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pacifichomesnsw · 7 months ago

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How to Plan and Design your dream home with help of experienced home builders

Designing and building your dream home is an exciting journey that requires careful planning and collaboration with experienced home builders. With the right approach, you can create a home that not only meets your needs but also reflects your style and personality. Here’s a detailed guide on how to plan and design your dream home with the help of experienced home builders like Pacific Homes NSW:

Define Your Vision

Defining your vision for your dream home is the crucial first step in the planning process. Consider how you envision living in your new space—what features are essential to your lifestyle, and what aesthetic elements reflect your personality? Think about the layout, size, and flow of the home, as well as any specific design styles or architectural features you prefer. Your vision will serve as a guiding light throughout the design and construction process, ensuring that your dream home becomes a reality.

Set a Realistic Budget

Setting a realistic budget is essential for your dream home project. Consider all costs, including land, design, construction, and furnishings. Be honest about what you can afford and prioritize your needs and wants accordingly. A well-defined budget will help you make informed decisions and avoid overspending during the planning and construction phases.

Research Experienced Home Builders

Researching experienced Custom home builders is crucial for a successful project. Look for builders with a solid reputation and a portfolio that aligns with your vision. Read reviews, ask for recommendations, and check their credentials and certifications. A builder’s experience and track record can give you confidence in their ability to deliver your dream home. Take the time to find the right builder who understands your vision and can bring it to life.

Collaborate on Design

Collaborating on the design with your home builders is key to achieving your dream home. Work closely with their design team to incorporate your ideas and preferences. Consider aspects like layout, finishes, and energy efficiency. Open communication and collaboration will ensure that the design reflects your vision and meets your needs.

Consider Sustainable Design

Incorporating sustainable design into your dream home can reduce its environmental impact and operating costs. Discuss green building options with your builders, such as energy-efficient appliances, solar panels, and passive heating and cooling strategies. Sustainable design not only benefits the environment but also creates a healthier and more comfortable living space for you and your family.

Obtain Permits and Approvals

Before construction begins, ensure all necessary permits and approvals are obtained. Your home builders should assist with this process, ensuring compliance with local building codes and regulations. Obtaining permits and approvals upfront helps prevent delays and ensures your dream home is built according to the required standards and regulations.

Monitor Construction Progress

Stay involved in the construction process by regularly visiting the site and communicating with your builders. Monitor progress, address any concerns promptly, and ensure that the construction is proceeding according to plan. Being proactive in monitoring the construction progress helps ensure that your dream home is built to your specifications and standards.

Final Inspections and Completion

Once construction is complete, conduct a final inspection with your builders to ensure everything meets your expectations. Check for any defects or issues and have them addressed before finalizing the project. Make any necessary final payments and obtain the keys to your new home, ready to move in and enjoy.

Final Words

Designing and building your dream home with the help of experienced house builders is a rewarding process that requires careful planning and collaboration. By defining your vision, setting a realistic budget, and working closely with your builders, you can create a home that not only meets your needs but also reflects your style and personality. Incorporating sustainable design elements and obtaining necessary permits and approvals are crucial steps to ensure your dream home is built to the highest standards. Monitoring the construction progress and conducting final inspections will help ensure that your vision is realized. Finally, moving into your dream home and enjoying the fruits of your labor is a fulfilling experience that marks the beginning of a new chapter in your life.

#custom homes builder liverpool #home builders in liverpool #luxury home builders #luxury house designs nsw #luxury house designs liverpool #luxury home builders in liverpool #granny house designs liverpool #house designs liverpool #custom home services #Luxury House Designs in Caddens #House Designs in Leppington #Luxury Home Builders in Austral #Luxury Home Builders in Box Hill #Home Builders in Riverstone

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renta-stay · 2 months ago

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Discover the Comfort of Serviced Apartments in Essex with Renta Stay

Essex, known for its blend of vibrant cities and serene countryside, is a county that truly offers the best of both worlds. Whether you're visiting for work, a family vacation, or a weekend getaway, finding the right accommodation can make or break your stay. This is where serviced apartments in Essex come into play, offering you a home away from home that’s both luxurious and practical.

What Makes Serviced Apartments Special?

You know that feeling when you check into a hotel, and after a few days, you start missing the cozy comfort of your own space? Serviced apartments are designed to bridge that gap. Imagine coming home after a long day of meetings or sightseeing, kicking off your shoes, and sinking into the comfort of a stylishly furnished living room. That’s the experience Renta Stay brings to the table.

Whether you're staying in bustling towns like Chelmsford or Colchester or exploring the picturesque countryside, serviced apartments in Essex offer a more personal touch than traditional hotels. You get to enjoy the freedom of your own fully equipped kitchen, so you can whip up your favorite meal instead of relying on restaurant food all the time. Plus, there’s ample space—perfect if you’re traveling with family or need room to unwind after a busy day.

Convenience Without Compromise

Life moves fast, especially when you're traveling. But why should your accommodation feel rushed? Our serviced apartments are thoughtfully curated with modern amenities to ensure your stay is as seamless as possible. With high-speed Wi-Fi, a cozy bedroom, and laundry facilities, you can focus on your work or leisure without worrying about the little things.

Essex, with its rich history, charming towns, and easy access to London, attracts a diverse crowd. Whether you're a professional looking for short-term corporate housing or a family in need of a longer stay, serviced apartments provide the flexibility you need. You’re not bound by the rigid check-in or check-out times of a hotel, and you can settle in and live as comfortably as you would in your own home.

A Sense of Community

One of the hidden gems of staying in a serviced apartment is the sense of belonging it brings. Unlike staying in a transient hotel, serviced apartments allow you to become part of the neighborhood. Explore local shops, enjoy a quiet morning in a nearby café, or simply take a walk and feel like you're a resident, not just a visitor.

Why Choose Renta Stay?

At Renta Stay, we understand that your time in Essex is precious. That’s why we go the extra mile to ensure that your serviced apartment feels like an extension of your lifestyle, not just a place to sleep. With locations in key areas of Essex, our apartments cater to both business travelers and families, ensuring everyone gets a comfortable, personalized experience.

So, next time you're planning a stay in Essex, skip the typical hotel room and choose a serviced apartment with Renta Stay. After all, why settle for less when you can have all the comforts of home with the luxury of a hotel?

Book your serviced apartment today and experience Essex the way it’s meant to be—comfortable, convenient, and completely yours!

#apartment buildings #rental #affordable housing #accommodation #luxury rooms #hotels

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zenasflower · 4 months ago

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Send Flowers to Liverpool

Flowers are a wonderful way to show your loved ones how much you care. They are also a great gift for any occasion. There are many creative ways to present them, such as in a flower box or accompanied by a heartfelt card.

FloraQueen offers a variety of floral arrangements and gifts for every holiday. Their gifts include roses, tulips, daisies, and more. They also offer same-day delivery.

FloraQueen

Flowers are a beautiful way to show someone you Sending Flowers to Liverpool, especially when they are far away. FloraQueen makes it easy to send flowers to loved ones around the world. Simply choose a bouquet, enter payment details securely and track your order.

FloraQueen also offers a variety of different packaging options to match the occasion. This helps ensure that the gift arrives in pristine condition. They deliver to over 100 countries worldwide, including Liverpool. Their fast delivery services are guaranteed to make your loved ones smile.

Dove Dale Florist

Dove Dale Florist is a Liverpool florist that offers a wide variety of floral designs for all occasions. Its flowers evoke themes of peace, love, and faith. They are also affordable. They have an excellent customer service rating of 4.9 stars.

The shop is located on Booker Avenue and is open seven days a week. Its flower arrangements are a great choice for birthdays and other special occasions. They also have a variety of gifts, including plants and door bows.

Booker Flowers & Gifts

Rated best Liverpool Florist by ‘Three Best Rated’ and North West Regional Winner English Wedding Awards 2022 Booker Flowers & Gifts on Booker Avenue in Allerton specialise in luxury bespoke floral hand-tied bouquets and gifts. They offer same day flower delivery in the Liverpool area and UK wide through Interflora.

Everything is coming up roses at this flower shop on Booker Avenue in Allerton as they have just been accepted into the Good Florist Guide, the gold standard for floristry.

Lula Flower Shop

Lula Flower Shop is a highly-rated florist that creates stunning floral bouquets for Mother’s Day. Their bouquets are also ideal for gifting to loved ones, and they offer same-day delivery.

Local Expertise: Dedicated to crafting elegant arrangements for all occasions, this florist offers a convenient online ordering system and reliable delivery service in Liverpool. They also have a wide selection of gift bouquets, perfect for surprising loved ones. Their contemporary selection of flowers would look striking in this aesthetically modern Lyngby Vase by House Doctor.

Dutch Flower Shop

Whether you are celebrating a special occasion or sending heartfelt condolences, Dutch Flower Shop offers exceptional service. Their floral designs exceed expectations and last for days, ensuring your gift is well received.

Owner Loraine Whittle loves her job and enjoys the fact that no two days are the same. She is a mother of two and enjoys giving Floristry demonstrations. Oli has Asperger Syndrome and came to work at Booker Flowers as part of the Disability Confident Scheme.

Mary Mary

Mary Lou and her team prepare bold, beautiful and creative fresh flower bouquets for local delivery and subscription across Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle. They also host flower workshops for all ages.

Mary and her sisters grew up in church choirs and touring gospel shows and decided to pursue their music careers professionally. Their first album, Thankful (released in 2000) and 2002’s Incredible both reached the top of Billboard’s Urban Contemporary Gospel chart.

This duo is widely credited for broadening the gospel music fan base into mainstream audiences.

Fishlocks Flowers

Fishlocks Flowers is a renowned family-run florist in Sympathy flowers that offers bespoke floral bouquets and gifts. They have over a century of experience in crafting beautiful floral arrangements for all occasions. Their services range from wedding flowers to sympathy tributes. They also offer online ordering and delivery services across the city. This year, they have partnered with Liverpool Women’s Hospital to launch an exclusive Mother’s Day bouquet that supports charitable initiatives at the hospital. This heartwarming partnership is sure to bring joy and sentiment to mothers everywhere.

Suttons House of Flowers

Suttons House of Flowers is a local flower shop in Liverpool, specializing in weddings and events. Their floral designs are unique and beautiful, and they offer a range of gift options to suit any occasion.

