ISSUE 113. July/August 2014
THE WIDOW MAKER
Dramatic finances
A TOUCH OF CLASS Driving the new Bentley
CLASSIC INTERIORS Getting the best from your builder
Issue 113 JUly/August 2014
For all enquiries please contact:
David Hall - Sales Manager david@absolutemagazine.co.uk
Sam Harrington-Lowe – Managing Editor sam@absolutemagazine.co.uk
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Maarten Hoffmann – Motoring Editor
Frida Clementz - Senior Designer
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10. SWEET DREAMS How do you make a business thrive in the midst of a recession? Unique Build’s Rich Tai-Chidlow explains just that and much more in this exclusive interview.
Alan Prior - Publisher
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23. SAMI’S SPIRIT TO SUCCEED After the patient play under Oscar Garcia Brighton’s new manager, Sami Hyypia, arrives at the AMEX with a new style and philosophy as he looks to build on Albion’s promotion hopes.
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32. MOTORING Maarten Hoffmann adds another goal to his bucket list as a drive in the Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible becomes a life changing experience.
AT A GLANCE 4 HOMES • 10 INTERIORS • 19 HISTORY 23 SPORT • 30 BUSINESS • 32 MOTORS COVER BY DESIGN INTERIORS HOVE
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- HOMES|COLUMNISTS -
Helping you find your perfect Hove property Mishon Welton, 94 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2EB
WoodlaNd dRiVE, HoVE A spacious and individual detached family house, standing in large secluded west facing gardens, situated in a favoured residential location within the Hove Park district. The reception hallway provides access to the open plan living space, including a large and very light lounge/dining area, with doors opening onto the rear garden and in turn to the family area, again overlooking the gardens. On the first floor there are four bedrooms including a master bedroom with en-suite bath/shower room and also sliding doors opening onto a balcony over the rear garden. Outside, the gardens are a delight, with the rear garden having a substantial split level terrace adjacent to the house, leading on to an expanse of lawn. A raised heated swimming pool, is an added bonus.
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HaRtiNgtoN VillaS, HoVE, £935,000 A most substantial, semi detached period residence which provides light and generously proportioned living accommodation. This property is situated in a prime central location, within close proximity of Hove mainline station. This is a lovely family home and retains many fine original features characteristic of the period. The large reception hallway has an impressive staircase leading to the first floor and also leads into the superb, living dining room, which is a lovely light space, with doors opening onto and overlooking the rear garden. Family living is complimented further by the well fitted kitchen/dining room at the rear, which also opens on to the rear garden and 5 bedrooms spanning the first and second floors. Unusually, for a large period house, there is a very good sized lawned rear garden, with a separate sun deck. Hartington Villas is a sought after, prime central location, within close proximity of Hove mainline station and the delightful Hove park nearby too.
01273 778877 • mishonwelton.com
Hill Brow, Hove
A stunning contemporary home which has undergone complete transformation by the current owners and modernised to a high specification with a host of features throughout, occupying an elevated position with far reaching views to the sea at the front and a feature landscaped garden to the rear, located in one of Hoves most prestigious residential locations. The Hove Park area is a very pleasant ‘leafy’ location, much sought after by families. Hove Park itself offers a delightful open space with recreational amenities and a popular café as does Hove Recreation Ground. Local shopping facilities are available at Tesco Express at Droveway and at Woodland Parade. Hove mainline railway station is easily accessible for commuters and bus services connecting with the City Centre run through regularly.
£1,200,000
wanted We have many buyers looking for property in Hove who are ready and keen to buy.
Mallory road, Hove, £1,295,000 A truly superb, detached contemporary style residence, providing lovely light and substantial living space over 4 Floors with a wealth of GLASS AND STEEL, which creates a modern and stylish “edge”. The property stands in magnificent, large south facing gardens in a favoured residential location. NO CHAIN INVOLVED.
