Wigwam Magazine Issue No.7

ISSUE No.7

PROPERTY & LIFESTYLE

TALKING HOMES WITH AWARD-WINNING PROPERTY EXPERT

SUE GIDNEY

Landlords in

Old Town.

Feel at home with Home Finders

Classy and chic Old Town is Swindon’s most desirable neighbourhood and boasts an extremely busy rental market with very high demand for all types of lettings properties, from grand Victorian houses to desirable modern apartments.

If you are a landlord with a property to let in this fast-moving market get in touch for a FREE property valuation. Equally, if you would like to discuss your property portfolio or buy-to-let options, we’d love to hear from you.

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Eastcott House, 4 High Street, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 3EP

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Financial Services Register Number 534018. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

Introducing Award-winning property service Perry Bishop and Paul Dearing

Meet experienced agent Paul Dearing, managing sales and valuations in and around Swindon.

Call Paul on 01793 686305 for your free consultation and property advice.

• Enjoy personal service, from valuation through to a successful sale with guaranteed viewing feedback and weekly marketing updates • Benefit from award-winning service and marketing from this multi-branch agency, named one of the best in the country* • Tap into our database of over 12,000 home hunters • Take advantage of our 11-step plan, our tried and tested strategy for attracting the right buyer and delivering the best price

* Featured in the Best Estate Agent Guide 2020 and 2021, compiled by Rightmove.

Helping people on the move in Swindon

Paul has lived in Swindon for over 20 years and has a vast knowledge of the local area.

He started his career in estate agency over 15 years ago and is passionate about property and delivering a First Class Service. You may also have seen him on Homes Under the Hammer!

Paul Dearing Associate Partner, Swindon T: 01793 686305 E: swindon@perrybishop.co.uk perrybishop.co.uk

www.optps.co.uk

Specialists in conveyancing, property law, wills and probate The legal team at Optimum are specialists and experts, so we really know the ins and outs of our area of law: property law, wills and probate. And because we specialise in these areas, we can focus on the real issues that affect our clients daily: property sales and purchase (residential and commercial), buying land, drawing up a will, dealing with probate, powers of attorney and so on. We offer the same approach to all our clients: we listen carefully, we use our expertise to come up with the best course of action for you, and we deal with your issue in a professional, responsive manner keeping you informed every step of the way.

Straightforward legal advice from an experienced law team you can trust.

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ALL HAIL SWINDON, A HOME FROM HOME. Welcome to the seventh edition of Wigwam! Wow how is it already issue seven?! It seems like only yesterday that Wigwam was a seedling with big dreams of bringing hot property to our local towns, now we have expanded into lifestyle as well as property, our readership is bigger than ever, and it’s all down to you, our amazing readers, so thank you!

As a girl not originally from the area, I’ll be honest with you, when I first moved here, I was nervous. What if I make no friends? What if I hate it? What if the reputation is right about Swindon and it’s like an episode of This Country? But with hand on heart this not so little, gem of a town has been good to both me and my family. I’ve met amazing friends through the mummy communities and my career has progressed in the thriving industries in the town. There are great bars and restaurants, lots of places to entertain your brood - not to mention the fair house prices. So, all hail to the place we call home.

In this edition you will see that I have been a gal about town Carrie Bradshaw style (minus the Manolo’s) and went under the needle for ‘the’ beauty treatment of the moment ‘The Million Dollar Facial’. I also reviewed some of the local coffee shops, it was so good to see businesses and their employees face to face, they were buzzing to have their doors open!

At Wigwam we are passionate about supporting the local property and lifestyle sector, so always feel free to get in touch with any news you would like us to share.

I hope you all enjoy reading this latest issue, it feels like things are turning a corner and we can now start to look forward - so positive vibes and love from all of us here at Wigwam HQ.

Claire Phillips Lifestyle Editor & Magical Mummy

BACK ISSUES Our goal from the begining has been to serve you the very best property news with an added dash of lifestyle features.

We’ve discussed the serious stuff - house prices, mortgages, property tax – but also waxed lyrical about the best in interior design and the arts. We’ve featured words of wisdom from Mary Berry, Dom Joly, Niall Keating and Jasmine Harman, amongst others. Above all, we’ve done our best to promote Swindon's property sector and why we like to call Swindon home.

Sign up to receive Wigwam for FREE. Simply enter your details online to receive the next Wigwam magazine delivered straight to your inbox or we can deliver a 'real' copy in the post free of charge. wigwampropertynews.co.uk/magazine

ADVERTISING WITH WIGWAM There has never been a better time to take advantage of a Wigwam Sponsor package.

Since Wigwam launched in April 2020 we have seen our website traffic and social media engagement double! So why not take advantage of one of our fabulous sponsor packages for your business and be part of the fastest growing property and lifestyle platform in the South West?

What is included in the sponsor package: • Online Banner Advertising • Social Media Coverage • Website Content • Business Directory Listing • Wigwam Magazine Advert x Four Editions • ‘Ask the Expert’ Editorial Content x Four Editions • Weekly E-Newsletter Advert • Video Content Created by Wigwam If you would like to know how we can amplify your brand message across the Wigwam platform please get in touch with our advertising team today.

For your daily dose of property inspiration follow Wigwam Property News

ISSUE No.7

HIGHLIGHTS

28

STUDIO 64

Wigwam meet two newcomers on a design mission.

40

CULTIVATING A NEW SWINDON

Renata Lovat Short on a town that is on the up.

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TALKING HOMES

We talk homes and more with Sue Gidney from Home Finders.

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VISIT SWINDON

Wigwam reveals the winner of a highly competitive photo challenge.

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PROPERTY NEWS NEW BUILD DEVELOPMENT

PLANNING GRANTED FOR NEXT PHASE OF LANDMARK SWINDON DEVELOPMENT CONSTRUCTION GETS UNDERWAY THIS SUMMER ON 478 NEW HOMES AT WICHEL FIELDS AND THE ORCHARDS.

P

lanning permission has been granted for the first elements of the next phase of Swindon's landmark new housing development rapidly taking shape at Wichelstowe.

More than 80 homes in the first phase, Canalside, are now occupied and more than three quarters of the new apartments now nearing completion along the canal have already been snapped up.

The latest planning approvals include the overall design, style and character of the next phase of the development as well as detailed planning permission for 182 homes at Wichel Fields, just east of the newly occupied homes at Canalside.

Construction is planned to get underway this summer on 478 new homes at both Wichel Fields and the Orchards located at the north end of Wichelstowe. One of the largest local authority joint venture agreements in the country, the Wichelstowe development is being built by Barratt Homes and David Wilson Homes in partnership with Swindon Borough Council and will deliver 3,000 new homes over the next 20 years, along with new schools and community facilities.

The 250-hectare site on the southern edge of Swindon will include extensive open spaces, nature conservation areas, playing pitches and allotments.

As well as the new homes, which will range from one-bedroom apartments to fivebedroom family homes, the next phase of the development will also include two new sections of primary streets extending the strategic road network through the site. This will include a new roundabout on Mill Lane, to give access to the new homes to the east and connect the new area with the wider Wichelstowe development and surrounding road network.

New ecological measures will include hundreds of new trees, new ponds, wildflower grassland to attract a range of pollinators along with broader wildlife habitat creation and protection, such as the creation of sheltered areas for hibernating animals.

The existing footpath network will be improved and extended through the woodland and nature conservation areas and include the first section of a central boardwalk, helping to ensure the natural, open green space is fully accessible for everyone to enjoy. The Orchards area will be planted with a range of species including apple, cherry and walnut trees alongside a new allotment area.

Over 200 new bird boxes will be built in and around the new homes, which will be highly sustainable and energy efficient in line with Barratt Developments' industry-leading commitment to becoming a net zero carbon housebuilder.

Since Covid restrictions have meant community events and exhibitions to showcase the plans have not been possible, the Wichelstowe project team has created video tours of the development areas.

Wichelstowe project director Daniel Pavely said: "Despite the incredible challenges of the past year, it has been fantastic to see the life of this new community begin, with hundreds of people now living at Canalside. So we are delighted to have been granted permission to get on with the next phase of work here. As well as building hundreds more much-needed new homes for Swindon, this next work will see exciting new ecological enhancements too - with new wildlife habitats and open green spaces being created." wichelstowe.co.uk

ISSUE No.7 | 15

HISTORIC SITE OF MEAT MAGNATE’S MANSION IS BEING PRESERVED THE COURTYARD IN CALNE WILL BECOME 11 NEW HOMES GROUPED AROUND A CENTRAL COURTYARD AND PUBLIC SPACE. stonewoodpartnerships.co.uk

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T

he last remaining buildings on the site of the Harris meat factory family’s historic mansion in Calne are being restored to their former glory and converted into new homes.

Developer Stonewood Partnerships, along with its sister company Stonewood Builders, has begun work on renovating the Grade II listed buildings at the site at Woodlands in Calne, to be known as The Courtyard.

A former stable block will become four two-bedroom apartments and a one-bedroom apartment, while a former coachman’s cottage will be extended to become two two-bedroom cottages. The cottage was part of a former malthouse dating back to 1758 and had, in 1826, housed the town’s fire engine. The doorway faces into New Road and still faintly bears the words ‘Fire Engine House’ above it.

The site of the mansion once known as Woodlands will become 11 new homes grouped around a central courtyard and public space – seven three-bedroomed terraced homes, three three-bedroomed cottages and a one-bedroom bungalow.

The stables and cottage are all that remain of the buildings bought by Charles Harris in 1869. He demolished a former wool factory and schoolhouse facing towards Silver Street and built Woodlands, an elaborate Italianate family home.

But he only lived there for three years before he died, aged just 54. The family continued to live in the house until 1908. It was also used for functions for the staff from the C&T Harris pork processing factory, which at its peak employed more than 2,000 people in the town.

The Harris Social and Welfare Club moved into the stables and cottage, which were continually extended to add a bar, function room, offices and eventually a skittle alley between 1949 and 1976.

“There’s been a lot of add-ons over the years that have robbed the building of its original character,” he said.

“Once we are back to the original building with its brickpaved courtyard entrance and pillars either side it will look more like its old self again.”

He said the roof tiles of both buildings will be removed so that felt and timber underneath can be replaced and repaired where necessary. “Then we will put all the original tiles back again,” he said.

Work on clearing out the interior of the old club, which has remained untouched since its doors were locked for the last time, will begin in August, as will work on the site of the old mansion, now the club’s car park, for the foundations of the new homes.

Mr Zeffiretti said the building team will liaise closely with people living in nearby Woodlands Park over noise, disruption and working hours. “We pride ourselves on being good neighbours and our site manager will be keeping them fully informed about what we are doing,” he said.

