JANUARY 2015
NEW YEAR, NEW HOME Our professionals’ 2015 market predictions
MAKING PROPERTY WORK With Stiles Harold Williams
BORIS JOHNSON In The City
Fun Fabulous
&Flooring
+ KELLY HOPPEN
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News Calendar: What’s going on in January Howlett Clarke: Taking the credit Collection: Our pick of the top homes this month Face to Face: BHEAA President elect Julie Frith Predictions for 2015: Professional crystal ball gazing New Homes: Hyde Housing in Hove Park Planning: Stiles Harold Williams Home Insurance: What you need to know Outside: A knotty problem Interiors: Fabulous floors feature For advertising and general enquiries contact Lynne Edwards: 07931 537588 lynne@portfoliopublications.co.uk
www.portfoliopublications.co.uk 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. Published by:
Cover: This one is John Lewis www.johnlewis.com
Helping you find your perfect Hove property Mishon Welton, 94 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2EB
SURRENDEN CRESCENT, BRIGHTON - GUIDE PRICE £1,000,000 An outstanding opportunity to purchase an individual four bedroom detached family home of character with large, secluded, mature gardens and considerable scope for expansion (STNPC). “The Manse”, originally a Baptist vicarage, occupies a prominent position on the corner of Surrenden Crescent and Surrenden Road and offers both space and privacy surrounded by mature gardens on all sides and with a large south facing lawn. As you approach the house, you are immediately struck by what is a very attractive brick built, character property. The Manse is a warm and comfortable family home, with a great “feel”, providing light and spacious living accommodation, which enjoys delightful views over the lightly-wooded gardens, college playing fields and surrounding area.
01273 778877 • mishonwelton.com
NEW CHURCH ROAD, HOVE - GUIDE PRICE ÂŁ850,000 A most attractive and individual detached period residence of considerable character occupying a prominent corner position with ample off road parking within a sought after residential location, offered with no onward chain. This property represents a fine family home and retains many feature characteristic of the period including moulded ceiling covings, leaded light coloured glass windows, various fireplaces etc. The property is offered for sale in good decorative condition throughout and provides light, spacious and well-proportioned living accommodation over two floors and has been updated to provide leaded light double glazed replacement windows, gas fire central heating, modern fitted kitchen and a useful conservatory addition to the ground floor. It is considered that the property offers potential for further expansion and improvement and commands an impressive corner position with ample off road parking and an attached garage.
Helping you find your perfect Hove property Mishon Welton, 94 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex BN3 2EB
THIRD AVENUE, HOVE - GUIDE PRICE £799,950 A quite magnificent Grade II, four bedroom mansion apartment of considerable character spanning the entire second floor of this prestigious detached Victorian building. Situated in the sought after Avenues, this apartment is within immediate proximity of all amenities and the seafront. The accommodation briefly comprises a large entrance hall leading to a most fabulous and comfortable double aspect reception room which boasts wonderful sea views. The kitchen/breakfast room is immaculately presented and comes with a range of integrated appliances. The plush master bedroom with vistas to the sea oozes luxury and has a wonderful en-suite. Both the large family bathroom and en-suite are fitted with underfloor heating. The additional three bedrooms are bright, airy and generously proportioned. The property also benefits from a passenger lift and extended garage with additional off road parking for two cars. A rare find in the centre of Hove! This is an ideal home or holiday retreat. An internal viewing is recommended to fully appreciate this property’s superb accommodation which is offered for sale in excellent decorative order and comes also with a share in the freehold.
01273 778877 • mishonwelton.com
BRAEMORE ROAD, HOVE - ÂŁ695,000 A most attractive and spacious, semi-detached, family home occupying a favoured residential location south of the popular New Church Road being within close proximity of comprehensive local amenities along Richardson Road and a stones throw away from the seafront and the famous promenade. The property has a light and spacious feel throughout together with a good sized, level rear garden. As you enter the house you are welcomed by a spacious reception hallway with its exposed wooden flooring and ornate stained glass windows. The hallway also benefits from a downstairs WC. The bay fronted lounge has a large feature fireplace, which then extends through an opening into the elegant dining room. Here, French doors then lead you into the light- filled conservatory with a superb outlook over the rear garden. The kitchen is well appointed with modern fitted wall and base units and a fitted kitchen table. From the staircase you come to a spacious landing leading to three double bedrooms and a family bathroom. There is potential to extend into the loft space subject to necessary consents. Outside the house to the front there is a paved driveway for up to three cars and access to the rear garden.
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NEWS
NEWS
PROPERTY PROFESSIONALS’ LUNCH
The next Property Professionals’ Lunch will be on the 15th January, at Pub du Vin, Brighton. Organised by Portfolio Magazine and Searches UK, the event is a great way of networking with others in the property industry, in an informal environment, whilst also enjoying a three course lunch with wine. There will be a short presentation by a guest speaker, and the whole event is in support of the Rockinghorse children’s charity. Last year the lunches alone raised over £2,000, and this money has directly purchased many premature baby incubators for both the Brighton hospital and the Princess Royal Children’s Unit at Haywards Heath. A cheque was presented recently, by the organisers, to Ryan Heal of Rockinghorse. To book your place for the event on January 15th, please email Melanie@ searchesuk.co.uk as soon as possible.
LOCAL AGENTS SCOOP INDUSTRY AWARDS Sawyer & Co were delighted to be the only agents from Brighton & Hove to be shortlisted in their category for Regional Agency of the Year at the Negotiator Awards 2014. 2014 was the Negotiator Awards’ biggest year ever, with hundreds of entries from agencies across the UK, so competition was fierce. The awards ceremony itself took place on the 4th November. A sell-out evening at the London Hilton, Park Lane, where 750 of the country’s top agents and suppliers gathered at a glamorous gala dinner to celebrate the best of the best, and Sawyer & Co. were presented with the bronze award for Regional Agency of the Year: South East. A great achievement for their first entry into these annual awards, and the youngest company amongst the three winners. www.sawyerandco.co.uk Sawyer & Co were also shortlisted for the South East Estate Agency of the Year category at The Estate Agency of the Year Awards 2014 in association with The Sunday Times and The Times, and sponsored by Zoopla Property Group, narrowly missing out on the Gold and Silver award, effectively picking up the bronze. Countrywide Residential Lettings scooped the Gold award in three categories: Large Lettings Agency of the Year, Employer of the Year and Property Management Company of the Year at The Negotiator Awards 2014. The letting agent also received the silver award for Innovator of the Year. The awards are detrmined by an independent panel of the industry. Commenting on their success, Martine McIntyre, Branch Manager of King and Chasemore, Church Road, Hove, said: “We are delighted to scoop these top awards. It is a testament to the ongoing commitment of our staff that our expertise in so many areas has been recognised by a panel of industry judges.” www.kingandchasemore.co.uk. STOP PRESS: Brand Vaughan have also just been awarded two gold awards at the 2014 Sunday Times Estate Agency of the Year awards, retaining their title as best small agency South East, and also becoming the best small agency in the UK. See pages 22–23.
WE LOVE
PUSHKA KNOBS Pushka Knobs is a gorgeous range of unique door knobs, originally sourced from India. The name is a nod to the small Indian village of Pushkar, where the first knobs were from. They have been available at Not on The High Street and other online platforms, and an extended range is now available through their new website, www.pushkaknobs.com. Pushka Knobs now have a door knob range of over 400 different designs in their collection. As well as offering an extensive range of crystal, granite and Murano glass knobs, Pushka now have an exclusive range of unique, design-led, bespoke cupboard knobs in their collection.
The PORTFOLIO team Managing Director: Lynne Edwards 07931 537 588 • lynne@portfoliopublications.co.uk Production Editor: Fiona McTernan portfoliomagazineproduction@gmail.com
Business Editor: Maarten Hoffmann 07966 244 046 • maarten@platinumbusinessmagazine.com
Designer: Sally Wynn portfoliopublications@dollydesigns.co.uk
Interiors Editor: Tara de la Motte tara@sussex-homes.co.uk PORTFOLIO 11
LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW LET IT SNOW We can’t promise you snow in the new year... But we can promise you rewards for becoming a Winkworth Landlord.*
*Become a landlord with Winkworth Brighton and Hove and be rewarded with every fourth rental inventory free.
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See things differently with Winkworth Brighton & Hove.
Third Avenue, Hove BN3 £3,250 PCM
Cedars Gardens, Brighton BN1 £3,900 PCM
Tongdean Road, Hove BN3 £3,000 PCM
Roedean Crescent, Brighton BN2 £3,950 PCM
BRIGHTON & HOVE | 01202 733000 brighton@winkworth.co.uk
winkworth.co.uk/brighton-hove
OFFICES IN LONDON, THE COUNTRY AND OVERSEAS. SEE THINGS DIFFERENTLY
NEWS
NEWS SEARCHES UK ENHANCE BUYER PROTECT SCHEME
As pioneer of the Buyer Protect Reimbursement Scheme, Searches UK have developed their product further and now cover additional costs that home buyers are faced with. Searches UK introduced this product to provide protection for buyers when purchase transactions fell through. The new Buyer Protect Reimbursement Scheme will protect buyers for up to £2,050, covering items such as mortgage lender arrangement fees, valuation fees, search fees and solicitor’s disbursement costs, plus additional fees such as mortgage broker fees and solicitor’s fees. Searches UK offer a range of residential and commercial searches, including Council and Regulated Local Authority searches, environmental searches, chancel checks, mining searches, flood searches and more. In addition, they offer Lawyer Checker services, AML Electronic ID Checks, case management systems and COLP and COFA reporting systems. www.searchesuk.co.uk
ONTHEMARKET.COM TO LAUNCH ON 26 JANUARY, 2015 New property website, OnTheMarket.com goes live on Monday, January 26th, 2015. OnTheMarket.com is a mutual, owned jointly by a consortium of estate and letting agents, and aims to compete headon with Rightmove and Zoopla. The initial six members of OnTheMarket.com – which is owned by Agents’ Mutual – were Savills, Knight Frank, Strutt & Parker, Chestertons, Douglas & Gordon & Glentree Estates. They have been joined by other large, medium and small firms. OnTheMarket.com will also be endorsed by the National Association of Estate Agents (NAEA) and the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA).
ONSKE INTERIORS Brighton-based online furniture retailers, ONSKE, offer evening and free delivery to BN postcodes on certain items. ONSKE means ‘Wish’ in Danish, and their range of industrial and designer-inspired furniture and contemporary homewares is proving a hit in Scandanavia and Europe as well as at home in the UK. Launched last October, the business is headed up by Sharon Foley and Martina Murphy. Martina may be known to locals from her background in estate agency in Hove. www.onske.co.uk
FREE VALUATION TOOL COULD INCREASE AGENTS’ STOCK LEVELS The Value My Property (VMP) Tool is an innovative marketing tool that will capture the details of potential vendors and landlords for estate agencies. The tool allows visitors to agents’ websites to gain an instant sales or lettings valuation of their property – converting them into a lead in the process. By offering a free valuation in exchange for their name, telephone number and email, agents are able to convert traffic into leads. Once a potential client has entered their details in exchange for a valuation, these will be sent to the agent to follow up and offer a ‘real valuation’. Generating valuations from millions of sold price records and millions of agents’ listing records, the VMP tool provides an average conversion rate of 26%, with some users recording rates of 50% and 70%. For more details, visit www.AngelsMedia.co.uk, the publishers of www.EstateAgentToday.co.uk
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PORTFOLIO magazine – The one everyone’s talking about PORTFOLIO 13
Beyond your expectations www.hamptons.co.uk
The Spinney, Hove £1,100,000 A beautiful family home offering seclusion, five bedrooms, three bathrooms, two reception rooms and a study along with a large kitchen/ family room. EPC E
Somerhill Avenue, Hove £1,500,000 This three storey detached house has been improved and upgraded by the current owners to a high specification. Having had a second floor loft conversation to add an extra two further rooms and a shower room. EPC D
Seafield Road, Hove £485,000 A delightful three storey town house that whilst being modern oozes charm and character and almost feels somewhat “Mews” like. Having off road parking, garage and patio.
Upper North Street, Brighton £625,000 Three storey town house in central Brighton with three bedrooms and two bathrooms. Benefitting from two separate entrances and a study. EPC D
Hamptons International Estate Agents Hove Sales. 01273 796 061 | Lettings. 01273 796 063
BEAUTIFUL homes
STYLISH LUXURY
S
ituated in sought-after Roedean Crescent is this beautifully presented, completely modernised, contemporary style, state-of-theart luxury detached house. Along with five bedrooms and three bathrooms, you will enjoy stunning sea views from all bedrooms and living areas. The expansive living space includes a custom-built ‘Schmidt’ kitchen. The property boasts landscaped gardens, a garage and off street parking, plus planning permission to extend. The gardens and terraces to this property are peaceful and varied, combining Turkish limestone and hardwood decking with mature planted borders. The various terraced levels all lead gently down to the main garden level where the pool can be found, along with a substantial lawned area. To the rear of the garden is the ‘Zen’ garden, a private space to disappear and relax.
Roedean Crescent, Brighton, BN2 7GD Price: £1,750,000 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 3 Extras: ‘Swim against’ pool; Garage; Off-street parking Best Bits: Prestigious seaside location; Stunning sea-views Hamptons International 82 Church Road, Hove BN3 2EB 01273 230230 www.hamptons.co.uk
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maslen.co.uk
Walsingham Road, Hove
OFFERS OVER
ÂŁ999,950
FREEHOLD
A beautiful five bedroom bay fronted victorian semi-detached house Arranged over three floors this property provides well-presented and spacious accommodation. The house is located in highly sought after Walsingham Road, just moments from Hove seafront - and benefits from having a delightful West facing rear garden. Energy Rating E46.
Maslen Estate Agents 174 Church Road, Hove BN3 2DJ t:01273 321000 e:churchroad@maslen.co.uk
LEWES ROAD
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CALENDAR of events
JANUARY Our pick of January events. Holiday On Ice, Moscow City Ballet, award-winning theatre and comedy too…
6 - 11 January Holiday On Ice: Platinum New, spectacular, glamorous: The most visited ice show in the world, Holiday On Ice, is back at the Brighton Centre to take you on a journey through the history of figure skating. Platinum is a tribute to 70 years of Holiday On Ice with special guest star, Ray Quinn.The journey from past to present will be accompanied by an original musical score mixing Electro-pop and Waltz, Swing, Gospel and Samba, and features footage of the biggest ice stars of the past and live performances from star figure skaters of today. Brighton Centre. For times and prices visit www.brightoncentre.co.uk
January - February Moscow City Ballet Moscow City Ballet return to celebrate the New Year with three classic ballets: Giselle, The Nutcracker and Swan Lake. Founded by former Bolshoi Ballet soloist and choreographer Victor Smirnov-Golovanov, Moscow City Ballet are one of Russia’s most successful touring companies. Emotional and romantic, Giselle is the story of a young peasant girl who falls in love with the handsome Count Albrecht, but when she discovers he is engaged to Bathilde, the love affair ends in tragedy. The Nutcracker is a perfect introduction to ballet, and a charming festive treat for all the family. A fairy-tale ballet, illuminated by Tchaikovsky’s magnificent score. Swan Lake is a signature piece of the MCB repertoire and Moscow City Ballet’s interpretation of the world’s most romantic ballet is magnificently brought to life by Tchaikovsky’s best-loved, haunting score. Giselle: 6 & 7 Jan. Chichester Festival Theatre. www.cft.org.uk The Nutcracker: 8 – 11 Jan. Chichester Festival Theatre. www.cft.org.uk, 19 & 20 Feb. Theatre Royal, Brighton. www.atgtickets.com/brighton Swan Lake: 20 & 21 Jan. The Hawth, Crawley. www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk 21 Feb. Theatre Royal, Brighton. www.atgtickets.com/brighton
19 - 24 January
31 January - 1 February
To Kill A Mockingbird
Ross Noble Tangentleman
Adapted for the stage by Christopher Sergel. Based on the novel by Harper Lee. One of the greatest novels of the 20th century is live on stage in this acclaimed production. Set in the Deep South, Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prizewinning novel sees racial injustice envelop a small-town community. Through courage and compassion, lawyer Atticus Finch seeks the truth, and his feisty daughter, Scout - a young girl on the cusp of adulthood - bring new hope to a neighbourhood in turmoil. This utterly enchanting and enthralling production from London’s award-winning Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre captures the warmth and poignancy of this best-loved classic with genuine heart and emotional depth. Chichester Festival Theatre. For times and prices visit www.cft.org.uk
Following 14 sell-out tours, the king of improvisational comedy is back with another mind-blowing UK tour. Ross Noble will be showcasing his talent in his brand-new UK show, Tangentleman. With an on-stage presence like no other, his exuberance, spontaneity and cerebral style have established him as one of Britain’s best-loved comedians. The master surrealist uses an infinite imagination and plenty of tomfoolery, which is sure to have audiences in fits of laughter. ‘The wizard-haired Geordie remains in full possession of his nimble-witted, slacker-minded improv skills. One of comedy’s greatest marvels’ Domenic Cavendish, Daily Telegraph Dome Concert Hall, Brighton, 8pm. www.brightondome.org
22 January Paul Jones and Dave Kelly Acoustic Founder members of The Blues Band perform an acoustic blues set. As well as their own original material, they perform the work of blues greats ranging from Howlin’ Wolf, John Lee Hooker through to Sonny Boy Williamson. An acoustic set by this dynamic duo is an occasion you’ll remember. If you’re a true Blues fan, everything you need is here! The Hawth, Crawley (Studio), 7.45pm. www.parkwoodtheatres.co.uk PORTFOLIO 17
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
Middleton Avenue, Hove - £575,000
Hove Office 01273 778844
Extremely quiet with virtually no through traffic, tree-lined Middleton Avenue forms the bar of an H as part of a small grid just south of New Church Road. Its mock Tudor frontage is typical of the homes in the area. With generous well-proportioned rooms with three bedrooms, its styled and carpeted in neutral décor. Along with original features including panelled doors, exposed beams and picture rails this is a solid and welcoming family home Ideally placed for young families, there are plenty of nurseries along New Church Road as well as the good choice of local junior schools nearby. Commuters will appreciate the vicinity of Portslade station as well as the range of bus routes into town. Near the seafront and Wish Park this is a lovely, leafy residential area with easy walking to shops and cafes. EPC rating F
Goldstone Villas, Hove - £239,950
Hove Office 01273 778844
Sawyer & Co are delighted to offer this charming raised ground floor flat with delightful west facing rear garden. Situated in this sought after and convenient central location offering almost immediate access to Hove mainline railway station with its excellent direct links to London. Shopping facilities, restaurants, cafes bars etc can be found nearby in Church Road, George Street and Blatchington Road. The seafront and other parts of the city centre are also easily accessible. The property itself has spacious accommodation comprising: lovely bright lounge with bay windows and high ceilings, good sized double bedroom, separate kitchen and bathroom all accessed off a spacious hallway providing ample storage space. Further benefits include share of freehold and no onward chain. Viewing is highly recommended. EPC rating D
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www.sawyerandco.co.uk
Bath Court, Hove- ÂŁ730,000
Hove Office 01273 778844
Located on the fourth floor of this sand-toned brick, low rise apartment block. With a position right on Hoves iconic seafront this is a property with undeniably stunning sea views. From the glass fronted covered balcony there is an extensive seascape stretching from Brighton marina in the east to Worthing pier in the west. Spacious and well-proportioned rooms further add to this homes appeal plus there is an allocated rear garage for easy parking. EPC rating C
Lewes Mews, Brighton - ÂŁ500,000
Brighton Office 01273 685111
Modern end of terrace home over three floors in a peaceful mews location. Built in 1999 as part of a modern gated mews development, this end of terrace home comes with a south facing conservatory and patio garden. Beautifully maintained with neutral decor throughout its a perfect blank canvas with potential for developing the integral garage. Tucked away behind Lewes Crescent and enviably close to the seafront this home has a superb location at the very edge of the city. EPC rating C
www.sawyerandco.co.uk
Brighton office now open
TALK money
A NEW YEAR REVIEW Claire Cook from Independent Financial Advisors Talk Money looks at how to make investments work for you
F
irstly, a happy and prosperous new year to Portfolio magazine readers! At this time of year we traditionally take stock, review, and try to improve things. We give up bad habits and start new ones, it’s a fresh start, a new perspective, out with the old and in with the new! We apply this to many areas of our lives: doing more exercise, joining the gym, diets and giving up the booze. Some things last and some things sadly fall by the wayside, but we like to try! To make a lasting improvement, it may be good to look at your finances. Are you overspending? Are you saving? What are you wasting money, your hard-earned money, on? Maybe you are earning well and aren’t worried about your finances. In that case, are you making the most of your savings and investments? We all encounter financial products such as mortgages, pensions, life cover, credit cards and investments, but that doesn’t
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mean we are experts. Normally, no-one teaches us about these things, and the only other way to learn is through experience. There are now TV programmes which dip into it, and of course, the internet, but this may give us fragmented information which can often be quite confusing. A good idea may be to enlist some professional help. Literally all you have to do is get your paperwork together and visit an independent financial adviser. They will be able to sort through the paperwork, and suggest clearing anything which is no longer required. They can get up-to-date information directly from the companies you are with and then assess what you already have and make sure your plans are still up-to-date, and relevant to you and your objectives. Once the information is to hand and your adviser knows your situation and goals for the future, they will be able to advise you. This could involve leaving all as is, because
your planning still meets your needs, or moving pension money, re-mortgaging to a different lender, realigning your life cover, or a combination of these things. The important thing is to make sure your hardearned money is working for you, both now and in the future. If you would like a simple, independent review of things, please give me a call. I am offering a free initial consultation to Portfolio magazine readers. Please call me on 01273 224667. I would be very happy to help.