If you would like an up to date valuation for your property from one of the most experienced agents in Hove, or simply a chat about how the property market is moving, then please contact us on 01273 778877
ST JOHNS ROAD, HOVE A STUNNING first floor apartment forming part of this converted STABLE BLOCK situated in this one way street off Hove SEAFRONT. The property is offered in excellent decorative order and enjoys a perfect harmony of INDUSTRIAL CHIC and modern CONTEMPORARY LIVING. The accommodation comprises entrance hall, 33’7 x 17’0 OPEN PLAN LIVING SPACE with FEATURE EXPOSED BRICK WALL and clearly defined lounge, dining and kitchen areas with integrated appliances, two DOUBLE bedrooms, BATHROOM and EN-SUITE SHOWER ROOM with underfloor heating, engineered wooden flooring, gas central heating and communal bike store. Offers in excess of £425,000 Leasehold
brices sales & lettings
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brices sales & lettings
SALES & LETTINGS 01273 323000 30C WESTERN ROAD, HOVE BN3 1AF
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July/August 2014
- Interiors -
Sweet DreamS Unique Build are a creative shop-fitting and refurbishment specialist, and their latest project was to turn a run-down and neglected retail unit into a stylish and contemporary ice cream parlour. Sam Harrington-Lowe went along to find out more… Unique Build are a construction success story, setting up in the storm of recession and making it work, despite the challenges faced by the building trade, proving that hard work and a sound business model can prevail despite the economic weather. Launching in 2006, the business and its list of happy clients has continued to grow, a fact of which they are of course very proud. But it’s their outlook that sets them aside. Business head Rich TaiChidlow might be a familiar name to many in Brighton – with a background in design and business Rich spent his early career running Brighton’s famous ‘Zap’ club before a career change saw him become a qualified site carpenter. Rich’s managerial experience in hospitality has transferred well to the shopfitting and building industry, meaning that his projects are always well managed. And it’s this service that really sets them aside.
“From kitchens to loft conversions, we always ensure we employ the same work ethic. Honest pricing, prompt communication and high quality work. On our website you can see and hear first-hand from our domestic and commercial clients and see examples of our work as well as read proper, genuine opinions and feedback. Choosing a building contractor is difficult, we try to make it a little easier. We know we are builders, but we don’t all have to fit the stereotype,” he explains. The images you can see here are from a refurbishment in Brighton carried out for Gelato Gusto, which was “a run down and neglected retail unit in need of attention both cosmetically and structurally, plus extensive damp works,” according to Rich. The work was challenging. “Refurbishing during a very cold winter, making plastering and decorating - Interiors -
Photos by Michael Donne
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“People’s interpretations and expectations on building works are often what leads to confusion or disagreement during works.”
was very difficult and we were dealing with an ever-changing scope of works, which always comes with working on such an old building. Creating a high end and individual finish within a given budget…” all of these things made the job a challenge but Rich is keen to highlight the positives. “We really enjoyed working with owner Jon Adams. Gelato Gusto was a small start-up at the time and we love to be involved at the early stages of new ventures like this, helping local entrepreneurs create the vision they have in their head and making it a reality. It was a pleasure to work closely with Jon on creating something so important to the overall success of his business. As well as the shop fit out, we carried out structural work to the fabric of the building, including extensive exterior refurbishments. The fit includes a commercial kitchen and serving counter, a stripped wooden floor and exposed flint walls inside.” - Interiors -
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Shop-fits are handled differently from residential work, and Rich points out that the client’s approach is key to getting it right. “Research, research, research! Before you decide how you want your business to look and what you want it to say about you, go out and look at as many businesses as possible that inspire you. Don’t just stick to looking at businesses that are similar to yours either, some of the best ideas will come from totally unrelated business. For example, last year we refurbished a large independent hair salon in Hove and put a coffee bar in the middle of it! It doesn’t have to cost a fortune; good ideas and use of the right materials can result in a very effective shop-fit that looks amazing and won’t bankrupt you.”
builder (not just the one available at the time). Look at their previous work and speak to their other clients. Make sure you get itemised quotes and make sure they are comprehensive, including everything you want; never assume something is included as it may not be. People’s interpretation and expectations on building works are often what leads to confusion or disagreement during works. This can all be avoided with good planning and open communication between you and your builder.”
