Happening Hayes – is this London’s most exciting new business and tech hub?

Happening Hayes – is this London’s most exciting new business and tech hub?

by Priscillia Mudiaki Uncategorized United Kingdom
  • VIRTUS announces West London’s largest data centre in Stockley Park
  • The Record Store at The Old Vinyl Factory launches with 84k sq ft of office space in Hayes
  • New residential accommodation meets rising demand from professionals working in Hayes and surrounding areas

 

In September, VIRTUS announced that it would be building West London’s largest data centre campus in Stockley Park just outside Hayes. The LONDON5 and LONDON6 buildings will cover 34,475 m2 as part of the eight-acre campus, cementing Hayes’ position as one of London’s most exciting digital tech locations.

A long-term favourite with companies with international connections, due to its proximity to Heathrow Airport, Hayes in the London Borough of Hillingdon is now positioning itself as one of the capital’s most enticing tech hubs. The news comes as a new Knight Frank report highlights the poor of affordability in Shoreditch, which has the dubious honour of being named the most expensive tech hub in the world for office space. Companies who have already moved to Hayes in recent years include SONOS, Host Europe Group (HEG) and CHAMP Cargosystems, all of which have signed 10-year leases for The Shipping Building, part of The Old Vinyl Factory.

 

In line with Hayes’ hip new credentials, this weekend saw the regeneration specialist U+I launch 84,000 sq ft of office space at The Record Store. The vast, open-plan floors of the art deco building have been given new life by award winning architects Allford Hall Monaghan Morris. The six-storey building is part of the £250m redevelopment centered around The Old Vinyl Factory, on the site of the former EMI vinyl record factory. Companies moving into the new office accommodation at the Record Store can enjoy working in the same building where EMI worked its magic on groundbreaking albums by the likes of The Rolling Stones and The Beatles.

“With the hunger for connectivity and data growing exponentially, our data centres continue to play a vital role in enabling the UK and Europe’s digital economy.

 “We work with clients across all industries, all with unique audiences and IT landscapes, but with the common need to deliver the highest levels of availability, performance and security of digital experiences.”

Neil Cresswell, CEO, VIRTUS

 

With so many new employment opportunities flooding into Hayes, accommodation providers are rushing to be part of the influx. One company that prides itself on being ahead of the curve is Be Living Ltd, whose stunning new be:here Hayes at Gatefold Building is already open to tenants. The one, two and three-bedroom apartments mirror the innovation springing up at The Old Vinyl Factory.

The be:here Hayes apartments are just 300 yards from Hayes & Harlington station, ready for Crossrail in 2019. The 119 homes are sharer-friendly and pet-friendly, while the wider Old Vinyl Factory development will provide everything from restaurants and leisure facilities to a music venue, right on residents’ doorstep.

 

“Hayes’ credentials as a business and tech hub seem to be growing almost daily, with everyone from startups to established multi-nationals keen to be a part of the area. It was important to us that the professionals and their families who are being drawn into Hayes had an appropriately stylish accommodation option to suit their needs. That’s why we were so keen to launch the Gatefold building, to offer something a cut above the rest and in keeping with the new life and energy being breathed into Hayes.”

 Akash Sharma, Assistant Property Manager, be:here Hayes

With affordable, high quality office accommodation and superb new homes, the attractions of Hayes are clear. Spacious apartments at be:here Hayes are available from £1,165 pcm for a one bed and from £1,450 for a two bed. All homes include either a garden or a balcony.

 

For the latest availability and any questions, please contact the be:here Hayes team directly on 0203 845 4796 or visit http://www.behere-hayes.co.uk/.

What does Merkel’s hollow victory mean for the EU?

What does Merkel’s hollow victory mean for the EU?

by Louise France Germany Italy Uncategorized
  • Angela Merkel’s fourth term win was not the victory the market was hoping for
  • 13% of voters backed the anti-Euro AFD (Alternative for Germany)
  • Euro trading at 30-day low as a result

Following the twists and turns of 2016, this year started with much apprehension that the populous vote, which saw the surprise Brexit result and Trump’s ascension to the White House, would continue and spread throughout Europe.

