Internet shopping poses a huge threat to retailers who have spent the past 10 years investing in their commercial property portfolio. This is especially pertinent to chains such as Tesco, which has built its business around so-called “Tesco Towns” – monopolising sites in order to take advantage of large local consumer... Read More
Since the smoking ban was introduced in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 2007 (and Scotland the previous year), smokers are now forced to smoke outside. Many huddle by the pub’s front door, but others choose a much more comfortable place to enjoy a smoke. The beer garden used to be a place where people could enjoy a drink in... Read More
Luxury department store Harrods has opened a boutique store in London Gatwick’s South Terminal. The upmarket retailer’s Gatwick store is focused on luxury fashion, jewelry and accessories, and offers brands such as DKNY, Paul Smith and Armani Jeans. The shop also includes a Harrods’ Food Hall area, as well the opportunity for... Read More
A new commercial rent regulation, the Commercial Rent Arrears Recovery (CRAR), will take effect in the spring of next year to replace the common law right of landlords to recover "pure" rent arrears. It will only be used as compensation for unpaid rent, including VAT and interest, but will not include related costs, such as service charges... Read More
The international hotel industry has begun to thrive once more, with tourists and businesspeople taking advantage of good deals on flights and a less perilous economy to travel to far-flung destinations. As a result, some of the world’s leading hotel groups are managing to post results not seen since before the global economic downturn –... Read More
London is one of the fashion capitals of the world, with Fashion Week drawing international celebrities and fashion houses each year. It is hardly surprising, then, that three of the world’s top designers are now searching for retail properties in the city. Christopher Kane, Roksanda Ilincic and Victoria Beckham are all in the... Read More
The high street has undergone several changes since the start of the recession, a key difference being the flood of retailers abandoning stores to set up in out of town retail parks or even cutting back on their commercial property base in order to focus on e-tailing. This has, understandably, forced remaining retailers on the high street to... Read More
When you go on holiday do you like to switch off from the outside world and spend time enjoying yourself like people used to do before technology took over? Or do you like to update your friends with tweets, statuses and photos of your every move whilst away on holiday? If you are the latter then you may want to visit a beach hotel that has... Read More
EasyJet founder Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou, is to launch a low-cost grocery business, aimed at undercutting the likes of budget supermarkets Aldi and Lidl. Sir Stelios Haji-Ioannou (right) Sir Stelios's Easygroup announced plans to open a pilot site in Croydon, south London, which, if successful, would be extended widely, next... Read More
The UK’s improving economy is having a positive impact on the commercial property market with the recovery now extending beyond London and the South East to regions that have been lagging behind. With more upbeat news emerging on a monthly basis it appears the return to economic growth may be more sustained than many commentators... Read More
The roadside restaurant, first popularised in America, has now become a firm staple of the British motorist’s way of life. Popular chains such as Burger King, McDonald’s and Costa Coffee can all be spotted in motorway service stations, with these branches often proving equally or more profitable than their town centre... Read More
Sheffield City Council and Sheffield Hallam University are developing a long-term partnership with the goal of creating a lasting legacy that will benefit athletes in the city. The University will take on the management and maintenance of Woodbourn Road Athletics Stadium under a long lease from the Council. Tony Minichiello with Jessica... Read More
Greggs was once the place to go during an office lunch break, grabbing a pasty or sandwich on the go. But recently a spell of poor sales has sparked the company to take drastic action. For the 26 weeks leading up until 29 June 2013, like-for-like sales were down by 2.9 per cent, which saw a fall in profits of £4.6 million when... Read More
Boris Johnson has said that the only place in London where you can’t see the Shard is when you’re standing on its viewing platform. Renzo Piano’s shimmering skyscraper is the tallest building in Western Europe towering 1,020 ft over the capital. It was developed by Seller Property but it would not have been possible without Qatari... Read More
Last week we reported that six sites are due to receive investment from the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). Here we take a closer look at the former industrial property that has come out on top in the funding hand-out. The Flax Mill Maltings in Shrewsbury will be regenerated over a three year period that Shropshire Council hopes will... Read More
Bookmakers have fully taken advantage of wide-scale high street vacancies in order to rapidly expand in the years since the recession took hold. However, following a hugely successful year, popular chain William Hill has decided to set its sights further afield than the town centres of the UK and is now planning to expand further Down... Read More
Travel agent Thomas Cook has faced an uphill battle during the past two years, with a lack of disposable income and desire to save causing consumers to cut back on their foreign holidays. As such, the chain was forced to post a string of losses which, had they continued, could have spelled the end for the world’s oldest travel... Read More
The government risks further conflict with local authorities this week if, as expected, ministers reveal plans to allow shops to be converted to homes without planning permission. Councils are already unhappy with recent legislation allowing the conversion of offices to homes and are certain to resist a further erosion of their powers.... Read More
The tallest building in the Far East topped out on Saturday at twice the height of London’s Shard. The Shanghai Tower is the latest addition to the city’s skyline as China strives to demonstrate its economic ascendancy in soaring steel and glass. The commercial development will have cost an estimated £1.6 billion when the first... Read More
You spend the majority of your day in the office, so you want to be able to feel comfortable, relaxed and also have enough space to actually do your work in. You may think your office is adequate, but have a good look around or better still visit another office and compare it your own. Is your office chair providing support and is it... Read More
Lloyds Banking Group has faced significant criticism in the past few years. Thanks to a large bailout by the taxpayer at the height of the financial crisis, the group is now 39 per cent state owned and has therefore been accused of “ignoring social responsibilities” by implementing a wide-scale branch closures policy which has, to date,... Read More
The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has announced it is investing £47m in six heritage tourism projects in England and Wales. The Apprentice House at Flaxmill Maltings The funding will go to existing and potential tourist attractions. They include Brecknock Museum and Art Gallery, Powys and Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire. The Heritage... Read More
