Two employees at a Midlands housing association have been announced as finalists in a top awards scheme. Joe Henshaw and Andy Hibbert – colleagues at Platform Property Care, a subsidiary of one of the UK’s largest housing associations, Platform Housing Group – have been shortlisted in The Team of the Year category in The 2022 Direct
A recently launched innovative removals company has announced it is on the hunt for partners that would help it increase its services and offering across the UK. With a high demand from homeowners and renters, the experts need transport and logistics operators that want to join them on this journey
Novus Property Solutions has continued its longstanding relationship with The Riverside Group with a high-volume framework contract for works across England, at an estimated value of over £970,000. The two-year planned multi-void replacement works will see Novus carry out a variety of refurbishment works across a significant number of properties
The Momentum Group has been awarded the property management contract for Aviation House, Estuary Business Park, Speke, Liverpool. The Grade A office accommodation close to Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport, adds 18,000 sq ft of space under management to The Momentum Group’s growing portfolio of property management instructions and fits with
Leading flexible workspace prepares to launch its 4th Manchester flex space Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a 10-year Management Agreement to create a high spec flexible workspace at 1 Balloon Street, Manchester. The new space will open in August 2022. The 26,000 sq. ft. flexible workspace has been
As we embrace post-pandemic life, social landlords as well as focussing on building new homes are also putting repairs and maintenance of existing stock at the top of their priority list. This drive to make significant improvements to tenants’ homes relies on key partnerships with contractors.We had to postpone some
First UK building to achieve three stars under this scorecard 106,000 sq. ft workspace in Hammersmith Capacity for 1500 occupants The Metro Building, in London’s Hammersmith, is the first UK building to be awarded a three-star Fitwel certification, under the Built Certified Multi-Tenant Base Building (v2.1) scorecard. Managed by Workman
Ahead of a full tender process, expected to take place this summer, MKDP has appointed Activate – Workman Placemaking to lead the search for a development partner to help transform this centrally-located commercial space, into a vibrant, future-proof destination. Currently covering 3,446m2 of Grade A retail space, the scheme contains
Leading Repairs and Maintenance contractor, HMS, has been engaged by Cobalt Housing to work with specialists Aico and HomeLINK to incorporate innovative technology into 96 homes within Cobalt’s neighbourhoods. Piloting this environmental technology for the first time in the North West, Cobalt and HMS are strengthening their commitment to futureproofing
Dealing with damaged or neglected old metal windows can be a genuinely daunting challenge for property owners or their maintenance teams, but replacement – especially using modern alternatives – is rarely the only answer as specialist contractor Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) can attest. In work across the South-East and
BDC 319 : Aug 2024
Two employees at a Midlands housing association have been announced as finalists in a top awards scheme. Joe Henshaw and Andy Hibbert – colleagues at Platform Property Care, a subsidiary of one of the UK’s largest housing associations, Platform Housing Group – have been shortlisted in The Team of the Year category in The 2022 Direct Works Award. The winners will be unveiled at a ceremony in Manchester on Monday 14 November. Lee Duty, Head of Programme at Platform Property Care said : “Following our merger, there was a huge amount of work to do and staff to recruit in order to create one accredited and compliant team. It was at this time that Joe and Andy both stepped forward to – not only continue carry out their roles as qualifying supervisors – but support those in our other localities which were not as well served.” Their dedication and commitment has resulted in achieving the following in the short timescale of three months: Consistent inspection of all electricians; Introduction of relevant software across the board to ensure consistency and remove the paper trail; Provide relevant recommendations and improvements for all electricians; Develop a performance database for all electrical work; Compliance with NICEIC criteria, which confirms competence when undertaking electrical work. Lee concluded : “We are so proud of both Joe and Andy and how they have gone above and beyond in their roles, ensuring that we are now moving forward as one robust and compliant organisation. Well done both! We wish them all the luck at the forthcoming awards evening!” Direct Works acts as the leading voice for specialists in social housing maintenance; its awards scheme provides an opportunity for colleagues to recognise and reward each other on a national scale. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals
A recently launched innovative removals company has announced it is on the hunt for partners that would help it increase its services and offering across the UK. With a high demand from homeowners and renters, the experts need transport and logistics operators that want to join them on this journey by offering local storage and removal services as part of their partnership. “Convenience and transparency is what makes our service stand out ahead of the competition. Homeowners and renters are time poor which is why we’ve taken the admin and pricing online. Upfront pricing means the customer knows exactly how much they’ll be spending on removals, and being online rather than lengthy phone calls means this can be booked out of hours, when busy urban dwellers are more likely to have time to spare,” commented Will Edwards, CEO at Lovespace, the removals company. “We aim to keep costs low. If a customer is moving from a studio apartment, they’d expect to pay from around £259 and from a two bed property, they’d be looking at prices from £359.” Faced with a high demand from urban dwellers, including renters, young professionals, and families, Lovespace launched its removals services earlier this year to make life easier and has since seen a monthly increase of both customers looking for removal services and partners keen to get on board. One of the biggest advantages when using their services is the online booking process that comes with an upfront price instantly. “Competitive pricing and flexibility is vital for our customer and also for our partners. For those that want to work alongside us, we can be flexible on when they can carry out removals, pay promptly and rates will be agreed ahead of any removals jobs,” added Will. “Being transparent with both customers and partners is important to us as a business. Money is tight for most people at the moment so being clear in pricing and payments to partners is essential in building trust and a good working relationship.” Lovespace offers a UK-wide removals service with convenient online booking and an upfront price, on top of its storage with collection and delivery service, which can help renters and homeowners make the most of their space at home. Building, Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction and Property News
Novus Property Solutions has continued its longstanding relationship with The Riverside Group with a high-volume framework contract for works across England, at an estimated value of over £970,000. The two-year planned multi-void replacement works will see Novus carry out a variety of refurbishment works across a significant number of properties up and down the country with the aim of getting families into homes, reducing existing voids and mitigating any rental losses. Novus and The Riverside Group have a pre-existing relationship with the leading maintenance and compliance contractor previously completing a variety of works for the housing association including fitting brand new kitchens, windows, doors and bathrooms on existing properties stretching across England. The Riverside Group is one of the leading registered providers of social housing within the UK, offering affordable housing as well as support to all of its residents regardless of their situation. It aims to transform lives through affordable home ownership and great value rent whilst adding to the local community’s wellbeing – closely linking with Novus’ own people-centric ethos which includes giving back to the communities in which it works. The Stoke-headquartered contractor will be supporting and working alongside the Direct Labour organisation to bring its expert solutions to allow more families to get into the homes they deserve at a much quicker rate. Commenting on the new framework win, Sam Frame, Head of Operations at Novus said: “We’re proud to have secured another multi-void framework contract with The Riverside Group and we’re looking forward to continuing to build on our existing relationship with The Riverside Group that allows us to work as one. “This contract comes as Novus continues to build on the success of our five-year growth strategy, which includes nurturing our relationship with our valued existing clients, as well as securing new high value, long term contracts.”
The Momentum Group has been awarded the property management contract for Aviation House, Estuary Business Park, Speke, Liverpool. The Grade A office accommodation close to Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport, adds 18,000 sq ft of space under management to The Momentum Group’s growing portfolio of property management instructions and fits with the Group’s aspirations for continued growth. The appointment adds to the Momentum Group’s growing property management instructions including those in the city centre – 18-20 Church Street, and Princes Building and One Temple Square on Dale Street. A spokesperson for the landlord said “The Momentum Group’s credentials and commitment to continued high level service delivery is what mattered to us. Having heard about their service delivery and the difference they have made to the buildings they manage, it made perfect sense for us to award the property management contract to this growing and agile team.” “The Momentum Group truly meets our desire to manage and maintain high-quality buildings to help our tenants’ businesses thrive and we are delighted to be working with them.” Chris Bliss, Director, and Co-Founder of The Momentum Group commented “It’s a privilege to be invited to deliver the property management services for Aviation House. To be able to continue the momentum with the team, proves our commitment to high service delivery for our clients and their tenants. It is testament to our approach that treating client investment as our own to realise the property potential does make a difference.” “This adds to our growing portfolio of property management instructions and our commitment to continued growth in the region. We are now managing more than 140,000 sqft of retail, commercial, and residential space through our property management team.” The Momentum Group were appointed by Redevco earlier this year to manage the 80,000sqft Church Street site, now the home to Decathlon and Storeaway.
