The world’s oldest travel group Thomas Cook has announced it will close almost 200 stores with the loss of 2,500 UK jobs as it struggles to return to profitability. The group said most of the job losses will come from its retail network and back-office functions. For the last financial year to September, the group reported pre-tax... Read More
Retailers across the country will have breathed a sigh of relief this week with the news that sales grew at their fastest rate in years in February. With businesses in all industries preparing themselves for a further plunge into recession, it is hoped that the apparent turnaround in consumer confidence will be enough to allow the UK to post... Read More
After winning the prestigious European Capital of Culture award in 2008, Liverpool has been on an upward spiral of success. As well as extensive regeneration projects in much of the city, particularly focusing on the dockyard areas, the creation of shopping giant Liverpool One has made the Merseyside city a mecca for shoppers and tourists in... Read More
London is to get a new landmark building following the unveiling of plans for the redevelopment of the Southbank Centre. The most visible aspect of the £120 million project is a huge glass box that will appear to float above the bulk of the concrete sixties arts venue. Beneath the box will be a new central reception area shared by the... Read More
The Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has warned Britain’s 50 largest payday loan companies to shape up or ship out following the results of their investigation into the industry. Starting this week, the chains have 12 weeks to closely examine and alter their business methods or risk having their credit licences removed. Since the effects... Read More
Bed retailer Dreams entered administration earlier this week, but already the company has been saved by an investment firm. Sun European Partners have agreed to buy 171 of the company’s commercial properties, which will safeguard the jobs of 1,600 workers throughout the UK. However, 400 staff are still at risk of losing their jobs in... Read More
With inflation still high and the cost of everything from food to utility bills rising it is hardly surprising that a large number of UK consumers are shunning weekly trips to the pub in favour of buying a few bottles of their favourite tipple to enjoy at home. Yet according to the Society of Independent Brewers (Siba) many consumers... Read More
A commission has been established in Stoke-on-Trent to ensure that relics of the Potteries’ industrial heritage are not lost in the rush towards regeneration. The group will be responsible for seeking the views of residents and presenting a report to the city council ahead of two public debates on the issue. For many years the... Read More
We all have a favourite artist that we would love to see live and experience the atmosphere of the venue, rather than just watch it on TV a few months down the line. But in order to get tickets, there are a few hurdles that we must go through. With presales, VIP tickets and those reserved by the artist - are there actually any left for... Read More
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has announced plans to double the size of its Wolverhampton engine manufacturing centre which opens later this year. The car giant made the announcement at the Geneva Motor Show, saying the expansion is essential to the company’s long-term strategic growth plans. Sales of the Range Rover Evoque increased in... Read More
The University of East London (UEL) has become the first campus in the UK to take the step of banning payday lenders from advertising their services in any of its commercial properties or intellectual services in a move to protect its 28,000 students. This ban extends to student forums online, in magazines and on posters anywhere on... Read More
A delegation from Exeter recently travelled to London to raise awareness of what the Devon city has to offer to businesses and investors. As part of the initiative posters bearing the slogan ‘Expect Success: Invest in Exeter’ will feature at tube stations across the capital as the campaign seeks to build on the city’s... Read More
Leading high street sports retailer, Sports Direct purchased the struggling fashion retailer, Republic for an undisclosed amount on the 28th February. The deal will save 114 of the 121 commercial properties and secure over 2,000 jobs. Sports Direct will also take over all of Republic’s stock and website as well as their own clothing... Read More
Nottingham’s Victoria Shopping Centre is to undergo £36 million worth of refurbishment work in a bid to draw consumers back to the city centre. This will be done as part of a £206 million investment owner Intu Properties – formerly known as Capital Shopping Centres – plans to channel into the city between 2016 and 2019. The... Read More
And 94 per cent say Business Rates are too high! As the Coalition reaches the halfway-point of its five-year term of office, research among Forum of Private Business (FPB) members shows that more than half of small businesses in the UK disapprove of the changes made to the tax system by the present government. Overall, the changes are... Read More
Less than two months after buying the Wilshire Courtyard complex in Los Angeles, property firm Tishman Speyer has successfully signed two leases with two new tenants. The transactions, for nearly 75,000 sq ft of space, bring the two-building complex property's occupancy rate to 94 per cent. New York's Art Deco Chrysler Building is among... Read More
A new development planned for the London borough of Hackney will create a ‘prestigious’ fashion destination underneath the railway arches on Chatham Place. The scheme will also include new commercial properties around an existing Burberry store, Building Design reports. Rivington Place Shoreditch The scheme will be part-funded by... Read More
Dubai is quickly becoming the luxury destination of choice for many holidaymakers, which has led to a huge boom in leisure property construction. Last week, the 1,164 foot tall JW Marriott Marquis hotel opened for business, taking the title of “World’s Tallest Hotel” from the nearby 1,093 ft Rose Tower. Dubai Marina Owned by... Read More
SBE Entertainment Group has announced that it is rolling out its SLS hotel brand in Seattle. The Corporation is teaming up with Stockbridge Capital Group and Daniel Real Estate to put a 184-room luxury hotel in Daniels' $400 million, 43-story mixed-use tower. Philippe Starck will design the hotel interior The new building will be... Read More
With the UK commercial property market beginning to show signs of improvement now could be a good time for investors to add to their portfolios. Those who are prepared to take a look at the secondary market will find there is less competition for assets and, providing they choose carefully, it can provide a secure income. Writing in... Read More
The horse meat scandal has rocked public faith in supermarkets, with families increasingly turning to butchers for their nutritional needs. While this may be good news for small independent retailers, it has meant that chains such as Tesco and Asda have seen a hit in meat sales. From July all chicken sold in Tesco will come from UK... Read More
Under Philadelphia's tax reform plan, taxes would be paid based on the property's actual value instead of the outdated figures currently used by the city. This is good news for the 10 largest commercial taxpayers in the metropolis, which include Franklin Mills Mall, Center City office Towers and the shipyard in South Philadelphia. Their... Read More
