Portfolio Magazine August 2016

August 2016

The BEST Interviews

Bake Off baker Paul Hollywood & Sue Perkins on her Brighton show

WIN tickets

COOL INTERIORS It’s all white

Cutting edge KITCHENS Welcome to High-tech property sales 8 page SPECIAL

The region’s

LARGEST property publication

&

Dream Design FREE

THE ROYAL SHAKESPEARE COMPANY PRODUCTIONS in association with CHICHESTER FESTIVAL THEATRE

HHHHH Daily Telegraph | Times | Daily Mail

‘sparklingly funny and giddily blissful’ Times

two comedies by william shakespeare

Shakespeare’s great romantic comedies are set either side of the First World War. Love’s Labour’s Lost conjures up the carefree elegance of a pre-war Edwardian summer, while post-war Much Ado About Nothing presents a changed world with the roaring 20s just around the corner.

The plays can be seen as single performances or enjoyed as one extraordinary event on our two-show days.

24 September - 29 October cft.org.uk 01243 781312

£

TICKETS FROM

INSIDE 5 12 18

21 27 33

Zippos circus, page 21

38 42

Hill House & Home Truths Property News

August collection, page 38

INTERVIEW : Goldin Lemcke’s dream team Calendar : Out and about in August What’s Trending Shopping special : It’s all white August Collection : Shiny and new Chalk Architecture : The People’s Promenade

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Career Ladder : Simon Gregg, Rockinghorse

46

Talk money : Time for a review?

48 52 61 65

INTERVIEW : Geoff McCleland of Designer’s Choice Home tips : Get set, stage…

Gardening : Al fresco, relax and enjoy Legal Matters : The problem of prescriptive rights

... Continued over

Gardening, page 61

For all advertising, editorial and general enquiries contact Lynne Edwards, Managing Director

07931 537588

lynne@portfoliopublications.co.uk www.portfoliopublications.co.uk

Subscribe to our newsletter Cover: Image courtesy of www.kolenik.com Ocean Kitchen Aquarium, designed by Robert Kolenik Designers Choice, page 48

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Interiors, page 84

75 84

Doing it yourself : How to update your bathroom COVER STORY : High-technology property sales Junior golf, page 100

Interiors : The heart of the home

90

Restaurant review : Shepherd & Dog Fabulous food in Fulking

92

Celebrity recipe : Iranian Sabrina Ghayour’s Joojeh kabab

94

Style : A plea for elegance

96

Bigger Picture : Paul Hollywood on Bake Off countdown

98

Local news

100 104

Golf guy : Junior golf Celebrity Interview : Sue Perkins’ new show Spectacles

Sue Perkins, page 104

High-technology, page 75

The PORTFOLIO team Managing Director: Lynne Edwards Production Editor: Fiona McTernan lynne@portfoliopublications.co.uk portfoliomagazineproduction@gmail.com For advertising and general enquiries contact Lynne Edwards: 07931 537588 lynne@portfoliopublications.co.uk Chief Sub-Editor & Features Editor: Designer: Sally Wynn Daniel Frickelton www.portfoliopublications.co.uk portfoliopublications@dollydesigns.co.uk portfoliomagazineeditorial@gmail.com Cover: Image courtesy of John Lewis www.johnlewis.com

Contributor: Kate Hill

Contributing Editor: Tara de la Motte tara@sussex-homes.co.uk

Published by: All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change or amend any competitions or prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit.

EXPERT column

HOME TRUTHS

D

THE HILL HOUSE

amp feels like a permanent feature in many period homes, and ours is no exception. We’ve been chasing it around our rear wall for 15 years prior to starting the big rebuild.

Like so many in Brighton, the house is built into a slope, the rear wall facing the sea. The combination of damp from four feet of garden up against the kitchen, and serious weather, has been expensive. When we moved in, we dug a trench between back wall and earth, filled it with pea shingle, and re-plastered in the hope this would work. But the damp continued to rise, joined by penetrating damp coming through the first floor window frames and sill. Over time we patched things up, replaced windows and tried different treatments, to no avail.

“Talking to a colleague about renovating his iconic '60s London apartment, he told me how he had fixed their troublesome penetrating damp” When we got around to the full refurb, it was time for the nuclear option. We dug out tonnes of earth from around the back wall, making a new patio with steps to the garden. The side door was bricked up and replaced with weather-proof folding aluminium doors at the rear. Rotten windows and sills were replaced (again) with aluminium. Every scrap of render from floor to roof was replaced, and we lined each window sill with overhanging Corian to stop water penetrating.

But still it came: a small damp patch blossomed into a trail of wet wall that grew each time it rained. The original problems had been fixed for sure: this was new.

I (sadly) spent hours watching the water, experimenting with food colouring to find a leak in render or sills. It seemed to be coming from upstairs, running along the steel beam above the doors, down the wall and through the electrics. I discovered the builders hadn’t sealed around new doors and windows, but fixing this didn’t help. The builder had gone under, we needed a new solution. Damp specialists, it seems, don’t like patching up other people’s work - I couldn’t get anyone to even quote.

Talking to a colleague about renovating his iconic '60s London apartment, he told me how he had fixed their troublesome penetrating damp: tanking (coating with a waterproof membrane) the wall, and spraying the outside of the building with a waterproof silicone treatment.

Six months later and his wall is still dry – so that’s our next step. Rubber membranes and silicone. And if that doesn’t work, I’m giving up.

Kate Hill

I’M SO BORED! What on earth are you talking about? You don’t think there’s enough happening at the moment?

Oh no, it’s not that – I had to turn the news off before I got an ulcer. I’m watching this pot boil, and its taking forever…

There are a few things that impact on the speed at which water boils.

Altitude is one of them: Gravity means that the higher you go, the less air molecules there are in any given space – the air is less dense. Lower density means lower atmospheric pressure. And lower atmospheric pressure means that the water molecules need less energy to escape into the air – meaning the water ‘boils’ at much lower temperatures (and quicker). Forget poached eggs – we’d be having a sort of egg soup.

We do live on a bit of an incline.. ..but even going upstairs won’t speed things up for you. And don’t bother adding salt, either. Although it can look as though salted water boils quicker, this is only because adding salt gives the water ‘nucleation sites’ – little irregularities in texture where bubbles can form more easily. Salt doesn’t make the water reach the ‘boiling point’ needed to cook things any quicker. In fact, adding salt or sugar to water will actually raise the boiling point slightly.

WHAT ABOUT ADDING A WOODEN SPOON? Nope, that won’t speed things up (why would it?!). Nor does cold water boil quicker than hot water, or previously boiled (or frozen) water boil faster. It’s all water, and it’s all subject to the same laws of physics. Well, mostly.

What do you mean?

Ah – well, have you recovered enough from the traumas of Brexit and football to be able to handle a bit of quantum physics? No? let’s do it anyway. Something called the Zeno effect, discovered by quantum physicists about 20 years ago, predicts that frequent measurements of a quantum system (like a pan of water) will slow down or even stop the natural 'decay' of particles from high-energy states to lower-energy ones. The anti-Zeno effect predicts that numerous measurements may instead speed up decay. Physicist Mark Raizen at the University of Texas at Austin and his colleagues tested both effects in the laboratory. Observing sodium atoms tunnelling through a light wave, the team found that the rate of tunelling slowed significantly when they took measurements every millionth of a second. When they took measurements every five millionths of a second, tunnelling speeded up.

Oh. Er. So what does this mean for my boiled eggs?

It means you might have been right in the first place – a watched pot never (or takes longer to) boil, in a quantum sense. Let’s go and do the crossword while we wait.

PORTFOLIO 5

The gold standard for greener glazing.

Come and visit our extensive showroom to discuss your requirements and ideas – for a greener, more eďŹƒcient windows, doors & conservatories solution.

01903 756699 or visit www.benchmarkwindows.co.uk

Units 4 & 5, 83 Marlborough Road Lancing Business Park Lancing West Sussex BN15 8UF

PEMBROKE CRESCENT, HOVE

Guide Price ÂŁ1,250,000

A stunning red brick semi-detached period home situated within the popular Pembroke area of Hove. The property, which has undergone complete refurbishment, offers modern family living whilst still retaining many of the period features. The ground floor offers a spacious kitchen/breakfast/family room with a contemporary style kitchen with integrated appliances and doors leading out to the garden. The double length reception room, with plantation shutters and wonderful reclaimed fire places. The first floor, with a wide landing has four bedrooms. The master bedroom with feature fire place, bay window and plantation shutters. The bedroom to the rear of the property benefits from a walk in wardrobe and en-suite bathroom. There are an additional two double bedrooms, one of which has a balcony at the front. The family bathroom is of a modern style. Worthy of note is the spacious loft area which could, subject to necessary planning consents, be converted into an additional 2 bedrooms and bathroom. Outside, the westerly facing garden is beautifully landscaped.

4 94 Church Road | Hove | BN3 2EB

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01273 778 877 | mishonwelton.com

MEDINA VILLAS, HOVE

Guide Price ÂŁ895,000

This architecturally designed property has been built to a high standard and offers contemporary accommodation to suit the modern lifestyle with the utmost attention to detail. Situated in this highly desirable location just off Hove seafront and a stones throw away from all that Hove has to offer. On entering the house you are immediately struck by the light and airy impression as the entrance hall, leads to two bedrooms and modern bathroom, which offer flexibility of living. The living area is situated on the first floor providing a wonderful space with a beautifully fitted kitchen with a full range of quality integrated appliances and the added bonus of a delightful west facing terrace, perfect for those lovely summer evenings. In addition to this there is a lower ground floor area providing a third bedroom or a extra reception room with access to a patio area, plus a modern bathroom, perfect for family and guests

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sales@mishonwelton.com WHATEVER YOU’RE LOOKING FOR

FOR SALE ARUNDEL DRIVE EAST £925,000 HOME@NASHWATSON.COM 01273 733 500

LEADERS

If you are buying or selling a property you couldn’t be in safer hands since

Lawyers for Life™

Conveyancer Of The Year The Estate Agency of the Year Awards 2012 in association with The Sunday Times and The Times

31 Duke Street, Brighton, BN1 1AG Tel: +44 (0) 1273 725229 www.cunningtons.co.uk

HYBRID AGENCY SELLS LOCAL FRANCHISES FROM £5,000 Following recent entries into hybrid estate agency by Countrywide and Savills, another ‘part-online, part-traditional’ agency is seeking to expand by selling franchises from £5,000.

The Good Estate Agent says data from the franchise industry suggests typical franchise fees are around £14,600 - three times what it claims to offer for what it describes as “a lucrative, ready-made business.” The agency also offers a self-employed agent option for a monthly fee of £47.

The Kent-based firm provides what it describes as “full training, access to an online property and applicant management system, website, telephone and email support” and “takes care of the major brunt of the work, such as the administration, Rightmove and Zoopla advertising, as well as telephone and email enquiries” - leaving the franchise owner to go out and get the business.“ For us, it has always been about customer service and value, and we don’t follow the ‘cheap fee’ model that will fail in a market downturn,” says MD Rob Bryer, a former traditional estate agent.

RICS HOMEBUYER REPORTS The long-established HomeBuyer report with a valuation continues as before. This includes a description of each element of the property, with colour-coded condition ratings, comments on defects and advice on repairs, plus a market valuation and a reinstatement cost. However, the HomeBuyer report without a valuation has the same components, but without the valuation and reinstatement cost.

In the recent past, Graham Ellis - the institution’s Residential Associate Director - has called it an anomaly that HomeBuyer Reports carry valuations, while RICS’ other products (the Condition Report and the Building Survey) do not. www.rics.org Read more about these and other industry stories at www.estateagenttoday.co.uk

PROPERTY news

PROPERTY NEWS SUSSEX HERITAGE TRUST AWARD FOR ZSTA Local Architects ZSTa have won a Sussex Heritage Trust Awards for their work on the Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue (BHPS).

The awards are now in their 18th year and are designed to recognise and reward the highest-quality conservation, restoration and good design of newly built projects while encouraging the use of traditional skills and crafts.

ZSTa’s journey with BHPS started back in April 2014 when they were approached to evolve an original concept by Theo Rubin to further develop the existing site at 6 Lansdowne Road into a synagogue and community building.

Today, the internal layout of the ‘new’ synagogue offers a large sanctuary, office, library, educational rooms, pastoral care, a social area, and kitchen and toilet accommodation over two floors. Spaces flow into each other, linked by generous foyer spaces and a sculptural staircase that leads to the first floor, housing the social area overlooking the sanctuary through large glazing. A series of roof lights has also been installed to provide daylight to all habitable rooms, some with specifically created light shafts to guide the light. The design of the new building also covers sustainable credentials, with well insulated walls and roofs, roof lights to prevent overheating and a heat recovery unit to reduce heating cost and provide good ventilation to all areas. The judges commented, “An imaginative, inspirational and contemporary refurbishment. A truly community-led project working within a restricted budget.” www.zsta.co.uk

ROD STEWART PUTS MANSION ON THE MARKET Rod Stewart has put his £7.5million Essex mansion up for sale with Savills. It comes with six bedrooms, boating lake, swimming pool and – of course – its own full-size football pitch – perfect if you are still pining for the sport, following the recent Euro football tournament.

Sir Rod Stewart, 71, has lived in Wood House for 30 years.

The Grade-II listed property comes with tennis courts, a swimming pool, stables, gardens and a two-bed cottage. He and wife Penny Lancaster, 45, are said to be moving so they can be closer to their children's school. They are currently renovating a 10-bedroom mansion, Durrington House, in Essex, which they bought for £4.65 million in 2013.

More details from www.savills.co.uk. 0207 075 2806

MODERN LAW AWARDS July’s event, at The Rum Warehouse in Liverpool, was a hugely successful evening, with solicitor and conveyancing firms being rewarded and recognised for their excellence and achievements throughout the year.

Searches UK’s Managing Director, Andrew Stenning, was part of the judging panel that reviewed and mediated the accomplishments of each firm to identify the worthy winners.

Andrew Stenning, Managing Director at Searches UK, commented: “Our team enjoyed a fantastic evening at the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards, and I felt privileged to be part of the judging panel to highlight the talent and hard work across the industry. Striving for excellence is always incorporated into the business ethos at Searches UK, and we would be delighted to work alongside other successful solicitor and conveyancing firms to deliver an efficient, affordable and professional service. A full list of the winners can be found on the Modern Law Conveyancing Awards website. www.searchesuk.co.uk PORTFOLIO 13

52 Church Road Hove, BN3 2FN • Tel 01273 778844 113 St. Georges Road, Brighton BN2 1EA • Tel 01273 685111 10 Station Road, Portslade BN41 1GA • Tel 01273 383830 WILBURY CRESCENT, HOVE, £875,000

HOVE OFFICE: 01273 778844

Spacious early Edwardian five bedroom semi-detached house. An elegant two storey house with a wealth of wonderful period features and large, landscaped rear garden. Set back from the road, on a quiet tree-lined crescent, in a highly sought after area of Hove, a classic red path leads up to a distinguished bay-fronted home. Dating back to 1904, stained glass leaded windows, exposed beams and working period fireplaces all combine to create a beautiful example of a picture-perfect period property.

EPC rating E.

ST AUBYNS, HOVE, £675,000

HOVE OFFICE: 01273 778844

Contemporary four bedroom end of terrace house with garden and roof terrace. Conveniently located in the heart of Hove near to the seafront and within easy reach of the shops, bars and restaurants of Church Road. Discreetly set back from the road in a highly sought after area of Hove, curved white walls, solid oak doors and an abundance of natural light all combine to create a four storey home with an incredibly versatile interior. EPC Rating C.

www.sawyerandco.co.uk

ROEDEAN ROAD, BRIGHTON, ÂŁ399,950

BRIGHTON OFFICE: 01273 685111

Three bedroom end of terrace house. This good size three bedroom end of terrace house benefits from off road parking, garage and also has a lovely south facing garden. Situated just north of Brighton Marina, it also comprises two double bedrooms a good size single bedroom and a lean to conservatory to the rear overlooking the garden. The property would also benefit from some modernisation but can be updated in to a lovely family home. This row of houses was built for the fire fighters in the nearby Fire Station and offers easy access down in to central Brighton and the seafront. Shops can be found in the nearby marina with a good range of facilities and transport links. EPC Rating D.

NEW CHRUCH ROAD, HOVE, ÂŁ295,000

PORTSLADE OFFICE: 01273 383830

Two bedroom apartment with south-facing balcony in purpose built complex. Sitting on the ground floor of a sought after and well-maintained complex close to the seafront on Hove's leafy New Church Road. A short walk from Hove Lagoon and the popular shops, bars and restaurants of Boundary Road. Set back from the wide road, this spacious apartment benefits from two double bedrooms, a separate kitchen and a south-facing balcony. No Onward Chain. EPC Rating E.

www.sawyerandco.co.uk

BEAUTIFUL homes

CLASSIC STYLE

T

his elegant five-bedroom semi-detached house with landscaped garden is set back from a wide elm and sycamore tree-lined road in a highly sought-after conservation area of Hove. A classic monochrome tiled path leads down to the yellow brick facade of this immensely elegant property.

Throughout this four-storey home, modern design features blend effortlessly with a wealth of beautiful period features to create a breath-taking four-storey home where every aspect has been finished to an incredibly high standard. No onward chain.

Denmark Villas, Hove BN3 3TD Price: ÂŁ1,600,000 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3 Extras: Dinesen wood floors; Contemporary bespoke kitchen; Highly sought-after area Best Bits: Four storeys; Spacious rooms; West-facing landscaped garden Fine & Country 46 Church Road, Hove BN3 2FN 01273 739911 www.fineandcountry.com

16  PORTFOLIO

fineandcountry.comTM

Fine & Country 46 Church Road, Hove BN3 2FN

Hartington Villas, Hove

EPC: F

Elegant 4 Bedroom Semi-Detached House with South-Facing Landscaped Garden and Sea Views. Set back from a wide tree-lined road in a highly sought after area of Hove, a classic tiled path leads down to the red brick facade of this immensely elegant property.

Throughout this three storey home modern design features blend effortlessly with sash bay windows and high ceilings to provide a beautiful example of contemporary family living in a period property. 4 beds, 2 receps, 2 baths.

Tel: 01273 739911

Oak Lodge, Dyke Road, Hove

OIEO ÂŁ999,950

EPC: C

Beautiful 5 Bedroom Detached Turner-Style House with Sea Views and Solar Power. Set back from the road in a highly sought after Hove area, this immensely elegant house was originally built

by Harold Turner in the Sussex farmhouse vernacular and features Arts & Crafts detailing with its stained glass leaded windows, solid oak doors and distinctive chimney stacks.

Conveniently located for all that Brighton and Hove has to offer, behind the classic brick facade a tastefully presented home has been lovingly restored to seamlessly incorporate modern energy efficient technology alongside original 1930s features. From the Crittall windows, which have been rebuilt with their original 1930s stained glass to the highest specification, to the photovoltaic solar panels, every aspect of this home is finished to a highly energy efficient specification. No onward chain. 5 beds, 2 receps, 2 baths.

Tel: 01273 739911

ÂŁ1,250,000

Tel: +44 (0)1273 739911

DREAM TEAM

Partners Mark Welton & Simon Goldin

Simon Goldin of Goldin Lemcke is delighted to welcome Mark Welton, whom many of you will know from his time working in the Brighton and Hove property scene over many years. We talk to Mark about his recent move, and how bringing two well-known names together is creating a buzz in the City.

Mark, you’ve been in estate agency a long time.

Your recent past is well known but tell us a little about where you started, and the career path that led you here.

I started my career in this industry over 30 years ago for an agent in Haywards Heath, where I learnt the basics of the estate agency industry and which set me on a path which, to this day, I have never looked back from!

However, I had lived in the Brighton & Hove area all my life and I wanted to work in the place that I knew and loved. After 6 months, I took a position with a well-known, successful agency in Hove, where I stayed for nearly 20 years, before setting up my own estate agency business in 2006.

Presumably, the new partnership is offering potential clients a wealth of experience that will be hard to match?

Yes, absolutely. Simon and I are real “old heads” in the industry! At the last count, we have over 60 years' combined experience.

There have been many changes in the industry. During that time, however, the value of experience as a requirement for handling the sale or purchase of what is most people’s most valuable investment has never changed.

