NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY RULES: A FIFTH OF PROPERTY IN LINE TO BE EXCLUDED FROM RENTAL AND LEASE MARKET.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

April 23, 2012.

NEW ENERGY EFFICIENCY RULES: A FIFTH OF PROPERTY IN LINE TO BE EXCLUDED FROM RENTAL AND LEASE MARKET.

A fifth of commercial and residential property may be excluded from the rental and lease market as soon as 2015 unless owners move to comply with energy efficiency rules.

Legislation is already in place which states buildings with a rating of F or G on their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) cannot be let out after 2018 without works having been carried out to raise the rating level.

But property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper says it has reason to believe the measure may actually be introduced as early as 2015 as part of the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions – something which ties in with the government’s track record of bringing forward some elements of new legislation.

“It might be considered an asset, but it may actually be a liability – and sooner than expected; in summary, if a commercial or residential property doesn’t comply, and its owner for whatever reason wants to switch it to being let out after the anticipated deadline, then he can’t. The owner can, however, renew existing leases, but that owner is potentially exposed should tenants decide to move out of an F- or G-rated building after the deadline date,” said Anthony Coumidis of McBains Cooper.

“We estimate that around one in five buildings fall into the F/G EPC category, including many listed or historical properties. Property owners therefore have only around 1,000 days to raise the efficiency ratings of F/G level buildings, or face them having to stand empty. In some cases, planning permission may be required, which, bearing in mind upgrade designs may need to be drawn up, can mean months of delays before work can actually start.”

In a bid to partly reduce the potential cost impact of the new EPC rules, the government’s “Green Deal” plan comes into operation in October 2012 - the basic concept being that residential and commercial property owners will be encouraged to upgrade the thermal values of the building fabric and to introduce higher efficiency, or renewable-based, HVAC (heating, ventilation, air-conditioning) technology.

Under the Green Deal, the capital cost of the approved works can be covered in the form of a loan which will be repaid over a set time period as an additional sum on the property’s energy bills.  The Green Deal finance is attached to the property rather than the occupant, and if a building is sold or let, the liability for repayment of outstanding Green Deal finance will fall upon the new incoming owner or tenant.

“But for some commercial properties in particular, the most appropriate and cost-effective means of upgrading efficiency ratings may not fall within the Green Deal criteria. What’s more, some owners and tenants may be uncomfortable with what is essentially a loan secured on their property - and may wish to fund improvement work direct,” said Anthony Coumidis.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

@McBainsCooper

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

MCBAINS COOPER MEXICO PRISONS PROJECT NAMED IN LATIN AMERICAN TOP 100

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

April 16, 2012.

MCBAINS COOPER MEXICO PRISONS PROJECT NAMED IN LATIN AMERICAN TOP 100.

A construction and development programme in Mexico advised upon by property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper has been named amongst the Top 100 Infrastructure Projects in Latin America.

The Mexican Government’s Public-Private Partnership programme of prison developments has been given the ranking by one of the region’s leading business magazines – America Economica.

McBains Cooper is based in London, but has a Latin American operation based in Miami, and has now been invited to make a presentation about the programme to the Latin American Infrastructure Forum in Lima, Peru, in May. McBains Cooper was technical advisor to the Mexican Ministry of Security which project managed the developments.

Santiago Klein, managing director of McBains Cooper International, says there’s a steady but growing flow of demand for UK construction consultancy expertise in Latin America for both public and private sector related projects with an especially positive forecast for Public-Private Partnerships.

“Every region of the world has a different way of going about doing business, and Latin America’s way is a complex mix of who you know, what language you speak and the pedigree of professional expertise. Latin America is dominated by two languages and a deep-seated enthusiasm for UK professionals – so we tick lots of boxes,” said Santiago Klein.

“We’re a long-established UK company, with on-the-ground presence and local business experience in several Latin American countries – and that makes us of great interest to the decision-makers.

