Keyland Developments Launches West Yorkshire Site To Market Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has unlocked the development potential of a site in Pudsey, West Yorkshire by securing planning consent from Leeds City Council for 77 new homes under a Planning
The construction business is a booming one, and there are huge incentives to venture into this field. The industry also offers a wide range of opportunities for newbies – from public infrastructure and ground-up development to residential renovation, just to mention a few. However, the difference between becoming a successful
Remodeling a kitchen is exciting, but also presents homeowners with an almost overwhelming number of options. One of the most important is the choice of countertop materials. Shoppers need to consider their budgets, decorating themes, kitchen functions, and the overall value of their investment. With these factors in mind, many
Broadly speaking, an agency that can offer a broad range of web design services is one that can help your business grow. You may not need e-commerce services right now, but if they’ve got that capability, they’ll be ready to step in – and know your business well enough –
Construction Contractor J F Finnegan announces the successful completion of Avion Plot 3C, Aero Centre in Doncaster for Trebor Developments. Plot 3C Aero Centre, located at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, consists of the construction of two industrial/logistics units totaling approximately 105,111 sq ft, inclusive of first floor office accommodation. J F
Covid-19 has been particularly tough on construction but one big positive has been the way it has encouraged companies to experiment with new ways of working. Mastercraft, a Northern Ireland based contractor, is a prime example of this as it has been using site scanning software developed by Oculo.ai, at
With anxiety affecting more people than ever before, it is time for employers to address the issue and provide additional support to help improve their employees’ wellbeing. iHASCO, a market-leading provider of eLearning, has launched a brand new course to help with Managing Anxiety. The company, who provide essential workplace
A pioneering smart renewable heating scheme in Oxford, part of the £41m Energy Superhub Oxford project, has been given the green light to proceed following lockdown disruption, providing a confidence boost for the construction and renewables industries as they rise to covid-19 operational challenges, and a positive step towards the UK
The total value of construction contract awards in July 2020 was £6.3 billion which compares to £3.1 billion in June and £1.6 billion in May, underlining the magnitude of the growth trend for contract awards over the last two months. The number of awards has also increased in July to
West Midlands-based Urban Village Capital has raised the bar for university accommodation after achieving a first-class transformation of a former Coventry office block. Ringway House has undergone a £15m renovation and features a mix of studio units and a range of bedroom apartments that will accommodate four to seven students.
Keyland Developments Launches West Yorkshire Site To Market Keyland Developments Ltd, the property trading arm of Kelda Group and sister-company to Yorkshire Water, has unlocked the development potential of a site in Pudsey, West Yorkshire by securing planning consent from Leeds City Council for 77 new homes under a Planning Promotional Agreement (PPA) with a local landowner. The site has now been launched to market with planning permission in place by the Leeds office of Cushman & Wakefield. Located mid-way between the centres of Leeds and Bradford, adjacent to Owlcotes Reservoir on Owlcotes Road, the 5.5 acre site comprises former Yorkshire Water land owned by Keyland Developments and land owned by a local private individual. The agreement with the local landowner in Pudsey is Keyland’s eighth PPA initiative following on from agreements with landowners in Wakefield, Leeds, Calderdale and Kirklees. The PPAs involve Keyland working with independent landowners, corporates or regulated bodies to overcome obstacles to development on strategic sites to facilitate regeneration by securing planning consent for future use. The planning consent for 77 new homes will enable the regeneration of the largely vacant site and make a significant contribution to the local housing supply. A mix of affordable and market housing with 1-4 bedroom apartments, semi-detached and detached homes with landscaping will add to the sustainable location which is close to amenities, services and transport. Beth McQue, Development Planner at Keyland Developments Ltd, said; “This site had already been allocated for residential development in the Leeds City Council Site Allocation Plan (2019) and the consent will now enable a housebuilder to bring forward a high quality scheme to complement the site’s surroundings. Our PPA agreements are designed to enable landowners of any scale to maximise the potential from their sites without incurring any risk and in this case we have been able to bring about regeneration of a redundant site and contribute to the local authority’s long-term housing targets.” Phil Roebuck, Partner at Cushman & Wakefield commented; “This is an attractive site in a very popular location making it ideal for much needed family housing. The housing market has bounced back strongly post lockdown and we anticipate high levels of demand from regional and national housebuilders.”