Given your backgrounds and seniority, I’m guessing you still like to deal personally with each and every client and give them a personal, dare I say, ‘old-fashioned’ service?

We believe that we can offer the best marketing material and the most sophisticated technology to sell our clients' homes, but this counts for little unless it is underpinned by a

“Already in place is a fantastic team, who are not only experienced, but have a genuine appetite and enthusiasm for working with and assisting our clients and customers” traditional, customer-based service. We want our sellers and buyers to be fully involved and engaged with us during the process of selling and buying, and to feel at the end that they have received a service that they would recommend to others.

FIND US

01273 777123 goldinlemcke.com

160-162 Church Road Hove East Sussex BN3 2DL

Having said that, we’ve seen that the office has been the subject of considerable improvement over the past year and is now looking amazing.

With all the online estate agency chatter, is the high street still the place to do business these days, Mark?

Insofar as estate agency is concerned, the high street has always been and will continue to be, the best place to operate a property business.

As I have said before, for most people, a home is their most important asset, whether or not they are selling or buying. To be able to discuss the marketing or purchase of their home in a smart, modern, comfortable offices, face-to-face, with experienced, knowledgeable, interested sales people is key for the vast majority of people. A listing on the internet is just a small part of a much bigger picture!

What changes will you be introducing to the business, and how do you think it will change going forward?

To be honest, there are no real changes that need to be made. Goldin Lemcke is already a very successful, award-winning estate agency and has officially sold more homes in the BN3 postcode than any other estate agent in the City during 2016. We are obviously doing something

email property@goldinlemcke.com

INTERVIEW

right! In reality, I believe that we need to continue to do what we do even better, in order to move our business from strength to strength. Basically, the trick is to take a winning formula, which we believe we have, and work to make it even better.

So, who are the other members of the Goldin Lemcke team?

Already in place is a fantastic team, who are not only experienced, but have a genuine appetite and enthusiasm for working with and assisting our clients and customers, whether buying or selling. The sales team are well known and established in the city, with the familiar faces of Ebba Morley and Lee Tidey having received numerous testimonials for their hard work from many of our long-standing clients. I am also very pleased to be working alongside my son Toby Welton, who has recently joined the sales team.

Finally, Chantal Kingswood keeps the office running efficiently and is on hand to deal with administrative aspects of the business.

We’d love to show you more about what we can do to help with your sale or purchase, so do drop by and meet the team at Goldin Lemcke.

From left to right: Ebba, Lee, Toby & Chantal

“Goldin Lemcke is already a very successful, award-winning estate agency and has officially sold more homes in the BN3 postcode than any other estate agent in 2016�

selling homes In Brighton & Hove since 2002

01273 777123 goldinlemcke.com

Norfolk Road, Brighton A rare opportunity to purchase this magnificent double fronted period home of immense charm and character in this central and extremely sought after location of Brighton and with a great income potential.

£1,500,000 • 7 Bedrooms • 3 Bathrooms • 4 Floors + Garden

FIND US 160-162 Church Road Hove East Sussex BN3 2DL

email

property@goldinlemcke.com

selling homes In Brighton & Hove since 2002

Salisbury Road, Hove A stunning, spacious and bright ground floor apartment with beautiful mature south west facing rear garden in prime central location close to the wonderful Hove seafront and Hove mainline railway station.

£449,995 • Lounge/Dining room • 2 Bedrooms • 2 Bathrooms

CALENDAR of events

August Our pick of August events. There is much to do this month and so much of it outdoors. Grab your picnic blanket, and enjoy the summer in Sussex

August Highlight

Brighton Open Air Theatre August programme Brighton Open Air Theatre in Dyke Road Park is home again this month to a superb season of outdoor theatre. An amphitheatre formed of eight artificially turfed terraces leading down to a sunken thrust stage, the bespoke acoustic wall retains sound, improving the experience for the audience and preventing noise pollution. The open-air theatre operates from May to September each year and provides a space for local companies, alongside national touring productions. The programme is primarily made up of theatre, but the open-air venue also plays host to music, comedy, screenings and spoken-word events.

HIGHLIGHTS IN AUGUST INCLUDE: 4 August, As You Like It Shakespeare's wonderful romantic comedy about life, love, betrayal, faith and death – filled with Folksy's live music, bold characters, audience interaction and plenty of laughs.

Brighton Open Air Theatre, 7pm 7 August, Gilbert and Sullivan's Ruddigore Gilbert & Sullivan’s glorious spoof of gothic haunted-house stories gets the complete Illyria treatment, faithfully performed by a reduced cast and accompanied by a Musical Director on keyboard.

Brighton Open Air Theatre, 3pm 10 – 14 August, Much Ado About Nothing Brighton Shakespeare Company in conjunction with The Treason Show and Rialto Theatre have combined forces to return to the essence of Shakespeare's much-loved romantic comedy.

Brighton Open Air Theatre, 7.30pm, plus some 3pm matinees.

16 - 21 August, Heartbreak House George Bernard Shaw’s 1919 masterpiece of rich vs. poor, women vs. men, young vs. old, propriety vs. decadence, innovation vs. exploitation, and the spirit vs. materialism, reworked by Droll & Folly Theatre Brighton Open Air Theatre, 7pm, with some 2pm matineees.

25 - 28 August, Frankenstein Modern concerns are embedded within Mary Shelley’s thrilling, deeply disturbing, classic gothic tale – told through the eyes of the Creature...

Brighton Open Air Theatre, 7pm, with some 2pm matineees 31 August, Hamlet Packed with intrigue, ghostly visitations, passion, a play-within-a play, gripping duels, and humour, all within a crystal-clear and fast-paced production.

Brighton Open Air Theatre, 7pm Brighton Open Air Theatre, Dyke Road Park, Dyke Road, Hove. www.brightonopenairtheatre.co.uk

More events continued over the page

CALENDAR of events

4 August, Ladies day Hats at the ready, Ladies Day returns to Brighton Racecourse.

Sponsored by Frosts, Ladies Day is one of the most popular days of the year at Brighton Racecourse. Special packages are available to include three-course dining, premier ticket, race cards and private bar with access to the exclusive terrace section located in the heart of the excitement and atmosphere.

Or book a table in the exclusive luxury marquee with champagne arrival, exclusive trackside balcony and a threecourse menu.

See the hospitality section on the website for details of all packages.

Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Road, Brighton. www.brighton-racecourse.co.uk

18 - 20 August, What I Go To School For: The Busted Musical

5 - 7 August, Brighton Pride: Uniting Nations The Legendary Sister Sledge are coming to Brighton Pride. The Grammy-nominated queens of disco have topped the Billboard chart, amassed a string of Gold and Platinum records, accumulating in total worldwide sales of over 15,000,000. 2015 was a record fundraising year, with £100,000 raised for community good causes and 200,000 people enjoying the biggest community parade to date.

Carnival of Diversity will now remain as the main Parade theme, with Uniting Nations being the 2016 campaigning theme, reflecting the UK’s favourite Pride festival’s on-going commitment to campaigning for global LGBT+ rights. The main Community Parade and Pride Festival is on Saturday, 6th August.

After their Olivier Award-nominated musical Loserville, Busted’s James Bourne and award-winning writer Elliot Davis team up with critically acclaimed Youth Music Theatre UK for a third time to present electrifying new show, What I Go To School For – The Busted Musical!

Featuring some of Busted’s biggest hits, including Air Hostess, Crashed the Wedding and Year 3000 plus a host of brand-new songs, What I Go To School For follows a group of teenagers living in a world that just doesn’t understand them. Desperate to escape their humdrum hometown, they soon discover the need to break the rules to find out who they really are.

Theatre Royal, Brighton. For times and prices visit www.atgtickets.com/brighton

For more details visit www.brighton-pride.org

31 August, Sense and Sensibility Join Chapterhouse Theatre Company for an evening of Regency wonderment as Elinor and Marianne Dashwood make their first forays into the exquisite world of eighteenth-century society in Jane Austen’s first published work, a story of two young sisters on a voyage of burgeoning sexual and romantic discovery.

Picnic with family and friends under a starlit summer evening sky as you follow the sisters as they find their path and lose their hearts in their quest to find the perfect balance of sense and sensibility.

The Amphitheatre, The Hawth, Crawley, 7pm

22 PORTFOLIO

CALENDAR of events

WIN

TS TICKE

24 August - 6 September Zippo’s Circus Family favourite Zippo’s Circus is back on tour in ‘Celebration’ for 2016. Britain’s Favourite Circus is celebrating its 30th year on the road with some new acts and old favourites. From France, and for the first time in the UK, Zippo’s presents Roseline and her talented family of pet cats in a feline display high on natural agility, balance, comedy and cuteness. Human daring includes eye-popping thrills from Brazilian Alex Michael, one of the few trapeze artists in the world to work without a safety net and Duo Galaxy from Germany with their terrifying Wheel of Death, plus much more besides.

Hove Lawns. For times, prices and info visit www.zippos.co.uk

ENTER OUR COMPETITION FOR A CHANCE TO SEE THIS TOP-QUALITY TRADITIONAL BIG TOP SHOW FOR FREE! Zippo’s have given us FIVE FAMILY TICKETS, each for 2 adults and 2 children at any performance (subject to availability).

For a chance to see this top-quality traditional Big Top show for FREE, just send your name, email address, and a contact phone number to arrive no later than Friday 12th August, to competitions.portfoliomagazine@gmail.co.uk.

27 - 29 August The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival Sussex and The World Weekend

8 -13 August, Present Laughter This brand-new production stars Samuel West as the flamboyant and self-obsessed actor, Garry Essendine, and Phyllis Logan as Monica Reed, his longsuffering secretary.

Charming diva Garry Essendine is determined to disregard his advancing years by revelling in tantrums and casual affairs. He may be teetering reluctantly towards middle age, but everyone is infatuated with Garry, and his antics and rampant flirtations require the most careful handling by those closest to him. About to depart for Africa, he finds himself besieged by a bevy of would-be seductresses, not to mention his acerbic secretary, his estranged wife, and an obsessed young playwright. As he attempts to disentangle himself from their clutches and demands, the sparkling comedy escalates.

The Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival is a yearround celebration of food and drink running every Easter, May, August/September and December, alongside monthly events, including the Sussex Gourmet & Wine Bus Tours and International Chef Exchange.

With local producers, growers, restaurants, bars and food retailers firmly at it’s heart, it’s a showcase of the fantastic food, drink and hospitality to be found in the city and surrounding Sussex. www.brightonfoodfestival.com

Theatre Royal, Brighton. For times and prices visit www.atgtickets.com/brighton

13 - 14 August, Firle Vintage Summer Fair Firle Vintage Fair is set in the picturesque South Downs, next to the village of Firle and Firle Place. A unique selection of decorative antique & vintage home-wares, vintage design clothes, French linens, gardenalia, French furniture, all in all a truly amazing collection of vintage and antique bargains for all price ranges.There will also be a busy programme for adults and children, with plenty of entertainment and a jazzy line up of traditional swing jazz bands.

Firle Park, West Firle, East Sussex. www.firleandcountry.co.uk

Come back next month for our top picks in September

maslen.co.uk

Whippingham Road, Brighton

OFFERS OVER

ÂŁ500,000

FREEHOLD

A spacious and well presented 4 bedroom end of terrace house.

This beautifully presented property is located in a sought after residential area and is available chain free.

Arranged over 3 floors, accommodation comprises a bright 26' through lounge, a smart kitchen and bathroom, 4 bedrooms and far reaching views over Brighton. A fantastic rear garden includes a raised decked terrace, a superb garden office and workshop/storage space. Energy rating: D56 Exclusive to Maslen Estate Agents

Maslen Estate Agents 39 Lewes Road, Brighton BN2 3HQ t:01273 677001 e:lewesroad@maslen.co.uk

LEWES ROAD

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WOODINGDEAN

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HOVE

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FIVEWAYS

BEAUTIFUL homes

FOUR STOREYS

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n attractive three/four bedroom bay-fronted Victorian family home with well proportioned accommodation arranged over four floors. The house has many beautiful period features and fireplaces, a stylish, bespoke 1950s kitchen with breakfast bar, a 40' walled rear garden with patio area and mature shrubs and flower beds and fantastic, far-reaching views. This property is located in the sought-after Roundhill Conservation area, close to local shops, cafes and amenities. Work to re-decorate the front elevation has been scheduled and paid for. Energy Rating: D55 Exclusive to Maslen Estate Agents.

Roundhill Crescent, Brighton, BN2 3FR Price: ÂŁ635,000 Bedrooms: 3/4 Bathrooms: 1 Bathroom 1 WC Extras: Bespoke 1950s kitchen/ breakfast room; Reception/bedroom with French doors to the rear terrace Best Bits: 40' Walled rear garden; Impressive far-reaching views; Conservation area Maslen Estate Agents 39 Lewes Road, Brighton, BN2 3HQ 01273 677001 maslen.co.uk

PORTFOLIO  25

Meet your local letting experts

Graham Jasper Managing Director

Maxine Jasper Compliance Director

Antony Rummins Associate Letting Director

Sarah Willan Client Services Manager

Joshua Gill Letting Negotiator

Louise Mitchell Marketing Coordinator

Sidonie Aughney Senior Property Manager

Amy Insley Letting Negotiator

Rebecca Colby Property Manager

Lauren Wright Letting Coordinator

Ella Collins Property Inspector

Connie Dettmar Property Manager

Contact us today for a valuation & expert advice 107 Queens Road | Brighton | East Sussex | BN1 3XF

T: 01273 202089 | www.parksletting.com

NEWS

TRENDING ON THE COVER

OCEAN KITCHEN AQUARIUM, DESIGNED

BY ROBERT KOLENIK Want to be the first to catch a glimpse of their latest projects?

Sign up to their newsletter and stay inspired. www.kolenik.com Kolenik Eco Chic Design, the first book by Robert Kolenik, is also available.

PORTFOLIO GETS A ROUND! PORTFOLIO magazine is being spotted in lots of places lately, thanks to a big promotional campaign which has even reached Dyke Golf Club. The publication, which is seen as the perfect partner for supporting local golfing events, is now proudly sponsoring the 8th hole at the gorgeous club close to the Devil's Dyke.

PORTFOLIO will also be sponsoring the Carnival of Golf week at the beginning of August. Contact www.dykegolf.com for more information about the event.

IN PRINT 150 BEST TINY HOME IDEAS A lavish, fullcolour guidebook showcasing the most up-to-date innovations and latest trends in efficient and successful small space design.

Packed with detailed colour photographs, comprehensive layout illustrations, and essential information,150 Best Tiny Homes is the ideal solution for making the most of small living spaces – homes between 500 and 800 square feet. Inside you’ll find 150 homes from around the world – each a model of efficiency and an inspiration for designing and decorating a range of compact dwellings.

This ultimate compendium brings together the diversity of current trends in tiny home design and is an invaluable source of ideas for designers, architects, and homeowners.

150 Best Tiny Home Ideas by Manel Gutiérrez Couto is published on 28th July 2016 by Harper Design.

WIN WIN! TICKETS TO SEA LIFE BRIGHTON! Sea Life Brighton has teamed up with Disney•Pixar to enable its visitors to share the excitement of Finding Dory, with a series of special events until 11 September. Visitors can enjoy an interactive trail inspired by one of the new Disney•Pixar movie’s star sea creatures, Hank (voice of Ed O’Neill), a cantankerous octopus (who is actually a septopus).

TO CELEBRATE, SEA LIFE BRIGHTON IS OFFERING PORTFOLIO READERS THE CHANCE TO WIN FOUR TICKETS TO THE AQUARIUM, WORTH £76!

For your chance to win, email the answer to the following question, with Sea Life in the subject box to: competitions.portfoliomagazine@gmail.co.uk Q. Sea Life Brighton has launched a series of events inspired by which Disney•Pixar film?

A popular attraction with visitors of all ages, Sea Life Brighton was once again named ‘The Best Place to Visit’ at this year’s Brighton and Hove Business Awards.

Visit www.visitsealife.com/brighton for more information.

WE LOVE:

SMARTPHONE PROJECTOR Ever wanted to project your favourite movie onto the wall using just your phone? Or give a slideshow of your photos? The Smartphone Projector has been designed to create intimate screenings any time, any place. Whether you want to set up visuals for a house party or simply watch music videos with friends, the Smartphone Projector cinema-in-a-box is the answer.

This self assembly, lo-fi projector magnifies your phone's screen up to 8 times and is suitable for use with iOS and Android-compatible smart phones.

Smartphone Projector, £14.99 from Totally Funky. www.totally-funky.co.uk PORTFOLIO 27

att

Estates a

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HURSTPIERPOINT | OIRO £2,100,000 Stunning Georgian style manor house amassing to approx. 5836 Sq ft (inc. garage) – 6 bedrooms – 7 reception rooms – 4 bathrooms – luxury fittings and use of cutting edge technology throughout - Private gated entrance - landscaped gardens and grounds of approx. 1.6 acres – Detached double garage – Estimated completion date February 2017

HURSTPIERPOINT | OIRO £1,400,000 Beautiful ‘Sussex Style’ tile hung family house amassing to approx. 3495 Sq ft (inc. garage) - 5 bedrooms – 4 reception rooms – 4 bathrooms – luxury fittings and use of cutting edge technology throughout - Landscaped gardens of approx. ½ acre – detached double garage - Estimated completion date December 2016

chattestates.co.uk | 01273 844500 34 HIGH STREET, DITCHLING, EAST SUSSEX BN6 8TA

BEAUTIFUL homes

BEAUTIFUL DITCHLING

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itting centrally within its plot, ‘Merlins’ has a private and secluded feel and benefits from the potential for further extension if required, subject to any necessary consents. The property with its balanced accommodation boasts good sized and well-appointed rooms. The sitting room is of an excellent size benefiting from a beautifully light and spacious dining area, with large corner bi-fold doors opening on to the south facing terrace and beautiful large gardens. The property is highly adaptable with a further reception room/bedroom 5 and wet room on the ground floor which could suit any potential purchasers requiring an attached annex. The first floor provides a master bedroom with en-suite shower room, 3 further bedrooms and a family bathroom. There is also a games room/ study being accessed via the bedroom on the east side of the property. A good deal of privacy and seclusion is achieved with the garden surrounding the property on all sides.

Merlins, South Street, Ditchling, BN6 8UQ Price: OIRO £1,150,000 Bedrooms: 4/5 Bathrooms: 3 Extras: South-facing terrace, Beautiful, large gardens; Private and secluded Best Bits: Potential for further extension if required; Private, secluded feel; Ground-floor reception room/bedroom 5 with wet room Chatt Estates 34 High Street, Ditchling, BN6 8TA 01273 844500 www.chattestates.co.uk PORTFOLIO 29

ADELAIDE CRESCENT, HOVE GP: £600,000-£625,000 SHARE OF FREEHOLD • • • • •

Direct sea views Stunning Grade II listed period building Impressive communal hallways Passenger lift Gas fired central heating

• • • • •

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2

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No ongoing chain Three bedrooms Bathroom + en-suite Additional cloakroom Eat-in size kitchen

2 Church Road, Hove BN3 2FL

01273 773399

hove@elliottsestateagents.co.uk

& 2 Queens Parade, Hangleton BN3 8JG

01273 322766

hangleton@elliottsestateagents.co.uk www.elliottsestateagents.co.uk

HOVES HANGLETON VALLEY DRIVE AREA £515,000 FREEHOLD SELLING HOMES SINCE 1993

• • • • •

Extended detatched family home Generouly proportioned throughout 3 Double bedrooms 2 en suite shower rooms Additional guest cloakroom / wc

• • • • •

Utility area / outside storage Large Lounge with Bi-fold doors Private Drive and garage Mature landscaped rear garden Contemporary design

BEAUTIFUL homes

HOVE BEAUTY

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n imposing, double-fronted, detached residence of significant quality, superbly presented and tastefully decorated throughout.

Occupying a large level plot, large brick paved front courtyard providing lots of off-road parking, accommodation is extremely spacious and extends to approximately 3,250 sq.ft. There is a big reception hallway with oak-strip flooring, impressive staircase to the first floor, providing an excellent initial impression, two separate and sizeable front reception rooms, a signature area for the property being a huge kitchen/family room which extends across the full width of the property.

