|
Connaught crisis grows as troubled group reveals 'urgent' need of funds
The crisis at social housing firm Connaught deepened yesterday after it revealed it was in "urgent" need of additional funding. The group - which last year pulled out of a major contract with Glasgow Housing Association - has been in turmoil since its warning last month that UK government spending cuts could blow a £200 million hole in sales over this year and next. Shares have plunged more than 90 per cent since 25 June, slicing some £400m off the firm's value, closing down 69 per cent or 70.6p last night at 31.5p.
The Scotsman, Business section, 27.7.10, page 2
View article
UK Coal boss Jon Lloyd to leave
UK Coal chief executive Jon Lloyd will leave the company as Britain's biggest coal miner restructures its board and splits the responsibility for its coal and property operations. The company's losses widened in 2009 given production problems at its underground mines and lower prices it got for its coal under legacy sales contracts.
The Scotsman, 27.7.10
View article
Matrix expresses confidence in Brechin site
Matrix International, one of Brechin's major employers, is intent on staying in the area. Uncertainty about the lease of its Eastmill Road premises — owned by Kelman Engineering, which has gone into liquidation — has prompted speculation about its future. Richard Perry, the business unit manager of Matrix's parent company, Altra Industrial Motion, said, "Where people are getting the perception we are closing the factory, I don't know. It is simply not true."
The Courier, 26.7.10
View article Back to top
 |
|
Housing |
Cairngorms housing plan will create 'enclave for the rich'
Scotland's biggest national park risks creating more enclaves of second homes for rich people while failing to address the need for affordable housing, it is being claimed. According to the Scottish Campaign for National Parks, housing policies produced by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA) are "not fit for purpose". The CNPA has recently approved plans for 1,800 homes within the park, with 1,500 earmarked for a new village at An Camus Mor, near Aviemore, and 300 at Kingussie.
The Scotsman, 27.7.10, page 24
View article
Flower power fails as flats set to go ahead
A controversial plan to build new flats close to a community of colonies is set to be approved, despite hundreds of objections. People living in the Flower Colonies on Slateford Road formed a new residents' association in order to fight the proposals by AMA (New Town) Ltd and bombarded the city council with letters outlining their fears. The development would include 40 managed student flats accommodating 220 people, and a further 63 flats for private sale.
Edinburgh Evening News, 26.7.10
View article
The Impact of Population Ageing on Housing in Scotland
Provides analysis of the impact of population ageing on housing in Scotland. This looks at issues relating to housing stock, support services, adaptations and further related questions.
Scottish Government, 26.7.10
View article
Housing Aspirations, Needs and Demands in the light of the Credit Crunch
Provides analysis of changing housing aspirations, needs and demands in the light of the credit crunch and the recession. It is based upon questions on the Scottish Political Opinion Monitor omnibus survey run by Ipsos-MORI.
Scottish Government, 26.7.10
View article Back to top
|
|
Retail news |
Sofa so good as Italian store opens
A chic Italian furniture company will unveil a new store in Glasgow next month. Natuzzi, famous for its modern sofas, will open an outlet in a former building society and will be the first stand-alone store in Scotland. It is a franchise of the upmarket brand, which has a concession in House of Fraser in Buchanan Street.
Evening Times, 26.7.10
View article
US fashion leader sets up shop on Style Mile
Among the fashion conscious of Beverly Hills it’s the place to shop – and now a branch of Ed Hardy is opening in Glasgow. The hip fashion brand is favoured by David Beckham, Mariah Carey, Pamela Anderson, Paris Hilton, Jessica Alba, Peter Andre and Katie Price. They have all been spotted in clothing from Hardy, which will open its first Scottish outlet in the former home of All Saints in Buchanan Street.
Evening Times, 26.7.10
View article
Trouble's brewing as bar bids to put stamp on Capital
The glory days of Edinburgh's beer industry might be in the past, but now it is to get a shot in the arm - or a kick in the teeth, depending on your point of view - as Scotland's most controversial brewery heads for the city. The owners of Aberdeenshire-based BrewDog are preparing to open a bar in the Capital, and with a range that includes beer bottles inside stuffed animals, it seems unlikely to be a quiet addition to Edinburgh's pub world.
