Joining them on the design team is Arup, engineering consultants, CSJ on planning and Sweett Group quantity surveyors.

Stride Treglown was chosen by Ecclesiastical following a detailed procurement process where it competed with 13 other firms. Stride Treglown stood out due to its past experience with similar projects, approach to the proposed design brief, a strong focus on sustainability and an overall good fit with Ecclesiastical’s own project team. Some of its previous projects include designs for the development of residential properties in Merchants Quay in Gloucester Docks and Sainsbury’s at Gloucester Quays.

Steve Wood, Managing Director for Ecclesiastical’s UK business, said: “Our new head office project is a hugely important one for our business and for the City of Gloucester. The project reflects our ongoing commitment to the City and will be a real boost for the local economy.

“The appointment of the external design team is a significant milestone for us. We have taken great care to ensure the best professionals are selected for the next crucial stages of our relocation project.

“We’re confident that our consultants will provide Ecclesiastical with a design that meets all our requirements, and which will be sympathetic to the existing environment.

“The next few months will see our in-house team working very closely with the external team to develop design concepts. We are very excited about reaching this stage and will continue to share our plans with the local community as we progress.”

John Wright, Director at Stride Treglown, said: “We are delighted to have been appointed by Ecclesiastical Insurance to work with them on their new headquarters. We have worked on a number of high profile HQ office buildings including St.James’s Place in Cirencester, Burges Salmon and Hargreaves Lansdown in Bristol and South Gloucestershire Council in Yate, many of which we worked on with the same design team. We hope to use this experience to create an exciting and sustainable office for Ecclesiastical Insurance.”

Initial design concepts for Ecclesiastical’s new building are now expected in April/May 2012. The project is due to be completed by late 2015.

Photo: Ecclesiastical’s relocation project team; the site of the new head quarters building in Gloucester Docks.

KEYWOOD is a modified softwood created by treating FSC-certified Radiata pine with a biomass-based thermosetting resin. This makes the timber more durable and usable indoors and outdoors without the need for a coating, and its attractive light color blends with all surroundings.

Product Manager Denis Boissau said: “The homeowner worked hard to create a zero carbon house, and we were able to support this sustainable focus by providing the KEYWOOD treatment, which involves a biomass-derived resin that does not require further chemical treatments for outdoor use, even near water.”

Designer Alistair W Baldwin said: “The KEYWOOD product is based on pine, so it is easy to work with, but it has the look of a more exotic hardwood. As a designer, I am very attracted to its pale coloring when dry and its rich warm tones when wet. The flexibility to specify the boards at the width we needed was also a plus, as we were running the boards up to stone slabs to create a staggered junction. The site is in the open countryside, so it was important that the deck took on an attractive weathered look from day one, and the KEYWOOD treatment was perfect for that.”

The brochure is a component of “The Works”, Tata Steel’s new design, specification and construction manual.

It fully describes Stratascreen System’s flat modular rainscreen panel systems and suggests architectural wall solutions, using isometric diagrams and project images/case studies to demonstrate the product’s versatility. There is also a comprehensive details section, together with span/load and materials data for ease of specification.

Manufactured in bespoke panel sizes, Stratascreen System is available in a choice of pre-finished steel and natural metal finishes.

Stratascreen System offers flexible integration with windows, curtain walling and louvres and is equally suited to both new build and refurbishment. Utilising Colorcoat Prisma pre-finished steel in a variety of contemporary colours which include solids, metallics and natural matt shades, it provides the sophisticated look of a traditional rainscreen with superior performance, backed by the unique Confidex guarantee.

Stratascreen System is also available with the Platinum System Guarantee, offering clients peace of mind for up to 25 years.

Design and construction professionals can obtain their own copy of the Stratascreen brochure by calling 0845 30 88 330 or online at: - http://www.tatasteelconstruction.com/stratascreen

Designed by Bond Bryan Architects and built by Miller Construction, the new state-of-the-art campus brings world class education and training facilities together in an iconic building and is set to make a significant impact on the town of Hartlepool, on both its economy and the local community.

The 19,000sqm scheme consists of two blocks linked by a continuous curved atrium space. The central core accommodates shared social facilities and the Learning Core, with classrooms, offices, conferencing suite, restaurant, fitness centre and salons in the north wing and large-scale skills academy spaces in the east wing.

Technal’s MX Visible Grid faceted curtain walling provides floor-to-ceiling glazing for the two-storey main entrance elevation and to the rear façade which spans four storeys and encloses the food court and Learning Core. The MX system was also used for the single storey curtain walling to the workshop areas, a full height glazed entrance lobby and three stair towers.

The curtain walling is complemented by Technal’s FXi65 high performance aluminium windows. More than 400 units were used as composite systems comprising top hung open-out windows and fixed lights, finished in dark grey and set into contrasting white render.

The doors were also supplied by Technal – the CD system was specified in both an automatic sliding configuration for the main entrances and as hinged doors for the fire exits.

Commenting on the project, Jeff Hedley, Project Manager at Miller Construction, said, “We were pleased with how the curtain walling came together on site. Both the windows and the curtain walling were easy to install and look very good – and the faceted glazed façade set into black zinc panelling is particularly dramatic. Technal performed very well.” 

Adam Jones, Associate at Bond Bryan Architects, added, “Natural light was very important on this project. The Technal window system allowed us to achieve a linear effect of continuous glazing. The MX curtain walling system has provided us with a good facet to give the appearance of a curved façade for the front and rear elevations.”

Technal’s FXi window suite uses a technically advanced framing system with unobtrusive narrow sight lines. It is available in three module sizes – 46mm, 52mm and 65mm, giving architects and contractors the flexibility to deliver enhanced thermal efficiency and to meet project-specific requirements such as aesthetics, performance, and cost.

MX curtain walling is fully compatible with the FXi window suite, and can be used to create a wide variety of architectural compositions from a single grid system – low to high rise façades, horizontal or vertical emphasis, and ribbon, structural, faceted, beaded and sloped glazing. MX Acoustic for additional noise protection and MX62 for larger glass sizes are the latest additions to the extensive range of MX curtain walling options.

For further information about Technal’s portfolio of commercial aluminium window, door, curtain walling, and low rise façade systems, visit www.technal.co.uk or call 01924 232323.

The CRC EES aims to cut carbon emissions from non-domestic buildings and from April, large organisations must buy carbon credits to offset carbon emissions, at the rate of £12 per tonne. Although the costs to individual businesses have already been set for the first year, installing air curtains now can reduce future costs – as well as making substantial savings on energy costs right away.

Open doorways can be a major challenge to energy efficiency in commercial premises and air curtains offer the perfect solution, providing an invisible curtain of air to separate internal and external environments when access points are open. Installing air curtains can give a head start to reducing energy use by cutting a building’s energy consumption by up to an industry-recognised 30 percent.

