Select Magazine Issue 5

74 Mill Lane, West Derby, Liverpool, L12 7JB

www.whitegates.co.uk

Tel: 0151 256 0322Fax: 0151 256 3314

E-mail: [email protected]

L i v e r p o o l ’ s N o . 1 P r o p e r t y & L i f e s t y l e M a g a z i n e

www.select-magazine.co.uk FREEissue 05 2010

Property News / My Life In Property / Monthly Fitness Regime / Interior Solutions / The Midas Touch

BUYING AT AUCTIONMERCEDESE-CLASS CABRIOLET

FASHION FOR THE RACES

KBB Design stuDio

KBB Design Studio11b Woolton streetWoolton VillageLiverpoolL25 5nH

Sleek, simple, stylish kitchens for individuals

0151 428 8202

[email protected]

14 - October Magazine.indd 2 9/10/09 11:46:02

KBB Design stuDio

KBB Design Studio11b Woolton streetWoolton VillageLiverpoolL25 5nH

Sleek, simple, stylish kitchens for individuals

0151 428 8202

[email protected]

14 - October Magazine.indd 2 9/10/09 11:46:02

Contact the Select Team : 0151 933 [email protected]

direCTorS: Paul Burgess, Mark Castley, Carl Melia ArT direCTioN: Michael ellis CoNTriBUTorS: Gill Torres, Victoria Mountford, Paul o’Hare, Matt Ford, Majestic Model Management Select, LA Productions, Old St.Lawrence School, Liverpool Merseyside L4 3TQSelect Magazine is published by Select Publishing UK Ltd. For distribution figures please refer to our media pack or contact a member of staff. Select Publishing UK LTd has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of each and every publication. Under no circumstances can Select Publishing UK Ltd accept liability for loss or damage, which may arise or result from errors or omissions in any of the advertisements. All opinions expressed are those of the writers and not necessarily those of Select Magazine or its publishers.

Select Property News

A round up of the latest news in the residential and commercial property sector

InteriorSolutions

interior design solutions with Paul o’Hare

29.PhotoReports

Snaps from the grand opening ofCello, in Cavern Walks

36.

Agents’Recommendations

BoConcept32.

Day in The City44.10.

A selection of the hottest properties on the market from the city’s experts

introducing a personalised creativedesign consultancy from Bo Concept

A guide to whats happening in thecity for race weekend

Prestige Properties

My Life inProperty33.

Health & Fitness48.12.

Got cash to burn? if so check out some of the city’s most extravagant properties

A look into the life of Su Stringfellow leading female architect

This months workout regime brought to you by Select’s resident fitness expert, Matt Ibbs.

26 43 53

Buying at auction Dress for the races

Mercededes e-class

Contents issue 5

6.

www.select-magazine.co.uk issue 05

CITY’S INVESTORS TO BENEFIT FROM UNIQUE NEW SERVICECOURTESY OF BLUEROW LETTINGS & MERSEYSIDEPROPERTY AUCTIONS

Two of the city’s leading property brands are joining forces to offer

investors an innovative new service.

Bluerow Lettings and Merseyside Property Auctions will give hundreds of buyers the chance to market their properties four weeks earlier than in most standard cases, by letting and marketing the property before the buyer has paid 100% of its cost. Bluerow will evaluate each lot, suggest alterations that could add value and estimate how much it would achieve on the current rental market.

The idea, which is the brainchild of Bluerow’s director Helen Griffin-Booth, will come into force on April 22 when auction house MPA, fronted by managing director Kate Hughes, holds its next auction at the Jury’s Inn Hotel.

Helen, whose business provides residential lettings, valuations and property management services, said: “For many investors, unless they have been to view a property prior to the auction, they don’t actually know what is achievable.

“I decided to approach Kate over what is a 28 day window of opportunity that is currently

a wasted one. By teaming up together, Bluerow will now go and view the properties MPA have on their books, see what their realised income potential could be and start to market them via our extensive databases as soon as they are sold under the hammer.”

The scheme comes into effect shortly after statistics published this week by the Council of Mortgage Lenders revealed new buy-to-let lending increased for the second consecutive time in the last three months of 2009. There were 25,800 new loans advanced in quarter four, up from 23,700 in the third quarter but down from 38,000 in the fourth quarter of 2008.

Kate, who was named Young Entrepreneur 2009 at the North West Women in Business Awards, said: “I think Helen has discovered a great concept that could prove extremely beneficial to many of our clients across the region.”

For more information please contact Nicola Rowlands at Ubiquity pr on 0151 703 0917 or [email protected]

Residential NewsResidential Property

6

Base Rate Celebrates OneYear At 0.5%With ImminentIncrease Unlikely

The decision by the Bank of England’s Monetary Policy

Committee to keep the base rate on hold for another month means it has now spent a full year at 0.5%

Alec Watt, Managing Director explains that it is a combination of seeing strong demand in all business areas across the group that has helped achieve this and also due to agents and the public now adapting to ever changing markets.

“While it is unlikely to remain the same for another 12 months, I do not expect an increase in the next few months”, say Simon Gammon, head of Knight Frank Finance, which specialises in mortgages over £1m.

“Given the current state of the economy, today’s decision was not unexpected. I think there is just too much uncertainty right now, not just in the UK, but in the wider global economy.”

There is increased talk of a double dip in property markets; there are massive concerns about the Greek economy, which could

have wide repercussions; and the prospect of a hung parliament after the forthcoming General Election all lead to a nervousness in the financial markets that the Bank of England cannot ignore. Therefore, deciding to hold the base rate is sensible.

“If you are thinking about taking a new mortgage or renewing your existing arrangements at the current time, keeping your options open is very popular right now. If you are unsure of how best to do this, it could pay to talk to an expert.”

The supply of new properties coming on to the rental

market has fallen for the second consecutive quarter possibly bringing an end to the downward trend in rents that has been in place since the autumn of 2008, says the latest RICS lettings survey.

The net balance of chartered surveyors reporting rising rather than falling rents in the three months to January 2010 was zero. This follows five quarters of negative readings, and is in marked contrast to April last year when 58 percent more chartered surveyors were reporting falling rents, an all-time low for the survey. In addition, expectations as to the outlook for rents continues to strengthen with a net balance of 33 percent of respondents believing rents will to rise over the coming quarter (up from 22 percent).

The more positive picture for rents can be attributed to the continued decline in supply of both flats and houses in the marketplace. Twenty-three percent more chartered surveyors reported a fall rather than a rise in the number of new landlord instructions for this period, up from 18 percent in

the previous quarter. Although the weather may have been afactor in this, it is more likely that the upturn in the housing market has tempted many of the accidental landlords away from the lettings market.

Demand remains strong with 16 percent more respondents still seeing it rise than fall. Would be first-time buyers, unable to get a foot on the property ladder, are still a major source of increasing demand for good rental properties. Houses remain more popular than flats and it is

the supply / demand imbalance in this market that is also helping to push rents higher.

“It is becoming clear that movements in the housing market are affecting lettings: the RICS housing survey has seen a steady increase in the number of new instructions coming on to the market over the past few months, whilst

simultaneously we see with this survey that the numberof properties available to rent has decreased.

This is a clear sign that the accidental landlords are returning to the sales market. If demand remains strong, which it is likely to as many first time buyers are still finding themselves priced out of the housing market, then rents should continue to rise as would be tenants compete for fewer properties.”

Jeremy Leaf, RICS spokesperson

Residential Property

7

Rent Expectations On The Rise As New Instructions Fall

New Build Sales Volumes Increase By More Than 200%

According to Knight Frank’s ‘London Residential

Development 2010 review’, sales of new-build homes rose by a remarkable 214% in the last full quarter when compared to the same period in 2008. This growth is considerably higher than the average increase of 68% for the entire London property market (i.e. including resales).

Liam Bailey, head of residential research, Knight Frank, commented: “The central issue in the new-build market is not an overhang of heavily discounted units, but a lack of available supply. The current supply of stock available to buy is down by 20% compared with Q1 2009. The number of built-complete new homes available for sale across London hit an all time low at just 975 in total in the third quarter of 2009.

Factors such as interest rates remaining low, the weak pound stimulating international interest and government supported schemes targeting the new build sector and first time buyers in particular have all contributed to this strengthening market.

While the recovery in prices in the new-build sector is not quite at the level seen across the central London market as a whole, there has been

evidence of price growth on some schemes in recent months, for example Embassy Court in St. John’s Wood. However for developers, the improvement in pricing has been felt more by the evaporation of discounting rather than headline price growth.

