Regional contractor G F Tomlinson has commenced works on a new 65,000 sq. ft. warehouse at Wakefield Hub for Newmarket Lane Ltd, a joint venture between developers HBD and Yorkcourt. Expected for completion by the end of summer 2021, the £6.4m scheme is being constructed at the Wakefield Hub industrial
Home refurbishment projects can take many forms depending on what you’re striving to achieve. If you’re about to begin your home refurbishment project and you want to prepare properly, it’s important to consider the finances. Contrary to what you might believe, it is possible to get it done on a
If you’ve just been injured, whether due to a vehicular or a boat accident, you might be contemplating whether you should hire an accident injury lawyer or not. Suffering from an injury can be overwhelming because there are a lot of other things that you need to attend to apart
The Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer an abstract concept but is now an everyday’s reality. It is projected that there are going to be more than 10 billion actively connected IoT devices in 2021: from smart home appliances to manufacturing IoT machines to automated vehicles. With today’s IoT
Bosses at a Shropshire-based global firm today welcomed the £5billion investment to replace unsafe cladding on homes across England. Tim Sharman, technical sales director of Jesmonite based in Bishop’s Castle which exports their product across the world, said homeowners had worked desperately hard to see their views heard since the
Declan Sherry joins as a Non-Executive Director Civil engineering Director, Declan Sherry, has been appointed to Clifford Devlin’s newly established Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) Board. He joins the London-based contractor as a Non-Executive Director with a remit to provide independent governance and oversight of its ownership restructure. “I look forward
Loft conversions are one of the greatest ways to add floor space and value to your home without spending the earth and more importantly, without sacrificing precious outdoor space. In London especially, where space is undoubtedly limited, they’re fast becoming one of the most popular methods of home improvement. If
New research conducted by YouGov and commissioned by BECG’s new Building Safety Unit, has found that 75% of people believe the government could either have done more (17 percent) or has not done enough (58%) to ensure the removal of flammable cladding from residential buildings since the Grenfell Tower tragedy
Portable test enables testing to take place across 100 UK development sites Tests to be conducted in-house by Keepmoat’s nine regional Health and Safety Business Partners with results available on-site within minutes “The Intelligent Fingerprinting drug testing system is a stand-out product, and adopting it is an easy decision for
It’s no secret that malls haven’t been doing well in recent years, with many malls dying due to the rise of online shopping. Nonetheless, people still enjoy visiting a shopping mall in real life when the time is right and the experience itself is pleasant. If you want to keep
Regional contractor G F Tomlinson has commenced works on a new 65,000 sq. ft. warehouse at Wakefield Hub for Newmarket Lane Ltd, a joint venture between developers HBD and Yorkcourt. Expected for completion by the end of summer 2021, the £6.4m scheme is being constructed at the Wakefield Hub industrial and logistics development for end user H B Clark, which is part of the Kitwave Wholesale Group. Delivered to a fast-track programme, G F Tomlinson is undertaking the design and construction of the 65,000 sq. ft. purpose-built warehouse, which also includes ancillary office space, to accommodate Kitwave’s expansion plans within the region. The unit is being constructed to a BREEAM Very Good standard and the site will also feature an 80-space car park and 24-space lorry park. The infrastructure works will include an extension to the existing highway with new street lighting and pavements, along with a new service yard. Located on Newmarket Lane, Wakefield, the new warehouse unit will employ up to 130 full and part time staff and boasts excellent transport links being in close proximity to the M1, A1 and M62. This is the second scheme to be built at the 200-acre Wakefield Hub development. Andrew Sewards, managing director at G F Tomlinson said: “We’re delighted to be delivering this high-quality warehouse unit for Newmarket Lane Ltd. We have previously worked with HBD on the construction of three units at the flagship Markham Vale development, so it’s a pleasure to be working with them once again and with developer Yorkcourt for the first time. “We have extensive experience in the warehouse and logistics sector and are pleased to be expanding this into more geographical regions. We’re currently in the early stages of works which are progressing very well, and we look forward to handing over the project once complete in the summer.” Simon Ross, development surveyor at HBD, said: “We’re pleased to be able to welcome Kitwave to Wakefield Hub and look forward to seeing their bespoke premises take shape. “The interest in Wakefield Hub is a real vote of confidence in the city as a place to invest. One of the largest regeneration projects of its kind in the North of England, the scheme will bring a significant number of jobs to the area and inject millions in inward investment.” Scott Mackie, director of Newmarket Lane Ltd said: “Yorkcourt and the directors of Newmarket are pleased we secured Kitwave as a tenant on this prestigious site. We look forward to welcoming many other occupants to the development in the very near future.” G F Tomlinson has worked on a number of high-profile industrial units over the last few years, and most recently it handed over five new industrial units at Ashroyd Business Park, Barnsley, for developer Network Space.
