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adrianrocks.bsky.social
@adrianrocks.bsky.social
15 followers 51 following 3 posts
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jenwilliamsft.bsky.social
FT mag piece from me: Spent a long time looking into the Britannia hotel chain, beneficiaries of a vast amount of taxpayer money via the asylum system

on.ft.com/47HEE46
The crumbling seaside palaces at the centre of Britain’s asylum crisis
[FREE TO READ] How one hotelier built an empire from beloved community assets — and a government struggling to cope with a surge in migration
on.ft.com
September 13, 2025 at 8:27 AM
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groomb.bsky.social
Canal at Diggle, Saddleworth, by Oldham-born Russell Howarth, 1927-2020. #NorthernArt
June 27, 2025 at 7:21 AM
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lccmunicipal.bsky.social
The New Towns were a major part of post-WW2 reconstruction and a showcase for town planning. Alongside was the LCC's (and then GLC's) own efforts to relocate people and industry. Here's a 🧵to give a flavour of the opportunities, starting with this LCC "Offices of the Move" leaflet from the late '50s
The cover of the leaflet says “Offices on the Move, issued by the London County Council” superimposed over an image of a crowded London Bridge and an aerial view of a suburban scene. Photo credit: Picture Post (top) Taken from: Offices on the Move Published by: London County Council Date: Undated but document reference suggests 1958? Extract of text as insufficient characters available in alt text WOULD YOU GAIN FROM A MOVE? Many business firms have voluntarily moved their offices from Central London to new sites in the suburbs or beyond. Some have moved all but a small headquarters, others have only moved certain departments but all have found advantages in their new locations. These firms have benefited from moving in many ways. Rents are lower for suburban premises. There are opportunities for erecting purpose built office accommodation and land can be reserved at reasonable cost for extensions in the future. Staft efficiency has increased as a result of better accommodation. There is less absenteeism and loss of time through sickness. Time keeping is better. Firms have been able to provide better facilities for staff training and to offer their staff more recreational facilities. Salaries can be offered which are lower than in Central London but are still attractive as they do not have to cover daily travelling costs. Office staff also benefit by working in the suburbs or beyond. They do not have to endure daily rush hour journeys to central London with their fatiguing effects. Any journeys they may have to make are much shorter and pleasanter. They have more time for relaxation and recrea-tion. Their " real" pay is increased. They may even be able to go home for lunch. Firms which have moved out of Central London have found the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of a divided office. Such disadvantages as remain have been minimised by modern communication systems that allow close contact with " head office". Duplication of records can be kept to a minimum by a judicious selection of the departments to be moved out. Senior executives need not be burdened with excessive journeys if the new location is carefully selected. Taken from: Offices on the Move Published by: London County Council Date: Undated, but document reference suggests 1958? A map of the various locations that firms were being encouraged to move to Extract as alt text limited to 2,000 characters Basildon Basildon, in Essex, is one of the London New Towns intended to relieve the overcrowding of London. designated population of the town is 80,000 persons. The The town is 27 miles from London on the Fenchurch Street-Southend-Shoeburyness railway which is in course of being electrified; this is scheduled to be completed in June, 1961. Although no office accommodation is immediately available to let, that at present under construction being already let, the Basildon Development Corporation intends to build more office accommodation as construction on the town Bracknell Bracknell, in Berkshire, is 30 miles from London. Bracknell, one of the New Towns, is a rapidly expanding town with a designated population of 25,000 persons. The Development Corporation have already constructed and leased offices in the town centre and are erecting further office accommodation as development of the centre proceeds, Office suites are available, close to car parks, at rentals of os. to 7s. per square foot for terms of at least seven years. Sites in the town centre are also available to let on long lease. The Corporation let houses and flats to employces of firms taking offices and have houses available in specially selected areas of the town for sale frechold or leaschold. Aylesbury Aylesbury, one of the expanding towns is 39 miles from London. At present, as far as the Borough Council are aware, no office accommodation is available for letting in the borough, but there are, from time to time, a number of larger houses, including attractive country houses within easy distance of the town, available for sale, which would undoubtedly offer excellent facilities for conversion into office accommodation. Taken from: Offices on the Move Published by: London County Council Date: Undated, but document reference suggests 1958?
June 20, 2025 at 3:34 PM
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lydiaunsworth.bsky.social
Does anyone want to talk to me about friendship, memory or grief? As it pertains to the built environment. Or just send me a memory near a pertinent structure. Am building an archive! Stories can be as brief or as detailed as you like. Please share! Thanks. #phdresearch
June 2, 2025 at 2:30 PM
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lydiaunsworth.bsky.social
My latest collection, Stay Awhile, is coming out in January and my publisher, Knives Forks and Spoons, is currently fundraising for its publication. You can donate, or just read about it, here: www.gofundme.com/f/publish-st...
Donate to Publish 'Stay Awhile', by Lydia Unsworth, organised by Alec Newman
Knives Forks and Spoons Press is seeking £500 towards the costs of publishing St… Alec Newman needs your support for Publish 'Stay Awhile', by Lydia Unsworth
www.gofundme.com
May 13, 2025 at 2:14 PM