First there was the Dutch election, with the controversial anti-EU candidate Geert Wilders at one point fancied to be the winner. As election day got nearer, his popularity amongst the voters vanished and he eventually lost. Big sigh of relief.

Then there was the French general election. Enter Marine Le Pen, another anti-EU politician with very strong right wing beliefs, who promised to call France’s very own referendum on EU membership if she won. She didn’t. Instead, Emmanuel Macron become President and the fear that the plague of populism would spread diminished. The Euro vs the USD skyrocketed on confidence that the EU will live on.

Combined with Mario Draghi’s more hawkish tone in his ECB press conferences, where he dropped hints that the end of the central bank’s net asset purchases may happen sooner rather than later, EUR/USD soared to the highest levels since January 2015.

Of course there was the German election on the horizon but good old Angela would have no problem with that. Right?

angela-2689111_1920

On Monday 25 September the market woke up to an Angela Merkel victory, but not the victory she and the market was hoping for.  Mrs Merkel had won a fourth term, however it was her party’s worst result in almost 70 years and she now needs to form a coalition. Not only that but more worrying rival party the AFD (Alternative for Germany), which is very anti-immigration and Islam and indeed the Euro, won 13% of the vote. It’s the first far right party to win a seat in Parliament in more than 40 years.

“Mrs Merkel now has to form a coalition, which won’t be an easy task. Germany could face months of negotiations as one is formed. Whoever is chosen to partner with Merkel will provide the political direction not only for Germany but also the EU and immigration.

“At the same time, Angela Merkel’s weaker positon will also make new efforts to work with French President Emmanuel Macron on Euro-area integration very difficult.”

James Trescothick, Senior Global Strategist, easyMarkets

 

As news spread of a disappointing victory, the EUR/USD opened with a gap lower, dropping from Fridays closing price of 1.19473 to 1.19143.  It continued to decline in both the European and North America sessions and as of the time of writing is trading at a 30 day low of 1.18145.  The EUR/GBP came under further pressure and as time of writing is currently trading around 0.87618.

After concerns of the Dutch and French elections vanished there was hope that political stability in the bloc was pretty secure and the surprises that were experienced and shocked the market in 2016 had gone, but Sunday’s election outcome has once again filled the air with uncertainty.

“This sudden turn in AFD winning as much as 13% of vote (bearing in mind the party itself only came into existence five years ago) shows that there is a swathe of voters upset with Merkel’s stance on immigration. It underlines that one of the great dangers to the European Union is indeed politics and general elections. In the current climate they have become incredibly unpredictable and dangerous to its actual existence.  AFD’s success in the election goes to show that the fear of immigration is still being used as a key tool in the black art of politics to cause upset and surprise.”

James Trescothick, Senior Global Strategist, easyMarkets

 

Italy’s general election is due by the end of May 2018. There are concerns that Northern League and the Five Star Movement – both Eurosceptic parties – could fare quite well.  The Five Star movement is gaining momentum in the opinion polls and the Northern League recently won local elections in Genoa and L’Aquila.

Italy’s economy the third biggest in the Eurozone is shaky at best with 11% unemployment and national debt at 133% of GDP. There is also a fascinating debate in Italy about the country stepping away from the Euro and introducing a parallel currency alongside it.

“Though the end of May seems a long way away, you may certainly expect the market to start to focus on this general election. With what happened in Germany at the weekend, you may expect bouts of uncertainty about the outcome and how it will affect the European Union.

“The feel good factor that was felt across the bloc after Emmanuel Macron’s election victory seems to have diminished. Though the Euro is still currently enjoying a bull run, which started following Macron’s win in France, the fear and concern which the market felt at the beginning of the year could start to return as we see out 2017 and prepare for what 2018 will throw at us.”

James Trescothick, Senior Global Strategist, easyMarkets

For further details, visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

 

About easyMarkets

easyMarkets® is an online pioneer market maker established in 2001. We’ve made trading markets as easy as possible with proprietary mobile, web and desktop platforms. Traders enjoy full markets access with a simple and powerful approach to CFD’s, forex and options trading.

easyMarkets® is part of an international network with offices in Europe, Asia and Australia.

