With the current financial climate pulling sharply at purse strings, making your budget go further for a cost-effective project is more attractive than ever before. In this article, Simon Castle, Managing Director at fit-out specialists, Chisholm & Winch, will discuss ways in which main contractors can meet budget requirements without
Sciontec Developments, the commercial, spin-out property development company of KQ Liverpool, has announced it will be taking ownership Sensor City. The Liverpool-based hub for the development of sensor and IoT technologies will be joining the growing Sciontec group of innovation facilities, which already includes Liverpool Science Park. Sensor City, which
The Crown Estate and The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) have published their 24th annual Area Involved report, detailing changes in the area of seabed licensed and dredged for marine aggregates during 2021. Key information from the report includes: A total of 21 million tonnes of sand and gravel
ONE of the UK’s leading multi-disciplinary property consultancy firms – EDGE PS – has revealed how a 40% year-on-year growth in turnover provided the momentum needed for the strategic launch of its Leeds office earlier this year. Since the office’s initial formation in January 2022, the company has further grown
A new strategic alliance is due to automate the payment management system in the construction industry. Payapps Limited and Autodesk will bring their innovative solutions to the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and North America, offering customers real-time accounting and faster payment cycles during the construction process. “Construction companies are
With high inflation rates on the cards Ratings Experts tell Government it’s even more important to abolish downwards transition to support beleaguered sector Business rates experts at Colliers are urging the government to remove fears that the expected cut to business rates bills for the retail sector in England will
Buying your own home is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life and that means you don’t want to leave anything to chance when you consider the amount of money that is involved. Your mortgage lender will be lending you some of the money you need to buy
Leading data specialists, Insight Data, reveal construction industry insolvencies have spiked in 2022. From looking closely at the total number of companies registered on the organisation’s unique Construction File database, which contains large construction firms with a turnover of over £5million, Insight Data found there has been a 12% drop
Privately owned hotel company Crimson Hotels has recently acquired The Trafalgar St. James Hotel in Central London. With this purchase, the five star hotel will become the second Hilton Curio Collection acquisition for Crimson Hotels, alongside 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel in South Kensington. Consisting of 131 rooms, The Trafalgar St.
Prologis, a leading owner and developer of UK logistics real estate, has continued its focus of strategic investments in London and the South East markets with the acquisition of two additional sites at Erith and Croydon. Totalling over 330,000 sq. ft. on 20.4 acres, the two distribution centres are let to Ocado and Royal Mail and form key parts of their distribution networks, being two of the largest low density last mile logistic facilities inside the M25. The assets, on Church Manorway, Erith and Beddington Farm Road, Croydon are located
With the current financial climate pulling sharply at purse strings, making your budget go further for a cost-effective project is more attractive than ever before. In this article, Simon Castle, Managing Director at fit-out specialists, Chisholm & Winch, will discuss ways in which main contractors can meet budget requirements without compromising on quality, when it comes to working collaboratively with a specialist fit-out contractor. Aside from the basics of insurances and liabilities, this piece offers tips and advice on what to look for when choosing a fit-out subcontractor that goes beyond just installation; such as working to rethink material selection, where required, after sight of architectural designs. And how a specialist fit-out contractor can manage the supply chain to find cost effective product alternatives that fit the brief whilst maximising the budget. The article will look into the importance of streamlined processes, meticulous planning and early engagement methods. Also, the importance of working with a company that offers end-to-end solutions and includes experts with specialist market knowledge who know their materials and ensure the cost and buildability of products is right (especially in the current climate of long lead times) whilst factoring in whole life costs. Finally, how considering a team that provides accountability and in-house installers to deliver the fit out, means acquiring no extra hidden costs through subcontracting third party installers.
