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

RETAILERS: LOOK TO THE FIRST FLOOR, NOT THE HEAVENS, FOR THAT REVENUE GODSEND.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

May 12, 2011.

RETAILERS: LOOK TO THE FIRST FLOOR, NOT THE HEAVENS, FOR THAT REVENUE GODSEND.

The hardest hit sector of retail - high streets in secondary and satellite towns and cities – are sitting on, or under, a potential revenue windfall.

McBains Cooper, the property and construction consultancy, says independent retailers and owners of small chains might be looking to the heavens for revenue generation inspiration, but they actually need look nothing like so far.

“Stand in any satellite town shopping high street, look up to the first floor and above, and there are the tell-tales of opportunity: dusty windows, half-closed net curtains - empty rooms,” said Allan Davies.

“Then walk to the closest residential estate agency, and they’ll tell you they’re screaming for reasonably-priced town centre flats and apartments to satisfy a fast-growing demand.

“The answer: convert that empty above-shop space to flats or apartments. There are strong markets for flats ranging from corporate crashpads to people who love living in the heart of things, and conversion costs are nothing like as much as newbuild.

“The average three-storey building in a shopping high street will accommodate the existing retail space on the ground floor, and four flats above, which would typically generate a total rental revenue of £24,000 per annum, all managed by a residential lettings or management company.

“And we’re actually speaking from experience: one of our clients specialises in satellite town high street retail – and our feasibility study says many of their shops have empty space on upper floors ripe for residential conversion, whether from financial, practical or planning perspectives.

“I counted around 30 shops with empty first and second floors in one high street, and, judging by the size, each could accommodate at least four flats: in one high street, even just 40 flats at £24,000 a year would generate just short of £1 million a year – and then there’s the bonus of increased disposable income literally on top of the shops too.

“The key, though, is establishing feasibility based on local market conditions, weighed up with the cost of conversion. Some towns have a high demand for regular residential accommodation, others might be home to big and established businesses or organisations nearby whose staff need weekday crashpads, such as Media City in Greater Manchester and the BBC media centre in Cardiff.”

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

LONDON’S PRIME PROPERTY ASSETS ARE FOREIGN CURRENCY PLAYERS’ TROPHIES.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

March 22, 2011.

LONDON’S PRIME PROPERTY ASSETS ARE FOREIGN CURRENCY PLAYERS’ TROPHIES.

A gilt-framed window of investment opportunity - through which deal-hungry foreign pension funds and investors are piling - is driving a third speed to the property economy in the UK beyond the traditional north-south divide.

McBains Cooper, the international property and construction consultancy, says that while there’s that continuing north-south split in the becalmed UK property market, there’s a distinct ring of bright water in the heart of the central London property pool that sets it massively apart from everywhere else.

“Based on our experience of pre-acquisition work, we’ve noticed a consistent trend in big-ticket residential asset movement and commercial property deals in central London arising from a perfect but very localised combination of cultural, business and economic circumstances – and deep-seated trust in UK business,” said Gareth Hird, a director of McBains Cooper.

“Currency values against sterling mean foreign investors, and wealth and pension funds, are buying up trophy assets, prime London stock, high-end residential properties and commercial sites. This is in the knowledge that not only are they getting a relative currency-value-impacted bargain on restricted-supply property assets, but their currency play means that as soon as UK interest rates start to rise, so too does the value of sterling. It’s a double property investment whammy.

“In troubled times we see a rush to the blue chip shares, and while property investment as a whole across the UK is relatively flat, the ‘old world’ is a stable investment environment and offers the prospect of strong, focussed and localised returns for investors hunting down the trophy assets.

“This is largely driven by London’s unassailable status as a global city – a few square miles of an economy within an economy – and the advantages its cultural diversity bring. Middle Eastern, Far Eastern and Russian investors feel comfortable in London, both in terms of a place to live and a place to do business.

“The key is that there is no dramatic escalation in deals; the environment is of consistency - and has been for many months – with London being perhaps one of a handful of global gilt investment property cities, but which is also impacted and influenced by currency, but, crucially, has a foundation of business integrity that outdates most of the rest of the world’s major localised economies.

“However, rumblings about UK interest rate rises are beginning to instil some cautious urgency.”

