Transformation of former Central Library into flexible workspace takes a step forward
Plans to transform Nottingham’s former Central Library building into a flexible workspace for creative businesses are set to take a step forward.
The City Council is ready to appoint an architect and design team to oversee the fit-out of the building on Angel Row, in an exciting project which will see the historic frontage retained and 1,200 square metres of space turned into a new creative hub with flexible workspace.
The move comes as work gets underway to create a modern Central Library in the new building that also houses the Broad Marsh Car Park and Bus Station, as part of the redevelopment of the whole of the Broad Marsh area as a revitalised gateway to the city.
The Angel Row scheme is being funded from the Government’s Future High Streets Fund, following a successful bid for £12.5m by the council announced last summer. The funding will also go towards strengthening pedestrian routes between cultural and tourist attractions in this part of the city centre.
The successful architect and design team will be asked to produce the designs for the building to become a new centre for innovation and collaboration for Nottingham-based enterprise. The new venue will look to provide exhibition and gallery space, studios and flexible workspace for the city’s burgeoning creative industry. The design brief also includes publicly accessible ground floor facilities including a café.
City Council leader, Cllr David Mellen, said: “I’m pleased that at the same time as the fit-out of the new Central Library in the Broad Marsh area is taking place, we’re in a position to move on to the next stage of the Angel Row scheme, which will see an exciting new creative hub developed in the city centre.
“We are looking for an experienced design team to design the fit-out of the building in a way which can maximise opportunities for innovation and sustainable design into the scheme. Post-Covid, it will be important for this building to offer spaces where people in our growing creative sector can collaborate, work flexibly and engage together.”
200 Degrees introduces new head of people
200 Degrees Coffee has welcomed Charlotte Coore as head of people. The new position has been added to support the business and its people as it continues its expansion plans.
200 Degrees, which has 17 coffee shops across England and Wales, recently announced a significant milestone of reaching 200 team members during its 10th anniversary in business, and with a strategy to open five new coffee shops each year, the business continues to expand its team in its shops, roast house and central team.
As head of people, Charlotte will be leading the business’s HR department; supporting the company’s core values and culture across all operations.
Charlotte will also be supporting the employee journey and experience at 200 Degrees – from attraction and onboarding through to learning and development, rewards and equality and diversity.
Charlotte said: “200 Degrees is a team-centered business which has an ambitious growth and innovation strategy – so it’s a really exciting time to be joining.
“With growth comes much opportunity and given the current job market, it is important to continue to champion 200 Degrees’ culture and values, as well as continuing our investment into our skilled team.
“In my new role, I will be leading the people agenda by implementing practical initiatives and transformation projects and helping the wider team get more involved in the business, its decisions and direction.
“As the saying goes, ‘people are a company’s greatest asset’, and I very much look forward to working with everyone at 200 Degrees – plus I am a huge foodie and coffee drinker too, so that is a bonus!”
Rob Darby, CEO of 200 Degrees, said: “I was given a great piece of advice a long time ago to invest in the very best people and that advice has paid dividends since Tom Vincent and I started the business 10 years ago. Charlotte is a wonderful example of this, and we are all really pleased to welcome her to the 200 Degrees family.
“We are lucky to have a tight knit and committed team ethos. As we continue to expand, we want to make sure we are doing everything we can to ensure all our people at 200 Degrees have the same great experience.
“Hospitality is a fantastic industry to build a career in and we put a lot of focus and thought into recruiting and retaining staff, so we’re always keen to learn more about what we can do to optimise our working culture. Charlotte is a skilled HR and people expert and will help us embed and champion our values and look after our incredible team.”
200 Degrees Coffee has also recently welcomed three other new roles to its central operations team, including a financial controller, head of operations and digital marketing manager.
Founded in 2012, 200 Degrees has 17 coffee shops across the Midlands, North and Wales, as well as six barista schools. The business also has a wholesale, home subscription and ecommerce offer.
Go-ahead given to transform Nottingham offices into hotel
Plans for the change of use and extension of offices in Nottingham to provide a hotel have been approved.
