Considerate Constructors Scheme’s industry survey reveals more needs to be done to change perceptions and encourage more women in construction.  Whilst 79% of respondents said the construction industry has improved its approach in encouraging women into construction, 52% have witnessed or experienced sexism within the industry.  The survey also reveals the main reasons women do not choose to work in construction cited as being:  working conditions – 22% lack of female role models – 22% negative image of the industry – 20%   The UK and Ireland campaign ‘Spotlight on… women in construction ’ has been launched by the Considerate Constructors Scheme to boost the much-needed industry effort to attract more women into the construction industry. The Scheme, which makes around 15,000 monitoring visits to construction sites, companies and suppliers every year, surveyed over 1000 people to find out why women still only represent a meagre 11% of the construction industry workforce. The Campaign provides a variety of practical steps that can be taken to address this issue in the short, medium and long term. The survey findings also revealed that: 94% of respondents agreed that the industry would benefit from employing more women. 76% said there are no construction jobs which only men can do. 74% said there should not be quotas for hiring women into construction. It is clear from the survey, that although some results appear encouraging, there is still a huge amount to be done, particularly in addressing sexism and changing misguided perceptions of what a career in construction offers to women. ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’ pulls together the latest and greatest examples of best practice, case studies from women working across the construction industry, legal requirements and links to useful organisations encouraging women to work in construction. The Campaign extends the Scheme’s influence in this important area; by complementing the Scheme’s monitoring Checklist which asks several questions about equality and diversity to raise standards across the thousands of Scheme-registered sites, companies and suppliers; and the role of the industry mascot, Honor Goodsite in visiting hundreds of schools across the UK and Ireland every year. The importance of having role models is absolutely critical. As such, ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’ has interviewed a number of women within the industry to examine what opportunities and challenges they have faced and why construction offers a great career for women of all ages, backgrounds and skills. Case study contributions include: Roma Agrawal, (Structural Engineer at AECOM and a Director of the CCS); Stephanie Bennett, (trainee Quantity Surveyor, Morgan Sindall); Victoria Betts, (Senior Site Manager, Higgins Construction), Sally Cave, (first qualified female Gas Membrane Installer in the UK); Margaret Conway, (Project Manager for McAleer & Rushe and winner of CIOB Construction Manager of the Year 2017 Award); Michèle Dix (Managing Director, Crossrail 2); Katie Kelleher (Crane Operator, Laing O’Rourke); Eillish Kwai (Employment and Skills Manager, Ardmore); Kath Moore, (Carpenter and Chief Executive, Women into Construction); and Megan Robinson (Technical Coordinator at Barratt Developments plc). Managing Director for Crossrail 2, Michèle Dix said: “Women are still underrepresented at present but I think we are starting to move in the right direction. We need to recognise the need for more flexible working arrangements, especially if we are to encourage women back after taking time off for children. “I think there are lots of opportunities out there and one message I would give to my fellow women colleagues is “go for them!”. Be confident in your own abilities. The industry has so much to offer.” Site Manager for Higgins Construction, Victoria Betts said: “In the time I have been working in the industry there has definitely been an increase in the amount of females working in it. The Considerate Constructors Scheme has been a big driving force in this as it insists on facilities for females that previously would not have been in place.” Considerate Constructors Scheme Chief Executive, Edward Hardy said: “Thank you to everyone who has contributed to ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’. The Campaign provides a must-read set of resources for organisations and individuals who would like to improve their standards of considerate construction – with the aim of driving greater equality, diversity and inclusion throughout our industry. “Not only is it imperative that standards must be raised in this area, in order to help encourage more women into the industry, but a more equal and diverse workforce also brings greater collaboration, creative thinking and more inclusive workplaces. This can only be a positive step in helping to improve the image of the UK and Irish construction industries.” The Scheme will continue to update resources available within ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’ and would be very interested to hear more from the industry on this issue, including further examples of best practice and case studies. Email enquiries@ccsbestpractice.org.uk to send in suggestions. Click here to read ‘Spotlight on…women in construction’.

On behalf of Woolstone Associates LLP, Savills has let five units at Titan Drive in Fengate, Peterborough to Kingsgate Community Church, Supermax Healthcare Limited and Plumb City Limited respectively. Plumb City, a leading plumbing manufacturer and supplier, has agreed to a new 10-year lease for Unit 2, which totals 3,143 sq ft (292.01 sq m). Whilst Kingsgate Community Church and Supermax Healthcare Ltd have both agreed to new three-year leases and will occupy Unit 11 totalling 7,235 sq ft (672.14 sq m) and Units 14 to 16, which total 18,718 sq ft (1,738 sq m). Following this recent activity, only three units ranging from 7,239 sq ft (672.48 sq m) to 14,565 sq ft (1,353.08 sq m) remain available to let at a starting quoting rent of £4.50 per sq ft (£48 per sq m). Phase Two of Titan Drive also offers 11 acres (4 hectares) of development land, which has outline planning permission for employment uses and is for sale as a whole or as smaller individual plots. Edward Gee of the business space agency team at Savills, comments: “Situated in Eastern Industry, one of Peterborough’s principal industrial locations, Titan Drive benefits from excellent access to the parkway system and in turn the A1(M) and surrounding areas. We are very pleased to have let these units on behalf of our client and expect to receive strong interest in both the remaining units and for phase two of the site.” Source link

