Propertynews.qxp_Layout 1 23/09/2020 10:40 Page 1
PROPERTY NEWS BITE-SIZED UPDATES FROM ACROSS THE CITY’S BOOMING SECTOR xxx CHANGE HERE!
Jodie Fraser has managed apartment blocks across Bristol, Cheltenham and London for four years
Network Rail has bought the Bruneldesigned Grade I-listed Bristol Old Station – the city’s first railway station when it opened in 1840 as the western terminus of the Great Western Railway from London Paddington. Currently housing business incubator Engine Shed and event space the Passenger Shed, the building is one of the oldest surviving railway stations in the country, and this move via Bristol City Council means it will be back under railway ownership for the first time in three decades. Commercial uses will continue, along with refurbishment of the historic facilities.
SMALL BIZ SUCCESS
Image by Jon Craig
• networkrail.co.uk
LEADING THE WAY A UK first took place in a Bristol car park recently when 11 zero-carbon Zed Pods apartments were craned into place as part of a partnership with Bristol City Council, Bristol Housing Festival, YMCA and Bristol and Bath Regional Capital. The one and two-bed apartments, built on a podium above the car park in Chalks Road, St George, are modular units that can be erected within days, with the lowest possible running costs. Each is precisionmade in a factory environment to high environmental standards. Because the development takes advantage of the air rights above a council-owned car park, the land cost has been removed thus making the development extremely affordable. It’s the first 100% socially rented development of its kind in the country. The development will deliver council housing for young people in need of affordable housing and those at risk of housing crisis, including NHS workers. Bristol City Council has been working with YMCA Bristol to seek tenants. “We wanted to address key worker and affordable housing issues without compromising on our values of sustainability and quality,” said Zed Pods operations director Dr Rehan Khodabuccus. “We are pleased that Bristol City Council has had the foresight to partner with us direct and are so enthusiastic about the potential for more developments like this.” Marvin Rees, mayor of Bristol, said:
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“It’s an exciting and yet practical approach to addressing some of the housing challenges we have and I hope we can see more of these sort of projects delivered in the near future. We have to be thinking creatively about how we best use the space we have in the city and not keep pushing people further and further out because they can’t afford city house prices.” The project came about as a result of Bristol Housing Festival – all about trying out new ideas and better ways to live in our cities. “Our aim has always been to deliver tangible projects so I am thrilled that the Zed Pods project is now actually a reality,” said Jez Sweetland, Bristol Housing Festival project director. Ben Silvey, YMCA, added: “This development provides much-needed affordable housing for young people and we want to make sure we create a community here. We are now taking applications for four ‘community builders’ to move in when the site is ready in November. These will effectively be ‘super tenants’ who are being asked to unite residents and encourage them to get involved in their community.” • zedpods.com
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Jodie Fraser, founder of Fraser Allen Estate Management, has been named as one of the nation’s Small Biz 100 in a national campaign highlighting inspiring small businesses. The 36-year-old, has run her business managing the homes of residents in apartment blocks across Bristol, Cheltenham and London for the last four years. “I fully support the aim of the Small Business Saturday campaign as it promotes the ethos of supporting independent small businesses, from retailers to local suppliers. Now, as one of the Small Biz 100, this year I plan to work with independent solicitor Andrew Turner from Hughes Paddison to offer a morning of my time to assist the general public with any queries they may have regarding property management and property law. “I also plan to support small business by arranging a networking event where everyone involved is a local business, for example a photographer who can capture the event and a local baker who can provide cakes and refreshments. Watch this space!” Marking 100 days building up to Small Business Saturday on 5 December 2020, the Small Biz 100 provides a major profile boost to small businesses across the UK, particularly at this challenging time. Showcasing individual businesses through social media daily, the campaign aims to support and celebrate a vibrant range of small, community-driven businesses. “Given the phenomenally tough time small businesses have had, and the special role they played supporting communities in lockdown, it’s vital we continue to support them as this crisis continues,” said Michelle Ovens MBE, director of Small Business Saturday UK. “This year’s Small Business Saturday is going to be the most important one yet, and were determined it will also be the best.” Small Business Saturday has grown significantly, with a record turnout of 17.6 million people choosing to shop small on the day last year, generating an estimated £800m. • smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com
