Atlas Copco’s hydraulic breaker and power pack are used for ultra-tough and unusual cable laying project in Malta’s harbor In Malta’s biggest harbor, a big electrification project is ongoing to energize cruise liners and cargo ships with clean electric energy instead of diesel fuel. For the intensive underwater works, contractor
Werner, the leading manufacturer of access equipment and number one choice for trade professionals, announces the launch of its new trade catalogue. The new catalogue features all of Werner’s products and has been updated to include the recently launched Pro Plus Tower, as well as other new bestselling products
HS2 has completed the first of 32 giant piers for the first Water Orton Viaduct as work ramps up to build the Delta Junction, the project’s most complex network of structures in the West Midlands. HS2’s main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) is building the
The organisers of this year’s Green Home Festival are urging homeowners and the construction industry to “be brave” and embrace innovations like microwave heating to help build a more sustainable future and meet net zero targets. Scotland’s second renewables jamboree will kick off in less than two weeks, delivering 11
A nearly 100-year-old company that has spent a quarter of its life in Nottingham is celebrating Nottinghamshire Day by reflecting on the past 25 years in the city. Clegg Group was founded in Nottingham Road, Ilkeston, in Derbyshire, in 1932 – as D.E. Clegg & Co Ltd.After sustained growth, the
London Councils has responded to new research from the charity Crisis revealing that nearly a quarter of a million households across England are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping, sofa surfing, and being stuck in unsuitable B&B temporary accommodation. The findings also show 85% of councils across
A loan scheme which enables homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties is needed if the UK is to reduce energy consumption, cut carbon emissions and bring down consumer bills, says the leading professional body for the construction sector. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), in its response
St James Quarter has announced that the latest phase of the development will reach completion this November as W Edinburgh is set to open its doors at the new lifestyle district in Scotland’s capital. Located in the eastern part of Edinburgh’s city centre, St James Quarter first opened to the
Research by the debt advisory specialists, Sirius Property Finance, reveals that 42% of UK consumers rarely, if ever, take a trip to their local high street, as commercial developers are urged to find ways of tempting shoppers to return and, in doing so, help local communities and economies thrive. The
The gap between leaving university and starting out in industry can seem a daunting one for many graduates. But for 23-year-old Josh Steadman, from Faversham in Kent, the process from a construction management degree to graduate trainee with Bellway was plain sailing. Josh, who is currently working on site at
Atlas Copco’s hydraulic breaker and power pack are used for ultra-tough and unusual cable laying project in Malta’s harbor In Malta’s biggest harbor, a big electrification project is ongoing to energize cruise liners and cargo ships with clean electric energy instead of diesel fuel. For the intensive underwater works, contractor Pina Dalgıçlık İnşaat San and Trade is using an Atlas Copco handheld breaker and power pack. An ideal fit for the ultra-tough and unusual cable laying project. Rock breaking projects on land are tough, but nothing your Atlas Copco handheld breaker can’t handle. Fracturing rocks underwater, on the other hand… now there’s a challenge of a much higher order. Just ask Pina Dalgıçlık İnşaat San and Trade (PDIST), a specialist underwater contractor based in Bakırköy, one of the oldest districts in Istanbul, Turkey. The company is currently using Atlas Copco’s robust LH 390 pneumatic breaker for an intensive eight-month underwater electrical infrastructure project, as part of a wider effort to energize cruise liners and cargo ships across Turkey and Malta. The ‘Malta Medium Voltage Underwater Cable Laying’ project will enable vessels to plug into shoreside electricity to charge onboard systems while berthed at port, swapping out the need for fuel-dependency in place of clean electric. Coupled with Atlas Copco’s LP 18-40PE Hydraulic Power Pack, the LH 390 handheld hydraulic breaker is being used to crush rocks beneath the water’s surface in order to prepare the area for underwater electric cables. On land, the LP 18-40PE Hydraulic Power Pack transmits power to drive the submerged LH 390 breaker unit, which is tasked with the demanding job of fragmenting rocks and dislodging them from the ground to forge a clear path for the cables, which will transmit electricity to allotted on-land charging ports. The Atlas