www.uniquebuild.co.uk
Finally, I ask Rich if he’s got advice for anyone considering some work on their building, or engaging the services of a builder. “Never rush any building work, get the planning right, and take time to choose the right 14│
July/August 2014
- Interiors -
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BACK TO THE FUTURE Mike Holland takes a step into the future to look back at the i360’s potential downfall
In an effort to be different I have decided to have a stab at writing history in advance this month. I am going to pretend we are in the year 2025 looking back at the previous decade. A time way back in 2014 when the remains of the West Pier Trust were still lingering around on our seafront and we had a council who truly believed in Marks Barfield along, possibly, with Father Christmas. I imagine the decade to roll out something like this. 2015-2016 lots of noise about how marvelously the i360 tower is progressing in its construction phase both off and on site. All followed by the most interesting excuses for late delivery sometime in 2017 with an opening to great fanfare in early summer that year. We will hear nothing else from a delighted council, a smug David Marks who just knew he could do it even without the 36.2 million we the ratepayer will have stumped up. His performance will only have been eclipsed by a very puffed up leader of the West Pier Trust, the one and only Glyn Jones. The project will then have rattled on for another three years till about the year 2020 when it will then dawn on the council of the day that they have not received any payments to date from Marks Barfield. This will possibly have been due to the fact that nobody in the town hall had taken into account that, for the majority of the year, the tower would be operating at a loss. Indeed, there would be days when it did not operate at all owing to the indisputable fact that we have inclement weather even in sunny Brighton. By then there will have been lots of sabre rattling from the city leaders and a sighting of David Marks in Brighton will be rarer than spotting a Unicorn on the Devils Dyke.
Glyn Jones will have emigrated and Geoffrey Theobald will if he hasn’t been stuffed and put on display in the Pavilion by denying all knowledge of ever having supported Jason KitKat in this lunatic scheme. Jason will, of course, have reverted to being a geek and living incognito as far away from our city as he feels is safe. We will have lumbered on through the sabre rattling till about 20212022 still not having received any meaningful repayment of loan. Meanwhile, the amount we now owe is double the amount borrowed and we are looking at a deficit of circa 70 million pounds with no prospect of paying this back. It is about this time that some bright spark in the then administration will have come up with the whizzo idea the city should repossess and run the attraction ourselves until we can find an operator to purchase the white elephant from us or work in partnership to run it. We are now into 2022 and successfully running the attraction at a massive annual loss as only a local authority can do with no white knight in sight to rescue our white elephant. Our ratepayers are wondering how on earth our previous politicians could possibly have been so stupid as to have thought any of this was a good idea in the first place and lamenting on how the city is ever going to get out of the mess it is in. Even Glynn Jones has grabbed his ego and permanently legged it by this time, had plastic surgery and is living in the south of Spain. The public are asking unfair questions such as “if Merlin Entertainments who actually run the London Eye thought it was sensible to build a smaller tower in Weymouth for 3.5 million pounds why would someone who has never built and operated a tower think it is a good
- Culture|History -
idea to build one on Brighton seafront for circa 46 million pounds?” We then arrive at around 2025 having run the white elephant spectacularly unsuccessfully ourselves for three years. Our debt stands at a whopping 100 million plus and we offload the white elephant to one of the major entertainment companies who will go on to run it successfully due to the fact that they have virtually no base cost having acquired it for next to nothing. Of course as we are now in 2025, all the then politicians of the day are denying any knowledge of events a decade earlier. Geoffrey Theobald, despite looking the same, has of course been stuffed and is on display in the Pavilion. Jason Kitkat is living in hiding and Glynn Jones is in Spain. It is us who are left with a massive debt, which is likely to be with us for many generations to come. There is, however, still time to rewrite this projected possible history if our politicians will just have the gumption to stop and consult with us, the people of Brighton and Hove City. We are going to be the ones who suffer if this lunacy is allowed to progress further. It’s not rocket science, there is no business case to support the scheme and there are times when even at the eleventh hour it is prudent to admit to having got it wrong. If ever there was such an occasion it is surely this one. Just as our government needs to hold a referendum on Europe, in our small way we deserve one for the i360. This should be a simple Yes or No vote and is the only truly democratic way of dealing with this issue.
