• New direct flights to connect Manchester with Houston, Phuket, Mauritius, Goa and San Francisco
• Manchester highlighted as UK’s most liveable city (Economist Intelligence Unit)
• Strong economy and professional workforce make Manchester ideal for buy-to-let investors (Surrenden Invest)

Manchester has once more been declared the UK’s best city to live in, beating its rival northern powerhouses and London in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s Global Liveability Ranking.

The city also made it into the top 50 most liveable cities on the planet, with everything from safety, the environment and healthcare to infrastructure and educational resources considered.

Manchester’s growing population certainly supports the Economist’s ranking. According to government figures, Greater Manchester’s population is swelling by nearly 50 people per day. World Population Review names Manchester as the sixth largest city in the UK, the second most populous urban area and the third largest city economy.

Nor is it just Manchester’s permanent population that has swelled in recent years. Visitor numbers reached 115 million during 2014, according to Marketing Manchester, an increase of nearly 100 million visitors since 2002, when the city attracted 18 million annually.

A sweet sound, musical tourism is an increasingly important part of Manchester’s offering. In 2015, live music events were attended by 1.9 million visitors, 700,000 of whom travelled to the city from elsewhere. The events added more than £140 million to the city’s economy, based on figures from Oxford Economics for UK Music.

New flights are opening Manchester up to international tourists as well. Direct flights between Manchester and China became available in June 2016, with the city’s tourism venues and organisations encouraged to take China Welcome Training in order to make the most of this new source of visitors.

Singapore Airlines is also adding a new route, with its first transatlantic flight from the UK departing from Manchester to Houston on 30 October 2016. Direct routes to Phuket, Mauritius and Goa are also expected to come online this winter, thanks to Thomson Airlines.

The expansion of routes and capacity will continue into 2017. Emirates has announced plans to deploy a third double decker aircraft for its thrice weekly flights between Manchester and Dubai from 1 January, replacing the current single decker craft and increasing capacity by 2,198 seats per week. Manchester is already the second most popular UK airport for Emirates’ passengers, with only London Gatwick proving busier. 2017 will also see Virgin Atlantic launch the first direct flight between Manchester and San Francisco.

International interest in Manchester is set to continue booming, with so many new routes available, but not all those heading to (or just looking at) Manchester from overseas are content with a holiday.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of property consultancy Surrenden Invest, explains,

“Manchester is one of the most popular locations in the UK when it comes to foreign direct investment and when it comes to property investment, it’s the most popular city in northern England. It’s a great city to live in, is well connected (and due to be more so once the western leg of the HS2 rail link comes into play) and has a wealth of economic opportunities for professional tenants, which is a really important factor when it comes to buy-to-let property investment.

“And of course the post-Brexit dip in sterling’s value has made property in the city even more attractive to those buying in other currencies.”

Professional opportunities in Manchester include everything from the creative industries to new technology. Manchester Science Partnerships announced in July 2016 that it was committing £60 million of investment in its biomedical centre of excellence, Citylabs, which it runs in partnership with Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust. The move will create some 750 jobs and is representative of companies’ confidence in Manchester’s credentials as a strong economy with plenty of scope for expansion and a deep local talent pool.

The need to house those talented professionals is what has made Manchester such a popular location with buy-to-let investors. The city came top for rental yield in England and Wales between 2010 and 2016, according to LendInvest’s Buy To Let Index, with an average yield of 6.8% over the period.

According to Surrenden Invest’s Jonathan Stephens, investors (both domestic and overseas) are keen to snap up off plan properties in key areas of the city, such as the new Halo development on Simpson Street. The combination of prime central location, allocated parking, landscaped courtyard and beautifully styled apartments is proving popular with investors looking for strong returns.

One Cross Street has also caught investors’ attention. Prices for this city centre development range from £225,000 to £245,000, with 6.2% NET assured return and completion due later this year. The highly sought after period conversion will blend character features with contemporary city living.

For further details, visit www.surrendeninvest.com, email info@surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499.

