Futureal Group has launched the construction of Corvin Innovation Campus. The office complex equipped with contactless technology will offer nearly 30,000 sq m of gross leasable area (GLA) in the immediate vicinity of Corvin Promenade in Budapest. The new-generation building is being developed under Futureal’s Stay Safe initiative designed to
The employee-owned packaging company has expanded its pallet and load stability range, providing users with a wide range of solutions for their operations. Load stability is vital to ensure the safety of loads not only whilst being transported on public roads, but also whilst being moved/stored. Kite Packaging supply a
Mitie Security has launched new fever-screening solutions, using thermal imaging to identify individuals potentially suffering from COVID-19 The solutions are designed to support both businesses on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic such as hospitals, and those preparing to return to business post lockdown, such as retailers, venues and buildings
LHG (London Hotel Group) has won planning permission to expand its aparthotel scheme on Tooting High Street, bringing 373 high-quality guest rooms across six floors with basements to one of London’s ‘coolest neighbourhoods’, popular with both residents and tourists alike. Designed by hospitality design expert Dexter Moren Associates (DMA), the
A milling machine is a tool that forms strong metal items by deliberately removing material from a bigger part of the metal. They can be utilized to cut a variety of metals, and they can perform various applications to make a range of metal tools and parts. Milling machines are
I have a challenge I believe your readers will enjoy during lockdown. Sussex-based plant hire company, BPH Plant Hire has created a ‘Where’s Wally’ type brainteaser to help relieve some boredom. So far it’s taken an average of 1 minute and 23 seconds to find Barry and readers are being challenged
Proteus Facades has helped a monumental 24-storey student accommodation block in London to blend in with its surroundings, through innovative use of the company’s glass rainscreen cladding panels. Located in the Mayor of London’s Old Oak & Park Royal Opportunity Area, Holbrook House, designed by award-winning architects SimpsonHaugh and Partners,
Consultancy Mace has announced a number of structural changes as it reshapes its facilities management (FM) division Alongside several new leadership team appointments, Mace’s Operate division will now cease using the ‘Macro’ brand and formally adopt the Mace group corporate identity. With the Covid-19 pandemic transforming the way that workplaces
INDUSTRY experts are warning that it could take up to a year for the property industry to fully recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the Government allowed estate agents to reopen and construction work to begin again. It estimates that more than 450,000 buyers and renters had been unable
As the UK government unveils new guidelines for making workplaces ‘COVID-secure’, global health and safety expert Bureau Veritas is advising businesses that their safe return to work depends on their ability to “win the hearts and minds of employees” alongside creating clear policy, systems and processes with regular monitoring. On
Futureal Group has launched the construction of Corvin Innovation Campus. The office complex equipped with contactless technology will offer nearly 30,000 sq m of gross leasable area (GLA) in the immediate vicinity of Corvin Promenade in Budapest. The new-generation building is being developed under Futureal’s Stay Safe initiative designed to respond to the changing market demand due to the epidemic. The first phase of the building is expected to be handed over in the autumn of 2022. Corvin Innovation Campus is located at the intersection of Szigony, Tömő, Apáthy and Balassa Street in Corvin Quarter, Central Europe’s largest urban regeneration project. The first phase of the nine-storey complex will provide 15,800 sq m of GLA, while the second has 13,800 sq m of GLA. The category ‘A’ office building with unique facades will be surrounded by renovated and green public space and widened roads as part of the development. Corvin Innovation Campus has been designed to meet the tenants’ requirements shaped by the current global health issue. It has been developed and will be operated according to BREEAM Excellent and WELL Platinum certification system to ensure it has a positive impact on the well-being and health of the people that work there. Based on WELL’s strict health standards and experience, Futureal has launched its brand new Stay Safe initiative. Under the program Futureal is introducing new internal security standards and additional technological solutions to meet the