This is the group’s fourth hotel currently being built in London. The other three new-build hotels are being constructed at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, in Bermondsey and in Beckenham Travelodge, one of London’s largest hotel chains, is also searching for a further 100 hotel sites across the Capital Travelodge,
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland is raising awareness of recent changes made to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) to improve fire safety in buildings, triggered by Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022. These improvements came into effect on 1st October 2023, and form
A new community of practice* has been formed by Sodexo’s Corporate Services division aimed at bringing together sustainability heads from some of the UK’s leading organisations to be change-makers through collaboration. In today’s rapidly changing world, sustainability is a topic that concerns not just professionals in the field, but also
In response to the Rightmove Monthly House Price Index, Nathan Emerson CEO Propertymark comments. “A decrease in house prices compared to last year is inevitable, natural and needed in order to get back to sustainable and achievable levels since the drastic spike seen over the past couple of years.“Our own
More than one hundred organisations around the world have demonstrated they are the ‘best of the best’ in the past year and been named winners of the prestigious Sword of Honour and Globe of Honour awards by British Safety Council. This year’s winning organisations come from a broad range of
Construction work has started on the London Chiswick Travelodge. The 113-room hotel will feature the group’s on-site restaurant and is located next to the Chiswick Roundabout, one of London’s best known road junctions. London Chiswick Travelodge is the company’s fourth hotel currently under construction in London. The other three sites
Visual representation of data in sales is a powerful tool that can provide insights into your business operations. One tool for data visualization that you may not be familiar with is the funnel chart. This tool can provide invaluable information about your sales process and where opportunities lie. Keep reading to
This is the group’s fourth hotel currently being built in London. The other three new-build hotels are being constructed at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, in Bermondsey and in Beckenham Travelodge, one of London’s largest hotel chains, is also searching for a further 100 hotel sites across the Capital Travelodge, the UK’s largest independent hotel chain is delighted to announce that construction has commenced for its London Chiswick Travelodge. The 113-room hotel will feature the group’s on-site restaurant and is located next to the Chiswick Roundabout, one of London’s best known road junctions. London Chiswick Travelodge is the Company’s fourth hotel currently under construction in London. The other three sites include the group’s 600th Travelodge, a 95-room hotel at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground (in partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club). A 73-room hotel in Bermondsey and a 72-room hotel in Beckenham are also being constructed. With the opening of these four hotels, Travelodge will operate 84 hotels in London, making it one of the Capital’s biggest hotel chains. Travelodge secured forward funding in November 2022 for the development of London Chiswick Travelodge. The funding partner, RTP Global Real Estate Investments, purchased the site and committed to fund the development for £19.4m and retain Travelodge as the development manager for the scheme. Barnes Construction, which has a long-standing partnership with Travelodge and recently constructed Travelodge’s London Wimbledon Central hotel in 2022, has been appointed as contractor for the new, six storey Chiswick development. The hotel is expected to be completed in Q1 2025 and will be let to Travelodge on a new 35-year lease, with five -yearly, index-linked rent reviews with caps and collars. London Chiswick Travelodge is being developed to the group’s new, premium look and feel design specification and will be built to BREEAM “Excellent” standards and with an EPC rating of “A”. The new Travelodge hotel design has been created in response to the feedback from the Company’s largest consumer study – which surveyed around 5,000 UK business and leisure travellers to find the psychographics of the modern budget traveller. Key findings from the study revealed that modern travellers crave style, choice and little homely touches to make it easier to work, rest and relax both inside and outside of the room. It also includes a number of sustainable initiatives such as the new carpet being made from recycled fishing nets, which are part of a project supporting clean ocean initiatives, tackling over 640k tonnes of discarded fishing nets currently impacting marine life. The carpet backing is also made of old plastic bottles. Every ten of these bottles which are recycled rather than being sent to landfill saves enough energy to power a laptop for 25 hours. The other features include low energy lighting, motion sensing