News & Insight
Bringing you the latest news and views from across the UK property market.
News
Digital Portfolio Management: Ushering in a new era for real estate management
Traditional property management has been transforming. Over the last two decades, we have witnessed an evolution towards more digital property management, and the pace at which this evolution is happening is accelerating.
Are you paying too much in business rates?
Local authorities are in the process of issuing business rates demands for 2025-2026, but could you be paying too much?
National Apprenticeship Week 2025: Skills for Life
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a time to celebrate how apprenticeships help individuals of all ages to develop future-ready skills and rewarding careers.
Convenience store building in Kettering changes ownership hands
Property consultancy Vail Williams has sold Unit 1 at Lake Avenue Retail Centre, 3 Bignal Court, Kettering, Northamptonshire, on behalf of the private owner. The premises is let to Central England Co-operative Limited on a 15-year lease.
Going for growth: Chancellor's plans are welcome but clarity needed
Last week (29th January), Chancellor Rachel Reeves vowed to go further and faster to kickstart economic growth as she spoke at Siemens Healthineers in Oxfordshire.
Law firm Glanvilles expands into city centre offices
In a deal through property consultancy Vail Williams, expanding law firm Glanvilles has moved into a Grade II-listed building at 45 South Street, Chichester, West Sussex. Outside the premises, Glanvilles Partners Nicola Crookes-West, front left, John Arman, back left, Gareth Maddern, back right, and Will Stisted.
Commercial law firm expands office space in heart of Bournemouth town centre
Commercial law firm Steele Raymond has signed an additional 3,125 sq ft on the first floor of Grade II-listed Granville Chambers on Richmond Hill in Bournemouth town centre, increasing occupation to three floors within the building. Property consultancy Vail Williams acted on behalf of Steele Raymond.
Prime trade park acquired
A prime trade park on the South Coast has been acquired by a private property company, advised by property consultancy Vail Williams.
Scale-up business Agratas leases laboratory space in Oxfordshire’s ‘Science Vale UK’
Agratas, a subsidiary of Tata Group, India’s largest business conglomerate, has leased nearly 23,000 sq ft of laboratory space at Milton Park, south of Oxford, the UK’s largest single ownership innovation community.
Game-changing updates announced for National Planning Policy Framework
The UK Government has this week (Thursday 12th December) unveiled significant reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to address housing challenges and encourage more sustainable development.
Vail Williams takes on two as business grows
Vail Williams’ two new London hires Freddie Worth, second left, and Sophia Piatto, centre, are flanked by James Lacey, London regional managing partner, left, and partners Varun Dev Gudka and Sarah Isherwood.
Indoor centre for trending racquet sports served up in Christchurch
Unit 1-2, Priory Industrial Park in Christchurch, Dorset, is being turned into an indoor centre for the world’s fastest-growing racquet sports, padel and pickleball. Smeda Sports signed a 10-year lease on the 15,418 sq ft premises. Property consultancy Vail Williams acted for the landlord.
Market Insight
Planning Reforms – A step forward or a democratic setback?
The government’s latest planning reforms, announced on 10 March, mark another significant shift in the way we approach development in the UK.
Expansion on the cards as Vail Williams builds on Oxford growth
It has been a year since commercial and residential property consultancy Vail Williams formally entered the Oxford market, but how has the firm got on since its decision to open a base there?
Government EPC rating data shows positive progress but more must be done
The UK Government’s latest data on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) highlights significant improvements in the energy efficiency of commercial properties.
Buoyant year ahead for Birmingham office market
The Birmingham office market has kickstarted 2025 with a bang, following news from EY that they are set to relocate 1,200 staff into 70,000 sq ft offices at Three Chamberlain Square next year.
Residential property investment market set to improve in 2025 as Build-to-Rent thrives
Over the past 15 years, the UK’s residential investment market or Private Rented Sector (PRS) has shifted significantly, moving from net acquisition to net disposal of residential investment stock.
2025: The great office space reset for the South East
The South East office market stands at a fascinating crossroads as we enter 2025. After a period dominated by tenant-favourable conditions, we're approaching what many industry experts identify as a ‘watershed moment’.
What does 2025 hold for the Woking property market?
