Marks Get Set, 1 Barnfield Crescent, Exeter (2026)

01/06/2025

Welcome to The Sunday Get Set, your weekend news digest for the and industry

This week brings notable updates, including insights from the latest UK Planning Reform Working Papers and broader industry trends. Here's what you need to know:

Updates on UK Planning Reform Working Paper

The UK Government has published a series of proposals that aim to streamline the planning system, encourage housing delivery, and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the construction industry. These reforms target key barriers in the sector, addressing issues like site size thresholds and delays in build-out rates.

For an in-depth look at these proposals, see the official government publications here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/planning-reform-working-paper-reforming-site-thresholds/planning-reform-working-paper-reforming-site-thresholds

Beyond planning reforms, here are additional highlights from the week:

The ONS housing market release reports a steady rise in private rental costs, with house price growth stabilising. While this eases affordability concerns, it raises critical questions for developers targeting first-time buyers.

https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/inflationandpriceindices/bulletins/privaterentandhousepricesuk/may2025

Recent data from PBC Today highlights marginal relief for the construction industry, with material cost inflation slowing. However, labour shortages and slow approval processes remain significant hurdles.
https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/may-2025-construction-review-shows-minor-relief-industry/151401/

What This Means for the Industry

These developments point to growing efforts to transform the property and construction landscape. The emphasis on supporting SME builders and expediting project timelines signals a commitment to diversifying the housing market and confronting long-standing systemic challenges. Meanwhile, trends in rental and house price movements provide a mixed outlook, suggesting the need for continued policy focus to balance supply and demand effectively.

The Sunday Get Set will return next weekend.

18/05/2025

Welcome to this weeks edition of The Sunday Get Set with another eventful week with developments ranging from significant funding shifts to ambitious housing proposals.

Landsec’s £2 Billion Office Sell-Off to Fund Housing

Landsec announced plans to sell £2 billion worth of office properties to focus on residential housing projects. The sale will fund three upcoming schemes aimed at delivering 6,000 new homes. This strategic pivot underlines the ongoing shift in commercial property markets, where demand for office spaces has been declining in favor of remote and hybrid work models.

Sadiq Khan Pushes for Green Belt Development

London Mayor Sadiq Khan confirmed plans to develop parts of the London green belt, particularly in areas with good transport links, to build affordable housing. This announcement is part of a larger strategy aimed at tackling London’s housing shortage, but it’s already sparking debate. While the mayor frames the proposal as a way to ease housing pressures, environmental groups and local communities have raised concerns about the potential impact on green spaces.

£630 Million for Public Building Energy Efficiency Upgrades

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced £630 million in funding for public building energy efficiency upgrades. Allocated under the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme, the money will go toward retrofitting schools, hospitals, and government buildings to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.

The Sunday Get Set will return next weekend.

15/05/2025

How is UK architecture performing in closing the gender pay gap in 2025? Bespoke Careers reports progress in narrowing the gap, with the UK now leading surveyed regions for pay parity. Yet challenges persist, with women making up just 31% of registered architects and a 16% pay gap still reported by RIBA, more than double the national average.

Globally, UK architecture is ahead in pay transparency, but lags behind on leadership representation and workplace equality compared to countries like Australia. Addressing these disparities isn’t just ethical; it strengthens talent retention, boosts innovation, and builds a resilient sector.

13/05/2025

Flexibility is the new currency in 2025, and the demand for hybrid working spaces shows no sign of slowing down. Architects and designers are leading the charge, rethinking traditional office layouts into collaborative hubs that foster creativity while offering spaces for focused work.

Recent research reveals that 74% of UK employees now prefer hybrid work models, with 62% of organisations reconfiguring offices to accommodate this. From hot-desking areas to tech-enabled meeting rooms, these spaces are designed to reflect modern working patterns and employee well-being needs.

But there’s more at stake than just functionality. In today’s climate, effective office layouts have become a key PR tool, helping businesses showcase their adaptability, eco-consciousness, and commitment to employee satisfaction.

For designers, this creates an exciting challenge to balance aesthetics with practicality. For businesses, it presents an opportunity to amplify their brand by investing in workspaces that inspire trust and productivity.

How are you and your team adapting to these evolving needs? Share your experiences in the comments below.

11/05/2025

Welcome to The Sunday Get Set, your new weekend news digest for the property and construction industry

Solar Panels for All New Homes
Yep, the government has made it official! All new-build homes in the UK will now need rooftop solar panels.
Full story here: https://cinmagazine.co.uk/compulsory-solar-on-new-build-homes-big-win-says-cpre/

£2 Billion Housing Boost
To combat the housing crisis, the government has pledged a whopping £2 billion. Read more here: https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/2bn-housing-boost-a-step-forward-but-more-is-needed-to-solve-the-crisis/150903/

AI Revolution in Construction
Here’s a cool stat for you: almost half of builders’ merchants and construction suppliers are now prioritizing AI.