controls and aerated showers and taps. London is a key growth area for Travelodge’s development strategy. A dedicated team is in place to secure a further 100 sites across the Capital for a new Travelodge opening. This expansion programme would more than double Travelodge’s presence in London and could represent a multi-billion investment for third party investors and create thousands of new jobs. Steve Bennett, Travelodge, Chief Property & Development Officer, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our London hotel network with the construction of our first hotel in Chiswick. The new Travelodge will be in a fantastic location on Chiswick High Road, 400m from Gunnersbury underground and railway line, 450m from Chiswick Business Park and within easy walking distance of the Gtech Community Stadium, home of Brentford FC; so a great place for business and leisure customers to stay, either visiting the local area, or Central London. With over 80 Travelodges in London, we now operate in 31 out the 33 London boroughs and are one of London’s biggest hotel chains. We are currently building four more new London hotels, including our 600th Travelodge at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground, but we still have room for further growth in London. Nowadays, more Britons are choosing to stay in a budget hotel than any other hotel type, but London cannot fulfil this growing trend as it has a shortage of good quality and low cost accommodation. Therefore, to help fill this growing gap, we are actively searching for over 100 new hotel sites across the Capital. This London expansion programme could collectively represent a multi-billion pound investment for third party investors and create thousands of new jobs.” Svetlana Lomovtseva at RTP RE, said: “Following on from our successful acquisition of this high profile site late last year we are delighted that we have now moved on to the construction phase of the project. We are looking forward to working with Travelodge and Barnes and the smooth delivery of this much needed new hotel in Q1, 2025.” Andy Cole at Vokins, Travelodge’s retained agent for West London, represented Travelodge for the Chiswick development deal and is currently searching for a further 15 development locations across West London. Andy Cole, at Vokins, said: “I am delighted that I could support Travelodge in securing the Chiswick hotel site. This deal is a testament of the Travelodge brand; despite the challenging marketing conditions that we are operating within, Travelodge continues to expand its hotel network. Our focus continues to grow Traveloge’s footprint across West London and we are actively looking for a further 15 hotel sites in locations such as Hammersmith, White City, Southall, Staines and Uxbridge.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions UK & Ireland is raising awareness of recent changes made to the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (FSO) to improve fire safety in buildings, triggered by Section 156 of the Building Safety Act 2022. These improvements came into effect on 1st October 2023, and form Phase 3 of the Home Office’s fire safety reform programme, building on Phase 1 (the Fire Safety Act 2021) and Phase 2 (the Fire Safety (England) Regulations 2022). This phase 3 further strengthens fire safety in all FSO regulated premises by increasing requirements in relation to the recording and sharing of fire safety information to create a continual record throughout a building’s lifespan. Other updates include improving cooperation and coordination between responsible persons, ensuring residents have access to comprehensive information about fire safety in their building, and making it easier for enforcement authorities to act against non-compliance. The Home Office has published three new fire safety guides that are intended to replace the previous guide to making premises safe from fire. The fire risk assessment checklist has also been updated to enable responsible individuals understand and meet the new requirements. Brian Sofley, Managing Director at ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions, commented: “We fully support the Building Safety Act, and welcome the new updates to the Fire Safety Order. “We are seeing a critical need for the recording and sharing of fire safety information, and a way to record and continuously update vital information about a building throughout its lifespan. “We should be managing buildings as holistic systems and allowing people to use information to design, construct and operate their buildings safely and effectively. “This ‘golden thread’ approach is the key to making buildings safer and keeping them safe for the future, as outlined in the Hackitt report. We now have so many digital tools at our disposal such as Building Information Modelling (BIM), utilising these will help us record and share information, and keep it up to date to enable greater transparency and safer environments.” BIM allows building elements such as doorsets to be managed through a single platform – from specification to installation and ongoing inspection. For example, ASSA ABLOY’s Openings Studio™ BIM application integrates with design software to