Do you own a commercial property that is currently undergoing or about to undergo construction and renovations? Keeping your property in tip-top condition is one thing, but sometimes it needs more than cosmetic touches and a more in-depth project is warranted. The problem is that a construction project on a commercial property isn’t always quick and easy, and can’t be compared to home renovations. This is why it’s important to have the right people on the job. Here we’ll take a look at what to consider when hiring additional support for a construction project.

What is the Scope of the Project?

Before you can start hiring additional support, you must be clear about the scope of the project. How big/small is it, what are the end goals, and why are you taking on the project? Being specific about your expectations, wants and needs will help you to figure out such important things as the timeline, budget, resources needed, professionals needed, materials and so forth.

Do You Have a Vision?

It’s really difficult to hire additional support when you don’t have a solid grasp of your vision. You need to be specific so you can communicate efficiently with the various tradespeople. If you’re having a hard time forming a vision, try flipping through décor magazines, looking online, and paying attention to how other businesses are set up.

What’s the Budget?

Speaking of the budget, this is a great time to give it thought and set one that you’re comfortable with. When setting the budget you need to be realistic and it’s also smart to build a contingency fund within. There’s nothing wrong with having a positive mindset and believing all will go well, but issues can arise and they can end up costing more than you had anticipated. Having a bit of a slush fund will ensure there isn’t too much stress when these unexpected costs pop up.

Does It Make Sense to Hire a Construction Project Manager?

Depending on the size of the construction project, it may be too much for you to manage. If you’re trying to juggle running your company with overseeing the construction project, things are bound to be overlooked and forgotten, which isn’t good. Hiring a construction project manager means someone else will be in charge of the renovations, sticking to the budget, procuring the materials, hiring sub-contractors, and so forth.

Does the Professional Have Experience with Commercial Projects?

It’s also important to recognise experience — not just any type of experience, but the relevant experience. If you’re hiring a professional tradesperson, you need to know they have handled commercial projects like yours in the past. Residential and even industrial experience isn’t the same, and for the job to be done safely, correctly, to code and promptly, they will need specific experience. If you’re in search of “electricians near me”, check out a site like MyBuilder.com, which acts as a directory of vetted and reviewed electricians. They can share information about their work, qualifications, licenses and experience. You can ensure you pick one that has commercial experience. Be sure to take the time and read the reviews provided by customers, as this will help you narrow down your options. When it comes to qualifications, if you are hiring a tradesperson, you will want to look into whether they are a member of a trade association. Being a member means they will be kept up to date on all the latest news, information, policies, rules, practices and more. It’s also important to ask if they are registered. If they are a builder they should also have insurance, in particular contractors’ all-risk liability, employers’ liability insurance and public liability insurance. Insurance protects them and you should anything go wrong.

Can They Provide You with References?

A simple question to ask any additional support people is if they can provide you with references. Ask for at least two and be prepared to follow up with them. You can also ask to see their portfolio if applicable.

How Does the Construction Affect Day-to-Day Activities?

The final consideration is how all this construction will affect the daily activities in the workplace. Will employees still be able to do their job efficiently, effectively and safely? If the answer is no to any of these questions, then you need to come up with a solution. That could mean temporarily moving off-site to another location, allowing employees to work remotely from home, or shuffling people around so they work in an area that isn’t currently under construction. In extreme cases, it may be necessary to close down for a few days. Factoring in all of these considerations will help ensure that your construction project goes smoothly, you have qualified and experienced people doing the work, and that it is as stress-free as possible.

Full service marketing agency Purpose Media has been appointed on a project in Dubai on behalf of a client which provides commercial refrigeration solutions. The appointment follows on from projects they have already carried out in Milan, Belgium and Austria on behalf of commercial refrigeration solutions manufacturer True Refrigeration. Based in the US, the company exports worldwide and has a UK operation based in Rotherham from which it has been spearheading expansion into the UK and Europe. True have been pioneers of commercial refrigeration solutions for more than 70 years and has been operating in Dubai and the middle-east markets for over 20 years. With a turnover in excess of $1bn globally and a large market share in the US where it is the go-to refrigerator brand, the company has been working with Purpose Media to plan and deliver their UK marketing strategy. The project in the UAE involves documenting and filming their attendance at Gulf Host Dubai, MENA’s largest Hospitality Equipment and Foodservice show. The show happens each year at the Dubai World Trade Centre. Matt Bonser, account director at Purpose Media, said: “True is an important client for us as they represent our ability to support local businesses on global projects. It is going to be a frenetic five days for the team as they gather the video and photographic materials we will then transform for use across all digital marketing channels to grow True’s brand profile and reputation across the UAE and Europe.” Founded in 1945, True now has offices and facilities in the UK, Germany, Australia and South America. True products can be found in foodservice operations such as workplace café’s, restaurants, breweries, bars, bakeries, food halls and take away’s all around the world. Clients include McDonalds, Zizzi, Pizza Hut, KFC, Subway and Dunkin Donuts.

