BDC News Team
Tradelink transforms interior layouts with AluSpace

Tradelink transforms interior layouts with AluSpace

Already well respected across the UK window industry for its high levels of service, product quality and value for money, Tradelink has further enhanced its offer to customers through the introduction of a new range of interior screening solutions: styled to complement the elegant slim lines of its widely specified

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HelloParks expands in the southern gateway of the Hungarian capital

HelloParks expands in the southern gateway of the Hungarian capital

HelloParks, founded just over two years ago as a member of Futureal Group, is expanding further with the launch of its latest industrial real estate investment in Alsónémedi, where the company plans to build a 60,000 sqm hall in accordance with the highest sustainability standards. The successful completion of the

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RSK Group acquires technical facilities management company Richard Irvin FM

RSK Group acquires technical facilities management company Richard Irvin FM

RSK, a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions, has announced the acquisition of Richard Irvin FM, a technical facilities management and energy solutions company. With a network of offices across Scotland and the north of England, Richard Irvin FM has a team of 230, including engineers, operations staff, project managers and compliance specialists, and an annual turnover in excess of £25 million. Its clients

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Starbucks to open 100 new UK coffee shops

Starbucks to open 100 new UK coffee shops

Starbucks has put an end to speculation it could sell its British business with plans to invest £30m here and open 100 new coffee shops. The US hospitality giant, which has 1,066 outposts across the UK, said it would spend millions refurbishing its existing branches over the next three years

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St Modwen's Park and Leics Distribution Park boost Q4 for leading commercial property agent

Commercial property agents reveal ‘bumper’ results to end 2022 

A NUMBER of successful large transactions helped to boost East Midlands commercial property agents Innes England’s results at the end of last year, the company has revealed.     The deals included more than 200,000 sq ft of transactions in phase 1 at St Modwen Park Derby, the flagship industrial and logistics

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Latest Issue
Issue 339 : Apr 2026

BDC News Team

M&E consultancy CPW almost doubles regional staff in just one year

M&E consultancy CPW almost doubles regional staff in just one year

LEADING sustainability and M&E firm CPW has continued its expansion in the East Midlands following the recruitment of 24 new starters.   The firm’s offices in Leicester, Derby and Nottingham now boast more than 50 members of staff, which marks an increase of almost 100% in the last 12 months and the biggest headcount to date. This remarkable growth has been cemented by a brand-new 3500sq ft office space in Nottingham opening late last year as further evidence of CPW’s growth and increased presence in the region.   Appointments have ranged from graduates to senior professionals, adding valuable expertise in design engineering and building information modelling (BIM) roles. Adam Harris, a newly appointed senior design engineer in CPW’s Nottingham office, said: “I’d heard great things about CPW before joining, so when I was looking for my next career move, it was an easy decision.   “The inclusive culture that runs through the firm has allowed me to share ideas with others more regularly than I have experienced in previous roles, which in turn allows me to consistently upskill and work with junior members of the team, which is crucial as they are the future of our industry.”  CPW is dedicated to developing young people and see it as its inherent responsibility to create professionals that will go on to shape the country’s engineering future. With a culture based on collaboration and sharing knowledge, the firm strives to not only offer an environment that nurtures growth but offer opportunity wherever possible.  Alastair Hirst, a senior design engineer who started with the firm at its Nottingham office in October last year, added: “Bridging the skills gap and recruiting the next generation grows more critical each year and it’s something I personally feel passionate about. I’m therefore thrilled that my role at CPW not only allows space to grow within my own career but also gives me the opportunity to lead others and develop my team skills – in turn helping the growth of those just starting their own careers.”  Carl Hubbard, director and Nottingham office co-lead at CPW, said: “Our presence within the East Midlands business community has been steadily expanding since 2003, but the additions of the last year have really accelerated our growth plans and will further solidify our presence in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham.   “We’re proud of our fantastic teams across all three offices and, being at our strongest staffing levels yet is testament to the top-quality work and the strong relationships we have built with our clients. We’re therefore looking forward to seeing what 2023 has in store for us.”  CPW is passionate about supporting skills, development and training, as well as nurturing young talent. With a leading apprenticeship programme that is now open for applications, CPW is proud to have more than 15% of its workforce currently part of the scheme, with a number of directors and senior team members starting their career via this route.  The international consultancy has more than 250 staff based across 13 offices and works across a wide range of sectors including healthcare, residential, education and more. The firm has sustainability at its core and specialises in designing and integrating a full range of MEP solutions into existing and new buildings.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Tradelink transforms interior layouts with AluSpace

