Construction commences to bring iconic central Liverpool Beatles ballroom back to life

by Eleanor United Kingdom Property Frontiers

Reece’s Ballroom being restored to former glory as Parker Street Residences
More than 50% of Liverpool city centre population aged 22-29 (Centre for Cities)
Liverpool City Region economy worth £23.1bn (Local Enterprise Partnership)
Iconic L1 apartments available from £69,950 (Property Frontiers)

An iconic Liverpool institution, Reece’s Ballroom, is due to be given a new lease of life, with construction now underway on the tasteful transformation of the disused commercial property into residential apartments.

Work began this month on the development, known as Parker Street Residences, which will offer spacious apartments with 24/7 on-site concierge service, security, bicycle storage and gym membership.

Ray Withers, CEO of specialist property investment company Property Frontiers, which has just 11 units left for sale at the development, comments,

“It’s fantastic to see work beginning at Parker Street Residences. This building has such a rich history and I’m delighted to see this new chapter in its story getting underway. Properties like this in such a central location are few and far between and we’ve already seen an exceptional level of demand for the apartments.”

Reece’s Ballroom was the jewel in the crown of a string of cafés owned by Reece & Sons, who also boasted their own dairy and bakery. A popular social spot, Reece’s Ballroom included not just a dancehall but also a café and restaurant, where the great and the good of Liverpool in days gone by would meet to dine and dance the night away.

One of the venue’s most famous hires was by Beatle John Lennon, who held his wedding reception there after marrying his first wife, Cynthia Powell, mother to his son Julian Lennon.

Parker Street Residences, which is due for completion by June 2017, will begin a new phase in the building’s history, restoring this piece of Liverpool’s heritage to its former glory in a new form for a new generation.

The soft strip works have commenced, with the demolition and structural alterations of the building beginning early next month. The steelwork and structure for the roof is due to commence in September. October will see the windows replaced, while construction of levels six and seven will begin in November. Those levels are due for completion by April 2017, with the internal fit out works completed by June 2017 and overall completion in August 2017, ready for the first tenants to move in.

Employment opportunities in Liverpool city centre have fuelled rapid population growth in recent years. The Liverpool City Region is a £23.1bn economy according to the area’s Local Enterprise Partnership and the thriving financial situation has led to an influx of young professionals looking for a city centre lifestyle. The city centre’s population more than doubled in the decade to 2011 according to Census figures, with Centre for Cities reporting that over 50% of those residents were between the ages of 22 and 29.

Apartments at Parker Street Residences are available for investment from £69,950 for a studio, with yields of 8% NET.

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

Are precious metals the only winner of the UK’s Brexit vote (aside from Theresa May)?

by Charly United Kingdom World easyMarkets

Silver prices up 18% since Brexit referendum
Gold up by more than $100 per ounce
easyMarkets uses historical lessons to anticipate further precious metal price rises

With the shock of the UK’s decision to leave the European Union beginning to fade into acceptance, and Theresa May bringing at least some degree of political certainty back to the country as she takes over from David Cameron as Prime Minister, it’s time to take stock of the last few weeks of upheaval.

The UK’s ‘leave’ vote will have lasting repercussions, on the country itself, on the EU and on global financial markets. Stocks plummeted following the outcome of the Brexit referendum and, while they have since rebounded, are likely to be on something of a rollercoaster over the course of the two years between the UK invoking Article 50 and officially leaving the EU.

The impact of Brexit on UK property prices remains to be seen. Knight Frank reported a 38% surge in London real estate sales in the week following the Brexit decision, with the pound’s plummeting value spurring many overseas buyers to purchase UK properties at bargain prices. However, this temporary boom is expected to be just that – temporary. Many sellers lowered house prices just before and after the referendum in order to sell fast, before the much anticipated slowdown in sales and prices began. Combined with foreign bargain hunters capitalising on the pitiful performance of the British pound, this led to a marked surge in the market.

The ongoing picture does not look quite so rosy for property. Chancellor George Osborne has warned that house prices could fall by as much as 18% by 2018 and analysts have projected that London offices could lose 20% of their value by 2019. Seven investment firms have temporarily suspended the trading of their UK property funds in order to avoid a massive fire-sale that could undermine the entire market, with more than £15 billion-worth of UK real estate funds have been frozen.

Amidst all of this uncertainty, gold and silver are enjoying a sustained spike in demand. Seen as safe-haven assets in times of uncertainty, gold and silver are certainly benefiting from the Brexit plebiscite. Gold prices have reached multi-year highs: the yellow metal has gained over $100 per ounce (8.5%) since 23 June. The rally in silver prices has been even more dramatic. Since June 23, silver has gained a staggering 18%.