Two of the apartments will have private gardens and a former walled garden alongside the historic cottages will be restored and made into a public space.

“This is an ideal challenge for us, protecting and restoring buildings that have parts dating back more than 250 years and are an important part of Calne’s heritage,” said Stonewood Partnerships Managing Director Sam Smart.

“We are also creating beautiful new homes that reflect the history while embracing all the modern comforts, as well as being light, airy and welcoming. We can’t wait for the people of the town to see how we are preserving this legacy.”

By 1983 the main house had come into the ownership of the Fatstock Marketing Board, part of the Fatstock Marketing Corporation which two years earlier had closed the Harris factory in New Road. The mansion was demolished that year.

The stable block and coachman’s house was offered to the newly formed Woodlands Social Club, which ran it until it closed in 2015 after going into receivership. The site has stood empty since.

Award-winning Stonewood Builders, which specialises in restoring listed buildings, will convert the older buildings into apartments while Stonewood Partnerships, which itself has won awards for its developments at Great Somerford and Holt, will build the new homes.

Lee Zeffiretti, contracts manager for Stonewood Partnerships, said the key task for the developer is protecting the heritage of the original buildings. Three impressive stone pillars between the stable block and coachman’s cottage, which were swallowed up by the modern extensions, will be returned to their original state once the newer buildings are demolished.

ISSUE No.7 | 17

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PROPERTY NEWS NEW BUILD DEVELOPMENT

CROSS TREES PARK IN SHRIVENHAM BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED HOMES IN AN INSPIRATIONAL RURAL SETTING. Picturesque landscape and rural lanes, a village crafted from local brick and Cotswold stone; Shrivenham’s layers of history weave together beautifully. This setting, both natural and architectural, has inspired the design of Legal & General Home’s Cross Trees Park to create the impression it has naturally evolved out of its environment.

To the south of the development, the 2.5 acre Community Park is not only accessible from within Cross Trees Park, but also via public footpaths from the village.

By keeping several public rights of way, Cross Trees Park is integrally connected along established byways to its surroundings, contributing its own unique new layer to the history to the village.

Play spaces encourage young residents to make their first neighbourhood friends while parkland and open areas are visible from many of the homes, a feature known as ‘natural surveillance’.

Regardless of the type of property, from two-bedroom apartments to two, three, and four-bedroom houses, all the homes at Cross Trees Park benefit from a nuanced yet distinctive architectural design.

External materials include brick with flourishes of painted brick and flint block, with careful feature details to brickwork, windows and porch designs adding a welcome diversity.

Within the homes, carefully considered design creates well-proportioned, balanced space.

Features like the use of Hive smart technology and well-planned living areas ensure these homes are as practical as they are aspirational.

Cross Trees Park has been designed to create a new community with a semi-rural ambiance and distinctive character areas, all naturally interconnected to each other. Not just a desirable new address, Cross Trees Park will offer a new and rewarding way to experience stylish, contemporary living.

From many vantage points in Cross Trees Park there are glimpses of Shrivenham village and of the landmark tower of St Andrew’s Church. It is a reminder that residents are also part of a larger community.

The proposed school will benefit new and existing families, and be part of Legal & General’s commitment to building sustainable communities.

Safety has also been built into the new road; where there are shared thoroughfares, low-speed vehicle movement has been built into the design.

This all adds up to Cross Trees Park reflecting Legal & General Homes’ belief in creating communities that are as connected as they are inclusive.

Cross Trees Park nestles in a wonderful patchwork of verdure. Here, the existing natural landscape is not just being protected; it is being enhanced.

Extensive new planting of native species of trees and plants will ensure that Cross Trees Park will have a leafy, natural feel which will mature over the years.

This combination of the established and augmented landscape will encourage biodiversity and provide habitats for a wide range of birdlife, mammals and insects. The addition of clipped hedgerows which showcase the homes mirror ancient hedgerows that have formed the boundaries and sheltered birds and wildlife at the site for centuries.

Homes at Cross Trees Park are available from £235,000 to £545,000. Help To Buy and Part Exchange are available. landghomes.com

That is why many of the features at Cross Trees Park are designed to bring together, not only those who will come to live here, but also the broader community in which it sits.

ISSUE No.7 | 19

JOHN LEWIS PLANS TO BUILD 10,000 RENTAL HOMES ON ITS LAND SITES INCLUDE ABOVE WAITROSE SUPERMARKETS AND WILL RANGE FROM STUDIO FLATS TO FOURBEDROOM HOUSES.

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John Lewis is considering plans to build 10,000 homes over the next decade as the high street store group looks to revive its flagging fortunes by becoming a landlord, reports The Guardian.

The employee-owned group, which comprises the upmarket John Lewis department stores and the Waitrose supermarkets, is understood to have identified enough excess space on the land it owns to build at least 7,000 homes.

The properties, which will range from studio flats to four-bedroom houses, will be built on sites owned by the chain, above Waitrose supermarkets or on land next to the company’s distribution centres.

Tenants of a John Lewis-owned home will have the option of renting the property fully furnished with the department store’s products or using their own. Some of its housing developments are expected to come with a concierge service, and many are expected to include a Waitrose convenience store as part of the development.

The first John Lewis homes are planned for southeast England but the partnership believes there are opportunities across the country, given the extent of the nationwide housing crisis as property prices spiral upwards, pushing properties out of reach of first-time buyers. If successful, it would be expanded to include further sites. John Lewis’s 80,000 staff, who are partners in the business, could be offered discounted rents.

It is not the chain’s first foray into the housing market.

John Lewis also owns most of Leckford, a village in Hampshire, where every home with a green door is a partnership property. The retailer is preparing to lodge a handful of planning applications early next year.

The move is part of the store’s plan to restore its fortunes. John Lewis has had a very difficult time in recent years amid pressure on the high street from its online rivals, and tumbled to its first annual loss in 2020 because of the Covid-19 pandemic. The big shopping changes caused by the crisis prompted it to close 16 of its 50 stores and commit to spending £800m to overhaul the remaining branches, as well as improve its website and shopping app.

The fallout from the pandemic meant staff did not get a bonus for the first time since 1953, with one also unlikely this year. The store group has been under attack in every market in which it operates. A big decline in its previously fabled customer service ratings has not helped matters.

“Typically, a developer might try and maximise returns and then move on to the next one,” Chris Harris, the partnership’s property director, told the Sunday Times.

“We are not trying to do that. We are aiming to charge a fair rent and to stay for the long haul.”

John Lewis’s plans form part of the burgeoning “build to rent” sector, in which developers aim to offer tenants a greater degree of security and more visibility on any increases to their rent. johnlewis.com ISSUE No.7 | 21

PROPERTY ON THE MARKET

ON THE MARKET WITH PERRY BISHOP Wigwam sponsors Perry Bishop are highly respected estate agents in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Wiltshire and are now expanding their Swindon operations, led by associate partner Paul Dearing. The housing market is thriving and we have a large data base of potential buyers eager for all kinds of properties. If you have a property to sell, please contact us today for a free valuation from a local expert.

SSTC £760,000 SSTC Stratton, Swindon.

As soon as you step through the front door you'll say WOW when you see the glass walk way with a pond below and the property gets better and better.

The vaulted ceilings to the kitchen/dining/family room and sitting room is the next WOW, both rooms are huge with bifold doors leading onto a large patio ideal for entertaining.

£650,000 Faringdon, Oxfordshire.

This is a beautiful Grade II listed detached period home centrally located within the historic market town of Faringdon. Having been improved throughout including the replacement of the bathrooms it is also presented to a very high standard.

Contact: Perry Bishop Faringdon 01367 240356 perrybishop.co.uk

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SOLD

£535,000 Cricklade, Wiltshire.

£499,500 SOLD Oakhurst, Swindon.

A wonderful opportunity to combine a stunning and eco-friendly home in a natural setting with an abundance of amenities and a close-knit community.

You won’t be disappointed by how spacious this five bedroom family home is plus brand new quality windows & double garage. There’s a stunning re-fitted kitchen with plenty of cupboard space and integrated appliances including that all important wine fridge. The light and airy living room is at the rear of the property and benefits from French doors leading onto the patio.

Contact: Perry Bishop Cirencester 01285 655355 | perrybishop.co.uk

SSTC

£245,000 SSTC Haydon End, Swindon.

Price on application Christian Malford, Wiltshire.

This three bedroom property is a great size and offers everything you could possibly need. The property was built by David Wilson Homes and is situated in the popular location of Haydon End within walking distance of several local supermarkets and amenities.

Reservations now being taken on these beautiful energy efficient and sustainable family homes in this sought-after Wiltshire village.

Contact: Perry Bishop Chippenham 01249 470166 | perrybishop.co.uk

View more properties at perrybishop.co.uk

ISSUE No.7 | 23

PROPERTY NEWS HILLS HOMES

HILLS HOMES LAUNCHES HOUSING DEVELOPMENT IN BLUNSDON Local, award-winning developer Hills Homes has launched its new development – The Paddocks in Blunsdon.

The Paddocks consists of attractive two, three and four bedroom homes built to a high specification which are perfect for first time buyers, couples and families.

The Paddocks comes after the awardwinning success of Hills Homes’ Hillside development which was completed in 2019.

The Paddocks is located on the rural edge of Blunsdon - a charming and historic village located between two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty: The Cotswolds and the North Wessex Downs. A previous winner of the CPRE Wiltshire Best Kept Village competition and a shortlisted finalist for the same competition again this year, Blunsdon is a popular village with a thriving community and a variety of local amenities including a community-run shop, a village hall, a doctor’s surgery, an excellent choice of schools in the area, plus a recreation ground for sports clubs.

24 | ISSUE No.7

Nick King, Group Director Hills Homes, said: “The Paddocks provides beautiful homes, with high quality fittings and features in each room and especially in the kitchens, bathrooms and en-suites.

There are five different house styles, with a mix of traditional red brickwork, stone and render with complementary detailing, all designed to reflect the character of the development’s surroundings.”

thoughtfully-designed layouts with spacious rooms are perfect for modern, multifunctional living. One of the house styles, The Durrington, provides a dedicated study offering the ideal home office.

Nick continued: “Our previous development, Hillside, in Blunsdon won the Best New Large Housing Development award from Swindon Borough Council in 2020 and was shortlisted for a West of England LABC Building Excellence Award in the same year. Both awards recognise excellence in internal home layouts and a development’s planning, external appearance and landscaping, which Hills Homes endeavours to provide at all its property developments.”

hills-homes.co.uk

The Paddocks is being marketed by Richard James estate agents who can be contacted on 01793 501 650 or by email: thepaddocks@richardjames.uk

For those who are working from home, each house will benefit from fibre optic broadband connection and the

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WIGWAM ESTATE AGENT SURVEY 2021

YOU VOTED FOR

SWINDON'S BEST ESTATE AGENT AND THE WINNER IS...

