Make your house sparkle with the spirit of Christmas

by Viv United Kingdom

Top tips from interior designer Stacey Sibley, Creative Director at Alexander James Interiors

With the party season upon us once more, make your house sparkle with the spirit of Christmas. Your home is the perfect canvas to let your personality shine through and show your guests exactly what Christmas means to you.

Adding a touch of yuletide to your home is easier than you may believe, and Alexander James Interiors has a few tips to help you on your way.

Starting with perhaps the most important and festive part of any family’s Christmas, the tree has long been an iconic and popular decoration, whether real or artificial. Take your inspiration from your existing interior. In contemporary and neutral spaces, pair an accent colour with silver to add a splash of glamour and sophistication –make the tree a focal point of the room. If your home has more of a country feel, embrace and enhance the rustic charm by choosing a traditional Nordic style tree with natural wooden ornaments using red as the dominant colour. Natural pillar candles informally arranged on the hearth work equally well in both traditional and contemporary homes.

If you find yourself with too little space for a tree, fear not. Bring that natural element into your home instead by arranging a selection of dried branches or twigs in a basket or vase. Entwine the branches with soft LED lights and embellish them with small decorations to give it a gentle and atmospheric glow. This can work well with foliage arranged on a mantelpiece or wrapped around bannisters.

When winding down in the evenings, there’s nothing better than curling up on the sofa with a glass of mulled wine and a classic Christmas movie. Give your living room a cosy, wintertime feel by introducing different festive features to stimulate the senses.

Introduce cushions, throws and blankets in luxurious fabrics and soft textures. Faux fur and soft cashmeres are a big hit with everyone, particularly the family pets! Christmas fragrances bring back memories of childhood – cinnamon, spice and fresh pine are all traditional smells that we associate with this time of year. Diffusers and candles are a popular and decorative choice; room sprays can also be used on garlands and the Christmas tree. While scents work well in the living room, here’s a tip: it’s not wise to use them around food, as the smell can overpower the much anticipated banquet.

With such an enormous build up to Christmas day itself and the lunch that we have such great expectations for, don’t forget to work your personal magic on the table decorations. Like your Christmas tree, use the colour of your home to inspire the style of your garlands. If your interior has a country feel, try a simple yet effective arrangement of foliage, fruit and holly placed on a deep coloured central table runner. While this is effortless, it gives a really organic and high-impact effect.

If your home has a more contemporary feel about it, neutral and glass decorations can provide an elegant and sophisticated look that is great for both family and child-free Christmas dinners. Glass candelabras positioned in the centre of the table are very effective when entwined with bright white LED fairy lights as the lights reflecting on the glass provide a sparkly and enchanting feel to your dinner.

When it comes to decorating your home for the holidays, there is no right or wrong. Don’t be afraid to try something different, and be confident in your tastes. Enjoy the festivities and a merry Christmas from Alexander James Interiors.

If you want some interiors assistance please call Alexander James Interiors on 020 7887 7604or visit their website www.aji.co.uk.

Is Brexit driving up the cost of Christmas dinner?

by Charly United Kingdom easyMarkets

Fluctuating commodity prices and FX rates set to make Christmas dinner more expensive (easyMarkets)
Cost of Christmas pudding ingredients up by 21% (Mintec)
Arabica coffee beans up 43% when accounting for sterling’s depreciation (easyMarkets)

The press has been awash with reports that Brexit will lead to rising food prices in the UK. There have also been entirely contradictory reports stating that Brexit presents an opportunity for food prices in the UK to decrease, with the Institute of Economic Affairs reporting that by avoiding the EU’s “costly agricultural regulations,” the UK could enjoy easier access to food from around the world and lower prices.

So will Christmas dinner this year cost more or less?

Evdokia Pitsillidou, Risk Management Associate at pioneering forex and CFD broker easyMarkets has been exploring that very question. She explains,

“Sterling’s depreciation is certainly having an impact. We’ve already seen electronics firms like Apple and Electrolux raising their prices. Apple Mac prices have risen by up to £500 in the UK, following a hike in October, and Electrolux announced a 10% increase for home appliances.

