January 27, 2023
Stoford delivers Berry Global’s new job-creating production plant

Stoford delivers Berry Global’s new job-creating production plant

Leading commercial property developer, Stoford has handed over a new purpose-built production plant in Leamington Spa that will create more than 100 new jobs. Plastics manufacturing company Berry Global has taken receipt of a new 166,859 sq ft unit at the multi million pound Spa Park off Tachbrook Road, close

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From Popstar to Property: Lovell Homes’ New Appointment is a Hit

A FORMER Brazilian singer is the latest new recruit for leading developer, Lovell Homes, marking continued growth across the North East region. Putting down his microphone in exchange for a hard hat, Nelson Bonotti has joined Lovell Homes as assistant site manager of the region’s Northshore development in Stockton-on-Tees. Once

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Cornish firm helps to deliver the UK’s first space launch facility

Cornish firm helps to deliver the UK’s first space launch facility

MWJV, a Cornish construction services consultancy, has been supporting the build of Spaceport Cornwall, which launched its first mission on Monday 9 January. The company has been managing the construction of the spaceport facilities at Cornwall Airport Newquay, which first began in January 2022. Spaceport Cornwall is the first place

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Construction starts on new housing development in Leeds

Construction starts on new housing development in Leeds

Top ten homebuilder, Keepmoat, has commenced construction of its new housing development, Synergy, at Rathmell Road and Kendal Drive in Halton Moor, which is to be built on unused brownfield land in Leeds. The project will deliver 109 new homes to the area and will consist of two-, three- and

Read More »
ilke Homes starts project on 146 modular homes

ilke Homes starts project on 146 modular homes

Leading modular housing pioneer ilke Homes has started work to deliver 146 energy-efficient, affordable homes at the Glenvale Park development in Wellingborough, as part of Man GPM’s community housing focus. The announcement marks the second time ilke Homes and Man GPM have worked together to deliver an affordable-led scheme, having

Read More »
Werner raises its game with new telescopic ladder launch

Werner raises its game with new telescopic ladder launch

Werner is delighted to announce the launch of its new Multi-Purpose Telescopic ladder range. This new and improved 3-in-1 ladder is extremely versatile, offering a stepladder, extension ladder and stairwell ladder all in one compact, lightweight product. Certified to the latest EN131-4:2020 safety standard, this professional ladder features adjustable telescopic

Read More »
What To Focus on When Renovating a Home

What To Focus on When Renovating a Home

Renovating a home can be an exciting but overwhelming prospect. From figuring out which renovations to prioritize to understanding the latest trends and design materials, there are so many factors that go into the decision-making process. Whether you’re looking for minor updates or more extensive renovation projects, knowing what to

Read More »
Abloy UK and Mid-Beds Locksmiths Ltd secure Waddesdon Manor

Abloy UK and Mid-Beds Locksmiths Ltd secure Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor is home to the Rothschild Collections of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts, and was built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild between 1874 and 1885. Opened to the public in 1959, Waddesdon Manor is managed by the Rothschild Foundation, a family charitable trust, on behalf of the National Trust,

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Latest Issue
Issue 323 : Dec 2024

