A purchase ‘in excess of’ £55 million has been completed for a penthouse at Clarges Mayfair, continuing a strong start to the year for the London Super Prime market. The penthouse –the largest in a 34-residency development – overlooks Green Park and was sold by agent Quintessentially Estates on behalf
A school for children with special needs in Orpington has received a nice donation which will help it to transform its outdoor play area. Riverside School, which offers support to children and young people with a range of complex needs, received a cheque from Bellway Thames Gateway to help kickstart
A slowdown in property transactions, with home buyers and sellers taking more caution amidst economic uncertainty, has been registered. This is due to the housing market being left in a state of lull because of diminishing demand among foreign buyers and pending Brexit negotiations. Compared to a year ago, homeowners
Optimism in the UK construction sector hit an eight-month high in December 2018, according to the IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index. This rise in confidence came despite a slowdown in growth caused by Brexit-related uncertainties. The ongoing lack of certainty post-Brexit will likely delay decisions further, but it
BAL – market-leaders in full tiling solutions – are presenting innovative new tiling technologies including its unique Flexbone uncoupling mats on Stand 618 at the Surface Design Show from 5-7 February at the Business Design Centre in Islington. As well as discovering the latest technologies, visitors to the stand can
Businesses across the world are looking at ways they can reduce the level of waste they produce, whether that’s switching to eco-friendly packaging or incorporating greener manufacturing methods. However, this is not so simple for companies and businesses that use large amounts of packaging or physical products. A sector that
From Bath to Doncaster and Chelmsford to Guildford, top-10 housebuilder Linden Homes has been spreading some festive cheer across the communities it builds in with staff from across the business taking part in a range of activities to help those in need this Christmas. In both Guildford and Chelmsford, the
The players at London Irish faced their biggest challenge yet when their principal sponsor, waste management company Powerday, brought a selection of skips, some healthy competition and just one question to the pitch: who would come out on top in the Rugby Kick Challenge? On a sunny July day at
The Bognor Regis branch of Covers Timber and Builders Merchants will be supporting the Pagham Pram Race 2018 as a corporate sponsor for a third consecutive year. Pagham’s traditional Boxing Day pram push – the oldest in the world – spans back more than 70 years and regularly welcomes visitors
Surely one of the most enjoyable parts of living in Spain is that you can make the most of the Mediterranean sunshine. And whether you’re a permanent resident or have a holiday villa, this means enjoying a private outdoor pool. Swimming for fitness, fun or family entertainment is an activity
A purchase ‘in excess of’ £55 million has been completed for a penthouse at Clarges Mayfair, continuing a strong start to the year for the London Super Prime market. The penthouse –the largest in a 34-residency development – overlooks Green Park and was sold by agent Quintessentially Estates on behalf on an international client. It comes after the sale of a £95 million house near Buckingham Palace two weeks ago, the most expensive home sold in the UK since 2011. US hedge fund billionaire Ken Griffin purchased 3 Carlton Gardens at £30 million less than it was on the market just two years earlier. An industry-wide drop in prices across the capital has affected the prime market recently, with prices in some of the most exclusive locations dropping by up to a quarter over the past year. Nearly £500,000 has been sliced off the value of houses in Kensington and Chelsea and the City of Westminster over the 12 months to November 2018, a report from Your Move revealed last month. House prices across London’s ten most expensive boroughs dropped ten per cent on average, it said. Quintessentially Estates said that the Clarges Mayfair sale illustrates the state of market in which the lower end is cautious over Brexit concerns and increased stamp duty. Buyers at the upper end of the market, it said, are currently ‘jumping’ at the chance to invest thanks to the fall in sterling after the 2016 referendum that has added to the ‘potential windfall for dollar and Euro-denominated buyers’. Quintessentially Estates CEO Penny Mosgrove said: ‘We currently have over £200 million worth of property requests for Prime Central London from our network of over 65 offices globally and growing. ‘We are set for a significant increase in revenue from the previous financial year with our ever growing private and corporate client base globally.’ Quintessentially Estates is a dedicated global property specialist that offers expertise to a exclusive HNW clientele. Its access encompasses off-market properties in over 65 locations around the world, as well as a wide network across its portfolio which covers buying, selling, renting and managing in major international markets. The firm hand-picked the Clarges Mayfair property, and continues to see strong activity in London. ‘We are currently working on behalf of a number of high net worth individuals looking to invest in the capital, added Quintessentially Estates director Simon Garcia added. ‘Our clients are confident about the market long-term, many of whom are entrepreneurs and business owners who have or are experiencing rapid growth, with continued positive forecasts.’