Edinburgh Evening News, 26.7.10, page 3
View article
Inverness riverside restaurant plan lodged
A new restaurant has been planned in premises where a previous venture failed. Middlesex-based Ask Restaurant has sought a provisional premises licence for the vacant site on Bridge Street in Inverness. It was formerly occupied by Peat By The Bridge, but the restaurant closed down last January with the loss of 14 jobs.
bbc.co.uk, 27.7.10
View article
Phones 4u in store deal with Currys
Mobile phone retailer Phones 4u has unveiled a deal with Currys owner DSG International to open branded outlets within at least 50 stores. DSG will roll out "Phones 4u at Currys" in the coming months after completing trials in megastores at Birmingham, Thurrock, Hedge End, Merry Hill and Stevenage over the past year.
The Scotsman, Business section, 27.7.10, page 8
View article Back to top
|
|
Planning news |
Ministers to decide on historic Glasgow garage proposal
Controversial plans to demolish part of a historic garage in Glasgow's west end will be decided by Scottish ministers. Arnold Clark Automobiles wants to turn the A-listed Botanic Gardens Garage in Vinicombe Street into residential, restaurant, retail and office space. The proposal has been strongly opposed by some local people who want the 100-year-old structure left intact.
bbc.co.uk, 26.7.10
View article Back to top
|
|
Finance & Investment |
Lottery cash means Scott's beloved Abbotsford will get £10m facelift
Work to transform the home of one of Scotland's most celebrated writers will get under way next year thanks to a £4.85 million National Lottery grant. A complete restoration of Sir Walter Scott's Borders bolthole at Abbotsford, near Melrose, and the creation of a new visitor centre in its grounds have been backed by the Heritage Lottery Fund. The project — spearheaded by a trust set up four years ago to take over the running of the 19th century baronial mansion — has now raised £9m towards a £10m fundraising target, after previous backing was secured from the Scottish Government and Scottish Borders Council.
The Scotsman, 27.7.10, page 14
View article
Related articles:
The Herald, 27.7.10, page 10
View article
bbc.co.uk, 26.7.10
View article
Vince Cable's threat on bank loans
Ministers yesterday warned they could bring in fresh taxes on bank profits if a lack of lending to businesses threatens the economic recovery. The government also estimated £50 billion of new lending to business could be generated if banks limited bonuses and dividends. Launching a consultation document to set out options for improving the flow of cash to firms, Business Secretary Vince Cable said small and medium-sized firms were facing a "very serious problem" in raising finance.
The Scotsman, Business section, 27.6.10, page 1
View article
Government launches financial watchdogs
A new watchdog to identify risks to the economy is to be set up as part of sweeping reforms of financial supervision planned by the new government. The launch of the Financial Policy Committee this autumn would be followed by a separate Consumer Protection and Markets Authority. Both watchdogs will operate in "shadow form" until legislation is passed to approve them next year.
The Scotsman, Business section, 27.7.10, page 3
View article Back to top
|
|
Deals |
More than just a pawn in the market
Occasionally the recession has a silver lining for the property sector, as was proved to be the case for one landlord, Peatallen, whose unit in Dalry Road in Edinburgh has been let to Ramsdens, the national firm of pawnbrokers, on a ten-year lease at £18,250 per annum on 1,573 sq ft of accommodation.
The Scotsman, Commercial Property section, 27.7.10, page 46
Back to top
|
|
Trends |
Hopes of a bounce hit by reassessment
This may come as bad news for anyone concerned about the likely length of time required for commercial property to recover from the recession: the market never wholly got over the previous recession. According to new research by BNP Paribas Real Estate, moving property values beyond those ahead of values that pertained at the peak of the preceding boom not only took 13 years to happen but the process was also helped by a period of high inflation; in real terms values in 2007 (which was the high-water mark before the current recession) were actually lower than their previous peak.
The Scotsman, Commercial Property section, 27.7.10, page 45
View article
Mortgage brokers report 25% jump
Financial advisers saw a 25 per cent jump in the number of people contacting them for help with a mortgage during the first half of the year, figures showed yesterday. Around 45,000 people used professional advice website unbiased.co.uk to find a mortgage broker during the six months to the end of June, up from 36,000 during the same period of 2009.
The Scotsman, 27.7.10, page 24
View article
Back to top
|
