Kenneth Booth

INVESTING IN CONSTRUCTION TRAINING

Operator training can save on costs, increase productivity and maximise site safety, all for less than one per cent of the cost of the equipment. So, how do you find out what training is available so that you can choose the right course? Here Ian Barnes, Head of Business at

Read More »

CBRE SUBMITS PLANS TO TRANSFORM PORT OF LIVERPOOL BUILDING

 Planning Submitted For Phase 1 Renovations At Three Graces Building Acting on behalf of Amtrak Real Estate, CBRE’s Planning and Development team has submitted a planning application to Liverpool City Council for the first phase of renovations to reposition Liverpool’s Grade II* Listed Port of Liverpool Building into a 21st

Read More »

Work progressing well on £53m Poynton Relief Road

Work is ‘progressing well’ on the new £53m Poynton Relief Road scheme – with the first two beams for the new bridge now in place. The design and build contract for the 3km road was awarded in autumn 2019 to construction and civil engineering specialist contractor Graham, which carried out

Read More »

Edinburgh Council affordable home programme

The City of Edinburgh Council’s affordable housebuilding programme continues apace with construction starting this week (Tuesday 25 May) on a further 49 new affordable and energy efficient homes for Dumbryden Gardens in Wester Hailes.  Following completion of the Dumbryden Gardens phase one development in November 2019, phase two has commenced on the former Dumbryden primary school site.   Led by construction partner Robertson Partnership Homes, procured through SCAPE Construction, the site combines 35 homes for social rent and 14 homes for mid-market rent and includes a

Read More »

The Benefits of 3D Design for Engineering and Manufacturing

Technology is evolving at an incredible pace, with extraordinary new innovations and developments occurring all the time and improving the operations of businesses across many different industries, and one of the most amazing innovations of recent years is the evolution of 3D design and modeling. With the help of 3D

Read More »

Why Water Damage is So Bad for Electronics

There are all kinds of industries that use electrical equipment. Shipping and the music industry are a couple of examples, but there are many more. That electrical equipment has to work exactly as it’s supposed to, or significant problems can arise. Any industry that uses electronics needs to watch out

Read More »

PLANS FOR SKEGNESS GATEWAY URBAN EXTENSION REVEALED

PLANS to transform Skegness with the development of a sustainable urban extension to the west of the town have today (19 May) been revealed. The proposals for Skegness Gateway, to be the subject of a Local Development Order (LDO) with East Lindsey District Council later this year, outline an all-encompassing

Read More »
Latest Issue
Issue 343 : Aug 2026

Kenneth Booth

Reds10 and Jestico + Whiles complete new Imperial War Museums’ London staff hub setting new standards for modular off-site construction