• MP for Brigg & Goole, Andrew Percy appointed new Northern Powerhouse minister
• “The Northern Powerhouse will continue to be a priority” (Conservative Government spokesman)
• Average Manchester house price increased 9% during the past year (Hometrack)
• North-South divide widens as regional cities provide exciting investment opportunities (Surrenden Invest)

An element of calm has been restored after one of the most dramatic months in the history of British politics. With Theresa May now at the helm, the UK is stabilising and looking once again to boost domestic and overseas investor confidence, not least in the Northern Powerhouse.

It has been over 2 years since former Chancellor Osborne’s brainchild, the Northern Powerhouse, was born back in 2014 with a view to boosting growth in the north of England, particularly the Core Cities and reposition the economy away from London and the South East.

Taking over the reins from James Wharton, MP for Stockton South, Andrew Percy, MP for Brigg and Goole has now been appointed by PM May as the new Northern Powerhouse minister to ensure the continued success of this region, heavily weighted with expectation.

A proud northerner, Mr Percy said he was “keen to give this role my best shot” and has already taken steps to further devolve power from Westminster signing off plans to create an elected mayor for the Sheffield city region.

Indeed, as a Government spokesman said, “the Northern Powerhouse will continue to be a priority… and is making huge strides in rebalancing the economy – foreign direct investment has increased by 127% in the two years since the Northern Powerhouse was established.”

One of the Northern Powerhouse’s Core Cities, Manchester, has already been a recipient of significant amounts of this foreign direct investment, not least in the local property market. According to the latest EY UK Attractiveness Survey, of the 98 foreign direct investment projects awarded to the North West in 2015, over half, 54, of those schemes came to Manchester.

The construction sector (alongside software, business services and the retail sector) benefited greatly as numerous high profile domestic and international companies looked to capitalise on and address the imbalance in supply and demand of housing stock in Manchester.

The latest UK Cities House Price Index by Hometrack (June 2016) reveals just why the Northern Powerhouse city of Manchester’s property market is so appealing. The average property price in the city has increased by 9% throughout the past year and shows no imminent sign of slowing down.

Further demonstrating the growing North-South real estate divide, the relative change in sales during the last three months has decreased by 8% in London, whereas Manchester’s market is continuing to build momentum with a positive relative change in sales of 7%.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of property consultancy Surrenden Invest believes that the disparity between the North and South is widening as property markets within the Northern Powerhouse continue climbing on their positive trajectory. He comments,

“Manchester has been experiencing a period of stable growth for some time now and I do not see this changing post Brexit. The city continues to provide savvy property investors with exciting opportunities in prime locations with evidence suggesting that the cities of the North are providing better returns and faster capital growth than London.”

One of Surrenden Invest’s latest investment opportunities in the heart of Manchester is One Cross Street. Situated just 5 minutes’ walk from the prime business and exclusive leisure district, Spinningfields, as well as from the luxury shopping district New Cathedral Street, one Cross Street is being redeveloped from the stunning structure of a former cotton mill circa 1907.

Modern low-carbon technology means that the building will be one of the city’s most energy efficient, making this a future-proof investment. The passive heating environment, where the building’s ambient temperature is maintained through air source heat pumps and heat recovery systems, means that running costs are incredibly low.

With prices starting at £130,323, the property is formed of 34 luxury apartments featuring elements of the existing structure left such as exposed brick and beams. The project has also included the creation of a modern new-build extension which will include two new penthouse levels featuring floor to ceiling glass walls as well as a beautiful roof terrace available to all residents. Properties also come fully furnished with high end fixtures and fittings.

For more information, visit www.surrendeninvest.com or contact Surrenden Invest on 0203 3726 499.

• Liverpool still top of the props when it comes to investment
• Waterfront area proving popular with investors and tenants alike
• Stamp duty increase hasn’t dented buyers’ enthusiasm for Liverpool property

Liverpool’s property market has received a great deal of media attention in recent years. From being flagged up as the UK’s top property investment hotspot to the massive regeneration plans centering on the city’s stunning waterfront location, the city has drawn attention for its potential, its yields and its capital growth.

So is Liverpool ready to retire from the property scene and make way for the UK’s next property hotspot? Far from it, according to Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of property consultancy Surrenden Invest. We caught up with Jonathan to find out why it is that Liverpool can still set property investors’ pulses racing.

