lifestyle

Three largest casinos in the world

Humanity’s addiction to gambling is invincible. There will always be those who like to gamble an extra hundred dollars to try their luck. Although fortune is not favourable to all players. But judging by the fashionable appearance of gaming centres, gambling addiction brings huge profits to casino owners. The same

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How to Design Malls for a Seamless Shopping Experience

It’s no secret that malls haven’t been doing well in recent years, with many malls dying due to the rise of online shopping. Nonetheless, people still enjoy visiting a shopping mall in real life when the time is right and the experience itself is pleasant. If you want to keep

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The Top 5 Most Luxurious Casinos in the World

What is the first image that pops up in your head, when you think about casinos? Probably, these attracting slot machines that light up dozens of colors. And what would be the first place that you would think of if you got asked about a luxurious casino to visit? There

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Ingredients to Consider for a Happy Home

Ingredients to Consider for a Happy Home

Homeowners and prospective buyers looking to purchase a new property can look to these seven ingredients for a happy home from property experts at FHP Waterside Living. It is often said that home is where the heart is – but how much does the layout, location and ‘liveability’ of our

Read More »
The 5 Houseplants to Include in Bedroom Interior Design

The 5 Houseplants to Include in Bedroom Interior Design

Sleep experts Dormeo believe everyone deserves a good night’s sleep and are passionate about finding ways to improve the UK’s sleeping habits. In response to UK Houseplant Week (10th-15th January 2021), Dormeo have gathered everything you need to know on houseplants and their effect on sleep. Search trends for natural

Read More »

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SITE MANAGER

This month we ask Steve Blacker at award-winning property developers Kebbell to tell us a little more about a day in the life of a site manager. What made you first want to become a site manager? I was actually a carpenter but I was really intrigued about the running

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Pence VS Harris VP Debate: A Bloodbath

So if you’re anything like me, you probably were disappointed by Trump’s performance in the first Presidential debate. While I do believe that Trump had won on substance, the substance is usually secondary to optics. That’s just the nature of politics. The debate was a disaster on all fronts. Trump

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How has lockdown affected gyms in the UK?

Gyms have been growing in popularity in recent years with an increasing number opening. No one could have imagined how terrible 2020 would be for them. As the ongoing pandemic continues to affect our lives, gyms in the UK have had a stop-start year with several closures forced on them.

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How to invest £1 million in the housing market in 2020

Winning a lottery prize of £1 million is a thrilling experience. But have you thought about what to do if you win the lottery? If not, then you have come to the right place. Here, we will tell you an investment strategy that can give you remarkable returns in 2020.

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Latest Issue

BDC 319 : Aug 2024

lifestyle

Three largest casinos in the world

Humanity’s addiction to gambling is invincible. There will always be those who like to gamble an extra hundred dollars to try their luck. Although fortune is not favourable to all players. But judging by the fashionable appearance of gaming centres, gambling addiction brings huge profits to casino owners. The same goes for betting, but at least you can rely not only on your luck but get advice from experts at bookmaker-ratings.com At Casinoes some attract visitors with free drinks and excellent cuisine, others with the prestige of the establishments, the original interior design, the imposing appearance of the buildings. The entertainment complexes presented in the review are the largest casinos in the world.  City of Dreams, Macau  This major casino in Macau is the world-famous entertainment centre from the City of Dreams. It is one of the three world leaders among gambling establishments. It is located next to the ferry crossing and the airport. Became part of a huge complex with the Grand Hyatt Macau, next to the huge luxury hotel Hard Rock.  1.5 thousand machines, 450 tables are located on 210 thousand m2. Restaurants, bars, nightclubs, gyms, swimming pools, relaxation areas with all types of massage and SAP procedures are open to visitors. In the main game room, there is a huge fountain that occupies almost half of the area. Golden carps swim slowly in it – the eastern symbol of good luck. To services of visitors with children – foreign language animators. With them, babies are left for the whole daylight hours. Intellectuals can visit the nearby art museum.  Bellagio, Las Vegas  The Bellagio Las Vegas gaming complex is the second-largest casino in the world. An outwardly unremarkable skyscraper in the form of an open book is a favourite place for Hollywood filmmakers. Different casino scenes of various films with world stars were shot here.  The complex is part of the Steve Wynn empire, the owner of luxurious hotels and entertainment centres around the world. At the time of opening, in 1998, this complex was the largest. It was conceived not only as an entertainment venue. On the territory, there is a gorgeous art gallery, a huge swimming pool, a large concert hall where international competitions are held. But the biggest pride is the spacious gaming halls with expensive finishes. They have more than 2.5 thousand machines and 200 gaming tables.  Venetian Macau, Macau  Venetian Macau is the largest casino in the world. Venetian Macau in Macau’s gaming hub of China would house eight mid-sized casinos. The entertainment complex is considered the largest in the world, located in the fifth-largest building in the world. 3.5 thousand slot machines, 850 poker tables, bridge and roulette tables are located on 27.5 hectares of multi-level gaming zones. The centre is an enlarged copy of the Venetian Las Vegas casino plus a wonderful sports and recreation complex, designed for 15 thousand visitors, a modern entertainment centre with a luxurious hall. Venetian Macau hosts championships and festivals of various levels. There is only one building in the world that is larger than the Venetian Macao — the Boeing aircraft factory. There are always a lot of people in “Venice”, some just come to take a look, but it is extremely difficult to resist the game, so everyone leaves Macau’s currency there. 