Conditional consent has been granted for the scheme at 26-28 High Pavement, which will see an extension constructed to the rear of the existing building, providing three additional modern apartments with a roof terrace garden.
The property currently comprises of two three-storey mid and late 18 century former town house buildings which have been converted and linked internally for use as offices.
The Grade II listed buildings are situated within the heart of Lace Market and located directly adjacent to the National Justice Museum and opposite to medieval St Mary’s Church and war memorial.
The basement has direct access to the Nottingham Cave system.
Midlands sees sharper rises in both permanent placements and temporary billings in August
The latest KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands survey pointed to further sharp increases in permanent placements and temporary billings as demand for staff continued to rise strongly. This, allied with further marked falls in candidate numbers, fed through to further increases in staff pay, with temporary pay inflation accelerating particularly sharply over the month.
The KPMG and REC, UK Report on Jobs: Midlands is compiled by S&P Global from responses to questionnaires sent to around 100 recruitment and employment consultancies in the Midlands.
Sharp increase in permanent placements
August data pointed to a sharp rise in permanent placements in the Midlands, with the rate of expansion accelerating to the fastest in four months. Permanent placements in the region have increased on a monthly basis throughout the past year-and-a-half, with the latest expansion the sharpest of the English regions covered. Where placements rose, recruitment firms mainly linked this to increasing demand for staff.
A sharp increase in permanent placements was also seen in London, while the North of England posted a fall for the first time in 19 months.
Growth of temp billings accelerates
After having softened to a 25-month low in July, the rate of expansion in temp billings reaccelerated in August. The latest rise was marked and the fastest since May. That said, the increase in the Midlands was softer than the UK average. Anecdotal evidence suggested that growth of temp billings reflected both demand for contract work and difficulties for firms to find suitable permanent candidates.
Temp billings increased across all four monitored English regions, with the sharpest rise in London.
Vacancies for both permanent and temporary positions continued to increase sharply during August, although in both cases rates of expansion softened over the month.
Demand for permanent staff rose for the nineteenth month running, albeit to the least extent for a year-and-a-half. This was also the case with regards to demand for temporary staff, where the sharp pace of growth was nonetheless the weakest since February 2021.
Permanent candidate numbers fall sharply
A reluctance among workers to change roles given wider economic uncertainty contributed to a further steep decline in the availability of candidates for permanent positions in the Midlands during August. The reduction in candidate numbers was steeper than that seen in the previous month, and broadly in line with the UK average. Permanent staff availability has deteriorated in each month since April 2021.
The North of England posted the fastest fall in permanent staff availability, with the softest decline in London.
Steep decline in temporary staff availability
In line with the picture for permanent candidates, the availability of temporary staff declined at a sharp and accelerated pace midway through the third quarter. Some recruitment firms signalled that candidates were more interested in permanent roles at present. The drop in temporary staff availability in the Midlands was the second-sharpest of the English regions covered, behind London.
Further steep rise in permanent salaries
Midlands recruitment companies indicated that salaries for new permanent joiners continued to increase sharply during August, with the rate of inflation ticking up from that seen in July. Rises in salaries reflected candidate shortages, with hires able to demand higher pay in order to move roles.
The increase in the Midlands was the strongest of the four monitored English regions. The North of England registered the softest pace of inflation.
Marked acceleration in temp wage inflation
The rate of inflation in hourly wages for temporary staff accelerated sharply in August and was the strongest since November last year. The rise in the Midlands was by far the steepest of the English regions covered by the report. Anecdotal evidence indicated that a combination of rising demand for staff and falling candidate availability had been behind the increase.
Of the four monitored English regions, the slowest rise was in the North of England, but inflation was still substantial here nonetheless.