 

Risk warning: Forward Rate Agreements, Options and CFDs (OTC Trading) are leveraged products that carry a substantial risk of loss up to your invested capital and may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure that you understand fully the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Our group of companies through its subsidiaries is licensed by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (Easy Forex Trading Ltd- CySEC, License Number 079/07), which has been passported in the European Union through the MiFID Directive and in Australia by ASIC (Easy Markets Pty Ltd -AFS license No. 246566).

 

Social spaces in purpose built student accommodation designed to combat loneliness

Social spaces in purpose built student accommodation designed to combat loneliness

by Priscillia Mudiaki Uncategorized
Now that the new academic year is underway, tens of thousands of Freshers are preparing to settle into their new student life.
Many will be full of excitement but also many will be concerned about living away from home for the first time with almost 5 in 10 students reporting that isolation makes university a difficult experience (Student Experience survey).
Another study has highlighted that for students, loneliness is something that can affect their health. According to report by the IPPR think-tank, as many as 15,395 first year students in a decade reported mental health condition due to academic pressures.
“The increase in mental health conditions is alarming and it raises the importance of student residences being equipped to meet the wellbeing needs of young people. The facilities available within student accommodation can make a huge difference, enabling students to feel safe, secure and part if a community.”
 
Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate
Indeed, with pressures on finances never greater, students are increasingly relying on facilities within the university environment with free chill-out areas being the most important area for 54%, campus bar and nightclub a priority for 46% and a gym facility for 32% according to the Student Experience survey.
Resident’s wellbeing is a priority for student accommodation provider Collegiate and developer Fusion Students, who deliver social spaces for students across all of their UK sites, creating communities and combatting loneliness.
“Inspired social spaces are an integral part of the Collegiate product and service, providing residents with an opportunity to relax, unwind and socialise with other residents. At Collegiate AC, we provide what other, less discerning, providers don’t.”
Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO, Collegiate
Take for instance Plummer House by Fusion Students in Newcastle which provides a range of unrivalled common areas from a games room as well as a chic in-house BYO bar to a VIP lounge. Residents will see their social life enhanced at Eclipse also by Fusion Students, located in Cardiff, as it offers an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ themed nightclub to entertain friends.
Students at Collegiate’s brand new site in Sheffield – Collegiate Crown House – also boasts a long list of amazing shared spaces such as an on-site gym (with on demand exercise classes available), outdoor and indoor cinema room, outdoor recreational space (with a courtyard space for BBQ) and private dinner party room. Lucky new residents at Collegiate Ernest Place in Durham, set to open its doors this Saturday 16th September, can enjoy a stunning Sky lounge and an on-site sauna.
With students spending most of their time where they live, accommodation design matters more than ever when it comes to students’ mental health.
For more information on Fusion Students please visit www.fusionstudents.co.uk or to book other accommodation across the UK, contact Collegiate on +44 1235 250 140 or visit www.collegiate-ac.com. 
Why Britons’ hunger for Turkey is returning in 2017

Why Britons’ hunger for Turkey is returning in 2017

by Priscillia Mudiaki Turkey Uncategorized

Britons are helping to drive Turkey’s tourism and resurging foreign property market this year, with the country celebrating a 22 per cent year-on-year hike in the number of foreigners it welcomed in the first seven months of 2017, said Spot Blue International Property in September.

In July alone, the number of foreign tourists visiting Turkey surpassed five million, representing a 46 per cent year-on-year increase, according to the country’s Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Of these tourists, Britons comprised the third largest group (277,955), after Germans (680,616) and Russians (835,525).

Between January and July, Turkey attracted 17.3 million foreign visitors. During this period, the Antalya province was a star performer, recording a 60 per cent rise in tourist numbers, according to Turkey’s Culture and Tourism Minister Numan Kurtulmuş.