Home refurbishment projects can take many forms depending on what you’re striving to achieve. If you’re about to begin your home refurbishment project and you want to prepare properly, it’s important to consider the finances. Contrary to what you might believe, it is possible to get it done on a budget in most cases. We’re going to take a closer look today at what you can do to refurbish your home on a budget, saving money wherever possible along the way. It’s not going to be easy and, of course, the challenges of each project are unique. But you’ll want to make the most of the advice we’re about to discuss. Identify Your Renovation Goals First of all, you should take steps to define precisely what it is you’re trying to achieve with all of this. What do you want to do with the home? Are you focused on preserving and restoring period features? Or do you want to modernise the property and make it more functional in the present day? Different projects will have different goals and aims, and it’s up to you to be clear about those intentions before you begin. That way, you’ll waste less money later finding what it is that you want to achieve while on the job. Get Multiple Quotes and Set Budgets Getting multiple quotes from contractors and people you want to work with to carry out specific tasks as part of your refurbishment work. Getting multiple quotes from as many different sources as possible will make it much easier for you to find value and save money as you hire people. As you do this, you should also set budgets and make sure that you don’t let your spending get too far out of your control if you want to complete this work on a budget. Make Do and Mend Where Possible There are some situations in which you might be able to save money by renovating an item or an aspect of the home. Rather than replacing everything, which is usually far more costly, it often makes much more sense to fix what you can and make do with items that can be repaired. After all, that’s in keeping with the spirit of refurbishment. You’re upgrading the home rather than ripping everything out and starting over from scratch. Keep that in mind when you’re planning your approach. Image Source – CC0 License Employ the Right Professionals Employing the right professionals to help you with your refurbishment project will be very important. Of course, it would be cheaper to go it alone and complete all the work alone, but that’s usually not very realistic. If you want to get the work done efficiently and well, working with solid professionals is often necessary. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be done on a budget. It’s about prioritizing the type of hires you make and only hiring people to complete tasks you can’t complete alone. Be Your Own Project Manager One way in which you should be able to save money on this whole project is to play the role of the project manager yourself. After all, this is your property and you know what you want for it in terms of the refurbishment aims, as we’ve already discussed above. Rather than hiring a project manager and spending even more money on that, you should consider overseeing things yourself. It gives you more control and helps you save some money; that’s always a bonus. DIY When You Can When there are tasks that you can complete alone and get done using your own skills and abilities, that should certainly be your aim and priority. You’ll save yourself a lot of money by taking a do it yourself approach. Roll up your sleeves and don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty when it comes to refurbishing the property. This will give you a greater sense of satisfaction upon completing the project too. You’re capable of more than you realize. Image Source – CC0 License Live on Site if You Can A lot of people end up wasting a lot of money on their refurbishment projects by moving out of the home while the work is being done. The cost of renting another home or staying at a hotel can be pretty large. And that’s an expense that doesn’t need to be there in many instances. Nevertheless, there are some occasions when the work required makes living in the home at the same time impossible. But the time away from the home should be kept to a minimum if possible. Find Online Voucher Discount Codes There are so many ways in which you can save money on the things you need to buy in order to complete your refurbishment work. Places like NetVoucherCodes.co.uk offer discount codes, and you should be making the most of these. Even small discounts on relatively low cost items are worthwhile. When you save small amounts of money along the way, those savings will begin to compound and add up over time. When buying things in bulk, don’t be afraid to negotiate discounts and save money that way. Choose the Building Materials Carefully Finally, you should think about any building materials you use. If you need to install new walls or other features, the building materials will make up a significant chunk of the cost. By choosing more affordable building materials you’ll be able to ensure the costs of these kinds of renovations don’t spiral out of your control. That’s something that can happen very easily if you’re not careful, but it’s something that you’ll want to avoid. So choose your building materials very carefully. Taking on a big home refurbishment project is always tough. And the challenges you face will morph and change along the way. But by the time the project comes to a completion, you’ll feel very rewarded by the whole experience and maybe even turn a sizable profit if the objective is to sell it on.
