Have you ever heard of the Hawthorne effect? It took place in the fifties and is still as valid now as it was then. Two groups of workers were chosen and separated into differing areas of a workshop. They were given identical tasks, but one group’s environment remained the same and the other group had their lighting increased so that... Read More
Whilst many sectors went very quiet during the recent Easter break, the North West’s commercial property sector was engulfed in a flurry of activity. The Manchester Evening news has declared, ‘an Easter parade of property investments proves that the North West’s economy is springing back into life… A series of deals totaling more... Read More
There is always a huge debate about second homes, but I think that we really do need to clarify what these second homes are used for. Are the homes for holiday or business use? London has more second homes than anywhere else in the country, with more than 23,000 in just four north London boroughs. It is likely that most belong to people... Read More
The City of London has announced plans for a new serviced offices occupant – an imposing 700,000 sq ft character set to reside at 5 Broadgate, deep in the City of London. It will be the new headquarters of Swiss investment bank UBS, supplanting the existing buildings at numbers 4 and 6, which will be pulled down. The announcement comes... Read More
I am always on the lookout for property that I can convert or apply for change of use, into either serviced offices, or some other type of commercial property. I have done quite well out of converting pubs in the past, as I have taken advantage of the decline in Britain’s pub culture to make a profit. And now it seems as though the next... Read More
The UK has become increasingly less attractive to foreign firms, resulting in a loss of investment in UK businesses, warns the CBI in a statement circulated this week. It has also issued a list of recommendations, calling on the government to ‘completely transform the investment landscape’. Foreign investment in the UK economy fell... Read More
Could London’s serviced offices be seeing an upturn? Serviced office provider Orega has announced that its High Holborn business centre is now fully occupied after just six months. 16 High Holborn houses 281 workstations within its walls, as well as meeting rooms, break areas, and the most advanced technology and telecommunications, just... Read More
Threadneedle’s head of commercial property investment has warned that the predicted imminent rise in interest rates could threaten commercial property values across the country. Not such good news for property investors, but something to lift the spirits of any business on the lookout for premises and a good deal this summer. Don... Read More
These are the official land registry property figures for this month (April 2011) and they don’t make great reading. February's data shows a negative monthly house price change of -0.8 per cent. The average house price in England and Wales is now £162,215. The annual change is also negative, at -1.7 per cent. This is the second month... Read More
There is no denying that the both the residential and commercial property markets are as weak as a McDonalds coffee. Prices continue to slump and there seems to be no let up on the horizon. So, is this perhaps the best time to start investing? New research from the Building Societies Association (BSA) shows that public opinion about buying... Read More
Luxury fashion group Burberry has clothed some stylish figures over the years – supermodels, royalty, actors and singers have all sported the iconic tartan designs. The latest figures to benefit from Burberry’s dashing look are their share prices – climbing 6% after announcing a svelte sales increase of 33% for the last... Read More
On 28 July, 2005 Birmingham was hit by a one of the strongest tornados ever recorded in the United Kingdom. Striking at roughly 2.30 in the afternoon, the tornado quickly carved a kilometre long path through the Sparkbrook area of the city. With 100mph strong winds recorded, the tornado measured T4 on the Torro (Tornado and Storm Research... Read More
Residential and commercial property markets often run hand in hand and follow similar market trends. But in Venice, commercial property for sale is nigh on impossible to find, whereas residential spaces can be found in large numbers. What’s not to love about Venice? I have just returned from a holiday there and became a little obsessed... Read More
In today’s times of austerity, many are cutting their cloth accordingly. For those who are in a financially stable position though, the current economic problems represent a real opportunity. During 2008, commercial property prices fell by 26.8 per cent, according to figures from CB Richard Ellis. And from mid 2007 to mid 2009 the UK... Read More
A few years ago Preston City Council unveiled its masterplan for commercial prosperity in Britain’s newest city, in the form of the £700m Tithebarn scheme. The council declared, the scheme will ‘transform over half of the existing city centre, creating a place that is modern, vibrant and enduring. Encompassing new shops, leisure... Read More
The residential and commercial property market has many similarities, when one is doing well the other tends to be doing well also and visa versa. The economic problems we face mean there are plenty of residential and commercial property bargains out there. But, you must be prepared to do the work. I found a property that I can afford. Its... Read More
What about, buying a failing pub and converting it into space for serviced offices, or some other form of commercial property. The number of bar and pub firms going out of business in the first three months of the year was more than double the number in the same period last year, as the trade struggled to compete with cheap alcohol sales... Read More
During the current climate, many are tightening their belts, laying people off, ending their long term leases on commercial property and moving into short term rented offices. Surviving in the cut-throat economy that has been foisted onto us by the banking sector is becoming increasingly difficult. Let’s cast our minds back a few years... Read More
The face of Britain’s shopping centres is undergoing extensive cosmetic surgery as cut-price chain stores are increasingly occupying their commercial property, according to a report from retail consultants Trevor Wood Associates. Pound shops, discount fashion retailers and food outlets, having become established in the high-street, are... Read More
The current shortage of new serviced offices is well documented. Capita Symonds recently released figures showing that demand for developments of serviced offices is at its highest since the 1980s. It reveals that only twelve projects of more than 20,000 sq ft were initiated in the first three months of 2011, compared to thirty-nine for last... Read More
Business rates have become a major problem for owners of commercial property. Before buying a commercial property there a many things that must be considered, business rates should be a main consideration. Business Rates are basically, a tax on non domestic property and were first administered, in order to fund the Poor Law of... Read More
UK retail suffered its biggest fall in sales figures since records began in 1996, according to information released by the British Retail Consortium (BRC). The BRC said total sales in March were down 1.9% on the same time last year, footwear being the only growth sector as others, including electrical, food and drink, and clothing,... Read More