Commenting on the latest survey results, Claire Warnes, head of Education, Skills and Productivity at KPMG UK, said: “Unsurprisingly, the economic uncertainty continues to impact all aspects of business as we come to the end of the summer. August’s data show an increasingly challenging jobs market, both in the sharp decline in the supply of candidates and in the slowdown in recruitment which we have seen for the last few months. Despite these challenges, it’s vital that investment in people continues. Businesses may be better able to weather the economic storm through sustained investment in upskilling the available workforce.”
Neil Carberry, Chief Executive of the REC, said: “August was another month of growing placements across temporary and permanent roles. While the post-pandemic jobs rush is now abating, there were no real signs of a slowdown in employer demand. Indeed, reports from REC members suggest that any lowering of confidence in the market is driven primarily by candidates playing it safe, with the effect of further tightening the market. So it’s no surprise that pay rates continue to rise, especially considering increasing inflation. In this market, hiring companies need to think hard about the right approach to getting the skills they need, working with professional recruiters.
“The big question is now about the sustainability of this positive position, as labour shortages damage growth and pay over the long term. Controlling inflation and a clear plan for growth are essential parts of making sure the UK is resilient to economic uncertainty. But both rely on our new Prime Minister and her team working with businesses to address shortages across our labour market. Radical reform of the failed apprenticeship levy, support on small business energy costs, an immigration policy that helps the economy and regulation that supports temporary work rather than penalising it, all have to be on the agenda.”
Connect with the property industry this Thursday at the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Taking place on Thursday 15 September at Trent Bridge Cricket Ground, the highly anticipated East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022 is just days away.
Set to celebrate the region’s property and construction industry, the event is also an ideal networking opportunity, presenting a chance to form new connections with business leaders from across the East Midlands, as well as hear from guest speaker John Forkin MBE DL, Managing Director at award-winning investment promotion agency Marketing Derby.
With limited tickets remaining, ensure to book your space now.
Thanks to our sponsors:
Tickets can be booked here.
Attend the glittering awards ceremony to see who takes home the title of Contractor of the Year, Developer of the Year, Commercial Development of the Year, Residential Development of the Year, Sustainable Development of the Year, Deal of the Year, Most Active Agents of the Year, Architects of the Year, Excellence in Design, Responsible Business and of course Overall Winner. The event will begin at 4:30pm and continue until 7:30pm. Complementary drinks and canapés will be served on arrival. Dress code is standard business dress.Shortlist for the East Midlands Bricks Awards 2022
Most Active Agent – sponsored by Blueprint Interiors Mather Jamie OMEETO BB&J Commercial Commercial Development of the Year – sponsored by Frank Key Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Etiquette Park – Clowes Developments Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service joint HQ – Henry Brothers Responsible Business of the Year – sponsored by Press for Attention PR Cawarden Arc Partnership Phoenix Brickwork Residential Development of the Year – sponsored by Sterling Commercial Finance The Rise, Southwell – Stagfield Group Glenvale Park – Glenvale Park LLP Hindle House – KMRE Group Deal of the Year – sponsored by Blythin & Brown Insurance Brokers St James Securities – Phase Two of the Becketwell regeneration scheme in Derby – 3,500 capacity Becketwell performance venue with ASM Global Wells McFarlane, APB and Newton LDP – sale of 460 acres of land in North Leicestershire, making way for a new garden village Morgan Industrial Properties Limited – acquisition of the former Ewart Chain site in Shaftesbury Street, Derby Developer of the Year – sponsored by Ward Hockley Developments St James Securities HBD Architects of the Year – sponsored by OMS Swain Architecture Rayner Davies Architects CPMG Architects Excellence in Design – sponsored by Cawarden St. Peter’s Gate renovation – CPMG Architects Health and Allied Professions Centre at Nottingham Trent University – Pick Everard Brookside Farm – Chevin Homes Sustainable Development of the Year – sponsored by Viridis Building Services Refurbished HQ for LKAB Minerals – Scenariio Northern Gateway Enterprise Centre – Chesterfield Borough Council, Whittam Cox Architects, Robert Woodhead Group Broad Marsh Bus Station and Car Park – Galliford Try Construction Contractor of the Year – sponsored by RammSanderson Galliford Try Construction Cawarden Enrok Construction The Overall Winner, sponsored by Streets Chartered Accountants, will also be announced at the ceremony, who will be awarded a year of marketing/publicity worth £20,000.