highest market demands for office environment. The building’s highly advanced mechanical system and its outstanding UV filters will provide one of the cleanest air in Budapest. As part of the Stay Safe initiative common areas at Corvin Innovation Campus will become almost completely contactless. Automatic doors and light switches with card sensors, as well as safe distance signs will be set in the building. The elevators can be controlled with a mobile application, the toilets will also be equipped with contactless rinsing, hand washing and soap dispensers. The state of the art infrastructure is also going to be available to tenants that can enable them to create their working environment as healthy as possible. Out of the Corvin Offices, Corvin Innovation Campus has got the easiest access to the two nearest metro stations. Corvin Promenade also offers plenty of services including a fitness-wellness centre, cafés, a laundry, restaurants and a beauty salon nearby the building. The office complex has been designed to meet the expectations of the digital age, while a huge emphasis will be put on creating a green environment. Its courtyard as an extension of Corvin Promenade will offer a nice recreational area. From the main lobby there is a direct access to a 3000 m2 inner garden functioning as a social space for employees. Inside Corvin Innovation Campus a multifunctional room ensures employees’ comfort and well-being. An increased number of bicycle storage spaces as well as separated showers and lockers will also be available to provide a viable alternative for public transport and car use. „Corvin Innovation Campus will open its doors to a new era of health and safety at the workplace. As one of the pioneers of the WELL certification in Hungary, we have been at the forefront of ensuring well-being and comfort of office workers. Our Stay Safe program takes our efforts and services to the next level,” said Tibor Tatár, CEO of Futureal Group. Corvin Promenade is an internationally recognized development project. It has won the European Commercial Property Award for the Best Mixed Use Development of Europe and FIABCI Hungary Real Estate Development Award. In 2014 the project received the Urban Land Institute’s (ULI) Global Award for Excellence, considered to be the Oscars of city and real estate development. *** About Futureal Group Futureal is one of the leading real estate developers and investors in Central and Eastern Europe and is among the top 10 largest real estate developers in Europe. Since its foundation Futureal Group’s portfolio has included more than 100 real estate projects with a total value of EUR 3 billion and an area of over 2 million square meters.
The employee-owned packaging company has expanded its pallet and load stability range, providing users with a wide range of solutions for their operations. Load stability is vital to ensure the safety of loads not only whilst being transported on public roads, but also whilst being moved/stored. Kite Packaging supply a huge range of packaging products to support companies with load stability and have recently extended their range to include pallet boxes, pallet bands and PPE strapping kits, each offering a range of benefits. Pallet boxes Kite’s pallet box without a pallet is the ideal solution for customers who already have pallets and just require the tray, cap and sleeve pallet box. The benefits of this large pallet box is that it can either be used purely as a large box for storage, can be placed on top of an existing pallet, or used with Kite’s individual corrugated pallet runners which can be attached to the bottom, therefore making it a pallet. So, if customers need something more versatile then this is the ideal solution. Sanstrap pallet bands Produced from 100% recyclable 40-micron Polyethylene (PE) film and 100% recyclable, Kite’s offering of Sanstrap pallet bands, a recognised name in the industry, provide great stability, keeping products secure whilst in transit or storage. Once in place these polythene Sanstrap bands quickly grip, holding everything firmly on a pallet. They arrive perforated on a roll in an easy to use portable dispenser box, simply tear off and fit around the load, ensuring one band per layer. Polypropylene strapping kits Kite’s strapping kits are suitable for a wide range of uses and are available in polypropylene, corded, polyester and steel strapping. Recently expanded, Kite’s polypropylene strapping kit range now includes a strapping kit with a combination tool that performs both the tensioning & sealing. It’s vital to have the correct tools for securing products, particularly for handling and transportation. For more information on Kite Packaging and their range of products and services, visit kitepackaging.co.uk.