As we look ahead to 2025, Woking’s commercial property market, much like elsewhere, continues to be shaped by economic trends, sustainability targets, and shifting occupier demands.
Game-changing updates announced for National Planning Policy Framework
The UK Government has this week (Thursday 12th December) unveiled significant reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) to address housing challenges and encourage more sustainable development.
Gatwick Regional Industrial Market Update: Winter 2024
There has been reduced take up of industrial space so far this year across the Gatwick region as businesses put their relocations on hold. This has been reflected in the transactional data for 2024.
Balancing the town centre apartment development equation
As urban living continues to appeal to professionals, students and downsizers, the development of town centre apartments remains an attractive proposition.
Investor Briefing: Renters' Rights Bill 2024
The Renters’ Rights Bill 2024 is a transformative piece of legislation aimed at reshaping the private rented sector (PRS) in England.
Property firm reduces emissions by 42 per cent
Matthew Samuel-Camps, Managing Partner, says property consultancy Vail Williams’ journey to net zero by 2030 remains on course as the firm voluntarily publishes its annual Carbon Reduction Statement.
Resources
Government EPC rating data shows positive progress but more must be done
The UK Government’s latest data on Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) highlights significant improvements in the energy efficiency of commercial properties.
What is Revaluation and what does it mean for business rates bills?
Business rates represent a major property overhead for occupiers of commercial property.
Are you paying too much in business rates?
Local authorities are in the process of issuing business rates demands for 2025-2026, but could you be paying too much?
Tenant Tactics: What can we learn from Sainsbury’s victory against their landlord?
Ground (f) of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (the Act) is a frequently used legal mechanism by landlords to oppose a tenant's lease renewal.
Residential development land: Which is best – an Option Agreement or Promotion Agreement?
When considering development opportunities for residential land, landowners are often presented with two primary means of taking development forwards. Either through an Option Agreement with the developer, or a Promotion Agreement.
Which land disposal method is best for Local Authorities?
Since 2021, six Local Authorities in England have been declared bankrupt and, with one in four councils expected to apply for bailout agreements to stave off bankruptcy in the next two financial years, Local Authority purse strings have never been tighter.
What should we expect from the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 Reform?
The Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 (the 1954 Act) is a piece of legislation governing the relationship between landlords and business tenants in England and Wales. It has been in place for 70 years and, although tweaked over the years, has not been significantly reviewed since 2002.
Understanding ESOS: What to do and how to respond to enforcement letters
ESOS is an Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme which is a mandatory energy efficiency assessment programme for large organisations in the UK.
Gatwick Regional Industrial Market Update: Winter 2024
There has been reduced take up of industrial space so far this year across the Gatwick region as businesses put their relocations on hold. This has been reflected in the transactional data for 2024.
Autumn Budget delivers damaging business rates blow
Expectations from businesses on the UK high street were high following the promises made in the Labour manifesto to overhaul the outdated business rates system to create an ‘even playing field’ for them with their online counterparts
Residential Property Market Winter Update 2024
In October, Halifax announced that house prices had reached record highs. With buyer enquiries up by 14% according to the RICS Residential Market Survey, and the Bank of England cutting interest rates for the second time this year, there are positive green shoots for the residential market, as Head of Residential Property Gary Jeffries, explores.
Understanding Financial Viability Assessments (FVAs): A Guide for Housing Developers
Developers In property development, financial viability is a cornerstone concept, influencing decisions across every stage of a project.
Trending Stories
Expansion on the cards as Vail Williams builds on Oxford growth
It has been a year since commercial and residential property consultancy Vail Williams formally entered the Oxford market, but how has the firm got on since its decision to open a base there?
Buoyant year ahead for Birmingham office market
The Birmingham office market has kickstarted 2025 with a bang, following news from EY that they are set to relocate 1,200 staff into 70,000 sq ft offices at Three Chamberlain Square next year.
Residential development land: Which is best – an Option Agreement or Promotion Agreement?
When considering development opportunities for residential land, landowners are often presented with two primary means of taking development forwards. Either through an Option Agreement with the developer, or a Promotion Agreement.
Media enquiries
For all media enquiries, please contact the marketing team.
London
Southampton
