#accommodation Lancaster UK

[houseofbrat]

“King Charles is not a housing association for distant relatives”

https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/king-charles-plan-slimmed-down-monarchy-frogmore-cottage-harry-meghan-b1069700.html

And so it begins…the changes to course correct a bloated operation. Ready for the KC3 haters who were calling him weak the other day to start calling him cruel 🍿

The news came as the King’s visit to France was delayed after extensive rioting on Thursday night. Senior figures have told the Standard that after the period of transition following the coronation, the King, assisted by Queen Camilla, will move to tackle inefficiencies in what is being viewed as a largely overstaffed and outdated system.

Vice-Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt, Master of the Household, and the Keeper of the Privy Purse Sir Michael Stevens, responsible for finance, will execute the shake-up of what is described as a “top-heavy royal household”. Camilla has been overseeing the fine detail of the King’s plan to ensure that after the coronation the royal household will be run the “Clarence House way”.

One senior figure said: “It is not about cuts, it is about getting the best value for money from those on the payroll. Sometimes less is more.”

Another source added: “The King is not some sort of housing association for distant relatives.” Harry and Meghan were given use of Frogmore Cottage, a five-bedroom mansion on the Windsor estate in 2018, by the late Queen.

[...]

However, the couple’s loss of the cottage, their only British home, is said to be just the “tip of the iceberg”.

It is understood Charles is keen to reduce the number of royals with a financial dependence on the crown, especially if they do not have an active role to play. He wants funds from the Duchy of Lancaster, the portfolio of land, property and assets held in trust for the King, and the sovereign grant that covers the cost of royal travel on official engagements, to be spent more effectively. He also wants to pay his staff competitive salaries and pensions so that he gets the best people for the jobs.

“There will be staff cutbacks. That has already started. The buzz phrase is ‘value for money,’” said the source.

Several members of the extended royal family have enjoyed subsidised palace accommodation, with some having apartments that are being used by their children as “London pads”.

The source said: “Over time, that is going to change. Properties will be let at commercial rates going forward and to people outside the family. Where it is in a palace environment they will of course be security vetted.”

Privately, the King’s senior staff have made it clear to members of the extended family that if they cannot afford where they are living, they should “cut their cloth”. “A lot of practices that have evolved during the last reign will be changing. The King is not heartless or reckless, but if the family members are not part of the core family and not working for the crown, it is fair for them to house themselves and fund themselves,” a senior figure said.

[...]

One insider said: “The staffing has been on the top-heavy side. That has built up over time, with advisers to advisers and so on. That’s all going to stop. The boss wants effective people in effective positions doing effective jobs being paid appropriately.” The senior source added: “Much of what was in place doesn’t make economic sense and will be changed during the new reign.”

Yup. This is about what I expected.

People forget that Charles turned the Duchy of Cornwall into the behemoth it is now. It was struggling and in debt when he took it over from his mother.

[grantgoddard]

Around the British Rail network in eight hundred minutes : 1976 : Durham University challenge

 “Which bus goes to the University, please?” I asked. The man replied helpfully, but I could not understand a word he had said. He spoke English, though not an English I had heard before. I was confused by all the bus stops, having just exited Lancaster railway station. At which one did I need to wait? There was no bus map. There were no obvious students to ask. I had never been north of Luton until then. I had never watched ‘Coronation Street’. I was a southerner who barely understood a word that was being said to me there, hundreds of miles from home.

I had left the house that morning at the crack of dawn to make a day trip to check out Lancaster University. It was one of five universities I had selected on my UCCA form, all of which had offered me a place, conditional upon A-level results, without requesting an interview. However, if I was going to spend three years far away from home, I wanted to go see each one to help me choose. I had never visited a university before. Aside from my teachers, I had never met anyone who had attended university. That year, I hoped to be one of the 6% of school leavers who would go on to university, a proportion that had multiplied from 2% the year I had been born.

My state school had provided no useful advice how to choose a university or course. Our designated ‘careers counsellor’ was actually a moonlighting English teacher who would merely direct us to a row of dogeared university prospectuses on his office shelf. Some were out-of-date, many were missing. We were offered no ‘careers’ seminars. Surrey County Council had compelled each sixth-former to complete a multiple-choice questionnaire and then informed us for which career we were supposedly suited. Further studies were never suggested. You were on your own when it came to an academic future.

I understood that my choice of university could be a life-changing decision, one that required me to review the maximum amount of available information. If neither my family nor my school could provide useful advice, I would research all the options myself. I wrote a letter to every UK university outside London (where I realised accommodation was unaffordable), requesting their current prospectus and details of their economics courses. I chose that subject simply because it had provided my best academic results at school. I had known for a decade that I desired a career in ‘radio’, though university courses in media or broadcasting did not exist. If I had known then that Britain’s first ‘media studies’ degree had been launched at the Polytechnic of Central London (later renamed the University of Westminster) in 1975, I might have rethought my plans.

Seven years earlier, at my council estate junior school, I had been one of three children out of my class of thirty (10%) to have passed the ’11-Plus’ examination, necessary to progress to ‘grammar school’. However, at that time, around 20% of UK pupils attended these ‘selective’ secondary schools, the difference attributable to the substantial numbers of privately educated children who were crammed intensively at fee-paying ‘preparatory schools’ to pass the exam and who then dominated grammar schools’ intakes. From my ‘year’ of sixty students at Strode’s School, only around ten of us progressed to university, an indication that the ’11-Plus’ was less a successful method of identifying Britain’s brightest children, and more a route for middle-class parents to secure their offsprings an elitist secondary education paid for by the state. Has this situation since improved? In 2008, the Sutton Trust reported that grammar schools were enrolling “…half as many academically able children from disadvantaged backgrounds as they could do”.

I was fortunate that Surrey County Council would pay my train fares for visits to five universities, whether an interview was required or not. I had to determine when each institution offered ‘open days’, book my place, arrange train tickets and inform the school of my impending absence. It required considerable organisation, particularly as these visits necessitated train connections in London. These were days when I would not return home until almost midnight and would have to go to school the following day. I had never travelled so many miles on public transport or seen so much of England from a train window.

I must have been the only student at my school to own a copy at home of almost every UK university’s current prospectus. My request for economics course information proved less successful. Many sent me nothing, the remainder provided a single sheet outlining a course that merely encompassed all aspects of the subject. I read absolutely everything I was sent and concluded that every university claimed to be absolutely perfect and their courses the best. I had merely filled my bedroom bookshelf with marketing propaganda. Instead, I decided to select four universities that already operated student radio stations as this was my long-term career objective … plus Durham.

Although Durham University had no radio station, I learned it was apparently thought of highly. If I were rejected by Cambridge, I considered it might be a reputational substitute. Due to the 300-mile distance, my trip to Durham required an overnight stay in Collingwood College which was offered free to those attending ‘open days’. After a long train journey followed by an uphill walk, I was given an undergraduate bedroom within the college and met several other visitors who were there for the same reason. We took the university’s guided tours together the next day and ate as a group in the college’s dining room, offering us a first taste of undergraduate life.

The following morning, we packed our bags and met together for the thirty-minute walk to Durham railway station on the opposite side of town to catch our trains back to ‘the south’. However, we found the platforms deserted and, eventually locating a member of staff, we were told that a strike had started that morning and there were no trains departing in any direction. Returning to the college with our tails between our legs, we explained our problem and it kindly offered to extend its hospitality until we could depart. Each of us changed our banknotes into piles of ten-pence coins and queued at the college’s one public phone in the basement to contact our parents and schools to explain that we did not yet know when we could return. A quick visit had unexpectedly transformed into something longer.

