British households are still experiencing a squeeze on their incomes despite the upturn in the economy. Low wage increases, the rising cost of food and the still-high rate of inflation mean that sticking to a budget remains a key factor in the weekly shop, with many families struggling to make ends meet. It may come as something of a... Read More
Blackstone has sold its 50 per cent stake in Broadgate, the office and retail complex, at the heart of the City. The £1.7 billion sale comes four years after the US private equity firm paid £1.07 billion to buy its share from British Land. The identity of the buyer has not been revealed but it is believed to be a sovereign wealth fund from... Read More
The latest addition to Edgbaston Medical Quarter has moved a step closer after it was announced that construction of Birmingham Dental Hospital will begin next month. The £34 million development will house a range of public services alongside research facilities and a school of dentistry. The project is the result of a partnership... Read More
Vacancy rates have played a huge role in the decline of the high street, with both independent and chain retailers abandoning their premises under the tough economic conditions. Faced with competition from out of town retail parks, where free parking and plenty of choice are just two attractions, the high street has seen changes in the past... Read More
There was a time when you would need to visit the bank to make any changes on your account. Aspects like setting up a direct debit, making a payment to someone or checking your balance were all done solely in branches. But as the online market grew, the banks grew with them, creating secure websites where people can manage their money from... Read More
The commercial property market in New Zealand is showing positive signs, as sentiment is running high and the market has pulled away from Australia, according to the latest regional report released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). As a result, there are two very different pictures in the commercial property... Read More
After universities raised fees in 2012, there were concerns that young people would reject entering higher education due to the levels of debt which could be accumulated. However, according to admissions body Ucas, this has failed to deter students from applying to university, with record numbers gaining admission to institutions around the... Read More
High street guru Mary Portas has been frustrated in her bid to rejuvenate town centres. Claims that funding initiatives have failed to work one year after the launch of her campaign have somewhat marred her attempts to turn things around, while some critics have claimed that her ideas are “outdated” and fail to address issues at the root... Read More
Investors are being urged to add commercial property to their portfolios as strong returns make it an increasingly attractive asset class. According to the FT the improving economic outlook is persuading many investors - including a rising number of first-time commercial property buyers - that this is the right time to enter the... Read More
The high street is always in the news. Whether it is regarding the number of empty shops or the efforts of the likes of Mary Portas and the Government to try and entice people to shop there. But now it seems that not only are the public put off from visiting high streets, but soon delivery drivers will be too. So if there are no... Read More
There has been much debate over the Olympic legacy in the UK, with some critics still claiming that the huge expense of playing host to the Games cannot be recouped quickly. However, recent figures showing a boost in tourism this summer certainly indicates that the UK economy benefited from the event. In June, almost 2.9 million... Read More
Millions of UK business owners and investors are overlooking large chunks of unclaimed tax relief, which is often worth thousands of pounds. Complex rules mean that many people don't know what they can legitimately make a claim for, which means that 96 per cent of five million business owners and leaseholders are missing out on capital... Read More
In the past decade or so, sustainability and eco targets have become huge focuses for the government as Britain aims to meet energy efficiency goals. This has had a huge effect upon commercial properties, with increasing numbers of building firms incorporating new technologies into both new build and redevelopment designs in order to minimise... Read More
One of the biggest controversies of recent weeks has been the widespread use of “zero hours” contracts currently in use by some of the UK’s most successful companies. Under these contracts, employees have no guarantee of a set minimum of working hours per week and receive no benefits deemed standard by the majority of UK workers,... Read More
It is no great secret that the one-time Great British tradition of popping down to the local pub for a “swift half” after work is a thing of the past in many communities. However, with the Great British Beer Festival in full swing, the effect that this is having on both independent and chain operated pubs has truly become... Read More
Discount grocery store Aldi has committed to opening a new 16,500 sq ft site in South Yorkshire if a planning application by Gregory Projects gets the green light. The developer is planning to develop a 3.87 acre site adjoining Parkgate Town Centre in Rotherham for leisure and retail use. Gregory says the proposed letting to Aldi... Read More
Plans for a prime site in Sheffield city centre are set to go ahead after the council signed an ‘innovative’ agreement with the developers. Council bosses have revealed the authority will buy the block of high quality offices from developers CTP Limited if they want to sell the block. There is an increasing demand for Grade A... Read More
Commercial properties and office buildings in Manhattan are overvalued, compared with commercial real estate in other major global cities, according to the results of a survey conducted by accounting firm Marks Paneth & Shron (MP&S). Most of the New York property executives who participated (54 per cent) said Manhattan was overvalued,... Read More
Although the economy continues to improve, businesses have remained highly cautious about their finances thanks to the effects of four consecutive years of recession. As a result, many are still choosing to make cuts wherever possible in a bid to build up funds which could potentially cushion them in the event of a further economic... Read More
A number of different methods have been put forward by experts in a bid to save the high street, with town centre redesigns and “activity days” common suggested solutions to a hugely complex solution. However, the British Retail Consortium, which represents a huge number of both online and high street stores, believes that the... Read More
Essentials such as food, electricity and water rates tend to take up the majority of family budgets, with little left over for treats and luxuries. Now, it appears that even getting your five a day is a factor eating away at the pockets of British households. According to the Office for National Statistics, food inflation actually rose... Read More
The majority of businesses rely on consumer loyalty to remain active in their field, with most keen to build up a large client base by putting stock in customer service and good value for money. This is especially key for small retail businesses, which often rely on a strong local presence to reach key goals. Some of the UK's most popular... Read More