The shop is run by Carly and Angel, two Michigan natives who came together with a wide variety of skill sets ranging from hospitality to design. They are able to bring a young, energetic approach to their shop and strive to showcase their passions through floral design.

#Sending Flowers to Liverpool

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markeduke · 4 months ago

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All About Harmonizing Countryside Charm with Modern Living Comforts

At Prospect Homes Burscough, our commitment lies in crafting superior residences that seamlessly blend aesthetic appeal with everyday comfort. Enter Bridgemere Burscough, an enclave of executive homes boasting three and four bedrooms, nestled within the serene West Lancashire countryside. Positioned adjacent to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and embraced by verdant farmland on the outskirts of Burscough, Bridgemere exudes a vibrant ecosystem teeming with local wildlife. Here, residents are greeted by the tranquil ambiance punctuated by the clucking of moorhens, the melodious chirping of songbirds, and the gentle hum of passing barges.

Despite its idyllic rural setting, new builds burscough maintains convenient connectivity to urban amenities such as shops, schools, and major roadways, epitomizing modern living at its finest. New homes burscough offers the allure of countryside living without compromising proximity to essential services, delivering the best of both worlds to its residents.

Bridgemere new build homes burscough presents an unparalleled opportunity for those yearning for a harmonious blend of natural splendor and contemporary convenience. Let’s delve into what renders this community an appealing haven for the owners of new homes in burscough.

Nestled amidst the West Lancashire countryside, Bridgemere, property for sale burscough offers residents breathtaking vistas and an unparalleled sense of tranquility. Homes to buy burscough Surrounded by lush greenery and rolling landscapes, Homes to buy in burscough serves as an escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life, allowing residents to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature.

The proximity to the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the abundance of farmland create a haven for diverse wildlife, from vibrant butterflies fluttering in the breeze to graceful swans gliding across the water. House for sale in burscough Bridgemere fosters an environment where nature enthusiasts can revel in the wonders of the natural world.

Prospect Homes Burscough prides itself on crafting residences that seamlessly integrate with their natural surroundings while providing modern comforts. The new builds in Burscough, including those in Bridgemere, feature contemporary architecture, spacious interiors, and high-quality finishes, ensuring a luxurious living experience for residents.

Thoughtful community planning lies at the heart of Bridgemere’s design, fostering a sense of belonging while respecting individual privacy. Well-manicured green spaces, walking trails, and communal areas encourage neighborly interaction, cultivating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

Despite its rural setting, Bridgemere offers easy access to essential amenities, including shops, schools, healthcare facilities, and recreational areas. For those seeking property for sale in Burscough or new homes to buy, Bridgemere presents an enticing option, blending countryside serenity with modern convenience.

Situated in close proximity to major roadways such as the M6 and M58 motorways, Bridgemere ensures seamless connectivity to nearby towns and cities homes for sale Ormskirk, Liverpool, and Manchester. Commuters can effortlessly access urban centers for work or leisure, enhancing the community’s appeal.

With a selection of three and four-bedroom homes, Bridgemere caters to families of all sizes. The community is designed with families in mind, offering safe play areas, schools, and recreational facilities nearby, fostering a family-friendly environment.

The combination of Bridgemere’s idyllic location, modern amenities, and strong community appeal makes it an attractive investment opportunity. Whether as a primary residence or a rental property, homes in Bridgemere are poised for long-term value appreciation.

Above all, Bridgemere offers residents a superior quality of life, characterized by clean air, tranquil surroundings, and a sense of belonging within a close-knit community. Bridgemere epitomizes the perfect fusion of countryside charm and modern living, offering residents an exceptional lifestyle where nature meets luxury in Burscough and Ormskirk. For those considering homes for sale in Ormskirk or houses in Ormskirk to buy, Bridgemere’s allure extends to those seeking a tranquil yet connected living experience.

Bridgemere epitomizes the perfect fusion of countryside charm and modern living, offering residents an exceptional lifestyle where nature meets luxury in Burscough and Ormskirk. For those considering homes for sale in Ormskirk or properties to buy in Ormskirk, Bridgemere presents an enticing option. With its idyllic surroundings, modern amenities, and strong sense of community, Bridgemere promises a superior quality of life for homeowners. Whether seeking a peaceful retreat from city life or an investment opportunity with long-term value appreciation, Bridgemere by Prospect Homes Burscough stands as a testament to excellence in residential living. Experience the best of both worlds at Bridgemere, where every moment is an opportunity to embrace the tranquility of the countryside while enjoying the conveniences of modern living.

[Related site1] [Related site2]

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posthavenblog · 9 months ago

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All About Harmonizing Countryside Charm with Modern Living Comforts

Bridgemere new build homes burscough presents an unparalleled opportunity for those yearning for a harmonious blend of natural splendor and contemporary convenience. Let's delve into what renders this community an appealing haven for new homes in burscough.

Thoughtful community planning lies at the heart of Bridgemere's design, fostering a sense of belonging while respecting individual privacy. Well-manicured green spaces, walking trails, and communal areas encourage neighborly interaction, cultivating a tight-knit community atmosphere.

The combination of Bridgemere's idyllic location, modern amenities, and strong community appeal makes it an attractive investment opportunity. Whether as a primary residence or a rental property, homes in Bridgemere are poised for long-term value appreciation.

Above all, Bridgemere offers residents a superior quality of life, characterized by clean air, tranquil surroundings, and a sense of belonging within a close-knit community. Bridgemere epitomizes the perfect fusion of countryside charm and modern living, offering residents an exceptional lifestyle where nature meets luxury in Burscough and Ormskirk. For those considering homes for sale in Ormskirk or houses in Ormskirk to buy, Bridgemere's allure extends to those seeking a tranquil yet connected living experience.

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lizseyi · 11 months ago

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December Means The Season Of The Fashion Pop-Up In London – Skywire London

Even our own digital strategy experts here at Skywire London appreciate that there will always be a role for the “brick and mortar” element of fashion marketing. Indeed, as keen watchers of all things style in the UK capital, we have also noticed a variety of fashion-oriented pop-up stores coming on stream for this festive season.

Only a few days ago, in fact, further details were provided by the circular fashion portal Depop about a scheme it had earlier announced with the aim of getting online sellers into physical spaces.

‍“Reviving the high street for the Christmas party season”

The Depop initiative, which is happening in partnership with the retail pop-up provider Sook, will entail the launch of a series of high-profile temporary stores over six months. It will encompass such venues as the Birmingham Bullring, Liverpool One, and St James Quarter in Edinburgh, as well as Oxford Street and South Molton Street in London.

Depop said that the series would begin with four immersive pop-ups in London during November and December, “encouraging more people to shop second hand while reviving the high street for the Christmas party season.”

The free-to-attend events in London will give 11 distinctive sellers a brick-and-mortar retail presence in Sook’s Central London pop-up spaces.

The first of those will be the streetwear brand Kathandrosa, which will be present at South Molton Street on 30th November, presenting an edit of handpicked vintage and Y2K pieces.

As Depop has also observed: “It’s all about encouraging sellers to connect with their fans in real life and reaching new audiences of fashion-conscious consumers in the capital.”

‍But there’s much more that the London fashion pop-up scene is giving us this season

This Depop scheme certainly represents one very important side of what pop-up retail activity can make possible – and one that our own digital strategy experts here at Skywire London salute. However, we have also been heartened by the abundance of other pop-ups that have been springing up lately around the capital, as the winter shopping season has intensified.

Many of those were documented in a recent article for Country & Town House, which put the spotlight on such developments as maverick scarf designer Sabina Savage’s Bond Street pop-up, E.L.V. DENIM at Liberty, Omnes on Carnaby Street, and even a pop-up for pre-loved luxury offerings by eBay.

A fair few of those pop-ups are continuing to run at the time of us typing this. So, for a tasteful excursion that might also get you inspired about the possibilities for your own fashion, lifestyle, or high-end brand both online and offline over the months and even years ahead, why not make a beeline for one or more of these temporary outlets?

As for if you would like to more immediately discuss the possibilities for how we could work together, please feel free to do so using our straightforward online contact form.

#digital strategy experts

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happydaysapartmentsliverpool · 1 year ago

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Discover Luxury and History at 16 Queen Avenue Apartments by Happy Days Group

Introduction:

If you're seeking a unique and luxurious stay in Liverpool, look no further than the 16 Queen Avenue Apartments offered by Happy Days Group. Nestled within the charming Queen Avenue, this Grade II listed building provides an enchanting escape just a stone's throw away from Liverpool One, the Royal Albert Dock, and the vibrant Cavern Quarter. Let's delve into the captivating features of these apartments and why they are the perfect choice for an unforgettable stay in Liverpool.

A Historic Gem:

16 Queen Avenue Apartments are housed within a stunning Grade II listed building, steeped in history and character. As soon as you step foot into the building, you'll be transported back in time by the beautifully preserved architecture and unique period features. From the ornate ceilings to the grand windows, every detail reflects the elegance and grandeur of a bygone era. Staying in this remarkable piece of history will truly make your Liverpool experience exceptional.

Unparalleled Location:

The apartments' prime location in Queen Avenue offers unparalleled convenience and access to Liverpool's most iconic attractions. Just a short walk away, you'll find yourself in the bustling Liverpool One, a paradise for shoppers with its diverse range of stores and boutiques. Explore the historic Royal Albert Dock, home to fascinating museums, galleries, and a vibrant food and drink scene. Additionally, the lively Cavern Quarter, famous for its association with The Beatles, is right at your doorstep. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural heritage and vibrant atmosphere that surrounds 16 Queen Avenue Apartments.

Luxurious and Comfortable Interiors:

Happy Days Group takes pride in curating an exceptional experience for their guests, and the interiors of 16 Queen Avenue Apartments reflect this dedication. The apartments have been thoughtfully designed with a perfect blend of modern comforts and period elegance. Step into spacious living areas adorned with stylish furnishings, where you can relax and unwind after a day of exploration. The fully equipped kitchens provide everything you need to prepare meals at your convenience. Each bedroom offers a peaceful haven for a restful night's sleep, ensuring you wake up rejuvenated and ready to seize the day.