I took the opportunity to wander around Durham’s compact town centre and explore more places, particularly the ‘Musicore’ record shop. The university library and the cathedral were both impressive, as was the brutalist concrete student union building ‘Dunelm House’ and adjoining ‘Kingsgate Bridge’ constructed by architect Ove Arup in 1963. The other universities I had visited were campus-based, requiring a bus journey to the nearest town. I quite liked Durham’s integration into the city and the ability to walk from one end to the other without need of transport.

The next morning, before breakfast in the college dining room, I phoned Durham railway station, to be informed that no trains would be running for the second consecutive day. This was the only method to obtain information in those days. I met the others and we phoned our families with our disappointing update. We spent most of that day sat together in the Junior Common Room chatting, sharing our university visit experiences and our hopes for the future. For me, it was particularly interesting to meet young people for the first time who shared my situation.

I made another call to the railway station the next morning, anticipating more bad news, but was told a single train was expected that day. It would be heading north, the opposite direction to what we required. I asked if there was any alternative route to London and it was explained that, although the east coast route was still on strike, we could try travelling via the west coast on the opposite side of the country. When was this one train expected? In an hour, I was told. Action stations!

I located my fellow visitors and, without taking breakfast, we all signed out of college and rushed off to the station. There was no information available there about the time of the train, on which platform it would arrive or where it would be heading. While we waited, we examined a British Rail route map in the ticket office which showed a cross-country route from east to west coast that started in Newcastle, the next major stop north of Durham. We were the only people awaiting a train and did wonder whether we had been sent on a wild goose chase, only to have to return to the college for yet another night.

Then the day’s promised one train appeared and pulled into the station. Unsurprisingly, it was almost empty. Who would have known it would be running in the midst of a crippling strike? We boarded and waved farewell to Durham, not knowing if any of us would ever return. Within a quarter-hour, we alighted in Newcastle. It was the first of many times that day that we were required to explain to confused railway staff that, although our tickets to London were dated days earlier, the unanticipated strike had forced us to take the only train available … in the opposite direction.

Next, to cross England to the west coast, we discovered we had to take a less regular, slower train that would depart in an hour. The wait gave us an opportunity to walk out of Newcastle railway station, buy some breakfast and wander around the city. Compared to Durham, it appeared a huge, busy scruffy city centre with huge Victorian stores and old-fashioned shopping arcades. Even the clothes people wore seemed dated and dowdy, particularly seeing many men wearing flat caps. It was an industrial city where time seemed to have stood still fifty years earlier.

Our ninety-minute journey in a local train from Newcastle to Carlisle took us across the bleak terrain of the North Pennine hills, stopping only at tiny towns with strange, unfamiliar names like Prudhoe, Corbridge, Hexham and Haltwhistle. Once again, we were required to explain to the train’s on-board ticket inspector why we were travelling in the wrong direction with out-of-date tickets. He knew about the strike and laughed heartily at our story, wishing us well on our journey home. It began to feel like a kind of ‘expedition’ where, at every step, it proved necessary to explain why our little group of seventeen-year-olds were taking a route no sane person would choose to follow.

The train terminated at Carlisle, a two-thousand-year-old city on the border between England and Scotland, fifty-five miles west and north of Durham. It was midday by now and, from there, we could now take a west coast 'Intercity' train southbound. We did not venture outside the station as this would have entailed having to explain our tickets once more and we feared not being allowed entry back into the station. This region was unaffected by the strike and trains seemed thankfully to be running as scheduled.

Our four-hour journey to London was comfortable until a ticket inspector arrived. We explained our story but he seemed unaware of the rail strike on the east coast and disbelieved our narrative. Initially, he demanded we pay for new tickets. We refused because we each held a valid, paid-for British Rail ticket that we had been prevented from using by the strike. The argument continued and he demanded we write down our names and addresses in order that the police could be contacted so that we would be fined for travelling without valid tickets. He was a ridiculous ‘jobsworthy’ who showed no sympathy for our plight. His attitude ruined the longest, most gruelling part of that day’s journey.

Reaching London’s Euston station, our small group split up to head different directions home. It was a sad parting of ways as we had no idea if we would ever see each other again or even which university each of us might attend (no social media or mobile phones then!). The last few days had required us to bond in the face of adversity, forcing us to make a round-Britain trip we had never imagined. It would be quite a story to tell our classmates.

I crossed London by Tube, caught a train from Waterloo station to Camberley and then a bus, reaching home more than twelve hours after having left Collingwood College in Durham. My school might not have been happy about my extended absence but, later that year, those awaydays would play a major role in my decision to study in Durham. I felt as if I was already sufficiently familiar with the college and the town as a result of that elongated visit. I imagined that my fellow Durham students would be similar to those with whom I had travelled the length and breadth of England.

Did I receive correspondence from British Rail or the police as a result of the unfriendly ticket inspector we had encountered? Thankfully, no. Did I ever see my newfound friends again? Sadly, no.

[workpermitz]

Breakdown Of Living Cost In The UK While Working Under Work Permit

The United Kingdom is one of the most popular destinations on the globe. Professionals from all over the world are drawn here by the robust economy and abundance of employment prospects. 

You may be aware of the cost involved in the UK visa application. However, other than that, there are also some other expenses that you need to consider before moving to the UK. 

Due to factors like high housing costs and wage rates, the cost of living in the UK is relatively higher than other countries. 

Keep reading this article to get a detailed analysis of the cost of living in the UK. 

What Is the Cost of Transportation in the UK?

The majority of public transit in the UK is controlled by private businesses, with little to no influence from the government. As a result, it is quite expensive. You can get a regular monthly pass for £ 65 whereas a one-way ticket for local transport can cost you £ 2.5. Buses and trains are owned by private companies; hence they are slightly pricey. A monthly bus pass can cost you £ 160. 

What Is the Cost of Accommodation in the UK?

Depending on where you live and the kind of housing you have, the average rent in the UK will vary. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is £758 (about $1000 USD) in the city and £614 (around $810 USD) outside of it. 

If your energy bills are covered by the rent, the amount can be higher. Nevertheless, if you opt to share your apartment, the cost of living and utilities will be reduced by 50%.

What Is the Cost of Food and Groceries in the UK?

You can effectively control your expenses if you avoid eating at expensive restaurants. Instead, cook your own meals. You can get basic food items in the UK for a minimal cost. 

For instance, one bread packet will cost you £ 0.97 whereas you can get rice and vegetables for £ 2. 11. Additionally, you can buy dairy products like milk and cheese for £ 0.92 and £ 5.57. Lastly, chicken and eggs will cost you somewhere around £ 7.37. 

What Is the Cost of Entertainment and Recreation in the UK?

Living in the UK also involves entertainment and other recreational activities. It is beneficial to engage in some leisure activities to expand your social network, tour the nation, and discover the culture and people in greater depth. 

Here's a list of different recreational activities and their costs - 

Movies - £ 9 - £ 15

Amusement parks - £ 40

Fast food - £ 6 

Sports - £ 10 - £ 20 

Concerts - £ 40 - £ 50 

Clubs and pubs - £ 10 - £ 40

Coffee shops - £ 3 -  £ 4

West End theatres - more than £ 25 

Which Are Some of The Affordable Cities To Live In The UK?

Some of the affordable cities to live in the UK are Durham, Lancaster, Liverpool, Manchester, Sterling, Belfast, Norwich, Nottingham, Cardiff, Coventry, Lincoln, and Warwick. 

What Are Some Of The Ways In Which One Can Minimize The Cost Of Living In The UK?