One of the most notable changes in the new build market has been the shift in balance of investors to owner occupier numbers buying new homes. While the ratio used to be 30:70 owner occupiers to investors, it is now 70:30 owner occupiers to investors. The change is slowly influencing developments as buyers looking for themselves are more interested in property layout and specification. Still, while we would love to think the return of the owner occupier signifies the emergence of larger flats for buyers outside of the super-prime market, affordability still provides an effective brake on the aspiration of buyers. Evidence from Knight Frank’s applicant data confirms subtle changes to requirements, with a noticeable rise in demand for larger units across prime central London markets. The successful schemes will be those that create environments in which people want to live.

The key thing though is that the investor has not disappeared

altogether and still accounts for a third of buyers. Off-plan sales have returned. The opportunity for overseas investors as a result of the weak pound cannot be underestimated. Far Eastern buyers, especially those from Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia have been back in force over the past 12 months but they are far more shrewd. Armed with Google Map’s Street View and nethouseprice.com for example, these investors have more tools at their disposal to ensure they buy into only the very best schemes. This is good news as it means future development cannot afford to cut back on quality. Hopefully future competition between central London developers will be fought out over quality not simply price.

London’s super-prime development market was the last to catch a cold during the recent recession. Now with prices surging by over 20% in the 12 months to February 2010, developers are eyeing this market with renewed interest. Since the second half of 2009, this specialised market has bounced back. While sales dipped in 2008 the number of purchasers looking to buy super-prime properties barely changed and there remains a good level of demand. With planned and potential launches of One Hyde Park, Cornwall Terrace, The Lancaster’s and NEO Bankside, the availability of prime new-build stock will rise during 2010 and 2011. The nature of this market is that it will often form part of a wider global property portfolio.

“In line with the sales market, the London land market has also seen a dramatic turnaround. After sharp falls for 12 months, land values subsequently rose by 9% on average across London in the second half of 2009 as competition for sites stiffened. However persuading landowners to sell has been difficult as land values are still substantially

lower than they were at the peak resulting in limited supply. This shortage of available land means that developers are having to work with their existing land banks as much as possible and get the best possible outcome out of these. Renegotiating planning terms, especially when it comes to affordable housing quotas is the order of the day. Our view is that Land prices in London are likely to keep climbing through 2010.”

“Development pipeline is a concern. East London has a 55% share of future developments – 72,212 units out of a total 131,414 units, but the map in our review shows these have not been started yet. While these numbers look impressive the ability of developers to actually deliver these will be constrained by the lack of available finance for new projects.”

Charlie Hart, partner, Knight Frank Thames Gateway residential development added: “The contention put forward by many in the industry is that regeneration in the Thames Gateway has been slower than it could have been, due to an insistence on site-by-site negotiations over infrastructure provision, particularly roads and transport facilities.

“Stratford is one place which will see substantial progress leading up to the Olympic Games, due to the political imperative to successfully deliver the Games and the area’s new transport connections. The Stratford City Development, also due to come on stream by 2012, will provide a further stimulus of activity. However it could be many years before the rest of the Thames Gateway catches up.”

For more information visitwww.knightfrank.co.uk


8

www.select-magazine.co.uk issue 05

Regeneration MustContinue DespiteEconomic Challenges

Continuing to achieve regeneration in the face of

adverse economic conditions was one of the key topics of a joint RICS and EPLANI (Environment and Planning Law Association NI) event recently.Professor Peter Roberts, a regeneration expert from the University of Leeds, outlined how to ensure that regeneration can proceed during a recession at the event in Belfast City Hall on March 3.

Other speakers at the Annual

Planning and Development Conference included The Lord Chief Justice, The Hon Sir Declan Morgan, who gave an update on Northern Ireland planning law and planning judicial reviews; and Claire Duffy a planning and environment with Arthur Cox Solicitors, who considered the importance of investing in waste infrastructure projects for Northern Ireland.

RICS Northern Ireland planning spokesperson, Diana Fitzsimons, who chaired the event, says

that it considered some of the main trends currently affecting planning and development.

Regeneration is closely linked to economic development, social improvement and environmental sustainability, so ongoing regeneration is absolutely essential.

We cannot put regeneration on hold during adverse economic conditions as this would exacerbate economic decline and create many long-term social and environmental problems.Therefore, we must find ways to ensure that regeneration continues by focusing on good practice examples, and finding new and innovative models of regeneration.

Features of successful regeneration include: an emphasis on economic activity and jobs; linking local people to jobs through training; community cohesion and safety; and community facilities and capacity. Other important features include: social, cultural and leisure services; improving housing quality and neighbourhoods; providing excellent transport and other links; effective management of environment and other resources; good partnership, engagement, communication and leadership; and excellent strategy and quality implementation.

By combining these elements effectively, we are confident that regeneration can continue to be achieved. Most importantly though, of course, we should work to ensure that areas do not degenerate to the point of failure in the first place.

Diana Fitzsimons FRICS, RICS NI Planning Spokesperson

To share your news surrounding the residential and commercial property sector, send in the details to [email protected]

Commercial NewsCommercial Property

9

Whitegates Woolton Village are pleased to offer Kings drive. This is a well presented family home in an ideal location close to the heart of Woolton Village. representing excellent value the property has an entrance hall, lounge, and dining room open to fitted kitchen. To the upper floor there are two double bedrooms, single bedroom, and family bathroom. Attractive rear garden with decking area, off road parking to front and attached garage.

WhitegatesKings Drive

30a Allerton roadWoolton VillageLiverpoolL25 7rG0151 428 1357

exuding character, this grade ii listed cottage is tucked away off a peaceful pathway close to St Stephens Church but only a stone’s throw away from excellent facilities at both Woolton and Gateacre Villages. This historic building has a wealth of original features in keeping with its listed status and being within a conservation area is a further benefit. Spacious accommodation comprises large lounge, kitchen dining area,

study, two bedrooms and a four piece bathroom. Viewing is highly recommended.

PantheonChurch Cottages

161 - 165 Picton roadWavertreeLiverpool

L15 4LG0151 735 1001

After a snowy start to 2010 and an end to that dreaded word ‘Recession’ we are now hearing reports of record starts to a year for many agents. Here is a selection of properties that the agents have recommended.

AGents’ReCoMMenDAtIons


10

Tavington Road

“HoMesure is delighted to offer this 3 bed semi-detached modern house in Halewood, Liverpool.This spacious, modern family home is immaculately presented and boasts two large reception rooms, fully fitted dining kitchen with French doors leading out onto to the South-east facing landscaped garden. To the first floor there are two double bedrooms, while the master suite occupies the third floor and boasts a luxury en-suite

bathroom. The property boasts gas central heating and double glazing along with garage and driveway providing ample off road parking and gardens front and rear.

Homesure

14 High StreetLiverpoolL15 8HGTel. 0151 733 3001

This is a stunning fully furnished penthouse apartment in the heart of Liverpool docklands within walking distance to the city centre and all its amenities.This property is spacious and provides everything you could wish for in an apartment. The décor is very tasty and is furnished to a very high standard. This property benefits from two allocated parking spaces and a secure intercom system to the apartment. Two double

bedrooms, three bathrooms and two balconies over looking the river Mersey. Viewings are highly recommended to appreciate the luxury and comfort that this apartment has to offer! For email disclaimer details please click or visit - http://www.countrywideplc.co.uk/disclaimer

EntwistleQuebec Quay

20 Allerton roadLiverpool

L18 1LN0151 734 2220

Martin & Co are delighted to offer this spacious four bedroom semi detached house set in Woolton. The property benefits from many original features, traditional wooden flooring, high ceilings and original fireplaces. There is a spacious lounge, large dining rooms with French doors leading out into the rear garden, a large family kitchen with dining area, separate utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer, the

kitchen is fully fitted with an electric cooker and fridge/freezer and tiled floor. Upstairs there are three double bedrooms and one single bedroom.

Martin & CoWoolton

58 Allerton roadWoolton LiverpoolL25 7rG0151 428 6922


11

Prestigeproperty recommendations

Magnificent detached residence within new exclusive estate of Crofton, a stunning restoration of Victorian mansion and buildings. A truly private estate, with the latest security and specifications.Briefly comprising, entrance hall with hardwood galleried staircase, ground floor w/c and cloakroom, study/home office, extremely spacious lounge with doors to rear garden, spacious dining room also with doors to garden. There are two double bedrooms to ground floor one with ensuite bathroom, and hallway through to fully fitted dining kitchen, of highest specification with full range of smeg appliances, conservatory and utility room.

304 Aigburth roadAigburthL17 9PW0151 727114107546616500

£3995 pcmThe Stables

Showcasing the city’s finest properties on the market. Whether you’re looking to buy or rent, check back each month for our best of the best.