“But crucial to the whole process is the who-you-know: in Latin America the deals are done between businesses and organisations who know and trust one-another, which is fundamental to protecting the integrity of the contract - and a general rule of thumb is that it’s necessary to have an in-depth understanding and business intelligence of the local markets to be successful in the region.

“We have vast experience across Latin America on both inward investment support and PPP bids and contracts – we have a compelling proposition to businesses and organisations not just in Mexico, but much further afield in Latin America.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

@McBainsCooper

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

HACKNEY SCHOOL CENTREPIECES UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

February 14, 2012.

REGENERATED HACKNEY SCHOOL CENTREPIECES UNITED NATIONS CONFERENCE.

A newly-built school in Hackney, East London, could become a model for schools worldwide when it features in a presentation at the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe on February 21, 2012.

The Urswick School, in its former life as Hackney Free and Parochial School, was run-down and under-achieving - but since undergoing regeneration under the Building Schools for the Future programme it has not only seen huge improvements in academic and behavioural standards, but has also had a massively positive impact upon the local community.

The Urswick School story will be part of a presentation made by Anthony Coumidis, a director of London-based international property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper, at the United Nations in Geneva, to more than 400 Public-Private Partnership practitioners from 70 countries.

Anthony’s team were independent certifiers of the project, appointed by the local authority in Hackney and the Building Schools for the Future Local Education Partnership (private sector and local authority JV organisation, Mouchel Babcock Education and Hackney Council), which involved McBains Cooper ensuring the project complied with technical and quality requirements.

“Because of our role we were provided with the opportunity to ensure the project maintained schedule and standards, but it also gave us a fantastic opportunity to chart the before and after aspects,” said Anthony Coumidis.

“We monitored the reconstruction, but we also engaged with the school; what we learnt was that not only did the new school prove inspirational on academic and behavioural levels, it also had a significant and positive impact for the local community, with the new school facilities being used out-of-hours by the local community for everything from choir practice to sports events.

“But the school also became a learning centre for other local schools, with entire classes being walked over to The Urswick School for educational experiences they’d never before experienced in, for instance, science labs.”

Anthony will be chairing the “Transforming Urban and Rural Spaces through PPPs” session.

“Such a presentation and ensuing debate and discussion will highlight what can be achieved to a wide range of representatives of influencing authorities and organisations in dozens of countries,” said Anthony.

“There’s no room for modesty here, because there is great benefit to be gained: British property and construction consultancies are the most advanced in the world when it comes to brokering, driving and delivering PPP projects, so there is a very real chance that The Urswick School could become a model for similar regeneration projects around the world.”

Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) Days is the premier global meeting for public sector PPP practitioners. It provides a forum for those charged with developing and implementing PPP programs to share experiences on innovations in

PPP policy, structuring, and financing. The four-day conference brings together PPP practitioners from public sector PPP units and senior PPP executives worldwide to analyze and explore innovative PPP models and key policy issues.

The PPP Days 2012 will take place at the Palais des Nations in Geneva, Switzerland, on 21-24 February 2012, and will be jointly hosted by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the World Bank Institute and the Asian

Development Bank.

The event includes two days of presentations and debates among public sector PPP practitioners, managers and experts, followed by a full-day Business Forum open to the private sector. On the fourth day there will be a special session dedicated to case studies, while site visits to operational PPP are also envisaged. An exhibition will also run for the four days.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

@McBainsCooper

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

MAKING THE MOST OF LEAP YEAR – BY FLINGING THEMSELVES OUT OF A PLANE.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

February 13, 2012.

MAKING THE MOST OF LEAP YEAR – BY FLINGING THEMSELVES OUT OF A PLANE.

Members of the Oxford team of property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper are making the most of the extra day in Leap Year 2012 – by flinging themselves out of a plane.

It’s all part of “Make Today Count”, the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign’s initiative to get people using the extra leap year day to make a difference and raise funds.

The ten – nine from McBains Cooper, one from business partner law firm TWM – will skydive over an airfield in Brackley, Northants, on February 29, in a bid to raise £4,000 for the Muscular Dystrophy Campaign.

