Tim Garratt's Blog

My second day in China, started with sorting out some very wet clothes from last nights attempt to see some of the Expo. Even my jeans had to go to the Laundry – they would never have dried on their own!

After some “housework”, I set off for The Peoples Square and found what I had been looking for – Starbucks. And it is quite similar to back home – except my Grande Cappucino was swapped for an Iced Cappucino – for obvious reasons – it was 33 degrees outside.

Then I headed for the Shanghai Urban Design Centre – which shows in Architectural models the growth of the City. One model takes up a whole floor – and gives you an impression of just how big this place really is. And it is still growing…by the minute!

The model of the City - my hotel on the right...

I had arranged to meet a number of Nottingham folks at lunchtime – and we met in a fantastic bar on “The Bund” – a roof terrace with stunning views of the River and Pudong. The lack of rain helped! “Club Sandwich” is a traditional Chinese dish, so, reluctantly, I went with it. With Lager. And chips.

The afternoon was fascinating – we had a walking tour with Benson Lau, an Architect from Hong Kong originally but now working in Nottingham and living about a mile from my home (in the UK…). We walked into Old Shanghai – a very different place to the high-rise of the Bund and of Pudong. He took us to Yu Gardens which were an oasis in a sea of madness. They ooze tranquility. We were given an insight into some of the clever design tricks used 400 years ago – they really were clever designers, looking at ergonomics particularly.

But the highlight – which surprised me was a visit to a tea house in the gardens. I normally preach that tea is a drink with milk and sugar and all that other stuff is for girls. But I was painted in a corner and had a choice – go thirsty or try it. No milk and no sugar in sight. Nor a mug – just a thimble full. And we tried – Jasmine, Flower Tea (which was spectacular in looks), Ginseng, Lychee and Dragon Well. The latter being the most expensive. The Chinese treat tea like we treat Whiskey. My favourite was Lychee, which tasted better than it smelled. Not one of our group really agreed on a particular though! It was truly an experience – and lasted about an hour.

Next up was a ferry ride across the Huangpu River to Pudong and the dizzy heights of The Jinmao Tower and the Shanghai World Financial Centre. These buildings have vied for the highest building spot, currently in Shanghai, it the latter at 101 storeys. But both are to be eclipsed by a new tower, just starting at 150 stories…

Cappuccino in the 56th floor of the Jinmao was amazing -if only for the view up of the rest of this 88 storey beast! The WTC building is a little brash and looks like a bottle opener, but the Jinmao is really quite stunning. It is based on the figure 8 – which is lucky in Chinese. It also costs Y1m per day to run!

Jinmao left and WTC right - both vertigo inducing?

There was some research done in the 1990′s that Pudong was sinking at a rate of just over 1m every decade. As Shanghai on average os only between 3 and 4m above sea level this is somewhat disconcerting. I have a feeling that the conference tomorrow may well touch on this. The rate of sinking has now slowed, but the rate of building certainly hasn’t. This is an area of pure decadence – a completely eclectic mix of styles and with very little respect of each other. Master-planning this is not.

So my ‘easy day’ was drawing to a close, before the conference on Saturday & Sunday.

Jazz in Peace - no that's not right...

But the evening was certainly different – in the Jazz Bar at the Peace Hotel on the Bund. Our table had been booked two weeks previously, such is the popularity of the place. It was like going back in time – the bar started in the 1930′s and I think there are some of the original band members. But the company was good and it was another new experience for me. If I’m honest it’s not my sort of music, I left “Oh when the Saints..” some time a go, but the musicians were extremely talented.

A nightcap on another terrace bar on The Bund was the final act of the day – barring my taxi ride back to the hotel – an expensive £3.60. I keep having to double-check – the transport is really that cheap!

Tomorrow I have the Expo to look forward too; I hope it’s not raining – my shoes are still wet from the rain 24 hours ago!

As my car was coming up to it’s third Birthday, it needed an MOT.

Kwik-fit - clean once

And Pendragon, the firm I hire it from have decided to use Kwik-Fit for the MOT. This is as opposed to the excellent Audi Dealership in Nottingham.

What an awful experience. My car was booked in for 9.15 yesterday – I was promised it would take no longer than an hour. I arrived at 9.10am. At 9.35 my car was resolutely stuck outside on the forecourt where I had parked it. The smell of engine oil and brake dust was over-powering. The plant in the corner must have become accustomed as it was the only thing alive.

I think the floors had been cleaned some time ago (probably three at a guess). I don’t think the suspended ceiling ever had. The seats were from a 1960′s transport cafe – they add to the ambience and give it a ‘car feel’. The broken formica facings were particularly authentic.