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How to Design Malls for a Seamless Shopping Experience

It’s no secret that malls haven’t been doing well in recent years, with many malls dying due to the rise of online shopping. Nonetheless, people still enjoy visiting a shopping mall in real life when the time is right and the experience itself is pleasant. If you want to keep your mall alive, you need to make the user experience better than ever before. There are many ways to get more people into your mall and improve the experience, but some may be more obvious than others. Whether it’s advanced indoor mapping software or taking advantage of people’s desire for Wi-Fi, there are many tricks you can pull with your design to make your space more attractive to shoppers. Here are 5 ways to design your mall for a seamless shopping experience! 1. Make use of indoor mapping software Modern shopping malls are using interactive maps to improve shopper experience in malls. These maps, usually found at kiosks throughout the mall, are designed to increase shopper efficiency and help people get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Mapping software can show a shopper the most direct route from their location to the store that they desire, making for a more seamless shopping experience and better foot traffic flow overall… there’s nothing worse than a lost shopper standing in the way of other people. This software can also be used to help understand how customers use your mall and what stores they frequently visit. This way, you can make data-informed changes and advertise discounts, sales, and deals in the mall to shoppers as they browse for directions, maximizing your chances of making another sale. 2. Become an entertainment hub The mall is more about the experience rather than a necessity these days. Stores alone are not going to cut it – the mall needs to be a place where people can laugh, relax, dine, drink, shop, and be entertained. Consider cinemas, event spaces, food courts, and other forms of entertainment that could get people walking through those doors. If they’re already in the door, they’re more likely to spend that cash. 3. Use free Wi-Fi hotspots If you’re looking for an easy way to improve people’s experiences and get people in through the door, try putting free Wi-Fi hotspots in your mall. Not only does this make your shoppers happier, but it may encourage people nearby to visit if they’re in need of Wi-Fi. Either way, it’s a relatively cheap and easy addition to make with nothing but upsides. You can also request that people sign up to your email list when logging on, giving you more chances to promote the mall and make a sale via their inbox. 4. Install greenery and water features Sometimes your mall just needs to look nice. In the days of Instagram, making your shopping mall seem visually appealing is definitely a huge advantage. Add some fountains, water features, and greenery into the space, making it more aesthetically pleasing and relaxing for shoppers. The nicer your environment, the more likely they are to return. 5. Make some relaxing areas It doesn’t need to be “shop shop shop” non-stop! Try making some dedicated relaxation areas where guests can get away from the hustle and bustle, sitting down to have a nice quiet moment to themselves. While these areas don’t help you to make money directly, they improve the shopper experience so they’re more likely to return in the near future. Whether you use indoor mapping software or you incorporate relaxing areas into your mall, we hope you find the solution you need to improve the shopping experience for all. Good luck!

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The Top 5 Most Luxurious Casinos in the World