create and visualise openings for complete door, frame and hardware schedules and specifications. This enables seamless extraction of door design intent and all relevant interfaces to assist fabricators to develop complete door requirements that meet building regulations. Product information, performance data and budget information are captured within the BIM design environment. Through real time, collaborative working, these designs can be validated for compliance, functional performance, and aesthetics plus presented as 3D views that can be fully re-integrated into the overall project design. Ongoing inspections can also be captured based on the specific details of each door included in the schedule. This report validates if a door has remained compliant, or identifies what elements need to be corrected or replaced to return the product to the standard required, providing full traceability and ownership of all changes at all stages. Brian adds: “BIM applications can help to lock in positive behaviours from the very start of a project, and support an increase in trust and confidence that safety is paramount throughout a building’s specification, construction and maintenance. “Only by working collaboratively will we see a step change in the industry to raise standards – not only in the construction of buildings to make them safer, but also ensuring they are continually assessed and maintained to uphold compliance.” To find out more about BIM, Openings Studio™ and how ASSA ABLOY Opening Solutions can help your organisation, please call 0845 071 0882, email ukspecification@assaabloy.com or visit www.assaabloyopeningsolutions.co.uk/specification. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new community of practice* has been formed by Sodexo’s Corporate Services division aimed at bringing together sustainability heads from some of the UK’s leading organisations to be change-makers through collaboration. In today’s rapidly changing world, sustainability is a topic that concerns not just professionals in the field, but also senior directors and decision-makers across all departments. Building a climate and nature-aware business requires an understanding of the complex world of ESG and its potential risks and opportunities. In March this year Sodexo, in partnership with FuturePlanet, launched its community of practice for sustainability leads from its clients and suppliers in both the public and the private sector. Through a programme of intentionally designed events, a dedicated online community platform and community support, the Sodexo community of practice has three intentions: Members of the Sodexo community of practice have shared a multitude of challenges, solutions and ideas that can be used to transform their organisations and achieve net zero, nature and social goals. These have been reviewed, sorted and prioritised by each of the participants. Themes and solutions shared include carbon reduction particularly scope 3, supply chain engagement assessments with a particular focus on diverse supply chains, employee and wider stakeholder engagement. Topics covered with a shared relevance across sectors also include getting buy-in from stakeholders, climate related objectives for employees and sharing best practice on how to engage and empower employees to act. With support from FuturePlanet, Sodexo’s vision is to foster a community which continually collaborates online and in person to drive ongoing impact both in the short and long term so that all can collectively achieve climate and sustainability goals to drive systemic transformation. Julie Ennis, CEO Corporate Services, Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “Navigating challenges such as calculating carbon emissions, influencing policy and regulations, leveraging business spend, and balancing ambition with delivery can be overwhelming for many. Through this new community we have co-created we are able to bring many organisations together from various industries to listen and learn from each other, so we can collectively achieve our climate and sustainability goals.” Carl Pratt, Founder of FuturePlanet adds: “It is inspiring and energising to feel the potential for impact that we have when we come together, share openly and collaborate. Everyone has a piece of the puzzle in their organisation, it is through intentional community building that we can start to the amount of collaboration required to move further and faster towards out climate, nature and sustainability goals. When we do that it creates the feeling that together we can do this! Which I love.” Claire Atkins Morris, Sustainability Director for Sodexo UK & Ireland said: “We recognise that with our closest partners, we can play a role in leading adaptation, mitigation and transformation. I have thoroughly enjoyed the roundtables particularly connecting at a personal level, something so many events I have attended are missing. It is so important for change-makers to connect regularly to drive ambitious change in their respective organisations. By working together, sharing resources, co-creating solutions and amplifying our influence, we believe we can tackle the complexities of ESG, using anchor institute mentality to create