Head to any UK town or city and you’ll come across a pop-up restaurant. Unlike traditional restaurants that tend to serve tried and tested cuisines they know people love, like pub grub, Italian, and Chinese, pop-up restaurants often include more experimental dishes. If you’re a budding a chef, who has
The decision to do a home improvement project on your own has many pros and cons. Among the most substantial benefits are money savings and total control over the changes happening to your home. On the other hand, you are burdened with many responsibilities. For example, you have to do
From the initial designs to all the calculations and specifications required for the materials, there are many forms of Intellectual Property (IP) in any kind of construction project. Therefore, IP protection is something that should concern anyone involved in managing or owning a construction company. At first glance, it may
Towns and cities across the UK were experiencing an exciting urban revival before the pandemic hit. The face of the high street was changing, green spaces were cropping up, and the demand for city centre living was continuing to drive how people enjoyed and experienced their local communities. The pandemic
Some bags, some sand, and a whole bunch of manpower. Even though we live in a digital era, sandbags will still be around for a long time to fight against storms and floods. But why is the simple design of a sandbag still a common flood-protection method? There are three
Investors in the gaming industry are increasingly moving their focus away from traditional centers like Las Vegas and Monte Carlo in favor of far eastern equivalents like Macau and Singapore. Signs show that the market is shifting in response to the growth of Asian economies. The Las Vegas Sands Company
Growing edibles and keeping your potted plants alive is often tricky in the moody British weather. A greenhouse can save the day – or season – but buying one might be expensive. Nevertheless, you don’t have to invest your hard-earned money. All it takes is a few materials and some
Spring is in the air in the Scottish residential property market and, after a winter which both dampened and at times froze growth, activity and interest is burgeoning again, raising hopes of a bountiful and fruitful summer. We are in quite a different place from a year ago, when the
THERE is a big focus in the Construction Playbook on procuring for value and harnessing the power of SMEs within the industry. Chief executive at Pagabo, Simon Toplass, discusses how our approach to SME relationships and treatment, and the procurement planning process will deliver on several of the core principles
September 11 of 2001, now simply referred to as 9/11, was one of the darkest days in American history. The incidents of that day, in which several commercial planes were hijacked and used for suicide attacks, left close to 3,000 people dead and thousands more injured, with the bulk of
Head to any UK town or city and you’ll come across a pop-up restaurant. Unlike traditional restaurants that tend to serve tried and tested cuisines they know people love, like pub grub, Italian, and Chinese, pop-up restaurants often include more experimental dishes. If you’re a budding a chef, who has the skills, tastebuds, and even the cookware to get started, but are still unsure if a pop-up restaurant is for you, we’ve got some interesting facts and figures that might just persuade you to take the plunge. What is a pop-up restaurant? A pop-up restaurant is a place where customers can get food for a limited time at a temporary location. They can be open to the public or in an event setting. Pop-up restaurants can be in situ for a few hours or a few months. Why pop-up restaurants are so popular? Pop-ups are a relatively inexpensive way for a chef to get their name out to the public or help establish the restaurant brand in a new area. Established restaurants can benefit from pop-ups by trialling a new concept or new menu. One of the great things about pop-up restaurants is that they give chefs the chance to test their new dishes on the actual public. This is especially helpful for younger chefs with low amounts of capital who aren’t able to use kitchen facilities without risking bankruptcy. Pop-up restaurants also allow owners to test the brand model at a much lower cost. Another benefit of pop-ups is that they allow you to be flexible with pricing to a certain extent. You can experiment with flat tickets, prix fixe menus (which is the favoured pricing for most pop-ups). Unlike a la carte menu pricing, prix fix allows you to charge a set amount per head. How 2020 impacted the industry When millions of restaurants around the world closed their doors last year, you may be forgiven in thinking the food and beverage sector was obliterated. But in fact, it highlighted how many of our social interactions are centred around good food. According to Companies House, takeaway food shops and mobile food stands accounted for 9,062 new businesses. Pop-up restaurants are opening up everywhere, from parks to warehouses, private gardens and pedestrianised streets – and it’s a trend that looks set to stay. Covid-19 forced nearly every sector of enterprise to rethink their role and business model, and the restaurant industry is no different. With more than 172,217 empty commercial buildings in the UK, there’s a real opportunity for landlords to embrace the pop-up trend. The constant change in inhabitants will also have a knock-on effect for the wider community in bringing people back into town and city centres.
