Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has been told that its system for lending to small businesses needs a complete overhaul after a report found major defects in the way it deals with SMEs. Sir Andrew Large, a former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, stated that RBS failed to meet its own targets for lending to SMEs. He went on to say... Read More
As the economy continues to improve, business confidence has skyrocketed and client orders are once more climbing at a pace last seen before the recession took hold in 2008. However, this increase in demand has placed a great deal of stress on the shoulders of British workers as they battle to complete tasks within a set deadline – and this... Read More
Pre-Christmas sales have given retailers a small boost in October, with shoppers bringing a little early festive cheer to the high street. Figures compiled by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and KPMG, showed total sales increased by 2.6 per cent in the year to October. There was also a 0.8 per cent rise in like-for-like... Read More
Although online shopping has become a huge part of the retail industry, recent moves to save the high street have meant that a growing number of consumers are once more turning to the traditional bricks and mortar stores which still play a role in community life. This has led a number of e-tailers to consider their future business options... Read More
Google has scrapped AHMM’s design for its flagship King’s Cross headquarters and asked the architects to come up with ‘more ambitious’ plans that will push the boundaries of office design. But is this pushing the boundaries too far? The one million square foot building received planning permission from Camden Council in... Read More
London has become something of a hub for new retail developments, with a boom in tourism and an increase in consumer confidence within the city leading to increased sales and growing profit margins for the capital’s retailers. However, it is not just within London that developers have become excited about the opportunity to raise up retail... Read More
Following the opening of a Waitrose store in Chipping Sodbury this summer, an article in the Sunday Times speculated that "the opening of Britain's most middle-class supermarket can only push (property) values higher". A local firm of solicitors even offered a special "Waitrose conveyancing" discount before the store opened. This... Read More
With the festive season rapidly approaching, a new survey provides good news for consumers. In this year’s annual Good Housekeeping Christmas taste test, judges for the most part placed supermarket foods above luxury items in their list of festive must-haves on the dinner table. While Morrisons has been seen to somewhat fall behind... Read More
It was announced earlier this year that 1,600 people would lose their jobs over the next five years as Derbyshire County Council tries to save money. Libraries are among the services affected The council wants to save £157 million over the next five years, as they made a £10.5 million shortfall on this year’s plan. This means that... Read More
Take-up of Central London office space increased by 4 per cent during the third quarter, reducing availability to 16.9m sq ft. The rising leasing levels have prompted CBRE to forecast intensifying competition for space as office based employment in the capital continues to rise and supply falls. The highest levels of take-up were... Read More
Have you ever wandered around the high street looking at all the lovely food items independent retailers sell? From organic vegetables to cheese and bread, wouldn’t it be great if you could order these local items and get them delivered right to your front door? Well now you can, thanks to a new website called Hubbub. The website... Read More
The Co-operative Bank has announced a reduction in its commercial property portfolio as it re-allocates funding to “significantly enhance” its internet and mobile banking services. In fact, it hopes to cut around 15 per cent of its branch network by the end of next year – something which the banking chain admits will have an impact upon... Read More
UK construction grew at the fastest rate for six years last month as the property market continues to gather steam. House building continues to lead the way but civil engineering and commercial developments are also showing strong signs of growth. The news comes from the latest Markit/CIPS UK construction purchasing managers’ index... Read More
In the midst of the obesity epidemic which has affected the Western world for the past decade or so, fast food restaurants have been demonised, by some health experts, as one of the driving forces behind Britain’s expanding waistlines. As a result, campaign groups have formed discourage the growth of chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King... Read More
Bonfire Night is one of the most exciting festivities of the year, with hundreds of bonfires and firework displays taking place around the country. However, for anyone who owns or operates a commercial property, the night can be extremely stressful as such pyrotechnic activities can take a devastating toll on small businesses if something... Read More
Manchester United legends Ryan Giggs and Gary Neville are reportedly involved in a joint venture to redevelop a city centre police station. Manchester United veteran Ryan Giggs According to Property Week the pair are named on Company House documents as directors of Jacksons Row Developments. Together with fellow director, former Modus... Read More
When you visit a Poundland shop on the high street you expect to pay a certain price for each item – one pound! But a Poundland shop in Ipswich is mixing things up a little as you will be given change from your pound coin. In Ipswich, for one week only you can grab a bargain for only 93 pence. For that price, people must be queuing... Read More
Stephen Ross, the chairman and CEO of New York real estate firm Related, has chosen British designer Thomas Heatherwick to create a work of public art for the firm’s Hudson Yards development. He will work alongside landscape artist Thomas Woltz to design a 4 acre public space at the heart of the $15 billion mixed use development on... Read More
Fashion retailers have faced something of a struggle over the past two years as, on top of fluctuating consumer confidence levels, the high street has been plagued with almost constantly unseasonable weather which has seen retailers’ schedules disrupted. This has meant that sales for new lines, especially for the autumn and winter... Read More
Now that the economy has begun to improve workers are once more considering their options when it comes to employment. In a study conducted jointly by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Halogen of almost 3,000 UK employees, it was found that almost a quarter of respondents are in the process of seeking out a role... Read More
Chinese investors have discovered distressed U.S. commercial properties in places like Detroit and are parking their cash in these areas. The deeply discounted prices are appealing to investors who are used to the higher prices in China. Well-to-do Chinese investors have been buying residential properties for a number of years but are... Read More
Tata Steel is cutting almost 500 jobs blaming a fall in demand across the European construction industry and the burden of green levies. Announcing the cuts, the company and union representatives called on the government to do more to support the steel industry. Tata steel works, Scunthorpe About 340 jobs are under threat in... Read More