Copco LH 390 hydraulic breaker is designed for tough applications While such a demanding application may land other air units in troubled waters, Atlas Copco’s LH 390 hydraulic unit has proven itself to be tough enough to take such a challenge in its stride. As one of the most powerful handheld breakers in the world, the titan LH 390 is designed to break anything, anywhere. Weighing 33 kg and offering 125 bar of pressure, its high pressure-to-weight ratio also means users can achieve optimal performance without compromising on portability. The LH 390 handheld breaker is coated with premium water resistant, anti-corrosion and anti-rust paint, meaning it can be plunged in saline ocean water and remerge unscathed. Before use, the machine’s unparalleled robust design and high-quality components are also rigorously tested at Atlas Copco’s in-house testing facility, ensuring it is suitable to weather any storm. Vibro-reduction technology The PDIST team is required to physically dive underwater to power their tools, which is why it is important to not only have a breaker unit that is tough enough to crack rocks underwater, but also easy to manoeuvre and work with. Fortunately, Atlas Copco’s LH 390 handheld breaker’s slim design and lightweight design offers a smooth user experience. “Mobility is one factor that is really critical to this operation; we are routinely diving into the water to remove rocks and debris from the seabed, then swimming back up to the surface again – all while operating and carrying our handheld breaker. The LH 390’s high power to weight ratio means we can get plenty done in a short space of time, improving our team’s productivity and enabling us to ‘crack’ on with our project with ease – pun intended” Serdar Yaygili, General Manager from PDIST Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
Werner, the leading manufacturer of access equipment and number one choice for trade professionals, announces the launch of its new trade catalogue. The new catalogue features all of Werner’s products and has been updated to include the recently launched Pro Plus Tower, as well as other new bestselling products including the LEANSAFE® X3 and Adjustable & Linking PRO Platform. For over 100 years, the Werner brand has been revered across the industry for its broad product line and its commitment to placing safety at its fore. Its vast range of products have been designed with the user in mind, helping to make working at height safer and faster, whatever the job. The catalogue includes Werner’s entire portfolio of extension ladders; stepladders; roof ladders; fibreglass ladders; aluminium ladders; telescopic ladders; stepstools; work platforms; access towers; loft ladders, and lock-in accessories such as paint cups and utility buckets. Mark Robson, Product Manager at Werner, said: “Werner takes considerable pride in its continued investment in new products, markets and technologies. The Werner brand has achieved some exciting new developments and milestones over the past year, such as its 100-year anniversary and the launch of new innovative products such as the Pro Plus Tower, and we are excited to launch a new catalogue which reflects the brand’s commitment to innovation, and also its reputation as the number one choice for professionals.” Featuring product specifications, designated usage and key benefits, as well as explaining European safety standards, the catalogue is the ideal tool to assist professionals with choosing the most suitable working at height equipment for their professions. In addition to extensive information and guidance in the brochure, Werner’s recent campaign, Stepping Up to Ladder Safety, offers five individual guides highlighting how professionals can choose the right equipment for the job and how to undertake best practice when working at height. To view Werner’s new product catalogue, visit www.wernerco.com/uk/literature. To find out more about the products available from WernerCo, visit www.wernerco.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
HS2 has completed the first of 32 giant piers for the first Water Orton Viaduct as work ramps up to build the Delta Junction, the project’s most complex network of structures in the West Midlands. HS2’s main works contractor for the West Midlands, Balfour Beatty VINCI (BBV) is building the 1,400 metre long northbound and southbound structures, which will connect HS2’s Birmingham Curzon Street Station with Crewe and Manchester. They are part of the Delta Junction, which is a triangular section of the high-speed railway made up of 9 precast segmental viaducts, embankments, and other bridging structures, with around 10km of track crossing a network of motorways, roads and rivers. Reaching 20 metres tall at its highest point, the two Water Orton Viaducts will be amongst the tallest structures along the HS2 route, taking trains over key transport corridors including the M42, the