A new building to house teams of staff from across Imperial War Museums in a collaborative and creative space has been completed on Austral Street in Southwark, London; The scheme was constructed by Reds10 off-site using modular construction and was designed by Jestico + Whiles; The three-storey building consists of flexible workspace for 180 of the museum’s staff. Off-site construction specialists Reds10, working with architect Jestico + Whiles, have completed new staff offices for Imperial War Museums (IWM) in Southwark, London. The new building, called Parkside, will provide the principal workspace for Imperial War Museums’ staff in London, acting as a central hub for over 180 of its employees from a number of different directorates. Parkside is nestled behind the All Saints Building, which historically provided office and archive space for IWM. The purpose-built Parkside offers a creative hub for innovative thinking and collaboration between the museums’ teams, supporting IWM to fulfil its vital mission to improve public understanding of war and conflict through its exhibitions, events and programming. The new space will also support IWM’s commitment to develop smarter working practices across the whole organization. Jestico + Whiles was appointed to translate and develop IWM’s vision into a striking, flexible building of modest scale. The building was delivered using the latest off-site construction techniques, enabling the highest architectural standards and integrity to be achieved, even given the constraints of a Central London location. The building’s exterior consists of a light grey tone brickwork arranged to form a regular grid of recessed bays, within which vertical paired windows echo the local Georgian townhouse vernacular.  The outermost masonry planes are vertically coursed to reinforce the openings, and the deep recesses are accentuated with angled brick cills and vertical corduroy panels. Dark, bronze-framed windows and cladding contrast with the masonry and reference the tone of the existing All Saints Building beyond. The historic boundary wall to Geraldine Mary Harmsworth Park was reconstructed with deep notches forming windows to the ground floor welfare spaces behind, and the main entrance gate from the park. The unrivalled design of the building, with its brick slip façade, multi-angle splays and double-height windows, relied heavily on striking the fine balance between work on-site and in the Reds10 factory. Techniques including 3D laser scanning of the building’s units, production of multiple building prototypes and meticulous attention to detail in selecting materials in the factory, meant the required tight tolerances, while minimising risk and reaching the highest levels of quality were achieved. The successful coordination of detail on and off-site and project team collaboration, has not only meant complete architectural integrity, but also a truly beautiful building; its flawless finish marrying the best of modern methods of construction, with the latest techniques in architectural design in a way that has not been seen before. On the inside, Parkside is arranged simply, with the ground floor providing shared facilities such as a café and breakout spaces. The two upper floors provide a combination of open workspace and formal and informal meeting areas. Raised access floors with the ability to fully reconfigure both the first and second floor shared spaces in layout, offer complete flexibility to suit a multitude of long-term of needs for the space. The floor plates are column-free, providing 14 m clean spans, despite having to support 100 tn of material to carry an extensive brown roof and photovoltaic panel array. Coupled with unique double-height windows spanning multiple modules, the internal spaces benefit from breathtaking natural light and unobstructed views of the neighbouring park. The project team was digitally connected through the use of Reds10’s common data environment ‘Autodesk Construction Cloud’, which allowed a singular place of input for all parties, from client to architect, factory to site staff. The single system, with its ability to generate Virtual Reality walkthroughs in real time, allowed the collaboration between numerous specialist parties to run flawlessly throughout the project lifecycle. The project team also carried out extensive stakeholder engagement throughout the design and development stages, working with IWM’s teams to understand how the workspace would be used whilst developing the scheme to address feedback from IWM’s neighbours. Working collaboratively, the project team have delivered an impressive building that marries the best of modern methods of construction, with the latest techniques in architectural design. Reds10 achieved a Considerate Constructors score of ‘exceptional’ in relation to community engagement. The team went above the minimum standards demonstrating industry best practice at the very highest level, including hosting several apprentices from the local area and investing in projects to benefit the local community. Sustainability was another key driver for IWM and the building is set to achieve a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating. The triple aspect workspace uses natural ventilation and daylight strategies to lessen the energy demand on the active systems, the roof has been fitted with solar energy panels and the site includes a large cycle store for 70 bicycles and an electric car charging port, to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation. As part of Reds10’s commitment to deliver better than carbon neutral, whole life carbon and embodied construction impact assessments were also carried out, and SMART building technology installed to help reduce overall energy use and drive 100 per cent space productivity. Paul Ruddick, CEO, Reds10, said: “This project sets a new standard for off-site construction. It pushes the design to a higher level and truly shows the quality that can be achieved when architecture is embedded in the modular construction process from the start. We hope it leads to many more enlightened occupiers and developers selecting off-site construction, not just for its flexibility, efficiency and sustainability benefits, but to deliver truly amazing spaces where people thrive.”  Howard Pye, Associate Director, Jestico + Whiles added: “Parkside champions the very best off-site construction methods have to offer – bringing forward the highest quality in build and design with an impressive and finely detailed, demure façade. Working alongside Reds10, we have relished the challenge that off-site manufacture has brought to this project. Parkside demonstrates the benefits to speed, quality of

Read More »