Sciontec Developments, the commercial, spin-out property development company of KQ Liverpool, has announced it will be taking ownership Sensor City. The Liverpool-based hub for the development of sensor and IoT technologies will be joining the growing Sciontec group of innovation facilities, which already includes Liverpool Science Park. Sensor City, which is located on Copperas Hill in the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool Innovation District (KQ Liverpool), first opened in 2017 and was later closed during the national lockdown in December 2020. Although closed to the public, the building has played an important role as a vaccination centre for students and as part of a European Research programme. Sciontec has been working with Sensor City’s current owners, Liverpool John Moores University and the University of Liverpool, and key grant funders, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and the Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities to obtain the consents it needs and finalise a deal to transfer the ownership of the Sensor City company to Sciontec. “We are looking forward to finalising the details with Sciontec for the new investment in the building, which will enable us to drive forward research and business growth in the technology sector,” said Professor Keith George, chair of Sensor City Liverpool and Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research and Knowledge Exchange at Liverpool John Moores University. Upon completion of the deal, Sciontec’s shareholders, Liverpool John Moores University, the University of Liverpool, Liverpool City Council and Bruntwood SciTech, plan to invest in excess of £2 million to upgrade, modernise and relaunch Sensor City as a global hub for innovation, technology, digitalisation and the internet of things, building on its existing commitment to sensor technologies. This will include submitting planning proposals by the end of the year for the redevelopment and reconfiguration of Sensor City to provide additional innovative workspace and labs across its four floors. “This landmark deal with our University partners will mark an exciting transformation in the life of Sensor City. We are really looking forward to operating Sensor City alongside the successful Liverpool Science Park and further helping to create high value jobs and grow the City Region economy, through science and technology, health and wellbeing,” added Colin Sinclair, chief executive of KQ Liverpool and Sciontec. Sciontec completed a similar process in taking ownership of Liverpool Science Park in 2020, which saw occupancy levels improve significantly and increased retained profits over the last two years, with the three Science Park buildings operating at full capacity and over £1 million recently invested in the new entrance and other enhanced customer facilities. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
The Crown Estate and The British Marine Aggregate Producers Association (BMAPA) have published their 24th annual Area Involved report, detailing changes in the area of seabed licensed and dredged for marine aggregates during 2021. Key information from the report includes: A total of 21 million tonnes of sand and gravel were dredged under Crown Estate licence in England and Wales during 2021 (compared to 18 million tonnes in 2020) The total area of seabed licensed in 2021 was 1,068km2 (1,055km2 in 2020) Dredging took place within 106 km2(10 per cent of the licensed area) compared with 101km2 (also 10 per cent) in 2020 The area of seabed dredged for more than 1 hour 15 minutes per year (high intensity – red on charts) was 6km2 (5km2 in 2020) 90 per cent of dredging activity carried out under Crown Estate licence took place from an area of 43km2 (42 km2 in 2020). Nick Everington, Marine Minerals Portfolio Manager for The Crown Estate, said: “As manager of the seabed around England, Wales and Northern Ireland, we work in partnership with industry to help support the sustainable use of sand and gravel resources. The annual ‘Area Involved’ report is an integral part of this, providing insight and data to improve our understanding and management of the marine environment over the long term. Our 24th annual report reflects the ongoing commitment from both The Crown Estate and industry to this important initiative.” Mark Russell, BMAPA Director, said: “UK Government has recognised that it is essential there is a sufficient supply of minerals to provide the infrastructure, buildings, energy and goods that our nations need, and marine aggregate supplies play an important role in meeting these needs in England and Wales. The area of seabed licensed and dredged remain key indicators of the UK marine aggregate sector’s performance and its potential to interact with both the environment and other marine users. The significant reductions in both of these over the last two decades reflect an industry committed to continual improvement.” The Area Involved initiative commenced in March 1999, when BMAPA and The Crown Estate made a public commitment to review all dredging licences on a rolling five-year basis, to publish an annual report detailing the extent of dredging activities within licensed areas, and to surrender areas no longer containing economically viable resources of marine sand and gravel. Alongside the Area Involved report, The Crown Estate has also published its 2022 Annual Review of the marine aggregates industry, containing data for the calendar year 2021. This provides a national and regional view of consented