Birmingham to Peterborough rail line and the River Tame. The pier was built in situ with a bespoke formwork designed specifically for the project, and with a fully prefabricated reinforcement cage, assembled in the rebar factory located near Coleshill. The piers will support the deck, which will be built using an innovative construction method and bespoke machinery. The deck segments will be produced at HS2’s nearby outdoor purpose-built Kingsbury factory near Lea Marston. The factory is making a total of 2,742 segments for the entire Delta Junction, generating over 6km of post tensioned viaduct. The segments will be transported to site using haul roads to reduce HS2’s impacts on local roads. To reduce environmental impacts, HS2’s engineers have incorporated Ground Granulated Blast-furnace Slag (GGBS) – a by-product of the steel manufacturing industry – into the structures as an eco-friendly concrete alternative to a traditional concrete mix, reducing carbon use by more than 60%. HS2 Senior Project Manager for Delta Junction, Sam Hinkley said: “This is another key moment for HS2 in the West Midlands as work ramps up on one of the most complex sections of the whole route. The Delta Junction is HS2’s key interchange where the new zero-carbon high speed railway will connect between London, the Midlands and the North. “Minimising disruption to local communities in this area has been a key consideration in our planning, including the use of innovative pre-cast construction techniques, and haul roads to take lorries off local roads.” After the piers are constructed, the viaduct spans will be built by raising each segment from a temporary suspension tower erected on top of each pier. When each span is complete, the suspension tower will be disassembled and moved further along the viaduct to build the next span. An innovative ‘match-casting’ technique means that each viaduct segment is cast against the following segment in a production line, creating a seamless viaduct deck when installed. Each segment is uniquely precise and adjustable by as little as 5mm. This approach – where each segment is poured against the previous one – ensures the whole arch fits perfectly when assembled on site. David Waite, Construction Director at Balfour Beatty VINCI said: “Witnessing the removal of the shuttering to reveal the first completed pier for Water Orton Viaduct was an important occasion for the 1,100 people who make up the Delta workforce. “With the production line at the Kingsbury pre-cast factory now in full swing, we will start to see the viaduct take shape over the coming months, with the first span due to be completed early next year.” Once built, the area underneath the viaduct will be landscaped to provide a connected and accessible area with tree planting, new wildlife habitats, footpaths and cycle routes. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The organisers of this year’s Green Home Festival are urging homeowners and the construction industry to “be brave” and embrace innovations like microwave heating to help build a more sustainable future and meet net zero targets. Scotland’s second renewables jamboree will kick off in less than two weeks, delivering 11 free shows on low-carbon living as part of the official Edinburgh Festival Fringe. And organisers the Construction Industry Collective Voice (CICV) say its event on the potential of microwave heating is an example of a technology that could offer a real alternative to traditional fossil fuels – but only if we’re brave enough to embrace it. Co-organiser Gordon Nelson, Scotland Director of the Federation of Master Builders, said: “Our upcoming show on microwave heating is the perfect demonstration of the bravery and innovative thinking that is needed by both the construction industry and homeowners if we are to build a sustainable future for Scotland. “We know that we’ll need a combination of methods to meet both the retrofit challenge and the new-build heat standard and this new technology is one of the solutions that we should be having the courage to explore now.” The microwave heating show will be delivered on the first day of the festival by Professor Sean Smith, Director of The Centre for Future Infrastructure and Professor of Future Construction within the School of Engineering and at the University of Edinburgh. Starting at 2pm on Monday 14 August, the event will focus on the origin of the new technology, how it works and how it could offer an alternative to traditional heating methods in our homes. Mr Nelson went on: “It’s great for us to have this innovative solution explained this year as part of the Green Home Festival, and this technology could provide the rapid acceleration of low carbon heating for Scotland’s 1.2 million flats, given the short installation time and the fact that it links to existing radiators. “We just need to be brave, adjust our mindsets and think outside the box when it comes