12

Woolton

Martin & Co are delighted to offer this spacious four bedroom semi detached house set in Woolton. The property benefits from many original features, traditional wooden flooring, high ceilings and original fireplaces. There is a spacious lounge, large dining rooms with French doors leading out into the rear garden, a large family kitchen with dining area, separate utility room with washing machine and tumble dryer, the kitchen is fully fitted with an electric cooker and fridge/freezer and tiled floor. Upstairs there are three double bedrooms and one single bedroom. There is a fully fitted family bathroom with tiled floor. The property benefits from gas central heating, double glazing, garage, driveway and security alarm.

£1100 pcm

West Tower

This stunning penthouse apartment in Beetham organization’s prestigious West Tower development stands proudly thirty five floors above Liverpool’s business district. The apartment has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, a large open plan living area and an outside terrace boasting arguably the best views in the city. West Tower is Liverpool’s tallest building making it one of most prominent addresses in the northwest. The building is also home to the fabulous Panoramic restaurant which couples fine cuisine with unparalleled intimate surroundings. Viewing comes highly recommended.

£3000 pcm

Atlantic LandmarkLiverpool0151 476 6666

58 Allerton roadWoolton LiverpoolL25 7rG0151 428 6922


13

L i festy le - Fashion

20

Advertisement published 26th March


23

WHITEGATES: PASSIONATE ABOUT PROPERTY

Placing You FirstVictoria James is the franchisee and manager of the Woolton office. Victoria enjoys working within the profession and is very enthusiastic and hard working, endeavoring at all times to obtain the best result for all of our clients. our team has a wealth of experience in the industry, with in excess of 40 years expertise. Combined with their customer driven attitude they have ensured their customers have had a smooth and unrivalled customer experience.

our passion is to exceed and excel customer expectations.

The Surrounding Areasoccupying a prominent location in Woolton Village. Woolton was originally one of the staging posts on the mail run in to the City of Liverpool although with the sprawl of the city it is now firmly placed as one of the more attractive and desirable suburbs.

Attractions for its residents include some wonderful parks such as

Park with its picturesque lake, probably regarded as the two most attractive parks in the city.

Why Choose Us?As one of our customers you will have the marketing expertise of our Woolton office which will ensure the success of finding suitable buyers

and selling your home. our clients also benefit from our extensive network of office throughout the region, which also provide a cross over of marketing expertise and an extensive data base of house buyers and investors.

Furthermore, we also cater for landlords and tenants with our lettings department.

There are some fantastic benefits for instructing Whitegates as your agent including:

oUr oFFiCe iS oPeN SeVeN dAYS A WeeK.

YoUr ProPerTY AdVerTiSed iN THe riGHTMoVe MAGAZiNe eMAiLed To ALL CLieNTS THroUGHoUT THe WHiTeGATeS NeTWorK. eXTeNSiVe MArKeTiNG ANd AdVerTiSiNG To ATTrACT GeNUiNe BUYerS THroUGH NATioNAL oNLiNe MediA PLATForMS SUCH AS riGHT MoVe ProPerTY FiNder ANd oUr oWN WeBSiTe WWW.WHiTeGATeS.Co.UK.

USiNG STATe oF THe ArT TeCHNoLoGY We MArKeT To A Wide dATABASe oF BUYerS, LANdLordS, ANd TeNANTS.

AS MeMBerS oF oFT, ArLA, ANd riCS GiViNG ALL oUr CLieNTS THe reASSUrANCe oF A ProFeSSioNAL SerViCe.

Come and visit us at the office or give us a call

Whitegates30a Allerton RoadWoolton VillageLiverpoolL25 7RG

t: 0151 428 1357f: 0151 428 7795e: [email protected]

Countrywide residential Lettings is the largest letting agent in the country, employing more than 1,200 staff across 204 branches. After completing a recent refurbishment of the Allerton road branch, where the company works under the banner of entwistle Green, Area Manager

Jane o’donnell invited Select Magazine in to the office to discuss the company’s expanded presence in Merseyside and how they are improving public perception of letting agents by enabling staff to build careers to be proud of. Countrywide residential Lettings currently operates from three Merseyside branches of entwistle Green – Allerton, Maghull and Southport - having moved into the latter in the middle of 2009. ‘i have been with the company for 19 years,’ begins Jane ‘i have seen measured growth during that time and i’ve seen a lot of people work their way up in the company, as i have done myself. The lettings market is consistently strong throughout Merseyside so conditions are right for us to

&

We urgently need more landlords due to our fantastic success to date

&

FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE FOR SALE

TO LET TO LET

Manderston DriveWest Derby

Keybank RdWest Derby

Muirhead AveWest Derby

Kelburn RdWest Derby

Dickens CloseKirkby

Auburn RoadTuebrook


26

There is no question that, historically, the majority of people buying property

at auction have been investors and developers. However, done correctly, buying at auction can be a convenient way for anyone to bag a fantastic deal. in this introductory guide we will dispel a few widely believed myths about the auction house, bring you a few tips direct from some of Liverpool’s top auctioneers and give you a step-by-step guide on how to use auctions to find a great deal on your next home or first investment property.

Most of the trepidation that surrounds buying at auction can be boiled down to one point – people worry that they will walk

away with a property they don’t want and therefore lose money. Contrary to popular belief, you cannot accidentally buy at auction by coughing or with an ill timed scratch of the nose. Moving on from that, the vast majority of pitfalls can be avoided by doing plenty of research. That is why research is the first, most important and most detailed point in our guide to buying at auction.

1. Do your researchWhen you buy at auction you usually complete the deal and get the keys to the property within 28 days, sometimes sooner. if you have ever bought using the traditional route you will appreciate that this is a God-send. Using the traditional

route it can take 90 days or more to complete, even if you purchase an empty property and you are not in a chain. However in actual fact, it is the speed with which the deal is done that can put people off auctions. our tip – don’t see it as a 28 day process; make the process of buying your first auction property much longer. enjoy the fact that you control this process of research and familiarisation in the knowledge that when you are ready to take the plunge, there will be no unnecessary delays.

- First, get to know the auctions in your local area, or the area where you plan to buy. Contact the various companies and ask them anything you want to know about

‘Lots of people are fearful about visiting an auction. i want anybody who is nervous to ring me up so i can discuss the issues and reassure them. Visiting an auction is fun and there really is nothing to worry about if you have done a bit of forward planning.’Kate Lay / Merseyside Property Auction


27

how it all works. Have yourself added to their mailing list so you receive their catalogues.

- At this point it can be a good idea to go along to an auction. Have no intention of buying but just be in the room, see how the process works first-hand and speak to the people you meet there.

- As with the process of buying any property, find out what you can afford as early as possible. Speak to a whole-of-market mortgage advisor, work out what you can reasonably afford and, ideally, arrange a mortgage-in-principal.

- When you receive the catalogues, select any properties of interest and arrange viewings. if the property needs work that you don’t intend to carry out yourself then it’s a good idea to take whoever will do the work, or at least someone with experience of the development process, to

the viewing with you. This helps to vouch for the amount of work required and avoid nasty surprises down the line.

- Take a look at the legal pack that accompanies each property. it’s not imperative but it is advisable to appoint a solicitor to look over the documents for you. if you are successful in securing the property you will need a solicitor straight away so it is useful to have one lined up in advance.

2. Complete SurveysYou can get a mortgage-in-principal without a survey being carried out but securing the mortgage against a property will be subject to a survey being completed satisfactorily. if you leave the survey until after you purchase, you can risk complication. This is particularly pertinent when you intend to bid on a property that needs a lot of work.

Top Tipif you are planning to begin buying auction properties for redevelopment it is a good idea to assemble a team that you can trust. importantly, these people will need to be available when you need them on an ongoing basis. At the very least you will require:

- Solicitor- Finance consultant- Builder

If you find people that you can trust, build up a working relationship by regular contact and by working together over time.

3. Finalise your FinancesWhen you walk into the auction you should have the required deposit available to you and a maximum-bid price in mind. Be very clear on the figure that you do not intend to exceed. If you have your finance agreed in principle this will go a long way toward deciding that figure but don’t neglect to consider other costs like furnishing, insurance, and running costs. if you intend to bid on a property that needs work, consider that cost as well so as not to overstretch yourself financially.

4. Contact the Auction House / Make an OfferMaintain regular contact with the

auctioneer because things can change. A property printed in the catalogue as tenanted can become untenanted, for example. if there is a property you really want, make an offer before the auction; you might just beat the competition to it

5. Keep a Cool HeadBidding at auction can be an enjoyable experience. it can be daunting if you have never done it before but if you are backed up by plenty of research, by well planned finances and by experience of having visited and observed an auction before this will all help when you come to make your bid.


28

NEW VENUE!Auction to be held atThe Jurys Inn Hotel31 Keel Wharf, Liverpool L3 4FN 22nd April 2010 Commencing at 12 noon

Interior Design Consultancy

Commercial fit outs Design and Build

3-D Drawing Services In-House consultations

Mrs Rooney, Hoylake (Wirral) ‘The personal service I received from the team at Paul O’Hare Interior Design & Project Management was second to none. From the first meeting I felt comfortable that I was being looked after by a sophisticated

company that delivered fabulous designs and functional building solutions.’

