Recent Posts by Kate Aird

Katherine has been an online copywriter and editor since 2004, with a focus on UK business news, commercial property, employee rights and office life.
Connect with the author via: Google+

London Office Market Trends – First Quarter 2017

Posted on April 27, 2017

The London office market started the year marked by uncertainty and expectation about how the economic and political developments of 2016 would play out in the medium term. In this article we look at the key figures and trends that have defined the market during the first three months of the year. London Office Market Q1 2017: Facts and Figures The most important transaction during the first quarter of the year was the 15-year lease of floors 1 to 7 of 21 Lime Street. This deal is also worth mentioning as it seems to buck the current trend of insurance … Read More

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UK Triggers Article 50 – What Does This Mean For Your Business?

Posted on April 20, 2017

On 29 March 2017, the British Prime Minister officially initiated the Brexit process by triggering Article 50. This was surrounded by much speculation and uncertainty about the impact it would have on the country’s economy and at a smaller scale, on the day-to-day of UK businesses. Although according to EU legislation, many things could still change during the upcoming negotiation process, the general consensus is that the implications of Article 50 will mainly affect trading relationships, access to human capital and to funding, and the free movement of services. Article 50 and the UK-EU Trade Deal The EU is the … Read More

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The UK Office Market Forecast for 2017

Posted on January 30, 2017

During 2016, the UK’s office market experienced a few ups and downs linked to political uncertainty and decreased consumer and investor confidence. In spite of this, the overall market performance did not stray far from what was expected: strong levels of leasing activity in the Big 6 office markets (namely Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds and Manchester), sustained rental growth due to the limited availability of Grade A space in cities like Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, London, Cardiff, Edinburgh, and Glasgow, and a notable surge in the number of lettings closed in London towards the end of the year. Are … Read More

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Budget 2016: Advantages and disadvantages for SME’s in the UK

Posted on March 18, 2016

During the weeks leading to the announcement of the 2016 UK Budget, there was much expectation among SME owners given that their interests had been largely overlooked during the previous year. Following the Chancellor’s announcement, expectation gave way to a sense of relief, since many of the new measures contained in this year’s Budget have been specifically created to support SMEs. What follows is a summary of the key changes that the 2016 Budget will bring about and an overview of the advantages and disadvantages implied in the new measures. UK Budget 2016: The good news

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The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Bristol

Posted on December 20, 2013

The city of Bristol has been an important point of reference for other English and European cities for several centuries. Already in the 13th century, Bristol was the third most important city in the country, and its influence continued to be strong until the onset of the Industrial Revolution. In our days, Bristol continues to play an important role in the social and economic life of the United Kingdom, although the city has had to adapt to many demographic and economic changes. In this article we review the transition that Bristol has experienced in the recent past in terms of … Read More

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The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Bradford

Posted on December 13, 2013

The city of Bradford has been firmly positioned in the international map for a couple of centuries. Bradford was among the first British cities to be transformed by the industrialisation process, and became known around the world as an international wool capital. Much has changed in Bradford since those days, as textile manufacturing has largely been replaced by a thriving and diverse economy that has attracted people from many parts of the UK and the world. In this article of our series “The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities”, we take a detailed look at Bradford’s population and its economy. An … Read More

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The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Newcastle

Posted on December 6, 2013

The city of Newcastle upon Tyne is one of the largest metropolitan areas in the north of England. The city has played an important role as a trading port for over 200 years, and undoubtedly this has contributed to turning Newcastle into a populous metropolis with a thriving industrial and economic scene. Over the decades, Newcastle´s face has been transformed due to demographic and economic changes that in a way, are common to those experienced by other English cities. In this article we review the latest demographic, economic, and industrial trends that have recently taken place in Newcastle. An overview … Read More

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The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Leeds

Posted on November 29, 2013

The city of Leeds has been an important economic and transportation centre since the 17th century. Over the years, Leeds has emerged as one of the most important urban centres in Yorkshire, and consequently, this has brought about demographic, industrial, and economic changes that have modified the face of the city. Continue reading for a detailed overview of the latest information concerning demographic, economic, and industrial trends in this West Yorkshire city. Leeds’ demographic background As of 2012, the city of Leeds had a population of just over 800,000 people. This figure alone positions Leeds as one of the top … Read More

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The Changing Face of Britain’s Cities: Birmingham

Posted on November 22, 2013

Birmingham has had a leading position as one of Europe’s largest and most important manufacturing centres for nearly two centuries. The role that this Midlands city played during the industrial revolution marked the future development of its population, economy, and industry. Following a series of regeneration projects, modern day Birmingham is at the forefront of socio-economic development in the United Kingdom. In this article we cover the demographic, economic, and industrial changes that the city has recently experienced. Demographic trends in Birmingham With a total population of over 1 million and a population density of more than 10,000 people per … Read More

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A Simple Pensions Guide for Tax Planning

Posted on November 15, 2013

Pensions are still the best option to secure stable retirement income. In 2013-2014, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs have created great conditions for anyone who wants to save into a pension for retirement, to maximise their tax planning efforts. This is especially boosted by the increase in the personal taxable allowance minimum to £10,500 in 2013-2014. There is also the possibility this figure will rise for 2014-2015 when the Chancellor releases the Offical Budget Statement in March 2014. Originally written in 2006, the treatment of pension savings for taxation purposes remains true to the idea that anyone can save an … Read More

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