There are four large double bedrooms at first-floor level, the master bedroom having a large en-suite which is in addition to the family bathroom, whilst on the top floor there is a feature home office/leisure area measuring some 27' x 18' and which currently includes a bespoke, oak-fitted study. To the rear there are an enormous open, yet secluded, garden, large lawn areas, a big terrace, summer house and a host of established trees, shrubs and bushes. Located towards the popular southern end of the Hove Park District, the house almost adjoins Hove Recreation Ground, is a few hundred yards from Hove Park and within walking distance of Hove mainline station and the City Centre.

Shirley Drive, Hove, BN3 6UA Price: £1,250,000 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 2 Extras: Electric gated entrance; Double-length garage with remote control door; Fabulous large garden Best Bits: Magnificent full-width rear kitchen/family room; Huge reception hallway; 27' x 18'6 home office/ leisure area Elliotts Estate Agents 2 Church Road, Hove BN3 2FL 01723 773399 www.elliottsestateagents.co.uk PORTFOLIO  31

solicitors Incorporating Johnson McCabe

local & independent

We are local, independent solicitors providing an expert legal service with a personal approach Property

Civil Litigation

• Buying and Selling Property • Re-Mortgages • Freehold Enfranchisement • Lease Extensions • Buying and Selling Investment Properties

• Employment • Debt Recovery • Property • Contentious Probate • Insurance Claims • Fraud Claims to include Defending SOCA Claims • Consumer Law • Neighbour disputes • Dispute Resolution/ Mediation of Claims

Business • Landlord and Tenant and Commercial Property • Buying and Selling Businesses and Shares • Employment Law • Licensing

Wills and Trusts • Wills • Probate and Administration of Estates • Inheritance Tax Planning and Trusts • Lasting Powers of Attorney and Court of Protection • Elderly Client Care

For more information please contact us at Engleharts Solicitors:

Vallance Hall, Hove Street, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2DE

Life and Family

info@engleharts.co.uk • 01273 204411

• Family and Matrimonial • Co Habitation Agreements/Disputes • Civil Partnerships • Pre-nuptial Agreements • Divorce

www.engleharts.co.uk

Commercial Litigation • Commercial contract/ Consumer Disputes • Director/Shareholders/ Partnership Disputes • Insurance Claims • Construction and Engineering • Commercial Property Disputes • Professional Negligence Claims • Intellectual Property Disputes

SHOPPING

WHITE STUFF White is always stylish, cool and contemporary. From crisp white table linens to cool white bathrooms, we are keeping it simple with white

All items available from The White Company: www.thewhitecompany.com

SHOPPING CONTINUED...

CLASSIC CASSEROLE Crafted from durable and robust cast iron, the new Signature cookware range from Le Creuset is perfect for delicious and versatile cooking.

Le Cruset Shallow Casserole, Cotton - £190 www.johnlewis.com

MARBLE MOMENT Marble is having a moment and this handcrafted marble range makes a sophisticated addition to your tableware collection.

Marble Range - £25 – 45 www.oliverbonas.com

TAKE YOUR PLACE An elegant table setting makes any meal special whether indoors or outdoors. Make an impact with these simply stylish place mats.

White place mats - £3.99 each www.zarahome.com

PAPER MOON Add something special to your home with these delicate lanterns. These stunning white paper lanterns make a unique decorative statement which would look simply stunning for a summer party.

White paper decorations - £6.99 for 5 www.gingerray.co.uk

ON A PLATE The White Company's Artisan Stoneware collection is made from a unique Portuguese clay and includes gorgeous bowls, dinner plates and practical jugs, perfect for the dining table. Artisan Stoneware dinner plate - £12 www.thewhitecompany.com

WHITE AND WARM Nothing quite adds warmth, texture and a hint of luxe to a home than a sheepskin rug.

White Sheepskin Rug - £60 www.oliverbonas.com

WHITE ELEPHANT The beautiful Branwell ceramic Elephant lamp base features a cream, crackle finish. It's a striking traditional style that's ideal for adding character to your home.

Branwell ceramic elephant lamp base - £70 www.johnlewis.com

CONSERVATORY STYLE The Bowen rattan modular ottoman is perfect for living rooms or conservatories and can be bought separately or in sets for seating that is customised to suit your space.

Bowen rattan chair with cushion - £295 www.habitat.co.uk

BREAKFAST IN BED Use as an occasional table in the living room or as a breakfast in bed tray, on sunny days, you could even take this white lacquer table or tray outside for drinks by your lounger.

White tray - £50 www.thewhitecompany.com

BATHROOM HERO This lovely toothbrush holder is part of another stunning marble range. The perfect size for toothbrushes, this would work equally well for storing cotton buds and cotton pads - or even pens in the home office.

Marble toothbrush holder - £15 www.thewhitecompany.com

CONTEMPORARY COOL The Leander white metal tripod floor lamp emits a gently diffused light with its Japanese-style paper shade.

Leander Floor lamp - £45 www.habitat.co.uk

Arundel House, The Drive, Hove

£750,000

A gorgeous 2000+ sqft four bedroom top floor mansion apartment in arguably one of Hove's most desirable blocks. Arundel House built in 1899 was the first block of apartments in Hove on The Drive.

The apartment is accessed through immaculately presented communal hallways and has access to a passenger lift and a rear west facing communal garden.

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Buy & sell with the experts.

Four of our favourite properties this month. Visit our website at justinlloyd.co.uk to view all our properties.

Pavilion Parade, Brighton

Wyndham Street, Brighton

£390,000

£550,000

Newly refurbished and well-presented two bedroom, two bathroom apartment situated on the third floor of a Grade II listed converted period house. The property, which boasts fantastic and unrivalled views of the historic Brighton Pavilion, is in a superb central location walking distance to all the local amenities including Brighton Train Station and the seafront.

Justin Lloyd is proud to present this beautiful and exceptionally well presented 3-4 bedroom midterrace period house. The property is in a superb location, just off the seafront in Kemp Town and walking distance to the city centre and the array of local shops and eateries in Kemp Town village.

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“I have used Justin Lloyd twice as a buyer and have twice had an excellent service. They are communicative, hard working and above all honest! Many thanks to Nick and the team.”

Buyer comment, May 2016

£345,000

Superb two double bedroom apartment situated on the second floor of a converted period building in central Hove. The property is in an excellent and enviable location, walking distance to the beach, Hove Train Station, and the array of shops and eateries on Church Road.

Highly Commended

The International Property Awards 2013-2014

Call us now 01273 692424 Email info@justinlloyd.co.uk Visit justinlloyd.co.uk

1

Tisbury Road, Hove

2

Real Estate Agency East Sussex

2

Kemp Town 118 St James’s Street, Brighton BN2 1TH Hove 111 Western Road, Hove BN3 1DD

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BEAUTIFUL homes

PANORAMIC VIEWS

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ustin Lloyd is proud to present this stunning three-double-bedroom seafront apartment, situated on the second floor of a converted Grade II listed period building.

This wonderful property, which benefits from panoramic sea views and a south-facing balcony, is located adjacent to the beach in Kemp Town and moments from the pier and the local shops and restaurants, as well as being a short walk to Brighton train station.

In more detail, the accommodation comprises: south-facing open-plan living room / kitchen with double doors to the balcony, three double bedrooms and two family bathrooms.

Marine Parade, Brighton, BN2 1PE Guide Price: £695,000 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2 Extras: Stunning second-floor seafront apartment; Panoramic sea views with south-facing balcony Best Bits: Grade II listed building; Three double bedrooms; Two bathrooms Justin Lloyd Estate Agents, 118 St James’s Street, Brighton BN2 1TH 01273 692424 www.justinlloyd.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 37

THE collection

THE AUGUST COLLECTION We love these new developments, which offer style, luxury and individuality, and are ready to move into…

Contemporary home Wellesbourne Rise, Withdean, Brighton A newly constructed contemporary style home built to a high specification with stunning southerly views. Feature balcony, paved patio, lawn garden and parking. The house, one of 3 contemporary homes in Withdean, has been built to a high level of Code 4 for sustainability, ensuring energy efficiency, and was a recent finalist at the prestigious 2015 LABC South East Regional Housing Awards. A particular feature this home boasts is the stunning open plan living room, dining room and kitchen with large bi-fold doors and fantastic views. The kitchen is well equipped with integrated appliances, a separate utility room and ground floor cloakroom. Also on the ground floor level is an additional reception room or fourth bedroom with feature light well and patio. New dark wood flooring, tiling and deep pile carpets throughout. Exclusive to Spencer & Leigh.

Guide Price: £699,950 - £749,950

Home and studio Mill House, Ballards Mill Close, Patcham Mill House is a stunning home sympathetically restored dating back to the 1650s with four spacious bedrooms and a newly constructed self contained studio apartment and double garage. Mill House forms part of the renowned select Ballards Mill gated development situated in Patcham Old Village. The new interior has only recently been completed and is a fusion of character and modern living. Internal viewing is considered essential to fully appreciate all that this unique home has to offer which is exclusive to Spencer & Leigh.

Price: OIRO £995,000

Spencer & Leigh 01273 688881 www.spencerandleigh.co.uk 38 PORTFOLIO

THE collection

Architect designed Withdean Road, Brighton A high quality, timeless and contemporary five bedroom, four reception room, home designed by award winning John Pardey Architects, this stunning house offers a considered layout over three floors, with light, location and build materials all contributing to offer elegance, simplicity and robustness both inside and out.

Developed by a Brighton-based boutique developer, these superb homes sit sympathetically in a stunning spot, tucked away but with fantastic access both in and out of town. A “timber-clad box” rests on the strikingly beautiful narrow grey brick frontage, presenting a slimline silhouette to the street, whilst extending back into the site to contain the main living spaces. The living space opens out onto a roof terrace at first floor level with a winter roof garden and far reaching views.

Price: OIEO £2,250,000 Hamptons International 01273 230230 | www.hamptons.co.uk

Edwardian renovation Wilbury Avenue, Hove This magnificent Edwardian house near Hove station has been entirely renovated and now contains seven contemporary apartments completed to the highest standard. Features of the building include vaulted ceilings, Juliet balconies and large bedroom suites. The available properties range from a one-bedroom penthouse to a large duplex apartment with three garden areas. There is also a ‘secret’ cottage set over three floors with a private west-facing terrace. With easy access to the station, central Hove and the seafront, the apartments are set in a prime location and are sure to attract significant interest. Contact Leaders in Hove on 01273 321721 for more information or to arrange a viewing.

Price: From £1700 per month Leaders Hove 01273 321721 | www.leaders.co.uk

Eco penthouse Cawthorne House, Dyke Road, Brighton A magnificent three bedroom penthouse apartment forming part of a fantastic newly built, eco-friendly development in the centre of Brighton. The Royal Alexandra Quarter, between Clifton Hill and Seven Dials, is 0.2 miles from Brighton Train Station with regular services into London Bridge and London Victoria, as well as being close to the city centre and seafront restaurants, nightlife, café culture and shops. This luxury penthouse apartment boasts an enviable wrap around roof terrace that offers far reaching, panoramic sea and city views, and also has its own secure underground parking space. Highlights include Villeroy and Boch bathrooms and a Paula Rosa kitchen.

Price: £1,250,000 Justin Lloyd 01273 315613 | www.justinlloyd.co.uk PORTFOLIO 39

Kensington Place North Laine Brighton BN1 £600,000 Freehold A Grade II listed three storey Georgian town house, located in the North Laine. This exceptional family home retains period features throughout. On the garden level is a custom built kitchen dining room with bi-fold doors leading to a level landscaped mature garden which is an oasis of calm and perfect for entertaining. Dual aspect reception rooms, family bathroom, cloaks area and two bedrooms. There is also a large loft area to the house which is currently unconverted.

Built in 1830 this centrally located family home offers a fabulous lifestyle.

View Next Generation Virtual Tours at www.knightandknoxley.com 01273 28 66 66 CLYDE CORNER, PRESTON CIRCUS, BRIGHTON THE NEXT GENERATION OF ESTATE AGENCY

INFO@KNIGHTANDKNOXLEY.COM WWW.KNIGHTANDKNOXLEY.COM KNOWLEDGE & KNOWHOW

Waldegrave Road Blakers Park Brighton BN1 £725,000 Freehold Constructed in 1890 a magnificent and substantial period home moments from Blakers Park. This unique family home retains period features throughout, mixing traditional tones with a contemporary twist.

Exceptional throughout. Situated in the highly sought after Preston Park Conservation Area this beautiful semi-detached family home has accommodation arranged over three floors and is packed with period detail and charm. Four bedrooms, two bathrooms, beautiful kitchen/ dining room, conservatory and large dual aspect reception rooms. To the rear of the property are large mature landscaped gardens.

View Next Generation Virtual Tours at www.knightandknoxley.com 01273 28 66 66 CLYDE CORNER, PRESTON CIRCUS, BRIGHTON THE NEXT GENERATION OF ESTATE AGENCY

INFO@KNIGHTANDKNOXLEY.COM WWW.KNIGHTANDKNOXLEY.COM KNOWLEDGE & KNOWHOW

FUTURE BRIGHTON:

THE PEOPLE’S PROMENADE KEMPTOWN LAWNS Paul Nicholson from Chalk Architecture unveil their vision for the Grade II Listed Madeira Terrace and Madeira Drive

A

little under two years ago, a report revealed that the condition of the Grade II listed Madeira Terrace had reached a point where its entire existence was called into doubt. Local press followed up with the headline ‘£100million to repair seafront arches,’ which has now been widely reported (although not confirmed) to be much less. Varying professional assessments of what remedial actions are required still point to an issue that will require tens of millions to resolve. A recent press release from the council promotes a scheme by Wilkinson Eyre architects suggesting a glazed envelope to the underside of the arches. An application for initial funding has been made by BHCC to the regional development fund on this basis.

Constructed in the 1890s, the arches run along an 850m section of the East Cliff (Madeira Drive) between the Brighton Pier and the Marina, starting at the Terraces and finishing at the foot of Dukes Mound. Maderia Drive is zoned for leisure use in the Local Plan and is home to the Yellow Wave Beach Sports Club, the Peter Pan playground, where the new Sea Lanes 50m open-air pool will hopefully be housed, the Volks Railway, the Concorde 2 club, the JAG gallery and many other hospitality and leisure businesses. It also hosts many of Brighton’s bigticket events across the course of the year: the Brighton Marathon, the Classic Car Run and the London-to-Brighton Bike Ride, to name a few.

Marine Parade is connected back down to

Madeira Drive via six staircases, the Dukes Mound ramp and the Madeira lift, although this is embedded into Concorde 2 at its base. The arches and balustrade are formed from wrought ironwork, the deck structure is concreteencased wrought ironwork. The materials, form of its construction and lack of maintenance over the years have conspired, as one might expect, to create a progressively degraded building fabric.

“Chalk Architecture has produced a bold and interesting scheme that would secure the future of the heritage structures while creating a variety of new uses” Paul Zara, Chair, RIBA Sussex Clearly, this stretch of seafront is critical to the future prosperity of Brighton, as is the rest of its seafront, of course - but this section is most urgently in need of help. Given that public funds are in short supply and that our city’s population is expanding rapidly - we desperately need more school places, more affordable housing, more multi-purpose public space, more space for employment opportunities - should such a

CODE Contractor Management is a construction sector professional services company combining design & project management, building surveying, contract administration and site management into a single expert solution.

huge area of the public realm that is used by so few of Brighton’s population be repaired at such great expense without wider strategic consideration? Have you seen photographs of the Terraces when it's not being used during the mass participation events? Have a look, there may be a solitary dog walker or two promenading down it.

Does the current situation, therefore, give us the opportunity to re-invent this section of the seafront, reimagine how we might use our precious public space and improve the accessibility down to the Kemp Town seafront and its expanding cultural and leisure environment?

In light of these considerations, we (Chalk) have also developed a scheme.

With the assistance of a highly experienced professional consultant team, we have tested and proved its feasibility, then dipped our toe in the water by revealing it to a limited audience.

It is a Big Idea. There is usually a sharp intake of breath when it is first seen; to date it has been very well received. The outcome is worth considering.

As architects we will always test the assumptions that have formed the briefs of our clients. This situation is no different. This is now our chance to test your - the people of Brighton and Hove's - assumptions about your seafront.

You are the client. What do you want from it?

More of the same? Or something innovative?

Back in early 2014 we began to explore a

BUSINESS

Project Team: Structural Engineers: Jon Orrell/ HOP Structural Engineers Ltd, Urban Regeneration Consultant: Scott Marshall/ Marshall Regen Ltd, 3D Modeling and Visualisation: Gareth Wellock/ JustViz Ltd, Planning Consultant: Ian Coomber/ Stiles Harold Williams LLP scheme out of curiosity and at our own risk.

It was literally spawned over a coffee via a sketch on a napkin. The idea was simple-buthuge in its intent. Our proposal is to create a new public realm for the Kemp Town seafront: a people's promenade along what would be the new “Kemp Town Lawns” – see image 1. Taking our inspiration from the work of landscaping genius Piet Oudolf (www.oudolf.com) and his work on the High Line project in New York (www.thehighline.org), we are proposing a new, large, dynamic, versatile and green open space stretching the length of Marine Parade. Set on the seaward side of the road, the space is created by taking the space of the lower Madeira Terrace level and raising it to the Marine Parade level see image 2.

The void created beneath will be filled with a series of new buildings that will incorporate the detail and structure of the existing arches.

It is a simple concept that has a big outcome.

The engineering solution that holds it together is a master stroke of design by HOP Structural Engineers. We have tested a number of uses for the new building. It will not surprise anyone

to know that the use type that generates the greatest return on inward capital investment is luxury residential. Our take on this is that the more value the city can generate from an act of development, the more profit it can claw back to pay for an incredible public realm. If there are public funds available, then there is less pressure on the overall scheme and other uses can be considered, or more space can be secured for the public realm. A hotel in this location could also clearly be amazing. The Madeira Drive level could be any combination of retail, hospitality, workshops and office space. Needless to say, the developers/investors we have introduced the scheme to are very interested. We have put a great deal of work into how the scheme works, the floor plans, the accessibility, the placemaking, the architecture.

But, these ideas are unique and innovative; clearly, we hold the I.P. for them and we’re taking a commercial risk by releasing them into the public realm prior to the council entering a competitive tendering process for the project.

But we wanted to show and tell because we strongly believe in the potential opportunity

this area presents to the future of the city. We do not believe a like-for-like token populist development gesture of glazing to the underside to be the right solution. We have had significant commercial interest in the scheme, though have stopped short of confirming a developer/backer.

We need you, the Brighton community, to explore the ideas first. This is your seafront, and this is a speculative concept. What do you think? Given we have opened Pandora’s Box, what else might be possible? Just to “fix up” what’s there and stick some glass under the terrace seems to us to be a missed opportunity. Further details will be uploaded onto our Facebook page, www. facebook.com/ChalkArchitecture/. We invite you to take a look and begin the debate which will inform the eventual outcome of what happens to the Madeira Terraces.

Chalk Architecture, 4th Floor Lees House, Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 3FE Tel: 01273 448700 Twitter: @chalkdesign & @chalkarch #FutureBrighton www.chalkarchitecture.com https://m.facebook.com/ChalkArchitecture

Code Contractor Management Ltd 4th Floor Lees House, Dyke Road, Brighton BN1 3FE +44 (0) 7977 481234 +44 (0) 1273 448071 paul@codecm.co.uk www.codecm.co.uk

CAREER LADDER This month we speak to Simon Gregg about where he works and why he loves it

S

imon Gregg is Regional Corporate Fundraising Manager for Rockinghorse, the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital.

working with companies is very similar in many ways. Coming from a corporate background. I am able to consider the best ways that we can work together to give both parties value.

You are the newest member of the Rockinghorse team, Simon. When did you start with the charity? I joined Rockinghorse in June, and my first day was our Best of British event at the Grand Hotel with guest speaker Sir Geoff Hurst. I can think of worse first days!

What motivated you to transfer your skills to the charity sector? I had come to a crossroads professionally and personally. I was aware of the position that had opened up at Rockinghorse, and once I had interviewed for the position, I knew it was the role for me.

It is a great cause to be working for, and very rewarding.

What will your role at Rockinghorse entail?

My role is centered around corporate relationships that we can create and supporting the process of how companies can work with us to generate funds and, at the same time, promote ourselves and them. It’s really about making sure it’s a two-way process and that the companies gain as much as they want to from the relationship.