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July/August 2014
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SAMI’S SPIRIT TO SUCCEED Daniel White caught up with new Albion manager Sami Hyypia to discuss the club’s aspirations As Sami Hyypia walked around the new Brighton & Hove Albion training ground he was struck with one overriding impression: Ambition. The club appointed the former Liverpool defender as their new manager in June following the resignation of Oscar Garcia and, during the process, was shown around the £93m AMEX Stadium and the recently opened state-of-theart training ground in Lancing. Designed to meet the Premier League’s Elite Player Performance Plan, the Seagulls clearly have the country’s top flight in their sights. “What I especially liked about these guys was the ambition that they have,” begins Hyypia. “When I came to see the training ground and the stadium for the first time I knew that they were serious and that was one of the main reasons that I am sitting here.” After two successive defeats in the Playoff semifinals the club are on the verge of promotion from the Championship and Hyypia, who signed a three-year contract at the AMEX, is confident that if the whole squad work together, then this season will end with success. “The club has had two good seasons in the past two year and I want to make it even
“Possession in general is only a number for me but what you do with the possession, that’s more important for me.” - Sport -
better and I will do everything I can to match that and maybe go a step higher,” he explains. “I want us to win every game and I think that if everyone in the team has that kind of mentality and that kind of attitude then I will be a happy man.” Throughout their time at the AMEX the club has been praised for their ability to play attractive, possession football, however, the former Finland captain will be choosing productivity over style. “Possession in general is only a number for me but what you do with the possession, that’s more important for me,” he confesses. “There’s not many teams who can go into the game saying that if we score one more than the opposition then we’ll win but the attacking play is important because without goals you can’t win.” With a number of players leaving the club this summer, including fan favourites Tomasz Kuszczak, David Lopez and Matthew Upson, a summer of recruitment is in store and, during the process, Hyypia will be looking for quality over quantity. “For me, age is only a number,” he says. “An old coaching legend in Germany once said that there’s no young and old players, only
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good and bad players so I think my mentality’s the same. If we get three and the three will help the team go forward then that’s enough, I don’t think you have to sign a player just to sign a player; it needs to have a purpose.” Hyypia, 40, was always known as a leader during his career on the pitch, captaining all of his club sides and the national side at times and it was an easy transition for him to move into management. The former Willem II player cut his managerial teeth in Germany with Bayern Leverkusen, enjoying a successful 18 months in charge before being sacked after a run of one win in 12 matches, however, he is confident that he can use his experiences to better himself and Albion. “It’s great to be back in England, where I spent most of my playing career. As a player I observed what the manager was doing, what the coaches were doing and learned that way,” he reflects. “My opportunity was unusual, in that 10 months after I finished playing I was managing a Bundesliga club but that was a good school for me and I think that in practice you learn more than when you are at school. I’m happy that I went through the bad period and that I’ve learnt a lot from the bad period and I feel more ready now.” 24│
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“All that matters is what I do as a manager, that’s what counts and hopefully I can bring some good things to the team and the individual players.” With an honours list that can match near enough everyone in the modern game, including two FA Cups, two League Cups, two Super Cups and the Champions League, Hyppia could be expected to play off his former glory, yet, he has no plans to take his foot off the gas. He says: “I hope all the players have heard of me and know a little bit of what I’ve done as a player but that doesn’t matter, all that matters is what I do as a manager, that’s what counts and hopefully I can bring some good things to the team and the individual players.” - Sport -
With pre-season already in full flow and expectations high across the city, Hyypia is unlikely to have the time to begin sightseeing in his new home town but to him, all that matters now is seeing the right sights on the field. “The area I only know what I’ve heard from other people, about the club I’ve heard only positive things and all my English friends who texted me after the appointment said that it’s a great area to live, so everything is perfect now, we just have to make it perfect on the field as well.”