January 27, 2023

Stoford delivers Berry Global’s new job-creating production plant

Stoford delivers Berry Global’s new job-creating production plant

Leading commercial property developer, Stoford has handed over a new purpose-built production plant in Leamington Spa that will create more than 100 new jobs. Plastics manufacturing company Berry Global has taken receipt of a new 166,859 sq ft unit at the multi million pound Spa Park off Tachbrook Road, close to the A46. The new pre-let development benefits from strong sustainability credentials including an EPC ‘A’ rating and BREEAM ‘excellent’. Berry says that the new plant will wash, sift and sort used plastics that will be recycled to produce food-grade materials. When fully operational the facility will be capable of processing seven and a half tonnes of material per hour, with a zero waste policy. The company is recruiting locally for new roles at the production plant, including mechanical and electrical engineers, technical staff and laboratory engineers. Spa Park is a multi-let business park scheme that has been developed by Stoford and is wholly owned by BlackRock. The final phase of development at Spa Park will deliver four new speculative units comprising 151,650 sq ft of office, R&D, production and distribution accommodation. All four units will be available for occupation in Q1 2023. Darryl Roadnight, Strategic Projects Director at Berry said: “We believe in the power of recycled plastic to positively influence the environmental sustainability of our world. Team members at our new facility will play a critical role as we reuse valuable materials to make new products.” Stoford Director, Edward Peel said: “Berry is a global leader in plastic and recycled packaging products that has chosen to invest in a new bespoke recycling facility at Spa Park. Its arrival has created many new and highly skilled jobs in the region and further complements the strong list of existing occupiers at the business park. “Spa Park offers high quality accommodation in a well connected site, near the M40. We’re on track to complete the final phase of the scheme in February this year and are already receiving strong interest from prospective occupiers.” Berry Global was advised by Baker Rose and Knight Webb. For more information about Spa Park, please contact retained agents CBRE, Bromwich Hardy and M1 Agency or visit: https://www.spapark.co.uk/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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From Popstar to Property: Lovell Homes’ New Appointment is a Hit

A FORMER Brazilian singer is the latest new recruit for leading developer, Lovell Homes, marking continued growth across the North East region. Putting down his microphone in exchange for a hard hat, Nelson Bonotti has joined Lovell Homes as assistant site manager of the region’s Northshore development in Stockton-on-Tees. Once complete, the site will boast 113 affordable homes with river frontage, on behalf of Thirteen Group.   Before beginning his career in construction, Nelson started singing while he was at university and was in a singing duo for eight years in Brazil, where he was born. The duo, Nelson e Davi, had five songs that were played on Brazilian radio until they decided to finish their music career in 2010. Nelson then made the decision to go into a career in construction. Nelson said: “From a young age I always loved singing and really enjoyed my time in the music industry. It’s a time of my life I look back on fondly and I’m proud of what we managed to achieve, including our songs getting played on Brazilian radio, which was really quite surreal. “However, once we made the decision to stop singing in 2010, I began following another passion of mine, construction.” After leaving the music industry behind, Nelson worked in various construction roles in Brazil, including looking after the cranes for the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, when the stadium hosted the 2014 football World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. In 2016, Nelson made the decision to move to the UK. He became a labourer and worked his way through the ranks, to become an assistant manager at another national housebuilder, before joining Lovell Homes. Nelson added: “My 12-year career in the property world both here in the UK and overseas, has afforded me a range of skillsets, allowing me to experience all aspects of the build process. This is something I’m looking forward to bringing into my new role as assistant site manager at Lovell, while developing my skills alongside the region’s growth. “I’ve joined the Lovell team at what is a really exciting time. We’ve just broken ground at the Northshore development, which is set to be a fantastic site with lots of opportunities for those looking for a new home in Stockton-on-Tees. I’m looking forward to seeing the site develop over the coming months and welcoming our first homeowners this year.” Last year saw five other new starters join Lovell’s North East region following its launch earlier in the year. Paul Devaney, area director of Lovell Partnerships in the North East region, said: “It’s great to see our North East region’s continued growth as we start the New Year. 2022 was a brilliant first year for the region, with work beginning at two of our first developments, including the team breaking ground at our Northshore site. “We welcome Nelson to the team. He brings a breadth of experience across many areas of property, making him a real asset to our Northshore site.” To find out more about Lovell Homes, please visit: https://www.lovell.co.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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The Island Quarter releases striking new CGIs of bioscience innovation facility