Tradelink transforms interior layouts with AluSpace

Already well respected across the UK window industry for its high levels of service, product quality and value for money, Tradelink has further enhanced its offer to customers through the introduction of a new range of interior screening solutions: styled to complement the elegant slim lines of its widely specified window and door offerings. Suitable for both residential and commercial applications, the AluSpace Internal Screening System has been developed to create a light and spacious ambience within interior settings.  The versatile products are also viewed as being a solution for dividing and delineating various shapes and sizes of room, thanks to the wide variety of configurations available. These include hinged single and double doors, as well as pivot and sliding doors to install within the fixed glazed screen.  Further options include visible hinges or concealed pivot or sliding mechanisms, enabling the systems to be completely tailored to meet virtually any design style.  The frames are single glazed, normally with toughened glass, and can be supplied with a choice of 6, 8 or 18mm thicknesses: providing acoustic attenuation as well as a high degree of thermal isolation and excellent light transmission. For further design flexibility, there is also a wide range of accessories including a choice of classic, modern and industrial handles; all of which may be supplied in a matched, contrasting or complementary colour to the screen and doors. Stuart Judge, MD for Tradelink, reflected: “The launch of AluSpace is very much in step with current trends for customers improving their properties, including wanting to create home offices or sub-dividing existing floorplans to make better use of available space. The made-to-measure screens and door options are available on a three to four week delivery.”  For further information, please visit https://tradelinkdirect.com Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Hands-on with engineering for schools with Baxi and Primary Engineer

Hands-on with engineering for schools with Baxi and Primary Engineer

Primary school teachers in the Preston area are set to introduce the world of engineering to Key Stages 1 & 2 children through a series of engaging classroom projects created by Primary Engineer in partnership with Baxi. This is the second year running that Baxi is supporting the Primary Engineer programmes in Preston. Working with Primary Engineer, the company’s engineers will support teachers as they deliver the Primary Engineer Construction project to children in ten local primary schools.  The first milestone of the project was a training session for the participating teachers on the Construction projects, held at Preston College and joined by Baxi engineers. These projects have been carefully designed to help the children develop skills such as visualisation, creative problem-solving, testing and evaluation, and teamwork and communication. The Mayor of Preston, Neil Darby, came to watch as together the teachers and Baxi engineers built the projects which will bring engineering to a new generation. Nathalie Cachet-Gaujard, Head of Partnerships for North of England at Primary Engineer, said: “We are delighted to have the support and commitment of Baxi to help raise awareness of engineering and the career opportunities it offers, whilst helping to build a diverse generation of future engineers.” Baxi is at the forefront of heating and hot water design solutions. But the industry is undergoing considerable transformation, and creative engineering experts are in high demand. Karen Boswell, MD of Baxi UK & Ireland, said: “Baxi has been part of the Preston community for over 150 years and we’re delighted to continue supporting local schools with this programme. Engineering offers so many varied and exciting opportunities, including designing and building products and services that help decarbonise heat for communities and the environment. Initiatives such as Primary Engineer give us the confidence that we can continue to commit investment in capable and career focused school leavers and graduates to help us grow in the years ahead.” Harrison Carey, Product Design Engineer at Baxi, is one of the ten Baxi engineers who volunteered to take part in the Primary Engineer’s programme. He said: “Primary Engineer is a fun and hands-on way to introduce children to the world of engineering. It’s fantastic to see the children unleash their imagination using skills they’ve learnt in the classroom! This will be my second year working with Primary Engineer and I hope to contribute for many more to come. Engineering plays such a vital role in our communities and it’s rewarding to see children showing interest from such a young age.” To find out more about how Baxi is supporting the next generation of engineers, click here. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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HelloParks expands in the southern gateway of the Hungarian capital