What is the first image that pops up in your head, when you think about casinos? Probably, these attracting slot machines that light up dozens of colors. And what would be the first place that you would think of if you got asked about a luxurious casino to visit? There is a high chance that you would name Las Vegas with its hundreds of casinos of all types, where everyone can find something to their taste. Fair enough, because it is tacitly considered to be the center of the casino world – a place of luxury, gamble, and both happy and sad moments. Las Vegas might be a must-visit for many, but we may all agree on one thing – it has become somewhat, a cliché, since we’ve seen it so many times in the movies, travel shows and so on. Now, let’s explore the world of new, up-to-date abodes of the elite. Marina Bay Sands in Singapore Apart from being a high-end hotel for those, who opt for palatial accommodation, impeccable service and extensive facilities, this building in the shape of three columns with a giant ship on the top, also has a grand casino. It possesses more than 2,000 slot machines and around 500 tables for gaming.  After an evening at this paradise of gambling, you can have a swim at the rooftop pool with a view, which covers the whole city. Even Gclub Casino with their famous slot games can’t compete with that luxury. The Venetian in Macao, China More than 500k square feet space, full of gambling tables and slot machines – pure pleasure for gamblers. What’s more, this place has multiple replicas of Venice’s most popular tourist attractions, including canals! Yes, you heard it right, you can have a boat ride down the canals right inside the building, what a wonder. You can see lots of such things in many casinos of Asian region. If you are a parent, you won’t have to worry about bringing your child in, since there is a big area for kids, where they can play and simply have some good time, interacting with their peers. Casino de Monte Carlo in Monaco This casino is one of the most luxurious and popular out there. It is an embodiment of luxury and wealth, so if you want to approach that lifestyle even if for a day, pay a visit to this wonderful place. You may also stop by the cars, parked at the entrance, to see what are the latest trends in the motor industry. Sun City in South Africa The name of the casino itself, suggests us that spending some time there may result in the highest pleasure. Surrounded by one of the most beautiful national parks in South Africa, this casino provides its visitors with a real African experience. Once you see this place, with its large pool and all of the attractions the casino has to offer, you won’t regret travelling this far. The Kurhaus of Baden-Baden in Germany One of the oldest casinos in the world is located alongside a high-end SPA resort. Even though this casino can’t boast of its grandiose size, it has a lot of other things to offer, otherwise Marlene Dietrich wouldn’t entitle it as the most beautiful casino in the world. The chandeliers, the furniture – all has the smell of luxury.

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Ingredients to Consider for a Happy Home

Ingredients to Consider for a Happy Home

Homeowners and prospective buyers looking to purchase a new property can look to these seven ingredients for a happy home from property experts at FHP Waterside Living. It is often said that home is where the heart is – but how much does the layout, location and ‘liveability’ of our home affect our wellbeing and happiness? From air quality to interior décor, personal space and natural light – there are certain factors that can enhance our daily lives, bolster our happiness and make a home feel like a haven. As a result of our shifting living habits, what we look for in a property is changing and many people have spent more time at home than ever this year due to the pandemic. A study by RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) found that 70% of homeowners who responded to a survey, said that the design of their home affected their mental wellbeing during the recent lockdowns*. “Our physical and mental wellbeing are heavily tied to the homes we live our lives in – from what we can see when we look out of the window, to having enough space to balance work and relaxation, there are many factors that can affect our happiness levels, while we spend time at home. No two homes are the same, which makes identifying and creating the perfect property a challenge. We have therefore identified and compiled a list of seven ingredients, which we believe are key to creating a home that compliments your living style, habits and routines – to maximise overall wellbeing,” said David Hargreaves, managing director of FHP Living. Here are the seven ingredients to consider for a happy home: 1. Open plan living As well as being aesthetically pleasing, open plan living spaces have many benefits in enhancing the way we live at home. A report from RESI titled The Science of a Happy Home, shows that 6.25 million UK households now have open plan living spaces in their properties, confirming that this is a desirable living trend that continues to grow. ** Offering plenty of space, light and a natural ‘flow’ to the home – open plan living, dining and kitchen spaces give us the room we need to cook, entertain, relax and enjoy quality time with the people we share our home with. It also gives us a sense of freedom and space, as we are not confined to one single room and can enjoy multiple activities within a larger area of the home. 2. Views Views from your property can play a significant role in your overall wellbeing – from spectacular vistas over the water, city scapes or even access to a communal courtyard with plenty of greenery – having access to the outside, with aesthetically pleasing views from the comfort of your home, can lift your mood and improve your happiness. 3. High spec fixtures and fittings To keep your home running smoothly, it is important to choose quality appliances and electronics to improve your quality of living. Do your research online, ask trusted friends and family and choose a good standard of main appliances and electronics – the better the investment, the longer appliances will last, so it’s worth paying out for peace of mind. 4. Location Location is one of the most important aspects of any property – homeowners are often looking for a fine balance between access to convenient local amenities, such as restaurants, cafes and shops, easy transport links to work and proximity to nature. Being able to take a relaxing stroll along the riverside, having a trail to jog or cycle along, or simply living close to a public green space can not only increase the value of a property but also boost overall enjoyment of the environment you live in. 5. Indoor air quality Ventilation and air quality within the home can really contribute to overall health and wellbeing. A house that provides clean, fresh air helps us to keep a clear mind and feel uplifted – increasing our productivity whilst working from home, as well as our ability to relax and sleep soundly. Indoor plants are a great way to boost the air quality of a property – many species of plant are known to remove toxins from the air and of course, will release oxygen back into the room. 6. Natural light Ample daylight in a property can make a huge difference to the overall look and feel of the space. A home that lets in swathes of natural light thanks to large windows, a balcony or a sky light, is going to be aesthetically pleasing, as well as beneficial to our mindset and mood. Properties that lack natural daylight can be transformed with artificial lighting, with features such as ceiling spotlights or lamps with natural daylight bulbs, which imitate the sun’s rays to give that extra brightness where needed. 7. Personal space As well as having room to share with loved ones, it is also important to consider making personal space for solitary activities and downtime. This can be as simple as a corner of a house dedicated to reading or your favourite hobby – it is normal to crave some time to yourself, so don’t be afraid to carve out your own space where you can enjoy a quiet moment.