“The signs are very encouraging after the downturn last year,” said Julian Walker, director at Spot Blue International Property. “Foreign visitors, but in particular Europeans, are regaining the confidence to visit Turkey. And the Turkish Government remains determined to hit its annual target of receiving 50 million tourists and generating $50 billion through tourism by 2023. ”

In tandem with tourism, Turkey’s foreign property market is seeing an uplift in 2017, according to the most recent statistics from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). Sales to foreigners rose 65.3 per cent in July compared to the same month last year, mirroring a hike in sales in Turkey’s domestic market.

TÜİK’s July figures reveal Britons as the fifth largest group of foreign buyers in Turkey, behind the Gulf States of Iraq, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, and Russia. Looking closer at the data, Istanbul remains the most popular destination with foreign purchasers, attracting nearly 31 per cent of all sales in July. The southern resort and province of Antalya was the second favourite, followed by the Black Sea province of Trabzon. Elsewhere, the Muğla province, which includes Bodrum and Fethiye, remains a favourite with British buyers.

Antalya’s established resorts on the Mediterranean coastline, which include Antalya city, Alanya, Belek, Side and Kalkan, is on course to attract more than 10 million tourists this year. Antalya’s Governor Münir Karaloğlu confirmed that already by mid-August, tourism numbers for the year has reached 6.5 million, which represented a 65 per cent th

rise compared to the same period in 2016.

“Turkey can look forward to further upticks in tourism next year, thanks to efforts to appeal to Chinese visitors,” added Mr Walker. “A joint campaign between the Chinese and Turkish governments aims to attract one million Chinese tourists annually by 2018, a year that China has declared ‘Turkey tourism year’. The two governments have also collaborated to increase flights between the countries. Overall, these are encouraging initiatives that should benefit the country and its property market. And it helps when famous people choose Turkey for their summer holidays, as Boris Johnson, the British Foreign Secretary, and the Saudi royal family did this year.”

 

For more information, call +44 (0) 208 339 6036 or visit https://www.spotblue.com/.

easyMarkets expands APAC sales team

easyMarkets expands APAC sales team

by Louise Uncategorized

easyMarkets, the premium-service trading platform, today announced the appointment of Jimmy Pan to the position of Head of Sales, Asia Pacific. Based out of Sydney, Jimmy will work closely with easyMarkets’ global and local dealing teams to drive new account and revenue growth throughout the wider APAC region.

Jimmy brings over 10 years of experience in trading and brokerage, with strong technical expertise in trading and trading platforms, and the ability to deliver exceptional client experiences. Prior to joining easyMarkets, Jimmy worked in senior sales roles at multinational brokerages, including CMC Markets, GFT Markets, Invast Global and First Prudential.

As Head of Sales, Jimmy’s responsibilities will include overseeing the day-to-day management of the Sydney office and APAC team, as well as personally looking after the firm’s premium-level active traders. He will report directly to Daniel Byrne, Managing Director, APAC.

Jimmy’s appointment represents the next phase in easyMarket’s strategy to continue its strong expansion into the broader APAC markets, where he will nurture easyMarket’s growing regional client base and facilitate successful trading outcomes for premium level and HNW clients.

Commenting on the appointment, Daniel Byrne, Managing Director, APAC said:

“I am delighted to announce the appointment of Jimmy Pan to the easyMarkets team as the APAC Head of Sales. Having known Jimmy personally for over 10 years, working together for four of those, I can say that there are few in the industry of his calibre. During this time, I have seen Jimmy strengthen the trading success of thousands of traders across APAC. Key to this has been his well-honed intuition for understanding exactly what stage a trader is at in terms of their understanding and ability, and what support or knowledge is therefore required to move them forward to more profitable and consistent trading outcomes.

“On behalf of the whole easyMarkets team, I congratulate Jimmy on this exciting next phase of his career and we look forward to together building on his success.”

Commenting on his new role, Jimmy Pan said:

“I’m excited about the opportunity to join the experienced team at easyMarkets who I firmly believe offer the best trading conditions for retail traders. I’m personally driven to afford traders with the best opportunity to learn, develop and succeed. For this reason, easyMarkets, with its dedication to delivering first-class education, superior trading conditions, and a premium level of service, is a natural fit for me.”

