Offices are everywhere. It’s true. You may be in one right now as you read this. If so, you’re either sitting comfortably with the energy of a thousand-watt bulb or slumped in a room of despair with the energy of a florescent one. Whatever the context, it may be worth knowing if your desk is doing your health justice. Sitting,... Read More
According to sector analysts, West Midlands consumers are starting to return to in-store shopping as their purchasing habits evolve. Meeting in Birmingham, representatives from BDO, Lambert Smith Hampton and the Mailbox, discuss retail sector trends and what impact it is having on the city. The main point discussed was a landmark year... Read More
UK office investment in 2015 reached its highest level since 2007, with a total of £26 billion, according to Lambert Smith Hampton's latest UK Office Market Pulse. The market which experienced the strongest activity was regional office markets in the South East. Also reported was the growing demand from overseas for Central London... Read More
Despite UK shopping centre property investments in 2015 providing total returns of 10.0%, the sector is due to face an 'Age of Change' and bring with it challenges for many centres. According to the latest MSCI/Colliers International UK Shopping Centre Investment Report, in the sector, £4.49bn of assets changed hands during last year... Read More
In the three months to February, economic growth saw a small improvement compared to poor performance in January, resulting in improved expectations for the coming quarter, according to CBI's latest Growth Indicator. The survey, which comprises 790 respondents from the manufacturing, retail and service sectors, found that the private... Read More
Offices have changed dramatically over the years. What was once the norm in the 20th Century, swiftly became archaic in the 21st Century. Research from the Office for National Statistics said that in an average office career of 50 years, 23.3% of your total waking hours is spent at work. The office worker's second home is the office,... Read More
The new £50 million mixed use scheme in Coventry's city centre has been deemed vital for its regeneration by the city council. Liverpool based construction firm, Downing, are creating 42 apartments, 600 student bedrooms, as well as 12,000 sq ft of retail and commercial accommodation. Work has commenced on student apartments at... Read More
According to a new report published today by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), there is to be an estimated 900,000 fewer jobs in the sector by 2025. The report suggests that store closures on UK high streets and town centres could exacerbate the impact on employment in the already fragile communities with the weaker regions and the... Read More
According to a survey more than half of small businesses in Scotland feel that they are not well informed when it comes down to the EU referendum. From the results 76% of respondents have decided on how to vote however 20% still may change their minds. The feedback was gathered from 4,000 firms across the UK with 520 from Scotland.... Read More
Investors who are considering investing in a buy to let property might be dubious of the Government’s plan to introduce an additional three percent charge on stamp duty land tax. This will cut tax relief on their funding costs, according to a new study by rplan. The research highlights that around 9% of potential investors have... Read More
A recent survey of SMBs found that firms could increase their online presence by implementing technology, resulting in saving time and boosting current productivity. One of the reasons for lack of knowledge in technology for small and medium business owners, is that too much time is spent on admin duties, travelling, IT issues, tax and... Read More
The £8.4m contract to deliver the refurbishment of Phoenix House, Newhall street in the Colmore Business District, has been awarded to Wates Construction. The building is set to be converted into grade A office space spanning 50,000 sq ft over nine floors. Richard Scarrott, Business Unit Director at Wates Construction, said: "After... Read More
According to Colliers International, there are estimated to be 20,000 business rates payers that will be required to remove their appeals, after having seen a leaked VOA internal document. Previously business rates for those that occupied more than one floor space in a single building with multiple firms, were assessed as one unit.... Read More
Lambert Smith Hampton has recently developed a new web-based application to assist occupiers, developers and investors that seek opportunities in the Northern Powerhouse region. The tool provides an in-depth analysis of the region's office markets, gives up-to-date information on rents, take-up and supply, as well as highlight emerging... Read More
Business rates continue to be the focus of debate in commercial property, as Councils across England have forecast 2017’s income to reach a record-breaking £23.5 billion, despite many small businesses paying no rates at all. The near £400 million increase, according to Local Government Minister Marcus Jones, was down to the rise in... Read More
Birmingham’s business leaders have welcomed the commitment to the city by retail property giant Hammerson. Hammerson, who acquired Grand Central last month, recently announced that it would be selling a half share in Birmingham’s Bullring to joint venture partner CPPIB for £175m. The Bullring is Hammerson's second largest shopping... Read More
Furniture manufacturer, Godfrey Syrett, is forever expanding and has recently opened a new £2m distribution hub on Durham’s Belmont Industrial Estate. The new facility, which was acquired last year on behalf of Godfrey Syrett, is newly refurbished and is set to create 20 new jobs. Godfrey Syrett acquired the unit as part of its... Read More
Birmingham based public relations consultancy, Liquid, has now launched a service in the food and drink sector called Liquid Lunch. The service will offer the standard PR, marketing and design features, as well as a wealth of complementary services, including staff training, budgeting and menu creation. The Liquid Lunch team... Read More
The pub sector has taken another hit this week as regeneration specialists, Helm Construction, announced the former Raglan pub in Weston-Super-Mare is to be converted into much needed new homes. Work has already commenced on the Upper Church Road site which will have five new homes built and cost the region £750,000. Managing... Read More
Hammerson has recently announced that Union Square in Aberdeen has submitted an application for planning permission in principle (PPiP) for a multi-million pound expansion of one of Scotland’s premier shopping destinations. The expansion comprises new retail and leisure space, 120 bedroom hotel, expanded cinema, additional parking... Read More
The construction industry is set to see a surge over the next five years, with more than 26,000 jobs being created and Bristol builders are preparing themselves and stepping up on finding the right recruits. Helm Construction doubled its workforce all through 2015 and is currently on the lookout for extra staff to keep up with the... Read More
Start-ups in the British food and drink sector are being invited to take part in a trade mission to Dublin, to try and gain connections with Irish importers. Organisers of the event, small business support group Enterprise Nation, is looking to encourage British traders to export into new markets and see what our neighbours are... Read More