Snow Architects, Dave Cornett “I have known paul for several years, and always found him to be very professional and approachable, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend him to any of my clients or anybody looking for an experienced interior designer.

HTTP://PAULOHARE.COM / [email protected]. TELEPHONE: 0151 427 7000 / MOBILE 07767778283 / FAX 0151 427 2757

Believe it or not, one of the most common questions i am asked is ‘when should i use an interior designer?’ i am sure that other people in my profession would vouch for the fact that they hear this as well.

don’t get me wrong, we know that you know what an interior designer does in the broad sense of the term – the answer’s in the job title - but very often people find it difficult to know what problems we can solve for them specifically. So perhaps it is time to shed a little bit of light on this profession; after all, we’re not trying to be mysterious.

in which of the following scenarios

do you think it would be beneficial to use an interior designer?

- redecorating a small hallway in your home- remodelling your kitchen- fitting out a new restaurant

The answer, which might surprise you, is all three. A common misconception is that you have to be super rich or planning nothing less than a full barn conversion to use an interior designer. i actual fact, the role of an interior’s specialist is simply to help you realise the potential of a space – that can be any space, of any size. even if you have a pretty good eye for these things and you are just redesigning

your hallway, there is value to be gained. All interior designers have accounts with many, many suppliers so we are able to give clients access to the widest possible variety of, let’s say, wallpapers all in one place with the best possible pricing. This part of what we do could almost be deemed ‘interiors consultancy’; any reputable interior designer has a wide range of product choices at their disposal and can use their expertise to help you select the ones that are right for you and your home. does the alternative of less-than-inspirational Sundays spent wandering diY stores seem quite so appealing?

obviously there is a lot more to

When to use an interior designerPaul O’Hare answers a common question.

the job that i don’t have the time to go into here and, yes, people of our profession can be found producing design schemes for restaurants and other commercial projects; these are great jobs that we love. What you might be interested to know is that the people who see our process first-hand on commercial jobs often then invite us into their homes. Hopefully this article has gone a small way toward opening up the profession and giving you an insight into what they see. However, the art in this job is in finding out everything that the client wants and helping them to realise their ideas, so if you find a designer whose portfolio you like give them a call, they make a living out of being a good listener.


29

BoConcept celebrates 10 years of inspiring furniture design in the UK. The Danish Design furniture brand, BoConcept Liverpool, which opened at 22-24 Chapel Streetin 2009, is always in close contact with urban life, designing home furnishings according to thelatest trends and lifestyles.

BoConcept offers a free design consultancy service; a fully qualified Design Associate from theBoConcept offers a free design consultancy service; a fully qualified Design Associate from theLiverpool store can arrange a home visit to talk you through the latest trends to help find a lookthat will work in your space, whatever the shape or size of your room. The Design Associates usea client’s personal style, daily routine and existing furniture as a basis to createpersonalised floor plans, visualising how your ideal home can become a reality.

Helen Kauffman Store Manager at BoConcept Liverpool said:

“BoConcept Liverpool offers an amazing cutting edge 3D imaging system called ‘Furnish’. Thisinterior design software allows customers to create their own piece of furniture or design a roomcreating a completely bespoke look, every piece of furniture is made to your needs, whichmeans that your piece of furniture is unique to you. There is certainly no flat pack service!

”

To kick off the 10 year celebrations, BoConcept Liverpool is offering a true BoConcept classic,the Schelly chair and footstool with a 20% saving throughout the celebrations. And in addition,the Schelly chair and footstool with a 20% saving throughout the celebrations. And in addition,BoConcept Liverpool is offering a selection of colourful accessories available for only £10 in store.Both offers start 10thApril and end 30th May 2010.

BoConcept Liverpool 22 – 24 Chapel Street Liverpool0151 236 9280www.boconcept.co.uk Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 – 18:00Saturday 10:00 – 17:00Sunday 11:00 – 16:00

BoConcept celebrates 10 years of inspiring furniture design in the UK. The Danish Design furniture brand, BoConcept Liverpool, which opened at 22-24 Chapel Streetin 2009, is always in close contact with urban life, designing home furnishings according to thelatest trends and lifestyles.

BoConcept offers a free design consultancy service; a fully qualified Design Associate from theBoConcept offers a free design consultancy service; a fully qualified Design Associate from theLiverpool store can arrange a home visit to talk you through the latest trends to help find a lookthat will work in your space, whatever the shape or size of your room. The Design Associates usea client’s personal style, daily routine and existing furniture as a basis to createpersonalised floor plans, visualising how your ideal home can become a reality.

Helen Kauffman Store Manager at BoConcept Liverpool said:

“BoConcept Liverpool offers an amazing cutting edge 3D imaging system called ‘Furnish’. Thisinterior design software allows customers to create their own piece of furniture or design a roomcreating a completely bespoke look, every piece of furniture is made to your needs, whichmeans that your piece of furniture is unique to you. There is certainly no flat pack service!

”

To kick off the 10 year celebrations, BoConcept Liverpool is offering a true BoConcept classic,the Schelly chair and footstool with a 20% saving throughout the celebrations. And in addition,the Schelly chair and footstool with a 20% saving throughout the celebrations. And in addition,BoConcept Liverpool is offering a selection of colourful accessories available for only £10 in store.Both offers start 10thApril and end 30th May 2010.

BoConcept Liverpool 22 – 24 Chapel Street Liverpool0151 236 9280www.boconcept.co.uk Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 – 18:00Saturday 10:00 – 17:00Sunday 11:00 – 16:00

The world of construction may have opened up slightly in recent years but a young, successful, female architect is still a relative rarity. Select Magazine was lucky enough to catch up with Su Stringfellow of Liverpool architectural practice Union North. Su was fresh from the Civic Trust Awards where her recently completed project, the Midland Hotel in Morecombe, had won the Special Award for Restoration to add to a string of prestigious titles already secured. We sat down to discuss Su’s life in property to date, as well as some big changes about to arrive. By Gill Torres

The world of construction may have opened up slightly in recent years

but a young, successful, female architect is still a relative rarity. Select Magazine was lucky enough to catch up with Su Stringfellow of Liverpool architectural practice Union North. Su was fresh from the Civic Trust Awards where her recently completed project, the Midland Hotel in Morecombe, had won the Special Award for restoration to add to a string of prestigious titles already secured. We sat down to discuss Su’s life in property to date, as well as some big changes about to arrive.

Su is a woman currently enjoying a career high-point. indeed, minutes into our discussion it becomes apparent that there have been many high-points in the career of this modest yet confident person and i don’t doubt that there are more to come. As all architects, Su studied for 7 years before qualifying; to date she has worked for a rural company based in derbyshire before moving to Union North; a cool, urban

practice counting high profile developer Urban Splash amongst its clients, this couldn’t have been more of a departure. The current high comes courtesy of The Midland Hotel which as well as this most recent title, also beat off impressive competition to win the highly prestigious Crown estate Conservation Award.

Su relishes the consultation process, telling me ‘if there is a narrative behind a project it will inform the design,’ and this was the case with The Midland. By chance, Su’s uncle stumbled upon some old cine film of guests in the hotel back in the 1950s; this footage was used to help decide the colour schemes for the new interior. The holistic approach to design that sees Union North on a project from conception to completion is not the norm for every architectural practice but it suits Su, who talks about architecture falling somewhere between art and construction as a profession. ‘The hotel meant a lot to a lot of people,’ says Sue ‘former staff and guests turned up at the

opening with memorabilia from years ago,’ and being so pivotal to the sympathetic restoration of the place meant Su and her team could feel an enormous amount of pride collecting the accolades that ensued.

After having been consumed with the Midland project, life is about to take an enormous change for Su; she is expecting her first child this summer so the challenge of maintaining a successful career in an undeniably male profession, while also raising a family, is at the forefront of her mind. ‘The time in your career when all of your hard work is beginning to pay off coincides with the time when, as a woman, you are thinking about starting a family,’ explains Sue. She goes on to tell me that only 14% of British architects are female. Work/life balance is a difficult thing for any career person to achieve but Su is not only making it work, she’s teaching others that they can do the same.

By being involved in the Stephen Lawrence Trust Architecture for

everyone project Su is working with young people from ethnic minority groups, including many young women, hoping to inspire them and give them a channel for their creativity by introducing them to architecture. ‘There are some great opportunities in Liverpool at the moment,’ Su explains, going on to discuss training organisation Blackburne House, a centre that runs diY and construction courses for women. ‘it is important to encourage women into these professions to give them the opportunity to prove their merits,’ she continues. Her own merits well and truly proven, Su must be an inspiration to the young people she works with and we wish her every success for the future.


