LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General), on behalf of its Managed Property Fund, and development partner Wrenbridge, announce that they have secured planning permission to transform a 107,000 sq ft industrial development at Gateway Cambridge in Bar Hill. This latest planning permission is in line with the fund’s strategy to
Fife’s energy infrastructure could make the region an important hub in the development of the UK’s hydrogen economy, according to award-winning research by our Energy Futures team. The East Neuk Power-to-Hydrogen project, which won Cross-Vector Project of the Year at the 2020 Network Awards, found that with its rich renewables resource
GMB LONDON CALL ON LABOUR PARTY TO STUDY POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF NEW OFFICIAL REPORT SHOWING HEAT PUMPS TO REPLACE GAS FOR HOME HEATING COSTS UP TO £27,350 PER HOUSEHOLD These huge costs, plus the additional costs of the expansion of electricity supply needed to run them, should drive the Labour
Buying commercial real estate has the potential to be a great investment. Unlike purchasing a residential home, there is a lot more that goes into a commercial real estate purchase that you might not think about. Using a good brokerage can help take the worry about of your purchase. Unlike
You can’t imagine spending your life and your career behind a desk. Bringing your skills, knowledge and experience to bear on a diverse range of complex tasks is the only life for you. And it’s one that brings you enormous professional pride and satisfaction. Nonetheless, you’d be lying to yourself
A leading packaging group has acquired a multi-million pound warehouse, which will become its national headquarters, in a deal wrapped up by commercial property investor and developer Barberry Group. Allpack Group, trading as Allpack Packaging, has acquired the freehold of the 60,000 sq ft unit which is being developed by
As governments across the UK and Ireland manage regional lockdowns, ease restrictions with more people returning to the workplace, and consider the possibility of a resurgence of COVID-19, Energy Networks Association and Energy UK members have reaffirmed their commitments to protect those most in need, keep colleagues and customers safe
Leader of South Gloucestershire Council Toby Savage said the investment at Brabazon will transform the region as he marked the ‘Topping Out’ of the first new homes YTL Developments have ‘topped out’ the first new homes at Brabazon on the former Filton Airfield, meaning the first roofs have been completed.
Opus North and Bridges Fund Management (“Bridges”) have acquired a 38-acre strategic site near Harrogate to deliver a high-quality employment development, Harrogate 47, that could potentially support 2,000 jobs. The site, located south-west of J47 of the A1M in North Yorkshire, has been allocated as the main strategic employment site
There is never a bad time to build your client base, but with the recent pandemic affecting businesses everywhere, now is as good a time as any to market your company. With more clients on your side, you will be able to make more profits and push your business forwards.
LGIM Real Assets (Legal & General), on behalf of its Managed Property Fund, and development partner Wrenbridge, announce that they have secured planning permission to transform a 107,000 sq ft industrial development at Gateway Cambridge in Bar Hill. This latest planning permission is in line with the fund’s strategy to evolve its asset holdings and deploy capital into key growth areas, such as the industrial sector, which have retained strong fundamentals. Despite the economic downturn, the fund has continued to drive forward this mandate and recently also announced the acquisition of a significant urban logistics scheme in Basildon for £23.2 million. Once complete, Gateway Cambridge will comprise eight Grade A units, ranging in size from 3,046 sq ft to 45,694 sq ft. Bar Hill is strategically located on the newly improved A14 with excellent connectivity to Cambridge and the M11. The area represents a popular location for industrial occupiers, with excellent amenity on the doorstep and a large workforce available. In line with Legal & General’s wider ESG commitments, Bar Hill has been designed from its inception to be a best in class, environmentally sustainable industrial development which focuses on staff wellbeing. As redevelopment gets underway, Legal & General will look to further bolster the ESG credentials of the new Gateway Cambridge scheme. Rob Codling, Senior Fund Manager, Managed Property Fund said:“Gateway Cambridge, Bar Hill was acquired by the Managed Property Fund in 2006 and is now well placed for modernisation. In line with its strategy, the fund is continuing to maximise holdings where we can be confident that location, occupier demand and sector fundamentals will sustain resilient income streams for the long term. At Bar Hill, we look forward to delivering a high-quality, sustainable development which can provide both economic value and employment opportunities to the local area.” James Feltham, Director at Wrenbridge, added:“The industrial sector continues to thrive, with demand for quality new space outstripping supply. Gateway Cambridge will deliver new units in a size range to cater for a range of occupiers and our focus is to provide a new sustainable development in an environment that will help companies attract and retain staff.” Bidwells and Savills are appointed as the leasing agents for the new development.