“The team’s well used to birds-eye views of the country, usually as part of the planning and development process for anything from a Police station to an entire housing estate, railway section, docks, road or retail park – but not usually dangling from a parachute,” said London-based Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive, who has family affected by the challenge presented by Muscular Dystrophy.

“Muscular Dystrophy is a muscle-wasting disease which has no known cure, and the only way to find a cure is to research and research and research – and that costs money.”

Emma Harwood of McBains Cooper Oxford said: “It’s one of those occasions where you can’t decide whether you’re being brave or stupid, but the fact is that people who are afflicted by Muscular Dystrophy are both incredibly brave and incredibly inspirational.

“There are many diseases which remain completely misunderstood by much of the population, so as well as raising funds we’re also hopefully raising awareness of just what need to be done to tackle the challenge it presents.”

The ten skydivers are:

• Michael Thirkettle, London
• Adrian Southgate, Oxford
• Jamie Mead, London
• Emma Harwood, Oxford
• Joseph Sherratt, London
• Janet Belk, Manchester
• Matthew Truelove (TWM Solicitor, Surrey)
• Simon McNabb, London
• Neil O’Brien,  Manchester
• Charles Terry, London

Anybody wishing to donate can do so by going to: http://www.justgiving.com/mcbainscooperskydive

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

@McBainsCooper

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

USE OLYMPICS TO EXPORT BRITAIN’S ENVIED GOLD MEDAL-PERFORMING CONSTRUCTION EXPERTISE.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

January 27, 2012.

USE OLYMPICS TO EXPORT BRITAIN’S ENVIED GOLD MEDAL-PERFORMING CONSTRUCTION EXPERTISE.

Stop criticising and talking down our Olympic achievement – some of the strongest economies in the world are watching Britain and considering what we could bring to future games.

That’s the message from international property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper which says it winces every time there’s any domestically-generated criticism of London 2012 – because from a design, construction and delivery perspective it has been a gold medal-winning performance by Britain.

McBains, which works on public and private sector projects in the UK, Latin America, Europe and the Middle East, is urging UK government international trade development teams to wave the flag abroad for UK construction and property businesses who have moved heaven, earth and big pieces of east London to deliver one of the most organised games construction plans ever.

“McBains Cooper already has an alliance in Brazil – the venue for the 2016 games - and we’re working in virtually every country or region, bar Japan, which are candidates for the 2020 games. But whether it’s Rio 2016, or candidates in Spain, Italy, Azerbaijan, Turkey or Qatar for 2020, there’s a common murmuring we hear every time the subject comes up,” said Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of McBains Cooper.

“And that is that everybody involved in construction, whether in Brazil or the 2020 candidate venues, has commented on the success of the planning and construction of everything London games-related – and more often than not it’s accompanied by some positive reference to the UK construction industry, and its professional advisers and consultancies being the best in the world.

“The fact is that in comparison to any other recent major sporting event – and some recent Olympics - London 2012 construction has run far faster and more efficiently. That has been noted by other countries, and, frankly, because of our reputation, British construction and professional consultancy businesses are amongst the very few who can travel the world to help drive and deliver major projects for other venue cities – the Olympics is a fantastic global shop window for British management expertise, design and construction skills, and that expertise can be exported to make other games equally impressive.

“The Office of Budget Responsibility reckons that a good deal of UK economic growth in 2012 will be down to the Olympics – but we shouldn’t be believing the opportunity ends when the last competitor or spectator leaves through Heathrow’s temporary games terminal: it could be the start.

“Anybody with any ability to export British construction expertise should be hot on the heels of those departing, and selling that expertise to the next successful or candidate Olympic venues.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than �100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

MAKE GREEN EXCITING – AND WATCH CASH GROW FROM TREES.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

January 13, 2012.

MAKE GREEN EXCITING – AND WATCH CASH GROW FROM TREES.

Britain is in danger of taking its eye off the sustainability ball because of the distractions of dealing with the daily pressures of UK economic turmoil – but green could still be the big cash generator of 2012.