As world leaders continue to discuss the climate crisis at COP 27 in Sharm El-Sheikh, action to reduce carbon emissions continues to be taken closer to home. The LLEP Business Gateway and its partner Zellar, are celebrating a milestone for their pioneering initiative which helps Leicestershire businesses save money and reduce the carbon they generate. Eighteen months ago, the LLEP Business Gateway launched the Zellar programme, giving 100 local SMEs free access to an online platform through which they could track their carbon emissions and kickstart their sustainability journeys. Today they announced that they have so far helped local businesses save a massive £143k on their energy bills, allowing them to invest in sustainable changes to secure further savings. Participating companies have so far invested £400,000 in green technologies since the start of the Zellar programme and contributed 3,400 hours of volunteering towards local environmental projects. Welcomm Communications – a telecoms business based in Market Harborough – has been using Zellar since the start of this year. Their sustainability champion, Wendy Savill, said: “Since starting on our sustainability journey, we have been so encouraged by the Zellar platform in many ways, not least by realising the cost savings we have made. “These have come from making small changes in the business which were so easy to implement. We are excited to measure further changes in the near future and to achieve more savings, especially in the current economic climate. A huge thanks to Zellar for giving us that focus.” Acting head of the LLEP, Sue Tilley, added: “We are so proud of how Leicestershire companies have embraced this initiative as part of their response to the climate emergency. “We’ve always been leaders in environmental issues and it’s great to see that tradition continuing with our Zellar project which is the first of its kind in the UK. We do still have 16 free places left if any other businesses would like to join the scheme to save money and attract new customers.” A further benefit to the region has come in the form of a £600,000 investment from the Co-operative Bank to Leicestershire businessman Gary Styles, who is the founder and CEO of Zellar. Mr Styles said: “The Co-operative Bank is a perfect investor for Zellar. We hold so many shared values and they have the highest Environmental Social and Governance score of any UK high street bank. “We’re also incredibly thankful to the LLEP Business Gateway and to all the pioneering Leicestershire businesses that have supported our journey so far. We would urge more businesses to get onboard and grab those final free licenses.”

Auction house, John Pye & Sons Ltd, has been appointed by administrators of Made.com Design Limited to put stock on the market, in order to recover funds for creditors.

Due to difficult economic conditions, the high-value retailer, Made.com Design Limited appointed administrators from PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (PwC) to manage its affairs, business and property on the 9th November 2022.

PwC has this week appointed John Pye Auctions to put the Made.com stock to the market, through its network of over 700,000 customers and 1,000,000 sq ft of sale space.

All of the UK stock from Made.com is included in the inventory, which comprises several thousands of upholstery, home furniture, outdoor and leisure, home accessories and lighting items.

Adam Pye, Managing Director at John Pye, said: “John Pye Auctions is deeply saddened by the nature of this case, having worked as close partners with Made.com Design Limited for over six years. We’ve formed relationships with many staff members. We wish all the very best to everyone negatively affected.

“As with any insolvency of a great British brand such as Made.com, there are always the tragedies of redundancies and loss. It is John Pye Auction’s role to realise the best we can for all creditors of the company. Thanks to our long-standing partnership with Made.com Design Limited, we have a customer base who are familiar with buying this type of stock, so we hope to be able to realise a positive return for creditors.”