“We’ve also seen food prices rising, with the infamous ‘Marmitegate’ row between Tesco and Unilever seeing Tesco flex its giant corporate muscles in order to try and keep costs down. Walkers and Birdseye have also announced price rises, with others tipped to follow, while other firms are reducing the size of their goods in order to maintain steady prices – so consumers receive less for the same money.”

Walkers has cited “fluctuating foreign exchange rates” as a direct cause for its 10% price hike on crisps. Clearly the impact of Brexit on food prices is being felt. The tumbling pound has caused local distributors and consumers to have to pay more for the same goods, as their local currency has less value. However, the UK’s decision to leave the EU is far from the only factor at play when it comes to food prices.

When it comes to the traditional Christmas day roast, livestock prices are lower on a yearly basis, although for meat-eaters in Britain the price declines have been cancelled out by sterling’s depreciation. Still, meat has at least not increased in price for the holiday season – at least not yet, though prices began to rise in November, so any further steep increases could potentially impact on the Christmas day feasting.

Globally, wheat and maize have reduced in price, which is good news for those loading up the Christmas table with stuffing and bread sauce.

When it comes to sweet treats, however, mince pies, Christmas puddings and Christmas cake are all set to cost more this year. The rising prices of raisins, sugar, butter and chocolate will all be felt when it comes to dessert time this festive season. According to commodity data firm Mintec, the cost of Christmas pudding ingredients is up by 21% in total.

Coffee is also more expensive, with Arabica coffee beans up 20% in the global market (due to drought-related crop losses and lower supply) and a whopping 43% in sterling terms to account for the currency’s depreciation. So those looking for a strong cup of coffee to stave off the impact of Christmas-related partying, or to keep them awake after the excesses of the Christmas meal, might find that their coffee is costing them quite a bit more.

Even Santa’s glass of milk could be more expensive this year, as a result of the rebound in dairy prices over the past few weeks. The bi-weekly Global Dairy Trade auction in New Zealand saw dairy prices up slightly for the year-to-date, so that Christmas cheese board won’t be quite as reasonable as last year’s.

easyMarkets’ Evdokia Pitsillidou concludes,

“There’s been some significant fluctuations in the price of commodities over the past year and, on balance, it looks as though the Christmas dinner table could well cost shoppers more this year. Rising food prices are not good news for families over the festive season, but keeping costs low by buying local produce wherever possible is one way to combat the increases. The impact of Brexit on food prices over the longer term will become clearer once Article 50 is triggered by the UK government and trade negotiations begin in earnest. Until then it’s time to eat, drink and by merry. Although maybe to eat and drink a little less than last Christmas!”

For further details, visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

Risk warning: Forward Rate Agreements, Options and CFDs (OTC Trading) are leveraged products that carry a substantial risk of loss up to your invested capital and may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure that you understand fully the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Our group of companies through its subsidiaries is licensed by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (Easy Forex Trading Ltd- CySEC, License Number 079/07), which has been passported in the European Union through the MiFID Directive and in Australia by ASIC (Easy Markets Pty Ltd -AFS license No. 246566).

Get adventurous and invest in a brand new, Bear Grylls endorsed, Welsh development in 2017

by Sophie Evans United Kingdom Properties of the World

New Caerau Parc adventure complex to cover 400 acres in South Wales
Bear Grylls to act as Adventure Ambassador for the prestigious development
Land plots available through Properties of the World to investors looking to be part of the immense project

Bear Grylls has a new role. The legendary survival expert has taken on the role of Adventure Ambassador for the stunning new Caerau Parc adventure complex in South Wales. The popular TV survival celebrity is perfectly aligned with the new park, which will see adrenalin-fuelled, boundary-pushing adventures take place across 400 acres of stunning parkland.