marine aggregate reserves and licensed output capacity, alongside details of the quantity of aggregates dredged, in terms of both their extraction and delivery location. It also provides case studies outlining major construction and coastal defence projects in which marine aggregates have been used, and updates on items of wider interest. Key points from the 2022 report include: There is an estimated national consented reserve of 338 million tonnes of aggregates, enough to meet current average demand levels for the next 21 years Marine aggregates provide over 20 per cent of the sand and gravel demand in England and Wales, with the majority of supply (nearly 90 per cent) used in high-value ready-mixed concrete and concrete products One-third of all primary aggregate demand in London and the South East of England is met from marine resources, whilst in South Wales over 90 per cent of the market demand for natural sand also comes from the sea A total of 4.3 million tonnes of aggregate materials were exported in 2021, primarily to Belgium and The Netherlands. Marine aggregates constitute a crucial component in the supply of building materials to support the development of the UK’s built environment. They currently supply around 25% of the sand and gravel used across England and Wales. In London, they meet around 50% of primary aggregate demand. They are also critical in developing climate change resilience for our coastal communities. Read the full reports on the Crown Estate website: The Crown Estate and BMAPA: The Area Involved 24th annual report (marine aggregate extraction 2021) The Crown Estate: Marine Aggregates Annual Review 2022
ONE of the UK’s leading multi-disciplinary property consultancy firms – EDGE PS – has revealed how a 40% year-on-year growth in turnover provided the momentum needed for the strategic launch of its Leeds office earlier this year. Since the office’s initial formation in January 2022, the company has further grown its regional portfolio of commissions and local resource to a team of 17 professionals, incorporating project and commercial management to building and digital surveying services. The expansion builds on the company’s continued business growth in its established bases in Nottingham, Sheffield, Birmingham and London, resulting in a 40% year-on-year increase in turnover from 2021 to 2022. To mark this strategic accelerated growth and commitment to delivering services within the Leeds city region, a special celebration with more than 200 key industry stakeholders and clients was hosted at the Dakota Hotel in Leeds at the start of September. The consultancy has a solid reputation for delivering a variety of services to national and international clients across the property and construction industry. EDGE PS is delivering both public / private sector projects across the region including supporting the strategy for reducing carbon and energy reduction for the University of Leeds in its target to achieve Net Zero by 2030. Nick Phelan, partner at EDGE PS, said: “The rapid expansion of our operations in Leeds and the wider northern regions signifies a major milestone for the company as a whole and is a reflection of the continued growth of the Company. We have been delivering key projects across the region for several years, our new Leeds office now provides further localised support to our key clients and partnerships across the region. “Our celebration event on Thursday was a fitting celebration to mark eight hugely successful months from our new base and we were delighted to be joined by some of our most supportive colleagues, clients and friends to mark the occasion.” EDGE PS’s regional healthcare portfolio includes Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS FT, Doncaster and Bassetlaw Teaching Hospitals NHS FT, Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Trust, and Sheffield Children’s Hospital. Clients in the wider West Yorkshire region include Leeds Bradford Airport, UNITY Doncaster, and Wykeland Group, along with household names B&Q and Johnson & Johnson. Through the team’s expertise in cost management, project management, health and safety advice, and building and digital surveying, EDGE PS has built a strong foundation for successful and continued expansion across the north of England. Its unique approach ensures that more than 86% of EDGE PS’s projects are sourced from repeat business. The Leeds office enables EDGE PS to build upon the company’s existing client base within Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire region in the business’ focus areas of, healthcare, schools & higher education, infrastructure, aviation, residential, retail, commercial and manufacturing sectors, food and drink, distribution, through both the public & private sectors over the coming years. Dale Rodgers, director at EDGE PS Leeds, added: “The meteoric success in the West Yorkshire area – both in terms of the quality and profile of our clients supported by the growth of our team since the start of the year – is testament to our professional approach, tailored service model and expertise of our staff. “It’s important to us that as we continue to expand, we retain our unique collaborative culture at heart to ensure EDGE PS remains a leading construction consultancy business across the UK.” For more information on EDGE PS and its services, follow the link for more information: https://www.edgeps.co.uk/