Phil Chilton, product manager for commercial installed products at Dimplex, says: “Air curtains have huge potential to cut carbon emissions when used with heating systems, and can have an even greater impact on energy use from air conditioning systems. With businesses of all types under increasing financial pressure from tough trading conditions, and now the CRC EES adding to costs, air curtains can create high levels of savings for relatively little investment.”

Although delayed by a year and changed from its original structure, whereby payments made would be directed to reward better-performing companies, the CRC EES will really start to bite from April, being described by some as an ‘energy tax’. The scheme applies to every public or private organisation in Britain using more than 6,000 Megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity a year on a half hourly meter, and businesses failing to comply face punitive fines.

But keeping control of carbon emissions doesn’t have to be complicated. Dimplex has a full range of air curtains that can all have a positive impact on carbon emissions wherever fitted, from the CAB and DAB ranges installed over doors of 3m or 4m respectively, to the prestigious ARC designer models and heavy duty IAB range for large industrial premises.

To further reduce energy use, Dimplex air curtains are supplied with a built-in Building Energy Management System (BEMS) interface as standard and they can also be controlled via timers, presence detectors and temperature controls, which together improve the overall performance of a heating or cooling system.

Dimplex Tel: 0845 601 5111 Fax: 01489 773061

email: marketing@dimplex.co.uk or www.dimplex.co.uk

This challenging project which is being completed by Thomas Vale has to be delivered in a tight timescale in order to meet funding requirements and will be built in a completely enclosed courtyard in the centre of the school. The architects and project managers are Ridge & Partners.

Yorkon’s sub-contract will involve the use of a large 350-tonne crane to lift the steel-framed modules over the existing school and into the courtyard. By working in partnership with the project team, this operation has been programmed for the half term holiday to minimise any disruption to teaching.

The overall scheme will accommodate six classrooms to help the school meet the increased demand for places and to replace an outdated facility.

Design features will include brick cladding to the ground floor with a contrasting white finish to the upper floor; windows, doors and aluminium cladding panels in anthracite grey; canopies above each set of entrance doors; a full height glazed stairwell, and a glazed link corridor to the main school building.

Commenting on Yorkon’s appointment for this part of the project, Martin Hier, Project Leader at Ridge & Partners, said, “The James Review into education capital funding highlighted the need for greater standardisation in the provision of school buildings. Using an off-site solution for this scheme helps us to respond to that and gives us a number of other important benefits. It allows us to speed up the construction process to meet the funding stream, and by moving as much of the work off site as possible, we can keep on-site contractors to a minimum, improving safety and reducing disruption to the school."

“We have also specified a concrete floor throughout the building, pre-installed off site, which will reduce sound transmission. We are very happy with Yorkon’s performance to date and their team’s collaborative approach during the design phase.”

Simon Ambler, Director of Yorkon said, “It would be very difficult to build this project conventionally because the building is located in the centre of a courtyard with very little access. The off-site approach, however, will be much less disruptive to the school, particularly as there is a major refurbishment programme to the other buildings on the site underway at the same time.”

Paul Burchell, Divisional Director at Thomas Vale Construction, said, “Our appointment of Yorkon as supply chain partner demonstrates our commitment to ensuring the best possible outcome of the scheme for the end users and stakeholders, in a tight and constrained location. We are confident that the overall scheme for Ninestiles School will provide young people and future generations with an innovative and impactful learning environment.”

With achievements well in excess of national standards, Ninestiles School now has academy status. It is a mixed comprehensive school catering for 1200 pupils with 60 students in the sixth form.

Yorkon has an extensive track record in the primary and secondary education sectors, having completed a wide variety of bespoke modular projects including self-contained teaching buildings, classroom extensions and complete schools, delivering all the advantages of off-site construction.

Launched to the UK market at the end of 2011, RockShell is a modular exterior load bearing wall system which integrates high levels of insulation into its design to achieve a typical U-value of 0.143W/m²K. By simplifying installation and manufacturing the system to an exact specification, RockShell offers increased air tightness and minimised thermal bridges, as compared with traditional building methods.

Already Passivhaus certified; Rockwool is making it quicker and easier for specifiers to assess the suitability of RockShell for low energy projects by providing standard interface details for the system.

Developed in collaboration with Passivhaus specialist, ECD Architects, the standard interface details have been designed to address the specific needs of the UK market. This includes the provision of details for a range of commonly used facade and foundation interfaces, details for various roof designs as well as door and window details

To offer further time-savings for the specifier, the details also provide pre-calculated psi values for insertion into SAP and PHP calculations.

Mark Elton, ECD Architects, explains: “The details are essentially demonstrating good practice when it comes to using RockShell to meet low energy standards. They have been designed to address not only current regulation requirements, but also allow for achieving higher levels as we look to 2013 and beyond.”

The standard interface details are suitable for use with any building up to two and a half storeys high, helping to save specifiers time in meeting Part L standards in both domestic and non-domestic applications.

Matthew Bromley, UK Business Manager for the RockShell Wall System, concludes:”RockShell is still relatively new to the UK market, so we feel it is important to offer specification support and ultimately reduce the time burden that can sometimes be associated with adopting new systems. The details will be made widely available and are underpinned by a technical team able to assist with any queries.”

For further information on the RockShell wall system or to request a copy of the new standard interface details, please visit www.rockshell.uk.com or email rockshell@rockwool.co.uk.   

The new building at Syston in Leicestershire has been designed by Nottingham-based CPMG Architects to create a modern working environment for the 150 staff. As Dunelm Mill continues to expand there is space to triple the workforce.

Large exterior glazing and internal glazed portioning allows the new headquarters to be flooded with natural light and Hunter Douglas was asked to provide a natural wood system to add warmth and give the main office areas a welcoming atmosphere.

The Hunter Douglas solid wood system is available in both open and closed formats that can be specified as either a fixed or demountable system, allowing easy access into the void. The open system chosen for the Syston offices ensures that the 1200m2 of ceiling retains the required linear appearance whilst still offering a high level of acoustic absorption.

The American Ash, complements the simple, plain white and concrete interior finishes Dunelm Mill requested for the building.

Due to the innovative way Hunter Douglas uses to fix the system, the panels cannot warp and remain straight. Expansion and contraction of the wood, caused by fluctuations in humidity, is evenly divided over the length and width of the panels. The system was also Class O fire treated, making it suitable for all areas including escape routes.

Hunter Douglas uses only the finest quality of wood in the Linear Wood ceiling system. From raw timber to finished ceiling system, the company’s production process is carried out with the latest computer controlled machinery and closest supervision to ensure a high quality product.

A rich tradition of product innovation stretching back 40 years has made Hunter Douglas the company of choice for those seeking high quality architectural solutions.

Hunter Douglas works closely with architects, designers and builders from specification to installation and has a track record of bringing breakthrough products to market.

