Articles

SHW - Balcony Waterproofing and External Repairs Programme

Christchurch House is a six-storey Art Deco residential building in Brixton Hill, London, comprising 110 self-contained flats arranged around a central courtyard. The property had experienced ongoing issues associated with balcony waterproofing deterioration, water ingress, ageing external elements and general maintenance requirements across the building envelope. The client appointed SHW to provide Contract Administration and Principal Designer services, overseeing a comprehensive programme of balcony waterproofing, repairs, maintenance and redecoration works.

24 September 2026

SHW - Lease Expiry: Should I Stay or Should I Go?

For an occupier approaching a lease expiry or break option, the decision involves much more than comparing rents.

18 September 2026

SHW Volunteers Support Bears Wood for Fifth Consecutive Year

A team from SHW’s South London office returned to Bears Wood Camp Site in Croydon for the fifth year running, continuing their commitment to helping maintain and improve this well‑used community space.

16 September 2026

Ongoing planning delays and debt finance costs impacting South East development

SHW’s Q3 South East Development Focus reports that ongoing planning delays, rising information requirements and elevated debt finance costs are continuing to weigh on development activity and suppress prices being paid for sites across the region. Developers are becoming increasingly selective, prioritising prime locations unless a non‑prime opportunity offers a clear and compelling upside.

3 September 2026

Out‑of‑Town Retail Continues to Outperform as Demand Surges and Supply Tightens

The out‑of‑town retail sector has continued to outperform the wider retail market in the first half of 2026, demonstrating remarkable resilience despite ongoing economic headwinds, according to SHW’s Q3 2026 Out-of-Town Retail Focus, with consumer preference for convenience‑led formats, particularly for food and essential retail, remaining a key driver of this strong performance.

1 September 2026

Business Rates Reforms Signal Tighter Rules and Greater Scrutiny for Property Owners

Recent changes to Business Rates remind us that relying on historic practices may not deliver the best outcome.

27 August 2026

SHW - Refurbishment of Industrial Unit – South London

Comprehensive Dilapidations Project Managed by SHW Building Consultancy Team

11 August 2026

SHW - Roof Renewal Window Replacement & External Restoration

Located within the prestigious Sloane Square Conservation Area in Chelsea, 4 Culford Gardens is a period residential property requiring significant investment to protect its historic character and improve the long-term performance of the building envelope. SHW was appointed by Cadogan Estates Ltd to lead and administer a comprehensive programme of roofing works, window replacement, masonry repairs and external redecoration. The project was undertaken over a 14-week period and involved careful planning, close collaboration with residents and stakeholders, and a commitment to maintaining the architectural integrity of the property. The objective was not only to address immediate repair requirements but also to deliver a lasting improvement that would reduce future maintenance liabilities and extend the life of the building.

11 August 2026

SHW - Refurbishment of a Vacant Ground Floor Flat, Croydon

SHW's Building Consultancy team was instructed by a client to investigate and manage the refurbishment of a vacant ground floor flat in Croydon that had been suffering from longstanding condensation and damp-related issues.

30 July 2026