HelloParks expands in the southern gateway of the Hungarian capital

HelloParks, founded just over two years ago as a member of Futureal Group, is expanding further with the launch of its latest industrial real estate investment in Alsónémedi, where the company plans to build a 60,000 sqm hall in accordance with the highest sustainability standards. The successful completion of the land transaction was achieved with the assistance of the consultancy firm Grifton Property. HelloParks, having three modern megaparks in Fót, Maglód and Páty under construction, will be present in the vicinity of the fourth key transport hub around Budapest by the project in Alsónémedi. As a result of the investment, HelloParks is working on the development of more than 1 million sqm of warehouse and industrial space. HelloParks, the Hungarian industrial developer company that creates sustainable megaparks, is launching another project in the southern submarket of Budapest. The construction will soon start on a 135,000 sqm site in Alsónémedi, close to the junction of the M0 and M5 motorways and BILK (Budapest Intermodal Logistics Centre) container terminal. The Big Box type building, expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2024, will be the company’s largest project to date with a total of 60 000 sqm of flexible space to serve tenants’ demands. The development will bring HelloParks’ industrial real estates to another key location after Fót, Maglód and Páty, giving the company full coverage of the Hungarian capital’s surrounding area. Sustainability and energy efficiency are a priority in HelloParks’ investments. To this end, the new building will be built according to the strictest criteria of the New Construction category of BREEAM sustainability standard to achieve the Outstanding rating and to the EU Taxonomy requirements, as will all the company’s new halls. In Hungary, HelloParks is currently the only developer to build industrial buildings in line with these requirements. The hall will be equipped with a modern building management system (BMS) that tenants can have access to, using the company’s own proprietary application. The mobile app will allow them to monitor energy and utility consumption and adjust heating, ventilation and lighting settings in their rented areas. “There is significant demand for our environmentally friendly, energy-efficient and smart industrial buildings. This is one of the reasons why we are now starting development in the southern submarket of Budapest, following Fót, Maglód and Páty, and are now present in all important locations around the Hungarian capital. We make great effort to meet market demand that is why we are currently developing industrial real estates at a fast pace in all our locations” – said Rudolf Nemes, CEO of HelloParks. The Hungarian-owned industrial real estate developer started major construction works in 2021 on three sites where around 140,000 sqm of industrial building has already been completed. The company is currently working on nearly 130,000 sqm of warehouses which will be expanded by a further 60,000 sqm when construction of the planned hall in Alsónémedi starts. HelloParks’ first two buildings in Maglód and Fót – MG1 and FT1 – were 100% occupied with tenants in record time last year. Since then, the second phase in Maglod, MG3, has also received its occupancy permit, while two more buildings in Fót, FT6 and FT2, are due to be handed over soon. The completion of the first warehouse, PT1, which is being built in HelloParks Páty, will also be completed this year. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Placefirst breaks ground at major £35m Bolton town centre residential regeneration scheme

Placefirst breaks ground at major £35m Bolton town centre residential regeneration scheme