“I think there is a very real risk that we will let short-term economic policy move us further behind Europe, and will prevent us from moving further up the global league table of nations driving innovation in sustainable initiatives,” said Mark Leeson, director of property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper.

“There is currently a vast UK estate of not-green-enough commercial property which could be a huge and sudden generator of cash for both the construction sector and building owners: it’s staring us in the face.

“Around three-quarters of today’s commercial property will still be in use by 2020 – and future-proofing them by driving efficiencies through green enhancements could yield 15% on investment values, and raise tenant income by 5%, while also benefitting from green tax incentives. There are also obvious advantages in terms of branding, perceived quality of building and benefits for occupants in terms of health and wellbeing.”

Campbell Devine of McBains Cooper said: “You don’t have to get the calculator out to work out the potential revenue increases and tax benefits by making even just a fraction of the UK’s commercial property more green.

“With the introduction of FITs (Feed-In Tariffs) and RHI (Renewable Heat Incentive) there is a business case for even the most demanding investors to embrace green initiatives when retrofitting buildings. Cash can grow from trees.

“The issue is perhaps the legacy of an over-complicated planning approval system, and a lack of a sense of clarity amongst commercial property owners: but things are changing fast, particularly with emphasis on carbon reduction rather than sustainable electricity generation.

“What we need is an injection of excitement into the green construction agenda: a penny-dropping moment when it hits investors that a green approach can move bank accounts out of the red and into the black. For impact, that injection needs to come out of the blue: a concisely-delivered ‘sustainability information bomb’ aimed at investors, and which highlights the brutal cash benefits of future-proofing property.

“‘Green enhancement’ and ‘better green credentials’ often improves tenant quality, occupancy levels, reduces sick leave and increases capital values and the sale-ability of any property. There’s also a growing club of investors who are snapping up older but well-let properties, and which have potential for rejuvenation and retro-fit, providing a contrast to risky new development caught by the potential impasse as the Government considers its position in relation to changes to the planning system.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

BRITAIN’S CITIES LOVE THEMSELVES, SAYS MCBAINS COOPER

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

January 10, 2012.

BRITAIN’S CITIES LOVE THEMSELVES, SAYS MCBAINS COOPER.

Images available.

Britain’s cities love themselves more than ever before, according to property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper.

The firm is involved in a number of inner-city residential redevelopment projects – with several recently completed – but has noticed in each case there is something missing.

“The common factor is that there’s a marked reduction of litter, fly tipping, vandalism and graffiti – and a great deal of pride being shown by residents in regenerated and redeveloped housing estates up and down the country,” said Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of McBains Cooper.

“Three typical examples in which we are involved are Anderston in Glasgow, Shiregreen in Sheffield and Rose Hill in Oxford. Each has origins in eras when design and development considerations were not at their sharpest – but in each case the project outcome has been a massive improvement.

“The result is that each has generated a strong feeling of community and pride amongst residents – and by going the extra mile in each case, working with the developers, we have created residential areas the people want to look after. And that has a hidden benefit – an ongoing cost-saving arising from local authorities or building owners not having to constantly repair or replace damaged or neglected property.”

The Rose Hill Redevelopment – which involved replacement and redevelopment of poor-quality housing, and construction of 259 new homes - has been awarded Winner of the New Buildings Category at the Oxford Preservation Trust Awards. McBains Cooper is Employer’s Agent on the project.

The project was voted into top slot for demonstrating Oxford City Council’s commitment to housing and to improving Rose Hill for its community.

Oxford Preservation Trust's aim is to preserve and enhance the historic city of Oxford and its green setting. The Trust’s annual awards scheme recognises projects that make a significant contribution to the conservation and improvement of the built or natural environment of Oxford.

Meanwhile, McBains Cooper was part of the Sanctuary Housing Association team behind the “Streetscene” element of the project in Shiregreen, Sheffield, which involved a massive makeover of the public areas of the estate – a project which was shortlisted in The Sustainable Housing Awards “Transformation” category.