Talk Money is a trading style of Aspect 8 Ltd, an appointed representative 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.
in association with Sawyer & Co
Fine & Country 52 Church Road, Hove BN3 2FN
Bedford Towers Penthouse, Brighton Fine and Country are proud to present this Sky-high 2-bedroom penthouse on Brighton seafront! High up on the 17th floor get ready to be captivated by the ever-changing seascape from this unique penthouse apartment. Directly opposite the skeletal hulk of the West Pier, here you truly do have uninterrupted sea views. You can choose to keep some of the currently hip 70s retro elements of the décor while updating the remainder with your own sense of style in this well proportioned property. With Brighton far down below you can relax in your eyrie knowing that the bright lights and attractions of the city are conveniently on your doorstep when your’e ready to indulge.
Tel: 01273 739911
Arundel House, Hove
£800,000
EPC: D
Over 2000 Sq Ft! A truly stunning 3-4 bedroom purpose built mansion flat occupying part of the first floor of arguably the most sought after building in central Hove.The property has many original Victorian features including leaded light windows, ornate ceiling coving, deep skirting boards, plenty of storage cupboards throughout and a basement storage area. An iconic red brick period Victorian building which can be accessed via the lovely common way staircase or the recently replaced passenger lift, comprising two impressive reception rooms to the front, with all three bedrooms set to the rear of the building.There are two bathrooms (one en-suite), kitchen/ breakfast room plus separate utility room.Viewing is highly recommended to appreciate this charming period home. No onward chain. Share of freehold.
Tel: 01273 739911
£635,000
Tel: +44 (0)1273 739911
BEAUTIFUL homes
PORTFOLIO 23
LEGAL matters
TAKING THE CREDIT
Howlett Clarke challenge unfair banking practices Courts deliver new blow to banking industry with default ruling
Q
uality Solicitors Howlett Clarke have secured yet another major ruling in the courts against unfair banking practices. The Court of Appeal ruled that banks cannot impose a default on a person’s credit file if the credit agreement in question has been judged unenforceable. The decision stems from an earlier case when District Judge Newman (Grace & Anor v Blackhorse: Chester County Court) ruled a credit agreement ‘irredeemably unenforceable’ and therefore Mr Grace did not have to pay. William Brian Grace was released from his liability and he stopped making payments to Black Horse (Black Horse Ltd is part of the Lloyds Banking Group). Subsequently, and unbeknown to Mr Grace, Blackhorse not only recorded a default on his credit file, they also, rather bizarrely, added their costs of the failed court action onto the (now unenforceable) debt! They had no right to take this action and the erroneously inflated debt was recorded on his credit file. Mr Grace commenced legal proceedings for damages. However, when the claim
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went before His Honour Judge Halbert, the action failed. He then contacted Paul Tilley, Litigation Executive at QualitySolicitors Howlett Clarke, in order to secure permission to appeal the ruling. Paul, a leading specialist in consumer credit law, said: “Mr Grace got in touch when his permission to appeal application was refused. Working closely with the barrister, Mr Thomas Brennan, we redrafted the grounds for the appeal and successfully secured permission to appeal at an oral hearing before Lord Justice Christopher Clarke. “It was our view that the recording of a default in circumstances where the underlying agreement was unenforceable was not accurate and therefore contrary to Principle 4 of the Data Protection Act 1998.” The court unanimously found in Mr Grace’s favour, ruling that it was not accurate to report him as a defaulter on his credit file. Paul added: “This judgment could easily be overlooked, as I’m sure the banking world will be hoping.
However, this case has given explicit guidance to the banking industry on an important issue and sends out a clear message that, where a credit agreement is found to be unenforceable or where the parties accept the agreement is unenforceable, the creditor should not seek to argue that the debtor is a defaulter and record a default on the debtors credit file. “It may also open the door to challenge defaults recorded under credit agreements which are subject to temporary unenforceability, such as through a failure to comply with s78 Consumer Credit Act 1974.”
Paul Tilley is a Litigation Executive with QualitySolicitors Howlett Clarke 8-9 Ship Street, Brighton BN1 1AZ. 01273 327272 www.qualitysolicitors.com/howlettclarke
BEAUTIFUL homes
REGENCY LIVING F
acing west on Brighton’s most prestigious seafront crescent close to the city centre, this imposing Regency Mansion, spread over five floors, is in a prime location within a conservation area and is uniquely placed allowing for unobstructed sea views, even on the ground floor, across the green acres of the exclusive Kemp Town enclosure gardens, including a tunnel to the sea. This entirely and skilfully renovated house now offers the best of technology together with stunning and rarely permitted additions which harmonise with the Grade 1 listed original whole, keeping true to Thomas Kemp’s vision of offering glamorous accommodation, whilst providing the highest quality of appliances, fittings and innovation to create a luxurious six bedroom house with four receptions, three bath/shower rooms (two en-suite) and three cloakrooms, perfect for modern family life.
Lewes Crescent, Brighton, BN2 1GB Price: £4,250,000 Bedrooms: 6 Bathrooms: 3 Extras: Landscaped Mediterranean garden; Double height conservatory; Use of Kemp Town Encosures Best Bits: Wonderful location; Stylish property; Sea views Brand Vaughan Estate Agents 110 St George’s Road, Kemp Town, Brighton, BN2 1EA 01273 683111 www.brandvaughan.co.uk
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“Your New Year home search starts here�
Citywide sales & lettings 01273 565566 www.spencerandleigh.co.uk
BEAUTIFUL homes
CONTEMPORARY COOL T
his is an exceptional contemporary-designed detached home in a secluded location. The entire property has hot water underfloor heating with a grey rubber flooring. There is a ‘Lutron’ Homeworks lighting system throughout which can be programmed and linked into an iPhone or iPad! The property has also been wired up for home audio speaker cables in the ceilings to most of the rooms. There is a 28’9 kitchen/diner which is perfect for entertaining with the additional impressive 35’ living room to the first floor. The master bedroom has an en-suite bathroom and there is an additional family bathroom. Outside space comprises a lawned area with decking and there is paved parking for several cars.
Bonheur, Braypool Lane, Patcham, Brighton BN1 8ZH Price: £625,000 Bedrooms: 4 Bathrooms: 2 Extras: Very contemporary; Underfloor heating; Parking for several cars Best Bits: 28’ kitchen; 35’ living room: Wired for sound Spencer & Leigh Estate Agents 108 Old London Rd, Brighton Brighton BN1 8YA Tel: 01273 565566 www.spencerandleigh.co.uk
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THE collection
THE JANUARY COLLECTION A Manor house in the country and hidden gardens in the city are top of our list for January...
Classic Regency Clayton Priory, Hassocks Clayton Priory is a Grade II Listed classic Regency country house. The main house features four reception rooms, seven bedrooms (four suites), a large kitchen/breakfast room, numerous reception rooms and a two room staff flat. There is also a separate three bedroom lodge house. The interiors of Clayton Priory are striking and elegant, the centrepiece being the magnificent oval reception hall, with its Imperial staircase and glass dome skylight. The impressive grounds comprise12.4 acres including orchard, kitchen garden, stables and outbuildings, an orangery and a swimming pool. The formal gardens lie to the south of the main house, with stunning views to the South Downs.
Price: OIEO ÂŁ3,950,000 Fine & Country Brighton and Hove 01273 739911 brightonandhove@fineandcountry.com
30  PORTFOLIO
THE collection
On the Square Russell Square, Brighton A fabulous five storey Regency town house with period features, tucked away in this square in the heart of Brighton. One of very few houses on the square that is still a whole house, this property has a south-facing balcony to the front overlooking the square. The secluded rear garden is cobbled and wall-enclosed, making it private and peaceful, with landscaped mature plants and trees surrounding the outside dining area. This Grade II listed property has three bedrooms, and three reception rooms.
Price: £625,000 Hamptons International 01273 230230 www.hamptons.co.uk
Conservatory time Valley Drive This detached family home has a large 19’ lounge with doors opening onto a conservatory, perfect for enjoying sunny winter afternoons. The kitchen is also ample size with double doors leading to the mature southerly rear garden. Following on downstairs is a further games/TV room and downstairs shower room. Five bedrooms and a family bathroom complete this lovely home. If this is not enough to tempt you, there is a double garage, with extra space for a workshop area. Planning also exists to extend the lounge.
Price: £699,950 Spencer & Leigh Estate Agents 01273 565566 info@spencerandleigh.co.uk
The Good Life Roundhill Crescent A central four bedroom house with a kitchen garden and parking for two cars. This Victorian house is situated within the ‘Roundhill Conservation Area’. The property, with period features, wooden floors and good-sized rooms, is comprised of four spacious bedrooms, one with an en-suite, a 21ft extended kitchen/conservatory, separate lounge and dining room, study/ pantry, utility room, cloakroom, bathroom, a private allotmentstyle rear garden and terrace. There is off-road parking for two cars.
Price: £700,000- £730,000 Fox & Sons 01273 677544 www.fox-and-sons.co.uk PORTFOLIO 31
AGENT relocation
King & Chasemore open new flagship in Worthing Manager Josh Fermer
The team of estate and letting agents at King & Chasemore Worthing branch have relocated to an impressive new flagship branch at Chapel Road, Worthing. Commenting on the relocation Tom Middleton, Regional Director, King & Chasemore, said: “We are delighted to have moved to a larger branch on Chapel Road, which provides us with an outstanding frontage onto one of the busiest routes into the centre of Worthing. “Our old offices served us and the residents of Worthing well. However, as our business has grown and become more successful, the branch became too small to meet our needs. Our new flagship office is very prestigious with large open-plan floor space, enabling both the sales and lettings teams to provide customers with a welcoming, professional atmosphere in which to conduct business.” From the new branch, King & Chasemore is ideally situated to deal with the sale of new and second-hand homes as well as the letting of properties in Worthing and the surrounding areas including Charmandean, Offington, Broadwater, and Findon.
For further information about buying, selling, letting and renting in the Worthing area, contact King & Chasemore on 01903 641460 or visit www. kingandchasemore.co.uk
Photographs: John Young Photography • www.johnyoungphotography.net 32 PORTFOLIO
Tom Middleton, Area Director, and his Worthing team.
BEAUTIFUL homes
VILLAGE GEM T his is a stunning, five-bedroom contemporary residence. The property boasts a ‘Lutron’ fully programmable lighting system throughout and further home entertainment system provided to many rooms, and it has accommodation spanning four floors with additional exterior entertaining space, lawned garden and ‘Infinity’ swimming pool. The ground floor features a beautiful 20’ entrance hall and open plan living/reception room area, overlooking and leading out onto the main front terrace area and giving coastal sea views. In addition to this is the fantastic stunning designer kitchen/breakfast room, with a feature part glass roof and a wall of bi-fold doors leading to the exterior entertaining space. There is also a separate utility room and downstairs cloakroom. The lower level of this home offers a range of useful rooms and double garage, currently a relaxation area, a gymnasium, a games room and an home office area . The first floor of the property features a 17’ bedroom with luxury en-suite and Juliet balcony, three further bedrooms, (one having access to a full balcony) and luxury family bathroom. The upper level provides an impressive master suite, consisting of a 21’ main bedroom area, and additional 16’ stunning ensuite bathroom area.
Newlands Road, Rottingdean, BN2 5RG Guide Price: £1,000,000-£1,250,000 Bedrooms: 5 Bathrooms: 4 Extras: Infinity pool; Garage; Versatile accommodation Best Bits: Coastal sea views; Stylish interior; Ideal for entertaining King & Chasemore 43 High Street, Rottingdean, Brighton, BN2 7HE 01273 289335 www.kingandchasemore.co.uk
PORTFOLIO 33
FACE TO FACE We talk to Julie Frith Partner of Mishon Mackay Land & New Homes and incoming President of the BHEAA CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR APPOINTMENT AS PRESIDENT OF BHEAA. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THE ASSOCIATION. The Association was formed in 1886, and its original intention was to represent the property professionals in the City. It is a non-profit making association, that has changed with the times but stayed true to the original philosophy. Our membership now includes representatives from estate agents, letting agents, professional surveyors and auction houses. The association raises funds throughout the year, distributing the monies raised to mainly local beneficiaries. FOR THE BENEFIT OF ANY ESTATE AGENTS READING THIS, WHY SHOULD THEY JOIN? The BHEAA gives credibility to the members. The BHEAA badge represents professional standards in the property industry. All members are required to act in a professional manner and maintain standards. It’s similar to the popular Check- a- Trade system and all members have to uphold very professional standards to stay within the association. Any agents who are reading this and would like to join the association would be welcome, and it would add to their credibility within the City. SHOULD THE PUBLIC BE REASSURED THAT ANY AGENT THEY APPOINT IS PART OF A RECOGNISED ORGANISATION/BODY? Anybody looking to choose a letting agent or sales agent should look for the badge of the BHEAA as this gives them some reassurance that the organisation that they are dealing with
34 PORTFOLIO
has high professional standards and is happy to adhere to the association standards. My recommendation to anyone looking to use an agent, either for lettings or sales, would be wise to choose one of the member agents in the city.
“It is the highlight in the calendar in the Property World of Brighton and Hove” WHAT EXACTLY IS YOUR ROLE THIS YEAR? In 2015, as the President of the Association, I shall be organising the annual dinner on 6th February. I will also ensure any complaints or issues that are raised by the public or other professional bodies are dealt with in a timely manner. We regularly liaise with the Local Authority where there are issues which impact on the property industry within the Ctity. For example, members worked very closely with the Local Authority when the recent board legislation came into force. I also represent the BHEAA on the Brighton & Hove House Strategy Partnership, which looks at the future housing strategy for the city. WHAT DO YOU HAVE PLANNED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR THE BENEFIT OF YOUR MEMBERS? I think estate agents and letting agents
generally have a poor public profile, and can often be the butt of jokes. I think my aim this year will be to try and improve this public profile and demonstrate to the public that we are not all the baddies and that we do provide a very valuable service to many people. In addition, in this City, the property industry is one of the biggest employers, and therefore it generates a high level of economic activity, which in turn adds to the prosperity of the City. THE BHEAA ANNUAL DINNER AND YOUR OFFICIAL INAUGURATION IS COMING UP SOON… I am very busy at the moment organising the dinner and will be making sure that everything is “alright on the night.” A lot of planning goes into this event and it is the highlight in the calendar in the Property World of Brighton and Hove. It can be interesting talking to those members who have worked in the City for many years and attended the event over the years. There are some very entertaining anecdotes. HOW DO YOU MANAGE TO JUGGLE THIS WITH YOUR DAY JOB, JULIE? I am very lucky to have such a good team at Mishon Mackay Land and New Homes, although it is a juggle to fit everything in. I have had to rely on the support of my colleagues to ensure that the organisation of the dinner is on track and I am sure that during the year I will be more reliant on my colleagues, especially when we are promoting charity events. My work with the Brighton and Hove Housing
INTERVIEW
Strategy Partnership is time consuming, but I feel it is important that property professionals contribute to the future planning of our city. HOW HAS THE BUSINESS CHANGED DURING YOUR CAREER? I have been working in the Property Industry for over 25 years, and there have been some major changes, mostly in the way technology has changed everything in the business world. All the companies I have worked with over the years have embraced the changes and have adapted accordingly. During the last 12 years I have been based in Brighton and Hove and have worked with Mishon Mackay, a wellestablished brand in the City. We are constantly reviewing our technology systems and the way we present our properties to make sure that we keep up with the times. Public perception is very important to any service industry, not least to those in the Property Industry. In my role as the Managing Partner in the Land and New Homes Division a lot of my work is involved with business to business; we have to understand not only the legal process but the construction process now that there are so many alternative building methods available. When I first started it was easy, just ‘bricks and mortar’; now, with the advent of new sustainable homes, we have to have a much wider scope of knowledge. Clients, understandably have high expectations of their customer journey, and there are no hiding places for those who do not deliver a high level of service. Social media has had a
huge influence on marketing and service levels, I can only see these changes continuing with the advent of yet more new technologies. HAS THE PUBLIC PERCEPTION OF ESTATE AGENTS CHANGED? The public often only hear about the negative stories. There are hundeds of property transactions every day, and most run smoothly. The Property Industry in general is very selfregulating, and clients will vote with their feet if we do not offer a good service. DO YOU HAVE ANY AFFILIATION WITH ANY CHARITY AND IS THIS CHANGED EACH YEAR? We try to make our donations to local charities and prefer to make small donations to a wider local audience. Recently we have donated to organisations helping the homeless, a youth organisation and a seniors club. Any local organisations who are looking for funding up to £750 are welcome to apply. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS YOUR FIRST CHALLENGE WITHIN THE ASSOCIATION? I want to continue to raise standards and engage more with the members of the association. I am also keen to develop our relationship with the City Council so we can work together to raise standards in the future. SOMETIMES ESTATE AGENTS ARE CRITICISED FOR BEING A LITTLE OLD FASHIONED WITH REGARD TO TECHNOLOGY AND SOCIAL MEDIA – HOW WOULD YOU RESPOND TO THAT? Embrace it or lose business! Working in new homes involves change on a daily basis, I have
always embraced change, and I believe this is the only way forward. ON A PERSONAL NOTE, DO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY LIVE LOCALLY? I now live in Rottingdean, having moved to Saltdean over 30 years ago as I wanted to live by the sea. I think Brighton is a fabulous place to live, I was a DFL (down from London) then, but I now consider myself a local. My children have moved away, one to Wales and one to Majorca, but they always call Brighton home. ASIDE FROM THE BHEAA ROLE, DO YOU HAVE ANY PERSONAL OR BUSINESS AMBITIONS AS YET UNFULFILLED? Personally, I would like to learn to ballroom dance. That comes with watching too much Strictly Come Dancing. I would like to go to the Monaco Grand Prix and see Lewis Hamilton win, then I would like to go to one of the final races and see him win a third world title. On a business level, I would like to see the City embrace change and build some much-needed new housing and create a destination location at Black Rock, by the Marina.