The decision to do a home improvement project on your own has many pros and cons. Among the most substantial benefits are money savings and total control over the changes happening to your home. On the other hand, you are burdened with many responsibilities. For example, you have to do all the work yourself and choose what materials and tools you will use. We are here to help you pick the right equipment for the job. You don’t even have to buy it – there are many companies that offer tools for hire at a reasonable price. No matter if you need to decorate your home or make some small repairs, these tools will help ensure that your home improvement project is a success. Paint Sprayer Painting a small or large space requires a lot of time and physical strength. That is why you need a paint sprayer. This equipment will save you a lot of time and effort and make your job much easier. You can use it to paint walls, ceilings, doors, and other surfaces that are hard to reach. Caulking Gun No matter if you are going to paint, repair leaks or just change the color of your bathroom tiles, you need a caulking gun. Caulking is a crucial part of any home improvement project because it allows you to seal small cracks and holes that may appear in the future. You should buy a high-quality gun that is both durable and easy to use. Hammer Drill Fixing a leaky faucet or painting the ceiling is much easier when you use a hammer drill. It will drill holes into the wall or floor, which is necessary to install new fixtures or set up a curtain rod. It is a necessary tool if you want to replace an old sink or shower stall with a new one. Saw You cannot finish home improvement projects without a saw. It will help you cut off broken parts from wooden furniture, install new cabinets in the kitchen and perform many other tasks. When buying saws, you should opt for a high-quality brand that will serve you for years to come. Hammer A hammer is one of those basic tools that you should always have around the house. Whether you need to drive nails into the wall or remove old tiles from the floor, this simple tool will help you do so within minutes. A standard hammer is good enough for most projects, but a hammer drill is better in this case because it allows you to drill holes into the floor or wall. Wire Cutters If you are looking to renovate your home, you will probably need to use wire cutters. They can help you disconnect old wiring or cable lines. It is also a useful tool if you need to mount a new ceiling lamp or hang a new chandelier. It is advisable to use a high-quality brand when buying wire cutters. This will guarantee that it can withstand heavy use and will not break easily. Nail Gun If you have to hang up anything in your home, a nail gun should be at your service. This tool will help you avoid making holes in the walls and ensure that your project is durable. If you are planning to hang up drywall, it will be very hard to do so without a nail gun. Multimeter A multimeter is a must-have tool if you are going to repair electrical issues in your home. It allows you to check if the wiring is working properly and determine if there are any problems with the electrical outlets or switches. It is also perfect for checking the amount of current that is being used by your appliances, which is a very important component of home improvement projects. Pliers Pliers are another useful tool that is essential for home improvement projects. From pulling out nails to twisting wires together, pliers can help you tackle any task. The best pliers are made of a heavy and durable material that ensures maximum durability. Plastic Putty Knife A putty knife is an essential tool if you want to do any kind of home improvement project. This inexpensive tool will be useful if you want to paint or install new cabinets in your kitchen, bathroom, or garage. It can also be used to scrape old paint off the walls. Level Whether you are hanging a photo frame or painting the living room, a level is a must-have tool for every homeowner. It is used to make sure that everything is level and straight. This tool will help you avoid headaches and ensure that your home improvement project is a success. Utility Knife If you are looking to renovate your home, you will probably need to use a utility knife. It is a very helpful tool that can help you cut plastic or wood pieces that you want to use in your project. You can also use it to remove old flooring or wallpaper. Wrench You cannot complete home improvement projects without wrenches. They are a perfect choice if you want to install fixtures or make plumbing and electrical repairs. A good wrench should be made of a sturdy material that will not break easily. The Bottom Line As you can see, home improvement projects can be as easy or as complex as you want them to be. You don’t have to be an experienced DIY enthusiast to engage in some of them. After all, we all need to start somewhere, even if at first we can’t do too much. If you’re just starting your journey in the world of DIY home improvement projects, remember that the beginnings may be rough. You may not have the right supplies, and sometimes you may even need to borrow or rent certain pieces of equipment. Still, keep your eyes on the prize and keep on learning. With time, you’ll be a DIY pro!