The Dunelm Mill HQ project saw the firm work directly with main contractor Bowmer & Kirkland and installation contractors Peverill Interiors, of Derby, to ensure the chosen system for the Syston building provides the modern, welcoming and adaptable office space that is required.

With a strong commitment to sustainability and responsible development, Hunter Douglas is also at the forefront of industry efforts to address environmental concerns, improve production processes, eliminate waste and reduce maintenance. 

Foster Refrigerator, the leading manufacturer of commercial refrigeration products, is delighted to announce that Mark Foster, the legendary British swimmer, will be ‘freestyling’ his way to the Foster stand at Hotel Olympia on Wednesday 29th February.

“Mark Foster is a friend of ours and to have him at Hotelympia was an opportunity not to be missed”, said Laura Kirk, head of marketing at Foster Refrigerator. “This year’s show is more important to us than ever before, as we will show the most important new product range to launch in Foster’s 40 year history. It’s great that Mark can join us to celebrate, particularly in an Olympic year.”

Mark first came to prominence in 1990 when he won his first individual international medal – a Commonwealth bronze in Auckland. Success quickly followed with several world records and a Union Jack-bearing appearance at the Olympic Games in 2008. He may take some persuading, but many at the show will be hoping that Mark can show off some of dance moves honed during his time as a competitor in the sixth series of Strictly Come Dancing!

Mark will be on the Foster stand between the hours of 11.30 and 5pm, so please come along to stand N1325, have your photograph taken with Mark, and check out the stunning new EcoPro G2 range of refrigerators.

We’ve revolutionised professional refrigeration...again.

For more information, please visit: www.fosterrefrigerator.co.uk

Commenting on recent industry meetings with Government officials Kelly Butler, BEAMA’s marketing director, says: “There has been some negative ‘hot air’ in the media about the potential for a Renewable Heat Incentive, but the reality is that Ministers and officials remain committed to renewable heat.

“The Government’s entire integrated energy policy relies on de-carbonising both electricity supply and demand side building services.  To achieve this Government has no choice, but to invest in the uptake of renewable heat technologies such as heat pumps; officials understand that the clock is ticking towards the 2020 legally-binding target to reach 15% renewable energy generation in the UK”.

BEAMA welcomes sensible public spending approach

Regarding the prospects for announcements about the RHI, Butler confirmed that DECC officials are planning to announce a firm timeline for the RHI phasing-in within the next month.  He continues: “Naturally, the Government is keen to ensure that the RHI policy is affordable and costs do not spiral out of control.  Along with other industry bodies, we welcome this sensible public spending approach and have been working with officials to conduct further analysis on costs and how to control them.”

Considering the more complex incentive policy Butler adds: “Of course, there are additional issues to consider on the Government side such as how the RHI will link with the Green Deal.  These things take time, but we are hoping to see announcements confirming regular long-term incentives for renewable heat in the next month or so, along with a commitment to align RHI with Green Deal as soon as possible”.

Installer advice

Butler advises installers not to get caught in the cold when the RHI and Green Deal launch.  “Start working now on identifying appropriate training courses and MCS accreditation routes so you can hit the ground running this Autumn.”

Micropower Council calls for predictable cost control mechanism

Dave Sowden, Chief Executive of the Micropower Council stated: "We would prefer to see a cost-control mechanism that is predictable rather than get into the same mess we got into with solar. Renewable heat firms would welcome a well-structured policy that avoids a ‘gold rush’ of installations and a framework that gives investors confidence.”

Heat Pump Association view

Completing the industry outlook for RHI, Tony Bowen of the Heat Pump Association comments: “Government commitment to RHI is further reinforced by the huge effort that the heat pump industry has made to ensure high quality domestic installer and product standards under the MCS scheme, available for all to see at www.microgeneration.org.uk”.

There’s no doubting that the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order which came into force almost five years ago is the biggest single change ever made to UK fire safety legislation. The most fundamental change at the time was the focus on fire risk assessment being carried out by a ‘competent person’ who acts on behalf of a responsible building owner or manager.

In theory, the FSO should have had a major impact on the way in which Catering Industry conducts its responsibilities in terms of fire safety issues, and to a large degree it has. However, it’s no longer a case of just thinking in terms of employee safety. With so many commercial kitchens now being located in building that have multiple usage, fire protection procedures must be considered with regard to the whole building.

With a commercial kitchen it’s not just the hot oils and naked flames that cause the high fire risk. Research carried out by the Heating and Ventilation Contractors’ Association (HVCA) shows that almost a quarter of fires in commercial properties can be attributed to ‘cooking appliances’. In many of the cases it was shown that problems exist in the kitchen extract systems and ventilation ductwork. It’s often the situation that grease and other residue will build up within the system and this will lead to the coating igniting with the consequence of a much larger fire breaking out. The result, particularly in a multiple usage building, can lead to the endangering of lives and substantial damage to property.

HVCA has claimed that the majority of kitchen extract ducts in UK commercial kitchens are never cleaned and therefore remain in a state of potentially hazardous condition. HVCA also warns that as poorly maintained kitchen extraction ductwork is an obvious fire risk, your insurance company will very likely refuse to claims where a fire is traced back to grease laden ductwork. According to the insurance industry, insurance companies are increasingly rejecting fire damage claims because protection of the extraction system is often a condition of their policies.

While the current economic climate brings its own pressures on all owners and managers, the duty of care in relation to the Fire Safety Order is here to stay and those charged with the responsibility of fire safety and protection must not be tempted into cutting corners to save money. Restaurant owners and managers have seen to their cost time after time that neglecting the potential hazard of unclean extract ducting can result in a loss of business, considerable repair costs, potential prosecution for non-compliance with the law and insurance claims declined.

According to Ian Bartle, both the HVCA and the Health & Safety Executive recommend carrying out regular inspections and re-commissioning at least every 14 months. In between times of course it’s also necessary to have ductwork regularly cleaned by a specialist cleaning company. If these steps are carried out year after year, insurance companies will be satisfied that the correct procedures are being taken to suitably clean kitchen extraction and ventilation systems, both to minimise fire risk and safeguard the wellbeing of employees and members of the public.

That said, the cost of regular cleaning procedures added to the cost of inspection and re-commissioning can be incredibly high and impact massively on a businesses profit potential.

Filters in canopies will of course help trap a proportion of grease particles but it’s unavoidable that grease-laden air will always enter the system ducting. As the temperature of the air drops it deposits grease particles throughout the internal surfaces of the ductwork. The accumulation of these grease deposits then results in a serious potential fire hazard to the building and its occupants. Not only that, over a period of time the build up of grease reduces the efficiency of the extract system resulting in less than perfect working conditions for catering staff, and can be a source of unpleasant odours seeping into the rest of the building.

