The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has today set out bold proposals to transform Oxford Street, including turning the road into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, creating a beautiful public space. The plans backed by the new government would ensure Oxford Street becomes a driver of London’s economic prosperity for decades
The new development, which will replace Mercury Point in Duke Street, will be an exciting addition to the city’s skyline, with 810 beds across two blocks connected by an elevated outdoor terrace. The increase in beds from the current 560 beds will provide the city with much-needed purpose-built student housing,
Legal & General Group Plc (“Legal & General” or “L&G” or the “Group”) yesterday announced that it has agreed the sale of the UK house builder CALA Group (“Cala”) for an enterprise value of £1.35bn, to Ferguson Bidco Limited, an entity owned by funds managed by Sixth Street Partners and
A new vibrant leisure centre in Bearsden near Glasgow has scooped the gold ‘Diversity in the Public Sector’ award at The Herald and GenAnalytics’ 2024 Diversity Awards Scotland, which honours innovative projects promoting diversity and inclusion in Scotland. The architect behind the community centre’s design, Holmes Miller, has been recognised
INTERNATIONAL insurance intermediary group Howden has unveiled its new office at The Avebury in Milton Keynes, thanks to workplace design and build specialist ODCreate. The near-30,000 sq ft project – which will complete later this year and is ODCreate’s biggest to date in terms of floorspace – has been designed
How leveraging cloud service plans and auditing resources can significantly reduce cloud costs in the construction industry In 2024, the UK construction industry has seen a significant increase in financial distress. Begbies Traynor reports that construction remains the sector with the highest insolvency rates, with nearly one-fifth of all business
Written by Water Hygiene Centre As a Facilities Management company what are your responsibilities when it comes to the control of waterborne pathogens such as legionella (amongst others)? Well, it may be as simple as what is written in the contract you have from your water hygiene company describing delivery
Ever wondered what separates a good day on the job from a great one? It’s not just about skill—it’s about having the perfect tools and gear to back you up. From essential hand tools to personal safety gear, what’s in your kit can make all the difference. Let’s break down
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has today set out bold proposals to transform Oxford Street, including turning the road into a traffic-free pedestrianised avenue, creating a beautiful public space. The plans backed by the new government would ensure Oxford Street becomes a driver of London’s economic prosperity for decades to come. Today the Mayor Sadiq Khan will say he wants Oxford Street to “once again become the leading retail destination in the world.” The Mayor has previously tried to implement major changes to Oxford Street, but was blocked from implementing his plans. Now, with the new Government taking a partnership approach to working with cities and Mayors, there is agreement to work together with a view to unlocking Oxford Street’s full potential for the benefit of London and other parts of the UK. The proposals would deliver a much-improved experience for shoppers, residents, workers and tourists visiting Oxford Street and the surrounding area, returning this part of the capital to its former glory. Supported by ministers, today the Mayor has confirmed that he intends to designate a Mayoral Development Area to bring forward the regeneration of Oxford Street.* As part of this, the Mayor is proposing that a Mayoral Development Corporation (MDC) is established, which will haveplanning powers to provide the framework for delivery of a world-leading scheme that works for residents, visitors and businesses. Oxford Street is famous across the world. It still welcomes more than 500,000 visitors every day and generates approximately five per cent of the capital’s economic output (GVA), the equivalent of £22.75bn (in 2019)*. It is home to numerous flagship stores, including Selfridges and John Lewis, as well as being a key commercial centre. Although Oxford Street remains a vital part of the UK’s tourism, leisure and retail offer, generating revenue for the Exchequer that is reinvested across the country, it is in need of major regeneration. Competition from online retailers and out-of-town shopping centres, the closure of flagship department stores, and the prevalence of ‘candy stores’ have put significant strain on Oxford Street’s attractiveness, while tourism numbers have not fully recovered since the pandemic. The Mayor is determined to re-invent and transform Oxford Street, working with businesses and Westminster City Council to create one of the finest public spaces in the world and making the area substantially greener, cleaner and safer for everyone. The Mayor believes his proposals would turn Oxford Street into a more attractive and thriving modern retail and leisure destination attracting more tourists, increasing footfall and spending. It’s likely this would generate additional economic activity and increased tax revenue, as well as boosting London’s night-time economy, meaning that it can once again compete with other international high street destinations, such as Times Square in New York, the Avenue des Champs-Elysees in Paris and Las Ramblas in Barcelona. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “Oxford Street was once the jewel in the crown of Britain’s retail sector, but there’s no doubt that it has suffered hugely over the last decade. Urgent action is needed to give the nation’s most famous high street a new lease of life. “I am excited to be working with the new Government, and local retailers and businesses, on these plans – that will help to restore this famous part of the capital to its former glory, while creating new jobs and economic prosperity for the capital and the country. “I want Oxford Street to once again become the leading retail destination in the world.” “The transformation of Oxford Street will be a leading example of how working together – City Hall and the new Government – we can build a better London for everyone.” Angela Rayner, Deputy Prime Minister said: “Oxford Street is a world-renowned shopping destination and we want it to stay that way. By working with the Mayor and local leaders, we can ensure it gets the boost it needs.” “This plan to revitalise Oxford Street will drive growth by creating new jobs, generating economic activity, and giving a much-needed boost to London’s night-time economy.” Peter Ruis, Executive Director for John Lewis, says: “Oxford Street has been home to the first ever John Lewis store since 1864. We’re extremely proud of our place on the street and are investing significantly in our flagship, next month opening one of the country’s biggest Beauty Halls and welcoming Waterstones. We’re delighted to see the plans announced today to transform ‘the nation’s high street’ and look forward to welcoming even more visitors to London’s West End.” John Dickie, CEO of BusinessLDN, said: “Oxford Street is London’s flagship high street and an attraction for visitors from across the country and all over the globe. As a key strategic site that spans borough boundaries, the Mayor has an important role to play in investing in and helping to improve the area for the benefit of Londoners, businesses and visitors. We look forward to engaging with the new Mayoral Development Corporation as well as Westminster City Council, the London Borough of Camden, the New West End Company and other stakeholders to help to make Oxford Street an even more vibrant and attractive place to visit.” John Dickie, CEO of BusinessLDN, said: “Oxford Street is London’s flagship high street and an attraction for visitors from across the country and all over the globe. As a key strategic site that spans borough boundaries, the Mayor has an important role to play in investing in and helping to improve the area for the benefit of Londoners, businesses and visitors. We look forward to engaging with the new Mayoral Development Corporation as well as Westminster City Council, the London Borough of Camden, the New West End Company and other stakeholders to help to make Oxford Street an even more vibrant and attractive place to visit.” Barbara Stoll, Director of the Clean Cities Campaign said: “This is fantastic news and a once-in-a-generation opportunity to boost the West End’s economy while tackling London’s air quality crisis. Cities worldwide have shown that pedestrianisation increases foot traffic, boosts sales, and
The new development, which will replace Mercury Point in Duke Street, will be an exciting addition to the city’s skyline, with 810 beds across two blocks connected by an elevated outdoor terrace. The increase in beds from the current 560 beds will provide the city with much-needed purpose-built student housing, freeing up privately rented homes. To enhance the student living experience, Unite Students has invested £90million over the past year to upgrade properties across its portfolio and improve service levels, and this continues to be a key priority. In July, the business raised a further £450million from investors to help fund new developments and refurbishments of its existing portfolio. Unite Students considered several options, including a renovation of the existing building, and has taken the decision to redevelop the property and close it to students from summer 2025, once this year’s residents have checked out. The new property will fully adhere to Unite Students’ sustainable construction framework, which aims to achieve net-zero carbon in construction and operation. The scheme will aim to achieve a BREEAM Excellent sustainable building certification and include solar panels to generate renewal energy, air-source heat pumps for heating and hot water, and high-performance glazing to help reduce thermal losses. Tom Brewerton, Group Development Director at Unite Students, said: “We’re excited about the planned redevelopment works at one of our key properties in Southampton as we work to continuously improve the student experience across our portfolio. We’ve worked closely in consultation with the council, the local community and Southampton University to develop these plans. “We’re trusted by parents, students and universities to provide high-quality, safe and affordable accommodation and the planned increase in bed numbers will help free up privately rented homes in the city for families.