The Bank of England’s easing of monetary policy is also expected to benefit precious metals. Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at leading online trading services provider easyMarkets, comments,

“If history is any indication, gold prices are set to rise as investors look to buy an inflation hedge for cheap. Buying gold “cheap” makes it more likely to outperform real estate in the long term on an asset price basis. Fears about Brexit are expected to drive more investors away from London’s real estate market and gold may well capitalise on the adjustment.”

The Brexit dust has begun to settle and precious metals have emerged as the clear winners. Gold has entered into a bull market and is unlikely to let up anytime soon without a major shift in the macroeconomic outlook.

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).

Certainty in an uncertain world – post-Brexit investors turn to commercial property and fixed returns

by Eleanor United Kingdom Properties of the World

20% increase in commercial property enquiries since EU referendum (Properties of the World)
Residential buy-to-let yields averaging just 5% (Zoopla)
Commercial property offering everything from 10% returns (Caer Rhun Hall) to fixed returns for up to 25 years (Wagons Way)

Visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World, has reported a marked increase in enquiries regarding commercial property investments, following the UK’s decision to leave the EU.

Investors are searching for certainty in a newly uncertain world and for many the answers lie in the fixed rate returns offered by UK commercial investment opportunities such as care homes and student accommodation schemes.

Jean Liggett, Founder and Managing Director of Properties of the World, explains,

“In simple terms, fixed returns mean certainty, and that is precisely what an increasing number of investors are looking for right now. We’ve received a 20% uptick in enquiries for commercial property investments since the UK’s Brexit vote.

“Buyers like the fact that hotels, student accommodation and care homes offer fixed returns over five or more years. The fact that the return is considerably higher than residential buy-to-lets further adds to the appeal. This is a proven market experiencing increasingly strong demand.”

Investors in Wagons Way care home in Washington, North East England, for example, can look forward to fixed rate rental income of 8% per annum for up to 25 years. With a purchase price of £58,500, the 58 bed facility offers ROI of up to 225%. With bank savings generating returns of up to 1%, it’s easy to see why many people are choosing to use their savings to buy commercial property, which offers far greater, fixed rate returns.

Fixed rate returns provide peace of mind and mitigate risk. The world as we know it may be experiencing major upheaval, but that only serves to make fixed rate investments more appealing.

Properties of the World’s Jean Liggett continues,

“With fixed rate commercial investments, investors know that they will get an 8% return (for example) year in year out. With residential buy-to-lets the returns aren’t fixed and many buyers are afraid that they could end up out of pocket, particularly with so many unknown economic and political factors coming in to play over the next two years as the UK disentangles itself from the EU.”

Jean cites Dye Works in Bradford as an example. The contemporary student accommodation scheme offers a three year fixed annual income return of 8%, with a 6% coupon during the construction period. A limited number of single rooms are available for investment from £65,000.

The other attraction of commercial property investment is the fact that it is fully managed and doesn’t incur extra costs. Buy-to-let landlords run the risk of tenants damaging their properties, void periods and repair bills when something goes wrong, as well as having to stump up for the cost of insurance. A hotel investment mitigates all of these risks, ensuring that the buyer is not suddenly out of pocket due to redecoration costs or a lack of tenants.

At Caer Rhun Hall in North Wales, investors can enjoy sitting back and making money while having nothing to do with the management of the hotel. Their £50,000 investment generates 10% returns per annum, far surpassing average buy-to-let yields, which stood at an average of 5% across the UK for the period from 01/01/2015 to 18/02/2016, according to Zoopla. Plus, investors in Caer Rhun Hall can enjoy the added bonus of two weeks’ usage of their hotel room every year.

Properties of the World’s Jean Liggett concludes,

“The uncertainty caused by the Brexit referendum isn’t going to go away anytime soon, so it follows that commercial property investment is going to enjoy a sustained surge over the next couple of years as buyers seek out certainty in an uncertain time”

For further details visit www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk, email info@propertiesoftheworld.co.uk or call the team on +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

Tipi’s designer living offers ‘beyond home’ experience to London’s residents

by Charly United Kingdom Tipi

The growing popularity of build to rent developments and the professional landlord in the UK has kick-started a wave of interest in building and space design. The race is on for innovative new features that go over and above what tenants might reasonably expect from their rented accommodation.

