palaces, is shot through with rich jewel tone highlights. Warm apricot shades ground the palette, joined by vibrant pinks, soft mint and bejewelled greens. Dusted blue looks chalky in appearance, whilst amethyst purple adds depth. This is a versatile palette offering both calm and bold clashing combinations. Golden Hour This trend is where a home becomes a sacred sanctuary, a place of refuge. Precious warm sunny evenings are spent cocooned in nourishing interiors, detoxing from noise and distraction. Light pours through open spaces, reflected in tactile surfaces and infusing rooms with an ethereal golden glow. Softness is key for furniture shapes, so sideboards have rounded edges, chairs are cocooning and corner sofas gently curved. Key Words: Comforting cocoon, reflect & refract, peacefulness Key Pantone Colours: Mauve Shadows 16-3205, Twilight Purple 18-3820, Peach Whip 14-1309, Moonlit Ocean 19-4122, High-rise 15-4101 Colour Combinations: The light at the end of the day inspires summer darks to come into play here. A level of softness emerges with greyed pastels including blue, lilac and yellow feature. Almost-blacks come in the form of midnight navy and deep mystic purple. Hyper-real aqua brings an almost futuristic watery feel, alongside true blue. Play with transparencies and layering of colour.
Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Christopher Pincher MP, has visited Graven Hill, the UK’s largest custom and self-build development site, in Bicester, Oxfordshire. The visit follows the Government’s launch of a 12-week consultation to create a vision for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework, which aims to guide the growth of the area until 2050. The Framework is a long-term strategic plan for making the area a better place to live and supporting long-term economic growth in the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. The ministerial visit included a tour around the site to showcase how Graven Hill has been championing the future of housing, through self-build, custom build, and new build homes, as well as a wide range of innovative building techniques. “The Oxford-Cambridge Arc Spatial Framework is an exciting development, bringing jobs, homes and economic prosperity to the local area. Oxfordshire continues to be a popular place to live, so homes will be hugely important in ensuring the initiative is a success,” said Karen Curtin, managing director at Graven Hill. “The UK housing market is lacking in variety and we know that people are looking for more than cookie-cutter homes. We’re doing something different that truly offers choice, flexibility and personality. There are exciting things in the pipeline too and we hope that the Bacon Review findings and the upcoming Help to Build legislation will encourage developers across the UK to also consider self and custom build plots as a key aspect of their developments. They’ve been hugely popular at Graven Hill and we are excited to be launching our next phase this weekend.” Graven Hill sits directly in the Arc and will play a significant role in the development of the scheme, not least because of Bicester’s future location on the East-West Rail route from Oxford to Cambridge. Mr Pincher was able to see some of the innovative builds being undertaken by Graven Hill’s residents, as well as visiting the Build It Education House, which aims to give would-be self-builders an insight into the processes involved in a project. “We are levelling up the whole country and unlocking the huge potential of the entire Oxford-Cambridge Arc. Places like Graven Hill show just how we can build high quality, well designed, new homes and make sure this popular area continues to be a beautiful place to live, work and visit,” said Housing Minster RT Hon Christopher Pincher MP. “Improving the planning process across the region will support the housing sector, create thousands of jobs, drive investment and vital infrastructure, and protect the environment. I want residents and local communities to have their say on the future of the area and encourage everyone to fill out our online consultation.” In the last 12 months, Graven Hill has seen a number of house completions and the commencement of enabling works on the employment land and Phase 2 of the development, whilst welcoming new families into its ever-expanding community. Mr Pincher and Cllr Wood were also on hand to cut the ribbon on the next residential phase at Graven Hill which will see 18 new serviced plots released for sale from Saturday 2nd October as part of the Build It Live event in Bicester.
Bow River Capital (“Bow River”), a private equity firm based in Denver, Colorado, announced today that it has completed the recapitalization of Progressive Roofing (“Progressive” or the “Company”). Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, Progressive Roofing is a full-service commercial roofing business providing re-roofing, new construction, service, and emergency repair solutions to customers across the education, government, industrial, healthcare, hospitality, and retail landscape. Serving as a value-added partner to customers, Progressive provides unique roofing solutions, as well as consistent, safe, and quality project delivery. Progressive’s self-performance model emphasizes technical excellence on large, complex projects and small maintenance repairs alike. From concept to project completion, the Company focuses on creating long-term value for clients. “Progressive’s commitment to customers and quality, which is supported by our family-oriented culture, is the centerpiece of the Company’s success. Over our decades-long history, our leadership team has continually identified new advances in roofing materials, technologies, and installation, and our highly-skilled, trained, and certified professionals continue to deliver extraordinary work every time we set foot on a roof,” said Mark Farrell, Progressive’s Chief Executive Officer. Farrell’s long-time partner and Progressive shareholder Mike Hadden went on to state, “We could not be more excited about the partnership with Bow River, and we look forward to making continued investments to enhance how we serve our customers and support the growth of our business and our employees.” Bow River Capital seeks to invest in leading middle market companies that provide infrastructure solutions. “Progressive is a market leader in commercial roofing solutions, and the leadership team has assembled a long roster of clients that trust the Company time and time again,” commented Greg Hiatrides, Managing Director at Bow River Capital. Progressive’s management team (who participated in the recapitalization) will retain a meaningful ownership stake in the Company and continue to lead the organization and deliver quality services to customers as they have for the past several decades. Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP served as legal counsel to Bow River. Gammage & Burnham served as legal counsel to Progressive.
