Latest research from global real estate advisor, Colliers International, reveals that even in the face of continued economic uncertainty and the woes of Brexit, Central London remains a prime destination for international brands and interest is still growing, as currently, over 50 per cent of stores on core shopping streets are international brands and 30 new retailers have arrived in the last year alone.

In addition, demand from Chinese shoppers shows no sign of waning with average spend up 30 per cent (YTD) to £1,663*.

Paul Souber, Head of Central London Retail at Colliers International commented: “Following the Brexit vote, sterling devalued significantly, making London more attractive to tourists; particularly those from China, the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, who quickly began taking advantage of the ‘Brexit bargains’ on offer. Of these, Chinese tourists were the biggest contributor to international sales, accounting for 35% of tourist spend*.

“As a result of the currency-led tourist boom, many retailers noticed an escalation in shopper footfall and we initially saw a rise in the number of active requirements as a result. However, with shopping habits increasingly moving online and an uncertain UK economy slowing the rate of consumer spending, many retailers are feeling financially squeezed and are subsequently focusing more on controlling their overall occupational costs.

“The focus on the bottom line coincides with a recognition from brands that their bricks and mortar stores must be repurposed so that they seamlessly connect and enhance all parts of their retailing platform, be that online or instore.

“In practice this translates to retailers being more discerning over the number, size and location of physical stores and, in turn, these stores become more experiential and personalised.

“As consumers become more time challenged, it is essential that the locations they visit provide them with a convenience led menu of experiences, from great shopping to a huge array of dining and entertainment options, cultural experiences, health and fitness pursuits, relaxation and leisure, all easily interconnected and accessible by transport and digital infrastructure.

“London is naturally suited to meet these challenges as they are already being embraced and executed by the major landowners and stakeholders in the Capital who are curating, enhancing and future proofing the capital so that it remains the best city in the world.”

Attracting an audience of over one million for a single concert in India, Babbu Maan is making a return to UK with a stop at Arena Birmingham on Saturday 29 September 2018!

Internationally acclaimed music mega star Maan returns to UK soils to perform a one-off concert at Arena Birmingham that’s guaranteed to leave audiences breathless.  Winner of the World’s Best Indian Male Artist at the recent World Music Awards, Maan will perform a mix of old school classics alongside his latest songs from his new album, Ik C Pagal with a full live band.

Speaking about his return, Maan said "I'm really excited to be coming back to the UK, and I promise my UK fans that Babbu is back, bigger than ever and ready to rock Birmingham! I receive messages every day from my UK fans showing their support and now l will reply to your messages to show you how much they mean via my music! l look forward to meeting and seeing you all soon."

Spectacular new images have today (Wednesday) been revealed at MIPIM in Cannes showcasing City of Wolverhampton’s Interchange Commercial District vision.

City of Wolverhampton Council, working in partnership with leading developers Ion, unveiled the ambitious plans during the World Class Developments hotspot at the global property forum.

The commercial district will deliver one million sq ft of grade A office space over strategic sites at the heart of an integrated regional road, rail and tram hub.

It follows on from the success of the award-winning i10 office development – home to major brands Countryside, Ovivo and Tarmac.

Works are also due to start on site later this year on the £12.3 million, eye-catching i9 building.

It will provide 50,000 sq ft of stunning grade A office space for a national or regional headquarters for a major business when completed in 2020.

The commercial district proposition has also been endorsed by the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, CBRE.

The strategic sites are Banana Yard, Cornhill, Steam Mill, Sack Works, i9, Broad Street Hub, and Urban Park.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Our vision for the City of Wolverhampton Interchange is rapidly becoming a reality.

“We now need to take advantage of having state-of-the-art facilities at the heart of the UK’s high-speed rail and motorway networks, with an international airport just 30 minutes away.

“Since i10 was completed we have seen increasing demand for quality office space in that location of the city, particularly from large space users.