If you’ve just been injured, whether due to a vehicular or a boat accident, you might be contemplating whether you should hire an accident injury lawyer or not. Suffering from an injury can be overwhelming because there are a lot of other things that you need to attend to apart from your need for treatment, such as the involved legal matters. When hiring an injury lawyer, the utmost priority is to protect and fight for your rights, whether you’re the at-fault party or the victim. When you’re confronted with an accident, it’s important to assess the severity of the situation to gauge if hiring a lawyer is worth it, so as not to waste time, resources, and efforts. If you’re unsure if hiring a lawyer would be beneficial in your situation, here are some advantages of seeking help from them: 1. Thorough Investigation After the accident, police officers conduct investigations to determine who’s the at-fault party and the actual victim. To prove that you’ve been harmed due to the other party’s negligence or by mere accident, a lawyer can help establish your claim by conducting a thorough investigation first. Injury lawyers conduct intensive investigations to see all possible angles about the accident. They’ll validate the evidence and reports to decide who’s responsible for the accident and to know who’s liable for paying for the damages. In a car or a boat accident, there are cases that can be filed in court depending on the gathered pieces of evidence from a thorough investigation. 2. Understanding Of The Legal Process During an accident involving property damage or personal injury, all the necessary steps in resolving the issue should be in accordance with the law. With a lawyer by your side, you can get educated about your rights as well as receive recommendations on the next steps you can take. Aside from assisting you through the legal process, accident injury lawyers can also give different tips on staying safe all the time, whether you’re doing fieldwork, driving your car, or having a leisure activity with your boat. 3. Negotiation Of Settlement Some of the many reasons why you should hire a lawyer are to have someone who can professionally represent you in court, negotiate with the other party, and deal with the rest of the intimidating legal matters. You’d need a defense lawyer to prove your innocence if you’re the one who caused the accident. Meanwhile, if you suffered from any damages or harm, you’d need the services of a plaintiff’s attorney to get justice and compensation. To avoid a lawsuit, both parties may come to terms with one another through the so-called legal settlement agreement. This may involve a money settlement to pay for any incurred damages. On the other hand, if the at-fault party won’t concede or the victim won’t accept the deal, the filing of a complaint shall be made. If you and the other party agree on a settlement right there and then, then you may not ask for any legal assistance. However, if you both can’t come up with a resolution through arbitration, your lawyer can negotiate on your behalf. 4. Assistance With The Insurance Claim Process A lawyer would determine if you’re covered for an accident claim depending on the injury you sustained from any vehicle or workplace accident. A lawyer’s help isn’t only limited to communicating with the insurance company for the insurance claim. They’ll also reach out to the at-fault party and negotiate if they’re uncooperative with the settlement. Your accident injury lawyer will serve as an authority to ensure that the other party involved takes your concerns seriously. 5. Peace Of Mind Accidents may cause post-traumatic stress due to intense emotional trauma. Anyone suffering from this may experience the inability to think reasonably. Hiring a lawyer can also grant you emotional support because the burden of handling complicated legal aspects of the accident will be taken off your shoulders. You’ll have peace of mind knowing concerns such as communicating with the other party to come up with a resolution, following up an injury claim, or filing the case in court are handled by a legal professional. Final Thoughts Whether you’re at fault or not in an accident, hiring a lawyer will help you accomplish the technical and legal work to lessen your stresses and worries. Hire a lawyer who’s knowledgeable enough about federal and state laws and is well-experienced in the field. They should have the capacity and empathy to understand their client’s situation. It really pays to hire accident injury lawyers because they’ll be extremely helpful in solving your accident case.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is no longer an abstract concept but is now an everyday’s reality. It is projected that there are going to be more than 10 billion actively connected IoT devices in 2021: from smart home appliances to manufacturing IoT machines to automated vehicles. With today’s IoT devices getting bigger than ever with many businesses looking to continuously scale their IoT deployments, many enterprises are now looking for ways to make global IoT connectivity a reality, in order to scale the IoT deployments into an international and even global scale. Here, we will discuss the state of global IoT connectivity in 202l, and how we can achieve global IoT connectivity by addressing its key challenges. Global IoT Connectivity at A Glance Global IoT connectivity is an idealized concept of a truly connected