Just ten miles south of the Brecon Beacons, mid-way between Cardiff and Swansea, the outstanding natural beauty of Caerau Parc will be the location of ‘the world’s ultimate outdoor adventure.’ From high octane flights down zip wires, to scaling challenging climbing towers and exploring treetop playgrounds, visitors to Caerau Parc will be offered an adventure experience like no other.

Jean Liggett, CEO of visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World, which is selling land plots at Caerau Parc as part of a three-year delivery strategy, comments,

“Caerau Parc will offer adventure activities for the whole family. From seasoned adrenaline junkies to those looking to try activities like paint balling, go-karting and water zorbing, there’s plenty to do for everyone. Plans are also in place for a state-of-the-art Aquatic Adventure Park, while a luxurious spa will host those who prefer a more relaxing aquatic experience!”

A superbly designed 100-room hotel and 900 elegant lodges, along with high end restaurants, bars and retail outlets, plus a host of other activities (mountain biking, a luge track, roller-skating and more) will complete the massive offering.

The sale of land plots in Caerau Parc is giving investors an easy way in to the development at an early stage. The plots are available for a low price point, with investors gaining a fixed 10% per annum mark-up on the plot for three consecutive years. The plots are then sold back as part of a clear, simple exit strategy.

The team behind Caerau Parc have committed from the outset to associating only the best international brands and global icons with their undertaking – hence the recruitment of Bear Grylls to represent the adrenalin-fueled adventures as the project develops. The result will be a truly world-class experience that is set to have a significant impact on the tourism industry in South Wales.

With the Brexit-related reduction in sterling’s value making the UK an attractive holiday destination both to those from overseas and to domestic travelers, the development of Caerau Parc has come at the perfect time.

Plots of land at Caerau Parc are available for £25,000 through Properties of the World.

For more information, visit www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

UK planning the main barrier to development of affordable student accommodation schemes

by Charly United Kingdom Collegiate AC

Collegiate AC lays out vision for the future of UK student accommodation
University funding cuts and student grants mean new solutions required
Planning regulations pose greatest threat to affordable student housing

Luxury student accommodation provider Collegiate AC has laid out its vision of a future where high quality student housing is available for all.

Universities and students have faced a number of financial challenges in recent years. The 2014/15 academic year saw university teaching budgets slashed by almost 6% as the Higher Education Funding Council for England sought to reduce costs.

This year, students themselves have been hit in the pocket by the government’s scrapping of maintenance grants. With universities able to raise their tuition fees above the rate of inflation from 2017/18, students’ ability to afford their education doesn’t look set to get any easier anytime soon.

How, then, is a company known for providing high-end accommodation seeking to create a more affordable university accommodation landscape for all?

Collegiate CEO Heriberto Cuanalo comments,

“Higher education is increasingly important and increasingly expensive, creating serious challenges for many of our young people. One of those challenges is about choice and affordability of high quality student housing. Collegiate delivers market-leading assets that set high standards for the student experience, and we see the development of greater choice in the marketplace as a positive factor.

“However, we’re also working with individual universities to enable them to implement some of our class-leading designs into university projects, helping to develop more affordable beds through refurbishment and upgrade programmes.”

Cuanalo himself has seen university accommodation from all angles, completing an undergraduate degree and later a postgraduate degree, by which time he was working alongside his studies to pay his tuition fees, cover his rent and feed and clothe his three young children. Those children have now themselves attended university, while Cuanalo has worked as a university lecturer. He is certainly familiar with some of the challenges faced by the accommodation sector.

One of the main barriers to the development of more affordable contemporary student accommodation schemes, according to Collegiate, is the UK planning system. Inflated land values make it all but impossible for the private sector to build cheaper accommodation, while the universities themselves are entirely priced out of the market.

One solution is the work being undertaken by Collegiate and others to translate the innovations in their schemes into more affordable developments by using advances in technology and achieving economies of scale. As choice within the marketplace grows, led by higher-end schemes, their standards and design will be replicated at lower cost throughout the sector.