You can always measure a place by the coffee it keeps. And Klix is not coffee – I think it produces soup, tea, coffee and bovril at the same time. I suppose it is warm. There were bottles of anti-freeze on top of the machine – wonder if they add that too? It was 50p (you have to pay them).

As part of the “add-on” sales pitch they now sell ‘accessories’ – smelly stuff, car mats and wipes. I think some of the cleaning cloths had been used before. They weren’t being sold as ‘used’ though.

To kill time there was a heavily thumbed ‘Woman’ magazine from January 2010. And a kitchen catalogue from Homebase. Neither appealed particularly. Although I am not an avid follower of Woman, I couldn’t help but notice that the Crossword was on the ‘cover’ – and it was partially completed. Someone had given up when they got clues wrong! “Speed of a Quick-fit fitter (4)” is not “Quick” – it doesn’t fit. Nor is it true as I was to find out.

The old chap across from me was waiting for his HT leads – estimated at three days. I’m not sure whether that’s three days from when they shouted it at him or he was already eating into that time. He looked a broken man. Other people just stared blankly into space. I just look out of place an old lady smiled at me, knowingly.

At 9.40am the car was moved off the forecourt by a ‘youth’ and the test was underway I assumed.

One and a quarter hours later the hour was up. And my car had ‘passed’. I expressed my concern about their clock – which was different to mine (a bit like the dream state in Inception).

I then returned to the car. After undoing all of the seatbelts and re-setting my sports seats, I couldn’t help but notice that the car had been driven for 1.5 miles. It had used 20 miles worth of petrol? And a tyre pressure warning light was on (which wasn’t when I arrived). I wandered back in – the ‘tester’ hadn’t really noticed the light (it is a subtle orange colour in your 12 o’clock). I presume he was going so fast he was watching the road? They tested my tyres and one had gained 7lbs in four days apparently (A bit like me on holiday?). This must have been a physics miracle.

Kwik-fit = rubbish. And not quick. Apart from when ‘testing’ my car.

Speaking positively, cyclists are getting quite a good deal in Nottingham at the moment. Some ‘advanced stop lines’ have appeared at lots of traffic lights in the city.

It's only for cyclists stupid...

Sadly, many motorists have no idea what they are and simply ignore them, which is quite bewildering. Whilst we may not have all been given lessons in what they mean – it’s not difficult! The intention is clear – to give cyclists a safe zone at the front of light sets. It is reserved for cyclists.

The Highway Code makes it quite clear – (Rule 178) says:

Advanced stop lines. Some signal-controlled junctions have advanced stop lines to allow cycles to be positioned ahead of other traffic. Motorists, including motorcyclists, MUST stop at the first white line reached if the lights are amber or red and should avoid blocking the way or encroaching on the marked area at other times, e.g. if the junction ahead is blocked. If your vehicle has proceeded over the first white line at the time that the signal goes red, you MUST stop at the second white line, even if your vehicle is in the marked area. Allow cyclists time and space to move off when the green signal shows

Clearly lots of drivers have not read the Highway code – or they simply ignore it.

The level of indifference to cyclists is quite astonishing at times. Cyclists are very vulnerable – a fight between a car and a bike usually has a predictable outcome. The bike loses. Relying on a helmet at this point is better than not, but its not like having a steel shell around you!

A while ago I blogged about my frustration about drivers in the bus lane. The Council have cunningly placed a camera on it and judging by the home made signs that have gone up, some tickets are being issued.

Perhaps we need some high profile fines for people wandering into the cycle safety areas?

I blogged last week about how Planners sometimes get it very wrong – in my view.

Might this sort of development be easier in future? Photo: Martine Hamilton-Knight

I was aware from a number of discussions that Nottingham City Council were looking at a new regime for major applications. This idea was borne out of a consultation process which I was part of just over 12 months ago. The City had employed a consultant to look at how the Planning Service had performed – particularly on major applications.

I had a bad experience over one I was involved in three years ago. I shall spare the City their blushes, but the application took 18 months and eight schemes before it was heard at Committee; it was then adjourned. Some of the comments made in the Committee were just plain wrong. I normally have faith in democracy, but I was always warned to stay away from a Planning Committee – who can redefine ‘maverick’! Someone wittier than me coined the phrase ‘development control committee out of control’.

So I was pleased to learn that the City are looking at a new method by which major applications can be brought forward. They are seeking comments from the professional sector.

