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Wharf Life Mar 31-Apr 28, 2021 wharf-life.com
30
legal matters
by Kirsty Tufrey
Years since 30 South Colonnade was originally built
face the changing
of a landmark
As the world slowly opens up, Kirsty says firms need to consider the new UK immigration system
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t the beginning of January, a new immigration system launched in the UK, affecting the way businesses can recruit overseas nationals. Given the impact on travel due to Covid-19 and the downturn in the economy, many employers had put a hold on recruitment throughout the last 12 months. They are therefore yet to be exposed to the new requirements and processes they must follow. As the world begins to slowly open up and companies attempt to get back on their feet, this will be an important consideration for many. UK businesses that wish to recruit European nationals Avoiding the are now required to hold a sponsor licence potentially devastating and prospective EU £20,000 penalty for employees are subject to the same set of rules each illegally employed as individuals from any other country outside worker could be crucial of the UK. to the survival of a firm Under the new Kirsty Tufrey, Kidd Rapinet system, all new hires must also have a job offer for a skilled role. They also must be able to demonstrate the required level of English, unless they have permission to work under another visa category. Businesses accustomed to hiring workers from outside of Europe will find the system to be similar to the old Tier Two route, but will note more flexibility for employing skilled workers. Since December last year, the skill threshold is now lower with roles such as au-pairs, PAs and retail, bar and hotel managers being eligible for sponsorship. While the new system introduces plenty of opportunity to rely on the overseas labour market, in these difficult times, avoiding the potentially devastating £20,000 penalty for each illegally employed worker could be crucial to the survival of a firm.
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Kirsty Tufrey is an immigration solicitor at Kidd Rapinet Solicitors, based at Harbour Exchange on the Isle Of Dogs. She’s available on 020 7205 4191 Scan this code to find out how Kidd Rapinet can help businesses with sponsor licences or assist with managing them
how YY London is more than just an update for a building that’s hosted the majority of Wharf workers in its bars by Jon Massey
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he steel, glass and stone of Canary Wharf’s buildings exude a sense of permanence. But, all around, the estate is in a constant state of change. New towers are built and old, familiar structures are being given new leases of life, as developers reconfigure and refresh existing properties. Since 1991, 30 South Colonnade has stood on the estate. Occupied by Reuters from 2005 until last year, its orange news ticker greeted countless Wharfers emerging from the Tube station’s main exit and turning to the right. A majority (probably) will have popped into the All Bar One or Slug And Lettuce for a drink at some point – Wharf institutions as much for their location as the quality of their service ut the scaffolding is up and the building’s 30-year-old cladding is coming down – a prelude to work that will see the block transformed. Developer Quadrant and its partner Oaktree Capital Management have embarked upon the creation of YY London – a complete redesign of 30 South Colonnade set to provide 408,000sq ft of o ce space t’s named for the shapes thrown by the building’s new facade sat down with Quadrant partner Julian Neave to find out more driving force “The goal was very much to design a building that was striking and beautiful, but also that changed the ground oor e perience locally, said Julian. “We will be activating the space at the lower plaza level, but also at the South Colonnade level where the main entrance used to be. “The new front door will be on
the Tube station level – opening out into a triple-height reception area, linked to South Colonnade via a beautiful internal staircase. t will be active, lively and welcoming to members of the public. The lower level will have a coffee bar-restaurant, a rind-style operation there’s an talian deli that’s already interested in the space previously occupied by the Slug And Lettuce. “There will be a separate juice bar and, in the old All Bar One unit, we already have interest from restaurant groups that are known across the capital. We want to make these easily accessible to both the tenants in the building and the public workplace provision “The South Colonnade level will house the more professional reception area and will provide great access to Crossrail coming from the other side of the Wharf, said Julian. bove that we have the o ce oors each with a balcony overlooking West ndia iddle Dock Level 11 has a huge wraparound balcony and Level 14 is a 7,000sq ft roof terrace. Due to the building’s location we have views over Jubilee Park and across the dock – green space and water – and that’s rare in central London. “The terrace on top of the building has been designed with
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The goal was very much to design a building that was striking and beautiful, but also that changed the ground floor experience locally Julian Neave, Quadrant