McBains Cooper has been involved in due-diligence and pre-acquisition work on a number of deals, but has also been involved in project management of development projects including super-high-end residential properties aimed at the buyers being targeted by the acquiring and investing pension and wealth funds.

“We’ve come to understand the culture and demands of many of the target audiences, and have consequently been involved in some incredibly high-quality developments, some of which are not even obviously marketed because there is such a specific and contained target audience,” said Gareth Hird.

“But what we have noticed is that in many of these high-end properties, especially those which include a number of self-contained residences - there can be a wide array of styles and designs based on very specific demands. While one cultural group will want ultimate ‘traditional palatial’, others will want almost unimaginably cutting-edge technology.

“The common factor is that their background is rarely British or European.”

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, Lima (Peru), Miami and Mexico, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

MCBAINS COOPER APPOINTED ON ECONOMY-CHANGING SOUTHWARK PROJECT.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY AND CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

March 10, 2011.

MCBAINS COOPER APPOINTED ON ECONOMY-CHANGING SOUTHWARK PROJECT.

Property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper has been appointed as interdisciplinary consultants on a scheme which will have a massive positive impact on the local economy in Southwark, Greater London.

McBains Cooper will provide project and cost management, architecture, mechanical and electrical engineering and sustainability advice for Delancey and Oakmayne Properties which has bought Oakmayne Plaza in Elephant and Castle.

The one acre site, which is freehold, is in the heart of the Southwark Regeneration Area, and has planning consent for 390,000 sq ft of private residential, student, leisure and ancillary commercial uses and will provide 373 residential apartments and penthouses, all for private sale.

The £200 million scheme will comprise three towers, rising from 16 to 24 storeys, linked by a three-storey podium.  A multi-screen cinema complex, cafes, restaurants and a supermarket will be developed in the commercial space in the podium supporting the residential towers.

“This is a classic illustration of how McBains Cooper’s interdisciplinary approach to driving a project will come into its own – there are many facets to this development, and our team, including project and cost management, architecture, sustainability and building services, will all be based under one roof: McBains Cooper,” said Mark Leeson of McBains Cooper.

“With the new market square to the south - on the scale of Borough Market - eventually connecting into to the wider master plan being worked up by Lend Lease, the scheme will have a huge positive impact on the local economy in what is set to be one of the most important urban regeneration schemes in the country.”

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, Lima (Peru), Mexico and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

MCBAINS COOPER “BLUE LIGHT” TEAM, WORKING WITH NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE, SECURES PLANNING CONSENT FOR NEW POLICE STATION

MCBAINS COOPER


PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE



December 9, 2010.



MCBAINS COOPER “BLUE LIGHT” TEAM, WORKING WITH NORTH YORKSHIRE POLICE, SECURES PLANNING CONSENT FOR NEW POLICE STATION



McBains Cooper, the international interdisciplinary property and construction consultancy, has designed a landmark Police Station in Yorkshire that will operate to the highest possible environmentally-sensitive standards.



Planning permission has been granted for the multi-million pound North Yorkshire Police Station on the outskirts of Harrogate. The new project will replace the existing 1930s building which would have taken half the cost of the new build to repair and maintain over the next ten years.



“The latest available technology and environmental features will be applied in the new Police Station. It will meet all Home Office guidelines, and is set to achieve BREEAM ‘Excellent’ in terms of assessing the building’s environmental performance,” said Mark Baseby of McBains Cooper.



“We have also managed to turn a tight, sloping site, surrounded by protected mature trees, into a well-organised master plan. Locating the custody element of the building partly below ground and within the landscape has given the Police Authority a naturally secure environment in which to operate.”



North Yorkshire’s Chief Constable, Grahame Maxwell said: “This is not just an exciting project because it is something new and highly significant for the force, but because it is also clearly one of the most advanced Police Stations of its type which will benefit our communities for many years to come.”



Mark Baseby said: “The distinct architectural design treatments of the three entrances to the building – custodial, staff and public - form a significant part of the design approach and arrangement. Each entrance has a different look and feel and is located separately. A key element of the design brief was ‘civic dignity’, and this is achieved in what is a landmark building which sits on a very tight and complicated site.”