As Cuanalo explains,

“Premium schemes are not the problem. They often set new standards and technologies that cheaper schemes can follow. What we need is more investment and supply at the more affordable end of the market; we all recognise that there is a larger market at a cheaper level.

“The solution is to deregulate planning to free up supply and accelerate the availability of high quality accommodation choices within the investment market, focusing on where the greatest opportunity lies as competition increases. That is how efficient markets work, but with the barriers presented by unhelpful planning regulations they will always face artificially high costs.”

The government also has its role to play in working to create a new economic climate in which grants are once more available to students from low income families and students can look forward to the prospect of high-paying jobs to help them repay their debts. The Brexit process is set to create both challenges and opportunities in this respect.

As Collegiate’s Eri Cuanalo concludes,

“We have the chance to develop into a truly advanced economy of high-skilled workers. We need to back that progress through appropriate policies that allow the UK’s higher education sector to flourish in all respects. The future is bright if we don’t limit it.”

For more information, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com.

Nova set to shine brightest in the UK’s student accommodation scene

by Sophie Evans United Kingdom Collegiate AC

Nottingham secures Purple Flag accreditation for 7^th consecutive year (ATCM)
University of Nottingham number 1 for graduate employment (The Times)
Fusion Students, alongside Collegiate AC, launch brand new Nova residence in Nottingham

The university city of Nottingham is celebrating securing Purple Flag accreditation for an impressive seventh consecutive year.

Operated by the Association of Town and City Management, the accreditation of a Purple Flag (the scheme that recognises excellence in the management of UK town and city centres at night) indicates that Nottingham is a safe and vibrant place for a night out and therefore the ideal location for students to feel secure and at home during their time at university.

The highly sought-after accreditation is based upon a number of core themes including the overall wellbeing of the place, accessibility and public transport, crowd management, access to information, assortment of venues such as pubs, bars and late night spots and attractive public spaces. And with Nottingham proudly retaining its Purple Flag accolade for the seventh consecutive year, it’s hardly spurring that it is fast becoming the perfect student city, combining a fun and friendly atmosphere with exceptional higher education institutions.

Results from the latest census reveal that out of the total population of just under 319,000 in Nottingham, 37,000 are university students. With students comprising 11.6% of the population and growing, accommodation is in demand and the best is quick to sell-out.

Indeed, the demand for accommodation from students choosing Nottingham for their higher education is set to rise even further with the news that the University of Nottingham has been named the 2016 University of the Year for Graduate Employment according to The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide, moving the institution back into the top 20 on the national league table.

Answering this demand for residences is Fusion Students, provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, alongside their management partner Collegiate AC. Their brand new Nova site is aptly named as it allows residents to shine brightly from the luxuriously star-studded premium accommodation.

Warren Rosenberg, co-founder of Fusion Students, comments,

“Nottingham is not only emerging as a place of first class education but also a lively, cultural city, the perfect location for students. With the University of Nottingham now ranked in the top 1% according to the 2016 QS World University Rankings, at Fusion Students we have noticed the brilliance of the city and all it has to offer.

“We are therefore proud to announce our brand new Nottingham based high-tech student accommodation site, Nova, opening on the 24^th of October and available for bookings. We are thrilled to be working with Collegiate AC once more and are confident that Nova is the perfect accommodation for those that want the feel of a boutique hotel with amazing facilities on offer to make sure that student living is truly luxurious and fun!”

The latest addition to Collegiate AC’s Fusion collection, Nova delivers an outstanding blend of facilities and service to the city’s most discerning students. The brand new accommodation comprises 437 rooms, each of which has been carefully interior designed and finished to a high standard. Every room comes with a double bed, ample storage (including a double wardrobe), 42” television, USB sockets and free 200mb Wi-Fi.

At Nova you’ll be in the midst of the bustling culture of Nottingham with shops, restaurants and leisure facilities just a short walk away. Easy access to the University of Nottingham with tram and bus links and Nottingham Trent University union and campus buildings only five minutes away by foot.