The construction business is a booming one, and there are huge incentives to venture into this field. The industry also offers a wide range of opportunities for newbies – from public infrastructure and ground-up development to residential renovation, just to mention a few. However, the difference between becoming a successful contractor vs folding up your construction business after a few months lies in proper planning and attention to detail right from the start. A lot of work goes into the planning and preparation stages, which will ensure that your business takes off on the right footing. There are also some rookie mistakes you need to avoid if you want to have a smooth start. Let’s take a look at some of the avoidable mistakes. Failure to nail down your service offering As we have already mentioned, the construction industry offers a wide range of opportunities for a newcomer. In fact, the vast number of options usually end up tempting a lot of newbies into venturing into as many of them as they want. This is a rookie mistake. Even if you intend for your operations to cover a wide range of construction services, you need to begin by focusing on one (at most two) specific areas of service. Attempting to become a Jack of all trades right from the beginning is likely to cost you a lot. Picking up any job and every kind of job offered to you may seem like a good idea, especially when you are trying to make in-roads into the business field. But this can also leave you with a lot of unprofitable projects and wasted time. Plus, the chances that you may not complete most of the projects are very high – already started on a wrong footing. Thus, to carve a niche for your business, pick one or two specific services to start with. These services should suit your strengths and should also not cost you a lot of money or time to offer. 2. Not planning out the structure of your business It is a bad idea to enter into the construction business – or any other business for that matter – without thinking about what your business structure is. This is very important whether you are setting up your business alone or working with a partner. There are usually three main things to consider when it comes to the structure of your business. The first structure has to do with a partnership. A partnership agreement is very important if you are entering into business with one or more other people. The agreement should spell out the rights, obligations, and rewards of each partner. The second structure is for a sole trader. This structure is usually a very simple one, as it involves only one person at the helm of operations. With this structure, there is usually no legal distinction between your business and you. The third structure is for a limited company. This structure can be an ideal alternative for different partners with stakes in the business. Getting the right advice from an experienced professional about which structure best suits you will help you avoid certain costly situations in the future. 3. Not having any source of funding The fact that the construction industry is booming and is a very rewarding one does not mean that you will start raking in revenue as soon as your business starts operating. Several factors will determine how quickly the profits start trickling in or how long it will take even to start breaking even. But the certainty of this period (that is, the first couple of months after starting operations) requires that you have a source of funding to rely on. Workers need to be paid, whether you’re making profits or not. Some projects may need to finish before payment is made into your account. Some customers may fail to pay up on time and leave your hanging. Generally, it will cost you some money to run your business on a daily basis. Having a source of funding will enable you to test the waters and ride the storm until you start reaping some rewards. It will also enable you to recover from certain setbacks you may face that might cost your business money. You can also open a small business account at the beginning stages, and, if possible, acquire a loan with an overdraft facility in place. It is always a safer option to have some sort of emergency funding available to you should your business hit the red. Unfortunately, ignoring this important tip is one of the huge mistakes that most rookie contractors make. 4. Ignoring the importance of technology One of the reasons why the construction industry continues to grow is the fact that it makes use of different kinds of technology and software. As the industry continues to grow, different kinds of soft and hard technology are introduced. In order to stay ahead of the game and remain relevant in the business, you need to take advantage of the relevant technology available that allows you to be efficient in the way you manage products, reduce the amount of time it takes you to complete those projects, yield better results, and be cost-effective. From accounting software to LMS software consulting solutions, it is important to take advantage of all the ‘help’ you can get with respect to online tools and software that will help make the running of your business less difficult. There are always easier and less expensive ways of doing things. And most of these technologies could help your business reach success. 