IoT network where all devices can stay connected even when they are separated by thousands of miles and/or are located in different countries. To achieve this truly global IoT connectivity, then we will need an ideal IoT connectivity solution that fulfills three key factors: Consume as little power as possible Has as high bandwidth capability as possible Has as long coverage range as possible At the moment, however, such ideal connectivity doesn’t yet exist. Cellular connectivity with IoT SIM cards is the closest technology allowing global connectivity compared to Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and other technologies: cellular IoT can cover a long coverage range and high bandwidth capacity. However, it does have its downside in consuming a lot of power, which can be an issue in IoT deployments where most devices are battery-powered and are deployed remotely. However, at the moment cellular IoT is the only connectivity option that is potentially capable of achieving global IoT connectivity due to how cellular coverage is available virtually everywhere in the world, although there are relatively few network providers that offer truly global coverage. There are, however, top network providers like Truphone that offer global mobile IoT connectivity solutions, where we can technically connect devices anywhere in the world while also providing an easy-to-use IoT management platform to remotely provision IoT devices that are separated internationally and even globally. Global IoT connectivity is the dream, and also the future of IoT connections due to a few key reasons: Global IoT connectivity means we are no longer confined to specific locations when we want to scale the IoT network, resulting in more freedom and versatility in choosing between different network solutions depending on geographical needs. Mobile IoT devices, including autonomous vehicles, are getting more popular in recent years, and will only grow to be even more popular in 2021 and onwards. The further these mobile IoT devices travel, the more needs for true global IoT connectivity will materialize. Global IoT connectivity would translate to system reliability: devices are no longer reliant on a single network and can stay connected no matter where they are deployed in the world. eSIM for Global IoT Connectivity As we have discussed, cellular IoT connectivity remains the most viable option in achieving global IoT connectivity, but besides the fact that it consumes a lot of power, there are also several challenges preventing a truly global IoT connectivity from traditional cellular networks: Global connectivity across multiple carrier networks, countries/regions, and operating systems must be maintained, and very few cellular IoT plans currently offer this A comprehensive device management system that allows remote provisioning for individual or bulk device, as well as OTA software updates, to patch security vulnerabilities Organizing the connected IoT devices into a functional structure Gathering and analyzing operational data from the connected IoT devices to generate actionable insights Scalability and flexibility in cost as the IoT network grow Automation for certain operations like the execution of specific rules, batch jobs, and automatic alerts Security implementations like end-to-end encryption, and so on These factors can be very difficult to fulfill in traditional cellular connectivity, and this is where the new eSIM technology comes in. The traditional, physical SIM card we often see in our smartphones and tablets has several limitations in relation to global IoT connectivity: one SIM card is typically paired to a single network provider. Thus, when an IoT device is moved to a different country, then we’ll need to replace the SIM card with a new one from the new network provider. This can be a major issue in IoT deployments where the devices are deployed in totally remote areas. The eSIM, or embedded SIM, attempts to answer this issue. eSIM is integrated/embedded into the device, and can connect to different network providers without needing to replace itself with a new SIM card. As a result, the eSIM offers more versatility in allowing global IoT connectivity, we don’t need to switch to different SIM cards anytime the device needs to change network providers and/or moved to different locations, which is extremely important especially for mobile IoT devices. eSIM also allows remote provisioning (introducing a brand new device to the network remotely), which is very important in a large-scale IoT deployment that can involve more than thousands of devices. These benefits solve some key challenges of the global IoT connectivity, allowing IoT devices to connect virtually instantly wherever these devices are deployed in different locations. Conclusion While a true global IoT connectivity hasn’t been realized at the moment, cellular IoT remains the most viable connectivity option in achieving this thanks to its huge coverage range that can span between different countries and high bandwidth capabilities. The relatively recent introduction of eSIM has also allowed more versatility in using cellular IoT connectivity to expand IoT deployments on a larger scale. It is expected that there will be over 25 billion connected devices all around the world by 2025, and thus we can expect the need for global IoT connectivity will only grow to be even more prominent in the near future.