Fife’s energy infrastructure could make the region an important hub in the development of the UK’s hydrogen economy, according to award-winning research by our Energy Futures team. The East Neuk Power-to-Hydrogen project, which won Cross-Vector Project of the Year at the 2020 Network Awards, found that with its rich renewables resource and extensive electricity and gas networks, the East Neuk could become the ideal base for trials involving power-to-hydrogen: the process of turning electricity into hydrogen through electrolysis. This clean gas can then be used in place of natural gas for zero-carbon heating and transport fuel. The study, carried out alongside project partners Scottish Power Energy Networks, Artelys and E4Tech, explored the feasibility of producing green gas using excess clean energy, and found that low-cost, low-carbon power could underpin the area’s transition to a green energy hub, affording benefits across the whole energy system. The study also concluded that using renewable energy dedicated to hydrogen production can drive larger scale hydrogen production and deployment, create new capacity and reduce the need for power network upgrades. Analysis found that large-scale offshore renewables deployment off the coast of Fife is limited by the capacity and cost of connection into the area’s electricity network. The offshore production of hydrogen could be a cheaper alternative to onshore production, and could support the whole energy system.Media library image The project’s final report, Decarbonising the UK’s Gas Network: Realising the Power-to-Hydrogen Opportunity in the East Neuk, also makes a number of recommendations to accelerate the deployment of power-to-hydrogen projects, including changes to the Gas Safety Management Regulations, new subsidies and market frameworks to incentivise hydrogen uptake, and financial support for demonstration projects. “We need to accelerate low-carbon energy generation significantly if we’re to meet the Net Zero emissions targets set by the UK and Scottish Governments,” says Angus McIntosh, our Director of Energy Futures. “Green hydrogen produced by renewables presents exciting opportunities for decarbonisation, and as an energy carrier can be stored in multiple ways to be used across applications like transport, heating and industry. Fife’s advantageous energy supply and infrastructure present a positive picture, and in the East Neuk we have a tremendous opportunity to develop power-to-hydrogen solutions.” Our pioneering H100 Fife project aims to develop a world-first hydrogen-to-homes heating system using clean offshore wind power in Levenmouth. The Scottish Government has committed £6.9m to the programme in its Programme for Government, and construction could begin as early as 2021 if proposals are approved by energy regulator Ofgem. Download the project report…..
GMB LONDON CALL ON LABOUR PARTY TO STUDY POLICY IMPLICATIONS OF NEW OFFICIAL REPORT SHOWING HEAT PUMPS TO REPLACE GAS FOR HOME HEATING COSTS UP TO £27,350 PER HOUSEHOLD These huge costs, plus the additional costs of the expansion of electricity supply needed to run them, should drive the Labour Party to conclude that this is not the way to go for low carbon home heating says GMB London. GMB London Region, the union for gas workers, called for the Labour Party under the leadership of Keir Starmer to study the policy implications of a new official report showing that the costs of heat pumps systems to replace gas boilers for home heating are up to £27,350 per household. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) recently published a report, prepared for them by Delta-ee, which provides a detailed comparison of the full costs of installing different types of heating systems. See link to the BEIS report: The Cost of Installing Heating Measures in Domestic Properties A Delta-ee Report for the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, BEIS Research Paper Number: 2020/028 https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/913508/cost-of-installing-heating-measures-in-domestic-properties.pdf An analysis of the report by the recently formed Gas Users Organisation concluded as follows: “An 8kW air source heat pump (ASHP) fully installed including fittings, buffer tank, cylinder and controls, but excluding the heat distribution system would cost £ 8,750. In reality, it would be necessary to fit new radiators, and a 16kW ASHP fully including a heat distribution system would cost £21550.” “Ground Source heat pump systems cost more, for example, a 12kW GSHP fully installed including buffer tank, cylinder, ground works, controls and the heat distribution (underfloor heating downstairs and radiators upstairs) system would cost £27350.” “Heat Pumps are a very efficient form of electric heat, but a report by Element Energy for the Westminster government concluded that, even if the costs of heat pumps fell considerably, their lifetime costs would always be higher for consumers than gas. There is also a question mark about the huge expansion of electricity capacity required and whether that would be sourced from renewables.” “This report clearly shows that Gas central heating is by far the cheaper option for households”. See notes to editors below for a recent press release from the Gas Users Organisation and contact details for them. Gary Pearce, GMB London Region Energy Officer said: “it is essential that the Labour Party under the new leadership of Keir Starmer study the policy implications of this new official government report on the costs per household of replacing gas for home heating with alternative systems using heat pumps and powered by electricity. The costs of the heat pumps systems vary from £21,550 for air pumps and £27,350 ground source heat pumps. These huge costs, plus the additional costs of the expansion of electricity supply needed to run them, should drive the Labour Party to conclude that this is not the way to go for low carbon home heating.” GMB London consider that existing central heating systems should be maintained and powered by natural gas until such time as it can be replaced by zero carbon hydrogen at reasonable prices. This GMB London view has been endorsed by GMB Congress.