Impeccable Amenities and Services:

During your stay at 16 Queen Avenue Apartments, you'll be treated to a range of impeccable amenities and services. Benefit from complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, allowing you to stay connected and plan your itinerary effortlessly. The friendly and professional staff of Happy Days Group is always on hand to ensure your comfort and satisfaction, providing personalized service tailored to your needs. From arranging transportation to offering local insights and recommendations, they go above and beyond to make your stay truly exceptional.

A Memorable Experience Awaits:

Choosing 16 Queen Avenue Apartments by Happy Days Group guarantees an unforgettable experience. Whether you're visiting Liverpool for business or leisure, the combination of the apartments' historic charm, prime location, luxurious interiors, and impeccable services will exceed your expectations. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, rich history, and legendary music scene that Liverpool is renowned for, all while enjoying the utmost comfort and elegance.

Conclusion: Indulge in luxury and history at the 16 Queen Avenue Apartments by Happy Days Group. Located in the heart of Liverpool, this Grade II listed building offers a remarkable blend of period charm and modern comforts. With its proximity to Liverpool One, Royal Albert Dock, and the Cavern Quarter, you'll have the best of the city at your fingertips. Immerse yourself in the captivating atmosphere of Liverpool while enjoying the impeccable amenities and personalized service provided by Happy Days Group. Your stay at 16 Queen Avenue Apartments promises to be an unforgettable journey through time and luxury.

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tietheknotweddings · 2 years ago

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Holland Hall

All you need is love…we will take care of the rest. Holland Hall is an exclusive Grade II listed manor house dating back to 1654, with attractive gardens, provides a stunning backdrop for those all-important wedding photographs, whatever time of year. A bijou Hotel, Wedding & Events Venue nestled in the countryside in UpHolland . A discrete, exclusive and very private hidden gem, nestled in the picturesque West Lancashire Countryside and is accessible via a long driveway, adorned by luscious greenery and gardens, which leads onto a private car park with a charming stone fountain. Holland Hall is conveniently located just 2 miles from M6 and M58 motorways, near to Wigan and within easy reach of Liverpool and Manchester by road and rail. The stone pillared entrance leads to grand wooden doors that provide a dramatic entrance into the foyer. The modern entrance canopy, rolling land, private landscaped gardens, sweetheart swing, conservatory, garden bar and traditional pagoda create an idyllic backdrop for those forever photos. Elements of the original Baroque architecture balance perfectly with the recent refurbishment, creating a classic rustic charm throughout the bedrooms, wedding suites, lounges and traditional Victorian pub. Our contemporary designed and extremely versatile function suites provide a variety of spaces to suit a myriad of different requirements. The Terrace Suite is a large, elegant room flooded by natural light with access to the private garden area, with an exclusive garden bar and conservatory which has a retractable roof making it ideal for BBQ’s. The Garden Suite is a spacious and elegant room with a wall of bi-folding doors that open up to the terrace suite to create an increased capacity for 250 guests. Decorated with luxury handcrafted tiles, The Restaurant is a modern space accompanied by heritage fixtures, a French baroque bottle bar, wooden dancefloor, large shuttered glass doors that open onto the private patio area, and a small lounge breakout area. Looking for an outside ceremony? We also have our Garden Pergola and Forever yours' Ceremony Area. Offering an extremely versatile venue for your Wedding Day with unparalleled service and guaranteed discretion and privacy. Our dedicated brigade of personal chefs use only the freshest local produce to provide top quality cuisine bespoke to your needs. From a traditional Wedding Breakfast to a summer BBQ and even a late-night Hog Roast, we offer complete flexibility and can cater to all of your culinary needs. Our hotel accommodation comprises 26 luxury bedrooms, including feature rooms, suites and an apartment. Look no further, this really is the ultimate wedding venue for you to create your dream wedding. To book a viewing appointment, request a brochure & prices or check the availability of your desired date, please contact our dedicated weddings team. Exclusively yours…the hidden gem of West Lancs. Read the full article

#AllyouneedisLove #BespokeWeddingVenue #CivilCeremonies #countrywedding #DreamVenue #HistoricBuilding #hotel #Lancashire #LancashireWeddingVenue #WeddingHotel #WeddingVenue #weddings

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upsettingandunfortunateclasshate · 3 years ago

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Notes from hull uni webinar on slavery in hull. Bear in mind these were written down quickly, so consider that if you're gonna reblog. It's not gospel (although all criticisms of Beverley are factual and just). I just thought people might find em interesting cos this is uncharted territory

- Professor Trevor Burnard

- Dr Nick Evans

Hull had the world's first slaver museum designed to tell the story of slavery (1907?)

William Wilberforce whose credited with ending slavery was born here but rarely frequented

Yorkshire had minimal direct involvement in slavery. East riding less. Hull virtually zero, despite being a significant dock and prosperous city. No ships were part of the Atlantic slave trade(?). Very different to ports like Liverpool that were reliant on slavery.

Hull's economic success and prosperity was largely due to welcoming foreign labour / migration which it embraced (there's a statue to this?)

The only slave owners in hull were actually from Beverley LOL

Hull couldn't not be affected by the slave trade cos of its economic and cultural dominance (slavery generated 5x(?) more wealth than the entirety of Scotland). It was as economically important as computers are today.

Hull was indirectly involved in slavery commerce aka handling slave grown products, despite hull's poisition on ending slavery. Tobacco, timber (mahogany).

Slavery increased the wealth of the city aka merchants / rich that invested in hull in everything from expensive houses (eg georgian town houses), luxurious goods and infrastructure. Working class were still poor, dead or fucked

Royals were heavily involved in the slave trade in the 18/19th century. Royal African Company was set up Stuart royals in london and shipped more slaves to the Americas than any other company in the history of the slave trade.

Hull had the first MP (1770s) that began campaigning to end slavery, and obviously William Wilberforce

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paralleljulieverse · 4 years ago

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70th anniversary of Red Riding Hood Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 154 performances (23 December 1950 - 10 March 1951)

This week marks the 70th anniversary of another milestone event in the early career of Julie Andrews when the young fifteen-year old star opened in the title role of Tom Arnold’s lavish Christmas pantomime, Red Riding Hood at Nottingham’s Theatre Royal.

Red Riding Hood would be Julie’s second professional pantomime, following her earlier run in Humpty Dumpty at the London Casino in 1948/49. On paper, a stint at a provincial theatre might seem a downward career step after the West End, but Nottingham’s Theatre Royal was no backwater playhouse. One of the most luxurious venues of its day, the Theatre Royal opened in 1865 as a cultural monument to the booming prosperity of the East Midlands and, with convenient railway links to London, it soon became one of Britain’s preeminent touring houses, hosting repeated visits from major stars, both national and international, including Lillie Langtry, Sarah Bernhardt, Henry Irving and Anna Pavlova (Beynon, 11-13).

Moreover, Red Riding Hood wasn’t your run-of-the-mill small-town panto. It was a theatrical extravaganza produced by Tom Arnold, the foremost impresario of the British provinces. Specialising in prestigious family entertainments and theatre spectaculars, Arnold was reported to have staged over 400 pantomimes during his long career, earning him the nickname of Britain’s “New King of Pantomime” (”Personalia” 105; “King”, 11; “Obituary”, 15). The words “A Tom Arnold Production” on a pantomime poster or programme was a guarantee of first-rate entertainment with top-drawer talent and state-of-the-art production values.

The 1950 Christmas season would be one of Arnold’s most ambitious with a roster of big pantos in simultaneous production up and down the length of the British Isles including, Dick Whittington On Ice at the Empire Pool, Wembley; Queen of Hearts at the Wimbledon Theatre; Puss in Boots on Ice at the Brighton Sports Stadium; Dick Whittington at the Grand Theatre, Leeds; Humpty Dumpty at the Liverpool Empire; and Cinderella at the Alhambra Theatre, Glasgow (“Xmas Holiday Shows”, 12-21). Red Riding Hood at the Theatre Royal was the jewel in the crown with a generous budget, lavish set design, and A-list casting.

Charged with overseeing the Nottingham production of Red Riding Hood was Frank P. Adey, an enterprising young producer who had managed several earlier Arnold productions -- as well as big shows for other impresarios such as Emile Littler and Bernard Delfont -- and who would a few years later go on to helm the legendary Ocean Theatre in Clacton (Howlett, 5). Unlike today’s producers who are principally concerned with behind-the-scenes business, Adey was “a producer from the days when the title meant someone who put the whole show together from choosing the artistes, constructing the programme and lighting the scenery to directing the performers” (Hudd, 6). In the case of Red Riding Hood, he even co-wrote the script.

Just one year earlier, during the 1949 pantomime season, Adey had produced another version of Red Riding Hood for John Beaumont at the Lyceum Theatre in Sheffield, which is possibly why he was tapped to helm the even bigger Tom Arnold production at Nottingham (“Xmas Holiday Shows,” 1949, 15). When deciding on the cast for the 1950 show, Adey called on several of the performing talents who had worked with him in Sheffield (“Nottm.,” 6). Announced in early September, casting for the Nottingham show included:

Cherry Lind as Prince Valiant of Alluria (principal boy): A popular singer and radio personality of the post-war years, Lind had performed the “pants” role of Prince Valiant in the 1949 Sheffield production. She had also appeared previously at the Theatre Royal Nottingham in the title role of Rose Marie in 1945 (“Cherry Lind”, 5). Lind enjoyed a solid career on radio and TV into the early-60s before retiring to Brighton where she passed away in 2005 (Steel, 114-15).

Albert and Les Ward as Billy Blue and Jimmy Green (double act): This comedy brother duo were popular performers on radio variety shows of the era such as Welsh Rarebit, Variety Bandbox and Petticoat Lane. Known for their riotous “skiffle” musical performances using unconventional instruments such as washboards, bicycle pumps and spoons, the pair was cast as the comic “villainous sidekicks”, the Baron’s Henchmen, a role they had previously performed in Sheffield (“Cherry Lind”, 5; “Kings”, 24). The two brothers continued to live together in their family home in Cardiff till their deaths in 2001 and 2004 respectively (Baker, 131).

Tony Heaton as Mother Hubbard (dame): A stalwart of the British variety circuit, Heaton specialised in playing “dame” roles in pantomimes (“Dames,” 3). He had also performed this part of Mother Hubbard in the earlier Sheffield show (“Cherry Lind”, 5; “Tony Heaton”, 3). Sadly, Heaton took his own life in the sea off Blackpool in 1965 (“Drowned”, 12).