Brighton & Hove Estate Agents Association Annual Dinner 2015 6th February, 2015, The Grand Hotel, Brighton To book a table email BHEAAdinner@mishonmackay.com PORTFOLIO 35
9 Offices Covering Brighton & Hove 27 Offices in Sussex 37 Offices in London BEDFORD STREET, KEMP TOWN Seaside Living - This beautifully finished 5 storey house is set immediately in from the beach on Kemp Town seafront. Designed for entertaining it has a lounge and dining room on the first floor whilst the ground floor has a kitchen and breakfast room. There are two luxury bathrooms and 3 double bedrooms. EPC E
Price: £700,000
Edward Middle, Kemp Town: 01273 688148
HIGH STREET, STEYNING Fox & Sons are delighted to offer for sale a three / four bedroom property located in the heart of the historic market town of Steyning. Steyning can find its routes back to Anglo Saxon times and today it is known among the most picturesque villages of West Sussex. This unique property is located on Steyning High Street, close to an array of bars, eateries and local shops. EPC E
Price: £449,950
Dom Ruzyllo, Shoreham: 01273 461671
CHAILEY AVENUE, ROTTINGDEAN Fox & Sons are delighted to offer for sale this wonderfully spacious and well kept detached bungalow located in the desirable Rottingdean area. The property consists of four bedrooms, 2 reception rooms, kitchen/ breakfast room, work shop & utility room as well as an impressive rear garden. EPC D
Price: £700,000
Nick Pashby, Rottingdean: 01273 309968
LANSDOWNE PLACE, HOVE Stunning Grade II listed Regency townhouse of significant proportions in the Brunswick Town Conservation Area. This beautifully presented property represents a rare opportunity to acquire a potential home and income or large family residence; comprising a 6 bedroom house and garden with self-contained basement flat and further private patio.
Price: offers in excess of £1,450,000
Jonathan Lloyd, Western Road: 01273 777000
www.rightmove.co.uk www.primelocation.co.uk www.fox-and-sons.co.uk
ROUNDHILL CRESCENT, BRIGHTON Fox & Sons are delighted to offer a four bedroom Victorian house situated within the ‘Roundhill Conservation Area’. The property is comprised of four spacious bedrooms one with an en-suite, a 21ft extended kitchen/ conservatory, separate lounge and dining room, study/ pantry, utility room, cloakroom, bathroom, an allotment style garden and terrace, and off road parking for two cars. EPC E
Guide Price £700,000 John Dale, Lewes Road 01273 677544
PROPERTY market
PROPERTY MARKET PREDICTIONS As we start a brand-new year we speak to property professionals and opinion leaders about what they think the year will have in store for property
T
his year’s election is just one reason why the local property market may be a little unpredictable over coming months. Disappointing news, perhaps, for house sellers but good news for buyers. Every property cloud has a silver lining for someone and this may well be the year of the ‘buyer’s market’. It may still be several months before the General Election, but the market is already preparing for its traditional uncertainty leading up to polling day. However, we have all been here before, and here in Brighton & Hove it is very likely we will once again fare better than most other areas. Brighton, Southampton and Luton were recently tipped as the three hottest future house price locations for the next five years by
property website Rightmove, with prices rising faster in the South East than London. A ripple effect is occurring as cash-rich Londoners move out of the capital and buyers seek better value for their money and more affordable properties, according to this recent monthly report. They added: ‘The South East has kick-started its journey on the five-year road to the highest growth in values by overtaking London in recent months’ index. Those looking for the best price appreciation in the country should seriously consider the South East, and some may wish to fine-tune their search to the top three locations of Southampton, Brighton and Luton.’ Other factors that may well determine activity in the property market are interest
rates, which may well remain at the current all time low for some time yet, and changes in taxation – in particular a proposed Mansion Tax – which might well affect some our more affluent residents.There may well also be new laws this year affecting landlords and buy-tolet opportunities, but these are less certain. All in all, there are always circumstances which will affect house buying and selling, but these should not dissuade serious potential vendors from marketing their properties now. Individual circumstances should determine property moves and any reputable estate agent will have numerous potential buyers on their registers ready and waiting for YOUR property to hit the market in 2015.
“The South East has kickstarted its journey on the five-year road to the highest growth in values by overtaking London in recent months’ index” 38 PORTFOLIO
PROPERTY market
We asked some respected opinion leaders in the City to let us know what they think will be happening in the property market and business community this year… Legal comment: Warren Robertson In recent months, rumours have been circulating of a cool down in the property market. At Howlett Clarke we have seen a slight seasonal slowdown in new instructions, but nothing beyond that. A notable change in the market comes from George Osborne’s Autumn Statement which certainly created a stir with reforms to the Stamp Duty threshold. This will mean savings for the majority of house buyers and should result in a boost to the housing market in 2015. In previous years the price bracket surrounding
Financial Comment Stacks Property Search directors brainstorm their expectations for the 2015 property market. “The pressure that’s built up in the cities, especially London, will spill out in the shape of dramatic price growth in the country market. Regional differences will be huge, but prime property in the most desirable rural areas will see increases in the region of 10% – 12% postelection.” (James Greenwood) “However, pre-election activity will be muted, and we are unlikely to see anything other than minor price fluctuations for the next six months.” (Bill Spreckley)
Industry comment: Nat Daniels Elections, interest rates and mansion tax: an exciting year lies ahead. It is always difficult – and often futile – to dust off the crystal ball and predict what will happen in the following year’s property market. That said, there are several issues and events which everyone can agree will affect the housing
£250,000 has caused adversity. However, all will be diminished as this will have less relevance. A shortfall of properties on the market can be attributed to a common theme of people who are able to sell their property but in turn are unable to find a new property to suit their needs. What we are hoping is that the increased buoyancy in the market caused by the Stamp Duty reforms will have a knock-on effect resulting in more properties entering the marketplace and chains completing more easily.
Warren Robertson, Partner and Residential Property Expert, QualitySolicitors Howlett Clarke www.qualitysolicitors.com/ howlettclarke
“MMR will shake itself out and its stranglehold on the smooth running of the market will relax. We are already seeing encouraging signs of improvement in the time it takes for mortgage approvals. (Nick Wooldridge) “The £2m+ market, which is currently stagnant due to Mansion Tax threats, will regenerate in the second half of 2015. We will inevitably see the introduction of some kind of Mansion Tax in the next few years, but it will be a much less toxic version of the current spectre. There is incredibly good value to be found around the £2m threshold, so buyers can benefit from the current window of opportunity.” (Nick Wooldridge)
“Londoners cashing in and moving out has been predicted for years, but so far failed to materialise to any great extent. 2015 will see country property outperforming London property, and this reversal will herald the beginning of a significant movement.” (Nick Wooldridge) “Buyers’ aversion to projects will persist mainly due to difficulties with raising finance. However, ‘ugly Betty’ properties that offer lots of space to the £ and can be given a creative facelift, will be hot.” (Rachel Johnston)
market significantly in 2015. The prospect of rising interest rates – which have been at a record low since 2009 – will certainly have a part to play. The biggest cloud hanging over the market is the general election. Uncertainty over who will be in Westminster come May, alongside the prospect of a mansion tax, will cause many consumers to delay property decisions. Winkworth says the London market is already slowing due to election jitters, predicting a subdued first half of 2015, followed by a pick up in prices and transactions. After a stellar
year in 2014, JLL says UK house prices will grow a further 4% next year, with 22.8% growth expected by 2019. Whatever happens, 2015 will certainly not be boring.
Stacks Property Search & Acquisition. www.stacks.co.uk
Nat Daniels CEO of www.AngelsMedia.co.uk the publishers of www.EstateAgentToday.co.uk
PORTFOLIO 39
BEAUTIFUL homes
Your Chartered Accountants www.lucrafts.co.uk 40 PORTFOLIO
PROPERTY market
Estate Agents’ predictions Estate Agent opinion: Richard James Following the very busy and robust market conditions, during 2014, characterised by a strong number of sale transactions and increasing property prices, we expect 2015 to show a very active, albeit more stable, market, in terms of house inflation. We expect there to be another influx of buyers into the market, particularly from London, although their enthusiasm will be tempered by the tightening mortgage market guidelines,
Estate Agent opinion: Paul Taggart I often get asked questions such as ‘What will the market do next year?’ and I usually reply with the comment (tongue in cheek) ‘if I knew I would be sitting on a yacht in Barbados sipping cocktails. When we look back at the market we have just been through in 2014, few of us could have predicted the market would have taken off as it did. We have seen an increase in property prices here in Brighton and Hove of about 10% which in a 12 month period is incredible.
Estate Agent opinion: David Maslen The last 12 months have seen phenomenal growth in the local market with house prices rising by at least 10%. This trend is set to continue, particularly following the Chancellor’s Autumn Statement reforming residential property Stamp Duty. There will be
introduced in the summer of 2014 and the uncertainty which will inevitably be created by the General Election in 2015. Notwithstanding this, I see nothing to suggest that next year will not see a strong desire among buyers seeking realistically priced homes in the Brighton & Hove area and a correspondingly healthy number of successful sales transactions.
Richard James Mishon Welton Estate Agents www.mishonwelton.com
If we are starting to look at bare facts such as location, trends and prices, I think it is fair to say that Brighton and Hove as a destination for buyers has always been ¬– and I do believe always will be – a huge magnet for London buyers. Research shows that last year, for instance, 66% of our buyers were either from London or overseas, and I don’t see why this should slow up in 2015. It is true the market in London has somewhat levelled out, but they have benefitted from huge price rises and look at Brighton & Hove properties as excellent value for money. Buyers are generally looking to move here for a lifestyle change, to be closer to better schools or are simply fed up with London. With a commute only taking an hour to an hour and
a half in the morning, many buyers look at the bigger picture: living by the sea, better schools, less crowding – while still having excellent bars, restaurants and a bustling social scene. First reports have told us that interest rates are unlikely to go up and this could bring us a period of price stability. The advice I would give is to buy a property because you like the house and would like to live at the location as opposed to making a profit and selling on.
no tax to pay on purchases up to £125,000, with the remaining value of the purchase charged in bands: 2% on the portion up to £250,000, 5% up to £925,000, 10% up to £1.5million and 12% on everything over that. As an example a £300,000 house would incur stamp duty of £5,000 now, versus £9,000 under the previous system. According to The Treasury, this will reduce the Stamp Duty bill for around 98% of house buyers. Uncertainty surrounding the May election may also influence the market – plus, it is rumoured interest rates will rise in late 2015.
Consequently, growth may not be at the same speed as 2014 but it will certainly still be a great year to buy.
Paul Taggart Associate Director, Hamptons International www.hamptons.co.uk
David Maslen Director, David Maslen Estate Agents www.maslen.co.uk
PORTFOLIO 41
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UP MY STREET... ...WE SPEAK TO PAUL ARSCOTT ABOUT WHERE HE LIVES AND WHY HE LOVES IT PAUL ARSCOTT IS HEAD OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT AT MCMILLAN WILLIAMS SOLICITORS WHERE DO YOU LIVE? I have lived in the Hove Park area for the last 10 years. Over recent years it has been great to see a huge increase in people using the facilities to keep fit, with various groups all doing their own thing. The park has a really friendly feel about it. I live in a detached house with my wife, 2 children and Betsie, our dog! ARE YOU A SPORT FAN? My passion is for football. I have always supported Brighton & Hove Albion, and it really is great to have the Amex Stadium on our doorstep. I love to keep fit and try to do some form of exercise most days, either in the gym or with my running club, Arena 80. I also play golf whenever I can. We are blessed locally with so many lovely golf courses. TELL US ABOUT YOUR GARDEN AND WHAT WOULD MAKE IT YOUR DREAM GARDEN? Our garden is west facing and attracts plenty of light. We have only recently moved into our house, but the first job we have done is to clear an area for my hot tub! YOUR OFFICES ARE VERY CENTRAL, THAT SOUNDS IDEAL FOR SHOPS AND RESTAURANTS? The McMillan WIlliams offices are based very centrally, in Edward Street, Brighton, so we are spoilt for choice for places to eat locally, and for shopping. We are so close to St James Street and Kemp Town and only a few moments from the centre of the city, and both The Laines and The
North Laine. Our offices are literally in view of The Royal Pavilion. ARE THERE ANY OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY YOU WOULD LIKE TO LIVE IN? My second choice would be to live in the Church Road area of Hove. We are so blessed to live by the sea. WHAT WOULD YOU IMPROVE ABOUT THE CITY IF YOU WERE IN CHARGE OF THE COUNCIL? My major gripe is the appalling condition of the football playing fields. I help manage a boys’ football team. The grass is left uncut for long periods of time and the ground dangerous in places where potholes have developed over the years. Decent sports facilities on the Continent encourage a community spirit where children can develop their skills on flat pitches. Surely, ways can be found to team up with the FA and the local community to improve facilities. IF YOU ARE HEADING OUT OF TOWN WHERE DO YOU GO? I spend plenty of time in London these days as that’s where most of our branches are situated. However, I feel we have everything in this area, from the amenities to the sea and the South Downs, so I am always happy to come home. DO YOU EVER HANKER TO LIVE SOMEWHERE ELSE IN THE WORLD? No, never!
“We have everything in this area, from the amenities to the sea and the South Downs. I am always happy to come home” MW Solicitors, www.mwsolicitors.co.uk
PORTFOLIO 44
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HOMES READY FOR SPRING 2015
All apartments have garden, terrace or balcony and gated undercover parking Quality, interior-designed specification 12 year NHBC warranty A short stroll from seafront 8 minute walk from Hove station Access to myriad sports amenities at Hove Recreation Ground, just behind One Hove Park Walk, jog or play tennis at Hove Park, just across the road Walking distance from Church Road and the local restaurants
Timings sourced from Google Computer generated images are indicative only. Design, features and specifications of the development and apartments may be subject to change.
1, 2 & 3 Bedroom Apartments
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SHOW HOME AVAILABLE TO VIEW CALL NOW 01273 964 605 www.onehovepark.com
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NEW homes
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O
ne Hove Park is ideally situated in the much sought-after residential area between the lush green spaces of Hove Park and Hove Recreation Ground, just a fiveminute walk to Hove station and close to all that Hove has to offer. This brand new development comprises a total of 71 well-appointed one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Developed by the award-winning Hyde New Homes, these homes have been thoughtfully designed to maximise natural daylight and feature designer-specification interiors, including contemporary Symphony kitchens with integrated SMEG appliances, Amtico Spacia flooring, large-format ceramic tiles in the bathrooms and underfloor heating throughout. All the apartments have balconies or generously-sized terraces, with those at garden
levels having their own private front garden. The landscaping of these – and the communal garden – has been designed by the Chelsea Flower Show award-winning landscape artist, Nicholas Dexter, who has carefully selected attractive plants that reduce the need for maintenance and increase bio-diversity. A huge bonus is that all apartments have their own dedicated parking, as well as secure cycle storage. A fully-fitted, interior-designed show home is available for viewing by appointment and the homes will be ready for Spring 2015. Prices start from £299,500 for a one bedroom apartment. Call joint agents Currell New Homes and Oakley Residential on 01273 964605 or visit www.onehovepark.co.uk for details. PORTFOLIO 49
PLANNING
MAKING PROPERTY WORK Planning for success with Stiles Harold Williams
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tiles Harold Williams is about ‘making property work’, according to Ian Coomber, a Partner in the firm and Head of Town Planning, who joined in 2007 from Brighton & Hove Council. The Planning Consultancy Team have grown, the most recent addition being Alex Bateman, who is responsible for Sussex. As a team of five qualified town planners, and a long established and respected surveying firm, the practice are ready to help with those tricky planning issues.
RESIDENTIAL AND COMMERCIAL As we enter a new year, the City is struggling to accommodate sufficient new housing, and the tension between growth and retaining the character of where we live has never been greater. Key sites are beginning to come forward and, early in 2015, the King Alfred will begin to gather pace. Fresh and practical thinking will hopefully enable a meaningful redevelopment as well as a new sports centre. We acted as agent for the Brighton Wheel and are proud to have been associated with securing a planning permission for this high profile and much photographed attraction. This was one of the most exciting projects we have worked on, but we also deal with residential and commercial sites for a variety of clients. Balancing land use in a sustainable way is never easy, but sites can accommodate new 50 PORTFOLIO
development without significant harm to a neighbourhood. As a Planning Consultancy, we act for developers and businesses to assist them in navigating the planning process. It is generally our positive approach to development and the way we adapt our service to meet the particular needs of a client that have been the key to our success.
“As a Planning Consultancy, we act for developers and businesses ...in navigating the planning process“
PLANNING
THE CHALLENGE OF NEW HOMES Housing rings a bell with us all. Whether as an owner, purchaser, tenant or developer. In Brighton and Hove this is no different. In recent weeks, the council has published a consultation on modifications to its new emerging local plan policy document. For housing in isolation, the original draft set a target to deliver 11,300 new homes by 2030. Although seen as ambitious by the council, the Government remained unconvinced that this met the needs of the City. The modifications identify that there is a need for some 18,000–24,000 new homes by 2030. However, with the City heavily constrained by the sea, the National Park and physical authority boundaries, the locations to accommodate such growth are few and far between. Consequently, the council is looking to set a target of 13,200. This demonstrates an unmet need of some 5,000–11,000 homes over the next 15 years.