Buying commercial real estate has the potential to be a great investment. Unlike purchasing a residential home, there is a lot more that goes into a commercial real estate purchase that you might not think about. Using a good brokerage can help take the worry about of your purchase. Unlike buying a residential home, there is a lot less emotion that goes into a commercial real estate purchase and a lot more concentration on the money-making potential. Below are five rules for buying commercial real estate. Know What You Are Looking For When you go to purchase your commercial real estate property, it is important to know exactly what kind of real estate you are looking to purchase. Commercial real estate varies across a few different sectors, so if you are looking to have retail space, you want to make sure you are looking at retail-zoned properties that offer an attractive storefront. Additionally, if you are looking at office buildings, you can look at a more interior style entrance that traditionally gives you more space to offer each business in a lease. Of course, there is always the possibility of purchasing commercial residential properties as well, like a condo building or row of townhomes. This is probably the most straight-forward purchase of all the commercial real estate transactions. 2. Put the Most Emphasis on Location Location is going to be key when purchasing your property. While you can change a lot of things about your property, you can’t physically pick up and move a building, so you want to make sure you have the perfect location when you buy. If you are a retail shop, you want to make sure you are in an area with a lot of foot traffic, so your business survives. Even if you think you found the perfect property in every other aspect, if you aren’t in the right location, your business could fail. If the property is not for your personal business, but instead to rent out, you want to make sure the property is in a desirable area that businesses will want to be in and offers amenities like off-street parking. 3. Secure Financing First Before you begin your journey into buying commercial property it is advantageous to secure your financing. Knowing your credit score can help get you started. This also gives you time to dispute anything you feel is incorrect and can raise your score. Once you know that, checking the interest rates and knowing what kind of loan you want to take out is the next step. Of course, you want to make sure you are getting the very best lending deal possible, so you are paying the least amount in interest and fees. Something that is more common in a commercial real estate transaction is seller financing, where the seller acts as the bank instead of having a traditional mortgage lender. If this is the route you want to go, make sure you have an attorney to double check all of the paperwork and make sure the terms and conditions are favorable. 4. Work with the Right Team Just like a residential real estate agent, partnering with the right team to secure your commercial real estate property is essential. This is the team that is going to scour properties to show you that fit what you are looking for and also are in your budget. They are going to be your second set of eyes when viewing properties and someone you can bounce your questions off of at any time. Commercial real estate can be different than residential in that it doesn’t all hit the market and is available for everyone to view. These brokerages often have large networks that they rely on for off-market information and are privy to seeing properties before they even go up for sale, giving you first dibs at potential property. Additionally, some transactions already come with leases in place. The right brokerage can help you navigate these leases and make sure you are compliant legally and continue to help provide leases after the purchasing transaction is over. 5. Try Not to Be Emotional When you are purchasing a residential property, it is usually the emotional connection that seals the deal. The home feels like something you can see yourself in, and you fall in love. When purchasing commercial real estate, it is best if you can keep emotion out of it. Remember why you are purchasing the property to begin with. If it is for your business, you are naturally going to be a little more emotional about it, but if you are purchasing to rent out to tenants, keeping the emotion out can help you close your deal faster. Remember, this is a business transaction. Purchasing a commercial property can be an exciting time for any investor. Getting through the process quickly and efficiently means you are renting and earning money that much faster.