Living in the UK can burn a hole in your pocket. However, here are some ways in which you can save some money and live comfortably in the UK. Let us learn more about these ways in detail. 

Live In an Affordable Place

The most important factor affecting the cost of living in the UK is the place where you live. Here you can find places with higher to lower costs of living. To save money, you can opt to stay in a relatively cheaper place. Some of the pocket-friendly places to live in the UK are Sterling, Lincoln, Liverpool, Warwick, Manchester, Lancaster, etc. 

Cut Down the Transit Expenses

Transportation in the UK is expensive since it is governed by the private sector. However, you can reduce your travel expenses by using a travel card. A commuter oyster card is also available. However, the best strategy is to compare the prices online and choose the best alternative for you. 

Eat Home-Cooked Meals  

This can save a lot of your money as the restaurants in the UK are quite expensive and cost you somewhere around £ 40 - £ 50. 

What Are the Other Miscellaneous Costs Involved? 

The other miscellaneous costs include food, television, internet, mobile plans, taxes, and other services. In the UK, it is mandatory for you to possess a TV license to watch TV even on your computers or tablets. For colour television, you will be charged approximately £ 158 annually and £ 53 for black and white TVs. 

You may also need to get a local phone number while you are staying in the UK. Using mobile phone services can cost you somewhere around £ 15 to £ 50 per month. The housekeeping charges are £ 160 - £ 200 per month, and bills including gas, electricity, and water will cost you £ 40 - £ 50 per month. 

What Is the Cost of Visa Renewal in the UK?

Now that you are staying in the UK as an immigrant, you need to renew your visa after a given interval of time. You are required to renew your UK visa after every 2.5 years. The cost for the UK visa renewal is £ 2593. 

If you wish to extend your UK work visa, you may be charged £ 719 per person for a 3 years extension and £ 1,423 per person for more than 3 years. 

The cost of living in the UK lies in a slightly higher price range. However, with effective planning of your expenses, you can comfortably live in the UK as an immigrant. However, as an immigrant, apart from expenses during your stay, you also need to take care of uk visa renewal costs. These costs may vary depending upon whether you have a skilled worker visa or any type of visa. 

[lancastergate]

London’s Magnificent 7: The Best Graveyards In The City

Despite sharing a name with a very popular group of gunslingers, the Magnificent 7 in the city of London means something very different. A taphophile is the term given to someone who likes to explore graves, cemeteries or tombs, and there is no judgement here. Exploring cemeteries is a great way to explore a lost culture, and learn about the inhabitants of previous generations when visiting an area. 

Whatsmore, London’s cemeteries have some pretty amazing graves and some pretty amazing inhabitants. So make the most of the best London accommodation Lancaster UK has on offer, and explore the city’s past from the Park Grand London Lancaster Gate. The public transport links are incredible, so visiting the Magnificent 7 is a very easy thing to do! Let’s find out what makes these cemeteries special!

Abney Park Cemetery

The first cemetery in the UK to house an arboretum, it was partially abandoned for a period of time- ironically making it even more incredible. Nature started to reclaim the area, meaning it still has an eerie feel even for a graveyard. Incredible architecture and a wild urban feel give this place a unique vibe. 

Brompton Cemetery

One of Britain’s oldest garden cemeteries, Brompton is actually one of the few that is still open for interment. Containing 35,000 graves spanning several centuries as well as several Grade II listed buildings, this is a special piece of London’s history. 

Highgate Cemetery

Highgate is perhaps the most well known of the 7- not least because of the people buried there. The cemetery is actually a nature reserve and it shows. The trees and plants are allowed to grow, ivy covers the headstones and nature is in control. There are roughly 50,000 graves including the likes of famed author Douglas Adams and novelist Geroge Eliot.  

Kensal Green Cemetery & Catacombs

Built to honour a cemetery in Paris, Kensal Green is a gorgeous piece of architecture before anything else. The home of 2 neoclassical chapels, 65,000 graves, 3 catacombs and several mausoleums. The final resting place of Isambard Kingdom Brunel, Oscar Wilde’s mother and the man who crossed Niagara Falls on a tightrope. 

Nunhead Cemetery

One of the smallest cemeteries on the list, but also one of the prettiest. Nearly 2,000 gravestones once filled the area, although now some parts are so overgrown you could easily miss them. Offering views of St Paul’s through the trees, it’s a great place to explore! 

Tower Hamlets Cemetery

Despite its relatively small size this cemetery is actually the final resting place of over 250,000 people. Situated in one of the poorest areas in London public graves were the only option for lots of people. The overgrown nature of this cemetery gives off a spooky vibe.

West Norwood Catacombs

West Norwood was the world’s first Gothic style cemetery. It used to contain chapels, but these were badly damaged in the war. The catacombs survived and the braver explorers among you can still descend and see the piles of coffins. Home to many famous names, this is really worth a visit.   

If you’re staying in the best Hotels In Lancaster England you are well situated to see the city. So ensure that you make full use of your Hotels Near Lancaster Gate Station London, and explore the city’s past. These cemeteries will scare and enchant you in equal measure, so get out there and explore!  

[qualitystudentaccommodation]

Best Student Rooms at Gillows Lancaster

Finding Affordable and Fully Furnished Student Accommodation in Lancaster is now been easy with Gillows Lancaster which provides premium student housing with exciting offers.

Address: Plot No. A 14, Eco Towers, Sector 125, Noida 201301 Phone: +91 8287902210 Website:https://www.universityliving.com/

[ahz-associates]

Why You Should Choose UK Universities to Study Abroad

Discover Why UK Universities

The application process for UK universities is easy. You only need to provide your GPA, IELTS score, and references; a GRE score is not necessary. In the UK, undergraduate degrees can be earned in three years for bachelor's degrees and master's degrees in one year (postgraduate).

Universities in the UK charge less for tuition than those in the US. Almost every university offers a variety of scholarships for international students. You'll be happy to learn that you can choose the UK for your studies and that UK degrees are respected all around the world. No reason to worry should exist. University academic standards in the UK are well regarded. The UK's higher education system is famous for its excellence.

One more point to be considered when applying to UK universities is the style of teaching. The TEF—Teaching Excellence Framework assessment is being introduced by the government to measure the quality of teaching in the UK at higher education institutions. The criteria against which a TEF rating would be given are quality of teaching, learning environment, student outcomes, and learning gain.

UK quality assurance ensures that the standards prescribed by the government of the UK are taken into account. So you can be sure to get the best resources and learn why you chose the UK for your studies. This leaves you ready for the global workplace.

Pursuing higher education is a significant and serious matter. It requires extensive study, financial investment, and years of blood, sweat, and tears spent studying, especially when studying far from home. Nevertheless, one cannot discuss higher education without mentioning the merits of UK education.

More than a hundred different universities can be found in the United Kingdom, which consists of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern. Among them are some of the best and most prestigious academic institutions in the entire world.

Why choose to study in London

London is a diverse city with students from around 200 countries studying there each academic year.

There are more than 45 universities in London offering world-class teaching. London boasts of some of the best universities.

The choice of course for a student is many – there are more than 30,000 courses offered by universities in London such as engineering, marketing, zoology, medicine and business, to name a few.

London is also famous for its excellent academic record. Boost your career by studying at a world-class London institute which moulds your ability and creativity.

London is a great place to live and study. There are many cinema halls, parks, restaurants and bars to make living in London enjoyable and memorable!

If you want to work in the UK after your studies, apply for an extension of your visa. There are various options out there which depend on the employment you would want to take up.