The 16-cell custody suite will be located in the stone “podium” base of the building, while office accommodation for 200 officers and staff will be in a predominantly glazed, two storey element above, making it an extremely pleasant working environment whilst at the same time, striking the right balance between openness and the required security considerations.



There will also be a two-storey car park, with the lower storey providing operational vehicle parking, vehicle maintenance and storage.



Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of McBains Cooper, said: “We have now been involved with the design and construction of several Police Headquarters and Operational Accommodation in the UK and have become internationally recognised for our expertise in this area. We have contracts for similar work as far away as Latin America where we have been engaged on a number of government-funded custodial and security-related construction projects.”





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, Lima (Peru) and Mexico City, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

1960S BLOCKS AND YACHT DESIGN - THE LIFELINE FOR IMMINENT BENEFIT-CUT HOMELESS.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

November 11, 2010.

1960S BLOCKS AND YACHT DESIGN - THE LIFELINE FOR IMMINENT BENEFIT-CUT HOMELESS.

Video, click here.

Property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper says the building industry and private sector developers could play a crucial role in throwing a lifeline to people falling off the bottom of the housing ladder, or forced out of work, as CSR measures start to bite.

Mark Leeson, a director of McBains Cooper, says that a combination of yacht interior design technology and 60s and 70s tower blocks could play an unexpected part in keeping a roof over the head of those most likely to be affected by spending and benefit cuts.

He says that pre-assembled pods in the form of complete but compact apartments, similar in concept to bathroom and kitchen pods slotted into hotels and flats, could provide a low cost solution that could be integrated into outdated or unused tower blocks.

The pods cost a fraction of the price of a traditional ‘new build’ apartment, and the specification can be tailored at pre-assembly stage for a vast range of demographics. Shorter development completion times mean additional cost-saving, and decisions on precisely the format of the pods can be delayed by developers until last minute according to the market.

“It’s time now to look at a new model for housing, moving away from traditional one and two bedroomed apartments, and perhaps look at something akin to student accommodation where there are much smaller units in clusters, maybe pre-assembled, modularly constructed, such as the pods we’ve been developing with a number of our partners,” said Mark Leeson.

“They can slide into 60s and 70s buildings, maybe even 80s buildings, bringing them back into use, but providing accommodation tailored for those people who are now going to fall off the bottom of the housing ladder.”

He describes pre-assembled pods which are slid into existing buildings’ frames, good quality and perfectly tuned for the imminent market. As people lose income or benefits, these smaller units mean lower rental costs – but they can also help initiate and drive a sense of community.

He says that as people claw their way back up the ladder, they can rent bigger clusters of pods, or bigger pod units.

“These would be affordable for those on housing benefit as a result of their reduced size; they would benefit from a 'community' shared laundry facilities and the like, and when they start work, the rooms could be purchased on a shared ownership basis or purchased outright as a leasehold progressively allowing people to move up the property ladder,” said Mark Leeson.

“A flexible design would also allow rooms to be joined together allowing people to grow within the building, progressively owning not only a larger percentage of the space, but also a larger space overall.

“I think this is perfectly aligned with the coalition’s aim to get people into work and off benefits, but also solves the affordability issue that many will face when benefits are reduced or cut altogether.

“The challenge for the property industry is to convince the currently very conservative funding sources - institutional investors or funds – that this model will deliver a level of return that makes it worthwhile considering. This will only happen when the industry embraces modern methods of construction, and uses them in new and innovative ways.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper.

McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.

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 its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.

The business is involved in professional consultancy 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.

The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY MCBAINS COOPER APPOINTS NEW SCOTLAND HEAD.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

November 10, 2010.

INTERNATIONAL CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY MCBAINS COOPER APPOINTS NEW SCOTLAND HEAD.

McBains Cooper, the international property and construction consultancy, has appointed David Guy to head up its operations in Scotland.

David, 40, who will be based in McBains Cooper’s Glasgow office, joins after working his way to senior management roles in some of Scotland’s leading building and property consultancy businesses including CB Richard Ells – where he was director – and Savills and GVA Grimley.

“McBains Cooper is an ‘inter-disciplinary’ consultancy, which is deeply distinct from the more common multi-disciplinary operations. The difference is seamless operation between teams working together for one business, as opposed to teams from different organisations brought together by a project manager, and which can often mean a clash of cultures and the consequent inevitable delays – and rising costs,” said David Guy.