Laurie Main as Baron Pie Face of Merryvale Hall (comic): Also returning from the Sheffield production was this young character comedian from Australia who plied his trade in British variety and pantomimes throughout the 50s, before moving to the US in 1959 where he carved a solid career in theatre, film and TV till his death in 2012. As a tidbit for fans of Julie-related trivia, Main would re-team with Julie many years later when he had a brief cameo as a French general in Darling Lili (1970) (Raleigh, 5; “Laurie Main,” 11).

John Bernell as King Wolf (villain): Not a lot of information is available on Bernell, though newspaper reports indicate he made regular appearances in regional theatre productions and pantomimes throughout the 30s-50s. He had played this same role in Sheffield where he was praised as a fine stage villain with thrilling swordsmanship skills. In one of his on-stage duels with Cherry Lind, Bernell fell and fractured his wrist but, in true show-must-go-on spirit, he finished the performance before going to hospital (“Variety Gossip”, 4).

Doreen Brebner as Fairy Silverleaf (good fairy): 22-year old Brebner was a talented young ballerina from South Africa who had come to the UK under a bursary scheme. Placed under contract by dance teacher and choreographer, Izna Roselli, she did honours as the lead dancer in the Sheffield production of Red Riding Hood, supported by the Izna Roselli Girls and Kirby’s Flying Ballet. For the Nottingham show, she was ‘promoted’ to the role of the protecting fairy (”6,000 Miles”, 5).

Tony Hancock as Jolly Jenkins (comic): Last but certainly not least, the other major principal role announced in early casting was Tony Hancock in the comic part of “the silly billy, well-meaning page to the Baron” (Fisher, 102). Hancock was one of the few new additions to the Nottingham line-up, taking over a role that had been played in Sheffield by Gene Durham. Today, he is one of the most famous names in the Nottingham cast, but, at the time, Hancock was still relatively unknown. His celebrity would increase markedly the following year when he was contracted to take over the lead role of the tutor in the 1951 season of Educating Archie, before eventually proceeding to secure his own radio show and lasting fame (Fisher, 102-3).*

The one glaring omission from the early casting announcements was the title role of Red Riding Hood herself. In Sheffield, this “principal girl” role had been performed by Valerie Ashton, a young singer-dancer and stage beauty who, by all accounts, acquitted herself well enough -- “a typical and pleasing Red Riding Hood” was the verdict of one reviewer (“Spotlight”, 5) -- but a bigger marquee name was needed to helm the more expensive Nottingham production and serve as a box office draw.

It’s not known when or how the idea to cast Julie Andrews in the title role of Red Riding Hood first emerged but, by 1950, she was a young star firmly on the ascendant. Her celebrated debut run in Starlight Roof and subsequent appearance as the youngest ever performer at a Royal Command Performance in 1948 had earned her widespread publicity as “Britain’s youngest prima donna”. While her increasing presence on radio, especially her regular stint on the hit BBC programme, Educating Archie, boosted her celebrity and helped make her a nationwide name. Julie had also worked on a previous Tom Arnold production with her 1949 summer run in Coconut Grove at the Blackpool Hippodrome, so she would have been on the company’s radar.

Either way, negotiations to secure Julie for Red Riding Hood commenced at some point in 1950. They were protracted and, one suspects, intense. Whereas casting for all the other principals was announced in September, Julie’s participation wasn’t officially confirmed till much later in November (“Julie Andrews”, 1; “More”, 5). Throughout this period, there were persistent rumours of her involvement, with one over-eager newspaper having to issue a front-page retraction after it had published a premature report in early October that the young star had been signed. “Nothing definite has yet been arranged. No contract has been signed,” it clarified, “but it is hoped that Miss Andrews will play Red Riding Hood” (“Red Riding Hood: Premature Report,” 1). In the end, a contract was signed and formally announced in mid-November, giving Julie co-star billing with Cherry Lind and, reportedly, a £200 weekly fee -- “big money then for a 15-year old entertainer in Britain” (Cottrell 57 ).

Rehearsals for the pantomime commenced on Monday 11 December with all the company and principals congregating for a script read-through, save Cherry Lind whose arrival was delayed due to a broadcasting commitment in Bristol (“Nottm. Panto. Rehearsals,” 6). Such was the level of public interest in the show that the 'table read’ was covered widely in the local and regional press. For the first week, the cast rehearsed at the Orchestra Club in Nottingham, before moving into the Theatre Royal the following Monday 18 December for on-stage rehearsals. In her memoirs, Julie recounts how her mother and aunt motored up with her to Nottingham in the family caravan where they all stayed for the two weeks of rehearsals to help Julie settle in; after which the two women returned home and Julie moved in to the Country Hotel with Cherry Lind and the other principals for the run of the show (Andrews, 129).

As was customary with pantomime, Red Riding Hood hewed to the time-honoured formula of a well-known fairy tale told with a colourful mix of music, comedy, spectacle and audience participation. By the mid-twentieth century, the received industry wisdom for mounting a pantomime was to offer something for everyone in the audience: “broad but not coarse comedy for the kids...lots of song and dance for the grown-ups, and the whole thing mov[ing] quickly from scene to scene so that no one has time to get bored” (Robertshaw, 15). This variety showcase of “events and comedy routines” was typically keyed into “the skills of the performers booked” with pantos of the era often playing “like spectacular variety shows” (Taylor, 34-35).

Producer Frank Adey, however, was of the conviction that a good pantomime needed to adhere to a well-crafted story without too many extraneous elaborations. “Everyone who comes to panto gets in to the spirit of things,” he said, “and that spirit is the story. You must not deviate and make it a revue. It must be first a pantomime and last a pantomime” (“Nottm. Panto. Rehearsals,” 6). Thus, whatever schtick individual performers were allowed was for the most part integrated into the book and showcase moments were largely played “in character”.**

With Julie in the title role -- and the equally popular singing personality, Cherry Lind as co-star -- the Nottingham production placed a premium on music and song. Indeed, Adey revised the script so that Red Riding Hood would burst into song whenever she was afraid, thereby “giving Julie ample opportunity to show her stuff” (Arntz and Wilson, 17). In classic panto style, popular songs of the day were interpolated into the score so that audiences could sing along. Thus, at one point in proceedings, Julie and Cherry Lind led the house in a rousing rendition of the newly minted Christmas hit, “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Stevenson, 3). Other popular standards featured in the show included: ‘If You Feel Like Singing” and the Flanagan and Allen hit, “Hey, Neighbour”(Stevenson, 3). However, Adey also revived the “earlier pantomime tradition” of featuring classical music by “composers such as Tschaikovsky...Offenbach, Edward German and others” (ibid.). In this way, Julie got to air her classical training by singing “amongst other things the 'Waltz Song' from Tom Jones with its many trills” and ‘The Gypsy and the Bird' by Sir Julius Benedict (Stevenson, 3; see also Andrews: 130).

The final dress rehearsal for Red Riding Hood took place on 22 December in front of a charity audience of over 550 children from local care homes and hospitals (“Night of their Lives,” 2). Newspaper reports described that the excited children “oohed and aahed” and “gurgled with glee” and “gasped at their first view of Fairlyland,” noting that:

“A special cheer was reserved for the first entrance of Red Riding Hood. Miss Andrews, only a few months older than the oldest of the children, showed her gratitude by singing to them..with a voice like silver” (“Night of their Lives,” 2).

Once the show had officially opened on 23 December, press reviews were similarly appreciative:

The Nottingham Journal: “Cherry Lind and Julie Andrews...are the best principal boy and girl whom Nottingham has had for many a long year. Both have delightful voices -- Julie’s being phenomenal” (Stevenson, “Showpiece,” 4).

The Nottingham Guardian: “Principal Boy Cherry Lind and Principal Girl Julie Andrews have youth and lovely voices to help them make their parts everything they should be. Julie Andrews’s voice especially is astonishingly good -- good for a singer of any age, astonishing because she is only 15...We can’t all sing like Julie Andrews, but the next best thing when mid-twentieth century conditions become a little too fearsome is to go and hear her and escape for three hours to the world of pantomime” (“Emphasis on Tradition”, 5).

The Nottingham Evening Post: “Red Riding Hood is everything it should be...Principal Boy Cherry Lind and Principal Girl Julie Andrews make the most charming pair...They, with Archie Stanton conducting the theatre orchestra, attend to the music and the heroics” (“Nottm. Panto. Sticks,” 1).

The Nottingham Evening News: “It would be necessary to go back many years to find a principal boy and girl equal to Cherry Lind and Julie Andrews. Both have lovely voices but, because of her age, Julie’s is phenomenal. Who would expect to hear the soaring notes and the trills of a coloratura soprano coming from the throat of a fifteen-year-old who looks ‘that nice youngster from next door’. Their duet ‘Your heart and My Heart’ is one of the the most delightful things imaginable” (WBS, 1).

The Football Post: “This year’s show is firmly based on tradition and is packed with action, colour, spectacle, song and dance. Cherry Lind as the Prince and Julie Andrews as Red Riding Hood make an admirable couple, and they are supported by a strong comedy team (“Pantomime Keeps,” 11)

The Stage: “Frank P. Adey is this year giving Nottingham the most lavish pantomime it has seen for a good many years...Red Riding Hood has all colour, melody, melodrama and well-known jokes and situations that have always delighted children -- and their parents -- but a little more emphasis is laid on the melody and song than is perhaps usual. And it is natural that this should be so, for Cherry Lind and the young Julie Andrews, in addition to making a very charming Prince and Red Riding Hood, show that they have two of the sweetest voices heard in Nottingham for a long time” (“Xmas Holiday Shows,” 1950, 15).

The glowing reception of Red Riding Hood extended equally to audiences. Ticket sales were excellent and the show played to capacity houses. Coach and rail tours brought a steady flow of group bookings from near and far. Red Riding Hood “continues its triumphant course at the Theatre Royal, Nottingham,” noted one newspaper report in mid-January, “with a seemingly inexhaustible supply of patrons queueing to see Cherry Lind...and Julie Andrews” ( “New Revue,” 11). Audience demand was so strong that the show was extended several times beyond its original closing date of early February (“Panto. Extended.” 11). The run was initially extended till 3 March, after which it was extended a further week, finally closing on 10 March after 154 performances.

