Potential new retail developments have seen a drop in planning applications, according to a recent report by EMW. In 2015, there were 6,700 applications for new shop builds, compared to 7,360 in the previous year. The lack of applications has seen a 9 per cent drop in the past year, resulting in a seventh decline in a row. Before... Read More
A recent survey released by The Federation of Small Businesses, has revealed that the housing crisis is pushing employees out of the city. This has seen a quarter of small businesses considering relocating their companies. The report also saw that 57% of owners are worrying about the well-being of their employees, due to the staggering... Read More
Micropubs have recently become trendy and in recent years they seem to be popping up in towns all across the UK. The philosophy is simple, keep it small, keep it simple. They are normally small no-frills pubs that specialize in a specific drink, such as ales, cider and beers. In 2005, the first British micropub opened in a former... Read More
The White Rose Shopping Centre’s new leisure extension is estimated to create 350 jobs for the city. Morgan Sindall has been awarded the £13.7m design and build contract by Land Securities which includes a 15-month maintenance period. The latest plans for the development consist of an 11 screen cinema, operated by Cineworld IMAX,... Read More
The annual report by UK Export Finance has seen that 77 per cent of the exporters that had benefited from UKEF finance and insurance, were medium size firms and small businesses. It is estimated that there are 7,000 firms in exporter supply chains that also indirectly benefited. Overall, UKEF and their support saw more than £800... Read More
Industrial giant, Siemens, has stated that the UK is still a “good place to do business” despite its previous Brexit warning. Chief Executive at Siemens, Joe Kaeser, told a selection of media groups that the German company will remain fully dedicated to manufacturing across the UK. Siemens currently has 13 plants in the UK and... Read More
The retail sector takes another hit this week as convenience chain, My Local, has entered administration, with 1,200 jobs at risk. There have already been 90 stores closed, with a further three to be shut imminently, which will leave just 32 stores left. Administrators, KPMG, will now find buyers for the remaining stores and 458... Read More
The Brexit has caused mass panic across the UK economy, with many experts fearing the worst in major sectors. However, the leisure sector is being seen in a different light, with predictions of increased interest as time moves on. Colliers International’s Hotels Director, Peter Brunt, said that the prospect of favourable exchange... Read More
Just days after the controversial UK exit from the EU, a number of experts have said that demand for UK commercial property will weaken. Experts, including JLL UK’s chief executive officer, Chris Ireland, have said that activity levels are expected to dampen while the exit terms are negotiated. He comments: “The impact on... Read More
The UK high street has received a positive shot of adrenaline as health food retailer, Holland & Barrett, has managed to surpass its £100m profits, showing the brand’s continued growth. Across the 694 UK stores and 99 international franchises, sales increased by 155 to £424.7m in the year to September 2015. While pre-tax profits... Read More
An office building in Birmingham city centre is set to receive a £2.5m overhaul, in order to meet growing demand for smaller floorplates. Occupying the corner plot of Temple Row and Bull Street on the route of the Midland Metro extension, No. 4 Temple Row is receiving major investment for refurbishment from Nurton Developments through... Read More
Retail property firm, Hammerson plc, has officially completed the disposal of Thurrock Shopping Park in Essex for £93 million to TH Real Estate. The park has a net internal area of 25,500 metre squared and comprises two retail schemes, which includes tenants such as M&S, Pets at Home, Boots and Dunelm. Hammerson acquired the... Read More
New research from Lambert Smith Hampton has revealed the gap between London and regional office costs has reached record highs, which is set to push occupiers out of the capital. The firm’s ‘Total Office Cost Survey (TOCS) 2016’ found the main cause for the situation is London’s traditional office districts and emerging... Read More
Despite online shopping dominating the retail market, the majority of shoppers still favour town centres, new research has revealed. The survey of 2,000 UK shoppers, conducted by Bracknell Regeneration Partnership, 50:50 joint venture partnership between Legal & General Capital and Schroder UK Real Estate fund, together with Bracknell... Read More
Steinhoff, the South African retailer has confirmed it is looking at making an offer for Poundland. In accordance with UK takeover rules, Steinhoff need to confirm its bid by 13 July. Harvey’s, the UK furniture chain is owned by Steinhoff and produces the majority of their products in developing countries to be sold throughout... Read More
New controversial plans proposed by the government include the requirements for firms to submit quarterly tax updates rather than the annual tax return. This could see an increase in effort, time and costs of operating businesses, especially for SMBs and those who are self-employed. Another Proposal According to the government’s... Read More
When many of us think of Amazon products, electronics, clothing and games come to mind. However, it was recently announced that the online retailer is to test a new service, Amazon Fresh, which could revolutionise our weekly grocery shop. But is there a gap in this already competitive market? The new service, which is only available in... Read More
Owner of Midlands based 2 Sisters Food Group, Ranjit Boparan, is set to add another notch to his menu with the acquisition of the Giraffe restaurant chain from Tesco for an undisclosed sum. Set to take place via Boparan Restaurant Holdings, a subsidiary of the main Boparan Holdings Group, the sale will add to the group’s already... Read More
It’s been revealed by CBRE’s latest Monthly Index that commercial property rental and capital values in May remained steady across the UK, despite “a great period of uncertainty.” Commercial rental values grew by 0.1%, while capital values continued the growth trend seen at the start of 2016 with a 0.2% increase. According... Read More
We have now hit the halfway mark of 2016. A lot has happened in the commercial property market in the last 6 months, such as the Budget introducing a substantial change to Stamp Duty Land Tax and business rates. All of this has and will have an impact on the major sectors in some capacity. So in this first of a new feature, we collate the... Read More
Plans for a £1bn expansion of MediaCityUK has been announced by Peel Land & Property and Legal & General, which are to be submitted to Salford Council. The new scheme is for ten buildings totalling 2.3 million sq ft and will comprise 540,000 sq ft of offices, retail and leisure space, as well as 1,800 apartments, mixed use markets,... Read More
Two thirds of businesses are feeling the lack of skilled workers, combined with constant changes to tax and regulatory requirements, is adding substantial pressure to owners, according to the Enterprise Index from Smith & Williamson. Over the next 12 months, 74% of businesses are planning for growth and head of business tax at the... Read More