How can businesses get involved with Rockinghorse? There are many different ways in which companies can get involved with us: running internal events to raise funds, putting teams into organised events, attending events such as the Mid-Summer Ball and Best of British. It’s an exciting time to get involved as we approach our 50th anniversary in 2017.

Rockinghorse is a small team. How does that work? Yes, it’s only a team of six permanent staff and two part-time members, and everyone has a specific role to play. We are backed up extremely well by a lot of volunteers, who are always willing to assist us with events. A lot of volunteers come from the companies we work with, as they will allow their staff to have paid volunteer days –a great way to support us.

How important is networking to you? Very! I believe that it is one of the best ways for me to begin the relationship and to raise the profile of the charity to as many people as possible. For example, if I go to a meeting where it is popular to stand and give a 30-second ‘elevator pitch,’ I could effectively be making 100+ ‘calls’ in that time – and in a much nicer way that going down the telesales route.

You have moved from an IT background. How different is this? I am using a lot of transferable skills that I acquired in my previous role, and the process of starting relationships and then

What was your first job? I had a paper round in Crawley when I was 13. When I left school, I wanted to go straight to work and worked in a warehouse and as a driver’s mate for a parcel

44 PORTFOLIO

delivery company in Gatwick. I then went to college to do a Business Studies course and on to work for one of the airlines at Gatwick.

I progressed through a few different jobs over the years before I ended up in the IT sector in a non-technical role and worked for the same company for 15 years, rising to director level before making the switch to where I am today.

What makes up a typical day for you? The aim of my job is to be out and about at meetings and seeing as many people as possible, so it could start or end with a breakfast or evening networking event, with client meetings during the day and some time in the office to catch up on emails and set up more meetings.

What do you enjoy most about your job? The variety. I could be at a networking event, a client meeting, an event that we have put on, or I could be giving people a tour of the hospital to demonstrate where the money goes. In many cases, this will be companies that are wanting to work with us, or could be companies that are already supporting us, and it’s great for them to see how they have helped.

What do you do in your spare time as an antidote to the job? Spending time with my family is top of the list for me. I will also be found on the golf course when I get the opportunity, and also really enjoy cycling a lot.

Rockinghorse is the official fundraising arm of the Royal Alexandra Children’s Hospital. www.rockinghorse.org.uk

Valentine Close, Shoreham-by-Sea £574,950 A charming and attractive cottage with stunning river and countryside views. Arranged over three floors, the property comprises of a living room, kitchen open plan to the dining room, three bedrooms and two bathrooms. The sweeping driveway provides a good capacity for parking and leads up to the double garage.

Lawrence Road, Hove £419,950 This delightful spacious two double bedroom apartment is offered for sale with a wealth of original features including picture and dado rails, high skirting boards, sash windows and some stripped wood flooring. Benefits include being on the ground floor, a laid to lawn 40' private rear garden, gas fired central heating system and double glazed conservatory.

New Church Road, Hove £379,950 Rarely available first floor two double bedroom modern apartment with a west facing balcony situated within one of Hove's finer locations, on a popular tree lined road. Excellent decorative order throughout having been upgraded to a very high standard by the current owners.

Set within a modern building with a lift to all floors and surrounded by grounds.

Healy & Newsom 19 Richardson Road, Brighton & Hove, East Sussex BN3 3RB 01273 74 66 74 | hove@healynewsom.co.uk | www.healynewsom.co.uk

TALK money

TIME FOR A financial review?

Claire Cook from Independent Financial Advisors Talk Money on how best to invest

W

hichever way we voted in the EU referendum it seems the result has come as a shock to many of us. Some are happy with the outcome feeling that our country may eventually take back more control, some have accepted the result and are moving on, whilst others continue to be extremely upset. Things have been moving very quickly at the time of writing this article; it has just been announced that Theresa May will be our next prime minister. At least now this is clear.

Hopefully things will start to take shape and this may lead to a more stable future for all of us, whatever our stance.

These are unprecedented and uncertain times and it is little wonder that some are putting off decisions; whether that may be businesses waiting for answers on trade deals or individuals with investments. Many with cash in the building society or bank may well hold on even though it is suggested that rates may decrease again in the short term. Experience shows that businesses and individuals tend to err on the side of caution in such challenging times.

There has been some surprise that so far the stock-markets have not taken the predicted massive falls, however, it would appear that the

46 PORTFOLIO

Brexit may have a slow and steady impact as businesses hold back on deals and the currency weakens. On a positive note, remember that the value of the pound decreasing has a positive impact on exports. I personally think there will be winners and losers in this situation as businesses process the impact on their individual trades. Some will continue to

“George Osborne has stated that he will reduce Corporation Tax to 15%, the lowest corporation tax rate of any major economy” prosper in the UK, and others will decide they may be better locating themselves elsewhere; this has all yet to be seen as negotiations progress. George Osborne has already stated that he will reduce Corporation Tax to 15%, the lowest corporation tax rate of any major economy, this should have a positive effect.

Also, Mark Carney the Governor of the Bank of England has been a welcome and steadying influence, announcing straightaway that there were strong contingency measures in place.

How you deal with your own finances at these times often depends on your personal situation. Those with many years to invest their funds may still invest in the stockmarket, whereas people who have less time may leave their money in safer assets such as building society accounts, National Savings or Premium Bonds.

If you already have money invested in pensions or other types of equity based investments now is a time to make sure your money is being managed properly. It would be wise to ensure that you are invested across a range of funds to help diversify into different areas and that the risk level is right for you.

This will help put you in the best possible position going forward.

For an independent review of your finances and a free initial consultation, please call me, Claire Cook, on 01273 224667. I would be happy to assist.

Talk Money is a trading style Aspect 8, a member of Best Practice IFA Group Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

The value of investments can fall as well as rise and you may not get back the amount invested.

See more from Talk Money at www.portfoliopublications.co.uk

designers choice kitchen interior design

. . . f ro m s t a r t t o fi n i s h .

Vi s i t o u r s h o w ro o m : 9 k e y m e r ro a d , h a s s o c k s , w e s t s u s s e x , b n 6 8 a d Te l : 0 1 2 7 3 8 4 1 0 4 8

We b : w w w. d e s i g n e r s - c h o i c e . c o. u k

email: designers.choice9@gmail.com

FIRST CHOICE

With the dazzling array of wonderful colours and design finishes now available, choosing a beautiful kitchen is the easy part. Designing to maximise the space in your kitchen – whatever its size, and managing the project is harder, but money well spent, according to Geoff McCleland of Designers Choice

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esigners Choice in Hassocks has been established over 15 years, and, talking to its owner and chief designer Geoff McCleland, you soon discover he is passionate about kitchens. Having worked in spatial design both here and in Germany in previous careers, he knows a thing or two about sourcing good quality cabinets and creating the best possible effect. It’s the best investment to be made in any home, and therefore more and more of us are seeking the advice of the professionals. “We have a diverse range of products and services to offer, from the initial design of a kitchen or room layout to lighting, and we also offer a complete design and full installation

48 PORTFOLIO

package. This enables us to undertake all kinds of building works, from interior alterations to planning and constructing a building extension. All this, coupled with a comprehensive project management service,” says Geoff.

He adds that their success has largely been as a result of recommendations and repeat business from customers moving on and requiring their help with a new project.

Currently, popular kitchen styles include the handle-less design, creating a clean, sleek, uninterrupted appearance to the cabinet front, perfect for the minimalists and the basis for building an exciting design theme.

The Shaker Style offers timeless furniture design style with a simple panelled door in natural hardwood material or matte or gloss lacquer finish, and also available in an array of colours.

At their showroom in Hassocks you’ll see other contemporary styles, and the team can discuss the abundance of choices of finishes, work surfaces and appliances, including a recently launched unique hob-integrated extractor fan, avoiding those bulky overhead units and added installation hassle!

One thing is certain. though, Geoff won’t compromise on the build quality, customer service or the expert fitting, and he has access to some of the most beautifully built

INTERVIEW

“Geoff won’t compromise on the build quality, customer service or the expert fitting” UK kitchens if you’re a client passionately seeking a ‘Made in England’ product. His main German kitchen suppliers are, as you would expect, world-class and meet Geoff’s high standards of reliability and flexibility.

Indeed, they are able to build kitchens to within 1cm tolerances, so - unusual spaces, odd-shaped rooms, small gaps – no problem! In fact nothing is too much trouble for the family team at Designer’s Choice, and they love a challenge, so contact them, then sit back and leave it to the professionals.

Designers Choice 9 Keymer Road, Hassocks, West Sussex BN6 8AD 01273 841048 www.designers-choice.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 49

Residential Estate & Letting Agents • Land & New Homes Brighton & Hove City Office Residential Sales & Lettings 3-6 North Road, Brighton East Sussex BN1 1YA Sales 01273 688881 Lettings 01273 688884 E brighton@oakleyproperty.com

Westdene £695,000

3

3

2

5

3

London Office 40 St James’s Place London SW1A 1NS T 020 78390888 E enquiries@tlo.co.uk

2

City Centre £440,000

A well proportioned three bedroom detached chalet bungalow in the popular Westdene area of Brighton benefits from attractive front and rear gardens and splendid views toward the South Downs National Park.

Peacehaven £999,950

Lewes Town & Country Residential Sales & Lettings 14a High Street Lewes East Sussex BN7 2LN T 01273 487444 E lewes@oakleyproperty.com

3

A spectacular individually designed seafront house with stunning uninterrupted views toward the English Channel and the South Downs.

The property benefits from spacious and versatile accommodation, ample parking and a double garage/studio block with its own facilities.

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1

A splendid two bedroom regency cottage in a centrally located pedestrianised twitten. The property benefits from an attractive front garden with mature planting.

Central Brighton OIEO £400,000

2

1

2

A generously proportioned loft apartment with attractive exposed brick elevation and double glazed windows with a westerly aspect forming part of this attractive period building situated in the heart of the vibrant North Laine area of Brighton city centre.

oakleyproperty.com

PEOPLE MATT STRUGNELL, VINEYARD MANAGER

'Sparkling wines in the South Downs ’ RIDGEVIEW WINE ESTATE Award-winning sparkling wine www.ridgeview.co.uk 01444 242040

HOME tips

READY, SET, SELL!

Successful staging is key to selling your home quickly and at the best price

W

hen you are planning to put your house on the market, it goes without saying that you are hoping to sell your home as quickly as possible and get your asking price. Set the stage for success with these tips for styling and upgrading your home.

Check this list before you invite Estate Agents to value your home.

WHO IS YOUR BUYER? The first thing to think about is the sort of buyer who is likely to want your property.

Is your property likely to appeal to young professionals? families? retired couples?

If you're really not sure who your target buyer might be, then simply follow the general advice on staging your home, set out below, and you won't go far wrong.

CLEAN UP! it's the first step to a well staged house, and it's essential. Make sure everything is cleaned: windows, woodwork, paintwork, the cooker, behind the furniture... Carpets and curtains should be professionally cleaned.

Once you've invested the effort of doing a really good clean, don't let anything spoil it. If people are coming round to view, make sure the the washing up is done, the magazines are neatly piled and the place is tidy and well-aired.

52 PORTFOLIO

CREATE LIGHT Updating lighting can dramatically improve the look of a home. Most buyers will want to come and view in daylight, so do make the most of the natural light you have available.

Make sure that curtains are fully drawn and that internal doors are left open to let light through. Keep lights on for viewings, especially in areas without much natural light.

CREATE SPACE Rooms with plenty of space appear bigger, and big rooms appeal to buyers. There are two things you can do to create space. Get rid of any unnecessary furniture and clear away clutter.

Be ruthless. If you have furniture that serves no real purpose other than to take up space, get rid of it.

You'll be amazed at how much clutter you can do without as you work your way through the house.

If you have young children, make sure that their toys are packed away — even if that only lasts for as long as you have visitors. Not only will your rooms look bigger, it will be easier for buyers to image how things would look if they were living there; if they can't imagine living there, they won't be buying.

DEFINE EACH ROOM It's very important that each room is well defined. Don't leave it up to your buyer to imagine how things could look as many will not do so. Instead, they will come away with the wrong impression. Stage each room to look its best. Spare rooms should be set out as guest bedrooms or home offices, not junk rooms.

CREATE DOUBLE-FUNCTION ROOMS A great way to add value to your home is to create double-function rooms. These are rooms with distinct – but complementary – functions, each of which takes place in a clearly defined area of the room (for instance, a kitchen with a breakfast bar). If you have a large lounge, create an extra seating area away from the television.

Don't forget the garden. If you don't already have a patio or decking area, create one. Never assume people will think of these things without your help — very often they won't.

DE-PERSONALISE De-personalising your home is part of the process of making it easier for your buyer to imagine living there. Make it easy for your buyer to imagine adding their mark.

Remove personal items, even temporarily.

Everything from coats to magazines can be tidied away. Any items left need to be curated.

Thanks to www.househop.co.uk

“According to RICS (the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors), spending £900 on a landscaped, family-friendly garden can add an extra £6,000 to a house's selling price"

"Stunning" David maslen

"A fabulous showcase for our properties" Hamptons-International, Hove

"A GREAT read" David Crosby, Solicitor

INVEST IN A COAT OF PAINT Light, neutral shades are the best way to appeal to as wide a cross section of buyers as possible.

This will also help to create a sense of space and make rooms seem bigger. Another useful trick for creating the illusion of space is to hang a large mirror with a simple, unobtrusive frame onto the main wall of a reception room or bedroom.

CARPETS AND CURTAINS Replace worn, stained or heavily patterned carpets with new carpets that are light, neutralcoloured and plain. Existing carpets that you are going to keep should be professionally cleaned. Updating carpets will have a real impact on the way your house is perceived by buyers. The same rules that apply to carpets apply to curtains. Replace them if necessary, or send them to be dry cleaned.

FURNITURE Furniture defines a room’s function and helps buyers imagine how things will look when they have moved in. Experiment with different layouts to see what works best, especially if you are trying to create a double-function room.Be aware that pushing the furniture to the edges of the room to make it look bigger could end up making it feel like a waiting room.

Group seating around an attractive focal point such as a fireplace or coffee table. Your seating layout should show how many people can sit in the room comfortably. In a fourbedroom house there should be seating for at least five, for instance.

PETS If you have pets, make sure your house is regularly ventilated. Vacuum regularly to avoid the build-up of hair. The cages of animals such as hamsters should be regularly cleaned out don't subject your prospective buyer to litter trays in the house.

ODD JOBS After all your hard work, don't spoil the impression because the leaking tap didn't get fixed, a door doesn't shut properly or because of some other equally trivial odd job left undone.

Consider having a friend look around the house and garden for you to see if there's anything you missed and, because you're so used to it, you looked right past it.

PRIORITISING IMPROVEMENTS If you're planning to make any improvements, the areas to prioritise are the kitchen, the bathroom and the garden. i) Kitchen and Bathroom You don't need to spend a lot of money doing this. You probably won't recoup the cost of a newly fitted kitchen or an expensive new bathroom, so stick to making improvements that are mainly cosmetic. ii) Garden The garden is the one area where research shows that it may be worth spending money on improvements. According to RICS (the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors), spending £900 on a landscaped, familyfriendly garden can add an extra £6,000 to a house's selling price.

"We absolutely love PORTFOLIO magazine and can't wait for it to come out each month" J herd, Reader, Woodingdean

"We just entered our first competition in the magazine and WON. We're fans!"

F Kendall, Reader, Hove

Have you heard what everyone is saying ?

The most popular magazine in the City & beyond

NEXT ISSUE OUT st 1 SEPTEMBER

Estate Agents

Devonian Court Brighton BN2 Guide price: ÂŁ270,000

Arrange a viewing or property valuation on 01273 622664

Belton Road Brighton A characterful four bedroom Victorian home with a sunny westerly garden, close to some of the city’s top schools Guide Price: £525,000 Freehold

Whichelo Place Hanover A wonderfully charming three bedroom family home. Tastefully decorated and boasting a lovely lawned garden OIEO £450,000 Freehold

Park Crescent Road Brighton Ideally positioned, close to The Level and trendy London Road, this versatile three storey house is a great family home.

Guide Price: £360,000 Freehold See more properties at www.qsalesandlettings.co.uk

GARDENS

BLOOMING beauties These glorious summer gardens in East Sussex are at their colourful best during the summer, with eye-popping colours, scented displays, brilliant borders and relaxing open spaces with far-reaching views

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ome of the gardens reflect the spirit and style of their former famous owners, others are simply havens of beauty to enjoy at your leisure on a summer’s day. Each and every visit to a National Trust place helps support the charity’s work to care for special places for future generations. So celebrate summer with the National Trust’s top spots for summer garden delights.

OUR BLOOMING BEAUTIES INCLUDE: Bateman’s, Burwash, East Sussex The beautiful garden at Bateman’s, home of great writer Rudyard Kipling from 1902 until his death in 1936, must surely have inspired his famous poem, The Glory of the Garden, which he wrote in 1923. The extensive artsand-crafts-style garden has many enchanting features, including a tunnel made of pear trees, yew hedges, a formal rose garden, a large lily pond and a wild meadow with a river running through it. Kipling’s love of roses endures with an array of scented rugosa roses and the fragrant rose walk. On the walls there are climbers and ramblers in a variety colours.

Gardens and Estate Manager Len Bernamont says: “The crowning glories at Batemans’s are the lily pond and rose garden, designed by Kipling himself after he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1907.

Here, three varieties of floribunda roses, in shades of pink and red, flower constantly throughout the summer and well into autumn; the effect is just lovely.”

Standen, near East Grinstead, East Sussex Now in the final year of an ambitious 5-year garden revival project, the gardens of Standen are vibrant with colour this summer. The reinstated rose garden, known as The Rosery, is full of delicate pink roses, deep purple irises and other contrasting plants around the pond. The recently 56 PORTFOLIO

restored Kitchen Garden is bursting with mouth-watering produce such as rhubarb and broad beans, used in seasonal dishes in the café and on sale from the barrow, while the new, elevated Rock Top Walk offers views over the roof tops of Standen and the surrounding Sussex countryside.

There are lots of special garden events and attractions during Standen’s midsummer garden festival in June, including daily garden tours, a photography workshop, children’s craft activities and after-hours tours of the garden with our Head Gardener.

Alfriston Clergy House, East Sussex Filling half the land around the house, the kitchen garden is bursting with flowering sweet peas, potatoes, onions, beetroot, sweetcorn, spinach and squash. The borders surrounding the garden are also home to masses of herbs and flowers such as lemon balm, mint, evening primroses, poppies and pot marigolds.

Monk’s House, Lewes, East Sussex Nestled within the garden Leonard and Virginia Woolf loved and admired is an enchanting mix of flowers, flint walls, yew hedges, blossoming orchards, wildflower lawns and ponds. Virginia’s writing room, where she penned many of her most famous novels, still sits at the end of the garden, with views overlooking Mount Caburn and Lewes Castle.

For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk Photo credit National Trust Images

BEAUTIFUL homes

HEART OF THE COUNTRY PORTFOLIO takes a look at what you can get for around £600,000 across the country. This month we feature a lovely family house in rural Warwickshire

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his superb executive property is located in a tranquil position within the splendid, picturesque, semi-rural village of Napton-on-the-Hill, Warwickshire, amidst rolling, open countryside and in a vibrant community.

Situated in an exclusive cul-de-sac, this well-presented four-bedroom property has spacious accommodation. An inviting entrance hall with feature staircase and a cloakroom/WC opens into an impressive, elegant lounge with a stone fireplace. This is complemented by a conservatory looking onto the rear garden. There is a further extensive sitting room, ideal for a family games room, a traditional kitchen/breakfast room with a range of fittings, a utility room, a separate dining room and a study, currently used as a home office.

The first floor is also well-proportioned, with four double bedrooms, including a splendid master bedroom with fitted wardrobes and an en-suite shower room. There is also a further en-suite bedroom suitable for guests and two further double bedrooms and family bathroom suite. The professionally landscaped rear garden has a feature garden, patio and hot tub.