To be held at:
Senior IT technician joins Link ICT
Customer growth and demand from schools for new IT installations and Clevertouch screens has led to Derby-based ICT provider Link ICT appointing Nigel Sharpin as a senior IT Technician.
Nigel, who is from Tamworth, already holds a number of IT related qualifications including Advanced GNVQ IT, CompTIA ITF+, CompTIA A+ and is currently working towards Network + and Security +.
Link ICT is based in Derby and specialise in providing on-site IT support. In his new role, Nigel be providing remote IT support to customers who encounter issues when their dedicated technician is not on site. Clients include schools and businesses across the East Midlands.
The majority of Nigel’s career has been spent in IT and he previously worked for Norfolk Education Services, supporting schools & colleges across East Anglia. He joins Link ICT from Derby-based aerospace manufacturing specialists Bromford Industries where he supported 4 sites across the East/West Midlands area as the group IT specialist.
Commenting on his new role, Nigel said: “I am really looking forward to returning to a senior IT technician role, that can be tailored according to each client. My past experience means I can bring a wealth of knowledge to the table and cannot wait to get started on this huge and exciting opportunity.”
Mark Fryers, Managing Director, added: “Link ICT is ambitious and growing, and given the uplift in work over the summer from schools wanting to upgrade and install new IT and tech such as Clevertouch screens we have expanded our team so that we can expand our services to schools and businesses across the East Midlands.”
Businesses pay tribute to Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II
Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, who ruled the country for over 70 years with poise and dignity, businesses and local leaders have been paying tribute and offering messages of condolence.
Peter Swallow, Managing Director of Bolsterstone Group Plc and chair of Destination Chesterfield, said: “I was very saddened to hear the news about Her Majesty the Queen’s passing. Although she was 96 years of age, her death has still come as a complete shock. She has led the nation for 70 years, ever present for the whole of my lifetime, and a steadfast presence throughout the country’s highs and lows.
“She was a memorable individual with her visit to Chesterfield in 1977 still remaining strong in the memory of many residents in the town. Whether a supporter of the royal family or not, few can disagree that she was dedicated to her role, and the country as a whole, throughout her reign. She will be sadly missed, and may she rest in peace.”
Greg Simpson, founder of Press for Attention PR, said: “Say what you like about the monarchy (and plenty will) but there is one thing that is very clear, the Queen was a pioneer and an inspiration to millions. The Queen was also an unrivalled communicator. Listening to the reports this morning and last night, I was struck by how often the phrase ‘made people feel comfortable’ came up. There was criticism when, back in the late ’60’s, the Queen allowed cameras into the lives of the royals for ‘letting daylight in on the royal magic’ – possibly some of the most misguided criticism I have ever heard. The magic was in letting people in, everyone.”
Fiona Duncan-Steer, founder of RSViP Networking Agency, said: “Your Majesty you have served your country as you promised you would & exceeded expectations in many ways, a constant, loyal guide to many – a Grandma to the nation, thank you for your dedication & hard work.
“You will be greatly missed.”
Sarah Newton, director of Penguin PR, which has offices in Derby and Chesterfield, said: “We have all covered royal visits during our days as journalists and when you‘re part of the arrangements on the day you realise what a big deal they are and how important the Queen and the Royal Family is to the country and local communities. On one visit I ended up standing close to the Queen and watched her moving from person to person talking easily and effortlessly to each and every one, making them feel special.
“So much has happened to the Queen and her family through the years that we can only marvel at the way in which she has conducted herself with the utmost dignity at times when her heart must have been breaking. The only time she put a foot wrong was around the time of Diana’s funeral. I was sent to London to report on the mood among the crowd and it soon became clear quite how upset people were that the Queen had uncharacteristically misjudged the feeling across the country by being slow to respond with the warmth and graciousness that people expected.