Mitie Security has launched new fever-screening solutions, using thermal imaging to identify individuals potentially suffering from COVID-19 The solutions are designed to support both businesses on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic such as hospitals, and those preparing to return to business post lockdown, such as retailers, venues and buildings with a significant number of employees Mitie Security is helping businesses mitigate against the spread of Coronavirus with the launch of a new suite of fever-screening solutions. The solutions, which have been developed by adapting existing thermal imaging technology, quickly and easily identify individuals with a fever that may be symptomatic of COVID-19. This fever-screening technology is able to detect human temperatures to within an accuracy of 0.3ºC, raising the alarm to monitoring teams should it identify an individual with a fever. However, it is important to note that some people believe that this kind of fever monitoring tech can pose privacy risks depending on who has access to the data collected from these devices. However, these more focused programs are a far cry from dragnet surveillance cameras constantly surveilling the public like the mass surveillance in China. These solutions have been designed to support the wide range of industries on the frontline of the nation’s fight against coronavirus, as well as those looking to prepare for when current restrictions are eased. Applications for the technology include: Healthcare: Identifying potential COVID-19 sufferers as they enter hospital which will allow healthcare professionals to take precautions, such as limiting contact with other patients and ensuring all staff they encounter are wearing appropriate PPE. Public spaces: Scanning people’s body temperature on entry to public spaces, such as railway stations, airports and large venues. This will allow individuals potentially suffering from COVID-19 to be isolated and reduce the further spread of the virus in crowded places. Retail: Thermal imaging technology will support the safety of staff and customers in supermarkets or other shops in identifying individuals with fevers and potentially diverting them away from the stores. Business Headquarters: For businesses preparing for the return of large number of employees to their Head Offices. These fever-screening solutions will detect any employees or visitors who are potentially infected with COVID-19, preventing it from spreading further within the office. To enable use in different situations, the technology has been developed in several formats from hand-held units to mounted cameras. For example, locating the thermal cameras at site entrances allows a larger number of people to be checked at one time, such as in public areas or when a large number of employees are entering a building at the same time, for instance, during shift changes at manufacturing site, or employees arriving for work at a large office block. The portable hand-held solution meanwhile can be used to check individuals, enabling the detection of anyone showing an elevated body temperature. Mitie’s specialist Fire and Security Systems’ Team has also developed a process guide to be used alongside the fever-screening solutions, including best practice guidelines and procedures to manage individuals with a high body temperature, depending on the scenario. For instance, potential COVID-19 sufferers could be diverted to a safe area for further checks to be performed by an employee wearing appropriate PPE, before determining if access to the site will be granted or denied. The fever-screening solutions, alongside these guidelines, will allow businesses to protect their employees and customers, by minimising the risk of spreading COVID-19 infections. Jason Towse, Managing Director of Business Services, Mitie, said: “Ensuring the safety of our clients’ employees and customers has always been our priority, and this is even more important during the Coronavirus pandemic. As many businesses start planning a return to work after lockdown, we must ensure that we all play our part in limiting the spread of COVID-19 as much as possible. “As the UK’s leading technology-led security provider, we are evolving to meet this new threat. By harnessing thermal technology we can support businesses in keeping people safe – be that those at the coal face of the pandemic or others looking to find safe ways to return to daily life as and when restrictions begin to ease.”
LHG (London Hotel Group) has won planning permission to expand its aparthotel scheme on Tooting High Street, bringing 373 high-quality guest rooms across six floors with basements to one of London’s ‘coolest neighbourhoods’, popular with both residents and tourists alike. Designed by hospitality design expert Dexter Moren Associates (DMA), the previously consented aparthotel scheme at 111-113 Tooting High Street will now include the adjacent site of the former Tooting Constitutional Club at 101A Tooting High Street. The scheme’s revision has seen the elevations redesigned to improve its relationship with the character of the immediate area, whilst the restaurant and bar section now creates an active frontage to the high street. New and improved club space will be provided, as well as access to outdoor amenities for the local community. Meher Nawab, CEO, LHG, said: “Tooting is a lively and growing area, voted into the Top 10 “coolest” neighbourhoods by Lonely Planet, and we are delighted to be playing an important role in the ongoing growth and popularity of the district. Our new aparthotel development will deliver high-quality facilities and amenity space that will benefit and support the development’s neighbours, residents and local groups, as well as meeting a currently unfulfilled need for hotel accommodation in and around the Tooting area.” DMA’s design for the scheme creates a simple, high-quality building that uses a pared-back palette of materials, including red and grey brickwork, to respond to the character of the area. Floor-to-ceiling height has been adjusted to ensure the increase in scale is kept to a minimum, whilst the height of the buildings have been carefully considered and staggered from three storeys up to six to provide a transition from neighbouring three-storey properties along Woodbury Street. Lightwells will be used to allow natural light and ventilation to ground floor and basement guestrooms, with circadian lighting to simulate the day’s natural cycle. The provision of 547sq m of new community space for D1 use across basement level will be accessible from Tooting High Street, as will 625sq m public green with outdoor seating zones, raised planting and soft landscaped areas. Herbert Lui, Partner, DMA, said: “I am pleased to have worked with Meher to help deliver LHG’s vision for an enhanced solution to this project; incorporating the adjacent site to create a unified design which improved the setting of the neighbouring listed buildings. Working to LHG’s new brief for the project has also given us the opportunity to revisit the façade design to create a design that is more complementary to the neighbourhood. The recently consented scheme has an improved public access to the outdoor amenity space to the rear and we are pleased that the existing clubhouse is sympathetically integrated with the outdoor amenity and the hotel.” LHG’s scheme will deliver 124 new full-time jobs for the local community, increase the footfall to the town centre and bring in an estimated £1.71 million spend to local businesses. Importantly, it will also provide 500 nights of free accommodation to local health charities Explains Meher: “We are proud to present a hotel, which will act as a respite for parents and relatives of sick children at local healthcare facilities, including St George’s Hospital who require overnight accommodation. As part of our offer, we will provide a minimum of 500 free room nights per year to St George’s Hospital via Ronald McDonald House and St George’s Hospital Charity.” Planning consultant for the scheme is Q Square and work is expected to start on site in November 2020.
