David Lloyd, a prominent name in the health and leisure industry, is set to embark on a significant expansion journey with a staggering investment of £500 million. This ambitious plan will witness the opening of 15 new clubs and 50 spa resorts across the United Kingdom over the coming years.
Work has started on site at Cordia UK’s latest project and inaugural build-to-rent (BTR) development, The Lampworks. The Birmingham-based property developer has appointed Shropshire-based construction management practice buildfifty5 to deliver the main construction works for the project in partnership with residential general contractor Pedrano UK. The Lampworks will incorporate a total of 148 apartments and is
Architect and Channel 4 presenter, George Clarke, officially opened three days of debate, discussion and demonstrations when doors opened yesterday (May 7th) on UK Construction Week London, the UK’s largest event for the built environment. From May 7th to 9th, London’s ExCeL will be home to over 20,000 visitors and
NEWLY re-elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has made tackling the housing crisis a top priority for his third term. Today he unveils measures to increase the amount of social housing in the city-region, improve the standard of rented accommodation and end the housing crisis in Greater Manchester by
An independent restaurant group with venues across Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire has opened the doors to The Orange Tree in Congleton, with an eye-catching colour scheme made possible using Crown Trade. Parogon Group launched their tenth new restaurant on West Road in the former Cheshire Tavern, complete with a deep,
Energy Networks Association (ENA) has launched ENA Connect Direct, the single online form creating a better, faster and more accurate process for connecting domestic low-carbon technologies (LCTs) to the electricity network. ENA Connect Direct modernises and simplifies the application process, which can be slow and reliant on manual processes. It
London Councils has welcomed a new report from a cross-party parliamentary committee pointing to serious financial pressures on the social housing sector. A London Councils spokesperson said: “Without more government investment it is hard to see anything but a bleak future for social housing. “Our analysis shows London boroughs face
Bradford College has teamed up with Sewell Construction for the creation of its new multi-million-pound T Level facilities. The work, which starts in May, will involve the remodelling of a number of areas within the College’s David Hockney Building to create a high-quality training environment, enabling students to learn skills
Howler, the UK’s leading site fire safety experts, have just released an important whitepaper, NFCC Guidance: Temporary Change to Simultaneous Evacuation in Flats. Managing Director, Gary Askew (pictured), explains ‘Following the unprecedented national tragedy at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) issued guidance to property
Young people say jobs in construction are among their top five career choices, as a result of companies in the sector working in schools and colleges to help develop skills and showcase routes into the industry like apprenticeships. A survey of 100,000 young people by the Careers & Enterprise Company
David Lloyd, a prominent name in the health and leisure industry, is set to embark on a significant expansion journey with a staggering investment of £500 million. This ambitious plan will witness the opening of 15 new clubs and 50 spa resorts across the United Kingdom over the coming years. This massive investment underscores the company’s unwavering commitment to promoting health, fitness, and wellness in communities nationwide. Glenn Earlam, Chair of David Lloyd, pointed out the company’s robust performance in the post-Covid era, attributing it to a growing emphasis on health and well-being following the pandemic. He observed a notable trend wherein individuals increasingly prioritise incorporating fitness into their daily routines, often integrating it seamlessly with their work lives. With the emergence of the “working from gym” (WFG) trend, David Lloyd clubs offer members not just a space to exercise but also a conducive environment for remote work, complete with separate workspaces equipped with productivity-enhancing amenities.The £500 million investment, backed by private equity owner TDR Capital, will not only finance the establishment of new clubs but also facilitate the construction of 60 new padel courts. This expansive initiative underscores David Lloyd’s commitment to providing its members with diverse and innovative fitness options while continually elevating their overall experience.David Lloyd Clubs places a strong emphasis on environmental sustainability and corporate social responsibility as part of its ethos as a responsible business. The company actively contributes to the well-being of its communities by supporting various charities and initiatives aimed at promoting physical and mental health.David Lloyd’s dedication to sustainability is reflected in its adoption of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles, which serve as guiding pillars for its business strategy. Through the implementation of energy-efficient technologies and the support of charitable causes, David Lloyd demonstrates its steadfast commitment to making a positive impact on both the environment and society.In conclusion, David Lloyd’s monumental £500 million investment in expansion not only underscores its commitment to promoting health and fitness but also highlights its dedication to sustainability and community well-being. As the company continues to grow and evolve, it remains steadfast in its mission to provide exceptional fitness experiences while fostering a sense of belonging among its members. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Work has started on site at Cordia UK’s latest project and inaugural build-to-rent (BTR) development, The Lampworks. The Birmingham-based property developer has appointed Shropshire-based construction management practice buildfifty5 to deliver the main construction works for the project in partnership with residential general contractor Pedrano UK. The Lampworks will incorporate a total of 148 apartments and is set to be one of the most energy-efficient projects in Birmingham – offering exclusively A and B EPC-rated dwellings. As the first building in Cordia UK’s BTR portfolio, it will offer a combination of one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and affordable homes, alongside contemporary commercial units on the ground floor set in a series of striking landscaped courtyards. Residents will have access to high quality communal facilities, including a co-working space, individual meeting rooms, a shared lounge and a communal kitchen/diner, fit out with modern designs and the latest technologies. Located at the intersection of Great Hampton Street and Harford Street, The Lampworks will reflect the industrial heritage of the Jewellery Quarter. It forms part of Cordia UK’s wider vision for Great Hampton Street, a masterplan to transform the area into a thriving residential and commercial destination. András Kárpáti, CEO at Cordia UK, said: “The Lampworks is the first development in our build-to-rent portfolio and a unique addition to Birmingham’s rental market – offering contemporary architectural design and amenities in a setting that maintains and reflects the Jewellery Quarter’s renowned heritage. “We are excited to be working with our construction partners buildfifty5 and Pedrano UK on the project and look forward to seeing our vision for Great Hampton Street continue to come to life with new residents and independent businesses.” As a member of one of the largest residential real estate development and investment groups in Europe, Cordia International (Member of Futureal Group), Cordia UK benefits from a vast track record of international projects and is driving forward innovative practices in the UK residential market. Construction at The Lampworks is being supported by Cordia International’s key strategic partner, Pedrano Group. With 15 years of experience in apartment developments across Europe, Pedrano will work closely with local contractor buildfifty5 to provide strategic direction on the project. Gábor Szulyovszky, CEO at Pedrano Group, added: “At Pedrano Group, we have a long track record of delivering high quality apartments for Cordia International in Central Europe. “We are thrilled to be working with Cordia UK to deliver their first BTR development in Birmingham and will be supporting the project strategically from start to finish.” Garry Whiting, Managing Director of Buildfifty5, commented: “Buildfifty5 is delighted to be partnering with Pedrano UK on the delivery of The Lampworks in the Jewellery Quarter. “Our appointment as construction manager and delivery partner brings together buildfifty5’s core strengths as an organisation focused on collaborative and practical solutions for our key sector clients.” Financial support for the development has been provided by Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Investments and a leading specialist real estate investor and lender, with assistance from financial advisor BBS Capital. The loan was provided as part of its Greener Homes Alliance with Homes England, which pledges to commit £172 million in finance and expert support to SME housebuilders ─ enabling them to build more high-quality, energy-efficient homes throughout England. Nick White, Head of Development Origination, Octopus Real Estate, said: “We’re thrilled to have provided Cordia UK with the funding needed to develop this exciting project, conveniently located close to Central Birmingham. It’s a fantastic example of the impact our Greener Homes Alliance has in supporting developers to pursue greener initiatives, and reflects Octopus Real Estate’s commitment to providing quality, sustainable homes.” With the new residential units in the development set to achieve outstanding energy efficiency ratings, this partnership will benefit both future residents and the building operator. Residents of Great Hampton Street will benefit from nearby amenities such as Tesco, Morrisons, and popular restaurants and bars including Hockley Social Club and The Church Pub. The development is also just a five-minute walk from St Paul’s tram stop and ten minutes from Snow Hill train station. To find out more about Cordia UK, visit: https://cordia.uk/. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Architect and Channel 4 presenter, George Clarke, officially opened three days of debate, discussion and demonstrations when doors opened yesterday (May 7th) on UK Construction Week London, the UK’s largest event for the built environment. From May 7th to 9th, London’s ExCeL will be home to over 20,000 visitors and a myriad networking opportunities, innovative technologies, and insightful talks by keynote speakers from across the industry. UK Construction Week London will this year host its biggest ever display of international pavilions from China, Turkey, Italy, Poland, and a new Sicilian Pavilion, and will welcome over 300 exhibitors across a wealth of specialisms and sectors – from digital technology and training to machinery and sustainability and so much more. The show will also feature debate and discussion from industry leaders and high-profile speakers including businesswoman and television personality, Sara Davies MBE, former England international footballer, Trevor Steven, and Andrew Lewer MP. Sam Patel, Divisional Director – Construction, commented: “UKCW is ready to welcome our most successful year yet, whilst as ever tackling industry issues head on, praising the industry’s champions in our Role Models campaign and seeing the launch of our new areas including the Networking Lounge and Skills & Training Hub, and so much more.” There is still time to register for the free show through the new-look website. The London show is complemented by its sister event, UKCW Birmingham, which takes place at the NEC from October 1-3. To find out more about both shows and to register for UKCW London for free, visit https://ukcw-london-2024.reg.buzz/cab-pr Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
NEWLY re-elected Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has made tackling the housing crisis a top priority for his third term. Today he unveils measures to increase the amount of social housing in the city-region, improve the standard of rented accommodation and end the housing crisis in Greater Manchester by 2038. The Mayor’s announcements include: The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, said: “Greater Manchester can’t achieve its full potential as long as it remains in the grip of a housing crisis. That is why I am setting a new ambition for the city-region to end it within a decade. “Ten thousand new council homes will help to do that as long as stock can be retained. That’s why we’re calling for the suspension of Right to Buy. “Everyone deserves to live in a good, safe home and by building new council homes, and suspending the Right to Buy on them, we can give our councils the breathing space they desperately need to replenish their stock, so that all of those waiting in temporary accommodation or on the housing registers have the chance to access good homes.” Access to social housing is essential to many residents in Greater Manchester, as capped rent increases provide some protection to tenants against the soaring rents seen in the private rented sector. The average rental price of a two-bed property in Manchester increased by 12.5% between February 2023-24, against an England average of 8.9%. Limiting access to affordable social housing can therefore help fuel a rise in housing insecurity, homelessness, and families in temporary accommodation. The new ‘Housing First’ approach aims to address the main challenges for housing in Greater Manchester – poor living standards, especially in the private rented sector and low availability of truly-affordable housing – by implementing a collaborative, multi-agency approach that can address issues by developing tailored, whole-system solutions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
An independent restaurant group with venues across Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire has opened the doors to The Orange Tree in Congleton, with an eye-catching colour scheme made possible using Crown Trade. Parogon Group launched their tenth new restaurant on West Road in the former Cheshire Tavern, complete with a deep, rich colour palette in keeping with the period property, thanks to Crown Trade and Interior Designer’s IMD & Associates Ltd. Lisa Power and her team at IMD worked closely with the expert commercial colour studio team at Crown to transform the historic Grade 2 Listed Building in Congleton into a stunning contemporary venue, whilst maintaining its classic character. The colour scheme for the project breathes new life to the iconic space with Georgian glamour created by deep, rich blue and emerald green shades for the walls in the main rooms. Strong white was used for ceilings, doors and window reveals to contrast against the deeper tones and accentuate the original features. A blush tone in the leather and fabric furnishings is also used, and together with the timber parquet floors, bringing a beautiful balance of cool and warmer shades in the scheme. Set over