Is Liverpool still the place to be so far as UK property investment is concerned?

Yes, absolutely! The North West of England, and Liverpool in particular, is enjoying a period of substantial growth when it comes to city economies. The Northern Powerhouse initiative has focused attention on the North West’s cities and Liverpool is one of those at the forefront of the boom. We’re seeing starts ups, creatives and tech companies flourish, alongside more established services industries, giving a really vibrant and exciting feel to what’s going on here in terms of economic potential.

And of course booming businesses go hand in hand with a buoyant property market. There’s a lot of demand from professional tenants for high end rental accommodation. They’re seeking a blend of great location and added extras like concierge services. With the UK’s private rented sector continuing to expand, I don’t believe we’re going to see demand from this kind of tenant drop off any time soon, so in cities like Liverpool investment in rental property definitely still makes sense.

Are there any particular areas of Liverpool that property investors should consider?

The UNESCO World Heritage waterfront area is the place to look. There’s a lot of money being poured into development work there right now, which will give new residents access to some of the city’s most celebrated features, right on their doorstep. It’s a really elegant district with real charm and provides easy access to the offices, retail establishments, eateries and other amenities of the city centre.

Strand Plaza is a great example. The beautiful apartments benefit from stunning views over the water, as well as premium features like a 24-hour concierge. Residents will be able to benefit from superb local amenities, with the whole of the city centre at their disposal.

After the stamp duty increase, is buy-to-let still an attractive option for investors?

The buy-to-let sector was certainly braced for the impact that the 3% increase to stamp duty on additional properties would have and we saw a huge rush in the first quarter of this year as buyers raced to complete their purchases before the rate increase in April. However, we’ve certainly not seen interest in buy-to-let investment vanish since then, at least not here at Surrenden Invest. Buy-to-let in areas with strong yields like Liverpool can still be a profitable venture and investors like the relative certainly that comes from investing in bricks and mortar.

Is the Liverpool market still undervalued?

Definitely. There were various predictions just over a year ago about how investors were going to send Liverpool property prices soaring because the market was so undervalued, but the reality is that we’ve seen a slow and steady increase rather than the promised spike in values. Zoopla’s latest data shows an annual increase in house values of 0.63%. That means that Liverpool’s market still has excellent potential for growth when it comes to prices. It’s still undervalued in my opinion, which is an exciting opportunity for investors in buy-to-let properties.

What are your predictions for Liverpool’s property market over the coming years?

I think we’re going to see the continuing of the current trends, with new homes being built in sought after areas accompanied by strong levels of demand from professional tenants. Liverpool’s city centre population is growing for the first time in 80 years and the surge in interest in city centre homes has been marked. Prices should continue to rise at a sensible pace, meaning investors can look forward to the potential for capital gains as part of their investment strategy.

Finally, what is it about Liverpool that makes the city so special?

For me, it’s the city’s combination of its shipping and manufacturing past with its more recent status as a centre for culture and creativity. There’s so much here to discover. Liverpool is not only a great place to work but also a lovely city for enjoying during your leisure time. That’s why so many people in recent years have headed back to the city centre to live and we’ve seen such a shift in demographic patterns. Liverpool is one of the UK’s most interesting and vibrant cities. Whether you’re looking to live here or invest in a property, it’s a wonderful place.

For further details, visit www.surrendeninvest.com, email info@surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499.

• Pockets of the UK capital still undervalued and can offer investors attractive opportunities (Surrenden Invest)
• Rental yield in Mitcham is well above the London average at 6.1% (London Property Watch)
• Brook House provides a rare opportunity for investors wanting to buy within Greater London (Surrenden Invest)

As London’s extreme house price growth continues to dominate market news, investing in the capital seems unreachable for many prospective buyers. However, with the knowledge of where to look, there are still areas within its suburbs that present enticing opportunities.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of property consultancy Surrenden Invest, explains,

“The current London market is saturated with overpriced stock as PCL sales fall by 50-60%. Overseas investors have decreased dramatically, no longer prominent in propping up London’s new build market. However, it is not a disaster. There are pockets within the capital that are still undervalued and can offer investors exceptionally attractive opportunities. In the early stages of gentrification, Mitcham for example in south London, has the ability to become the capital’s next success story.”