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The Heart of the Matter – Creating 21st Century Garden Communities

When creating a new 21st Century community at the scale of a traditional small market town (circa 4500 homes, large enough for a secondary school), the most critical element is its town centre – its beating heart – a thriving social and economic anchor, on which lies its success, writes Lord Matthew Taylor. In times gone by, towns would start up at a river crossing, crossroads or market square where travellers could rest and eat or simply wait for the ferry.  Traders, innkeepers, blacksmiths, bakers and so forth would vie for the passing and resident trade.  As demand grows, the street grows too alongside churches, schools, court houses and squares for markets and places to gather for public events and celebration. Over time, it becomes the High Street and the heart of the new town. England’s market towns are defined by these historic centres, with many traditional, although fewer modern, models to draw on. This was the vision of Ebenezer Howard, and delivered with the still thriving (and popular) centre in Letchworth Garden City, with a nod to Marlborough in Wiltshire or Faversham in Kent. Key Principles Looking ahead,  I’d suggest four guiding principles for successful new Garden Communities:   1. A Clear Idea of Success The Garden Community Programme as a whole has to think beyond just attractive ‘homes and streets’.  From the start there has to be both a clear vision of what success will look like, and even more critically, a clear, stage-by-stage delivery plan that will enable the sequencing and curation of this vision.   2. Human Scale  Alongside this sense of place, communities that are planned with High Streets that are walkable, with densities that have an attractive, human scale urban form, are not just sustainable but also deliver better local commercial outcomes. Designing in focal points at the centre creates momentum of movement and patterns of behaviour, rather than losing people from day one to centres elsewhere. 3. Generating Local Economy Supporting a vibrant range of local enterprises and start-ups means including small premises with low rents, with low fit-out costs, below rateable value and suitable for a variety of uses. The best of these are proving not just resilient to the impact of the internet, but more and more attractive to locals. In Poundbury in Dorset, and Nansledan in Cornwall, an impressive range of shops, cafes and more were factored in at the start, with the early development curated to support and foster them. 4. Vibrant Settlements, not ‘Bolt-Ons’ The fundamental ambition of the Garden Community programme is to create new settlements that grow into vibrant 21st Century towns and villages – not commuter housing estates in the countryside. However, there is a notion that this historic quality and range of facilities cannot be delivered in a new community, and that the limited offer that can only be made viable late in the development, once significant housing has been delivered. Both views are a recipe for failure in place making. A wide range of shops and other facilities can thrive, if well planned, sized and priced for local entrepreneurs. creating the critical mass people will actually use. And this needs to grow with the community to establish patterns of internalisation and community from the earliest possible stages. Summary – Creating the beating heart In short, a successful community has to start with seeding a thriving centre. It will need to be planned from the beginning to grow this way, establishing a sense of place, and movement patterns that build local momentum.  However, it does not rely purely on a backward glance to historic centres. New settlements such as Poundbury, with less than 1500 homes, have delivered distinct and successful retail neighbourhoods, coupled with a driving force of local entrepreneurs. Working out what that successful heart looks like, and then defining how it is sequenced and delivered, is the essential task. That is the only way to ensure that any new settlement, or major urban extension, meets the Garden Community ambition, the aspirations of the council, and above all what future residents will expect of a great community in the 21st century.  