Nowhere is this felt more keenly than in London. Tipi, the lifestyle-focussed rental operator at Wembley Park, is the perfect example. The team at the Manser Practice, who were responsible for the design of the Nest and the Deckhouse – Tipi’s two social spaces – were encouraged to look ‘beyond home’ for the perfect balance of public and private space.

The Nest offers residents a relaxed way to work from home while enjoying the company of their fellow tenants, with 100Mb/s broadband, soft seating and an HD TV. The Deckhouse is more social in nature, with a pool table, HD TV with Sky Sports, kitchenette and outside terrace and seating area leading on to an acre of private, landscaped gardens.

Rob Owen, Senior Interior Designer at The Manser Practice, shares his secrets of designing ‘the best way to live in London,’ as Tipi strives to be.

What was your inspiration for the Deckhouse and Nest?

We aspired to create spaces that strike the right balance between public and private – places that go ‘beyond home.’ We looked at various spaces that we felt achieved this, such as informal hotel lobbies, student accommodation common areas, break-out spaces in offices and espresso bars where the customer is comfortable enough to stay all day. Inspiration can come from the most unusual places. In this instance we were motivated by vintage games, and even repurposed an old pinball machine. A playful combination of pastels and bright colours pick out key features in the space while a soft and neutral background ties in with the building’s architecture and the finishes in the apartments.

Why did you design the spaces as you did?

We wanted our entrance lobbies to work hard and answer the many requirements of the residents, and we were keen that the whole space felt ‘designed’ and carefully considered from the moment you cross the threshold. The communal entrances and external spaces are integral to the overall resident experience. Both lounges are for relaxing, socialising and entertaining but in different ways. The Nest has a more restrained palette to give a comfortable and cosy atmosphere ideally suited to working from home or socialising in smaller groups whereas in the Deckhouse the design is more vibrant and conducive to larger gatherings. These differing groups are reflected in the range of spaces and seating provided.

What features did you feel were important to include for private rented sector accommodation?

The spaces had to feel like an extension of the tenant’s private space but also be inviting and exciting enough to be well used, offering a variety of facilities, from places to work to areas to host guests in the evening. Our goal was to create a sense of community through simple yet effective ideas ranging from a book exchange library to pool tables and board games. Superfast broadband is essential in any modern space, and here we have combined this virtual offering with other more tangible amenities like live sport showcases and self-service coffee machines.

Which particularly innovative or standout features would you like to highlight?

The flexibility of both the Deckhouse and the Nest are absolutely key to the design. We designed bespoke and playful modular seating which can be separated to open up the floor space as well as using multiple types of seating that can be used indoors and out. Hidden partitions in the Nest screen off a private area that can be rented out by residents.Apartments at Tipi are priced from £1,550 pcm with no agency fees and include all utility bills and superfast broadband. Ultra-fast broadband is available as an upgrade to 1Gb/s as well as a range of hotel-inspired services such as domestic cleaning, laundry and dry cleaning services.

For more information or to book a viewing with the Tipi team, visit www.tipi.london or call 020 3151 1927.

Notes to Editors

About Tipi @TipiLondon

Tipi is a subsidiary of Quintain, the London focussed property development specialist and the team behind Wembley Park. Tipi is a ‘Build to Rent’ or Private Rental Sector (PRS) management company which builds, manages and leases contemporary apartments to customers without charging agents’ fees. Unique to Tipi is that Quintain owns and operates the wider Wembley Park estate which ensures the environment surrounding the apartments is safe, controlled, clean and well connected.

Tipi’s first PRS buildings, Montana & Dakota offer brand new 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments with rents inclusive of all utility bills and superfast broadband. Most apartments boast a balcony and all benefit from access to an acre of private gardens. 24 hour concierge and night security meet customers’ everyday needs and additional services can be added to tenancy agreements such as secure underground parking, cleaning, laundry and dry cleaning services.

Two lounges are available for Montana & Dakota residents to use and include superfast 100 Mb/s broadband, Sky TV and Sky Sports and later this year a gym and cinema room will open within the building.

About Wembley Park @WembleyPark

Wembley Park is the development by Quintain which is transforming the 85 acre area around Wembley Stadium and The SSE Arena, bringing together new shopping at London Designer Outlet, leisure facilities, new homes and beautiful public spaces to create a major new destination and residential neighbourhood for London.

Wembley Park will be home to thousands of high-quality homes and a vibrant new community who will enjoy everything Wembley Park has to offer including tree-lined boulevards, regular outdoor market programmes and more.

The SSE Arena and Wembley Stadium continue to attract the best names in sport, music and entertainment.