33

Commercial Property

35

ST PAUL’SSQUARE

Apartments Almost Fully SoldBy Gill Torres

St Paul’s Square, the only city centre development to achieve HomeBuy direct status, has reported fantastic sales. only a handful of apartments remain on the market, with just a couple of the HomeBuy allocation still available.

HomeBuy is a Government scheme that assists first-time buyers by offering an equity loan of up to 30% of the purchase price, meaning that eligible buyers need only obtain a mortgage equal to 70% value (minimum amount) as well as paying a deposit of just 5%. The programme, awarded to the development in the later part of 2009, provided a real boost to sales of these city apartments that are ideally suited to first-time buyers and young professionals. david Caught, Sales and Marketing director of developer english Cities Fund, said ‘We designed St Paul’s Square to appeal to a younger, professional market. Parking is available and in the two-bedroom apartments both bedrooms are good-sized doubles, that is not always the case with a city centre development.’ With one-bedroom apartments of 600

square feet, these are certainly more sizeable homes than can be found in most other city blocks. The development certainly lends itself to professionals who choose to live and work in the city centre – a lifestyle that has grown massively in popularity as the Liverpool has developed in recent years.developer english Cities Fund, said ‘We designed St Paul’s Square to appeal to a younger, professional market. Parking is available and in the two-bedroom apartments both bedrooms are good-sized doubles, that is not always the case with a city centre development.’ With one-bedroom apartments of 600 square feet, these are certainly more sizeable homes than can be found in most other city blocks. The development certainly lends itself to professionals who choose to live and work in the city centre – a lifestyle that has grown massively in popularity as the Liverpool has developed in recent years.

St Paul’s Square is a focal point of the city’s newly developed commercial district and many of its residents work within a one-mile

radius of their home. The influx of many a supermarket chain, as well as completion of Liverpool 1, has made city centre life far more desirable, with many people even choosing to buy with friends as a cost saving measure - an arrangement that these apartments accommodate well. Todor Kolev is a resident of St Paul’s Square who works locally in a city centre bank. Todor bought his apartment after renting in the city for some time and he tells Select ‘Living here has been brilliant… despite it being in the city centre the area is quiet because it is in the office district. The location was the key thing for me.’

As well as being an area of quiet calm in the city, St Paul’s Square offers intelligent living. As david Caught goes on to explain ‘The properties have space saving appliances, such as a mini dishwasher and a combi microwave/oven built in.’ in the kitchen, power sockets pop up and down to be hidden when not in use and cupboards are deeper and longer than the standard. in fact, throughout the apartments there is ample storage space. These features

add up to create a development offering many of the things that others do not. As well as the all important location, location, location, space is an important luxury to the city dweller that comes as standard here. in all likelihood it will not be long before King Sturge, the company marketing the development, reports a full house St Paul’s Square.

For details on properties currently available in this development visit www.theperfectsquare.co.uk or contact King Sturge on 0151 242 6490it will not be long before King Sturge, the company marketing the development, reports a full house St Paul’s Square.

Photo Reports

Hollyoaks stars Carly Stenson, Gemma Merna and ricky Whittle hit Liverpool’s Cavern Walks on Saturday to celebrate the opening of new designer boutique, Cello. The stars from the hit channel 4 series were among crowds of guests and shoppers who turned out to view the latest collections from Cello owner, Louisa Kelly. Louisa, who has worked as a stylist on the set of the popular soap for the past 13 years, launched the new store to celebrity guests and shoppers at 1pm with Champagne, a live dJ set and 10% off for all customers on the day.

The store also showcased new labels by Couture designers Kelly Seels and AnniLou who created one-off pieces

HoLLYoAKS STArS HeLP CeLeBrATe LAUNCH oF NeW CAVerN WALKS BoUTiqUe

exclusively for the event.

Carly Stenson, who plays Steph dean in Hollyoaks, commented: “i’ve always been a fan of the styles created by Louisa but i’m absolutely loving her new range of dresses. The colours are wonderful and the styles scream funkiness. i can’t stop looking around.”

Gemma Merna plays Carmel Valentine in the hit soap. She added: “i’ve worn a few of Louisa’s dresses. They’re gorgeous and the new shop showcases her collections perfectly. My style icon has to be Sarah Jessica Parker. She is always right on trend and i like to follow her style. Louisa is fantastic at offering tips on how to

Co-star, ricky Whittle, who plays Calvin Valentine, said: “i love the

fashion scene in Liverpool. The girls won’t leave the house without making an effort and i think they will adore Louisa’s new collections. i’m a fan of both high street and designer labels. The most important aspect for me is wearing what you feel comfortable in as this automatically gives you confidence. David Beckham has to be my style icon. even when he looks scruffy, he gets it right.”

Cello Boutique stocks everything a fashionable girl needs to feel fabulous, with accessories, jewellery, broaches and bags by Vivienne rose, and exclusive fashion labels such as Charas, Hunters & Gatherers, So Couture and obi. exclusive to Cavern Walks, Cello will also offer a made-to-measure service, allowing shoppers to create the dress of their dreams.

Cello Boutique owner, Louisa Kelly added: “i’m delighted with the success of the launch and for the Hollyoaks girls and boys taking time out of their busy schedules to support me. The collections are perfect for what we want to offer our customers. They cater for all ages and shapes and our bespoke styling and made-to-measure service means that customers can leave happy knowing they have found the right style to suit their shape and most importantly what they feel most comfortable in.”

L i festy le - Photo Report

36

Whether your looking for the winning look for the races or an easter weekend trim, one of the staff at Met quarters newest addition “Mens room” will be sure to sort you out. We caught up with owner, Sam rice, who said “...Mens room is here to provide a grooming experience for the whole city...” Select recommends: The full facial trim with heated towel.

L i festy le - Photo Report

37

01.

Hollyoaks stars Carly Stenson, Ricky Whittle and Gemma Merna

02.

Hollyoaks star Carly shoppingat Cello

01.

Salon owner Sam Rice and Stylist Marc Williams with clients


38

qMy mortgage is currently on interest only. Can i transfer

to repayment even though i am tied in to my fixed rate?

AYou can transfer to repayment at any stage of your mortgage.

Your lender will not impose a penalty even if you are tied in to a product because you will not be changing your interest rate but simply your method of repayment. Your lender should look upon this request favorably as it is minimizing their risk as you intend to pay the whole balance back within the term. Some times the lender can charge you a small amount to change. They class it as an administration fee and will normally allow you to add this to your mortgage if required. Please be aware that by doing this you will pay interest on the amount.

qMy lender has asked what repayment vehicle i have in

place. What is this?

A i repayment vehicle is something you can have

running along side your mortgage when it is on interest only. it can also be how you intend to repay the loan back.For example if you had your mortgage on interest only, you are only paying the interest on the loan so the full balance of your mortgage would be due to the lender at the end of the term. The repayment vehicle which would be in the form of an endowment or an iSA would mature and pay the outstanding loan. Some lenders will accept the sale of the property/down sizing or inheritance as a method of repaying the loan. You should always be aware that all of these methods of repaying your mortgage are not guaranteed.

qi am a First time Buyer. What is the minimum deposit i will

need to buy a property?

AThe minimum deposit needed for most lenders is 10%. As the

loan to value of the mortgage would be 90% the lender will sometimes ask for more information. For example this would be 3 months bank statement to confirm that you conduct your account correctly and in some cases proof of deposit. They ask for this additional information as they consider you to be slightly higher risk due to the loan to value.

qWhat is the maximum period of time that i can take my

mortgage over?

ASome lenders will allow you to take the term of your

mortgage up to 40 years. This is completely dependant on your age. if your mortgage runs into the normal retirement age your lender may ask you how you intend to continue with the payments. You may have to evidence pension income that will be able to sustain the loan. An advisor would always recommend your mortgage to complete before to retire. You can adjust the term of your mortgage at any stage as long as your lender

Q&AVictoria Mountford answers your mortgage questions.

