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We regularly attend the Movers & Shakers Property Networking Forum breakfast at The Savoy in London. This time we were part of a discussion on the future of offices. Whilst many positive emerging trends were discussed, one key take-away is the significant growth in demand for Grade A space that is located next to major transport nodes. This isn’t isolated to London either, with cities such as Manchester and Birmingham also benefitting from this effect, and more development should be concentrated in these areas to suit.   #thefutureofoffices #networking #transportplanning

Read our latest blog on Best Areas to Work in London

Birmingham's commercial real estate market is showing clear signs of recovery, with market vitality and new opportunities emerging. The attractiveness of city centres, the rise of the education sector, the proliferation of serviced office spaces and the flexibility of landlords have combined to drive the market's recovery.

The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of London This weekend, my family and I paid a last visit to our house in London to before the sale completes. It got me to thinking of change, and how cities like London can be such an influential part of a marketing career and life, both positively and negatively. Opportunity I moved to London in the Summer of '99 - back then, any agency career aspirations were most easily scratched in the city. Luckily, with so many stellar regional agencies, this isn't the case anymore - but it remains a global hub hosting some of the finest agency brands in the world Energy If you want 24/7 stimulation, London is utopia - until it isn't. Big City life is on a countdown clock - some people last a matter of weeks. Others like me last a couple of decades. For some, the allure is everlasting. It's worth thinking about which type you are and not overstaying your welcome Filthy London is frenetic - and grimy. You can't have nearly nine million people without some collateral effluent. Air quality, whilst improving, isn't great. And the Circle Line in Summer is literally one of the circles of hell Spenny When I started out, there was such a thing as 'London Weighting' on salaries. I don't think this really exists anymore, or at least not to any qualifying degree. According to Numbeo data, the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Manchester is around £706, while in London, it's £1,688. Not many Grads can stomach that. At all. So goodbye to my London life - you've been amazing (for the most part). #london #marketing #career #graduatecareer

Good morning. Here’s your daily round-up of the latest news and views from EG and a collection of industry-relevant headlines from the nationals. Oxford Properties Group and Logistics Capital Partners have secured planning permission to develop 340,000 sq ft of sustainable logistics space on a 15-acre brownfield site next to Heathrow Airport. The two companies cited an “acute” shortage of supply of high-quality logistics space in the well-established logistics hubs around Heathrow. Greystar and Student Roost were also toasting a sizeable nod for a development that helps them provide some much needed student beds in Bristol – some 577 in fact. New data from Savills reckons some 234,000 new student beds are needed to meet demand. It says that the UK’s 20 largest cities have more than 1.3m students, but just 500,000 available beds. And in London the rebirth of the office continues with more deals being signed. HB Reavis has secured foreign exchange software company Wise for an 80,000 sq ft new HQ at its Worship Square office in Shoreditch, EC2. Wise will move 1,000 members of staff into the office. Its existing office is Derwent London’s Tea Building on Shoreditch High Street, E2. As interest in flex continues to grow, Blackstone has started holding informal talks over a potential £1.5bn exit from The Office Group, the flex operator it bought a majority stake in in 2017. And Helical plc has offloaded its 25 Charterhouse Square, EC1, office block to Ares Management Corporation for £43.5m – a 6.5% discount to its 30 September 2023 book value. In the regions, government’s plans to relocate some 22,000 London-based civil servants is helping buoy the office market, with new plans for the latest hub just submitted to Darlington Council. Some 1,450 civil servants will move to the new four-storey block when it completes in 2027. So far, 18,283 civil service roles have been relocated from London to locations across the UK with Leeds, Manchester, Glasgow, Birmingham, and Sheffield receiving the most roles under the Places for Growth plan with more than 7,300 roles relocated to these cities collectively since 2021. Henry Boot PLC boss Tim Roberts isn’t so happy with the government and lays into its consistent failures to reform the planning process as the firm reports solid figures but a decline in planning permissions for the year ended 31 December 2023. And would you trust an AI with your land? The Geospatial Commission, with The Alan Turing Institute, certainly want you to and think they might have the answer for how best to put the UK’s land to use. All of that and even more in your EG MORNING NEWS ⬇ ⬇ ⬇ https://lnkd.in/eukAJkFJ