Wembley Park is extremely well connected with two overland train stations (nine minutes to Marylebone), two tube stations (19 minutes to the West End), over 3000 parking spaces and excellent road links to motorways including the M1, M40 and M25.

Proper, pristine pads, not pods – Tipi dispels the myths of build to rent

by Charly United Kingdom Tipi

Size matters when it comes to renting in the capital
London’s Tipi showcases the value and services that build to rent can offer
Spacious homes, hotel-inspired service and trendy social spaces available from £1,700 pcm

Say the words ‘build to rent’ and many people picture miniscule, pod-style homes with tenants packed in like sardines. However, lifestyle-focused rental operator Tipi, based in Wembley Park, shows there is an alternative, even in superbly well connected parts of London.

Michael Allen, PRS Director at Tipi, explains,

“Build to rent is still an emerging concept in the UK and it’s exciting to be able to shape what the term is going to mean for future generations of tenants. At Tipi we’re delighted to be able to show just how much our customers can get for their money; from the spacious nature of the apartments, to the hotel-inspired service and facilities that residents have at their disposal as well as ultra-fast enabled broadband throughout. It’s about building value into the concept as it takes shape in the UK.”

At Wembley Park, build to rent means well designed, high specification apartments ranging from studios to three bedroom homes, all with exceptional service and a professional landlord you can trust. Living space is open plan, with rooms flowing beautifully into each other and into the outside spaces (almost all apartments come with either a balcony or a terrace and some open out onto the acre of private landscaped gardens). Storage space is built in for a clutter-free life. Bedrooms are full size and bathrooms are spacious.

The generously sized apartments are supplemented by a range of superior shared features. There’s the Nest, a social space which is perfect for working from home or relaxing in the comfortable seating, an HD TV with Sky Sports and superfast 100 Mb/s broadband. Then there’s the more social Deckhouse, with its pool table, kitchenette, HD TV with Sky Sports, 100 Mb/s broadband and an outdoor terrace. The spaces can be used informally and also reserved for special occasions. An on-site cinema room and residents-only gym are due to be added in the autumn.

That is not all though. At Wembley Park the build to rent concept also incorporates a plethora of services and amenities. There’s a dedicated on-site Tipi team to provide information and support, a concierge to sign for parcels and assist with queries, and the MyTipi portal to help with everything from arranging a cleaner to having your dry cleaning and laundry done. Within each apartment and included in the rent 40 Mb/s broadband is available from the moment the customer moves in, and the option to upgrade to 100Mb/s or event 1Gb/s is open to everyone at a reasonable cost. Utility bills are also included in the rent and there are no agency fees.

Surprisingly, such a comprehensive service is available from as little as £1,700pcm, which is incredible considering Wembley Park’s location – residents can travel to Baker Street in 12 minutes, Marylebone in 9 and a whole range of central London stations within 20 minutes. There are direct Over and Underground routes from Wembley Park, Wembley Stadium and Wembley Central stations.

Tipi also showcases the flexibility that the build to rent sector offers. Tenancy agreements offer a range of terms and are adaptable in case current tenants wish to upsize or downsize. They suit singles, families and sharers (the two bedroom/two bathroom apartment is particularly well suited to professional sharers due to its layout).

For more information or to book a viewing with the Tipi team, visit www.tipi.london, take a video tour of a Tipi apartment or call 020 3151 1927.

Will global commodities suffer as a result of Brexit? The experts at easyMarkets think not!

by Charly United Kingdom World easyMarkets

Agricultural commodities shrug off UK’s referendum result
WTI Oil and Brent Crude prove somewhat more sensitive
Gold comes out on top, with ‘higher highs’ still likely to be seen

The UK is still reeling from the result of the recent EU referendum. Political parties have descended into chaos, the value of sterling has plummeted and the country is suddenly facing a future that is awash with uncertainty.

Nor is it just the UK that has been shocked by the Brexit decision. Markets around the world reacted to the ‘leave’ vote on 23 June and analysts and investors have been working overtime to make the most of the new situation.

Nikolas Xenofontos, Director of Risk Management at leading online trading services provider easyMarkets, comments,

“Markets and currencies can be extremely sensitive to political events, as we’ve seen time and again. What has seemed interesting in relation to Brexit is the surprising lack of volatility that commodities have shown. After years of tumbling prices and sensitivity to even small-scale events around the globe, commodities are holding up rather well in light of the UK’s decision to leave the EU.”

Agricultural commodities seemed to largely shrug off the politics of Brexit, though of course all commodities strengthened against sterling after its spectacular fall on 24 June and the further fall of 5 July, when the pound dropped 1.5 cents to its lowest value against the dollar for more than three decades. Sterling’s value of $1.3117 (as at 5 July) is now 12% lower than before the Brexit vote.