Notes:

* Quite a few commentators suggest erroneously that Julie and Tony Hancock already knew each other prior to Red Riding Hood due to the fact they had worked together on Educating Archie (Stirling, 38). Even Julie makes the claim in her memoirs: “Since he [Hancock] had performed in Educating Archie, I knew him a little and liked him, although we hadn’t had much connection on the radio show” (Andrews, 131). However, Tony Hancock didn’t start performing in Educating Archie till the second series in August 1951, many months after the end of Red Riding Hood.

** I say “for the most part” because Red Riding Hood did include an extended "interval” where the popular local specialty act, the Musical Elliotts, did a comic virtuoso turn playing miniature concertinas, followed by another family troupe, Walton’s Marionettes, who put on a puppet show, but this interlude was designed largely as a self-contained “show within a show” that gave the main cast -- and the audience -- a breather between acts (Stevenson, 3).

Sources:

“6,000 Miles From Home.” Sheffield Daily Telegraph. 14 January 1950: 5.

Andrews, Julie. Home: A Memoir of My Early Years. London: Weidenfeld & Nicolson, 2008.

Arntz, James and Wilson, Tom. Julie Andrews. Chicago, IL.: Contemporary Books, 1995.

Baker, Richard A. Old Time Variety: An Illustrated History. Barnsley: Remember When, 2011.

“Beware Something is Cooking.” The Nottingham Journal. 22 December 1950: 5.

Beynon, Robin, ed. The Theatre Royal Nottingham, 1875-1978: A Theatrical and Architectural History. Nottingham: Nottingham City Council Theatre Royal Sub-committee, 1978.

“Cherry Lind Stars in Nottingham Pantomime.” The Nottingham Journal. 12 September 1950: 5.

Cottrell, John. Julie Andrews: The Story of a Star. London: Arthur Barker, 1968.

“‘Dames’ Win Praise.” The Star Green 'Un. 7 January 1950: 3.

“Drowned Comedian Faced Arrest.” The Guardian. 28 August 1965: 12.

“Entertainments: Lyceum Theatre Sheffield.” Derbyshire Times. 22 December 1949: 10.

“Emphasis on Tradition in ‘Red Riding Hood.” The Nottingham Guardian. 27 December 1950: 5.

Fisher, John. Tony Hancock: The Definitive Biography. London: HarperCollins, 2008.

Howlett, Sue. “Frank of the Ocean Calls It a Day.” Clacton Gazette. 6 May 1977: 5.

Hudd, Roy. Roy Hudd's Book of Music-hall, Variety and Showbiz Anecdotes. London: Robson Books, 1994.

“Ilkeston Firm’s Event.” The Nottingham Evening Post. 16 December 1950: 1.

“Julie Andrews Will Be Red Riding Hood.” The Nottingham Journal. 22 November 1950: 1.

“Variety Gossip: John Bernell.” The Stage. 16 March 1950: 4.

“The Jones Family Goes to Fairyland.” The Nottingham Journal. 23 December 1950: 3.

“King of Pantomime Dies”. The Illustrated London News. 8 February 1969: 11.

“Kings of the Washboard: Albert and Les Ward.” The Hampshire Telegraph. 6 December 1957: 24.

“Laurie Main, Narrator on TV’s ‘Welcome to Pooh Corner,’ Dies at 89.” Hollywood Reporter. 16 February 2012: 11.

“More about Theatre Royal Panto.” The Nottingham Evening Post. 20 November 1950: 5.

“New Revue for the Nottm. Empire.” The Football Post, 13 January 1951: 11.

“Night of their Lives: Children at Panto. Dress Rehearsal.” The Nottingham Evening Post. 23 December 1950: 2.

“Nottingham Bill of Christmas Entertainment.” The Football Post. 23 December 1950: 11.

“Nottingham Dancers in Pantomime.” The Nottingham Journal. 12 December 1950: 3.

“Nottingham Panto Principals.” The Nottingham Evening Post. 4 December 1950: 1.

“Nottm. Panto. Principals.” The Nottingham Evening Post. 11 September 1950: 6.

“Nottm. Panto. Rehearsals Begin.” The Nottingham Evening Post. 11 December 1950: 6.

“Nottm. Panto. Sticks to Tradition.” The Nottingham Evening Post. 26 December 1950: 1.

“Obituary: Tom Arnold.” The Stage. 6 February 1969: 15.

“Panto. Extended.” The Football Post. 3 February 1951: 11.

“Panto King, Tom Arnold, is Dead.” Daily Mirror. 3 February 1969: 5.

“Pantomime Forecasts.” The Stage. 24 November 1949: 8.

“Pantomime Keeps Christmas Spirit Going.” The Football Post. 30 December 1950: 11.

“Personalia: The New King of Pantomime.” The Sphere. 20 April 1935: 105.

Raleigh, H.M. “The Repertory Theatre: Talented Players at Sheffield.” Yorkshire Post and Leeds Mercury. 24 June 1950: 5.

“Red Riding Hood: Premature Report.” The Nottingham Evening Post. 3 October 1950: 1.

“‘Red Riding Hood’ Rehearsals.” The Nottingham Evening Post. 11 December 1950: 1.

Robertshaw, Ursula. “Bo-Peep in Bath.” The Illustrated London News. 6 January 1968: 14-15.

“Spotlight on Entertainment.” The Derbyshire Times. 13 January 1950: 5.

“Stars from this Season’s Nottingham Theatre Royal Pantomime.” The Nottingham Journal. 20 December 1950: 1.

Steel, Tracey. “Whatever Happened to...?” Evergreen: A Miscellany of This & That & Things Gone By, Summer 2019: 114-15.

Stevenson, Bernard. “Stage and Screen: Panto in Full Swing in Nottm and District.” Nottingham Evening News. 30 December 1950: 3.

Stevenson, W.B. “Showpiece: First Red Riding Hood since 1919.” The Nottingham Journal. 12 September 1950: 4.

Stevenson, W.B.“‘Red Riding Hood’ in Tradition.” The Nottingham Journal. 23 December 1950: 3.

Stevenson, W.B.“Showpiece: Hot Music or ‘H.P.’” The Nottingham Journal. 27 December 1950: 4.

Stirling, Richard. Julie Andrews: An Intimate Biography. London: Portrait, 2007.

Taylor, Millie. British Pantomime Performance. Bristol: Intellect Books, 2007.

“Tony Heaton.” The Stage. 2 September 1965: 3.

W.B.S. “A Grand Panto: Red Riding Hood opens in Nottm.” The Nottingham Evening News, 26 December 1950: 1.

“Xmas Holiday Shows.” The Stage. 30 December 1949: 12-21.

“Xmas Holiday Shows.” The Stage. 29 December 1950: 12-21.

#julie andrews #red riding hood #pantomime #christmas #theatre royal #nottingham #british theatre #1950 #theatre history #70th Anniversary #panto #the parallel julieverse

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miaswetnambcu · 4 years ago

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Brand Group Meeting 2

Our second brand meeting was based around finalising our original ideas as well as establishing a customer profile.

Our first point was to decide a name for our brand. Our first idea being the name ‘Sensuell’ which means voluptuous in Norwegian. As the word would be pronounced as the English word ‘sensual’, we thought it would work as a double meaning for the brand name. However, our brand does not hold any link to Norway and it would not make sense to use a Norwegian word for the name of our brand.

Our second idea was Curvé. The idea was derived from the word curve and as our products are aimed at curvy women, we though it would be fitting. We added the accent on the end of the ‘e’ so that it is pronounced as ‘curvay’, which makes it sound more luxurious. Also, the word curve on its own is not very interesting and wouldn’t draw people into our brand.

We decided to do a mood board surrounding the colours we are going to use for our products. Our initial idea was black with some nude shades as well. Both of these compliment each other and will work for many different skin tones for our customer. For a statement piece, we chose a lilac colour. We chose this colour as it is a soft colour that will flatter most body types and skin tones, as well as it being a very wearable colour.

Our design inspiration was found on plus-size models that showcase different styles of clothing. We decided our outfit ideas were going to consist of one dress, one skirt and top co-ord and one trousers, top and blazer set. The products from the sets would be able to buy separately, as well as being able to choose the sizes for each individual item if they were to be bought as the set. Figure-hugging silhouettes is the main idea, with some corset style elements into the garments.

Our social media is based around the same colour theme as our products, which is black, nudes and lilac. The Instagram posts will be centered around plus-size women with various body shapes. This is to ensure that all types of plus-size people are included in our brand and so that each customer is able to find someone showcasing the same body type as them on our page. This should make the customer feel more included and accepted into the brand to improve our customer engagement.

Once we had established these elements, we decided to create a customer profile. We chose to do this to ensure we are aware of what our customers likes and dislikes and can hopefully portray this through out brand outcomes.

The ideal customer we created was 22 year old woman, either a post-graduate or in her last year of uni. The customer would live in the main part of a city such as Manchester or Liverpool. She is a size 18 and is very active on her social media by constantly checking her timelines and liking other people’s posts. She would be likely to follow some sort of plus-sized model such as Ashley Graham, as well as other influencers such as Kylie Jenner or Molly-Mae. We decided she would most likely follow these possibly look for tips for make-up and hair. In contrast, she may follow these people as she would like to look or dress like them, but cannot find the right clothes to do so. This is where our brand is needed, as it would give people like her the opportunity to wear clothes like Kylie Jenner to make her feel just as beautiful.

To look further into customers and a current need for our brand, we decided to create a survey to look into these aspects.

The first question on the survey was for the person to state their age. The responses ranged from 17- 27 year olds, which is close of our age range of 20-30 year olds. This indicated the results would be in significant relation to our brand.

The second question was centered around people’s plans when we are out of lockdown. 27.7% said a restaurant or pub and 23.1% said they would go to a bar or club. This equates to just under 50% of people on the quiz saying they would go to the places where our clothing range is most likely to be seen. This idicates that there is a need for our brand in the near future. However, this question was slightly misleading as our brand is for when we are out of the current pandemic, not lockdown. This lead to there being such a high percentage saying they would stay home. If we were to do this quiz again, we would have to alter this question to be more specific.