MOOVAHOME Wigwam asked you to vote for Swindon’s best estate agent and after receiving hundreds of votes we can now declare the winner … congratulations to Moovahome, who received an impressive 18% of the vote in what was otherwise a very tight field.

Other estate agents to receive votes were Ewemove, Connells, Dewhurst & Co, Resides Swindon, McFarlane, Alan Hawkins, Belvoir, Castles, Haart, Henry George, Perry Bishop, Primary Homes & Lettings, Taylors, Allen & Harris, Forefront Sales & Lettings, Atwell Martin, Chancellors, Chappells, Ridgeway, Strakers and Swindon Homes.

In and around the podium were:

As soon as the votes started mounting up, a couple of things became apparent. One, no single estate agent was dominating the proceedings, and two, smaller boutique agencies like Miles Byron, Gary Bremner – Keller Williams, and Jessica James were punching well above their weight, evidence perhaps that size isn’t everything.

1. Moovahome (18%) 2. Miles Byron (13%) 3. Gary Bremner – Keller Williams (12%) 4. Charles Harding (11%) 5. Richard James (10%) 6. Jessica James (9%)

26 | ISSUE No.7

We also asked you what you looked for in an estate agent.

The most repeated quality by far was honesty, followed by fair prices. Among the other responses were experience, sold boards around town, a good track record, good communication, trustworthy, good reviews, great customer service, good website, local knowledge, friendliness, quick response times and good marketing.

wigwampropertynews.co.uk

You voted for Moovahome

18% 70%

71%

Of voters think that estate agents charge a fair price.

Experience with estate agents had not been affected by the stamp duty holiday.

What do you look for in an estate agent?

Honesty Fair Prices

Interestingly, 70% of voters think that estate agents charge a fair price for selling homes and 71% said their experience with estate agents had not been affected by the stamp duty holiday. The vote on virtual viewings was more split with 57% believing they are effective and 43% disagreeing.

As for the winner, Moovahome was founded in 2003 by Ashley Cain, and he has built the company by setting very high standards in all aspects of the business.

His main focus is offering first-class customer service via regular communication to all existing clients and potential new business whether it be sellers, buyers, landlords or tenants. Ashley is also a member of the Property Advisory Group that works with Swindon Council on their property plans. Congratulations, as well, to the rest of the Moovahome team, Ali Newnham, Evie Wickens, Pauline Minton, Heather Porteous and Alan Butchart. On this occasion, they took on the larger estate agents and national chains and came out top!

WIGWAM GOES HEAD-TO-HEAD WITH SWINDON’S LATEST INTERIOR DESIGN PRETENDERS

STUDIO 64.

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KAMILA BLASZCZUK AND ANNA FORNEK ARE WOMEN ON A MISSION TO BRING STYLE TO SWINDON HOMES.

How did you first get into interior design?

Kam. I always had a passion for anything fashionrelated, from putting daily outfits together and sharing them on my Instagram page to attending fashion weeks. I loved getting my creative side out to the world. After years of renting flats in London we finally purchased our first house in Swindon and shortly after I realised that interior styling is as enjoyable and comes as naturally to me as fashion. Every room and every corner of the house became a project that was carefully crafted to create a perfect balance, eyepleasing aesthetic and mood.

Anna. I’ve always been passionate about interior design. The passion deepened when we bought our own house and I got a blank canvas on which I could transfer all my ideas and inspirations. I must admit my husband has great patience at my never-ending changes of opinion. After hearing another brilliant idea for our space, he said that this story will never end, which made me think…. by arranging interiors for others, I could help them make dream spaces and at the same time fulfil myself in what really relaxes me and makes me happy.

When and how did you come together as a partnership?

Kam. We happened to purchase our first homes across the street from one another in Swindon and instantly clicked. We quickly become good friends and shortly after realised we share mutual appreciation of interior design aesthetics. We both wanted to take our dream further, and when the idea popped into our heads it was a no brainer - we had to do it! It’s amazing how much strong and creative women supporting one another can achieve in such a short time. Studio 64 was established at the beginning of the year and we have been super busy working on so many exciting projects and ideas we cannot wait to share!

ISSUE No.7 | 29

Tell us about your design influences?

Kam /Anna. We love to get inspired by everything that surrounds us, from nature and people to art and travel. We absolutely adore Bauhaus style, clean aesthetics, and simplicity but also traditional style with a modern twist on it. Furniture is often such a huge inspiration when you start the design. You see one piece that moves you and you know this is it. It’s not about what’s on trend it’s about what’s timeless.

Our task as designers is to gain comprehensive knowledge about the client's expectations and needs. To this we add our sense of aesthetics and creativity and that’s how the process starts. Browsing interior catalogues, tracking award-winning projects, and exploring the internet are resources available to everyone. We use and appreciate their value, but they are not enough. We create our own designs, combine styles and textures and we want our clients to remember us not just as interior designers who listen, but also ones that show their own initiative by proposing unique solutions.

Tell us about the type of colours, textures, shapes, etc. that you like to use?

Kam/Anna. Lighting and colour palette are the key elements when designing any space. People focus on the multiplicity of elements, through their geometric form, size, light, proportions and of course sustainability and durability. It is very important to us to create spaces with all that in mind, we are focused on our unique ideas as well as what the client wants the space to feel like. We love natural materials and shapes; wood, marble, concrete, glass and quartz are the materials we work with; they add so much texture to the space. And let’s not forget about the artwork, we love a bit of abstract canvas!

Do you have a typical client?

Kam/Anna. We don't have a typical client. We are open to challenges and thanks to a diverse clientele, we can learn, develop, improve, and offer more with every project we take on. Different people have different approaches to life, styles, experiences, and topics for conversation. It's great that we can get to know such a variety of them, their stories, and needs. Why limit yourself?

Tell us about your business model?

Kam/Anna. We have just launched our online shop and we are so excited for everyone to discover some timeless pieces of furniture we have been working on for the past few months. There is no service list as such, as we don’t want to limit clients to one service from a list.

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You mention ‘products’; what will you be selling?

Kam/Anna. We will be selling beautiful bespoke marble and quartz coffee and side tables inspired by mid-century Travertine designs. We have created this collection as we want to offer timeless pieces that people can enjoy for decades to come, and to make any space truly beautiful. In one of our featured projects, you can spot the absolute statement Palermo coffee table from our latest collection in its black marble version (totally pinch me moment!).

And this is just the beginning. We plan to expand our collection and collaborate with some local businesses - so keep your eyes peeled! We are an online business at the moment, but the aspiration for next year is to have a physical office and showroom, so watch this space!

Why the name, Studio 64?

Kam. The story begins in London, in a rental studio flat under number 64. The place had good Victorian bones but needed a serious visual upgrade.

Unfortunately, like many rental places we had to live with Magnolia walls. It became a private joke among our friends that if I can make Magnolia look good, I can make any place look good. Finally, we purchased our first home, and moved out from London to a house across the street from Anna. We immediately became friends and discovered that Anna had lived under a number 64 as well at some point in her life, so naturally it was our first choice when we decided to start a business together. That’s how Studio 64 was born, and we love it!

Longer term, what are your plans?

Kam. The dream is to be successful, expand the team and to create truly beautiful projects and spaces that people will love and enjoy! Perhaps a future Netflix series? Too much of a dream?! We wouldn’t be here if we were afraid to take off with our dreams in the first place, so bring it on!

Anna. I love Kam to bits for her positive approach to life. Everything is possible thanks to hard work and faith. And I believe in our success and that our goals and dreams will come true. In everyday life, however, I am a realist, so I stick to facts and figures! studio-64.co.uk

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COULD I BE ANY MORE EXCITED?!

THE MAGICAL MUMMY RAVES ABOUT COFFEE SHOPS IN SWINDON, CIRENCESTER AND CRICKLADE.

Claire Phillips Blogger and Magical Mummy @themagical_mummy

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F

ans of the sitcom Friends could not BE any happier with the Friends Reunion episode that has recently been aired on HBO. I certainly know seeing their somewhat plastic but still fantastic faces 20 years on made me feel all gooey inside and reminded me that coffee and friends go hand in hand.

A social coffee is always a good pick-me-up, whether it’s to meet up at your version of Central Perk to catch up on the gossip or to take the baby out to meet up with fellow weary mum mates who also need a STRONG caffeine fix.

Visiting your local coffee shop isn't just about supporting an independent business and getting a more unique experience than your regular big chain, it's about relationships. You could find your regular barista Gunther or hopefully a handsome Joey.

I’ve taken my buddy Andrea out on a recce to try these five coffee shops, as what is a coffee without Friends!

Pretty & Pip, Cirencester

Diversitea, Cirencester

The Barista, Cricklade

We loved this independent coffee shop. I grabbed my flat white and headed to the gorgeous flowery garden, with its spray-painted walls and funky furniture. The owner Phil Pip showed me the before and after and it’s clear he and his business partner Emma Pretty are quite the creative duo.

This kitsch tea and coffee shop does over 50 blends of tea and a mean coffee, and don’t get me started on the cakes! Karen Harvey, the owner and South African native, bonded over biltong with fellow native Andrea, so whilst they chatted I tried one of her homemade chocolate brownies and they were to die for.

I was excited to try the Barista, as I’m a big fan of Cricklade. I spoke to the staff who told me that the coffee shop prides itself mainly on serving consistently great coffee. The café is bigger inside than it looks and has a bring your muddy boots and waggy tailed friends vibe to it. The lattes had a great blend to them and were not too overpriced either.

All the food and drink is ethical and locally sourced. I tried their flat white and avocado and feta on sourdough and my friend had a caramel latte which she loved; both were amazing.

The café offers a family feel that will make you want to come back again and again. Dogs are welcome too and even get their own drink, a ‘puppuccino’!

prettyandpip.com

diversiteacafe.co.uk

Darkroom Espresso, Swindon

Baristocats Café, Swindon

The first thing that grabbed my attention was the cool monochrome interior design. The name of Darkroom Espresso comes from the idea that making coffee requires the same craft, skill and care as developing a photo in a darkroom, so obviously we had to try out their craftmanship which was clearly an art form as the coffee was strong without being too bitter which is hard to find.