There’s surely no better recommendation for the company you work for than wanting your child to join and enjoy a long and fulfilling career with them too. The North West office of national housebuilder Bellway is keeping it close to home in bringing the next generation through, with four of the company’s long-serving employees encouraging their sons and daughters to start their careers with a Bellway apprenticeship scheme. Site manager Andy Blunt’s son Joseph is an apprentice plumber, chief quantity surveyor Peter Odgear’s daughter Caitlin is a trainee quantity surveyor, site manager Paul McKeever’s son Sean is an apprentice electrician and construction director Ian Hopkins’s son Will is an apprentice plumber. “At Bellway, we are committed to investing in our people and offering rewarding careers with opportunities for clear progression. Where possible, we try to promote from within and I’m delighted to see this ‘next generation’ of talent joining their parents and starting their careers with a Bellway apprenticeship,” said managing director at Bellway North West, David Williams. Long recognised as a champion of apprentices, Bellway is one of a number of companies leading the way nationally to encourage young people into the construction industry and is part of the select 5% Club, a movement of employers working to create ‘earn and learn’ experience-based training opportunities. Committed to driving the recruitment of apprentices and graduates, Bellway’s North West office at Hunts Cross in Liverpool generally employs seven or eight apprentices at any one time, many of whom subsequently remain with the company for many years to come. “Bellway is a friendly, exciting and engaging place to work, where hard work is noticed and rewarded and personal development is available for those who want to progress. I think it’s testament to the culture of the business that you would want your children to join too. There’s a great career ahead for Caitlin and all of the apprentices and it’s fantastic that they’ve chosen to follow in our footsteps. We wish them all the best,” added chief quantity surveyor Peter Odgear. With the recent resurgence in apprenticeships and the potential to gain a step-up the ladder into a career in a fast-paced and exciting industry, it’s no surprise that members of Bellway’s existing employee team have been keen to encourage their children to join too.
The demand for homes in the South-East county of Essex have increased by 56% since June 2020, in particular the county’s rural villages which have experienced a 69% increase in house sales. Providing fantastic news for current Essex residents looking to relocate to a quieter location but stay within the county, Inland Homes is preparing to launch a brand new collection of family homes in the quaint village of Cressing, just four miles south of Braintree. Set to launch in early 2022, Templar Green will comprise a boutique collection of two, three and four bedroom family homes, many with Help to Buy available. Offering the best of both worlds for every buyer, the new development is located in a peaceful location full to the brim with rural charm and an abundance of open space, but still just a 10 minute drive into the larger town of Braintree, offering plenty for both children and adults to enjoy. Also ideal for commuting homebuyers, Templar Green will be just a short walk from Cressing rail station, with services into London Liverpool Street in just 55 minutes. “The demand for properties in the home counties, particularly Essex, has seen a huge surge over the past 18 months, as remote working continues and people are happier to take on a longer, less regular commute in favour of more space at home. We’re thrilled to offer a new selection of homes for buyers looking towards Essex, and Templar Green has it all in terms of location. Along with space at the development for children to play, the immediate village has a shop, a primary school and a station, while a short distance away, Braintree has all the shopping and leisure facilities buyers and their families will need,” commented Vicki Noon, Sales and Marketing Director at Inland Homes. Residents at Templar Green will have the best of both worlds, right on their doorstep. Cressing itself enjoys a rural shop for everyday amenities, a Boots pharmacy, library and a post office. Just a short drive away is the larger historic town of Braintree, offering an excellent array of retail options, restaurants, bars and entertainment options. The George Yard Shopping Centre offers residents the choice of a number of well-known high street brands including Peacocks, WH Smith and Superdrug, whilst the larger Braintree Shopping Village offers designer outlets from brands such as Reiss, Ted Baker and White Stuff. After a day of retail therapy, the boutique rural village is also home to a number of restaurants and bars including Bill’s, Pizza Express and Wildwood. Families at Templar Green will be spoilt for choice when it comes to weekend activities. The 100-acre Great Notley Country Park is a 10-minute drive away, and is home to Essex’s longest play trail and Sky Ropes adventure course, perfect for tiring out the kids. For avid golfers, Braintree Golf Club is just a nine-minute drive from home, providing an 18-hole course popular with Essex golfers, as well as hosting an extensive social events calendar and Sunday carveries. For a rainy winters day, Braintree is home to a number of indoor leisure facilities including a 12-screen Cineworld cinema, Braintree District Museum and Namco Funscape – an entertainment venue with bowling, an arcade and a soft play area. For families with children, there are a number of first-class education options surrounding Templar Green. Rated ‘Good’ by OFSTED, Cressing Primary School is an eight minute walk from the development, whilst for older children, Hunter Academy Secondary School is a 13 minute bus journey away. For further education, Braintree Sixth Form is an 8 minute drive away. And for students that wish to study for a degree at home, the University of Essex Colchester Campus and Anglia Ruskin University Chelmsford Campus are both reachable in just half an hour. Commuting residents will be well-placed at Templar Green. Cressing station has direct services into London Liverpool Street in 55 minutes, from which a variety of tube lines can be picked up. The neighbouring towns of Colchester (32 minutes) and Chelmsford (20 minutes) can be reached easily by rail too, whilst by road the M25 can be reached within 45 minutes, transporting residents to Central London, neighbouring counties and beyond.