INVESTING IN CONSTRUCTION TRAINING

Operator training can save on costs, increase productivity and maximise site safety, all for less than one per cent of the cost of the equipment. So, how do you find out what training is available so that you can choose the right course? Here Ian Barnes, Head of Business at SITECH UK & Ireland, explains how site managers can get the most from their equipment by training their workforce. To get the maximum return on investment, it is important for construction companies to select the right equipment for the job and for machine operators to understand how to use it in the most efficient way. If operators have the necessary training behind them, they will be able to understand the equipment’s benefits and limitations, work safely and achieve the desired results more quickly and with minimal errors. Investing in the correct initial training allows site managers to lay a solid foundation of knowledge across the entire workforce. Operators can look to industry experts for training support to gradually build employee’s skills and help unlock the full operating potential of the machinery. As well as better use of equipment, training can help employees pick up new digital and software skills. Choosing your training Understanding the needs of operators and their roles can help site managers plan employee training sessions. For example, if the site manager becomes aware that the team is not using an excavator’s in-built technology to its full potential, they can bring experts into the company to train the staff the specific issue, whether this is to engage automatic functions, or how to calibrate the machine for different types of material. Training provides operators with more experience using guidance software, such as Trimble® Earthworks, to control the excavator boom, stick and bucket in a smooth and efficient motion. Therefore, they can apply this knowledge to accurately achieve a consistent grade in much less time than beforehand, increasing productivity and boosting the business’s return on investment. The future of training Looking ahead, it is important that essential workers get hands-on training safely, so they can get to grips with any new equipment they are required to use. As restrictions lift, we will see training group sizes slowly increase, but we also predict a longer-term shift in how businesses want training delivered. Some construction businesses prefer the convenience of instructors going to their sites or offices to train their employees, rather than sending them to dedicated centres. However, many businesses enjoy the enhanced experience of attending a training facility, such as SITECH’s new venue in Norton Canes. Centres like this offer different training systems, such as the Tenstar simulation, which allows operators to see and feel how the excavation equipment works in a classroom environment before they set foot in an expensive piece of equipment. The best training approach depends on the technology, application and team. However, in future, training companies may have to be more flexible in their offering to meet the preferences of individual customers. As more companies begin to use advanced technologies, such as augmented reality (AR) cameras and automated mapping, we can also expect to see a host of new training techniques emerge. Being fully trained to use digital technology can give operators a better understanding of the work in-hand, while enabling them to benefit from improved communication between the site and office. Ensuring that operators are fully trained and can use their construction technology and equipment to its full potential will enable site managers to boost project productivity and get the most out of their equipment. SITECH has many experienced Trimble certified trainers with an expert level of product knowledge in Earthworks and GCS900. SITECH can tailor any course to suit the specific requirements of the learner and business, so get in touch to tell us about your specific training needs https://www.sitechukandireland.com/sitech-academy.

Read More »

CBRE SUBMITS PLANS TO TRANSFORM PORT OF LIVERPOOL BUILDING

 Planning Submitted For Phase 1 Renovations At Three Graces Building Acting on behalf of Amtrak Real Estate, CBRE’s Planning and Development team has submitted a planning application to Liverpool City Council for the first phase of renovations to reposition Liverpool’s Grade II* Listed Port of Liverpool Building into a 21st century office building.   The planning application includes the delivery of new Grade A office space across the ground and first floors including small suites and lounges to the ground floor together with a mix of flexible sized office suites and collaboration spaces, informal meeting with quiet zones to the first floor. Whilst the initial phase of proposed work to refurbish currently vacant ground and first floor space will address the types of work space on offer, a more holistic approach to the provision of amenities, such as high quality food and beverage offer, shower, changing, cycle and fitness facilities is on-going. The renovated building will ultimately combine amenity, health and vitality, high quality office space and social/community aspects all under one roof in a magnificent waterfront setting. Amtrak has appointed the best in class team to sensitively revitalise the building and preserve its future viability by creating a sought after address that appeals to the evolving needs of occupiers in a post-pandemic world. CBRE’s Project Management and Building Consultancy, Planning and Development and Property Management and Asset Management teams are working together with lead architect Corstophine+Wright, 2M2 Studio Interior Designers, Orion building heritage advisors, Curtins structural engineers and Hoare Lea fire engineers to evaluate the existing building. Avison Young and Hitchcock Wright are appointed office agents.   As part of a masterplanning exercise for the building, the repositioning scheme embraces the heritage value of this Grade II* Listed property to deliver a world-class office building to meet modern day office occupier requirements. Simon Hepple, Director, National Building Consultancy team in Liverpool said: “Following the recent completion of our award winning refurbishment at another of the Three Graces, Royal Liver Building, we are delighted to be instructed to undertake a truly complementary, considered and sympathetic refurbishment which will return this magnificent building into its former glory preserving its future viability by delivering a wide range of flexible Grade A office accommodation and stunning amenities, whilst respecting the heritage value of the building.” Grade A office suites from 250 sq ft to 14,000 sq ft on the ground and first floor will be offered to suit a wide range of contemporary occupiers from diverse sectors.  The aim is to appeal to professional services, SMEs, creative and digital businesses, but also to appeal to the flexible requirements of blue chip, corporate occupiers. Hepple continues; “With homeworking making it harder to attract employees back into the workplace there is now a greater emphasis on the office providing leisure, lifestyle and wellbeing facilities along with opportunities for social engagement.” Hannah Cornthwaite, Senior Planner at CBRE, said “Working collaboratively with Amtrak, CBRE is developing a long-term vision to re-position the magnificent Grade II* Port of Liverpool Building with the aim of creating a truly vibrant and revitalised destination in Liverpool.” Ed Baverstock, Director, lead architects Corstophine + Wright commented: “We are delighted to be working on this exciting project. Attracting people back to the workplace and providing resilient and flexible space that accommodates new ways of working post the Covid-19 pandemic, with an emphasis on health and wellbeing is central to the plans and we look forward to developing this project with the team.”

