Demand for commercial property in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has stabilized and demand from occupiers has reached a four-year high according to a report released by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). The countries gradual recovery in real estate continued in the third quarter of 2012 and demand for office and retail... Read More
An abandoned Scottish village is set for redevelopment following its sale by CKD Galbraith. Pollphail, in Argyle and Bute, has been bought by Portavadie Forestry which plans to resurrect the 25 acre site with a mixture of residential and commercial property. Looking South Across Loch Fyne Pollphail was built during the North Sea oil... Read More
Fast food is a huge international industry, with consumers spending billions of pounds annually on burgers, fries and kebabs. One of the iconic groups in this sector is McDonald’s, which continues to expand year upon year as increasing numbers of countries open their doors to the American chain. However, with the focus of many... Read More
Team GB had an excellent summer of sport this year, with athletes excelling in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in disciplines such as swimming, cycling and athletics. As a result of this performance, and the fact that the Games were held on British soil this year, the country was swept into a frenzy of enthusiasm, with sales on items... Read More
But Us Brits Never Complain Homes and businesses in Venice are submerged by up to five feet of floodwater while tourists have been seen swimming in St Mark’s Square. The flooding has been caused by a combination of heavy rainfall and high tides, but some Venetians are turning their anger towards the city council and forecasters who failed... Read More
Are you feeling festive, or are you struggling to get into the Christmas spirit this year? Well, if you love a good pantomime, then head over to Chatsworth house in Derbyshire for a fairytale of festivities. Cinderella and Prince Charming on the Painted Hall Steps The fun started on 10 November, and will continue until 23 December. The... Read More
Business conditions in Australia are deteriorating, and the commercial property market is taking a beating as a result. Figures released by National Australia Bank's Commercial Property Index indicate the market in Victoria is the weakest area in the country. Expectations for incomes from shops, industrial property, and offices have all... Read More
Caroline Lucas, the Green Party MP for Brighton, has urged the government to consider introducing a Land Value Tax (LVT) arguing that it would stimulate economic activity and allow the Treasury to cut income tax for middle earners. Ms Lucas made the call via a private members bill introduced to parliament on Friday. Caroline Lucas... Read More
For many people, Christmas shopping doesn’t actually begin until town centres and high street shops alike are glowing with festive lights. The turning on of these lights is all part of the attraction, but when and where are this year’s Christmas lights switch on’s happening and what can we expect to see? These types of events... Read More
The run up to Christmas is always a busy time for the majority of businesses in the UK. Organising Christmas bonuses, stocking up on goods and preparing for office parties keep the service, retail and hospitality industries run off their feet for several weeks on end. However, it is arguably the postal industry that has the most to take on in... Read More
The recession may be over, but this has not led to automatic recovery in the retail sector, with many chain and independent stores still struggling to achieve the levels of sales seen before the economic slump. As a result, many supermarkets have engaged in a price and promotions war, dropping costs and offering customers discount vouchers in... Read More
Although there is a serious shortage of land zoned for commercial use in the Durban area and it can take a considerable amount of time to find a property that meets all of a potential buyer's criteria, the market is considered favorable for new investors. Prices are low and buyers can pick up unzoned properties which have the potential... Read More
Budget flight providers have grown in popularity in the UK over recent years, as the lower costs offered have made foreign holidays accessible to a higher number of consumers. In fact, even throughout the recession, well-known companies such as Ryanair and easyJet have been able to achieve enviable annual profits and launch takeover bids for... Read More
Oxford Street,London, one of the busiest shopping streets in the world. At the east end, Primark has opened a giant new 80,000 sq. ft. store, at the other end, Zara is opening a flagship store, its fourth store on Oxford Street, in the biggest new development on the street for 50 years. Somewhere in the middle of this busy shopping... Read More
The high street suffered immeasurably at the hands of the recession, with several well-known brands forced into administration and many more being forced to borrow large amounts of money in order to remain operational. While the worst of Britain’s economic difficulties are over, signalling a period of recovery for struggling retailers... Read More
Sheffield cafe owner says business rates and Costa forced him out Much has been written about the difficulties facing high street retailers. This year there have been a number of notable casualties including JJB Sports, Clinton Cards and Game. A combination of factors, not least the adverse economic conditions, has been blamed for the... Read More
UK car manufacturing is quickly becoming one of the most successful industries in the country at present, with many multinational brands choosing to invest in British plants as a means of fuelling quicker and more efficient production. In the past year alone, companies such as Vauxhall, Jaguar and Toyota have increased cash flow into... Read More
Many businesses use software such as Google Chat, Skype and Windows Live Messenger (WLM) as a way for colleagues to communicate in and around the office, without having to leave their desks or clog up the phone line. But if WLM is the chosen service for your business, you will have to find an alternative from next year. Microsoft has... Read More
Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has revealed eighteen pubs in Britain are closing every week as the rising cost of beer forces landlords out of business. The campaign group said, the rate of closures has grown by six a week since the spring and has called for “urgent” action by the Government to halt the decline. The real ale... Read More
Failed electrical retailer Comet, this morning launched a huge ‘fire sale ‘as administrators Deloitte began the process of winding down the business. A notice on the company website announces a ‘massive stock liquidation’ in which everything is reduced. The sale began in Comet’s 240 stores nationwide at 9am but there appears... Read More
After the excitement of Halloween, households nationwide will now be preparing for the biggest holiday of the year - as the start of November ushers in the period where Christmas shopping can begin without looking a little too eager. Presents will be purchased, gifts will be wrapped and the all-important Christmas dinner will be planned right... Read More
The Emergence of the Twenty First Century Dandy They seek him here, they seek him there….If the Kinks wanted to lampoon today’s dandies they wouldn’t have to search far to find one because demand for designer menswear is booming. As a result Selfridges is set to open the biggest men’s shoe department in the world in its flagship... Read More