A school for children with special needs in Orpington has received a nice donation which will help it to transform its outdoor play area. Riverside School, which offers support to children and young people with a range of complex needs, received a cheque from Bellway Thames Gateway to help kickstart the refurbishment of the school’s playground facilities. Members of staff at the developer’s divisional office, off New Mill Road in Orpington, raised £1,000 through auctions, raffles and dress down days. Their efforts were then matched by the housebuilder, resulting in a donation of £2,000 for the school. Sue Crane, School Business Manager at Riverside School, said: “We are so grateful that Bellway has chosen to make this generous donation to our school. “The money will help to fund brand new equipment for our outdoor learning area, which will be extremely beneficial to the children. “The children love learning in the outdoor environment, and they are already looking forward to using the new equipment when the refurbishment is complete.” Emma Hamlett, Sales Director for Bellway Thames Gateway, said: “We are so pleased to be able to help kickstart the refurbishment of the school’s new playground facilities. “At Bellway, we are committed to support the communities in which we build, so when we found out that Riverside School was in need of a funding boost, we were delighted to help.” Bellway Thames Gateway is building homes across London, Essex and Kent. More information on the homes available can be found at bellway.co.uk. CAPTIONS Getting behind Riverside School – left to right – Lynda Garwood, of Bellway, Sue Crane, Riverside School’s Business Manager, and Bellway’s Jemma Livesey
A slowdown in property transactions, with home buyers and sellers taking more caution amidst economic uncertainty, has been registered. This is due to the housing market being left in a state of lull because of diminishing demand among foreign buyers and pending Brexit negotiations. Compared to a year ago, homeowners wanting to sell their property are finding themselves having to wait a lot longer and buyers are taking more time to make decisions. At the beginning of 2016 the average buyer took 53 minutes during the viewing process to make a decision on whether or not to buy a property. However, buyers this year took an average of 65 minutes to finalise their decision, with an average of 2.4 viewings. While in 2017 it took 96 days for the ‘sold’ sign to go up, it now takes 102 days. The buying process is also taking 23% longer than it did in January 2016, with 27% of buyers now asking to view a property three times before submitting an offer. Even when homeowners have found a potential buyer, more than a third of deals have fallen through. This is perhaps down to the lack of buyer confidence in the run up to Brexit negotiations. These failed deals have cost consumers an estimated £270 million a year. Slower property transactions have also affected buyers. News of falling house prices has been met with concern from those wanting to sell their property. A cautious approach by sellers hoping to make a profit has meant that buyers are finding their bids undermined through a practice called gazumping. Gazumping is where a seller retracts an offer after receiving a higher bid from someone else. This is especially becoming an issue in Sheffield, where more than a third of buyers have reported being victims of gazumping. The south east has been most affected by this housing market lull, with house prices in London falling by 0.8% over the course of last year. The UK’s capital now has the second-slowest property market, after Blackpool. The average property in the capital now takes 126 days to finalise a deal, 15 days longer than in 2017. Further still, houses in London worth more than £1m are taking a whopping 171 days to sell. The forecast for 2019 much depends on the outcome of Brexit. The sales market, especially within the south of England, is likely to remain as it is until a deal has been confirmed.
Optimism in the UK construction sector hit an eight-month high in December 2018, according to the IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index. This rise in confidence came despite a slowdown in growth caused by Brexit-related uncertainties. The ongoing lack of certainty post-Brexit will likely delay decisions further, but it shouldn’t deter construction companies from planning ahead – not least when it comes to expanding their fleets. Know Your Construction Fleet For construction companies looking at fleet expansion, a useful starting point is to know the size and composition of an existing fleet. An inventory can show up any gaps in a fleet, as well as the plant or vehicles that need replacing. It can also help you work out how big your company fleet needs to be. Leasing Options One way to expand your fleet, yet mitigate the ongoing uncertainties in the construction sector, is to lease plant or commercial vehicles. One benefit of leasing is cashflow management; there’s no major capital investment, just regular monthly payments for the duration of the lease period. Purchasing Options Leasing can be beneficial in the short-term, but expanding your construction fleet by purchasing the equipment you need can be more advantageous in the long-term. Owning assets outright is one way of investing in your company’s future and can add value to your business. It often works out cheaper to buy used equipment. Used plant and vehicles tend to hold their resale value better than their new counterparts. It’s also worth getting a comprehensive hpi check done so you can be confident that your new trade vehicle has no hidden secrets from its past. Other Considerations Other factors to consider if purchasing equipment to expand your construction fleet are the ongoing costs. Unlike leasing, your business will be responsible for repairs and maintenance. One way you can avoid any nasty surprises, however, is through preventative maintenance. Your business will also need to think about the cost implications of insuring your owned equipment, as well as the time it takes to train your staff. This is particularly relevant when you’re adding a new piece of equipment to your fleet. Fleet expansion can be an effective way to help your construction company plan for challenges and opportunities that lay ahead. By weighing up your business needs against the options available, you can find the most appropriate solution and allow your company to look ahead with confidence.