When you’re going to university, you want to make sure that you get the best experience possible. After all, looking at university courses in the UK might seem like every institution is similar, but the biggest differences between the universities UK-wide can be found in the facilities.

Here are just a few reasons why you might be interested in campus universities that were constructed independently of their host cities.

Building a strong community

When the campus is split away from the rest of the city, as is the case with Lancaster University, you’re immediately immersed in the social aspects of university life. As you’ll be living in student accommodation, often in colleges or with people that you’ll share courses with, you’ll be surrounded by people that you’re about to share the same experiences with. Growing up through the first year of university with other people can really help you form a strong bond with them, which is a much easier way of making friends than being stuck in a city block, which is far less integrated into campus life.

No need to commute.

Being a student can be a tiring experience at points, whether that’s because of the hours spent studying, late nights completing assignments or the bustling social life that you’re likely to take up.

Thankfully, a campus university means that you’ll be able to spend this time at the library, or at a friend’s house, and not need to take a bus extremely late at night to get home. Instead, the self-contained nature of a campus university means that you can take a leisurely walk across the campus, often making it a safer and shorter journey home.

Access to the essentials

All campus universities have plenty of resources on-site, meaning that students could very reasonably get by without having to leave the campus if they wanted to. Thanks to on-site shops, gyms, and social facilities such as bars and lounges, campus universities make sure that you can get to everything you could possibly need in a very short time. If you need anything that isn’t on-campus, the vast majority of UK university campuses have excellent transport links, so you won’t ever find yourself going without.

Internship Option

There are summer internships where the students gain work experience hands-on. Some courses make it mandatory for students to work in the industry for a year. This is very important as employers want the graduates to be industry ready. This also gives the just-out-of-college graduates the required confidence to face the interviews.

Fantastic employment opportunities

An overseas student can often work up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and 10 hours during the summer. This enables students to work a part-time job or an internship, gain experience, and make money while they are still in school.

Your university might even assist you in obtaining an internship as a requirement for your program, which will undoubtedly provide you with a competitive advantage once you graduate.

Additionally, the UK government has announced a brand-new post-study visa that will enable international students who graduate in the summer of 2021 to remain and work in the country for an additional two years.

Prestigious universities

The world respects degrees earned from UK higher education institutions, and there is a wide range of courses you can choose from. A degree from any British university will look fantastic on a CV, and having a certificate from the UK will be a strong selling point when seeking work in the future, regardless of the industry and the location.

British higher education institutions are renowned worldwide for their innovative and demanding settings that encourage students to perform at their highest levels. They have highly regarded standards, and several academic professionals on staff, and consistently rank highly in international university rankings.

British multiculturalism

The UK is a diversified nation that is also quite well-liked by foreign students. In fact, the UK is the second most sought-after location worldwide for international students.

Because of this diversity, several cultures are present on our campuses. You get the opportunity to interact with people from all over the world and learn a great deal more than just what is required for your degree.

Therefore, the central question we will aim to answer is: why choose the UK for study for your undergraduate or postgraduate studies?

Reputation

Studying abroad is an immense undertaking that places an emotional, financial, and physical burden on not just the students, but the parents as well. Even if you reside in the UK, the cost of education is high.

This means that if you are willing to invest plenty, you should find the best possible product. The UK is known for having dozens of universities that are regarded for their research, reputation, and resplendence as well.

For instance, the University of Edinburgh is not just a magnificent institute; it is located in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. On the whole, UK education, particularly higher education institutes, has an impressive international reputation.

These universities integrate the best of local talent with some of the foremost minds travelling from all parts of the world. In the process of education, students are encouraged to develop a number of skills which they can utilize not just when they are studying but, in the future, as well.

Application

Another reason students should consider choosing the UK for their studies is that the process of finding their dream university is streamlined through a dedicated portal called UCAS. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Services is purpose-built to serve students who are seeking further studies.

If you are a prospective student who wants to pursue a bachelor’s or master’s degree, then you should check the UCAS website for more information in the first instance. Therefore, selecting the ideal university and your preferred course is made easier with the availability of UCAS. The portal is home to a comprehensive course search database that is comprised of nearly forty thousand courses ranging from business management to zoology and everything in between.

Language

Yet another reason to traverse the United Kingdom is the language. Make no mistake: employers the world over are seeking employees with an excellent command of the English language. In fact, in countries where English is not the native language, job advertisements regularly cite the need for potential employees to be fluent in English.

Moreover, UK education provides international students in particular with a platform to ameliorate their language skills. This happens naturally as they pursue their degree programs. This puts them in good stead to have more value in the global business arena. No matter where you end up, English is regarded highly.

Ultimately, if you truly want to get a university experience in the UK, a campus university is the best way to dive right in. Contact AHZ Associates for personal advice and guidance tailored to your interests. To learn more about admissions at top-ranking UK universities, reach out to AHZ Associates for help.

[anujkumarul123]

Affordable Student Accommodation near Lancaster University

Easy Booking of Luxury Student Accommodation near Lancaster University with universityliving.com at a reasonable price. University Living is a Leading Organisation for Student Accommodation in the UK. So Consult with our Experts at 24/7.

[ukdamo]

Today’s Flickr photo with the most hits: the Penny Alms Houses, Lancaster, UK.

William Penny (1646–1716) was a mayor and alderman whose bequest provided the funds to build and endow 12 small houses and a chapel for ‘poor indigent ancient men and women’. Up to two widows were accommodated if enough men could not be found. They received the house, an allowance, a suit of clothes and the services of a chaplain.

[longridgelocksmith]

Finding Locksmiths Services in Lancashire

The various cities that make up longridgelocksmiths, there are a lot of locksmiths. However, you could discover that bigger cities like Locksmith  and Lancaster have a wider selection of locksmiths than places like Bolton. You must make a decision on how you will select the best locksmith for you because there are a few locksmiths in every town.

First of all, you need to find a locksmith that has an area close to you in Lancashire. You won't have any desire to recruit a locksmith from Pushcart in-Furness if you live in Warrington or Liverpool. Indeed, even in assuming you live in a town that is more focal like Preston, you need to track down a Preston Locksmith Services UK. This is especially significant if you at any point have a lock crisis since you if do wind up with a lock crisis you need to realize that your locksmith is nearby and will be there rapidly to help you.

To decide this, you should pose every one of the progressions of inquiries. Ensure that you request each of the locksmith's similar inquiries so you make some more straightforward memories contrasting them with one another when it is the ideal opportunity for you to settle on your choice at long last.

The inquiries ought to incorporate things like costs, administrations, years that they have been functioning as a locksmith and who they can accommodate references. You need to get references and you need to circle back to them. On the off chance that a locksmith can't furnish you with basically two or three references then you ought to think about that your enormous warning. You need to have the option to check and perceive how others had an outlook on the work that they had done.

Evaluating is significant, yet it isn't all that matters. Assuming a locksmith has the most reduced costs, but doesn't appear to have any references or the references you got gave a tepid proposal then you ought to be suspicious of employing that locksmith. Moreover, you don't have to burn through lots of cash on your locks, however, if the most strongly suggested locksmith has the greatest costs, everything will work out just fine.

You ought to likewise approach about what they charge for crisis administrations and how you would reach out to them if would it be advisable for you want their assistance past ordinary working hours. You would rather not need them in that frame of mind of the evening and not know how you will be ready to reach out to them so they can come to help you.

[architectnews]

Lancaster Castle Building, Lancashire, England

Lancaster Castle Building, Lancashire, North West England Campus Design, Property

Lancaster Castle Building, Lancashire

1 May 2022

Lancaster Castle, Lancashire, North West England, UK

6 projects have been awarded RIBA North West Awards – including a reimagined library in Liverpool and the UK’s first stainless steel road bridge in Penrith.