So is there an alternative, more efficient and more cost-effective system that will meet all the required safety criteria? Well Bartle believes there is. Against a background where many restaurants, fast food outlets and hotels run the real risk of fire breaking out through badly maintained extract ductwork, there’s now a fire suppression system specifically designed for commercial kitchens that protects both the cooking area and the ductwork on a permanent basis. Designed by Nobel Fire Systems, the K-Series is the only system on the market that takes into consideration the risk beyond the entrance to the duct. Only the K-Series provides fire risk cover from the last nozzle at the extract plenum downstream along the entire length of the ductwork to the extract fan and/or point of extract to the external environment.

According to Bartle, where ductwork goes beyond 5m or in multiple occupancy buildings, the Nobel K-Series isn’t just desirable, it’s essential. As already stated, the accumulation of grease-laden deposits in extract ventilation systems usually linked to catering facilities, present a significant fire hazard. It is not unusual for grease extract ductwork to run through an entire building to reach a roof level exhaust, thereby putting the whole building and its occupants at risk in the event of fire.

Fires that get past the canopy fire protection system and enter the ductwork can very often be of a temperature and size where they present significant risk of property damage. Where a site is in a multiple occupancy building such as a shopping centre for instance, ductwork can be shared with common roof sections, meaning a major fire in the duct of one establishment can soon affect surrounding sites and the building as a whole. This can obviously lead to a major fire and significant damage while also putting lives at risk. That’s why major insurers are pushing for owners of sites in multiple occupancy buildings to fit ductwork fire protection systems.

Let’s not also forget that in the past there have been issues with extract systems catching fire and going back upstream into the site itself. This has the potential to cause major risk of harm to personnel and substantial damage to the kitchen area.

While there are no standards that dictate the use of active fire suppression in the ductwork, fire dampers should not be used in kitchen extract ductwork

(BS 9999:2008 Clause 33.4.3.2 and 33.4.4.2). As such, without a ductwork fire protection system in place, the ductwork is unprotected leaving a clear path for fire to spread to adjoining areas. Ductwork systems are a very economical addition to the canopy fire protection system and can provide a total protection solution from canopy through to extract and it is in that context that they should be installed.

Nobel’s K-Series fire protection systems are engineered to meet the specific individual requirements of the kitchen being protected. The systems are electronically controlled with no mechanical moving parts. Installations comprise of one or a number of stainless steel cylinders, each containing a highly effective F class wet chemical liquid designed specifically for fast flame knock down and fire suppression. The low, near neutral pH value of the liquids ensures that there is no damage to the commercial kitchen appliances, and as a direct consequence of the efficiency of K-Series in limiting the volume of liquid required to control the situation, there is minimal clean-up requirements following discharge.

Every system is designed following a comprehensive risk assessment taking into account the requirement of successful fire suppression and a client’s interruption potential.

The Nobel K-Series has been installed in many of the leading catering establishments including for Jamie Oliver, Nando’s, Punch Pub Company, The Trafford Centre, Rick Stein, Cadbury Cocoa House, Boodle’s and many other premier brands.

It’s designed to British and European standards and is manufactured to ISO 9001:2000, meeting the requirements of BS 5839 EN54; BS 7273; NFPA 17a and is CE marked.

The system has been tested and approved by LPCB to ISO 15371:2000 and is type approved by M.C.A; ABS; DNV.

In summary, the Nobel Fire Systems K-Series provides

- A tailored protection package
- The greatest fire protection possible including ventilation ductwork
- Seamless integration and flexibility
- Reliability and control
- Clean and hygienic components
- Longevity and serviceability
- Value for money
- Potential insurance savings

The government has recently announced a consultation process regarding the current Part P of the Building Regulations that was introduced in 2005 and governs the safety of electrical installations in dwellings

The review is being undertaken following industry concern that it places an unnecessary burden on homeowners and electricians by increasing costs and bureaucracy. It is envisaged the consultation could result in three potential outcomes; leaving things as they are, scrapping the legislation completely or that it be revised to remove the inconvenience and resultant costs.

Mark Fiddy, commercial director at Newey & Eyre, said: “While we understand it is important that something is done to speed up and increase new and retrofit installations and in turn boost our sector, we would urge a degree of caution in any relaxation of the current legislation.

“The whole point of Part P is to eradicate accidents, deaths and fires caused by poor electrical work and improve standards while protecting homeowners from unsafe work carried out by unskilled and unqualified trades people.

“If lower level work is carried out by unregistered practitioners and then left to be tested and inspected by a qualified electrician, there is always the chance that this may not happen and something could slip through the net.

“At Newey & Eyre we believe that the safety of the electrician and end user is paramount. While at times the additional cost and associated paperwork of a correct installation may appear to be frustrating, the idea that Part P could be completely scrapped without a suitable replacement legislation is concerning.

“We will be watching how the consultation process evolves with great interest and would encourage our industry colleagues, suppliers and customers to also make their voices heard. If we are to ensure standards are correctly maintained for the protection of electricians and contractors as well as the end user, we need to ensure Part P remains in place.”

This unique App can be used to measure light levels and will give a guide to users regarding the appropriateness of that light for different environments or tasks i.e. “ideal for reading printed paper of high contrast” or “ideal for performing visual tasks of low contrast or very small size”. This dynamic information is shown on screen as light levels change, allowing the user to compare what they see to other applications.

The App can be set to display results as Lux or Foot-candles, depending on user preference.

There is a timer function for those hard to reach spots where you can't see the display, but you need a reading.

The application will be compatible with the iPhone 3GS, and 3 users will need to use this function to get a reading as there is only a rear camera. With iPhone 4, users can choose between metering with the front or rear camera.

To download your very own Whitegoods Light Meter APP, visit the App Store website on 24th February or visit the Alliance Lighting Stand V4 at the ARC show, Business Design Centre, where the App will be formally launched and you can download your free copy.

This unique App can be used to measure light levels and will give a guide to users regarding the appropriateness of that light for different environments or tasks i.e. “ideal for reading printed paper of high contrast” or “ideal for performing visual tasks of low contrast or very small size”. This dynamic information is shown on screen as light levels change, allowing the user to compare what they see to other applications.

The App can be set to display results as Lux or Foot-candles, depending on user preference.

There is a timer function for those hard to reach spots where you can't see the display, but you need a reading.

The application will be compatible with the iPhone 3GS, and 3 users will need to use this function to get a reading as there is only a rear camera. With iPhone 4, users can choose between metering with the front or rear camera.

To download your very own Whitegoods Light Meter APP, visit the App Store website on 24th February or visit the Alliance Lighting Stand V4 at the ARC show, Business Design Centre, where the App will be formally launched and you can download your free copy.

The scheme is focussed on ensuring that vulnerable tenants have the opportunity to save money on their heating bills by having the most modern heating controls installed. To reach this priority group, publicity of the scheme is directed at Social housing providers, offering them additional benefits of carbon reduction and further direct participation in the CERT scheme.

The scheme is aimed at encouraging landlords and tenants to understand the value of fitting modern heating controls. With 84% of energy consumption in a domestic environment coming from the generation of heating and hot water, it is vital to control this in a bid to reduce the carbon footprints of their homes, reducing energy bills and ultimately the spread of fuel poverty.