Howcombe Gardens, Napton-on-the-Hill, Warwickshire Guide Price: £579, 950 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Extras: Integrated music system; Hot tub, Professionally landscaped, Private rear garden Best Bits: Conservatory; Two en-suites; Exclusive location Hawkesfords Estate Agents 74 Coventry Street, Southam, CV47 0EA 01926 811848. www.hawkesford.co.uk PORTFOLIO 57

Jesmond Road, Hove

£2,500 pcm

Fourth Avenue, Hove

£895 pcm

24 WI LET H TH O IN U RS

Others wanted awaiting clients

Regency Square, Brighton

Very central one bed flat with study

Modern one bed in central Hove

£975 pcm

Portland Road, Hove

£950 pcm

Brand new one bedroom flat close to Portslade Station

from pads to maisonettes you’ll soon be planning madly w

Park View Road, Hove

£1,500 pcm

Modern two bed house near Hove Park

Tivoli Road, Brighton

Spacious two bed with fantastic roof terrace

with property moves...

The Drive, Hove

£1,495 pcm

Lovely modern 3 bed in very central Hove

£1,575 pcm

Queens Gardens, Brighton

Beautiful 3 bed house in central Brighton

£1,600 pcm

FEATURE home

HOME OF THE MONTH

...as selected by PORTFOLIO magazine

4-bedroom house for sale in Pembroke Crescent, Hove, BN3 5DF Guide Price: £1,250,000

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stunning, red brick, semi-detached period home in the popular Pembroke area of Hove.

The property has undergone complete refurbishment by the current vendor and offers modern family living whilst still retaining many period features. The living accommodation on the ground floor, with oak wooden flooring throughout, offers a spacious kitchen/breakfast/ family room with a delightful westerly aspect and has a new, on-trend, contemporary kitchen and doors leading out to the rear garden. The double-length reception room with plantation shutters is light and airy, boasting period detailing throughout and reclaimed fire places. The first floor has four bedrooms, plus a contemporary family bathroom. The spacious loft area could, subject to necessary planning consents, be converted. The westerly-facing garden is beautifully landscaped and offers a wonderful space for all the family.

Mishon Welton 94 Church Road, Hove BN3 2EB 01273 778 877 | www.mishonwelton.com

Making Moving a Pleasure If you are buying or selling your property, Healys offers an unrivalled legal service.

In order that your matter proceeds smoothly we offer the following as standard to our clients: • • •

Direct dial to your Solicitor No hidden charges Competitive fees

We would be delighted to provide you with a free personal quotation. Please contact one of our team on: 01273 669139 or email: property@healys.com or visit www.healys.com and complete our online quotation form.

8/9 Old Steine Brighton BN1 1EJ

GARDENS

INTO THE GARDEN Make the most of your garden, whatever its size. Tara de la Motte, on what to do in the garden this month

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early the end of summer, August is one of the most beautiful months in the garden, which should now be dazzling with fragrance and wonderful colour. This is the perfect time to enjoy our gardens and make the most of our outdoor space before summer draws to an end A garden is an extension of the house and should be as well considered as our interiors.

Even the smallest outdoor space can be transformed with imaginative planting and clever design into a really stylish room for all your outdoor entertaining.

This year at the RHS Hampton Court Palace flower show there were a number of gardens that were truly inspirational in showing how much can be achieved in a smaller space.

These gardens showed lots of flexible design and planting ideas to inspire and transform our outdoor area into a space that we can

enjoy all year round.

If your outside space is on the small side, then keep the design uncomplicated. Think about the style of garden you would like. The colour palette should be kept simple as colour can influence the space. Strong colours should be used nearer to the house and paler colours towards the end of the garden, to blur the boundaries and make the garden seem further away.

Once the planting is complete, enhance the enjoyment of your 'room outdoors' and bring style to your garden by investing in a few pieces of beautiful garden furniture. A comfortable lounger placed in a secluded spot or a stylish bistro set on a terrace will help you enjoy the garden all the more.

Try choosing a style and design of garden furniture that will enhance your garden and even blend with the decor of the rooms that

lead to the garden. In this way the garden will become an extension of your home rather than a separate space.

What better place to entertain your guests than in the midst of a garden that's filled with fragrance?

By choosing scented plants such as Lavenders, Honeysuckles and Jasmines and growing them around your seating area, you will be rewarded with wonderful fragrance.

Enjoy your outdoor room well into the evening by hanging fairy lights near your seating area, and invest in a few outdoor lanterns. Solar powered lighting, too, will provide light for several hours .

Good lighting will turn your garden into an atmospheric night-time landscape.

Your garden is now set for long, lazy days spent with friends, drinking prosecco, surrounded by twinkling lights and scent.

“What better place to entertain your guests than in the midst of a garden that's filled with fragrance?�

See more garden ideas at www.portfoliopublications.co.uk

FINANCE

TAXING MATTERS

Many homeowners will become ‘accidental landlords’ at some point.

Jo White from Kreston Reeves LLP explains the benefits of Lettings Relief

I

t’s not uncommon for individuals to let their homes at some point due to relocation, employment or downsizing while wanting to keep their family home. Likewise, you may inherit a property which you decide to retain rather than sell.

If you receive rental income from your property, you may need to disclose this to HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), and where your rental profit is in excess of £2,500, you must register for SelfAssessment. Even if your rental profits are less than this, you may have a tax liability to pay which will need to be reported to HMRC. If the rental income is only enough to meet the mortgage payments and associated costs, you may still have a tax liability, as it is only mortgage interest which can be deducted, not the capital repayment element. With changes being introduced to the way in which an individual can obtain tax relief on mortgage interest from 201718, it is likely that more individuals will have to report this source of income and pay tax on it.

If you became an accidental landlord due to relocation, you are likely to have lived in the property before letting it. This can reduce the amount of Capital Gains Tax payable on selling the property at a later date.

If you have always lived in the property, your home will be fully exempt from Capital Gains Tax, but if you have only periodically lived in it as your home, you may need to pay tax (or a proportional amount) on any gain realised.

“Lettings Relief can be used to reduce your tax liability where you have lived in the property and let it at some point during your ownership” Lettings Relief can be used to reduce your tax liability where you have lived in the property and let it at some point during your ownership. This can equate to as much as £40,000 per property owner. Despite what some people understand, Lettings Relief can be claimed if the property was previously an investment property and then became your home.

You will need evidence of having lived in the property as your home. Only then can you claim

Principal Private Residence relief (PPR) and, ultimately, Lettings Relief, so it’s worth getting advice as to what documentation you may need to keep.

This is particularly the case as HMRC has become wise to people carefully planning their ‘home’ moves to try and benefit from relief they may not be entitled to.

Each property owner is considered separately

by HMRC, so there is even more to think about if your property is owned by more than just you.

Shared ownership could bring even further relief, so in this situation, taking a moment and some professional advice and making the correct disclosure could be beneficial for you.

For tax advice in relation to your property, or for help completing your tax return, please contact: Jo White, Tax Consultant at Kreston Reeves Email: jo.white@krestonreeves.com.

Tel: 01403 253 282

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PROPERT Y PLUS RELIABILIT Y EQUALS LET TINGS

PROPERT YPLUSLET TINGS.COM 01273 777010

LEGAL matters

PRESCRIPTIVE RIGHTS Solicitor Jane Bourn, property dispute expert at QualitySolicitors Howlett Clarke, on simple solutions to avoid the problem of prescriptive rights

A

h, good old prescriptive rights. The source of much work for property litigation/ disputes lawyers. The approach taken now makes clear that there is much a landowner can do to protect their position. Do you have a property which includes a car park? Do you know who is parking there? Perhaps you have no idea who is using it and never bothered about it before. Now what are you going to do about it?

Well, consider acquisition of a right through long use or enjoyment known as a prescriptive right. It is a complex area and is dependent on the particular facts of each case, but to summarise: a prescriptive right can be acquired if, for at least 20 years, use of the land has been as of right (without force, secrecy or permission) and is a right that could be lawfully granted.

The recent case of Trevor and Elizabeth Winterburn v Garry and Lynne Bennett [2016] is good news for landowners. The Court of Appeal considered what steps a landowner must take to prevent others who use land without permission from acquiring prescriptive rights over it and I am pleased to say that it is simply to put up signs. The facts of the case are that Mr and Mrs Winterburn owned and ran a fish and chip shop on land which was positioned next to the car park entrance and their customers and suppliers parked there. The car park had been

owned by the Conservative Club Association, who had a building to the rear, and the car park was used by its members. On about 15 occasions, over a period of seven years, the club steward asserted ownership of the land and that Mr and Mrs Winterburn and visitors to their premises had no right to park on it. The club erected a clearly visible sign stating “Private Car Park. For use of Club patrons only.” This was completely ignored.

“A prescriptive right can be acquired if, for at least 20 years, use of the land has been as of right” Mr and Mrs Bennett purchased the car park. There was no doubt that the parking on the disputed land was open and known to the club and, later, known to Mr and Mrs Bennett.

No permission for parking had been given. The chip shop owners had to show that the use was not “with force,” that is, not contentious or allowed only under protest. It was held in this case that signs were sufficient to show the use of the parking was contentious without the need for more confrontational steps.

Lord Justice David Richards hit the nail on the head in his Court of Appeal judgment:

See more from Howlett Clarke at www.portfoliopublications.co.uk

“The situation which has arisen in the present case is commonplace. Many millions of people in this country own property. Most people do not seek confrontation, whether orally or in writing, and in many cases they may be concerned or even frightened of doing so. Most people do not have the means to bring legal proceedings.

There is a social cost to confrontation and, unless absolutely necessary, the law of property should not require confrontation in order for people to retain and defend what is theirs. The erection and maintenance of an appropriate sign is a peaceful and inexpensive means of making clear that property is private and not to be used by others. I do not see why those who choose to ignore such signs should thereby be entitled to obtain legal rights over the land.”

Well said. So get those signs up. You might want to check any signs you do have which may have been gathering rust and ivy and check they are still legible and clearly visible.

Solicitor Jane Bourn is property dispute expert at QualitySolicitors Howlett Clarke 96 Church Street, Brighton, BN1 1UJ 01273 327272 | www.howlettclarke.co.uk

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UPDATE YOUR BATHROOM Is your bathroom a sanctuary? Here are some simple ideas to revamp and update this hard-working room

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he bathroom is the one room in the house that treads a fine line between practical and luxurious. It has to store all the toiletries of a household, deal with a flurry of activity during peak times, and still be a sanctuary in which to unwind in a relaxing bath or shower.

You don’t need a massive overhaul in order to refresh your bathroom. A few quick and easy updates can make all the difference.

We’ve collected our top tips to breathe life into any bathroom.

1. GIVE IT A GOOD SCRUB A deep clean will ensure your bathroom is looking, and working, at its best. Small things like descaling your shower head, getting rid of all the black gunk between the tiles and polishing everything until it shines stop a bathroom feeling tired and make it look like new.

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2. UPDATE THE STORAGE As one of the busiest rooms in the house, the bathroom easily gets filled with clutter.

Make sure everything has its place by adding shelves, a few caddies or baskets, or a slim free-standing cabinet.

5. BE TEMPTED BY NEW TAPS One brilliant way to update your bathroom is to have sparkling new taps. If yours are looking a bit dull, it’s time to replace. Choose between separates or mixer taps for your basin and bath.

3. DAZZLE WITH A NEW MIRROR An essential part of any bathroom, mirrors can help make the smallest room in your house look bigger than it is. Choose from wall mirrors, mirrored cabinets - offering you hidden storage - and shaving mirrors that can help you get a close-up when you need it.

6. REPLACE THE BLINDS Window coverings are about more than just privacy in the bathroom, they will finish off your look by adding colour and texture. Blinds or shutters work best in bathrooms.

4. BRIGHTEN UP THE BATHROOM As ever, lighting is key and it’s essential your bathroom is well lit. Choose from spotlights, downlights, ceiling lights or wall lights to see what’s right for you.

7. PICK OUT A NEW SHOWER CURTAIN An inexpensive way to update the bathroom, shower curtains can be fun as well as functional…

A glass shower screen is a sleeker option, will add a more contemporary look and is easy to fit.

Thanks to www.diy.com

DO It Yourself

8. REFRESH YOUR FITTINGS Why not update some of the functional elements of your bathroom? New matching towel rails, soap dishes, toothpaste holders, and toilet roll holder in a chrome, ceramic or wood finish can make all the difference.

9. SETTLE ON A NEW TOILET SEAT You don’t have to stick to the standard white toilet seat. Select from the huge variety of colours and styles. So opt for a soft-close model, and you’ll never have to hear the lid slam again.

10. GET ACCESSORISING Whether it’s your bath mat, soap dispensers or toothbrush holders, refreshing the little things can add that finishing touch to your bathroom.

Choose the right bathroom accessories to complete your bathroom's look. Bathroom linens should be freshened up every couple of years and should always match.

11. ADD SOME SPA LUXURY There's not much better than a bath by candlelight. Add a touch of luxury to your bathroom with a few candles spread around.

12. GO GREEN Bring the outdoors in with some greenery in your bathroom. Choose the right houseplant and it will thrive in the moist environment and you won’t have to do much to take care of it.

“Choose the right bathroom accessories to complete your bathroom's look. Bathroom linens should be freshened up every couple of years and should always match”

PORTFOLIO 67

9 Offices Covering Brighton & Hove 27 Offices in Sussex 38 Offices in London

Dean Court Road, Rottingdean: £920,000

01273 309968

Harrington Road £1,200,000

01273 508761

Dean Court Road is situated in the historical and picturesque village of Rottingdean. This immaculate and beautiful detached house is packed with charm and character, comprising of four bedrooms, two reception rooms, and family bathroom with two additional cloakrooms.

A magnificent Edwardian semi-detached house with 5 bedrooms and off-road parking. Fine period details in abundance, southerly facing walled garden, excellent local schools and less than quarter of a mile from Preston Park station.

Sussex Mews £850,000

Denmark Villas £500,000

01273 688148

This beautiful bright and spacious four bedroom Mews house located in the delightful location on Sussex Mews, the property is well presented throughout.

Sold with no onward chain, private garage and parking space.

01273 820280

Finished to a high standard, taking into account every single detail to leave a perfect flat for many years. Luxury bathroom with walk in shower, two double bedrooms, en-suite, dual aspect living room leading to a beautiful kitchen with fitted appliances. Professionally landscaped westerly garden, share of freehold.

www.rightmove.co.uk www.primelocation.com www.fox-and-sons.co.uk

Beaconsfield Villas ÂŁ1,250,000

01273 508761

This imposing, white-painted, double fronted five bedroom semi-detached Victorian Villa with landscaped front & rear gardens is situated in the sought after 'Golden Triangle', renowned for its central setting for Brighton station, London Road and Preston Park stations, excellent schools and of course, the picturesque Preston Park itself.

A truly outstanding family home, offering incredibly detailed and rare period features; including ornate ceilings, moulded cornice work, colourful tiling, grand fireplaces, wooden flooring and etched glazing. Forming a substantial (approx 2,300 square feet) and versatile family home which comprises three reception rooms and a fabulous kitchen/family room on the ground floor with five double bedrooms and two bathrooms on the upper floors.

leaders.co.uk

Ask the experts Q A

Should you move or improve?

Our homes are at the centre of family life, but it’s very easy for a property that was perfect for our needs to quickly be outgrown. So when your home no longer suits your requirements what should you do – move or improve?

In some cases it may be that the space is not being used in the most practical way, so think about how you could rework the layout of a room, or perhaps even think open-mindedly about the function of each room. Do you have a dining room you only use at Christmas while one of the bedrooms is just too small for your growing child? Perhaps the dining room could become a bedroom and solve the problem. Maybe you need a home office and your garden would offer the perfect place to build an outdoor study.

However, sometimes it just comes down to there simply not being enough space or the location of your home no longer working for you in which case moving is the best way to get what you want. So how can you make your home appeal to the needs of potential buyers to ensure you get the best price when you sell?

1) First impressions count Many buyers form an opinion on your home within seconds of walking through the front door - and some may even have made up their mind as soon as they set eyes on it from outside. So spend time on the areas people will spot first, such as the driveway, flowerbeds and entrance hall.

4) Fix it Small details can make a big difference. Have you got a dripping tap, a door that doesn’t close or a hole in the carpet? Getting all minor repairs out the way before your property comes on to the market will make it more desirable.

2) Eliminate clutter Clutter only serves to make your home seem smaller and less organised. Before putting it up for sale, think carefully about what needs to remain, what could be placed in storage and what you can throw away.

5) The right agent Your home is likely to be your most valuable asset, so put it in the hands of an agent you trust. Check the agent will advertise it on all the major portals and how else it will be marketed, as being able to reach suitable buyers is the number one priority.

3) Use mirrors It’s easy for homes to feel claustrophobic in the winter months, when you are unable to open doors to the garden, large windows or balcony entrances. By adding mirrors to a property, you can create a perception of extra space.

Brighton Marina 01273 622007

For advice you can trust on all aspects of buying or selling a property, please contact your local Leaders branch or visit leaders.co.uk

Brighton Central 01273 720714

Fiveways

01273 561534

BEAUTIFUL homes leaders.co.uk

Not sure whether to move or improve?

or Moving?

Improving?

Start with a free valuation to see how much your home could be worth now to help you decide.

Hove

01273 321721

North Laine 01273 675571

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LEADERS

MARINA LUXURY Delighted buyers receive the keys to iconic Brighton Marina apartments.

Greg Hall, Branch Manager at Leaders in Brighton Marina, has the news

S

ome of the most exciting new properties to hit the Brighton market in decades are finally ready to move into – with a limited number still available for sale.

The redevelopment of Brighton Marina will see a total of 853 new luxury apartments built over a ten-year period to 2025. The first and second phases are now completed and keys have been handed over to a number of thrilled buyers.

Greg Hall, Branch Manager at Leaders in Brighton Marina, which is the sole sales agent for the development, says: “After so much hard work and a huge number of sales, our team were delighted to be able to welcome the first buyers to their new homes recently.

“It is not only the new apartments that have opened their doors in recent weeks, as several restaurants and other facilities within the development are also up and running.

This project is set to create an entirely new community and will transform the marina into the UK’s premier waterside residence.

“The good news is that we still have several

apartments available for sale and a selection of plots that are due to be built on in the coming months and years. People are welcome to view either the completed homes or the plots before settling on their dream home.”

Greg and his team held an open day at the development in midJuly, when hundreds of prospective buyers and investors enjoyed full access to the first two completed towers for the first time.

“Demand for the new apartments shows no sign of slowing any time soon, and with the majority of the ambitious, multi-million-pound regeneration of the marina still ahead of us, there are plenty of opportunities to secure a luxury home still to come.

“However, buyers will need to act fast if they are to snap up some of the most coveted apartments. For instance, we are down to the final remaining properties with aspect flooring and panoramic views.”

It is not only buyers who are welcome to book an appointment to view the apartments with one of Greg’s team.

There are now homes within the development available to rent and tenants can benefit from a variety of incentive schemes, including some homes that include an IKEA furniture pack.

Whether people are thinking of buying, investing or renting a new apartment, they are invited to call Leaders in Brighton Marina on 01273 622007 to arrange a private tour.

BUSINESS AS USUAL Leaders report business as normal in the property market since Brexit

T

he property market has so far been largely unaffected by the British public’s vote to leave the European Union (EU), according to national estate agents Leaders.

Kevin Shaw, national sales director at Leaders, says there has been no significant difference in activity levels in the three weeks since the referendum in comparison with the three weeks leading up to it.

“Our data shows the vote for Brexit simply hasn’t had the impact on the property market that many people expected. Indeed, three weeks after the vote, our numbers of new instructions to sell, sales agreed and exchanges completed are all steady,” he explains.

“Some experts predicted a spike in current sales collapsing, but this has also proven not to be the case.

“While we have seen a small number of buyers attempt to renegotiate the price they are paying for a property, these requests have almost all been rejected and the sale has completed as planned, showing that Brexit has had little impact on buyers and their desire to move.”

The fundamental features of the UK’s property market – such as demand massively outweighing supply – remain the same and Leaders believes this will continue to drive transactions and ensure house prices remain at least at current levels.

Kevin adds: “Following the 2008 economic crisis, the UK market returned to growth within 18 months. I anticipate a similarly positive picture in the coming years.

“Right now, the situation post-Brexit is that it

is very much business as usual and now is as good a time as any for people looking to sell or buy a property.

“In many ways, the market could actually benefit from the referendum result as the period of uncertainty is now over. People want to get on with their plans to move and they are not willing to wait another two years while the government thrashes out the terms of the country’s EU exit.

“Low interest rates – which are predicted to fall further – provide a further plus, as this increases buyer affordability levels.”