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Legal & General Group Plc (“Legal & General” or “L&G” or the “Group”) yesterday announced that it has agreed the sale of the UK house builder CALA Group (“Cala”) for an enterprise value of £1.35bn, to Ferguson Bidco Limited, an entity owned by funds managed by Sixth Street Partners and Patron Capital. The consideration for the sale will result in cash proceeds of £1.16bn (after adjustment for net debt), of which c£500m will be paid at closing with the remaining consideration being paid over the next five years on a deferred non-contingent basis. As at HY24, Cala had a Net Asset Value of £1.15bn and generated operating profits of £42m. The disposal reflects L&G’s disciplined approach to capital allocation and follows the Group’s decision to create a Corporate Investments Unit as outlined at the Capital Markets Event (“CME”) in June 2024. Disposal proceeds from the sale will primarily be used, as they become available, to reinvest in the Group in line with our strategy and the capital allocation framework set out at the CME. The Board will also consider the proceeds as part of the Group’s announced intention to increase returns to shareholders through ongoing buybacks. As signalled, the sale of Cala reduces the Group’s Solvency Capital Requirement (SCR) by c£100m after diversification. The transaction is expected to complete in Q4 2024. António Simões, Group Chief Executive Officer of Legal & General said: “This transaction demonstrates continued momentum in executing our strategy, simplifying our portfolio to enable a sharper focus on our core, synergistic businesses. Cala has been an important part of L&G for over a decade, with profits increasing ten-fold since our initial investment in 20131. The sale announced today will provide capital to deliver our strategic goals of sustainable growth alongside enhanced returns for shareholders. I would like to thank the whole Cala team for their contribution to the Group and wish them every success in the future.” Kevin Whitaker, CEO of Cala said: “Today’s announcement is excellent news for Cala. The acquisition by Sixth Street Partners and Patron Capital demonstrates confidence in Cala’s business plan and growth potential, as our talented team continues to build high quality, sustainable new homes throughout the UK. L&G has been a great support to Cala throughout its investment and ownership. Since 2013, we have grown revenues and profits five- and ten-fold respectively, and tripled the number of homes we build each year.” Julian Salisbury, Co-Chief Investment Officer of Sixth Street, said: “Cala has a bright future and we are proud to be entering this new chapter as stewards of a company with such a deep history and long track record of sustainable growth. We, together with Patron Capital, look forward to continuing to support Cala and its management team, not only with capital but also with the significant resources of our London-based real estate investment team led by Giulio Passanisi.” Keith Breslauer, Managing Director of Patron Capital, said: “We are pleased to be able to back the Cala business once again. Cala is one of the UK’s leading housebuilders with a best-in-class landbank and a focus on building high-quality homes, being consistently ranked five-star for customer service. Furthermore, Cala is also a people business with a strong corporate culture and a business we know well, and we look forward to working closely with Cala’s impressive management team and our partner, Sixth Street, to further build the business and help tackle the undersupply of homes in the UK.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A new vibrant leisure centre in Bearsden near Glasgow has scooped the gold ‘Diversity in the Public Sector’ award at The Herald and GenAnalytics’ 2024 Diversity Awards Scotland, which honours innovative projects promoting diversity and inclusion in Scotland. The architect behind the community centre’s design, Holmes Miller, has been recognised for exceeding public sector standards to fully address the needs of diverse community members. The much admired £42.5m Allander Leisure Centre was designed by Holmes Miller in partnership with East Dunbartonshire Council to replace the original Allander sports complex. Enhancing community wellbeing, the recreational hub offers a variety of amenities, including a swimming pool with spa facilities, a hydrotherapy pool, a gym and fitness areas, an eight-court games hall, two squash courts, a café, and a state-of-the-art sports dome featuring tennis courts and football pitches. The centre also provides inclusive services for adults with learning disabilities and has been praised for its positive impact which extends across the local population, particularly benefiting individuals with learning disabilities. Treatment rooms dedicated to dementia care, rebound therapy, sensory therapy, and physiotherapy have been incorporated into the facility, in addition to