Star Wars joins forces with Disney princesses to boost Hasbro sales April 18, 2016 Hasbro shares have edged higher after the toy-maker posted a 16 per cent jump in first quarter sales, boosted by demand for Star Wars lightsabers and Millennium Falcon playsets on the back of the recent blockbuster release. The world's third biggest toy company behind Lego and Mattel reported revenues of $831.2m (£585.6m) in the first three months of the [...]
UK retail footfall: Shoppers abandon high street at even faster pace in March April 18, 2016 Shoppers abandoned the high street at an even faster pace last month, with the early timing of Easter and the heavy rain brought on by Storm Katie blamed for keeping visitors away. Footfall dropped by 2.7 per cent in the year to March, according to figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and retail analysts [...]
These five London areas were among the worst in the UK for disposable income growth April 18, 2016 London accounted for half of the 10 worst performing areas for growth in disposable income over the last five years, according to new research released today, which blamed rising housing costs and lower City bonuses in part for the slowdown. Camden and City of London were the only areas in the UK to have experienced a [...]
The New West End Company appoints Jace Tyrrell as chief executive April 15, 2016 The New West End Company (NWEC), the lobby group which represents hundreds of businesses around Oxford Street, Bond Street and Regent Street, has promoted its deputy chief executive Jace Tyrell to the top job. The West End guru spent nine years as director of communications at the organisation but left in 2013 to join the City & [...]
Persimmon narrowly dodges revolt over new director Nigel Mills and executive pay, as shares slump over sales slowdown April 14, 2016 Persimmon narrowly avoided a revolt today over the appointment of Nigel Mills to the board after shareholders raised concerns over his links to the housebuilder's financial advisers. More than 47 per cent of shareholders voted against appointing Mills as an non-executive director at the company's annual general meeting held at York race course – with 107m votes in favour [...]
This underground arts venue has just opened inside Brunel’s Thames Tunnel entrance – 190 years after it was first built April 14, 2016 An historic underground shaft in south east London that once served as the entrance to the world's first underwater tunnel has been reopened as an arts and music performance venue. The Thames Tunnel – designed by engineers Marc Brunel and his son Isambard Kingdom – is considered one of the greatest feats of 19th century engineering and also paved [...]
Legal & General bolsters £250m build to rent pipeline after buying Salford scheme April 14, 2016 Insurance giant Legal & General Capital and its joint venture partner, Dutch pension fund manager PGGM, have announced plans to build more rental properties in Greater Manchester, boosting its pipeline of build to rent homes to 800 across the UK. The two companies joined forces in January to launch a £600m fund to build large-scale private rental housing across the [...]
Boris Johnson delays public hearing over £800m Bishopsgate Goods Yard development after opposition to plans April 14, 2016 Boris Johnson has delayed a decision over £800m plans for a towering high-rise scheme in London's East End, which opponents have warned would "destroy the heart of Shoreditch". The Bishopsgate Goods Yard site, a joint venture between Hammerson and Ballymore, has faced fierce opposition from Hackney Council and campaign groups including More Light More Power on the grounds that [...]
UK house prices: Mortgage lending enjoys best first quarter in nine years despite March dip April 14, 2016 Mortgage lending enjoyed its best first quarter in nine years thanks to buy-to-let landlords rushing to beat April's stamp duty hike, according to new figures published this morning. An average of 71,710 house purchase loans were approved in the first three months of the year, the data from surveyors e.surv shows – making it the highest opening [...]
House prices: London’s first time buyers will need £106,000 salary to afford an average home by 2020, warns Shelter April 14, 2016 Londoners looking to buy their first home will need to earn over £100,000 a year by 2020, research by housing and homelessness charity Shelter has found. The study said this was an increase over the quarter on the £80,000 needed for a typical first time buyer’s mortgage today. On top of this, first-time buyers will also need an [...]
