Latest news with #StuartRobertson
Glasgow Times
17-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans
They've also called on the Scottish Government to reverse the approval, which will see the building of a nine-story mixed-use development. The Glasgow School of Art has also called on Ministers to refuse the plans, stating that the approval "places their commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk." The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17, and a vote of eight to two approved the plans. Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said, "I am really disappointed by the Planning Committee's decision to allow this proposal to go through. "It is a very poor design, and I feel the developers have pushed boundaries, submitting revised plans that, while seemingly minor, collectively have created a situation where the planning department had little option but to approve this development. Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans (Image: Vita Group) "The Committee seemed to have reservations about the proposals, but were more concerned about leaving the area undeveloped. "Glasgow City Council has missed a trick here. There was an opportunity to create something truly special on this site. "The Scottish Government needs to step in and overturn this decision. "Mackintosh and Glasgow deserves better." READ MORE: Glasgow O2 ABC site plans approved for student accommodation READ MORE: 'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan READ MORE: O2 ABC site owners clash with Glasgow School of Art Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, echoed Stuart's disappointment at the approval. He said: "Given the acknowledged negative impact on Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art, Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's Grecian Chambers (now the CCA) and the Glasgow Central Conservation Area more broadly, I think this is a disappointing outcome for Glasgow's heritage. "Nevertheless, we live in a democracy, and the councillors on the Planning Applications Committee decided that the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street was more important to Glasgow. I must respect their decision. "Given the issues of national significance raised by Historic Environment Scotland, it will be interesting to see if Scottish Ministers call it in." The approved proposal (Image: Vita Group) Professor Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the Glasgow School of Art, also called on the government to reverse the approval. She said: "The objection by Historic Environment Scotland does now require the approval by Glasgow City Council to be referred to Scottish Ministers. "We hope that Ministers taking cognisance of the significant impact to the internationally important Mackintosh Building and its rebuilding, will exercise their powers purposefully, acknowledging that the setting, character and function of the Mackintosh Building is unacceptably compromised." Stuart Robertson previously told us that the proposal was "so depressing" and was not swayed by anything said in today's meeting. Stuart added: "As highlighted in my previous comments, this development is vastly over-scaled and does not meet development plan policy. "This approval places the commitment to the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building at significant risk and will set a dangerous precedent for our built heritage. "Look at the M&S development. After securing planning permission, the developer puts it on the market. We could see the same happen here. "The student housing sector needs to have a more robust public oversight. "Rather than relying on speculative delivery and developer-led policy formation, it may be time to reassert a civic-led approach that places the needs of communities, students, and heritage on an equal footing." The cast iron pieces will be displayed in the new building (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) Niall found a silver lining in one of the conditions set: that part of the portico of the O2 ABC would be displayed to the public in the development. He said: "On the positive side, I welcome the amended condition to see the incorporation of the Walter Macfarlane cast iron screen from the former ABC Cinema within the proposed development. "It will be interesting to see how the screen will be respectfully installed given the constrained height within the new building; however, it is a significant artefact with regards to Glasgow's cast iron technologies and has strong social value too. "Therefore, it being back on public display once more is worth celebrating."