two floors, the design for the 4500 sq ft space maximises its potential, creating a sophisticated, vibrant and unique setting for customers to relax and socialise. Due to the high traffic environment of the venue, Crown Trade Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt was specified. A stain resident paint that can withstand regular and rigorous cleaning whilst offering a high colour saturation, it was ideal to give the finish needed, with the confidence that it would stand the test of time. Kathryn Lloyd, Colour Consultant at Crown Paints said: “We worked closely with Lisa to create a striking colour palette that brought the restaurant to life, whilst maintaining the building’s fabulous character. “With thousands of paint colours in our portfolio – we could easily match the perfect shades that would embrace the venue’s Georgian charm – and they were all applied in our highly durable Clean Extreme Scrubbable Matt to extend the maintenance cycle.” Lisa Power, from IMD & Associates said: “This was a really special project to work on. The Orange Tree oozes style and sophistication, so the colour scheme needed to perfectly compliment the iconic location. “It was key that we were able to find the perfect shades of blue and green to reflect the brand’s unique vision – working with the Crown Trade team allowed me to do this with ease thanks to the vast array of colour choice.” For more information visit https://www.crownpaintsprofessional.com/ Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Energy Networks Association (ENA) has launched ENA Connect Direct, the single online form creating a better, faster and more accurate process for connecting domestic low-carbon technologies (LCTs) to the electricity network. ENA Connect Direct modernises and simplifies the application process, which can be slow and reliant on manual processes. It helps the UK’s electricity network transition from a traditional one-way system to a smarter, more flexible bidirectional grid. For some installers of domestic low-carbon technologies such as heat pumps and solar panels, ENA Connect Direct upgrades the application process. It provides a streamlined system which uses artificial intelligence to provide instant approvals for most routine applications. For the Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), this means efficient delivery of accurate data. In turn this provides increased visibility to aid network design and operation, a major step forward in creating a smarter UK energy system. Demand for electricity has evolved significantly in the last 60 years. Residential households with low-carbon technologies increase their peak usage to almost 15kW compared to an average usage in the 1960s of less than 1kW. As an example, that’s like going from powering ten 100-watt bulbs to multiple electric vehicles at the same time. Increased demand is a result of the greater uptake of modern electrical appliances and newer technologies such as heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points. With the uptake of low-carbon technologies anticipated to continue at a considerable rate in the coming years, ENA Connect Direct supports installers in their aim of completing faster and compliant installations. Dan Clarke, Head of Innovation at Energy Networks Association, said: “It’s a great moment to launch ENA Connect Direct, to improve the system currently in place for connecting low-carbon technologies to the grid. We have designed the platform to benefit all those involved with the application process – the installers, manufacturers, distribution network operators and ultimately the customer. “By drawing on industry expertise and working with our members, this platform should massively speed up the application process by using the latest AI led assessment technology. We hope it will allow installers to complete their projects faster, benefiting small and medium-sized businesses in the process. It will also support network operators in having a live overview of LCT installations that they need to operate a smarter and more efficient network in the years ahead.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London Councils has welcomed a new report from a cross-party parliamentary committee pointing to serious financial pressures on the social housing sector. A London Councils spokesperson said: “Without more government investment it is hard to see anything but a bleak future for social housing. “Our analysis shows London boroughs face a black hole of £700m in their social housing budgets over the next four years, despite the desperate need to improve housing conditions and build new homes in the capital. With resources massively squeezed, it feels like we’ve been left with mission impossible. “Social housing is crucial to tackling London’s homelessness crisis. It’s a vital component of the capital’s social and economic success, and we should all want the sector to thrive. Boroughs are as keen as ever to work with ministers in ensuring more resources are secured for boosting social housing in London and across the country.” London is grappling with the most severe homelessness crisis in the country and over 320,000 London