From the initial designs to all the calculations and specifications required for the materials, there are many forms of Intellectual Property (IP) in any kind of construction project. Therefore, IP protection is something that should concern anyone involved in managing or owning a construction company. At first glance, it may be a bit difficult to choose the right form of protection for your company and projects because there are several different laws and regulations for various situations. For instance, it’s important to know when to use a trademark or a patent (among others). Also, when it comes to the construction industry, you won’t just be protecting designs and ideas – there are also other items that need protection such as methods of building, machinery used, and materials. That’s why, in order to make sure others won’t profit from your hard work, it’s important to learn how to protect intellectual property. This usually requires knowledge of IP protection laws in your state, but it’s also a good idea to have a specialist review your actions and provide guidance. Why IP Protection is Vital in Constructions Contractors have a complex job that involves a lot more than just physical labor. In fact, the part we all see (the actual construction work) is among the last steps they need to take. But, for a project to reach this stage, there are lots of other elements to consider and plenty of issues to solve. The early parts of a construction project require collaboration with all sorts of specialists, institutions, material suppliers, subcontractors, and owners. Therefore, without proper protection, it is easy for a construction company to lose sight of trade secrets and other IP items that may lead to a loss in profits. In fact, each construction company has its own way of doing things, which can be damaging if it would be rebranded and copied by the competition. Let’s take architectural copyrights as an example (these are among the most interesting intellectual property concepts in this industry). Copyrights can cover blueprints, technical design documents, architectural works, elevations, and more. The rights are usually attributed to the creator (which, in this case, is the architect or the engineer) but can be bought or assigned through a contract. The company can also register the contract at the Copyright Office, but it’s not mandatory in most cases. Another form of IP protection is the utility patent (the most common type of patent), but it may be a bit difficult to obtain since there are already lots of patents related to the construction industry. The patent can make reference to a wide range of elements such as materials, business methods, construction processes, even equipment. However, the litigation for patent infringement can be quite expensive and it’s oftentimes risky, which is why a specialist would recommend adding a contractual clause that prevents anyone involved from leaking out information about IP. Wrap Up Whether you’re a small contractor or a modern company looking to implement life-changing construction projects, IP protection is vital for the well-being and future of your business. Therefore, make sure to find a reliable IP lawyer and advisors that can help you put in place procedures and systems to keep prying eyes away from your intellectual property treasures.
Towns and cities across the UK were experiencing an exciting urban revival before the pandemic hit. The face of the high street was changing, green spaces were cropping up, and the demand for city centre living was continuing to drive how people enjoyed and experienced their local communities. The pandemic stopped us all in our tracks as people have been staying at home for prolonged periods of time and reassessing their priorities when it comes to where they live, how they shop, and how they spend their money. James Cook, Head of Planning at Blacks Solicitors, shares his thoughts on how recent planning changes will impact our towns and cities as we begin to ease out of lockdown and move to a post-Covid world. Covid has had a radical impact across almost every aspect of society, and it’s no different when it comes to town and city centre planning; it has accelerated many changes which were already being experienced. How has retail changed? The role of retail in our towns and city centres has changed dramatically in recent years. There are various reasons for this, from advances in technology and online shopping, to the lifecycle of certain retail formats. We were already in a position pre-Covid where evolution was critical to maintain footfall and keep people engaged. The growth in city centre living combined with more varied working hours had also highlighted the need for easy access to flexible format convenience shopping and other services within our towns and city centres. Post pandemic it will become even more crucial to offer a more diversified shopping experience alongside a wider mix of uses. From 1 September 2020 a new broad “Commercial, business and service” Use Class E was created, combining uses such as retail, restaurants, cafes, offices, gyms and health centres into one broad category. With certain exceptions, changes within this class will not require planning permission. The legislation has at its heart a more general desire from the Government to provide flexibility for businesses to adapt, diversify and respond quickly to the changing demands of communities. Supporting housing delivery in town and city centres, and on the high street Permitted development rights allowing the change of use of various premises have also evolved. In August 2020 a new permitted development right was introduced to allow the demolition of purpose-built detached blocks of flats, offices and light industrial premises, and replace them with purpose-built detached buildings for use as flats or a single dwelling house. Additional rights also provided for the construction of new dwellings on top of purpose-built detached blocks of flats; and certain other buildings. These rights are subject to certain conditions as well as a prior approval process. The Government has recently consulted upon further changes to support housing delivery including a new permitted development right to allow the change of use from a use or mix of uses within the new Class E to residential use, subject to conditions and prior approvals. The Government described this as going “significantly beyond existing rights, allowing for restaurants, indoor sports, and creches etc. to benefit from the change of use to residential under permitted development rights for the first time.” These changes are radical and controversial with questions being asked about the impact of the loss of commercial spaces and infrastructure investment the changes may generate a need for. Greener and healthier cities The pandemic highlighted the need for green infrastructure to be at the heart of the creation and regeneration of city centres moving forward, particularly to respond to the fact that many people living in urban centres have limited or even no private outdoor amenity space. This will not only enable us to adapt to climate change and reduce pollution, but make towns and cities more liveable. Looking ahead Covid has emphasised the changes that were already happening to our town and city centres. The Government has taken the opportunity to introduce further planning related flexibility for uses and changes of use which it hopes will kick start the post Covid economic recovery. It remains to be seen whether these changes strike the right balance between the flexibility and the correct amount of regulation needed to revive our town and city centres after lockdown.