Our next question posed as to whether the person would buy new clothes for this. It is split quite evenly on both sides. This may reflect the previous question as around 50% said they would go to a bar or a pub. Those 50% would most likely say yes to this question, with the other 50% saying no.

The next question was based around the brands that people tend to shop at. 23 people said ASOS and 8 said Zara. Pretty Little Thing was said 7 times, with House of CB and Missguided mentioned 3 times each. Most of these brands have a similar price range, which could help us to asses the market for price. ASOS has multiple brands on their platform so their price range varies between each one. House of CB sits slightly higher on the price range than other like Pretty Little Thing and Missguided.

The people or things that influence people’s fashion choices was asked in the next question. 27 people stated some form of social media, such as Instagram and Tik Tok. Friends was the second most popular with 5 people stating it, as well as catwalk fashion being said by 2 people. This gives us insight as to how to promote our brand, with social media being the obvious choice.

Our next question was based around the price range that people would pay for a dress. We decided to include this in the survey as it would give us a rough margin as to how much people will pay. 54% said £0-£30, with £28.6% saying £30-£50. This indicates that 82.6% of people in this survey would only pay up to £50. This is something we will have to take into consideration when planning our pricing for our products.

The last question on the survey asked what the person would wear on a ‘night-out’. 49.2% said jeans and a nice top, with 9.2% saying a dress and 7.7% saying a co-ord. This shows that there is a market for the products that we decided to make.

After the meeting, I decided to interview someone who was previously plus-size to see if our brand is needed in the market. Paige was a size 20 when she was age 20. She displayed her stress to me regarding her weight and the clothing that was available to her at that time.

I explained our brand identity to her, which is to make plus-size women feel beautiful and confident in their bodies. I added that our brand is a party/eveningwear brand for plus-size women with products such as dresses and co-ords. After I explained our brand to her, she said that she “needed a brand like that” when she was that size.

According to Paige, the clothing that was available to her was not made for her age and were made for people upwards of 40. With her only being age 20, the clothes were obviously not her style and would not have made her feel confident when wearing them. She showed me a picture of her at a party where she wore a blue leopard print dress. The dress was obviously not something that a 20 year old would usually wear to a party as the dress seemed to be made of a thick cotton and was not very flattering on her figure. Although she could not remember where she got the dress from, she stated that it was not from a standard high street store like New Look or H&M. She said it was more likely to be from a brand like Evans. Evans is a plus-size clothing brand in the UK that stocks sizes from 14-32. The standard customer for Evans would be women 50+, which Paige is not part of. The dress she wore to the party did not make her feel beautiful or confident and she even felt the need to wear two pairs of fat pants and a pair of shaping tights underneath the dress. She said that even though she wore these shaping garments underneath, she still did not feel confident in the dress and though that it did flatter her figure.

The way she described this is exactly why we wanted to create a plus-size partywear brand. She was unable to find any dress that she thought was flattering on her body, and even the dress she chose to wear did not make her feel beautiful and confident. Our brand is centered around making plus-size women feel empowered and confident enough in themselves to wear our garments. People like Paige are exactly the target market we are looking for and this interview reinforces the fact that a brand like ours is needed in the fashion industry.

Paige eventually lost a lot of weight and dropped from a size 20 to a size 10. She stated that even though she has lost a lot of weight, she still does not feel confident in her body. She said that this was because she was unable to build that confidence when she was younger as the clothes that were available to her did not make her feel good about herself. Paige could not build her confidence up when most people do as she did not have the resources to do so, and had to resort to feeling uncomfortable in any piece of clothing she wore. Although clothing brand make clothes in her size, they did not make clothes for her size, which led to them being unflattering on her body. The picture above shows this, as although the clothes do physically fit on her body, they were not made for the structure of her body, leading to the proportions seen on the top and the shorts not fitting as well on her body as it would on a smaller sized person. As our products will be made to fit a curvy body, this will not be a problem for our customers.

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pacifichomesnsw · 7 months ago

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A Guide for First-Time Land Buyers

Buying land for the first time involves a unique set of considerations compared to purchasing a home. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help first-time land buyers navigate the process:

1. Define Your Purpose:

Clarify why you want to buy land (e.g., building a home, investment, agriculture).

Consider the location, size, and features you need for your intended use.

2. Financial Preparation:

Determine your budget, considering the cost of the land, potential development costs, and ongoing expenses.

Explore financing options, such as land loans or owner financing.

3. Research Zoning and Restrictions:

Understand local zoning regulations and land use restrictions.

Check if there are any limitations on building, land improvements, or agricultural activities.

4. Environmental Considerations:

Assess the land for environmental factors like soil quality, water sources, and potential hazards.

Research any environmental regulations or restrictions on the property.

5. Survey and Boundary Check:

Conduct a land survey to verify property boundaries and easements.

Ensure the survey is up-to-date and accurate.

6. Access and Infrastructure:

Confirm access to the land and check road conditions.

Evaluate the availability of utilities (water, electricity, gas) and the cost of connecting them.

7. Land Inspection:

Walk the property to assess its topography, drainage, and any existing structures.

Identify any potential issues that may affect your intended use.

8. Land Use Restrictions:

Check for any restrictions on land use imposed by homeowners’ associations or government entities.

9. Land Title Investigation:

Obtain a title report to ensure there are no liens, encumbrances, or ownership disputes.

Verify the seller’s legal right to sell the property.

10. Negotiate the Purchase:

Work with the seller to negotiate the purchase price and any terms.

Consider contingencies, such as a due diligence period.

11. Legal Assistance:

Engage with a real estate attorney experienced in land transactions.

Ensure all legal documents are reviewed and understood.

12. Closing Process:

Finalize the purchase agreement and complete the closing process.

Transfer ownership and obtain the necessary legal documents.

13. Insurance:

Consider purchasing title insurance to protect against unforeseen title issues.

Explore liability insurance for personal or business-related activities on the land.

14. Future Planning:

Develop a long-term plan for the land, whether it’s for building, agriculture, or investment.

Stay informed about local development plans that may impact the area.

15. Be Patient and Thorough:

Take your time throughout the process and don’t rush decisions.

Seek professional advice and conduct thorough due diligence.

Conclusion:

Buying land requires careful research, due diligence, and consideration of your long-term goals. Surround yourself with experienced professionals, including real estate agents, attorneys, and surveyors, to guide you through the process. Being well-informed and patient will contribute to a successful and satisfying land-buying experience.

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zenasflower · 9 months ago

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Flowers in Liverpool

Flowers in Liverpool can be found in many shops and venues. They can be used for decorations or as gifts. They also symbolize certain holidays.

Iris: These unique flowers are known for their ruffled petals and vibrant colors. They can add texture and beauty to bouquets and gardens. Irises are often associated with wisdom and intelligence.

Fishlocks Flowers

This store is the best Flower Delivery in Liverpool that delivers flowers for various occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings. Their customer service is excellent and they have a great selection of flowers that are sure to make your loved one smile. They also offer a wide range of gifts like champagne, chocolates, and teddies.

This flower shop is a top choice for weddings and offers bouquets in traditional and contemporary styles. They are also experts in designing bouquets for funerals and can even deliver nationwide. They accept most major credit and debit cards. Their prices are a little higher than average but their quality is top-notch. Their delivery service is quick and reliable. They can also deliver a bouquet the same day you order.

Suttons House of Flowers

Dovedale Florist lives up to its trading name by using flowers that evoke peace, gentleness, and faith. Its floral emblem is the Cuckoo flower (Cardamine pratensis), which is native to much of the UK and is especially resplendent in Sutton and the surrounding communities.

The company also offers gifts such as helium balloons and luxury hampers. It can deliver your order in Liverpool and across the country. Its delivery services are fast and efficient. Customers have praised their helpful and kind staff.

The company is a local independent florist that specializes in wedding flowers. Its bouquets are hand-crafted with care and attention to detail. Their team offers various arrangements for special occasions, including birthdays, anniversaries, Valentine’s Day, and Mother’s Day. They also offer sympathy funeral flowers for those who have lost a loved one.

Lula Flower Shop

Located on Prescot Street, Lula Flower Shop is an artisanal haven that is a testament to Liverpool's floral artistry. From single roses for a romantic date to globes of tulips for a celebratory brunch, this florist has something for every occasion.

UK merchants often offer loyalty programs with discounts for their most valued buyers. These programs typically give buyers the ability to accumulate points or rewards for their purchases, which can be exchanged for additional benefits like free items or discounts on future purchases.

Some merchants also provide teachers with fabulous discounts on a wide selection

of different products and services. It's always a good idea to check the website or subscribe to the email newsletter of your favorite merchant to find out if they offer teacher discounts on a continuous basis or during specific promotions.

Dutch Flower Shop

Dutch Flower Shop is a flower shop located on Woolton Road Wavertree. It is an independent florist that specializes in weddings and funeral flowers and has been around for over 35 years. It is a family-run business and its customer service has received good reviews.

Its team has created floral arrangements for celebrities such as Coleen Rooney and Liverpool FC’s players. The staff also caters to events and weddings in the city.

The store also offers Floral Workshops to teach you how to make your own flower arrangement. The workshops are led by the store’s in-house florists who pack their sessions with insider tips gleaned from over 36 years in the industry. Their workshop offerings are suitable for people of all skill levels. The workshops have received good reviews.

Booker Flowers and Gifts

Booker Flowers and Gifts is an award-winning florist in Liverpool. They specialise in hand made arrangements using only top-grade flowers. They offer same day and three hour flower delivery in the local area, as well as UK and worldwide deliveries via Interflora. They are also rated best by ‘Three Best Rated’ and North West Regional Winner at the English Wedding Awards.

They are a flourishing floral boutique that offers wedding flowers in Liverpool, Merseyside, Cheshire and Runcorn. Their creative florists Gemma and her team will happily schedule a consultation with you to help craft your dream wedding arrangement. They can design everything from bespoke wedding bouquets and buttonholes to exquisite hairpieces and enchanting car decor.

They also make rose bouquets for Valentine’s Day. Their roses are arranged in a box that keeps the petals fresh for up to a year.

#Flowers in Liverpool #Flower Delivery in Liverpool #Sending Flowers to Liverpool

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eelliescott · 5 years ago

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Lifestyle Module. Reading Week- Initial Research

Over the reading week, we were set a research task, the task required us to research 5 brands, and find out the following-

The Brand Ethos- What is the brand about, what do they stand for? Who are they?