While many choose to live in London, commuter towns like Reading are an increasingly popular alternative for commuters and investors. Due to the relatively low cost of living, outstanding schools, open green spaces, and improved transport connectivity just 26 mins into central London, Reading is a highly desirable town that rivals some of the UK’s biggest cities. With a growing population and strong connection links to the capital, Reading is one of South East’s key residential and commercial markets. It is projected that the population will reach over 165,000 people by 2030, while the tech and communications industries are expected to continue to drive economic growth over the next decade.    Reading enjoys a strategic location in the Thames Valley, which is known as UK’s “Silicon Valley”. It is UK’s largest and one of the best networked technology business hubs with significant development and investment potential. Green Park Business Park, Thames Valley Park, Winnersh Triangle, and more are Reading’s significant business parks, offering high-quality business environment with first-class on-site amenities. With its vibrant local environment and diverse amenity offering, the town has attracted many companies from the creative and tech industries. Leading technology giants such as Microsoft, Huawei, Oracle, Cisco, and more have chosen this place to set up their British headquarters. Savills are delighted to present Bankside Gardens in Reading’s Green Park. Set beside a beautiful lake and surrounded by parkland and its own on-site train station, the new development offers a collection of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments with premium specification and bold, contemporary design. 1 Bed from £297,500 2 Bed from £430,500  ^Price includes 1 parking space Visit us this weekend 11 & 12th May from 11am to 6pm at Room 3001, Edinburgh Tower, The Landmark, Central, Hong Kong. Email me at: gshe@savills.com.hk #savills Savills Hong Kong #berkeley #reading #banksidegardens #UKproperty #exhibition #hongkong #london #elizabethline

How much money do I need to move to London? What is the cost of living in London? What else do I need to know before moving to London? These are some of the many questions you will have to ask before making the move to London. A busy city full of different cultures, ways of transport and job opportunities, there is lots to know ahead of such a move. With that in mind, we have compiled a handy checklist that tackles all the points you had in mind and those that you may have forgotten about. Make sure you save this post and checklist. Here's the link: https://bit.ly/3UdBY7h. #London #MovingToLondon #RelocatingToLondon #GersonRelocation

London is celebrated for its vibrant and diverse public spaces that seamlessly blend residential areas, offices, retail, and cultural attractions. Designing robust security solutions for these environments is a delicate balance. The challenge lies in implementing comprehensive measures that ensure the safety and wellbeing of all - residents, commuters, tourists - without compromising the welcoming, open atmosphere these spaces are known for. Achieving this requires a multi-layered approach that harmoniously integrates three key pillars: highly trained personnel adept at customer service and emergency response, strategic procedures focused on threat assessment and proactive planning, and advanced technologies that enhance operations through data-driven insights. By thoughtfully addressing inclusivity, accessibility, and evolving public needs, the security industry can craft solutions that provide robust protection while preserving the vibrant energy of London's public realms. The goal is to create secure yet inviting spaces that foster a sense of community. Find out more here: https://bit.ly/3VqfLmR

In the hustle and bustle of London, finding a tranquil and secure place to call home is becoming increasingly important. Gated developments are on the rise, offering the ideal combination of privacy, security, and a sense of community right in the heart of the city. These developments provide more than just a residence; they offer a lifestyle, complete with round-the-clock security, shared amenities, and beautifully maintained surroundings. As remote working and shifting lifestyles change our preferences, it’s no wonder these urban sanctuaries are becoming a preferred choice for a wider range of London’s property market. Discover why so many are opting for gated developments as their peaceful retreat from the fast pace of city life. https://lnkd.in/eWzsKeMh #MayfordsEstateAgents #LondonProperty #GatedDevelopments #UrbanLiving #PropertyTrends #PrivacyAndSecurity

Is the UK's second city on the verge of becoming the next real estate hotspot? 🐂 Thanks to substantial investments in infrastructure, particularly with the introduction of HS2, Birmingham has swiftly emerged as a leading force in national real estate, prop tech, and construction. With many exciting projects transforming the city, is it time for real estate professionals to explore the possibilities of relocating or commuting to this thriving destination? A Surge in Growth 📈: Birmingham's construction sector witnessed an impressive 7.2% growth in 2022, surpassing the UK average of 5.1%. Notably, the city secured £55 million in prop tech investment in the same year, ranking third in the UK, making it a thriving market with ample job opportunities. A Job Opportunity Boom 💼: With the market growing by 3.5% and real estate wages increasing by 4%, Birmingham is quickly outpacing the UK average, opening the door for job seekers beyond the city limits to capitalise on the growing demand for expertise. Could Birmingham be the answer to your job search? For more information on the dynamic real estate roles coming out of this vibrant city, connect with OLI C. and the team ⬇️ ✉️ o.coote@capstone-recruitment.co.uk #BirminghamRealEstate #RealEstateCareers #RealEstate