The brand new site offers study and conference rooms with purpose built hammocks for studying; party rooms with a state of the art sound systems with lighting, DJ booth, bar and dance floor; private fully equipped gym; games room with table football, ice hockey and table tennis; private cinema with high-tech facilities and a cold store to keep your groceries fresh until you arrive back from lectures.

The 24/7 concierge team are always there to help, providing free coffee at breakfast and to sign for deliveries when students are busy, as well as keeping security and safety foremost in mind.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

Autumn Statement reaction from Jean Liggett, Managing Director of visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World

by Viv United Kingdom Properties of the World

“Over recent months there has been a decline in the number of landlords buying investment properties – a direct result of April’s stamp duty increases alongside the announcement of cuts to mortgage relief for rented properties.

“With this in mind, most of our landlords were very hopeful there would a reversal of at least one of the aforementioned in Chancellor Hammond’s Autumn Statement. Sadly this was not to be.

“Nonetheless, I am confident that first time buyers will benefit from lack of change as it reduces the competition they previously faced in the home buying market.

“Chancellor Philip Hammond has announced a record £3.15 billion (the highest ever secured for housing by City Hall) to be spent on building 90,000 affordable homes by mid-2021.

“Some of these homes will be available for shared-ownership, which will surely assist more Londoners who currently cannot afford to buy, to gain a foothold on the property ladder.

“The £1.4 billion fund for 40,000 new affordable homes has been announced as the current sum has slumped to its lowest level in 24 years. Although this is a good initiative that will relieve those opting for shared ownership, affordable rent and rent-to-buy schemes, it is simply not a high enough number to match the escalating demand for rental homes in and around the capital.

“Hammond also stated that new transport schemes would be announced, including the backing of a proposed high speed line between Leeds and Manchester. He has confirmed a £400m Northern Powerhouse investment fund – a majority of which will be invested into SME’s.

I don’t doubt that this will boost the northern economy and will attract more people and business to the towns and cities running along these transport routes. This bodes well for investors who have already bought property in the north.”

Properties of the World: +44 20 7624 5555 or www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk

Exclusive new Frontiers’ Collection launch to capitalize on Northern Ireland housing supply shortfall

by Sophie Evans United Kingdom Property Frontiers

· New homes being built at less than half the rate needed (Savills)

· Anticipated UK housing market downturn unlikely to impact significantly on Northern Ireland (NIHE)

· Frontiers’ Collection Belfast apartments newly launched by Property Frontiers

House prices in Northern Ireland remain some 40% below their 2007 peak, but lack of supply is pushing them steadily upward. In light of rapidly increased demand for new homes, Property Frontiers has launched the second phase of the Frontiers’ Collection apartments at The Sandford in Belfast.

According to Savills, house prices in Northern Ireland increased faster than in any other UK region in 2014. In 2015, they shot up by 8%, and over the coming three years they are expected to rise by 6% per annum. Lack of supply of new dwellings is one of the main reasons behind the projections, despite construction output having grown by 4.1% in Q2 2016, based on data from the Department for the Economy.

Social housing figures back up the need for new housing. According to official government estimates, some 37,000 households are on the registered waiting list for social housing. Northern Ireland’s Minister for Communities has stated an ambition to start a further 9,600 new social homes by 2021, at a rate of 2,000 per year. Meanwhile the Housing Executive’s Northern Ireland Housing Market Review and Perspectives 2014-2017 report has forecast that some 190,000 new homes will be needed between 2008 and 2025. That equates to 11,200 new dwellings per year, but Savills has confirmed that less than half of that number were completed in 2015.

The worsening lack of supply is impacting on prices across the country. Property Frontiers CEO Ray Withers comments,

“We’ve seen prices rise across Northern Ireland over the past couple of years and the Belfast housing market is benefitting from that trend. With buyers able to look forward to the prospect of capital gains paired with steady buy-to-let income, now is the ideal time to launch the Frontiers’ Collection.