Design: BDP Architects

photo © Nick Dagger

Lancaster Castle Building – Lancashire Property

Jury Report

This sophisticated regeneration of a range of buildings dating back to the 12th century provides a masterclass in sensitive restoration and re-use. Closed as a prison in 2012, the client’s brief was to regenerate the complex into “more of a castle, less of a prison”. The complex condition survey took one year and the architect worked closely with the client to manage phases and budgets, ensuring that a viable and controlled sequence of works could be pursued and neither client or architect “bit of more than they could chew”.

photo © Nick Dagger

The project re-opens the splendour of the complex of buildings to the general public whilst also facilitating the continued use of the court buildings. The balanced regard for existing structure yet considered and appropriate introduction of new insertions create an exceptional example of re-purposing. The material palette is limited and sophisticated with meticulous detailing.

Although the completed works are phase one of a wider vision, they have provided a re-invention of the castle from prison to community asset. Opened as lockdown eased, the outdoor space within the castle walls created an immediate health offering to the general public and new sense of place. Seven buildings around the new landscape have been brought back into use and include teaching facilities, museum exhibition spaces, contemporary coffee shop, artistic/retail space and offices. A stylish café interior. New works are minimalist in nature, subtle and elegant and enhance rather than detracting from the historic setting.

photo © Nick Dagger

Seven further buildings have been made water and weather tight to save them from further decay and the project’s sustainability credentials start with a high regard of embodied carbon, health and wellbeing. Constructive collaboration of heritage stakeholders, the local authority, Historic England and the wider community have been key to the project.

The success of this project is clear to see in the ongoing client/architect relationship and shared vision for future phases. The scheme to date, which creates an exemplary piece of placemaking whilst accommodating ongoing court service use, is more than deserving of an award, yet there is still so much potential in future phases and collaborations.

photo © Nick Dagger

Title: Lancaster Castle RIBA region: North West Architect practice: BDP Date of completion: Dec 2019 Date of occupation: Dec 2019 Client company name: Duchy of Lancaster

Project city/town: Lancaster Contract value: Confidential Gross internal area: 9,000.00 m² Net internal area: 8,000.00 m² Cost per m²: Confidential Contractor company name: Manchester & Cheshire Construction Company Limited

photo © Ian Steel

Consultants

Structural Engineers: Peter Brett Associates Environmental / M&E Engineers: Peter Brett Associates Landscape Architects: BDP Acoustic Engineers: BDP Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant: Appleyard & Trew

Awards

• RIBA Regional Award • Regional Conservation Award • Regional Award Short List

BDP

Castle building designs

2022 RIBA North West Awards Winners

2022 RIBA North West Awards Winners

Address: Lancaster, Lancashire, England, UK

Lancaster University Buildings

Lancaster University buildings on e-architect:

Lancaster University Management School Redevelopment image courtesy of architects Lancaster University Management School Building

Lancaster University Engineering Building Design: John McAslan + Partners, Architects image courtesy of architects Lancaster University Engineering Building

Lancaster University Engineering Building architectsn – John McAslan + Partners

Charles Carter Building photo : Hufton + Crow Charles Carter Building

Lancaster Institute of Contemporary Arts image from architects Lancaster Institute of Contemporary Arts

English Architecture

New Architecture in Lancashire

Lancashire Buildings – Selection:

Brockholes Wetland and Woodland Nature Reserve Visitor Facilities Design: Adam Khan Architects Lancashire Nature Reserve Building

Preston Office Building Competition Design: Moxon Architects Preston Office Building

Another building design by Scott Brownrigg architects on e-architect

Museum Of Military Medicine, Cardiff, Wales, UK Museum Of Military Medicine

Comments / photos for the Lancaster Castle Building, Lancashire design by BDP Architects page welcome

Website : LUMS | Lancaster University Management School

The post Lancaster Castle Building, Lancashire, England appeared first on e-architect.

[northernribhire]

How to go about if you need urgent, safe and reliable boat transportation services in the UK

Boats can travel almost anywhere on rivers, dams, lakes and the ocean, but not on the road and sometimes it is necessary for various reasons, to transport a boat. To transport something means to move it from one place to another and in cases where the load is too large or too heavy to be moved otherwise, truck transport is implemented.

Owning a boat, no matter how big or how small, is a huge investment for anyone, but since it is regarded as an expensive asset, you should do everything in your power to take good care of it, even when not on the water. So, when it becomes essential that you have to transport your boat, your choice of the transport company is crucial.

One of the safest ways to transport a boat by road is by truck and in countries like the UK you can expect to pay between around £ 100 and £ 260 for short-distance truck transport, and around £ 450 up to £ 750 for longer distance hauls, although rates may vary from one transport company to another.

If you are looking to have your vessel transported by road, there are a few things to consider, namely finding a suitable company to handle the transport on your behalf, and naturally the costs. Another aspect to carefully consider is to check the company's record of accomplishment. A privately owned Rib charter operator or marine services company that owns its own trucks and trailers, comes highly recommended in this regard.

Drivers of large trucks must have mechanical knowledge and be able to manoeuvre their vehicle very well on the road. It is also important that they complete their journey within a given time and deliver the boat they are transporting safely and intact. Transporting large vessels by road can also present numerous logistical challenges and there are also risks involved, which is why you must be thorough and certain of your choice when hiring a company to handle the transportation on your behalf.

It is also a good idea to consider in-transit insurance on your vessel so that you are not caught off guard if something goes wrong, and you are faced with large, unexpected expenses. As with any other engine-driven vehicle, mechanical maintenance on trucks is very important, as the idea is to keep the truck with its load, safely on the road at all times.

Before hiring a company to transport your vessel by truck, you should first determine the condition of the truck as well as its tires. Obviously, the truck driver must have the necessary license and he should be skilled and able to transport a boat by road.

Boat transportation services are rife in the UK but what you should opt for is reliability, affordability, and professionalism. Boat transportation vehicles should be specifically equipped to transport vessels securely, without causing any damage to the vessel during transit. It is best to first do proper research on road freight and to find out who is the best, or which company is the most recommended for boat transportation, according to others.

Some professional maritime services companies or privately owned Rib charters offer transportation by road across the UK, but always make sure you sign a written contract with the company or the carrier, and that you are fully covered against damage during the transport and delivery of your boat.

By using the internet, you can start by getting competitive quotes from different boat movers and find a suitable company that will meet all your requirements. Some trucks can accommodate up to 2.75-ton boats, so be sure you know the exact weight and other dimensions of your boat before you ask for a written quotation.