This is a lovely family run café, purrfect for cat lovers as there is an abundance of feline inspired artwork. No smelly cats here though. It had a super welcoming atmosphere and a great range of savoury and sweet food, hot drinks and colourful smoothies if you want something a bit healthier.

thebaristacricklade.co.uk

baristocats.co.uk

darkroomespresso.com

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THE MILLION DOLLAR FACIAL REVIEW THE MAGICAL MUMMY GOES UNDER THE MICRO NEEDLE AT LUCY HUMPHREYS BEAUTY IN OLD TOWN, SWINDON.

Claire Phillips Blogger and Magical Mummy @themagical_mummy

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et's talk the Million Dollar Facial, the hottest treatment in the world of luxury beauty and celebrity, promising ‘younger’ skin in just a few steps.

So apparently the Million Dollar Facial works by deeply exfoliating and removing all your peach fuzz hair, polishing the skin, flushing out toxins, and stimulating natural collagen production and cell turnover. Not much then!

The Science Bit When I first heard of the Million Dollar Facial, I immediately confused it with the vampire facial that Kim Kardashian had on Keeping Up with the Kardashians where she had blood on her face and I’m telling you that looked flipping scary!

So, when I was asked to do the review, my first thought was, ouch! But, like the pro I am I immediately Googled it and got excited very quickly. This bad boy of a treatment is BUZZING and all the A listers are using it to “turn back the years”. Whoop, bring on the youth!

PRE-TREATMENT

POST-TREATMENT

Day 1 – Treatment Day It’s Tuesday morning and I arrive at Lucy Huumphreys' salon in Devizes Road, and I am greeted by her friendly self, Lucy a beauty therapist professional with over 15 years’ experience.

She immediately puts me at ease, and we head to the treatment room, which is warm and cosy.

The treatment uses a combination of Dermaplaning as well as micro needling and this my friends, is where the real magic happens.

On their own, the two treatments work wonders on lines, pores, dryness and scarring; but together, they’re a double whammy, leaving your face clear, glowing and smoother than a baby’s bottom. As you can imagine I am curious to see if it works... so off I go to Old Town.

DAY-TWO

DAY-THREE

skin. I was told most clients experience some redness which lasts roughly 12 hours and there is no downtime required.

The treatment took roughly one hour and my skin straight away looks fresher, more hydrated and plumper. It is red, but I was expecting that, and I was told I would see the best results on day two or three, so let’s move on.

Day 2 – The Morning After

The treatment starts with me being cocooned in velvety, duvet-like towels. I can already feel myself relaxing as we chat away about life and what the facial entails.

The facial starts with a double cleanse to remove any makeup and grime, then a toner to the skin before beginning the Dermaplaning.

I’m still glowing, and my face has no redness now at all, it just looks fresher, dewier, plumper – smoother and tighter and my scars don’t look as deep which I’m impressed by. I look like I have had actual sleep and my other half keeps saying I look pretty but that’s only because he wants to watch the footie.

The Dermaplaning removes any dead skin cells and peach fuzz hair to reveal a fresh layer of skin. I saw the dead skin and old make up that was buried deep down despite the double cleanse come off my face and it was pretty gross, yet satisfying. After that Lucy performed a Lymphatic drainage massage which is performed to flush out any toxins. It felt incredible.

In fact, I’m feeling so good that I do an Insta live with no make-up on showing the results and I feel …wait for it ‘a million dollars.’ I have lots of messages asking me about it and people saying they are impressed by the results; I think I will keep having these facials.

Next was time for the micro needling, which I’m not going to lie was slightly uncomfortable, a bit like having a cactus rolled over your skin. However, it’s nothing compared to having your bits waxed, and no pain no gain sista!? Micro needling works by causing slight trauma to the skin and increases the natural production of collagen and elastin, and what's not to love about that! Micro needling is also great for scar tissue and large pores, so I’m hoping some of my old acne scars reduce - fingers crossed.

I woke up and did the usual facial routine and noticed when applying moisturiser that I was shedding some dry skin. But I remember Lucy did say that my face would be a little dryer and flake as the facial carries on working as new skin is being replenished. I applied more moisturiser and then my make up ready for my day and could see my pores looked smaller and my face noticeably tighter. Throughout the day friends said my skin looked brighter and that’s what we all want isn’t it peeps, for people to see a difference and to feel more confident, which without a doubt this showstopper of a facial delivers. So I say if you can, treat yourself, you deserve to feel a million dollars.

Finally, a Hyaluronic mask is then applied, which is nice and soothing. This mask locks in any moisture and plumps the

Day 3 – The Verdict

ISSUE No.7 | 35

INTERIORS INSPIRATION

WORKIN’ NINE TO FIVE STILL #WFH? WELL, YOU’D BETTER GET YOUR WORK SPACE INTO SHAPE SHARPISH, SAYS JULIETTE WILLS. With working from home no longer the privilege of the self-employed, many of us have had to adapt our living space over the past year to include a makeshift office.

Some of us will be fortunate enough to have an office in the first place, or a spare room that could be turned into one. Others have spent 12 months at a kitchen table surrounded by all the stuff that’s on kitchen tables (if yours is home to nothing but an elegant bunch of peonies and a candlestick holder, everyone hates you) with Zoom calls interrupted by pets, kids and online deliveries. While some of us are slowly but surely making our way back to the office, others are staying put.

MAIN PIC Mustard Made Lilac Locker £249 roseandgrey.co.uk

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Eames Style Chair in Tan Leather £389, pash-classics.com

Lemons Print £89, roseandgrey.co.uk

Ceramic Glazed Hanging Pot £14.50, oliverbonas.com

So how does one maximise the space if you’re a bit short on it in the first place? Well, consider turning a spare bedroom into an office/spare room (I’m in one as I type). Get rid of the double bed and buy a nice sofabed so it can fold out when guests stay over and be your tea break space when they don’t. Make a corner your own by choosing artwork you’re fond of (great when you need a screen break) and position yourself by a window so you can distract yourself all day looking at how people are parking and how many takeaways the neighbours are ordering. Get yourself a proper chair – an ergonomic one if you can stand how ugly they are; an easy-on-the-eye velvet number that wouldn’t go amiss in a dining room if you can’t. If you’re not sitting down for eight hours a day, you can afford to go for style over substance. Mark your territory with a plush new rug (let’s face it, you’re in bare feet) and make sure you get the lighting right with a desk lamp you actually like looking at.

For storage, forget about Ikea bookcases and bring in a splash of colour with Mustard Made’s lockers, and add a hanging plant pot (and plant, obviously) to bring a bit of outside in. Lastly, remember the signs you used to make for your bedroom door as a kid? Knock up one of those – KEEP OUT, I’M BUSY – should do the trick.

Mango Wood Desk £330, rockettstgeorge.com

Gold and glass letter tray £39.50, oliverbonas.com

Heather Dining Chair in Leopard Print £109, cultfurniture.com Adjusta Marble Desk Lamp £205, rockettstgeorge.com

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THE SPACE RACE: HOUSE PRICES JUMP 10.9% OVER THE PAST YEAR A

CCORDING TO NEW DATA FROM SWINDON-BASED NATIONWIDE BUILDING SOCIETY, AVERAGE HOUSE PRICES HAVE RISEN 10.9% OVER THE LAST 12 MONTHS, THE MOST IN NEARLY SEVEN YEARS. Almost seven in 10 homeowners considering a move said they would be doing it even without the extension of a tax incentive by finance minister Rishi Sunak, Nationwide said, citing a survey it conducted in late April.

These figures are the latest to show the scale of the surge in house prices which subsequently hit a new record high at an average of £255,00, in May. The bank’s research also shows how a ‘race for space’ has culminated in a frenzied search for properties with more living space, both inside and out.

New-found freedoms to work from home, as well as lockdowns causing a permanent shift of appeal towards cities, has meant that both houses and areas with more space have seen skyrocketing demand.

For decades the pace of house price growth in cities has far outstripped that of rural areas. That was until 2020, where lockdown restrictions and new-found abilities to work from home saw the appeal of cities reduce dramatically.

Data from a first of its kind study from property tax specialists Cornerstone Tax revealed that 44% of Brits now find living in urban areas less appealing.This trend of a more attractive rural lifestyle looks set to

continue for the long term, as further research from Cornerstone Tax shows that millions have already moved away and many more will not commute to a city post-pandemic: 10% of Brits have moved away from a city or urban area in the past year 44% of Brits feel that the impact of Coronavirus has made living in a city less appealing 24% of Brits will no longer commute into a city for their job post-pandemic David Hannah, principal consultant at Cornerstone Tax, says: “Many experts are questioning the long-term stability of the market, but right now, it is certainly a sellers’ game. Although, due to restricted supply, there are not many sellers – and prices have risen by an incredible amount.”

“The findings from our report confirm what we have thought for much of the past 12 months, that living in a city has undergone a permanent shift in appeal. The clients we have advised during the pandemic have almost exclusively been looking for more space, both inside and outside the property.”

Nationwide said there was scope for annual house price growth to accelerate further in the coming months, given how weak the housing market was in the early stages of the pandemic. But if unemployment rises sharply later in 2021 - when Sunak's jobs protection programme is due to expire - there was scope for activity to slow, perhaps sharply, it said. nationwide.co.uk

ISSUE No.7 | 39

LOCAL INSIGHT CLARK HOLT

ASK THE EXPERT

CULTIVATING A NEW SWINDON OK, I’m going to bite the bullet here and tackle the thorny issue that is often raised about Swindon: it’s got a bit of an image problem.

Why? Tired old industrial town, an unappealing history in the touristattracting sense, a place that lacks sophistication?

All of these things, some would say, are fair comment; it’s a funny old town and has had a chequered history.

On the human front, it’s been home to diverse characters such as Diana Dors, Ian Fleming, Billie Piper, Mark Lamarr and, let’s not forget that mighty chap Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

It’s also been the birthplace to some serious innovation, such as the Great Western Railway and, in turn, the GWR Medical Fund Society, which was Bevan’s inspiration for the NHS.

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It has built itself from these industrial, innovative foundations and, in more recent decades, has become a head office location for some major businesses such as Zurich, Nationwide, Npower, Honda and Intel. Plus, many do not know that it is, in fact, home to the UK Space Agency.

Yet, even in this context, outsiders deride it – unfairly – and usually throw in references to the Magic Roundabout at the same time – soooooo tired of that joke!

Seriously though, I have discovered that those who really know Swindon celebrate and appreciate it and I am increasingly finding that the perception of the town is changing – and that any image problems it may still have are starting to dissolve.

So, why the change in how Swindon is perceived? What is prompting this?

The recent flurry of development and investment projects speaks volumes in

this regard. Let me list just some of the current projects: 1.

2.

3.

4.

Amazon’s huge new warehouse (some 2.3 million sq f) at Symmetry Park is the largest single warehouse deal in British history – firmly cementing Swindon as a key distribution centre in southern England. Build is expected to complete end of 2021.