A new strategic alliance is due to automate the payment management system in the construction industry. Payapps Limited and Autodesk will bring their innovative solutions to the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and North America, offering customers real-time accounting and faster payment cycles during the construction process. “Construction companies are looking for ways to increase profitability through cost efficiencies and reduce risks by implementing improved compliance processes. The adoption of back-office technology is becoming more critical to automate what has been historically very time-consuming and error-prone manual processes in managing subcontractor billing. By partnering with Autodesk, we are extending the technology benefits to customers of both companies to help improve their accounting and AP processes,” said Geoff Tarrant, Executive Chairman of Payapps. Payapps provides contractors in ANZ and UKI with solutions that improve the entire subcontractor payment management process from the inclusion of schedules of values all the way through to electronic payment. Meanwhile, in North America, it will be GCPay that will provide general contractors with the same benefits and will also manage the lien waiver exchange with their subcontractors through electronic payment processing. If construction companies digitise and automate the payment process, as well as implement real-time payment exchange, they can decrease risk and take steps to improve profitability. “The payment process in the construction industry is a tedious and administratively burdensome one for both general contractors and their trade partners,” commented Sidharth Haksar, Head of Construction Strategy and Industry Partnerships at Autodesk. “By collaborating with Payapps, we’re able to empower Autodesk Construction Cloud customers to benefit from automating a very spreadsheet-driven workflow to reduce payment cycle time and eliminate potential errors as well.” Autodesk Build, the comprehensive field and project management solution that is part of Autodesk Construction Cloud, currently integrates with many of the same leading ERP systems in North America as Payapps does with its GCPay solution. Through these integrations, Payapps and Autodesk feed and receive data to and from those ERP systems, for real-time accounting and payment management. As part of the strategic alliance, Autodesk and Payapps will work together to identify additional integrations that will benefit each other’s common customer base. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction Industry News
With high inflation rates on the cards Ratings Experts tell Government it’s even more important to abolish downwards transition to support beleaguered sector Business rates experts at Colliers are urging the government to remove fears that the expected cut to business rates bills for the retail sector in England will be significantly watered down by transitional relief – to the cost of around £2.68 billion for the sector alone over the three years of the new 2023 list. And the highest inflation rates since the early 1990s have been making the situation worse. With August CPI announced today at 9.9% and expectations it will be 11% for September, Colliers is urging the government to announce it will pass on the expected reductions in business rates bills following the next revaluation in April 2023 immediately, rather than to phase them in slowly over the three years of the new list. In the first commercial property revaluation since 2017, retailers who currently pay about £7.625 billion of the £26 billion tax are expecting substantial reductions in one of their biggest outgoings, since in most regions of the country rental values for the retail sector have fallen sharply in recent years. However, as part of each revaluation, the government decides whether to implement transitional relief which phases in reductions and increases. The retail sector overall has a total rateable value of c£15.8 billion, which according to Colliers is expected to drop toc £12.64 billion* following an estimated average 20% drop in rents. On paper this should mean that next year from April 2023 businesses in the retail sector should be paying c£6.46 billion in business rates. Yet if phased reductions are introduced due to a downwards transition policy, Colliers estimate the sector will in fact pay c £8.11 billion, £1.65 billion more than they should be and for some retail businesses, because of levels of inflation, higher bills than they are paying now. And over the three years of the list, retailers that should be paying a total business rates bill of c£21.45 billion will in fact be pay c £24.13 billion if downwards transition is introduced – an extra £2.68 billion more. According to Colliers downwards transition following the last revaluation in 2017 was one of the key factors in keeping rate bills higher in the struggling retail sector than they should have been and led to the closure of retailers such as ToysRUs and Laura Ashley- even before the pandemic hit. John Webber, Head of Business Rates at Colliers said, “We have been campaigning for the removal of downwards transition and have strongly made our arguments to government in their recent consultation on the topic which closed in August. “Many retailers have been battered in the last few years, and really need to see the reductions on their business rates bills immediately in 2023- not phased in slowly. The sector is already coming under immense pressure following the energy crisis and high business rates could tip many over the edge. Operators in the sector will be considering their business plans now for next year and will be looking closely at their future business rates liabilities, particularly now the Covid-related reliefs have come to an end. Some may well end up making drastic decisions. He continued, “Our figures – based on an average 20% drop in rental values – are actually very conservative. For many stores particularly in shopping centres and on non-prime high streets, rents have fallen further reaching 40% or even 60% falls. For these businesses an out of step phased reduction of their business rates bills will be disastrous. “There is no downward transition in Scotland or Wales, so why is it considered sensible for England?”