Although Mitcham is only 7 miles south of the city centre, it appears to have been completely overlooked. Other suburbs much further out have enjoyed a property boom in recent years, yet Mitcham is still waiting for its moment. Its Zone 3 neighbour Tooting has experienced rapid gentrification during the past decade and some of the highest property increases in London, with the average selling price now reaching just above £625,000 according to the latest figures released by Home.co.uk.

However, these rapidly increasing prices are now causing the market to become inaccessible and subsequently creating a huge demand from young professionals who cannot afford to buy or rent in the more expensive areas. This demand is drifting to nearby towns and with recent London Property Watch figures reporting the average rental yield in Mitcham at 6.1%, well above the London average, its future looks increasingly bright.

To enhance the outlook further, a £6m regeneration project with an emphasis on town centre improvement is currently underway in Mitcham. Due to be completed in 2018, this will not only develop transport links and give the town centre a welcome makeover but also be of great support to local businesses.

Excited to witness the transformation, Jonathan continues,

“There is so much scope for improvement within the district and it’s really only a matter of time before savvy investors capitalise on its potential. However, it is not simply investors showing an increased interest in the area. We have been inundated with enquiries from young professionals and first time buyers who are hoping to call Mitcham home, highlighting further the impending demand for property as this London suburb evolves.”

Situated at the heart of Mitcham, Brook House is comprised of beautifully designed, luxury one and two bedroom apartments. Surrounded by luscious greenery and historic buildings whilst overlooking the Mitcham Cricket Green, Brook House development provides a rare and highly sought after opportunity for potential investors wanting to stay within London’s borders.

A short walk from the Mitcham Tramlink stop and Mitcham Eastfields station, Brook House is conveniently situated within easy commuting distance to the city whilst offering the benefits of living in London’s greenest borough. The apartments’ idyllic location has been celebrated on the big screen, featuring in Steve Coogan’s most recent Alan Partridge film, Alpha Papa.

With prices ranging from £220,000 to £300,000, Brook House boasts unrivalled facilities including a parking space for every apartment, beautifully furnished kitchens and bathrooms, spacious bedrooms, a communal area and an audio/video door entry system for added peace of mind.

For further details, visit www.surrendeninvest.com, email info@surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499.

• City centre resident numbers in Manchester up by 83% in 10 years (Centre for Cities)
• Manchester house prices up 15.83% in 5 years (Zoopla)
• Investment in new Rivergate House development from just £158k (Surrenden Invest)

Just two years ago, Manchester’s Wilburn Street Basin was a neglected patch of wasteland. The three acre site had been forgotten for decades, despite its close proximity to Manchester city centre. It seemed a sad end after its frequent use back when it was built in 1864, as a mooring site on the River Irwell.

But all was not lost. Thanks to the farsightedness of a group of developers, Wilburn Street Basin is now well on the way to once more becoming an attractive and thriving area of Manchester. In just two short years, residential accommodation has begun to spring up on the site, with plans also including a range of offices, shops and smart eateries.

In summer 2014, the run-down land appeared unkempt and unloved. Now, construction crews are turning ambitious plans into reality for a range of luxurious new waterside homes and associated facilities.

The new homes back onto a large shopping complex with homewares and fashion stores on one side, with the Wilburn Street Basin providing serene river views on the other side. The pretty setting, and its location just a stone’s throw from Manchester city centre, position the site well for a return to the popularity it experienced during Victorian times.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of property consultancy Surrenden Invest, explains,

“The Wilburn Street Basin area has so much going for it. It’s astonishing to think that it sat empty for so long when space is at such a premium so close to the centre of Manchester. The new buildings going up on the site are breathing life into the area once again – this historic part of Manchester is about to start a new phase of its history, going from neglected wasteland to highly desirable waterside living.”

Rivergate House enjoys a prime location on the new Wilburn Wharf site. The one, two and three bedroom apartments are just a short walk from the central business district, offering spacious homes for professionals and their families looking to be close to employment and yet enjoy the peace of waterside living once the working day is done. Investment opportunities in buy-to-let apartments range from £158,000 to £350,000, with projected 6.2% NET yields. Completion of the apartments is estimated for Q4 2016.