The sale of the 370-acre Honda site will complete in Spring 2022, with Panattoni planning to invest some £700 million into regenerating this key employment site. Planning details awaited.

The build of the new Zurich head office in the town centre, some 100,000 sq ft, is now progressing at pace. Completion expected in 2022.

Swindon Borough Council is seeking £80m to invest into the ‘Cultural Quarter’ project, to

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5.

6.

7.

8.

be situated between the railway station and the Zurich site. It will look to build a new theatre (twice the size of the current Wyvern Theatre), dance studios and an arts centre – thus seeking to become a major arts venue in southern England. £19.5m of Government funding has been obtained by Swindon Borough Council for six regeneration projects in the town centre; in particular, redevelopment of the Carriage Works and public space improvements to connect the Designer Outlet and North Star with the town centre. £25m in Government funding has also been obtained by the council for a new bus boulevard scheme at Fleming Way to open up this area in central Swindon and make it more accessible and attractive, and to provide better connectivity between the business and retail/leisure communities.

North Eastern Villages (NEV) residential development projects.

NEV is currently one of the UK’s biggest urban regeneration developments and will ultimately deliver 8,000 to 14,000 new homes over the next 10-15 years. A particular example of this is that Capital Land plan to build some 1,500 new homes, a secondary school, park & ride and a sports hub, work for which is planned to start in 2022.

New 194 room Premier Inn Hotel to be built in central Swindon. Swindon does lack hotel facilities.

The above list is impressive and it’s no wonder Swindon is attracting a lot of attention from businesses and investors as it is about to go through a major renaissance and has a great deal of magnetism currently as a result.

There hasn’t been this much investment in the town since the 1980s/1990s, so it is long overdue and warmly welcomed.

Yes, the town will probably still continue to be mainly perceived as an industrial and distribution hub for the immediate future at least.

But I anticipate that all the investment, especially in the town centre, will be quite profound in changing how the town looks and feels and it will gradually feel like more of a general commercial centre, but will, hopefully, be made more attractive for leisure purposes and as a place to live as well. It’s all good and very exciting.

From a personal perspective as well, I have lived 15 miles south of Swindon for some 17 years and have two young sons. I didn’t start my working life in Swindon and it wasn’t even on my radar as a graduate.

I do wonder, though, if that will change for my children’s generation, especially given that it looks as though the town is set to change quite dramatically in the next five-10 years. It certainly looks as though the opportunities for young people are going to get, not only greater in number, but also perhaps more varied, which arguably, was not the case some 25 years ago when I was starting out.

So, to come full circle and tackle the disparaging remarks often made of Swindon as noted at the beginning of this article, here are some comments.

Tired old industrial town? That’s definitely in the course of changing and the Honda site redevelopment will certainly put paid to this denigration, coupled with the various town centre redevelopment projects to make the town feel generally less run down.

Unappealing history in the tourist attraction sense? This factor, so far as Swindon is concerned, is generally harder, I think, to satisfy.

Swindon is a relatively new town and it does not have the same type of history and international touristic appeal as somewhere like Bath or Oxford, but it does need to have a think about how it can pull people and money into its economy in other ways and differentiate itself from older cities.

Maybe through more and more varied leisure pursuits of some kind?

A place that lacks sophistication? Well, the Cultural Quarter will hopefully sort that criticism out, in part, coupled also with better designed/reconfigured community and green spaces, so far as one can, in the town centre.

The proposed bus boulevard scheme looks really attractive and modern too.

And, if I may put in a personal request, Swindon could do with some top-end restaurants and more independent quality eateries.

Swindon is on the up and it seems that the three forces that are needed for change to come about are presently converging pretty well; investment/funding, political will and, above all, desire and need for change.

Therefore, watch this space.

Renata Lovat Short Associate Commercial Real Estate Solicitor Clark Holt clarkholt.co.uk

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INTERIORS INSPIRATION

SUMMER LOVIN’ QUICK, IF YOU HAVEN’T TRANSFORMED YOUR GARDEN INTO A LUXURY RETREAT, NOW’S YOUR CHANCE, SAYS JULIETTE WILLS. While it’s nice to be out and about in pubs and restaurants again, most of us will have spent last summer in our gardens observing the rule of six and the rule of, well, sometimes not even six and actually enjoying it. If you didn’t get around to upgrading your outside space before the whole world sold out of bistro sets and fire pits, now’s the time to crack on because it’s all back in stock and there’s still time left to enjoy it.

MAIN PIC Outdoor lounge chair £639 heals.com

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Fan Print Hammock £145, oliverbonas.com

Outdoor Geometric Rug £611, heals.com

Lemons Doormat £19.50, oliverbonas.com

If you have a patio or decked area, bring an outdoor rug into the picture to add a splash of colour and comfort for your bare feet, and hop in a hammock for a nap or curl up with a good book and a tall glass of lemonade when it all gets too much.

Apple Paper Plates £1.95, rexlondon.com

Fire Pit £1599, lefeu.co.uk

Heal’s have some cracking – albeit pricey – furniture, like this outdoor lounge chair which wouldn’t look out of place next to an infinity pool at a five-star hotel. Oliver Bonas’ ‘lemons’ doormat gives a summery feel to steps and you can’t go wrong with Le Feu’s stunning fire pit to keep you toasty when the nights draw in. Do resist the temptation to bring it indoors, no matter how much you love it. Serve your barbecued sea bass on a beautiful serving dish but otherwise keep your best china indoors, swapping washing up for recycling with these apple paper plates (there’s a fruit theme going on here, and I like it). Made are always my go-to brand for furniture, and they’ve come up trumps with this on-trend rattan bistro set which would work just as well indoors as out. I know we can go to the pub now, but why would you want to when you can mix cocktails and swap stories with your friends in your own slice of heaven?

Lemons Tray £29, annabeljames.co.uk

Swara Rattan Bistro Dining Set £399, made.com

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TALKING HOMES WITH THE MANAGING DIRECTOR OF HOME FINDERS

SUE

GIDNEY Sue Gidney has gone back to her professional roots and relaunched Swindon Home Finders as a stand-alone lettings agency. In between choosing office décor and mapping out impeccable levels of landlord service, she took the time to talk homes with Wigwam.

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Sue, tell us about your personal property journey?

Pretty much all my life until I was sixteen, we lived in a small three bedroomed terraced house in Arbroath, Scotland. My mum used to change the wallpaper and the sofa every five minutes. It wasn’t fashionable to be into interior design in those days but I think she was without knowing it. She was always moving furniture and changing things so I think I grew up thinking about houses and interior design by osmosis.

When I was sixteen, I moved out into a flat of my own, still in Arbroath. I was there for a year or so and then I joined the military, so no house at all then! I lived in a room in Lyneham for three years, then Germany for another four years with a few stints in Cyprus. When I first joined up, we were in dorms of four, then after you’ve been in the military for a few years you get your own room, but even then we’re talking a tiny little room with a little bed.

And everything else was shared: shared bathroom, shared shower, shared kitchen, shared TV room.

Then when I was twenty-five, I came out of the air force and as my boyfriend and husband-to-be was also in Lyneham we stayed in the area, initially living in Wootton Bassett in a rented house, so that was my introduction to the rental world. Funny enough it was a rented house with In House, a company we subsequently bought many years later.

We only stayed there for six months before buying a house in Broad Street in Swindon town centre. It was really run down but it was our first property and we did it up room by room and loved it. We had no money at all so it was all done on a shoestring, but we made it into a nice little house, and then eventually when we moved out we kept it, and we still rent it out today. And then we went from there to The Mall which is where I still am, so as you can see, I’ve not lived in many houses.

What’s your interior design style?

Well, it’s just changed. Until about two years ago it was quite traditional, with quite traditional Victorian type colours completely in keeping with the house. But that got a bit dated so I’ve now moved on to neutrals and grey palettes. Over the past eighteen months I’ve been refurbishing the whole house. When we moved in we had done the initial refurbishing, we moved some walls to make some rooms bigger and some smaller and we knocked two rooms into one to make a big bathroom and closet. We knocked out an ensuite and made that into a bedroom, so loads of stuff, major works, but that was fifteen years ago.

So we didn’t do anything structural this time, but we had everything repainted and re-carpeted and transformed the look of the place. We used a great local chap called Wayne Cunningham, he designed and built shelving units and cupboards for the sitting room, he redid the Victorian fireplace putting new tiles in, and moved some doors around. He made a feature wall, which is made of mirrors but looks like a window. And Wayne’s son did the patio, so it’s been all change.

The colour scheme even has a touch of Home Finders with some mustard in the kitchen, it’s what I like! We’ve also done loft conversions in Broad Street and a loft conversion in The Mall, that gave us two extra bedrooms and a bathroom which is now my son’s suite, so he’s got his own bathroom and office up there. It’s fair to say, we were very busy during lockdown.

I love living in my neighbourhood, it’s like a village where you know everybody. You’ve got the Old Town Gardens, then you’ve got the old railway line for walks, we’re two minutes from Old Town, two minutes from the countryside, and ten minutes from town. It’s so friendly and full of like-minded people.

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You are now relaunching Home Finders as an independent lettings company after 10 years heading up the lettings operation of a large local estate agency. What was the catalyst?

I have already proved to myself that I can build a successful business on my own and now I am genuinely at a point where I just really really want to provide a great service to our landlords and our tenants.

I want to offer a boutique service where people know that they have one point of contact they can always talk to, not speak to somebody different every time. We’ve got eight property managers and they all have their own portfolios, so they inspect the properties, they deal with the landlords, they deal with the tenants, they do the contracts, they deal with everything. It’s easier for us and a much better journey for the landlords and the tenants, and we’re already finding it makes a massive difference.

What is the Home Finders’ DNA? We are definitely a family group both in the way we approach business and literally - we have so many people who are actually related! We’ve got Will and I, mother and son. Sharon and her son, and her other son’s fiancée. Dorinda and her daughter work here. Lots of us have been together for years and have huge experience in the lettings sector. So we really are a family set-up who genuinely care about people who entrust their properties to us, and we have the experience to back this up.

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What is the current situation in the lettings market in Swindon?

It’s bonkers! I don’t whether it’s in spite of the pandemic or because of the pandemic but it’s absolutely bonkers. As soon as we put a property out there we’re absolutely inundated with people who want to view it. It’s unprecedented. It used to be that properties would get six to ten viewings and that could take maybe three or four weeks, but now we do a group viewing of three or four people and almost every time at least three of them put an offer in. It’s unbelievable. In sales it’s always been people put an offer in, then somebody else offers more and so on. But that has never happened in lettings, it was this is the price and people never offered more. Now people are bidding and outbidding each other massively.