About Us

Northern Rib Hire is a fast-growing specialist marine services company based in the city of Lancaster in the North-West of England. Established in 2006, we have more than twelve years of experience in delivering high levels of customer services that are reliable, affordable, fast, and efficient. Our fleet is made up out of an assortment between Catamarans and Ribs Committed and capable to cater for all aspects of your marine needs. For more information, please visit http://northernribhire.co.uk

[castingdirect]

CONTRASTS: Schools and Uni's In The UK Dealing With 'Rape Culture' Yet Advise Students How To Do Sex Work

Desperate students sell sex to pay fees as lockdown kills off jobs in pubs and shops Many students like Sophie are left with no choice but to turn to the sex industry as they struggle for financial independence among the epidemic. Desperate students selling sex to make ends meet are behind a surge of pleas for help to the 'prostitutes' union.' The English Collective of Prostitutes said calls to its helpline from young people at University and college had risen by a third in 2021, and the campaigning group has seen a surge in the numbers selling sex since lockdowns sent student finances into freefall. Many sell explicit pictures of themselves on sites like OnlyFans as traditional bar and restaurant work dried up. Now, as many as eight students a day are calling for support and advice, and some Universities are even publishing guides on how to safely sell your body. Laura Watson is a spokeswoman for the group and said: 'We have seen a significant increase in students going into prostitution as tuition fees have increased. Some women in our group are working to pay of debts of over £30,000. Since the pandemic a lot of women have been getting in touch starting sex work too.' 'Jobs in shops and pubs, that students would traditionally have taken have been been available, especially during the pandemic. There just aren't a lot of options out there - and women have to find a way to survive.' The ECP, founded in 1975, campaigns for the decriminalisation of sex workers and improved rights and safety. Calls included inquiries from students who are new to sex work and want to know their rights - but some seek help after being hounded by clients. Ms Watson explained: 'During the first lockdown, there was a mass wave of women going online and OnlyFans was one of the big ones people went to.' 'We've been dealing with stalking and harassment cases specifically related to this where people say clients are persistently getting in touch with them.' 'Some women have had their content stolen and reposted somewhere else. Others say clients have somehow gotten their personal details and posted them in other forums.' Valued at over £725 million, OnlyFans has boomed in the pandemic. It was founded by Essex businessman Tim Stokely, and as of December, it had more than one million people posting private pictures, up from 120,000 in 2019. The increase in students opting to carry out sex work online has raised other safety concerns,' Ms Watson said. She explained: 'People are having to compromise anonymity to make the money they need. Those making money from sex work in person before the pandemic went on OnlyFans and realised you have to produce so much content to make money, and it's really hard to do that without including your face and voice in the videos.' 'Things people have never dreamt of being on a website are now creeping online because it's the way to make money.' A poll of 3,200 students in 2020 claimed 4% were selling sex to fund their courses, and one in ten said they would do it in a cash emergency. The ECP saw a 'significant increase' in the numbers turning to sex work after University costs skyrocketed under austerity measures introduced by the Conservative and Lib Dem Coalition Government a decade ago. Former Lib Dem Leader Nick Clegg built his 2010 election campaign around a promise to abolish the £,000-a-year tuition fees - only to treble them instead. Undergraduates can pay up to £9,250 per year and hundreds of thousands end up with massive debts, meanwhile, the average student rent was £547 a month in 2020, or £640 in London, according to Times Higher Education. The Workers of England Union is calling for reform to tackle student living costs. General Secretary Stephen Morris said: 'Universities shouldn't leave it to potentially unscrupulous landlords to require extortionate fees. Living costs need to be controlled because landlords are trying to get as much as they can out of it, which can increase debt for students.' The financial cost increase means students might either give up or go into certain lines they shouldn't be. It's appalling if students feel they have no choice but to turn to sex work. You wonder what other illegal avenues other will turn to.' Universities that have published guidance relating to sex workers have come under fire, with some critics accusing them of legitimising sex work and encouraging the trade. Brighton University was criticised for allowing a sex workers' health and support service to run a stall at a freshers' fair. The University of Leicester issued a guide called 'Student Sex Work Toolkit for Staff in Higher Education'. It details how to support those who are turning to escorting, online services and stripping. Staff are advised not to be judgemental or 'assume a student wants to leave the sex industry', They should also 'challenge university policy which allows sex workers to be expelled for "bring the University into disrepute",' it says. The English Collective of Prostitutes has also produced advice which is 'circulating widely' among students. Spokeswoman Ms Watson added: 'Often women are very secretive about sex work and don't want their family involved.' The Student Sex Work Research Hub states that 'morality clauses' in tenancy agreements mean that sex workers can face eviction, lose their deposit, and even end up homeless. It states: 'If a student is evicted from their halls, it can be put on their accommodation record, which can prevent them from having accommodation in the future and can even be accessed by different departments of the University.' 'In the worst case, student sex workers can be permanently expelled. This has far reaching ramifications for a student's ability to get an education.' A Universities UK Spokesperson said: 'Universities recognise the financial hardship many students have experienced, particularly during the pandemic, and are providing increased financial support and other support as well as speaking with Government about further support.' 'Universities encourage legal, healthy and safe behaviours and support students to make the right choices. The focus, based on Universities' duty of care to their students, is on keeping students safe, educating them about the risks, and maintaining an open line of communication and support.' I COULD BARELY AFFORD TO BUY FOOD - NOW I EARN £7,200 A MONTH Chemistry graduate Sophie McBurnie, 22, turned to OnlyFans in desperation as a third-year student. Despite having a part-time supermarket job, the Lancaster University student's loan still left her short on her £5,000-a-year rent. She said: 'I'm from a middle class family so my maintenance loan was the lowest possible. My parents are good earners, but they didn't have spare cash to lend. I was £2,000 short on my rent in my third year so I had to come up with the money. Over the three years it just got worse and worse. I worked all Summer at Asda but still ended up negative.' Sophie said: 'It was really bad. By the third year I'd maxed out my overdraft, I owed two people £200 and I could barely buy food.' Sophie, who models under the name Piri, has 1,300 subscribers, each paying ��8.73 per month and has hired an accountant to manage her affairs. Sh now makes £7,276 per month and estimates she has made £43,659 from the platform in just 10 months. 'The first month was very disheartening as it didn't take off immediately,' she said: 'A lot of people quit but I stuck with it and it was the best decision I never made.' Sophie, originally from Rochdale, added: 'My parents were very unhappy with it and wanted me to stop. But I've told them how much I'm earning and I feel they understand now.' SUGAR DADDY BOUGHT ME THINGS UNTIL HE COUND'T AFFORD IT Indi, 20, said turning to internet sex work to fund her education was 'a no brainer'. The third-year history student makes £400 a month selling images and videos to OnlyFans subscribers. Indi, who models under the name Pea, said: 'I started at the beginning of lockdown because I was bored and skint. I've just kept doing it. Now I'm thinking about doing other things. Camming seems like a fun thing - to sit there and people virtually throw money at me.' 'But I don't think I'd ever be an escort because that seems quite scary. I feel safe what I'm doing and I'm having fun.' Indi, from West Yorkshire, keeps her work a secret from her family, but added: 'It's mostly underwear shots and stuff - it's all high quality. I'll do explicit videos and custom-made content to customers who pay more.' 'I've had sugar daddies. A guy bought me things for a month from Amazon Wish List until he said he couldn't afford it anymore.' 'But I find it to be a safe space. It's me who is in charge and it fits in nicely with Uni work. It's just a part-time job with a difference. I can just do little photoshoots whenever I want.' IT SHOWS ENTREPRENEURSHIP Aalyia lived at home to save money - but was still so skint that she stripped for cash. The 24-year-old took her clothes off on the web while struggling to pay tuition fees for her art and design course at Leeds Beckett. Aaliyah, from South Yorkshire, carried on even after graduating in 2019 and quit her job in graphic design to go full time on OnlyFans. She said: 'I started at Uni because few other people were doing it and making a lot of money. It's not cheap to go to Uni and the debt you can leave with can stay with you for the rest of your life.' 'Students, especially young women, are realising that they can earn money quickly to fund their studies. I don't see a problem with it, I think it shows entrepreneurship.' Aaliyah, who lived at home while at Uni, still had to take a £3k-a-year loan to meet her outgoings. She said: 'Even though I didn't have rent, I had to pay tuition fees and commute to Uni. I took up some part time jobs to get by but I wish I found OnlyFans sooner, to be honest. Read the full article

[anujkumarul123]

Leading Global Student Housing in Lancaster

Book Your Student Accommodation in Lancaster with UniversityLiving. We are a famous provider of student accommodation in Lancaster, UK. Explore Our Properties with Experts then Choose One the Best Accommodation in Lancaster.