Leading flexible workspace prepares to launch its 4th Manchester flex space Orega, the flexible workspace provider, has completed a 10-year Management Agreement to create a high spec flexible workspace at 1 Balloon Street, Manchester. The new space will open in August 2022. The 26,000 sq. ft. flexible workspace has been newly refurbished and will provide over 450 workstations. The workspaces are designed to appeal to teams of all sizes – from 5 people to 100 plus – and are over three floors of the building, (ground, first and second). In addition, there will be substantial collaboration, meeting and event spaces. 1 Balloon Street is in the centre of Manchester, just minutes from Manchester Victoria station and the Arndale centre, the biggest shopping centre in the city. The workspace is designed to be a modern, flexible base for Manchester’s booming tech, finance and creative businesses, offering brand new: Design-led space that focuses on hospitality A wide choice of different working zones Outdoor space Large meeting room suite More space person than the industry norm On-site shower and changing facilities Unlimited barista-quality coffee Secure bike storage facilities It is the fourth flexible workspace that Orega has launched in Manchester. The company offers flex space from 18 locations across the UK and is the UK’s leading provider of flexible workspace under Management Agreements (as opposed to leases). Ben Hutchen, Real Estate Director at Orega, commented: “We have enhanced our exceptionally strong Manchester portfolio with Balloon Street, where our landlord partner has intelligently invested to provide a first-class example of how the future of work will look. At Orega, we offer our landlord partners and occupiers a solution that monetizes their space with a high-end office product and building amenity- whilst allowing them to retain control of their asset and brand. This is what our truly bespoke ground-breaking new partnership model is all about.” Jonathan Cook, Director at CBRE, who advised the landlord, said: “We are delighted to secure Orega at One Balloon Street. They will make a fantastic addition to the building, satisfying the continuing demand from corporates seeking high quality flex space.”
As we embrace post-pandemic life, social landlords as well as focussing on building new homes are also putting repairs and maintenance of existing stock at the top of their priority list. This drive to make significant improvements to tenants’ homes relies on key partnerships with contractors.We had to postpone some investment during the pandemic and are now playing catch-up by investing more than ever before in the maintenance and improvement of our housing stock. The Caledonia Group this year alone will be investing over £8m improving more than 30% of our existing 5,500 homes, however this will be challenging as we deal with a perfect storm of supply chain issues, including availability of materials and resources, leading to spiralling costs.Whilst we are weathering the storm, as a landlord and client, we recognise that in order to deliver this investment we need to have robust long-term contracts in place with trusted contractors and suppliers to partner with us to improve tenants’ homes. This process of good relations starts with clear client requirements, a fair procurement process and negotiated contract terms. With this in mind, quality as well as cost are key factors in our procurement process. Our network of contractors plays an integral role in our asset management, and we have a policy of introducing quality as a prerequisite when selecting contractors, looking in detail at the expertise, approach, and contractors’ ways of working, as well as the price. We also want to make sure any contractors who have responded to a tender have done so in a way that is sustainable for them. We have already seen a price rise of over 10% for kitchens, bathrooms and windows, and other raw material costs are also still on that upward trajectory. Experience tells us that prices seldom come back down, therefore it is important for us that we choose contractors who are building sufficient resource into their initial responses to the tendering process. There is also an imperative on us to be a good business partner. Last year, 175,000 people left the UK construction industry. We can see there is a shortage of contractors and the current boom in the construction industry means that the clamour to respond to tenders is no longer a reality. Furthermore, tenders may only have a short shelf life due to cost volatility. We therefore need to be responsive and agile as social housing partners to get the best deal and service for our tenants. Our Asset Management team and network of Neighbourhood Officers are the main contact points for tenants with regard to the work in their homes. However, once appointed, the contractor is also providing a service in Caledonia’s name. We therefore have to trust our contractors crossing the threshold into our tenants’ homes to uphold Caledonia’s values and play a significant role in the successful delivery. We want our tenants to feel comfortable about contractors being in their home and, whether they are replacing their kitchen, bathroom or heating system, our reputation is in their hands. Our aim is therefore to create long-term partnerships. Ideally, we want our contractors to understand how we do business and be sensitive to the needs of our tenants and their families. At the same time, we need to understand the pressures contractors are under themselves, and the difficulties that they encounter in managing our expectations in an incredibly challenging environment. This requires us to work closely together as we constantly manage all projects – from small refurbishments to larger capital improvement programmes. On the ever-increasing number of priorities on our asset management teams’ to-do lists, fostering partnership and building positive relationships with our contractors is crucial to delivering our ambitious investment plans. Building Design and Construction Magazine | The Home of Construction & Property News