The Island Quarter releases striking new CGIs of bioscience innovation facility

BRAND new images released today by the developer behind Nottingham’s The Island Quarter development showcase what the scheme’s next phase – a ground-breaking new bioscience facility – could look like. Designed by CPMG Architects, the plans include 245,000 sq ft of high quality, flexible research and laboratory space, across two buildings that will be connected by a glazed link at upper levels and provide a mixture of laboratory, office and meeting spaces. Proposals were submitted by The Conygar Investment Company PLC to Nottingham City Council in December and, if approved, will see the facility boost the city’s reputation as the bioscience capital of the UK, acting as an incubator for new and growing businesses within the sector. Christopher Ware, property director at Conygar, said: “Nottingham is a centre of innovation and no more so than within the biosciences sector. This latest phase of The Island Quarter shows our commitment to supporting the city’s role as a leader in the sector by developing a brand new facility to house and nurture some of the most exciting and innovative businesses in the UK.” The newly released images showcase the facility’s rainwater gardens and medicinal planting as part of the building’s external landscaping, with an ecology-focussed street that links the latest phase with the rest of The Island Quarter – echoing the vision for the overall site. This includes raised planters made with natural stone paving blocks in the style of those found in the heritage buildings – connecting the site’s history with its future. David Jones, director at planning and environmental consultancy Axis, added: “The Island Quarter is a hugely important regeneration opportunity for the city and these new images will help people visualise the next phase of development at the site, for a state-of-the-art biosciences facility to complement what the city already has to offer.” The surroundings are designed to respond to the emerging wider masterplan, which is being developed in collaboration with the planning authority and is the subject of ongoing community engagement. These latest proposals will continue the development of the northern edge of the 36-acre development, which also features a 693-bed student accommodation block, due for completion in summer 2024. To find out more about The Island Quarter, please visit: theislandquarter.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Cornish firm helps to deliver the UK’s first space launch facility

Cornish firm helps to deliver the UK’s first space launch facility

MWJV, a Cornish construction services consultancy, has been supporting the build of Spaceport Cornwall, which launched its first mission on Monday 9 January. The company has been managing the construction of the spaceport facilities at Cornwall Airport Newquay, which first began in January 2022. Spaceport Cornwall is the first place in the UK to offer space launch capabilities. Roger Hannaford, Financial Director at MWJV, said: “We’ve been working closely with Spaceport Cornwall and the contractors to ensure the project is delivered on time, on budget and to the highest possible standard. Our work has included project management, quantity surveying, health & safety management and the appointment of a NEC Supervisor. “Working on Spaceport has been a fantastic opportunity and we’re now looking forward to finalising the project and celebrating its many future successful launches. It’s great to see such an innovative and nationally significant project come to life here in Cornwall.” The spaceport project includes the construction of two new buildings and supporting infrastructure. The Space Systems Integration Facility (SSIF) was completed in September and is now occupied by one of Spaceport Cornwall’s customers, Virgin Orbit. The SSIF is where the rockets are assembled and includes a large cleanroom, crane, and airlock for satellite integration activities, as well as welfare facilities, meeting rooms, and a large final assembly area. The second building, the Space Systems Operations Facility (SSOF), will be multi-purpose and is where on-site mission control will be based. The SSOF is currently being fitted out and is set to be completed by the end of March. Construction has been carried out by two main contractors, each with a supply chain of subcontractors. The principal contractors are Kier, which has led the general construction, and specialist firm Bassaire, which has headed up the cleanroom elements. MWJV Senior Project Manager Phil Knight said: “The project has been an interesting challenge for us to manage the delivery of the construction phase in readiness for Spaceport Cornwall’s first customer. The project has involved a complex supply chain comprising a multitude of specialist contractors required for the Space Systems Integration Facility fit out and supporting infrastructure.” The project also involves the installation of specialist equipment, including a shipping container-sized frequency converter, groundworks for access and car parking, and a rooftop solar array to help meet the building’s sustainability requirements for its BREEAM certification. Commenting, Ross Hulbert, Business Development Manager at Spaceport Cornwall said: “MWJV provided an excellent service in managing the delivery of these complex buildings. These facilities are key to attracting a sustainable space industry cluster on-site, bringing jobs and building local skills. We are also excited that we are providing great opportunities for local businesses, like MWJV, to expand their capabilities into the space industry.” The spaceport is the first of its kind in the UK, allowing for horizontal launches of satellites with a modified Boeing 747 and detachable wing-mounted rocket. Previously, satellite manufacturers had to take their products to other countries for launch. For more information on MWJV, visit the website here: www.mwjv.net Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Construction starts on new housing development in Leeds