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The 5 Houseplants to Include in Bedroom Interior Design

The 5 Houseplants to Include in Bedroom Interior Design

Sleep experts Dormeo believe everyone deserves a good night’s sleep and are passionate about finding ways to improve the UK’s sleeping habits. In response to UK Houseplant Week (10th-15th January 2021), Dormeo have gathered everything you need to know on houseplants and their effect on sleep. Search trends for natural remedies, plants and sleep have risen: SEOMonitor shows that searches for ‘home remedies for sleep’ has shot up 85% from this time last year, ‘natural sleep remedies UK’ has seen a 436% rise and ‘plant for good health’ has seen an increase of 133% ‘Bedroom indoor plants’ has risen 84%, and ‘bedside plants’ has shot up 250% Please find below Dormeo’s top five houseplants you should include in bedroom interior design to help achieve a peaceful night’s sleep: Lavender- Best houseplants for a deep sleep With a long history of medicinal use, studies found it not only improves sleep but energy, vibrancy and general wellbeing. Researchers also found that lavender increases ‘slow-wave sleep,’ often referred to as ‘deep sleep’ which plays an important part in memory consolidation and brain restoration. Perfect for helping you achieve a deep sleep, Lavender is proven to lower heart rate, blood pressure and stress levels. Lavender plants like to be kept warm and in sunlight, so make sure your plant is in a sunny location and don’t overwater! Aloe Vera- Best houseplants to purify the air Aloe Vera releases oxygen at night, helping improve air quality which means we get a better night’s sleep as a result. Aloe Vera is a succulent, which requires minimal watering as it retains moisture in it’s leaves – perfect for those who are less green-fingered. An additional benefit of Aloe Vera is that the gel from inside the leaves can be used to soothe skin irritations such as insect bites and burns. Peace Lilly- Best houseplants for increasing air humidity Peace Lilies are known for purifying our air and removing harmful toxins by clearing chemicals such as Benzene and Trichloroethylene from the air. Alongside this, peace lilies also add moisture to the air and can increase air humidity by up to 5%. This provides a better sleeping environment, as air that is too dry can irritate airways and even increase suffering from colds and other viruses. Peace Lilies grow luscious green leaves and beautiful white flowers, making them an aesthetic and useful addition to your bedroom décor. English Ivy- Best houseplants for allergy sufferers English Ivy is perfect for sufferers of allergies and those with breathing difficulties such as Asthma as the plant has been proven to remove indoor airborne mould, making breathing easier. Placing an English Ivy plant in your bedroom will surely improve the air quality for allergy sufferers but be careful, the plant is poisonous if eaten so keep away from kids and pets. Spider Plant- Best houseplants for a clear head NASA found the Spider Plant is excellent at purifying your air with tests showing that the plant is capable of removing 95% of harmful chemicals such as Formaldehyde, Benzene, Carbon Monoxide and Xylen from the air. Removal of such chemicals from the air can help reduce headaches and help you feel well rested and clearer headed when you wake. Spider Plants are also low maintenance and don’t require a lot of attention.

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A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A SITE MANAGER