So rents have gone up hugely, demand has gone up hugely, but supply has gone down. I have to admit I thought this situation would be tipping over by now, but I think there’s still a pent-up demand from Covid, but it’s not just that. I think legislation and the tax changes have pushed some landlords out of the market, they’ve realised that it’s too difficult. I think it’s going to go on longer than anticipated which is great for landlords but not so great for tenants.

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So where would be a good place to invest in at the moment if I had say, £150,000?

I’d love to say Old Town but it’s more expensive.

West Swindon and North Swindon are always good for demand. West is good because prices are lower but the rents are good, so the yield is good.

East is also good for the same reason, plus there aren’t many rentals there so demand is strong. I would definitely say always go for a two bed, two double beds if possible, parking is a prerequisite, and now after Covid everybody wants a garden. I wouldn’t normally recommend investing in a flat, because service charges and ground rents are high and that obviously eats into your rental yield.

And then you’re at their mercy, because we’ve got people who are paying all that money and the management company are letting you down.

It’s a risk.

A little two-bedroom house with outside space would be absolutely optimum. But it also depends on the landlord and want their desires are. Some landlords want to see their asset and be proud of it, others are just in it for the money. And though some landlords think they are a money tree, HMOs are really hard to let in Swindon, unlike in bigger cities, and you have an ongoing problem of people coming and going and not looking after their rooms so landlords end up having to pay a lot of maintenance.

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Do the landlords you work with have a typical property portfolio?

It’s a new journey, so where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

The majority of our landlords have one to two properties. We’ve got a couple with twenty-plus, but most landlords are just very typical people and they’re our kind of landlord because they are human beings and we’re human beings and I’d rather deal with them than with a faceless corporation.

In the Caribbean! No seriously, not massively big, I don’t plan to outgrow our lovely new offices in Old Town. I am sure we could but that’s not the ambition. I see us being the same size, but with really lovely landlords and really lovely properties.

What we’re trying to do is nurture them more, so they are friends, so they wouldn’t dream of going anywhere else. And that’s all about customer service. We’re a local company, dealing with local people, and we want a really good reputation. So in five years’ time I see us being not much different from where we are now but with an even deeper bond with landlords and tenants. swindonhomefinders.com

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MILESTONE REACHED AT ONE OF UK’S LARGEST ENERGY EFFICIENT DEVELOPMENTS OAKFIELD SWINDON’S HIGHEST POINT IS COMPLETED WITH ‘TOPPING OUT’ CEREMONY.

Nationwide Building Society’s Oakfield has reached a major milestone as its highest point was completed in a ‘topping out’ ceremony.

The £50 million Swindon project, which is delivering 239 homes built to leading environmental standards and future-proofed with a host of green innovations to help people live sustainably, will become one of the UK’s largest communities built to such high standards of sustainability. It will also be one of the biggest off-gas housing developments.

It is hoped that the Oakfield community, which blends the best of green and intergenerational living, will become a blueprint of a modern, sustainably-built community – a place where younger generations can lay down their roots, families can grow together and older people can stay through later life.

The traditional ‘topping out’ celebration of reaching the highest point of construction was hosted by Mi-space and attended by project sponsor Nationwide alongside scheme development manager Igloo Regeneration and other project partners and members of the local community.

The traditions associated with ‘topping out ‘are rather interesting. As part of the ceremony, a yew tree was hoisted to the highest point in build (which is the community hub building, named Forest View – a name voted on by the local community).

It’s a tradition that dates back to ancient Scandinavia and was intended to appease the tree-dwelling spirits. We’re happy to report that no-one is particularly worried about the spirits, but it’s a nice tradition to honour none the less!

Sara Bennison, Chief Product and Marketing Officer, Nationwide Building Society, said: “Reaching this point of construction and seeing Oakfield take shape is an exciting moment. Oakfield goes to the heart of our purpose as a building society. Through our mutual approach, and working with experts in the field, we’re proving that homes can be more environmentally friendly and community focused.”

Steve Hart, Director at Midas, said: “Reaching the highest point of construction for Oakfield is an exciting and proud moment as we support Nationwide in their mission to create a truly trailblazing development that will have a long-lasting green impact."

“This scheme promotes the highest standards of construction and energy efficiency and we are thrilled to be able to play our part in offering residents innovative properties which will hopefully become a benchmark for future developments across the country.”

Oakfield is aimed at becoming a blueprint to help housebuilders create energy-efficient homes and communities for the future, with Nationwide offering to share learnings. It will test how quality, sustainable, community focused homes can be built in partnership with the local community – enabled through Nationwide’s mutual model, which allows it to take longer term decisions that benefit its members and society.

With just a fraction of new properties built nationally currently meeting EPC-A rated standards, all Oakfield properties are set to achieve EPC-A rating through a range of sustainable attributes such as air source heat pumps and photovoltaic solar panels. Of the 239 new homes, 71 will be available for affordable housing.

Oakfield forms part of Nationwide’s commitment to help reduce carbon from homes across the UK. The Society is also using its expertise, partnerships, and innovation to help make millions of existing homes greener, more sustainable and fit for the future – highlighting the wider need to address the issue across both new and existing home across the UK. Work on the Oakfield development began on site in April 2020 and is being carried out by Mi-space, part of the Midas Group, one of the UK’s largest independent construction and property services providers. Construction is expected to take about three and a half years, with a ‘show home’ opening towards the end of 2021 and the first phase of new homes being completed in Spring 2022.

oakfieldswindon.co.uk

ISSUE No.7 | 55

SWINDON ACTRESS BILLIE PIPER MAKES HER DIRECTORIAL DEBUT Billie Piper has said young women can find being told they can have it all "very stressful", as she makes her directorial debut with a drama looking at the conflicting home/work life pressures facing women.

"It's hard being alone in the world, but the world seems to be pushing us towards that." The actress adds in her director's statement about the film that she's "surrounded by casualties, not successes. And I'm one of them".

Piper, the Swindon-born star of TV shows including Doctor Who and Penny Dreadful, plays the lead role of Mandy, a woman trying to raise her son and navigate life as part of what Piper describes as "that generation horribly sandwiched between traditional unions and modern romance". Her co-stars in Rare Beasts are Lily James and David Thewlis.

The actress has a baby daughter Tallulah and two sons with her exhusband, actor Lawrence Fox.

"When I reached my 30s, I was told I could have it all, but many of the women around me were finding life really hard," Piper, a mother of three, told BBC News.

"I would never have got this film made even two years ago," she says. "It's a dramatic shift and it's turning around so much. I just wish it would extend to every industry and every household."

"I was interested in pulling that idea apart a bit more and write about it, and it became Rare Beasts. I think women want to be recognised and have equal opportunities and that can be hard as a mother.”

"There's great parts for women in TV and theatre," says Piper, "but less so in film, it still feels like the stories can be male-led. I definitely felt a while ago that I wasn't seeing enough juicy roles for women and I clung to the ones I felt might be interesting. So that's powered my quest to make this film."

"The world is pointing us towards becoming the ultimate soloist, because there's a lot you can do on your own as a woman now, you can earn money, work, enjoy yourself, and that's amazing, but it's challenging too."

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Piper says she first started writing the script for Rare Beasts about seven years ago and it was the current push for gender equality within the film industry that helped her secure funding.

"As an actor, you're always being told what to do - telling other people felt very uncomfortable. But in the end, you have to crack on, you have five weeks of filming and that's it."

"It was also a bit stressful as I was six months pregnant at the time of filming. I don't think I'd act again in something I was making, but I knew exactly how to play Mandy, she'd been with me for so long."

Piper says she was "awed" by showing Rare Beasts at Venice Film Festival where it was screened as part of Critics' Week. "I can't even describe this as a dream come true, it's a very recent dream comes true. I'm overwhelmed by the reception. I definitely want to direct again as soon as I can."

Respected Guardian film critic Peter Bradshaw described the film as “masterful”, saying, “Piper announces herself as a truly thrilling film-maker with this bleakly brilliant inversion of the cutesy London love story”.

Rare Beasts is available on Amazon Prime Video.

The hardest thing, she admits, "was telling people what I wanted".

wigwampropertynews.co.uk

Building Contractors Specialising in Extensions, Loft Conversions and General Building Projects.

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THE 5 EASIEST WAYS TO ADD SOME KERB APPEAL TO YOUR HOUSE DON’T GIVE POTENTIAL BUYERS A BAD IMPRESSION EVEN BEFORE THEY GET THROUGH THE FRONT DOOR.

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A

RE YOU CONSIDERING SELLING? DETERMINED TO KEEP UP WITH THE JONESES? IS SORTING OUT YOUR HOME FRONTAGE FINALLY TOP OF YOUR TO-DO LIST? WHATEVER YOUR SITUATION, WIGWAM HAVE DONE SOME OF THE LEG WORK FOR YOU TO ADD THE WOW TO YOUR KERB-SIDE APPEAL. First impressions count. Whether you are trying to impress the in-laws or you hope prospective buyers fall in love at first sight with your home; best make it a good one. Or better, an outstanding one.

And with only a few tweaks you can add some real wow factor to your kerb aesthetic. Here’s our check list on the fastest ways to update that first home impression and get that feel good factor when it’s time to go home.

1. Clean those windows.

Not only will gleaming windows instantly look more attractive and demonstrate how well cared for your home is, they also create a brighter space letting more light in. Two storeys or more and you may need to contact a professional but for a small investment you could reap dividends instantly.

2. Update your front door colour.

Adding a colour pop to the entrance of your home is sure to raise the spirits after a busy day and do the same for those welcomed through it by you too. It’s the first thing most people see and you can tell a lot about homeowners by their choices. We suggest style and class, without shouting. Head to the Farrow & Ball web page where they have shared their fav ‘in real life’ front door colour choices; think sage greens, blush pinks and (yes, still) dark greys as their most stylish of picks.

3. Smarten up those green spaces.

An unkept lawn speaks volumes and suggests that the property as a whole needs some much needed TLC. Trimming back shrubbery is a quick winner. Do some weeding and pruning before adding fresh flowers or plants to planters and hanging baskets for added colour and interest.

4. Add fresh door furniture.

Updating your knobs and knockers is all but a quick trip to your local DIY store. Whilst you are there why not invest in new house numbers or a house name too. Making sure people can reach you if you want to be seen is a must.

Make it easy for visitors to locate you by making sure they are in now doubt they are in the right place. And with plenty of cool styles to choose from be sure to find a style that compliments the period of your home.