ws
Claire Cook
MARIA SULLIVAN PHOTOGRAPHY from Talk Money local creative food photography specialist Financial advice in the news Over the past few weeks, the financial world has been making headlines. The Budget announcing more flexible pensions.Then the Mortgage Market Review with lenders imposing more stringent criteria for lending. Reading the articles it would appear that the focus has been on the more extreme aspects, so here I am going to try and bring some perspective to what is actually happening. The Mortgage Market Review: You may have seen headlines saying that lenders were asking if people played golf, or if they ate steak! Although things have become more stringent, I
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Images created using only natural daylight and High quality professional images for advertising, design, have to make sure that people can afford the mortgage they are taking. LED lights incompanies. studio and magazines, book publishers and food production Although the new regulations took effect only on 26th April most lenders restaurant premises. certainly haven’t come across this yet. It is true, lenders are asking more questions. One of the main focuses of the new rules is affordability, lenders
created were well prepared, they had been honing their systems inImages preparation for
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had already become used to the new rules. A word of warning, if you are looking to take a mortgage soon, be prepared. Your lender will probably ask for a detailed account of your outgoings, they may also ask for bank
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ines.and will be completely removed from next year meaning people will be able arket to access their whole pension fund. (This aspect is still in consultation). The
ding papers had pictures of pensioners with Lambourghinis, but would people eme really withdraw all their pension fund and blow it? Firstly, I have found that
at is most people are very sensible with their pension money, they realise that it has to last. Secondly, any money you draw out (after your initial tax free
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July/August 2014
- Guest|List -
guestlist What? The Best of British Lunch 9
Hosted by Ryan Heal, MD of Rockinghorse
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Where? The Grand Hotel, Brighton Why? To raise money for the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity 11
Who?
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1. Janice Standing & guests of Porsche Mid-Sussex 2. Steve Kirkham & guests of Spofforths Accountants 3. Platinum Lace 4. Guests enjoying the entertainment 5. Toby Frost & guests
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6. Gareth Chilcott with the sponsors - Mayo Wynne Baxter solicitors 7. Paul Merson with Mayo Wynne Baxter solicitors 8. Guests enjoying the entertainment 9. Gabor Kovacs and Andrew Mosley 10. Natalie Livesey, Rachel Hutchinson, Marcus Khan and Millie Lanz 11. George Hill and Rachel David 12. City Cabs / Absolute table with Andrew Cheesman & Alan Prior plus their guests
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13. Mark Rhodes, Steph Crowther, Rob de Rosa, Jessica McHattie and Charlotte Gough-Cooper 14. Nigel Seabourne and Paul Bristow 15. Jamie and Lara Malpass with Simon Carter 16. Dean Orgill (Mayo Wynne Baxter) Gareth Chillcott (ex Bath & England Rugby Player) Paul Merson (ex Arsenal & England Footballer) 17. Jenny Green, Nigel Lambe, Heidi Skerritt, Simon Hope and Orla Lambe
If you would like to see your event on these pages email us on guestlist@absolutemagazine.co.uk
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Photos: www.snapitnow.co.uk
- Guest|List -
July/August 2014
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guestlist
What? 1
The Brazilian-themed Mid Summer Ball
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Where? The Hilton Brighton Metropole Why?
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To raise £65,700 for its two beneficiary charities; the Hilton in the Community Foundation and the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity
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Who? 1. Davina Wells (Brighton Racecourse) and dance partner Will 2. Professional dancer Marta Scott 3. Alice and James River-Cripps (Posh Totty Designs) 5
4. Louise Hearn, Richard and Heidi Skerritt with Ryan Heal 5. Jo Taylor and Sid Sloane 6. The winner Richard Skerritt and the Midsummer Ball team, including Zoe Ball, Howard Lewis, Rockinghorse Charity’s Ryan Heal and dancer Marta Scott. 7. The dance amateurs with their professionals
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If you would like to see your event on these pages email us on guestlist@absolutemagazine.co.uk
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Photos: Chris Demott Photography
- Guest|List -
July/August 2014
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The Widow Maker Not given to over-dramatising a phrase, my eye was drawn to a report issued by BCA Research entitled “The Widow Maker”. Was this referring to Scotland’s failure to qualify for Brazil in the World Cup (again)!? Apparently not. As it turns out, it is of course the name by which the trade goes of shorting Japanese Government Bonds (JGBs). The act of shorting JGBs has been a fruitless one for 20 years and more but, it is a trade to which some hapless investors have been drawn on a regular basis as yields have fallen over this period from 3% to 2%, from 2% to 1% and all the way through to their 0.6% yield today. A similar fate has befallen shorters of Swiss Government bonds too, whether they chose to short when they were 3%, 2% or 1% all the way through to their 0.75% yield today.