to potential greener solutions like this.” He went on: “As well as microwaves, the Green Home Festival will also look at other innovations in home heating, such as hybrid systems, which combine new technology with traditional methods to reduce both costs and carbon footprint for the homeowner. “And on a larger scale, we’ll be looking at the benefits of community heating networks and exploring how distributing heat to multiple buildings from a central source could do away with the need for individual boilers or electric heaters in every building. “All this activity is designed to start a conversation about renewable living and to encourage homeowners to start thinking differently about how they will power, heat and run their homes in the years to come. “It will also help demonstrate how the CICV has its finger on the pulse of future solutions to meet the climate challenge and is determined to help steer the wider construction industry down a more sustainable path.” Live Green Home Festival sessions will once again take place at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) at 10 Charlotte Square in central Edinburgh, with contributions from the likes of Home Energy Scotland, Scottish Water, SNIPEF and SELECT. Other topics covered at the Green Home Festival will include creating sustainable kitchens, green garden rooms and offices, making retrofit projects eco-friendly, converting churches and how the home of the future will be powered. Built Environment – Smarter Transformation will also host a webinar that will advise what consumers can do to reduce both their energy consumption and energy bills. The festival is the latest in a string of practical and constructive initiatives launched by the CICV since its creation at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Made up of 28 trade associations, professional services bodies and companies, it has maintained a steady supply of information and practical advice to the sector as well as carrying out surveys, producing animations and posters, hosting webinars and maintaining close dialogue with Scottish Government ministers. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A nearly 100-year-old company that has spent a quarter of its life in Nottingham is celebrating Nottinghamshire Day by reflecting on the past 25 years in the city. Clegg Group was founded in Nottingham Road, Ilkeston, in Derbyshire, in 1932 – as D.E. Clegg & Co Ltd.After sustained growth, the company relocated to The Lace Market in Nottingham in 1998 and is this year celebrating being in the city for 25 years, operating as both design and build contractor (Clegg Construction Ltd) and food sector specialists (Clegg Food Projects Ltd). On Nottinghamshire Day (25th August), Clegg Group is reflecting on the way it has helped to shape the city and the county, and the links the company has built with a range of good causes and charities in the area. Key projects delivered by Clegg Construction include the £27m River Crescent apartment development, which is at the forefront of the Trentside regeneration, Center Parcs’ highly sustainable offices and headquarters, situated within Sherwood Energy Village, two state-of-the-art stands (Bridgford Road and Fox Road), floodlights and an electronic scorecard for Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club at Trent Bridge, plus a first-class training facility created for Nottingham Forest Football Club. Clegg has developed multiple projects with the city’s universities and also local schools. Its partnership with the University of Nottingham began in 2000 with an extension to the East Midlands Conference Centre and the company is currently on site modernising the university’s historic Florence Boot Hall building – a project that was highly commended in the East Midlands Energy Efficiency Awards. Clegg also delivered the University of Nottingham’s Energy Technology Building – which was awarded the country’s first BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating for an educational building – plus the RIBA Award-winning, BREEAM Excellent Lyth Building recently completed for Nottingham Trent University, as well as a sixth form centre for Rushcliffe Academy in West Bridgford, Victoria House student accommodation in the city centre, and a 191-bed student accommodation scheme on Nottingham Trent University’s Brackenhurst Campus. The company is currently on site at Carlton le Willows Academy. In addition, Clegg Food Projects, which designs and builds specialist manufacturing facilities nationally, has delivered a wide range of schemes in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire over the years, including multiple projects at Pork Farms, including factory extensions, three developments at Northern Foods in Bulwell, including a pizza factory, two projects at Freshcut Foods, plus two schemes at Riverside Bakery, which included a food factory extension and office