“The Royal Family changed after that and I think that ability to adapt was what helped make the Queen so enduring, that and the fact that she never made being Queen of an entire Commonwealth about herself.”
Tom Moore, founding director, WestBridge Group, said: “The directors and staff would like to express their deep sadness on the news of the passing of Her Majesty, The Queen.”
East Midlands Chamber Chief Executive Scott Knowles said: “We are deeply saddened to learn of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s passing.
“The Queen has been the epitome of stability and patriotism throughout her seven decades of unwavering public service, an icon who has symbolised British patriotism across the world.
“As patron of the British Chambers of Commerce, she was a true friend to the business community and as the figurehead of the Commonwealth, she was the tie between nations that have become important trading partners.
“It is with great sorrow that we must now come to terms with a Great Britain without our Queen, but she has already demonstrated to us on so many occasions the strength we will need to move forward.”
Anna Hutton, who owns and runs Derbyshire marketing agency MacMartin with her sister Claire MacDonald, said: “In acknowledgement of this sad day for Britain, many of our clients have chosen not to promote their businesses with ‘sales’ messages whilst the country is in mourning.
“We would like to thank our Queen for her strength, stability and lifetime of service to this country. Dignified, wise and humble, she has been a role model to us all. As women running a business, the way she maintained such a calm and steady presence through seven decades of this country’s history has been a true inspiration.”
Matt Wheatcroft, Managing Director, Purpose Media, said: “On behalf of everyone at Purpose Media, we are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We send our condolences to the Royal Family at this difficult time.”
Rob Coles, Managing Director, Mather Jamie, said: “We express our deepest sadness on the passing of HM Queen Elizabeth II. Everyone at Mather Jamie offers their sincere condolences to the Royal family at this difficult time.”
G F Tomlinson said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“On behalf of G F Tomlinson, we send our thoughts and heartfelt condolences to The King and the Royal Family for their immeasurable loss.
“As the longest ever reigning monarch, for 70 years Her Majesty devoted her life to the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth, and her dedication and unwavering service to her duty is an example to us all.”
The Lord Mayor of Nottingham, Cllr Wendy Smith, and the leader of Nottingham City Council, Cllr David Mellen, said: “Along with the rest of the country, we are deeply saddened to hear of the death of Her Majesty The Queen. She has dutifully and gracefully served for 70 years – longer than any other British monarch – and was held in great affection and respect by her country.
“We were proud and honoured to host many visits by The Queen as a city, including memorably in her Diamond Jubilee year 10 years ago and it’s particularly sad that her death comes during her Platinum Jubilee year when the country has been celebrating her long reign.
“As a mark of respect and sorrow, we will fly flags on our buildings at half mast and open a Book of Condolence at the Council House and at locations around the city. If people wish to lay flowers they can do so on the Council House steps.”
Mark Fryers, Managing Director, Link ICT, said: “Everyone is deeply saddened to hear that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has died. Sincere condolences to the Royal Family as we celebrate the life of such a great leader.”
President and vice-chancellor of the University of Leicester, professor Nishan Canagarajah, said: “Our deepest sympathies go to members of the Royal Family and we join the nation in mourning this enormous loss.
“Her Majesty The Queen was monarch for the entire history of the University, since we were granted our Royal Charter in 1957, and her era also spanned the earlier period when we were a University College.
“She was an abiding influence and visited the University on two occasions – we are indebted to her for her support and for her influence.
“Her memory lives on, not simply in the buildings that she opened, but in the very purpose of our existence as a University established under her authority. In the year that we celebrated the centenary of our foundation, we give thanks for her unparalleled role as a defining figure of our time.
“The University will mark her passing in a number of ways out of respect. On behalf of the University community, including staff, students, alumni and supporters, we offer our deepest condolences.”
Penguin PR account manager Kerry Ganly, a former sports journalist, was a guest at Pride Park Stadium when HRH Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the stadium. Along with hundreds of school children, Kerry witnessed Her Majesty take a tour of the Rams’ new ground.
