LSH creates office agency 'super team'

Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) is overhauling its approach to the office agency market with the formation of a ‘super team’ from its London and regional centres. LSH revealed its plans this week involving an extensive recruitment program, heavy investment in data and training with a new approach to the market. Tony Fisher, national head of office agency for said: "For LSH to deliver the best results for clients, we need to constantly challenge the status quo. Occupiers no longer come to us with a

Maidenhead MP Theresa May set to become Prime Minister

Maidenhead MP Theresa May is expected to become Prime Minister imminently after her rival Andrea Leadsom withdrew from the Conservative Party leadership race. The Maidenhead Advertiser is running live updates. Click here to read more. The Guardian is showing the video in which Mrs Leadsom decided to quit the race here. The BBC is showing video of Mrs May's speech promising that the Conservatives would be at the service of working people. Click here. Mrs May was the subject of debate at the

First look inside Ikea Calcot

Three days before the first opening of its first new store in the UK for seven years, Ikea welcomed journalists for a sneak preview of the new 32, 000 sq m Reading shop. Store manager Johanna Heuren welcomed the press pack and showed them around the Calcot store which is set to breathe new life into the retail scene in the Thames Valley. The shop has the full product range of 9,500 items, 52 room sets including a number of ‘homes’ based on those in the Thames Valley to illustrate the lives of

Controversial plans for 241 homes at Benson approved

A deferred planning application for 241 homes at Benson has been narrowly approved by councillors. The application by developer R J & S Styles on the site north of Littleworth Road was deferred in early June so that members of South Oxfordshire District Council’s planning committee could make a site visit. Now the committee has approved the application after committee chairman Toby Newman used his casting vote when voting was tied at four-four. The developer has previously had an application

Guildford council plans 160 homes

A planning application for 160 homes in central Guildford has been submitted by the borough council. The development which includes 64 affordable homes (a 40 per cent ratio), is on the site of a council-owned surface car park in Guildford Park Road and includes a new 493-space multi-storey for the public and residents. Some commercial units will be created on the car park’s ground floor. Cllr Tony Rooth, lead councillor for housing and social welfare said: "We are all aware of the need for new

Thames Valley businesses want Theresa May's support for Heathrow expansion

Property professionals and business leaders are hoping Theresa May will support Heathrow expansion if she becomes Prime Minister. The question of Mrs May’s support was raised among those gathered at the Nathaniel Lichfield & Partners (NLP) Summer Briefing: Delivering Homes in a Time of Change, at the Reading Novotel on Thursday, July 7. But neither speakers, nor delegates could claim to know Mrs May’s view on airport expansion which, along with other infrastructure projects, many are pressing

Plan for 140 homes goes to appeal before council can decide

A controversial application for 140 homes in Buckinghamshire has gone straight to the planning inspector for appeal before councillors could decide it. Molins plc last year applied to Wycombe Borough Council for planning permission to build the 93 houses and 47 apartments with 33 per cent ratio of affordable dwellings, on the site of the Molins sports ground in Monks Risborough. The applicant had already withdrawn a previous application for 90 homes on the site. But Molins has gone to appeal

Basing View site purchase completes

Abstract Securities has announced its subsidiary - Abstract (Basingstoke) Limited - has exchanged contracts on the purchase of a site in Basing View for a 60,000 sq ft office block to be known as The Florence Building. Councillors agreed to sell the site in March. The new building will be one of the key elements in the regeneration of Basingstoke’s central business district and is the first large speculative office scheme for 15 years in the town centre. Abstract says the Grade A building

The Curve to open in September

After a series of delays Slough’s new cultural centre, The Curve, is to open on September 2. The £22 million building will house a new central library, community learning rooms, registrar services including a wedding room, a 280-seater performance and multi-use space, café and garden area. Two days of activities and entertainments will celebrate the opening. Joe Carter, assistant director assets, infrastructure and regeneration, said: “Despite the delays in building works and reconfiguring

Reading is 'more than just a business location'

Members of the First Tuesday Club heard that Reading is more than just a business location - and that will help it cope with any post Brexit-vote shocks. Nigel Horton-Baker, chief executive of Reading UK CIC, was speaker at the event on Tuesday, July 5 at Green Park, and outlined some of the business and cultural strengths of the town. He highlighted the three million sq ft of Grade A office space in the pipeline for town including one million within 500 ft of the new station. Reading Gateway