Some bags, some sand, and a whole bunch of manpower. Even though we live in a digital era, sandbags will still be around for a long time to fight against storms and floods. But why is the simple design of a sandbag still a common flood-protection method? There are three reasons for this: they are cheap, easy to use, and efficient at diverting floodwater when used properly. A simple sandbag flood barrier can be built by almost anyone with a shovel and the right materials due to their low cost and simplicity of use. While a sandbag barrier does not ensure a watertight seal, when filled and built correctly, it may serve as a barrier to redirect flowing water away from houses. However, they work best when combined with polyethylene (plastic) sheeting. Burlap or plastic bags may be used. Burlap bags degrade after use, while plastic bags can be reused. A sandbagging machine can be very helpful when you have very little time to prepare against a sudden flood. Where Should Filled Sandbags be Placed? Sandbags should be placed over drains in the shower, bath, and laundry areas, as well as over floor dumps, to reduce the backflow of water into your home or company. They should be put in front of brickwork vents, doorways, and roller doors, among other things. Smaller vents may be sealed with waterproof plastic or tape. Each toilet should be filled with one small plastic bag of sand-weighted down by one larger sandbag to block water backflow. A sandbag wall might not be necessary if your business or home is constructed on an elevated concrete slab. It is an exception if the building is built on fibrous cement sheets or wooden materials. Consider how trapped floodwater could be separated from between the building and the sandbag wall before installing a sandbag wall. Pumps, siphons, and bailing buckets are some of the tools you might need to drain the water. A small sandbag wall should be constructed around all of your doorways. The number of layers is usually two sandbag rows high, but this can differ depending on how high the floodwaters are expected to rise. One open doorway should be available for entering and exiting your home or company. This can be accomplished by erecting a barrier that allows you to open the door. The images below illustrate this. The ‘Science’ of Constructing a Sandbag Wall Here are a few tips and tricks when constructing a sandbag wall. Remove any debris from the area where the wall will be constructed. Sandbags need to be level, so don’t build on uneven terrain. Place the sandbags lengthwise/parallel to the water flow direction. Ensure that the bag’s open end is folded under the filled part. To remove holes, establish a tight seal, and support the wall’s framework, flatten each row of bags with your foot. Arrange the bags in a brickwork pattern, with each bag overlapping the one below by half an inch. When the wall is four or more rows high, construct the wall in a pyramid shape; it must be three times wider than it is tall. Seal the wall on the ‘wet’ side with plastic sheeting sealed with a row of sandbags around the top and around the bottom edge for added safety. The ‘Science’ of Sandbag Filling Here are a few tips and tricks when filling sandbags for your wall. Sandbags must be filled by two persons wearing gloves, steel toe cap shoes, and protective glasses if the sand is dry. With knees slightly flexed, one person should position the empty bag between or slightly next to widely spread feet. To allow the other person to empty a circular shovel of sand, fold the bag’s neck to form a collar. Make sure the bag isn’t too full. Carrying, compacting, and forming a sealed frame is difficult. So, one-half to two-thirds of the capacity of the bags should be filled. Sandbags that aren’t tied are easier to stack. Fold the top edge of the bag over the top of the wall, leaving space for the sand to flow around and seal the wall. If you intend to move the bags, bind them near the top of the bag to accommodate for sifting the sand. Calculating the Number of Sandbags Needed To account for water level variability, create the wall at least 1 foot higher than the expected crest level. The amount of freeboard to provide will be determined by local experience. The US Army Corps of Engineers suggests constructing a wall with a base diameter three times the height of the dike. A 4-foot-high wall, for example, will have a base width of 12 feet. According to the corps, one bag is required for each foot of completed wall length, three bags are required for each foot of height, and three bags are required for each 2.5 foot of width. As a result, each bag is approximately 4 inches high, 10 inches wide, and 14 inches long. You can calculate the number of bags needed per linear foot of wall with a base width three times the height using the equation below. N = (3 x H) + (9 x H x H) / 2 Where, N = necessary number of bags per linear foot of wall H = Height of the dike (feet) Filled Sandbag Disposal and Storage All sandbags which have been exposed to flood waters should be thrown away. Handle the sandbags with caution, as they may contain hazardous contaminants, chemicals, or waste. Some sandbags that have not been exposed to chemicals or flood water may be used as topsoil on lawns or gardens instead of being flushed down drainage gutters. Your local government might be able to give you additional guidance about how to dispose of your polluted sandbags. Contact them from your local phonebook or their official website. If you are stocking sandbags for some occasion, bear in mind that they can rot if they’re wet or damp. Sandbags