And in Scotland McBains Cooper are project managers on the five-phase residential rebuild of Anderston – notorious for its poor-quality tower-blocks - working with client Sanctuary Housing, where a sculpture of Billy Connolly is high up on the elevation overlooking Glasgow, and the well-kept first phase.

“Such was the attention to detail during the project as a whole that the team even designed one apartment specifically for the needs of one family, and the gratitude and delight of the residents at that sort of effort - plus the overall finished product – has been clearly signalled by how well kept the whole area is,” said Alan Hannah of McBains Cooper in Glasgow.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

TOUGH TIMES BOOST HOTEL DEVELOPMENT MARKET FOR MCBAINS COOPER.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

January 3, 2012.

TOUGH TIMES BOOST HOTEL DEVELOPMENT MARKET FOR MCBAINS COOPER.

Property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper says that the tough economic climate appears to be actually boosting the hotel development market.

Richard Fewings of McBains Cooper says there has been no fall off in enquiries from hotel developers over the past 12 months, and, if anything, they’re on the increase.

McBains’ hotel team is seeing a distinct pattern emerging: four-star business and conference venue hotels in and around London, and three-star “crash-pad” hotels across the rest of the country.

“The downturn is, ironically, working well for the hotel market: hotels are becoming essential tools of business and client development, with more people spending more time away drumming up business, and more companies bringing their people together for motivational, intelligence-sharing or brainstorming meetings all aimed at making the most of every opportunity,” said Richard Fewings.

“Business-focussed hotels are benefitting from high fuel charges and rail fares: staying over away from home, just outside major cities, between meetings, often costs a fraction of the price of the fuel to go to and fro.

“Anybody in business who has to travel to London from around the country also knows that the most time-efficient fares – peak-time travel – cost around £240 standard and £350 first class, Leeds or Manchester-London return, for instance.

“But the key is the new breed of super-efficient hotels, high on sustainability and recyclable energy. Yes, hotels are closing, but they’re largely older hotels which are in the right place but have a legacy of age-old design which can make some of them many times more expensive to run per square foot compared to something designed and developed today.

“Older hotels were edifices and landmarks, luxury was built-in, crafted and carved, and are often difficult to modernise. Modern hotels are largely pre-packaged, fast to go up, massively efficient.”

One example is McBains Cooper’s newest project – it has been appointed to provide M&E, cost management and project management on a multi-million pound hotel project in Shepherd’s Bush, London, for Kosmopolito Hotels.

The seven-storey, four-star hotel will sit behind the listed façade of a former cinema building and will include 242 bedrooms, a restaurant, bar and gym.

“This is an exciting project, because we have a listed façade, but a core structure which will use the newest techniques and materials, creating something both attractive and efficient,” said Richard Fewings.

Kosmopolito currently owns and manages four brands in different market segments; the upscale Kosmopolito brand, Boutique Series by Kosmopolito, four-star business hotel Dorsett Regency and value hotel Silka, with a total of 29 hotels across Asia - in Singapore, Malaysia, Johor, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Chengdu and Wuhan.

This is the first hotel for Kosmopilto in London, which is expected to be under the Dorsett Regency brand.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Glasgow, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

BILLY CONNOLLY: MADE IN SCOTLAND FROM SCULPTED STEEL BARS, AND HUNG FROM A WEE BUILDING IN ANDERSTON

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

December 14, 2011.

BILLY CONNOLLY: MADE IN SCOTLAND FROM SCULPTED STEEL BARS, AND HUNG FROM A WEE BUILDING IN ANDERSTON.

Billy Connolly sculpture video. http://bit.ly/vLq6eV

Anderston residential project: the challenges video: http://bit.ly/ut0NsJ

Anderston – the next stages, video: http://bit.ly/vxHop5

Links to photos http://bit.ly/vkEhZN

Made in Scotland from girders … not quite, but a sculpture of Big Yin Billy Connolly has been created in metalwork to signal the completion of the first phase of a landmark McBains Cooper project-managed residential housing project in his home town of Anderston, Glasgow.

The sculpture, made from steel bars by renowned north-of-the-border artist Andy Scott, is hung high on an elevation of the first phase to be completed.