refurbishment. Clegg Construction Pre-Construction Director, Ross Crowcroft, said: “Clegg Group has a long history in the East Midlands, having been founded more than 90 years ago in Derbyshire. “Today, on Nottinghamshire Day, it’s fitting that we celebrate and look back on the 25 years that we have been based in Nottingham. We are immensely proud of the role we have played in the community – helping to shape the city and the county, and supporting a number of good causes.” In 1998, following almost 70 years of being based in Derbyshire, Clegg (then known as D.E. Clegg) made the decision to switch counties, with the company’s 23-strong employee base packing up the office and moving to Nottingham’s vibrant and historic lace market – based at the Grade II listed Bishops House building, which overlooks St Mary’s Church – the oldest parish church in Nottinghamshire. Coincidently, Clegg had refurbished the building some years previously. Clegg Construction PA Julie Dallison is one of a handful of employees who have been with the company since it was based in Ilkeston. She said: “Clegg has grown considerably in the years that I have worked for the business, and it’s been great to have shared several significant milestones in the company’s history, including our move to Nottingham 25 years ago and the subsequent growth that has been achieved. Nottinghamshire continues to offer us a wealth of opportunities and we are proud to be a key member of the construction and development sector here. It’s also been a privilege to work in such a beautiful setting in the Lace Market, in the heart of the city.” Clegg Group, which had a joint turnover of more than £165m in 2022, is an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) company which ranked 34th in the Nottinghamshire Top 200 list last year. Focusing on repeat business it continues to work with some of the world’s largest companies. During its long history, it has built strong relationships with charities and social enterprises and to mark its 25th anniversary of being in Nottingham is supporting 25 good causes including continued sponsorship of Erewash Partnership, participation in EDGE’s and SCAPE’s charity football matches, and collections for Peterborough and Maltby foodbanks. Clegg representatives have also taken part in two careers days at South Notts Academy and have supported numerous local and national charities such as Emmanuel House Support Centre, Nottingham Children’s Hospital, The Salvation Army, Prostate Cancer UK, and Crohn’s & Colitis UK. In addition, the Clegg Group supports Nightingale Primary School in Eastwood through the Greggs Breakfast Club, which provides a free, nutritional breakfast to children who need it, to ensure pupils are prepared for the day ahead. Clegg Group is a privately owned company that has been delivering construction projects across a range of sectors for over 90 years. Its services are provided through two principal operating companies – Clegg Construction and Clegg Food Projects – to offer specialist knowledge and experience as well as deliver a tailored service for clients. For more information visit www.clegggroup.co.uk Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
London Councils has responded to new research from the charity Crisis revealing that nearly a quarter of a million households across England are experiencing the worst forms of homelessness, including rough sleeping, sofa surfing, and being stuck in unsuitable B&B temporary accommodation. The findings also show 85% of councils across England are facing an increase in people experiencing homelessness – the highest number in any year since the annual research began. London is the epicentre of the national homelessness emergency, accounting for well over half of all homeless households living in temporary accommodation in England (emergency housing provided by local authorities for homeless households). London Councils’ own recent research revealed that one in 50 Londoners is now homeless and living in temporary accommodation arranged by their local borough, including one in 23 children. Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ Executive Member for Regeneration, Housing & Planning, said: “The homelessness situation is fast-becoming disastrous and requires urgent action from the government at a national level. “In London we face increasingly unmanageable pressures. It is utterly unsustainable to have one in 50 Londoners living in temporary accommodation. There is at least one homeless child in every London classroom – an appalling statistic showing the massive social impact of the worsening housing crisis. “Ministers must work with councils and other partners across the housing and homelessness sectors to reverse these trends. There are at least 143,000 potential new homes we could begin building immediately in London if the government addressed the barriers to delivery, including by providing additional