Monthly Archives: July 2014



Business Park deal demonstrates strength of M42 Market

Posted on 30 July, 2014 by Cliff Goodwin under Commercial Sales and Lets

IM Properties — owned by Lord Edmiston, Britain’s 22nd richest person — has agreed to buy Solihull’s Fore Business Park for £21m. Developed by BAM as a speculative build in 2009, the West Midlands’ park is adjacent to Junction 4 of the M42... Read More

Segro snaps up three Hams Hall Distribution Assets

Posted on 29 July, 2014 by Cliff Goodwin under Commercial Sales and Lets

Business space investor and manager, Segro, has demonstrated its commitment to the Midlands’ logistics “golden triangle” by acquiring three distribution warehouses in the region for just under £50m. The portfolio — made up of fully let... Read More

New Store openings contribute to Next profit forecast hike

Posted on by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

Although news from the retail industry has been somewhat gloomy of late following a very strong start to the year, clothing and footwear retailers have enjoyed a resurgence in trade thanks to the warm summer weather and higher optimism amongst consumers... Read More

Gherkin Sale set to ignite Overseas Interest

Posted on by Kirsten Kennedy under Commercial Sales and Lets

The announcement that the Gherkin has been placed on the market is expected to ignite interest among overseas investors. 30 St Mary Axe, one of London’s most recognisable landmarks, collapsed into receivership earlier this year after the... Read More

Chinese Developer behind Royal Albert Dock Scheme “Never considers himself a Real Estate Tycoon”

Posted on by Cliff Goodwin under Commercial Developments

After a year of planning wrangles a council has finally given its approval for the creation of a £1bn Asian business district on the site of London’s Royal Albert Dock. The scheme, for a 24-hour business complex for Chinese and Asian firms, was... Read More

Fortnum & Mason plans Heathrow take-off

Posted on by Kirsten Kennedy under Top Properties, Uncategorised

Fortnum & Mason has long been established as a high quality retailer with a tradition of serving well-heeled customers including members of the Royal family. Last year, in a bid to expand on its history, Fortnum & Mason opened its first new... Read More

Going Dutch: HEMA plans to take on UK Discounters

Posted on 28 July, 2014 by Cliff Goodwin under Business News

After 18 months of planning the Dutch budget retailer HEMA — which already has 660 outlets across Europe — has opened its first two stores in the UK, with a promise of a third before the end of the summer. Placed somewhere between Ikea and the now... Read More

Would “Tesco Tax” benefit the High Street?

Posted on by Kirsten Kennedy under Business News

The issue of business rates remains one of the most contentious in the retail industry, with claims that the commercial property levy was a key reason for soaring shop vacancy rates during the recession. However, under a new proposal by Derby City Council,... Read More

Manchester Council seeks Piccadilly Wall talks following Property Sale

Posted on by Neil Bird under Commercial Sales and Lets

Manchester City Council has asked for a meeting with the new owners of One Piccadilly to discuss the future of the controversial Piccadilly Wall. The landmark is part of the £75m sale of the block of offices and restaurants at the Portland Street end... Read More

Muddled Retail Statistics reveal little about Strength of Recovery

Posted on by Kirsten Kennedy under Economy

In recent months a wealth of statistics has been used to demonstrate improving conditions on the high street. The fact that much of this evidence appears contradictory only adds to the feeling that the retail recovery remains subject to sharp turns and sudden... Read More