“The contemporary style of the apartments is perfectly suited to the needs of Belfast’s dynamic workforce. Many recent graduates and other professionals working in the city’s booming digital tech sector are keen to make the Titanic Quarter their home and demand for rental property in the city is strong.”

Belfast is the most significant rental market in Northern Ireland, accounting for 43% of all rental transactions in the country. The city’s e-commerce, app and software development and cyber security companies recently led the Tech National 2016 report to put it on a par with London and Manchester as one of the key digital tech clusters in the UK. Professionals working across the industry are keen to rent modern, stylish homes located in the heart of the city, with the Titanic Quarter proving particularly attractive thanks to its unique blend of leisure activities and employment opportunities.

As Northern Ireland’s economy strengthens and housing demand continues to fall further behind supply, many buyers are keen to capitalize on the opportunities that Belfast offers, according to Property Frontiers. Interestingly, Brexit worries are not being felt so strongly in the city as they are in some other areas of the UK, despite Northern Ireland voting overwhelmingly to remain in the EU. As the Northern Ireland Housing Executive summarises,

“Unlike in the mid-2000s, Northern Ireland has over the past few years only experienced steady, sustainable growth. It is therefore unlikely that the expected downturn in the UK housing market will impact significantly on house prices in Northern Ireland.”

What better time to invest?

Contemporary apartments at The Sandford, in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter, are available from £114,750 for a one-bedroom home and £141,750 for a two-bed. Already under construction, the apartments are available through the Frontiers’ Collection from Property Frontiers.

For more information on investment opportunities around the world, contact Property Frontiers by visiting www.propertyfrontiers.com or calling +44 1865 202 700.

Maximising Profits in 2017: 5 Top Tips for Developers from Investorist

by Charly United Kingdom World Investorist

Assemble a list of motivated, product-specific selling agents
Building networks is essential in hot buyer markets such as the UAE, China and South East Asia
2017 will see technology become an integral element of the UK property industry

As competition within the UK property market intensifies in the New Year, developers will need to work harder to ensure their projects stand out and attract the most desirable cashed-up buyers. Jon Ellis, Founder and CEO of the world’s largest off plan B2B property marketplace, Investorist, offers his expert advice on how to maxmise your chances of success in 2017:

Adapt marketing content to be accessible on a global scale

“Developers must ensure that when marketing projects to potential investors in non-English-speaking nations, materials are translated into the native language. For example, Mandarin for the Chinese market, Arabic for buyers in the UAE and Spanish and Portuguese for investors from South America, you may be missing valuable opportunities to connect with non-English speaking buyers otherwise. Having someone within the team who speaks the native language will also significantly enhance overseas investors’ experience.”

Be aware of new and existing legislation

“Developers must be constantly monitoring all legislation in place and seek approvals from the necessary regularity bodies in the nation in which they are marketing projects. This would be the Dubai Land Authority or the RERA, the regulatory arm of the Land Department in Dubai for example, which has recently implemented new rules.”

Assemble a list of motivated, product-specific selling agents

“When putting together a list of selling agents that would best suit your residential or commercial product, developers should remember the need to engage with these agents in a similar manner as they would with direct buyers. Agents may well already have a full book of projects, so in order to engage them, developers must present their project in a way that excites and motivates the agents. Often agents have a preference for developers they have worked with previously and will have regular clients whose projects may take priority. This means new developers will need to compete for attention, build relationships and not just rely on any one agent or market.

4. Establish a strategy for relationship building with your networks

“Building networks and relationships is essential within many hot buyer markets, including the UAE, China and South East Asia. The agent-developer relationship is on based on immense trust and takes time to develop. The agency will likely invest a lot of money and time educating their sales teams about the product they are selling. In China for example, we undertake a number of pre-vetting activities to find agents who have a strong interest in selling each type of project before arranging the face to face meetings which are crucial in building trusted relationships”.