Investors in the gaming industry are increasingly moving their focus away from traditional centers like Las Vegas and Monte Carlo in favor of far eastern equivalents like Macau and Singapore. Signs show that the market is shifting in response to the growth of Asian economies. The Las Vegas Sands Company (LVS), headed up by CEO Robert Goldstein, just finalized the historic sale of The Venetian Hotel and its adjoining Palazzo complex, one of the most characteristic and glamorous venues on the Las Vegas strip, for the princely sum of $6.25 billion. In recent years the glamour of the Las Vegas casino experience has moved online, as many people prefer to play online variants of traditional casino games like roulette or slots. Attractive features such as welcome bonuses and free spins appeal to existing and newcomer players, boosting customer take-up and therefore increasing total revenue. With the number of online gamers set to exceed 57 million people in 2021, and the PC gaming market alone worth over $33 billion, it’s reasonable to raise the question of what relevance the brick-and-mortar casino has in the 21st century. Still, the global gaming industry continues to grow, with physical locations in Macau posting yearly revenue in excess of $50 billion. The sale of the Venetian resort to real estate investment trust Vici Properties and Apollo Global Management is set to be finalized in Q4 2021. Vici Properties are said to be buying the land beneath the complex and will be leasing the operations to Apollo Global Management for a $2.25 billion agreement. The properties are expected to continue in much the same way as before, albeit under the new management. This does little to lessen the historical import of the sale, as LVS have been a major force in shaping the direction and global brand of Nevada city. In 1989, partners Sheldon Adelson, Ted Cutler, Irwin Chafetz, Jordan Shapiro and Richard Katzeff’s purchased the struggling Sands Casino and Hotel, and the Las Vegas Sands corporation was born. The resort was originally founded in 1952 and had been a fixture of the Las Vegas strip through its golden age, but was having difficulty competing against newer mega casinos and hotels populating the strip. In 1997, Adelson and co. made the decision to demolish the Sands and build the new Venetian hotel. This was followed by the construction of the Palazzo hotel in 2005, the second largest hotel in the world. The Venetian, Sands Expo center and Palazzo, as well as their adjoining entertainment facilities, are the world’s largest integrated resort. With the Sands Expo center’s expansion in 2008, the resort features 2.3 million square feet of convention space, 7100 all-suite rooms, and employs over 11,000 staff. As LVS’ decision to part with the Venetian Las Vegas will knock-off over $1.6 billion from their yearly revenue, they must believe they can recover those losses in Asia. As we enter the third decade of the 21st century, Asia’s GDP is expected to overtake the overall GDP of all other world economies combined, and projections suggest that by 2030 the region, known for its manufacturing and technology exports, will account for 60% of global economic growth. In 2020, Fortune’s Global 500 list counted 124 Chinese companies among its ranks, topping the United States for the first time. When questioned about the strategy underlying the sale of the Las Vegas portfolio, Goldstein stated that he believes the world is changing in a way that benefits LVS. On Macau he says, “We believe Macau is a big growth market for us, far beyond what we were doing previously”. He also disclosed that over 90% of the LVS’ earnings are already coming from its Macau and Singapore resorts. The Venetian Macau is no poor relative of the Las Vegas resort. It features the seventh largest building in the world by overall floor area, the largest free-standing hotel in Asia, and is home to the second largest casino in the world. Macau, with its ease-of-access to financial powerhouse Hong Kong, is well situated to grow in concert with the Asian business centers. Goldstein has also confirmed that some of the proceeds from the sale will go towards investing in new potential markets across Asia in the future.