A milling machine is a tool that forms strong metal items by deliberately removing material from a bigger part of the metal. They can be utilized to cut a variety of metals, and they can perform various applications to make a range of metal tools and parts. Milling machines are likewise utilized for forming steel blocks that are utilized for tasks like coining and molding plastics. Milling machines come in various sizes from little to that requiring warehouse space to work. Milling machines have been around for quite a while, and they have consistently had the option to make exact and precise and cuts, however with the beginning of computer numeric control, they turned out to be considerably useful. They can drill holes, include strings for bolts, or make exact shapes out of any strong material. Today, vertical milling machines are utilized in many types of industries for a wide scope of purposes. Subsequently, it has become a significant and advanced machine among the maker. Regulating cutters at a different range of speed to form a shape recognizes as a deep subject that matters to the individuals who serve as a producer in the market. What Kind Of Milling Machine Do You Need? Before we dive into the details of what design of milling machine you’ll in all likelihood need to purchase, let us first point out that we’re just going to discuss manual milling machines in this article. CNC mills are an entirely other beast, and they will get a guide all to themselves. So, we’re simply covering manual machines in this post. Modern milling machines are partitioned into two essential sorts: horizontal and vertical. This decides if the machine’s axle pivot runs up and down, or side to side. The two sorts of machines will regularly have heads, segments, and tables that tilt or turn, which implies the two sorts, can be utilized for a lot of similar tasks. However, certain jobs will be simpler on one machine than the other. The distinction between the machines, practically speaking, is more articulated than just what direction they’re oriented. A vertical machine will have the table mounted perpendicular to the axle’s zero-tilt position; while a flat machine will have the spindle mounted parallel to the plane of the table. This presents a principal distinction in what sorts of jobs are practical on each kind of machine. Advantages of Milling Machines • The construction of the milling machine gives great help to deal with the huge and heavier machine without harming itself. • It gives adaptable computer control alternatives to cutting purposes. • It decreases the odds of human errors. • It guarantees precise cuts. • Availability of customization. • Use of various cutters. • It can do various cuts at the same time. Size Matters Little desktop milling machines can be enticing, yet it’s ideal to avoid them in case you’re intending to mill metal. Consider the last time you needed to drill a hole in steel or needed to remove a piece with a hacksaw. It’s hard to work and takes a ton of power. Your milling machine should have the option to apply that sort of force without flexing at all — even a little of flex with ruin any odds of milling a section with good resilience. Hence, the frame of the mill should be as substantial and inflexible as could reasonably be expected. A small desktop machine will in all likelihood be not able to process anything harder than aluminum, and that being said it’ll be uncertain. The good decision, if you need even moderate exactness, is to purchase a mill that is as huge as you have space for. How does a Vertical Milling Machine work? When used to describe milling machines, the terms “horizontal” and “vertical” usually refer to the direction of the shaft or cutting device. A spindle, otherwise called a cutting head, is arranged vertically on a vertical milling machine. Since the cutting head is fixed in its vertical direction, there are different parts of the machine that move along one or more axes to move the material so it’s in the correct area to be milled accurately. There are two essential kinds of vertical mills: turret and bed. They work slightly inversely and give exceptional advantages: • Turret Mill: In a turret mill, the spindle remains in a fixed area, and the bed bit of the machine that holds the material moves on a level plane or vertically. With the ability to control the situation of the material in both directions, a turret mill is very adaptable. • Bed Mill: A bed mill can just move the material beside the horizontal axis. In this sort of milling machine, the spindle is limited to the vertical axis yet can go all over varying. The movement of the shaft joined with the even development of the bed permits milling of a wide assortment of shapes and depths. Depending on the kind of metal that a milling machine needs to cut, they can adjust their cutting pace. Generally, gentler materials are cut at higher