Read More: https://cinmagazine.co.uk/half-of-builders-merchants-name-ai-as-the-top-priority-for-ecommerce-growth/

The UK-US Trade Deal
It’s a big deal for the property and construction sectors. Steel exports to the US will see the current 25% tariff cut to zero. British manufacturers can now streamline supply chains and reduce material costs for UK-based construction projects.

Read More: https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/05/fact-sheet-u-s-uk-reach-historic-trade-deal/

Here’s a breakdown of the major points from Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/whats-us-uk-economic-deal-2025-05-08/

The Sunday Get Set will return next weekend.

06/05/2025

Adaptive reuse has become a linchpin in architectural and urban development across the South West, breathing life into heritage buildings while meeting contemporary needs. Over the past five years, the region has witnessed remarkable projects that exemplify this approach and underscore its economic and cultural value.

Take the Royal William Yard in , once Europe’s largest collection of Grade I listed military buildings. Through careful adaptation, this historic site now hosts 215 residential units, vibrant businesses, and over 280 jobs, proving how heritage can anchor urban regeneration.

The numbers speak for themselves, industries housed in historic buildings generated a heritage premium, contributing an additional £13k GVA per business annually compared to modern premises. These spaces are magnets for creative industries and SMEs, particularly in culturally rich cities.

Adaptive reuse isn’t just about preserving history; it drives sustainable growth, reduces urban sprawl, and offers a competitive edge in a crowded market. The opportunity lies in identifying underutilised heritage assets and turning them into thriving, multifunctional spaces.

28/01/2025

Is Your Business Missing the Connection?

Here’s a stat that should make us pause: 26% of Gen Z actively avoid phone calls, and 90% report experiencing phone anxiety. Pair that with 87% of people ignoring calls from unknown numbers, and it becomes clear—phone conversations are fading. For businesses, this isn’t just a shift in communication preferences; it’s a challenge to maintaining trust, building relationships, and closing deals.

Why does this matter?
The rise of digital communication has certainly streamlined processes, but some opportunities are slipping through the cracks.

Email and DMs can feel efficient, but they lack the personal touch needed to build rapport with clients.
Phone conversations help convey tone and sincerity in ways that written text often can’t.

By avoiding phone calls, businesses miss a chance to tackle client concerns in real-time, fostering trust.
Effective phone communication can be a secret weapon for businesses that want to stand out in an increasingly impersonal market. Studies consistently show that hearing someone's voice strengthens trust, making phone calls a critical tool for sales, customer support, and collaboration.

What Can You Do?
If the shift away from phone calls reflects trends within your team, here are strategies to help your business reclaim this valuable skillset:
📌 Train Employees to Thrive on Calls – Help your team overcome call reluctance with role-playing exercises and confidence-building workshops.
📌 Set Clear Intentions – Instead of cold calling, frame the conversation with a quick email first to prepare the client and spark curiosity.
📌 Provide Clear Scripts – While authenticity is key, having an outline ensures employees feel prepared and reduces hesitation during calls.
📌 Encourage Empathy – Make every client feel heard. A skilled phone call is about connection, not just efficiency.

The Bottom Line: Phone calls remain a powerful way to build long-term client relationships, close deals, and address issues effectively. Yes, even in a digital world!

03/09/2024

Whether you are in hospitality, retail or own a design studio understanding your competition is crucial.

In my latest article for Like Minds, I dive into the world of competitor analysis and how businesses can use it to stay ahead.

Check out real-world case studies and discover how businesses like Whitbread, Tesco, OMD UK, and VisitBritain have achieved impressive results.

Read now via https://wearelikeminds.com/mastering-competitor-analysis-for-business-success/

07/07/2024

Something For The Weekend :

Today marks the day of the highly anticipated at .

During the race, are constantly being recalculated to determine the best course of action, both data-driven and adjustments based on real time change.

For example a tire model in has various aspects, including tire degradation and different tire compounds.

Just like an F1 team, by carefully considering and , you can make informed decisions that ultimately lead to . Additionally, being open to making real-time adjustments to stay ahead of the competition.

Today is an to learn valuable lessons to use well after the chequered flag has dropped.

27/06/2024

Loyal clients are the cornerstone of any thriving , offering steady and serving as who spread positive word-of-mouth.

While acquiring new is important, retaining existing ones is where the true value often lies.

https://marksgetset.com/unlockingclientloyaltyforlongtermsuccess/

25/06/2024

Interior design is about more than just aesthetics – it's about creating a space that connects people to their surroundings.

Explore the key elements of narrative design, from identifying the genesis of a project through to leveraging media coverage and developing partnerships.

Learn how storytelling can create a lasting impact on your next project.

https://marksgetset.com/designinganarrativeforinteriordesign/

✨🏠✨

01/01/2024

🎉Happy New Year everyone! 🎉

As we step into 2024, let's take a moment to reflect and embrace all the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

Cheers to new beginnings and endless possibilities!

Remember to spread kindness and positivity wherever we go. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference in someone's life.

Here's to another year of growth, learning, and making unforgettable memories.

✨ Happy New Year 2024! ✨

Marks Get Set

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