Growing edibles and keeping your potted plants alive is often tricky in the moody British weather. A greenhouse can save the day – or season – but buying one might be expensive. Nevertheless, you don’t have to invest your hard-earned money. All it takes is a few materials and some handyman skills to recycle stuff and make yourself a one-of-a-kind greenhouse. Here are 5 awesome DIY greenhouse ideas to get you inspired. 1. Welded Wire Greenhouse A hoop greenhouse is very easy to build from galvanised wire used for fencing and clear plastic rolls. You could use standard cattle panels, too – you can procure them from your local hardware store. The panels are ideal to build a simple wireframe that is both solid and flexible. The rounded roof is an excellent choice if you live in an area with strong winds. If you feel fancy, you could even fix a standard door frame to the wire structure before covering both the structure and the door with clear plastic. A perfect greenhouse for most vegetables, including all kinds of beans, various leafy greens, and tomatoes. 2. CD Case Greenhouse Do you have lots of old CDs you don’t listen to anymore? Don’t bin them. CDs can be used for many creative projects, and their empty cases are perfect for making an original and fully functional greenhouse. It won’t be big enough for you to walk and stand into, but it will be big enough for a few pots. All you need is around 40 CD cases and some glue. Using a simple greenhouse model, glue cases together to create the walls and roofs. The clear plastic cases will create a protected environment for your perennials to thrive throughout winter. 3. Plastic Bottle Greenhouse Acrylic greenhouses are on the wave, but plastic for a greenhouse doesn’t necessarily have to mean acrylic. Old plastic bottles are an excellent alternative, and a nice solution if you’re looking to save money and the planet whilst growing edibles. The bottles are very easy to tie together with clear plastic string or wire and you can use them for the walls and roof of a standard wooden frame. Making a greenhouse has never been easier. 4. Old Windows Greenhouse There is hardly anything as satisfying as making a greenhouse out of recycled objects. Including old windows. There are many ways to transform old windows into a greenhouse, but perhaps the easiest is to make a cube or rectangle out of them. Use a smaller window as a door – this greenhouse is perfect for smaller pots, or you could use more windows to cover a raised bed. 5. DIY Fold-Down Greenhouse A greenhouse may not be useless in the summer months, so why not make a fold-down one for your plants to thrive in all kinds of weather. Like the welded wire greenhouse, this project uses clear plastic but this time fixed on a foldable frame. Ideal for covering your raised beds and protecting your vegetables from wind and cold temperatures.
Spring is in the air in the Scottish residential property market and, after a winter which both dampened and at times froze growth, activity and interest is burgeoning again, raising hopes of a bountiful and fruitful summer. We are in quite a different place from a year ago, when the storm clouds were just beginning to gather on the horizon. Now, cautious optimism is permeating not just the housing arena, but many other sectors of the economy as well. It is not hard to see why. After 12 months in the doldrums, there is a widespread sense that restrictions may be beginning to lift at last – with less of a threat that the cell door will slam shut again. Schools are heading back, the vaccine rollout continues to be a spectacular success and people are drifting back to work. Spring and summer promise to be periods of frenzied activity, comparable to July and August last year when lockdown was first eased. Then, the market bubbled away nicely until the brakes were hastily applied again on Boxing Day and activity dropped down several gears in January and February. Now that we are back on the road, agents are reporting that they have a cornucopia of stock lined up on their books just waiting for the sellers to press the start button. There is a feeling that people are champing at the bit to get on with their lives. But unlike last year, when we had to cram a completely lost Spring market into a frenetic Summer market, this year promises a more measured market, which should allow the pent-up demand to come through in a controlled manner, rather than as a dam burst. And there is no doubt that aspects of the market are irrevocably changed. While in pre-Covid times aspirational moves tended to be price-driven, the new, fluid job market in which the majority of people are now operating has focused attention on other attributes. An increasingly dominant factor on the wish list now is more space – a most understandable imperative for families in which both parents are hot desking in the kitchen while trying to maintain some educational stability in their children’s home schooling. Gardens, views, countryside and local amenities have assumed a much greater importance for people whose lives have been confined for a year and, as a consequence, peripheral markets have done very well of late. As well as offering a different lifestyle, they have the added attraction of being significantly cheaper. Of course, Glasgow and Edinburgh will always be vibrant, but buyers in this more comprehensively interconnected period are also looking further afield – in the case of the former to Renfrewshire and Ayrshire, and in the latter to Fife, the Borders and East Lothian. The North East has always been a distinctive market in its own right, still dominated by the hydrocarbons industry, and the North West has seen a surge in demand, with our offices in Oban, Elgin and Inverness reporting huge interest in lifestyle opportunities. We can have little to complain about in a year where official statistics report average prices across Scotland rising by 8.4% and the number of sales rising by over 30%, but there has to be a degree of disappointment that the extension of the stamp duty holiday in England until June, with tapered relief until September, has not been matched in Scotland. The rationale in Holyrood for stopping the limited concessions in Land and Buildings Transaction Tax at the end of this month (March) appears to be that the market is active, the stimulus has done its job and therefore it is no longer necessary. It has to be remembered, however, that the property market is always a major economic driver and there surely also has to be an argument, as seems to have been recognised by the UK Chancellor, for keeping it stimulated as we claw our way to post-Covid recovery. And that recovery, when it comes, could well be a rollercoaster ride. The Bank of England note that significant amounts of money have been accumulating in people’s pockets over lockdown – in December the estimate was over £100 billion – and, when it is unleashed, we could be heading for a new Roaring Twenties. Scotland has great choice and diversity in its housing, as well as affordability, and there is no reason why we should not also forge ahead. But perhaps, by the end of the summer, a more desirable state might be a steady but unspectacular market with stable price growth. John McHugh is Managing Partner of DM Hall Chartered Surveyors.