Anybody who is thinking of selling their home or investing in a buy-to-let property is advised to consult an experienced estate agent with good local knowledge who can provide insight into their local market.

For more information and expert advice on letting or renting in Brighton and Hove, please contact your local Leaders branch or visit leaders.co.uk.

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BHEAA

A CAREER IN property The Brighton & Hove Estate Agents' Association (BHEAA) and its current President, Chris Sawyer, are changing the game for training and recruitment of estate agents in the City

C

onsider this. You're 16 to18 years old, you've recently got your exam results and, possibly for the first time in your life, you are considering what to do with the rest of your life. Your results, although not too shabby, will probably rule out the place in medical school your parents had envisioned, but you're not sure you're “the academic type” anyway, and you know too many people with good degrees, in debt and who are flipping burgers. Nothing wrong with any of that, except that you have always been more of a “people person,” not only relaxed in the company of others, but actually revelling in it. Sales looks attractive, but retail does not. Our City has an abundance of estate agents and all appear to be doing well, but privately they are always a little vague when you start asking them about how one qualifies to become one. The industry has been lagging behind many others in formal education and qualifications to help young people establish a career in estate agency.

However, all that is about to change.

Current President of the BHEAA, Chris Sawyer, recently attended a meeting with

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Brighton & Hove City College regarding the imminent launch of a 2-year programme in estate agency. Also in attendance were Jan Hytch, the 2013 president of the NAEA

“Current President of the BHEAA, Chris Sawyer, recently attended a meeting with Brighton & Hove City College regarding the imminent launch of a 2-year programme in estate agency” (National Association of Estate Agents), who successfully managed to get this course off the ground in Norwich and two members of NFOPP (The National Federation of Property Professionals, the awards body).

“We discussed with the college the course

content, how it could be delivered and also the role the BHEAA could play,” Chris elaborates.

“I was happy to confirm, as President, that the BHEAA would be willing to deliver some lectures, and various members of the BHEAA council have agreed to give up their time in this regard. We also agreed to act as an employment liaison for the College. The College are very keen to go ahead; initially, the plan will be to make it available commercially with the intention of making it more widely available by 2017/2018, aimed at 16 to18 year olds. There is currently no schooling into estate agency, and this course will be something of a game changer in that respect.

With many estate agents citing recruitment as one of their greatest challenges, there are clear advantages to both employer and candidate for a course such as this. This would be the only course of its kind in the South East and only the second of its kind nationally,” says Chris. www.bhaea.co.uk www.sawyerandco.co.uk

PROPERTY feature

HIGH-TECH PROPERTY SALES

The future of house buying The future of house buying looks likely to include drones, virtual reality and big data.

PORTFOLIO investigates

W

ould you buy your next house wearing a virtual reality headset? What about using software that tracks your internet usage to predict your dream home?

A recent report by The Future Laboratory suggests that by 2025 we will be taking full advantage of big data, new advances such as gloves that simulate touch, and drones, in order to buy a house.

With a vast amount of data at our fingertips even now, the future of house buying is about to change dramatically as a newly emerging prop-tech sector is driving innovation at an astounding rate in this market.

HYPER-PERSONALISED HOUSE SEARCHES Unlike the current process of scrolling through Rightmove, using filters such as the number of bedrooms, house hunters of the future will have access to highly specific, personalised search engines.

These will scoop up big data, including social media interactions and web history, to form a ‘psychographic’ profile of the buyer's lifestyle, in order to present their dream home. A buyer’s expressed and intuitive desires, which have been revealed on the internet, will go towards their requirements for a home.

Douglas McCabe of Enders Analysis said: “‘Whereas today an online property system might filter by budget and number of bedrooms, consumers in the 2020s will expect it to plug in to their personal data and know that they want a house with a southfacing garden, close to a railway station that serves their office, a school specialising in music for their daughter, and a jazz bar that serves great craft beer.”

The report also suggested that house hunters would be able to trade access to their data to mortgage brokers, in exchange for a lower fee with their estate

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PROPERTY feature

DRONES Technology will provide more ways to view properties, according to the report. Explore the outside of a house that is unreachable with a ladder, or check noise levels at night by using a drone that can be controlled remotely.

“As drone technology becomes more affordable, we imagine potential house-hunters will cotton on to its use for conducting those vital pre-purchase searches,” said Rob Ellice of easyProperty.

“To find out whether the neighbours throw loud parties every weekend, how noisy the traffic is at key points throughout the day, and other information not easily available from an inspection of the house but vital to long-term happiness”.

AN END TO ‘FOR SALE’ SIGNS? Instead of for sale signs outside properties, a series of beacons could broadcast details of a property which is for sale to anyone wearing wearable technology or using a smartphone. These houses for sale can also be filtered according to the buyer's highly personalised profile.

Smart homes may even allow sellers to remotely unlock their house, with buyers guided through on a tour of the house, using a ‘3D video presence’ technology.

An American app, Opendoor, already allows this to happen. Used in Texas and Arizona, house hunters can visit the property straight away using a secure access code, which they receive via text message and which would allow them to open a box with the key.

VIRTUAL REALITY Using 3D 360-degree cameras and a virtual reality headset, house hunters can step into a ‘virtual explorium’, which will offer a multi-sensory tour of homes for sale - all without having to set foot inside the door.

This is of particular use for developers selling offplan to buyers, who would be able to view a property as if it were real before it has even been built.

This sort of technology – including augmented reality – also offers the opportunity for virtual refits, so the buyer could see a room as they would decorate it, with their own furniture and choice of paint.

Brighton-based estate agents Knight & Knoxley are the first agency in the country to use nextgeneration virtual reality technology to showcase properties. The team already know the success of property marketing lies with superior presentation and merchandising. The virtual reality technology features top-quality panoramic photography and virtual tours, offering clients an unrivalled viewing experience, whether using their desktop, laptop, mobile device or virtual reality headsets. Owner Nat Ryder says: "Virtual Reality is already making a huge impact on everyday lives. Our clients have been impressed at this great interactive experience, which also adds value to the extensive professional service we already offer at Knight & Knoxley".

Thanks to www.telegraph.co.uk

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“Brighton-based estate agents Knight & Knoxley are the first agency in the country to use nextgeneration virtual reality technology to showcase properties”

PROPERTY feature

THE FUTURE IS HYBRID Nat Daniels, CEO at Angels Media, a London-based property technology business and developers of ValPal, the lead-generating online valuation tool, says:

"T

he property industry is ripe for technological innovation. The main traditions of the property world, and the way in which property is bought and sold in this country make it a significant challenge for agents, but technology offers considerable rewards for those prepared to move dynamically.

Within the industry there is considerable debate over whether the future will be carried by traditional estate agencies with a high street presence or the new ‘online only’ agency models.

Ultimately, the future, I believe, is likely to contain a more hybrid model. To survive, all estate agents will have to adopt more digital practices and options; by adopting these digital processes, such as online property valuation tools, property apps, newsletters and other digital communication tools, the traditional agencies may well be able to offer the best of both worlds."

“We have seen many agents realising that engaging with their vendor and landlord audiences to the same level as buyers is key to the growth of their business.

"There is an increasing realisation that

up to 50% of potential clients visiting agent’s websites are looking to sell and get an idea of the value of their property. Astute agents are looking at the needs of this audience and how to engage with them. Online valuation tools, such as ValPal, are a fantastic instant gratification for vendors and a way for agents to obtain this warm lead and grow their business.”

“Estate agents will have to adopt more digital practices and options; by adopting these digital processes, such as online property valuation tools, property apps, newsletters and other digital communication tools, the traditional agencies [will] be able to offer the best of both worlds"

VALPAL: HOW IT WORKS ValPal uses pioneering technology and algorithms to convert agent’s website traffic into vendor and landlord leads, via online property valuations.

It allows an on-the-spot property valuation and taps in to that ‘dinner party’ conversation staple of ‘how much is our home worth?,’ giving instant gratification. In turn, agents get the opportunity to contact these leads and convert them, so increasing their stock. The tool already has over 2100 agent branches using the site.

AGENTS USING THE VALPAL TOOL ON THEIR WEBSITE REPORT: • A higher percentage of web traffic converting into vendor and landlord enquiries • A doubling, and even trebling, of the amount of leads an agent receives • Avoiding missed opportunities and people leaving their sites and engaging with competitors www.angelsmedia.co.uk www.valpal.co.uk

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There’s a new way to buy a home in and around Brighton

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BUSINESS profile

BLUE SKY THINKING Surface 2 Air Media Ltd specialise in both ground and aerial filming, aerial photography, full video productions, post production, CGI Artist Impressions and 360° Virtual Tours (from both the ground and air). They offer a unique blend of skilled, licensed professionals with over 20 years experience in the film and TV industry and also over 25 years of collective experience with radio-controlled planes and helicopters. When they're not on glamorous filming locations across the globe, the team work on some commercial projects closer to home outlined below

FILM & BROADCAST Surface 2 Air Media can achieve a wide spectrum of dynamic shots at a lower cost than other, conventional means, therefore helping lift the level of any production. They have the ability to carry a vast array of large production cameras on either their heavy-lift UAV, Cable Cam or Tero car. Each is equipped with Freefly MoVI gimbals (3-axis camera stabiliser). This diverse selection of platforms allows their experienced operators to offer a number of amazing shots, such as high-speed ground tracking, unlimited dolly, crane and low-altitude aerial shots, all of which were only ever associated with large-budget productions in the past.

360° VIRTUAL TOURS Surface 2 Air Media produce 360° virtual tours from both the ground and air. They are by far the best way to show the scale and detail of any site in its entirety and can also help with future development. Whilst viewing the 360° virtual tour from the air, the viewer can also be taken to ground level by simply clicking on a “hot spot”. See an example of how a 360° virtual tour works at www. surface2airmedia.co.uk.

POST PRODUCTION Surface 2 Air Media has over 20 years of Film and TV broadcast postproduction experience. Working with Avid, FCP (Final Cut Pro) and Adobe Premiere, they provide full post-production services, including broadcast-level editing, stabilising of shots, grading, media management, sound design, transcoding and 3D animated graphics. They cater to whatever their clients require, whether it be just delivering the raw rushes or a full production edit.

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FESTIVALS & EVENTS Surface 2 Air Media can provide a full production for your up-coming event and enable you to show it from a totally new and dynamic perspective.

Using aerial footage and images, you can showcase the size of your event and also use them in the planning of layouts, routes and attractions for future events.

CGI ARTIST IMPRESSIONS CGI artist impressions are an ingenious way of showing how future development of any site will look.

They are produced by taking initial high-resolution aerial photographs of a site. These are then passed on to Surface 2 Air Media’s graphics team, who work from blueprints to compose CGI images, such as buildings, roads and landscape gardens, over the top of them. Working with actual photographs from a starting point gives a much more realistic feel and saves the CGI artists valuable time, and the clients money, by eliminating the need to build a whole 3D environment of the site.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY Aerial pictures provide a powerful marketing tool for commercial properties. They show not only the scale of a building, but also highlight features such as access to roads, parking facilities and loading bays.

Surface 2 Air Media specialise in providing outstanding pictures of commercial and industrial properties as well as office, retail units and land for potential development.

For more information about how Surface 2 Air Media can help with your dynamic project, contact David Waite on 0343 455 1066 or on info@surface2airmedia.co.uk www.surface2airmedia.co.uk

PROPERTY innovations

Let the others do the hard work for you...

YEAH!

There’s a new way to buy a home in Brighton and the surrounding area. Home-buying experts Area work with purchasers to navigate the entire buying process

T

he weather and property – two guaranteed topics around any dinner table in the UK. Oh, and we can now add a third: Brexit. How ever we look at it, property continues to enthral the public at large. What is my house worth? Am I paying too much rent? Has buy-to-let had its day?

Well, if you’re looking to buy a home, we have one more topic to add to the conversation.

LOOKING TO BUY A HOME? We know buying a home can be stressful.

This is where Area can help.

WHO ARE AREA? Your smart, personal home-buying experts.

We will help you buy the perfect home, taking you through the process from start to finish. Area also provide you with your free home-buying expert who is there to guide you through the entire buying process and answer any questions you may have. Area is a business founded by people with both property and tech expertise, so you can rest assured that you’re in safe hands.

HOW DOES IT WORK? It’s really simple. If you’re looking for a new

home, tell us what you’re looking for and we will work with local agents to find homes that match your requirements. We are a buyer agent – we work for buyers like you and aim to find you the perfect home. Best of all, our service to those looking for a home is free. Yes, that’s right, we won’t charge you a penny.

Whether you’re a first-time buyer who has lots of questions or an experienced buyer who just hasn’t got the time to spend searching, we can help. We offer impartial guidance throughout the negotiation and buying process and will ensure you get all the help you need.

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE? Area have recently launched in and around the Brighton area, so if you’d like to find out more, then get started at myarea.com, or give us a call on 0330 024 3777 and we’d be delighted to help. Our site will enable you to view properties we recommend for you, and also contains a chat facility. We’re keen to combine the power of technology and property.

Those on an iPhone can also download our app; just search for Area property.

WE WORK WITH LOCAL AGENTS If you’re an agent looking to sell a home, we know the portals have always done a good job at getting properties in front of people, but whilst the volume might be there, is the quality? However, there is hope. If it is genuine buyer leads you’re looking for, then Area can help.

HOW AREA CAN HELP Area will send qualified leads from verified buyers via email to the most active estate agents. As an agent, you simply register the buyer in your database as you do today and keep them updated of all pending and current instructions via property listings. We will also communicate any changes in the buyer’s search criteria or status to you.

GETTING IN TOUCH If you’d like to find out how you can work with Area then please email us at contact@myarea.com or call 0330 024 3777 www.myarea.com.

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PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS LUNCH

tate eview Wine Es rts CEO Ridg r Tamara Robe wye inner Chris Sa with prize w

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he recent summer Property Professionals Lunch was held at the Pub du Vin, Brighton, where the packed audience not only heard all about the success of Ridgeview Wine Estate from its CEO Tamara Roberts, but also networked while tasting their special sparkling wine. £600 was raised for the Rockinghorse Children’s Charity from bids to win the prize. donated by Tamara, of a wine tour of the Estate and tasting for eight.

Chris Sawyer toasted his win!

To book into the next event in October, contact melanie@searchesuk.co.uk

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CHAMBER of Commerce

THE BRIGHTON CITY PLAN A recent Construction Voice event looked at The Brighton City Plan and whether this is aspirational and achievable. Event Chair, Steve Bustin, reposts...

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f there’s one thing that unites the residents of our city, it’s caring about the future of Brighton and Hove. What that future, and our city, may look like is possibly a little less united, with hundreds if not thousands of different ideas, opinions, hopes, designs and ambitions.

Much of that future, in terms of the built environment, lies with Brighton and Hove City Council, who have to listen to opinions and try to shape a strategy that takes account of competing needs and desires. They have to think about the need for housing but balance it with the shortage of workspaces and the ambitions of our two universities.

The latest Construction Voice event (organised by The Brighton and Hove Chamber of Commerce and event partners Haydon Consulting, Graves Jenkins and Robinson Low Francis) hosted the unveiling of City Council’s City Plan Part 2. Following City Plan Part 1, which was adopted in March of this year, Part 2 is the latest of a major document that will map out the city’s future up to 2030.

The event was kicked off by Executive Director for Economy, Environment and Culture and Head of City Regeneration, Nick Hibberd. After outlining the progression of the City Plan, Nick asked whether the city’s spatial policy could contend with Brighton’s economic aspirations.

Nick was followed by Liz Hobden, Policy, Projects and Heritage Manager for the City

Council, who summarised how Part 2 will impact five key areas: employment space; retail, culture and tourism; housing; students and education and, finally, the development of smart and sustainable cities. While identifying challenges, Liz stated that the council should examine underdevelopment as an issue to ensure that the land is used to its capacity for its designated use.

“If there’s one thing that unites the residents of our city, it’s caring about the future of Brighton and Hove” The event then turned to a panel of experts.

Tony Mernagh, Managing Director of Brighton & Hove Business Forum, suggested that the plan would not convey the city’s workspace needs and asked whether council-owned land could be better utilised by coordinating the use of all public assets in the city.

The discussion explored retail, tourism and culture, with former Head of Tourism at Brighton & Hove City Council, Adam Bates, who emphasized the need for tourism development to support the businesses in that sector. He said the city was in need of more outdoor spaces to develop Brighton’s variety of events and attractions.

Debra Humphries, new Vice-Chancellor of The University of Brighton, reflected on the draft plans for students and education, stressing the importance of student halls and space for graduate businesses.

Finally, town planner, built environment expert and advisor to The House of Commons Communities, Kelvin MacDonald, addressed the topic of housing, particularly stressing that the City Plan only makes provision for 44% of the identified housing needs in the city and that this is the absolute minimum the city will need.

Heidi Copland, Head of Planning and Partner at DMH Stallard, the event sponsor, commented: “The importance of the City Plan in providing the planning framework to support the growth of the City is clear. It was evident from the debate in the room that there are a number of challenges to be overcome.

The event provided a useful forum for discussion with some thought-provoking data and suggestions being put forward. A very worthwhile event for all involved in shaping the future of the City.”

The Construction Voice quarterly events are run by Brighton Chamber with event partners Graves Jenkins, Haydon Consulting and Robinson Low Francis. www.businessinbrighton.org.uk Edited from a longer article by the Chair, Steve Bustin. Photo by Vervate.com PORTFOLIO 83

IN WITH THE NEW This month, we look at some of the hottest trends in kitchen design, combining style with clever functionality

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odern kitchens have evolved from food preparation into sleek, multi-tasking living spaces. Kitchens are one of the first things buyers consider when viewing potential properties – a well-designed kitchen can add serious value to your home. But never mind the buyers: Now that kitchens are used as live-work-eat-sit-and-browse-the-internet space, they need to be up to scratch. This month, we look at some of the hottest trends in kitchen design, combining style with clever functionality.

INTERIORS

“Modern lifestyles, along with layouts used by popular cookery programmes, have sustained the popularity of open-plan cook / eat / live spaces”

OPEN-PLAN DESIGN Modern lifestyles, along with layouts used by popular cookery programmes, have sustained the popularity of open-plan cook / eat / live spaces. Where space is limited, opening it up can help make a space familyfriendly – but open-plan works in all kinds of homes. Understated design, integrated appliances and clever use of colour helps to blend and unify different spaces. Taskbased areas, like a central island or corner workspace, can work hard to meet everyone’s needs through the day. Units that perform clever tricks, such as pull-out larders and worktop units, or chill-drawers for salad and food preparation, add extra room.

SMALL IS BEAUTIFUL At the other end of the scale are capsule or micro-kitchens. Increasingly used in studios and flats, a micro-kitchen will allow you to keep that open plan living / eating feel, whilst optimising minimal space (and, for example, allowing homes to have second bedrooms rather than lose a whole room to a kitchen). A range of companies (eg elfinkitchens.co.uk or johnstrandmk.co.uk) now offer off-the-shelf micro kitchens for easy installation, complete with appliances: the basic idea is to use floor-to-ceiling space on no more than one wall area, cramming in storage, appliances and sink. And once you get used to living – and working – with less space, it becomes surprisingly easy: A micro-kitchen is the perfect solution for smaller homes.

Photo: www.thekitchenstore.co.uk

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INTERIORS

“Traditional kitchens never really go out of style, but they do evolve. Simplicity lies at the heart of a modern-traditional kitchen”

GLOSS AND LIGHT The last year has seen a resurgence of some 80’s design features, like high-gloss unit finishes and glass splashbacks. We’ve lost the nasty melamine worktops and monochrome tones, though – modern gloss kitchens bring light and a slick, high-design feel to kitchens.

Like corian, glass panels can be illuminated and colour-changing LEDs mean you can vary the look of units and splashbacks. Lighting – in particular under-unit and worktop – has become a real feature, both task-focused and for decoration. LED strips placed underneath wall units are a simple addition that can transform work space.

TONE AND SHINE Trends seem to be moving away from bolds and brights in kitchens this year, and towards more natural, muted tones. Slate greys, warm browns, ochres, whites and neutrals are the most popular colours for units and worktops.

Metallics have also seen a comeback. Copper, the headline trend for 2015, is still popular, with brushed steel and brass making a comeback in cooker hoods, worktops and panels. Metallic tiles will bring light and texture – another key design feature this year – into kitchen space too and offer a range of colour and finishes.