The next challenge for the council is to defend the significant difference between the identified need and delivery. The Government will consider the council’s arguments later this year. However, whichever way the decision goes, it is clear that the City has an unprecedented need for housing, within a heavily constrained area. Whilst demand continues to outstrip supply, house prices are likely to continue to rise, pushing many people out of the City. If you have a site that can help contribute to housing growth in the City, contact Alex for advice.
Ian Coomber BA (Hons) Cert TP MRTPI Head of Planning – Partner 020 8662 2714 07920 553177 icoomber@shw.co.uk @SHWPlanning Alex Bateman BA (Hons) MSc MRTPI Senior Planner 01273 876265 07711 132009 abateman@shw.co.uk @Alex_Bateman84
“The City has an unprecedented need for housing, within a heavily constrained area“
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Liam Russell Architects is based in Sussex and works throughout the UK and Internationally. Projects span a range of industry sectors, from bespoke private homes to residential development, education & arts, leisure & hospitality, civic, mixed-use & commercial, retail, master-planning, listed buildings and restoration.
As the current Chairman of the Planning Agents Forum for Brighton & Hove City Council, Liam works alongside other industry professionals to tackle the issues that Planners and Agents face. This supports the Practice’s strong working relationships with local authorities throughout Sussex, London and the South East.
If you would like to get in touch to discuss your project we would love to hear from you. Please either call us on 0845 180 3676 or contact us via the website www.liamrussellarchitects.com
INSURANCE
THE HOME INSURANCE MINEFIELD Choosing home insurance is something we all have to navigate, even if just to renew, but how to make the best choice for your home? City Editor Maarten Hoffmann investigates
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here are numerous horror stories in the media regarding home insurance but look closely, and these are far outweighed by professional companies doing a sterling job and great care is taken by the vast majority of such companies towards their clients. A house is the largest purchase that the vast majority of people will ever make and insuring it against damage or total destruction is a very important decision and one that you would be wise not to ignore. But which policy, which company and which cover. A recent example was a couple who had damage to their roof from high winds and duly submitted a claim to their insurer, only to be told that the metrological office recorded winds in their post code of 46mph and their policy clearly stated, no doubt on page 2658 of the terms and conditions, that they were only covered if the winds were in excess of 47mph. They were then faced with a bill for thousands to repair the damage. Another example was serious leak damage to a kitchen
that rendered it unusable. You would therefore feel that the insurer should supply temporary accommodation whilst the damage is repaired. Not so says my insurance insider. You will only be rehomed if the entire house is deemed uninhabitable and more likely you will be offered compensation for the inconvenience at the rate of £10 per day for food.
“Insuring an important asset such as your home can be quick, easy and worthwhile if done correctly first time“ A certain amount of sympathy must go to the insurance companies of course, as they are bombarded with spurious and downright fraudulent claims every day. One which leapt out involved someone accidentally knocking over a brand new 50’ TV which then fell onto
a new glass table on which there was a new PlayStation containing the latest game, which then knocked a bottle of red wine onto the brand new shag pile carpet. The dog was so frightened by the noise that he shot out the room, trailing red wine doggy prints across the rest of the carpet and through over every other brand new carpet in the house. Needless to say, this claim was thoroughly investigated and declined when it was found that they didn’t have a dog and the entire house had wood parquet flooring. This rightly led to their arrest and prosecution for fraud. The answer is that one should utilise the services of a good insurance broker who, with many years of experience, will be able to guide you through the benefits of a particular policy that fits the bill for your circumstances. I spoke to the Southeast’s leading brokers and family business, John Whippy Insurance Brokers in Eastbourne, and asked about the route to the best deals and the right coverage that wouldn’t spring any surprises on the unwitting claimant in the event of a tragedy.
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John Whippy Insurance Brokers
Here to protect you We’ve been providing independent insurance advice to our business and private clients since 1970. We deal with all the leading insurers and give you a personal service that you simply cannot get online. Our advice is free and impartial so please contact us for a quote. • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Landlord Insurance Liability Insurance Business Insurance Shop & Office Insurance Pub & Restaurant Insurance Professional Indemnity Insurance Directors & Officers Insurance Motor Fleet Insurance Life Assurance Healthcare Insurance Home Insurance Motor Insurance Tax Investigation Insurance
Call us for a competitive quotation today on 01323 410433 or email info@johnwhippy.co.uk www.johnwhippy.co.uk
John Whippy Insurance Brokers, 97 Cavendish Place, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3TZ John Whippy Insurance Brokers is a trading name of John F Whippy & Company Limited Registered Office: 97 Cavendish Place, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN21 3TZ Authorised and Regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority
INSURANCE
Christopher Whippy stated: ‘When purchasing any property insurance it is of paramount importance to understand all the features, conditions and warranties of a policy to ensure that you can comply with all policy requirements and that the cover requested adequately meets your needs and demands. Insurance can be a complex minefield of terms and conditions that are frequently not clearly understood by the consumer. This can often have detrimental effects in the event of a claim leading to underinsurance or in extreme cases no insurance cover at all’. ‘Purchasing insurance online has become popular and convenient in recent years, however, when purchasing insurance products this way people often make costly mistakes by agreeing or not understanding the general terms and endorsements of a policy. Consumers commonly agree to terms by ticking a box accepting general assumptions and statements which are not always transparent. This might include construction type, no operating business or business clients visiting the home, lodgers/ tenants, convictions (for all occupants), bankruptcy or even whether someone in the property is a smoker. These are just a few material facts which can affect the provision of insurance cover and non-disclosure could potentially result in a policy being declared null and void at the time of a claim’. Sound advice indeed and this clarifies the dangers of picking the cheapest deal on comparison websites – it’s only cheap if you never need to claim but could be ruinous in the event that you do. I asked Thomas Whippy about the pitfalls of cover and how to ensure that all those valuable contents are covered: ‘It is not always obvious when purchasing insurance policy packages online what is included as standard and what the standard level of insurable limits are.
Accidental Damage and Personal Possessions away from the home are often optional extras included as standard with other insurers. However, limits and cover ranges will usually differ from one insurer to another, therefore it is important that the policyholder ensures the limits on their policy are adequate to cover all their jewellery and other individual high value items. Cover for money, credit cards, freezer contents, keys and emergency call outs are all other examples of insurance cover which may or may not be excluded. Dependent on the insurer, cover for Subsidence, Flood and/or Theft could be excluded should your property fall in a less favourable post code area with that insurer – with the option of a costly buy back! Cheaper doesn’t always mean better. You must always go through and look at what an insurance policy doesn’t cover and not just what is covered. The consumer is at the mercy of their own knowledge when arranging insurance themselves!’
“Cheaper doesn’t always mean better. You must always go through and look at what an insurance policy doesn’t cover“ As an exercise, l went on-line to a comparison site and was not only assaulted with an array of offers but found it very difficult to locate terms and conditions, When l did, my chosen offer had 73 pages of terms that would of taken a team of lawyers to sift through. I asked Lee Burrows of Whippy Insurance about this: ‘There is a growing trend of consumers buying online based solely on price and they are buying policies which are stripped
to the bone with cover and limits. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) have accused sites of “failing to meet consumers’ expectations of them” expressing “they did not always ensure that people were given the information they needed to help them make the right decision”. In particular, the focus is put on headline price and brand when consumers should be made more aware of crucial product features such as policy coverage and terms’ (Independent. co.uk 2014). My final question went to Gavin Whippy. Why should we all use a broker? ‘Insuring an important asset such as your home can be quick, easy and worthwhile if done correctly first time. By speaking to an insurance expert directly they can assist and guide you on what cover you need, how much cover you need and what pitfalls to look out for. You can do this by appointing an insurance broker who is completely impartial, working for you and sourcing the most appropriate insurance cover. They will carry out the tedious task of sourcing quotations with access to insurance facilities and sources not available to the general public.’ Whilst price is always the number one consideration, an insurance broker will also ensure that there is appropriate, adequate and sufficient cover for a client’s specific needs. Any independent insurance broker is there for the long term and will establish a working relationship over a number of years. There are no call centres, 0870 premium rate telephone queues or the necessity to explain your circumstances to a different person on every telephone call on communication. The insurance broker is working for you while developing a trusting long term relationship through a truly personal service.’ John Whippy Insurance Brokers, www.johnwhippy.co.uk PORTFOLIO 55
PROPERTY matters
A KNOTTY PROBLEM Japanese Knotweed has become an increasing problem in UK property transactions. We look at the rise and rise of this perennial
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apanese Knotweed (Fallopia japonica) is one of the most invasive plant species in Britain. It is a hardy, bamboo-like perennial plant that, although quite attractive on first glance, is highly aggressive and destructive. It has been known to block footpaths, grow through concrete, damage tarmac, flood defences and homes. Japanese Knotweed was originally introduced by botanists in the mid-nineteenth century and has now spread to such an extent that it is present in almost every 10km × 10km grid square in the country. It grows as much as 20 centimetres per day in any type of soil, and can reach a height of up to 3 metres in a few months. Even though it does not produce viable seeds in the UK, its spread is almost unstoppable as it grows through rhizomes fragments (underground root-like stems that can be as small as a few millimetres), making it extremely difficult to fully remove once established. Individual plants can cover
56 PORTFOLIO
several square metres due to their extensive underground rhizome network, making them hard to eradicate with standard herbicide treatment.
“Japanese Knotweed was originally introduced by botanists in the midnineteenth century” Treating an infestation of just a few small square metres can cost £5-£10k or more, especially if a quick solution or complete rhizome excavation is required. Larger infestations, and particularly those that require offsite disposal of significant volumes of controlled waste, are likely to cost tens
to hundreds of thousands of pounds to be effectively dealt with. Given its virulence and the cost of eradication, it’s not hard to see why Japanese Knotweed has become a major issue in property transactions. In the last few years lenders have become particularly aware and sensitive to the issue, and many have formalised their secured lending decisions concerning property affected by Knotweed infestations. On occasion, this has resulted in mortgage refusals as the risk has been deemed too high. Back in 2012 The Guardian reported the story of Mr Gingell, whose house sale fell through two weeks before the exchange date due to the presence of a 3cm high Japanese Knotweed plant found in his back garden. In an attempt to counteract the rising concerns over Japanese Knotweed and its effects, the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) guidance paper, completed with
the support of the Property Care Association (PCA) Invasive Weeds Control Group, was published in March 2012. This has generally led to an accepted situation where lending will likely be agreed where a suitably robust Japanese Knotweed remediation programme is established and a ten year insurance backed guarantee is in place. Despite this, it is widely reported that lenders are still seeking a 15% to 20% diminution in property value where such remediation schemes are in progress. So what is your responsibility as a solicitor or conveyancer if you find Japanese Knotweed on your client’s property? It is not yet an offence to have Japanese Knotweed on land and there is no legal obligation to remove it or notify anybody. However, allowing Japanese Knotweed to encroach onto a neighbour’s property/land may constitute a private nuisance under common law, potentially resulting in an injunction requiring your client to abate the nuisance.
So, while the removal, eradication and disposal of Japanese Knotweed can be expensive, given the potential costs associated with legal action, repairs and diminished property value, the most cost-effective approach is often appropriate removal and disposal by licensed contractors.
“It’s not hard to see why Japanese knotweed has become a major issue in property transactions” Recently, the Law Commission review of wildlife law in England and Wales concluded
that the existing legislation is not sufficient to control and eradicate invasive non-native species. The Infrastructure Bill will amend the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981. A new Schedule 9A will be inserted into the Act to empower environment authorities to enter into “species control agreements” (SCA) with owners of premises where the authority considers that an invasive non-native species is present. Further powers will be given to the environment authorities to make species control orders (SCO). If the owner of the premises has failed to comply with or agree to an SCA, the authority can make an SCO. This can require the owner to carry out species control operations or can allow the authority itself to do so. If you are interested in learning more about the identification, reporting and/or remediation of this invasive plant please request a copy of A Definitive Guide to Japanese Knotweed from GroundSure. www.groundsure.com
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Sussex’s original wooden flooring centre For friendly advice contact 01273 423600 99 Trafalgar Road, Portslade, BN41 1GU www.woodenflooringcentre.com FREE PARKING AT BACK OF SHOWROOM
INTERIORS
GOOD WOOD
Elegant and warm, wood floors are functional, hard-wearing and look great The Wooden Flooring Centre is the original wooden flooring specialist in Sussex. We can design, supply and install the perfect flooring for any room, whatever your budget. We can create beautiful, sustainably sourced, wooden floors, and can supply only or supply and install. Give us a call today to find out more. 01273 423600
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FOREST WALNUT PLANK
GEORGIA WIDE OAK PLANK
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SHOPPING
TEXTILES AND TEXTURES January is for nesting and getting cosy with touchy-feely textiles and vibrant colours to cheer up grey days READING CORNER This month we are reading:
COLOURFUL AND COSY Rugs, throws and cushions from Habitat. Flokati large orange rug - £395.00 Air saffron 2 seater sofa £595.00 Meera orange/red quilted cushion - £20.00 Meera sparrow purple quilted cushion - £20.00 Etto sea blue fringed throw- £60.00 Haden purple/brown throw - £25.00 www.habitat.co.uk or visit miini Habitat at Homebase
CONTEMPORARY TEXTILES Contemporary Woven Throws, Blankets, Cushions and Accessories from Sussex-based Chalk Wovens. Available locally at Nash Watson Home Maker in St Georges Road, Kemp Town, and other stockists in Sussex, see website for details: www.chalkwovens.com
PRETTY PRINTS Always inspirational and on-trend with their colours and fabrics: check out Habitats’ soft furnishings. Pictured: Rambo cushion 45x45cm. £12.00 www.habitat.co.uk
LUXURIOUS TEXTURE This Harlequin Array Striped Throw is striking but uderstated. £195. www.johnlewis.com
BRIGHT AND BOLD Add a pop of colour with a Felt Storage Bucket in vibrant green, £15. www.johnlewis.com
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URBAN ACUPUNCTURE During his three terms as mayor of Curitiba, Brazil in the 1970s and 80s, architect and urbanist Jaime Lerner transformed his city and he demonstrates here how changes to a community don’t need to be large-scale and expensive to have a transformative impact – one street, park, or a single person can have an outsized effect on life in the city. Publisher: Island Press £15 GEORGE CLARKE’S MORE AMAZING SPACES Showcasing more of George Clarke’s extraordinary small builds from all over the country: how unexpected small spaces can be adapted into workable living areas. Combining the eccentric and the inspirational with practical information, this book will appeal to everyone who wants to make the most of space at home or in the garden. Publisher: Quadrille Publishing Ltd £20 MY LIFE IN HOUSES Margaret Forster’s touching journey through houses she has lived in, from a council house, built as part of a utopian vision by Carlisle City Council, to her beloved London house of today, via Oxford, Hampstead, the Lake District and a spell in the Mediterranean. Publisher: Chatto & Windus £14.99
SMART FLOORING A carefully chosen floor will transform a room. Choose elegant wood or a striking carpet to style your home your way By Tara de la Motte, Editor of Sussex Homes & Gardens www.sussex-homes.co.uk
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he floor is the one element of our homes we cannot help but come into contact with on a daily basis. A floor is the backdrop for all your furniture and accessories. Whether it is the luxury of carpet, the warmth of wood, the cool charm of hard floors as well as durable vinyls, whichever flooring you choose, there is a floor to suit every situation. A carefully chosen floor can transform a room in the same way as a colour you choose to paint your walls.
INTERIORS THE BEAUTY OF WOOD A wood floor is beautiful, warm and versatile. Wood has an unmistakeable quality and is suitable almost anywhere in the home. It is smooth and sleek and there are many varieties available, each with its own colour and grain. A classically good-looking wooden floor is the ideal investment to enhance your home. Wood has a natural patina; it has an ability to blend with any decorating scheme. It is also hardwearing and ages gracefully over time. A deciding factor when selecting your wooden flooring is whether to choose solid wood or engineered boards. Solid timber is resilient and its appearance improves with age. Timber can be sanded again and again but when buying timber flooring look to durable hardwoods and consider reclaimed boards or parquet. Parquet can be laid in a range of designs from herringbone to basket weave. Timber boards range from narrow strips to wide planks – the choice is down to personal preference and aesthetics. In general the thicker, wider and longer the boards, the higher the price. Choosing a reclaimed floor will be expensive, but with good reason as many timbers change colour as they age, and this effect is difficult to achieve by applying a finish to new wood. In a period home, using reclaimed wood for the floor will look like it has always been there. All wooden floors need to be sealed to protect them from wear and tear. There are
certain oils on the market which will help to harden the wood while providing a moisture barrier. Ensure the timber you buy for your floor is certified by the ‘Forestry Stewardship Council’, your guarantee that the timber is sourced from managed forests. Engineered boards are made from layers of wood sandwiched together, their grain running at right angles to each other. This construction will reduce the effect of expansion and contraction that can sometimes occur with solid timber. These floors are highly stable and good for areas with heavy traffic, like hallways and kitchens. Engineered boards have the look
and feel of real wood and will wear beautifully over time. Engineered wood flooring is seen as one of the most popular flooring types today. These boards come in a range of colours and finishes. There are even boards that are treated to give the same aged effect and finished with a matt lacquer like a real solid timber floor. Engineered wood is protected and pre-finished with special treatments and offers longer and wider panels than solid timber panels. Engineered flooring can also be cost effective and easier to install as these boards fit together with ease.
STONE FLOORING Using stone flooring will bring a timeless beauty and a sense of permanence to your home. Stone will suit every style of home. Stone is also fire and water-resistant. No two slabs or tiles are alike, which gives stone flooring an inherent beauty. Real stone always look different once it is laid, grouted and sealed, so it is important to visit a showroom to view a tiled panel before deciding. If you are looking to buy real stone tiles then choose a supplier who will get it directly from quarries. Stones suitable for flooring include slate, limestone, granite and marble, and all of these come in an array of various earthy colours. Ceramic and porcelain tiles are an excellent popular choice for today’s floors and are a lot cheaper than real stone. Porcelain tiles are very resilient and the hardest–working option you can find. It is highly water resistant too. Many of the ceramic floor tiles that are produced today are convincing replicas of marble, limestone and other stone tiles. Less expensive than the originals and often far easier to lay. Tile flooring is durable, distinctive and practical. 62 PORTFOLIO
INTERIORS VINYLS Vinyl is one of the most practical flooring types. It is hard-wearing and ideal for high-traffic areas. Today’s vinyls come in vibrant colours as well as different finishes, from classic stone effect vinyl to trendy checked designs. These vinyls will make a bold statement in any space. For kitchens and bathrooms there are slate effect vinyl tiles which are easy to clean, making them perfect for busy homes. The realistic appearance of these types of tiles adds style and sophistication to your interior. There are high-end vinyl products like ‘Amtico’, but be prepared to pay accordingly. These vinyls are high-density and are available in sheet, tile or plank formats. Amtico can create a floor that is unique to you and comes in a choice of laying patterns, finishes, motifs and borders. Amtico is suitable for anywhere in the home and is water-, slip- and dent-resistant. It is also resistant to scratches, scuffs and stains. This type of vinyl has a huge selection to suit both classic and contemporary interiors. There is even ‘Amtico-click’ designed to be used without adhesive, as each Amtico tile clicks perfectly into place. These look and feel like wood but have the durability and performance of vinyl. This type of flooring can mimic both wood and stone.