Victoria Mountford Mortgage Consultants

45 Scott StreetWallaseyWirral

CH45 7LW

e: [email protected]: 0151 630 1560


39


40

Cindyone shoulder beaded dress @ Boudoir Boutique £195

Lime hat with feather and net detail @ Boudoir Boutique - £75Secret - platform shoes in nude @ Topshop - £65

Hi all,i am so happy to have been asked to write a feature for

‘Select Magazine’ The question is where do i start?Well, let me introduce myself first. My name is Joanne Saunders; i am the founder of Majestic Model Management/Majestic events. My roots originate from the Liverpool, North West, i have lived and worked all over the UK and eU working from an early age throughout stage school as an actress, children’s entertainer, radio/TV Presenter, Journalist, to now running my own business adventures. www.majestic-models.com With spring on the horizon it’s time to look ahead to what this year’s 2010

John Smith’s Grand National has in store, which of course is something for everyone!Start planning your outfit, brush up on those punting skills and prepare your taste-buds as Aintree racecourse readies itself to take centre stage in Liverpool and you’re invited to take part. This is not to be missed where you will find everything you need to know about the city’s biggest week in racing, fashion and entertainment. Ladies, show off your most glamorous hat or highest heels in one of the fashion in the field competitions. Making a fashion statement is a big part of the races. Choose your outfit carefully, and go for something that looks truly unique. Bold, bright patterns and a fantastic

hat/fascinator are the order of the day. remember two words when you are choosing your dress for the races, elegance and class. The dress should be demure and divine, and completely complimentary to your figure.With a whole host of events on and off the track, including live music, fashion, demonstrations, competitions, fine foods and delicate wines, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the festival fever. “As always, this year’s programme offers a fantastically diverse range of high quality events which cater to so many different people – it’s always great to see our city come alive with the colours, as making a fashion statement is a big part of the races”.

Dress for the racesthe face behind Majestic Model Management/ Majestic events – Joanne saunders speaks to us about fashion at the races


41

Louise Long print maxi dress @ Boudoir Boutique - £265

Butterfly hair clip @ The Dressing Room - £12Shoes @ Topshop - £65

Cindy Floral print maxi dress @ The dressing

room - £370

GE

T T

HE

LO

OK

Phot

ogra

phy

by M

att

Ford

: tel

078

3700

7683

Clo

thin

g &

Hai

r St

yled

by

Lois

Mol

loy

tel:

0789

0046

641

Mak

eup

by H

anna

h el

len.

han

nahe

llenp

ortfo

lio.b

logs

pot.c

om

Mod

el N

icol

a Fa

rr @

ww

w.p

ulse

agen

cy.c

o.uk

tel

: 015

1 70

7 25

35V

isit

Mat

t’s fa

shio

n bl

og a

t fir

ecra

cker

fash

ion.

blog

spot

.com


42

CindySequin Flower Prom dress @ Boudoir Boutique - £275

Black fascinator with feather detail @ Boudoir Boutique - £20 Black ankle boots @ Topshop - £80


43

LouiseBohemian print silk jumpsuit @ The dressing room - £330

Gold butterfly hair clip @ The Dressing Room - £12Peep toe wedges @ Topshop - £85

Photographer: Matt Ford http://firecrackerfashion.blogspot.com/Hair and Clothing Stylist: Lois Molloy 07890046641Makeup: Laina davidson - Hammond from Majestic Model Management - 0786 794 7661 - http://www.majestic-models.comModels: Louise, Cindy from Majestic Model Management, 0786 794 7661 - http://www.majestic-models.comThanks to Steph at the dressing room, Colette at Boudoir Boutique and the girls at TopshopStockists: The dressing room, 33 School Lane, Liverpool, L1 3dA, 07921828360 - www.thedressingroomliverpool.co.ukBoudoir Boutique, Unit 1, Cavern Walks 8 Mathew Street, Liverpool L2 6re 0151 236 6001 - www.boudoir-boutique.comTopshop, 14 Paradise Street, Merseyside L1 8JF, 0151 709 7780 - www.topshop.com


44

6

6

The Grand National is one of the biggest events in Liverpool’s social calendar and an occasion when every self-respecting bar is offering you champers with your breakie. Here is Select Magazine’s round up of who is doing what across the 3 days of this glamorous race-meet.Please be aware that most prices vary from Thursday to Saturday so do check and book in advance.

The Albert DockYou will be spoilt for choice by what is on offer at The Albert Dock. Whether you are after a breakfast with bubbly or you’re planning to make a whole day (and evening) of it, there is lots on offer to suit all price ranges. Here are just a few snippets on each delightful deal.

Circo – Breakfast/Transfers/Evening MealStart the day at Circo with a set champagne breakfast menu which includes eggs benedict, eggs florentine, croque monsieur and a traditional English breakfast with all the trimmings. Breakfasts come with chilled champagne, chocolate-and-sugar dipped strawberries and freshly brewed coffee from £19 per head (including races transfers).

return to Circo for a post-race dinner and party ViP style from £45 for the complete package.Circo Restaurant, 0151 709 0470

Blue Bar and PanAm – Breakfast/Transfers/Evening MealBoth of these venues, equally well established as two of the city’s classiest bars/restaurants, are offering a scrumptious champagne breakfast, return travel and an evening meal post-races, toped off with some live entertainment to keep the party going. Prices start from £45.Blue Bar and The Pan American Club, 0151 702 5831, [email protected]

What’s Cooking – Breakfast/Transfersif you fancy a bit of indulgence then the wonderful What’s Cooking is offering a delicious breakfast and luxury return travel to the races for £39.50, with a reserved booth on arrival and champagne on request.What’s Cooking, 0151 707 2023

Portico – Breakfast/TransfersThe Albert dock’s newest offering, from the team that brought you the ever popular Alma de Cuba, are providing a Grand National breakfast buffet with bubbly. if you fancy sampling the new kid on the block, prices start from £21.50 per head.Portico, 0151 706 7400, [email protected]

Vinea - The Lighter ChoiceIf you’re looking for something a little lighter to finish off your race day, then head over to Vinea, where they are offering free nibbles with every bottle of wine purchased. When opting for a bit of fizz, Vinea have a fantastic selection of premium champagne available from £26.49 a bottle. Vinea, 0151 707 8962

DAY INTHE CITY

GrANd NATioNAL WANT TO WIN TICKETSTO GO THE RACES?

Email your name and contacts number to:[email protected]


45

6

6

The Big RaceIf you haven’t managed to get yourself a ticket for The Grand National this year, never fear - a slice of race day spirit will be alive and well in the city centre.

The Mocha Lounge – Breakfast/The Big Race Partyour friends at The Mocha Lounge are providing race goers with glass of champagne and all-you-can-eat cooked breakfast, standing you in good stead for your day of revelry for a flat rate of just £9.95 across the 3 days.

if you haven’t got a ticket for Aintree on Saturday place your bets then head down to The Mocha Lounge for their Big Grand National Party from 12 noon. Tickets must be bought in advance and at just £6 include a hot and cold buffet (served from 1:30pm) as well as all of the day’s racing action live on the big screen. There will be a live band and real party atmosphere at this, the biggest Grand National party outside of Aintree, so feel free to dress to impress if the mood takes you…The Mocha Lounge, Sir Thomas Street, 0151 236 7737

The Winner’s PartyAlma-De-Cuba - Breakfast/Transfers/Winner’s PartyThe official John Smith’s Grand National Winner’s Party will once again be held at the glamorous Alma De Cuba and this year it is throwing open its doors to the public. rub shoulders with the winning jockeys, trainers, owners and no doubt a few celebs for just £20 (price includes cocktail on arrival). ViP tickets, which include a buffet and free bar are £100.

Hospitality and group bookings also available. if you decide to start the day with Alma de Cuba, breakfast and bubbles start from £29.50.Alma De Cuba, Seel Street, contact Zoe on 0151 702 73 94

The All-NighterMalmaison - Overnight/Breakfastif you’re thinking of going all-out for Grand National weekend then a stay at The Mal is always a splendid choice. With limited availability over the race weekend you’ll be lucky to squeeze in but if you do, room rates start from £145. A Grand National Breakfast in the Malmaison Brasserie, which includes a glass of Veuve Cliquot and a full english or eggs benedict, sounds wonderful and starts from £15.95 per person.

Haven’t got your ticket for the races? You can join in the fun anyway by watching at one of The Mal’s bars. Party bookings are available, contact for details.Malmaison, William JessopWay, Princes Dock, 0151 229 5000. [email protected]

WANT TO WIN TICKETSTO GO THE RACES?

Email your name and contacts number to:[email protected]

“CORKING!!”clever ideas for your boozePanoramic dining

In the UK’s Highest RestaurantRestaurant reservations 0151 236 5534

West Tower, 10 Brook Street, Liverpool, L3 9PJ

Luxury LivingIn Liverpools tallest buildingEmail [email protected] or call 0151 476 6666

www.panoramicliverpool.com www.beetham.eu

West Tower - Live the High life

THE

MOCHALOUNGE

20 Sir Thomas Street, Liverpool / 0151 236 7737

Coffee house / Food available all day / Fully licensed bar available for private hire

Open 7 days a week, centrally located on Sir Thomas Street8am – 6pm Monday – Friday

10am – 6pm – Saturday10am – 4pm - Sunday

FREE Breakfast for City Workers FREE Breakfast for City Workers Make Mocha Lounge the place to buy your morning coffee on your way

to the office and receive free toast with every coffee or tea purchased (before 9:30am weekdays).