The National
17-06-2025
- Business
- The National
Glasgow heritage groups hit out over plans for 02 ABC site
They've also called on the Scottish Government to reverse the approval, which will see the building of a nine-storey mixed-use development. The Glasgow School of Art has also called on ministers to refuse the plans, stating that the approval "places their commitment to deliver the faithful reinstatement of the Mackintosh Building as a fully utilised purpose-designed art school at significant risk." The development was presented to the planning committee at a meeting today, June 17, and a vote of eight to two approved the plans. Stuart Robertson, director of the Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said: "I am really disappointed by the Planning Committee's decision to allow this proposal to go through. "It is a very poor design, and I feel the developers have pushed boundaries, submitting revised plans that, while seemingly minor, collectively have created a situation where the planning department had little option but to approve this development. Glasgow heritage groups slam approval of O2 ABC site plans (Image: Vita Group) "The committee seemed to have reservations about the proposals, but were more concerned about leaving the area undeveloped. "Glasgow City Council has missed a trick here. There was an opportunity to create something truly special on this site. "The Scottish Government needs to step in and overturn this decision. "Mackintosh and Glasgow deserves better." Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust, echoed Stuart's disappointment at the approval. He said: "Given the acknowledged negative impact on Charles Rennie Mackintosh's Glasgow School of Art, Alexander 'Greek' Thomson's Grecian Chambers (now the CCA) and the Glasgow Central Conservation Area more broadly, I think this is a disappointing outcome for Glasgow's heritage. "Nevertheless, we live in a democracy, and the councillors on the Planning Applications Committee decided that the regeneration of Sauchiehall Street was more important to Glasgow. I must respect their decision. "Given the issues of national significance raised by Historic Environment Scotland, it will be interesting to see if Scottish ministers call it in." The approved proposal (Image: Vita Group) Professor Penny Macbeth, director and principal of the Glasgow School of Art, also called on the Government to reverse the approval. She said: "The objection by Historic Environment Scotland does now require the approval by Glasgow City Council to be referred to Scottish ministers. "We hope that ministers taking cognisance of the significant impact to the internationally important Mackintosh Building and its rebuilding, will exercise their powers purposefully, acknowledging that the setting, character and function of the Mackintosh Building is unacceptably compromised." Stuart Robertson previously told us that the proposal was "so depressing" and was not swayed by anything said in today's meeting. Robertson added: "As highlighted in my previous comments, this development is vastly over-scaled and does not meet development plan policy. "This approval places the commitment to the rebuilding of the Mackintosh Building at significant risk and will set a dangerous precedent for our built heritage. "Look at the M&S development. After securing planning permission, the developer puts it on the market. We could see the same happening here. "The student housing sector needs to have a more robust public oversight. "Rather than relying on speculative delivery and developer-led policy formation, it may be time to reassert a civic-led approach that places the needs of communities, students, and heritage on an equal footing." The cast iron pieces will be displayed in the new building (Image: Newsquest/Gordon Terris) Murphy found a silver lining in one of the conditions set: That part of the portico of the O2 ABC would be displayed to the public in the development. He said: "On the positive side, I welcome the amended condition to see the incorporation of the Walter Macfarlane cast iron screen from the former ABC Cinema within the proposed development. "It will be interesting to see how the screen will be respectfully installed given the constrained height within the new building; however, it is a significant artefact with regards to Glasgow's cast iron technologies and has strong social value too. "Therefore, it being back on public display once more is worth celebrating."
Glasgow Times
15-06-2025
- Business
- Glasgow Times
'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan
It comes as the Glasgow School of Art has said the Sauchiehall Street plans put the rebuild of the A-listed Mackintosh building 'at significant risk'. Locals and heritage organisations in the city have also mirrored calls for a rethink of the design for the mixed-use student accommodation and hospitality site. Stuart Robertson, director of The Charles Rennie Mackintosh Society, said: "It's all so depressing! The GSA 'Mack' has enough problems! "Glasgow seems to have lost its way, lost its mojo, there is a lack of vision, our built heritage deserves much better. "We would appeal to Glasgow City Council to refuse this planning application and request that the applicant re-submit a design that is sympathetic to an A-listed building of such world importance." 'So depressing': Glasgow reacts to O2 ABC site plan (Image: Vita Group) READ MORE: Mack rebuild 'at risk' from ABC warns Glasgow Art School Stuart's feelings have been mirrored by Niall Murphy, director of Glasgow City Heritage Trust. He said: "The result of these plans is a generic building which could be anywhere. "As a matter of urgency, the architects should look again at Glasgow's great classical tradition of commercial buildings, as they need to learn from them. "They are building in the most fantastic setting next to buildings by two Glaswegians who were absolute masters of Architecture. "A first-rate architect would rise to that challenge - but are we getting that here? "I don't envy the councillors on the Planning Applications Committee their jobs in considering this application next week. "However, I would ask that they remember the debate the committee had over the previous student housing proposal for the ABC site, which they refused in 2017. "It was the best example I have experienced of local democracy in action. "The committee weighed the matter and, such was the sensitivity of the site, decided to refuse a smaller scaled proposal than the one currently being considered. "I hope this application receives the same degree of scrutiny." The Mackintosh building (Image: Newsquest/Colin Mearns) READ MORE: Plans for Glasgow O2 ABC recommended despite 'negative impact' The Garnet Hill neighbourhood watch, representing local residents, has specific concerns regarding the proposed developments. Chair Bill Beckett said while they are "very keen to see the site be developed", they believe it "needs to be done in the right way." He added that their overall stance is a "resounding no" to the current plans. Bill also said that residents expressed a strong desire for social housing to be prioritised, noting that there is a "crisis going on in homeless social care and social housing." Many residents would prefer to see an independent music venue put back in place for entertainment, aiming to "bring back the old days." The current site has been branded an 'eyesore' (Image: Newsquest/Colin Mearns) READ MORE: Historic Glasgow venue is an 'eyesore' say furious locals Dominic d'Angelo, chair of the Alexander Greek Thomson Society, said: "It's concerning because the proposal appears to completely override the objections both on light levels and the two A-listed buildings beside it. "It'll be significantly larger than everything around it. "We should not be selling the past in a desperate attempt to get more student accommodation into the city. "There's an agreed need, but it should not come at the cost of, and be detrimental to, the cityscape we all live and work in. "The fact that the site is derelict should not be a factor that allows them to build whatever they want - the current proposal will not 'add value' to the street and the area like they claim." Niall agreed that an approval for this site would set a 'dangerous' precedent: "It risks sending out a message that Glasgow is happy to let its heritage be walked all over for the sake of commercial gain." Stuart added: "The proposal is clearly contrary to development plan policy and supplementary guidance. "In its current form, it cannot be justified except as a departure from said established policy and guidance. "I cannot understand how this proposed redevelopment meets any of the criteria." The Mack's rebuild is under threat (Image: Newsquest) READ MORE: Pictures show how new plan for Glasgow's O2 ABC will look If successful, the proposed Vita development, featuring their House of Social brand, will bring around £70million investment to Sauchiehall Street. Over eight floors - including a basement - House of Social would include student accommodation, as well as a food hall, a public courtyard, a bar, a gym and more. The student accommodation would feature 356 bed spaces, comprising 306 four, five, and six-bedroom 'houses' with a shared kitchen and lounge and 50 studio spaces. It would also feature a fitness centre, social and study spaces, café-style lounges, and cycle storage.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
How 49p could bag you a Lytham St Annes beach hut for the whole summer
If you've been to Lytham St Annes you will have seen the row of iconic beach huts on the sea front. Since arriving in 2012 the huts have welcomed more than half a million visitors, who love having a base for their day trip to the much-loved seaside town. Equipped with electricity and a fitted kitchen, along with a table and chairs, they've become a huge hit with families and groups looking to hire them out for a get together or celebration. READ MORE: Argos shoppers race to buy Nintendo Switch games for £2 ahead of new console launch READ MORE: The 'hidden gem' Greater Manchester park minutes from a bustling town centre With the best fish and chips on the doorstep and the option to order afternoon tea straight to your hut, it's hardly surprising they've been such a success. And now the owner of the huts is giving one lucky person the chance to win one of the huts for the entire summer. With just a 49p entry fee, the winner of the competition shared on the Beach Competitions website here, will have exclusive use of a hut from July 1 to September 1, 2025. Join our Family WhatsApp group HERE All you have to do is answer a simple question and submit your entry, costing 49 pence per ticket. It comes after beach hut owner Stuart Robertson decided to launch the competitions website to help families make memories together. Others running on the site include the chance to win a four-night break in the nearby St Annes Beach Apartments, which they also own. "It started with small prizes like a beach hut with champagne afternoon tea, an apartment getaway with spending money, that kind of thing," said Stuart. "But now we're ramping things up and launching our biggest giveaway yet - a beach hut for summer 2025. "The winner gets exclusive use of their very own hut from July 1 to September 1. That's two whole months to make it theirs - picnics, seaside days, afternoon teas, you name it. It's something people ask me about constantly, booking a hut for the whole summer, or even owning one, so I'm buzzing to finally be able to say 'yes'." He added: "I know there are a lot of competition sites out there now, but this one's really rooted in our story. The idea is to give people more of what they love about the beach huts - and create some once-in-a-lifetime seaside memories along the way." Deadline for entries is 6.45pm on Friday, May 2, but the company reserves the right to extend it depending on the number of tickets sold. You can book one beach hut for the day for groups of up to six people from £135. For more details on the beach huts, visit the website here.
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ShareBuilder 401k Offers Free 401(k) Setup for Small Businesses through May 23rd
Businesses can provide affordable retirement benefits and lower their personal taxes too SEATTLE, May 01, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ShareBuilder 401k is waiving setup charges of up to $750 through May 23rd, making it easier for small businesses to provide retirement benefits to their employees while creating a tax benefit. According to a recent ShareBuilder 401k survey, only 24% of small businesses offer retirement plans to their employees, with many unaware they can offer affordable 401(k) benefits or that employer match costs are optional but can be mostly offset with tax credits and tax deductions. "ShareBuilder 401k wants to make it easy and affordable for any size businesses to offer retirement plans to their employees including the self-employed," said Stuart Robertson, President and CEO of ShareBuilder 401k. "With our free setup offer, low-expense solutions, and tax credits from the Secure Act 2.0, small businesses can start a no to low-cost 401(k) and help their employees, and themselves build for a secure retirement while lowering personal taxes, too." Passed in late 2022, Secure Act 2.0 eliminates most cost barriers for small businesses with employees. Businesses with employees who are starting their first 401(k) can qualify for tax credits which can offset ongoing administrative costs and applicable employer matching contributions too. For companies with 1-50 employees, the tax credits for employer admin costs are dollar for dollar up to $5,000 for each of the first three years of starting a 401(k). Most small businesses with employees will spend much less to offer a plan and can expect to spend $1,000 to $2,000 annually. Other tax credits and deductions help cover matching contributions an employer may choose to provide. Note that while the self-employed starting a Solo 401(k) are not eligible for these tax credits, any setup or ongoing support costs are generally tax deductible for their business. Small business owners and employees can also benefit with either pre-tax 401(k) contributions to lower this year's taxes (monies will be taxed upon withdrawal in retirement) and/or using the Roth 401(k) feature to contribute after-tax and benefit from tax-free withdrawals in retirement. Unlike a Roth IRA, there is no income limit to contribute to a Roth 401(k). Small businesses with employees interested in learning more about ShareBuilder 401k's free setup offer can visit About ShareBuilder 401k ShareBuilder 401k is a leading digital 401(k) provider specializing in low-cost, all-ETF retirement products and resources for small- to mid-sized companies, including owner-only businesses. Founded in 2005, and now serving more than 6,500 businesses across the US, ShareBuilder 401k is a pioneer of the index-based 401(k), digital quoting and purchasing of retirement plans, and providing investment management (ERISA 3(38)) services for every client's fund roster. ShareBuilder 401k is committed to expanding access to retirement plans and leading more Americans to save through cutting-edge technology, low costs and quality education and support. View source version on Contacts Patrick Mendoza, mendozap@
