According to National Home Builders, trying to sell a property with a spooky past can be twice as hard as a comparable house and may reduce the value by a scarily big 20%. According to the research people are put off by such things as being located on an old graveyard, being a gory crime scene or even just a rumour of being a haunted house. And, before you think you just wouldn't mention it, if a potential buyer asks about paranormal activity, you are duty bound by law to tell the truth. Think we're joking? That was exactly what happened in America in the 1991 Stambovsky v Ackley case. The sale was rescinded due to the owner failing to mention that the property was haunted!

Estate agent advice is to try to make the property look as far away from the stereotypical haunted house as possible. So if you are living in Monster Mansion and need to remodel it to the Dreamhouse then call us for a little RRA magic.

Time to update your address book, we are very excited to announce we are relocating our Cheltenham office to larger premises at Elmbridge Court Business Park. Director, Jonathan White, says of the move, “we need bigger premises and Elmbridge Court is not just an ideal location for serving Cheltenham, Gloucestershire and all the surrounding areas, but with so many construction related businesses in the one place it appears to be gaining a reputation as a ‘Construction Hub’.”

We are looking forward to meeting all our new neighbours once the fit out is complete. Our new address will be:
RRA Architects, Unit A7, Elmbridge Court, Cheltenham Road East, Gloucester, GL3 1JZ

One of our domestic projects in Hereford has just been granted planning approval for extensive remodelling to create a spacious, new family home for our clients. The scheme comprises a two-storey extension to the existing detached house, external landscaping and considered reconfiguration of the internal layout to maximise the space. Aesthetically, our proposal was carefully designed so that it would not detract from the subtle Art Deco eccentricities of the existing 1930’s home. Tactful detailing and a complimentary material palette have been incorporated to ensure that the result is sympathetic to the adjoining house and sits appropriately within its wider context.

This feature was going to talk about the chance of purchasing one of our previous projects with details available on Rightmove. We were going to explain how RRA turned the standard two-bed, dorma bungalow into a spacious, four-bed, contemporary family home, how the expanse of bifold doors opens fully to seamlessly link the inside and outside and how all this was achieved within budget whilst maximising the value and return on investment for our client.

However, it’s too late now, it’s already sold. Sorry.

Photo credit: Williams Estate Agents

Constructing Excellence, Gloucestershire, is running an evening tour of RRA’s recently completed project, the Dunkertons Organic Cider production facility, bottling plant and retail area at Dowdeswell Park, Cheltenham on November 7th from 5.30 until 7.30. This is a members only event, to book tickets please visit CE Glos.

To enquire about Constructing Excellence, Gloucestershire, membership please contact jonathan@rraarchitects.com or visit CE Glos Membership.

As promised here is an update to our new build house project in the heart of Charlton Kings, with developer Said Properties. In July we showed the trusses going in and reported on the benefits of constructing with SIPs panels for speed, efficiency and cost effectiveness of build, along with the eco-friendly energy performance of the final product. Just 12 weeks later and the building is ready for first fix. In fact, from damp proof course to completion of the SIPS construction took a mere 23 days. Now, the high performance crittall windows are in place and the burnt larch cladding gives a contemporary look to the first floor. In contrast brick slip cladding has been used on the ground floor in keeping with the surrounding buildings. We will continue to follow progress, so make sure you are signed up to our newsletter for more updates.

After an extended planning process with Herefordshire Council, RRA is very pleased to have finally achieved planning approval for an immensely challenging site in Ledbury for our delighted client. A creative design solution and sheer tenacity over three years, from first submissions to final approval, have resulted in a scheme which many considered undeliverable. The sustainable development of 6 mews-style houses in a small infill courtyard location provides dwellings within close proximity to the historic Ledbury town centre. This eliminates the need for onsite parking and prioritises sustainable transport such as bicycles or broomsticks.

We look forward to working with Stooke, Hill and Walshe to market this scheme to local developers shortly.

We’ve had a sneaky peek of next months edition of Business and Innovation Magazine and it’s looking ‘wicked’! Read RRA’s latest article all about our new Director, Jonathan White, and about RRA’s plans for the future right here. Or to read the full issue from the 6th November click here.

Thank you to Ducketts Business Development Club for a very thought provoking evening discussing 'Millennials in the workforce'. A millennial is someone born between 1982 and 2004 who has been brought up with technology and constantly asked to perform in exams from an early age. Once in the work place clear instruction and direction is needed to help them succeed. The invited panel answered questions on recruiting, engaging, managing and retaining Millennials. The Ducketts Business Development Club Events run regularly and are a great opportunity to network with other business owners. We are really looking forward to the next event on the 22nd November, with a presentation about promoting your brand and the importance of telling your story by Ben Stone and Louise Welsby.