“A carefully chosen floor can transform a room in the same way as a colour you choose to paint your walls” LUXURY CARPETS Carpets add warmth and comfort to our interiors. They provide a cosy surface for bare feet in the bedroom and muffle sound on a well-used staircase. Carpets can also insulate our floors against cold and draughts. These days there is a tremendous range of pattern and colour variety available in carpet. Patterned carpets continues to be very popular. Geometrics and stripes are particularly on trend. These patterns can be sophisticated, timeless, contemporary or globally influenced, and they make a dramatic statement in a room. Neutrals are a constant presence in carpet collections and the current neutrals are cooler and more versatile. There are different greys, from taupe to linen, silver to dark pewter. If the neutrals are too pale, there is a range of bolder shades like pink, including deep plums. If coloured carpet is not for you, consider another hot trend – monochrome. This will give a striking effect to the room. Team this trendy carpet design with some funky retro furniture to complete the look.
Choosing the right floor is an all-important task as the floor is literally the foundation of your home and has a great impact both on style and practicality. PORTFOLIO 63
• A great choice of fitted carpets for anywhere in your home. • Experienced and friendly staff with expert fitting fully guaranteed. • Members of ‘The Carpet Foundation’, meaning you are protected by the consumer code of practice, which is backed by ‘The Office of Fair Trading’. CALL US TODAY AND QUOTE ‘PORTFOLIO’ TO RECEIVE A DISCOUNT
Tel: 01273 721444 • Email: kings.carpets@tiscali.co.uk
HARLEQUIN Hand crafted, from China, acrylic pile in 24 fashionable designs and colours. 170 x 120 cm £99 230 x 160 cm £179
111 Church Road, Hove, BN3 2AF
INTERIORS
SHOW STOPPING RUGS A world of rugs is just on your doorstep in Hove
Kings Carpets have been offering its friendly professional service and huge selection of fitted carpets at great value for money for many years. With over 60 combined years’ experience from their fully trained, friendly staff and fully qualified fitters, it is safe to say that Kings Carpets are the specialists in carpets and rugs.
PLUSH
HOLBORN
Deep pile heavyweight luxury rugs available in 6 sizes and 15 vibrant colours. 170 x 120 cm £249 230 x 160 cm £399
Contemporary stripe rug, hand tufted in India made from Viscose for that extra shine. 170 x 120 cm £139 230 x 160 cm £249
CASCADE Chunky shag polyester rug in 15 colours. A great addition to any room in the house. 170 x 120 cm £99 230 x 160 cm £169
SLOAN
AERO
Wool & Cotton mix flat weave rug from India. Great versatility in 7 colours. 170 x 120cm £ 79 230 x 160 cm £129
100% Wool pile rugs, looped and sheared for added texture. Great value. 170 x 120 cm £99 230 x 160 cm £169
Kings Carpets / Rug World 01273 721444 kings.carpets@tiscali.co.uk PORTFOLIO 65
...AND
THE CITY 68
Boris Johnson: The BIG interview
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Business news from around our city
78 81 84
Top national news stories Doing business in China Business Lunch: The Talbot, Cuckfield
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Motoring: Citroen DS5 Hybrid
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Career Ladder: Ryan Heal, Rockinghorse Childrens’ Charity
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Golf in Dubai PLUS pro tips to improve your game
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Kelly Hoppen MBE: The interior designer in conversation
Business editor Maarten Hoffmann maarten@platinumbusinessmagazine.com 07966 244 046
BEAUTIFUL homes
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CELEBRITY interview
HAIR TO THE THRONE? ALEXANDER BORIS DE PFEFFEL JOHNSON Interview by Maarten Hoffmann
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nigma, conundrum, buffoon or the smartest guy in Whitehall? I am not sure that anyone really knows the answer to this, for a man prone to gigantic gaffs, ridiculous photo cock ups and an overly colourful private life, he remains the most popular politician in the country. And he’s not even an MP – or is it because he’s not an MP – yet? Boris began his colourful journalistic career at The Times and the Telegraph before ending up at the Spectator in 2005, where he left to join the Conservatives in the role of shadow Minister for Culture and then Higher Education under both Michael Howard and his old Billingdon mucker, David Cameron. Having been elected as MP for Henley in 2001, he rapidly became one of the most conspicuous and media-friendly members of the House. And such wonderful media fodder that the press couldn’t resist him. But then it is in the bloodline: father Stanley was a Conservative member of the European Parliament; mother Charlotte was the daughter of Sir James Fawcett, President of the Commission on Human Rights; brother Jo is a Government Whip and MP for Orpington; sister Rachel is a journalist and author, and his stepfather was the American academic Nichols Whal. Therefore, the chance of Boris taking a normal job and staying out of the limelight was nigh on impossible.
In reference to his cosmopolitan ancestry, Johnson has described himself as a “one-man melting pot”—with a combination of Muslim, Jew, and Christian comprising his great-grand parentage. His father’s maternal grandmother, Marie Louise de Pfeffel, was a granddaughter of Prince Paul of Württemberg, through his ‘wrong side of the sheets’ relationship with a German actress. Through Prince Paul, Johnson is a descendant of King George II and, through George’s great-great-great grandfather James I, a
“I always tell the truth, even when I lie” descendant of all of the previous British royal houses. Johnson is an 8th cousin of David Cameron. His public popularity comes from his tendency to do down those in power, for example calling his political opponents ‘great supine protoplasmic invertebrate jellies’ and yet somehow getting away with it all. Should he really be lining up number 10, he might find that his historical verbose comments
will come back to haunt him. He was fired from The Times after admitting to falsifying a story, caught on the phone with friend Darius Guppy arranging for someone to be beaten up, had an extramarital affair and lied about it to leader Michael Howard. Columnist Polly Toynbee branded him ‘a jester, toff, selfabsorbed sociopath and a serial liar’. Zoe Williams of the Guardian called him ‘a bigoted, lying old Etonian buffoon’ and Vivian Westwood declared ‘Boris as Mayor? It just exposes democracy as a sham.’ When asked about this continual barrage of spite, he says “Obviously, I love journalists and love journalism and people have got newspapers to sell, points of view to make and attitudes to strike, and they’ve got to get on and do it and quite right too.” He slaps the table, grinning. “Democracy would be the poorer without it. It’s a privilege to be written about in The Guardian!” he says with a wry grin. This would be enough to sink any normally functioning public figure, but Boris goes from strength to strength. And isn’t that the point? Rather than supporting Boris, he just holds a mirror up to the public’s malaise over politicians, and the most evident encapsulation of this is Nigel Farage. It is not so much that they want him, they just don’t want anyone else. Asked about his intentions for number 10. his standard response is: ‘if a loose ball PORTFOLIO 69
CELEBRITY interview
“Livingstone hangs around like a sort of brooding pterodactyl and he’s very welcome to do it”
pops out of the back of the ruck, l would of course collect it in and run with it’ Such obfuscatory metaphors only serve to feed the appetite. When pushed, he remarked ‘in those circumstances it is completely nonsensical for me to indulge this increasingly hysterical clamour.’ And what is his proudest achievement and biggest blunder so far? “Oh boy, um,” is Johnson’s opening gambit, making him sound rather more like a lethargic Bagpuss than the aforementioned political tour de force. “My proudest achievement is to have brought to City Hall a pretty diverse team of talents, many of whom were broadly Conservative and they’ve taken over seamlessly the running of London. They’ve understood that the priority for us - and I think for the next Tory government - is tackling deprivation and disadvantage.” He pauses. “And let me think of a mistake for you. The most disappointing thing was um...” A smile creeps over his face, as he jabs a finger into the distance. “That wine store... [Ken] Livingstone’s wine store... I was thrilled to find it, but it turns out it was all owned by the taxpayer and I can’t even drink it. If I pour you a glass of Livingstone’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape, I’d have to fill in some sort of blasted form...” Is there any truth in the press reports that ex-Mayor Ken Livingstone has become a regular visitor to City Hall, where he is said to watch Johnson from the public gallery? “Yes, he hangs around like a sort of brooding pterodactyl and he’s very welcome to do it,” confirms Johnson. “Honestly, this is a
wonderful job, it really is the best in British politics. But I have no official opposition. I’ve got a Labour Party in meltdown and it’s good that there is someone in London who’s there to fire off press releases saying what a tosser I am, which Livingstone does virtually every day.” Then, he adds, tellingly: “But obviously I’m hopeful we’ll do some things which will show
“If he does want to be Prime Minister, Boris Johnson will need to be more than just Tony Montana in a jolly blond wig” that compassionate Conservatism can work in London and therefore can work in metropolitan areas across the country.” How often does he speak to Cameron? The mayor mumbles for a moment before reaching for his mobile phone. “You know... I... Shall we call him now?” he says, scrolling for his boss’s number. But as he clamps the phone to his ear,
he remembers something. “Ah, he’s on holiday! I can’t ring him. Poor chap, he’s on holiday!” Do they speak on a daily basis? “No, no, we talk from time to time,” he says, cagily. Simon Heffer described him as “the most ambitious person I have ever met who will regard the mayoralty as a stepping-stone to a Cameron cabinet.” Indeed, when quizzed by Piers Morgan in GQ magazine a year ago, about whether he wanted to be PM one day, Johnson replied - tongue, perhaps, in cheek - “Well, of course. In an ideal world.” So does he still harbour ambitions for the top job? He bumbles and brays, before paraphrasing Thatcher’s nemesis Michael Heseltine. “Look, I really cannot foresee the circumstances in which I’ll be called upon to serve in any such office,” his eyes gleam mischievously. “Honestly, my appetite for power is glutted.” We’ll take that as a maybe, then. But if he does hanker after Downing Street, he’ll have to cut down on the gags first. I am obviously not going to make any headway on that subject, so dive off into frivolity, venturing that we might peek behind the mask with some quick-fire questions: What’s your favourite view in the world? He points out of the window of County Hall and says: BJ: ‘From this window, look at that’. Favourite movies? BJ: ‘I’d say Apocalypse Now, probably. No, Jaws. Which girl did you have stuck up on your wall at school?
CELEBRITY interview
BJ: Um. I didn’t because l was, l was…um. Cheryl Tiegs! Yes, that’s her, the American model. Oh, and that girl with her bum hanging out in the tennis poster. And I’ll tell you this much for free: on the whole, I was in favour of the blonde one rather than the dark one in Abba, but it was a close-run thing’. Which song gets you onto the dance floor? BJ: Start me up by the Rolling Stones every time’. Earliest political memory? BJ: Um. Oh God. Wait a moment. Yeah. Jesus, what was it? Let me just think. This is a question which deserves... Obviously I remember lots...William Hague giving his famous party conference speech? (mimics Hague’s Yorkshire accent) That was when I was at school. I was at prep school. Ah yes. I was 11 or 12’. Which five people, dead or alive, would you invite to dinner? BJ: Oh yes, this is easy. Scarlett Johansson and um, Scarlett Johansson. Can we stop with her? Oh, and Pericles and Shakespeare. Is character more important than personality?
BJ: They’re the same thing, aren’t they? ‘Ethos anthropoi daimon’, ‘Character is destiny’. Tony Blair or Gordon Brown? BJ: (A touch sheepishly) I’m afraid I miss Tony a bit. We love the thought of Boris. A man who says what many of us feel, is not shy about making an arse of himself, and a man who is ‘down with the people’. But this is a sham. Boris is as big a toff as a toff can get and is so far up the social tree as to be invisible to us mere mortals. And as to him getting away with such behaviour, l think we all know that were he to run, he would be pilloried and scrutinised to the point that he would have little chance of success. We like the ‘idea’ of Boris but do we like the idea of him ruling the country? Stranger things have happened. One of the most popular US Presidents, Ronald Reagan, was a b-movie actor. Italy fell for Silvio Berlusconi, a so-called ‘anti-establishment’ figure with a knack for a verbal gaff, and the UK is currently being courted to great effect by one Nigel Farage. It’s the constant ‘it’s not that we like you, we
just hate all the others’ protest vote that might well see non–traditional political figures such as Boris and Farage eventually triumph. Then there’s the hair. An unruly thatch of blond fluff perched atop his head like a yellow wisp of cumulus. It is jolly hair, school boyish hair, hair that apparently refuses to be anything other than what it is. It’s the hair that asks you not to take it seriously and, simultaneously, it manages to be hair which implies there are more pressing concerns in this world than trifling matters of follicular vanity. It is hair that says: ‘why should I waste time with a brush when I have the world to run’? It might seem trivial to discuss his hair, given that this is the man who many are touting as a future Conservative leader following his selection as the Tory candidate for Uxbridge and South Ruislip in the 2015 general election, but I suspect his hair says a lot about him. I suspect, in fact, he takes a great deal more care of it than he is willing to let on. On two separate occasions – once at a Conservative party conference, once at London Fashion Week – onlookers have reported
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that Johnson deliberately ruffled his hair just so, before taking the stage. He doesn’t want to look too tidy or too styled. A big part of his schtick is not being overly smooth. So what is your haircare regime? He roars with laughter. (The diverting guffaw is a favourite tactic of his when he wishes to avoid answering certain questions.) The laughter gradually subsides. “OK, right. Well, I have no idea.” You must have some notion of what shampoo you use. “No, I don’t! I’m now so short-sighted, I’m blind!” he shouts. “My eyes used to be fantastic, but now I cannot actually… There was something in the shower this morning that I used, I cannot honestly tell you what it was. It might have been acne cream” – another rousing squall of laughter – “It might have been toothpaste. I honestly couldn’t see, but I put it on and it seemed to work.” And then what? He lets it dry naturally or…? Loud guffaws. “This is what they call the…” Johnson breaks off. He seems a bit uncomfortable. Then he thinks of a joke and his face clears. “What I want,” he continues cheerfully, “is a new Barnett formula [the means by which public spending is allocated between Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and Wales]. I want a formula for Barnett! I want proper recognition. We’ve got to devolve power to London and the cities as well as to Scotland…” And he’s off, talking about the recent referendum results, treading a well-worn path of familiar political argument, and the hair is all but forgotten. It is a classic Johnson response: smart and witty and, yes, undoubtedly entertaining, but also carrying just a hint of slipperiness. I imagine he’s clever enough to know that if he declares what brand of shampoo he uses, it will undermine the casual nonchalance he wishes to project. Because, in an age of Identikit, silken-suited politicians, who all seem to have studied at the same Tony Blair School of Hand Gesturing, the 50-year-old Johnson is seen as a blast of fresh air. He is popular among grass-roots Conservatives, who like his mildly anti-European bluster (he says he favours a semi-detached approach to Europe, where the EU is “more congenial” to Britain, and he’s against muddle-headed attempts “to create a single nation out of loads of different ones”). But he also carries a surprising cachet among those who would rather drink battery acid than vote Tory. Why? “I tell you what it might be,” he says. “It might be that I really began my political career by going on Have I Got News for You [Johnson has hosted on several occasions]. So, in that way, I’ve been able to inveigle myself under people’s natural defences.” It might also be that when you ask Johnson about, say, taking drugs, he doesn’t seem to worry about confessing all manner of past
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“If I pour you a glass of Livingstone’s Chateauneuf-du-Pape, I’d have to fill in some sort of blasted form”
CELEBRITY interview
indiscretions, which is refreshing for a politician. He says he smoked cannabis as a teenager, but “it didn’t do much for me.” Was it at Eton with his near-contemporary David Cameron? “Ah. No. No to both. Good question though. I mean, full marks.” The Australian political strategist Lynton Crosby, who ran Johnson’s two successful campaigns for London Mayor, once said that if you showed a focus group who knew nothing about him a picture of Boris Johnson, they would instinctively warm to him because of “something to do with the way he looks”. It’s that hair again. Where does Johnson think his appeal comes from? “I’ve no idea,” he mumbles. “The first thing to say is that all that is much exaggerated and if you cycled around London with me, if you came on a tandem or followed me, you’d be subjected to a volley of happy abuse.” Really? What sort of abuse? “Oh: ‘Tory tosser’,” he says, blithely adopting a semiCockney accent. “’Sort it out, Boris!’; ‘What’s going on? Run him over! Go on, finish him off now!’” But he says the great thing about being Mayor is that: “I interact constantly with people in the streets and that’s probably valuable for me because I know what they’re thinking,
roughly speaking.” We are here to talk about another politician with huge popular appeal. Johnson has just written a book about his hero, Winston Churchill. The Churchill Factor is an engagingly written romp through the elder statesman’s greatest achievements (a few of his failings are touched upon briefly, but Johnson manages to magic them into character strengths without too much trouble). Johnson has been asked repeatedly if he models himself on Churchill and there’s no doubt, reading the biography that he has pored over the great man’s speeches, books and diaries at length. But, he says: “I’ve got more in common with a threetoed sloth than I have with Winston Churchill. There is no easy comparison with any modern politician. The more you read about him, the more completely amazed you are about what he did – his energy, his literary fecundity, his ability to work – just unbelievable energy.” Churchill was famously sentimental. Does Johnson cry easily? “Er… it’s not one of my things.” There is a long pause. Eventually he says he misted up at the opening of the Invictus Games. That’s a typical politician’s answer, I say. “Sorry, should I be more emotional?” He calls out to his press secretary on the other side of the room. “Camilla, is it good to be more of a blubber or less of a blubber? What are the readers of the Observer going to want?” They want you to blub, Camilla replies. “Do they? Oh bloody hell.” Does he still own the Bullingdon uniform (rumoured to cost around £3,500)? “Uh, not immediately available,” Johnson says. “Why, do you want me to be photographed in it? That’s a very good idea. With a spliff? Come on, now we’re talking!” Has he gained more respect for the truth as he’s got older? “I… er… I try to tell the truth in a way that is whole and entire and as clearly as I can and I think that is the secret of, uh, of success in politics and…” He breaks off. “I think it is Tony Montana in the film Scarface who says: ‘I always tell the truth, even when I lie.’” It is hard to think of any other modern-day politician who’d choose to quote Scarface, let
“It’s the constant ‘it’s not that we like you, we just hate all the others’ protest vote that might well see non–traditional political figures such as Boris and Farage eventually triumph” alone that nugget of dialogue. What I think Johnson means is that, as long as he is honest with himself about who he is, the truth he offers to others can be made to fit according to what he perceives as their best interests. He is being honest about his own dishonesty. Well, I suppose it’s a start. He leaves the interview in a flurry of Johnsonian charm and self-deprecation. “Oh my God,” he mutters. “You’ve extorted the truth from me! What have I told you? Yards of stuff…” And then off he potters to the adjoining room to have his photograph taken. It has been a highly entertaining hour. Still, I can’t help but feel a man with his political ambitions should probably stop quoting fictional drug barons with a penchant for grenade-launchers and vast mounds of cocaine. If he does want to be Prime Minister, Boris Johnson will need to be more than just Tony Montana in a jolly blond wig.