Their Inspirations.

Their Product- What do they sell?

Price.

Place- Where they sell?

Promotion- Where do they advertise/promote products? Campaigns?

Customer- Who are they? Age? Job?

The 5 brands I looked at were Converse, Urban Outfitters, Acne Studios, Dr Martens & We Are Cow.

Converse Research

Brand Ethos/Identity-

‘ALWAYS CREATING AND EXPERIMENTING’

Street style classics that can be worn by anyone.

‘What you wear defines sport, street, and creative culture, and we’ve been redefining it with you all along. When you wear Converse products, you create a culture of authentic street style’ Converse.

‘What We Do

Converse believes that unleashing the creative spirit can change the world. We strive to make a positive impact in the communities in which we live and work. We empower our community partners to unleash their creative spirit through Music, Art and Skate, with a focus on inspiring and enabling young people to be their true authentic selves. We aim to connect, be useful and be a company that cares.’ Converse.

Inspirations- The youth of today. ‘Converse is empowering today’s daring spirit of youth by celebrating freedom of expression through individuals and their movement(s).’ Converse.

Product-

‘MADE FOR THE STREET’ CONVERSE.

Best known for footwear & apparel. Their bestsellers are the Classic Chuck Taylors hi & low top. Along with a slightly different variation, Chuck 70’s.

Converse do limited edition shoes, for example, the ‘Breaking Down Barriers "Celtics" Chuck 70’ which is celebrating the legacy of Chuck Cooper, who was the first African-American player to be drafted on an NBA team. ‘The sneaker pays homage to Cooper, including references to his life, his career, and basketball in the 1950s. It is also the first time another name has ever replaced Chuck Taylor’s on the sneaker’s license plate.’ Converse.

Converse also do collaborations with other high-end designers. Converse x Comme Des Garcons. Converse x Golf le Fleur.

Price- Converse Footwear- Range from £30-£160. (incl. men & women)

Converse Apparel- Range from £16-£180 (women) £15-£160 (men)

Place- Worldwide. Online. Department Stores. Shoe Stores.

Uk- Online. Majority of their classic styles & some limited editions are stocked in UK shoe stores such as Schuh, Office, Foot asylum, JD sports.

Some limited edition Converse styles are only stocked in a reduced number of stores. For example, Converse X CDG is only stocked on Dover Street Market, End Clothing & Selfridges.

Promotion- Facebook Advertisements. Twitter. Instagram. Collaborations. Advertisement board (billboards). Working on campaigns with young influential creatives who suit their brand ethos.

Customer

‘We serve those who play outside the mainstream. Those who are willing to try new things, make bold choices, and shape their world. Bringing a daring spirit to everything we do not only influences the culture, it can change the conversation. Dreamers, makers, movers and connectors—welcome home’ Converse.

Although I have seen Converse across all cultures and worn on many different people with different styles.

Urban Outfitters

Brand Ethos/Identity- ‘lifestyle retailer dedicated to inspiring customers through a unique combination of product, creativity and cultural understanding. Founded in 1970 in a small space across the street from the University of Pennsylvania, Urban Outfitters now operates over 200 stores in the United States, Canada and Europe, offering experiential retail environments and a well-curated mix of women’s, men’s, accessories and home product assortments.’ Urban Outfitters.

Inspirations- Youth Culture (music, arts, universities, creatives, artists)

Product- Urban Outfitters has grown into a worldwide retail store. They sell Men & Women apparel (Clothes, Shoes, Accessories) along with a wide range of home & lifestyle products (Furniture, Technology, Books, Gifts)

Price- Women's- Range from £12- £756 Shoes- £35-£230 Accessories-£3-£358 (all categories incl.UO own stock & Brands)

Men's- Range from £17-£320 Accessories £6-£20 Shoes- £18-£195 (all categories incl. UO own stock & Brands)

Home & Lifestyle- £3-£1099

Place- Retail Stores & Online.

Promotion- Instagram. Facebook Ads. In store promotions (offers, visuals, discounts)

Customer- When personally visiting UO stores I have noticed they have a younger demographic ranging from 15-30. Creatives. College/University Students.

ACNE STUDIOS

Brand Ethos/Identity-

‘Acne Studios is a Stockholm-based fashion house with a multidisciplinary approach. Through founder and Creative Director Jonny Johansson’s interest in photography, art, architecture and contemporary culture, an alternative path has been found, turning Acne Studios into a well-respected creator of ready-to-wear, magazines, furniture, books and exhibitions.

The collections are defined by Jonny Johansson’s signature juxtaposing design and attention to detail, with an emphasis on tailoring and an eclectic use of materials and custom-developed fabrics. The collections cover men’s and women’s ready-to-wear, footwear, accessories and denim.’ Acne Studios.

Inspiration- Architecture, Art, Contemporary Culture, Photography.

Product- Acne Studios design men's and women's ready-to-wear fashion, footwear, denim, and accessories including handbags, small leather goods, and eyewear.

Acne Studios stages runway fashion shows for its women's Fall/Winter and Spring/Summer collections twice a year.

Price- Women Ready To Wear- £85- £2400 Accessories- £35-£1200

Men Ready To Wear £75-£2000 Accessories- £35-£540

Place- Online at Acnestudios.com. Retail Stores Worldwide in Major Cities. Luxury Department Store Selfridges & Harvey Nichols. Online Luxury Retailer Netaporter.com

Promotion- Runway, Photoshoots, Instagram.

Customer- Young, Creative, Professional. Aged25-30. Men & Women. Wealthy. Creative Jobs (PR, Graphic Designer, Fashion, Photographer)

WE ARE COW

Brand Ethos/Identity-

‘We Are Vintage. We Are Sustainable.

We Are Cow.

Cow Vintage is your best bet for finding big brands, one of a kind vintage and handmade rework garments to fill your wardrobe sustainably.

We have stores all over the UK and our website ships worldwide. Stunt on all your mates with clothes you can't get anywhere else.’ We Are Cow.

Inspirations- Throughout the Eras. 60’s, 70’s, 80’s, 90’s.

Product- We Are Cow stock a range of vintage products from many eras. Accessories, Shoes, Outerwear, Day to Day Wear.

‘Keep ya style different from everyone else with one of a kind vintage garms, big brands and Cow exclusive reworked pieces.’ We Are Cow.

‘Rework is Cow's answer to upcycling, where our talented UK based team takes salvaged and damaged vintage and turns it into our own signature style pieces to add eco-chic to your wardrobe.’ We Are Cow.

Price- Womens (all)- £12-£210 Mens (all)- £16-£165 Reworked- £15- £45.

Place- Online at Wearecow.com & Vintage Stores Birmingham, Liverpool, Sheffield & Manchester.

Promotion- Instagram. Blog Posts. Flyers. Word of Mouth.

Customer- Young Conscious individuals who want to stand out and buy unique pieces. Students & Young Professionals. 16-30. They have a large customer base due to their ethos.

DR MARTENS

Brand/Ethos- ‘Dr. Martens’ appeal to people who have their own individual style but share a united spirit – authentic characters who stand for something. People who possess a proud sense of self- expression. People who are different.

On a stylistic level, Dr. Martens’ simple silhouettes allow their wearers to adopt the boots and shoes as part of their own individual and very distinctive style; on a practical level, their famous durability and comfort make them ideal for the unforgiving world of gigs and street fashion; and then finally on an emotional level, they are a badge of attitude and empowerment.’ Dr. Marten

Inspirations- ‘Without music, Dr Martens would have remained a workwear boot. The music of tribes who wear Dr. Martens has become inseparable from the brand itself.’ Dr. Marten

Youth Culture, Sub-Cultures, Working Class, Arts, Music.

Product- Typically popular for their classic 1460 boot. Along with 1461 shoes. They sell a range of leather shoes/boots, along with vegan leather alternatives.

Price- Womens £3-£239 Men's- £3-£239 Kids-£3.50- £90 (All Including Shoes & Accessories)

Place- Worldwide, Online, Retail Stores, Department Stores, Other Retailers such as Urban Outfitters & Asos.

Promotion- Social Media, Instagram, Facebook Ads.

Customer- ‘The brand’s adoption by a diverse range of tribes, celebrities, musicians and free-thinking individuals – each subverting and twisting the boots and shoes to their own personal needs, attitudes and identity.’ Dr. Marten

16+, The brand promotes diversity, therefore, attracting a diverse range of customers.

This initial research has allowed me to see which elements are important to consider and have in-depth knowledge about when creating a brand. In order for our brand to be successful we must really understand our customer, what they want from life, where they hang out, their age, otherwise how are we going to relate to them? All of the above brands fully understand their ethos and everything they do communicates it that, from where they sell, how they promote it, how they wear it.

In addition to this, these brands are often created as a response from something that has happened in the world. For example, Dr Martens was created for the working class. They were born in the era of social change and were a staple shoe for the ‘skin heads’. The original ‘Skinheads’ were formed as making a statement, they were part of the British working class and proud of it, many of whom grew up in government-funded housing, they were seen as ‘uncool’. The skinhead movement started because initially they were fed up of feeling isolated from the ‘hippie movement’ at the time, which was generally associated with the middle class. In addition to this, they were fed up with empty promises from the government. Dr Martens was there go to shoe, it symbolised the working class.

The Dr Martens boot has lived on many years since the ‘Skinhead’ movement. It is now worn through so many different social cultures & classes, yet even though they are now seen worldwide on celebs or even catwalks, they will always be linked to punk culture. As that was there original stamp, thats how they were born, they were used as a response between social classes and that has lived with them throughout the years.

Its really interesting to see how the public use fashion as a response as well as the fashion industry responding to world events, social change & new technologies. When creating our brand I will be careful to think about what we are responding to & how we will demonstrate this, as we don't want to be miscommunicating our message.

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scifigeneration · 5 years ago

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Star Wars: the evolution of the Death Star reflects Hollywood's growing fears of a climate apocalypse

by Toby Neilson

Lucasfilm/Twentieth Century Fox/Disney

Science fiction films are rarely about the future. Their distant planets and remote time periods instead seem to reflect upon the concerns and anxieties of the contemporary moment. For instance, 1978’s Invasion of the Bodysnatchers played on the US public’s fear of communism at the height of the Cold War. Terminator 2: Judgement Day capitalised on concerns of a nuclear apocalypse and the fears associated with escalating artificial intelligence.