For further details, visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

 

About easyMarkets

easyMarkets® is an online pioneer market maker established in 2001. We’ve made trading markets as easy as possible with proprietary mobile, web and desktop platforms. Traders enjoy full markets access with a simple and powerful approach to CFD’s, forex and options trading.

easyMarkets® is part of an international network with offices in Europe, Asia and Australia.

 

Risk Warning: Forward Rate Agreements, Options and CFDs (OTC Trading) are leveraged products that carry a substantial risk of loss up to your invested capital and may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure that you understand fully the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Our group of companies through its subsidiaries is licensed by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (Easy Forex Trading Ltd- CySEC, License Number 079/07), which has been passported in the European Union through the MiFID Directive and in Australia by ASIC (Easy Markets Pty Ltd -AFS license No. 246566).

Doncaster delights investors with cultural appeal and solid property price rises

Doncaster delights investors with cultural appeal and solid property price rises

by Priscillia Mudiaki Uncategorized United Kingdom
  • Doncaster house prices up 15.98% over past 5 years (Zoopla)
  • New Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund to provide £15m for tech, creative and cultural sectors
  • Grade II listed Danum House redevelopment honouring Doncaster’s art deco heritage (Properties of the World)

The northern market town of Doncaster is delighting investors and art aficionados alike, thanks to its extensive cultural offering. Now, the town is also set to benefit from the government’s new £15 million Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund.

“Doncaster is a surprising location in many ways and the government’s commitment to investing in the North of England positions it well as an investment prospect. Right now, Doncaster is a key up and coming location for residential property investment and we’re seeing an unprecedented level of interest in what the town has to offer.”

Jean Liggett, CEO, Properties of the World

 

The £15 million Northern Cultural Regeneration Fund follows a series of government commitments to the North of England. The level of investment is such that Philip Hammond MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, observed, “if the Northern Powerhouse were a country, it would be amongst the biggest economies in Europe.” The cultural fund will boost the extensive investment by focusing particularly on the region’s tech, creative and cultural industries.

“This £15 million fund is a fantastic chance for towns and cities to develop inspirational projects that could have a transformative local effect – particularly in communities that have seen less cultural or creative investment in the past…. We want as many people as possible to benefit from the Great Exhibition of the North, and this fund will boost the Northern Powerhouse and help build a lasting legacy across the whole region.”

Karen Bradley, Culture Secretary

Within Doncaster, one of the city’s landmark art deco buildings is leading the way when it comes to showcasing the region’s regeneration. The grade II listed former department store, set in the heart of the town, is the subject of a major redevelopment that will see it transformed into spacious, open plan apartments, complete with rooftop cinema and concierge service. The emphasis on keeping the original character of the building – known as Danum House – is turning this into one of Doncaster’s most exciting and unique residential developments.

As well as the town’s cultural attractions, investing in buy-to-let property in Donacaster makes financial sense too.

“Prices in Doncaster are extremely low at present. From as little as £83,000 here, you can buy a one-bedroom apartment of 465 sq. ft at Danum House. These are seriously spacious apartments that offer a high standard of living and their central location is perfect for attracting tenants looking for the best that the town has to offer.”

Jean Liggett, CEO, Properties of the World

 

Doncaster has enjoyed house price rises of 15.98% over the past five years, according to Zoopla. Property market experts such as those at Properties of the World are keeping a close eye on values, with prices tipped to be on the verge of rising at rates similar to those that we’ve seen in northern cities such as Manchester. With so much being invested in the local area, it’s only a matter of time!

For more information, visit www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

5 top tips for viewing a second property whilst on holiday in Spain this summer

5 top tips for viewing a second property whilst on holiday in Spain this summer

by Priscillia Mudiaki Spain Uncategorized ,

If the latest data for international tourist arrivals to Spain is anything to go by, then the land of sun, sea and sangria is set for a sizzling summer!

Tourist arrivals to Spain rose 16% year-on-year to just over 7 million in April 2017 with holidaymakers from the UK totaling 1.523 million, up 7% from the previous year.