This month we ask Steve Blacker at award-winning property developers Kebbell to tell us a little more about a day in the life of a site manager. What made you first want to become a site manager? I was actually a carpenter but I was really intrigued about the running of a site and how it all came together so I progressed to an assistant site manager position and have been a site manager now for 20 years. What skills do you need to be a site manager? A trade background gives you a head start. You need to be knowledgeable about the build process and have some IT skills, to understand what works commercially, be good at problem solving and have a good eye for detail. Strong communication skills, being a team player and a people person are really important. What are your main responsibilities? I am responsible for the day-to-day running of a particular construction project being developed by Kebbell. I have one eye on the timescales and another on the budget of a project, and I manage any delays or problems encountered and deal with all the sub-contractors. I like to get the best out of the people on site and our designs. Encouragement and quality are key. I keep a close eye on snagging and do daily inspections. Tell me about your typical day? Really every day is different depending on things like deliveries, weather, snagging, who is on site, the stage of the development and so on.  There is a lot of travel involved because I live in Welwyn Garden City and drive every day, and occasionally at the weekends, to whichever site I am working from.  I get to site usually about 07:20 and spend the first part of the morning checking all of the tradespeople are okay and are aware of what the priorities of the day are. I order materials, I might deal with local residents or councillors or health and safety officers. Building inspectors do frequent visits at key stages. At about 16:45 I finish on site having made sure everything is locked up and is secure and I then head home and start looking forward to the weekend. I enjoy a clay-pigeon shoot! What are the best and hardest things about the job? The best thing is definitely taking a development from muddy field to building amazing new homes and then seeing buyers and their families move in. I enjoy seeing it all the way through. The hardest thing is when unexpected delays occur. Sometimes contractors or suppliers can’t meet deadlines which means schedules get pushed out which can be frustrating. Kebbell have an exceptionally high requirement level for quality and sometimes tricky conversations have to be had with tradespeople. What have you been working on lately? I have worked at Kebbell for five years, most recently on a new development of 8, two bedroom apartments called Misbourne House in Gerrards Cross which is set to complete in early 2021. One of the main issues I had to deal with on this project was getting hold of the materials we needed during both national lockdowns. I am shortly moving to a new site at Iver which will be a bigger build as a collection of 39, two and three bedroom luxurious apartments in three blocks with basement parking. The bigger project means more tradespeople on site. I like the variety but don’t really have a favourite project although I enjoy high end developments because of the even greater attention to detail needed. What has been your proudest moment? I was chosen for an NHBC Pride in the Job Quality Award in 2019 for the work I did as Site Manager at our Aubury Place development in London. We got top marks from an inspector and then I was chosen as award winner by a director of NHBC. We went to the awards dinner in Brighton and it was one of my proudest moments. How long do you stay on a project at any one time? It really depends on the size and build of the project. For example, I spent three years working on Aubury Place but just one year at Misbourne House. How has Covid-19 affected your job? It has mostly affected our suppliers and several times we have been close to the wire like nearly running out of roofing materials! As Misbourne House is made up of eight apartments social distancing was easily achieved by the tradespeople working separately in each apartment. What do you think makes Kebbell different from other housebuilders? Everyone at Kebbell is a team player and we always strive to deliver the best homes possible. We are always looking for any opportunities to enhance a house. For example, if it is possible to create a little more storage or change the position of a TV point, to maximise the flexibility of a room, we will take the time and effort to do that. It is often me who sees these opportunities whilst we are building so I will consult with Nick Kebbell, our Managing Director, and the rest of the team and together we perfect the change. We always think about how people will actually live in our homes and constantly question “would I be happy with that in my house?” If the answer is no then we make any changes necessary to turn it into a yes! What do you think makes a house a home? Family is what makes a house a home.  To find out more visit https://kebbell.co.uk

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Pence VS Harris VP Debate: A Bloodbath

