California's commercial real estate market, which has been feeling the pinch from high vacancy rates and low rents, now appears to have turned the corner and is moving towards recovery. Large institutional investors coming into the market have played a significant role in the recovery. Investors have been attracted by low purchase... Read More
A clutch of well-known British artists have reportedly lost ‘tens of thousands of pounds’ in an ill-fated London hotel venture. They include Tracey Emin, who received the CBE in the New Year Honours List, Sarah Lucas and Scottish painter Peter Doig. Tracey Emin with London Mayor Boris Johnson They are among a host of celebrities... Read More
During the recession, sales and promotions became something of a norm for large retailers across the UK. Supermarkets engaged in a price war on the cost of everything from fruit to fuel, while struggling fashion retailers slashed prices again and again in a bid to entice consumers back into their stores. With all of the promotions floating... Read More
Yesterday we reported that John Lewis had enjoyed a remarkable festive trading period. Another high street store celebrating a profitable Christmas is the fashion retailer Next which has revealed a significant rise of 3.9 per cent in total sales from the 1st of November to the 24th December 2012 when compared to the same period in... Read More
The number of people applying for a university place in the UK has dropped for the second year in a row. Since tuition fees trebled to an average of £9,000 per year, applications have fallen. The first hit students took their places in autumn 2012, but it was hoped that the number of people applying for this year would have increased, but... Read More
Staff members have taken to wearing ear plugs after an ear-splitting performance inside the newly refurbished BBC headquarters in London. The complaints over loud music came as the £1billion, decade long, expansion of New Broadcasting House, in Portland Place, approaches completion. Broadcasting House was opened in 1932 and the... Read More
With Christmas over for another year and life returning to normal, high street retailers across the country will be tallying up proceeds from the festive season and crossing their fingers that totals hit much needed highs to compensate for a poor year of trading. However, some high profile stores are continuing celebrations into the New... Read More
Figures released by Lambert Smith Hampton show that the value of commercial property deals in Wales increased by 143% during the third quarter of 2012. The property consultancy's firm's investment research has revealed that the overall value of commercial property deals in the period between July and September came in at £90... Read More
According to the Ministry of Justice, more than 200 rogue claims management businesses were shut down in six months as part of a clampdown. The Claims Management Regulation Unit closed down 209 such businesses between April and November 2012, it said. Three more rogue businesses were ceased and a further 140 were cautioned. Firms... Read More
Over the Christmas period many people will have purchased some sort of a game, music or video for a family member or friend as a gift. Buying a digital download is the easiest option, but will it ever surpass the feeling of giving a physical product? High street retailers like HMV will be hoping physical formats remain... Read More
Hong Kong and New York City began 2012 as the two most expensive retail rental markets in the world and they ended the year in the same positions, according to CBRE’s third quarter MarketView research report. On Fifth Avenue rents have increased by 17 per cent Despite global economic uncertainty there is still a market for luxury... Read More
According to the fourth quarter PwC Real Estate Investor Survey, US commercial real estate offers a number of opportunities for investors across all sectors. Investors in the office sector are prepared to accept slower growth and are less apprehensive about moving further out on the risk spectrum. Whereas trophy properties are the preferred... Read More
The Department for Transport (Dft) could soon be sharing offices with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) as the government presses ahead with its cost cutting property disposal. Since 2010 the government has vacated over 1,000 buildings, reducing the costs of managing its estate by over £350 million. Sold: Admiralty Arch will become a luxury... Read More
Even during the recession, new smartphone models caused a stir with thousands queuing worldwide for the launch of Apple’s new iPhone 5. This was also the case with Samsung’s new Galaxy model which received rave reviews from technological experts and has given the Korean firm a huge boost in profits. Unfortunately this has not been... Read More
The demolition of a shop famous for preparing and selling a Staffordshire delicacy will begin within weeks according to Stoke-on-Trent City Council. The Hole in the Wall, which was forced to close ten months ago as part of the city’s regeneration programme, has served oatcakes through a hatch since the 1920s. When it was announced that... Read More
A national holiday cottage letting agency located in Earby has opened its first local office. The new office for Cottages4you is situated in Grassington’s main square and is the first local presence for a national holiday letting agency. Cottages4you, which has over 10,000 properties across the UK and just has been named best... Read More
Shadow Business Secretary Chuka Umunna has proposed the adoption of a Small Business Saturday scheme in the UK to boost the fortunes of independent retailers. Small Business Saturday was devised by American Express and launched in the US in 2010 on the first Saturday following Thanksgiving, traditionally one of the busiest shopping... Read More
2012 proved to be a hugely successful year for the UK car manufacturing industry, with more new car registrations and a higher export volume that has been seen in some time. Brands such as Vauxhall, Jaguar Land Rover and Honda have all chosen to invest in their factory lines in this country this year, creating thousands of jobs and ensuring... Read More
With the recession over and families cautiously beginning to spend again, the miserable weather in the UK at the moment will inevitably have the minds of consumers turning to summer holidays. Value for money will still be a huge factor, yet quality and customer service on their airline of choice is expected to influence passenger decisions... Read More
Residents, community leaders and police are united in outrage after supermarket giant Tesco declared a Sheffield neighbourhood a ‘no-go area’ for deliveries. But the company said it stands by its decision not to make online shopping deliveries in Gleadless Valley. Tesco declares Gleadless Valley a no-go area Karen Dingle and her... Read More
The Innovation Vouchers scheme is going to enter stage two, aiming to support businesses to use open data to aid growth. Startup businesses and SMEs are set to get a £1.1m innovation boost to help them grow new ideas, develop processes and target new markets. This is due to a second wave of “Innovation Vouchers”, which... Read More
The current economic uncertainty means most businesses remain cautious about raising finance in 2013, research finds. According to a survey of 800 business leaders by YouGov as the agent of Baker Tilly, over 80 per cent of businesses that raised finance over the last 12 months had turned to their bank to meet those funding... Read More
