LK Bennett collapses into administration March 7, 2019 Upmarket women’s footwear retailer LK Bennett has collapsed into administration, in the latest sign of industry trouble on the high street. Some 500 jobs across 39 stores are now at risk at the high end firm, which has appointed accountancy firm EY as administrators. In a statement this afternoon, EY said: "A sale process for the [...]
First-time buyers secured more mortgages in June than at any other point since August 2007 August 10, 2016 First-time buyers boosted mortgage lending in June as tax changes designed to deter buy to let landlords took effect. June mortgage lending was up by 29 per cent month-on-month, according to lending data from the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML). Mortgage lending was up by 12 per cent compared to the same month last year. First-time [...]
Holiday Homes: We visit the resort in Portugal that’s out to prove that resort golf doesn’t have to be amateur hour March 15, 2019 If you’re serious about golf, but would also like a place in the sun, it’s often hard to find a golf resort with a course that aims above pitch and putt. Monte Rei, a prestigious resort in Portugal in one of Europe’s most sought after golfing destinations, is trying to change all that and be [...]
Autotrader profits zoom ahead as advertising spend accelerates November 8, 2018 Autotrader stepped it up a gear in its half-year results today, with profits speeding ahead despite an industry-wide lull in car sales. The figures Revenue was up seven per cent year on year to £176.8m for the six months to the end of September, compared to £165m the same period the year before. Profit before [...]
UK house prices: Experts cast doubt on ‘volatile’ Halifax price hike figures March 7, 2019 House prices rose almost three per cent at the start of 2019 compared to the same period last year, new figures revealed today. Annual house price growth hit 2.8 per cent in the three months to February compared to the corresponding time in 2018, Halifax’s house price index said today – much higher than the [...]
Intu requests deadline extension for talks to take the company private November 14, 2018 Shopping centre owner Intu has requested an extension from the Panel on Takeovers and Mergers, saying it needs more time to come to an agreement on taking the firm private. The Manchester Trafford Centre-owner said the extension had been granted, and a consortium of buyers now have until 5pm on 22 November to make a formal offer, previously [...]
New homes on sale this weekend, in London Fields, Richmond, Camberwell and two well-connected commuter towns November 2, 2017 Developments on the market this week Prime Place, Godalming From £375,000 Live close to one of the most prestigious independent schools in the country and a top commuter station. Charterhouse School is less than two miles away from Prime Place, a town centre housing development. A four bedroom penthouse is being unveiled tomorrow (Sat 4) [...]
The avocado toast generation needs houses, not lectures on frugality November 17, 2017 The avocado toast generation just can’t catch a break. On Tuesday, a contrarian estate agent published a report guaranteed to antagonise everyone under 40, claiming that a millennial couple could easily save up the £90,000 average deposit for a first home in London, if only they spent less on silly things like sandwiches and lottery [...]
The new Urus is the world’s fastest SUV and an altogether different type of Lamborghini January 21, 2019 Remember the furore when Porsche launched its go-faster SUV, the Cayenne, in 2003? Po-faced purists were appalled, yet car buyers were enthralled, and BMW, Land Rover et al soon followed suit. Today, the Cayenne’s popularity means Porsche has effectively become an SUV company that also builds sports cars. Rewind to 1986, however, and it was [...]
UK house prices: Property price growth has fallen for the third month in a row December 12, 2017 House price growth in the UK dropped again in October, according to official figures, the third month in the row it has fallen. Property prices rose 4.5 per cent in the year to October, down from 4.8 per cent in September and 5.1 per cent in August. On a monthly basis, prices fell 0.5 per [...]