First UK building to achieve three stars under this scorecard 106,000 sq. ft workspace in Hammersmith Capacity for 1500 occupants The Metro Building, in London’s Hammersmith, is the first UK building to be awarded a three-star Fitwel certification, under the Built Certified Multi-Tenant Base Building (v2.1) scorecard. Managed by Workman on behalf of global real assets investor PATRIZIA, Metro now joins properties from around the world accredited by Fitwel, a certification system embraced by developers and workplace strategists as part of the growing trend towards healthier workplaces. As the UK’s leading implementer of Fitwel, Workman has achieved certification for almost 2 million sq. ft of retail, office, and business assets – the most completed Fitwel certifications in the UK and Europe. Metro’s 3-star Fitwel Certification demonstrates the collaboration of a proactive Workman onsite team, led by building manager Nicola Price and property manager Suky Atwal, along with PATRIZIA and sustainability consultancy Evora. This achievement showcases the Workman commitment to optimising buildings for health, using evidence-based strategies. The Fitwel standard provides a blueprint for making positive changes that are scientifically proven to enhance wellbeing and occupier health. Using an evidence-based scorecard system, Fitwel certifies the wellness credentials of buildings and their surroundings. Through the six-month Fitwel process, Metro benchmarked its health and wellbeing performance before developing strategies to improve it. The Metro Building scored particularly highly in areas including: The implementation of an Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) policy. Provision of lactation room, a facility for nursing mothers. Access to a fruit or vegetable garden. Policies encouraging the use of stairwells over lifts. Amenities such as fitness and gym rooms. Nicola Price, Workman’s Building Manager at Metro, said: “Occupiers at the Metro building are engaged in the concept of healthy buildings, and we care about their wellbeing. Our landscaping project includes seasonal planting for occupiers to get involved with growing and harvesting. The introduction of initiatives such as IAQ testing has made a real difference to how our occupiers feel, and in turn this has motivated the onsite team, who have seen the benefits of Fitwel accreditation.” Charlotte Ross, ESG Manager and Fitwel Ambassador at Workman, said: “Across our managed properties and the wider industry, there is an increased focus on occupier health and wellbeing. For us, it was not only important to gain the Fitwel certification for Metro, but also to use the strategies to make sure we are managing the building with health and wellbeing in mind.” Jennie Brown, Associate, Asset Management at PATRIZIA, said: “Fitwel’s world-leading certification is testament to our strategy of improving occupier wellbeing by using best-in-class design to create healthy buildings for a strong community. Our focus on both mental and physical health, for example creating a new outdoor landscaped area, as well as a lactation room, were positively welcomed by our occupiers.”
Ahead of a full tender process, expected to take place this summer, MKDP has appointed Activate – Workman Placemaking to lead the search for a development partner to help transform this centrally-located commercial space, into a vibrant, future-proof destination. Currently covering 3,446m2 of Grade A retail space, the scheme contains a strong core of 100 existing outdoor commercial units. Milton Keynes Development Partnership (MKDP) has announced its intention to seek an investment, development, and operational partner to facilitate the development of Milton Keynes Open Market, a centrally located, prime commercial space. MKDP has appointed Activate, Workman’s in-house placemaking team, to assess initial interest in this scheme. As the landowner, MKDP is seeking a partner to help transform Milton Keynes Open Market into a destination retail, leisure, and food and beverage scheme which will be future-proofed against market changes by providing a dynamic, modern, customer experience to local residents, and visitors, whilst retaining the market’s core values and appeal. MKDP is keen to work with partners with broad experience in the retail destination sector, and remain open to new ideas, and innovative concepts for the space. Tracey Aldworth, MKDP’s Managing Director said: “MKDP is seeking comments, and enquiries, from partners keen to enter into a long-term agreement and is open to partnering with a singular institution, or a consortium. We are also seeking the views of potential partners to determine the best-suited contractual vehicle for the development of this site.” Esther Worboys, Placemaking Manager for Activate, said: “Milton Keynes Market is an essential element of Milton Keynes’ civic fabric, and retail offer. The market is centrally located on Midsummer Boulevard and immediately adjacent to the centre:mk shopping centre which attracts 23.4mn visitors per year. We are keen to find a partner who will work with MKDP on both operating the market as it is in the short-term, but also developing it in the medium to long-term into a destination for local residents and visitors.” For more information, visit www.mkdp.org.uk or email activate@workman.co.uk Responses must be received by May 6th, 2022.
