Monthly Archives: April 2013



Pret A Manger Announces Expansion after Strong Year

Posted on 25 April, 2013 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

Sandwich chain Pret A Manger has become incredibly popular with workers during the lunchtime rush thanks to their fresh baguettes bursting with a variety of fillings. This popularity has allowed the chain to post continuous sales growth over the past several... Read More

Manulife Buys Hong Kong Office Tower

Posted on by Jodee Redmond under Worldwide Property News

Manulife (International) Limited has agreed to buy the West Tower at the One Bay East development in Kowloon East, Hong Kong. The deal, which is worth HK$ 4.5 billion (£379 million), is the largest single office tower purchase in Kowloon. CBRE Group's Hong... Read More

Branch Sales Deal Between Lloyds and Co-op Falls Through

Posted on 24 April, 2013 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

The proposed sale of 632 Lloyds Banking Group branches to the Co-op will no longer go ahead, it has emerged. The Co-op backed out of negotiations earlier this week, blaming the present economic situation and increasing strictness in regulations for its... Read More

Stoke Central Business District Moves a Step Closer

Posted on by Neil Bird under Commercial Developments

Stoke-on-Trent’s new Central Business District (CBD) has moved a step closer after planning permission was approved for the first phase of the multi-million pound development. Part of the current civic centre in Stoke Town The city council, which has... Read More

Lack of Lending Forces Small Business to Turn to Manufacturers

Posted on by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

When the economic crisis led to full-scale recession in the UK many blamed the banks for the situation, claiming the larger chains had ushered in a culture of reckless lending and irresponsible investment. The taxpayer was forced to bail out chains... Read More

Showrooming Browsers Are Killing the High Street

Posted on by MOVEHUT under Business News

Have you ever wandered into a shop, had a browse, found something you liked and checked the price online to see if you can find it cheaper? Well you are not alone. But this type of shopping is killing the high street as many retailers struggle to compete with... Read More

Russian Commercial Property Investment Hits Record High

Posted on by Jodee Redmond under Worldwide Property News

Investment in the Russian commercial real estate market reached $2.4 billion in the first quarter of 2013, according to a new report released by CBRE Group. This figure marks an all-time high in the sector. In the same quarter in 2012, investments were $101... Read More

Supermarkets Slash Fuel Costs in Further Petrol Price War

Posted on 23 April, 2013 by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

Around this time last year the nation was thrown into a panic-buying frenzy triggered by the potential strike action of tanker drivers. Although this strike failed to materialise, sales of petrol and diesel skyrocketed at a time where most households were... Read More

Commercial Property Deals are Ripe for the Picking says Specialist

Posted on by Kirsten Kennedy under Industry News

Vacancy rates and empty property taxes have featured prominently in the news as of late indicating that, while the commercial property market may be showing signs of recovery, there is still some way to go. While this may be bad news for landlords with... Read More

Cable Proposes Fair Deal for Pub Tenants

Posted on by Neil Bird under Business News

Business Secretary Vince Cable has reiterated his determination to introduce a code of practice to protect tenants of large pub companies (pubcos) from ‘a combination of unfair practices.’ If the code is introduced it could save tenants thousands of... Read More