5. Tidy Up! Declutter the hallway. Stow those bins, maybe even build a small bin store. Get rid of the debris and trip hazards; hide last night’s beers... and pop the kids’ bikes, their scooters and balls etc in the garage. Out of sight and out of mind!

We’d love to see your frontage make-overs. Tag us on social @wigwam_property_news or find us on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Sarah Baker Lifestyle Blogger, Stylist & Content Creator @SarahfromBath

ISSUE No.7 | 59

ASK THE EXPERT AUSTEN DAWSON

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AUSTEN DAWSON ARE THE GO-TO GUYS FOR QUALITY EXTENSIONS, LOFT CONVERSIONS AND MUCH MUCH MORE Founded by a very experienced team of construction professionals, Austen Dawson are fast becoming one of the most respected bespoke building contractors in the region.

Our signature business is focused on design and build of domestic and commercial building projects. Working from our Wiltshire and Oxfordshire offices, the Austen Dawson team are specialists in all aspects of property new builds, extensions, loft conversions, refurbishment and alteration projects. Our vision, client focus and unrelenting attention to detail is what sets us apart from our competitors. Our signature services include: • • • • • • • •

have all the in-house skills you require for your high-end domestic or commercial project.

Working with only the finest materials and providing the highest calibre, most experienced tradesman, allows us to produce a truly luxurious end product. No project too big, no project too small.

Extensions & Loft Conversions, Bespoke New Builds General Building & Construction Architectural Design Design & Build, Planning Services Project Management Property Maintenance

We directly employ and partner with only the highest calibre architects, designers, project managers, sub-contractors and tradesman, so your project is in safe hands with Austen Dawson. Your highly motivated, dedicated project team will work seamlessly to bring your project in on time, on budget and to only the highest of standard. Our services are available all over the southern regions including Swindon, Oxford, the Cotswolds and London.

Our team of highly experienced tradesman and project managers are available for all your general building and maintenance requirements. Whether it be a new kitchen, bathroom, remodel or a general maintenance work, we

Commercial projects are our added speciality. Whether it be a hotel, restaurant, bar, cafe or boutique, the Austen Dawson team of commercial experts can create a space to really give your business the wow factor. We take your initial vision and turn it into a reality that sets your business apart.

We employ and partner with only the highest calibre designers, project managers and tradesman to produce luxurious end results that speak for themselves. Call our commercial team today to discuss your project requirements.

Bradley Quesnel Managing Director, Austen Dawson 01367 358080 austendawson.co.uk

ISSUE No.7 | 61

ASK THE EXPERT PEBLEY BEACH

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THE CAMPERVAN IS THE PERFECT WAY TO EXPLORE THE GREAT OUTDOORS If growing up watching Scooby-Doo cartoons taught me anything, it's that there are no such thing as monsters – just men (usually caretakers) in costume.

And if the capers of the cowardly canine and his human pals taught me one more thing, it was that the best way to have adventures with friends is in a campervan.

There's no definitive answer on what marque the Mystery Machine was – Chevy, Dodge and Ford are all in the running, while the late 90s live-action movies used an early 70s Bedford – better known to us Brits as the ice cream van.

But there's no doubt that more than 50 years ago the Volkswagen Type 2 launched the campervan craze – and who hasn't lusted after a 1960s or 70s VW camper in vibrant hippy colours?

Now, inspired by Covid-enforced staycations, manufacturers have been scurrying to bring campervans to the market.

Volkswagen has continued making campervans since the 1960s. And joining the existing Volkswagen California (prices from £55,000) and Grand California (from £74,000), Volkswagen's latest, more affordable campervan offering is due for release any time now.

The new Caddy California starts at £29,965. Is it a true campervan? Well, it's a van and you can go camping in it, so yeah, I guess so. Based on the Caddy van, it has a folding bed, a pull-out kitchenette, and a tent that unfurls from the back doors which makes it suitable for a family of four.

Meanwhile, Skoda – part of the VW family – has decided to mark its 125th anniversary this year by announcing a campervan.

Although it's still very much in the concept stage, with no word on pricing or a release date, given Skoda's reputation for affordability it might prove to be a serious contender if it ever makes it past the blueprint stage.

With vans transitioning from fossil fuels to electric power, the world’s first electric campervan will be built right here in the UK by the London Electric Vehicle Company – better known for its black London cabs.

“The campervan market is growing rapidly and, despite these vehicles being used for coastal and countryside adventures which often include national parks and protected areas, they are still powered by petrol or diesel engines," says CEO Joerg Hofmann, somewhat sternly.

"This is a major conflict; we can see a shift in consumer attitudes, with demand for greener mobility solutions to help to protect and improve air quality.

"Our new electric, zero-emissions capable e-Camper offers the perfect solution and is well-equipped with high quality features that can be tailored to meet a range of customer requirements.” LEVC's offering will sleep four and be available next spring at £62,250.

This could be closely followed by an all-electric campervan from Nissan. Based on the e-NV200 MPV and e-NV200 delivery van, the e-NV200 Winter Camper concept features an integrated kitchen, folding beds, and an on-board power pack that can be recharged via a roof-mounted popup solar panel.

Oh, and although Hyundai don't make campervans, the Ioniq 5 can be used as a power source – offering great wild camping potential!

The Skoda 1203 was something of a communist-era icon, used as a delivery van, flatbed, minibus, ambulance, even a hearse. Now, the 1203 has been reimagined for the modern market as a camper.

Dominic Threlfall Managing Director Pebley Beach pebley.co.uk

ISSUE No.7 | 63

ASK THE EXPERT AWDRY BAILEY & DOUGLAS

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FAMILY LAW SOLICITOR CAROL DAWE FROM AWDRY BAILEY & DOUGLAS ON URBAN MYTHS RELATING TO DIVORCE 1. The Family court favours children staying with their Mums.

2. Our Assets and Liabilities will be split 50/50….so that its fair…

When it comes to deciding what should happen with the children there is no one better placed to make decisions than the parents.

You do not have to go to court and if there is a disagreement, then you can often work through it together or resolve it by using a collaborative law approach, or mediation. However, if you do need to go to court, is the system biased in favour of mothers?

My answer is – no, I don’t believe it is.

Many believe (or have been told by friends) that finances will be split equally. While this might be fair after a very long marriage, it is not going to be fair to sell a family home and divide the money equally when one spouse works part time and looks after young children.

Legislation over recent years has changed and now includes a presumption that, provided it is safe to do so, it is better for a child to see the parent they don’t live with.

Separation is a time of change for everyone and the court does like to keep things as stable for the children as possible.

If a father makes an application to see his child then unless there is a child protection issue, an order will be made for him to see that child.

The same applies in equal measure to mothers who do not live with the children.

There are significantly more shared care Orders than ever before. More often than not, Orders start with the presumption that care of children is shared between parents, and rather than dictating which parent has “care” the court ends up defining the amount of time the children spend with each parent, including holiday periods and other special occasions.

If a Judge is asked to decide the financial outcome of a divorce, then they will be trying to ensure that assets are distributed fairly, but will primarily have regard to the needs of any children and the individual needs of both spouses. The assumption that “fair” means “equal” is for many, not the reality.

Going to court is not the only option.

An experienced Family Lawyer can help guide you to reach a settlement that suits your needs without involving the court system. They can also work constructively, using processes like collaborative family law, mediation etc. to help you reach an early resolution.

3. It’s not possible to have a divorce without someone blaming the other?

At the moment, it is possible but only if you have been separated for two years (and both agree to the divorce) or after five years (just one person wants to get divorced). If not, then yes, one person will have to blame the other (usually unreasonable behaviour or adultery).

For all of the facts and none of the fiction about divorce or any aspect of Family Law please contact Carol Dawe using the following details.

However, the law is now set to change. On 6th April 2022 the new Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 will come into force which will end the need for blame. In short, the new legislation will introduce a no-fault divorce dissolution system which will reduce acrimony between parties and remove the “blame”. If they wish, couples will also be able to file a joint request for a divorce dissolution making the process even less stressful.

It is a misconception by many that adding “blame” to one party will impact upon a financial settlement, or even the arrangements for children.

For the vast majority, the grounds on which a divorce or dissolution is obtained is irrelevant to the way in which assets are divided and children’s arrangements settled.

4. You can get divorced in twelve weeks.

A very tempting marketing strapline but there is no such thing as a quickie divorce. Best case scenario the courts will take around five months, although more likely six months, to complete a divorce. However, where a financial settlement needs to be agreed or resolved, it is often prudent to delay finalising the divorce.

We always advise clients to secure their financial settlement first, before the final divorce Order is granted.

This can mean that a “divorce” in its entirety may take longer to achieve, but for very sound reasons.

Carol Dawe Solicitor, Family Law Awdry Bailey & Douglas Solicitors 01793 384127 | carol.dawe@awdrys.co.uk awdrys.co.uk

ISSUE No.7 | 65

ASK THE EXPERT OPTIMUM PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

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WHAT ARE COVENANTS AND WHAT IS THEIR ROLE IN CONVEYANCING What are covenants and what is their role in conveyancing?

The word ‘covenant’ often crops up in the house buying and selling process, and the presence of a covenant on the title deeds to property or land can have implications for the conveyancing. But what does the word actually mean and how is it involved in a transaction?

What is a covenant?

A covenant is a provision or a promise made in a relation to a piece of land or to a property. A positive covenant is a promise to adhere to something or to take action over something; a restrictive covenant, conversely, is a promise not to do something.

A common example of a positive covenant would be a promise to maintain a boundary wall or fencing, or perhaps contribute to the upkeep of any assets shared with neighbours, like a driveway or a drain. A common restrictive covenant would be a promise not to, for example, build on a piece of land or use a building for a particular purpose.

How do covenants affect property sales?

There’s no straightforward answer to this. Let’s take our example of a positive covenant of promising to maintain boundary fencing or walls. Buyers might be happy to proceed because they regard this as a reasonable ‘promise’ to make.

It’s also worth noting that positive covenants are often made as a contract between the original parties and don’t therefore bind subsequent owners. So if there is a positive covenant on a property or land you are hoping to purchase, it may no longer be effective.

The situation is usually more complicated with restrictive covenants, which will generally run with the land. In other words, they carry on regardless of change of ownership.

Some covenants date back decades, even centuries and, while they made sense when first imposed, they may be outdated for modern times yet still have to be adhered to and accepted or, alternatively, removed.

Can covenants be removed?

Restrictive covenants can be removed or modified by the Lands Chamber of the Upper Tribunal (previously the Lands Tribunal), and the applicant would first have to prove there were grounds for its removal. Most commonly cited grounds are that the covenant is obsolete or it is an unreasonable impediment.

