merry christmas Future lighting - Winter NewsLetter

Welcome to our winter newsletter. It’s been an incredible year for us and our business has grown out of all recognition since we launched in 2014. We continue to cut lighting costs by up to 75% for our customer base of 120 developments, which is growing month-on-month. We work hard to build successful relationships with our clients and we would like to say a massive ‘Thank You’ to each and every one of you who has supported us during 2016.

The cold weather is now well and truly upon us and there’s more than a hint of Christmas cheer in the air. While many of us are out celebrating the festive season and maybe coming home later than usual, it’s time to make sure the external and car park lighting (scroll down for more on this) at the blocks you manage is fit for purpose. At this time of year, with frost – and maybe even snow - on the ground, just walking up to your front door can be hazardous. If outdoor lighting is dim, failing or just not up to the job, slips and trips are even more likely. So don’t put your residents in danger – give us a call to arrange a service visit from one of our team and we’ll make sure their homecomings are not just merry but bright too!

What have we been up to since our autumn newsletter?

Completion of a new concierge/reception area and building manager’s offices at this stunning Victorian block in Westminster.

Handover to happy clients of two new build multi-million pound mansions in Essex where we have designed, installed and commissioned the lighting schemes.

• Façade lighting project on a landmark building in London’s Baker Street, opposite Madam Tussauds.

Passed our annual Safecontractor assessment with flying colours.

CLOSE, BUT NO CIGAR AT THE PMAS

Future Lighting were proud to be finalists at this year’s News on the Block Property Management Awards - better known as the PMAs - which this year had a circus theme. We had a fantastic evening at Club Wembley, a glittering venue in the heart of Wembley Stadium, which was packed with a very well-dressed cross-section of our industry peers, all there to celebrate excellence in the leasehold sector. Future Lighting sponsored the award for Major Works Contractor of the Year, which was won by A S Ramsey Building Contractors. In our own category – Best Industry Supplier - we were beaten for the second year running by software specialists Qube but we nearly went home with the wooden circus elephant from the centre of our table instead! All the accolades presented on the night were very well deserved. We know exactly how much hard work goes into putting together a submission for these awards, so congratulations to all the winners – and the runners up. We’ll be back next year!

Lighting up time

How safe is your car park? The right lighting could not only give residents peace of mind but save them hundreds of pounds a year in service charges

Car parks should be safe, brightly lit and welcoming; an extension of the block they serve, giving residents a feeling of security as they drive in off the street. But if they are poorly-maintained, the flip side is that they can be dark and scary places - particularly for lone residents coming home late at night. They may even represent a security risk for the building as a whole, providing a safe space for undesirable visitors to hide.

Car parking experts recommend following a few simple guidelines to help blocks get the best from their parking area and ensure a safe environment is maintained. In consultation with residents:

  • Set speed limits within the car park to keep residents safe;
  • Ensure signage is well positioned and easy to read;
  • Where possible, allocate bays to individual residents and demarcate specific parking areas for visitors to avoid disputes arising; and
  • Ensure the area is well-lit.

Where the parking provided for a block of flats is below street level with limited access and exit points, safety and security are vital for the wellbeing of residents and effective, efficient lighting is of paramount importance. Underground car parks should always be well-lit, leaving no areas in shadow, enabling residents to park and walk to the exits or into the building safely. Sadly, in our experience, too often car park lighting is not up to the job. It is frequently poorly specified, does not always illuminate dark areas or is simply impossible to control.

Here are our tips for getting the best from your car park lighting:

  • Fit controls and occupancy detectors where possible
  • Maximise the benefits of any natural light that is available.
  • Consider replacing fluorescent fittings that are no longer fit for purpose with LEDs; they are environmentally friendly and will slash maintenance costs.

The potential savings could be dramatic. On one of our recent projects, residents have saved £14,540.00 per annum on energy, as well as a further £1000 per annum on maintenance. The cost for this lighting installation was £23,400, adding up to an ROI of just 19 months. Worth considering for a safer, brighter parking area for your block.

At Future Lighting we can advise on the best solution for your car park lighting. Call us today for a free audit on Tel: 020 3826 9999.

What’s coming up in 2017

There are two big events marked on the Future Lighting calendar to kick start our year.

LEASE Conference

On 1 February we are delighted to be attending the LEASE Conference to be held at London’s County Hall. A mix of speakers will tackle issues as far-ranging as mixed tenure management and leasehold enfranchisement law and will include Sir Peter Bottomley MP and Lord Neuburger, President of the Supreme Court. Future Lighting will be exhibiting and we look forward to seeing you there. Come and see us on our stand and pick up a free umbrella – it’s February, it’s bound to be raining…

For more details go to leaseconference.com

Leasehold 2017

Exactly a month later, on 1 March, we will be supporting a brand new conference and exhibition being organised by our friends at News On The Block. Leasehold 2017, being held at Etc St Pauls in London’s Aldersgate, will bring together the legal, management and valuation professions at the first of what we hope will become a series of annual events. We hope to see lots of our existing – and future – clients there. Check out the LEASEHOLD 2017 website for more details.

Future objectives:

We have just started the process of acquiring our ISO9001 Quality Assurance Accreditation: a goal for 2017

And finally… we may be on the move again. We are in discussions about relocating to a custom built office and storage facility, so watch this space.

Future Lighting wishes you all an amazing Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year

We’re off to rest…

Our offices will be closed for the Christmas period from 17:00 Thursday 22nd December 2016 Until 08:00 Wednesday 4th January 2017

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