What is the relevance? There could not be a wider difference between the fortunes of the Japanese and Swiss economies over the past 20 years. Switzerland has thrived about as much as Japan has suffered, yet their bonds mirror one another. Why is this? The reason must lie in their shared experience of seeing low to no inflation in this time. And what is the 30│
July/August 2014
fear underlying the calls to Mario Draghi to begin to do whatever it takes instead of simply saying he’ll do whatever it takes to save the Eurozone? It is the fear of deflation and the morphing of a European-style period of disinflation into a Japanese style period of disinflation. In the same way that those who shorted JGBs and Swiss bonds were expecting a “normalisation” of yields, so we hear today numerous comments about European and UK bond yields being close to the tipping point at which “normal” yields will be seen again. But what is normal? As a species we benchmark our expectations of normality against that which we recognise through our own experience, finding it hard to understand or grasp situations that we have had no knowledge of previously. In most of our lifetimes, and particularly our professional lifetimes, “normal” has been a multi-decade period of inflation, consequential high interest rates and a credit boom the likes of which has never been seen before. BCA refer to the period as the Great Aberration. As we can’t think of a better name, that’s what we’ll refer to it by as well. The 400 years preceding 1965 were typified by
- Finance -
Andrew Merricks Head of Investments, Skerrits
“credit growing broadly in line with the economy’s productive potential and (apart from during wars) structural inflation was non-existent. And the lesson from Japan and Switzerland – and other major economies now – is clear; if credit growth is not much higher than the growth in the economy’s productive potential, it is very difficult to get structural inflation, in which case, bond yields in the major economies are more likely to follow the Swiss template.” All of which means that the Widow Maker lurks in the shadows waiting for all who think that shorting European bonds at these levels is a good looking trade. We maintain our overweight position towards European equities as we are fairly confident that Draghi will do something to appease the growing murmur of unrest as there have been a few signs of the impetus slowing on the Continent. We believe in a continued recovery and retain our aggressive stance towards the periphery. Greece sold off sharply on political troubles but has recovered quite sharply and we like the BCA reminder that “stock markets in crisisstricken countries usually go up somewhere in the neighbourhood of 400% from crisis lows to recovery highs over a four year period”. The main problem everywhere is that markets have moved from being cheap to being no longer cheap, although, they generally stop short of being over-valued. This leads us to the question that we are often asked about why we are out of emerging markets. True, emerging markets have rallied quite strongly this calendar year so, as we always do, we have questioned our stance. In short, we find it very hard to envisage a sustainable recovery in emerging markets, and in natural resources and mining stocks, against the backdrop of a slowing China.
alluded is nowhere more evident than in Japan. Having been one of the top performers in the previous year, it has outperformed only Iran and Venezuela this year to date, yet we cautiously maintain our optimism towards it. Admittedly our patience is being tested, but the fact that Prime Minister Abe remains more popular at this stage of his mandate than any other Japanese Prime Minister in the last 15 years suggests that he has still got the backing to continue to bring Japan out of its ever-so-long slump and into the heady heights of inflation at 2%. This won’t happen unless the Yen weakens and remains weak, and this is one of the reasons why the market has disappointed as the Yen remains a safe haven in turbulent times. We expect the Bank of Japan to turn on the QE taps again if recovery is threatened, while if the BoJ does not act it suggests that the 2% inflationary target is likely to be achieved without help. Both these scenarios are tentatively bullish for Japanese equities, although, nothing is logical about the Japanese market, let alone predictable or reliable.
