Demand soars for central London offices while outskirts snubbed Property The demand for central London office space is soaring while vacant buildings are piling up on the fringes of the capital. The vacancy rate – which is a key indicator of demand – of central London offices has fallen to its lowest level in this decade as occupiers target prime locations like the City and [...]
Non-dom reforms blamed for collapse of Harrods luxury property arm Property The collapse of department store Harrods’ luxury property arm was due in large part to the government’s abolition of the non-dom tax regime, estate agents have said. Harrods Estates, which opened on the shop floor in 1897, has announced the closure of its only remaining office in Knightsbridge. London estate agents said the collapse of [...]
How the square mile is helping make London one of world’s the best cities Opinion London has been named a 2026 Laureate of one of the world’s most prominent awards in urban planning and city development, the Lee Kuan Yew World City Prize, says Chris Hayward March 2026 has proved an exemplary month for the City of London’s urban built environment. After a successful pitch to global investors and developers [...]
FCA launches investigation into collapsed shadow bank MFS March 20, 2026 The UK’s financial watchdog has begun a probe into shadow bank Market Financial Solutions following its collapse last month. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said it had opened an enforcement investigation into the business. The regulator did not disclose the subject or terms of the investigation. The FCA said MFS is an “Annex 1 business”, [...]
London luxury property market extends slump as Iran war knocks confidence March 19, 2026 London’s luxury property market continued its slump in February as market confidence took a hit from the Iran war just as it began to recover from last year’s Budget. There were 31 per cent fewer sales for prime properties – which defines those in the top five per cent of the market – this February [...]
Nscale lands $2bn funding amid UK push to grow AI infrastructure March 9, 2026 London-based AI infrastructure firm Nscale has raised $2bn (£1.6bn) in funding, raising its valuation to $14.6bn as Britain seeks to get ahead of the global AI computing race. The series C round, led by Aker ASA and 8090 Industries, has been backed by heavyweight investors including Nvidia, Dell Technologies, Lenovo, Citadel and Point72. The funding [...]
Nadhim Zahawi joins equity group piling £1bn into Mayfair hotels February 23, 2026 Former Tory chancellor Nadhim Zahawi has joined the board of an investment firm piling £1.1bn into two luxury Mayfair hotels. Evolution Investment Fund, based in the British Virgin Islands, has acquired a long leasehold interest in the London Marriott Hotel in Grosvenor Square and a luxury hotel development site in New Bond Street. The fund, [...]
Truespeed and Freedom Fibre Announce Strategic Combination February 11, 2026 Truespeed Communications and Freedom Fibre announce they have signed an agreement to combine their businesses, creating a scaled, capital-efficient full fibre platform. The combined entity will play a leading role in the ongoing consolidation of the UK alternative network (“altnet”) sector. This merger brings together two highly complementary, effectively unlevered, businesses with a combined footprint [...]
On this day in 1996: the IRA bombs the Docklands February 9, 2026 30 years ago today, two men were killed in a massive explosion at Canary Wharf – and the IRA proved that you can bomb your way to the negotiating table, writes Eliot Wilson At around 5.00 pm, 30 years ago today, a blue Ford Iveco Cargo truck was parked 80 yards from South Quay DLR [...]
Starmer to face legal action on Chinese embassy approval January 20, 2026 China’s new “mega” embassy near the City will face a legal challenge from campaigners and local residents despite receiving approval from Keir Starmer’s government after months of diplomatic wrangling and protests highlighting security concerns. Residents of the Royal Mint Court site, the location where China is planning to build its embassy, have confirmed they will [...]