So if you’re anything like me, you probably were disappointed by Trump’s performance in the first Presidential debate. While I do believe that Trump had won on substance, the substance is usually secondary to optics. That’s just the nature of politics. The debate was a disaster on all fronts. Trump came off as rude and abrasive (even more than usual!), and Biden said nothing of substance. It didn’t help that sometimes it felt like the moderator, Chris Wallace, was debating Trump instead of Biden. I don’t think that debate swayed anyone. People who support Trump will still vote for Trump, and the absence of stories about Biden’s hairy legs gave enough of an inch for Biden supporters to claim a win. The status quo remains unchanged. The sun still rises in the east, sets in the west, and Sloto Cash online casino continues entertaining players. It was a poor showing on all sides. The Vice Presidential debate, on the other hand, was a whole different ballgame and was probably the most substantive debate I’ve listened to in a long time. To be honest, I’ve never really thought much of Vice President Mike Pence until this point, but this debate has proved that Mike Pence can hold his own in a debate, and even throw some punches. So let me break down what I found to be the most important aspects of the VP debate. The Setup The debate was between current Vice President Mike Pence and Vice President Candidate Kamala Harris, for the length of ninety minutes, broken up into sections of ten minutes for debate on any particular subject. It was relieving to see that Harris and Pence were far more civil than Trump and Biden had been. They kept the interjections to a minimum, and my only complaint is that Pence tended to go over his time quite a lot. His delivery could have been a little more concise, but the candidates were otherwise cordial with one another. The Substance Now let’s get to the meat of the debate. Kamala Harris said nothing. She was very evasive around every topic, and she outright refused to answer anything definitive on certain very important points. She would play for time and talk about everything under the sun except for what she was being directly asked, and the moderator just let her do it. Okay, so, I’m obviously biased (A conservative writer writing for a conservative site- who’d have thunk?). However, I really do think that Pence smashed this debate. Every answer he gave was based on the policies that have been enacted under the Trump administration. He cited results, rather than bleat empty promises and vague ideals. He hit Harris and Biden out where it hurt. Allow me to get specific: Court Packing One of the most important political events to happen in the past couple of weeks was the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Since Justices are lifetime appointments (and the temporary Justice appointments during Senate Recesses are basically irrelevant), everyone and their grandma has a vested interest in whoever gets appointed to next to the court. It’s basically going to change the dynamics of the supreme court for possible the next fifty or more years. Now, since the Republicans control both the Executive Branch and the Senate, they can essentially put whomever they want onto the court. It doesn’t hurt that the Democrats enacted a “nuclear option” back in 2013 which makes certain types of votes only require 50%+ majority, rather than two-thirds and that in 2017 this got extended to supreme court nominations. So since it seems likely that Trump’s pick, Amy Coney Barret, is going to be put onto the court, left-leaning media pundits have floated the idea of “packing the court”. Rather than waiting to replace a current justice with someone more favorable, they could instead simply add more justices to the court, and basically stack the court in their favor. In other words, they could cheat the system. The problem is that Biden and Harris have been suspiciously quiet on the issue. Biden refused to answer definitively during his debate with Trump, and when Pence demanded an answer from Harris, she pivoted not once, not twice, but three times when asked directly about the subject. And I think her silence says more than any of her words. Keep in mind that the moderator never pressed her on the issue, never asked about it, and it was Pence who demanded an answer. The Green New Deal: Yay or Nay? The second most telling part of the debate was Harris’ inconsistent stance about the Green New Deal. In case you’re not familiar with it, the Green New Deal is a five-page long manifesto that demands nearly every aspect of your life to be turned over to the government in the name of Environmentalism. It’s hardly even a matter of caring for the environment. The deal is awful. Estimates of the cost run up into the trillions of dollars. It would require the US to stop using Coal, Oil, and Nuclear- which is ironic because nuclear is easily the cleanest and most viable alternative to fossil fuels. It would ban clean, safe, and cheaper fracking. It would annihilate the airline industry (the safest form of travel, might I add!). It would kill the economy, and by extension, it could very well result in literal human deaths (studies have shown that bad economies result in higher suicide rates, increased winter deaths, and other such indirect ramifications). In other words, it’s very important to know where Biden and Harris stand on the policy. The problem is that they’re both liars. Harris in the debate said that they will NOT enact the Green New Deal. Their campaign website, however, says otherwise. Biden and Harris have both individually said, on camera, that they will ban fracking and enact the Green New Deal. In the debates, however, they both are now saying the complete opposite. They were either lying before or are lying now, and Pence rightfully called her out for

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How has lockdown affected gyms in the UK?

Gyms have been growing in popularity in recent years with an increasing number opening. No one could have imagined how terrible 2020 would be for them. As the ongoing pandemic continues to affect our lives, gyms in the UK have had a stop-start year with several closures forced on them. Lockdown was the last thing that anyone wanted this year. We could see that the pandemic was getting out of hand, but such a drastic course of action has hit us all hard. The days of going to a local gym have been seriously disrupted. Why aren’t gyms allowed to open during a lockdown? Surely keeping fit is an essential part of life. Or is still being able to buy kebabs and fried chicken more essential? Most gyms are large enough for social distancing to easily take place and most gym owners already do all they can to make their venues spotlessly clean. The latter is important as touching gym equipment and then your face could see the virus being transmitted. As in many other areas of life, not everyone is following the rules. Some gym users are still not doing all they can to keep gym equipment clean. Yes, you might come into contact who is infected with the virus but not showing symptoms. But the same can happen when going to the supermarket or on buses where some people aren’t wearing masks. One reason given for the need for gyms to close has come from virologist Professor Jonathan Bell. He believes that vigorous exercise can cause people to “breathe rapidly and quite deeply.” This can lead to droplets being formed that can transmit the virus. Scientific advisory group Sage have stated that closing gyms and leisure centres could cut the R number by 0.1. However, they stressed that this estimation was “very difficult.” With scientific evidence like that, gyms have had no choice to abide by the strict government rules. It’s not good for those who wish to use the gyms, both physically and mentally. They can get some home equipment but would rather be in the gym, that’s what they are used to. People also see their routines changed and that can affect mental health. As for the gyms themselves, there are financial problems to deal with. That steady stream of new members isn’t happening during the pandemic. The Anytime Fitness group are probably regretting that name at present. They don’t agree with the decision to again close gyms. The closures have led to them calling for “comprehensive financial support” to help keep them afloat. With more lockdowns possible, gyms continue to worry about their futures. With the gyms being closed, more focus is now being turned towards home fitness. The amount of home gym equipment being purchased is on the rise. This has seen people seeking out the Best Home Treadmill as they strive to carry on exercising. With so many online sites offering such items, it seems there are still some in the fitness industry that are doing well.