households are on social housing waiting lists. London Councils estimates that one in 50 Londoners are homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local borough. Boroughs are determined to keep increasing delivery of new affordable homes in the capital, including social housing, but high construction costs and interest rates have led to many projects becoming unviable without additional funding. In March, London Councils revealed a £700m pressure on boroughs’ housing revenue accounts (their budgets for managing social housing stock). This is due to costs significantly outpacing the income boroughs can expect from social rent levels, which are set nationally by the government and have led to a substantial real-terms reduction in funding available for social housing. The decision in the last Budget to remove councils’ ability to retain 100% of receipts from Right to Buy has further squeezed funding at a time when both need and costs are growing. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Bradford College has teamed up with Sewell Construction for the creation of its new multi-million-pound T Level facilities. The work, which starts in May, will involve the remodelling of a number of areas within the College’s David Hockney Building to create a high-quality training environment, enabling students to learn skills which will help them in their future careers. The project is the result of a £3.5m Department for Education (T Level Capital Fund – Wave 5) investment. As well as adding new lecturing spaces for business and media students, the project will also create new hair and beauty salon facilities and refurbish the college’s existing training restaurant. Both will be open to the public and used by students to hone their new skills in real-life environments. The commercial and training salon will include a barbers, nail bar and laser room for beauty treatments, and the restaurant will incorporate a new outdoor street food cabin and dining area. Business and admin students will have refurbished classrooms, and media students will be able to use the latest technology in a new TV studio, editing and sound suites. The fast-paced construction programme will take place over the summer, allowing students to return in September to their brand-new facilities. Pamela Sheldon, Head of Projects at Bradford College said: “We’re delighted to be working with Sewell Construction again to bring even more exceptional vocational T Level facilities to Bradford College. Their team is helping us realise our ambitious plans to create the best facilities to help turn our students’ passions into successful professions. “Sewell Construction hasn’t just helped us to create better a better campus for our students, but they’re also getting involved in our curriculum, supporting our construction students with masterclasses, work placements and industry insight days. Together, we can help young people achieve their potential, and really change lives.” Work on the new college facilities is expected to begin at the end of May, after the company were appointed through the Procure Partnerships Framework. Sewell Construction and sister company I&G have delivered in excess of £40m worth of projects alongside Procure Partnerships, with the framework offering public sector clients a dynamic and compliant route to market using mini-competition and direct award functions. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Howler, the UK’s leading site fire safety experts, have just released an important whitepaper, NFCC Guidance: Temporary Change to Simultaneous Evacuation in Flats. Managing Director, Gary Askew (pictured), explains ‘Following the unprecedented national tragedy at Grenfell Tower in June 2017, the National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC) issued guidance to property managers about steps to be taken where there were concerns around cladding issues. As time went by and more information became available, the guidance was updated and refined. Our whitepaper takes a good look at that guidance examining the problem and the solutions available.’ With the news reporting on various councils up and down the country failing to meet fire safety standards, the whitepaper comes at an important time. ‘Thousands of blocks of residential flats in the UK still have a ‘stay-put’ policy in the event of fire. This simply means that residents are safely able to ‘stay-put’ in their flat in the event of a fire in another flat in the same block. This policy is only possible if the building has been designed and constructed in such a way that each flat is a separate fire compartment with fire separation being provided in accordance with the Building Regulations. ‘What occurred at Grenfell was that fire separation failed completely and there is now an awareness amongst Fire Risk Assessors that there may be times when a stay-put is not adequate, and instead a building must be immediately, or ‘simultaneously’, evacuated in the event of a fire.’ Howler’s whitepaper shares the NFCC’s guidance that recommends “The safest and most effective way of ensuring [that residents can escape safely] is by installing a suitable common fire detection and alarm system conforming to British Standard 5839 Part 1 Fire detection and fire alarm systems for buildings – Code of practice for design, installation, commissioning and maintenance of systems in non-domestic premises (BS 5839-1).” ‘We’ve been installing fire safety solutions for over 30 years’ continues Gary, ‘and in response to the NFCC’s guidance, we’ve just launched Howler Special Services which has been designed to include the installation of radio linked Fire Alarm systems specifically to facilitate the change in the evacuation strategy of large residential buildings. The systems typically replace a Waking Watch service and can either be removed once the remedial works are complete or be upgraded to a permanent BS8629 evacuation system.’ ‘Howler is all about protecting lives and livelihoods. It’s our job to stay abreast of legislation and help councils, businesses, property managers, and landlords protect the lives and livelihoods they look after. This is why we’ve released this new whitepaper and this new service, to help prevent any further tragedies.’ To request your copy of Howler’s whitepaper on NFCC Guidance: Temporary Change to Simultaneous Evacuation in Flats, visit https://howleruk.com/app/uploads/2024/04/NFCC-Guidance-Howler-Whitepaper.pdf. For more information about Howler Special Services Fire Alarm Installation, visit https://howleruk.com/special-services. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Young people say jobs in construction are among their top five career choices, as a result of companies in the sector working in schools and colleges to help develop skills and showcase routes into the industry like apprenticeships. A survey of 100,000 young people by the Careers & Enterprise Company (CEC), the national body for careers education, shows that by the time students are doing their GCSEs (Year 11), construction is one of the top job choices, along with creative and media, healthcare, business and finance and engineering. This contrasts with when they start secondary school (Year 7) when sports, creative, working with animals and beauty are their favourite career paths, highlighting the influence companies can have in sparking interest in their sector through working with schools and colleges. The findings come as the latest report from Build UK and CITB shows the construction sector needs to recruit nearly 50,000 new entrants each year to maintain output. This at a time when both the Government and Labour Opposition are emphasising the need for a significant step-up in house building to meet housing needs and generate economic growth. Leading construction companies like Mace, Thakeham, Wilmott Dixon, Morgan Sindall and Wates are now active in the education sector, working with young people to develop the skills the industry is looking for and signpost career pathways. Many firms are using the CEC’s Employer Standards to guide and get the most impact from their work in schools. The tool also allows to them to compare their outreach efforts to others in their sector and beyond. Further research among the business community by CEC shows more than nine in ten construction companies (97%) say working with schools and colleges is helping develop new talent pipelines and encouraging young people to take up careers in their sector. More than four in five (87%) say it’s helping close skills gaps, with 91 per cent saying it’s boosting recruitment for jobs and apprenticeship roles. Eighty-four per sent say it’s helping improve the diversity of their workforce. The survey also highlights wider business benefits from the work construction companies are doing with young people in education: Rita Patel Miller, Associate Director of Sustainability at Mace Group says: “Careers education is essential to Mace to ensure we create the next generation of talent we need right across our business. “Building essential skills is beneficial, because it means we can help young people and new entrants really understand and be prepared for the workplace of today and what employers are looking for. “By going out into schools and connecting with young people you can shape the future of your workforce, so why wouldn’t you do it.” Oli de Botton, CEO of the Careers & Enterprise Company says: “Many construction companies are now leading the way working in the education sector to help develop the talent they need. “Getting young people ready for work involves building skills with rigour and with the help of employers. “More and more businesses are getting involved in education and getting in early. For an increasing number, recruitment now starts in Year 7. “Modern careers education brings employers and educators together – giving young people a direct line of sight into work and helping employers understand their future work force. When we get this right, we have a skills agenda that works for business and young people.” TOP JOBS?…. Top job choices when starting secondary school (Year 7) Top job choices when doing GCSEs (Year 11) Sports Creative & Media Creative Healthcare Working with animals Business & Finance Beauty Engineering Construction Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