impact in the communities we live, work and serve.” Comments from some of the community participants include: Justin Turquet, director of sustainability, Bunzl Catering and Hospitality division said: “I really enjoyed having a space to reflect and share with fellow professionals where we have aligned experiences and can learn from each other.” Paul Andrews, director of global energy, Smith & Nephew, said: “I feel encouraged that other businesses are ahead of us who have stories that we can learn from and use to encourage actions in our business.” Sodexo was one of the first organisations to have its UK and Ireland net zero 2040 target validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). In January this year, Sodexo recorded in its progress update report a 33% reduction in scope 1,2 and 3 GHG emissions for the UK and Ireland, compared to its 2017 baseline. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
In response to the Rightmove Monthly House Price Index, Nathan Emerson CEO Propertymark comments. “A decrease in house prices compared to last year is inevitable, natural and needed in order to get back to sustainable and achievable levels since the drastic spike seen over the past couple of years.“Our own reports indicate a healthy interest in property with demand and stock levels remaining buoyant, so it is positive that Rightmove reports the same positive trend when compared to pre-pandemic.“We hope that buyers are looking at the market confidently and continue to find an affordable middle ground. It is proving to be a good time to buy and sell.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
More than one hundred organisations around the world have demonstrated they are the ‘best of the best’ in the past year and been named winners of the prestigious Sword of Honour and Globe of Honour awards by British Safety Council. This year’s winning organisations come from a broad range of industry sectors in the UK, India, the Middle East and Asia, including construction, energy generation, manufacturing, hospitality, facilities management, housing, retail and transport. British Safety Council has also announced the inaugural Shield of Honour award, recognising excellence across health, safety and wellbeing. To be eligible for the Shield of Honour, applicants must have achieved five-stars in either British Safety Council’s Wellbeing Five Star audit, or five-stars in both the Health & Safety and Wellbeing Supplementary Audit, before demonstrating to an independent adjudication panel that they have a proven track record and culture of best practice for excellence in wellbeing running throughout the organisation from the shop floor to the boardroom. The 115 Sword of Honour and nine Globe of Honour winners also demonstrated to an independent adjudication panel their proven track record of excellence in managing risks to workers’ health and safety and/or to the environment from the organisations’ activities. Mike Robinson, Chief Executive of British Safety Council, said: “I am delighted that Unipart is the first winner of our new Shield of Honour award, and incredibly proud of all our Sword and Globe of Honour award winners this year. “I congratulate them all on their achievements and applaud them for keeping their workplace safe and healthy and contributing to safeguarding the environment. All our award-winning organisations share a commitment and resolve to achieve the uppermost standards, and we thank them for contributing to achieving our vision that no-one should be injured or made ill through their work.” Peter McGettrick, Chair of British Safety Council, said: “On behalf of the board of trustees and staff of British Safety Council I would like to congratulate all the award winners on achieving the highest standards of health, safety, wellbeing and environmental management. “Achieving recognition of this sort takes real dedication and absolute professionalism. We are proud to support you in your achievements and delighted we can contribute to your ongoing success.” British Safety Council pays particular tribute to four organisations which won both the Sword of Honour and the Globe of Honour. They are: The full lists of winners can be viewed here. The awards will be presented at an event held in London on Friday 24 November. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Construction work has started on the London Chiswick Travelodge. The 113-room hotel will feature the group’s on-site restaurant and is located next to the Chiswick Roundabout, one of London’s best known road junctions. London Chiswick Travelodge is the company’s fourth hotel currently under construction in London. The other three sites include the group’s 600th Travelodge, a 95-room hotel at the Kia Oval Cricket Ground (in partnership with Surrey County Cricket Club). A 73-room hotel in Bermondsey and a 72-room hotel in Beckenham are also being constructed. With the opening of these four hotels, Travelodge will operate 84 hotels in London, making it one of the Capital’s biggest hotel chains. Travelodge secured forward funding in November 2022 for the development of the hotel. The funding partner, RTP Global Real Estate Investments, purchased the site and committed to fund