The Balearic Islands (comprising Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera) saw UK tourist arrivals rise by 9.3% in April with the Valencian Community, home of the hugely popular Costa Blanca region, welcoming 14% more Brits in the first four months of 2017 according to the Spanish tourism authority, Frontur.

For those who’ll fall in love with Spain this summer and don’t want the holiday to end, leading housebuilder operating across Spain since 1958, Taylor Wimpey España, has compiled 5 top tips for viewing a holiday home whilst on vacation:

  1. Choose the area you want to buy in – Before you view any properties, make sure to select the right location that fits all your holiday home needs perfectly. You might love where your hotel is located for two weeks of the year but would it be right for longer-term living? What everyday amenities are nearby? How easy it is to reach the airport? What will it be like out of season?
  2. Consider your property type wisely – Fancy a house close to the beach? Spacious apartment or prestigious townhouse? Consider what you want from your holiday home in Spain? How many people will be using it and how often? How much maintenance might it require? How much outside space does it offer and what about on-site facilities such as a swimming pool or children’s play area? What about parking?

Happily, Taylor Wimpey España has something for everyone. Try Bahia Sant Pere on the stunning island of Mallorca for penthouse living with uninterrupted sea views. Want ace golf courses within walking distance of your home? Then head to Malaga on the Costa del Sol and Horizon Golf which features courts and training programmers for golf lovers.

 

  1. Book viewing appointment as early as possible – To avoid disappointment during the peak season, arrange in advance to view properties you are interested in. Taylor Wimpey España’s friendly team are on hand to meet with you for no-obligation personal viewings at a time which suits you – and your sunbathing schedule!
  1. Prepare your questions – You wouldn’t buy a house in the UK without asking questions so why would you do so in Spain? No questions is too big or too small for the Taylor Wimpey España team so prepare a list of queries about the property, the area, the company and the buying process and ask away!
  1. Learn the lingo – Whilst English is widely spoken across Spain and indeed by all members of the Taylor Wimpey España team, it’s always a valued gesture to learn the basics of Spanish to help integration. Even a few words such as “hola (hello), adiós (goodbye), buenos días (good morning), hoy (today) mañana (tomorrow), por favor (please) and gracias (thank you)” will go a long way.

 

For those more advanced, then some useful Property related vocab might include comprar (to buy), viviendas (properties), número habitaciones (number of rooms) and viviendas de vacaciones (holiday homes).

So, if you’re thinking of visiting some stunning holiday homes during your trip to Spain this summer, why not start now and book a no-obligation appointment with Taylor Wimpey España by clicking here: http://taylorwimpeyspain.com/newsletter/Visit_show_home_en.htm.

 

For more information, please contact Taylor Wimpey España today on 08000 121 020 or visit http://taylorwimpeyspain.com for more information. If you reside outside of the UK you will need to call 00 34 971 706 972.

 

Students kick-start a healthy 2017 with cooking and cardio

Students kick-start a healthy 2017 with cooking and cardio

by Sophie Evans Uncategorized
  • Most popular 2017 resolution is to achieve a healthier lifestyle (American Express)
  • Third of Brits set goals to exercise more and 30% plan to eat better (American Express)
  • Free fitness, dance and “get fit after Christmas” sessions in state-of-the-art gyms available at Collegiate AC accommodation

According to new research from American Express the most popular New Year’s resolution set for 2017 was to achieve a healthier lifestyle, with a third of Brits setting goals to exercise more and a further 30% planning to eat better.

Amongst the health conscious are today’s students, eager to achieve both their health and academic goals in order to make the most of their university experience. With increasing pressure to attain top grades, a well-balanced body, mind and soul is becoming essential for students, at any level of study.

Providing students with the facilities essential for maintaining a healthier lifestyle, Collegiate AC the leading provider of luxury student accommodation in the UK, installs high-tech kitchen appliances to give their residents the opportunity to cook meals from scratch.

And with tea and coffee prepared at the start of each day by the 24/7 concierge at the Nova residence in Nottingham, students are able to get ready for a day of lectures with ease.

Collegiate’s Saxon Court property in Reading also benefits from an exclusive dinner party room to host friends and put their healthy cooking skills to the test, providing a fun and relaxing evening in.