In essence the new regime works by creating a formal agreement between the Council and the applicant. They are known as Planning Performance Agreements. The blurb suggest that they are a modern way of dealing with major applications – in an open and collaborative way. A framework is put in place to ensure that the pre-application phase (now compulsory) is more focussed and has a clear timetable. They do not guarantee Planning Consent.

In essence the developer or applicant pays a fee for the resources. Whilst this may seem slightly odd, since the Council have a Statutory duty to hear an application, the time saved in being led by the Councils timetable with their stretched resources is probably saved by the fee.

I think this is to be welcomed. It has been used elsewhere. It is an interesting approach and I guess only time will tell as to whether it is a success. If you spend the money, follow the advice and a ‘maverick’ committee throw it out because they don’t like the colour of your eyes, it will rapidly fall apart. I hope it doesn’t, but there is some way to go in winning back the confidence of applicants…

I am reading a great book at the moment – Pies and Prejudice : In search of the north by Stuart Maconie. From the title you get the idea! It really is an amusing look at the chasm between north and south – and debunks some myths.

Did you know that there are more swimming pools in gardens in the north; or that Geordies drink more champagne than Londoners?

Then an advert arrived this week in my office from Waitrose (surely a posh shop from the south) who are looking to open 10 new stores this year. The announcements are loud and proud in the various trade press. And there is a map of the UK and a list of relevant surveyors to talk to.

As you can see the map contains some interesting geographical splits. My firm has three offices and although we are all within 30 miles of each other in the east midlands we are in different parts of the UK. It looks like Leicester have been labelled ‘east’, Derby the ‘west’ and Nottingham firmly (well just) in the north.

I am not sure that Stuart Maconie would agree as I think he is of the view that the north starts at Sheffield.

I have never really thought of myself as a northerner. We are certainly tougher than the softies from London. But we aren’t really like the pretend toughies from Manchester of Liverpool? And the topless (male) footie fans from Leeds parading around in the bleak mid-winter are just plain daft – what would their mums say?

Perhaps we are the Home Counties of the North…

The fourth exhibition at Nottingham Contemporary has started and runs through until 3rd October. I blogged about the last exhibiton here. That was back in June.

Sunday mornings are a good time to go – but again it was very quiet – we were two of four in the Cafe.

There are two exhibitions running – a rather good Gert & Uwe Tobias and a fairly sombre Diane Arbus photographic collection. As a keen photographer I was impressed that there was a great collection of such photographs – but I had failed to grasp the solemnity of Arbus’ style. One of my favourite pictures – the boy with the grenade is shown here. It is quite disarming!

But I really liked the Gert & Uwe. Their use of colour on large scale works is really good. I wasn’t sure about some of the pottery pieces – they looked too much like to sort of CSE pottery stuff from my old school (CSE’s remember them?). But the major works were impressive – puzzling but impressive. It must be quite unusual for twins to produce work collaboratively. And on a typewriter too (remember them?).

So Nottingham Contemporary pull it off again – we get coverage in the Guardian and it’s still quite a cool place. From the inside….

We just need to keep telling people to make sure that it gets the visitors it deserves. It does deserve to survive and thrive.

News this week that Nottingham has a rather expensive house for sale. Possibly the best address in Nottingham is Adams Hill (people on Beeston Fields drive might disagree!)

a house with a million pound view - or three...

Adams Hill overlooks Wollaton Park Golf Club (although the front garden has the less pretty A52). When I played at there a few weeks ago I commented to my playing partner (and neighbour) about the house with its stunning balcony overlooking the course. He had looked around it courtesy of the builder and was impressed. But this week East Midlands Today were given a more full viewing.

It does look stunning – complete with swimming pool, hair solon and six bedrooms – all with en-suite. Then there is the 6.5m long chandelier in the hallway.

In a nice twist it is to be named after the Building Inspector who worked with the developer; Stuart Musson died just before the house was completed. Musson House is now on the market.

I think this is probably the most expensive house in the town – Bunny Hall – home to secret millionaire Chek Whyte – is for sale at £3.375m

As my colleague said in the office – all we need now is a premier league footballer to turn up; will Forest be in the Premier league one day? Or perhaps the slightly more ambitious County will beat them to it. Since the developer won’t be able to wait that long a commute to manchester is not too bad?

I do realise that my blog is read by some folks south of Watford – who will think this proposition cheap – trust me – you could buy a row of houses in some parts of Nottingham for 3m quid!

One of my favourite printed magazines is Monocle; I sometimes pick it up for the office, but last week took it on holiday. It is a weighty tome – and you need a few hours to pick your way through it.

It was good edition to buy – as they published the ‘liveable cities index‘ for 2010.