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CITY news
CITY NEWS Please note these are the personal views of our City Editor, Maarten Hoffmann
SUSSEX ENTREPRENEUR SHARES STAGE WITH APPLE CO-FOUNDER The managing director of a Sussex customer feedback service shared the stage with Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak at a recent conference for entrepreneurs. Shopper Anonymous founder Jonathan Winchester addressed a 1,500-strong audience at the International Convention Centre alongside the billionaire inventor. Jonathan, who started his career on a management training programme at Harrods, passed on customer service insights based on the 298,000 mystery shops his company has conducted over the past 19 years. His tips on delivering first-class service, developing a customer-focused team, creating a positive first impression and best practice in obtaining feedback, won praise from the audience. “It was a great experience to have been invited to speak at such a prestigious event,” said Jonathan. “Both Steve and I really got the message across that to develop a great business you have to deliver great service. “Steve is possibly one of the most influential individuals of our generation and he spoke so humbly about his story and how he developed the Apple brand with Steve Jobs. To then spend some time with Steve was one of my Bucket List moments.”Jonathan was delighted with the response and is planning a similar event in Sussex for SMEs. For more information visit www.shopperanonymous.co.uk
BITEAPPY A creative new free app has been launched to make it easier for people with intolerances and allergies to eat out. Seaford-based Caroline Oldham, a coeliac with an additional lactose allergy, faced an ongoing battle to locate suitable restaurants for her dietary needs. The experience was the inspiration for biteappy, the first app to comprehensively cover all dietary requirements across the world. It has a searchable directory of restaurants with suitable menus for the entire range of dietary issues and allergies and can also be translated across 25 languages. Caroline, who was born in Brighton and now lives in Seaford, said: “As a coeliac with a lactose intolerance, I found it incredibly hard to locate suitable places to eat – particularly when abroad or when not in my home town of Brighton. “It was on a trip to Amsterdam just after Christmas, when once again I couldn’t find a place to eat, and that inspired the idea for biteappy. “I hope it will be helpful to the millions of people out there who find themselves in the same situation. Biteappy is available in the iTunes store.
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“The trick is in what one emphasises. We either make ourselves miserable, or we make ourselves strong. The amount of work is the same” HAPPY BIRTHDAY One of Britain’s longest-running creative marketing agencies, Oliver & Graimes, has just celebrated its 35th birthday this month. The Sussex-based agency was launched in 1979 and has won multiple awards for its creative and marketing work across many industry sectors. 35 years is a rare milestone to reach, but founding director David Graimes isn’t surprised by their success, “This is our milestone and if I’m honest, it is one I expected to reach. I never set out to build a business to make money as I always enjoyed a feeling of privilege from running a business operating in this highly creative sector. You can read some bad press about business, but I’ve had some amazing experiences of passion, patience and loyalty working with brands such as Kuoni Travel, Elite Hotels, Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Ingeus, to name but a few. A natural thing to do at this time is to make a list of lessons that we have learnt, but for O&G that seems a little arrogant. What I’d say is that, actually, one thing we have learned is “you are only as good as your last job”.
BRIGHTON FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES GUEST DIRECTOR FOR 2015 Brighton Festival - the largest and most established annual multi-arts festival in England - is delighted to announce that the 2015 Guest Director is award-winning Scottish author Ali Smith. The announcement comes hot on the heels of Smith’s winning of the Goldsmiths Prize 2014 - a new literary award for boldly original fiction that sets out to recognise work that opens up new possibilities for the novel form - for her latest novel How to be Both which was also shortlisted for the Man Booker Prize 2014. Recently described as an ‘heir to Virginia Woolf’, Smith has established herself as a pioneer of form – fearlessly pushing the boundaries of the novel with a deftness and accessibility that has earned her a reputation for being both vitally inventive and scrupulously playful. Her latest novel is her most experimental and idiosyncratic yet; borrowing from painting’s fresco technique to make an original literary double-take, it is a fast-moving genre-bending conversation between forms, times, truths and fictions. The seventh Guest Director of Brighton Festival, Ali Smith takes on the mantle from visual artist Anish Kapoor (2009), musician Brian Eno (2010), Burmese democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi (2011), actress and human rights campaigner Vanessa Redgrave (2012), poet, author and former Children’s Laureate Michael Rosen (2013) and choreographer, composer and performer Hofesh Shechter (2014) in shaping the three-week programme of cultural events.
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CITY news
“Good judgement comes from experience and experience comes from bad judgement”
AN ANGEL ONSIDE The Funding Room, an online match-making service for start-up companies and small businesses backed by a collective of Sussexbased entrepreneurs was launched recently. The service aims to match local start-up companies and more recently established firms which require an alternative source of funding to standard terms offered by the High Street small business lenders. The core aim of the service is to secure phase one funding for a company which may not be able to access formal High Street bank lending because of a lack of track record or no business credit history. Investment typically starts from £5,000 up to £100,000 at low rates of interest, into a business start-up, or a company wanting second tier finance could be offered. “Many new companies come to us complaining that banks are still reluctant to lend to small businesses, but with The Funding Room, it could not be easier: the company pitches to a local investor, either face to face or via an online video chat,” said spokesman Phil Davies. “If the investor likes what he or she hears and thinks the idea has ‘legs’, then they can strike up a deal whereby the investor offers backing to the start-up business for a percentage of the turnover,” said Davies. “We are not competing with crowd funding services, but we match the individual investor to the start-up to provide both money and advice. By getting an ‘angel’ onside, new and established companies can realise their business potential and give rise to opportunities that not only assist their vision but also go some way towards promoting the local Sussex economy”, added Davies. www.thefundingroom.co.uk
THE IRON MAIDEN HIPPY The MP for Lewes, Norman Baker, has resigned from his ministerial post in the Home Office, describing working in the department as like ‘walking through mud’. Mr Baker said juggling his role as a minister for four and a half years with his constituency work was very demanding and it had left him with less time to spend with his family and pursue his outside interests, such as music. In his letter of resignation to Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, Mr Baker said at the Home Office, the goodwill to work collegiately to take forward rational evidence-based policy had been in somewhat short supply. Writing to Mr Clegg, the Lewes MP said: “You will know that I have spent four and a half years in ministerial office, three and a half at the Department for Transport and the last year at the Home Office. You will recognise that it has been particularly challenging being the only Lib Dem in the Home Office, which I see a newspaper the other day likened to being the only hippy at an Iron Maiden concert.” Despite these challenges, Mr Baker said he was proud of what he had achieved during his time as a minister.
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CITY news
“Even if you are on the right track, You’ll get run over if you just sit there”
NEW JOBS 120 new jobs are set to be created in the latest round of grants awarded from the Coast to Capital Business Growth Grant scheme, with nine companies receiving a slice of almost £500,000. The successful applicants demonstrated how their proposals would increase local employment. Grants ranged in size from £5,000, awarded to Surrey-based Shippo, to £137,000 for Brighton-based software company TImNexus, who will spend the money on staff development to meet the fresh challenges of changing technology. Other beneficiaries included the Ridgeview Winery Estate, whose new bottling process will almost treble production; energy solutions firm Black Box Energy, who will provide additional customer support facilities; and the Young Start Up Talent project, which is expanding into Croydon. Coast to Capital chief executive Ron Crank said the latest round of grants showed how significant a role SME’s had to play in our local economy. “As a local enterprise partnership concerned with supporting and encouraging local businesses, we are able to help many companies and groups make a real difference” Ron said. “These businesses are the drivers of our regional economy, so we are pleased to be able to support them, and I encourage others in a similar situation to get in touch with my team at Coast to Capital to see if we are able to help their growth plans.”
BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU Type “secret recorder” into Google and you will almost instantly be directed to a number of websites offering cheap and effective covert recording devices. We found a USB secret recorder (£22.99), a pen that records sound (£9.99) and a car fob key ring that can record video (£10.99). It is easy and cheap for employees to obtain sophisticated recording devices and they are increasingly using them. The ease of obtaining these devices may partly explain why we are finding more people covertly recording workplace meetings such as redundancy consultation meetings, grievance meetings and disciplinary hearings. Employees often do this because they suspect a legal dispute may arise and they believe (sometimes correctly) that it will benefit them in any potential claim they may have against their employer. “There is no legislation that specifically prohibits covert recording by employees during confidential workplace meetings”, said Pam Loch, head of niche employment law practice, Loch Associates.
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NATIONAL news
NATIONAL NEWS Please note these are the personal views of our City Editor, Maarten Hoffmann
BANK FOR SALE The world’s oldest bank is up for sale. Monte dei Paschi di Siena, Italy’s third largest lender, is reported to have hired advisers to find a buyer for the bank, after the European Central Bank’s recent asset quality review found a €2.1bn black hole in its accounts. On Wednesday, the bank’s board met following last month’s stress tests and approved a €2.5bn rights issue in order to plug the gap. It does not intend to do this until next year, however, and management believes a sale or merger of the bank in the meantime could prevent a fundraising, according to The Wall Street Journal. Should it be sold, one of the most historic names in banking could potentially be lost. Monte dei Paschi was founded in 1472, and is generally believed to be the world’s oldest bank, serving as a symbol of Siena’s wealth for centuries.
£75 MILLION SMALL BUSINESS FUND RBS and NatWest have launched a £75m Small Business Fund for the South East region, aimed at supporting small businesses across the region. Part of a wider-dedicated £1 billion which will be split between eleven different areas across the UK , the fund will target both new and existing customers who are looking to grow or diversify their businesses through new borrowing with fixed rate loans from £1,000 to £250,000 with no arrangement fee. With the potential of a base rate rise on the horizon, this fund will help small businesses to grow by borrowing money with the certainty of a fixed rate and repayments. This fund comes a week after the bank pledged its support for thousands of entrepreneurs and high growth businesses with the launch of a network of eight new business accelerator hubs that will offer free workspace, hands on mentoring, a start-up ‘bootcamp’ and a free programme of up to 18-months of advice, support and funding clinics.
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NATIONAL news
“I’m a great believer in luck, and find the harder I work, the more I have of it” BANANA KING BUYS GHERKIN The secretive banking billionaire Joseph Safra, known as the Banana King since his takeover of global producer Chiquita, has paid £726m for the iconic building, otherwise known as 30 St Mary Axe. The deal was handled by Savills and Deloitte Real Estate and the main tenants are insurer Swiss Re and commercial law firm Kirkland & Ellis.
HSBC IN TROUBLE, AGAIN Authorities in Brussels have charged HSBC’s private banking arm, which is based in Switzerland, with helping wealthy Belgians to avoid taxes. Prosecutors allege that hundreds of clients - including diamond dealers in Antwerp - moved money to offshore tax havens with the help of the bank. They said it resulted in hundreds of millions of euros in lost tax revenue.
BUSINESS RATES OUT OF CONTROL The amount that British companies pay in business rates is growing at almost the same level as council tax and fuel duty combined, according to a new analysis that highlights the strain that the levy is putting on businesses. Estimates by the Office of Budget Responsibility (OBR) show that the amount generated by the controversial tax will surpass council tax and fuel duty in the 2015/2016 financial year. Business rates need to be reformed and fast if UK PLC is to grow further.
SUPER-SME’s A small army of high-growth small businesses hired 5,000 new staff every week in 2013, and are behind the majority of the UK’s economic growth, according to a landmark report. A super-charged subset of small businesses is driving unprecedented levels of growth in the British economy. The so-called “high-growth small businesses” (HGSBs) account for just 1pc of the business community but generated 68pc of new jobs in the UK between 2012 and 2013. In a landmark report out this month, UK fund management firm Octopus Investments found that these super-SMEs are generating a disproportionate amount of employment, adding 256,000 jobs in a single year (or 5,000 a week), bringing the total HGSB workforce to 667,000, and driving significant economic growth in the UK.
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ARE YOU TAPPING THE GLOBAL MARKETPLACE? By Chris Lowsley, UK Trade & Investment International Trade Adviser – China specialist
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xporting is a proven route to business growth. Government export body UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) urges UKbased companies to rise to the opportunities that globalisation can offer. For those considering, or who are new to exporting, UKTI may be an unknown source of support. However, we can offer companies tailored and specialist support as well as access to a global network of trade specialists in over 100 markets. Why Export? Many independent studies have shown that companies who export see a dramatic impact in the following areas: • Higher rates of growth; • Enhancement of revenues and profits; • Resilience to competitive pressures; • Spread of market and business risks; • Innovation - the global market boosts productivity and product development; • Benefit from economies of scale and increased return on investment in Research & Development; • More productivity, flexibility and ability to overcome business challenges; • Enhanced reputation with a global profile. Companies who would like to utilise the support of UKTI can benefit from a free consultation with their local International Trade Adviser (ITAs), all of whom possess a wealth of experience within the international private sector, and who will offer impartial advice and support.
What does UKTI offer Sussex and South East companies? UKTI have an experienced team of ITAs in the Sussex area, managed by Brightonbased Stephen Golding, who can help local businesses with a variety of support services and programmes, ranging from selecting suitable markets to helping companies with market research, and from identifying local importers and partners to offering overseas market visits.
Why do business in China? High-growth markets such as China require special care from new entrants. ITA Chris Lowsley is UKTI’s China specialist based in Sussex, with many years’ experience in doing business in China and business-counselling companies on the ‘do’s and don’ts’ in the market. China can seem daunting, but for those who do their homework, take time to investigate the market properly and know their own strengths and resources, it can be very rewarding. Time
Companies can also take advantage of UKTI’s Overseas Market Introduction Service (OMIS), where they can tailor requirements to fit their own needs; ITAs work closely with a dedicated global network of market experts to assist companies entering new markets. Joining one of our export programmes, such as Passport to Export or Gateway to Global Growth, encourages businesses to look strategically at their international growth and helps them plan the steps required to succeed. Other services, such as Export Communication Reviews and Export Market Research Services, are available for firms wishing to develop their international web presence and be fully informed and prepared for the competition in their chosen market. There is also a programme of seminars and master classes in various exportrelated subjects, as well as services which can support exhibiting overseas through the Trade Association Network.
and resources need to be carefully managed, and finding the right partner can be crucial to success. China’s consumer market now has a buying power similar to the combined purchasing of all EU countries. It is worth noting that China is not a single market, and it presents a level of diversity similar to that seen in continental Europe. China’s E–commerce market and online trading are more developed than in much of the EU, and demand for branded goods from Britain has mushroomed. UKTI can assist in areas such as managing trading risks, understanding the local business culture and practices, and selecting the best partners. Given the demand for assistance in dealing with China, UKTI has appointed China-Britain Business Council (CBBC) to offer commercial advice and support. To find out more about the wide range of support services available through UKTI call the South East International Trade Hotline on 08452 789 600 or email: info@uktisoutheast.com.
BEAUTIFUL homes We believe that effective networking is all about relationship building in a relaxed and informal environment and The Platinum Club provides the ideal platform for companies both large and small, to come together for an enjoyable evening in the luxurious surroundings of The Grand Hotel Brighton.
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Don’t just take our word for it, here is what some of our members have to say
Let me tell you that the Platinum Club “ is no ordinary networking club. For anyone who is tired of run-of-the-mill networking events I would suggest you try the Platinum Club. John Healy – Healy’s LLP
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The Platinum Club is all that networking should be, but so “ rarely is. Newcomers need never feel nervous as the evenings are hosted in impeccable style and all are made welcome with effortless introductions to useful new contacts. If you attend only one networking event, make sure it’s the Platinum Club! Sophia Lee-Spencer, CEO, Callisto Associates
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The platinum club has proved an excellent forum to network “ with good calibre business contacts, many of which have led to both opportunities and friendships. It’s always an enjoyable and high quality event. This is down to the rigour with which it is managed, run and hosted. It’s one of the highlights of my Amanda Menahem - Hastings Direct business calendar!
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We have recently become members of The Platinum Club “ where we have met great people and even gained new clients already. I would highly recommend The Platinum Club if you are looking to meet new businesses, in a relaxed and friendly environment. Becky Sharp – Harvey John Recruitment
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I would recommend the Platinum Club “ as a fantastic way to meet new contacts in a relaxed evening of networking with a great location! Good spread of Companies and make you feel at home! Tony Rice – Coulsdon Audi
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The Platinum Club is undoubtedly one “ of the most prestigious networking groups I have attended. The meetings are vibrant and positive and we leave the events with a spring in our step, pleased we made the commitment to attend. Denise Buchan – Classic Consulting
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Platinum events are always so well “ organised and attended by the right people.” Keith Jackman – Mercedes-Benz
Call: 07966 244046 • e-mail: info@theplatinumclubbrighton.co.uk • web: www.theplatinumclubbrighton.co.uk
EXPORT week
KELLY HOPPEN MBE CAMPAIGNS FOR BRITISH EXPORTS Kelly Hoppen MBE backed the recent British Export Week with a list of Top Tips on ‘Exporting a Business Abroad’. As a proud ambassador of the GREAT Campaign and whilst working closely with UKTI over the years, Kelly not only promotes Quintessentially British brands abroad but is also an extremely successful exporter herself
RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH Contact UKTI and use the expert international trade advisors (ITAs) to help you research your target markets and potential customers. PLAN Have a business plan and the necessary capital. Talk to your bank and UK Export Finance (UKEF), the government’s export finance provider, well in advance. If pitching to an investor, they will care more about how you are going to a.) get to revenue, b.) scale it over the first year, and c.) retain those customers. Plan your responses in advance. MEETING WITH INVESTORS When preparing to pitch to an investor, it’s important to know your pitch inside and out, and have multiple lengths stored in your brain. This doesn’t mean learning it by rote, but practice the content and deliver it confidently. Include your learnings in your investor pitch. Investors like to see the market research you’ve done. Wherever possible, include positive testimonies from real customers.
KNOW THE CURRENCY Understand the currencies you will need to deal with. Talk with your foreign exchange provider early, as they can give you insights into the potential currency risks. SEEK OUT SUPPORT AND ADVICE There are several organisations that are dedicated to supporting overseas trade, such as UKTI, UKEF and Chambers of Commerce, as well as specialists in banks, law and accountancy firms. Their support will be crucial. Seek support from your peers too. Deliver your pitch to a friend and ask them to pose the tricky questions to you so that you are fully prepared. APPRECIATE CULTURAL DIFFERENCES Failure to take account of different cultures can lead to damaging and costly mistakes. This could range from causing offence by not observing correct protocol to inappropriate packaging and marketing.