Construction starts on new housing development in Leeds

Top ten homebuilder, Keepmoat, has commenced construction of its new housing development, Synergy, at Rathmell Road and Kendal Drive in Halton Moor, which is to be built on unused brownfield land in Leeds. The project will deliver 109 new homes to the area and will consist of two-, three- and four- bedroom properties, of which a percentage will be available for affordable housing provision though Leeds Federated Housing Association. The Keepmoat Yorkshire West team hosted a sod cutting ceremony at the site to mark the commencement of construction, with many guests in attendance, including Councillor Debra Coupar, deputy leader of Leeds City Council and executive member for resources, and Councillor Helen Hayden, the council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate. The development is the last site to be built as part of the Leeds City Council Brownfield Land Programme, which is designed to support the city’s growth and will provide over 1,000 new homes across 13 housing developments in East Leeds. This programme will not only deliver much needed new homes but will also improve the communities and neighbourhoods within the local area. The homebuilder has also made commitments to the local community, with plans to work with local schools and employment groups to recruit young people through apprenticeship schemes, with two local apprentices already recruited to start their homebuilding careers at the Synergy site. Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “The start of construction on this scheme is an important milestone for the council’s Brownfield Land Programme and underlines the impressive results that have been achieved through working in partnership to plan and deliver hundreds of high-quality and affordable homes for communities in east Leeds during recent years. “We are committed to working with developers and stakeholders on brownfield schemes that help meet local housing needs while also driving sustainable regeneration in a way that benefits all residents and plays a part in unlocking the city’s full economic potential. “I was particularly pleased, therefore, to attend the Synergy development’s sod-cutting ceremony and hear more about the apprenticeship opportunities being provided on site for young people. I look forward to watching as the new homes – and other community-oriented features such as the scheme’s open public spaces – begin to take shape over the coming months.” Michael Orgill, Regional Managing Director at Keepmoat said: “We are delighted to have started construction at our Synergy development in Leeds and can’t wait to deliver these new homes for potential homebuyers in the area. As this is the last development to be built as part of the Leeds Brownfield Land Programme, we are incredibly proud of what we have already achieved in East Leeds for residents here. “The new housing is designed to benefit people in the community and promote integration with design features such as open public spaces. By constructing this new development on brownfield land, we hope to make a positive impact in the community, alongside other work with local schools and youth groups. We’re also proud to have already hired two new apprentices to work on the site and gain valuable experience in a real-world work environment.” The project is being delivered in partnership with Keepmoat and Leeds Federated Housing Association. The first of the new homes are expected to be complete by April 2023 with overall completion estimated for June 2025. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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ilke Homes starts project on 146 modular homes