City centre living of this nature is becoming increasingly popular. According to Centre for Cities, the number of city centre dwellers across the UK rose by 37% from 2001 to 2011, following decades of decline as people opted for a life in the suburbs. Large cities are leading the trend, with resident numbers in their centres increasing significantly over the decade.

Manchester is leading the rest of the UK in respect of this growth. City centre residents there increased by 20,000 in the ten years to 2011, equating to growth of 83%. Yet only 7,000 new homes were sold in the city centre during the same period. With an average of 2.3 people per UK household, based on data from the Office for National Statistics, that meant a shortfall of homes for nearly 4,000 individuals.

The increase in demand was felt across the city centre housing market. In the last five years, according to Zoopla, house prices there have risen by 15.83% and the current asking rent has reached £1,069 pcm.

With so much pressure on Manchester’s central accommodation, it seems that Wilburn Street Basin’s reemergence as Wilburn Wharf is just in time and apartments at Rivergate House are presenting an increasingly rare opportunity for luxurious, waterside living in this highly sought after city centre.

For further details, visit www.surrendeninvest.com, email info@surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499.

• Manchester city centre population rises from 76 to 24,000 in two decades (Stockport Council)
• In 2015 sold prices in Manchester City Centre increased by 7% (Rightmove)
• NOMA and Spinningfields pegged as hottest city centre buy-to-let locations (Surrenden Invest)

Regeneration is a word that Mancunians are thoroughly familiar with. This June will mark the 20^th anniversary since a bomb set off by the provisional IRA wiped out half a mile of the city centre. Since then, billions of pounds have been spent on turning Manchester into the epitome of a 21^st century city, with outstanding results. The renovation of the city has transformed the housing market with sold prices in Manchester’s city centre increasing by 7% in 2015 alone according to the latest Rightmove data.

Eamonn Boylan, chief executive of Stockport Council, commented recently on Manchester’s city centre renaissance,

“Before [1996], Manchester was effectively depopulated by policy and planning – there were 76 people living in the city centre when I started. That’s 24,000 now, but 150,000 is the target.”

One of the largest aspects of the regeneration work was the overhaul of Manchester Victoria station, which reopened in October 2015. The £44 million refurbishment resulted in three new tracks and four new platforms, with large parts of the building almost entirely rebuilt.

The work on the station is representative of the approach taken to Manchester overall. Ambitious initiatives have sought to revamp entire areas, with NOMA (North Of Manchester, where Victoria station is located) becoming a particular hotspot. As improvements have taken place, demand for housing has shot up.

The success of this northwestern city, dubbed the Northern Powerhouse, has sparked a recent trend in investors, especially those from overseas, looking outside Manchester’s centre to the neighbouring area of Salford Quays.

Hoping to replicate the achievements of central Manchester’s property market, it seems many developers have focused their attention in and around Salford Quays, looking to capitalise on lower land values and the regeneration plans in place. This area however, some 20 minutes from Manchester city centre, it is yet to experience the same level of growth with prices of many apartments stagnating and rental incomes remaining flat due to the oversupply of units.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of property consultancy Surrenden Invest, explains more,

“Manchester city centre now affords a number of hotspots where demand for high quality, contemporary homes has increased hugely. Savvy investors are keen to not venture too far out of the city centre boundaries and I would advise them to steer clear of deepest, darkest Salford.

“In comparison with city centre properties, developments in Salford will need to complete another cycle of some 7-10 years before witnessing real growth in both capital gain and yield. NOMA is a great example of the success of a city centre location – the area simply can’t build homes fast enough to keep up with demand from those looking to buy and rent in the area.”

The city’s regeneration continues to develop. Most recently, plans have been unveiled to create hundreds of hi-tech creative industry jobs as part of a £14m regeneration of Manchester’s Space TV and film centre. As jobs continue to be created by the large-scale redevelopment work, the city council is racing to keep up, having just revealed plans for an ambitions 10 year homebuilding strategy.

