Sony was once one of the market leaders in electronics, with games consoles such as the Playstation and its state of the arts television sets a feature of a large percentage of homes in the UK. However, thanks to increasing competition from rivals including South Korean giant Samsung monopolising the smartphone market, and the need to... Read More
While the London office market accounts for around half of national activity there are regional markets that are showing signs of recovery. Manchester is chief among these locations with take-up figures during the first quarter showing a healthy increase on the same period last year. In fact, according to Manchester Office Agents Forum... Read More
Snooker may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but this year its fan base has grown with record breaking sales in Sheffield. The World Snooker Championship takes places at The Crucible in Sheffield and has done ever since 1977. The property underwent a major renovation in 2008 which took two years to complete and cost £15.3 million. But... Read More
Select Committee Rejects Boris Island For some time now, speculation has been mounting over the potential construction of a brand new UK Hub airport. Industry experts have argued that Heathrow no longer has the capacity to cope with an ever-increasing number of passengers, while suggestions regarding the expansion of other London airports... Read More
Sainsbury's has reported a fall in pre-tax profits despite growing sales, as conditions remain “challenging”. Profits fell 1.4 per cent to £788m for the year to 16 March, while sales, including fuel, rose 4.5 per cent to £20/3.3bn. The supermarket giant also confirmed that it will pay Lloyds Banking Group £248m for the... Read More
While much of the leisure industry is once more beginning to post growth after several difficult years, it seems that the hardship for Britain’s pubs is set to continue. Surprisingly, as the economy has shown signs of slight recovery, the number of weekly closures has rocketed. According to the latest figures released by the Campaign... Read More
Converting the UK’s obsolete office stock into residential accommodation could provide 11,500 new homes according to research from commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton. The findings are revealed in the company’s Office Market Review 2013 which identifies 27 per cent of total regional availability as obsolete – meaning... Read More
Many people love a bargain and so turn to the internet when it comes to buying certain products that they have in mind. But when it comes to browsing, the internet just doesn’t seem to scratch that itch that the high street does. According to a recent study conducted by retail analysts, Kantar almost three quarters of shoppers like... Read More
Three of the mutuals taken over by Nationwide during the height of the financial crisis are to be rebranded and integrated into the chain’s existing portfolio, significantly adding to Nationwide’s high street presence. However, this move could come with a steep cost, as up to 40 building society branches in total could close. The... Read More
Skateboarders and graffiti artists are fighting plans to overhaul the Southbank Centre which will result in the loss of one of the key sites in the history of British skateboarding. And, despite promises to build a new skate park nearby, they have lodged an application with Lambeth council calling for Southbank Undercroft to be listed as a... Read More
Last month, a quarterly growth of 0.3 per cent prevented the UK from slipping into triple dip recession. While this figure may seem so small as to be all but insignificant, it could prove to be the turning point that UK businesses have been waiting for – and could usher in a period of growth which could finally put Britain’s economic woes... Read More
Damian Lloyd, the Director of GVA, has given a lot of thought to whether the commercial property market is making what he refers to as a "positive U turn." Unsurprisingly he begins by noting that, while London has numerous opportunities for investors, conditions have not been as encouraging in other parts of the country. Yet over three... Read More
The overwhelming success of the London Olympics has set the bar for Rio 2016, meaning that organisers are facing a high amount of pressure to complete all development works before international athletes and representatives begin flying in to the city. However, they also set a precedent for other sporting events held within the UK – with the... Read More
Seven towns have been rewarded for the innovative ways in which they have transformed the fortunes of their high streets. In recognition of their accomplishments, each will receive a share of the £1 million High Street Renewal Fund which was established by the government as part of its strategy to reverse the trend of town centre... Read More
New York real estate agency Rapid Realty has offered staff who agree to tattoo the company’s logo on their skin a 15 per cent pay rise as a reward for promoting brand awareness. Yet surprisingly, instead of laughing this idea off, dozens of the firm’s employees are now in receipt of a little extra monthly income after rushing to their... Read More
Beacon Investment Properties working with Harel Insurance Investments & Financial Services Ltd. and Menora Mivtahim Insurance Ltd. in a joint venture, have bought a Class A office property in Minneapolis, Minnesota for just over a quarter of a billion dollars. The 1.4 million sq ft foot IDS Center was purchased from Inland American Real... Read More
Television, broadband and fixed-line telephone provider BSkyB has pledged to create 550 new jobs as the UK demand for its services continues to grow. In the nine months to March 31st, pre-tax profits reached £994 million – a 9 per cent increase from a year earlier, when a total of £899 million was recorded. Furthermore, revenue... Read More
Cinema-lovers may be facing an increase in ticket prices and less choice after cinema chain Cineworld bought its art-house peer Picturehouse, the Office of Fair Trading has warned. The OFT has asked the Competition Commission to investigate concerns that the deal, which was completed last December, could result in a “substantial... Read More
New tourism figures revealed that almost one million hotel rooms were booked in Belfast last year. The total sales represented a 14 per cent increase on the previous 12 months, with an accompanying 18 per cent growth in revenue generated by hoteliers, according to research commissioned by the Belfast Visitor and Convention Bureau... Read More
Danish firm BIG will design an 80-hectare shopping and leisure complex to be built between two Paris airports, Dezeen reports. EuropaCity is slated for construction in the Triangle de Gonesse, which is located southwest of Charles de Gaulle International Airport and north of Le Bourget Airport. The commercial development will... Read More
The retail industry is still attempting to recover after several long years of administrations, falling profits and rock bottom consumer disposable incomes. While the struggles are by no means over yet, glints of hope such as an increase in high street footfall and the rescue of stricken chains such as HMV and Jessops indicate that there is... Read More
Post Office workers have announced plans for their fourth walkout since Easter after the company confirmed plans to relocate 70 of its big high street and city centre branches to retailers. The Communication Workers Union (CWU), said the proposal to franchise out 70 of the Post Office's 370 “crown” branches would “rip the heart... Read More
