Happy 170th birthday British Land – here’s to 170 more years Opinion Despite facing industry headwinds like high construction costs, property giant British Land is showing no signs of slowing down on its 170th anniversary, says Joanna Hodgson As millions of Brits headed to polling stations last week for the UK local elections, Emma Cariaga couldn’t help but think about the origins of her employer, the property [...]
Office demand outstrips construction as new starts plummet Property New London office construction starts have fallen to their lowest level since 2004, just as businesses up their demand for workspace, says Joanna Hodgson On a frosty Wednesday last week, the famed panoramic view from north London’s Alexandra Palace, featuring a host of landmarks including the Shard and HSBC Tower, had an abundance of cranes [...]
VAT-free shopping debacle has sent tourists packing Opinion Five years on from the demise of VAT-free shopping, retail and hospitality chiefs say the impact is still causing pain as the industry seeks change, writes Joanna Hodgson Five years ago this month a change came in that might, on the surface , have prompted the average British shopper to get their smallest violins out: [...]
Will rising costs kill off Savile Row’s renaissance? March 25, 2025 On a Wednesday morning earlier this month, there was plenty of activity on the shop floor at the Georgian townhouse that plays home to Richard James’ bespoke suit-making. One staff member is on the phone discussing colours and time frames, another getting a glass of water for a customer in the changing room, and smartly [...]
How many days a week is the FTSE 100 spending in the office? January 29, 2025 In an exclusive poll for City AM, Joanna Hodgson surveys major firms to see if hybrid working is still king in the UK A three-day office week is dominant among some of Britain’s biggest companies, with employers spanning insurance, financial services and property continuing to embrace flexible working in 2025, findings from an exclusive City [...]
