Central London office demand roars back to life as West End occupancy booms August 31, 2022 Central London office take-up has rebounded back to pre-pandemic levels this year and has even surpassed the ten-year average. Occupancy in the heart of the capital bounced back to pre-Covid levels during the 12 months to the end of 2022’s second quarter, according to data from real estate advisor CBRE. Take-up for offices hit 12.7m [...]
M&S doubles down on plans to demolish Art Deco Oxford St store August 21, 2022 M&S is doubling down on its plans to demolish its flagship Marble Arch store, as its CEO describes a trip to Oxford St as “dismaying.” The supermarket is embroiled in a battle with heritage campaigners over plans to raze its Art Deco store in the West End. M&S says the store has “asbestos throughout,” and [...]
Greggs’ plans to sell hot food into early hours at Leicester Sq flagship thwarted by council August 1, 2022 Greggs’ plans to sell hot food into the early hours of the morning at its Leicester Square flagship site have been knocked back. Westminster City Council blocked an application for the West End store to sell hot food – such as its chicken goujons – and hot drinks until 5am, citing concerns of the Met [...]
West End: Capco, Shaftesbury bosses to receive millions in shares after merger July 10, 2022 Top bosses at Covent Garden estate owner Capital & Counties Properties (Capco) and Shaftesbury will be awarded millions in shares after the merger between the two companies is completed. Capco’s top brass will receive shares amounting to £7.4 million while Shaftesbury’s senior executives will receive shares worth £5.3 million. The £3.5bn merger will see the [...]
London shops hit by falling footfall as Brits tighten belts amid inflation July 7, 2022 Central London shops may see a spending slowdown in the weeks to come, with city centres still reeling from the impact of office workers remaining at home, industry experts have warned. While the gap between 2019 footfall levels did narrow slightly in June versus May due to the Platinum Jubilee, sales lagged towards the end [...]
More than 1m people descend on London for first Pride parade since Covid lockdowns July 2, 2022 London hosted its first Pride parade since the beginning of the Covid pandemic on Saturday afternoon, marking its 50th anniversary. Saturday’s parade was the most attended one in the 50-year history of the event, making it the capital’s biggest Pride ever, according to the Mayor of London’s office. The parade started at midday at Hyde [...]
Square Mile’s post-pandemic leisure revival to be spearheaded by top West End marketing guru June 30, 2022 The West End’s top marketing guru has been brought on board by the Square Mile to lead its post-pandemic leisure revival. Luciana Magliocco will spearhead Destination City, in a bid to “redefine” the oldest part of the capital after multiple lockdowns hit retailers, pubs and bars hard. Three big events are already planned for Autumn, [...]
Trading standards seize thousands of counterfeit chocolate bars from Oxford St candy shops June 15, 2022 More than £100,000 worth of counterfeit or illegal chocolate bars and vapes were seized from US candy shops on Oxford Street yesterday. Trading standards seized a huge haul of dodgy goods yesterday, including 2246 counterfeit Wonka Bars, with a raid worth £22,000 from one shop alone. Council officials are endeavouring to crack down on the [...]
Thirty American candy shops on Oxford Street probed over tax dodging claims June 13, 2022 Dozens of American-candy shops on Oxford Street are being probed over claims they failed to pay £7.9m in business rates. Westminster City Council said on Monday that it had seized counterfeit and illegal goods amounting to a £474,000 sum over the past six months. The council told the BBC that the 30 shops under investigation [...]
West End: Shaftesbury investor raises concern with £3.5bn merger with rival Capco May 15, 2022 Concerns have been raised over West End landlord Shaftesbury’s planned £3.5bn merger with rival Capital & Counties Properties (Capco), by a key investor. Shareholders could be left worse for wear, Chris Hills, chief investment consultant at Investec, which has a 1.65 per cent stake in Shaftesbury, told The Times. As Shaftesbury trades at just an [...]