infrastructure and affordable housing grant funding. “We cannot afford delay – this is an emergency situation needing an emergency response.” London Councils estimates that almost 170,000 Londoners are now homeless and in temporary accommodation. London Councils’ research shows the number of households entitled to homelessness support from a London borough (i.e. owed a homelessness prevention or relief duty) increased 15.2% between April 2022 and April 2023. There has also been a dramatic 781% increase in homeless families placed in bed and breakfast accommodation beyond the legal six-week limit. This equates to 1,287 London families stuck in unsuitable B&B accommodation in April 2023 compared to 146 the same month last year. Rising homelessness numbers are putting immense strain on boroughs’ finances. London Councils estimate that boroughs are collectively spending at least £60 million each month on temporary accommodation costs. London Councils is urging the government to: Raise Local Housing Allowance (LHA). LHA, which eligible households receive as part of their housing benefit or Universal Credit if they have a private landlord, has been frozen since 2020 despite private rents increasing since then. Boroughs believe LHA should be increased to cover at least 30% of local market rents – a policy the government adopted successfully at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Support councils to buy accommodation sold by private landlords. 40% of all homes listed for sale in London in 2022 were previously let by a private landlord. The government should build on initiatives such as the Local Authority Housing Fund by providing increased capital investment for housing acquisitions, particularly to acquire homes being sold by private landlords as they exit the market. Boost Homelessness Prevention Grant funding. Local authorities play a vital role in supporting struggling households to avoid homelessness. Councils require an immediate emergency funding increase to ensure local services have the resources needed in the face of rising levels of demand for support. Increase Discretionary Housing Payments. These payments are used by councils to help residents in financial crisis meet their housing costs. They are an essential homelessness prevention tool, but government funding for Discretionary Housing Payments in 2023-24 has been frozen at 2022-23 levels, despite significantly increasing homelessness pressures.Bring forward a cross-departmental strategy to reduce homelessness. Tackling homelessness must become a major priority at a national level with government departments working together – in addition to key partners such as local authorities – as effectively as possible. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A loan scheme which enables homeowners to improve the energy efficiency of their properties is needed if the UK is to reduce energy consumption, cut carbon emissions and bring down consumer bills, says the leading professional body for the construction sector. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), in its response to the Energy Security and Net Zero Committee’s recent ‘Heating our Homes’ inquiry has reiterated previous calls for Government to support the Construction Leadership Council’s National Retrofit Strategy. It includes a “help to fix” scheme which provides homeowners with an interest-free government loan to cover the full costs of home improvements. CIOB says previous government schemes such as the Green Homes Grant and Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS) have failed for several reasons, most notably that homeowners were required to part fund energy efficiency work in a lump sum. For many this simply wasn’t an option at the time the schemes were on offer, and certainly isn’t amid a cost-of-living crisis says CIOB’s policy team. In February 2023, the House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee noted if the current take-up rate of the BUS continues, only half of the allocated budget will be used. CIOB adds that a scheme where the full cost of home improvements such as double glazing, insulation, new heating systems and even bigger jobs like loft conversions or extensions, are covered by a loan, is the only way many homeowners could afford to have work carried out, and government should develop such a scheme if they seriously want to meet its energy and carbon reduction targets. David Parry, CIOB’s parliamentary and public affairs officer, said: “We and the wider industry have been calling for a national strategy for retrofitting for years now but we’re not being listened to. Poorly planned, ad-hoc schemes such as the Green Homes Grant have been failures because homeowners are still expected to find a percentage of the cost of having work carried out on their home and people just don’t have that disposable income. “A long-term initiative where homeowners can borrow the full