As well as altering food options, many New Year’s resolutions begin with a trip to the gym. To inspire students to make time for a fitness regime, regardless of skill level, most Collegiate AC residences offer on-site gym facilities, including Water Lane Apartments in Bristol, Nova in Nottingham and Gateway Apartments in Edinburgh.

In Newcastle, Plummer House provide classes such as Dance, Bootcamp and spinning classes all included with the rate.

Heriberto Cuanalo, CEO of Collegiate AC, explains the advantages of having additional facilities available onsite that enhance a balanced lifestyle,

“Many of our residents have said that the range of additional facilities available in our properties enhances their student experience and provides them with the tools they need to lead a healthy lifestyle. Whether it is using the space to experiment in the kitchen, working up a sweat in the gym or letting off steam by exchanging stories in the common room, we believe that these aspects are of key importance.

“This is especially important after the Christmas break when getting back into the routine of healthy eating and exercising before January exams is important. At Collegiate AC, we take into careful consideration exactly what students need and for instance at Fusion Tower, Bristol, we have an onsite personal trainer that has arranged ‘get fit after Christmas’ group sessions in the on-site state-of-the-art gym.”

Evidence shows, according to findings by mobile health and fitness company HealthifyMe, approximately 82% of people didn’t stick to their New Year’s fitness resolution for more than a week on the app in 2016. It is crucial therefore that your surroundings help motivate your goals and Collegiate AC are the perfect accommodation for focused and well-rounded student-living.

Fusion Tower is a fine example of facilities that help maintain a balanced lifestyle. On-site facilities include a cinema, private gym, club lounge and a resident’s bar as well as a choice of generously-sized rooms, along with high-speed broadband, Wi-Fi and 24-hour security and CCTV.

From £134 per week, Fusion Tower has an incredible city-centre location, perfect for enjoying the wealth of culture and entertainment that Bristol has to offer, with a range of accommodation available from studios to five-bed apartments.

For more information, visit www.collegiate-ac.com or contact Collegiate AC on 01235 250 140.

2017: the year for students to live like millionaires as universities chase fee-paying admissions

2017: the year for students to live like millionaires as universities chase fee-paying admissions

by Sophie Evans Uncategorized
  • Student schemes now offering everything from smart TVs with Netflix to beauty treatment rooms (Properties of the World)
  • University acceptance rates and EU student acceptance rates at record highs (UCAS)
  • Central storage for students with plentiful belongings at The Dye Works in Bradford

The UCAS December 2016 End of Cycle Report has highlighted the changing relationship between UK universities and their students.

Outgoing UCAS Chief Executive Mary Curnock Cook has observed how the “combination of higher fees and the removal of central controls on recruitment numbers” has led to universities chasing students, rather than students chasing places. Acceptance rates are at a record high, with 535,200 students placed in higher education through UCAS in 2016.

Growing student numbers are, naturally, driving the need for more student accommodation and competition is fierce amongst developers to present the most exciting homes for students in the UK. In 2017, the trend for developing student accommodation with outstanding shared facilities will be taken to the next level.

According to Jean Liggett, CEO of visionary property investment consultancy, Properties of the World,

“Students in 2017 will have an unrivalled choice of both universities and student accommodation. The landscape has shifted dramatically for both over the past few years, with the result that universities and property developers are doing all they can to court students. This has impacted on accommodation by opening up a vast array of attractive new options – 2017 students can live like millionaires in comparison to the students of just a decade ago!”

At The Dye Works, on the doorstep of the University of Bradford, residents can enjoy spacious, self-contained apartments with hotel-style features including keyless door entry, a concierge and safes in their rooms.

Students with extra belongings can take advantage of the secure, central storage facility. The feature is sure to appeal to international students bringing over a whole year’s worth of belongings and is certainly timely, with EU student acceptances up by 7% in 2016 (the highest figure on record, at 31,400 according to UCAS).