training kitchens and designated spaces to enjoy arts and crafts, music and dance. The 2024 Diversity Awards Scotland ceremony took place at the Radisson Blu Glasgow, bringing industry leaders together to celebrate trailblazing facilities that are driving positive change across the country. Ian Cooney, Project Director at Holmes Miller, said: “Designing spaces with diversity and inclusion at their core is essential for building positive relationships. Many outdated community facilities are no longer fit for purpose, and we’re proud to be part of the change, working closely with public authorities to provide better opportunities for those who need them most. “By combining leisure and adult care services, Allander Leisure Centre ensures everyone has access to the high-quality amenities necessary for their health and wellbeing. We’re thrilled that this standout project has been recognised for truly impacting local lives, and we look forward to its continued success in the years ahead.” David Kelly, Allander Operations Manager, East Dunbartonshire Leisure and Culture, said: “In this time of austerity, the design of health and wellbeing facilities needs to continue to adapt and evolve to ensure local authorities can provide good value for their communities. We’ve combined two tired and energy hungry existing facilities and created an efficient and sustainable integrated community hub that serves everyone in the area. “The new Allander delivers flexible facilities that will give local people an exceptional quality of experience, both now and in the future.” Joanne Hemmings, Associate at Holmes Miller, said: “Winning the Diversity Awards Scotland is an incredible honour. Our team has poured their passion into creating a vibrant leisure facility where everyone feels welcome. This project showcases how thoughtful architectural design can strengthen community spirit and provide a space for all to enjoy.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
INTERNATIONAL insurance intermediary group Howden has unveiled its new office at The Avebury in Milton Keynes, thanks to workplace design and build specialist ODCreate. The near-30,000 sq ft project – which will complete later this year and is ODCreate’s biggest to date in terms of floorspace – has been designed around the business’ hybrid working model, with flexible and agile spaces that cater for both collaborative and individual working. Modelled on Howden’s main headquarters in London, the newly refurbished facility will also feature a large servery and café on-site, with an attractive food offering for staff and visitors alike. Erika Linghorn, who led the project for ODCreate, said: “This project is an excellent example of collaboration between client and designer, bringing together elements of Howden’s London headquarters with the unique qualities of The Avebury and the opportunities that brings. “The key factors in the brief for this project were to create a “destination” office to welcome and inspire in equal measure, as well as being able to adapt to changing working practices such as hybrid and collaborative working. “The Avebury represents the largest project ODCreate has ever undertaken as we look to expand our design and build portfolio – and we believe that the results will speak for themselves.” ODCreate is working alongside Savills as project manager and Fanshawe as cost consultant. The wider ODGroup has worked on the site of The Avebury previously, with ODInteriors undertaking the base build refurbishment of the former Avebury House before ODCreate was appointed to work on the client design and fitout for Howden Insurance. The 28,000 sq ft office space is one of several major projects recently completed by ODCreate, including ones for clients in the financial, legal and food and beverage office sectors. For more information, visit od-group.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
How leveraging cloud service plans and auditing resources can significantly reduce cloud costs in the construction industry In 2024, the UK construction industry has seen a significant increase in financial distress. Begbies Traynor reports that construction remains the sector with the highest insolvency rates, with nearly one-fifth of all business failures occurring within construction. With this, it is becoming more important for companies in the construction sector to optimise their finances. The use of cloud computing is one area where many businesses are paying more than they need to. Here, Adam Weldon-Ming, head of professional services at cloud financial operations provider OryxAlign, discusses the different methods businesses can use to optimise their cloud usage for cost efficiency. Cloud optimisation falls under FinOps (Financial Operations) and focuses on managing and optimising the costs associated with using cloud computing resources. By analysing resources, construction companies can gain insight on the cloud costs for each department or cost centre. FinOps also explores strategies to reduce costs, such as identifying servers that can be turned off during non-operational hours or leveraging Microsoft Azure cost-saving plans like reserved instances. Tagging and resource allocation Applying proper tagging