Spec Finish

News www.thefis.org 7 40% drop in deal activity The UK construction and real estate industry saw a drop of 40% in overall deal activity during the second quarter of 2020, when compared with the last four-quarter average, according to GlobalData’s deals database. A total of 39 deals were announced in Q2 2020, compared to the last four-quarter average of 65 deals. Mergers and acquisitions were the leading category in the quarter, with 28 deals accounting for 71.8% of all deals. Project ideas given in brochure Specialist manufacturer of architectural mouldings, Design and Visual Concepts (DVC), and approved manufacturer Jesmonite have jointly produced a new brochure featuring a range of products, finishes and project possibilities. The new 24-page colour brochure is available to download from DVC’s website. www . DesignandVisual.com State-of-art production facility fit-out Derby-based design, refurbishment and fit-out specialists DSP (Interiors) has completed work on a new production facility for SureScreen Diagnostics at Eagle Park on Alfreton Road in the city. The company was commissioned by SureScreen Diagnostics after completing other successful projects on Eagle Park, including an award-winning project for Robinson Structures. SureScreen Diagnostics was looking for additional premises to significantly increase its capability and develop a dedicated production facility to manufacture ‘Nutrivitality’, its world-leading, liquid nutritional supplements. The project included the creation of high load mezzanine floor covering 60% of the first floor, extensive production facility with BRC food spec clean rooms for food production, a warehousing area, break room and kitchen, along with full mechanical and electrical install. Although the site was originally intended be used to develop and manufacture Nutrivitality health supplements, it has also recently become a packing facility for SureScreen’s new rapid COVID-19 test kits which are being sent all over the world DSP Director Andy Priestley said: “We worked in partnership with the team there to transform an empty unit into a dedicated production facility with extensive support services, which will enable the company’s planned expansion to continue.” SureScreen Diagnostics Director Alastair Campbell said the fit-out needed to be designed around production flow and quality systems and the layout had changed a couple of times. “Once the work started, progress was swift and was very well-managed. We are delighted with the facility that the empty shell has become.” www.dsp-solutions.co.uk ‘Spatial planning key to climatic change’ Spatial planningmust play a central role in reducing carbon emissions and adapting to climate change as part of a sustainable, resilient, inclusive recovery fromthe COVID-19 pandemic, theRoyalTown Planning Institute (RTPI) has stressed in its formal response to the Committee on Climate Change’s (CCC) 2020 Progress Report to Parliament. The CCC report highlights five key investment priorities for the comingmonths: 1. Lowcarbon retrofits and buildings that are fit for the future 2. Treeplanting, peatland restorationand green infrastructure 3. Energy networksmust be strengthened 4. Infrastructure tomake it easy for people to walk, cycle andwork remotely 5. Moving towards a circular economy. For thefirst time, the committee also set out recommendations to each government department on how to achieve these priorities. In its response, theRTPI welcomes the investment priorities but stresses that the coordinating role of national and local planningmust be recognised by government to implement the departmental recommendations. TheRTPI’s Immediate Past President and Climate ChangeChampion IanTantMRTPI said: “Spatial planningmust play a key role in delivering these investment priorities, low carbon homes, nature-based solutions and climate adaptation, transitioning to clean energy and decarbonising transport. “Positivestepshavebeen takenbut theUK is behindwhere it needs tobe in termsof tackling climatechange. Ashighlighted inour Plan TheWorldWeNeedcampaign, apost-COVID recoverymust besustainable, inclusiveand resilientwith theambitionof reachingnet zero carbonemissionsby2050at itsheart.” www.rtpi.org.uk