Uniquely, The Dye Works provides each resident with a large screen smart TV with internet access, allowing students to log into to their favourite streaming applications. There’s also an on-site gym and salon rooms available for external providers to deliver a range of beauty and wellness treatments. When not at uni, students can work out, indulge in a massage, or enjoy the latest TV blockbusters, all without leaving the house – a standard of student living that would simply have been unimaginable just a few years ago.

The Dye Works stands out in particular due to the ratio of beds to leisure facilities. Properties of the World’s Jean Liggett explains,

“The Dye Works offers something more than many student schemes. Quite often you come across vast developments with hundreds of cluster flats and just a solitary pool table and a couple of running machines to share. The leisure facilities at the Dye Works have been thought through very carefully from the students’ perspective, with real consideration for the lifestyle benefits that the shared social spaces and personalised elements will create.”

Investment in The Dye Works is available from £55,000, with circa 8% NET yield.

For more information, visit www.propertiesoftheworld.co.uk or call +44 (0)20 7624 5555.

Make a mint from your armchair in 2017 – the perfect New Year personal finance resolution

Make a mint from your armchair in 2017 – the perfect New Year personal finance resolution

by Charly Uncategorized United Kingdom World
  • easyMarkets trading platform offers more choice than ever before
  • Market-leading dealCancellation tool allows people to recoup losses within an hour of making a trade
  • Democratisation of trading allows individuals to keep pace with the rapidly changing world

The arrival of a New Year is always a good time to try out a new venture, focus on self-improvement and assess one’s personal finances. From losing weight to finally taking home improvements that have been needed for a while, New Year – and the traditional resolutions that accompany it – is a symbol of fresh starts.

For 2017, pioneering forex and CFD broker easyMarkets has come up with a simple way for individuals to take on a new venture at the same time as tackling their personal finances in a different way. Evdokia Pitsillidou, easyMarkets’ Director of Risk Management, explains,

“For 2017, we’ve made it easier than ever for individuals to learn to trade from the comfort of their armchairs. Our goal has always been to democratise trading and for 2017 we’re offering a host of incentives and great features that open up trading to all those who fancy trying their hand at it.”

The 2017 easyMarkets platform is offering traders a 30-50% bonus on their first deposit (up to $2,000), the ability to trade on multiple devices (laptop, PC, tablet and smartphone) and more products to trade than ever before. Those trading on easyMarkets have a choice of 115 currency pairs, 21 metals pairs, 12 commodities, 14 indices and 27 options pairs. Day trading, forward deals, pending orders and options are all available through the site.

As such an array of possibilities may seem bewildering to budding traders, the easyMarkets team has provided an extensive knowledge centre as part of its site. Educational videos, weekly hot topics features and comprehensive eBooks all mean that those who are new to trading can start 2017 armed with the knowledge they need to starting playing the markets. Trading tool such as trading charts, live currency rates and a trade simulator all make it even easier.

The UK’s political and economic environment in 2017 looks possibly volatile, as the ongoing Brexit process continues to have an impact on the country. The triggering of Article 50 will no doubt send ripples through the markets and many traders may be poised to take advantage of that fact. Now, those seeking a new approach to their personal finances in 2017 may also look to benefit from the tumultuous situation.

Even the most cautious traders have been considered as part of the easyMarkets offering, with late 2016 seeing the launch of the market-leading dealCancellation tool. With dealCancellation, traders have 60 minutes to cancel a losing trade – so if things don’t pan out as expected immediately after their trade, they have the option to turn back time and have any losses returned.

The world is changing fast. 2017 is the year for those who want to get ahead to adapt and change with it.

For further details, visit www.easymarkets.com, email pr@easymarkets.com or call +44 203 1500 748.

 

Risk warning: Forward Rate Agreements, Options and CFDs (OTC Trading) are leveraged products that carry a substantial risk of loss up to your invested capital and may not be suitable for everyone. Please ensure that you understand fully the risks involved and do not invest money you cannot afford to lose. Our group of companies through its subsidiaries is licensed by the Cyprus Securities & Exchange Commission (Easy Forex Trading Ltd- CySEC, License Number 079/07), which has been passported in the European Union through the MiFID Directive and in Australia by ASIC (Easy Markets Pty Ltd -AFS license No. 246566).