Leading and award-winning build-to-rent provider Placefirst has broken ground at its new £35m neighbourhood in Bolton town centre. Central Street will deliver 167 new high quality, sustainable homes for long-term private rent; a mixture of apartments and townhouses located opposite the former Beales department store and extending to the River Croal. To mark the milestone, key members of the Placefirst project team were joined by the Leader of Bolton Council at the site. Placefirst has worked alongside award winning architects Levitt Bernstein and landscape architects CW Studio to design a scheme which will transform the 1.1 hectare brownfield site previously occupied by vacant buildings and a car park, into a vibrant new neighbourhood with communal green areas and pedestrian-led spaces. The design process has been supported by engineers Alan Johnston Partnership, quantity surveyors Walker Sime, project managers Mackie Project Consultants, and monitoring and evaluation consultants Hoare Lea. The legal team for the scheme consists of Gunnercooke and Hill Dickinson. Caddick Construction have been appointed as Placefirst’s construction partner for the first phase of works. The neighbourhood has been designed around a network of pedestrian priority streets, a spacious square and courtyards. The scheme will also deliver a range of ground floor units to expand the amount of commercial space available to local businesses. Placefirst’s commitment to placemaking and social value is showcased through repurposing the brownfield site into much needed high-quality rental homes with good public realm and features including rooftop terraces and resident gardens. The site is well connected, being in the heart of the town centre and within walking distance of the River Croal and Queen’s Park, and suburbs across Bolton.  The surrounding areas are easily accessible from the nearby bus interchange and train station. The development is part of Bolton Council’s £1bn masterplan to transform the town centre by complementing the historic fabric of central Bolton through a mix of interesting, high quality buildings and well thought-out public spaces. Placefirst’s work at Central Street builds on its strong track record of creating thriving communities in the north west of England which includes the iconic Welsh Streets in Liverpool and the Elevate apartment scheme in Manchester. Once complete, Placefirst will remain on site and be responsible for every aspect of the neighbourhood. Each Placefirst development has a dedicated resident services manager and residents are guaranteed a fully maintained, high-quality home for as long as they like. Darran Lawless, development director at Placefirst commented: “We are delighted to commence work on this key regeneration project in the heart of Bolton town centre. This will be a significant development delivering 167 high quality, energy-efficient homes, built specifically for the private rental market. “Addressing the shortage of high quality available rental housing is a key part of Bolton Council’s masterplan and we are proud to be part of this, creating a new community that will have a positive impact on the local area and local economy. We look forward to bringing this new neighbourhood to life.” Bolton Council Leader, Cllr Martyn Cox, said: “Central Street is a perfect example of what we are delivering through our town centre masterplan. “Without the intervention of the council, this area would have remained an underused brownfield site. “But by working with our partners at Placefirst it will become a new neighbourhood of high-quality homes that will attract people into the centre and make it a more vibrant and attractive place. “This is an exciting time for Bolton town centre as work is now underway at a number of key sites with more projects to come later in the year.” Ian Threadgold, Managing Director of Caddick Construction in the North West commented: “There is huge demand for high quality new homes and Placefirst is leading the region by bringing to market this exciting new development, transforming brownfield land into a vibrant hub for Bolton. We are very proud to have been selected as Placefirst’s construction partner for the first phase of works and we look forward to helping to deliver these exceptional new homes for local families and the wider community.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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RSK Group acquires technical facilities management company Richard Irvin FM

RSK Group acquires technical facilities management company Richard Irvin FM

RSK, a global leader in the delivery of sustainable solutions, has announced the acquisition of Richard Irvin FM, a technical facilities management and energy solutions company. With a network of offices across Scotland and the north of England, Richard Irvin FM has a team of 230, including engineers, operations staff, project managers and compliance specialists, and an annual turnover in excess of £25 million. Its clients include Total, BP, National Libraries of Scotland, the Scottish veterans charity Erskine and the councils of Aberdeen City, Aberdeenshire, Midlothian, Highland, Falkirk, Dundee, Moray and Angus, along with commercial landlords, housing associations, managing agents, national facilities management businesses, hotel chains and leisure establishments. Its energy services include building energy management systems, heat pumps and solar and renewable solutions. The business maintains, repairs and improves more than 62,000 UK commercial and domestic properties with a full scope of services, which include heating, ventilation, air conditioning, electrical, lighting, detection, renewable systems, fabric and specialist services, often delivered as complete facilities management packages. Recent projects have included a specialist services installation within a hydrogen bus fuelling depot in Aberdeen, full building and services refurbishment of a nursery in Midlothian, heating plant upgrade at a leisure complex in Aberdeenshire, large-scale heating burner upgrade for a Lothian university, a number of mechanical and electrical upgrades at Ministry of Defence sites across Scotland and roofing upgrade works for an oil sector customer in Great Yarmouth. Chief Executive Officer Mark Buchan, who will continue to lead the business, said: “We are delighted with the acquisition, and we strongly believe that joining RSK will help us move forward as a company, building and strengthening our reputation even further. Over the last four years, we have already built the Richard Irvin FM brand into a company with an enviable reputation, which RSK can help us to develop further. Working with the RSK Group will support our growth plans into England and, with its broad group of companies, will provide us with the scope to offer our current and target customer base an enhanced range of services.” RSK Chief Executive Officer Alan Ryder said: “Richard Irvin FM brings a wealth of technical facilities management and energy expertise to RSK, with an emphasis on safety and compliance and sophisticated software solutions to offer its clients 24/7 asset management and peace of mind. We’re looking forward to welcoming them to the group and sharing this expertise with our colleagues and clients.” As RSK continues to deliver its ambitious growth strategy, it now comprises more than 175 companies with 11,000 people. The group’s annual turnover at the end of FY22 was £796 million. The acquisition adviser was Satvir Bungar of BDO. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Miller Court: A complete roofing replacement at the core of a vital regeneration project