BAL – market-leaders in full tiling solutions – are presenting innovative new tiling technologies including its unique Flexbone uncoupling mats on Stand 618 at the Surface Design Show from 5-7 February at the Business Design Centre in Islington. As well as discovering the latest technologies, visitors to the stand can also pick up CPD points with RIBA-approved seminars, and talk to our team of specification experts about your flooring or tiling project. Developed to protect floor tiling from lateral movement which occurs in problem substrates – such as heated floors – BAL Flexbone uncoupling mats provide a buffer layer between tile and substrate. BAL Flexbone comes in two varieties – Flexbone VAried and Flexbone 2Easy. Unique to the UK, BAL Flexbone 2Easy is a floating mat system – where NO adhesive is needed underneath the mat system i.e. the mat is truly uncoupled. Because no adhesive is needed under the mat, preparation is reduced to a quick sweep of the floor if the surface is flat, sound and level. No removal or residue, no removal of laitance and no priming of the surface is needed. This means that contaminated and stained floors, wooden floors, bitumen, cracked screeds and mixed substrates can be tiled immediately. It can also be used direct onto difficult substrates such as bitumen, fresh sand:cement screeds or new anhydrite screeds that are not fully cured (up to 1.5% CM residual moisture). Time trials indicate the removal of subfloor preparation for installations provides a circa 50% time saving. BAL Flexbone VAried is a bonded mat system for heavily trafficked areas. Waterproof, it features patented GripLock Technology for superior adhesion and a unique bone structure for faster fixing than traditional cavity mat systems. Less adhesive is required on the mat surface, and trials indicate adhesive can be spread on the mat surface circa. 30% faster. The bonded mat is perfect for high load-bearing and commercial areas such as shopping malls, airports, car showrooms, office building and hospitals. As well as innovative products, BAL provides a full support service including free NBS specification writing, CPDs, on-site consultancy and more. www.bal-adhesives.com
Businesses across the world are looking at ways they can reduce the level of waste they produce, whether that’s switching to eco-friendly packaging or incorporating greener manufacturing methods. However, this is not so simple for companies and businesses that use large amounts of packaging or physical products. A sector that springs to mind is manufacturing, due to their usage of packaging and the waste that is often created as part of the process. Therefore, it’s not difficult to see why they aren’t typically seen as environmentally friendly or clean. That being said things have drastically changed and the manufacturing industry is now on board with the green movement more than ever. Sustainability, healthier environments and lower costs are just some of their incentives. Here, we’ve taken a look at some of the ways those in manufacturing are incorporating more eco-friendly practices. Reducing waste One of the biggest concerns for the manufacturing industry is the efficient use of raw materials. Think of wood products and the huge demand for these which has resulted in the cutting down of many forests around the world. To combat this, manufacturing companies are looking into more sustainable materials, such as bamboo which grows faster and yields a bigger crop and so is becoming more popular in the industry. Recycling In the same style as reducing waste, more and more manufacturers are adopting recycling policies as an important part of their eco-friendly process. Some are choosing to use recycled products to feature as the base of their own products, instead of raw materials. New materials that have the durability of plastic are now appearing all over the market, providing our manufacturers with a much greener option for their products and packaging. Tente is a prime example of a manufacturer who has heavily researched sustainability and developing more environmentally friendly products. Their castor wheels now emit less noise while still offering the same load capacity and their lightweight construction means companies save when it comes to operating costs, as well as carbon dioxide emissions and energy consumption. Lean production The 1980s and 1990s saw a huge revaluation in manufacturing when it comes to lean production. While it’s main focus is on lowering production costs lean production has another great benefit: it’s green. Reducing waste across the board, lean production focuses on ‘just in time production‘ so that companies are only employing the number of people they need, producing and shipping only as much as they need and streamlining their process to maximise efficiency. New advances in technology make it possible for improvement across all aspects of production and makes it possible to reduce energy consumption. Updating facilities When people think of manufacturing, they often picture big factories with huge smoke stacks coming from them, by far not the greenest of images we’ve ever had. The move to greener facilities whether they’re new or refurbished means we can make this image a thing of the past. Inefficient machinery can consume 70 per cent more energy than it needs to; focusing on energy efficient plants will help manufacturers reduce their energy consumption, and bill. Other areas that are being focused upon include heating and cooling, investing in clean renewable energy, such as solar or wind power.