5. Underestimating the power of your reputation Even with the power of social media and the internet, one of the most effective ways of attracting new clients is through the old-school word of mouth channel. Indeed, it can even be far more effective than having a plush-looking website or creating expensive advertising campaigns. Unfortunately, a lot of rookie contractors ignore this. Thus, right from the start,
Remodeling a kitchen is exciting, but also presents homeowners with an almost overwhelming number of options. One of the most important is the choice of countertop materials. Shoppers need to consider their budgets, decorating themes, kitchen functions, and the overall value of their investment. With these factors in mind, many buyers are drawn to granite. The elegant stone is sturdy, durable, and in demand by house hunters. However, anyone considering granite should speak with their contractor and make sure they understand the most basic facts about the stone. 1) Granite Is a Natural Material There are dozens of counter materials that look like stone, but many are replicas. Some, like quartz, are engineered materials that include resins designed to enhance the stone. Granite is a completely natural stone that is sold in slabs. Clients visit providers’ shops and choose the slabs that will eventually become their counters. The process of forming the stone into finished countertops is called Granite Fabrication and is provided by skilled craftsmen. 2) The Colors Come From Earth’s Elements Granite counters are considered luxury additions to homes, primarily because they are so gorgeous. Surfaces include stunning color patterns that are part of the stone that is quarried from the ground. According to Forbes, granite can have colors ranging from white to black, with many variations in between. The original slabs are actually igneous rock that contains various minerals, including feldspar, mica, and quartz. These elements provide the stunning hues that run through granite. 3) Countertops Are Usually Sealed Most homeowners have their granite countertops sealed to protect them and ensure they last as long as possible. However, granite is one of the hardest counter materials and does not actually need to be sealed unless it is porous. Depending on where it was quarried, the stone may not be porous. It is easy to find out by pouring a little water in a small area. If it is still on the surface in 30 minutes, the stone is not porous. 4) Granite Makes a Tough Countertop Surface Despite its fragile-looking beauty, granite can take a lot of abuse and still remain beautiful. Per SFGate home improvement specialists, granite resists scratches, stains, and bacteria. Owners can place hot pans directly on surfaces without harming them, although most avoid this to prevent weakening the surface. It is also possible to chop food directly on counters, but most people use cutting boards because the stone will dull knives. 5) It Is Easy to Take Care of Countertops Homeowners choose granite counters because they can be cleaned with just soap and water. Most other types of cleaners are too abrasive and could dull the finish. A lot of people have granite resealed every five years or so to ensure it always looks fresh. 6) Damages Can Be Repaired It is very hard to damage granite but heavy impacts may cause it to chip or develop cracks. It is important to have damages professionally repaired immediately to prevent the problem from worsening and causing pieces to break off. 7) Choosing Granite Is a Smart Investment Although the initial cost to install granite counters is higher than some other materials, homeowners usually consider it a wise investment. Granite’s timeless beauty matches any decor, and surfaces look beautiful for decades. Countertops also increase property values and can make it easier to sell homes. Granite is a stone that contains stunning colors caused by minerals in the ground. It is a popular material for kitchen countertops because it is tough, beautiful, and easy to maintain. Granite counters increase home values and last for decades without losing their beauty.