You can’t imagine spending your life and your career behind a desk. Bringing your skills, knowledge and experience to bear on a diverse range of complex tasks is the only life for you. And it’s one that brings you enormous professional pride and satisfaction. Nonetheless, you’d be lying to yourself if you didn’t admit that it was a stressful, challenging and sometimes inhospitable working environment. And while every workplace can be challenging at times, the logistical, psychological, sociological and economic realities of the construction industry make for a unique combination of stressors. When working in the construction industry, it’s essential that you understand these stressors and guard against them for your personal health and professional efficacy. The unique problems of occupational stress in the construction industry The construction sector represents a very specific set of challenges in terms of stressors. It is an intensely physical environment, and one that’s often physically and psychologically challenging. Ordinarily, when employees find working environments stressful, they need to take time off to rest, recuperate and bounce back stronger. However, in the construction sector, studies have shown that while an overwhelming majority of construction industry professionals report heightened occupational stress, only 6% had taken time off a result of this. There could be a number of factors that explain why construction professionals are so loath to take the necessary time off to combat workplace stress; The construction industry is still overwhelmingly male. And in such an environment, displays machismo and strength may lead construction professionals to feel that taking time off is a sign of weakness. A substantial proportion of construction workers are self-employed contractors and lack the traditional safety net of sick pay and medical insurance that their salaried counterparts enjoy. Thus, they may be less willing to take time off for fear of costs or monetary loss. They may also feel that if they are perceived as taking too much time off that they could lose a contract and / or be replaced on a job. Their professional pride makes them unwilling to take time to themselves when there is a task at hand. While all of the above are understandable, they must not be allowed to endanger the long term health and wellbeing of construction professionals. And in an age where almost 70% of construction professionals feel that they face increased stress, anxiety and depression as a result of working in the construction industry, this is potentially a ticking occupational time bomb. The trickling down of stress The economic realities of the construction industry can also exacerbate the stress felt by professionals at all levels. Construction industry has always been a highly competitive, low-margin industry and in an era where competition has become increasingly aggressive, it can feel as though every contract is hard won, and meeting every budget and deadline becomes a little more urgent. As such, the stress felt by firms and management can trickle down to professionals at all levels. And when you’re working in an industry like construction which involves skill and precision, an atmosphere of tension, stress and anxiety can lead to mistakes. Which in turn can damage the reputations of firms and lead to opportunity loss, recriminations and an even more intense working environment. Lack of support and stress relief at home Many construction professionals work long hours and content with a physically and intellectually demanding workload on a daily basis. And that combination is not always conducive to maintaining healthy, happy relationships at home. Interpersonal conflicts with partners and spouses or a lack of spousal support can compound the anxieties and frustrations of the workplace. All construction professionals need to have an outlet for stress relief, whether that’s hitting the gym after a long working day, betting on sports via a site like Borgata Online, playing video games, or simply taking a long walk or a jog. Unless stress is dealt with on a daily basis it can become cumulative and become chronic stress. Not only can this make construction professionals’ lives more difficult, it can also make them vulnerable to a range of some of our nation’s most serious chronic diseases. Chronic stress triggers the body’s inflammatory response. While this is usually a perfectly normal part of the healing process, when there are no injuries to heal, this inflammation can build up throughout the body, leading to an increased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure), heart disease, diabetes and even some forms of cancer among many others. What’s more, this risk is exacerbated even further if you have a diet that contains a lot of processed foods, especially processed meats like bacon, ham and salami which are also classified by the World Health Organization as group 1 carcinogens. That’s the same category as cigarettes!