One of our recent projects was featured by American Architecture and Interior Design Magazine, Home World Design, which showcases "architecture, design, creative and stylish ideas for your home." The project included a substantial refurbishment and extension in leafy Kew Gardens, West London. The design added a music room, study and media room, opened up the garden-facing kitchen and family room and incorporated a green roof on the rear extension. Upstairs the bedrooms were transformed and a large master suite added to the loft space. The project was hugely successful due to the close collaboration of the team including Analytic Building Contractors, Zussman Bear Engineers, and Collabora Consulting Cost Consultants.

The year has flown scarily fast again it really is only 8 weekends until ‘that time of year.’ As part of the countdown to the big day RRA is supporting the CCP Hamper Scamper and will be collecting food, toiletries and gifts to “spread a little cheer to some of the most disadvantaged children, young people, families and vulnerable adults at Christmas.” Suitable items include non-perishables such as toiletries, tinned foods, dried pasta, mince pies, biscuits, etc. For more details or to see how you can help visit CCP Hamper Scamper. If you would like to donate we will have a Hamper Scamper box in our Hereford Office, The Watershed, Wye St, HR2 7RB until 20th December. Simply drop your donations at the office between 9-5 Monday-Friday and we will make sure they reach the CCP collection. Thank you for your help.

The last Friday in October heralds the start of the racing season with Cheltenham Racecourse holding The Showcase Meeting. Traditionally this is where top trainers ‘showcase’ their upcoming stars of the season and the two day meeting promises more than their fair share of exhilarating sport. 2018 saw record crowds of 18,320 people attended over the two days and even the sun turned up to shine over the racegoers, including RRA’s Jonathan White who enjoyed a fabulous afternoon in the good company of EG Carters.

Congratulations to all the St James CofE School, Cheltenham, football teams who played a brilliant afternoon of football in the October school tournament. Particular congratulations go to the ‘A’ Team who won their tournament and are through to the county finals in December. Well done girls, we’re all behind you for the next stage.

2nd Nov • Fireworks Night • Hampton Court Castle, Herefordshire
Wrap up warm, see the lighting of the bonfire and spectacular firework displays this Autumn at Hampton court castle.

3rd Nov • Fireworks • Castle Green, Hereford
Don’t miss the Castle Green Fireworks Spectacular 2018 in conjunction with St. James’s School PTFA. RRA are proud to support these local organisations with all money raised being split between Friends of Castle Green and St James Primary School.

3rd Nov • Bonfire Night • Hillside Brewery, Gloucestershire
In true celebration of the night, there will be a roaring bonfire lighting up the beautiful Hillside meadow, with an awe-inspiring fireworks display and a fire performer to keep everyone entertained.

3rd Nov • Halloween Charity Ball • DoubleTree, Charlton Kings, Cheltenham
Double Tree by Hilton Cheltenham are hosting a Halloween charity ball with a buffet, DJ and raffle to help raise money for Maggie’s.

10th Nov • Cheltenham Remembers - WW1 Memorial March • Sandford Park, Cheltenham
Joining together for a gentle walk where participants will carry the details of one of the named causalities on the Cheltenham war memorial.

12th Nov • Herefordshire Charitable Art Competition • All Saints Church, Hereford
Don’t miss the drinks reception at All Saints church where the winners of the art competition organised by Harrison Clark Rickerbys will be announced!

14th Nov • Pied Piper Means Business • Malmaison, Cheltenham
Businesses will be able to learn more about the Pied Piper charity and how the charity works together and builds relationships with their clients.

16th Nov • Christmas Spirit Tasting • The Shire Hall, Hereford
Grab a glass and enjoy an evening of tasting a fantastic selection of gin, rum, whisky and more.

16th-18th Nov • The November Meeting • Cheltenham Racecourse
This is the only Sunday where racing takes places at Cheltenham racecourse throughout the year. There will be themed activities to mark the end of WW1.

17th-24th Nov • Hereford Christmas Lights • Hereford
Join us to watch the Christmas lights get switched on in Hereford at The Old Market, City Centre and Maylord Orchards this November!

18th Nov • Christmas Lantern Procession • Gloucester City Centre
The theme for this year’s annual lantern procession is ‘The Snow Queen’. The parade will travel through the town, with the city’s Christmas lights illuminating as it passes underneath.

25th Nov • Christmas Shopping Fair • Cheltenham College
With over 70 stall holders this is the perfect opportunity to wrap up Christmas before December!

30th Nov • Christmas Brewery Tap • Hillside Brewery, Gloucestershire
At Hillside Brewery the hop barn will be decked out for Christmas, so let the festivities begin with mulled wine and a free mine pie on arrival.