Unused office space ‘to cost London firms £13bn’, survey shows November 16, 2020 The shift to homeworking, accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic, could cost London businesses almost £13bn in unused office space, according to the latest research. London office workers want to spend an average of 2.7 days per week back in the office once all coronavirus restrictions are lifted, as long as they have the resources to [...]
Boris Johnson prepares to U-turn on planning reforms in face of Tory revolt November 15, 2020 Boris Johnson’s planning reforms will be overhauled to quell a bubbling rebellion among Tory backbenchers in another government U-turn. The change will see the planning reforms prioritise new housing in urban areas in the Midlands and the North, instead of in rural South Eastern regions. Many Tory MPs have been railing against the reforms proposed [...]
2.5m UK households face rent worries as 350,000 are at risk of eviction November 15, 2020 Around 2.5m households across Britain will struggle to pay their rent this winter, while 350,000 are at risk of being evicted. According to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, around 1.3m households in the private sector and roughly 1.2m households in the social sector are worried about paying their rent in the next three months. This includes [...]
Councils pile pressure on firms over unpaid business rates during pandemic November 12, 2020 Local authorities have begun to turn up the heat on businesses that have been unable to pay rates bills during the pandemic, with some pursuing claims through the courts. According to property consultancy Colliers International, an increasing number of clients are receiving letters demanding payment or court summons. Office occupiers were not granted a business [...]
Housebuilder Vistry to reinstate dividend due to strong sales November 12, 2020 Vistry Group is planning to resume shareholder payouts next year as the housebuilder said demand for new homes had remained strong despite the second England-wide lockdown. Vistry, which was previously known as Bovis Homes, said it is on track to report full-year profit before tax at the top end of its expected range of £130m [...]
London’s housing market activity expected to slow next year, survey finds November 12, 2020 London’s housing market activity is expected to slow down next year as the withdrawal of government support measures and a difficult economic backdrop dampens the post-lockdown surge in demand. The latest research showed that both demand for properties and new homes being listed for sales remained strong last month. However a survey by the Royal [...]
Could ditching the office make us all poorer? November 12, 2020 While we have in many ways adjusted to life in a pandemic, the profoundly disorientating changes we’ve seen since the initial nationwide lockdown are stark. The “death of the office” narrative has persisted through the easing and then reimposing of lockdown restrictions, and while no one can predict exactly how this will play out, it [...]
The most extraordinary hampers in the world. All wrapped up. From Harrods, with love. November 11, 2020 | Sponsored As an exceptional year draws to a close, finding an impactful way to say“thank-you” is more important to companies than ever. With the festive season more likely to be celebrated at home, what better way to recognise the contribution of colleagues and show appreciation to loyal clients than with a Harrods Christmas Hamper. Harrods Corporate [...]
£200m Mayfair office redevelopment gets green light November 11, 2020 Developers have been given the go-ahead for a £200m project to transform Mayfair’s Lansdowne House into office and retail space. Westminster City Council granted planning permission to real estate firm Core to redevelop the property in Berkeley Square. Core said the project is a “huge boost” for central London and the city’s office market, despite [...]
Landsec sinks to £835m loss but backs London’s office sector November 10, 2020 Commercial real estate owner Landsec sunk to a £835m loss in its half-year results due to the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but reported strong investor interest in London’s office market. Landsec’s share price jumped 7.37 per cent to 690.9p despite mounting losses after the landlord revealed its optimistic outlook on the central London office [...]