A leading packaging group has acquired a multi-million pound warehouse, which will become its national headquarters, in a deal wrapped up by commercial property investor and developer Barberry Group. Allpack Group, trading as Allpack Packaging, has acquired the freehold of the 60,000 sq ft unit which is being developed by Barberry on Kingswood Lakeside Business Park in Cannock, Staffordshire, at one of the region’s key logistics hubs. Barberry has started work on the site and is expected to reach practical completion of the new headquarters logistics building at Kingswood Lakeside Business Park, Blakeney Way in Q2 2021. The deal will bring much-needed investment and dozens of new jobs to the region. Barberry development director Jon Robinson said: “We are thrilled to have agreed to sell the freehold of our high quality warehouse unit to Allpack Group before we have reached practical completion on site.” “It offers Allpack a fantastic new headquarters for their national operations as they expand and relocate from their current base in Aldridge. The successful conclusion of this deal clearly demonstrates the quality of our mid-box industrial/logistics buildings, the high specification we deliver, our experience and our flexible approach to cater for occupier requirements, while being able to offer both leasehold and freehold opportunities.” Jon added: “We have worked hard and invested heavily to create a Barberry brand in the mid-box industrial/logistics market, providing high quality buildings that we are proud of being built to an institutional acceptable specification that also satisfy occupier’s requirements.” Bob Clarke, operations director at Allpack Group, said: “We are delighted to announce our acquisition of Barberry 60 as the new headquarters for Allpack, which will allow us to continue supporting our clients nationally with the exceptional service levels that have become synonymous with the Allpack brand. 2020 has seen the ecommerce sector grow to new records and this facility will further enable us to develop and grow our business whilst continuing to service our customer needs and requirements. It has been a pleasure transacting with Barberry and we look forward to practically completing our building.” The 3.5-acre site was acquired by Barberry from Staffordshire County Council. Barberry secured detailed planning permission and appointed construction contractor Benniman. The ground treatment works required to enhance this prime employment location were part-funded by the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP) via its Local Growth Fund. The location offers occupiers excellent connections to the motorway network, with immediate access to M6 Toll Road, the M6, M42, the A5 and A34. Staffordshire County Council’s cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: “We are pleased that the Allpack Group has selected Kingswood Lakeside Business Park as the location for its new headquarters, bringing investment and dozens of new jobs to Staffordshire. This is particularly important as we look towards the post-Covid economic recovery. “This is a significant milestone as it is the final plot at Kingswood Lakeside – one of Staffordshire’s key employment sites. The quality and success of this final plot development by Barberry, as with the wider business park, underlines the benefit of close co-operation between the public and private sectors. It is further demonstration of how we’re continuing at pace with our economic growth programme in Staffordshire.” Chris Loughran, deputy chair at GBSLEP, said: “Kingswood Lakeside Business Park is an excellent example of how strong relationships between the public and private sector can enable developments that have a hugely positive impact on our region. “Through our Local Growth Fund, we have invested £2.16 million in the site and this deal demonstrates what an important and timely investment it was. Attracting a nationally recognised business like the Allpack Group will support job growth for local people in one of the region’s key sectors. This continues to be one of GBSLEP’s major priorities as our region recovers from the impact of Covid-19.” Richard James-Moore, of JLL, acting on behalf of Barberry, said: “We are thrilled to have negotiated this deal on behalf of Barberry. The building specification together with the quality location and ability to acquire the freehold created a compelling case for Allpack and we are pleased to conclude the Pre sale. We look forward to seeing Allpack take occupation of the PC’d building.” JLL and MWRE were joints agents for Barberry. It’s been a busy year for Barberry. It recently announced a £40 million state-of-the-art aerospace manufacturing and design facility for a global leader in aerospace engine and flight controls systems will be developed in Gloucestershire. The 184,000 sq ft centre of excellence for Moog’s Aircraft Controls Segment will be built on a 10-acre site at Ashchurch, Tewkesbury. It is believed to be one of the biggest deals of the year in the manufacturing sector. Meanwhile, earlier this summer it announced that the UK’s leading roofing merchant is investing £4million in a new distribution hub after agreeing a deal for a unit at a multi-million pound business park in the South West. Joint venture developer Richardson Barberry agreed a deal with SIG Roofing – which plays a critical role in the construction supply chain – for a 10-year lease on a 31,617 sq ft warehouse unit in Bristol. Barberry, recognised as the Commercial Developer of the Year 2019 at the prestigious West Midlands Property Awards, has a 3.3 million sq ft industrial/logistics development portfolio with a Gross Development Value of more than £398 million. The company is also delivering student accommodation and residential schemes worth in excess of £200 million and has 528 acres of strategic development land, with a development land value of £262 million, across 14 sites under its control.