WoRKoUt oF tHe MontHTrain with a friend or partner for added motivation and support.

This month’s exercise is a timed workout with Kettlebells and Body Weight

Training.

WORKOUT INSTRUCTIONS:

Workout length: 20 minutes

Complete 2 exercises back to back for 1 minute.

Complete 3 sets per exercise

Take 1-minute rest between each group of exercises.

1 - SWINGS

• Standing with your feet shoulder width apart and your head up pick up the kettlebell

• Start to rock your hips back and forth to gather momentum and

keep your arms straight

• Squat down and swing the kettlebell through your legs keeping your back straight,

chest up and head up

• Pushing your weight through your heels stand up driving your ‘power’ through your

hips and using momentum let the lettlebell swing to shoulder height and the back

through your legs

2 - TOE TOUCHES

• Lying on the floor lift your legs up to 90’

• Put your hands towards your feet

• Breath out and push your lower back in to the floor

• Then crunch your chest in to your abdominals and lift towards your toes

3 - SQUAT & UPRIGHT ROW

• Standing with your feet shoulder width apart and your arms straight squat down and

keep your weight in your heels and back straight

• Driving your weight through your heels stand up pushing your hips slight forward

• As you stand up leading with your elbows lift the kettlebell to chest height

• Then repeat the movement

4 - Leg Raises

• Lying on the floor take your legs to 90’ and your hands by your sides

• Breathing out and keeping your legs straight lower them to about 10 inches above the

floor

• If you cannot go that low then lower as far as you can

• If it pulls on your back sit on your hands

Partner Fitness Training

L i festy le - F i tness

48

HeALtH&FItness

THe AMiNo oF AMiNo ACidS – BeTA-ALANiNe A naturally occurring amino acid, studies have shown that beta-alanine can significantly improve performance during high intensity exercise, sprints and resistance training. Unfortunately our bodies do not naturally produce beta-alanine. That is why, in fitness training, beta-alanine supplements are considered to be one of the biggest breakthroughs since creatine. How and why does it Work?When we train to a high intensity, lactic acid can build up within the muscles and force our workouts to stop. This is because the PH levels in the muscle reduce. Carnosine is naturally occurring within the body and is found in skeletal muscle tissues. it acts as a ‘buffer’ and controls our PH levels, meaning we can work at a higher intensity for longer periods. Beta-alanine and L-histidine are components that make up carnosine. L-histidine is naturally produced in your body. You can also take carnosine as a supplement to get Beta-alanine but once this has been broken down the amount of beta-alanine you that is absorbed (around 40%) is just not worth it. By supplementing with beta-alanine we can increase our carnosine levels. As carnosine is typically found to have higher levels in fast twitch muscle fibres (responsible for muscle size and conditioning) combining the supplements with full body workouts, weight training, intervals and sprint work will mean our body will produce more of this meaning we can train harder, for longer and with more intensity, giving us greater results when it come to achieving a lean toned physique. in previous articles i have talked about the fact that full-body workouts and interval training

are the quickest way to burn significant calories and tone up. Forcing your body to work through the movements involved in these sessions gives you a far greater calorific output that is more efficient than long, drawn-out, ‘conventional’ workouts. You will also have the added bonus of shorter workouts that don’t get in the way of work and family commitments. Studies on beta-alanine have shown that taking the supplement for a duration period of between 4 weeks is sufficient to increase levels. Some studies worked up to 10 weeks but no significant gain was made with the additional 6 weeks. So, when taking the supplement my advice is to work on a 4-weekcycle. Next time you workout why not take beta-alanine as a supplement to increase your carnosine levels and intensify your workouts to train, harder, stronger and more efficiently? This column is a suggestion only. Before beginning to take any supplement you should always seek the advice from your doctor.For more information and advice on fitness training contact Matt Ibbs

DIet

PORRIGE

BANNANA

WATER

For those weighing 170lbs or more(55-75 grams of carb’s daily, with 50% being after your

training session)

BREAKFAST - 8.00am

PROTEIN SHAKE

PIECE OF FRUIT (APPLE OR ORANGE)

SNACK - 10.00am

TUNA ON WHOLEMEAL BREAD

LUNCH - 12.30pm

PROTEIN SHAKE(POST WORKOUT)

SNACK - 3.00pm

CHICKEN

BROWN RICE AND

BROCCOLI

SNACK - 9.00pm

matt ibbs

07917866702

DINNER - 6.00pm

PROTEIN SHAKE BLENDED WITH BANANA AND PEANUT BUTTER


50

Call us on 0151 600 5262 for a free consultation or visit our website at www.copeandco.com for more information.

Business or Personal Financial Problems? Cash Flow problems caused by non-paying customers?

Cope & Co Solicitors provides a free initial consultation in order to determine how best to deal with anyissues you may be facing and how we may help you to solve them.

We provide all of our specialist services for fixed, reasonable fees that will not be matched by other firms. Our down to earth, friendly and pragmatic approach will also ensure that you understand the advice you aregiven and how it impacts on your business or personal life.

L i festy le - Review

51

Born in 1971 in the vibrant city of Liverpool, england a place famous for all aspects of creativity and innovation including the Arts, Music and of course Football, Stuart Hughes began to gather all the city’s success stories to begin his own.

Along with Stuart’s exquisite idea for design and Katherine’s sheer eye for beauty the production began. The idea simple in letting the technology embrace luxury. The story then unfolded to create the most explosive designs the world has ever seen. Stuart describes his ideas as ‘ferocious’ but being a typical scouser still keeps a level head on him. Just a few of his own clients to date have been domenico dolce & Stefano

Toni Terry & elen rives, Tony Sage, etc etc.

The MacBook Air Supreme ice edition is the newest member of the Goldstriker collection. if you think that is special, just wait until Select Magazine unveils Stuart’s next project, the only TV with a 65 million year old history but its in colour with Hd, a TV made out of genuine dinosaur bone!

www.goldstriker.co.ukwww.stuarthughes.com

MERCEDES e-class cabriolet

A Contemporary Classic

The new e-Class Cabriolet combines an elegant appearance with a high awareness of tradition. With an advertising campaign that centres around its ability to shield passengers from outside noise even when the top is down, it is selling itself on modern technology. However, with that classic cabriolet trait, the soft top, it maintains the romance and tradition of top-down motoring and it is this distinctive form, rather than the function of this classy vehicle, that we delve into here.

in looks, there is a lot of ‘the classic’ about this car. Viewed from the side, the two-door model offers an enticing mix of clear proportions and a flawless cabriolet silhouette, including a long bonnet, wide doors, a high beltline with elongated side

windows, a lowered soft top contour, and a short rear overhang. This look is complemented by the powerfully muscular section in the side wall at the rear axle and a slender C-pillar.

As well as sharing family traits with the other e-Class models, the new Cabriolet has its own, distinct identity; Mercedes describe it as having a ‘sense of passion’. The arrow shape of the entire front section from front bumper to radiator grille to bonnet, the more extreme interpretation of the twin headlamp face and its more sinewy build give it a racier and more dynamic presence than the Saloon. At the same time, the close family ties with the e-Class Coupé are clearly apparent. This is a good looking car and to drive around in it, top down, as the light nights get warmer would be a real pleasure.

Winning the Style Race

A special characteristic of the contemporary Mercedes design idiom is the creative interplay of edges and surfaces. Taut, sharply defined lines, which grow out of surfaces organically and disappear into them again equally gently, structure the sides of the Cabriolet. There are sensitively sculpted surfaces that create a sleek yet sharply defined flow of lines.

From the front bumper to the radiator grille to the bonnet, the pronounced arrow shape of the front section emphasises the sporty character of the Cabriolet – this is a car built for fun on the open road. A central crease in the bonnet picks up this shape and trails back towards the windscreen. A wide, upright radiator grille with two louvres, striking chrome strips, a

powerful chrome surround and the central star testifies to status and self-assurance in time-honoured Mercedes style. The grille makes bold and expressive statement of the brand’s identity.

The traditional twin headlamp face is based on that of the new e-Class Saloon, but sparkles in its own

L i festy le - Cars

53

unique way. Longer, more sharply inclined and flatter, the headlamps have a more dynamic look which is unmistakable. Their elaborate, high-tech interior and quadrant-shaped indicators give the front of the car its own identity.

The vehicle has a strong, powerful presence with two vertical struts in the front apron that provide visual support for the radiator grille and give it a substantial formal base. depending on the model version, the bumper houses either the fog lamps or the daytime driving lights and fog lamps side by side. in the versions with bi-xenon headlamps, L-shaped daytime driving lights based on Led technology give the car an expressive look.

Bringing Up the RearThe rear wings are sculpted to create a powerful, muscular form which visually enhances the car’s

width. The distinctive feature line – a characteristic Mercedes styling element – is continued masterfully around the back of the vehicle and into the tail lights, thereby forming a link between front and rear.