paces and hard materials are normally cut at a slower pace. The firmness of material additionally impacts how much material can be processed at once, so harder metals ordinarily take much longer to process than delicate metals. Manufacture Your Part on Our Milling Machines At CNC Masters, we realize that the best equipment and first-rate manufacturing workforce completing a project quicker. Our in-house designing team can work with you to grow incredibly exact models. Then, we utilize custom tool heads and cutters to finish your activities in the most precise and time-proficient way possible. Dealers who offer onsite adjustment can help to confirm the detailed operation of equipment. Some milling machines have a user interface with digital information. Others have an arena that houses the workspace. Vertical milling being simple mounted is common than horizontal milling. Our high-quality; precise milling machines use helpful modern innovation, including CNC. We can
I have a challenge I believe your readers will enjoy during lockdown. Sussex-based plant hire company, BPH Plant Hire has created a ‘Where’s Wally’ type brainteaser to help relieve some boredom. So far it’s taken an average of 1 minute and 23 seconds to find Barry and readers are being challenged to beat this time.
Proteus Facades has helped a monumental 24-storey student accommodation block in London to blend in with its surroundings, through innovative use of the company’s glass rainscreen cladding panels. Located in the Mayor of London’s Old Oak & Park Royal Opportunity Area, Holbrook House, designed by award-winning architects SimpsonHaugh and Partners, is part of the Downing Students portfolio of properties. The £7 million development contributes to the Greater London Authority’s (GLA) ambitious plan to completely redevelop the area by creating thousands of new homes and jobs over the next 30 years. It is also the first student accommodation scheme in London that meets the new GLA Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) on affordable rents for student accommodation. Constructed by Downing Construction and subcontractor Dane Architectural, Holbrook House is divided into three sections. The taller and more monolithic of the three multi-storey buildings features A2 rated, Proteus GL rainscreen cladding panels in five different shades (RAL5003, RAL5004, RAL5007, RAL5023 and RAL240 70 15) which graduate from a dark blue/grey to light blue/white. Arranged floor to floor in a thin vertical format, the ombre-style finish of the panels helps minimise the visual impact of the structure, enabling it to carefully blend in with and reflect the city skyline and its surroundings, whilst acting as a standalone marker for the nearby junction of Victoria Road and Wales Farm Road. The smaller of the three blocks at Holbrook House features natural terracotta tiles, with a cruciform pattern applied expressing the internal functionality, while the second, central section features bright reflective metal panels. All of which, along with the Proteus GL rainscreen cladding panels, were chosen to complement one another whilst providing a robust façade that offers some protection against the elements. Proteus GL is an integrated modular rainscreen cladding system with an aluminium honeycomb core structurally bonded between a toughened back painted glass face and a lightweight metal rear skin. Each panel is supported by the unique Proteus system of aluminium carriers and ancillary components, which can be installed on to any type of wall construction, with no visible fixings, creating a sheer, smooth façade. As glass is a completely inert material, Proteus GL provides a virtually unlimited lifespan because it is rust and corrosion free. It is also lightweight, being up to 40 percent lighter than a typical glass structural screen. In addition, as the system is available in any RAL colour or can be digitally or screen printed to create a bespoke finish, Proteus GL offers architects a wealth of design options, is colourfast, resists UV rays and fully tested and compliant with CWCT Standards. Holbrook House features 497 contemporary, affordable student residencies ranging from three bedroom, two bathroom shared flats to self-contained studio apartments. The building also includes a range of community facilities including a gym, common room, and games area. Landscaped roof terraces provide students with an outside space to relax, whilst retail space is provided at ground level adjacent to the London underground station entrance. The new development is the second Downing Students building in North Acton, alongside ‘The Lyra’ on Portal Way, which offers 209 studio apartments for students studying at local institutions. For further information about Proteus GL or to view more inspirational rainscreen facades from Proteus Facades, visit: www.proteusfacades.com or call: 0151 545 5075.