Read More »

Work progressing well on £53m Poynton Relief Road

Work is ‘progressing well’ on the new £53m Poynton Relief Road scheme – with the first two beams for the new bridge now in place. The design and build contract for the 3km road was awarded in autumn 2019 to construction and civil engineering specialist contractor Graham, which carried out a detailed design work and site surveys. The latter included archaeological and ecological appraisals and creation of new ecological habitats before the main construction began. A recent major milestone on the project, which is due to be completed late next year, saw the lifting into place of the first two precast concrete bridge beams for the new Chester Road overbridge.  A 400-tonne crane was used to lift the 21.4m beams into position, with each weighing 38 tonnes. The operation was completed within a day and the beams will form part of the largest structure in the scheme. Key earthworks operations began in April. These must be carried out during the dry months of the year and are essential to the progress of the scheme. The ‘cut and fill’ work will involve excavation, transportation, placement and compaction of about 240,000 tonnes of material. The road is expected to open to traffic in Autumn 2022. Funding for the scheme was agreed by government earlier this year, following a successful bid by Cheshire East Council for local growth funding administered by Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership. Councillor Craig Browne, deputy leader of Cheshire East Council and chair of the authority’s highways and transport committee, said: “It’s great to see significant progress being made on this long-awaited scheme. The council has maintained a clear vision and commitment to investing in infrastructure throughout the pandemic. This new road will improve links to Macclesfield and the surrounding area, open up some much-needed employment land and also reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality in Poynton.” Graham project manager Nick Hodder said: “Despite the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic to the project, our team has worked tirelessly with the council and our stakeholders to ensure great progress across this much-needed scheme.” “The lifting into place of the first two concrete bridge beams for the largest bridge along the route marked a major milestone of the construction phase and the team have received plenty of interest in our construction activities taking place on Chester Road. It was great to see many members of the public watching the beams being lifted into place from a safe distance.” “Earthworks recently started, with various machines now based full time on the project, performing different roles to fulfil these operations. I would like to thank the local residents and commuters for their continued patience while we deliver this important infrastructure programme.”

Read More »

