Putting philanthropy at the top of the City’s agenda December 20, 2012 Look out your office window and you will see a “philanthroscape” – the City’s bridges, hospitals, schools, prisons, alms houses and churches we walk past everyday were built on the donations of the wealthy businessmen of yesteryear, including its most famous lord mayor Dick Whittington. The City’s rich philanthropic tradition continues today – but quietly. [...]
What the autumn statement means for property players December 20, 2012 Chancellor OF the exchequer George Osborne’s autumn statement, released last month, included a £5.5bn infrastructure package, bringing infrastructure investment to £33bn a year. The funding includes support for long-term private investment in new roads, science, free schools and academies. Osborne also opted to keep property taxes and the rate of stamp duty unchanged, something some [...]
For large home owners it’s heads I win tails you lose December 20, 2012 DIRECTOR, DOUGLAS AND GORDON Q There was a lot to read in the autumn statement. I live in a big house and need to know if I have anything to worry about. A To find out if you are going to be liable for a new levy, you will have to look at your property [...]
Elegance and opulence in Rutland December 20, 2012 Built for George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham in the 17th century, Rutland’s Mansion House was severely damaged by Parliamentarians in the civil war. It was resurrected by Daniel Finch, second Earl of Nottingham and sixth Earl of Winchelsea, in 1694. The “new house” was built over the next six years. It was even considered for [...]
London Barometer December 20, 2012 DIRECTOR OF DOUGLAS & GORDON There are 30 per cent fewer highly saleable houses coming to the market in London compared to this time last year. This is a result of concerns over the economy and jobs, people having no other place to put their money and expectations of price increases in the £1-2m price [...]
Top 10 new year’s eve hang-outs December 20, 2012 New Year’s Eve in London is one of those nights so quick-paced and freighted with expectation that it can quickly overwhelm. However, done correctly it can be the best night of the year. Booking one of the following parties is a good place to start. 1. Home House Marylebone The legendary members’ club is throwing [...]
Cash And Go can pay for the Christmas turkey December 20, 2012 TOMORROW’S highlight at Ascot is the Ladbroke Hurdle at 3.10pm, one of the richest handicaps in Europe. Alan King trains the likely favourite, Balder Success, who I’m sure is going to prove much better than his current mark of 147. However, this is going to be a brutal contest in the ground and 11st 4lb [...]
Riverside is the better option in the long run December 20, 2012 NICKY Henderson has an enviable recent record at Kempton’s William Hill Winter Festival, despite only winning the highlight, the William Hill King George VI Chase, once two years ago with Long Run. Robert Waley-Cohen’s seven-year-old is the favourite for this year’s renewal, but to me he seems a horse that is regressing and I don’t [...]
The Champ – AP McCoy December 20, 2012 Looking at the William Hill King George VΙ Chase, it’s not a surprise to see Long Run heading the market. If the ground stays testing then he is the one guaranteed to really stay. There are plenty of horses that have won over the three-mile trip, but for some like Finian’s Rainbow and Cue Card [...]
Jet-heeled Chelsea set up Swansea semi-final December 19, 2012 LEEDS UNITED 1 vs CHELSEA 5 CHELSEA manager Rafael Benitez hailed his players’ powers of recovery after they shrugged off jet-lag and came from behind to thrash Leeds and set up a Capital One Cup semi-final against Swansea. A shock looked in prospect when Luciano Becchio put the hosts ahead but the Blues hit back [...]