Miller Court: A complete roofing replacement at the core of a vital regeneration project

BMI Redland have recently provided the roofing materials for the redevelopment of the Miller Court apartment complex in Romford, Essex. Made up of 13 apartments across two storeys, Romford’s Miller Court, was going through a vital regeneration project including the roof. With lead work that no longer met regulations and evidence of falling tiles on most elevations, the roof was nearing the end of its natural life. To protect the future of the cobblestone building, and the safety of the residents a total reroof was recommended.  The building, which is owned by a private trust, had many historic repairs, evidence of falling tiles, little ventilation, and the lead work was no longer meeting industry regulations. In fact, considering the amount of work that needed to be completed, including replacing the eaves, ridges, and valleys and working around the red-brick chimneys, a repair would not have been enough for the roof that protects Miller Court’s residents.  Russell Roofing were contracted to manage the new roofing project which had a budget of £150,000. This included managing the complexities of multiple elevations and drop-downs across four storeys, and low-level roof work including porches and bays.  As with many projects, planning permission was needed for the reroof. When deciding what products were to be used, the local council had certain requirements that needed to be met so the team opted to use BMI Redland’s Rosemary Clay Classic tiles in Red, with Redland’s Dry Vent Ridge System, a new eaves ventilation system and vent tiles. THE CHALLENGE A 600 square metre challenge presents some complexities. The 600 square metre roof of Miller Court was made up of existing clay plain tiles that had been repaired multiple times over the years. The scope of the work involved renewing all the existing roof coverings, including the field area, eaves, ridges, verges, and valleys, as well as incorporating low-level work like porches and bays. Plus, with a variety of different building storeys (between one and four), there needed to be extra care taken throughout the planning and installation of the roof. Alongside, tenants were in residence throughout the replacement of the roof. Therefore, to avoid as much disruption as possible, the work would have to be done in phases. THE SOLUTION Minimal disruption through expert craftsmanship. The shape of the roof, and the details involved with the ridges, verge, and valleys, meant that there needed to be extra care and attention taken throughout the installation. For example, as a London based site, there needed to be a rigid delivery route set up.  To reduce the disruption to the tenants living at Miller Court, the Russell Roofing team worked in small sections – completing each one before moving onto the next. To start, they needed to remove the existing covering and dispose of it, then moved onto the installation of the Rosemary Clay Classic tiles in Red to match the existing look of the building and the surrounding area. A Dry-Fix system was used to add ventilation to the project, while not impacting the overall finish of the roof. Contractor Quote: “Redland’s Rosemary tiles are market-leading products. Whenever we get the option of open spec for pitched roofs, we opt for Redland. Combination of good customer service, their quality products, and, more often than not, they are commercially viable as well. They tick all the boxes really.” – Frazer Simpson, Russell Roofing THE IMPACT Providing a full solution. As part of Russell Roofing’s commitment to developing young roofing talent, they had a variety of different teams working on site. These teams were made up of two to three individuals, one who was a full-time roofer with experience, and the other a labourer that was newer to the industry, looking to develop skills throughout the project, while ensuring a high-quality finish was maintained. Before Photograph of the old roof of Miller Court Details of the newly refurbished roof of Miller Court Details of the newly refurbished roof of Miller Court The Redland Rosemary Clay Classic tile made the perfect choice for the roof, in keeping with the local roofscape and satisfying planning permission requirements. The previous roof hadn’t been installed with any ventilation, so Russell Roofing have made sure  the roof will be warm and dry for years to come. In focus: Rosemary Clay The Redland Rosemary Clay Classic plain tile has natural strength from the finest Etruria Marl clay. Rosemary is offered in a range of weathered, brindled, and single colours to achieve any look. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Starbucks to open 100 new UK coffee shops