Consultancy Mace has announced a number of structural changes as it reshapes its facilities management (FM) division Alongside several new leadership team appointments, Mace’s Operate division will now cease using the ‘Macro’ brand and formally adopt the Mace group corporate identity. With the Covid-19 pandemic transforming the way that workplaces operate across the globe, Mace has moved forward plans to integrate its facilities management division, Operate, with the wider business. The change aims to enable the firm to provide clients with more cohesive services drawing on the wider built environment expertise of Mace’s consultancy, construction and development arms. As one of Mace’s four ‘Engines for Growth’ the Operate division delivers services to public and private sector clients, working with key workplace clients to support their corporate real estate strategies. It provides facilities management and consultancy services on workplace experience, portfolio efficiency and asset management to some of the world’s most high profile corporate real estate clients. Since the business’ inception in 2002 it has seen steady international growth, thanks in part to expansions with long-standing clients as they seek to increase their global portfolios. The company now boasts over 1,000 employees globally, operating in over 40 countries from four regional hubs. By adopting the Mace corporate identity, the facilities management business will be able to build on the group’s existing strategic client base. New senior appointments Led by Ross Abbate, CEO for Operate, the division has also introduced a new focus on delivering exceptional workplace experience for its clients. As part of that transformation, a number of new senior appointments have been made to invest in new service lines and regional growth. New members of the leadership team include Marlies Hoodgeboom as managing director for UK and Europe, Nick Garniss as Centre for Excellence director, and Maud Santamaria as workplace experience director. Those new service lines have included developing tailored offers to help clients respond to the coronavirus pandemic. The Operate division has developed a strategic ‘return to work’ service and is already helping some of the world’s leading corporates to understand the scope and scale of changes that will be needed to operate workplaces with social distancing in place. Understanding a ‘new normal’ Ross Abbate, chief executive officer of Mace’s Operate division, said: “The future of the workplace is changing faster than ever before. As the impact of coronavirus is felt across the world, companies will be looking for support to understand what the ‘new normal’ is and how they can provide safe and secure workplaces and continue to attract and the retain the best talent for their business. “As we become more integrated with the wider Mace Group and build our centre for excellence on workplace experience, we will be able to draw on expertise from across our consultancy, construction and development divisions to give clients the strategic advice they need to thrive in the new world. “With these changes and our new leadership team in place, we have never been in a better place to provide world-leading services and continue to build our portfolio. “I would like to thank everyone who works for us across the globe for everything they have done to give the business this opportunity to grow.”
INDUSTRY experts are warning that it could take up to a year for the property industry to fully recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the Government allowed estate agents to reopen and construction work to begin again. It estimates that more than 450,000 buyers and renters had been unable to progress their plans to move since March, while a survey conducted by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) recorded an significant increase in buyers and sellers cancelling transactions in April. Addressing the figures, which also reflected a decline in new buyer enquiries and properties being listed for sale, chief economist Simon Rubinsohn said: “Not surprisingly, the latest survey shows that housing activity indicators collapsed in April reflecting the impact of the lockdown. “Looking further out, there is a little more optimism but the numbers still suggest that it will be a struggle to get confidence back to where it was as recently as February. “Critically, to ensure the housing market can begin to operate in a more functional way and that developers have the confidence to continue building in these very difficult circumstances, further specific interventions from Government are likely to be necessary.” Rachel Gaylor, head of residential property at The Head Partnership Solicitors, said: “Luckily, as conveyancers can work remotely we have been actively been able to help people complete property transactions throughout the lockdown. Now our property peers can return to work, we are looking forward to helping clients who have had to put their plans on hold”. And supportive of the new measures – which will observe the two-metre social distancing and protective equipment guidelines – she added: “People still need to move because of job changes, upgrades to a larger premises as their family grows, or first time buyers wanting to take advantage of the current record low interest rates. “It is predicted there will be an increase in would-be homebuyers planning to move to more rural towns as people conclude home working is here to stay, or dream of a different pace of life.” One major housebuilder which has begun a phased re-opening of its construction sites in Berkshire is Barret Developments, parent company of David Wilson Homes. Although its sales centres and show homes remain closed, David Wilson Homes says it has developed a set of working practices and protocols to ensure safety is a priority across