“Anecdotally, we know that many of the individual agents will spend upwards of £7,000 on attracting each end buyer. Due to the significant investment they make in their sales team, lead gen and education, agents are not prepared to take a risk on people or businesses they don’t know well or have not met either in person or online. Listing on Investorist is a good way to build an online profile and trust and live events like Investorist’s China Connection work well in overcoming barriers and enable potential partners to meet and discuss opportunities to do business.”

Embrace technology

“2017 will see technology become an integral element of the UK property industry. Those who don’t embrace it could find themselves losing business to more progressive companies. Developers can use Investorist’s portal to access thousands of selling agents, build relationships, attend events and present stock in the most effective way. It is even possible though the platform to launch projects simultaneously in multiple countries and languages, effectively re-creating the hype of a live auction event to really engage competitive buyers to secure their preferred properties. ”

Investorist specialises in off plan property, providing an online, global B2B marketplace. With offices in the UK, Australia, China, Singapore and United States, $45B in listed property and more than 5,500 users, Investorist is the world’s leading property network and management tool connecting thousands of property professionals globally.

For more information, contact Investorist by visiting www.investorist.co.uk or calling the team on +44 (0)203 761 7380.

Chinese love affair with Manchester property to strengthen as government welcomes new investment

by Charly United Kingdom World Surrenden Invest

UK government plans to attract foreign investment from China for new development projects in the Northern Powerhouse
Chinese investors interest in Manchester stems from President Xi Jinping visiting the city in 2015 (Chinese diplomat Sun Dali)
“Accessibility is crucial for overseas investors… Chinese buyers able to fly in regularly now, sometimes for less than 24 hours, to inspect and purchase property” (Surrenden Invest)

The government announced its desire to attract 5bn of foreign investment for 13 major development projects with the Northern Powerhouse, with specific interest in those investors from China.

These projects include but are not exclusively residential developments; however overseas interest in property located in the North of England has increased significantly throughout the course of this year with Chinese buyers specifically attentive of Manchester’s housing market.

Chancellor Philip Hammond, who is due to reveal his first Autumn Statement next week, has voiced his thoughts on the UK’s relationship with China, explaining the significance of tapping into the current Chinese market as “our trade relationship with China is now more important than ever”.

And it seems Brexit is no deterrent as China’s already healthy appetite for UK property is only growing. According to Chinese diplomat Sun Dali, Chinese investors’ love affair with the Northern Powerhouse, Manchester in particular, began when President Xi Jinping visited the UK’s second city last year.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of leading property consultancy Surrenden Invest, has certainly noticed a rise in Chinese buyers directing their investment toward Manchester. He explains,

“Interest for the local property market has increased from Chines buyers as Manchester’s credentials as an investment hotspot continue to increase, not only leading the Northern Powerhouse but also challenging London as the buy-to-let capital of the UK.

“Accessibility is crucial for overseas investors and with Manchester’s regional airport now welcoming regular direct flights from China, investment to the city is subsequently thriving. We have already witnessed this improved connectivity impact the Manchester housing market, with Chinese buyers able to fly in regularly, sometimes for less than 24 hours, to inspect and purchase property in the city centre.”

Surrenden Invest’s most recent addition to its Manchester’s portfolio is Artillery House. Situated in a prime position in the heart of the city, Artillery House epitomises the kind of modern, luxury development that investors are keen to profit from and tenants are keen to rent.

The low-carbon technology, boutique development in Manchester’s ‘Golden Triangle’ boasts 12 high end apartments from £120,000, with assured returns of 7.5% NET. To discover more about Artillery House, please visit the following link https://vimeo.com/178165870.

For more information, visit www.surrendeninvest.com or contact Surrenden Invest on 0203 3726 499.

Mull it over: Living near the UK’s best Christmas markets

by Sophie Evans United Kingdom Collegiate AC, Properties of the World, Surrenden Invest

Crisp cold days, wrapped up warm in scarves and bobble hats, toes toasty in winter boots, Christmas tunes playing and the delicious smell of mulled wine – there’s something special about visiting a Christmas market.