A public consultation about devolution for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire has begun. The consultation is taking place from Monday 14 November until Monday 9 January 2023 and is an opportunity for everyone in the area to have their say about devolution proposals. It is open to residents, businesses, community and voluntary groups, and other organisations in the region. The leaders of the four councils signed up to work on a devolution deal on 30 August this year at an event at Rolls Royce in Derby, following an announcement from Government that a package of new powers and funding, worth £1.14 billion, were available for the area. Since August the councils have been working on agreeing a more detailed proposal for consultation, which includes more information about how devolution would work in our area. The four councils agreed to go ahead with a public consultation as the next step in the process, so everyone has the chance to give their views on the proposal. Chris Poulter, leader of Derby City Council, said: “The East Midlands has long been overlooked and held back compared to other areas of the country. The cities and counties in our region should have a bigger voice, and this devolution deal would give us the influence, funding, and powers that we deserve. “The investment in this deal will bring with it many opportunities. We could see more jobs, better transport and housing, an enhanced greener environment, and more value for money of services provided for our people. “The proposals that we’re consulting on are just the beginning, and we’re determined to build on it over time. I would encourage everyone to give us their views on the deal by taking part in the consultation.” Barry Lewis, leader of Derbyshire County Council, said: “Devolution is about getting a better deal for Derbyshire and the East Midlands and achieving a fair share for our region. It will bring us more money and mean we can make more meaningful decisions here, rather than in London. “This deal will bring more and better jobs and opportunities for training, improve the local economy, result in better transport and housing, and accelerate our route to Net Zero. I encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and give us their views on devolution. “A devolution deal, should it be agreed, would be the beginning, not the end. We’re determined to build on this deal over time, as other areas have done.” Ben Bradley MP, leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “It’s great news that we’re moving forward with devolution plans for Nottinghamshire and the wider area. I’m really pleased that we’re making progress with this. “Devolution can bring real benefits for local people, as it has done in other parts of the country. It will mean more funding for our region, and the opportunity to have more meaningful decisions made here, near the people they affect, rather than in London, so they can be better tailored to local needs. “This is an opportunity to create jobs, boost our economy, enhance transport, build more and better homes, improve our environment, and more, and we need to grab it with both hands. I don’t want our area to miss out on a chance to improve things for everyone who lives and works here. “Devolution can help us be more effective locally, make better use of public money, and most importantly, improve people’s lives. It would lay the groundwork for us to build on in the future, to benefit future generations. “I’d encourage everyone to take part in the consultation and give us their views on the devolution deal.” David Mellen, leader of Nottingham City Council, said: “This deal has the potential to make a significant difference and local people would see the real benefits from the investment with more and better jobs, housing, training and much more. “For too long this region hasn’t had the investment it needed and deserves – by working on a deal we can start to address this, but this is just the start, and I will make sure that we get our fair share and make the most of this funding. “Importantly the deal would give us more control over our own area, where local people would have a say in the region’s priorities rather than decisions made in London. I look forward to hearing people’s views on the deal when the consultation launches.” Devolution would provide the region with a guaranteed income stream of £38 million per year over a 30-year period, and would cover around 2.2 million people, making it one of the biggest in the country. If the plans go ahead, it will mean a new regional mayor and it would create the first of a new type of combined authority for the two counties and cities, which requires new legislation from central government. The new elected regional mayor, like those who are already in place in other areas, would represent the whole area. The role of the mayor would be to look at major issues affecting the whole region, give the area a bigger voice, and take advantage of local knowledge and expertise. As well as the £1.14 billion, devolution plans include an extra £16 million for new homes on brownfield land, and control over a range of budgets like the Adult Education Budget, which could be better tailored to the needs of people in our communities. Devolution would mean that a future mayor and combined authority could: Work towards Net Zero and cleaner air with new low carbon homes, retrofit existing houses with external wall insulation, promote the use of renewable energy, and protect and enhance green spaces, like areas for wildlife and green verges. Build on the region’s existing knowledge and expertise in green technology and promote the growth of a future low carbon economy by investing in related skills training at colleges and other training facilities. Set up and coordinate smart integrated ticketing and enhanced concessionary fares schemes. Work with Homes England to build more affordable homes, by using new powers to buy land and housing (with district and borough council consent). Enhance the region’s economy by developing new commercial space to maximise opportunities. Work with national government on initiatives to address homelessness, domestic abuse, community safety, social mobility, and support for young people. Take advantage of economies of scale by using combined and devolved budgets to deliver more value for taxpayers and more cost-efficient services.   The four councils sent initial proposals to negotiate a combined devolution deal back in March 2022, after being named as pathfinder areas by the Government in February and then being invited to apply for a devolution deal. The councils have been working with the Government to develop details of the deal, alongside discussions with district and borough councils, businesses, and other stakeholders. If the devolution deal is formally approved, the Government will pass legislation bringing a new combined authority for the East Midlands into existence. The first election for a regional mayor for Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham, and Nottinghamshire, would be in May 2024. The regional mayor would lead the new combined authority, which would also include representatives from local councils, with decision making powers and resources moving from London to the East Midlands. Local businesses would also have a voice, as well as other organisations. The devolution deal would not mean scrapping or merging local councils, which would all continue to exist as they do now and would still be responsible for most public services in the area. The mayor and combined authority would instead focus on wider issues like transport, regeneration, and employment across both cities and counties. More information about the consultation, and a link to the online survey, are available online.