all of its sites. Changes have affected signage, site welfare facilities, site access, walkways and training, as well as the introduction of Social Distancing Marshals who will be present on all sites to ensure compliance with health and safety measures. Managing director at David Wilson Homes Southern, Paul Crispin, said: “Our first priority is the health and safety of our employees, sub-contractors and customers. “In line with our commitment to put our customers first, we will be prioritising the completion of those homes that our customers have already exchanged or reserved.” Mr Crispin added: “As a business committed to doing the right thing we have been supporting the NHS and our communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. “We have donated PPE to local NHS services and defibrillators to St John Ambulance from our sites across the region and are working with charities and organisations to help local communities.” Persimmon Homes has also announced the re-opening of its sites across England. Development work will run from Thursday to Monday each week. Ben Felton, director in charge of Persimmon Homes Thames Valley, said: “We are delighted that we are now in a position to be re-opening our new developments and showhomes. “Our sales advisers have worked extremely hard to help existing and new customers during this difficult lockdown period and continue to be able via phone and email. Reservations and completions have, in fact, remained strong despite no face-to-face contact. “Even so, being able to meet with househunters, albeit at a safe distance, is an important step forward and will be a help for many people. Looking around the showhomes to see the type of properties on offer is also valuable for many people. “We look forward to welcoming people in the days and weeks to come.” Changes to sales trends were also felt by Padworth-based Westbuild Homes who commented on the effect of the lockdown. Managing director Guy West said: “The lockdown prevented a quarter of our houses from being sold on our Arborfield Green development. “Fortunately the development is surrounded by open spaces, so recent interest in the remaining house has been very encouraging. “We expect sites such as this, and ours in Barkham to be of more interest, given buyers’ recent desire for garden space and close proximity to countryside. “We are also now finding fibre optic/ ultrafast broadband higher up buyers’ necessities.”
As the UK government unveils new guidelines for making workplaces ‘COVID-secure’, global health and safety expert Bureau Veritas is advising businesses that their safe return to work depends on their ability to “win the hearts and minds of employees” alongside creating clear policy, systems and processes with regular monitoring. On 11 May, the government published guidance for employers to help them get their businesses back up and running and workplaces operating safely following almost two months of strict coronavirus restrictions. The new guidance covers eight workplace settings that are allowed to be open, from outdoor environments and construction sites through to factories and takeaways. The guidelines focus on five key points; work from home if you can, carry out COVID-19 risk assessments in consultation with workers or trade unions, maintain social distancing and, where this is not possible, manage transmission risk, all of which must be supported with more stringent cleaning processes. And with many businesses now facing the daunting challenge of implementing the guidelines, Bureau Veritas, which has been working with a number of sectors to help them safely resume operations, believes that those firms that work collaboratively with their workforce to introduce new ways of working are likely to fair better. Ken Smith, UK Chief Executive at Bureau Veritas UK, said: “For almost all British businesses, introducing the appropriate health, safety and hygiene measures required to make workplaces ‘COVID-secure’ as per the new government guidelines will require a complete overhaul of their current operations. “It’s a mammoth undertaking which will only be successful if employers win the hearts and minds of employees to ensure they are empowered and committed – and must be underpinned by clear policy, systems and processes with regular monitoring. To achieve this, businesses are advised to introduce measures in consultation and consensus with staff, have regular communication and active engagement on whether these are effective as well as creating a system that encourages staff to come forward and voice concerns if at any point they feel unsafe at work.” Other challenges the employers should consider, says Bureau Veritas – which recently launched its ‘Restart Your Business’ assurance service to help firms manage their return to work strategies – includes how the government’s advice to avoid using public transport will impact employees as well as having a better understanding of the movement of people around business premises. “Taking the time to understand the occupational use of buildings – logistics, deliveries, how lifts are used, desks are spaced and the hygiene of frequently used touchpoints – will stand duty holders in good stead for resuming operations. “Given the sheer size and complexity of making workplaces safe against the threat of coronavirus transmission, a nuanced approach that truly reflects best practice, could ultimately, help to save lives.” The ‘Restart Your Business With Bureau Veritas’ service provides a voluntary, independent assessment of a firm’s COVID-19 readiness to re-open their business premises, with a statement of assurance issued on completion that can be displayed on its website and at its properties. To find out more about ‘Restart Your Business With Bureau Veritas’, call 0345 600 1828 or visit: https://share.hsforms.com/1tTRe4h7IQZOBHtRBmdDDfg2z02a.