Unusual covenants Covenants have even featured in Jeremy’s Clarkson’s Amazon TV series, Clarkson’s Farm. The eponymous presenter needed to use a gateway access into his field for customers to the new farm shop he’d built there. However, it transpired there was a covenant on the gateway, which belonged to a local resident, stipulating that the gateway should be used only for agricultural vehicles.

It is clear that covenants are complicated and the presence of one may have implications if you are buying or selling property or land. Untangling the details of a covenant, who has the benefit, and whether it should or can be removed, may all slow down the conveyancing process.

The answer is to engage professional conveyancers – like the solicitor-led team here at Optimum – who will go through the detail and advise on the best course of action, as well as help drive through the buying and selling process to avoid any unnecessary delays.

If you are buying or selling a property, then please get in touch for advice. Email imason@optps.co.uk or kgleed@optps.co.uk.

Iain Mason Head of Legal Optimum Professional Services imason@optps.co.uk optps.co.uk

ISSUE No.7 | 67

ASK THE EXPERT PROSPERO FINANCE

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HOW PROSPERO FINANCE HELPS CLIENTS NAVIGATE THE SPECIALIST FINANCE MARKET As the name implies, the specialist finance market is not an arena to enter without the highest level of knowledge and experience. Too many property investors find themselves paying higher finance costs than they should be, or worse still, in the incorrect type of finance when purchasing or refinancing their next property development project with no way to get out of the finance deal. It is critical that anyone looking at this type of finance should have the correct finance broker in their corner, which is where Prospero Finance are making a name for ourselves, both with clients and lenders.

The business was started in 2016 by Martin Smedley, a finance broker with over 30 years’ experience and yours truly, owner of a wealth management business, with an idea to provide mutual services to our wealth management clients, whilst looking to establish a name in the property development arena. Our team at Prospero Finance very quickly built a reputation for helping clients achieve the most suitable type of finance for their project, which has helped us become preferred partners with a number of lenders, in particular the more specialist lenders.

Prospero Finance completed our largest loan to date when helping an experienced team of property developers exit a £7M finance facility after they had overrun on the build, thereby exceeding the term of the original finance which saw their interest charges rise. The exit facility arranged managed to significantly reduce the cost of borrowing on the facility whilst also raising additional funding to allow the developers to complete the project.

Our expertise also helped another client receive 100% funding to acquire a mixed-use commercial property with a plan to convert the whole building to self-contained residential flats. The bridging loan was completed by taking additional security on another residential property to give the customer 100% funding for the purchase. The bridging finance was over a 12-month term and the exit will be

development finance to convert the property into flats. Even more extraordinary was the speed this deal was put together by our team, from initial enquiry to final completion and funds received from the lender in just 14 days.

One of our latest deals saw an investor remortgage two existing properties, both valued at over £2 million in order to raise equity to allow them to convert an old assembly hall into flats. Both of the existing mortgages were already with a specialist lender who would only deal with a broker that had the appropriate level of expertise to ensure the deals completed quickly. This extra requirement by the lender caused no issues as our team could demonstrate quite quickly the relevant level of knowledge and experience.

The relationships that we develop with our clients means that we are now seen as the ‘go to’ broker of choice when clients require specialised finance. This ongoing relationship was highlighted further when an existing client, fresh from receiving 100% funding by using additional security to acquire a mixed-use commercial property with a plan to convert the whole building to self-contained residential flats has now returned with an even bigger project that requires finance to build 72 homes.

Although the bridging and development finance is a large part of our business focus, Prospero Finance can also help clients with Buy to Let, House of Multiple Occupancy (HMOs) and residential mortgages.

If you wish to find out more about how Prospero Finance could help you obtain the correct structure for your next development or purchase finance, please contact enquiries@prosperofinance.co.uk or call me on the number below.

James Relph Director 01793 977790 prosperofinance.co.uk

ISSUE No.7 | 69

ARCHITECTURE PHOTO CHALLENGE

WINNER! 70 | ISSUE No.7

wigwampropertynews.co.uk

Visit Swindon

RESULTS OF THE SWINDON ARCHITECTURE 2021 PHOTO CHALLENGE Visit Swindon, the town’s destination tourism digital platform, asked people to capture Swindon’s architecture in all its glory for its #SwindonArchitecture2021 photo challenge, and the town’s photographers responded in striking fashion.

For his winning effort, @rob_r56’s prize is a £300 Old Town shopping voucher bundle, containing £50 vouchers for each of Food Magpie, Magnum Wine Shop, Oink, Kapada Vintage, Willoby’s Furniture and the Wood Street Food Hall, plus a tasty Sunday roast for two from The Bank restaurant in Wood Street.

More than 500 entries ranged from the beautiful to the brutalist and from the attractive to the abstract, including images of Swindon Town Hall, Tadpole Garden Village, The Great Western Hospital, Angel Ridge, The David Murray John Tower, The Brunel Centre, Coate Water’s diving board, Hall & Woodhouse, Lydiard House, Rudi’s, Bath Road Methodist Church, the Old Town Bowl, Windmill Hill, the Locarno, the Mechanics Institute, and a long etcetera.

The other fabulous entries to make the shortlist were:

After much deliberation and no little soul searching, the Visit Swindon panel, led by celebrated landscape photographer Mitchell Nelson, chose a shortlist of six photos and eventually a winner, @rob_r56’s Peaceful in the morning, a beautifully composed and strikingly coloured interior shot of the swimming pool at the Health Hydro in Milton Road. Chapeau!

5.

1.

2.

3.

4.

@simon_mg1’s almost abstract shot of the GWH lobby @greglebowski shimmering shot of the David Murray John skyscraper in a puddle @muzzerati’s blue sky take on a modernist building @blueeyedpop7’s amber infused shot of Brunel brutalism @chuckbbird35mm’s Lomography capture of competing office blocks

One thing is for sure, when it comes to photography, Swindon’s got talent!

#SWINDONARCHITECTURE2021 visitswindon.org.uk

ISSUE No.7 | 71

ARTS & CULTURE OINK GALLERY

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MARK MCCLURE STUNNED WITH HIS GRAPHIC LANDSCAPES AT OINK GALLERY Cutting-edge artist Mark McClure embraces bespoke surface design alongside public art, sculpture and gallery works, all in his trademark geometric style, and has exhibited widely both in the UK and internationally.

An exhibition of his recent works at Oink Gallery in Victoria Road, Old Town, Swindon, was a huge success.

Mark is a multi-disciplinary British artist working from his studio in North East London.

He was born in the Midlands in 1974 and trained as a graphic designer.

With a background in visual design and working with wood, paint and other materials – Mark collaborates with interior designers, architects and public bodies to bring the bold, geometric works to both private and public spaces.

The resulting works build on the idea of a graphic landscape - drawing on the structural shapes of the built environment and combining them with graphic motifs such as signage, letterforms, chevrons and other markings - resulting in a distilled visual language.

Artworks created with this palette of shapes and motifs reflect the architecture and shapes of the spaces they inhabit - and murals complement the shapes that inspire them.

Mark’s hand crafted and geometric style has been widely commissioned by interior designers, architects and public art bodies for creating bespoke surfaces, constructions and murals for both exterior and interior projects.

“Mark has done lots of location street art around the UK and internationally and it was a real thrill to have his bold works on display in the gallery,” says Mark Pepperall, owner of Oink Gallery.

“His exhibition was well received in these strange times. The inauguration wasn’t a normal event as we had to limit numbers and make sure we adhered to Covid Guidelines, but people really enjoyed being back on the scene and loved the vibrant colours and geometrics of Mark’s work.”

“The work resonates well with me as Mark is from a similar design background to myself and so love of design shines through in his work. He’s great with colour and so the bright, almost neon colours work fantastically together as a collection. It’s always a pleasure bringing international artists to Swindon as well as supporting our own local community of artists.”

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Prices for Mark McClure’s works at Oink Gallery range from £456 to £2,750.

Oink Gallery offers a varied mix of contemporary art in the form of paintings, prints, sculpture and ceramics. The gallery space is accompanied by an exciting collection of design led crafted and commercial furniture, lighting and gifts by independent British and international designers.

Its current exhibition, Street Art, features the pioneers of the street genre including works

by Banksy, Invader, Kaws, Blek Le Rat, Eine, Stix, Shepard Fairey and more. It runs for a month from July 22 and tickets are available on Eventbrite.

Banksy is the most high-profile street artist in the world. In March, Game Changer – a painting dedicated to Britain's National Health Service sold for £16 million, with all proceeds set to go toward the NHS and health charities.

Invader is a French urban artist who glues ceramic tile mosaics modelled on the pixelated art of 1970s–1980s 8-bit video games to walls.

Kaws is an American artist and designer known for his figurative characters and motifs.

Hackney-based Stik is known for his simplistic stick-man figures – some of which can extend to six storeys high on the sides of London towerblocks.

Shepard Fairey is an American artist known for his murals of political figures. His blue and red image of Barack Obama with the word HOPE defined the presidential candidate's 2008 campaign.

Eine is known for his alphabet lettering, which first appeared on shop door shutters in London, but soon found their way to gallery walls. oinkgallery.co.uk

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Local vs. Online Conveyancer: What's right for me?

For most of us, buying a new property is one of the largest and most important investments of our lives.

So, it is essential that you choose the right conveyancing method for you. But first, what is conveyancing?

‘Conveyancing’ is the legal term given to the transfer of property from one person to another, whether you are purchasing or selling. Deciding between local and online conveyancing can be a difficult decision, and crucial to get right.

On one hand, an online conveyancer may appear to offer a simpler solution. The headline fee is sometimes lower than a local solicitor but this may be due to the staff dealing with the matter being less experienced and having to manage much higher volumes of work, leaving them less able to respond to you in a bespoke and personal manner.

Often you will be assigned to a team rather than having a dedicated property lawyer looking after your case. There can sometimes be “hidden extra” costs so always be careful to check what is actually covered by the quote.

This is a complex process, and particularly for firsttime buyers, local conveyancers can be key to guiding you through the process. Conveyancing lawyers will look after all the legal work involved, whilst updating you on progress throughout the matter.

This will include: Preparing and reviewing the contract papers Giving you bespoke legal advice Carrying out all relevant searches and advising you on them Dealing with the Inland Revenue and Land Registry Transferring the funds to pay for or sell your property.

Every transfer of property is different, so having a local conveyancer also means that our service is bespoke to you, your property, and your local area.

At Goughs Solicitors, we offer a personal, dedicated property lawyer, and same-day call back.

Goughs' offices are open, and we are pleased to offer face-to-face meetings at a safe distance. Alternatively, we can conduct meetings over the phone or MS Teams. Contact us today via www.goughs.co.uk.

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