and categorisation to cloud resources – such as compute instances, storage, and databases – can help allocate costs accurately to different departments, projects, or teams. This allows for better cost allocation, accountability, and cost optimisation based on specific business needs. For example, compute instances can be split by department, with tags like “Site_VM,” “Projects_VM,” and “Engineering_VM,” providing insights into department-specific costs. The company can then analyse the usage patterns and optimise its resources. If certain compute instances consistently experience low utilisation, they can be rightsized to match actual demand, eliminating unnecessary expenses. Demand-based flexibility Cloud platforms like Azure include options such as auto-scaling and flexible scaling sets to ensure that servers are only used when needed. Auto-scaling in Azure refers to the automatic adjustment of compute resources based on the workload demand. It allows organisations to dynamically scale their applications and infrastructure up or down to match the system’s changing needs. Flexible Scaling Sets, or Azure Virtual Machine Scale Sets (VMSS), enable the deployment and management of a group of identical virtual machines (VMs) as a single entity. VMSS supports auto-scaling, allowing organisations to scale the number of VM instances within the set automatically. It ensures the required capacity is available during high-demand periods and reduces costs during low-demand periods. Similarly, Amazon’s AWS offers Elastic Load Balancing (ELB). This automatically distributes incoming traffic across multiple instances or resources, ensuring the load is evenly distributed. It helps improve your applications’ availability and fault tolerance by automatically scaling the number of instances behind the load balancer based on traffic patterns. Another option that provides flexible scaling is Azure Functions, a serverless computing service. It enables developers to build and run event-driven functions that scale automatically, without requiring underlying infrastructure management. Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS): Offered by all major cloud providers, PaaS is a cloud computing model that provides a ready-to-use platform for developing, deploying, and managing applications without worrying about underlying infrastructure. With PaaS, developers can focus on writing code and building applications, while the cloud provider takes care of the servers, storage, networking, and operating systems. Pricing model analysis Although the names of pricing models might differ, cloud service providers offer different options, such as pay-as-you-go, reserved instances, or spot instances. Reserved Instances, for example, allow users to reserve cloud computing capacity in advance, typically for a one- or three-year term. Reserving a server for three years can cut the running cost by up to 40 percent compared to on-demand usage. OryxAlign successfully migrated a prominent client to Azure. OryxAlign monitored the infrastructure and implemented scale sets, allowing it to automatically provision new servers when capacity reached 75 per cent. Combining this with purchasing reserved instances for a three-year term resulted in significant cost savings, reducing the client’s annual cloud expenses from between £200,000-£300,000 to around £100,000. By partnering with a trusted advisor that can help to navigate the cloud landscape, companies can avoid wasting money on their cloud costs by analysing resource usage, implementing cost reduction strategies, and leveraging features like auto-scaling and load balancing. You can find out how much you could save through cloud optimisation by contacting OryxAlign through its website www.oryxalign.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Written by Water Hygiene Centre As a Facilities Management company what are your responsibilities when it comes to the control of waterborne pathogens such as legionella (amongst others)? Well, it may be as simple as what is written in the contract you have from your water hygiene company describing delivery of certain tasks, but is that it? In short no, there are many other tasks that you are required to do that don’t always get directly specified but without which you cannot provide any assurance that you have fulfilled your side of the contract. In this blog we talk about some of these, sometimes hidden tasks, as well as what is included in any contracts you have. Legionella Control – where to start? To start with it is very important to ensure you understand exactly what you are being asked to do, if there are areas of ambiguity these should be resolved before you start the contract. If your organisation is a member of the Legionella Control Association the first commitment you make is to ensure that your clients are aware of their obligations under ACoP L8, HSG 274 and any other applicable guidance, such as (S)HTM 04-01 or (S)HTM 01-05. A clear and concise document should be produced confirming who is responsible for carrying out each task so that nothing is missed. If you employ Water Treatment / Water Hygiene companies to help you deliver part of the works, they too should be named in this