the development for £19.4m and retain Travelodge as the development manager for the scheme. Barnes Construction, which has a long-standing partnership with Travelodge and recently constructed Travelodge’s London Wimbledon Central hotel in 2022, has been appointed as contractor for the new, six storey Chiswick development. The hotel is expected to be completed in Q1 2025 and will be let to Travelodge on a new 35-year lease, with five -yearly, index-linked rent reviews with caps and collars. London Chiswick Travelodge is being developed to the group’s new, premium look and feel design specification and will be built to BREEAM ‘Excellent’ standards and with an EPC rating of ‘A’. The new Travelodge hotel design has been created in response to the feedback from the Company’s largest consumer study – which surveyed around 5,000 UK business and leisure travellers to find the psychographics of the modern budget traveller. Steve Bennett, Travelodge, Chief Property & Development Officer, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our London hotel network with the construction of our first hotel in Chiswick. The new Travelodge will be in a fantastic location on Chiswick High Road, 400m from Gunnersbury underground and railway line, 450m from Chiswick Business Park and within easy walking distance of the Gtech Community Stadium, home of Brentford FC; so a great place for business and leisure customers to stay, either visiting the local area, or Central London.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Visual representation of data in sales is a powerful tool that can provide insights into your business operations. One tool for data visualization that you may not be familiar with is the funnel chart. This tool can provide invaluable information about your sales process and where opportunities lie. Keep reading to learn more. Understanding the Purpose and Application of Funnel Charts in Sales Before implementing any tool in your business operations, it’s essential to understand its purpose and how it can be applied. In the case of the funnel chart, it’s designed to represent a process. This tool is handy in sales, where it can help you visualize the stages of your sales process. Such visual representation allows you to evaluate how well your sales process is working, where the largest drop-offs are occurring, and where there may be opportunities for improvement. For example, if you notice a significant drop-off in the number of leads converting to customers, this could indicate a problem in your sales pitch that needs to be addressed. The insights gained from analyzing your funnel chart can help you make data-driven decisions, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of your sales process. As a result, your sales team can maximize their efforts, increasing your business’s sales and profits. Pros of Utilizing Funnel Charts in Your Sales Strategy Funnel charts also allow you to easily track your sales process’s progress over time. By comparing funnel charts from different periods, you can see if changes implemented in your sales strategy are positively impacting or not leading to the results you expected. Additionally, the clear visual representation of data funnel charts provide is a great communication tool. They can help you explain the sales process and its performance to stakeholders, investors, and your sales team. Everyone can easily understand the data and the points you are trying to make. Lastly, the use of funnel charts can improve your forecasting efforts. By understanding how leads move through your sales process and where drop-offs are likely, you can more accurately predict future sales and revenue. Pitfalls To Avoid in Implementing Funnel Charts in Sales While the benefits of funnel charts are clear, there are pitfalls to avoid when implementing them. One of the common mistakes is not updating the funnel chart as your sales process changes. Sales strategies evolve, and so should your funnel chart. Otherwise, it will not provide the accurate insights you need. Another common pitfall is excluding important sales process stages from the funnel. All stages are important because they contribute to the whole sales process. Ignoring one could lead to missed opportunities for improvement. Some businesses also make the mistake of only focusing on the negative aspects of their funnel chart, such as drop-offs or declines in sales. While it’s important to identify where improvements can be made, it’s also important to celebrate successes and to identify what’s working well. Lastly, avoid making assumptions based on your funnel chart, especially without any supporting data. Correlation does not always mean causation. Instead of drawing hasty conclusions, deeper analysis and testing are necessary to understand what really is happening. Funnel charts are a powerful tool to visualize and understand your sales process. By identifying problem areas, tracking progress, and communicating results easily, you can make data-driven adjustments to your sales strategy. However, like any tool, its effectiveness lies in how it’s used. Avoid the common pitfalls and continuously adapt your funnel chart as your sales strategy evolves for optimal results.