THERE is a big focus in the Construction Playbook on procuring for value and harnessing the power of SMEs within the industry. Chief executive at Pagabo, Simon Toplass, discusses how our approach to SME relationships and treatment, and the procurement planning process will deliver on several of the core principles outlined in the playbook. Programme versus project With social value to consider as well as physical delivery costs, there is a huge education process that needs to happen led by framework providers, contractors, and consultants to help identify what best value and whole life value actually is. Framework providers like ourselves need to work with public sector organisations to define this, looking at whole programmes rather than on a project-by-project basis. We have an important role, especially as many clients seek to use frameworks to ensure they get the best possible outcomes. This outcome-based approach is another key focus within the playbook, and it is where the creation of a gold standard for frameworks would benefit absolutely everyone working in procurement. For example, frameworks will vary in commercial offerings, so transparency of cost will be important, to ensure contracting authorities aren’t caught out by hidden extras. In the same way that the public sector needs to consider the suitability of a consultant or contractor, it also must choose a framework provider equally as carefully. This means providers must provide simple, affordable and accessible solutions, but more than this they must be transparent about their costs and compliance as well. An excellent example of the action of looking at outcome-based approaches of a programme of work is our recently launched developer-led framework. The projects procured via this framework will be many, and lasting for many years, so all parties must work together to examine the best value – not just simple, monetary cost – beyond the construction phase and across the whole lifecycle. This whole life approach to best value enables us to embed all the key elements we need to be considering for the built environment moving forwards, from delivering true social impact on a local basis, to working towards the government’s goals for net zero carbon. This can all be outlined and embedded into the procurement process, and even within the contracts themselves as KPIs too, particularly within the NEC4 suite of contracts. Preparation is key One of the earliest lessons of my career was that the biggest enemy of good procurement is lack of time, and that rushing the preparation should be avoided at all costs. This is something that has stuck with me throughout several decades of working in procurement, and feeds into our focus on excellent, expertise-led procurement services at Pagabo. What has really resonated with us about the Construction Playbook is that ten of the 14 key policies outlined fall within the first of the five phases of procurement – i.e., within the preparation and planning phase. This section alone is half of the entire 83-page playbook, so it demonstrates the old saying ‘failing to plan is planning to fail’. A huge focus must be placed on getting the preparation spot on to make sure that project success is not threatened, and the best outcomes can be achieved for all parties involved. SMEs are the future of construction The Construction Playbook ultimately aims to deliver a better and fairer industry, including prompt and fair payments – something that is really important to focus on in the conversation around SME engagement. It’s clear that the government is keen to involve SMEs, and ensure their early engagement in programmes, but it’s crucial that this involvement is fair – including proper and prompt payment. This is highlighted even further when we examine the impact of the pandemic on these businesses. Insolvency practitioner Real Business Rescue recently released its Business Distress Index for Q4 2020, with the data revealing that the number of UK SMEs in significant financial distress is now 620,000. If this isn’t startling enough, that figure had risen by 14 per cent from the previous quarter. Construction is second only to fishing as one of the least innovative sectors in the UK, which means we have a real opportunity to make a huge stride forward in how we do things – and SMEs are central to this. They serve as the engine room of our industry, being best placed to bring forth the new ideas, products, services and tech adoption and will help us move out of this comfortable zone where we keep to ‘this is the way we’ve always done it’. The industry has been banging the SMEs and innovation drum for years, but the important thing is to put words into action. At Pagabo, 70 per cent of the suppliers across our ten frameworks are SMEs, and during the latest episode of our ‘Building Blocks’ podcast it was great to hear from Peter Masonbrook at Faithful+Gould that 83 per cent of its supply chain are SMEs. Willmott Dixon’s national account manager Andrew Brookes also joined the podcast discussion. He shared the various innovations taking place within the main contractor organisation, from the small pockets that