In the 21st century, in this era being referred to as The Anthropocene, fears of environmental disaster seem to have eclipsed those of a cold war, nuclear apocalypse or technological singularity. Rising temperatures, melting sea ice, ocean acidification, deforestation, soil erosion, overpopulation, biodiversity loss and the general degradation of ecosystems worldwide are an escalating threat to all life’s survival on Planet Earth. How then does contemporary sci-fi respond to these pressures and demands of living on a dying planet?

Many recent sci-fi films seem to reflect this shift in concern. Interstellar, Snowpiercer, After Earth, IO: Last on Earth, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Wall-E, Avatar, Geostorm, Annihilation and Okja, seem to situate a climate catastrophe – or more specific environmental concerns – as the dystopic impulses driving their narratives.

This ecological imagination of disaster can also be seen in sci-fi films that are not ostensibly about the environment. Star Wars stands out in particular here. The transformations between the original 1977 Death Star in the Star Wars trilogy to the Death Stars found in 2015’s Star Wars: The Force Awakens and 2016’s Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, succinctly chart a movement from a technological to an ecological imagination of disaster in the genre.

Design for the ultimate Death Star – Star Wars: Rogue One. Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox/Disney

Death Stars then and now

The potential devastation in the original Death Star is akin to a nuclear strike. The device’s advanced technology is front and centre of its representation – there are plenty of shots of buttons being prodded and levers being pulled prior to its laser firing. More obviously, this weapon’s total and instantaneous destruction of Princess Leia’s home planet of Alderaan neatly connects with fears of a huge atom bomb’s almost unimaginable destructive power.

Destroyer of worlds: the original Death Star in the 1977 Star Wars. Lucasfilm/20th Century Fox/Disney

By contrast, the “new” Death Star of The Force Awakens – called “Star Killer Base” – is solar powered. It is a planet with a weapon in it, as opposed to the original, a weapon shaped like a planet.

Where the destruction of Alderaan by the Death Star felt like a massive explosion, when Star Killer Base’s lasers land on their target planets it is instead as if they go through some sort of geological catastrophe. This geological imagery is echoed when Star Killer Base is itself destroyed. It does not blow up immediately, as the original Death Star did, but undergoes what’s referred to as “a collapse”.

During this collapse two of the central characters, Kylo Ren and Rey, have time for a climactic lightsaber duel among the tectonic chaos, dodging great chasms that open in the ground as the snowy forest landscape is slowly engulfed. This drawn-out collapse sits in stark contrast to the instantaneous explosion of the 1977’s Death Star, wherein no such luxury of time was afforded to Grand Moff Tarkin.

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The Death Star in Rogue One also draws on environmental imagery and a longer timescale of destruction. Rogue One is a prequel to 1977’s Star Wars – and the plot partly revolves around the Empire’s construction of this iconic battleship. So it is interesting that – despite a need to ensure continuity with the original film – Rogue One’s Death Star aesthetically operates rather differently to the Death Star first seen in 1977.

When its laser strikes the film quickly ignores the device’s technological underpinning. Instead a Frankenstein stitching of unruly weathers approaches on the target of Jedha City: part mudslide, part storm, part Earthquake, part pyroclastic flow. What once appeared as dangerous technology now manifests as dangerous weather.

Shifting crises

Star Wars’ Death Stars are not alone in this representational shift. In Independence Day (1996), aliens blow up the White House with a laser. By 2016’s Independence Day: Resurgence, the aliens are reinvented as intergalactic miners who use this laser to drill into the Earth’s core to extract energy.

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At the end of the original Planet of the Apes, Charlton Heston gets down on his knees and exclaims: “You maniacs! You blew it all up” – implying humans bombed themselves into near extinction. By the time Dawn of the Planet of the Apes came along in 2014, we were on the side of an environmentally situated and self-subsisting ape colony, who simply wish to be left alone in the forest. As with Star Wars, the technological seems to give way to the ecological in 21st-century iterations of 20th-century franchises.

Anthropocene anxieties

Susan Sontag’s 1965 article The Imagination of Disaster revolves around her belief that sci-fi films imagine the disaster narrative of the time in which they are made. These examples suggest that the disaster that is being imagined today is environmental, with these films situating the ecological concerns of a warming climate above and beyond that of nuclear Armageddon.

Such a shift in attention is timely and pertinent to the pressures of a rapidly warming climate, and at the time of writing the Amazon rainforest is still burning fiercely.

Through the mirrored unruly environments found in sci-fi cinema and our contemporary moment alike, we are reminded that the worst effects of ecological collapse are continually unfolding. And this crisis is not only happening on fictitious planets and in far-flung time periods – but right here and now on Earth.

About The Author:

Toby Neilson is a Ph.D. Film Researcher at the University of Glasgow and the author of: Different Death Stars and devastated Earths: Contemporary sf cinema’s imagination of disaster in the Anthropocene

This article is republished from our content partners over at The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Liverpool University Press provides funding as a content partner of The Conversation UK

#science fiction #science fiction and fantasy #movies #anthropocene #sci-fi in society #featured

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technicalseofan-blog · 5 years ago

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Property in the UK

Buying a property in the UK for the very first time can be one of the most rewarding moments of a person’s life. From making that first step onto the property ladder, to creating and crafting a place you can call home, there’s nothing quite like stepping through the door into a property that is all yours.

Of course, buying your first home can be a rather confusing process, what with the many ins and outs to consider. With this lengthy process comes many lessons to learn from, in time for if and when you buy another property in the UK.

As such, we’ve listed five common things that UK property buyers wish they had known before they bought their first property, to help future first time buyers in the UK to have a better understanding of what to expect.

1. City suburbs offer some of the best investment opportunities

City centre living is something that a multitude of individuals and couples alike dream of pursuing at some point in their lives. Yet with these dreams of luxury contemporary living, often comes a rather large price tag, particularly in the top UK cities.

Property in London and apartments in Manchester and Liverpool city centres, for example, can often be rather costly compared to those of other cities. However, if it’s your dream to reside in these areas, you’re probably tempted to pay the price.

That being said, it’s well worth carrying out some thorough research into the city that you’re looking to buy in, particularly on the surrounding suburbs which are about to be developed. Take Manchester, for example; this smallish city is undergoing a huge amount of development in its surrounding areas, in an attempt to expand the city centre perimeters and accommodate the increasing demand from property investors.

Investing in these upcoming areas is sure to save you a fair amount of money in comparison to purchasing a property in the heart of the current city centre. Better yet, you’re more likely to see an impressive return on investment further down the line, when what was once a suburb is classed as city centre living.

2. Negotiation is always an option

The property market is very unique and you’ll find no other quite like it. At first, you’ll probably find everything a little overwhelming, including the search for your dream property. It might surprise you to discover that 40% of property hunters view at least six properties before finding one that suits them just right. In fact, some house hunters spend as long as 16 weeks to make an offer on their dream home-to-be!

It’s no wonder, then, that after all the pencilled-in dates, the property tours and the disappointments discovered along the way, property buyers are eager to make an offer the moment they find their perfect property. This excitement often leads to offers being made without the thought of negotiating on the price, when in actual fact, the seller would have been happy to let the property go for a few thousand less.

The same can be said for a dream home that has gone to a buyer offering a higher price. The seller will be happy to accept further offers if it really is a worthwhile price. Negotiation is worthwhile on all property purchases, to try and better the price you purchase your property for and to improve your chances of winning your dream home, too.

3. Organise a Decision in Principle when possible

This rings particularly true when looking at purchasing property in a hot UK city centre. Liverpool property, Manchester property and apartments in London are extremely popular choices when it comes to property investors on the lookout for their next purchase. As such, it’s not surprising that many of these properties are snapped up just days, sometimes even hours, of being put on the market.

To be in with the chance of securing your ideal property in these locations, it’s well worth securing a Decision in Principle before even booking in some property viewings. This is confirmation from a mortgage provider that they are happy to lend you the funds required to purchase a property of a certain value, which can stand you in good stead during your search.

If you find the ultimate property for you and you have a feeling that it’s going to be a popular choice amongst many, prepare your Decision in Principle prior to the viewing, so that you’re ready to jump in with an offer that’s solid. You could beat other viewers to the punch, who may not have been as proactive in their approach as yourself.

4. Make sure what’s included in the price is down on paper

Whether you’re seeing the house for yourself and all of its beautiful fixtures and fittings, or are buying off-plan having looked at the concept images of how your future home will look, it happens all too often where property buyers are left without everything they expected.

It could be the perfectly kept kitchen units or the fitted wardrobes that blended seamlessly with their surroundings. Sometimes we can be shown certain features of a property, only for them to have disappeared when you return. To avoid this common misfortune, it’s an absolute must to ensure that everything you were hoping to have included in the price of the property, is included in the final written agreement between you and the seller.

It might sound silly to have to ask for the kitchen units to be kept as part of the property, for example, but if this is something you really loved about the property, be sure to have it agreed in writing before the final sale is made. The same goes for off-plan properties, too. An design of the property may have been shown to you, without you realising that certain aspects of the design come at an additional price.

5. Have at least an additional 15% on top of your deposit saved

It’s all well and good having your 10% deposit saved and ready to go for when you find your ideal home, but having an additional 15% of your deposit saved will help you immensely when the sale goes through.

Many people either forget or are unaware of what the total cost amounts to, when it comes to the additional fees of buying a home in the UK. Solicitors fees, the cost of a surveyor and stamp duty are some of the fees associated with a property purchase and can mount up to a hefty sum of money on top of what you’re already paying out.

As such, make sure you have the money to cover these fees for when the time comes around to pay up. It will save you a lot of the stress and hassle you would be faced with if you have to make up this money in a short space of time.

How can we help?

When buying in a property, it is essential you have the right tools and the knowledge to ensure you make a smart investment. At Parker Buchanan, we have over years’ of experience in helping investors and homeowners excel in their property choices and improve their portfolios with great opportunities. We will also guide any new property buyers through every single process, to ensure that everything is done right.

If you’re serious about taking that first step on the UK property ladder, but you’re still unsure and have some questions, get in touch with our expert team, and we will be more glad to help in you in the right direction.

#real estate

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