cost of improvement works would in our view incentivise a big upturn in demand which in turn will help improve the energy efficiency and quality of the nation’s housing stock, reduce energy use and associated costs for consumers, while also cutting carbon emissions and accelerating the move to net zero. Factored into a wider strategy, developed with industry experts, which considers the training of a skilled workforce, a “Help to Fix” scheme could go a long way to achieving the goals the Government has set itself but is currently nowhere near meeting.” CIOB adds that funding isn’t the only reason previous schemes have failed, and issues with promoting them, consumer confidence and ensuring skilled tradespeople were available to meet the demand for their services, also contributed to their downfall. The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee also noted that public awareness of low-carbon heating systems is limited, and the promotion of the BUS was inadequate. This was echoed in CIOB consumer data, which indicated that, of 2,000 UK adults polled in February 2023, 53 per cent had not heard of the BUS, Home Upgrade Grant, ECO Plus/ECO+ Scheme or the Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund. Eurostat data and research from the Building Research Establishment indicates that energy consumption in buildings accounts for 45 per cent of the UK’s carbon emissions*. Notably the UK has one of the oldest housing stocks in Europe, with the smallest proportion of homes built after 1970 and the second highest proportion built before 1919.** Parry added: “Our response to the “Heating our Homes” inquiry has given us the opportunity to once again reiterate our belief, and that of the wider built environment sector, that a national strategy is required if progress is to be made on retrofitting UK homes. Any such strategy must be created with multiple future governments in mind and have a broad consensus across the political spectrum if its to deliver results at the pace and scale required so we hope our calls will no longer continue to fall on deaf ears.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
St James Quarter has announced that the latest phase of the development will reach completion this November as W Edinburgh is set to open its doors at the new lifestyle district in Scotland’s capital. Located in the eastern part of Edinburgh’s city centre, St James Quarter first opened to the public in 2021 and is being delivered by Nuveen Real Estate. The 1.7 million sq foot development is a masterplan in urban placemaking and comprises of world-class retail, dining and leisure destinations as well as 152 New Eidyn residential apartments by Native Land; in addition to delivering nine new public squares and 1,600 car parking spaces. The launch of W Edinburgh marks an important milestone for the development as it is the centrepiece of St James Quarter and will complete the renewal of this eastern part of Edinburgh’s city centre. W Edinburgh encompasses three buildings including the Ribbon Building, James Craig Walk and the Quarter House. Each of its 199 rooms and 45 suites, many with outdoor terraces, offer a new perspective on the city. The hotel’s top floors will bring energy and flair to Edinburgh’s lively social scene. Highlights include W Lounge, SUSHISAMBA restaurant, Joao’s Place cocktail bar and terrace, chef’s table and outdoor terrace. The unique rooftop W deck also offers the finest unfettered 360-degree views of Edinburgh and beyond. Ed Webb, Director of Development Management at Nuveen, said: “We are excited for the launch of W Edinburgh at St James Quarter as it is the centrepiece of the development and completes the renewal of this eastern part of the city centre. “W Edinburgh will be the second hotel to open at St James Quarter and will add to a number of fantastic retail, dining and leisure destinations already on offer. The addition of SUSHISAMBA within the hotel will also further enhance the experience for all who visit. “We’re proud to be a part of the city’s growth and look forward to seeing W Edinburgh become a vibrant hub for both visitors and locals alike.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals About St James Quarter St James Quarter is Edinburgh’s largest development in a generation – a new 1.7 million sq ft masterplan in urban placemaking. Comprising 850,000 sq ft of retail space, St James Quarter complements the city centre’s retail circuit with John Lewis, Zara, & Other Stories, LEGO, H Beauty, and Kurt Geiger to name a few, it is also home to an enticing mix of new restaurants, cafés and bars including Duck & Waffle and Gordon Ramsay Street Burger. St James Quarter also includes a boutique five-screen Everyman Cinema, a luxury aparthotel brand Roomzzz, comprising 75-rooms; and 152 New Eidyn residential apartments by Native Land; in addition to delivering nine new public squares and 1,600 car parking spaces.