[sciencespies]

There's no speed limit in a superfluid Universe. Now we know why

https://sciencespies.com/physics/theres-no-speed-limit-in-a-superfluid-universe-now-we-know-why/

There's no speed limit in a superfluid Universe. Now we know why

In the cold, dense medium of a helium-3 superfluid, scientists recently made an unexpected discovery. A foreign object travelling through the medium could exceed a critical speed limit without breaking the fragile superfluid itself.

As this contradicts our understanding of superfluidity, it presented quite a puzzle – but now, by recreating and studying the phenomenon, physicists have figured out how it happens. Particles in the superfluid stick to the object, shielding it from interacting with the bulk superfluid, thus preventing the superfluid’s breakdown.

“Superfluid helium-3 feels like a vacuum to a rod moving through it, although it is a relatively dense liquid. There is no resistance, none at all,” said physicist Samuli Autti of Lancaster University in the UK. “I find this very intriguing.”

Superfluids are a type of fluid that has zero viscosity and zero friction, and therefore flows without losing kinetic energy. They can be made relatively easily from bosons of the helium-4 isotope, which, when cooled to just above absolute zero, slow down enough to overlap and form a high-density cluster of atoms that act as one ‘super-atom’.

These ‘super-atoms’ form just one type of superfluid, though. Another is based on the boson’s sibling, the fermion. Fermions are particles that include atomic building blocks like electrons and quarks.

When cooled below a certain temperature, fermions become bound together in what are called Cooper pairs, each made up of two fermions that together form a composite boson. These Cooper pairs behave exactly like bosons, and can thus form a superfluid.

The team created their fermionic superfluid out of helium-3, a rare isotope of helium missing one neutron. When cooled to one ten thousandth of a degree above absolute zero (0.0001 Kelvin, or -273.15 degrees Celsius/-459.67 degrees Fahrenheit), helium-3 forms Cooper pairs.

These superfluids are fairly fragile, and the Cooper pairs can break apart if an object moves through it above a certain velocity, called the critical Landau velocity.

And yet, in a 2016 paper, researchers from Lancaster University found that a wire rod moving through a helium-3 superfluid could exceed this velocity without breaking the pairs.

In their follow-up experiments, they measured the force required to move the wire rod through the superfluid. They measured an extremely small force when the wire started moving, but once it was moving, the force required to keep going was zero – just give it a nudge and off it goes.

The team concluded that the initial force comes from the Cooper pairs moving around a little to accommodate the motion, exerting that small starting force on the wire rod. But, after that, the wire can move freely, essentially camouflaged in a coat of Cooper pairs.

“By making the rod change its direction of motion we were able to conclude that the rod will be hidden from the superfluid by the bound particles covering it, even when its speed is very high,” said physicist Ash Jennings of Lancaster University.

This new finding could have some interesting implications.

Fermionic superfluids can be used to create superconductors, which in turn are under investigation as a critical component of quantum computers. Knowing more about how and why superfluids behave the way they do is likely to only bring us closer to that goal.

The research has been published in Nature Communications.

#Physics

[onetouchinvestment-blog]

Reducing buy to let taxes through these property sectors

Landlords are finding it increasingly difficult to make a profit through buy to let property due to additional taxes levied and the scrapping of mortgage interest tax relief. The government has made buy to let a less attractive option and due to the difficulties, between 24% – 38% of landlords will consider selling up. This is despite the lowest amount of rental reductions ever according to ARLA and a lack of supply across a significant number of the 390 local authorities across the UK.

Where opportunities exist

The student property sector has been a favourite amongst investors for several years. In 2019, £8 billion of transactions were conducted in the sector, indicating that the appetite for student property is not subsiding. The two-year work visa after international students graduate will have a positive effect and was introduced to address the fall in international student applications. Over the next decade the government wants to increase the number of international students studying in the UK to 600,000.

Sir Dominic Asquith, British High Commissioner to India, said:

This is fantastic news for Indian students, who will now be able to spend more time in the UK after completing their degree, allowing them to gain further skills and experience.

The UK is home to some of the best higher education institutions in the world and continues to welcome international students. I’m delighted that numbers of Indian students coming to study in the UK are constantly increasing, having doubled over the last three years. Last year alone we saw a massive 42% increase.

Investing in Student Property through shares

There are various investors platforms like AJ Bell where UK investors can purchase shares in student accommodation a REIT like LSE:DIGS which has recorded 37% increase value since March 2019 and pays a yield of 3.04% OR LSE:ESP with 9% growth since 27th March 19 and pays a 5% dividend yield.

Unite Group the largest listed student accommodation provider in the UK recently acquired the Liberty Living portfolio PLC for £1.4 billion in Q4 2019. The confidence that Unite has placed in the student accommodation sector to make the purchase is certainly an indication of the future profitability of the student property sector, with Knight Frank estimating that the industry is worth £53bn. Further confidence is indicated as in February 2020 Blackstone has agreed to purchase IQ Student Accommodation from Goldman Sachs and Wellcome Trust.

Unite also announced that the value of both its associated funds rose during the third quarter of 2019. Its property portfolio was independently valued at £2.45bn, an increase of 0.6%. To June last year, London-focussed student accommodation real estate investment fund GCP Student Living bucked the broader commercial real estate market and reported a 14.8% total shareholder return. With large companies and trusts making such profits, it is no wonder the sector is becoming appealing to individual investors.

Investing directly into student property

Some investors prefer to own property directly rather than take out shares in a company. The good news is that they can purchase student property investment without having to pay stamp duty as it is commercial property under the £150,000 threshold. Property investment companies like One Touch Investment source properties within the best student towns and cities.

One student property investment example is The Mill in Lancaster. Lancaster University is consistently rated in the top ten across all the league tables and attracts a large proportion of international students due to its prestigious reputation. Units in The Mill start from £85,000 and an 8% yield is guaranteed for five years.

Another popular student city is Sheffield because of its vibrant nightlife, excellent universities and affordability. Trippet Court is a student property development in Sheffield’s city centre. It is located just a ten-minute walk away from Sheffield University and a thirteen-minute walk away from Sheffield Hallam University. Trippet Court also offers an 8% net rental yield for five years but has a slightly lower entry point at £64,950.

Investors would typically purchase student property off-plan with stage payments over the development period of twelve months. This makes the cash investment amount more manageable for the average investor.

For those that prefer to invest in property that is already complete and generating income, we have completed student property units in Liverpool. The units are priced at an affordable £54,500 and generate a 7% rental yield per annum.

Investing in care homes

The UK has an ageing population and does not have the facilities to accommodate it. The UK also does not have the resources to build new care facilities and is becoming increasing reliant on private companies to bridge the gap. Demand is expected to rise by 9,000 care beds per year whereas the current build rate is 5000- 6000 care home beds per year. These statistics alone prove that there is a sustainable need for care beds from private companies.

The problem with the lack of care home beds is only compounded by Britain’s ageing population. The number of over 85s is set to double within the next 25 years, new data from the Office for National Statistics has shown.

Investing in care home REITs

Target Healthcare REIT only invests in modern, purpose-built care homes which it leases to experienced operators across the UK thereby providing a diversified tenant and geographical spread and income mix. The current yield is 5% less performance fees and some projected capital uplift.

