Taylor Wimpey, Barratt Developments and Persimmon share prices dip as fears about Labour rent control plans take hold April 27, 2015 Housing experts warned that Labour plans to bring in rent controls could lead to investors pulling out of the rental market. The Association of Rental Letting Agents (ARLA) said yesterday that three-quarters of its members feared the plans would “see landlords exit the market and reduce supply”. Such fears led to an immediate [...]
HSBC provides bounce as FTSE hits new highs – London Report April 27, 2015 THE FTSE rose to another record high yesterday as reports suggesting HSBC will spin off its British retail bank in a £20bn ($30bn) deal boosted stocks. The banking giant was up 3.1 per cent and has already said it is reviewing whether to keep its headquarters in London, given increased regulation and the possibility of [...]
High season at Ten Trinity Square: Architect Suzette Vela Burkett on restoring a grand Tower Hill landmark April 23, 2015 One of the city’s finest buildings, Ten Trinity Square, is set to re-open at the end of 2016 as a Four Seasons Hotel, with luxury residences on top. It was opened by Prime Minister David Lloyd George in 1922 as the Port of London Authority and it took 11 years to build. It also hosted [...]
Focus on Soho: West End hotspot proves that central London never stops moving April 23, 2015 Moments away from Oxford Street and its swinging sister Carnaby Street, Soho has been frequented by artists, writers and more than a few ladies of the night over the centuries. But the recent influx of boutiques, gourmet burger chains and private members’ clubs means the area has caught the eye of London’s prime property developers. [...]
City Moves for 13 April 2015 | Who’s switching jobs April 12, 2015 Cunningham Lindsey The claims management and third party administration services provider has appointed Mark Thompson as global head of major and complex loss, and chief executive of Cunningham Lindsey International. He has over 20 years’ experience managing loss adjusting and insurance forensic accounting. LME The London Metal Exchange has appointed Andrew Dodsworth as head of [...]
FTSE 100 closes at record high (again) April 10, 2015 The FTSE 100 closed at another record high today, showing that political uncertainties aren't overtly worrying investors. The index finished the day 1.1 per cent up at 7,092.5 points, only the fifth time it's closed above 7,000 since it finally broke that barrier in mid-March. The close follows a record-breaking day in Japan overnight, where the [...]
Pound falls to five year low against the dollar on disappointing construction data as European shares hit their highest in 15 years April 10, 2015 The pound fell to a five-year low in mid-morning trading after data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) showed weak growth in the industrial and construction sectors. The currency dropped 0.64 per cent to $1.4619 in early afternoon trading, having dipped as low as $1.4605, after growth in the UK's industrial output fell to [...]
Sales from the riverside: Here’s how new build homes are changing the face of London’s marinas April 9, 2015 FULHAM RIVERSIDE, FULHAM This stretch of riverside by Imperial Wharf Marina in the exclusive postcode of SW6 is currently being developed by Barratt London. New public walkways through landscaped piazzas, podium gardens and a continuation of the Thames river walk will grace this area and a waterfront cafe is proposed along the riverside. This [...]
David Cameron courts first-time buyers as 50,000 sign on to home discount scheme April 3, 2015 Over 50,000 people have signed up to the government's programme to give first-time buyers a 20 per cent discount on their new home. An extension of the controversial Help to Buy initiative, the programme means new properties up to £250,000 and £450,000 in London will be subject to deep discounts. However, only those under the [...]
Barratt chief executive Mark Clare to step down in July March 27, 2015 Barratt Developments has announced David Thomas, the group's finance director, will replace Mark Clare as chief executive from 1 July 2015. Mark Clare will step down after nine years with Barratt to focus on his non-executive career, the housebuilder said. The board decided to appoint David Thomas after a review that included external advisers. Barratt [...]