WTI Oil and Brent Crude showed greater sensitivity to the UK public’s leave decision. Both took a few hits on the day of the referendum result, spreading ripples of nerves in relation to economic growth, but both have since rallied admirably and retracted most of their losses, although they are still trading below their pre-referendum levels.

While it’s still early days in the new post-Brexit era, and much will change over the coming years, so far as commodities are concerned the initial reaction has been far less wild than many feared it could be prior to the referendum.

And of course gold, as ever, is the winner in these times of uncertainty. Its value rose by more than 5% in the 48 hours following the referendum result and reached a high it hasn’t seen since July 2014. easyMarkets’ Nikolas Xenofontos observes,

“On Friday last week gold jumped a massive $100, but profit-taking brought prices back to the $1,300 range. What is interesting about the rise in gold is that it pushed out of a predictable price range so we may see higher highs. Along with other precious metals, the fundamentals are providing a lot of support for gold.”

Overall, the situation remains surprisingly positive, with commodities proving more resilient than expected in the light of such a shocking political move by the UK. It’s certainly an encouraging starting point for the coming two years, as the country’s Brexit negotiations really get underway.

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).

UK tourism sector already reaping the benefits of Brexit

by Eleanor United Kingdom Properties of the World

Sterling could drop as low as $1.15 (HSBC)
US searches for UK holidays up 54% (Kayak)
Overnight domestic trips hit record levels, up 23% in 1 year (VisitEngland)
Hotel investments set to benefit from Brexit (Properties of the World)

The UK hospitality sector is looking forward to a bumper summer, as sterling’s drop in value following the Brexit vote is set to create a two-fold increase in tourism for UK destinations.

The pound plummeted after Britain’s ‘leave’ vote, dropping to a 30-year low of US$1.3236. Nor is that the lowest it’s likely to go: Standard Bank Group Ltd has predicted we’ve only seen half the decline that we’re likely to see this year. Prior to the referendum, HSBC projected a drop to as little as $1.15.

While that might not be great news in many respects, it’s a fantastic situation for the UK’s hospitality industry. UK tourists looking to avoid overseas holidays this year, due to their increased cost, are expected to opt for domestic travel for their summer breaks. Meanwhile, visitors are predicted to pour in from overseas, as holidays in the UK just got a whole lot cheaper for those paying in other currencies.

Since the Brexit decision, overseas travel sites have reported a significant jump in enquiries for UK holidays. Kayak noted a 54% increase in US searches for fares to Britain, Travelzoo reported a 35% rise and young people’s travel booking site StudentUniverse reported that flights had doubled from a year ago. Meanwhile Ctrip.com International reported that Chinese searches for UK holidays had “skyrocketed” since the vote, while British Airways owners IAG SA has stated that it is expecting the weaker pound to boost tourist flows to the UK.

Edouard Meylan, chief executive officer of Swiss watchmaker H. Moser & Cie, comments,

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see Chinese and Middle Eastern tourists flocking to the UK as their purchasing value has increased. People are ready to travel to get a 5 to 10 to 20 percent discount.”

The expected boom for the UK tourism industry follows a record-breaking first quarter to 2016. VisitEngland reported the amount spent on overnight domestic holiday trips in England during Q1 2016 rose to a peak of £1.8 billion, up 23% compared with Q1 2015. Domestic overnight holiday trip numbers (as reported in the Great British Tourism Survey) also hit record levels, at 7.3 million visits, up 10% compared to a year earlier. Meanwhile VisitBritain has reported a 46% surge in Chinese visitor numbers during 2015, which is excellent news for the UK’s luxury goods market, as well as its hospitality sector.

Colliers International concurs, observing that the hospitality industry enjoyed a 5% rise in visitor numbers to the UK in the year to April 2016.

Being outside of the EU may also bring other benefits. Kurt Janson, director of the Tourism Alliance, has observed that the UK will now have the opportunity to shape its tourism industry to be more competitive than its European counterparts, as it will be free up to address significant issues like the Package Travel Directive and the Tour Operators Margin Scheme in new ways.

The expected rise in domestic tourism, with more families opting for staycations due to the weaker pound, should also give the industry a boost. Nick Varney, chairman of the British Hospitality Association, concludes,

“I think that a weaker currency, particularly the pound versus the euro, is good news for tourism in this country.”