As governments across the UK and Ireland manage regional lockdowns, ease restrictions with more people returning to the workplace, and consider the possibility of a resurgence of COVID-19, Energy Networks Association and Energy UK members have reaffirmed their commitments to protect those most in need, keep colleagues and customers safe and their energy flowing. From the outset of the pandemic, companies across the energy industry have implemented safe working practices in consultation with colleagues, contractors, and trades unions. As the governments’ responses to the coronavirus pandemic develops, companies and unions are continuing to keep their approach under careful watch and carry out regular reviews of their practices to make sure they operate as safely as possible. Energy companies will always take an approach which safeguards the health and well-being of their customers and colleagues, while maintaining a safe and reliable supply of energy. As lockdown restrictions ease in many parts of the country, companies and unions are mindful of the possibility of more local lockdowns and a resurgence that will require continued vigilance. They continue to take appropriate safety measures, including: Revising and implementing procedures based on our joint learning from experience gained since the start of the pandemic. Continuing to ensure any new or revised procedures provide customers with the best possible service Working with the National HESAC and across the whole energy industry to pre-empt and prepare for any potential spikes in infections to ensure that colleagues and the public have confidence that the essential services they rely on will continue to be provided safely. Reviewing existing COVID-19 risk assessments with trades union health and safety representatives. Any changes to the assessments will be shared with energy industry and contractors, demonstrating transparency and ensuring they are easily accessible. David Smith, Chief Executive of Energy Networks Association, which represents the UK and Ireland’s energy networks businesses, said: “The energy networks continue to put colleagues and customers at the heart of their COVID-19 response. We are constantly reviewing our plans to make sure we continue to provide the best possible service, especially to those who need extra help. We will carry on working with our colleagues and trades unions to keep people safe, protect those most in need and keep your energy flowing.” Emma Pinchbeck, Chief Executive of Energy UK said: “At the start of the pandemic our members responded quickly to make sure customers were supported and that we kept the lights on, maintaining the highest standards of health and safety in unprecedented circumstances while protecting the welfare of staff and customers. The experience gained over the last few months will help the industry rise to any future challenges and our sector will continue to work with staff and union representatives to protect essential energy workers and the customers they serve.” Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect said: “By working together and focusing on detailed changes to make work COVID-secure, the companies and unions have ensured that we have maintained high safety standards and service to customers. Trade union safety representatives have played a key role and their work will be even more vital during the challenging times ahead.”
Leader of South Gloucestershire Council Toby Savage said the investment at Brabazon will transform the region as he marked the ‘Topping Out’ of the first new homes YTL Developments have ‘topped out’ the first new homes at Brabazon on the former Filton Airfield, meaning the first roofs have been completed. Having broken ground at the beginning of 2020, the rapid progress means that the first homes will go on sale before the end of this year. Having been present in January when YTL Developments began to dig the first foundations at Brabazon, the leader of South Gloucestershire Council Toby Savage today returned to mark the moment when new homes at Brabazon reached their full height. “Brabazon is set to transform the local area and is a wakeup call to the big housebuilders on what new development can look like and deliver for communities. The most exciting thing is that this will be a really thriving new neighbourhood, not just another housing project. There will be public parks, schools, community facilities and new transport links,” said Cllr Savage. “And at the heart of it will be the incredible new YTL Arena Complex. For so many it’s going to be the most exciting place to be in the South West.” The first phase of new homes will include a range of one and two bedroom apartments and two, three and four bedroom homes. With construction well underway, YTL Developments expect the first new homes to go on sale before the end of the year, with the first residents moving in at the start of 2021. Designed by internationally-renowned, locally-based architects Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios, it is the design details that make the new homes at Brabazon particularly distinctive. Built of solid red brick, the houses are proper homes: spacious, warm and welcoming, with generous room sizes and plenty of outdoor space. Cllr Toby Savage continued: “Clearly the past few months have been challenging in many different ways. The fact that YTL Developments are pressing ahead at speed with this huge investment is a real sign of confidence and is already starting to bring in jobs and opportunities for local people. It really shows their commitment to our local community.” Rob Benson, Construction Director at YTL Developments said: “I’m the third generation of my family to have worked here at the former Filton Airfield. To see this historic local landmark being brought back to life feels really personal to me. Seeing the quality of the new homes as they come out the ground is fantastic. Huge credit goes to our local team of site managers, supervisors and contractors. We are continuing to press ahead and can’t wait to see the first new residents move in early next year.” Jon McDiarmid, Director at YTL Developments, said: “The first new homes at Brabazon are setting the standard for what this new neighbourhood will become. The design details like the curve of the crescent, the quality of the brickwork and the extra space inside and out will make for really distinctive new homes. “With the good progress currently being made by the construction team, we expect to be able to offer our first homes for sale before the end of 2020.” To find out more and register your interest, please visit www.brabazon.co.uk/register