Broadly speaking, an agency that can offer a broad range of web design services is one that can help your business grow. You may not need e-commerce services right now, but if they’ve got that capability, they’ll be ready to step in – and know your business well enough – to implement an effective solution in the future. So what services other than e-commerce should you be looking for? Obviously, search engine optimization (SEO) is critical. Here, look for an understanding that optimizing your website isn’t just about getting you to the top of the search engine rankings. Of course, you want your company to stand out from your competitors. But it’s equally important that the agency you choose for web design has a plan for converting those visitors into paying customers. This is called conversion rate optimization: essentially, identifying and removing any barriers to potential customers spending money on your site. That can be done in many ways, from optimizing existing text on your landing to directly address any questions visitors may have, to simplifying a complicated buying process, to inserting clever calls to action. Similarly critical is ensuring that your website is fully mobile responsive, to take advantage of the increasing numbers of consumers shopping on the go. Finding an agency that offers expertise in services such as those listed above will give you a better ROI than an agency that simply offers a slick-looking website design. They should also keep you informed on website performance, sending you screenshots of the data. Head to https://setapp.com/how-to/screenshot-on-mac for steps on screenshotting on your Mac if you’re unsure. Why Choose A Web Agency That Offers WordPress Design? As a small business owner, it’s likely you’ll have to become a jack-of-all-trades, expected to turn your hand to any role as and when needed. You’ll, therefore, be looking for tools that keep your website both up and running and up-to-date with minimal fuss and effort. What you don’t want is to have to spend a fortune and wait forever for your web design agency to make every little change to your price list or add new text to your website. That’s one reason why the better web developers offer WordPress design to small business clients. WordPress has grown to become the most popular website content management system today. That’s partly because it’s one of the easiest for beginners to get their heads around; but also because it includes plenty of advanced features for the more experienced user. In short, there’s all the potential there for a WordPress developer to create a stunning website for you, which you can then maintain on a day-to-day basis without needing a ton of training or years of experience. Equally, though, there may be times when you come unstuck and need assistance with your website. The best design agencies are genuinely interested in your success and will work with you in partnership on an ongoing basis to grow your business. Our final recommendation, therefore, is to check that the agency you’re thinking of hiring offers additional and follow-on services. Will they be there to help you when things go wrong? Will they offer ad hoc advice on wider queries relating to social media or email marketing, for instance?
Construction Contractor J F Finnegan announces the successful completion of Avion Plot 3C, Aero Centre in Doncaster for Trebor Developments. Plot 3C Aero Centre, located at Doncaster Sheffield Airport, consists of the construction of two industrial/logistics units totaling approximately 105,111 sq ft, inclusive of first floor office accommodation. J F Finnegan are no strangers to working in this region having delivered the Concrete Sleeper Production Facility at Ten Pound Walk for Trackwork Moll Limited and Warehouse & Office Units at First Point Business Park for The Catesby Property Group. Avion at Aero Centre provides two high quality mid-size industrial units suitable for manufacturing or distribution uses, located adjacent to one of the fastest growing UK airports with excellent traffic links to the M18, A1, M62 and M1. Therefore, providing outstanding transportation possibilities and a prime location for occupiers. Mark Wright, Partner at Trebor Developments, added, “We’re delighted to take PC of our Avion development from the J F Finnegan team. The development is a great example of collaborative working to create very high-quality buildings, which are great additions to our national industrial and logistics portfolio with our partners Hillwood Investments”. Shaun Pearson, Construction Manager at J F Finnegan commented, “JF Finnegan are delighted to add this high-quality industrial scheme to their project portfolio. The whole project team have worked tirelessly to bring the project in on schedule and within budget through such challenging times. We have thoroughly enjoyed working with Trebor Developments on these speculative units and look forward to continuing our relationship in the future”.