She said: “The Queen has been a constant in my life and I was privileged to be at Pride Park Stadium – along with many others – when she opened the new home of Derby County in 1997. It was the first-ever football stadium she had opened. Wearing a stunning yellow suit, she greeted the crowd with a smile and looked so happy. I have precious photographs of the day and that memory will stick with me forever.”
Leicester City mayor Sir Peter Soulsby said: “I am profoundly saddened by the news of Her Majesty’s passing and, on behalf of the city, extend my sympathies to our new monarch and all of the Royal Family.
“Queen Elizabeth was on the throne for more than 70 years – the longest reign of any British monarch – and in that time was a tireless ambassador in the service of the country and the wider Commonwealth.
“During her lengthy reign, The Queen oversaw vast changes politically and domestically, both at home and internationally.
“She always acted with remarkable grace and composure, which inspired genuine affection from across the world. Her passing truly marks the end of an era.”
Kul Mahay, who spent more than 30 years working for Derbyshire Constabulary before setting up his own leadership and emotional intelligence business, said: “We will likely never see a leader so consistently dedicated to their duty for so long. Almost everyone in the UK and, indeed, around the world, will have known her as Queen throughout their lives. May she rest in peace.”
Adam Pye, Managing Director at John Pye Auctions, said: “Queen Elizabeth II reigned with dignity, elegance, and grace. She was constant in all of our lives. She devoted her life to this country and we have lost a truly great Monarch. An extremely sad day for us all.”
The vice-chancellor and president of the University of Nottingham, professor Shearer West, said: “The University community joins the Royal Family and the nation in mourning the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“As sovereign to the UK and Commonwealth for more than 70 years, and as the longest-reigning British Monarch, she leaves behind an extraordinary legacy of service and dedication.
“From a young girl who did not expect to be Queen, to an iconic and celebrated figure who became Britain’s longest reigning monarch. For every generation, she provided an example and continuity that unites us today in offering our heartfelt condolences.”
Lee Jepson, director of Derby-based L.E.A.D. IT Services, which specialises in IT support for schools and multi-academy trusts, said: “It is incredibly sad. Our thoughts at L.E.A.D. IT Services are with the Royal Family and the wider Commonwealth following the passing of HRH Queen Elizabeth II.”
Adam Holland runs sports coaching company Progressive Sports in the East Midlands. He said: “It’s well-known that Her Majesty was a sports fan and everyone here at Progressive Sports in the East Midlands sends their deepest condolences to her family, the UK and Commonwealth during this incredibly sad time.”
Ben Dorks, CEO of Ideagen, said: “We were truly saddened to hear of the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and send our deepest sympathies to the British Royal Family at this time.”
Kyla Bellingall, partner and head of BDO in the Midlands, said: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II personified the very meaning of dignity, devotion and courage and was an example of true leadership. On behalf of the firm, we want to express our sadness at her passing. During her long reign and dedicated service she was a constant in all our lives. Our thoughts are with the Royal Family at this time.” Beverley Wakefield, owner of Vibrant Accountancy, added: “The Queen has been an inspiration to me and so many people; we are so very sad to hear of her passing at Vibrant Accountancy.”Green light given for Colton Packaging’s Loughborough expansion plans
Following an application submitted to Charnborough Borough Council earlier this year, conditional planning has been unanimously approved for Colton Packaging to build two new industrial units for storage and distribution at its Loughborough HQ.
Laura Colton-Smith, Managing Director at Colton Packaging, said: “We’re really pleased that planning has been granted for two new units within our Loughborough site. The new buildings form part of our long-term growth plans and will provide much needed additional space for the storage and distribution of our corrugated packaging solutions.”
The significant investment in the construction and fit out of the two new light commercial units will add a further 10,800 square foot in storage and distribution space to the Loughborough site, increasing the footprint of Colton’s headquarters at Hockey Close to over 65,000 square feet. It is also expected to create two new jobs, initially an additional driver and warehouse person, with more roles planned in 2023.