TOP WORKTOPS Worktops remain solid and chunky, sometimes textured: Cast concrete, natural stone, Corian (a man-made stone composite), hardwood and textured slate. Lighting can be used to enhance corian and stone worktops: Corian can be lit from beneath, giving an eye-catching night time glow; particulate

Photo: www.thekitchenstore.co.uk

stone or corian finishes will shine and glitter with overhead lighting. Porcelain or ceramic worktops are a new high-end development: available in a range of thicknesses and in satin, silk, polished or ‘riverwashed’ (textured/ tumbled) finishes, they outperform natural granite or quartz in terms of their durability.

MODERN TRADITIONAL Traditional kitchens never really go out of style, but they do evolve. Simplicity lies at the heart of a modern-traditional kitchen, with pared-down shaker-style units in soft, neutral tones. Painted wood, tongue-andgroove panels, butler sinks and traditional taps sit happily with state-of-the-art appliances. Mid-century modern is another hot trend in every room, and the kitchen is no exception: A more eclectic look, this allows you to combine colour and quirkier pieces with simple units and worktops. Walnut and other wood finishes can be combined with a predominantly white palette to produce a mid-century Scandinavian feel.

SMART SPACES Making best use of kitchen space is something many of us struggle with: Happily, there are an increasing number of smart storage solutions to help us put everything away.

Touch-close units and drawers with hidden compartments; extractor fans that rise out of the worktop (and slide away when not in use); corner larders, multi-tasking appliances and structured cupboards all help us to maximise space. Docking stations, chargers, speakers and screens can all be integrated into modern units, making kitchen spaces work harder.

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OVERSEAS

EXOTIC HOT SPOT L'Amandier, Morocco offers a sterling investment opportunity, luxury international living and proven returns

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s the UK grapples with Brexit, L'Amandier in Morocco has emerged as a haven for international property purchasers seeking investments outside of the EU and sales in sterling. Now also marks the final chance to buy as it is announced that only four villas remain for sale. Achieving significantly higher GDP growth than the UK in 2015, Morocco has recently been named as the third most prosperous African country yet its real estate prices remain significantly lower than European counterparts, meaning the potential for capital growth is considerable.

Spearheading the trend for integrated villa and hotel complexes in the country, L’Amandier is among a handful of luxury developers capitalising on this proven investment model – offering a ready-made rental pool and solid yields of between 5% and 6% net within an established resort complete with infrastructure and services.

Early investors in the 12-acre oasis in the heart of the Atlas Mountains have already enjoyed a 40% increase in their properties’ values – a figure which Founder Anwar HarlandKhan fully expects will only continue to grow as the hotel nears full opening this autumn.

‘We have seen land and property values rise dramatically over the last few years as demand continues to grow fast for integrated sites with access to luxury amenities. Serviced residences are still a relatively rare concept in Morocco,

meaning those in existence are coveted assets.

We expect that today’s prices will increase by 35% in the next 12 months as a direct result of the hotel opening this autumn. The recent Brexit decision is only likely to enhance the appeal of high-calibre properties across Morocco for UK buyers as they look to invest their sterling in growth markets.’

“The four remaining villas for sale are fully completed and come with their own plunge pools and capacious outside verandas and roof terraces" Current property owners at L’Amandier include a mixture of British, French and Australian nationals all of whom are quick to cite the resort’s outstanding location as one of the main motivators for purchase. Set on a plateau with untouched 360° views over surrounding National Parkland and rolling mountains, the site prompts homeowners to talk of unmatched serenity and breath-taking natural beauty.

Zach Dovey, a surgeon from the UK, and one of L’Amandier’s very first purchasers, explains

that ‘Investing at L’Amandier has greatly exceeded all of our expectations in everything, from the villas’ stunning design and finish to the proven capital appreciation we are already realising. To be a buyer at L’Amandier is to join a like-minded community of individuals who value the true luxuries of life: natural beauty, peace, nature, tranquillity and an intelligent investment. L'Amandier is such good value for money, offering a really differentiated property product – and what you get for your money is absolutely unique, unlike developments in other parts of the world, which often offer “cookiecutter” houses.’

The four remaining villas for sale are fully completed and come with their own plunge pools and capacious outside verandas and roof terraces from which to enjoy the surrounding landscape. Villa interiors have been created by the hotel’s designer Michael Kopinski in a modern Moroccan style enriched with vibrant colours and textures, whilst the architecture is in British architect Nick Gowing’s signature style. Each villa also has full access to the hotel’s amenities, including its infinity pool, bar, restaurant and tennis court.

Prices from £339,000 for a 3-bed villa with a roof terrace and plunge pool and full access to the hotel’s amenities. www.lamandierhotel.com.

Tel: 0207 754 5563

PLACES BRIGHTON MARINA YACHT CLUB

“We love to be beside the sea” Wonderful members club in the heart of the Marina.

Visitors are welcome.

Visit: www.bmyc.co.uk or call on: 01273 818711

FABULOUS FOOD IN FULKING Daniel Frickelton escapes from the City in search of some hearty, well-prepared pub grub...

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e first discovered The Shepherd and Dog Country Pub some years ago, when we lived in Preston Park and frequently headed for Devil's Dyke for a walk and some lunch. As visitors to the Dyke will know, many of the surrounding villages and landmarks can be viewed from this elevated position on the northern face of The South Downs. Fulking is a mere twenty- or thirtyminute walk downhill from the Dyke, and the trail leads you directly into the pub's wonderful outdoor garden. We have been back to this old pub many times since our first encounter, and we can bear witness to the changes in menus, dining room layouts and furniture that no doubt count among the vagaries of pub life everywhere. The Shepherd and Dog has always been a pleasant, if somewhat ho-hum, place to have a pie and a pint, but our recent visit left us in no doubt about the remarkable transformation in food quality and ambience that has occurred at this venue.

West Sussex is blessed with a plethora of picturesque country villages, and Fulking

doesn't disappoint. The abundance of thatched roofs, brick-and-timber Tudoresque façades and listed buildings imbues Fulking village with a sense of having been there forever. Nestled cosily in a fold of the north side of the South Downs, Fulking enjoys protection from the

“I really can't think of pub dining experience in the South East that offers more” prevailing winds and irrigation from the water filtering through layers of chalk, eventually forming the underground spring which in turn feeds the streams and fountains surrounding the pub and coursing through its garden. A long time ago, villagers used to fetch water from the spring near the entrance to the pub.

One of Fulking's favourite sons, John Ruskin, writer, poet and Victorian socialist, designed a pump to supply water from the spring to four

reservoirs further up the street. For this, he has been memorialised with a tiled inscription at the fountain up the street. I am told that walkers and caravanners still help themselves to water from this fountain when passing that way.

We arrived for dinner on a perfectly ordinary Wednesday evening, thinking we might have the place to ourselves. By 7:30 pm the place was packed and the low-ceilinged dining room was humming and thrumming with the happy sounds of hungry people with every expectation of getting their thirst slaked and hunger crunched. The Shepherd and Dog traces its history back to the 18th century, and, like many really venerable old pubs, this one looks and feels as though it was designed Lego-style, starting with a main building and agglutinatively adding on bits as time progressed. The result is a ramshackle, thoroughly charming feel of warmth and cosiness, enhanced by the fireplaces and wooden floors. Tables are cleverly spaced to allow for easy service access and a sense of privacy for diners.

If you're a fan of biblically gargantuan menus,

RESTAURANT review

go somewhere else. The menu at this lovely place comprises six starters and six mains, with a further three choices on the specials board, with a good variety of fish, meat and veggie options. I was intrigued by a starter billed as “Steyning rabbit spring roll.” Steyning is, of course, a somewhat larger neighbour to Fulking, and I was wondering what made their rabbits special. Turns out they were provided by the butcher in Steyning. In any case, this was easily one of the best starters I have had all year: succulent shreds of rabbit packed into a crispy spring roll, served piping hot on a bed of pea shoots and leaves quivering with freshness. I could have handled a half dozen of these. My companion murdered a plate of smoked salmon from nearby supplier, Springs.

Fresh local ingredients at their best.

Although I've been eating more vegetarian food lately, I couldn't ignore the beef and wild mushroom pie offering on the specials board. This golden-brown pastry packet was bursting with tender chunks of slow-cooked beef and shitake mushrooms, perched on a bed of creamy mash and perfectly crunchy kale. A rich gravy supported the main act, and together they delivered bags of hearty beef flavour. My companion's confit of duck was

served with a zingy pickled red cabbage and a truly amazing dish of shredded carrot laced with cider and tarragon. I managed to snag a couple of forkfuls of this very interesting concoction before it disappeared magically from her plate. We finished the last of an exceptional bottle of Patagonian Malbec (2015 Humberto Canale Esate, around £23) as we examined pudding offerings. In the end, we stuck with the standard pub classics, rhubarb

“….succulent shreds of rabbit packed into a crispy spring roll, served piping hot on a bed of pea shoots and leaves quivering with freshness” and apple crumble and banoffee pie. The crumble was perfection in a dish, piping hot, bursting with fresh, acidic rhubarb and huge chunks of palate-tingling apple. The banoffee was a deconstructed version with chunks of fresh banana and satisfying mouthfuls of silky whipped cream. Prices are touchingly

reasonable: most mains hover around the £13 price mark. The most expensive item on the menu was the steak, priced at less than £20.

Everything was prepared with real passion, attention to detail, using fresh local ingredients, and was beautifully presented.

If you're going for lunch, bring the family and grab a table in the garden. The tranquil beauty of the South Downs will wrap you in its warm embrace, the babbling streams will melt your cares away, the kids can play and lark about – all for free. I really can't think of pub lunch experience in the South East that offers more.

The only thing the Shepherd and Dog doesn't have in abundance is parking. Although the pub's car park is small, you can park up the street in both directions and walk back to the pub. Or you can park up at Devil's Dyke and walk down to the pub. You will have a great appetite when you arrive and the chance to burn off some of the calories on the return walk. Either way, you're in for a treat at the Shepherd and Dog. Go treat yourselves!

The Shepherd and Dog Country Pub, Fulking, West Sussex 01273 857382 www.shepherdanddogpub.co.uk PORTFOLIO 91

CELEBRITY chef recipe

SABRINA’S Kitchen

British-Iranian chef, food writer and author, Sabrina Ghayour, is host of the supper club ‘Sabrina’s Kitchen’ and has released her first cookbook, Persiana, in May 2014

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became the family cook at eleven years of age, because my mum and grandmother couldn’t cook for toffee! My food style now is best summed up as ‘lazy’. I work stupid hours, but I always like to eat simple dishes that aren’t labour-intensive.

I love whacking things together and coming up with interesting food; the less you treat good ingredients, the more natural they taste.

I’m all about need and speed, and a lot of my recipes are born out of me just chucking stuff together. That’s really how I learned to cook.

One of the most popular poultry dishes of Iran, Joojeh Kabab, probably features on the menu of every Persian restaurant in the world. What really makes this dish so special is the way in which the chicken is marinated in yogurt and lemon juice, which breaks down

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“I love whacking things together and coming up with interesting food; the less you treat good ingredients, the more natural they taste” the fibres and tenderizes the meat beautifully.

The addition of saffron and onions creates the signature flavour that makes this a muchloved dish. This is my simplified version of the recipe, which can be made at home in a conventional oven if, like me, you don’t have a barbecue or flame grill.

Saffron and lemon chicken joojeh kabab from Persiana by Sabrina Ghayour (Mitchell Beazley, £25; www.octopusbooks. co.uk). Photography by Liz and Max Haarala Hamilton.

CELEBRITY chef recipe

SAFFRON & LEMON CHICKEN JOOJEH KABAB Serves 4 people Recipe •

4 onions, cut in half and thinly sliced into half moons

•

Juice of 5 lemons

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4 tbsp olive oil

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1 tsp ground turmeric

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400g (14oz) Greek yogurt

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3 tbsp crushed sea salt

•

Generous pinch of saffron threads

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3 tbsp boiling water

•

6 large, boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 5cm (2in) pieces

1.

Put the onions, lemon juice, olive oil, turmeric ,yogurt and sea salt into a large mixing bowl and mix well. Using a pestle and mortar, grind the saffron to a powder, then pour over the boiling water and leave to infuse for 5–10 minutes.

Add the chicken to the mixing bowl. Mix well to evenly coat the chicken pieces in the yogurt, then add the saffron water to the bowl and mix thoroughly.

2.

Cover the bowl with clingfilm and leave the chicken in the refrigerator to marinate for a minimum of 1 hour or, preferably, overnight. Once the chicken has been marinated, preheat the oven or grill to the highest setting possible. Line a large baking sheet with non-stick baking paper.

3.

Remove each piece of chicken from the marinade using a slotted spoon. Lay out all the pieces of chicken on the prepared baking sheet and bake or grill for 18–20 minutes maximum, or until the pieces have slightly charred edges but remain beautifully moist on the inside.

Serve with flour tortilla wraps or basmati rice with a little salad and some yogurt.

4.

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STYLE

BRING BACK elegance!

Samantha Wilding wants to know why we don’t dresss up any more and makes a plea for elegance

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recently worked with the team at The Grand in Brighton, supporting the rollout of their gorgeous new Gresham Blake-designed uniforms, which are inspired by 1940s elegance.

And it got me thinking: What is elegance? Who has it, and why? Can you ‘learn’ how to be elegant? And why does there seem to be so little of it around these days?

WHAT IS ELEGANCE? Elegance is defined as being ‘graceful and stylish in appearance or manner’. This is quite a feminine definition, but I firmly believe that elegance can apply equally to men.

Nevertheless, it certainly describes something that is intangible. Elegance is not just about what you wear, but how you wear it and, even more importantly, how you behave while doing so.

It’s telling that when we talk about elegance, we often cite icons from the past rather than our contemporaries. Now, it’s true that there are incomparable men and women (particularly

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from the mid-twentieth century) who practically embody the word (Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant, James Mason, Katharine Hepburn…

I could go on) but there are plenty of modern examples too. Tom Hiddleston and Idris Elba are elegant. Mark Ronson has abandoned youthful trendiness for grown-up elegance. Mr Beckham certainly has it. And so do the Duchess of Cambridge, Joanna Lumley, Catherine Deneuve and Aung San Suu Kyi. Notice that many of the women are older. Designer Bruce Oldfield once said that elegance comes with age: women in their 50s and 60s wear ‘simple, good-quality clothes… they just get it right.’

DRESSING UP TO GO OUT When I was a child, it was an unspoken rule that if we were going to the theatre or out for dinner, I would be dressed appropriately. Which usually meant a dress and some patent Mary Jane-style shoes. That habit has stuck with me (dressing appropriately – not the Mary Janes!). Mr W and I went see Cosi Fan Tutti at the Royal Opera House

a few years ago and I was horrified to see a considerable number of people in casual clothes – including jeans. I think this shows disrespect to the performers and undermines the sense of occasion. If we dress the same way all the time, how can we tell when it’s a special event?

COMFORT RULES SUPREME Why has this happened? Well, I think we have followed the Americans down a very slippery slope – comfort and convenience over any sense of style. Texan designer Tom Ford recently said, ‘Men don’t wear fashion any more, except in Italy and London. Americans have lost that.’ Please, let’s not lose our sense of style completely and venture too far down that path. I see more and more people in loose, baggy clothing (including huge t-shirts, sweatshirts and tracksuits), presumably because it’s ‘comfortable’. But I agree with Karl Lagerfeld, who once said, ‘Sweatpants are a sign of defeat. You lost control of your life so you bought some sweatpants.’

Stop! Take back control before it’s too late!

STYLE

“Bruce Oldfield once said that elegance comes with age: women in their 50s and 60s wear ‘simple, good-quality clothes… they just get it right’”

LIFE TODAY IS THE OPPOSITE OF ELEGANT But let’s face it, modern life is not exactly conducive to appearing or, for that matter, behaving elegantly. It is all about comfort and convenience: eating on our sofas in front of the television, not engaging in meaningful conversation as a result; table manners neglected – are there such things as sofa manners?

And it’s not just at home. You see it on the street, every day, where ever you go. People hunched over phones not paying attention to where they’re going (never mind the traffic). Food is available everywhere, at any time of the day or night, which means we are subjected to appalling manners and pungent smells on the street or on public transport. It’s not a pretty picture, is it?

Now, I’m not suggesting we return to the stiff formality of years gone by. But in these uncertain and divisive times, wouldn’t it be nice to restore a bit of old-school propriety?

There are some simple things we can all do to up our elegance stakes. See the box for my suggested eleven steps to effortless elegance, everyday.

ELEVEN STEPS TO EFFORTLESS ELEGANCE 1.

Wear clothes that fit properly – without a good fit, you will never achieve elegance 2. Get things altered if you need to, to make them fit (modern High Street sizing is erratic and inconsistent) 3. Keep it simple – less is always more – particularly when it comes to accessories 4. Women: if you can’t walk in high heels, don’t 5. Think about ‘polish’ rather than ‘flash’ – covering yourself in designer logos does not suggest elegance – in fact, it indicates the opposite 6. Remember that clothes that are cheap, look cheap – buy less, but buy better 7. You don’t have to be dressed up to the nines to look elegant – a crisp white shirt and dark jeans often does the trick (for both men and women) 8. Make an effort: pay attention to the way you dress (and behave) 9. Watch your manners – going out of your way to make others feel comfortable will ensure that you are, too 10. Always be gracious: courteous, kind and pleasant and finally…

11. Retain an air of mystery. Don’t reveal everything (literally and figuratively).

www.styleandgrace.eu @alwayschicUK

HOLLYWOOD ON A ROLL As the nation eagerly awaits the seventh series of the Great British Bake Off, Paul Hollywood, one half of the show’s popular presenting duo, is revelling in the revival of real baking – and wants us to give our disregarded dough the deference it deserves…

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hen the Great British Bake Off first hit our screens in 2010, few could have predicted that in a few short years it would be the nation’s favourite show, with a reputation that’s risen faster than a homebaked loaf. At the centre of its success, and spearheading the return of artisan baking, is Paul Hollywood – the flint-eyed silver fox who, along with national treasure Mary Berry, has taught us to treat our oft-overlooked loaves with a little more love and respect.

“We have belittled and we have devalued bread,” explains the 50-year-old, “Bread is the focal point that all food feeds off, and that’s where I want bread to be. In the Mediterranean, the plate for bread is in the centre of the table.

I want us to have more of a Mediterranean way of thinking.”

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Hollywood’s ongoing campaign to inspire a resurgence in artisan baking may well have been strengthened by the achievements of GBBO, but in reality his affinity with the world of food began at birth.

“On Bake Off I can tell what’s it’s going to look like inside before I’ve even cut it” “Mum looked after the pastry side, my dad looked after the yeast side; with the two of them as my parents, I became a hybrid,” he says. “I was born and raised around bakeries most of my life. I would go in the bakery and hang out with my dad and watch him bake, and go and

rob doughnuts from the counter. Being in a bakery was just a normal part of my life.”

Aside from that early introduction to the benefits of baking, Hollywood’s resume now includes head baker positions at up-market hotels such as The Dorchester – as well as the prestigious honour of being the brains behind Britain’s most expensive loaf of bread, an almond and Roquefort sourdough that sold in Harrods for fifteen quid a loaf.

It was the exposure generated by his excellent partnership with fellow baker Berry, however, that gave GBBO the foundation from which to conquer the world of reality cooking shows, and earned Hollywood quite the following from the show’s female fan base.

As well as his TV duties, Hollywood set off around the country at events such as the BBC

TV – The BIGGER picture Good Food show and his 2014 Get Your Bake On tour, in order to make the whole of Britain realise that real baking was enjoying a modern-day Renaissance.

“Baking has become rock ‘n’ roll; it’s become quite a cool thing to do,” he declares. “The whole idea of the tours is to pass on my knowledge, what I’ve learnt over the past 30 years, to people who are struggling or have problems with their baking. The premise is for me to be on stage and show recipes of my life – from when I was a kid, right through my professional career, and then starting on television, and dishes that I cook now.”

As for Hollywood’s own extensive catalogue of recipes, he’s keen to keep true to his roots. “Most of the things I do now,” he admits, “I loved in my childhood.”

“The one thing I get asked a lot to do is when I wrap Parma ham around a brie ring and then cover the whole thing in brioche before baking it,” he reveals. “It comes out of the oven, you break through the brioche and Parma ham, and then all the brie oozes out. Have that with a crispy baguette and it’s beautiful.”

