News & Insight
Bringing you the latest news and views from across the UK property market.
Industrial development: Stevenage leads the way on Community Infrastructure Levy changes
Budget 2025: What changes can we expect on business rates?
Guildford regeneration spurs office market revival
News
Collectable trading cards in safe hands as Vault X deals new UK HQ
12 Lagland Street in Poole, which was previously a multi-purpose sports premises and cafe, has been acquired by Vault X after expansion.
Marina business rates U-turn welcomed
Following British Marine's campaign, Vail Williams calls the changes to the business rates multipliers as a 'victory for common sense.'
Vail Williams secures seven premises totalling 78,000 sq ft for patient transport group
Seven properties across multiple counties in the South East have been acquired for healthcare specialists, EMED by Vail Williams.
Office landlords with older buildings implement greener energy efficiency measures to attract eco-conscious companies
South Coast's Regional Managing Partner, Russell Miller, provides his overview of the market for 2025 and what's to come.
Unit B at Railway Triangle site in Portsmouth now open for leasehold occupancy
A warehouse on the South Coast marketed by Vail Williams was officially opened by the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth.
Flurry of top-quality office lettings in Bracknell
1 + 3 Arlington Square has four new tenants with Grade A office space in Berkshire.
Autumn Budget 2025: Limited relief for a property market waiting for direction
For many, the real estate market has felt stuck in a perpetual cycle of hesitation awaiting a signal indicating change.
Autumn Budget 2025: Signals, not solutions for the property market
Vail Williams LLP has responded to today’s Autumn Budget, describing the Chancellor’s announcements as “largely signalling rather than solutions” for the UK property, planning and investment sectors.
Budget 2025: A Status-Quo Budget for Business Rates
Despite significant anticipation around business-rates reform, today’s Autumn Budget delivered only a brief mention, and very limited new detail.
Autumn Budget 2025: What it could mean in property terms
With the Autumn Budget set for 26 November, commercial property markets are bracing for one of the most consequential fiscal events in recent years.
Vail Williams appointed to manage prominent Ely commercial property
Vail Williams' Property Asset Management team has been appointed at Denmark House on the outskirts of Cambridgeshire.
MYTIME Young Carers relocates in mission to level playing field for young carers
The charity outgrew their premises finding their new home at Manor House, whilst Vail Williams are appointed to manage the building.
Market Insight
AI and the rt of Valuation: Why technology can support but not replace professional judgement
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming how we work across the property industry from data collection to predictive analytics.
Building better or just building more? What South Coast developers really need
At the end of last year, we took a delegation of Vail Williams property experts to the South Coast Commercial Property Show (South Coast CPS), held at St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton.
ChatL&T: Landlord and Tenant Relationships in a Time of AI
The growth of artificial intelligence has been exponential in 2025, and global spending on AI is forecast to surpass $2 trillion in 2026, increasing at an annual rate of almost 28%. Adoption is equally remarkable.
Christchurch Industrial Market: Strong demand set to drive 2026 performance
Despite broad economic uncertainty throughout 2025, the industrial and trade counter market in Christchurch has continued to demonstrate resilience.
Budget 2025: A Status-Quo Budget for Business Rates
Despite significant anticipation around business-rates reform, today’s Autumn Budget delivered only a brief mention, and very limited new detail.
AI in the UK Planning System: What it could mean for planners and future development
The planning system in the UK is under immense pressure. Local planning authorities (LPAs) are often overstretched, with limited resources and growing workloads.
Autumn Budget 2025: What it could mean in property terms
With the Autumn Budget set for 26 November, commercial property markets are bracing for one of the most consequential fiscal events in recent years.
Residential Property Market Autumn Update 2025
With summer well underway, the UK residential property market continues its slow but steady journey back to stability following a challenging period of uncertainty.
Staines: The quietly competitive place to locate your business
Sitting proudly on the River Thames, Staines-upon-Thames has become one of the most attractive and affordable office locations in the Thames Valley.
Education Estates Conference 2025: Creating a Sustainable and Resilient Future for Learning
The UK’s education estate is at a defining moment. With around 40% of school buildings constructed between the 1950s and 1980s, many now at or beyond their expected 60-year lifespan.
VW Insider South Coast Commercial Property Report: Resilience, reinvention and the race for quality
Despite economic headwinds and cautious investor sentiment, the South Coast commercial property market continues to show resilience and adaptability.
From Poll Tax to Council Tax: Time for the Next Reform?
With council tax still tied to 1991 property values, fairness and modernisation are firmly back on the political agenda, ahead of the Autumn Budget, which has been confirmed for 26 November.
Resources
Marina business rates U-turn: Clarity, context and what operators should do next
Over 720 commercial marinas across the UK are set to benefit from reduced business rates from April 2026 following a Treasury reversal on marina eligibility for lower multipliers.
A beginner’s guide: Your questions about commercial leases answered
What is a commercial lease and why might you need one? Why are commercial leases so important and what happens at the end of a lease term? Our lease advisory experts explore, in this beginner’s guide to commercial leases.
Residential Property Market Autumn Update 2025
With summer well underway, the UK residential property market continues its slow but steady journey back to stability following a challenging period of uncertainty.
Education Estates Conference 2025: Creating a Sustainable and Resilient Future for Learning
The UK’s education estate is at a defining moment. With around 40% of school buildings constructed between the 1950s and 1980s, many now at or beyond their expected 60-year lifespan.
Business Rates Update: What Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Occupiers Need to Know
Government confirms permanent rate cuts for smaller RHL occupiers – but uncertainty remains for larger and mixed-use premises.
VW Insider South Coast Commercial Property Report: Resilience, reinvention and the race for quality
Despite economic headwinds and cautious investor sentiment, the South Coast commercial property market continues to show resilience and adaptability.
Unlocking Hidden Value: How proactive asset management adds value without buying more
In today’s market, capital is tight. Many investors and property owners are finding that opportunities to grow commercial and residential property portfolios through acquisition are limited.
Government lifts Natural England’s water neutrality advice in West Sussex
The Government has confirmed that Natural England’s advice requiring developers to demonstrate water neutrality in parts of West Sussex will be withdrawn from 1 November 2025.
Are Schools, Colleges and Universities Liable for Business Rates?
In England and Wales, schools (like most other non-domestic properties) are liable for business rates.
What is formula rent and how is it calculated?
For housing associations, registered providers, and charities managing social housing, setting rents correctly is essential to balancing affordability for tenants with compliance and financial sustainability.
A Beginner’s Guide: Your questions about commercial leases answered
What is a commercial lease and why might you need one? Why are commercial leases so important and what happens at the end of a lease term?
What is a Red Book Valuation?
When buying, selling, or refinancing commercial property, an accurate and credible valuation is essential.
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