Covid-19 has been particularly tough on construction but one big positive has been the way it has encouraged companies to experiment with new ways of working. Mastercraft, a Northern Ireland based contractor, is a prime example of this as it has been using site scanning software developed by Oculo.ai, at its Claridge’s Hotel project in Mayfair, London. “We saw Oculo as a way to reduce visits and as a way to be able to look at the whole building in your own time… We used to fly over once a week and whatever was the crisis that week, is what you would go to deal with, but what you’re not seeing then are all the other small issues and the progress that is or isn’t happening elsewhere, so if you have this software you can see what needs to be the next big priority.” Oculo uses a 360 video camera mounted on a hardhat to record site progress each week during the usual job walk. Mastercraft adopted the technology when the travel ban came into force as the project manager was based in Belfast, but with social distancing regulations also limiting the number of people allowed onsite, it has played a vital role in giving other professionals, such as the QS and design team, access to the site as well, so that inspections and valuations can be carried out remotely. Oculo does this by creating a virtual copy of the site that is navigable, so it’s just like having a Google Streetview of your own site. Users can then move around the site via the online platform, zoom in on areas of interest and pin notes in the virtual space which allows them to log RFIs, snags and notify clients or contractors about specific issues. With construction delays often resulting in delayed contractor payments, the Oculo system also has the potential to help improve cashflow management. It does this in two ways, firstly by allowing valuations to be carried out on the due date so they can more accurately reflect work completed up until that exact point and, secondly, by creating a permanent, visual record of onsite progress. For Mastercraft, this is one of the key benefits that the software has over other approaches they’ve tried such as taking camera phone photos. Mastercraft does an Oculo scan once a week, so in the unfortunate event of a dispute, they have a body of evidence that would allow them to clarify what was done when in a matter of minutes. Crucially, Oculo uses 360° video footage so this doesn’t rely on the team anticipating what might be a problem and taking hundreds of photos of that exact area because everything on the jobwalk is captured. Oculo is currently offering free trials to companies impacted by COVID-19. For more info see our website, oculo.ai
With anxiety affecting more people than ever before, it is time for employers to address the issue and provide additional support to help improve their employees’ wellbeing. iHASCO, a market-leading provider of eLearning, has launched a brand new course to help with Managing Anxiety. The company, who provide essential workplace health, safety and compliance training have extended their popular range of wellbeing courses to include this new title. 12.8 million working days are lost each year due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety, as documented by the HSE. On top of this, the Coronavirus pandemic has had a catastrophic effect on the population’s anxiety levels, with 56% of adults reporting that they feel anxious as a result of the pandemic, in a survey by the Office of National Statistics. With this in mind, it is vital that employers offer their workforce the support that’s needed to maintain their health and wellbeing. This will also have a positive impact on staff productivity and attendance. “Releasing this course has been a wonderful thing for us, as anxiety is debilitating for so many people and our team are fortunate to be in a position to help others” says Lottie Galvin, Studio Manager & Mental Health First Aider at iHASCO. “Anxiety affects all of us at some time in our lives, but for many it’s a daily burden, so we wanted to provide some simple tools that encourage people to take back control and reduce their own feelings of unease, worry or fear on a daily basis.” “Employers can also use this course as a facilitator for some open conversations on the subject of anxiety, how it affects their employees, and what changes can be made in the workplace to improve staff wellbeing.” The IOSH approved and CPD accredited Managing Anxiety course is 25 minutes long, and it’s packed with information about what anxiety is, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) as a problem solving approach and it explains the technique of mindfulness as well as the nature and power of thought patterns. It also includes a range of simple and practical techniques to help reduce anxiety, with further additional resources to support learning. Anxiety is not a new issue, rather it has not been widely spoken about up until now. The Coronavirus pandemic has raised questions about the mental wellbeing of the population, revealing common concerns of the public to include: catching the virus, returning to work or being made redundant. Talking more openly about anxiety is a positive move in recognising it as a widespread issue. Yet for those affected by extreme anxiety it can be incredibly lonely and many still suffer in silence. With no magic wand to remove anxiety completely, the next best thing is to improve awareness of it and to use simple tools to manage it. Training and education is key to encouraging more open discussions about anxiety and to help individuals manage it on a day-to-day basis. Employers that put managing anxiety on their agenda will not only be fulfilling their duty of care to employees, but will also be creating a more positive work culture. iHASCO are encouraging employers to get in touch to trial the Managing Anxiety course for free, to see how it can be part of a simple and cost effective way to support employee wellbeing. Email: hello@ihasco.co.uk or visit: www.ihasco.co.uk