By signing up to the scheme, landlords are assisted in ensuring that they meet minimum building regulations requirements while improving the energy rating of their houses. The scheme will also make a property compliant with the Decent Homes Initiative and count towards a housing provider’s overall carbon reduction points.

For the tenant, the scheme ensures reduced, affordable heating bills through managed consumption - it has been shown that by simply replacing an old mechanical thermostat with a modern digital one can save up to 10% on domestic energy bills*.

Keeping temperatures under control also minimises condensation damage within a property. All of these factors improve comfort levels in the home for occupiers through better control of the heating system.

On a wider economic scale, the CERT scheme will also help to reduce energy demand, enhancing the UK's security of supply and reduce fuel poverty, as well as secure jobs in energy efficiency industries.

Commenting on the scheme, Andy Mansfield, marketing communications manager at Honeywell said: “There is so much to gain for both a landlord and tenant through the CERT scheme, particularly in the current energy environment. 3Cs approved products include Honeywell’s Sundial RF² wireless heating controls so upgrading a heating system can be quick and simple, minimising disruption for the tenant with no need to lift floors or ruin the décor of a home. What’s more, for a housing provider it makes compliance with building regulations and carbon reduction easier.

“We have made the application process as simple as possible for landlords and have heating controls available to suit any home occupier, including bespoke models specifically designed for the vulnerable and elderly.”

Honeywell will be running seminars throughout 2012 to inform housing providers of the benefits of the CERT scheme and encourage more to sign up. The scheme will also allow participants to make applications for funding in support of furthering the scheme through their own marketing efforts.

To join the scheme visit the 3Cs section of the www.fitathermostat.com website.

The brochure from the leading supplier of interior building solutions features a variety of UK and Europe-wide new-build and renovation case studies that use Armstrong’s peerless portfolio of products, manufactured from materials including mineral, metal, wood and resin and in all types of shapes, from monolithic to discontinuous ceilings.

UK projects include Advent Underwriting’s offices in London where concave, convex and rectangular Optima Canopies improved the acoustic, visual and ergonomic comfort of the company’s meeting rooms, and the Bishopsgate Institute in London where Ultima concave Canopies, complemented by square, circular and rectangular Optima Canopies on the ceilings and walls of the Great Hall particularly, successfully modified reverberation times for both speech and music.

The guide also features the first new-build commercial project in the UK to use Armstrong’s Tech Zone system, Indigo Blu in Leeds, where luminaire lighting systems from Zumtobel and four-pipe fan coil air conditioning from Trox integrated with Armstrong’s Optima and Orcal tiles to perform aesthetically, acoustically and technically.

Armstrong’s metal tiles were used to leisurely effect in the Aviva Stadium in Ireland, in areas ranging from bars to communal baths, to achieve high standards of hygiene and occupant well-being.

Other featured projects transport readers to Birmingham Airport where open-cell and customised metal tiles were used for aesthetics, acoustics and service integration, at stations on the East London train line where cables and other service elements were concealed by Armstrong’s metal Fastrak system, and at Wolverhampton bus station where the ceiling of trapezoidal planks makes a sweeping statement.

The new A Book also informs specifiers how a variety of mineral ceiling and wall tiles helped to provide the best acoustics for teaching conditions in various spaces in Bolsover School in Derbyshire, and how a mixture of mineral and bespoke Axiom wood canopies helped optimise acoustics in classrooms and leisure rooms at Clongowes College in Ireland.

In addition, a mixture of Axiom canopies and mineral tiles were used at Harton Technology College in South Shields to optimise acoustics in an open plan working and teaching area.

Armstrong’s new 2012 A Book also shows how a blend of mineral tiles can fulfil the demanding requirements of a multitude of rooms in healthcare facilities such as Hodge Hill primary care centre in Birmingham where antimicrobial Bioguard tiles were used with Perla acoustic tiles in treatment rooms and collective areas for hygiene and acoustic purposes.

The 2012 A Book is also available online at http://www.armstrong-ceilings.co.uk.

Premier-Swing 85, so named for its slim 85mm depth, is very small yet very powerful meaning that it is no longer necessary to choose a different operator for small, medium or large doors as this unit is heavy-duty and capable for doors up to 200kg weight, an important factor with the trend in architecture now for bigger doors.

The new Premier-Swing 85 also scores on price, reliability and speedy installation. For 75% of installations it is a simple matter of screwing the head unit onto the wall, putting an arm on it and pressing a button. All sensors are then plugged in, and the door is ready for automatic operation. Where a bespoke installation is required, this is easily accommodated with all the built-in electronic features, useful for the installer and with a host of options to meet customer requirements.

Like other Global Automatics door operators, the Premier-Swing 85 features an innovative user-friendly self-diagnostic system via a display to select multiple options but also to identify any faults on the system. The door operator has an advanced specification as standard integrating with electronic locking systems, intercoms, building management systems, and is the only swing operator to facilitate battery back-up. In addition, the unit has dedicated inputs for activation sensors, press pads, safety sensors and electric locks. After completing exhaustive testing of some 1 million test cycles on the product before launch, Premier-Swing is confidently offered with an 18 month warranty.

Commenting on the development of the product, Del Thomas, managing director of Global Automatics said, “Having previously been installers we could see there was a gap in the market as there was no automatic swing door operator available at a reasonable price.” He continued, “ We have developed Premier-Swing 85 as an affordable door operator, which is top quality and with high end features. As we are an independent door operator company, with no vested interest in doors, Premier-Swing 85 is not only technically advanced and versatile but it lowers the cost of installing an automatic swing door operator for both industry and the end user.”

It is perhaps remarkable that Global Automatics has not only developed the Premier-Swing 85 in Britain but is also manufacturing it in Britain. A small selection of specialist manufacturers in the south east are supplying Global Automatics with the electronics, plastic injection mouldings, aluminium extrusions, gearbox and batteries for final assembly and testing at Global Automatics’ headquarters in Hemel Hempstead.

Further information on the new Premier-Swing 85 is available from Global Automatics on 0845 643 0013, email: info@global-automatics.com or visiting the company’s website at www.global-automatics.com

Following a number of site visits carried out by DMA Signs, it was evident that Homerton University Hospital was in need of a new wayfinding signing solution to streamline signage elements across the building, making it easier for patients and visitors to follow. DMA has carefully designed and implemented a coherent and uniform solution linking different zones in the building with an emphasis on colour coding and the use of symbols.

Tim Matthews, Managing Director of DMA Signs comments “We are so pleased to be involved in this project. We’ve worked closely on this project with the team at Homerton Hospital and we are both delighted with the bright effects that the emphasis on new colour coding has brought.”