“It’s the way forward in terms of both cost and time efficiency, and, I believe, an approach to professional consultancy services – building surveying, architecture, cost management, structural, civil and engineering – that will play a significant part in driving recovery in the building and related industries in Scotland.

“McBains Cooper has a fantastic track record on very some high-profile instructions with some of the very best clients,” said David.

“Our market sector tends to be dominated either by building consultancy teams within the larger transaction-led organisations who do not see building consultancy as their core business, or by smaller niche practices who simply do not have the resources to deliver on larger projects.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper.

McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.

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 its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.

The business is involved in professional consultancy 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.

The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

EUROCODES: PROFESSIONALISM IS “FALLING SHORT” IN UK CONSTRUCTION.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

November 1, 2010.

EUROCODES: PROFESSIONALISM IS “FALLING SHORT” IN UK CONSTRUCTION.

Professionalism is “falling short” in the UK construction industry with a poor understanding of Eurocodes amongst British construction companies. 

The pan-European model building codes developed by the European Committee for Standardisation should have been fully adopted in the UK from April 2, 2010, when British Standard codes for construction stopped being updated.

“This is a potentially massive issue: our research indicates that the vast majority of construction industry professionals are blissfully unaware that Eurocodes are here - and that two-thirds of civil engineers feel uncomfortable with Eurocodes - and that they have been designing and specifying buildings to outdated British Standards since updates stopped,” said Paul Cowton of property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper.

“Only around a third of civil engineers said they’ve received any Eurocodes training. It’s a ticking time bomb, and sooner or later there’s going to be a slip up resulting in litigation at the very least.

“British Standards for building will be withdrawn completely in 2013, and simply aren’t being updated. But so far as we can see, the vast majority of professionals in building design simply don’t know about Eurocodes, but the front-line engineers do.

“We attended a seminar recently, and, anecdotally, literally 90% of the construction professionals in the room had not even heard of Eurocodes.

“So confusion reigns. If something goes wrong, there is huge potential for litigation, because they’re not designing to current best standards or using current best practice. There is a strong potential for legal action under Duty of Care.

“This is about professionalism in the construction sector, and, frankly, it is falling apart when it comes to Eurocodes. But it is a tediously important piece of legislation.

“Back in April we warned that Eurocodes will sneak up and bite any UK construction company or professional services business that does not recognise their importance.

"The EU directive states that national codes were to be withdrawn on 31st March 2010, and the BSI has confirmed they are complying with that directive and will not be supporting changes to British Standards beyond March. The updating of Building Regulations to reflect this directive will not take place until 2013. Many Engineers see this as the point of no return when they must use the Eurocodes.

“The fact is that it is the contracts that will decide when we must change, particularly public contracts which will undoubtedly require the change to take place immediately.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper.

McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.

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 its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.

The business is involved in professional consultancy 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.

The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

CONSTRUCTION: THE INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IS THE DISCIPLINE OF THE MOMENT

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

October 14, 2010.

CONSTRUCTION: THE INTER-DISCIPLINARY APPROACH IS THE DISCIPLINE OF THE MOMENT.

Video: Watch interview.

Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of McBains Cooper, the international property and construction consultancy, says that now is the time for the property and construction sector to adopt the inter-disciplinary approach to project design and delivery.

Since developing and adopting “inter-d” over the past ten years, McBains Cooper has not only weathered the UK downturn, but has also seen considered growth and expansion abroad, with new operations in Greece and the USA, and expanded teams dealing with growth in Latin America.

“There are true efficiencies in time, cost and quality to be gained by adopting the inter-disciplinary approach, with seamless integrated teams working as one to achieve a collective excellence rather than the nightmare that can be multi-disciplinary in which, at best, projects can be slowed by different teams from different organisations working to different agendas pulling against each other, or, at worst, causing massive delay, design inefficiencies and substantial loss of cost management,” said Michael Thirkettle.

“The current environment is demanding efficiency, to deliver improved quality and cost savings, and that efficiency and quality can be delivered through the inter-disciplinary approach, creating the cost savings clients desire.