A pioneering smart renewable heating scheme in Oxford, part of the £41m Energy Superhub Oxford project, has been given the green light to proceed following lockdown disruption, providing a confidence boost for the construction and renewables industries as they rise to covid-19 operational challenges, and a positive step towards the UK defining how it will meet its 2050 net zero target. The recommencement of the scheme with leading housing provider, Stonewater, and Kensa Contracting, will contribute to the Energy Superhub Oxford (ESO) project’s anticipated savings of 10,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions a year by 2021; the equivalent of taking 2,000 cars off the road. The 60-homes in Blackbird Leys will demonstrate how decarbonisation of heating using ground source heat pumps can interact with local energy systems to allow millions of homes to cut carbon and costs, and adopt a ‘smart cities’ model. The trial represents 20% of homes committed to receiving smart heating with Kensa ground source heat pumps as part of ESO, a world-first project backed by UKRI which is pioneering a model for the rapid decarbonisation of power, transport and heat in cities across the UK and globally. ESO showcases rapid electric vehicle charging, hybrid battery energy storage systems, low carbon heating, and smart energy management to improve air quality and accelerate Oxford’s journey to zero carbon. Councillor Tom Hayes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Green Transport and Zero Carbon Oxford, Oxford City Council, visited the smart heat pump project as works resumed: “I am delighted that Blackbird Leys residents are first in line to benefit from a heat pumps system that saves them money and shrinks the city’s carbon footprint. Oxford’s Citizens’ Assembly on Climate Change was clear that greener homes would be better homes, cheaper to heat. It was brilliant to visit the site of the new heat pumps, talk with the people making this aspect of Energy Superhub Oxford happen, and see at a social distance the positive impacts for local people. This year we have taken exciting steps forwards as part of the Energy Superhub Oxford project with the installation of electric vehicle chargers, electrification of the City Council’s fleet, and delivery of the electricity transformer to the National Grid substation in Cowley.” The residents at Blackbird Leys will have their night storage heating system replaced with a Kensa Shoebox ground source heat pump system coupled with Switchee heating controls, which will constantly sense, learn and respond to the inhabitant’s behaviour. Adding a further smart technology dimension to the running of the heat pump, Kensa’s heat optimisation software will take a day-ahead forecast of half hourly electricity costs, and automatically shift the operating times to enable the occupants to make savings from dynamic tariffs without having to change their behaviour. The smart heating system at Blackbird Leys is expected to save residents 3,520 tonnes of CO2 over their lifetime and cut their current night storage heating bills to levels lower than that of mains gas, all without adding strain to the UK’s electricity grid; a triple-challenge the renewables industry must overcome to ensure low carbon ground source heat pump technology is more widely adopted by society. Dr Matthew Trewhella, Managing Director at Kensa Contracting explains: “By introducing flexibility in how and when ground source heat pumps run, this trial will demonstrate how we can save residents even more money than typical ground source heat pump installations, even below the cost of gas, whilst modelling the impact heat pumps can have on balancing the electricity grid’s carbon and use/cost intensity. “Already low carbon and low cost, the ground source heat pump system at Blackbird Leys will save residents a further 25% in heating bills compared to a standard Kensa installation.” Adam Masters, Sustainability Project Manager at Stonewater, said: “The latest IPPR report found that at least 12 million homes in England need to be fitted with heat pumps and new energy efficiency measures if the UK is to meet its net zero targets by 2050, and lift thousands of households out of fuel poverty. “Through this project we’re demonstrating how housing providers can not only work towards a more sustainable future, but an economical one for their customers too, and we’re pleased that work at this particular housing scheme has been able to recommence.” Kensa hope its role in Oxford’s trial of the electrification and decarbonisation of integrated heat, power and transport, will encourage the adoption of Smart Local Energy System models across more cities, rural developments, towns and villages. Dr Trewhella elaborates: “An elegant advantage of this smart renewable heating approach is we can manage the running times of multiple heat pumps depending on the desired outcomes; in this project we have chosen to prioritise running costs. For greater carbon savings, you could switch the priority to carbon, or to grid management to stabilise voltages. All outcomes offer all benefits to some degree, but in different ratios depending on the priority. Here we are trying to fix the problem of electricity demand that is going to exist in five years’ time as the UK migrates to low-carbon electrical heating systems over fossil fuels and electric vehicles; this project is a great demonstrator of our future local energy systems strategy.” A blog documenting Kensa Contracting’s smart renewable heating pilot scheme with Stonewater is available to follow here. A virtual site tour of the Blackbird Leys scheme is to be hosted in October 2020. Interest in this event can be registered by emailing events@thekensagroup.com.