Bosses at a Shropshire-based global firm today welcomed the £5billion investment to replace unsafe cladding on homes across England. Tim Sharman, technical sales director of Jesmonite based in Bishop’s Castle which exports their product across the world, said homeowners had worked desperately hard to see their views heard since the Grenfell Tower fire in 2017. Mr Sharman said it should not have taken four years for the cladding removal programme and investment to be agreed but welcomed it and hoped work would commence immediately. Jesmonite, which was founded in Bishop’s Castle in 1984, has become the go-to material for designers looking for an environmentally conscious alternative to traditional building materials or resin-based products. Jesmonite AC730 is a water based, micro-concrete material. It is non-solvent, contains zero VOCs and achieves an A2-s1-d0 EN13501-1 Non-Combustible Fire Classification and has been used for cladding panels across the UK. The company’s success has seen Jesmonite being used in Buckingham Palace, London Zoo, many projects abroad including the Far East and India and regeneration projects across the UK. Mr Sharman said the Project Light, Canada Water multi-phased dockside regeneration scheme in Southwark was their largest Jesmonite cladding project to date and was a perfect example for the Government to follow and for homeowners to see to build their confidence that their homes could be safe again. The site, between London Bridge and Canary Wharf, includes approximately 9000m2 of Jesmonite AC730 external cladding panels specified as a lightweight alternative to traditional heavyweight concrete cladding. The award-winning technology behind Jesmonite AC730 allows manufacturers to create non-combustible large scale panels that offer major weight reductions whilst achieving high levels of impact resistance and flexibility. Mr Sharman said: “We are delighted that at last the Government have announced this £5billion investment. Homeowners across the UK have been left in limbo since Grenfell and I don’t think anyone can understand the true worry they have endured. “We have seen how flats have had security guards checking for any fire risks and that is no way for people to live. “Our non-combustible cladding solution has been available for 20 years but still developments have been built with cladding which we now know is unsafe. “We are looking forward to supporting the Government with the solutions they need to ensure people are safe in their homes. “We urge homeowners to keep the pressure on for the works to be carried out immediately. The announcement of the investment is not enough – we need to see cladding being removed and replaced as soon as possible.” Mr Sharman said the money was being invested in developments over 18-metres (6-storeys) high – however he said all buildings with unsafe cladding, regardless of the height, should be considered as part of the programme. The Government has offered a finance scheme for those in buildings between 11 and 18 metres high. Home Office analysis of fire and rescue service statistics shows buildings between 18 and 30 metres are four times as likely to suffer a fire with fatalities or serious casualties than apartment buildings in general.Lower-rise buildings, with a lower risk to safety, will gain new protection from the costs of cladding removal with a generous scheme offered to buildings between 11 and 18 metres. This will pay for cladding removal – where it is needed – through a long-term, low interest, government-backed financing arrangement. The Jesmonite Project Light cladding project can be viewed here https://jesmonite.com/case-study/project-light-canada-water/ Further projects and any developers looking to find out more about Jesmonite can visit www.jesmonite.com
Declan Sherry joins as a Non-Executive Director Civil engineering Director, Declan Sherry, has been appointed to Clifford Devlin’s newly established Employee Ownership Trust (EOT) Board. He joins the London-based contractor as a Non-Executive Director with a remit to provide independent governance and oversight of its ownership restructure. “I look forward to using my experience at Board level of various construction and civil engineering businesses to help Clifford Devlin transition to the EOT,” says Declan, “The company has an excellent reputation in the industry and I am convinced the new ownership structure will allow continued stability and help facilitate its further potential.” In February Clifford Devlin announced it was transitioning its ownership structure to an Employee Ownership Trust (EOT). The restructuring, which saw members of the company’s management team appointed as Board Directors of Clifford Devlin Ltd, with one, Ian O’Connor, also being appointed to the EOT Board of Directors, is designed to provide the company with stability and continuity while existing members of the Clifford family gradually reduce their influence and handover more responsibility over time. “Declan’s experience of managing major infrastructure projects across a wide range of sectors will help develop and enhance our ability to deliver complex, multi-disciplined schemes which has been Clifford Devlin’s forte for many years,” said Managing Director Tim Clifford, “His presence on our new board will provide the additional knowledge and expertise we need to manage our ownership transition.” The company, which specialises in