Starbucks to open 100 new UK coffee shops

Starbucks has put an end to speculation it could sell its British business with plans to invest £30m here and open 100 new coffee shops. The US hospitality giant, which has 1,066 outposts across the UK, said it would spend millions refurbishing its existing branches over the next three years and opening new branches over the next year, following reports last summer that it was considering selling the business. The company mulled a sale amid rising competition from rivals such as Pret A Manger and high inflationary pressures. The company said at the time it was “not in a formal sale process”. The investment plans signal that Starbucks is committed to Britain for now. Accounts filed with Companies House show Starbucks’s UK sales rose by 37pc to £449m last year, surpassing pre-pandemic revenues for the first time. However, pre-tax profits dropped by a fifth to £10.4m as the climbing cost of everything from coffee beans to cups and energy ate into margins. Starbucks also gave its baristas a pay rise last year, reflecting intense competition in the labour market and a cost of living squeeze on workers. As costs soared last year, Stabucks raised the price of some espresso drinks and iced beverages by approximately 4pc. Duncan Moir, president of Starbucks Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA), said: “Whilst we are cautious about the macro-economic environment, we will continue to invest to grow the region this year. We plan to open over 100 new stores in the UK and 300 new stores in EMEA, to continue this growth momentum.” New stores will be a mixture of company-owned branches and franchised stores. Starbucks owns about 30pc of its outlets directly in the UK, with the remaining 70pc run by franchisees. Mr Moir said the coffee chain wanted to open “digitally-forward smaller stores” and more drive-throughs. The business recently announced a new range of drinks in Italy called Oleato, which are coffee beverages with extra virgin olive oil. The unusual drinks are expected to launch in the UK over coming months. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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Expert-led guide to sustainable and cost-effective heating solution - Air Source Heat Pumps

Expert-led guide to sustainable and cost-effective heating solution – Air Source Heat Pumps

Air Source Heat Pumps (ASHPs) are becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners in the UK who are looking for a sustainable and cost-effective way to heat their homes.  Unlike traditional fossil fuel-based heating systems, ASHPs use heat from the air outside to heat the home or building, making them a great investment as a renewable energy source.  Another benefit of ASHPs is their high efficiency, measured by the Coefficient of Performance (COP), which is the ratio of heat output to energy input.  Modern ASHPs have a COP of 4, meaning that for every unit of electricity used, the system produces 4 units of heat, making them significantly more efficient than traditional heating systems which can have a COP as low as 0.8.  In addition to the environmental and efficiency benefits, ASHPs can also save homeowners money on their energy bills in the long run. While the initial installation costs can be high, the long-term savings on energy costs and less frequent maintenance make this more cost efficient than traditional heating systems. When considering investing in an Air Source Heat Pump, it is important to consult a professional to determine if the system is a good fit for your home or building. Factors to consider include:  Make sure that the installer is also properly qualified and that the system is installed to the highest standards.  There are three main types of Air Source Heat Pumps:  The monobloc system has all the components housed in one unit, usually installed outside of the home. Its benefits include: The split system has an outdoor unit that houses the compressor and heat exchanger, and an indoor unit that circulates the heat around the home. The outdoor unit is connected to the indoor unit through pipes and electrical cables.  Benefits of this system include:  Finally, the hybrid system combines a conventional boiler system with an air source heat pump. The benefits of this system include: by David Johnson, Technical and Category Manager at The Underfloor Heating Store Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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St Modwen's Park and Leics Distribution Park boost Q4 for leading commercial property agent