These are our views and are for professional use. www.skerritts.co.uk
The consensus is that China is an accident waiting to happen, yet emerging markets are still seen as the source of endless growth. Strangely, despite our view on emerging markets, we do not necessarily feel quite as bearish on China as others, so we await the right opportunities to take an interest once more. The soggy equity performance to which we - Finance -
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When the call came from Simon Elkin of Harwood’s Bentley in Pulborough, with an offer to test the new Bentley Continental V8 convertible, l struggled to think of a better way to spend an afternoon. My wife was in labour at the Sussex County and my daughter had a ballet performance that she had been rehearsing for well over three months but l still thought driving a new Bentley was the most important task l had that afternoon. I don’t regret it. The Continental moniker has been around for quite some time and was originally used on any model that WO himself had taken for high-speed testing to mainland Europe. The first was the 1952 R-type coupe and it is still an evocative name that conjures up images of Roger Moore and Britt Ekland cruising around Casino Square in Monte Carlo. I was blown away by the sheer majesty of the car and if you pluck up the courage to open the taps on this 500 hp twin turbo V8, you will quickly learn that it is actually feasible to merge a luxury GT with the sort of power you might expect from a Ferrari. It can be savage unless you would like to take your Nan to church, in which case it is well behaved and almost docile with a stately manner that made me feel quite regal.
“They have even designed the dash to resemble the wings of the Bentley badge. And the smell of leather, wood and deep pile is intoxicating.”
Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible
DIED AND GONE TO HEAVEN
With a car weighing in at 2320kg, you would be forgiven for thinking it’s a misprint when l tell you that the 0-60mph score is 4.8 seconds. And this is not the fast one! The 6.0 litre W12 sits atop the tree but the V8, with a slight reduction in power but a huge economy saving, the V8’s 29.7mpg compared to the W12’s 17.1, l don’t think you need to look much further than the V8. It also offers a cavernous boot with a low lip, ensuring that the heft of the golf bats is none too strenuous. Bentley’s design team, led by Dirk van Braeckel, have sculpted and carved the body with gorgeous pronounced creases and curves and although there is a nod to the past, this is contemporary 2014 styling with great visual muscularity. I fully expected to wallow around the bends but she will have none of it. Surface imperfections pass unnoticed, our glorious Sussex potholes don’t exist and when cornering in anger, it can hold 1.05g of lateral grip and that is vastly impressive aided greatly by permanent all-wheel drive. Touch the accelerator on a motorway slip road at 30mph and you will be doing 70mph in 4.2 seconds. Repeat the exercise at 50mph and you will cruising at 70mph within 2.4 seconds. You get the idea – this is a hugely fast car with impeccable road manners.
By Maarten Hoffmann
The interior leaves me slightly breathless. Acres of soft embroidered leather, yards of perfect polished walnut veneer, handmade aluminium fascia inserts and chrome-bevelled control dials all contribute to a rich and luxurious interior that very few manufacturers can pull off. You wonder how many hours went into designing the triple laminated acoustic glass that cuts out virtually all wind noise. Crewe’s master
TECHNICAL STUFF Model: Bentley Continental GT V8 Convertible Power: 4.0 litre twin turbo V8 Performance: 0-60mph 4.7 seconds Top Speed: 187mph
craftsmen have an uncanny attention to detail and are the envy of the industry. They have even designed the dash to resemble the wings of the Bentley badge. And the smell of leather, wood and deep pile is intoxicating. They have had to work hard to make this work for four people. The front seats have been cleverly slimmed down to offer an extra 46mm of rear legroom but in the back, anyone over six feet will be a tad tight. But then with the convertible, that problem dissipates into the thrill of hair in the wind motoring and a lovely roar from the thumping V8 when you hit the gas.
Economy: 25.9mpg Price: £143,000 (Coupe £130,000) Dealer: Harwood’s Bentley 01798 300250
The standard equipment is impressive of course and too long to list and then there are those devilishly attractive extra items that would have my cheque book out in a jiffy. Take the optional carbon-ceramic brakes that will stop this beast from 60mph in 2.5 seconds. How could you not order that option? This is not a cheap car to buy or to run but then why should it be? It is the pinnacle of great British engineering, seamlessly drawing from a long and illustrious history and still showing the world what luxury is all about. I previously had seven things to accomplish on my ‘to do before l die’ list and now there are eight – to own a Bentley Continental. - Motoring|review -
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LIVE LIFE IN THE FASTER LANE FROM £1,399 A MONTH. 7.2% APR REPRESENTATIVE. THE NEW CONTINENTAL GT SPEED
The New Continental GT Speed Hard and fast. It’s how we played with the rules when designing the Continental GT Speed. The racetrack pestering 616bhp, 0-60mph in 4 exhilarating seconds, a top speed of 205mph. The numbers quickly add up. They don’t, however end there. The Continental GT Speed is now available for a surprisingly achievable monthly repayment. So why not start living life in the faster lane? To find out more about our finance packages and to book a test drive get in touch today.