inner-city, enabling works projects featuring demolition, asbestos removal, structural alterations and groundworks packages, recently completed a £7.5m project to facilitate the development of the Euston hub of HS2. Declan Sherry has over 30 years’ experience in the construction and civil engineering industries having specialised in delivering projects across a wide range of sectors from infrastructure to defence, energy, commercial and residential both in the UK and Europe. Most recently he was part of the governance team at the £9 billion project to redevelop the iconic Battersea Power Station. Declan has been a Chartered Civil Engineer since 2000 and a Fellow of the Institute of Directors since 2016. Declan career began in 1989 and spans three family run businesses: O’Rourke Civil Engineering Ltd, Lancsville Construction & Henry Underground & Rail Services Ltd and McGee Group. Declan founded Red Key Ltd in 2016 as a management consultancy. In addition to his work at Battersea Power Station Declan has been involved in the successful delivery of a number of other major infrastructure and nationally strategic projects including Hinkley Point C, Kings Cross, Urenco’s Tails Management Facility, a number of London Underground station and infrastructure upgrades, iconic headquarter projects including BAA Riverside and Bloomberg London as well as several Hospital PFI developments. Declan is a keen advocate of behavioural safety improvement and is passionate about mentoring staff, passing on knowledge and experience to aid staff progression. “I am looking forward to working with the new Board, the greater Clifford Devlin team and of course our clients.” says Declan.
Loft conversions are one of the greatest ways to add floor space and value to your home without spending the earth and more importantly, without sacrificing precious outdoor space. In London especially, where space is undoubtedly limited, they’re fast becoming one of the most popular methods of home improvement. If you’re thinking of adding a loft conversion to your home, then keep reading. Loft Conversions – What You Need To Know Below we’ve compiled a basic guide to loft conversions in 2021. Here we list the different types of loft conversions available as well as providing more information on planning permission and other aspects. Let’s get started… Getting Started There are several types of loft conversions available. Some are simple, others are more complex. To decide on the best type of loft conversion for your home, it’s a good idea to get to grips with the structure of your roof as well as the type of floor and insulation you currently have. To do this, we recommend contacting either an architect or a company that will handle the entire process. Clapham Construction Service in London will begin with a free consultation that will encompass them checking out your loft and telling you what type of loft conversion will and won’t work. Costs Costs will always depend on the work you’re having done, from the style of the loft conversion itself to the amount of construction work involved. Generally speaking, you’re looking at anywhere from £12,000 for a simple Velux or Rooflight Loft Conversion, all the way through to £50,000 and more for a more in-depth loft conversion such as a Dormer or Mansard. During your initial consultation with a building company, you should be able to get a rough idea of cost. Planning Permissions While some loft conversions require planning permissions, others do not. It’s worth noting however that loft conversions that don’t require planning permission will be required to stick to a certain number of restrictions in terms of look, size and shape. Regardless of whether your loft requires planning permission however, it’s worth noting that all will require building regulations approval. Yet again, this is something a qualified expert can advise you on. With regards to gaining planning permission, this will need to be gained through your local authorities planning portal, which can be done via yourself through the ‘Planning Portal’ or if you’d prefer it taken care of, through the company you choose to work with. Clapham Construction Service will take everything off of your hands. From the drawings to planning permission, building regulations and the construction itself, so you can sit back and relax. Types Of Loft Conversions There are a number of different style loft conversions available, from roof light or Velux style loft conversions that simply require roof lights being installed with the existing space in the loft being utilised as it is to Dormer loft conversions that can add more space to your current loft either at the front, rear or side of your house. There are also loft conversions available in a Hip-To-Gable style that allows you to extend over one side of your sloping roof. These are particularly popular as they can provide a much more spacious loft conversion than other options. Contact The Experts If you’d like help and guidance from the experts, we recommend contacting Clapham Construction Service, London’s leading specialists in loft conversions. With their team behind you, you can rest assured you’ll be in safe hands every step of the way, resulting in a high quality loft conversion that not only looks great but serves you well, providing that much needed additional space in your home. Contact Clapham Construction Service today on 0203 950 7957.
