News

Steel is a unique and vital material; touching almost every part of modern life; it is key to our overall infrastructure and is an essential part of our society. Most obviously, steel is in high-demand by the construction and building industry, but with almost half of the 1.6 billion tonnes of steel produced globally each … Continue reading “The future of British steel”

The Midlands Engine for Growth, lesser-known cousin of the much-heralded Northern Powerhouse, was launched by Business Secretary Sajid Javid in December last year. Devolution deals, coupled with large public investment, are designed to give areas such as the East and West Midlands the potential to be catalysts for major development. And such plans could help … Continue reading “Can the Midlands Engine match up to the Northern Powerhouse?”

It’s easy to understand why a retailer would move into online trading – most already have. But when pure play e-tailers start opening stores on the high street, it seems counterintuitive, especially in today’s internet culture where everything can be accessed and bought at the click of a mouse. Evolving to keep up with retail’s … Continue reading “From clicks to bricks: the new retail landscape”

Work on The Stage, a new mixed-use tower located in Shoreditch, is pressing ahead. Back in 2011, archaeologists were undertaking exploratory excavation for The Stage when they came across the remnants of the playwright’s less famous theatre – just three metres below ground level. It’s thought to be one of the UK’s best preserved examples … Continue reading “The Stage: a building in focus”

After eight years of Boris Johnson occupying the top seat in London’s City Hall, and many Evening Standard front pages, the electoral landscape was altered overnight in May’s local election as Sadiq Khan reclaimed a Labour majority in the capital. Enjoying a 13.6% margin of victory over his nearest rival, Conservative Zac Goldsmith, the new … Continue reading “May elections and the outcome for construction”

Building and refurbishment specialist Conamar has completed a £1.8 million refurbishment at the Energy Institute (EI) on New Cavendish Street, London W1, transforming the 1,264 sq m (13,606 sq ft), five storey, Grade II* listed building with a 1950s extension into modern headquarters for the organisation. After a 999-year lease was signed during the late … Continue reading “Conamar Completes Sustainable Refurb Of Grade II* Listed Energy Institute”

On 23 June, Britons will take to the polls to vote on the country’s membership of the European Union. After the referendum date was announced in February, many began declaring their backing of either the “remain” or “leave” campaign; 197 businesses, including contractors Carillion and Mace, have signed an open letter to The Times supporting … Continue reading “Brexit debate takes hold”

Savills has recently named London as the world’s most expensive city in which to live and work. The firm calculated total housing and office rental costs, and found that accommodating the average Londoner costs £80,700 a year – 18% more expensive than it was in 2011. With alarming statistics like these, it’s no wonder companies … Continue reading “Occupier headquarters decisions affecting regional locations”

Highways England is proposing a new crossing of the Thames estuary, linking Kent and Essex east of the Dartford Crossing. The proposals aim to reduce congestion at the existing crossing and will support growth plans in surrounding areas, including new homes and jobs. The additional crossing is part of a wider £2.2 billion investment programme … Continue reading “Lower Thames Crossing and the Garden Bridge take shape”

In a latest bid to reform the sector and power economic growth, Housing and Planning Minister Brandon Lewis and Skills Minister Nick Boles, on behalf of the UK government, have commissioned a major review of the construction labour market. The Construction Industry Labour Model Study will look at both the traditional barriers to upskilling the … Continue reading “Government skills review launches”

At COP21, the UN conference held in Paris in December, a historic deal was struck that united 195 nations in a single agreement – each vowed to play a part in seriously tackling climate change and cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Among the deal’s key elements is the target to limit the rise in global temperatures … Continue reading “COP21, climate change and flooding”

Building and refurbishment specialist Conamar has been appointed to deliver a £2.25million restoration, refurbishment and extension project as part of the creation of a new £3.5 million theatre at the iconic 1930s Broadway Cinema in Letchworth Garden City allowing it to offer theatrical performances as well as its usual film repertoire. The independent cinema currently … Continue reading “Showtime For Broadway Cinema Refurbishment”

With so much coverage of the topic you would be forgiven for thinking that take up had been immense. But a survey by Building magazine has recently found that less than one-third of companies in the construction sector – just 32% – are using Building Information Modelling (BIM) Level 2. Since the previous year’s result … Continue reading “Fewer than one third of firms using BIM”

The business heart of the capital is soaring. Just as the industry was welcoming the new tower at 22 Bishopsgate as the tallest building in the Square Mile, Singapore developer Aroland Holdings unveiled plans for 1 Undershaft – between the Cheesegrater and The Gherkin – at 73 storeys this raises the bar again. 22 Bishopsgate … Continue reading “City of London development thriving”

A bright future for British construction was predicted in a recent report, which forecast that the sector will grow by some 2.9% annually over the next 15 years. This is a significant improvement on the sector’s long term track record of growth of around 2.2%. As a result, according to the Global Construction 2030 report, … Continue reading “Long term boost for UK construction”

On 1 January 2016 a new infrastructure body for the UK will come into force. The Infrastructure and Projects Authority – formed by the merger of Infrastructure UK (IUK) and the Major Projects Authority (MPA) – will, according to the government, bring ‘the government’s expertise, knowledge and skills at managing and delivering major economic projects … Continue reading “New government infrastructure bodies set up”

The government is set to double the housing budget to focus on affordable housing, and prioritise spending on infrastructure and schools. These were among the highlights of Chancellor George Osborne’s combined Spending Review and Autumn Statement on 25 November, which unveiled a raft of measures aimed at spurring devolution, modernising transport and addressing the housing … Continue reading “Government focus on affordable homes”

The retail sector faces a constant challenge to stay ahead of its customers with fresh offerings to attract customers – and shopping centres are no different in this respect than the retailers they house. In Aylesbury we have been helping the owners of Friars Square for just this reason, creating a dramatic new glazed atrium … Continue reading “Facelift for Friars Square, Aylesbury”

This autumn we have delivered another client first: this time bringing the two-Michelin starred Parisian restaurant Taillevent to London. Les 110 de Taillevent London is located in the Grade II-listed former Coutts bank on the north side of Cavendish Square. Its 66-cover, wine-inspired designer dining area is located on the building’s ground floor, with kitchen … Continue reading “Parisian fine dining in Central London”

Building and refurbishment specialist Conamar has completed the refurbishment of the Grade II* listed Maltings at The Thomas Alleyne Academy in Stevenage, transforming a disused building into a new reception, offices and drama studio. The 160 sq m (525 sq ft), one storey building sits at the perimeter of the school site and had been … Continue reading “Listed Building Refurbishment for Stevenage School”