* “It is essential the new Prime Minister take this issue seriously and provides reassurance that rates bills next year will immediately reflect the lower rents we are seeing in the market today – providing incentives for businesses to keep or expand space and for property investors to invest in the sector. Without this reassurance, the government’s “levelling up agenda” will be meaningless and the revival of the high street will be pie in the sky thinking.“
Buying your own home is one of the biggest financial decisions of your life and that means you don’t want to leave anything to chance when you consider the amount of money that is involved. Your mortgage lender will be lending you some of the money you need to buy the property and they will want assurances that the title is free and clear of any liens. This gives them the security they require and gives you peace of mind that the property is yours as long as you make all of your payments. When you use someone like the Sunnyside-Title-Company they can arrange the insurance you need to protect you and your lender against a claim being made against your property that challenges your ownership rights. Here are some key points to consider about what title insurance is and why it is needed. Title insurance allows you and your lender to manage risk The fundamental purpose of title insurance is to get protection from the prospect of any potential title risks or flaws that come to light. You don’t want to discover that there is a potential problem with your property title or that a subsequent ownership claim is made that threatens your security. Title insurance provides protection from these threats by transferring the financial risk of a claim being made to the title insurance provider. This gives you and your lender peace of mind. What type of title insurance do I need? There are two types of title insurance. Lenders and owners’ title insurance. As the description implies, both products serve a specific purpose. Lender’s title insurance is usually required by your mortgage company as a protection for the security they are taking against your property in return for lending you money. Owner’s title insurance might be considered more optional but it is just as important. It gives you protection against any previous ownership or title issues coming to light at a later date. What you are doing with title insurance is transferring the risk to the title insurance provider and giving yourself an added layer of financial protection in the process. What does a typical policy cover? A typical title insurance policy will cover critical property ownership aspects such as encumbrances and liens. It also covers potential issues with the title paperwork. A policy also often aims to protect you from financial loss or harm caused by forgery or fraud. It should also usually cover issues arising from a failure to observe restrictions or limitations recorded in the title. Exclusions that you need to know about You are not covered for unreported liens that are not revealed in public record searches. You also won’t be covered for environmentally-related risks or a number of government privileges on your property. How long does protection last? Title insurance is normally valid for the length of your mortgage term with lender’s title insurance. Buyers’ title insurance typically remains in place throughout your ownership of the property. When you consider what is at stake and what a typical title insurance policy costs it should be considered a small price to pay for the peace of mind it can offer to you as a homeowner.
Leading data specialists, Insight Data, reveal construction industry insolvencies have spiked in 2022. From looking closely at the total number of companies registered on the organisation’s unique Construction File database, which contains large construction firms with a turnover of over £5million, Insight Data found there has been a 12% drop this year, compared to August 20211. Research from the Office of National Statistics also supports these findings as it reported that construction industry insolvencies were 58% higher in March 2022, when compared to pre-pandemic levels2. Alex Tremlett, Operations Manager at Insight Data, said: “The construction industry has faced unprecedented times in the last few years, and unfortunately companies like Midas and many more were unable to survive the fallout caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. “Whether a company has folded, restructured, merged or changed strategy to stay ahead, suppliers who are active in the new build or commercial markets may find their well-established relationships could be disappearing. “Companies may find themselves unknowingly wasting time, money and resources marketing their products and services to decision makers who have changed role or organisations that may have ceased trading or merged with someone else. So, it’s more important than