Latest letters
How we can help to hit carbon target
Editor: It is great to see that Property Week and the UKGBC are launching the Climate Crisis Challenge.
Convenience still counts for investors in retail
Editor: January brings its usual gloomy round of retail health warnings, with even food retailers reporting downward sales and the market bellwether of John Lewis deciding whether or not to pay its partners their annual bonus, but there are pockets of retail resilience.
Hotels can learn from co-living sector
Editor: With Savills predicting an increase in UK hotel market activity this year, perceived stability in the market and the continued growth of the international tourist and staycation market, hotels are not alone in recognising the opportunities current market conditions offer.
More stable political climate will boost investment
Editor: Last year was challenging for many in UK real estate. This was not due to investors losing interest in our market, but largely because it was difficult to move forward without certainty on Brexit.
A second Scottish referendum remains unlikely
Editor: Your post-election commentary highlights a “resurgent SNP” and pressure on Westminster to deliver another independence referendum. The quote from Alex Price refers to the results “creating uncertainty in this region” – arguably true, but it’s worth examining if any uncertainty is justified.
Housing requires diverse investment
Editor: In his recent article, Greg Hill highlighted the risk that a rise in the Public Loans Work Board rate poses to regeneration and housing schemes supported by local authorities.
Flexible office sector will continue to thrive in 2020
Editor: The flexible office market has enjoyed rapid growth over the past five years and had an interesting ride in 2019.
Modular is just part of the solution
Editor: I’ve long advocated the role of modular construction in addressing Britain’s housing crisis. So it has been heartening to see a groundswell of support from all corners for modular, including most recently from our government. As recently argued in Property Week, it does indeed look like we are on ...
Winners and losers in flex space race
Editor: Adam Branson’s article shone a light on the recent trials and tribulations of some flexible workspace operators, including The Clubhouse, which I founded in 2012. While it is right to question the long-term viability of any rapidly expanding sector, Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Oxford-Cambridge Arc requires joined-up thinking
Editor: David Jackson is right to call for a strategic framework for the Oxford-Cambridge Arc. It’s important that political parties recognise more needs to be done – and soon.
Workspace market goes mainstream
Editor: The news that Selfridges has signed a management deal with workspace provider Fora is evidence of the growing and evolving appetite for flexible working.
Small flex space firms drive sector
Editor: Despite wobbles in the market, the flexible workspace ‘Goliaths’ armed with buckets of cash and asset-backed finance continue to take up swathes of commercial space.