Commercial property agents reveal ‘bumper’ results to end 2022 

A NUMBER of successful large transactions helped to boost East Midlands commercial property agents Innes England’s results at the end of last year, the company has revealed.     The deals included more than 200,000 sq ft of transactions in phase 1 at St Modwen Park Derby, the flagship industrial and logistics development on Pride Park which has seen a huge amount of activity over the last 12 months and is going from strength to strength this year.      Another significant deal involved the letting of the final 150,000 sq ft unit at Leicester Distribution Park (LEDP), located off the A47 near Leicester city centre, to third party logistics operator XPO. Innes England, M1 and CBRE acted on behalf of property developer Graftongate and investment managers BlackRock to complete the 45-acre scheme’s final phase.     The transactions helped to mark a successful last quarter of 2022 for Innes England, despite an unsettled second half of the year for the commercial property market – as the company’s recent Market Insite report noted.     Peter Doleman, the firm’s head of agency, said: “What is particularly pleasing about this latest set of results is that all three of our East Midlands offices made significant contributions to the end result which incorporated both acquisition and disposal activity and demonstrated the breadth and depth of expertise offered by the Innes England team.”    Derby’s industrial real estate take-up continued its acceleration last year, with 1.2m sq ft of space being acquired – up from 891,000 sq ft and the second-highest take-up on record, according to Market Insite.   Nick Hosking, Innes England’s director and head of agency and development in the city, said: “Derby’s industrial figures have never been better and with demand continuing to outstrip supply we see that trend continuing this year.     “The developer St Modwen has invested £50m into the local economy over the last 12 to 18 months, with the delivery of 300,000 sq ft of new build grade A warehousing accommodation.  “Following the success of phase 1 it is really encouraging news that St Modwen will shortly deliver the next phase with the development of a further 350,000 sq ft, given industrial supply in Derby remains extremely thin on the ground.”  The optimistic outlook continues with the recent announcement that heating technology company Vaillant is to open a production site at St Modwen Park Derby, creating more than 200 jobs.     The custom-built site is due to open in the autumn to allow Vaillant, which has its UK headquarters at Belper, to meet increasing demand for heat pumps.     And Swedish medical technology manufacturer Getinge has revealed plans for a new global centre of excellence for chemistry and its UK headquarters at St Modwen Park Derby.     Nick added: “Attracting Getinge to the scheme is really positive news for Derby, enabling its continued expansion and securing valuable hi-tech jobs within the city.”     Meanwhile, Leicestershire’s industrial take-up of four million sq ft of space in the year was ‘excellent news’ added Peter. “It can be partly explained by the county’s exposure to the national distribution market and its location for a number of sites that cater for this specific massive market.”   The office market in Leicester topped the leader board in the industry’s Estates Gazette Radius On-Demand rankings on lettings and occupational sales transacted between October and December in 2022.     In Nottingham, Innes England director Scott Osborne facilitated a multi-million pound transaction on behalf of Henton and Chattell, the UK’s leading distributor of ground care and garden machinery.      The company acquired three income-producing buildings of nearly 50,000 sq ft in Abbeyfield Road as part of its ambitious expansion plans.     Scott added: “Innes England experienced a bumper end of the year with almost half a million square feet transacted in the last quarter. We look forward to many more successful deals in 2023.”   Innes England’s new Birmingham office – opened last year under its head of office Adam Rock – had also exceeded expectations in its first nine months on the level of instructions and turnover generated, the company said.    To find out more about Innes England, visit the company’s website: https://www.innes-england.com/     Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals 

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