Octopus healthcare is a closed fund which invests in elderly care homes and specialist healthcare such as GP surgeries. The fund has shown steady earnings growth and continues to attract capital.

Purchasing a care home room

Investors can purchase a room in a care home facility. A developer would usually buy the property and allow investors to purchase rooms for a set cost. Then the developer would put a management company in place who would undertake the day-to-day running of the facility. The investor would usually receive a set yield for a certain number of years. After that time a buy back option is offered where the management company can either buy back the unit from the investor at 125% of the purchase price or a new contract is negotiated between the investor and the management company.

Benefits of investing in the care home sector

The benefit of care home investment is that it is hands-off. A management company is put in place which undertakes the day-to-day running of the care home. Investors do not have to worry about finding someone to occupy the room or the maintenance of it. It is also classed as a commercial investment and stamp duty is not applicable on commercial investments up to £150,000.

As we have previously highlighted, there is significant demand for care home beds in the UK and as the government is not keeping up with that demand, they are looking to private companies to bridge the gap. Here at One Touch Property, we source care home investment opportunities in areas with the highest demand, allowing for good occupancy levels and rental yields for investors.

We think it is important to source care home investment opportunities with reputable developers who have a record of operating care homes successfully. One opportunity we have is Clement House in the Acklam area of Middlesbrough. Clement House is as 5* rated care home that has been operational for 20 years.  Units are priced at £69,500 and investors receive a 10% net income guaranteed for 25 years. If investors wish to sell their unit before then, there is a buy back option in year 5 for 110% of the purchase price, and in year 10 for 125% of the purchase price.

Duchess Gardens is another care home investment opportunity in Bingley, West Yorkshire. It comprises 85 rooms and offers an 8% rental income for 22 years. Duchess Gardens is also complete and operational, and investors can start to receive income immediately. It is also below the threshold in which buyers would need to pay stamp duty, as units are priced at £77,400. Located close to the major towns and cities of Harrogate, Skipton and Leeds, the care home is well-placed to host the elderly and allow for their families to visit them easily. It lies next to some of England’s finest countryside and enjoys a prestigious horticultural heritage. Duchess Gardens accommodates people who need 24-hour personal support and would find it difficult to cope in their own home without assistance. On site features include a hairdresser’s, day centre, cinema room and religious service.

Yorkshire has been identified as a county with a pressing need for new care home facilities. Local councils in Yorkshire have recently closed or are planning to close numerous care homes, due to many being ‘outdated’ and unsuitable for the purpose which they are intended. This will allow existing care homes such as Duchess Gardens to achieve good occupancy levels and rental yields.

Conclusion

It is becoming increasingly difficult for buy to let landlords to make a profit on their property due to stamp duty charges and tax relief on mortgage interest being phased out.

Commercial investments in the care and student sector are usually below the stamp duty threshold and the demand is underpinned by the country’s age demographic and the global standing of its universities. Returns are often underwritten in contracts and can be between 8% – 10%. As these are hands off investments investors will not have to deal with the hassle of finding new tenants or day to day maintenance as they may have to do with a buy to let, freeing up more time for them to pursue interests elsewhere.

[architectnews]

Eden Project North, Morecambe, England

Eden Project North Morecambe, New Lancashire Architecture, Architects, Picture

Eden Project North in Morecambe

31 January 2022

Eden Project North receives planning permission

Location: North Lancashire, Northwest England, UK

Design: Grimshaw

Eden Project North, Morecambe, UK

31st of January 2022 – Eden Project North, located in Morecambe in the UK, received planning permission from Lancaster City Council on 31 January, marking a significant step forward for Eden Project and the Grimshaw designs for this major new attraction.

The project, developed with support from local partners Lancaster City Council, Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership and Lancaster University, will focus on reimaging health and wellbeing, taking inspiration from its location within the landscape of Morecambe Bay – a natural estuary south of the Lake District. The project is designed to create new views across the bay, while complementing its townscape including the setting of the Grade II* listed Winter Gardens and Midland Hotel nearby.

At the heart of the attraction, organised around a central courtyard, is a series of shell-like structures which will host the main exhibition spaces: immersive experiences that will inspire wonder in the natural life above and below the bay. These spaces are known as the Rhythm Machine, the Bay Glade, the Bay Hall and the Natural Observatory. Wrapped around the lower part of the shells are the ancillary spaces, designed to seamlessly integrate the shells into the surrounding landscape. These undulating forms, accommodating different uses, resemble a dune-scape emulating the natural forms of the bay.

Surrounding the buildings will be a collection of beautiful outdoor gardens, designed to reflect the flora, geology and rhythms of their unique coastal environment. These include the Rhythm Garden, incorporating a new outdoor arena, and the Tide Garden whose beds spiral down towards a tidal pool at the garden’s centre.

The concept for Eden Project North is also driven a regenerative and biophilic design approach, building on Grimshaw’s work at the first Eden Project destination in Cornwall. The design focusses on reducing embodied and operational carbon, minimising energy demand and contributing positively to the environment: the project will be a showcase for visitors to learn about and experience this approach. The site will also be home to Eden Project’s research and education programme encouraging curiosity, connection and understanding of our natural world.

Beyond its design the project will have far-reaching economic and social impact, directly employing more than 400 people, with an additional 1,500 jobs supported in the region, and will inject £200m per year into the North West economy. Subject to funding being secured, it is due to open in 2024.

“Inspired by the unique location and outstanding natural beauty of Morecambe Bay,” said Jolyon Brewis, a Partner at Grimshaw, “Eden Project North will become a landmark destination of national and international significance. We are delighted that the scheme has now secured planning approval and look forward to bringing to life, for Morecambe, a place that will bring wonder, wellbeing, and connection to the natural world. Thank you to everyone in the community and local partners who have contributed to and supported this project so far.”

David Harland, Chief Executive of Eden Project International, said: “Planning permission is a huge milestone on our journey towards making Eden Project North an exemplar project for Morecambe, Lancashire and the North of England. The project is now definitively shovel-ready and a compelling financial case has been made to government. We are primed and ready to create this beacon to a green and sustainable future, be part of Levelling Up and drive economic and social enhancements across the region.

While we are incredibly proud of what we and our partners have achieved so far, we now need UK government support to quickly bring this to fruition and maintain momentum. We’re hugely grateful to the Lancaster City Council for granting this landmark project planning permission. Massive thanks must also go to our partners and the community in the region for supporting us throughout the consultation process. We continue to be inspired by the wellspring of positivity we get from the people of Morecambe.”

Eden Project North Morecambe, UK – Building Information

Design team Client: Eden Project Project partners: Lancaster University, Lancaster City Council, Lancaster County Council, Lancashire Enterprise Partnership Architect: Grimshaw Project manager: Trivandi Structural Engineer: Schlaich Bergermann Partner MEP & environmental engineering: Buro Happold Cost consultant: RLB Planning and transport engineering: WSP Landscape design: TEP Sustainability consultants: 3ADAPT

About Eden Project

The Eden Project, an educational charity, connects us with each other and the living world, exploring how we can work towards a better future. Our visitor destination in Cornwall, UK, is nestled in a huge crater.

Here, massive Biomes housing the largest rainforest in captivity, stunning plants, exhibitions and stories serve as a backdrop to our striking contemporary gardens, summer concerts and exciting year-round family events. Registered charity number 1093070 (The Eden Trust). Money raised supports our transformational projects and learning programmes. www.edenproject.com

Eden Project International brochure: https://ift.tt/ACNyu46Bh

Grimshaw

Location: Morecombe Bay, Northwest England, UK

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