Those looking for homes sooner than 2026 would do well to focus on the area around Manchester Victoria station. Just a few streets away, Halo, on Simpson Street in the heart of the NOMA district enjoys a prime city centre location. The spacious, light-filled apartments will be ideal for those looking for upscale rental accommodation with excellent transport connections and easy access to the city centre. Completion of the 66 stylish one, two and three bedroom homes is estimated for Q2 2017, with investors enjoying projected 6.2% NET yields.

The other city centre hotspot right now so far as buy-to-let investors are concerned is Wilburn Wharf, home to the luxury, waterside Rivergate House development. Available for investment from £158,00 to £350,000, Rivergate House is just a short walk from the Spinningfields district, a major business and employment hub.

Spinningfields is another of Manchester’s success stories. It has been transformed from a region of dull, faceless office blocks into one of the city’s most vibrant and enterprising areas, all in the space of just a few years. Smart new office blocks jostle for attention alongside Michelin starred restaurants, sophisticated bars and beautifully landscaped green spaces. Naturally, the area has attracted some keen interest from those wishing to live in the heart of such urban elegance.

For further details, visit www.surrendeninvest.com, email info@surrendeninvest.com or call 0203 3726 499.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of Surrenden Invest, the property consultancy that focuses on high-yielding buy-to-let investments, says,

“Today’s announcements by the Chancellor will have come as no real surprise to those looking to buy an investment property in coming months. George Osborne has maintained his earlier pledge on Stamp Duty, holding strong on the changes already announced, which in turn means that those investors with their fingers on the pulse will not have experienced any kind of real shock to the system today.

What it does mean, however, is that we are set to see an ever-increasing focus on the ‘Northern Powerhouse’ as the location of choice for investment properties. This Government focus on the North-West was highlighted further still today with the announcement of new road improvements in the region, along with a new tunnel linking Sheffield with Manchester. Giving the green light to the HS3 Manchester to Leeds line will also massively grow investment prospects in the Northern Powerhouse, improving transport links and high-speed travel. “I said we would build the Northern Powerhouse. We are making it a reality and rebalancing our country,” Osborne said and this can only be a good thing for those buying into the region.

This does mean that the focus is very much moving away from the capital. Having ‘London’ at the end of your address should be a license to print money but the current oversupply of new build property, combined with the turmoil in the overseas market, means that the London market overall is cooling – and fast. In fact, I predict that by Christmas new build stock in London will be down by 50%.  Yet this is London as a whole. There are still areas, like Ilford for example, that remain undervalued and therefore savvy investors still keen to buy in the city should look to such locations that offer low entry points and decent rental income, combined with positive future Crossrail-impacted price growth.

Overall, I would say that this budget has confirmed that there is no better time to look north, however, with the dream buy-to-let conditions created for the Northern Powerhouse.”

For more information, visit www.surrendeninvest.com or contact Surrenden Invest on 0203 3726 499.

• Buy-to-let consultancy reveals 50% increase in enquiries following stamp duty hike announcement (Surrenden Invest)
• “Residential property will remain the UK’s most profitable asset class long after 2016” (Jonathan Stephens)
• Royal Victoria Residence, London, witnessing increased demand

One of the UK’s most prominent property investment consultancies has revealed the huge impact of the stamp duty hike, announced by the Chancellor late last year and due to come into force as of 1^st April, on the buy-to-let market.

Surrenden Invest, based in the capital, has released new figures which show that in the past 3 months, since the Autumn Statement, new enquiries into their current investment projects have grown an impressive 50%.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of Surrenden Invest, explains more,

“As soon as the news broke from the Autumn Statement our consultants received a greater volume of enquiries, the phones were literally ringing off the hook! Since then, there has been a significantly heightened level of demand from clients looking to push their purchase through by 1^st April or commit to purchasing good quality stock before the revised stamp duty rates kick in.”

The new legislation introduced by Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, in November is set to come into play from 1^st April this year and will see an additional 3% added to the amount of stamp duty those buying a second property will have to pay. There have been murmurings in the industry that the impact of the changes will long-term be a negative one and that despite a potential boom-time now, the number of people purchasing for buy-to-let reasons from April onwards will drop off dramatically from pre-announcement levels.