New research conducted by YouGov and commissioned by BECG’s new Building Safety Unit, has found that 75% of people believe the government could either have done more (17 percent) or has not done enough (58%) to ensure the removal of flammable cladding from residential buildings since the Grenfell Tower tragedy in 2017. Almost two thirds (64 percent) of people, including 56 percent of Conservative voters, back further Government support for funding to carry out works on any residential building, privately or publicly owned, to bring them in line with current fire safety regulations. This includes the removal of unsafe cladding on buildings under 18 meters, with 63 percent of people believing that the height-based allocation of funding thus far has been unfair. The research also reveals that 62 percent of Londoners think that the cladding scandal has affected public confidence in new build housing, compared to just 40 percent of people in the North of England and 37 percent in the Midlands and Wales. Jennifer Riddell Carpenter, Director of the Building Safety Unit at BECG, commented: “These results demonstrate the scale of the challenge for Government as it addresses the systemic failings in the building control system over multiple decades. The Government’s latest package of support, announced on 10th February, extended the funding to remove cladding from buildings over 18 metres to £5bln, but did not cover buildings beneath this height. “This polling, conducted after the extension of funding was announced, demonstrates that the public remain concerned about the fairness of a scheme that does not cover lower rise buildings whilst supporting further Government funding being made available.” The research has been led by BECG’s new Building Safety Unit, which brings together an award-winning multi-disciplined team, dedicated to providing strategic counsel to clients affected by the fire and building safety agenda across the UK. The Building Safety Unit will provide strategic counsel and leadership to integrated support across crisis communications, specialist resident and community engagement, media relations, communications and government relations. Talking of new Building Safety Unit, BECG CEO Stephen Pomeroy said: “Building safety is one of the most prominent issues facing our clients and the sector. Our dedicated team are expertly placed to help organisations navigate this difficult landscape, providing expert counsel and award-winning communications support.”
Portable test enables testing to take place across 100 UK development sites Tests to be conducted in-house by Keepmoat’s nine regional Health and Safety Business Partners with results available on-site within minutes “The Intelligent Fingerprinting drug testing system is a stand-out product, and adopting it is an easy decision for Keepmoat Homes in light of the significant benefits: non-invasive, easy to use, rapid and accurate!” – Nick Martens, Keepmoat Homes Keepmoat Homes, one of the UK’s top 10 builders of high-quality homes, has started to use fingerprint drug testing across its 100 UK construction sites. The Intelligent Fingerprinting test analyses fingerprint sweat to detect drug use, and will be used by Keepmoat Homes’ Health and Safety Business Partners to manage risk in the area of safety-critical plant operations. Keepmoat Homes will test its building site plant operators – both employees and contractors – who operate safety-critical machinery on the company’s building sites, including cranes, diggers, dumpers, and telehandlers. It takes less than a minute to collect fingerprint sweat samples onto the Intelligent Fingerprinting drug screening cartridge ready for testing. Results are delivered on-site in around ten minutes using the portable reader. Keepmoat was particularly impressed by the Intelligent Fingerprinting system’s shorter window of detection that – at around 16 hours – provides a quick and dignified way of identifying potential drug misuse in the period immediately prior to the test. A positive result indicates recent drug use, and therefore suggests a greater risk of impairment at the time of test. This approach aligns with TUC guidance on drug testing in the workplace. Nick Martens, Health, Safety and Sustainability Director at Keepmoat Homes said: “After looking at all the different drug test approaches available, we felt that the Intelligent Fingerprinting method proved itself as a stand-out technology. Compared with urine and saliva tests, the fingerprint drug testing method is non-invasive, easy-to-use, rapid and accurate. The decision to adopt fingerprint-based testing was an easy decision for the Keepmoat Homes ‘Executive HSS Committee’. We can collect the samples ourselves and manage the entire process in-house, testing at planned intervals and for cause. “We have equipped each of our nine Health and Safety Business Partners who support our regional businesses and cover all of our UK sites, with an Intelligent Fingerprinting reader and supply of test cartridges. They have been trained to use the fingerprint testing approach, so that Keepmoat Homes retains full control over the end-to-end drug testing process. As a result, they will be able to reach any of our 100 UK sites quickly, should a test be required. Due to the system’s portability, samples can be taken from our workers on-site, so there’s no need to lose