Reactions to the chancellor’s statement December 5, 2013 THE BUSINESS GROUPDirector general of the CBIJohn Cridland The CBI had lobbied the government to cap business rates at two per cent and support business finance. “We have always advocated the dual approach of tackling the deficit and driving growth – the OBR forecasts confirm it is working. Let’s stick with what works. “The pressure [...]
Grainger sales double as market speeds up February 6, 2014 THE UK’s largest listed residential landlord Grainger posted a strong start to the year, with sales more than doubling in the first four months thanks to a one-off disposal and the improving housing market. Group sales increased by 131 per cent to £149.3m compared with £64.6m during the same period last year after the group [...]
Property prices set to rise by a third at tech hub March 28, 2014 Melissa York introduces the high-concept tower capitalising on Tech City’s success THE thriving tech industry clustered around Silicon Roundabout hasn’t just attracted investment from the Treasury in recent years. It’s now starting to attract the gaze of premium property developers who plan to modernise the landscape around Old Street to persuade people to live where [...]
Rising UK house prices intensify the need to cut illogical stamp duty August 22, 2013 STAMP duty has to be a good candidate for the most stupid, destructive and illogical of the UK’s many taxes. Residential stamp duty raised £4.2bn in 2011-12, just 0.8 per cent of the government’s total tax revenues. But its reform is long overdue. It’s stupid because its “slab” rate structure means that, if someone buys [...]
London housing market heats up after winter chill February 17, 2014 NEW FIGURES suggest that the London property market started to heat up again in February, building up strength after the usual seasonal slowdown. Prices rose 5.2 per cent between January and February alone, according to Rightmove, reversing small price reductions at the end of last year. An average house coming to market in London is [...]
Focus on… Greenwich: Grass is always greener in Greenwich February 27, 2014 THE ROYAL Borough of Greenwich is a leafy haven bursting with heritage. Newly royal – the title was bestowed upon the town in 2012 – it was the birthplace of Tudor kings, the sanctuary of injured sailors, a popular holiday resort, and now the home of time itself. Like time, houses prices stand still for [...]
Focus on… Putney: Great pubs and riverside blues April 10, 2014 EVERY year the Oxford and Cambridge boat race serves as a useful reminder that London riverside living isn’t all about steel, glass and gleaming tower blocks. The race takes the rowers on a tour of some of the most coveted residential areas in London, from the picturesque riverside pubs of Fulham to the bijou balconied [...]
Sale of £17.6m site sees Dairy Crest hopeful of future profits January 31, 2014 Dairy Crest, one of Britain's biggest milk producers, has announced the sale of the Nine Elms residential and middle-ground milk depot for £17.6m in a move that will boost the company's profits above expectations. The company anticipates sales from properties to total around £18m in 2014, close to double the previous expectations of £10m. The [...]
Property market prices and rents to keep rising in 2014 January 7, 2014 HIGHER demand and a dearth in supply will continue to fuel rising prices and rents in the commercial and residential markets in 2014, according to the latest research by Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL). The property group predicts London prices will jump eight per cent this year, albeit a slight slowdown on last year’s 11 per [...]
City Moves for 07 February 2014 | Who’s switching jobs February 6, 2014 City Index Mark Preston has been appointed chief executive at the online broker. He has over 25 years’ experience in trading and banking. Preston was previously chief executive of Europe for CIBC, co-head of corporate markets at Lloyds Bank, and a principal at Valere Capital. BNP Paribas Securities Services The investment custodian has made four appointments [...]