Opinion – Page 394
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Comment
Most local builders are now shedding jobs as workload collapses
The latest survey of local builders by their trade body FMB paints a grim picture with workload, inquiries and employment plunging.This throws into question how focused the Government is on saving jobs in the construction industry.If saving jobs is top of the agenda it should think a lot more about ...
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Comment
Did monthly new orders really hit an all time record low in November 2008?
I have been seeing a lot of "worst ever" and "worst since at least" stories about the November new orders figures.I am conscious that so many statistics are being thrown around at the moment that it is confusing. And there is enough distress out there as it is.So I thought ...
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CommentMy digital life:Kai Midgl
What is your favourite website? Travelsupermarket.com because I like weekends away and I use it a lot for getting flights and deals on hotel rooms
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CommentDing dongs merrily on high
The season of goodwill to all men is well and truly over and it’s back to the usual name-calling, back-stabbing and top-level fist-fighting. A sigh of relief all round, then…
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CommentWonders & blunders
David Mann tells a tale of two shopping malls, one in the friendly North, the other in the grim South
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CommentFancy a brew?
Hugh Wilson and Lewis Womersley’s design for the Arndale was begun in 1972 and when it was completed in 1979 it was the largest covered town shopping centre in Europe, attracting 750,000 shoppers a week
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CommentDo I know you?
The £1.6bn, 150,000m2 Westfield Centre in west London was opened on 30 October 2008
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CommentYou’re part of the problem
“BSF Schools: Why is it so difficult?” was the web headline of an article in your 9 January issue.
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Comment
Hurrah for eco-towns!
It would be surprising if developments of the scale of new towns were not the subject of debate and controversy, but your article on eco-towns (19 December, page 19) fails to do justice to the scale of the ambition behind the programme.
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Comment
Payup time
We have recently completed the fit-out of the offices of Maidstone council’s “one-stop-shop”, and were genuinely pleased to have our invoice for the architectural work paid in just 15 days
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Comment
Why can’t we get along?
I know Tony Bingham likes being controversial, but in his article “Get a truck load of this” (12 December, page 48) he really has overdone it
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CommentBuilding buys a pint… for Gleeds and Cundall
The scene is an organic pub, which boasts that it is the first and only one to be certified by the UK Soil Association for its green credentials. Jerry and Oliver opt for militant Eco Warrior pale ale while Ian strives for a touch of spiritual refreshment with St Peter’s ...
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Comment
Worst six months for construction new orders since September 1995
The latest figures for new orders appear to have taken a turn for the even worse in November after already having fallen off a cliff in May last year.The 12 month rolling total of orders won in volume terms dropped rapidly in November to its lowest level for more than ...
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Comment
Experian cuts forecast for construction growth but predicts a boom in infrastructure
With the release of the heavily downgraded forecast from the Construction Products Association released this morning I was keen to see how the forecasters at Experian saw future workload in the industry this time around.The answer is that they are much more pessimistic about prospects this year than they were ...
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Comment
Forecast puts construction recession on par with 1990s - so expect 600,000 job losses
The rapid deterioration in confidence in the construction industry is amply illustrated by the latest prognostication of the Construction Products Association forecasters.The industry trade body has massively downgraded its expectations for construction output over the next six years, despite pepping up the figures for projected spending by the public sector. ...
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CommentBrace yourselves
2008 was horrible and all the indications are that 2009 will be even worse. Richard Steer tries to muster a little optimism for the year ahead
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Comment
Adjudicator's jurisdiction
The CaseEuro Construction Scaffolding (“Euro”) was engaged by SSLB Construction Limited (“SSLB”) to provide scaffolding in relation to a swimming pool. Euro had provided a written quotation for scaffolding in December 2007. The parties disagreed as to what occurred next: SLLB asserted that it called Euro to confirm that it ...
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Comment
Taylor Wimpey and the drug-crazed marsupials
The leaked email from Taylor Wimpey boss Pete Redfern to his staff caused quite a stir in the City before Christmas.The housebuilding boss talked up the chances of a refinancing deal by the end of February - a claim backed up by other sources in the know.But the email ...