From Bath to Doncaster and Chelmsford to Guildford, top-10 housebuilder Linden Homes has been spreading some festive cheer across the communities it builds in with staff from across the business taking part in a range of activities to help those in need this Christmas. In both Guildford and Chelmsford, the Linden Homes South and Eastern teams have been collecting and delivering gifts to local children who may be spending their Christmas in either a hospital or a hospice this year. Employees from Linden Homes South dug deep and donated a range of gifts to the children at the Shooting Star Chase Hospice in Guildford. Speaking of the donation, Jenny Pearman, corporate relationship manager at Shooting Star Chase said: “The gifts donated by Linden Homes will help make our Christmas celebrations extra special at our two hospices and means our hospice at home team can deliver gifts to children and siblings throughout December.” For the fifth-consecutive year, the staff from Linden Homes Eastern played Santa and delivered sacks full of goodies to the children at the Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford. The hospital’s fundraising manager, Charlotte Jefcoate said: “We would like to thank Linden Homes for once again visiting the children and making their day with these wonderful gifts.” Further North, the Linden Homes East Yorkshire division has been supporting the Doncaster Homeless Outreach Service, a charity that helps rough sleepers across Yorkshire take the first steps towards finding a home, whilst offering emotional support and practical advice. The team from Linden Homes collected ‘Christmas bags’, with the contents including basic but essential toiletries. Developments operated by Linden Homes Western also became home to food bank collection points, which will remain open throughout January. Local schools, businesses and residents have been invited to donate food that can be then distributed to people in a time of crisis. Linden Homes communications manager, Naomi Burrell commented “It’s fantastic to see the Linden Homes business units pulling together to help out and give back to the communities nearby to our developments up and down the country. Our staff have gone the extra mile to bring some Christmas cheer to children and families. It’s so heartening to see the donated gifts and items coming in and even more heartening to see how much pleasure these generous gifts give.”
The players at London Irish faced their biggest challenge yet when their principal sponsor, waste management company Powerday, brought a selection of skips, some healthy competition and just one question to the pitch: who would come out on top in the Rugby Kick Challenge? On a sunny July day at Hazelwood, the Exiles stepped up to an out-of-the ordinary training challenge to see who could earn the highest score by kicking rugby balls into different sized skips and bins. The rules were simple: each player had three shots to get the ball in one of six targets. The smaller the skip, the higher the score; so would they risk it all to hit that magic 100-pointer wheelie bin, or play it safe by aiming for larger, less valuable goals? One by one, the boys attempted to dropkick their way to the top of the leaderboards. Curious to see who was the most accurate on the day? Follow the action one kick at a time in the full competition video here – https://www.powerday.co.uk/news/london-irish-rugby-kick-challenge/ After the final scores were tallied, Powerday took the challenge online, asking fans if they could beat the pros at their own game with the official Rugby Kick Challenge game! Whether you’re on your phone, tablet, laptop or PC, you can choose your favourite London Irish stars to see how well you can do with just ten kicks of the ball and three targets to aim for. Shoot for the golden skip for maximum points, then share your top score for ultimate bragging rights. Will you be able to kick the perfect game? Visit the Powerday website and Play the Rugby Kick Challenge today to find out. See here – https://www.powerday.co.uk/rugby-kick-challenge/
The Bognor Regis branch of Covers Timber and Builders Merchants will be supporting the Pagham Pram Race 2018 as a corporate sponsor for a third consecutive year. Pagham’s traditional Boxing Day pram push – the oldest in the world – spans back more than 70 years and regularly welcomes visitors from all over the world in an effort to raise funds for local causes. The three-mile route, which sees teams in fancy dress pushing decorated prams around a race course, starts at the Mill on Pagham Road and finishes at The Lamb pub car park, passing other local pubs along the way. Paul Allwright, who is Depot Manager at Covers Bognor Regis, said: “The Pagham Pram Race is a real highlight of the festive season. We are delighted to be part of this much-loved event and we can’t wait to see all the fun, novel and creative entries from the competitors.” Andrew Goodwill, who is the Treasurer of the Pagham Pram Race, added: “We would like to thank Covers for their continued support and look forward to welcoming as many people as possible to another successful Pagham Pram Race in 2018.” The Pagham Pram Race takes place at 11am on Boxing Day. Full details about the event, including how to take part, are available at www.paghamprace.com.