Leeds BS has announced today that it has launched two new fixed rate BTL mortgages that have no early redemption charges. The new products are a two-year fix at 2.50% available up to 60% LTV and another two-year fix at 3.15% up to 70% LTV. Both come with free valuation, fees assisted legal services for standard remortgages, and has a £1,999 fee. Jaedon Green, Leeds Building Society’s Director of Product and Distribution, said: “These latest additions to our competitive buy-to-let mortgage range offer borrowers extra flexibility through the absence of penalties for early redemption. There have been a lot of changes affecting the buy-to-let market in recent months and the phased introduction of new regulation and tax treatment requires a period of adjustment for landlords. Change creates uncertainty, hence our timely introduction of these latest buy-to-let deals. The absence of ERCs means landlords can evolve their approach to the emerging legislation while retaining a degree of flexibility.” Source link

On behalf of Carluccio’s Savills, jointly with Kelion Sworn, has acquired new retail premises in The Mint Building, South St Andrew Square in Edinburgh from Chris Stewart Group. Due to open in February 2018, this marks the first site in Scotland’s capital city for the Italian restaurant chain. Carluccio’s will occupy the ground floor and basement totalling 4,439 sq ft (412 per sq m) on a new 25-year lease. Estelle Forrester, director in the retail team at Savills Scotland, comments: “It was important we found the right premises for the first Carluccio’s restaurant in Edinburgh and as a result the process has taken time. With the significant regeneration underway at St Andrew Square and a number of national leisure operators already confirmed for the area we are confident that this site will serve our client well – benefiting from strong footfall and close proximity to the main shopping streets and business locations, the train station and York Place tram stop.” According to Savills ‘Casual Dining in the UK 2016’ report, gradual change in food culture, particularly since the recession, means consumers are eating out more and this is creating new opportunities for further casual dining growth across the country. The research shows the five formats expected to be most successful over the next five years include premium fast food, all day and flexible formats, street food and pop ups, premium casual dining and third party delivery services. Chris Stewart Group was advised by Cushman and Wakefield. Carluccio’s is actively looking for more sites in Edinburgh and Savills is solely retained on all future acquisitions in Scotland. Source link

A leading North East construction company has forged ahead since the Brexit vote and is about to embark on a string of new projects. Despite post referendum fears of an industry slowdown, regeneration specialist Galliford Try Partnerships North is also celebrating selection for development frameworks involving projects worth over £60 million. Within the next few weeks, it hopes to be on sites in Blyth, Chester-le-Street and Killingworth, with projects worth almost £16 million that will deliver 104 new homes. In addition, the company has been selected by housing provider, Thirteen, to be one of seven construction partners that will bid to deliver up to £45 million worth of projects and by the Riverside Group for its ‘cutting edge’ framework, under which four partners will bid to deliver up to £16 million worth of work.  All of this is in the North East. Said Stephen McCoy, Managing Director with Galliford Try Partnerships North:  “It’s true that after a huge expansion over the past few years we have seen the industry slow in recent months but fortunately we have been successful in securing new work which enables us to continue our expansion.  We are delighted to have been able to forge strong and successful relationships with our partners and I think this has been the catalyst for selection to carry out work on a repeat basis.” Since 2012/13 the business’ annual turnover has grown from just over £8 million to an almost £60 million this year. The projects about to begin include a mixture of homes for sale, shared ownership and rent, which are designed to provide more opportunity for people to enjoy the benefits of living in modern, purpose designed energy efficient homes. The first scheme likely to go live is on the site of a former residential home in Chester-le-Street.  Here, 20 three bedroomed houses and two, two bedroomed flats will be constructed, all for affordable rent through Cestria Community Housing, part of Isos Housing Group. A similar project with the Riverside Group at Camperdown in Killingworth will provide 10 two bedroomed houses, 26 three bedroomed homes and four two bedroomed bungalows.  These will all be for shared ownership. Then, subject to planning permission, In October work will commence at North Farm, Blyth on behalf of the company’s new homes division – Linden Homes.  This will create 22 four bedroomed properties, 19 with three bedrooms and a two bedded bungalow.  Four of the three bedroomed houses will be sold at 10% lower than the true market value in order to help make home ownership affordable to more people.  Source link

Business energy supplier Dong Energy is offering its customers renewable electricity for the same price as traditional sources, in a bid to encourage companies to switch to cleaner power. The business utility will subsidise the additional costs of going green so that UK firms can access renewable electricity and achieve sustainability targets without commercial disadvantage. Dong Energy Sales managing director Jeff Whittingham said: “We are taking this bold step because we believe that all businesses should have access to renewable electricity supply without paying a premium. “If we are to embrace a truly sustainable energy future, we will need to take an integrated and forward-thinking approach to energy. One part of this is putting renewable electricity on an equal footing with traditional ‘brown energy’ sources.” In 2001, the government introduced the Climate Change Levy, a tax designed to encourage businesses to use less energy. Businesses that purchased renewable electricity could gain exemption from the tax by purchasing levy exemption certificates (LECs). This drove a high demand for renewable supply in the UK and resulted in renewable electricity selling at a similar or lower price to brown electricity. Last year the government announced that the exemption would be phased out from August 2015. As a result, demand for renewable electricity has once again become a sustainability choice for businesses. Renewable Energy Guarantee of Origin (REGO) certificates – used as evidence for the source of renewable electricity supply – now hold a value in the market, and renewable electricity is sold at a premium to brown.  Whittingham added: “We are making this announcement at a time of tight budgets and fierce competition for businesses of all types and sizes who are under growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and develop a sustainable business. “It is also a time when cost is key and the additional financial burden of buying renewable energy might be difficult for some companies to justify on a commercial basis.” Source link