Edinburgh Council affordable home programme

The City of Edinburgh Council’s affordable housebuilding programme continues apace with construction starting this week (Tuesday 25 May) on a further 49 new affordable and energy efficient homes for Dumbryden Gardens in Wester Hailes.  Following completion of the Dumbryden Gardens phase one development in November 2019, phase two has commenced on the former Dumbryden primary school site.   Led by construction partner Robertson Partnership Homes, procured through SCAPE Construction, the site combines 35 homes for social rent and 14 homes for mid-market rent and includes a number of wheelchair accessible homes. This development, to be completed in Winter 2022, is part of the City of Edinburgh Council’s housing building programme which, along with housing association partners, will contribute to the delivery of 20,000 new homes across the city by 2027. Councillor Kate Campbell, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener, said:  It’s great to see construction starting on another council-led development with more new council houses getting built. Our house building programme has to meet the needs of our communities and so these homes will be accessible, highly energy efficient and some homes will be fully wheelchair adapted. There are so many families in need of permanent, affordable housing, so it’s good that next year these homes will be ready for families to move in and be part of this growing community. Councillor Mandy Watt, Vice Convener, said:  I’m looking forward to seeing the development start to take shape over the course of next year, and bring a range of benefits for the local community through revitalising a disused site and through additional initiatives delivered by our contractor, Robertson Partnership Homes, as part of the project.  Edinburgh has one of the most ambitious house-building plans of any local authority in the UK and these are great example of quality Council-led homes that will be affordable to rent and live in long term. Matt Collins, managing director, Robertson Partnership Homes, said:  Last year we completed 263 new homes for the City of Edinburgh Council’s Small Sites Programme through Scape’s Major Works Scotland framework and are proud to be the delivery partner for the second phase at Dumbryden Gardens.    The City of Edinburgh Council is committed to providing high-quality homes and equal housing opportunities for its residents.  The inclusion of sustainable features which will further benefit the residents underlines the Council’s commitment to the natural environment and the wellbeing of the communities it is creating. Mark Robinson, group chief executive at SCAPE, said: We’re delighted that Robertson Partnership Homes and the City of Edinburgh Council will be delivering energy efficient homes for both social and mid-market rent. SCAPE is fully committed to helping clients achieve their net zero carbon target. Whilst the need for social and affordable housing is ever pressing, it’s important that new homes are delivered which help address the environmental challenges we face, and it’s encouraging to see the City of Edinburgh Council future proof their housing stock.

Read More »

The Benefits of 3D Design for Engineering and Manufacturing

Technology is evolving at an incredible pace, with extraordinary new innovations and developments occurring all the time and improving the operations of businesses across many different industries, and one of the most amazing innovations of recent years is the evolution of 3D design and modeling. With the help of 3D modeling and prototyping, it’s possible for engineers, manufacturers, designers, architects, and other professionals across many sectors and spheres to create realistic digital representations of their ideas and creations, being able to test, refine, and enhance those designs on the fly. The advent of 3D modeling is simplifying so much of the engineering and manufacturing world, changing the game entirely for countless companies, helping to save time and money, while also opening new doors of opportunity for businesses worldwide. Here are some of the best benefits. Efficiency The first and perhaps most obvious advantage of using CAD design when compared to more traditional methods of product and part development is quite simply the fact that it is immeasurably more efficient overall. It’s much easier, simpler, and more convenient to create digital representations of ideas and products via the help of CAD software and then to make changes and alterations to those products in the digital space than it would be to actually make a prototype and create lots of different sketches and blueprints of the same product. Speed and Convenience Following on from the previous point, it’s also important to note that 3D modeling and design offer incredible speed and convenience benefits too, helping products and parts get to market a lot faster and helping companies keep up with the rapid rate of competition in their respective sectors. This is so important in the engineering and manufacturing industries, where time is always of the essence and it can be so vital to get products produced, sold, and shipped out to buyers as quickly as possible. Saving Money Another big way in which 3D design and modeling can be of assistance to engineering and manufacturing professionals is by helping them save money. The money that is saved can then be reinvested into other parts of the product development process or other aspects of the business entirely, like marketing and branding. CAD software helps to save money in several ways. First, it reduces the risk of any errors in the design process that could lead to faulty or unusable parts and products. Secondly, it reduces the need for prototypes and physical models of products, allowing for changes and improvements to be made in seconds, rather than hours. Avoiding Mistakes One of the best benefits of making use of 3D design and modeling is to help make designs as perfect and flawless as they can possibly be, without any costly mistakes or little issues that could cause big expenses and inconvenience later on. It’s very common for small and simple mistakes to be made when parts or products are first being developed, but 3D modeling lets you test and inspects your creations on a deeper and finer level than ever before, identifying any errors or areas of weakness and addressing them right away, without the need for several stages of prototypes. Happier Clients and Customers Another huge benefit of making the most of 3D CAD software is how it can help to satisfy a company’s clients or customers, helping to win quotes, get more jobs, build your business’ profile, and strengthen your standing in the industry. Clients and customers can benefit in a lot of different ways from this technology. Firstly, they’ll enjoy seeing 3D model representations of the parts or products they’re interested in ordering, and 3D design makes it easy for them to request changes and customization too. Fine-Tuning Designs and Ideas Yet another of the many advantages of using 3D design and modeling software and programs like Solidworks is the fact that they can help you to truly fine-tune and perfect your ideas in ways you might never have been able to do without this sort of technological aid. Many companies have good ideas, but turning a good idea into a great idea can be a challenge. The 3D design makes this process a lot easier, as it allows you to put your ideas out there into the digital space and then test them, inspect them, analyze them, and improve them. Final Word It’s clear to see that 3D modeling programs have a lot to offer for the engineering and manufacturing industries in particular, and any company wanting to get ahead of the competition should strongly consider a serious investment in this sort of software.