As Hollywood gears up for another round of BBC Good Food events in October and November this year, he’s amazed by how the internet has provided a platform for him to help out anyone, anywhere, with even the minutest of baking mishaps.

“A lot of people go on Twitter and tweet me pictures of various things they’ve cooked, and they want me to identify the problems,” he laughs. “I have to go through the pictures forensically and then tweet them to say, ‘Can you give me an angle of the right-hand side?’ And then I get some photos, until I can say, ‘Ah, right, I’ve found your problem!’”

And, as the man who has ascended to the position of Britain’s bestloved baking authority – “On Bake Off I can tell what’s it’s going to look like inside before I’ve even cut it” – Hollywood is hopeful that the future will hold a chance for him to assist the Government with getting baking back on the national curriculum.

“I think baking is an important life skill that we need to teach from an early age,” he concludes. “Once children know what goes into their food products, they are more acutely aware of what they are eating, and that’s where we need to be.”

ON SCREEN ... On our radar this month…

HIGHLANDS – SCOTLAND’S WILD HEART

LIVE PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Highlands – Scotland’s Wild Heart follows the

It's been a spectacular summer of sport, and it

course of the seasons over a wild year in the

continues through this month. A sure sign that

Highlands, with narration from Ewan McGregor.

summer has peaked is the imminent arrival

The first episode, Spring - The Season Of

of the Premier League football season, which

Extremes opens with the hills on fire as the

will be back on our screens again from mid

annual muir-burn takes place in the Cairngorms

August. Our own Brighton & Hove Albion will

Friday 5 August, 9.00pm, BBC TWO

play Nottingham Forest on Friday 12th August and after last season's performance we must surely be in with a chance of promotion in 2017.

Sky Sports 1 / Sky Sports 1 HD / Sky Ultra HD

THE MUSKETEERS In the wake of a devastating tragedy, Grimaud declares war on the Musketeers - starting with the people they love. Still blinded by grief, will the Musketeers see him coming before it’s too late?

It's one more series for all, and all for one more series as BBC's The Musketeerscomes to an end after three swashbuckling years on TV screens.

Monday 1 August, 9.00pm, BBC ONE

PORTFOLIO 97

LOCAL news

LOCAL NEWS A TASTE OF BOLLYWOOD AT CHARITY BALL 500 guests were treated to an Indian-themed evening of food, fundraising and entertainment at the Hilton Brighton Metropole. The annual Midsummer Charity Ball, compered by Danny Pike from BBC Sussex, is sponsored by Skerritts, supported the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People and Rockinghorse Children’s Charity.

The event is known for its Strictly Come Dancing-style dance competition, and saw four local personalities take part in the charity challenge. Those challenged to dance a traditional Bollywood show piece were: Michael Yardy, former Sussex County Cricket Club Captain, Henry Butler, owner of Butler’s Wines, Kirsty Pollard, General Manager at Brighton Marina, and former Blue’s Clues TV presenter, Kevin Duala.

They were supported by dancers from Brighton Academy, who joined the amateurs for a Bollywood-style dance-off, in front of judges David Hill, CEO of E3, professional dancer and actress Emma Green, and last year’s winner, Barry Carden from Cardens Accountants. Michael Yardy was crowned as the 2016 winner, and between them the four amateur dancers raised over £7,000 for both charitable causes.

To find out more about Rockinghorse, visit www.rockinghorse.org.uk. To find out more about the DM Thomas Foundation for Young People, visit www.dmthomasfoundation.org.

HURST FESTIVAL RETURNS FOR ITS TWELFTH YEAR Hurst Festival is back for its twelfth year in September 2016. This year’s festival offers over 85 events across multiple venues in the village. Categories this year include popular and classical music, arts and crafts, comedy, literature, film, theatre, kids’ workshops and country pursuits.

The festival runs for two weeks, from Saturday 17th September to Saturday 1st October, opening with Super Saturday, with Brighton’s Barulho Samba band leading a parade up the High Street. Classical concerts include guitar maestro Richard Durrant in the beautiful setting of Sayers Common Church. The final-night party is being kicked off by local singing sensation Kieran Murray, who recently played with Jamiroquai. The Reform Club, fronted by ex-Liberal Democrat minister Norman Baker, take the headline spot. Other events include, jazz, dance and art events, with several events marking the centenary of the Battle of the Somme. Plus, Hurstpierpoint Open Studios, which takes place over the first two weekends of the festival, in which 18 artists open their studios to the community, showing jewellery-making, sculpture and textile craft, photography, painting and stained glass art.

The Hurst Festival line-up also features a variety of walks, talks and tours with local authors, historians and nature lovers.

A full programme of events is available at www.hurstfestival.org.

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TRUSTED HOUSESITTERS WINS RICHARD BRANSON PRIZE A tech start-up has been recognised by Sir Richard Branson as one of the most innovative companies in the UK. Brighton-based Trusted Housesitters gives free pet care to home owners and free accommodation to house sitters.

The company beat more than 2,500 entries to win the VOOM Exporting Is Great award, part of Richard Branson’s Virgin Media Business competition, which was conceived to shine a spotlight on the UK’s most innovative aspiring exporter.

Members of Trusted Housesitters pay an annual subscription of £79 to the site - less than two nights worth of kennels or live-in pet care.

Trusted Housesitters now operates in 140 countries and has tens of thousands of house sitting opportunities, as well as thousands of house sitters joining each month. www.trustedhousesitters.com

LOCAL news

HISTORIC BRIGHTON NIGHTCLUB TO BECOME HOTEL

IKEA CONFIRMS IT IS LOOKING AT SUSSEX SITES Swedish furniture giant Ikea has revealed that it is looking at a potential site in Sussex. Rumours have been circulating that the firm could move to New Monks Farm, in Lancing, following Brighton and Hove Albion’s purchase of the site. The club’s Executive Director Martin Perry confirmed the club had purchased the flood-prone land, controversially earmarked for 600 homes. The emerging Adur local plan also makes provision for “employment space” and a new primary school.

An IKEA spokesman said: "We have been evaluating a number of potential sites for an Ikea store in West Sussex.

"At this stage we are only making preliminary inquiries and have nothing further to confirm."

Regarding plans to expand in the UK, the IKEA website states: "We want to make IKEA accessible to many more people in the UK. To achieve this, our expansion plans include rebuilding existing stores to improve the shopping experience, developing our multi-channel offer, opening news store in new locations and trialling new store formats."

An historic Brighton night club venue is to be demolished and turned into a hotel as part of a significant redevelopment near the bottom of West Street.

The 133-room hotel will be built on a site that housed Sherry’s for most of the 20th century. Sherry’s featured in the Graham Greene novel Brighton Rock.

The club was most recently known as Hedkandi, and – in the intervening years – as the Pink Coconut, Paradox, Creation, Tru and Project. The building is currently the temporary home to Synergy, a multimedia community arts centre, café and bar..

The new complex will be up to seven storeys high and will include a second 91-bedroom hotel with 22 “micro-rooms”. The redeveloped site will also include shops, bars, restaurants or cafés and financial and professional services on the ground floor. The building will stretch from West Street to part of South Street and Middle Street.

Historic England said that the scheme would “regenerate and enliven this neglected and run-down part of the Old Town Conservation Area.”

CHARITY CALENDAR WINNER ANNOUNCED Evonprint is launching its ‘Love Sussex’ calendar again for 2017 and can now announce the charity set to benefit. For 2017’s edition, the 30-year-old Sussex-based family-run company initially called out to the county’s charities to nominate themselves to be in the running to become Evonprint’s chosen cause.

The top four nominated charities – St. Catherine’s Hospice, You Raise Me Up, Sussex Past and Chloe’s Horsham – were put to a public vote. The winning charity has now been announced as You Raise Me Up. This great cause offers financial and emotional support to families who have lost a young adult between the ages of 16 and 25. You Raise Me Up will be given the calendars to sell to raise funds for their work.

Phase two will invite local residents to submit photos of ‘having fun in Sussex’ to make up the calendar’s images.

BRIGHTON CHURCH TO BE TURNED INTO FLATS A 19th-century church in Brighton is to be turned into flats after plans to convert Clermont Church, in Clermont Terrace, near Preston Park, into six flats were agreed by Brighton and Hove City Council Planning Committee.

The Planning Committee granted the application after previous attempts to provide a community facility had failed.

The site will have one three-bedroom flat, two one-bedroom flats and three two-bedroom flats. RSP Architects, based in Hove, have put together the designs, adding another storey.

The architectural integrity of the church, built in 1877, will be preserved, the committee was told.

PORTFOLIO 99

GOLF

OUR KIDS ARE THE FUTURE (of Golf ) If your golf course doesn't have a training and coaching programme for the youngest aspiring golfers, it may not have a future...

A

nyone who has seen the recent film or read any of the biographies portraying the life and times of the late, great Seve Ballesteros will be familiar with the stories associated with his earliest practice routines, most of them located on the beaches of Pedreña in Spain. Trusty old three-iron in hand (reputedly, his only club), the nine-year-old Seve stalked the beaches like a puppy on steroids, restlessly, relentlessly seeking perfection. Occasionally, he would scale the walls bordering Real Pedreña golf course late in the evening to hit a few sneaky balls in this, for him, forbidden world.

A couple of decades later, on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, a young father named Gerry would take his six-year-old son Bubba to a golf course for the first time. The golfing world would never be the same again. Bubba Watson grew up hitting wiffle balls with his “stick” while his playmates busied themselves catching tomato worms or playing cowboys and indians.

If you know anything biographical about Bubba, 100 PORTFOLIO

you know that he has never had a golf coach.

Besides their obvious golfing precocity and innate genius, Seve and Bubba shared a genuine passion for golf that blossomed when they were still children. It was surely this inbuilt love of the game that enabled both of these superstars to become two of the sport's highest achievers in the absence of any training or coaching in their youngest years. While it is fairly clear that it is possible to become a great golfer without the benefit of coaching if you number among the one percent, the Seves and Bubbas of this world, it is equally obvious that you and your children will probably benefit from early training and coaching opportunities if you belong to the other 99 percent.

Youth programmes are, of course, nothing new in organised sport. Having grown up in rural America, I played Little League baseball at around the same age as Seve started knocking balls around on the beach. A couple of decades later, the “soccer moms” became the

driving force behind the massively successful introduction of European football to the States.

American high schools and colleges have offered golf coaching and training at a high standard since at least the 'sixties, and any young European golfer who has had the good fortune to win a golf scholarship to an American college will testify to the benefits of early training intervention.

Our young sports enthusiasts are, quite literally, the future of their respective sports, just as it is axiomatic that our youth are the future of everything. Golf clubs with no youth programmes would appear to be gambling with their futures. How old does a child have to be in order to derive benefit from golf coaching? How can golf drills be made fun-but-challenging for kids? What does a successful youth training programme look like?

Golf Guy...

GOLF

The Golf Pro replies Great question, and one close to my heart! It is so crucial to have juniors loving this sport to make sure it continues to grow and flourish.

The PGA has set up an excellent passport programme, as explained: HSBC Golf Roots is the Golf Foundation's national programme to enhance the lives of young people through playing golf. Within that, the Junior Golf Passport is the national structured learning programme for children aged six to twelve years, endorsed by the PGA. The multi-layered programme progresses a complete novice golfer into a junior golfer ready for membership at a golf club.

The programme has three key levels: START, LEARN and PLAY. The START level is all about fun and an elementary introduction to golf.

The LEARN level is a move towards technical instruction through games-based learning, always with the emphasis on fun. The PLAY level teaches the child to apply their learning to the golf course, preparing them for potential club membership and competition. However, access to the golf course and playing golf on a course are important features of the Junior Golf Passport from the START, in order to develop a real connection to golf.

Participants complete the colour-coded red, amber and green levels, through to playing on the course.

The programme covers the following key areas of golf; Putting • Short putting • Long putting • Lag putting • Green reading

Fit for golf • Power • Stability • Flexibility • Fundamental

Short game • Lofted chip • Chip and run • Pitching • Bunker play

Ready for Golf • Preparation • Warm up • Rules and Etiquette

Swing • Grip • Stance • Ball position • Swing technique movement

Skills for life • Honesty • Respect • Cooperation • Perseverance

On the course • Rules of play • Course management • Awkward lies As you can see, this covers all aspects of the game, but the key ingredient is that the coach and the target goals employed are dedicated to making it fun! Using cones to get between or ‘penalty shoot-out’ putting gives a sense of fun

“We are all big kids, really, and love a challenge, so we set out targets as if we were playing them”

while setting clear objectives.

We are all big kids, really, and love a challenge, so we set out targets as if we were playing them. We have as much fun as the kids!

We have plenty of summer camps for the kids during the summer holidays and for anyone who is interested in a taster, to learn or to have a break from the kids for the day. Please contact lee@midsussexgolfclub.co.uk for dates and times.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email: lee@midsussexgolfclub.co.uk.

Bring this article with you to Mid Sussex Golf Club, and when you pay for a round, another player can go free.

With thanks to our golfing expert, Lee Andrews, PGA Golf Professional, Mid Sussex Golf Club lee@midsussexgolfclub.co.uk www.midsussexgolfclub.co.uk

OR Book a half hour lesson and receive the second half price.

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PLATINUM

SUSSEX EDITION . ISSUE 26 . 2016

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OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS for start-ups

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MOTORING

JAGUAR F-PACE To celebrate an historic second Wimbledon victory for World No.2 Andy Murray, Jaguar honoured the occasion by creating a bespoke logo marking the Jaguar F-PACE as The Official Car of The Champion

J

aguar changed the logo displayed on its fleet of luxury chauffeur cars provided to support tournament operations throughout The Championships to ‘Official Car of The Champion’ on Andy Murray’s bespoke Jaguar F-PACE. Today, Jaguar celebrated Murray’s success, chauffeuring him to his duties at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in his bespoke car.

The victory marks a momentous occasion for Andy Murray and British tennis. Murray won the match in three straight sets against Milos Raonic.

Scott Dicken, Marketing Director at Jaguar Land Rover, said: “It is an absolute honour to be partnered with such a British icon and celebrate this historic win with him. We congratulate Andy on a fantastic performance throughout The Championships and we hope he looks forward to driving the F-PACE for himself.”

Andy Murray, Jaguar’s latest UK Tennis Ambassador, has been the face of this year’s #FeelWimbledon campaign – an innovative virtual reality campaign that allows tennis fans to step into the shoes of a champion on SW19’s iconic Centre Court.

To find out more about the Jaguar F-PACE visit www.jaguar.co.uk

PORTFOLIO 103

FUNNY GIRL

THE interview

Portfolio catches up with Sue Perkins prior to her live tour: Live! in Spectacles

WHAT PROMPTED YOU TO HIT THE ROAD WITH YOUR NEW TOUR, “LIVE! IN SPECTACLES”?

It’s a good time to look back on my life so far.

I fully intend to live to the age of 92, so this is half-time. Essentially, this tour is handing out the orange segments.

TELL US MORE. Writing a memoir begins a process that doesn’t necessarily end with publication. You begin to think about family life and stories and relationships, and those are ongoing. Once the book was published, I thought, “There is so much more still to say without necessarily writing another book. Why not animate the book with a live tour?” It’s like a companion volume, I guess. A big, technicolour puke of thoughts.

Perhaps I should put that on the poster…

YOU HAVE ALWAYS RELISHED LIVE PERFORMANCE, HAVEN’T YOU? Yes, I love live. I really enjoy playing with an audience. At book events, I do Q&As, and it’s often then that the madness starts. It often feels like an anarchic version of Question Time.

WHAT DO YOU PARTICULARLY LIKE ABOUT INTERACTING WITH THE AUDIENCE? It enriches me. Performing live challenges you to be more engaged. And the great thing is,

each venue is completely different. What I have done lately has been TV-based, so I haven’t had the same feedback as I get live, and that’s what I love. I adore the raw surprise someone of asking a question you would never have expected. I love the spontaneity of it. I don’t encourage hecklers, but sometimes a heckler is the funniest person in the room - why not embrace that? The audience is a big pool of fun you can swim around in. But remember - no petting.

“It’s as much about how people respond to the material. My memoir is a story of family and childhood, and everyone has had one of those” YOU WILL BE GIVING EACH TICKET-HOLDER A COPY OF YOUR BOOK, “SPECTACLES”.

WHAT’S THE THINKING BEHIND THAT? It gives me the opportunity to meet the whole audience one by one afterwards during the

signings. A gig is a two-way street. It’s not about me broadcasting. It’s not, “This is what I’ve got to say about this.” It’s as much about how people respond to the material. My memoir is a story of family and childhood, and everyone has had one of those. Mine is not the definitive version of childhood, but it’s a great way to start a conversation. I love it when someone says, “It’s weird. I lived next to an electricity substation for 20 years as well.” Or, “We had a cat that dragged our turkey across the room at Christmas and we had to eat boiled eggs for our lunch instead.”

The book is a recorded history of my life so far, but the tour brings extra stuff to it. The audience adds so much on top of that. It’s important to have that double act thing going on with them.

SO WHAT SUBJECTS WILL YOU BE COVERING IN THE SHOW? Births, deaths, lemon drizzle and getting fondled by a Cambodian hermit. I’ll talk a lot about the catastrophising that went on in my family. There was always a sense that something awful, that imminent doom, was around the corner. It came from my mum – she’s a worrier. Everything was a potential trip to A & E! PORTFOLIO 105

THE interview

I BELIEVE YOU WILL ALSO BE SHOWING SOME SLIDES. Yes, there will be lots of slides. There is only one picture of me in the book and I have this horrific haircut in it. People say, “Surely that was just one bad haircut day.” But I’m afraid I have 150 slides of myself at different ages, all with the same haircut! My mum had someone round to cut my hair who, it transpired, had only done dog grooming before. So I had a low Dougal-style fringe that was perfectly straight.

It swayed like a trimmed, bearded collie! A bowl for all seasons. Perhaps that should be the title of the second volume…

“Bez (Mary Berry) is the best. I love her – so much so, I’ve been trying to get her to adopt me for the last seven years” YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR FANS. DO THEY FREQUENTLY STOP YOU IN THE STREET? Sometimes, yes. Often they’ll want to ask about the weird things I’ve eaten. I’ve eaten everything. There’s nothing I haven’t eaten.

I’ve eaten peacock, rat, squirrel, wigeon, teal, snipe, snake, moose and yak. Bear Grylls, eat your heart out! In fact, he probably has eaten his heart out…

WHAT ELSE DO THE FANS ASK YOU? They always want to know what Mary Berry

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is like. Well, Bez is the best. End of. She’s the nation’s sweetheart. I love her – so much so, I’ve been trying to get her to adopt me for the last seven years.

WHY DO YOU THINK THE GREAT BRITISH BAKE OFF HAS PROVED SO POPULAR? I think the chemistry between the four of us – Mary, Paul, Mel and I – works so well. We’re all big kids at heart. We’re all very playful. We don’t approach it as a job. We approach it as a day out at a country fair! But the real reason why the show is so successful is the 12 people who come to bake every year. Although we four have received a lot of attention, I really do believe that the bakers are where the magic is.

FINALLY, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT A SENSE OF HUMOUR IS VITAL? Of course. Life is boring without the punctuation of punchlines. If you laugh at a joke, it’s because someone has put something you already know in a way you had never thought of before.

You’ve always been aware of that idea, but it’s the expression of that idea that catches you.

The other person encapsulates it or puts a new twist on it. It illuminates and cheers in one fell swoop. Without humour, what’s the point? Life would simply be one long argument with a man from the BT helpdesk.

Sue Perkins’ Live! in Spectacles, Brighton Dome Concert Hall, Saturday 10 September, 7.30pm. www.brightondome.org For more information and tickets for other dates on Sue Perkins’ tour, visit www.sueperkinslive.com

WIN!

WE HAVE A PAIR OF TICKETS TO SEE SUE PERKINS’ LIVE! IN SPECTACLES, PLUS A COPY OF SUE’S BOOK TO GIVE AWAY! For your chance to win a just email competitions.portfoliomagazine@gmail.com

with your name, address and Spectacles! in the subject box.

CULTURE BRYAN ADAMS

“The Get Up Tour” Sunday 14th August 2016 Brighton Centre Tickets www.brightoncentre.co.uk

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