working hours. We can take a sample very quickly with minimal interruption. “We are also impressed by the robustness of the process. In comparison to urine tests, for example – where facilities need to be provided and monitored to prevent sample tampering – the fingerprint test requires no special preparations. Our regional team of Health and Safety Business Partners don’t need to be medically-trained to carry out the process. We see the fingerprint testing process as transparent. Our employees and sub-contractors need to be able to see and discuss their results there and then with the Health and Safety Business Partner conducting the test. We are really looking forward to putting the fingerprint testing approach to work,” continued Nick Martens. Intelligent Fingerprinting’s Dr Paul Yates added: “during demonstrations, companies are often very surprised and impressed with how simple the fingerprint drug testing process is and how, with simple remote training, anyone can take samples and operate the system. In the pandemic – and beyond – the ability for organisations to take in-house control of drug testing to ensure compliance with their policies and manage risk is increasingly important, yet easily achievable with the Intelligent Fingerprinting approach – just like Keepmoat Homes has decided to do.” Fingerprint-based drug testing – how it works Intelligent Fingerprinting’s drug testing system features a small, tamper-evident drug screening cartridge onto which ten fingerprint sweat samples are collected, in a process which takes less than a minute. The Intelligent Fingerprinting portable analysis unit then reads the cartridge and provides a positive or negative result on-screen for all drugs in the test in ten minutes. An introductory video demonstrating fingerprint-based drug testing in action is available here.
It’s no secret that malls haven’t been doing well in recent years, with many malls dying due to the rise of online shopping. Nonetheless, people still enjoy visiting a shopping mall in real life when the time is right and the experience itself is pleasant. If you want to keep your mall alive, you need to make the user experience better than ever before. There are many ways to get more people into your mall and improve the experience, but some may be more obvious than others. Whether it’s advanced indoor mapping software or taking advantage of people’s desire for Wi-Fi, there are many tricks you can pull with your design to make your space more attractive to shoppers. Here are 5 ways to design your mall for a seamless shopping experience! 1. Make use of indoor mapping software Modern shopping malls are using interactive maps to improve shopper experience in malls. These maps, usually found at kiosks throughout the mall, are designed to increase shopper efficiency and help people get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Mapping software can show a shopper the most direct route from their location to the store that they desire, making for a more seamless shopping experience and better foot traffic flow overall… there’s nothing worse than a lost shopper standing in the way of other people. This software can also be used to help understand how customers use your mall and what stores they frequently visit. This way, you can make data-informed changes and advertise discounts, sales, and deals in the mall to shoppers as they browse for directions, maximizing your chances of making another sale. 2. Become an entertainment hub The mall is more about the experience rather than a necessity these days. Stores alone are not going to cut it – the mall needs to be a place where people can laugh, relax, dine, drink, shop, and be entertained. Consider cinemas, event spaces, food courts, and other forms of entertainment that could get people walking through those doors. If they’re already in the door, they’re more likely to spend that cash. 3. Use free Wi-Fi hotspots If you’re looking for an easy way to improve people’s experiences and get people in through the door, try putting free Wi-Fi hotspots in your mall. Not only does this make your shoppers happier, but it may encourage people nearby to visit if they’re in need of Wi-Fi. Either way, it’s a relatively cheap and easy addition to make with nothing but upsides. You can also request that people sign up to your email list when logging on, giving you more chances to promote the mall and make a sale via their inbox. 4. Install greenery and water features Sometimes your mall just needs to look nice. In the days of Instagram, making your shopping mall seem visually appealing is definitely a huge advantage. Add some fountains, water features, and greenery into the space, making it more aesthetically pleasing and relaxing for shoppers. The nicer your environment, the more likely they are to return. 5. Make some relaxing areas It doesn’t need to be “shop shop shop” non-stop! Try making some dedicated relaxation areas where guests can get away from the hustle and bustle, sitting down to have a nice quiet moment to themselves. While these areas don’t help you to make money directly, they improve the shopper experience so they’re more likely to return in the near future. Whether you use indoor mapping software or you incorporate relaxing areas into your mall, we hope you find the solution you need to improve the shopping experience for all. Good luck!