Nor is it just tourism that will benefit. Jean Liggett, Managing Director of visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World, comments,

“We’re likely to see a noticeable rise in investment from overseas when it comes to hotel and resort investments in the UK. Not only is demand for UK holidays expected to rise this summer, but for buyers abroad, investment in the UK is now cheaper thanks to sterling’s fall. UK investors are also likely to flock to the hotel industry, as it is set to offer more stability over the coming months than things like commodities, which are expected to endure some pretty turbulent times as the Brexit process takes shape.”

Caer Rhun Hall in the beautiful North Wales countryside is the perfect example. Its sumptuous rooms are available from £50,000, with returns of 10% per annum, a 125% assured buy-back option and full management. Investors can also enjoy two weeks’ usage per year at no cost, which is ideal in light of the current trend for UK-based staycations.

Leaving the EU is likely to be a difficult process in many respects for the UK, but as far as the tourism sector is concerned, business is booming and the future is bright.

For further details visit www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk, email info@propertiesoftheworld.co.uk or call the team on +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

Wembley Park: London’s newest round-the-clock all-round destination

by Charly United Kingdom Quintain, Tipi

Night Tube service to begin in the Autumn
1,300 new residents and 2,000 students now living in Wembley Park
Friday and Saturday night Tube passenger numbers up 70% since 2000

With the introduction of the Night Tube service, Wembley Park is on track to become one of London’s best connected 24-hour neighbourhoods.

Some 1,300 new residents and 2,000 students now live in the area, a number set to rise considerably over the next few years, many of whom fall into the lively millennials age range.

The buzzing district provides the “work hard, play hard” generation with the perfect life balance, thanks to an array of late-night shopping and dining options at London Designer Outlet as well as music and sports events at venues across Wembley Park.

Demand for a Night Tube service has soared over recent years, with passenger numbers on Friday and Saturday nights up by around 70 per cent since 2000. Trains will run every 10 minutes on average across the entire Jubilee line.

Developer Quintain’s COO, James Saunders says: “The plethora of rail and road connections, including the much anticipated Night Tube, mean the area is well connected for those returning home late from central London to Wembley. It will be especially welcomed by our residents who work in Canary Wharf, go for an evening out in the West End and return home to Wembley Park late in the evening.”

Equally, those travelling into the neighbourhood for a gig at The SSE Arena, Wembley, or a match at Wembley Stadium will never have to dash for the crowded last tube home again. In addition the thriving Wembley Park entertainment and restaurant scene is already attracting new visitors to an upcoming corner of London that’s full of surprises.

James Saunders continues: “We’ve designed Wembley Park to be the ideal urban lifestyle location. For the daylight hours the thriving area is packed with shops, green spaces and community venues. After dark there are many bars and restaurants open late.”

In response to the increased demand from those wishing to live at Wembley Park, apartments are available to buy off-plan and to enjoy a 24-hour concierge service, a residents’ gym and spa treatment rooms as well as private and public landscaped gardens. The apartments are located just five minutes’ walk from Wembley Park station affording you access to the west end in less than 20 minutes.

Tipi, the lifestyle-focussed rental operator at Wembley Park opened in March 2016 with 141 brand new 1, 2 & 3 bedroom apartments, the rental offer includes all utility bills and 40 Mb/s broadband, secure underground parking and spacious social spaces. As the apartments are owned and professionally managed by the on-site team there are no agents’ fees to pay.

For more information and to book a time to visit the show apartments, visit www.alto-apartments.com or call the on-site Savills Sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.

Notes to Editors

About Wembley Park New Homes @WembleyPark /About Alto @WembleyParkHome

Wembley Park is the development by Quintain which is transforming the 85-acre (34 hectare) area around Wembley Stadium and The SSE Arena, bringing new shopping, leisure facilities, homes and public spaces to create a major new destination and neighbourhood for London.

Alto Apartments is the current phase of Wembley Park. Alto’s striking towers set a new benchmark for sophisticated urban living, reaching 19 storeys high and offering stylish one, two and three bedroom apartments. Most apartments have their own private outdoor space or a balcony and are finished to the highest specifications, with designer kitchens, bespoke bathrooms and generous living and storage space.

The final phase of Emerald Gardens is also currently for sale. Set in nearly an acre of landscaped gardens, the 475 one, two and three bedroom apartments are spread across seven buildings. The development includes a gym (opening summer 2016), 24-hour concierge, private cinema and residents’ club room. The majority of apartments enjoy their own private patio, balcony or terrace. The first completions are due in May 2016.

Wembley Park Boulevard and Arena Square are some of the new public spaces open for visitors and residents to enjoy, along with a new all-weather playpark.