Opus North and Bridges Fund Management (“Bridges”) have acquired a 38-acre strategic site near Harrogate to deliver a high-quality employment development, Harrogate 47, that could potentially support 2,000 jobs. The site, located south-west of J47 of the A1M in North Yorkshire, has been allocated as the main strategic employment site in Harrogate Borough Council’s newly adopted Local Plan, due to its excellent access to the transport network. It benefits from an existing planning permission for over half a million square feet of development for employment uses. Opus North and Bridges will now progress a revised masterplan for Harrogate 47 that maximises the job-creating potential of the site, working closely with Harrogate Borough Council and other key stakeholders. Opus North is instructing a consultancy team to prepare a new outline planning application that will be submitted for consideration later in the year. CBRE acted for Opus North and Bridges, while Gent Visick represented the vendor, a private individual. Ryan Unsworth, Development Director of Opus North, said: “This is a site with clear potential to make a significant contribution to the local economy through job creation and also through the delivery of high-quality office and logistics accommodation to meet existing and future market demand. With our joint venture partner, we are in a position to bring this development to life and are looking forward to continuing our discussions with both the Council and local stakeholders to create an exemplar development to address the local and regional shortages of employment space.” Opus North is recognised as one of the most active and successful developers in Yorkshire, with extensive development delivery experience. Bridges Fund Management specialises in investing in the transition to a more inclusive and sustainable economy: it supports property solutions that help to reduce emissions, regenerate communities, and revitalise industrial and business spaces. Guy Bowden, Partner at Bridges Fund Management, said: “We believe this important site in Harrogate can play a key role in meeting industrial demand and supporting the growth of the local economy. We are excited by the opportunity to create a highly sustainable development that will minimise environmental impact while maximising wellbeing and cost savings for future tenants.”
There is never a bad time to build your client base, but with the recent pandemic affecting businesses everywhere, now is as good a time as any to market your company. With more clients on your side, you will be able to make more profits and push your business forwards. You will also have the opportunity to fight off the advances of your nearest competition. To build your client base, we recommend the following. #1: Focus on your website First impressions are everything in business. But if your website isn’t up to scratch, your potential clients might assume the quality of your work isn’t great either. So, do what you can to create a professional image for your company. Include high-quality pictures of your past projects as people will then know what you’re capable of. Include testimonials too, as a positive word from past clients will do much to sway people to your side. And check out these construction website must-haves to make an impact on the people who visit your site #2: Direct people to your website After working on your website, you need to make sure people actually find it online. Thankfully, this is pretty simple, as you can include your site URL everywhere. Have it printed on your work vans, and include it on your promotional materials. Link back to your website from your social media pages, and make sure it’s included on the business listing sites you use too. You could also embed QR codes on your business cards, brochures, and the other marketing materials you use. Give people an incentive to scan them with their smartphones – perhaps with the offer of a special deal – and use the code to direct them to the relevant page on your website. Use the following linked site to make a QR code for your business. #3: Build relationships with other contractors Not every contractor is your enemy! If you specialize in one area, you might want to partner up with another contractor with the skills you don’t have. So, if your focus was building work, you could partner up with a specialist in electrics, for example. You could then share work and build your client base this way, or you could ask them to promote your services to their clients. If you offered to market their business too, they should be only too happy to support you. #4: Stay in touch with past clients Don’t assume your clients will remember you in six months’ time. As there are many other contractors competing against you, they might be tempted to try another firm if they have other projects in mind. So, stay on their radar, especially if you know they were pleased with the work you did for them. Drop them an email about updates to your company, and let them know about any new services you are offering. This way, you might retain their custom and keep them on your client list. You can then use them to build your client base, as you can ask your past clients to refer your business to their family and friends. More clients equal more money and a better reputation for your business. Do what you can to build your client base then, and improve your chances of success in your industry.