Read More »

Why Water Damage is So Bad for Electronics

There are all kinds of industries that use electrical equipment. Shipping and the music industry are a couple of examples, but there are many more. That electrical equipment has to work exactly as it’s supposed to, or significant problems can arise. Any industry that uses electronics needs to watch out for any damage to those components. That damage can come in different ways, but any situation where water comes into contact with electrical equipment is particularly troubling. In this article, we’ll explain why. Water Damage Restoration Before we explain why electrical component water damage can be so devastating, you should understand that there are sometimes steps you might take to fix these problems when they come up. Just because there’s water damage, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to discard those components completely. Some companies offer water damage restoration techniques, and you can at least contact them so they can have a look at the situation. The rapidity with which you contact these services can often make all the difference. If you can reach out to one of these companies within a day or so after the water’s original contact, they might be able to save the equipment. Water is conductive, though, so you should be very careful as you begin to examine it. Someone electrocuting themselves is the last thing you want. A professional examining that equipment can reveal whether conductivity is still possible. The Corrosion Factor You probably think about electrocution risks when someone brings up water damaging electrical components, and with good reason. If someone electrocutes themselves, they can suffer serious injuries or even die. Also, if something like that happens, you can be sure that OSHA will visit you sooner rather than later to make sure your company didn’t violate any established protocols. Corrosion is also a pressing issue in these situations, though. There are metal components wherever you find electronics, and when water contacts metal, it quickly starts to corrode. That can happen if you leave musical equipment out in the rain, for instance, or if you leave electrical components in a tsunami’s path. The ions you find in water speed up the corrosion process. It might surprise you how much damage just a few moments of contact can do. If the ion content is higher, that will speed up the process. Unless you’re an expert, you won’t know how high the water’s ion content is. However, the corrosion’s speed will be a big hint. The Water’s Impurities The water’s impurities are another factor when they contact electronics. It’s not as though you have purified water in these situations like you’d get out of a Brita pitcher. If it’s rainwater, ocean water, or sewer water that’s flooding your electronics, there are all kinds of impurities present. The water washes over the contact points within your electronics. When that happens, you get corrosion, but you can also get some other unexpected reactions depending on what’s in that water. It’s unrealistic to expect that the electronics are going to respond as they did before their submersion, even if they dry off by the time you get to them and they appear more or less undamaged. You might have a situation where the electronics continue to function even after they came in brief contact with unpurified water. That’s probably not going to last, though. Even if you’re lucky enough that they continue functioning, the water will frequently shorten their usable life by quite a bit. What Should You Do if Water Contacts Your Electronics? As we mentioned, companies can save or refurbish your electronics if water contacts them. You can reach out to these entities, but you’ll want to do so immediately after discovering the issue. The longer you choose to wait, the less likely they can swoop in to save the day. Before you call them, though, it’s best to disconnect the electronics if you can. If you attempt to do so, wear gloves so as to avoid electrocution. If you don’t feel comfortable disconnecting the equipment, you can leave that up to the professionals. If purified water touches your electronics, it’s more probable you can save them since that water does not have as many potentially corrosive elements. It’s hardly likely that a flood of purified water is going to wash over your electronics, though, which is why these salvage companies exist. The takeaway from this is that water can damage electronics, but it’s sometimes possible to save them.