START SMALL It’s tempting to pursue multiple markets. Don’t. Begin by focusing on one or two markets. TEST Take part in overseas events, trade fairs or missions to test markets, attract customers, appoint agents or distributors and make sales. UK Trade and Investment’s (UKTI) Trade Access Programme provides grants to companies to attend trade shows and missions worldwide. GET PAID It is easy to overlook the risk of non-payment. Establish the credit rating of potential clients and guard against non-payment through letters of credit or credit insurance. UKEF can provide advice and insurance where the private market cannot help. BE PATIENT It will not happen as quickly as you anticipate. Local customs and legislation can slow things down.
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BUSINESS lunch
THE TALBOT, CUCKFIELD City Editor, Maarten Hoffmann lunches at The Talbot
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have to admit to never having visited Cuckfield. But having been once, I will be going again, if for nothing else than this most remarkable tree. As you round the corner in South Street and enter the High Street, you are faced with the most magnificent tree that affords a canopy across the entire road and is a sight to behold. I have absolutely no idea what type of tree it is, but go and visit and you will not be disappointed – and if you know what it is, please write in and tell me. Leaving the tree behind, I then encountered the very pretty Talbot Public House & Restaurant on the right. As I am currently reviewing a stunning £100,000 Jaguar F-Type for the motoring column next month, the thought of parking in these narrow streets was a tad daunting, and then, hooray, a place
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right outside the restaurant. The day is going well so far. Pretty is how I would describe The Talbot, with a lovely courtyard for al fresco dining, but as it was just above freezing, I had absolutely no intention of sitting there and was duly shown to my inside table by the very attentive and chatty staff. I like the décor – simple, stylish and calming – and most importantly, the tables are set well apart to enable couples to have a private tete-a- tete. I do get tired of being shoe-horned into tables that are literally inches from their neighbour. My guests arrived and we perused the lunch menu which is compact but with just the right amount of choice. I chose potato & leek soup with toasted chestnuts (£5.75), Lynne selected twice baked brighton soufflé with caramelised
walnuts and spiced mulled pears (£6.50) and Dan chose terrine of confit chicken and ham hock with celeriac coleslaw, lentil and sherry vinegar (£6.50). Now a soufflé is a risk for any restaurant, as when it’s good, it’s heaven on a plate, but when it’s bad it is absolutely awful and sets a bad tone for the rest of the meal. We waited with trepidation. I was also interested to see how they had combined confit chicken in the ham hock. The charming and attentive waitress, Julianne, approached and set it down: you could have cut the tension with a knife. Lynne cut into it and I could wait no longer, I leant forward and ate it right off her fork. I know, etiquette says one does not do such vulgar things, but hey, I was anxious. It was light, fluffy and just the right texture, and the spiced
BUSINESS lunch
The Talbot Public House & Restaurant, High Street, Cuckfield. 01444 455898 www.thetalbotcuckfield.co.uk
Pears on the side was an inspired touch. Phew – anxiety over, we could relax. Dan then remarked that his hock was fabulous but kept raving about the coleslaw. Odd boy, Dan, as let’s face it, we can all make coleslaw, but as he forcefully stuffed a forkful into my mouth I realised he was spot on – what was that taste? A call to the waitress was in order and we requested the recipe from the kitchen and awaited its arrival. Main course beckoned and I ordered slowbraised shoulder of lamb with rosemary dumplings and wilted greens (£13.75), Lynne decided upon goats cheese, spinach & roasted red onion tart with baby spinach, sautéed new potatoes, toasted almonds and white wine sauce (£13.75) whilst Dan, who was still banging on about the coleslaw, ordered turkey with cranberry and pancetta stuffing with roast duck fat potatoes and bread sauce (£13.75).
“As he forcefully stuffed a forkful into my mouth I realised he was spot on; what was that taste?” The turkey was superb, the tart was excellent, but I have to say that, on this occasion, my lamb was just a tad dry. rather than a shoulder as you might expect, it was actually pulled lamb shaped into a little tower, and although the presentation was beautiful, it was just a little dry in the middle. It didn’t stop me devouring the entire dish though as the flavours were spot on, and bravo for the concept. Although I didn’t try the goats cheese tart, as i believe goats cheese to be the Devil’s brew, Lynne hoovered up the entire dish in no time at all, and it’s presentation was superb. Three very happy campers.
Then as always, just when you think you couldn’t squeeze in another morsel, the dessert menu arrives. No, no l always say, take it away… Oh, what’s that l spy, sticky toffee pudding? No-one in their right mind can refuse a sticky toffee pudding (£6.50) – and that goes for Dan, who snapped it up before l could even open my mouth, so l plumped for Plum & orange marshmallow topped with poppy seed popcorn & blackcurrant sorbet (£6.50). I was really not sure if I could to eat it but I most certainly wanted to see what this concoction looked like. It was like art on a plate. Beautifully arranged with the lightest marshmallow triangle quivering on the plate with little balls of popcorn, and a wonderful dollop of blackcurrant sorbet. As previously mentioned, I couldn’t eat another thing but, during our non-stop conversation found that I had devoured the entire dish – absolutely gorgeous. Whilst Dan was animatedly chatting to Julianne, I swiped a forkful of his sticky toffee and, my oh my, wonderful is not the word. Rich, moist and with thick clotted cream slowly running like a river of joy down its northern flank. By this time, I had trouble moving, breathing or even reaching for my phone to call my doctor about ordering another batch of statins, but we were all happy, sated and determined to return to this little slice of heaven we had found nestled in a pretty village with the stunning tree. Did I mention the tree? The final thing we received was the recipe for the coleslaw – celeriac, whole grain mustard, mayonnaise, salt & pepper and
parsley. Of course, any self-respecting chef would never give you all the ingredients, and Dan worked out it must have been pickled and therefore the flavours were greatly magnified. Dan was last seen surreptitiously concealing the recipe in his pocket. As I write this several days later, I am still trying to fit my now greatly increased girth into the tiny Jaguar and Dan is shortly to be arrested for causing a public disturbance with his hysterical cackling laughter that echoes around the village as he views my attempts. The Talbot is a great find, and in the summer, the Courtyard is packed to bursting and we would highly recommend it. And go see the tree.
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SUBSTANCE AND STYLE? I have always thought that French cars present something of a conundrum. Over the years, they have produced some visually beautiful specimens but never quite managed the reputation for solid, reliable motor cars with a decent resale value
TECHNICAL STUFF: Engine: 2.0 litre diesel hybrid. 36 BHP electric Performance: 0-60mph 8.3 seconds. Top speed: 131 mph Economy: 74.3 mpg Price: from ÂŁ28,100
CITROEN DS5 HYBRID motoring
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ake the stunning Citroën SM, built in collaboration with Maserati, a forever classic, or the original, funky DS that started production in 1955. And who can forget the quirky 2CV? A company that started building cars in 1919 obviously knows a thing or two, and this was proven when they became the first company to develop self-levelling suspension, the first car with disc brakes, and the first with swivelling headlights so that the driver could see around corners – a trick that has been copied today by just about every manufacturer, although it’s an extra bulb rather than a swivel. Citroen was also the first to produce cars that were stunning to look at, with revolutionary interiors that can now justifiably be called works of art. The DS logo has been back with us since 2009, and now we have the DS3, DS4 and the one in my driveway, the DS5 Hybrid. The old cliché style over substance is long gone with the DS5 combining the two.
when required. This transition is not as smooth as I’d like, but crawling along in traffic is silent, relaxing and totally free as not a drop of fuel is being used – and you’re charging the battery. It makes you feel quite smug! The ride gives you a high-seated SUV view, but by cleverly lifting the console and wrapping the dash, it feels like a standard car. The 3-part split glass roof brings great light into the cabin and while we are in the cabin, the seats! Beautiful, sculpted seats, with criss-cross watch-strap leather that just beg to be sat in. I am a sucker for gorgeous seats, and bravo Citroen. It drives very nicely, with zero lag and instant torque from the electric motor, and even when the engine kicks in, it is certainly less obtrusive than the Toyota hybrids, and at 8.3 seconds to 60 mph, it’s no slouch either. I would choose the entry level with the 17-inch wheels as the 19-inch offer a less serene ride, but it drives very nicely on the motorway with all the gizmos
“First thing you notice is that they have lost none of their design flair, as this is a very, very good-looking car” First thing you notice is that they have lost none of their design flair, as this is a very, very good-looking car. From every angle, it’s pleasing and has a symmetry and style not seen in many mass produced cars. Opening the door, however, is a tad disconcerting. I drive hundreds of cars a year; therefore, getting in and away is instinctive. Not anymore. It truly looks space-age and had me sitting in the driveway for 15 minutes before l had a grasp on everything and drove away. In a hybrid, the dash layout is always that little more complicated, with lights glowing, screens for everything and, to be frank, information overload. It’s all beautifully sculptured and a very nice place to be, but as with all hybrids, you get the feeling that the designers are showing off. The information is fascinating and the development leap is stunning, but do we need to know everything it wants to tell us? I found myself continually checking the dash at the array of ever-changing information, rather than looking through the windscreen. That apart, it is a good drive, and with the engine also running a generator that charges an electric motor at the back of the car, you effectively get four-wheel drive. The car switches from engine to battery whenever it is optimum to do so, and under light acceleration the electric motor works alone and in total silence, with the diesel kicking in
required, and the only oddity is a small glass screen that rises up eerily out of the dash to act as a head-up display screen. Now, l am a great fan of HUD, the most superb of which l found on the BMW M6 last year, but at £107.000 it should be good, l hear you say. But with Citroen cleverly fitting this, why not fit it with a longer screen, and run all the relevant info to it – it is so much safer to change focus to the bottom of the windscreen than it is to view dials. Other nices touches are the aeroplane-style switches in the roof and the ergonomic design of the gear stick - and did l mention the heated, electric, memory, soft leather seats? Rear legroom is sufficient, but the boot is smaller than l would like due to batteries and motor. However the back seats fold flat, so loading is pretty good. But it does have the smallest rear window wiper that l have ever seen and a spoiler that cuts right across the rear windscreen. The DS5 is a great-looking, smooth and well-equipped car, and with the low emissions, temptingly low mpg and reduced company car tax, you would be extremely foolish not to consider this car, and as much as l admire German cars, this does possess a certain panache and avant-garde styling that Bavaria often does not.
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ANGER management
ANGER MANAGEMENT By Maarten Hoffmann
The Great Environmental Con
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think we all share doubts over the environmental claims that we are subjected to on an almost daily basis in the press – a mixture of fear stories, impending calamity and weeping sorrow for the Polar bears. But what’s the truth? Are we being led up the garden path by bureaucrats who either stand to benefit from the scaremongering or speak from ignorance? Lets’ take a subject that l have been banging on about for years: diesel engines, sold to us as the clean fuel, the fuel that will give you a gazillion miles to the gallon, a fuel that will surely save the Polar bears and pull humanity back from the brink. Well we now know this to be total tosh that was stuffed down our throats lock, stock and barrel as the world raced towards a world of diesel cars. More than half the cars sold each year in the UK run on diesel compared with only 7.4% just nine years ago. The dramatic rise has been explicitly encouraged because they emit slightly less carbon dioxide than their petrol-driven counterparts. And big environmental groups
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that used to campaign noisily against them have remained largely silent, possibly because of their overwhelming, if understandable, concern with climate change. This is a serious matter. Tiny particulates, one of the two most serious pollutants emitted from car exhausts, are officially calculated to kill 29,000 people a year, over 10 times as many as die in car accidents, a toll only exceeded by smoking. And the Government’s Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollution has also suggested that they may play a part in 200,000 more deaths. No one has yet worked out a similar fatality figure for the other big danger from exhausts, nitrogen dioxide, but it is strongly linked with asthma, and a major 25city study has suggested that living near main urban roads could account for up to 30 per cent of all new cases of the disease in children. Much the worst problem is in London, shamefully the European capital city most polluted by nitrogen dioxide. Vehicles are responsible for half of this pollutant, and 80
per cent of the particulates, in London air. And of these – according to a ground breaking report by Policy Exchange, the Prime Minister’s favourite think tank, last year – no less than 91 per cent of the particulates and 95 per cent of the nitrogen dioxide come from diesel exhausts. Last year the World Health Organisation officially designated diesel fumes as a cause of cancer alongside asbestos and plutonium. And the most deadly particulates are largely made of black carbon, which is emerging as one of the most important causes of global warming. So the saving in carbon dioxide emissions is almost certainly outweighed. Instead of combating climate change, the dash to diesel is likely to be making it worse. Much of the problem is down to EU emission standards, which have long allowed diesel engines to emit much more nitrogen dioxide than petrol versions. In the United States, where equal limits are applied, the diesel expansion has not taken place: just 0.6 per cent of cars burn the fuel. Worse, though the standards have been tightened so that they look good under laboratory conditions, they have had little effect on real driving: King’s College London scientists say actual emissions from diesel engines have remained much the same since the turn of the millennium, while those from petrol ones have tumbled by 96 per cent. If that were not bad enough, official incentives designed to fight climate change have focused only on carbon dioxide. The most carbon-friendly cars pay no vehicle excise duty (compared with £475 a year for the worst ones), are exempted from London’s congestion charge and may get discounts on parking permits. Such measures have done much to fuel the diesel boom and so increase pollution. The campaign group Clean Air in London says that nitrogen dioxide emissions are more than twice what they would have been if we had retained
ANGER management
the same mix of cars as in 2000. When our UK and European politicians make statements of such magnitude, should we not be entitled to fully expect them to have researched the subject to such a degree, that we can blindly trust what they decree? Yes, we should and no, we can’t. This nonsense has been going on for years whilst certain parts of the industry line their pockets. A diesel car costs on average 10% more to buy new than its petrol equivalent and the fuel costs more to purchase at the pump, yet there is absolutely no concrete evidence that you will gain more miles to the gallon to offset this increase. In fact, a driver who covers 20,000 miles per annum would take over three years to recover the extra costs and will now be made a pariah for an honest attempt to save the planet. As the average new car is sold on within three years, the financial advantage is a big fat zero. Edmund King, the president of the AA, said: “Some drivers will feel betrayed and misled because they were encouraged to go for the dash for diesel. “In the 1990s there was a near hysteria about carbon dioxide, yet nobody looked at the bigger picture. Drivers thought they were doing the right thing, but now they are being told that it has serious health implications. They are being made to feel guilty for something that they were encouraged to do. “There is no doubt that other cities, encouraged by EU legislation, will look to introduce similar restrictions on diesel cars. I think it’s highly likely that the Treasury might slap extra penalties on diesel vehicles.” In 2001, Gordon Brown, then chancellor, overhauled vehicle excise duty so that cars that emitted a higher level of carbon dioxide faced a higher level of vehicle excise duty. Labour introduced the new regime despite official warnings that diesel vehicles emit “10 times the fine particles and up to twice the nitrogen
dioxide”. It beggars belief that they totally ignored the advice and now they are all out of office, sitting pretty on their fat state indexlinked pensions, immune to any consequences or repercussions. Frank Kelly, the chairman of the Department of Health’s Committee On Air Pollution, said the public were still being misled about the benefits of diesel cars. He said: “I have full sympathy with the public who have not been provided balanced information on this issue. Even today, if you
“Last year the World Health Organisation officially designated diesel fumes as a cause of cancer alongside asbestos and plutonium” go to buy a new car you are provided with lots of information about its CO2 emissions and nothing in respect to the pollutants it emits. The whole scenario is a very good example of why government policy needs to founded on best science available – not just one aspect, as it was in this case.” Prof Stephen Glaister, the director of the RAC Foundation, said: “Buying a car is one of the biggest purchases people make. Drivers do not
want to go to the garage one morning only to find what was previously worth a lot of money has plummeted in value overnight because politicians have suddenly moved the goalposts. People with the oldest, dirtiest diesels will feel the financial squeeze most. They face paying more to use their cars and getting less for them when they try to sell.” This race to convert the country to diesel engines was started out of total ignorance and a sheer refusal to listen to any opinion other than their own entrenched, short-sighted viewpoint, and now there are 11 million people driving diesel cars who not only have to face the fact that they have made a serious mistake but now stand to be heavily penalised for their decision. Duty is due to be increased on diesel cars and even Boris Johnson is about to remove the lowcarbon diesel emission exemption from the congestion charge. The result: the resale value of your diesel car is about to plummet as no one will want to buy it, and yet again the British public will suffer from the farcical and ignorant decisions made by headline grabbing political pygmies. Oh, and thousands of children will contract asthma and people will die from the pollution that this debacle has created. Not so bad if they had made a genuine mistake, but the last Labour government was fully informed of the problems and chose, no doubt out of political expediency and much needed headlines, to totally ignore the advice David Cameron made a promise upon his election that he would reduce net immigration. He has failed dismally, but now there is a ray of hope. Kill enough of us each through diesel pollution and the numbers might work. No doubt our revered politicians see it as a form of population control.
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BUSINESS profile
AQUAPONIC LIFE CIC THE FUTURE OF FOOD A
remarkable group called Aquaponic Life, founded by Neil Whichelow and Emerald Poole, is diligently working away in East Sussex in an attempt to feed the world. A bold claim indeed, but one that stands up to scrutiny, with a unique system of keeping fish, that aids the growth of plants and vegetables with no fertilizers, which then feeds clean water back to the fish. The fish multiply and therefore ensure a steady supply of food, and the nitrates they produce can grow a lettuce in just four weeks! Food miles zero; harmful pesticides zero; cost virtually zero. One might think that this is incredibly complicated, but it is so simple as to defy logic that the third world is not covered with such industry. The biological filter in the fish tank is made up of beneficial bacteria that convert the ammonia into nitrates. By pumping this nutrient rich water into a grow bed full of plants, the plants absorb the nitrates as plant food, which travels directly to their roots. In doing this, they clean the water, which is then returned back to the fish. This means water is constantly recycled and the only water lost is through transpiration or evaporation.
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This reduces water consumption by up to 98% when compared to traditional soil based farming techniques. The water lost can be topped up with rainwater harvesting. It is worth mentioning at this point that no harmful fertilisers or pesticides can be added to an aquaponics system as it would kill the fish. Aquaponics is nature embraced. By allowing these ecosystems to develop, aquaponics lets us grow crops in a more natural way, with microbial activity in effect driving these systems and making the crops even healthier. But the benefits don’t stop there. As nutrients are delivered direct to the plant roots along with oxygen and microbial activity, there is a substantial gain in plant growth. In a mature aquaponics system a lettuce will grow in just four weeks. In fact, most produce will grow at two to three times the rate of soil based farming, and there is absolutely no possibility that humans will continue to consume vast amounts of harmful pesticides. With this rate of growth and the ability to grow vertically, another opportunity arises in the form of Urban farming. This allows us to grow fresh food in City centres, thus enabling it to be grown, sold and consumed within the
community, reducing food miles to almost zero. This and the lack of soil make it the most flexible form of agriculture in terms of location and potential proximity to markets. Tilapia are by far the most common fish used in aquaponics and aquaculture in general because of its hardy nature, rapid growth rate and flesh texture. There are many other suitable species such as catfish, trout, cod, Perch, Koi and others. In a well-run system, there should be a harvest of at least 20-40kg of fish per year from each cubic meter of water, with Tilapia reaching 500 grams and therefore harvestable in under a year. If that is not enough, they are now developing a dehumidifier to recycle water in the atmosphere which will control humidity and at the same time generate heat to be dispersed either through the atmosphere or into the fish tanks. On hot days, which in the third world tends to be almost every day, the excess heat can be converted to electricity. It is no coincidence that the countries facing immediate water and land shortages, and the ones feeling the effects of population increase, have been the first to adopt Aquaponics.
