UK property prices: Property sales tick up in May – but the outlook is uncertain June 23, 2015 The number of UK residential properties sold climbed in May, new data show. A total of 98,540 properties changed hands, according to figures released by HMRC yesterday. It marks a rise on April’s 97,610. However the market is slower than it was a year ago when 101,710 properties were sold. The figures translate to a [...]
Brewing up a storm: Pact Coffee’s Stephen Rapoport talks Brazil, bikes and changing the coffee industry July 19, 2015 There is one person at Pact Coffee who knows more about a cup of joe than anyone else in the company – and it’s not founder Stephen Rapoport: “I just can’t keep up with our head of coffee, Will. His knowledge is astonishing.” This is difficult for Rapoport, who is, by his own admission, “pretty [...]
Motoring review: Fiat 500 1.2 Pop Star September 7, 2015 IT’S s a city car, so you need to drive it in the City”, they said. Fair enough. So why am I aboard a boat, admiring the view of Tower Bridge exchanging small-talk with a fashion blogger while sipping a virgin cocktail? Well, I’m at the launch of the new Fiat 500, of course. By [...]
Motoring review: Fiat 500 1.2 Pop Star September 7, 2015 IT’S s a city car, so you need to drive it in the City”, they said. Fair enough. So why am I aboard a boat, admiring the view of Tower Bridge exchanging small-talk with a fashion blogger while sipping a virgin cocktail? Well, I’m at the launch of the new Fiat 500, of course. By [...]
Merchants Walk in east London: Affordable house prices, yet very commutable October 30, 2014 As the fringes of the City soar in both popularity and price, first-time buyers and young professionals on modest incomes are looking to move a bit further afield. In this case “further afield” means 15 minutes away by Tube. Bow in Tower Hamlets, east London, has seen a spurt in popularity as a result, [...]
BBC TV centre homes to go up for sale July 27, 2015 Homebuyers will soon be able to own a slice of TV history. Kasmira Jefford reports. THE scenery block at the former BBC Television centre in London’s White City is eerily quiet. For over 50 years the cavernous space used to bustle with carpenters and designers assembling sets for some of Britain’s best known programmes, including [...]
Highest number of first-time homebuyers since before the crash August 21, 2014 The numbers of first-time buyers jumped by 25 per cent in the year to July, according to data out today from LSL Property Services. A total of 30,000 first-time buyers snapped up a property last month, the highest number since August 2007. They paid an average of £151,844, a price which has risen eight per [...]
Perfect timing August 23, 2015 Harriet Green talks pub food, capitalism and the importance of shiny things with Watchfinder’s Lloyd Amsdon When I ask Lloyd Amsdon’s seven year-old step-daughter if she knows what an entrepreneur is, she draws a blank. It may be age-related, but there’s no reason why she would have heard the word. “I’m only an entrepreneur when I’m [...]
Maximum excitement on the grand national April 9, 2015 THE WORLD’S most famous steeplechase charges into most of our living rooms tomorrow afternoon and Sporting Index have a range of markets to keep you gripped by the action. A total of 40 horses are set to line up, but how many will finish? Traders are predicting 17-18 will complete the marathon 4m3½ furlong course. [...]
Maximum excitement on Arsenal v Chelsea April 23, 2015 ARSENAL versus Chelsea promises to be an enthralling encounter with the Gunners looking to end a seven-match winless run against their London rivals. Arsene Wenger’s side have failed to score in their last four against the Blues and have shipped 10 goals in that time. But with Chelsea missing their three main strikers, the setting [...]