Capital Shopping Centres suffers as its rival Shaftesbury prospers July 26, 2012 CAPITAL Shopping Centres, Britain’s largest shopping centre owner, has suffered a drop in rental income in the first half of 2012 as it struggled to re-let shops following a string of retail failures earlier this year. The owner of malls including the Trafford Centre in Manchester and Lakeside in Essex, said like-for-like net rental income [...]
Is the Prime Minister right to predict that the Olympic Games will boost the UK economy? July 26, 2012 YES John Longworth The London 2012 Olympics is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best of Britain and make it clear to visitors and spectators from across the globe that we are ready to trade with the world. We believe the Olympics will provide a timely confidence boost for businesses, particularly in the retail, hospitality [...]
£5.5m to support high streets July 24, 2012 Nearly 400 struggling town centres have won support from a government programme that aims to help revive high streets. Fifteen will become “Portas Pilots” – named after retail consultant Mary Portas – and will receive investment and support from leading industry figures. Newly announced Portas Pilots in London include Lower Marsh and The Cut in [...]
CITY MOVES | WHO’S SWITCHING JOBS July 24, 2012 Intelligent Environments The digital banking software provider has appointed David Webber as its managing director. He has over 20 years’ experience in financial services software and joins from Patsystems Group, where was chief executive. Houlihan Lokey Magnus Scaddan has been appointed managing director, and head of consumer and retail for Europe, Middle East and Africa, [...]
Hammerson keeps focus on retail ambition July 23, 2012 ANGLO-FRENCH property developer Hammerson said yesterday it is eyeing opportunities to invest in Europe’s depressed property market after recently selling the bulk of its London office portfolio for £518m. The FTSE 100 company, whose portfolio is now 97 per cent retail following the deal with US group Brookfield Office Properties in June, said it had [...]
ANALYST VIEWS | WERE HAMMERSON’S RESULTS IN LINE WITH EXPECTATIONS? July 23, 2012 ALISON WATSON LIBERUM CAPITAL NAV and earnings were marginally ahead and dividend in-line. The underlying portfolio was broadly flat with UK retail parks the poorest performer. Yield expansion across the portfolio was offset by both rental growth from its index linked leases and development surpluses in its French portfolio. JAMES CARSWELL PEEL HUNT Today’s figures [...]
Osborne under fire for lack of reforms July 22, 2012 CHANCELLOR George Osborne yesterday came under renewed pressure to define his economic vision as critics from all sides rounded on the government’s record on promoting growth. Statistics due out on Wednesday are expected to show that the UK economy has shrunk for the third successive quarter, raising questions about the stalling financial recovery. To make [...]
Amazon makes London its base for digital R&D July 22, 2012 AMAZON will open an international development centre in London, its latest investment in the city’s growing technology scene, the company announced today. The web retail giant’s eight-floor Digital Media Development Centre in Glasshouse Yard, Barbican will house teams of engineers working on Amazon’s digital projects, including creating services for internet televisions and smartphones. The centre [...]
Sunday shoppers give London retailers a run for their money July 22, 2012 AS THE Olympic torch wound its way around the streets of London yesterday, the city’s shopkeepers did their best to tempt milling spectators through their doors by using new powers to extend their Sunday trading hours. Recent profits at several high street names have fallen flat as the expected Jubilee Jump failed to materialise, and [...]
The City must aspire to the Olympian ethos of competitive sportsmanship July 22, 2012 NOW THAT the Olympic Flame is in London – having made a dramatic aerial entrance last Friday, courtesy of the Royal Marines – this is the capital’s moment to shine. The weather forecasters are doing their bit by suggesting we’ll continue to bask in glorious sunshine, and boroughs across London are putting finishing touches to [...]