document. Prior to starting works, the next priority is agreeing the method for completing each task and providing evidence the works are going to be completed by competent staff. On many occasions we find that some basic Legionella training has been completed by staff (whether they are directly employed by you or by a sub-contractor) but with no evidence of competence. The guidance documents use the term “competent” rather than “trained” for a reason, being trained to a standard is important but you need to be able to carry out the work to this standard and in a safe manner. Please ensure you can evidence/records in the event you are inspected by the HSE or any other bodies who deem this necessary. Why should you complete a Water / Legionella Risk Assessment? A Legionella risk assessment for the property should be carried out to identify the assets on site and the pre-planned maintenance that is required. Once the schedule of pre-planned maintenance tasks begins the findings should be reviewed and actions taken if the results fall outside the recommended ranges. A formal review meeting with your client should be held regularly (depending on the risk profile and compliance data) where you are able to discuss the system performance and ensure appropriate works are completed if non-conformances are identified. Obtaining external support for Legionella Risk Assessments and or an Authorising Engineers (Water) provides additional assurance to FM companies that they are doing what is required and highlighting any areas of weakness before any significant failures occur. This also gives the building owner an independent view on performance following the annual Water Hygiene Audit where all measures and results are reviewed in order to provide site with a comprehensive summary of compliance and water safety. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Ever wondered what separates a good day on the job from a great one? It’s not just about skill—it’s about having the perfect tools and gear to back you up. From essential hand tools to personal safety gear, what’s in your kit can make all the difference. Let’s break down exactly what you need to stay prepared and efficient on the job site. Quick summary: Category Key Tools/Items Key Benefits Hand Tools – Framing Hammer, Utility Knife, Tape Measure Precision, reduced strain, durable, ergonomic Power Tools – Cordless Drill, Circular Saw, Impact Driver Mobility, high torque, improved accuracy, dust control Safety Gear – Hard Hat, Safety Glasses, Work Gloves, Steel-toe Boots Impact protection, clear vision, slip resistance, cut resistance Specialty Tools – Laser Level, Stud Finder, Impact Wrench Increased accuracy, damage prevention, saves time On-Site Must-Haves – Tool Belt, Flashlight/Headlamp, Multi-Tool Organized, quick fixes, hands-free lighting Lifestyle Essentials – Backpack, Wallet Case, Insulated Lunch Box, Water Bottle, Sunscreen Organized storage, protection, keeps food/drinks cold, hydration Tool Maintenance – Toolbox, Sharpening Tools, Cleaning Supplies Protects tools, prolongs lifespan, easy maintenance Durable Hand Tools: The Backbone of Your Craft Hand tools are indispensable on any site, but the key to success is understanding how the right tool can enhance your work. A well-selected hammer or tape measure is more than a basic item; it’s a tool that contributes to your craftsmanship and longevity in the field. Precise hand tools improve workflow, reducing fatigue and maintaining high levels of accuracy. Power Tools: Precision and Power Combined Power tools are essential for efficiency. The key to success is selecting tools that handle stress, varying materials, and different work conditions with ease (source). Using the right power tools guarantees faster progress without compromising on precision or safety. Safety Gear: Protecting What Matters Most—You Personal safety gear is your primary defense on a job site. Investing in high-quality equipment ensures both safety and comfort. Quality safety gear doesn’t just prevent injury—it allows you to focus without distractions. Specialty Tools: Enhancing Accuracy and Efficiency Specialty tools are critical when precision is non-negotiable. These tools increase accuracy and reduce the time spent on complex tasks. Specialty tools reduce errors and boost your overall work quality. On-Site Must-Haves: Keeping the Workday Smooth Small, practical tools and accessories can significantly enhance your efficiency and prevent interruptions throughout the day. These must-haves help streamline your workday, ensuring you stay focused and productive. Lifestyle Essentials: Preparedness Beyond the Tools Beyond tools, personal items play a key role in keeping you comfortable and prepared for long days on-site. These essentials keep you comfortable and ready for the demands of the day. Maintaining and Organizing Your Tools: Key to Longevity Maintaining your tools ensures they perform when needed and extend their lifespan, saving both time and money in the long run. Proper care and organization prevent downtime and keep your tools in peak condition. The right tools, combined with good maintenance and personal essentials, ensure you work with precision, efficiency, and safety—every day.