This is not, however, a view shared by Jonathan Stephens who says,

“It is certainly all about buying at the moment, although I don’t think people should worry about any suspected negative impact of the new legislation on the market, post-April. Compared to the majority of international real estate markets, closing costs in the UK will still remain comparatively low – some overseas buyers are used to paying up to 15% to close a deal back home. UK buy-to-let looks likely to continue to be an attractive asset for those seeking a savvy investment and we believe that residential property will remain the UK’s most profitable asset class long after April 2016.”

Surrenden Invest focuses on high yielding buy-to-let properties, considering the very best investment opportunities in the UK, and currently offering projects in London, Manchester and Liverpool. One such project that is currently gaining increased attention from buyers is Royal Victoria Residence.

Located just minutes from the planned Custom House Crossrail station, the superior one, two and three bedroom apartments, due for completion Q4 2017, will benefit from premium amenities, including a 24-hour concierge service.

Curved balconies, views of the Thames and Canary Wharf and sleek interiors are bound to prove popular with the demands of modern tenants and, this combined with the projected 40% growth in the area by 2020 due to the Crossrail effect, makes Royal Victoria Residence one of London’s key riverside investment opportunities. Prices range from £390,186 to £854,459.

For more information, visit www.surrendeninvest.com or contact Surrenden Invest on 0203 3726 499.

The undeniable centre of the Northern Powerhouse effect, Manchester is witnessing a huge influx of businesses moving into the city from southern climes, creating an evolving marketplace. The recent Savills ‘Spotlight: The Future of Manchester’ report has revealed that the city has seen the creation of 57,000 jobs in the city centre since 2011, a figure that is greater than twice the growth seen across the UK as an entirety.

And this is just the beginning for Manchester’s business growth. The report also predicts that the city will need to house an additional 36,000 office workers in the next ten years which, given the current average annual property shortfall of around 5,100 homes and the expanding population as a whole, will be quite some feat.

With brand new developments appearing both in the city centre and edging further towards the outskirts to fulfil this blossoming need, there is a growing demand for a different type of property emerging.

Jonathan Stephens, Managing Director of Surrenden Invest, explains,

“A growing number of large corporations have moved – or are planning to move – their operations to northern centres of business, with Manchester leading the way as a far cheaper alternative to London in many ways. Savills has predicted that this will result in the need for nearly 100,000 new properties in the next ten years and therefore the question has been posed to Manchester as to how they will meet this explosive demand.

“Though a large part of this demand is being answered by the myriad of new builds under construction, since the extension of the Permitted Development Rights (PDR) there has been an emerging trend within Manchester of conversions of former industrial or office spaces, unlocking previously hidden potential in the market – and providing exciting new properties in turn.”

Appealing to the growing professional population themselves and investors alike, such developments boast all the benefits of centre city living and modern amenities, alongside character features and the high quality of an original, traditional building.

One such project that is gaining attention is Surrenden Invest’s One Cross Street. Situated in the very centre of the city, just five minutes’ walk from Manchester’s prime business and exclusive leisure district, Spinningfields, as well as from the luxury shopping district of New Cathedral Street, One Cross Street is ideally located for the new growing professional sector.

Redeveloped from the stunning structure of a former cotton mill, the original building of One Cross Street was built circa 1907 and is one of the last properties of its kind to be developed. The property is formed of 34 luxury apartments within a high-quality conversion of the original building, featuring elements of the existing structure left exposed, such as exposed brick and beams, as well as a creation of a modern new-build extension which will include two new penthouse floors featuring floor to ceiling glass walls.

Modern low-carbon technology means that the building will be one of the city’s most energy efficient, making this a future-proof investment. The passive heating environment that is created, where the building’s ambient temperature is maintained through air source heat pumps and heat recovery systems, means that running costs are incredibly low.

As part of the sense of community that is central to the project, One Cross Street boasts laundry rooms and a beautiful roof terrace, available to all residents. Properties also come fully furnished, with high quality furniture packs, as well as high end fixtures and fittings.

Studios are priced from £130,323, two-beds from £224,355, and a three and four duplex from £286,613.

Offering an unrivalled 6.2% net rental guarantee for 4 years, there is a projected 5 year return on investment of 45%.

For more information, visit www.surrendeninvest.com or contact Surrenden Invest on 0203 3726 499.