ilke Homes starts project on 146 modular homes

Leading modular housing pioneer ilke Homes has started work to deliver 146 energy-efficient, affordable homes at the Glenvale Park development in Wellingborough, as part of Man GPM’s community housing focus. The announcement marks the second time ilke Homes and Man GPM have worked together to deliver an affordable-led scheme, having struck a £31 million deal in December 2020 for a 226-home affordable housing development in Grantham, Lincolnshire. The 7.8-acre site forms part of phase one at Glenvale Park, which once complete, will deliver a total of 3,000 homes, over 200 acres of parkland, a new local centre and two new schools. The wider masterplan for Glenvale Park is expected to generate more than 3,000 jobs and £1.4 billion in economic impact for the area – with £2 of social value generated for every £1 spent during construction. Having received approval from North Northamptonshire Council, ilke Homes has started work delivering a mix of multi-tenure single family houses, apartments and maisonettes, ranging in sizes from one to four bedrooms homes. The homes – which are due for completion in 2024 – are being manufactured offsite at ilke Homes’ 25,000 sq. ft. factory in North Yorkshire, where precision-engineering techniques enable the company to deliver highly sustainable modular homes. ilke Homes can therefore commit to delivering energy-efficient housing, with a likely EPC rating of A, putting the properties in the top five percent nationally for energy efficiency, with the knock-on effect of saving consumers hundreds of pounds a year on energy bills. Thanks to most of the build stage taking place offsite, traffic disruption to the local community will be kept to a minimum. Man Group’s Community Housing team seeks to achieve the dual objectives of providing both social and financial returns, addressing the housing crisis in the UK by building homes that are affordable to households. The UK has experienced a significant, long-term mismatch between supply and demand in the housing market, which has led to an affordability crisis impacting households earning the median income and below. The team deploys institutional capital to build new homes with the aim of generating positive returns for investors and delivering a demonstrable social impact. Tom Heathcote, executive director of development at ilke Homes, said: “This scheme is testament to the continued confidence our customers have in our product, and we’ve enjoyed working with local planning officials and other stakeholders throughout the planning process and into the construction phase. After the success of our first joint scheme in Lincolnshire, we’re delighted Man Group have shown the confidence in us to deliver a second sustainable urban development scheme together. “Through our accredited modular methods of delivery, we can ensure the scheme aligns with Man Group’s own stringent ESG criteria, while also providing much-needed, energy-efficient and well-designed homes for the local community.” Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Puma Property Finance inks £50m loan to Scape Living for co-living space in East London

Puma Property Finance inks £50m loan to Scape Living for co-living space in East London

Puma Property Finance (Puma) today announces it has provided a facility of approximately £50m for a transformational co-living, commercial and events development in Walthamstow, East London. The development, directly opposite Blackhorse Lane station, will see the creation of 273 residential living units as well as new commercial co-working areas and a flexible performing arts events space.  The scheme is being developed by a joint venture between Scape Living, one of the UK’s largest providers of ‘Living’ units, and Dutch pension giant APG.  As of December 2022, Scape Living received consent for the enhanced scheme and construction is expected to commence no later than Q2 2023. Once built, the project will complete the latest phase of a £3bn+ regeneration of the local area, which will have provided more than 2,500 new residential living units (across BTR, Co-Living, PBSA and build-to-sell) to address the ongoing housing shortage in the capital, as well as delivering substantial new community provision including a flexible performing arts events space and extensive amenities for tenants.    The facility represents Puma’s third substantial loan into the London market in the last 9 months, following the funding of a £65m residential scheme in Stonebridge Park and a £52m new sustainable office development in Parsons Green.  Scape and APG have also made substantial investments in the London residential and commercial markets in recent months, in what should be seen as a clear vote of confidence for the ongoing appeal of the capital. Shane Ryan, Director, who led the deal for Puma Property Finance, comments: “We are delighted to be partnering with Scape Living and APG to turn this exciting development into a reality.  The transformation of the Blackhorse Lane area is not only helping to address the acute housing shortage in London but is creating a diverse and sustainable community. This is the largest loan that Puma Property Finance has provided to date, and it is telling that the funding will be used for a substantial co-living development, a sector in which we believe strongly and that looks set for significant growth in the coming years as it attracts further institutional capital support.  More and more people are discovering the benefits of the co-living model, which provides increased certainty of costs as well as providing a sense of community alongside state-of-the-art accommodation and amenities. We are excited by the vision of the Scape Living team and we look forward to partnering on other similar Living schemes across the UK in the near-future. Puma Property Finance remains excited for the prospects of further lending going forward despite recent challenging market conditions.” Adam Brockley, Founder & Global CDO of Scape Living, added: “We are delighted to partner with Puma Property Finance for the first time.  The Puma team have been a pleasure to work with throughout the process and have demonstrated a commercial approach, great flexibility in a tight timeline, and a deep knowledge of the co-living sector.  We very much look forward to working with them again in the fast-growing Living space.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Werner raises its game with new telescopic ladder launch