Read More »

PLANS FOR SKEGNESS GATEWAY URBAN EXTENSION REVEALED

PLANS to transform Skegness with the development of a sustainable urban extension to the west of the town have today (19 May) been revealed. The proposals for Skegness Gateway, to be the subject of a Local Development Order (LDO) with East Lindsey District Council later this year, outline an all-encompassing scheme that will provide hundreds of jobs, a ground-breaking new college, much-needed amenities and new homes for the area. Sue Bowser of Croftmarsh, said: “We have farmed the land for over 30 years with a long-term view that certain areas of land could be used for development, and we are very excited to see those plans starting to take shape. We believe that the scheme being proposed will act as a catalyst for positive change for Skegness and position the town in its rightful place in the East Midlands as a place with opportunity and ambition. “As a family, we have lived and worked in Skegness for generations and are incredibly passionate about delivering a scheme that we – and the rest of the town – can be proud of, and we believe that what we are proposing will do that. “We have been working hard for a number of months alongside the team at East Lindsey District Council and other stakeholders to put together proposals for Skegness Gateway to ensure that it will be a development exemplar, creating a vibrant new community and we are very pleased to now be able to unveil them.” The 136-hectare site is located to the west of Skegness and is being proposed through an LDO in conjunction with East Lindsey District Council, which is expected to be submitted later this year.  The proposed masterplan includes: around 1,000 new homes, specialist accommodation for older people, a tourism offering, a ground-breaking TEC partnership college, crematorium, employment and commercial land as well as significant green spaces and amenities for local people. Neil Sanderson of Croftmarsh, added: “We believe that Skegness Gateway will offer a real ‘cradle to grave’ opportunity for the town; offering high quality education, opportunities for start-ups, commercial and industrial space as well as places to live, work and play. “We are pleased to be working alongside the team at East Lindsey District Council to help bring this exciting scheme to fruition – creating something that will really put Skegness on the map. In working closely with the council and other partners, we have developed a scheme that we believe will complement the regeneration plans under the Towns Fund deal. “We firmly believe that Skegness Gateway will become a place that helps to bring Skegness to life year-round as it provides significant opportunities for those people already living here, but also serving to attract others to come here to live and work. We are very much looking forward to seeing this scheme progress over the coming months.” Councillor Tom Ashton, Portfolio Holder for Planning at East Lindsey District Council, said: “I’m delighted to see this ambitious proposal being brought forward. It really will be a landmark development for Skegness, providing not just new homes, but a brand new learning facility to support our residents to develop new skills, and further business and employment land to support our local economy. I look forward to working with Croftmarsh over the coming months to help turn these plans into a reality.” Speaking after his latest visit to the site, Matt Warman MP commented: “Skegness Gateway is an exciting example of sustainable planning that has the needs of local people running all the way through it. From homes for new and growing families to a specialist college or purpose built accommodation for older people, this development delivers for all ages while also enhancing and extending our local green spaces.” To find our more about Skegness Gateway, please visit the website at www.skegnessgateway.co.uk or join the conversation on Twitter @SkegnessGateway

Read More »