DMA Signs secured this contract through the Government Procurement Service scheme. Following a rigorous assessment process to be accredited under this scheme, DMA scored the highest marks in both the stock signs and bespoke signs categories: the only sign manufacturer and installer in the UK to achieve such recognition. Under this scheme DMA Signs has also designed and installed internal and external signage solutions at: Basildon and Thurrock University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Basingstoke and North Hampshire NHS Foundation Trust, East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust, Medway NHS Foundation Trust and Southend University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust.

“For us it is not just important to develop the surfaces in the widest variety of versions, but also to let our clients experience and use them – preferably in any place and at any time“, is how Guy Scheidecker, head of sales and marketing for Alcoa Architectural Products, justifies the adaptation of ColorLab for mobile media.

With the ColorLab app, Reynobond® Architecture offers planners, architects, builders and fabricators a free and practical tool for the first phase of planning and presenting a building. In this way, modern and creative façade solutions using aluminium composite panels can be simulated in a realistic way. But that is only the first step. In the coming year it should also be possible to access product information and references in the app.

The online version of ColorLab on http://www.excellence-in-innovation.eu already offers this service. It is also possible to download free of charge any surface as an image file or plug-in for CAD programs ArchiCAD, Allplan and AutoCAD.

Alcoa Architectural Products in Merxheim/France is a subsidiary of Alcoa, the market leader in aluminium. Alcoa Architectural Products employs about 61,000 people in 31 different countries, and produces and sells products ranging from composite panels to household foil.

It’s the integration of the affordable and open market homes that drew particularly high praise from the planning committee for csa-architects. Managing Director Justin Dodge commented:

“csa’s landscape and urban designer worked together with the design team to create a scheme that’s sensitive to it’s environment. It’s equally as important to us that the affordable housing utilises the same materials and high quality of design as the open market housing. We feel privileged to have been commended by the planning committee for our plans. Perranporth has an acute need for affordable housing and we’re pleased to be involved in a sensitive, creative solution.”

The proposed development sees an inverted layout making it less visible from the road and creates an active, internal street scene with a strong ‘sense of character’. The natural slate roofed houses will have lower ground floors built from local stone; integrating the buildings into the surrounding landscape, and will feature a palette of pale coloured render with contemporary glazing and timber elements. ‘Sun tunnels’ housed in cowls on the roofs of the semi-detached properties will provide natural light to internal circulation areas and articulation to the roofscape of the scheme.

The permission will allow the development of just over half a hectare of a site that is extremely challenging due to the steepness and ecological restraints of the land. The proposed site layout utilises the natural contours of the site and maximises on the south facing orientation with views over the Perrancombe Valley. The especially steep area at the bottom of the site will be landscaped to create an informal public open space that links to Perrancombe Valley and onto Perranporth via a new public footpath linking the existing paths.

The land was originally identified by Cornwall Council’s Affordable Housing Team in 2009 and after two years of consultation with both the public and Cornwall Council, csa-architects secured the planning permission on the site.

This small scale, high quality development of homes will fit well with the local schools and services in Perranporth and deliver much needed affordable housing for the town.

For more information on csa-architects please visit:

www.csa-architects.co.uk

An important element of the overall sustainability objective is the mixed-mode heating, ventilating and environmental control system developed for the facility, which included a Monodraught natural ventilation and natural daylight strategy. As Peter Cadiou of M&E consultant Jersey Energy explains: “The Trust felt that it was important, as part of the overall environmental philosophy, to provide visitors with a strong visual identity for the building to reflect the Trust’s environmental integrity. We believe the combination of five active Monodraught Windcatcher natural ventilation systems, eight Sunpipe natural daylight systems and two Suncatchers, which combine the best of both technologies, achieve this admirably by providing a strong environmental signature for the finished building.”

The Windcatchers – three active systems are fitted in the main retail area, one in the main entrance and another in the café – are linked to a Monodraught iNVent ventilation control system to achieve a flow of natural fresh air that works with window louvres to optimise environmental conditions for visitors throughout the building during warm spring/summer months and peak operational periods, with a very low energy footprint. In winter/autumn months the system will automatically switch to mixed-mode operation, using air-source heat pumps to introduce heat into the spaces while the Windcatchers continue to provide natural ventilation to maintain an ideal visitor environment. In addition, two Windcatchers are also connected to the internal building’s AHUs.

The Windcatchers and Suncatchers therefore play a vital role in the overall HVAC strategy for the building, an important objective of which was to retain the energy and environmental footprint of the original building, which was less than half the size of the new building!

Says Peter Cadiou: “The sophisticated control system ensures that whenever possible natural lighting and ventilation will be used; and overall there is a large degree of autonomy built into the ventilation strategy with simple staff interfaces to make the system easy to operate.” He adds that during its first twelve months of operation the strategy has worked extremely well and the Trust is very pleased with the results the Monodraught system is achieving. Staff are also quickly learning how to adjust operating procedures to maximise the many benefits of a brand-new building that adapts itself to changing environmental conditions and occupancy patterns.

The largest single space in the building is the main retail area, which benefits from eight large Monodraught Sunpipe natural daylight systems. Besides being extremely effective and providing year-round, energy-free light during daylight hours, they also create huge visual impact within the space on bright sunny days. The two Suncatchers are fitted in a management office and within a general area that would both, traditionally, be fitted with mechanical ventilation.

As well as the natural ventilation and daylight systems, two of Monodraught’s roof-mounted Ventsair exhaust systems are connected to the centre’s air handling plant to balance the visitor environment when the natural ventilation systems are in passive mode.

Commenting for Monodraught, a spokesperson says it is rewarding to be associated with a development that has such exceptional sustainability credentials. He adds: “We also like to think that the combination of natural ventilation and natural daylight helped the Centre achieve runner-up in the ’People’s Choice Category’ for the public’s favourite building of the year.”

Windcatcher, Sunpipe and Suncatcher are registered trademarks owned by Monodraught Limited.

Editors Note: Designed by Ray Hole Architects in association with local architectural firm Axis Mason, the Visitor Centre is the main gateway for more than 150,000 visitors to Jersey’s iconic wildlife park each year.

With the non-domestic RHI scheme already up and running, plans are now being developed for the launch of the domestic phase. Dimplex, together with industry trade bodies, has already been involved in a number of positive meetings with DECC officials in recent weeks to discuss the scheme’s structure, scale and possible cost control measures, in advance of an anticipated consultation later this year.

Chris Davis, renewables business development director at Dimplex, says: “We have been working with DECC to ensure a planned approach to the introduction of the domestic RHI, to avoid the damaging stop/start development we’ve seen with the FiT for solar PV.

“There is a productive working relationship between the DECC RHI team and the heat pump industry; DECC has shared its thoughts on the possible shape of the domestic RHI scheme and constructive feedback has been given. All parties recognise that the scheme needs to be simple, easy to access, sustainable and open to all, with appropriate controls to avoid overspend.”