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How to invest £1 million in the housing market in 2020

Winning a lottery prize of £1 million is a thrilling experience. But have you thought about what to do if you win the lottery? If not, then you have come to the right place. Here, we will tell you an investment strategy that can give you remarkable returns in 2020. The housing sector is one of the safest and profitable areas to invest your money. This sector has immense potential that has always paid good returns to people. In addition to buying a real estate property, there are several other ways in which you can park your money in the housing market. Let us explore these options. What to do if you win the Lottery Here are some of the ways you can do after you win a hefty amount in the Lottery. 1. Invest In A Property Whether you invest for the first time or an experienced investor who wishes to grow its investment portfolio, real estate investment is lucrative to enhance your potential.You will benefit from the increase in property prices every year and monthly rental income. Looking at the current rental prices, an investment of one million dollars in a rental property can earn you a rental income between 60,000 and 100,000 dollars annually. Along with that, your rental property price will also increase. Thus, it will give you dual benefits. To invest in the housing market, you need to perform a detailed neighborhood analysis to locate a good place to invest in a rental property. You can find several options to rent a property, such as Single-family commercial spaces, and multi-family. Analyze available investment real estate properties for sale to find the best offer. You can even take the help of real estate investment tools to help you find the best property in accordance with your preferred location, growth potential, and budget. 2. Investment In A Land Now the next option can be to buy a terrestrial area. Hold the land for some years and then sell it for massive profits. In a place, you can even buy a home and sell it later when the housing market is at its boom. If you want incredible returns and are in no hurry to make profits, we suggest purchasing land a little far from the major city.Hold it for the long term, i.e., around twenty years or so, and sell it later. Choosing far areas is beneficial because cities have become very populated, and the property price is high there. The place outside the city is growing at a constant rate. Developers and builders will soon be exploring their areas. Many corporations also choose distant locations to set up their units, such as business parks, IT centers, etc. So, if you are thinking about what to do if you win the lottery of £1 million, then buy land of that much worth and keep it for twenty years.The sale of that land would solidify your affluent status. Go for agricultural land that is far from commercial hubs. You can get such places at ten or twenty times lesser than the price. Soon, that place will develop with common amenities and utilities as available in the commercial sector. With a lesser investment, you are going to make a large sum of money in the future. 3. Property Investment Trusts Real estate investment trusts, also called REITs, are indirect ways to invest in residential areas. These specialized firms collect money from interested investors to build, purchase, or manage property assets.They trade in various trusted publicly-traded REITs funds that are into investing in real estate properties. There are a few advantages that this method provides real estate investors: • As you are not directly investing in real estate, it needs less time commitment than what you incur when owning properties. • This method spread your risk across hundreds and thousands of properties. So, a sudden hefty maintenance cost would not break you. • These are highly liquid investments that can easily be purchased or sold in a few minutes. • They invest your money in the housing market via a tax-advantaged retirement account and pays above-average dividend yields than what you would get by investing in house stocks. 4. Crowdfunded Real Estate Crowdfunding is another method to invest in the housing market.There are times when an experienced real estate investor finds a lucrative opportunity but do not have adequate finances to either purchase or renovate it. So, they list the financing opportunity on a crowdfunding portal intending to raise capital from individual investors. In return, they will offer an equity interest in this project. This method involves high risks but can give you high returns. Go for this method only when you have a high-risk tolerance ability, and don’t think much about what to do if you win the lottery. Only those investors should invest in this scheme who do not need money in the near future. 5. Homebuilder Stocks Homebuilders companies engage in buying and selling of housing properties. A few of them also publicly trade on key stock exchanges.You need to note that homebuilders are more economically sensitive than rental properties. So, if any world economic crisis hits, your tenant will keep on paying rent (rental properties) but can lead to a decline in home sales dramatically. It is a highly profitable long-term housing investment strategy but not for short-term yields. Conclusion Investment in the housing market is indeed a smart investment decision in 2020. These are some of the best ways to invest in homebuilders and the real estate sector. Based on your needs and preferences, you can find a perfect investment strategy. You can even choose a combination of strategies to accomplish your investment objective.

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