The Led tail lights are split and extend from the boot lid far into the side wall. in so doing, they emphasise the width and dynamism of the vehicle. Their innovative lighting technology is particularly noteworthy. An Led background lighting system provides indirect illumination of the three-dimensional back cavity in both light units and in this way sets the basic background lighting tone. Twin light arrays with twin Led light guides stand out against the background lighting. These light arrays accommodate the tail lights and the brake lights, while the reversing lights and the Led fog lamp are integrated in the boot lid light clusters.

The narrowness of the gap between the light unit on the boot lid and that on the side wall, as well as the extremely precise beveling of the adjacent light lenses allows light transmission between the two sections. As a result, the night design of the new Cabriolet maintains the perceived width and harmonious appearance of the rear section.

On the Inside

on the inside

in the interior, the designers have continued the taut, sporty design idiom of the exterior. The compelling interplay of surfaces and clearly defined lines creates an interior whose elegance and high perceived value are evocative of modern architecture. The cockpit

L i festy le - Cars

54

is structured horizontally with a dark upper section in order to avoid unwanted reflections. Interior appointments in two colours – in keeping with the logic of the two-level structure – create intriguing contrasts.

With its sporty look and feel, the cockpit design is clearly in-keeping with the agile character of the new Cabriolet. The instrument cluster with five tubes for the dials and a central display has a slender look, while the dials themselves are clearly laid out and have high-quality chrome surrounds as well as a silver backing for the scales. The background colour of the dashboard is silver or black, depending on the choice of trim parts. The three-spoke steering wheel with

multifunction buttons is available in a number of different versions and colours in order to match the interior appointments.

Next to the instrument cluster – and therefore in the primary field of vision of the driver and front passenger – is the display area for the control and display system for the radio, navigation system and other functions. The system is operated by means of a rotary and push-action Controller, which falls conveniently to hand in front of the asymmetrically split armrest between the front seats. This armrest also serves as a handrest when operating the Controller. Beneath this are the control buttons for the soft top and AirCAP®. The horizontally divided dashboard

merges into a dynamic, arrow-shaped centre console in which the air-conditioning controls, for example, are integrated.

A 2 door cruiser with the convenience of four seats, the new e-Class Cabriolet has sportily designed individual seats in the rear. This gives it a practicality that is pleasing in such a classic, sporty vehicle. The front integral seats with pronounced, faceted side bolsters and transverse piping on the seat cushion have a light, contemporary look and immediately create a distinctly sporty impression, while offering excellent seating comfort.

God is in the detail of this car and the whole interior is dominated by pleasing surface finishes. Trim

elements made from valuable, authentic materials emphasise its high-quality. The sporty two-door model is equipped as standard with brushed aluminium trim parts with a sporty spin finish. Customers can also choose from fine woods: burr walnut, high-gloss black ash or the graphic linearity of pine. in all cases, the trim parts have a thin chrome strip along their upper edge and everything is finished impeccably, in true Mercedes style.

The launch of this car was delayed from 2009 to 2010 and, in our opinion, timed impeccably; if we were planning to buy a car to tear around the country lanes in springtime then the new Mercedes e-Class with its mixture of classic elegance and modern comfort features would be high on our list.

L i festy le - Cars

55

ARTMUSICTHEATRECINEMASHOPPINGSPORT

7 - 10 AprilThe Glass Menagerie at The Playhouse

The glorious Shared experience makes its long awaited return to Liverpool, following their seminal production of War And Peace in 2008. imogen Stubbs is cast as Amanda Wingfield in this new production of Tennessee Williams’ brilliant and compelling play.Set in St. Louis at the heart of the American depression, Amanda (Stubbs) clings to memories of her idyllic youth in the South. With her days of courtship over she is

determined to find her daughter a husband. But Laura is painfully shy; she plays with

her collection of glass animals and lives

in a world of her own. Amanda’s son Tom,

based on Tennessee, an aspiring poet in a

dead-end job, secretly dreams of escape.

But when he is given the task of finding a

suitable gentleman caller for his sister, it is

an evening that will be forever imprinted

on their memories.

Tickets from £9.50 from www.

everymanplayhouse.com or by telephoning

the box office on 0151 709 4776

11 April (2nd Sunday of every month) Pillbox Vintage Fair at Blue

The second Sunday of every month sees a

fantastic opportunity to browse and shop

for vintage clothing, stylish accessories,

retro homeware, tasty confectionery and

re-customised vintage fashion from local

designers.

All of this and more takes place at Baby

Blue where the bar and restaurant will

also be open serving up lovely lunches. The

event is free to attend and no booking is

required, just wander on down.

Blue Bar and Baby Blue, Albert Dock, 0151

702 5831

17 April Spring Ball at St George’s Hall

Following a sell-out event in 2009 the

Spring Ball returns to the majestic

surroundings of St George’s Hall this

month. This magnificent and prestigious

evening features guest singers, a swing

orchestra and a special host. The

undoubted highlight will be Strictly

Come dancing’s Katya Virshilas, last

seen whisking Phil Tufnell around the

dance floor in 2009. Katya and her dance

partner Klaus Kongsdal will showcase

their talent with dancing throughout the

evening and you could be tripping the

light fantastic alongside them.

Tickets from £29.50 visit Liverpool Echo

Arena Box Office or call ACC Live Hotline on

0844 8000 400

27 April - 1 May Chronicles of Long Kesh at The everyman

The hilarious, painful and shocking story of

Northern ireland’s infamous prison, Long

Kesh, is told through the eyes of prison

officers, Republicans and Loyalists, a rich

assortment of patriots, chancers, leaders,

wives, escapers and hypochondriacs.

Playwright Martin Lynch interviewed

prison staff, welfare workers and over 30

ex-inmates to gain in insight into one of the

darkest periods of Northern irish history.

This verbatim piece of theatre also uses

1960’s Motown songs and wild, irreverent

humour, to portray the inside story of the

troubles.

This promises to be a thought provoking,

poignant yet humourous examination tale

about the human spirit.

Tickets from £9.50 from www.

everymanplayhouse.com or by telephoning the

box office on 0151 709 4776

29 AprilGil Scott-Heron at The PhilharmonicLegendary American poet, musician

and author, Gil Scott-Heron will be opening this year’s Liverpool Sound City music festival. The Godfather of hip hop, will play the Liverpool Philharmonic Hall on 29th April to get us in the mood for the 4 days of musical revelry that the festival will bring in May. in 1971, Gil Scott-Heron laid down the blue-print for the whole rap genre with the classic The revolution Will Not Be Televised, and now as vital as ever, he returns with his new album, i’m New Here on XL recordings and this rare Liverpool show. one of the most important figures in 20th Century music, his thoughtful, provocative and still rebellious voice is as vital as ever.

2nd MayMr Hudson at The o2

Following huge chart success with his second album, future-thinking pop artist and Kanye West protégé Ben Hudson comes to the stage in Liverpool this month. Mr Hudson is joined by urban sensation and chart topper Tinie Tempah.as he hits the o2 Academy. With anthems such as Supernova (from the album Straight No Chaser, produced by Kanye) this will no doubt be a stellar gig. Tickets from www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk

if you have an event worth shouting about, dont hesitate to contact the select team!0151 515 3040

[email protected]

L i festy le - Whats On

57

WHAts

on The Select Guide to whats going on in your city

FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN THE TEETH WHITENING KIT THAT IS TAKING THE USA BY STORM TExT ‘SELECT - SMILE’ TO 60777

dr Georges dental White has taken the US by storm, and now it’s doing the same over here. Smile4You is the only UK company to offer this product direct from the manufacturer, guaranteeing its purity and freshness every time. Because it stores easily and can be kept for up to two years, your home teeth whitening kit from dr Georges dental White is effective whenever you need to brighten up your smile. For more information visit www.smile4you.co.uk

Win!

Tel

- 0

151 5

25 3

410

ww

w.m

agnu

mop

uski

tche

ns.c

omF

eraz

zi H

ouse

, Bri

dle

Way

, L30

4U

AM

AG

NU

M O

PU

S K

ITC

HE

NS

Oki

teIt

alia

n Q

uart

zS

urfa

ces

Sie

men

sE

lica

Air

Uno

Fost

er

Aeg

Nef

fF

isher

& P

aykel

Par

apan

Mag

num

Opus

Kit

chen

s L

imit

ed

OK

ITE

Hig

h Q

ual

ity

Fit

ted

Kit

chen

s

70 D

iffe

rent

Sty

les

Rig

id F

urni

ture

Sol

id T

oppe

d

Mar

ble

& G

rani

te I

nter

ior

Des

ign

Documents

Select Magazine Issue 5