NATIONAL CHRISTIAN BANK RELOCATES TO BEESTON THANKS TO INNES ENGLAND

AN ULTRA modern office space in Beeston has now been let after it was snapped up by Christian owned and run bank Kingdom Bank earlier this month, with commercial property agent Innes England acting for the landlord. Kingdom Bank – which has a history of over 65 years providing UK churches with financial solutions – is relocating from its former head office at Ruddington Fields Business Park due to a requirement for more space as its work expands. Having been acquired in 2020 by a group of independent Christian investors alongside Christian charity Stewardship, Kingdom Bank is seeking to grow the number of churches, Christian workers and charities it serves across the country. Located within the established Boulevard Estate on Padge Road in Beeston, the 4,850 sq. ft suite within Media House will provide open plan office space on the ground floor to accommodate the bank’s growing team of around 30 employees. It is also in a prime commercial location within close proximity to the M1 as well as Beeston town centre and Nottingham city centre. The office building also offers high-end features and amenities such as glass partitioned meeting rooms, a suspended ceiling with inset LED lighting, a stylish communal kitchen and shower facilities, as well as 22 car parking spaces. Ross Whiting, associate director at Innes England, acted for the landlord Venus Estates – a commercial property management and maintenance business based in Nottingham. Ross said: “Although this year has been hugely challenging for a large proportion of businesses across the UK, the office market – which may be surprising to some – has remained relatively stable. The signing of a new 15 year lease at Media House shows that there are ambitious and growing businesses out there that are still looking to expand and relocate to bigger and better offices, despite the challenges and change in working habits over the past year. “With the shift to home working offering more flexibility and appealing advantages, many employers will need to create an office environment that employees want to spend time in – it needs to be modern and stylish, with open plan areas and social spaces to facilitate the collaborative working and team building approach. “Beeston is currently thriving thanks to its £50m Beeston Square development and has proved to be a popular place with local businesses over the last year.  It is great to see Kingdom Bank make the move to Beeston and I am pleased to help our client Venus Estates achieve its full rental potential.” Paul Houghton, chief executive officer at Kingdom Bank, which is well known for holding deposits from Christians and lending to churches, charities and Christian workers across the UK, said: “We are delighted to be leasing Media House as a space in which the work of the Bank can grow in the coming years. We are confident that these new premises will provide us with the environment we need for the exciting ongoing developments in the Bank’s support of Christian work across the UK.” Find out more at http://www.innes-england.com or join the conversation at @InnesEngland.

Read More »

SCANLANS LANDS MANAGEMENT CONTRACT AT HISTORIC APARTMENT BLOCK

Property management and surveying firm Scanlans has been appointed to manage a listed apartment block in Bradford which is frequently used as a film set for a variety of popular TV programmes. Law Russell House, on Vicar Lane in the Little Germany area of the city, was built in 1873 as a textile warehouse as Bradford’s woollen industry boomed. The seven-storey, grade II listed building later became offices and then lay empty for several years before being converted by Trajan Estates into 71 apartments following a £4.5m investment. Completed in 2019, the redevelopment has seen the creation of one and two-bedroom flats and studio apartments, with office space and meeting rooms on the ground floor. The apartments are popular with working professionals and students and are fully-tenanted. Law Russell House and other areas of Little Germany are regularly seen on TV in programmes such as Peaky Blinders, Gentleman Jack, Emmerdale and All Creatures Great and Small. Little Germany was given its name after the area was populated by Germans who came to trade in Bradford’s thriving woollen industry in the 19th century. Michael Willans, senior property manager at Scanlans’ Leeds office, said the Law Russell House contract was a coup for the firm. “It’s a brilliant new instruction in a sought-after area and is a superb addition to our growing portfolio of management contracts,” he said. “Law Russell House is an iconic building with bags of history. It’s great to see Little Germany buzzing as regeneration projects such as this take shape. “We’re very proud to be managing the development and partnering with Trajan, and look forward to growing our relationship with the company over the coming months and years.” The site adds to Scanlans’ portfolio of management contracts across Yorkshire, with several new agreements coming on-stream in the next few months. Trajan, which was founded in 2005 by director Owen Carter and is based in Saltaire, Shipley, near Bradford, has completed numerous residential and commercial projects in the north of England. Trajan specialises in preserving heritage buildings and urban redevelopment, focusing on derelict buildings to convert them into living space. Owen said: “Law Russell House was a great personal journey for our company and such a significant listed building deserves first-class management. “As this was our first development on this scale, Scanlans was invited to tender after being recommended by other developers in the area. We’re delighted to have Scanlans working with us, bringing a wealth of expertise.  “We hope this has set the foundations for a strong working relationship for many years to come, as we will be partnering with Scanlans on our future developments too.” Alongside property management services, Scanlans’ Leeds office provides commercial and residential property valuations and surveys, building surveying and LPA Receivership services.

Read More »