And while Glasgow’s most famous son couldn’t make it to the unveiling of a ground level commemorative plaque marking the occasion, a big crowd of locals and media did.

Property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper are project managers on the five phase residential rebuild of Anderston, working with client Sanctuary Housing, and the sculpture of Billy Connolly is high up on the elevation overlooking Glasgow.

Such was the attention to detail during the project as a whole that the team even designed one apartment specifically for the needs of one family, and the gratitude and delight of the residents at that sort of effort - plus the overall finished product – has been clearly signalled by how well kept the whole area is.

“We occasionally get celebrities turning up at launches and openings, but it’ll be nice to drive past the sculpture of the Big Yin every day and be reminded that we played a part in putting Anderston back on the map – after Billy Connolly did it first time round,” said Alan Hannah of McBains Cooper.

The project involves the demolition of a number of 1960s housing blocks in the Glasgow suburb, but has proven to be a massive logistical challenge for the McBains Cooper and Sanctuary teams.

“The key issues here are that the work is going on in amongst a number of schools and nurseries, while also being surrounded by occupied homes – so not only have the logistics of getting into the sites been taxing the grey matter, there has also been the issue of moving families out and into nearby accommodation, and then into the completed Phase One apartment complex,” said Alan Hannah.

“But we know we’ve got it right, firstly because the local residents were surveyed and asked what they wanted and needed in the area – a target we delivered against – but secondly because you don’t have to go far through the area to see how well-kept and looked-after the communal areas are.

“This is one of those incredibly complex but equally incredibly satisfying projects that’s clearly making a vast difference to life in Anderston. And with the Big Yin looking down on us, we wouldn’t dare get it wrong.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800 im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper

McBains Cooper is an inter-discipline consultancy, specialising in property, infrastructure and construction, offering a wide range of consulting and design services including architectural, aesthetic or technical design, problem solving, budget management, facilities management, health and safety, sustainability consultancy and on-the-ground civil engineering. Driving and supporting projects ranging from minor works to major contracts worth more than £100 million, McBains Cooper operates across a variety of sectors throughout the UK, Europe and Latin America. McBains Cooper is committed to environmental, social and economic sustainable development and their integrated approach means they deliver effective, award-winning solutions to their clients. The Group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

TV HOME DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE SHOWS? MORE PLEASE – THEY’RE BOOSTING OUR ECONOMY, SAY HOUSING UNITS

HOUSING UNITS

PRESS RELEASE

October 11, 2011.

TV HOME DESIGN AND LIFESTYLE SHOWS? MORE PLEASE – THEY’RE BOOSTING OUR ECONOMY, SAY HOUSING UNITS.

They may seem to be wall-to-wall on TV, but the overwhelming current crop of home design and lifestyle shows are doing massive favours for the UK furnishings and interiors industry.

Nick Fox, director of north Manchester-based furnishings store Housing Units, says that regardless of how tacky, tear-jerking or turgid the home design programmes are, they are inspiring homeowners into spending on changes or improvements.

“Customers will come in to the store sometimes completely undecided about what they want, but will simply refer to a TV home design or lifestyle show and say they want something the same or just like what they saw,” said Nick.

“This is where we have an advantage in that we have in-house designers who overdose on these programmes so know exactly what most customers are talking about.

“The trend is to buy complete makeovers for entire rooms – and customers are specifying not just UK-style design, but design and furnishings they have seen on travel programmes, or home-search shows abroad.

“It is genuinely creating a new niche of demand, and there is a very definite drive towards Italian-inspired interior design.”

Housing Units – known for its top-hatted doormen - was established in 1947. It is a family-owned furnishings retailer based in Wickentree Lane, Failsworth, Manchester M35 9BA, next to Junction 22 of the M60. It stocks 30,000 high-quality lines across a range of departments in two buildings and a crescent of specialist shops, and prides itself on its unique style of customer service, the value of its goods and the shopping experience it provides.

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

0161 929 0446/07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.housingunits.co.uk