Research by the debt advisory specialists, Sirius Property Finance, reveals that 42% of UK consumers rarely, if ever, take a trip to their local high street, as commercial developers are urged to find ways of tempting shoppers to return and, in doing so, help local communities and economies thrive. The survey of over 1,000 UK consumers, commissioned by Sirius Property Finance, asked consumers about their shopping habits and how frequently they headed to their local high street. When asked how often they visit, 32% stated that they rarely head to their high street, while a further 10% don’t visit at all. This reluctance to visit their bricks and mortar high street is largely a result of online retail options, with 54% saying they are likely to look to purchase something online before heading to their local retail outlets. And while 21% say that the internet is simply more convenient, other common reasons for avoiding the high street include limited parking availability (24%), a poor variety of shops (22%), and high prices (14%). These factors mean that the most common reason to visit the high street is not general retail, but instead supermarkets and grocery shopping, which 27% say is their main reason for visiting. 19% say they make the trip to take advantage of cafes, bars, and restaurants, while 15% say it’s for health and beauty services such as hairdressers and nail salons. A further 15% say they’re looking to make clothing and fashion purchases, 12% are in the hunt for home and decor outlets, 6% are visiting for entertainment such as cinemas, and 4% are shopping for electronics and technology products. This means that, in total, just 32% are visiting the local high street for retail purposes, while services and experiences account for the remaining 68%. When asked what would tempt them to visit the high street more often, general retail is once again trumped by other priorities. 21% say that more free parking areas would be a significant draw, while 17% say they’d like to see more local and artisan markets and craft stalls. 10% want more green spaces and gardens, and another 10% are looking for more in-store incentives and experiences. Other things that could tempt people to spend more time on their local high street include pop-up shops and temporary exhibitions (9%), outdoor seating and communal areas (9%), regular events like concerts or festivals (9%), pedestrian-only zones (8%), and interactive technology installations (1%). Head of Corporate Partnerships at Sirius Property Finance, Kimberley Gates, commented: “We’ve seen a substantial shift in consumer behaviour in recent times and so the decline of the high street is by no means the fault of property developers, nor is it exclusively their responsibility to try and breathe life back into physical, local retail districts, but they certainly have an important role to play in the rejuvenation. When looking to ensure the future good health of the high street, commercial developers can look towards the things that people say they want – improved infrastructure, attractive outdoor areas and a more diverse range of outlets. When the high street was born, it had no direct competition. But with the arrival of shopping centres and online shopping, the high street must now find a way to offer something that the internet cannot This means experiences, community, socialising, pride in the local area, and an understanding that today’s consumers have plenty of options. They need to be given a reason to frequently visit the high street and our commercial developers can play a big part in achieving this. When they do, the benefits for local communities and economies will be enormous.” Survey results Full survey results can be viewed online, here Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
The gap between leaving university and starting out in industry can seem a daunting one for many graduates. But for 23-year-old Josh Steadman, from Faversham in Kent, the process from a construction management degree to graduate trainee with Bellway was plain sailing. Josh, who is currently working on site at the Bellway at Rosewood development in Maidstone, joined the housebuilder’s Graduate Programme nine months ago straight after graduating from Leeds Beckett University. He had discovered the opportunity online while in his final year of study. He said: “It was a fairly simple transition from leaving university to being a Bellway graduate. I knew Bellway was a major employer in the industry, and after a friend of mine completed summer work experience and had a good experience, it made me want to choose Bellway.” During his degree, Josh learnt about the various aspects of what a career in construction management entails, from managing contracts to recognising the regulatory and economic environment the industry operates in.But it was only after getting his job at Bellway that he could apply his academic knowledge in the real world. He said: “In these nine months I have already learnt so much. My role requires me to manage projects and sub-contractors, order materials and enforce health and safety regulations on site. I really enjoy taking on this responsibility.” Josh has weekly catch-ups with his graduate mentor, Contracts Manager Mark Baldwin, who supports him with guidance about his job and his career progression. Although Josh has so far been based at solely at Rosewood, the scheme will give him the opportunity to rotate departments, gaining experience in commercial, technical, buying and more to get a better understanding on how the business as a whole functions. He said: “I feel like the scheme is well-rounded and I feel supported in my role. The team at Rosewood really appreciate my contribution, which is something that I feel particularly proud of.“One day I aspire to run a site on my own. I feel that the scheme makes this goal attainable and I feel grateful to Bellway for giving me this opportunity. “I would most definitely recommend the graduate scheme to friends and family and will always be thankful for Bellway for helping me start my career in the construction industry.” Bellway is part of the 5% club, a nationwide movement of employers committed to having five per cent of their workforce in ‘earn and learn’ positions, including apprentices and graduates on formal training programmes. Applications for Bellway’s 2023 graduate cohort has now closed, but for more information on other career opportunities with Bellway, visit https://www.bellwaycareers.co.uk/. Bellway is building a range of two, three, four and five-bedroom homes at Bellway at Rosewood, with more information available at https://www.bellway.co.uk/new-homes/thames-gateway/bellway-at-rosewood. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals