What “working with ladders” really means
Men wearing tights is never a pretty sight, but some of those working on the newly completed, £112m renovation of the Royal Shakespeare Company’s theatre complex in Stratford-upon-Avon were persuaded to don hosiery and other elements of 16th-century dress so they could better understand life as an actor.
Diary also hears acting lessons were on offer to the team, including project manager Drivers Jonas Deloitte and building contractor Mace. So perhaps the next Laurence Olivier (or the next Doctor Who) will be from the property industry.
Will the real Lord Mayor please stand up!
When Diary came across a photo of the Lord Mayor with puppets, we felt it was too good to be true. While everyone was else was using images of Michael Bear with dancing Zulus, we were delighted to find a different sort of picture.
And if it looked too good to be true, it was. Celebrity picture library Rex Features, which captioned the photo, clearly isn’t familiar with this property celebrity, but we’re sure Mr Bear will put that right over the next year.
Coffer proves he’s a live wire
Leisure veteran David Coffer is well known for his witty one-liners. Alas, he was unable to share this talent with the audience at the Estates Gazette Awards on Monday night, when his Coffer Group scooped the best leisure adviser accolade, because of the no-speeches policy.
Diary’s favourite Coffer-ism? Grasping the large silver trophy, he turned to the awards’ unflappable presenter, Fiona Bruce, and asked: “Where do you put the batteries?”
Coffer was also in reflective mood on the night. When quizzed about who had helped him get started, he said he was grateful to Sir John Ritblat, who gave him his first job interview – but turned him down. If he had taken him on, Coffer might never have set up leisure agent Davis Coffer Lyons.
The future is malleable
Diary knows there are few as influential round these parts as British Property Federation chief executive Liz Peace. Yet even our tired ears pricked up when we heard that she had received a letter that began: “Dear Ms Peace, as chief executive of the British Plastics Federation” So is her empire growing? Says Peace: “I am happy to confirm that we are not going to be branching out into plastics.” Should things change, remember you read it here first.
If it’s worth saying once, it’s worth repeating
Property sage Gerald Ronson’s April prophecy of social unrest may have come true at Millbank earlier this month, but much of his speech at his annual Heron lunch earlier this year seemed to be recycled for this week’s Westminster Property Association lunch. Speaking as guest of honour, Ronson bemoaned the absence of construction finance, and said that the City of London had to be maintained as a centre for international business – two points he also hammered home in April.
Norrish should be sean and not heard
When Mark Norris of Capita Symonds stepped up to present the sustainability gong at the EG Awards, some in the audience had flashbacks to the days of Dr No and Goldfinger, while others simply struggled to understand what he said.
Diary can explain: Scotsman Norris had been challenged by Mike Hatt, his second-in-command in Capita’s property division, to announce the winner in his best Sean Connery accent. His reward? Sheveral beersh, of coursh.
Good marriage material
It seems that “safe as houses” isn’t really true any more. Knight Frank’s latest student property index shows that student beds are a safer bet. According to the index, total returns from purpose-built student property for the 12 months ended September was around 13% – against 4.7% in residential (unusually low) and 22% in all commercial (unusually high).
KF’s head of student property, James Pullen, said succinctly: “Student housing may not be boyfriend material, but it’s definitely marriage material.”
noella.pio.kivlehan@estatesgazette.com