Werner raises its game with new telescopic ladder launch

Werner is delighted to announce the launch of its new Multi-Purpose Telescopic ladder range. This new and improved 3-in-1 ladder is extremely versatile, offering a stepladder, extension ladder and stairwell ladder all in one compact, lightweight product. Certified to the latest EN131-4:2020 safety standard, this professional ladder features adjustable telescopic sections with simple to operate hinge locks, allowing for easy conversion between the three modes. Spring loaded ‘J’ locks enable the user to adjust the height of the telescopic ladder quickly and easily. Mark Robson, Product Manager at Werner, said: “This new telescopic range allows users to meet the various requirements of different jobs using just one compact, telescoping product. Not only does this eliminate the need to keep switching between equipment whilst working, it also reduces the number of ladders and platforms a professional has to carry with them at any one time – a win-win solution.” This robust, high-grade aluminium multi-purpose ladder has a load capacity of 150kg, and not only is it user friendly, it also has compact folded dimensions, making it easy to handle, transport and store. Designed to bring versatility to any job, the ladder is available in three sizes, with the largest size offering up to 30 heights. The splayed base, with heavy-duty slip-resistant feet, is designed to provide maximum stability in any position, giving the user added peace of mind. To protect work surfaces it has non-marring rubber foot pads, while protective edge bracing provides enhanced strength to the bottom of the ladder. Available in three sizes, with an extension mode maximum length of between 2.94m and 5.10m, the Multi-Purpose Telescopic series offers a lightweight, multi-purpose solution to working at height and is uniquely placed to be able to offer professionals a solution for a multitude of jobs. The Werner Multi-Purpose Telescopic ladder series is now available nationally. To find out more visitwernerco.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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What To Focus on When Renovating a Home

What To Focus on When Renovating a Home

Renovating a home can be an exciting but overwhelming prospect. From figuring out which renovations to prioritize to understanding the latest trends and design materials, there are so many factors that go into the decision-making process. Whether you’re looking for minor updates or more extensive renovation projects, knowing what to focus on during your project will ensure success in both budgeting and execution. In this blog post, we’ll explore key tips and insights about how to tackle a renovation from start to finish without any hiccups—letting you enjoy all of the benefits that come with returning your home to its full potential (and beyond). So, if you’re ready to get started on achieving those dream house goals, read ahead for more information! The Exterior The very first thing that you should focus on this list when renovating a home is the exterior. When it comes to the exterior, many things can be done. First and foremost, you should ensure that all of your windows are in good condition and consider changing them up; sliding sash windows are a popular choice these days. They can be made to measure and come in a variety of materials. Then there is also the front door to think about. Your front door sets the impression for any guest as to what they can expect once inside the home. One of the most critical factors of the exterior is the paint, so you can always have the house repainted. Landscaping The next thing you should focus on when renovating your house is landscaping. If you have a front garden in your home, this can really up the property value, especially if it is well tended. If you are renovating your home because you are planning on selling it, then improving the landscaping is one of the best things that you can do. Ensure that all the grass is cut and that there are no weeds. If you have any flowers, ensure that there are no weeds in the flowers and that everything is trimmed and tidy. Outdoor lighting can also go a long way, especially if you are showing the house. The Kitchen One of the most important rooms that you should focus on in the entire house when renovating would be the kitchen. Again, if you are planning on selling your house in the future and you are renovating now because you have a chance, consider the fact that 68% of buyers think that the kitchen is a very influential factor as to whether or not they will buy. There are many things that you can do in the kitchen, such as replacing all of the cupboard doors and door handles. You could also update all of your appliances within the kitchen. If you don’t have an island in the middle of the kitchen, now is a great time to have one installed. The Bathroom The next thing you should focus on when renovating a home is your bathroom. As you might have guessed, the bathroom is also a very important room in the house if you are planning on selling, since it’s one of the rooms that buyers pay careful attention to. The great thing about the bathroom is that you just have to make a few adjustments to make it shine. For example, you could replace the glass if you have a shower installed, and you can also replace the shower heads with something more modern. Assuming that your bathroom is tiled, which it should be, you can replace the tiling. You could also consider replacing the faucets as well as the light fixtures. The Flooring Finally, the last thing that you should focus on this list is the flooring within the house. As you can imagine, over time the flooring does get damaged, especially in rooms such as the living room, dining room, and kitchen. If there are any scuff marks on the flooring, you have to have those cleaned, and if your flooring is a little outdated, you can consider upgrading. Carpets are also a very popular choice, so you might consider having a few of those installed, especially if you have an office. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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Abloy UK and Mid-Beds Locksmiths Ltd secure Waddesdon Manor

Abloy UK and Mid-Beds Locksmiths Ltd secure Waddesdon Manor

Waddesdon Manor is home to the Rothschild Collections of paintings, sculpture and decorative arts, and was built by Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild between 1874 and 1885. Opened to the public in 1959, Waddesdon Manor is managed by the Rothschild Foundation, a family charitable trust, on behalf of the National Trust, who took over ownership in 1957. They needed an access control system that could not only secure storerooms and valuable artwork and assets, but also keep members of the public away from restricted areas. Keys in the existing locking system were badly worn, and the security and facilities management wanted to upgrade to a proven state of the art solution that provided control of key management and more information such as audit trails. Mid-Beds Locksmiths Ltd – who have been responsible for the heritage and modern locks and ironmongery at the site for over 20 years – and the security team at Waddesdon conducted a survey of the site to identify the locks that most urgently needed replacing in stage one of the upgrade. Mid-Beds Locksmiths Ltd suggested the eCLIQ solution from Abloy would be the ideal retrofit option. The security team were aware of Abloy’s strong reputation in the security industry as a trusted brand, with many Abloy products fitted in heritage sites and museums across the UK. As Abloy is known for its premium high quality high security products, this would also fulfil insurance criteria. By switching to eCLIQ, staff would retain their own key with individual permissions, rather than having to share keys from the previous mechanical master key system. This meant Waddesdon could implement a fully traceable electromechanical key hierarchy system, with each department given different access rights based on their requirements. What’s more, the solution required no wiring, making the installation simple and maintaining the original appearance. Abloy and Mid-Beds Locksmiths Ltd specified a new bespoke solution, issuing around 20 keys and 35 cylinders for stage one, with a view to expanding the system with further upgrades in the future. The eCLIQ cylinders are suitable for doors of any thickness, making them the ideal solution for heritage doors as there are no cables or drilling required, plus the cylinders do not damage the original lock. Ornate cylinders were specified where required, fitting in with the building’s aesthetics and maintaining the appearance of historic locks. The Waddesdon security team explained: “The eCLIQ system is the perfect solution for the heritage sector, as it allows access control in a historic property where you normally wouldn’t be able to get it without considerable impact on infrastructure. “All of our access is now controlled by the admin onsite, and no one can give the wrong access to the wrong person – it just can’t happen. It’s a busy environment so this has saved significant admin time handing out keys. “Instead of having to collect a bunch of 30 keys, staff have just one. Now people come to work in the morning, enter their key and are automatically given their access rights for 24 hours. “Permissions are deleted after a period of time, so we don’t need to worry about lost or stolen keys. If someone lost a key previously, we would have to change 50-60 locks, but that’s not an issue anymore. Plus, the system offers tracking and audit trails for us to keep an eye on who is accessing which areas and when. “We can change batteries so they won’t wear out, which offers another cost saving, and the locks are more robust for multiple use, so I’m confident it’ll be a more flexible and beneficial system long term.” View the video case study video…. For further information on products and services for the heritage sector available from Abloy, visit https://bit.ly/3wosdX5, call 01902 364 500, or email info@abloy.co.uk. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

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