Leading Repairs and Maintenance contractor, HMS, has been engaged by Cobalt Housing to work with specialists Aico and HomeLINK to incorporate innovative technology into 96 homes within Cobalt’s neighbourhoods. Piloting this environmental technology for the first time in the North West, Cobalt and HMS are strengthening their commitment to futureproofing properties, which is especially important giving the rising cost of energy and the impending zero carbon targets facing the industry. Designed to help manage housing stock more intelligently, HomeLINK provide environmental sensors that monitors a range of data, such as temperature and CO2 humidity levels in properties, to create and maintain safer, healthier and more eco-friendly homes and communities. Being fitted into nearly 100 of Cobalt’s 6,000 homes by HMS’ team of qualified electrical engineers, SmartLINK Gateway will help social landlords monitor properties and keep customers safe by identifying any risks with fire and carbon monoxide alarms, monitoring indoor air quality, risk of mould and how much electricity is being used. Residents will also have access to a personalised app, enabling them to monitor levels within their home, and access advice on making sure they’re doing all they can to keep their home working at optimum performance. Discussing the pilot scheme, Maintenance Director, Alison Brown, said: “As a safety-first organisation, and one with ambitious green targets of our own, this pilot was one that appealed to us on multiple levels. It’s great to partner with such forward-thinking organisations to install technology that will truly help Cobalt and their customers to life in a safer, more environmentally friendly way.” Chris Fray, Technology and Transformation Manager at Cobalt, continued: “HMS have been fantastic to work with on this project, installing devices promptly, effectively and to a high standard. Crucially, HMS has acknowledged the value in sensors and how they will become a significant part of the social housing sector in years to come, becoming a contract that is required and delivered in the same vein as voids, gas and repairs and maintenance. We hope this exposure and experience will be of benefit to them too in years to come.” Jordan Toulson, Product Manager at HomeLINK, said: “This technology promises to be the standard within social housing in the coming years; Cobalt are proving themselves to be ahead of the curve by progressing such a roll-out now and HMS have proven their fantastic capability to install market-leading devices accurately, enabling the data to start flowing from the properties.”
Dealing with damaged or neglected old metal windows can be a genuinely daunting challenge for property owners or their maintenance teams, but replacement – especially using modern alternatives – is rarely the only answer as specialist contractor Associated Steel Window Services (ASWS) can attest. In work across the South-East and further afield, the London-based company carries out a wide variety of contracts, addressing everything from heritage steel windows in listed buildings, to the maintenance of more modern W40 section and aluminium frame fenestration and curtain walling. Crucially, in almost all circumstances, timely intervention by ASWS can greatly extend the working life of windows; saving building owners from the cost and greater inconvenience of full replacement. Aside from the financial and logistical advantages, there are wider environmental benefits to refurbishing older windows which are becoming more valued, as the properties where we live and work come under scrutiny for their contribution to climate change. Straightforward routine maintenance will help ensure that opening lights close correctly and that weather-stripping is replaced when necessary; both cutting down on unwanted air and heat leakage. It is also possible to replace damaged or corroded sections and straighten or ‘reset’ distorted frames; either on site or in the workshop. Single glazing, which was standard in most steel windows until late last century, can be replaced with varying thicknesses of double-glazed unit, depending on the size of the rebate. Conventional IG starts at a slender 3-4-3mm make up and can benefit from warm edge spacer bars and gas filling, but new generation vacuum glazing offers much better performance, though at considerable cost. There is also a health and environmental benefit to removing all of the original lead paint still covering many older windows along with its responsible disposal. So the question is what to do with windows which really are beyond economic repair? While the price of scrap metal continues to fluctuate, the value of recycling has never been higher, with responsible contractors ensuring that they have separate skips for clean and dirty metal in order to maximise recovery. ASWS, however, goes much further having operated its own salvage operation for decades. Wherever possible, the team saves everything from old ironmongery, beads and even ‘Whitworth’ screws for reuse at a later date. In fact, the recent replacement of an old building at the front of the London premises has created even more room for this library of spare parts to be further expanded. As Laura Mercer, Managing Director of ASWS, observes: “We have got handles and other ironmongery from 40 years ago which we can reuse for current jobs when new replacements simply aren’t available, as well as the skills to make a full range of repairs and improvements. The best recycling you can do is re-using components to extend the useful life of windows and improving their performance at the same time.” Associated Steel Window Services is a member of The Steel Window Association (www.steel-window-association.co.uk). For further information on Associated Steel Window Services, please visit www.asws.co.uk or call 020 8665 5335.