The total value of construction contract awards in July 2020 was £6.3 billion which compares to £3.1 billion in June and £1.6 billion in May, underlining the magnitude of the growth trend for contract awards over the last two months. The number of awards has also increased in July to 860 which is an increase of 80.3% on June. The residential and infrastructure sectors accounted for over 50% share of total contract awards. The latest edition of the Economic & Construction Market Review from industry analysts Barbour ABI, highlights levels of construction contract values awarded across Great Britain. Every sector had at least 33% growth in July, compared to June, with up to 98% growth in certain sectors. The residential sector contract awards increased by 65.9% on June, Infrastructure climbed 75.4% and education contract awards increased by 43.5%. London was the leading region in July accounting for 18.5% of awards. The second largest region was Scotland with attributable share of 17.1% and was followed by the South East with a 12.8% share of awards. Commenting on the figures, Tom Hall, Chief Economist at Barbour ABI and AMA Research said, “While the economy entered a recession, the construction industry has seen significant increases in activity over the last two months. This could potentially be due to the restarting of activity that had stalled in previous months. A strong planning pipeline could suggest the industry will continue to strengthen but at what rate remains to be seen.” Download the full report here: http://ubm.io/2FRLrwm
West Midlands-based Urban Village Capital has raised the bar for university accommodation after achieving a first-class transformation of a former Coventry office block. Ringway House has undergone a £15m renovation and features a mix of studio units and a range of bedroom apartments that will accommodate four to seven students. The 94-bed property, which will be the envy of the city’s large student population, is available to house students from this September. Ringway House, located near the city’s Belgrade Plaza complex and major transport links, will help meet the increased demand for high-quality student accommodation in the dynamic university city, which is home to both the University of Warwick and Coventry University. Coventry has witnessed increasing student numbers over the years and is ranked the fifth best city in the UK by website Fresh Student Living. Coventry’s profile is set to increase as it prepares to be the UK’s 2021 City of Culture. These factors make the city a highly-desirable location for students both from the UK and overseas – 42 per cent of students in the city are from abroad – further increasing the demand for quality student residences. Urban Village Capital’s Ringway House more than meets the requirements of today’s modern students. The mix of studios and apartments feature high-speed internet, and are completed to a high-spec and stylish finishing. Students will also have use of a communal gym, games room, study areas and laundry. It also comes with a communal courtyard, cycle storage, parking – which includes electric charging points, and on-site staff. The refurbishment has also seen a new lift and the installation of acoustic glazing to reduce noise. The Ringway House development will provide hassle-free student living and is managed by Homes For Students – one of the UK’s leading student accommodation operators. The practical completion of the project has continued to maintain Urban Village Capital’s reputation for taking tired, unloved buildings and revitalising them into stunning living spaces. Nick Sellman, chief executive at Urban Village Group, said: “Today’s students are in search of accommodation that is safe, affordable, comfortable and meets their needs. “Ringway House definitely delivers all this. We have looked at what students want and created some amazing living and communal spaces so they can learn and live and really enjoy their time at university and in the city. “It is a great central location with easy access to the universities as well as the city centre, which will help boost the local economy and breathe new life into the area.” Sellman added: “The building and its services will be fully managed by the country’s biggest student operator, Homes For Students, who have award winning standards for care for both their students, staff and local community engagement. “Homes For Students has an excellent track record in managing student accommodation of the finest quality across the UK and we are really pleased to have them on board, as we know they will make the arrival of students into the heart of Coventry a real success.” More details on Ringway House are available at https://wearehomesforstudents.com/student-accommodation/coventry/ringway-house