Responding on Twitter to a question from Dimplex about the scheme, climate change minister Greg Barker stated: “I’m absolutely committed to RHI, it’s a very different animal to the Feed in Tariff.  No cuts to budget, but continually looking how to improve roll out.”

All the feedback from DECC so far has indicated a positive role for heat pumps in the RHI and the future decarbonisation of the UK economy. The government has already given a target of at least 25,000 households to take up the RHI scheme in the first year, while the fourth carbon budget published late last year suggested a trajectory of 600,000 heat pump installations by 2020.

A planned timeline for the introduction of the domestic RHI is expected at the end of February. In the meantime, Dimplex has been invited to attend an industry meeting with Greg Barker at the end of February to discuss views on the Renewable Heat Premium Payment scheme.

Dimplex Tel: 0845 601 5111 Fax: 01489 773061

email: marketing@dimplex.co.uk or www.dimplex.co.uk

According to new Government figures out this morning, the jobless rate among 16 to 24-year-olds rose 22,000 to 1.04m, taking the unemployment rate to 22.2% in this group.

Despite some signs that the rate of rise is easing, there is growing concern that rising unemployment will deliver lasting structural damage to the UK economy.

Mike Leonard, director of the Modern Masonry Alliance, said: “The number of people unemployed fails to take account of the millions who are underemployed and who do not have the opportunity to make use of their full skill set.

“Our economy is not growing and every day we see more job losses across the private and public sector.”

He called on the Government to boost manufacturing to build a stable platform for growth and recovery.

“We will not turn this situation around without a strong manufacturing sector. The banking and retail sector are not the sustainable answer to economic growth.

“The fact that 92 pence in the £1 invested in construction stays in the UK is precisely because building materials manufacture is one of the few major industries we have left.

“Failure to provide demand will see a further contraction in capacity and investment in new factories made outside the UK.”

Leonard said: “This fact, together with the thousands of good jobs it would create, is the reason the Government must act now to invest for our future by proving the funding for the construction of 25,000 additional social homes over the next 18 months.”

Terrain’s PVC Soil & Waste system is to be used as part of a £47m new build programme on the Ocean Estate in Stepney, one of the largest regeneration schemes in the UK.

Working closely with contractor Promech Services Ltd, Polypipe Terrain is to manufacture and supply its PVC Soil & Waste system to 470 residential units comprising of 1, 2 and 3 bed configurations.

Demonstrating Terrain’s market-leading capabilities and unique product fabrication service, the PVC Soil & Waste above-ground drainage system was specified due to its ability to offer installers a neat way to achieve a permanent joint with its Push Fit system, creating bespoke solutions on challenging projects that are wholly reliable and maintenance free.

Steve Pearce, Director of Promech Services Ltd comments: “This project will transform the lives of many residents in East London and create much needed affordable homes in the area.

“Having used Terrain’s PVC above-ground Soil & Waste system on a number of developments in the past, we were naturally keen to use it again on this particular project as it has always provided excellent performance.”

Ocean Estate will see more than 800 new homes built on the site and the refurbishment of around 1,200 existing council homes as part of a partnership between Tower Hamlets Council and East Thames Development Consortium.

For more information of Polypipe Terrain’s range of above-ground drainage products, please visit www.polypipe.com/terrain

The company’s ambitious sustainability goals have seen it shortlisted for the recently launched Sustainability Award by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers, as well as making a strong debut in the annual CRC (carbon reduction commitment) league tables. To top it off, Symphony has just passed the latest FISP Audit, demonstrating its progressive work for the furniture industry.

Simon Collyns, Marketing Director, comments:

“We are delighted to be recognised by all three schemes, reinforcing our efforts to provide the very best in sustainable kitchen, bathroom and bedroom furniture.

“As a business leading the way in sustainability we’re acutely aware of how we affect the environment, how we train our staff, how we create a community, and what we buy and produce. This approach has cemented our place as market leader and helped us to win significant new business based on the service and performance that we deliver. We are proud to have passed our latest FISP Audit which focuses not just on current environmental issues, but also incorporates purchasing, end of product life and social and community issues - inherently part of our long term sustainability strategy.

“Our success with the Sustainability Award and CRC league table position reflects how we run our business. Our commitment to sustainable manufacturing has enabled our Private Development brand, Koncept and Social Housing brand, Kubix, to lead the way with our Eko Design philosophy. Eko Design cabinets and doors are PEFC certified and each cabinet is fully repairable throughout its life and can be 100% recycled. Customers who use our Eko design can also benefit from up to a maximum 17 credits towards the Code for Sustainable Homes..

Through Symphony’s demonstration of sustainable manufacturing, numerous accreditations have been obtained, including the BS EN ISO14001, where they were the first company in the industry to attain this accreditation. Symphony has also engaged with WRAP and Valpak to undertake a number of initiatives to reduce waste and minimise packaging, such as using reusable protective blankets on deliveries. Symphony is the only kitchen manufacturer in the social housing market approved by One Planet Products who helps its members to purchase and specify green construction products and services easily and affordably.

Symphony has extended its sustainability initiative to include the design and construction of its 45,000 m² Head Office in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, delivering the highest levels of insulation and energy efficiency, in keeping with BREEAM standards. Even staff at the 80 acre head office and 23 acre distribution site are empowered to contribute towards the sustainability scheme, including participating in Symphony’s Green Travel Plan. 

For more information visit www.symphony-group.co.uk.

This latest opening takes the total to over 120 nationally and closely follows the unveiling of a new branch in Brighton during January.

Eurocell, part of the Tessenderlo Group, is committed to offering unbeatable local service levels on over 4,000 quality building plastics products, including all the day-to-day essentials needed by busy installers and contractors.

The new branch has a prime location adjacent to other trade outlets on the Downsbrook Trading Estate, close to the town centre.

Eurocell Worthing is situated halfway between the new Eurocell Brighton branch to the East and the Bognor Regis branch to the West. This strategically convenient location means that customers along this part of the South Coast are never more than a short travelling distance from Eurocell.

Eurocell is the UK’s leading manufacturer of quality building plastics products, providing customers with consistent quality assurance, excellent service levels and all the value for money benefits of buying direct.

Each Eurocell branch offers high quality PVC-U roofline, rainwater systems, interior skirting and cladding products, along with window finishing trims, doors, conservatories, hand and power tools. Products on display at Worthing include Eurocell Eurologik windows and The Dales Collection of composite doors.

Worthing has an excellent road network including good links to motorways and major trunks, which means that the branch will be easily accessible for trade and DIY customers from a wide area around the town.

Eurocell has incorporated its updated branding throughout the branch, including external signage, merchandising and point of sale. This modern, fresh appearance, along with much improved trade counter and product display areas, are being rolled out to all new and refurbished Eurocell branches.

The improvements allow customers to browse amongst the products, making it much easier to find exactly the item they need. Easy to understand product displays, step by step videos and product literature all add to the solution based approach offered by Eurocell.