are constantly happening across its live sites and offices, to larger, business-led approaches such as investment in products for standardisation and digitisation – another two key areas covered by the playbook. Pagabo’s relationship with industry SMEs goes beyond simply appointing them to our frameworks. We have a set of robust KPIs in place which ensure our suppliers are working with local supply chains on every project they undertake. By putting this process in place we’re able to track both the spend on and engagement each supplier has with local SMEs. Another example of this is our work with health tech brand Moodbeam. We’re currently undertaking a series of trials to understand how to best integrate its wearable wellbeing device into our on-site health, safety and wellbeing strategies in the construction sector. Simply put, we cannot afford to lose SMEs within our industry. They will be central to building
September 11 of 2001, now simply referred to as 9/11, was one of the darkest days in American history. The incidents of that day, in which several commercial planes were hijacked and used for suicide attacks, left close to 3,000 people dead and thousands more injured, with the bulk of those figures centered around the destruction and collapse of the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers. The incident itself caused a lot of death and destruction, and the recovery process for the city of New York and the nation itself was a long one. Even now, many years after the incident, the effects of 9/11 can still be felt in more ways than one, and in recent times, studies have shown that those who were present in Manhattan around that time are at a higher risk of many types of cancer. In the wake of these developments, many people who were present in the Manhattan area on or after September 11, perhaps working in the area or living nearby at the time, have begun to worry about their own health and want to know what to do next. This guide will cover all of the key information you need to know regarding the right steps to take. The Basics Before we get into the steps you should follow to potentially make claims, get medical care, and even potentially receive compensation for cancer connected to 9/11, it’s important to go over the basics of the situation in order to understand your rights and what you may or may not be entitled to. You can find various resources regarding this matter online. As a brief overview, the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF) is the main fund to be aware of. This was actually set up shortly after the attacks of 9/11 but is still paying out and accepting claims today as research reveals more about the long-lasting risks and threats posed by the attacks. By learning more about this, you’ll be better prepared to make your claims and proceed. Remain Calm and Speak with Your Doctor Even though you may be at a higher risk of cancer because of your presence in the Lower Manhattan area during September of 2001, that doesn’t necessarily mean that you are or will become ill. There are many people who were present at the time and who have gone on to enjoy perfectly healthy lives, so it’s important to try to remain calm and speak with your doctor to learn more about the situation, rather than panicking or jumping to conclusions. Many people are naturally worried about their health after learning about these findings, but speaking with a doctor can provide you with some much-needed clarity on the situation. A doctor may also be able to run tests and checks to identify any signs of illness too, as well as suggesting lifestyle alterations or treatment options to improve your health if needed. Speak to a Lawyer When it comes to making claims and seeking compensation, it’s usually best to contact professionals. So as well as speaking with a doctor, it’s also recommended that you contact a legal professional too. There are various legal firms out there that specialize in helping people who may be suffering from health issues connected to the incidents of 9/11. These attorneys will be able to answer questions you might have on the matter, clarifying any confusion and helping you make the right decisions, and contact the right people. They can also help with your claim applications and any appeals you might need to make if your claim gets rejected, as well as aiding with the process of gathering the evidence you need to support your claim, as you’ll need to provide documents and other evidence to show you were actually in the area at the time. Final Word Those who were present in Lower Manhattan on or after the events of September 11 2001 may have been exposed to the large dust cloud that formed in the area when the attacks occurred. This cloud was filled with a range of potentially harmful elements and particles, including asbestos, jet fuel, and more. Unfortunately, as studies have shown, the long-term risks of such exposure can be very damaging, but by contacting a lawyer, speaking with a doctor, and making a claim, you can get some degree of justice and compensation. So don’t suffer in silence; contact the right people today and get the help you need.