Wembley Park is extremely well connected with two overland train stations (nine minutes to Marylebone), two tube stations (20 minutes to the West End) and excellent road links to motorways including the M1, M40 and M25. There are also over 3,000 on-site parking spaces.

For further details, visit:

Alto Apartments: alto-apartments.com or call the on-site Savills sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.
Emerald Gardens: northwestvillage.com or call the on-site Savills sales team on +44 20 3151 8601.
wembleypark.com

About Tipi @TipiLondon

Tipi, the all-inclusive professional rental service, is a subsidiary of Quintain, the London focussed property development specialist and the team behind Wembley Park. Tipi is a ‘Build to Rent’ or Private Rental Sector (PRS) management company which builds, manages and leases contemporary apartments to customers without charging agents’ fees. Unique to Tipi is that Quintain owns and operates the wider Wembley Park estate which ensures the environment surrounding the apartments is safe, controlled, clean and well connected.

For more information on Tipi or to book a viewing, visit www.tipi.london or call 020 3151 1927.

The Absolutely Fabulous world of PR

by Charly United Kingdom AB Property Marketing

For ladies of a certain age (in the AB Property Marketing office it seems to be 35 and above), the image of PR was forever defined by Jennifer Saunders’ unforgettable performance as Edina Monsoon in Absolutely Fabulous.

Saffy: “I’m sorry, Mum, but I’ve never seen what you actually do”
Eddy: “PR!”
Saffy: “Yes, but…”
Eddy: “PR! I PR things! People. Places. Concepts.”

Patsy: “Lulu!”

Eddy: “Lulu! I PR them! I am, and if you’ve heard of me, I have PR. I make the fabulous. I make the crap into credible. I make the dull into…”

Patsy: “Delicious.”

Eddy: “Delicious! I PR, darling!”

As the long awaited new Ab Fab film hits UK cinemas this Friday 1^st July 2016, we cast our minds back to what the original series taught us about the world of PR and compare it with the reality we’re living today.

Sadly, the world of PR is not quite the endless whirlwind of lunches, Bolli-Stoli cocktails and designer shopping binges that us impressionable teenage girls were led to believe it would be. It turns out that sometimes you have to do some actual work – like writing press releases, going to meetings and arranging press trips.

Of course, working in PR does have its moments. Sometimes you actually get to go on said press trips. Plus the client liaison side of the business does seem to involve a touch more champagne drinking than many jobs entail. There are glitzy events to attend and fabulous outfits to select for them… but whereas Edina and Patsy drifted effortlessly from one event to the next, pausing only to fall out of the occasional taxi or drink their way through a flight to New York, the reality involves booking venues, arranging catering, managing lists (invites, attendance, maybes, drop outs on the day…) and a great deal of dashing around organising things with barely time to grab lunch.

The reality is that PR is a demanding profession. It’s hard work. Yes, it can also be great fun, but those companies that succeed are the ones that put work before play. Data from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) shows that there is a significant drop out rate once PR professionals reach their 30s. The CIPR’s public relations and policy manager, Andy Ross, observes,

“One thing I would say is that public relations definitely isn’t a lifelong career option for most. This is backed up by our State of the Profession data which shows that only 35 per cent of PR professionals say that PR is a career for life.”

The pressure of the industry isn’t for everyone. Many people who thrive on the pace when they first join do feel burned out by their early 30s. According to the Forbes Top Ten Most Stressful Jobs 2016, only enlisted military personnel, firefighters, pilots, police officers and event coordinators experience more stress in their working lives than public relations professionals.

But there are those of us who stick with it – the 35+ section of the ABPM office team who remember the original Ab Fab and still go into work every day with Edina Monsoon’s many formative pieces of advice firmly in mind. Who, despite the long hours, the ridiculous deadlines and the meetings cancelled at short notice when you’ve travelled for two hours to get there, believe that PR is an absolutely fabulous career.

Charlotte Ashton, Founder of property PR agency, AB Property Marketing and diehard Ab Fab fan, comments,

“I remember watching Eddy and Patsy in the original TV series back in the early 1990’s. As a young teenager I tuned into BBC2 each week from my bedroom, enthralled and appalled in equal measure by their antics but I distinctly recall thinking if this is what PR is, then I want to do it, it looks like fun!

“20 something years later my wish to work in PR has been fulfilled although it’s less Bolli filled and more bloody long hours filled than Eddy and her BFF made it out to be. That said, the appeal of ‘people, places, concepts’ hasn’t waned yet sweetie darling!”