Germany is known for its seasonal markets. The Christkindlesmarkt in the medieval city of Nuremberg can stake a pretty strong claim as being the most popular in Europe with a market dating back to 1628. People also flock to Dresden Streizelmarkt, which has a market that heralds back to 1434. This city perched on the edge of the River Elbe is famed for its delicious fruit and marzipan packed stolen.

In the UK we are relative newcomers to the Christmas Market scene but nonetheless, in true British style, we have immersed ourselves into creating a selection of the most fabulous markets, so much so that travelling to Europe is no longer a necessity to get your festive fix.

Christmas Markets are right here on our doorsteps. A sizzling bratwurst and a cheeky gluwein are not as far away as you might think.

Birmingham – To get the full on authentic German experience you don’t have to head off overseas, twinned with Frankfurt the incredibly friendly Brummie capital has a fantastic German market with over 180 craft stalls.

London – Hyde Park plays host to over 100 stalls, the UK’s largest outdoor ice rink, a circus, Ferris wheel and a Bavarian village. For those who want to continue the fun, head off to the Southbank which hosts its own Christmas market on the Thames.

Manchester – It’s Christmas market was launched in 1999 as just a single site in St Ann’s Square. Today the market is a sprawling and hugely popular festive attraction which attracts millions of visitors each year. This Christmas Market is not just a fabulous place to shop but has become a leisure destination in its own right. No Mancunian winter is complete without a wander through the chalet-lined streets of Manchester.

Wales – It also boasts a fabulous selection of festive markets. The charming Victorian seaside resort of Llandudno is home to the rapidly growing Christmas Fayre offering 165 stalls in the centre of town. This gorgeous town was voted best seaside resort in the UK in 2016 and 4th overall as best UK destination to visit by TripAdvisor, coming in behind London, Edinburgh and Liverpool.

For those fortunate enough to live close to a Christmas market there are wonderful advantages. Being able to stroll out of your front door and do some Christmas shopping in the open air is such a treat.

Homes close to Christmas markets:

For student living in Birmingham look no further than 800 Bristol Road, it is an exclusive luxury student accommodation in the heart of Birmingham’s buzzing Selly Oak area. From £199 per week.

Or Brook Studios also in Birmingham, newly refurbished, premium rooms designed especially for students just a few minutes’ walk from the Edgbaston campus of the University of Birmingham. From £172 per week.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.
For those in the capital, Royal Docks, London gives easy access to the ExCel exhibition centre with shows like Simply Christmas to indulge retail passions or why not hop on the DLR to the West End and enjoy the Hyde Park Christmas Market.

Hoola, located in the Royal Docks, is a sustainable residential complex with two vertically identical 23 and 24 storey towers boast stunning rippling glass balconies that surround the apartments as well as floor-to-ceiling windows providing breath taking skyline views. One bed apartments from £500,000.

For more information, please visit http://propertiesoftheworld.co.uk/ or call +44 20 7624 5555.

Looking north to Manchester and property agency Surrenden Invest has a fabulous new addition to its Northern Powerhouse portfolio. Artillery House is situated in a prime position in the heart of the city and it epitomises the type of modern, luxury development that investors are keen to profit from and tenants are keen to rent. These apartments are just 5 minutes from the Albert Square Christmas Market.

The low-carbon technology, boutique development in Manchester’s ‘Golden Triangle’ boasts 12 high end apartments from £120,000, with assured returns of 7.5% NET.

For more information visit www.surrendeninvest.com or contact Surrenden Invest on 0203 3726 499.

If you’re thinking of visiting North Wales for your festive fix then this unusual investment in a late Victorian country retreat is a must. Caer Rhun Hall, Conwy Valley, North Wales is undergoing refurbishment to create a perfect destination for a peaceful year-round country escape, Caer Rhun will become the region’s most exclusive hotel for guests, weddings and conferences.

Purchasers will also be given two free weeks’ personal usage at the hotel per year with full access to the splendours of this beautiful 5-star retreat. Prices start from £75,000 and with an incredible return of 10% NET for 10 years, and an assured buy-back of 125% of the purchase price