Laura continues: “We see this as long-term investment in the site and the wider community, enabling us to grow and create a long-term asset for future generations of the Colton family. We’ll be able to increase our stock and serve packaging capacity for all our customers and fulfil larger orders for sustainable, bespoke corrugated solutions. We’re hoping to start on site in October 2022 and be up and running by the first quarter of 2023.”
The Colton team has worked with Staniforth Architects for the design and Benchmark Property will be project managing the build. Main contractors on the project will be ADT Civils for groundworks, Seda Steelworks, Barnett Roofing and HF Hartley Electrical Contractors.
Burton industrial units sold as investment market continues to reach new heights
Following a marketing campaign that attracted a huge amount of local and regional interest, Rushton Hickman went to best and final written bids in agreeing the sale of two industrial units on the edge of Burton town centre.
Units 1 & 2 Millers Lane, two tenanted industrial units totalling circa 5,000 sq ft, have been sold and achieved an “extremely strong yield.”
The sale comes as a scarcity of new and second-hand industrial availability has created a situation where local landlords are seizing the opportunity to capitalise on the market.
Douglas Harvey, senior agency surveyor at Rushton Hickman, said: “This is a prime example of how hot the market is right now.
“Competition amongst the investors to acquire these units was fierce and after just a week on the market and going to best bids, we achieved a sale price for our client that represented a very robust yield of 5.6%.
“This is historically a level of demand we have only seen for units occupied by ‘blue-chip’ national or international tenants, and to achieve this level for smaller units is we believe unparalleled in the local market.”
IMA Architects demo ‘UK first’ at 25th anniversary event
On Friday 2nd September, IMA Architects (IMA) and guests celebrated a successful 25 years in business with an event at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium.
Started in 1997, IMA has progressed to become one of the leading architectural practices in the Midlands, working on projects for companies such as Clowes Developments, Lidl, Taylor Wimpey and Toyota UK.
IMA’s anniversary event not only celebrated the past achievements of the firm, but also looked to the future of architecture with the multi-award-winning firm demonstrating a new prototype – ‘The Digital Twin’.
Believed to be the first of its kind in the UK, IMA’s ‘Digital Twin’ prototype has been designed – and successfully tested – to accurately represent a physical space as a virtual model. Linked to a Building Information Modelling (BIM) Model, sensors in the physical building feed data back to the virtual model, showing how even the slightest change could impact performance in the real world. This grants the building owner or manager access to real-time data with an in-depth analysis of a building’s performance.
This is significant as it means that tests can also be run in the virtual space, allowing users to gain information on important metrics such as energy consumption to carbon emissions, informing decisions that are made in the real world.
In this instance, the ‘physical space’ is at IMA’s headquarters in Blaby. Two new outbuildings known as the ‘IMA Digital Pods’ have been installed – a staff coffee area and a small gym. The pods use the latest Internet of Things (IoT) sensors to collect real-time data from the relevant spaces and feed it back “through a cloud platform” into a 3D model that has accurate information about the pods’ structure and assets installed within. This data is then analysed and visualised virtually within the Digital Model and can be stored in the cloud for further analysis. Commands can also be sent from the Digital Model to activate or deactivate devices in the Pods as well as monitoring performance.
Ian McCann, IMA’s Managing Director, says: “It was great to celebrate 25 years of business with so many of our industry peers, and we are incredibly excited to see what the future holds as we embark on the next 25.”
Dr Asem Al Bunni, design and BIM associate at IMA, added: “At IMA, we believe that the successful use of BIM and ‘Digital Twin’ is the future of building design, and having more buildings with this level of information and intelligence will play a huge part in helping the UK meet its Net Zero targets, reducing costs for businesses along the way.
“Amongst other things, it has the potential to lower construction costs by 33%, increase delivery speed by 50%, and lower emissions by 50%, the latter of which is incredibly important as the Government continues to set out plans to decarbonise all sectors of the UK economy. And with increasing energy costs, the Digital Twin will be an incredibly valuable cost-saving tool, leading the way to a better, greener, future.”
