| news BRITISH COUNCIL FOR OFFICES REPORT
ambitious cycling growth targets, according to new research published by the British Council for Offices today. In April, the Department for Transport
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stated an aim to double the number of cycling stages, defined as a change in the form of transport as part of a longer “trip” (e.g. cycling to the train station before catching a train to work), from 0.8 billion stages in 2013 to 1.6 billion in 2025. However, cycling facilities offered by
many workplaces are currently falling short of accommodating that increase, with 16% of office workers surveyed for the research claiming that inadequate facilities are discouraging them from considering commuting by bike.
K businesses must offer better facilities for cyclists in light of the government’s
popularity, ostensibly the most pressing issue for businesses will be finding the space for bikes, lockers and storage. However, our research shows that the focus needs to be on the quality of the facilities offered, not just the quantity. Alongside safe storage and showers,
there is a clear demand for towels, hairdryers and complimentary toiletries. This kind of service provision may not just encourage existing employees to cycle to work, it could also act as a market differentiator for prospective employees, and even have a positive impact on lettability.” Richard Kauntze, Chief Executive of the
British Council for Offices, added: “One of the key findings of the research is that, compared to five years ago, cycling provision is increasingly becoming accepted as an integral component of Grade A office specification. As cycling continues to grow in
popularity, workplaces now need to provide facilities which can cope with rising demand, and technology is likely to play a significant role in addressing this. Rather than permanently allocating parking spaces and lockers to individuals, mobile apps could enable cyclists to flexibly reserve them only when needed. UK businesses must also ensure that
The research, commissioned by the
British Council for Offices and carried out by Remit Consulting, finds that whilst 83% of workplaces in the UK offer some form of bike storage, less than half (47%) of this is covered and secure. Improved parking facilities could help increase numbers of those cycling to work, with 16% of office workers surveyed saying that better bike storage would encourage them to do so. Many workplaces are also failing to
provide other basic facilities for cyclists. According to the research, just under half (45%) of offices do not have showers, something which almost a quarter (24%) of those workers surveyed said would encourage them to consider commuting by bike.
Overall, almost two fifths (38%) of
office workers surveyed said that they would consider commuting to work by bike if their workplace had better or more facilities, demonstrating a clear need for UK businesses to cater to cyclists. Commenting on the report’s findings,
Neil Webster, Director, Remit Consulting, says: “As cycling continues to rise in
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their service provision for cyclists meets the evolving expectations of today’s worker. In the same way that reception spaces in a number of office buildings are beginning to resemble concierge desks, showering and changing facilities are taking inspiration from high-end gyms. To encourage more employees to cycle to work, this level of attention to detail will be as important as the providing the basics.” The report also finds that:
• Over a third of those (35%) surveyed had taken up cycling to work in the past two years, with 31% having done so between two and five years ago
• Of those surveyed that do cycle to work, 71% do so for health, 62% for enjoyment and 51% because it is a cheaper form of transport. 20% do so because cycling to work offers “thinking time”
• Just 16% cycle to work every working day, while 23% do so once a week
• Commuting by bike was found to be much more popular among men, with over double the number of men cycling to work compared to women
• As well as insufficient facilities, reasons given by respondents who currently do not cycle to work include dangerous roads (35%), poor cycling routes (21%) and length of commute (40%)
• 29% of people would be encouraged to cycle if there were safer routes
• One in 10 workplaces offer no cycling provision at all
GLENNY EXPANDS WITH TWO NEW APPOINTMENTS
the appointments of Alan Jones as Head of Facilities Management for the General Portfolio and Eleanor Austin as Residential Property Manager. Alan joins Glenny as a dedicated and
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technically-skilled Head of Facilities Management for the General Portfolio with expertise in managing commercial buildings. Having previously worked at GVA, Helix Property Advisers and Savills as a Facilities Manager, Alan has extensive experience liaising with residential and commercial tenants, managing compliance regulations, creating and implementing new process and undertaking regular property inspections. Beginning her career at Strutt &
Parker in 2015, Eleanor progressed through the company to become a Residential Property Manager, responsible for managing a property portfolio of 260 properties, negotiating lettings and drafting tenancy agreements, as well as carrying out annual inspections and rent reviews.
SUPPORTS STATION REDEVELOPMENTS
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eal estate developer, Solum, has secured £59m of funding from
NatWest to transform Walthamstow and Twickenham train stations by building new mixed-use developments. The train station developer – a joint
venture between Network Rail and Kier Property – will develop 79 private apartments above an improved station car park in Walthamstow, with the aim of creating much needed housing on a previously underused site. Walthamstow is in its second phase of
a larger development carried out by Solum. Phase One provided 69 new homes, of which 50% were affordable. In Twickenham, the funding is being
used to build 115 new homes, new retail space, car parking, electric car charging points, and over 450 cycle spaces. The new station will feature lifts to the platforms, a significantly larger ticket office and new pedestrian links. Solum’s comprehensive redevelopment
of Epsom station was also funded by NatWest and has helped attract national retail brands to the area.
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2017 NATWEST
lenny LLP has expanded its Asset & Property Management division with
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