Find out more about the absolutely fabulous ABPM Ladies at http://www.abpropertymarketing.co.uk/who-are-we/ or call 0845 054 7524.

Investing in the city that’s investing in itself – welcome to the Liverpool of the future!

by Charly United Kingdom Prime Centrum

Liverpool’s rental value expected to grow 5% per annum for the next several years (Sutton Kersch Rental Feasibility Report)
New build values shot up 4.6% in April 2016 (ONS)
Liverpool Mayor has pledged to build 6,500 homes since 2012
Brand new Parliament Residence apartments offer waterfront living from £109,900 (Prime Centrum)

It always adds a surge of confidence to a property investment when the city it’s located in is clearly committed to brightening its own future. Take Liverpool, for example. The city’s Mayor pledged in 2012 to add 5,000 new homes to Liverpool’s stock. That commitment is now ¾ of the way towards being fully met, with 1,144 new homes completed across the city from January to October 2015 alone.

The progress in building new homes has been swift and decisive – Liverpool is clearly a city that is committed to its future development, not just with expensive public regeneration projects (though there are plenty of those going on too), but with joined up thinking about population growth and migration. In fact, the Mayor has already pledged a further £200m to build 1,500 more houses (in addition to the 2012 target of 5,000 homes) and bring 2,000 empty properties back to life.

Liverpool’s rental sector is thriving in the wake of demand for housing in the city. According to Sutton Kersh’s Rental Feasibility Report, rental values rose by approximately 1% during Q1 2016, with the rental market continuing to perform strongly and rental value growth of 5% per annum foreseeable for the next several years. Sutton Kersh, which is part of the UK’s largest estate agency network, Countrywide, has itself seen lettings increase by 8.5% within the city since Q1 2015.

The Liverpool Residential Development Update confirms the city’s focus on providing residents with a good choice of decent accommodation. It’s an emphasis that Stuart Johnson, Business Development Manager at Prime Centrum, applauds. He comments,

“Liverpool is taking a really proactive approach not just to building housing but to ensuring that it is housing that people really want to live in. The local authority is committed to an ideal of choice for residents, with the focus on high spec dwellings with contemporary décor, fixtures and fittings. Those working there are building a true city of the future, with some really inspirational developments under construction, particularly in response to the population migration patterns that we’re seeing, whereby more and more professionals and their families are looking to live in the city centre as well as work there.”

Parliament Residence is an excellent example. The smart one and two bedroom apartments are part of an exclusive development of just 44 contemporary, high end homes, with a private roof terrace lounge offering breath-taking views of the impressive UNESCO World Heritage waterfront. Within minutes’ walk of the trendy Baltic Triangle and Albert Dock regions, as well as the city’s central business district, Parliament Residents is just the type of development that is being cited as part of Liverpool’s bright future.

It’s also a particularly attractive investment thanks to a 22% early investor discount, with apartments available from as little as £109,900. With central Liverpool house prices below market value, Parliament Residence offers an excellent investment opportunity for those with a keen eye for healthy returns and likely capital growth.

Indeed, Liverpool’s property prices have risen by 5.5% over the last 12 months, according to the latest Hometrack House Price Index. Meanwhile, the newly released Office for National Statistics (ONS) House Price Index has shown that the North West region experienced the greatest monthly jump in values during April 2016, standing at 2.3% compared with a national average of 0.7%.

The ONS figures also highlight how new build values are rising faster than those of resale properties. During the year to April 2016, new builds increased in value by 10.2%, while existing resold properties lagged behind at 8.0%. The monthly comparison was even more pronounced, with new build values going up by 4.6% in April, compared with a resale property rise of just 0.3%.

Buying a new build property also comes with other advantages. According to the Home Builders Federation and YouGov Why Buy New survey, only 1% of homeowners found that they didn’t have to spend money on improvements when moving house. 51% of those buying a resale home said they had to make improvements to their kitchen and 52% had to pay for bathroom improvements. A full 70% of buyers said they had to redecorate.

For investors looking for a hassle free buy-to-let property, new builds make absolute sense. The cost and bother of repairs and redecorations can be taken out of the equation entirely and the property is ready for tenants from the moment it has been completed.

With prices in the North West rising faster than anywhere else, new build values outstripping resale property values, a city-wide focus on improving Liverpool’s housing offering and a superb managing agent available, Parliament Residence is ticking every box for investors at present. Those looking to invest in a city that’s investing in its future need look no further than Liverpool.

For further details please visit www.primecentrum.com, email enquiries@primecentrum.com or call 020 7183 6332.

Menu