Lidl steps up expansion with plans for giant distribution hub in Devon, creating 500 jobs April 18, 2016 Lidl has revealed plans to build a new distribution centre in Devon, as the fast-growing discounter presses ahead with its expansion in the south west of England. The supermarket chain bought the site in Clyst Honiton near Exeter airport in February from Sainsbury’s after the rival chain aborted its own plans for a depot. Read [...]
EU referendum: Treasury’s Brexit claims rubbished by Vote Leave MP John Redwood April 18, 2016 Conservative MP and Vote Leave campaigner John Redwood has rubbished the Treasury's claims that a Brexit would cost each household £4,300 a year as "absurd". Last night it emerged the government department's analysis into the impact of the UK leaving the European Union – which was published today – would show that Britain's national income could be six [...]
Harlequins launch £7.5m bond to fund global growth ambitions April 18, 2016 Harlequins are today launching their first bond in an attempt to raise £7.5m to fund their ambition of becoming the best rugby team in Europe. Ahead of their 150th anniversary next season, the West London club is offering investors a 5.5 per cent annual return, paid semi-annually, over an initial five-year fixed term. The bond, which could be raised to [...]
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 & [...]
Property Entrepreneurs: Jake Willis, co-founder of London Shared, on the changing rental market and moving online April 14, 2016 There’s been lots of talk recently about house sharing as a way for young professionals to afford life in central London. And while the concept’s not new, there are few ways to make it simple. Many renters end up advertising rooms and interviewing potential housemates, feeling the heat as landlords demand full rent from day [...]
The new Porsche Macan road test: it’s all things to all men April 13, 2016 Subtlety is not my Porsche Macan Turbo’s strong suit. In fact, it feels rather out of place. I’ve driven it to the Goodwood Members Meeting, a rather exclusive affair reserved for owners of historic cars, experienced racers, and the tiny handful of civilians who managed to get their hands on tickets. The throngs that come [...]
London house prices: More than 35,000 high-end homes planned in next decade – just as the prime property market starts to falter April 11, 2016 London's prime residential market is already suffering from the early signs of a slowdown but a flood of new properties is coming in the next decade that could exacerbate it further. A new report out today suggests there are 35,000 prime London homes due for construction in the next 10 years – a 40 per [...]
Learning how to ski doesn’t have to be a downhill struggle. Why not grab lessons on the slopes of Verbier? April 8, 2016 The Bec Des Rosses, Verbier, holds mythical status in the world of skiing: 3,223m of snow and rock, angled at over 60 degrees; it’s one of the toughest mountains on Earth and hosts the final, deciding race of the Freeride World Tour (FWT) every March. “The FWT and easy access to off-piste skiing means that [...]
Roll up, roll up! Let’s play London office Monopoly April 7, 2016 Britain's looming EU referendum, the London mayoral election, the commercial stamp duty clampdown and other regulatory reforms as well as major infrastructure changes, such as Crossrail. These are just some of the factors that are making the dynamics influencing the London office market more complex than ever, according Bilfinger GVA. The real estate advisory firm has mocked up a Monopoly board [...]
Leviathan’s tentacles: How the true size of the state is hidden from the electorate April 7, 2016 The Institute of Economic Affairs published a “Nanny State” Index last week, showing the UK was the third most meddling country in the EU for intervening in lifestyle choices around cigarettes, tobacco, food and alcohol. This reminds us yet again that the Total Intervention Index (TII) for the state includes both tax and spend and [...]