“The added value is the behavioural and cultural side, so what you don’t end up with is a very litigious project where people are spending time covering their back as a product of the multi-disciplinary approach, as opposed to focusing time into the project. And at the end of the project you don’t end up with a huge claim against a myriad of parties, because, in the current economic climate, the construction industry is very much going towards that.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley

07788 978800

im@pressrelations.co.uk

www.mcbainscooper.com

Notes.

McBains Cooper.

McBains Cooper is an international inter-disciplinary property and construction consultancy, one of the most successful in its sector.

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 its integrated approach means it can deliver effective, award-winning solutions to its clients.

The business is involved in professional consultancy 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.

The group employs 150 people. McBains Cooper has regional headquarters in London (head office), Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds, Manchester, Oxford, Windsor, Athens (Greece,) Lima (Peru), and Monterrey (Mexico), Mexico City and Miami, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com

“BIG SOCIETY” COULD CHANGE THE FACE - AND INSIDES - OF POLICE STATIONS.

MCBAINS COOPER

PROPERTY & CONSTRUCTION CONSULTANCY

PRESS RELEASE

September 1, 2010.

“BIG SOCIETY” COULD CHANGE THE FACE – AND INSIDES - OF POLICE STATIONS.

(Short 1’40” video interview here)

(Full interview here)

The new government’s “Big Society” is coming to the Police, and with it a likely demand for law enforcement agency building design to clearly demonstrate how it can help police officers work more efficiently and engage more with local communities.

Mark Leeson, a director of property and construction consultancy McBains Cooper, says that design and development emphasis will be influenced by a shift towards local accountability and local tailoring of police activities to address specific regional and community-based issues.

“Big Society could mean significant changes to the way police stations, buildings and offices are designed and constructed, for the simple reason that they will need to be, literally, a lot more transparent with more space for public meetings and interaction, and a lot easier to get around without compromising security and safety for officers and support staff,” said Mark Leeson.

“The key to this tailored approach is going to be efficient working practices and methods. Thousands of police and civilian staff members are in the process of being made redundant in a rapid cost cutting exercise. Some front line staff are being asked to re-apply for their jobs.

“The impact on buildings is clear – all new and refurbished buildings are going to have to demonstrate how they help the police work more efficiently. One example is a project on which McBains Cooper worked in the east of England – the building design has contributed to less time involved in administration in the station, more time out on the street.

“Furthermore, greater transparency resulting from the appointment of Police Commissioners that hire and fire Chief Constables will lead to the need for their buildings to be more transparent – greater space for public meetings and reviews and interaction.

“The concept of ‘beat meetings’, both within the police stations but also out in the community may generate a more open, yet smaller high street presence – this is already occurring across the UK but looks set to increase.

“The setting of local budgets by commissioners looks likely to be set against a policy of national buying – this could mean buying solutions, PFI, or new national frameworks.

“It’s too early to give an accurate view, but the re-commencement of the PFI bids for a number of custody and operational accommodation projects for police forces seems to indicate that PFI will remain on the agenda for the short to medium term.

“It’s not clear what is meant by ‘making good use of nationally provided services’ but this could mean larger frameworks for the supply of certain goods and services – perhaps even custody management.

“It could also mean amalgamation of neighbouring forces. The drive to create a more locally-focussed force may actually have the opposite effect; more smaller police forces may well end up sharing larger strategic facilities such as firearms training bases and custody investigation centres along the lines of the model we have created in the east of England for a number of forces.

“The central buying of IT and other infrastructure items may make procurement easier for those delivering buildings at a local level, but, for example, central government attempts to buy IT nationally has not been good.

“In any event, the white paper changes the emphasis towards more local facilities, local communities and a tailored approach to policing rather than national standards and targets.

“This will lead to each Commissioner and police force re-considering how their building stock works both from an efficiency standpoint, but also from a public perception standpoint. It remains to be seen, following the October spending review, how the reductions in the policing budget will filter through, but it seems that front line policing will be immune from cuts, and may actually benefit in real terms by re-focusing spending. Value for money is going to be more important than ever before, and this is going to be judged at a local, not national level.”

Ends

Further information:

Iain Macauley / Chris Fowler

07788 978800 / 07719 172225

im@pressrelations.co.uk / cf@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, Lima (Peru) and Mexico City, with associate offices in Belfast and Dublin. www.mcbainscooper.com