BUSINESS profile
The current Western food system is a logistical triumph, connecting billions of urban customers with millions of farmers they have never met, allowing most of the people to take food for granted and to be blissfully unaware of seasons, droughts, floods, pestilence and plague. The system is also ruthlessly focused on profit, not on feeding people well or preserving the planet for future generations. And the cost of consumer convenience in the West includes developing countries enduring hunger and the developed world an epidemic of obesity. Our global food system is also driving biodiversity loss, soil degradation and climate change, partly because these impacts are seen as ‘externalities’ which are not reflected in the cost of food or in any corporation’s balance sheet. Climate change is in turn making food production less predictable and increases the pressure on available soil and water. As with the majority of developing industry, it is the next generation that we need to push into understanding the technology and the urgent need for it. For those of us with kids who already keep fish as pets, it’s a tremendous way to
teach them a little more about where food comes from, whilst reducing the amount of time spent nagging at them to clean out the tank! Schools benefit from it in the same way because it illustrates many lessons, not just in biology, chemistry, physics, maths, nature, sustainability and animal care, but it can also supply their lunch!
“One might think that this is incredibly complicated, but it is so simple as to defy logic that the third world is not covered with such industry”
As well as teaching how to construct home based systems, Aquaponic Life are designing a research and training facility for Plumpton Agricultural College, where they will be testing it alongside hydroponics. At the Edible Garden Show at Alexandra Palace, Aquaponics has been deemed “the food production technique of the future” All their profits will be used to build living food banks for communities in need as well as the further research and development of aquaponics as a sustainable form of farming in the UK climate. They need help – volunteers, donations and business development investment to fully realize this incredibly sustainable food source being developed right here is Sussex. A line I never thought l would write is that maybe Sussex can feed the world! For more information, please visit: www.aquaponiclife.org
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EDUCATION
THE APPRENTICE YOU’RE HIRED By Maxine Green, Northbrook College
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pprenticeships are for those people who didn’t do very well at school; not good enough for University, right? Absolutely not! Lord Sugar, the face of the Government Apprenticeship campaign, said ‘People who do apprenticeships become ambitious; they’re ‘doers’, the kind of people who will make things happen. These are the qualities I look for in people’. In countries such as Germany, apprenticeships are held in high regard and many ambitious young people are scooped up and offered job opportunities abroad. This is particularly true in relation to engineering. Significant feedback from employers gathered by Northbrook College, the largest provider of apprenticeship training in West Sussex, highlighted seven key benefits of employing a young apprentice as part of their recruitment strategy: Apprentices bring fresh ideas: they look at things in a different way and ask ‘how about doing it this way?’ They turn things around and come up with new solutions. They have energy and enthusiasm: apprentices are interested in their work and most want to move onto the next level. They support business initiatives: employing an apprentice enables you to shape your staff to fit your business; apprentices are adaptable and can help the team to embrace new concepts. Apprentices are keen to learn: they are eager to get involved with the business; they want to achieve their qualifications and many want to progress and craft a career. Technology Savvy: if you are struggling to get to grips with social media and feel your business may be missing a trick in relation to tweeting and blogging, a young apprentice can lead the way in support of your marketing initiatives. 92 PORTFOLIO
Support new staff dynamics: young people have a certain energy and enthusiasm which is infectious and encourages the whole team to be more open to learning new skills. Great value for money: the majority of apprentices are loyal to their employers; they feel valued and supported as they gain new skills and good work experience. Apprentices are productive, bringing new energy and ideas into the business; they are a great business investment.
“People who do apprenticeships become ambitious; they’re ‘doers’, the kind of people who will make things happen” These key benefits were relevant to all types of business, whether small start-ups or large organisations, across the full spectrum of qualifications available. Steve Owen, Managing Partner, Graves Son and Pilcher, explains his experience: Taking on an apprentice was a costeffective way of recruiting assistance at a junior level, whilst providing a young person with the opportunity of entering and learning a business which would enhance their CV for the future – always assuming they were not recruited to stay on a long term basis. Indeed, we have now renewed the contract for our apprentice, paying the minimum wage.
Our training provider, Northbrook College, assisted with the initial documentation to formalise the Apprenticeship Programme, which was a fairly easy process and included a Health and Safety check of our building. Northbrook College provided the formal training for the Business Administration Apprenticeship, on a day release scheme (8 days in all), during the first 2 months of the Apprenticeship. Thereafter, occasional planned supervisory visits to our offices took place to interview the apprentice and monitor their progress. Our apprentice, Josh, has undertaken tasks which have filled a number of gaps, enhancing the job satisfaction for other members of the team and has also strengthened the business. Quite often with the minimum wage requirements, it is too big a step to take on an inexperienced person in order to spend a great deal of time, energy and money getting them trained. The Apprenticeship scheme is the perfect way of securing labour on a cost effective basis that suits the employer and provides a wonderful platform for a young person to obtain a solid initial grounding in the business world, thus enhancing their CV for their future employment prospects. We are now in the process of taking on our next apprentice. There has been much talk in the media about Apprenticeships, including how many job opportunities the Government is generating. However, the fact is that the jobs are created by local businesses, which may be eligible for a Government grant to help meet the costs of taking on a new member of staff. Due to the high success rates Northbrook College has achieved in relation to Apprenticeships, significant funding has been secured which could help you to grow your business too. www.northbrook.ac.uk/apprenticeships
CAREER LADDER This month we speak to Ryan Heal about his career journey
Ryan Heal is Chief Executive at Rockinghorse Children’s Charity WHERE DO YOU WORK? I am CEO of Rockinghorse Children’s Charity. I have been in this post two and a half years. My background is commercial media, including publishing and, more recently, radio. My move into the charity sector came about through wanting to do more for an incredible local cause, Rockinghorse, to which I had personal connections, and a strong motivation to support.
WHAT QUALIFICATIONS / TRAINING DID YOU TAKE AND WHERE? The post-graduate sales training programme at Reed Elsevier gave me a great platform, and many of the traditional commercial sales techniques are transferable cross-sector, and I still find myself using them to this day. Apart from this, it has always been on-the-job training and management courses.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FIRST JOB? My first-ever job was helping out in the family leisure business on Brighton seafront in the 1980s. My first paid job was a bar job at Butlins at the Ocean Hotel Saltdean. I always felt I would have made a better Red Coat than a barman!
WHAT MAKES UP A TYPICAL DAY FOR YOU? There is definitely no such thing as a “typical day!” As CEO I share my time across all areas of the charity, from meetings at the children’s hospital to board meetings with our trustees – as well as attending a number of fundraising events, managing the team and handling dayto-day operations of the charity.
DID YOU TAKE A TRADITIONAL ROUTE INTO YOUR CAREER? Having left University debt-ridden, I needed a decent job to help pay the bills and the rent. I really wanted to be a teacher, but I had my head turned by the idea of commissions and bonuses so applied for a commercial sales role for Reed Elsevier – at the time the largest publishing house in Europe. Fortunately, the interview went well and the commission rolled in! That was 1997 and heralded the start of the commercial media chapter of my career, which spanned 15 years, until joining Rockinghorse from Juice FM in 2012.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR JOB? The two most enjoyable elements are working with a fantastic team at Rockinghorse, and the impact we can have on children’s and parents’ lives, when we are able to make them feel better through the work we do.
HAS SOCIAL MEDIA HAD AN IMPACT ON YOUR PROFESSION AT ALL? We are very lucky to have all of our social media handled internally. It has enabled us to control our fundraising messaging and promote events with immediate effect. Social media enables us to remain “front of mind” to our supporters and potential new donors. WHAT OTHER CAREER WOULD YOU HAVE CONSIDERED? I would have loved to teach. Maybe one day... WHAT DID YOU ALWAYS WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP? Captain of Manchester United... I’m convinced there’s still time! Rockinghorse Children’s Charity 01273 330044 www.rockinghorse.org.uk
HOW IMPORTANT IS NETWORKING FOR YOU? Good networking is very important to me. The trick is to find the decent networking events and leave the rest behind, otherwise you can spend a disproportionate amount of time away from the core business.
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GOLF overseas
PLAY IN DUBAI Jumeirah Golf Estates launch Redwood – a collection of individually designed homes set in a breathtaking landscape and enclosed within a secure gated community
J
umeirah Golf Estates, home to the DP World Tour Championship, the final tournament of The European Tour’s Race to Dubai, has announced the launch of ‘Redwood’ - a new collection of premium townhouses (Redwood Park) and villas (Redwood Avenue). The luxury properties are currently being marketed by golf real estate company, Fine & Country Golf. With 75 three- and four-bedroom townhouses, and 42 five- and six-bedroom villas, Redwood is the latest addition to Jumeirah Golf Estates’ portfolio of luxury properties. Located in the heart of the community, homeowners will benefit from a range of world-class amenities as well as access to two championship golf courses, Fire & Earth, and the new world-class clubhouse, which opened in November 2014. Yousuf Kazim, General Manager of Jumeirah Golf Estates, said: “Jumeirah Golf Estates is already a thriving community of families and international visitors, and the announcement of Redwood cements Jumeirah Golf Estates’ status as the region’s leading residential golf community.” “Driven by renewed buyer sentiment and with the world’s focus firmly on Jumeirah Golf Estates as host of the DP World Tour Championship, Dubai for the sixth year running, we expect strong demand for Redwood
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Avenue and Redwood Park amongst local and international buyers.” Designed with end-users in mind and following Jumeirah Golf Estates’ reputation for delivering superior quality, the growing range of world-class facilities on offer at Jumeirah Golf Estates makes it a truly appealing residential destination,”.
“Jumeirah Golf Estates is already a thriving community of families and international visitors” Redwood Park provides a first-time residential opportunity at Jumeirah Golf Estates – luxury three- and four-bedroom townhouses overlooking the 11th and 12th holes of the Fire Course, complete with shared amenities of
swimming pools, children’s play areas and BBQ facilities. Redwood Avenue offers eleven exclusive villas which are available to purchase with high-spec add-ons including state-of-theart audio visual systems and custom Italian kitchens, while the remaining basic-finish villas offer buyers the opportunity of a blank canvas to fit-out to their personal preference. Jumeirah Golf Estates is located between Green Community and Dubai Sports City, off the Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road. The residential communities that make up Jumeirah Golf Estates include Redwood, Whispering Pines, Flame Tree Ridge, Juniper Way, Wildflower, Orange Lake, Sienna Lakes, Sienna Views, Valencia Grove, Sanctuary Falls, Olive Point, Lime Tree Valley and The Sundials. For more sales information, please contact sales@jumeirahgolfestates.com or 04 8182000 or contact Fine & Country Golf on Email: golf@fineandcountry.com Tel: 020 7030 3590.
GOLF
GolfGuy’s Winter of Discontent Launching our new page of golf tips… This month: Winter wedge playFat or thin? GolfGuy writes: In a grudging nod to the relentless gnawing of the tooth of time, I recently invested in a full set of new irons with graphite shafts and replaced my driver and three-wood with one of this year’s new offerings. New clubs do not, however, a new golfer make, so I invested in a block of lessons as well. This combined strategy had already started to show its bite in the form of extra yards off the tee and fairway, necessitating in my having to club down by at least one club in most situations. Standing on
the first tee of one of my favorite Sussex layouts on a glorious Indian Summer Sunday in midOctober, my heart understandably soared like an eagle in anticipation. My drive found the fairway on this longish par four, and I was salivating at the prospect of reaching the green in two with a smooth five iron. I struck the ball decently enough, but it only travelled about 100 yards and left me with a sheepish grin and a Mars bar of muddy turf stuck to my club. I had more fatted or thinned
wedge shots during the round, whether from bunkers or off the turf. My wedge game is usually fairly reliable, but the heavy, wintry conditions on this clay-based course cost me a lot of shots, which will be forgotten, I’m sure, when I see the bill from my dentist for repairing my ground down molars. Can anyone, however, repair my pride and the trepidation I will now feel every time I stand over my ball with a wedge in hand on a heavy winter course? Any advice will be very welcome. GolfGuy
through’ and come out of the bunker naturally without being forced. Follow through is key! If the shot is not a full shot, it is crucial to understand the length of swing you are trying to make. To work out your distances you must understand that the length of swing determines the length of stroke, and although you can ‘speed up’ or ‘slow down’ you cannot control ‘miles per hour’. This will enable you to feel your distances by length of the swing you make; Stand in an open field and make 10 swings with the same club and the same length. For example, use your pitching wedge and a swing that feels to you like 9 o’clock to 3 o’clock. After making these shots you should see that the ball is landing around the same area. Now you have a distance to work with.
On the golf course the key is to envisage the end position of the clock face on the follow through. In summary: • Correct club selection; • Ball position in the middle with not too much shaft lean; • Concentrate on getting to the finish position of your intended swing for execution. From now until the end of March I am offering the following to help your short game. • A one hour consultation on your swing, technically, and points to address; • A one hour lesson working on controlling your distances and expectations; • A one hour lesson on bunker play and putting. Usually £147. Offer: Quote Portfolio publications and get this package for £100.
The Golf Pro replies: This is a very common occurrence, whether with new clubs or old. The change of season brings a different train of thought when it shouldn’t. Many players hit into the back of the ball hard as they are worried that the contact will be poor. This limits the follow through and produces a steep, descending blow into the back of the balla punch-type shot. It is also common for players to put the ball back in the stance and put the hands too far forwards (picture shown). This creates a ‘shaft lean’ which in turn will change the bounce of the club into a knife edge and make the follow through restricted. Using a club with bounce The bounce of the club is essential, especially in wintery conditions. A club must have bounce in soft, wet rough areas and heavily sanded bunkers. This will help the club head to ‘follow
With thanks to our golfing expert, Lee Andrews, PGA Golf Professional, Mid Sussex Golf Club www.midsussexgolfclub.co.uk
Too much shaft lean
Normal set up
Leading edge too sharp
Normal angle
bounce
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CELEBRITY interview
THE HOPPEN MONOPOLY
Interior design doyenne Kelly Hoppen MBE, specialises in the minimalist, chic, sleek and luxe
H
er business mother ship may be design, but Kelly Hoppen is a self-made brand unto herself, having already chosen her profession at age 15, and freely admitting that, at the time, she knew nothing about running a business. “I worked my way into interior design through pure, unadulterated passion,” she begins. “The notion of profit and loss, forecasting and everything else was not even a consideration. Of course, I knew it was a vital part of it, but it wasn’t the stimulating factor. And I think I’d implore that of everyone looking to set out and achieve something – it has to be based on passion, not profit.”
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CELEBRITY interview
Kelly’s first experience of the commercial realities of her craft came in the form of a Saturday job at fashion retailer, Monsoon, which lasted just three weeks. Following that came an impressively brief career selling belts at Harrods – totalling just one day. She’s a self-starter of a different ilk to those who have built their knowledge on the shop floor. And perhaps that’s not surprising given that her grandfather owned South African clothing monopoly Rex Trueform, while her father also worked in fashion. Having magnates in the family perhaps allowed the designer a head-start, although she has made that advantage pay. Even as a teenager, Hoppen drew upon friends of friends who wanted to add spice to their designer homes, and from there, expanded her impeccable eye for detail through on-the-job experience. “I think it’s all about having a belief and just running with it – that goes for interiors,
and business as well,” she asserts. As any Dragon’s Den viewer can attest, the Hoppen of today, trademark blond curls framing her face, is an unflappable businesswoman with impeccable, fashion sense. “You just need to have the confidence to fulfill your ideas and visions,” she adds with exemplary positivity. After 39 years in the game Hoppen is a teacher, a mentor, a mother and a multi-millionaire businesswoman. “I feel I came to those sorts of conclusions through teaching others,” she says. “I could see how my students were making mistakes, and that in itself crystallised the need to be clear and exacting in what I did.” Her days may involve client liaisons and multiple meetings in working with individuals and companies alike, but whether styling an oligarch’s front room or a fashion brand’s reception area, this is
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CELEBRITY interview
someone who thrives on clear-cut design. “I think simplicity and style are at the epicentre of modern design. Personally, I’ve always looked for calm, balanced environments based on Eastern cultures, because if you create a great space you’re still leaving the door open for someone to put their own imprint on it – be that personal items or even their own personality.” As well as enjoying world renown for her stylish architectural lines and deluxe design ethos, Kelly Hoppen is a champion of plantation shutters in the home, which is why she has created a range of delectable designer shutters for the successful local company Shutterly Fabulous. Available in a rich array of finishes, Kelly’s gorgeous range showcases her signature colour palette and sheer love of the louvre. While Hoppen has built a considerable fortune along with a globally recognised brand, she still regards her career successes with a healthy dose of pragmatism. “Most people are simple in the sense that they like stuff that makes them feel good and comfortable.
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That can be more difficult to achieve than you might imagine, but that’s all this job entails. It’s about doing the simple things well and not complicating something that should be straightforward.” And if Hoppen’s students want to emulate her look, the delicate dichotomy between dark and light would be a fair starting place. Calling cream “the most reassuring of colours,” for Hoppen, less is often more. “I sometimes see people going for complete redecoration when they should perhaps just choose a wall and concentrate on that – it’s easy.” For those still seeking a design master plan, Hoppen has penned a shelf full of books to choose from, avidly read by an intrepid DIY interiors fan-base. Give it another 40 years in business, and the Hoppen Empire will only have multiplied, even if, when it comes to interiors, such precision of philosophy will surely remain the same. See more of Kelly Hoppen’s designer shutter range at www.shutterlyfabulous.com.
Rest assured We’ve been matching tenants to the right properties for over 20 years
Call us to find out more on 01273 220077 or visit www.sparkandsons.com
Transform your room with beautifully crafted shutters by Kelly Hoppen
Clean lines, calming tones, quality, simplicity and elegance: these are the design ideals that have made Kelly Hoppen one of our most successful interior designers. Her exclusive collection of shutters, designed in collaboration with the UK’s favourite shutter installers, Shutterly Fabulous, offers a range of colours and styles to offer the perfect combination of function and style. Take a closer look at
shutterlyfabulous.com Or give us a call
0808 115 8470