24 monthly payments of. . . . . . . . . . . . .£1,399.00 Duration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 months On the road cash price . . . . . . . . . . £157,845.00 Deposit contribution . . . . . . . . . . . . . .£20,000.00 Customer deposit or part exchange .£47,424.30 Acceptance fee* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £169.00 Optional final payment . . . . . . . . . . . . .£91,366.25 Option to purchase fee** . . . . . . . . . . . . . £79.00 Amount of credit. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . £110,420.70 Total amount payable . . . . . . . . . . . . £172,445.55 Rate of interest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7.04% Fixed Representative APR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7.2% APR
HARWOODS BENTLEY SUSSEX London Road, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 1AR Telephone 01798 872407
online & mobile at harwoods.uk.com Bentley Solutions representative example from Bentley Financial Services based on 5,000 miles per annum# for New Continental GT Speed†. Fuel economy for the New Continental GT Speed in mpg (l/100km): Urban 12.7 (22.2); Extra Urban 28.0 (10.1); Combined 19.5 (14.5). CO2 Emissions (g/km): 338. †Subject to terms and conditions. Please see back cover for details.†Bentley Financial Services Terms and Conditions: All prices include VAT at the current rate. #72p per mile excess mileage charges apply. Retail sales only. *Payable within first payment. **Payable with optional final payment. Further charges may be payable if vehicle is returned. Indemnities may be required. Subject to status. Available to over 18s in the UK. Bentley Financial Services, Freepost VWFS. Available for cars ordered and delivered before 30th September 2014. All offers are subject to vehicle availability from par ticipating Bentley dealers and may be varied or withdrawn at any time. Other finance offers are available but cannot be used in conjunction with this offer. Harwoods use a number of finance providers, and we may receive an incentive from them. Your Bentley dealer will always have the latest information. The name ‘Bentley’ and the ‘B’ in wings device are registered trademarks. © February 2013 Bentley Motors Limited.
guestlist What? The launch of the Sussex Business Awards 1
Where?
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The Royal Pavilion, July 2nd Why? To launch the Brighton sector of the awards while past winners explained the importance of winning 3
Who?
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1. Fiona Shafer (MDHUB) and Caraline Brown (Midnight) 2. Jason Edge and Laurence Elphick (Mayo Wynne Baxter) 3. Alan Prior (Absolute Magazine) 4. Fiona Graves, Caraline Brown, Sue Popper, Sam Harrington Lowe and Lynne East 5. Jim May, Sam Harrington Lowe, Graham Precey 5
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6. Jason Edge and Laurence Elphick (Mayo Wynne Baxter) 7. Mayor of Brighton & Hove Councillor Brian Fitch and his wife Norah 8. Oliver ward, Edward Jackson and Simon Troupe (European Recruitment) 9. Q&A Audience
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If you would like to see your event on these pages email us on guestlist@absolutemagazine.co.uk
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Coming Soon This exclusive collection of traditionally styled 4 & 5 bedroom homes is perfectly placed in a peaceful spot just outside the centuries-old market town of Horsham. Crest Nicholson’s unrivalled attention to detail and sense of style makes every home at Harrington Mews the ideal choice for the discerning buyer. The beautifully designed kitchens and sleek, stylish bathrooms create luxury living at it’s finest, whilst you create the home that you have always dreamed of. For further details contact our selling agents on 01403 339835 today.
HARRINGTON MEWS Farthings Hill | Horsham | RH12 1TS
www.crestnicholson.com/harringtonmews Typical Crest Nicholson interior. Price correct at time of going to press.
5 bedroom homes priced from £919,950 Selling agents: Connells, 31 Carfax, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1EE
01403 339835