Surely one of the most enjoyable parts of living in Spain is that you can make the most of the Mediterranean sunshine. And whether you’re a permanent resident or have a holiday villa, this means enjoying a private outdoor pool. Swimming for fitness, fun or family entertainment is an activity everyone can get behind, particularly during hot Spanish summers. It’s not often that you find a villa on the Spanish Costas without a pool, but it does happen. If your property lacks this essential facility, you may want to think about installing one in your garden or on your terrace. Not only will a swimming pool add real value to your Spanish home, it will transform your enjoyment of the Spanish lifestyle. Consult an experienced pool construction company with a flair for design, and ideally one where English is spoken, such as this one in Marbella. If your villa does come with a private pool, regular pool maintenance is key for keeping it in top condition. Looking after your pool isn’t rocket science but someone has to do it. With a bit of knowledge about how pools work, you can do it yourself, or you can outsource the task to your gardener, a regular ‘pool guy’ or a professional pool cleaning company. And don’t forget to schedule in an annual pool service once a year too, just to make sure there are no nasty surprises that could have been nipped in the bud earlier. Here are 7 essential tips to help you maintain your outdoor pool for longer: 1. Remove surface debris every other day In every outdoor pool, the water’s surface where most damage takes place. Falling leaves and other debris can fall into the pool and will sink to the bottom if not removed. The less attention you give your pool, the further down the dirt will sink. This can make it more difficult to remove and run the risk of clogging up the filtration system. Use a hand skimmer or net every second day to keep on top of pool detritus. 2. Schedule a weekly brush and vacuum clean Use a strong broom or brush to tackle the walls of the pool to remove any algae build-up. Invest in a dedicated pool vacuum cleaner and use it weekly to remove any debris that has sunk to the bottom of the pool. Swimming pool vacuums are now readily available to buy, and they’re easy to use, as can be seen here: 3. Ensure the proper pH balance of pool chemicals This is the science bit, so do pay attention. An incorrect balance of pool chemicals can turn the water a murky green, creating the perfect condition for algae and bacteria to thrive and multiply forth. Ask your pool builder to recommend the correct chemical composition and use a testing kit to check regularly; you are looking for a healthy pH value of 7.4-7.6. 4. Clean the filter regularly Your pool will have one of three types of filter: cartridge, sand or DE (diatomaceous earth). They all have different cleaning requirements and all of them can easily become blocked with debris if left unattended. When clogged, the flow of water circulation reduces, pushing up the pressure in the system. Check the pressure gauge to make sure it remains at or below 10psi. 5. Top tip: Use a tennis ball to help collect debris ere’s a genius little tip to help you mop up unwanted residue on the pool’s surface including oil from sun creams. Simply throw a tennis ball into the water and let it gradually soak up any residue. Without any effort required on your part, it will soak up the residue, get rid of any dirt and help keep your outdoor pool clean. 6. Shock the water Did you know that if there’s an overwhelming smell of chorine around your pool, it’s not because there’s too much chlorine in the water? On the contrary, contaminants including nitrogen and ammonia are mixing with the chlorine (hence the offensive smell) meaning you need to put more chlorine in. Shocking the water with a high dose of chlorine will clear the contamination and make the water crystal clear in a few days. 7. General poolside clean-up Finally, don’t forget that the area around the pool will also need regular cleaning and disinfecting. Surfaces such as wooden decking, or a tiled or paved sun terrace, can make the floor very slippery and dangerous. In addition, the constant moisture on the surface can be a perfect breeding ground for bacteria that are easily spreadable to the pool itself.