Homebuyers ready to sacrifice space for more shops and bars June 16, 2015 The number of homebuyers that are prepared to sacrifice space in favour of a short commute to work or better nightlife has jumped over the last year, according to a new survey by Santander Mortgages. According to research published by the bank today, Britons are increasingly turning into a “recreation nation”, with those citing proximity [...]
Forget the doom-mongers: Investing in infrastructure is as safe as it sounds June 15, 2015 Received wisdom says that infrastructure is a safe and boring haven for long-term investors looking for yield in a low interest rate environment. Recently, however, the asset class has come under attack for being more risky than the low-yielding government bonds for which it is touted as an alternative home for investors’ cash. Even the [...]
London Technology Week: The hunt for London’s unicorn tech startups June 15, 2015 There's no doubting the impressive numbers rolling out of London Tech Week. There’s also no lack of people willing to shout about these impressive feats, whether it be entrepreneurs, investors, economists, or the mayor himself. More than a dozen of London’s tech types today gathered near the summit of the Shard to kick off London [...]
Tens of thousands to take over London as part of huge anti-austerity demonstration: Here’s where the protests are planned June 15, 2015 A major anti-austerity demonstration is expected to take over much of central London this Saturday (20 June). Organised by the People's Assembly Against Austerity, the protest will include anti-war factions, anti-racism and anti-fascism groups, and demonstration about housing and proposed changes to strike laws. Demonstrations are expected to take place throughout the UK [...]
Higher transport prices could push UK out of deflation – London Report June 14, 2015 RISING petrol costs and an uptick in air and sea transport prices may push the UK out of deflation in May. Data due out tomorrow is expected to show that consumer prices edged up 0.1 per cent year-on-year in May. IHS Global’s Howard Archer said consumer price inflation will likely hover close to zero during [...]
As new pension rules take hold, these seven cities are worth a look if you’re planning on investing in global property June 12, 2015 UK pensioners and investors could cash in by buying property in cities such as Miami and Berlin, according to research from IP Global. The company identified seven cities a being ripe for investment, including far-flung locations such as Miami and Melbourne. The government’s pension reforms have freed up savings, and many pensioners have already used [...]
Investigation launched into Network Rail reliability after delays and cost overruns June 12, 2015 Network Rail is to be investigated by Britain's rail regulator after it was accused of delivering poor punctuality and reliability on some of its key routes. The routes, some of which are the busiest commuter routes in the country, were "below requirements", according to the regulator, the Office of Road and Rail (ORR). They are operated [...]
Sharing cities have come to the UK – and London will be next June 11, 2015 If you're a Londoner, it’s pretty likely that you will have used a sharing economy business. From driving a Zipcar or hiring a local Hassle.com cleaner, to staying in Love Home Swap apartments around the world, we are increasingly confident using sharing economy services. But there are cities around the world – Amsterdam, Seoul and [...]
Clarendon Works in Notting Hill: Inside W11’s quirkiest brick factory June 11, 2015 Discover the definition of industrial chic in a smart neighbourhood in Notting Hill. For tips on how to modernise industrial architecture in London, look no further than Clarendon Works. This Victorian brick-making factory is an iconic building in Notting Hill, with its cavernous proportions and red brick exterior. It’s also an impressively wide house, [...]
Focus on Balham: Once the butt of jokes, now the SW place to be June 11, 2015 When Peter Sellers said Balham was the “Gateway to the South” he was poking fun at the fact that nothing of note ever happened there. A semi-suburban no man’s land at the bottom of the Northern Line, it was the pinnacle of meh – the kind of place north Londoners probably think about when they [...]