ever that companies use reliable prospect data to help make informed business decisions.” For those companies operating with the construction sector supplying building products, equipment, training or business services, Insight Data has developed a specialist database to make it much simpler to pinpoint high-quality prospects during these challenging times. The Construction File database has comprehensive information on over 5,000 senior decision-makers in 1,100 organisations of the UK’s largest construction firms including property developers, house builders, main contractors and property maintenance companies. To guarantee the Construction File continues to be the most reliable and accurate database ever developed for the UK building and construction industry, Insight Data’s dedicated research team work tirelessly to continuously research, update and validate the data. In fact, they make over 20,000 calls each month to ensure users have access to the latest company details, business locations, contact details for senior decision-makers as well as the most relevant website and email addresses. Insight Data is one of the UK’s leading business-to-business data providers who specialise in the wider construction sector. Its unique market intelligence enables companies to create highly targeted marketing campaigns for prospective customers and helps to build a more successful, profitable and valuable business. For more information on Insight Data and its specialist Construction File database, visit: https://www.insightdata.co.uk/marketing-data/construction-database-file/
Privately owned hotel company Crimson Hotels has recently acquired The Trafalgar St. James Hotel in Central London. With this purchase, the five star hotel will become the second Hilton Curio Collection acquisition for Crimson Hotels, alongside 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel in South Kensington. Consisting of 131 rooms, The Trafalgar St. James Hotel is situated in Trafalgar Square, a great location for tourists and business people coming into London. It is within easy walking distance to many of London’s key tourist and cultural attractions, including Covent Garden, Soho and the Southbank. Moreover, the hotel is bolstered by strong amenities, comprising several food and beverage outlets, such as a rooftop bar with unparalleled views. A new destination restaurant will soon open on the ground floor, which will be operated by a high-end Asian restaurant group. Following the Crimson Hotels acquisition, The Trafalgar St. James Hotel will be headed up by Federico Ciampi, the current General Manager of 100 Queen’s Gate, who has been promoted to the role of Cluster General Manager, making a welcome return to a hotel he managed four years ago. “We are delighted to have acquired The Trafalgar St James Hotel with the property making a welcome addition to our portfolio of London hotels. We are looking forward to working with the hotel team, under Federico’s leadership, to firmly establish the property as one of the best in the capital,” commented Alykhan Kassam, CEO at Crimson Hotels. The acquisition of The Trafalgar St. James marks the second Curio Collection by Hilton property in its portfolio alongside 100 Queen’s Gate Hotel, a five-star boutique hotel situated in South Kensington. Founded in 1995, Crimson Hotels owns and manages nine hotels, totalling over 2,000 bedrooms. Crimson Hotels properties range in style, from top-level luxury hotels in cultural locations that build on prime location, history and fantastic amenities, to budget options for convenient, comfortable and enjoyable travel. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Prologis, a leading owner and developer of UK logistics real estate, has continued its focus of strategic investments in London and the South East markets with the acquisition of two additional sites at Erith and Croydon. Totalling over 330,000 sq. ft. on 20.4 acres, the two distribution centres are let to Ocado and Royal Mail and form key parts of their distribution networks, being two of the largest low density last mile logistic facilities inside the M25. The assets, on Church Manorway, Erith and Beddington Farm Road, Croydon are located in two London markets that continue to see excellent customer demand whilst servicing significant, growing conurbations. Erith is considered a major growth area for jobs, transport and industry, providing easy access to central London and M25 connectivity to the wider motorway network, whilst Croydon is a densely populated south London location popular with a number of last mile delivery customers. The purchases of both assets will add to Prologis’ existing holdings in these markets. Paul Weston, Regional Head of Prologis UK: “Our purchase of these two prime distribution facilities shows our continued confidence in the UK’s logistic sector and reconfirms our strategic focus in London and the South East. We welcome Ocado as a new customer and look forward to working with them. It’s great to expand our strong relationship with Royal Mail at a location well known to both parties.” Erith was acquired from a UK fund, whilst Croydon was acquired from a segregated mandate client of CTI Real Estate. Prologis was advised by JLL on Erith and Knight Frank on Croydon. Gerald Eve and Acre Capital advised the vendors. Matthew Howard, Fund Manager at CTI Real Estate Partners: “We are delighted with the sale of Mail Centre Croydon, which continues our client strategy of recycling capital into a more diversified pool of higher yielding assets.”