“Worthing branch is in a prime location that is easy to access from all major roads,” said Warren Haworth, Eurocell Building Plastics - Regional Sales Manager. “As you would expect from all our branches, it offers over 4,000 quality building plastics products all backed up with excellent service levels and value for money benefits of buying direct from the manufacturer.”

Eurocell branches offer free of charge next day delivery on all orders over £100 (ex vat).

Opening times for Worthing are: 08:00 – 17:00, Monday to Friday and 08:00 to 12:00 on Saturdays. The branch is located at: Unit 11, Downsbrook Trading Estate (off Broadwater Trading Estate), Worthing BN14 8NQ. Alternatively, call: 01903 216967.

To find your nearest branch or to order online, visit: www.eurocell.co.uk

The battle over the development has been raging since Pickles scrapped regional spatial strategies on taking office in 2010, a move Cala argued was unlawful.

Last September Pickles turned down the planning permission for the 2,000 home scheme saying it would undermine the local council's attempts to develop a new core strategy.

Cala lodged a judicial review against this, claiming the move was unlawful, being an example of "prematurity" which is not allowed under planning guidance.

The review was due to be heard this week, but the government dropped its defence yesterday and the schemes is now expected to go ahead.

A Cala spokesperson said: "We are pleased the secretary of state has decided to reconsider his decision on Barton Farm and hopefully this process will be completed quickly and positively so that the much needed housing provision can be delivered as soon as possible."

Visitors to the GE Lighting booth will be introduced to the latest solutions for commercial office applications including the complete range of the revolutionary Lumination® LED Luminaires. The ground-breaking range offers the first true alternative to LFL lighting within an office environment. This will feature among GE Lighting's full range of solutions for modern offices, ensuring that aesthetics and light levels achieve a pleasurable and creative environment

Moving through the booth, it will become clear that GE Lighting understands the complexities of lighting the retail environment as well. The booth at Light+Building 2012 will showcase solutions aimed at offering end users energy savings and unrivalled light quality in every aspect of retail merchandising creating visually appealing retail displays that highlight the true colours of merchandise - attracting customers and increasing sales. Many of GE Lighting's true innovations will feature from the extended Infusion LED Module range trough CMH Ultra range of 70W and 35W lamps offering the very best in terms of performance, colour rendering, lumen output and reliability

The GE Lighting booth will also present a wide range of outdoor solutions reflecting the increasingly crucial role outdoor lighting has to play in the safety and security of public places as well as the illumination of historical landmarks and buildings. A key focus for Light+Building 2012 will be GE Lighting's range of LED outdoor white light solutions that create safe environments, roadways and public places and illuminate architectural land without increasing light pollution.

"Light+Building is an ideal platform for GE Lighting to showcase our extensive range of solutions for retail, office and outdoor application areas," commented Phil Marshall, President & CEO of GE Lighting EMEA. "However, it's not just about having reliable multiple lighting solutions but offering the knowledge and expertise to help make every installation a success. As this year's Light & Building theme is 'Energy Efficiency & Building Automation,' we decided to follow suit with our own themes of retail, office and outdoor lighting and hold dedicated expert seminars at our booth so visitors can take advantage of hearing from experts in their field."

The following themes will take place: Office Lighting on Monday 16th April, Retail Lighting on Tuesday 17th April and Wednesday 18th April on Outdoor Lighting. For updates on the seminars as well to take advantage of a daily overview of all the Light+Building event highlights become a GE Lighting fan on: www.facebook.com/GE.illuminatingideas or follow on Twitter @GELighting_EMEA

For more information about GE Lighting’s award winning LED products visit http://www.gelighting.com/eu/led

For more information about GE Lighting products visit www.gelighting.com/eu

Formed in 2010, RETA (Renewable Energy Technology Alliance) is an alliance of local businesses whose vision is to develop the low carbon economy and help customers to become more sustainable.

The Midlands Business Awards recognised RETA’s pro-active approach to sustainability. The business club was commended for their outstanding efforts in youth support through their educational programme and supporting local businesses in the renewable energy sector to create over 180 new jobs.

Darren Gardner, RETA’s chairman commented: “We are absolutely delighted to receive this prestigious business accolade. It's a great reward for our team who have worked tremendously hard throughout the past year to support our customers in becoming more sustainable whilst connecting them to local suppliers.”

Guests of RETA at the awards included Martin Yardley (Managing Director of Coventry & Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership) and the Chief Executive of Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Louise Bennett. Bennett praised RETA's achievements, stating: “Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce have worked closely with RETA and other clubs such as FORCE in order to support business growth. It is testimony to Coventry & Warwickshire to have so many finalists and award winners in this years Midlands Business Awards and 2012 should be a positive year for local low carbon economy”

RETA’s success at the Midlands Business Awards follows Darren Gardner‘s (Chair of RETA) presentation to over 150 members of parliament in the Houses of Parliament where he called on the government to provide clarity and action over issues such as the Feed in Tariff and Green Deal.

www.reta.uk.com

Twelve per cent more surveyors across the UK reported rises rather than falls in newly agreed sales since the beginning of the year. From 24th March, first time buyers will no longer be exempt from stamp duty on properties under £250,000 and some surveyors note this has produced an increase in activity at the lower end of the market.

In light of this, respondents were optimistic about prospects in the near term, as a net balance of 19 per cent of surveyors predicted transaction levels to pick up over the coming three months. This represents the strongest reading since May 2010.

In spite of this relative optimism, prices across much of the country continued to drop, albeit moderately, with 16 per cent more surveyors reporting price falls rather than rises. Across the UK, London once again saw the strongest reading in terms of prices, while the West Midlands and Wales saw the biggest falls, with surveyors reporting net balance readings of -54 and -41 respectively.

Supply remained relatively steady during January, with seven per cent more surveyors reporting increases rather than decreases in new homes coming onto the market. While slightly down on December’s figure of +11 per cent, this is the fourth consecutive positive reading for new instructions across the country

Alongside this, overall new buyer demand dipped slightly in the first month of the year, demonstrating that the recent lift in activity has been driven by one-off factors, with seven per cent more respondents reporting falls rather than rises in new buyer enquiries. Despite a relative upturn in interest from some first time buyers prior to the end of the stamp duty holiday, surveyors report that lack of affordable mortgage finance continues to hold back the market.

Looking ahead, while a cautious optimism surrounds future transaction levels, the same cannot be said for future prices. A net balance of 15 per cent more surveyors expect prices to continue falling over the coming three months.

Michael Newey, RICS housing spokesperson, commented:

“With first time buyers no longer exempt from stamp duty as of the end of March, it seems that some are looking to purchase homes before the deadline and, as a result, surveyors are relatively optimistic for the coming months. However, many problems with the market still exist and the lack of affordable mortgage finance is still preventing many from getting onto the property ladder.

“Prices are still falling across most parts of the country, but expectations for future prices have become less pessimistic.”