I was sad to see that Nottingham didn’t make the list, but then not one UK City did! We need to put this right immediately – or at least in time for the 2011 survey.

Liveable City, according to Monocle is

“urban settlements where human life can thrive because they are easy to navigate, diverse, pulsating and full of opportunities”. Easy then!

Munich came out top with Copenhagen and Zurich in second and third respectively.

What Monacle don’t do is print you a convenient tick list against which you are measured. You need to read between the lines, I will have a go at the headlines…

Transport – this features highly, whether it be the airport, public transport or cylcing. Reducing the reliance on the car is clearly a big factor. Easy to say but difficult to achieve…

Public Space – the winning cities all have a familiar theme – there are public spaces where people can walk, relax and play. Please walk on the grass!

Art / culture / technology – these intertwined things are an important part of the Cities life. Galleries can inspire people. But inspiration isn’t enough on its own – we need to create opportunities. Culturally you have to be diverse. We need to make it easy for people to start businesses and keep them running…

Food – when we were in the USA last year with the Sheriff of Nottingham we quickly spotted that ‘food’ was a key component to making something work well. The presence of an eclectic mix of restautrants – from Michelen starred establishments, to basic street cafes.

Sport – both watching and taking part are important in the mix of a City. People feel good if they are taking part or watching winners; they feel great if they are winning…

Ambitious and proud – the Cities featured had some familiar themes – they had ambition or were competitive (on a national and international stage). But critically their citizens were ‘proud’ – and this is a hard won badge.

Looking at this list, I don’t see that it is out of reach for Nottingham. In some ways we are ‘there’. I’m not saying we couldn’t do better – we could. But we have a great platform to work from.

Anyone up for the challenge?

p.s it was noted that there is a ‘chain’ index and the number of Starbucks is one of the measures. Shutting them down won’t help my cause..

Last week I paid some cheques into a savings account at my local Nottingham Building Society; I have been a customer there for many years.

The cheque will clear 10 days after I deposited the cheque. Now clearly the money will not leave one account and arrive in the other on the same day – so I can only assume that the Building Society are making interest on money in the intervening period. My Bank clear the cheque in three days?

But this is not my only gripe – I picked up a leaflet on savings rates – some are as low (net of tax) as 0.06%. So with £1,000 deposited you will earn £6.00 in a year – ignoring any compound effect. And if you are a higher rate tax payer you are going to lose another 20% – at least!

But there is another trick these organisations play – they magically drop products – and gently lower you onto one of their standard products. So an account that was paying 4.4% is now paying 1.6%. I know, we have one.

I think that they realise that most people don’t keep a close on eye on these things (other than making sure that the money is still safe!) – and so altering accounts and terms only has one winner… and it’s not you or me!

We do need a safe Banking system; it is a fundamental part of our security. But Banks and Building Societies also need to ‘play fair’ with their customers – and I am not sure they always do. They are quick to get you to wed to them – on the basis that it’s quite a lot of hassle to move!

Post Script – this is not just aimed at Nottingham Building Society – most of these organisations are the same!

When my daughter Jade got engaged last month, we had a small party. As there were a few people coming we knew we would have to use the garden – the forecast wasn’t great.

My 'new' Chiminea

So we had a few strategies – including a gazebo and various umbrellas. I also bought a Chiminea from B&Q in Nottingham. There were quite strict instructions about ‘breaking it in’ – which I slavishly followed. Out of the box, the lid was broken – which in hindsight was an omen.

Unfortunately within a few minutes of being properly lit – it started to crack and the paint started to peel. I think the fire was a bit too hot.

I wrote to B&Q’s head office to complain -and they assigned me a complaints man (“Bill”) and a number. After a week or so they decided I needed to take the pile of clay back to the shop. Even if this was in a black bag…

I hadn’t had a chance to package it up – but they keep calling me. They take me through ‘security’ each time they call – a bit like my Bank? Chiminea’s are apparently quite a high security risk – and if someone stole my identity who knows the havoc the could wreak.

At the weekend I got filthy taking the thing back – only to be told my the miserable lady behind the counter that I was outside their 45 day return period. I did explain that I was a bit busy and had reported the issue to their head office 2 days after I had bought it. After a number of internal calls she decreed I could have my money back. This process then took another 5 minutes – as the schoolgirl on the till couldn’t stuff the cash back onto my credit card.

There were eight people ‘tutting’ in the queue behind me – I did remark that the queues for the tills were quite small in comparison.

Sometimes you get the impression that your experience in parting with your cash is made easier than if they have to give it you back?