“i9 will now follow, and developing a wider city-centre commercial district makes perfect sense to boost the city’s economic future.”

The Interchange project will make big strides in 2018 – providing an attractive commercial gateway to those entering the city by national rail, bus or tram services.

The Midland Metro city centre extension will connect the tram directly to the front of a new railway station, allowing easy interchange between different modes of public transport.

Works on the demolition of the current station have started, and train services will remain fully operational while a new state-of-the-art railway station emerges adjacent to it by 2020.

All this will move the City of Wolverhampton towards a thriving commercial district at the heart of Wolverhampton Interchange - bringing further investment and jobs.

Steve Parry, Managing Director of Ion, added: "The commencement of works on the new railway station building is bringing into focus how well connected the new Commercial District at Wolverhampton Interchange will be.

“We are convinced that it will become a popular location for business."

Business leaders in Greater Birmingham have welcomed news of a £100m housing boost for the West Midlands in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement. A deal has been agreed for the West Midlands Combined Authority to receive £100m from the Land Remediation Fund towards the build of 215,000 homes per year. The Land Remediation Fund enables the release of surplus or unused land to develop for new housing. Elsewhere in his Spring Statement, Chancellor Phillip Hammond also said the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) expects inflation to fall from 3 per cent back to the target 2 per cent over the next 12 months. Growth is expected to be unchanged at 1.3 per cent in 2019 and 2020 before picking up to 1.4 per cent in in 2021 and 1.5 per cent in 2022.

Greater Birmingham Chambers of Commerce chief executive Paul Faulkner (pictured) said: “Many businesses will have breathed a sigh of relief as the chancellor stuck to his word and did not announce any major changes in this Spring Statement.

“Instead he focused on updates on how funds already earmarked are being allocated.

“There was good news for the region the West Midlands Combined Authority’s housing deal was announced. “We are well aware that having an affordable and attractive place to live with good links to employment opportunities is a vital part of being able to attract and retain talent and staff in the region. Kick-starting further housebuilding in this way is a welcome move.

“There was also good news on the economy performing better than expected and the announcement of new funds on preparing employers for T Levels and helping SMEs take on apprentices. We will be informing our members of how they can best benefit from these opportunities as the detail becomes clear.” However, business leaders are calling for more decisive action on business rates in the Autumn Budget to avoid further strain on high street retailers. The Chancellor vowed to reduce business rates by £10bn and bring forward the first wave of triannual revaluations to 2021. Mr Faulkner said: “The Chancellor has not gone far enough on business rates. We have seen consistently in recent weeks just how hard hit our high streets are by rising rates.

“Many other businesses reliant on physical space also share retailers’ pain. The time for tweaks around the edges on business rates is over, in this digital age businesses need a fundamental overhaul of this outdated input tax based on bricks and mortar if we are to retain and grow vibrant business and retail centres. “We urge the Chancellor to make this a priority in his Autumn Budget.”

MEMBERS of the public are being given the opportunity to have their name added to the wings of the iconic Vulcan XH558, as part of celebrations to commemorate the 25^th anniversary of XH558’s final RAF Flight in 1993.

In a fitting tribute to one of the RAF’s longest-serving aircraft, in the Centenary year of the RAF’s formation, the Vulcan to the Sky Trust has opened up this opportunity for the public to place any chosen name on a set of plaques that will commemorate the 25^th Anniversary of Vulcan XH558’s final flight with the RAF.

Dr Robert Pleming from Vulcan to the Sky Trust said: “Following her last RAF flight some people thought that they would never see Vulcan XH558 fly again. Fast-forward 14 years and after perhaps the most complex and demanding private aircraft restoration project ever completed – anywhere in the world, XH558 returned to the air once more in October 2007.

“The restoration allowed eight more years of incredible displays in front of millions of people, and a huge fan base developed a real love for XH558. She took to the sky for the last time on October 28 2015 for her final flight.”

As an icon of British aeronautical design excellence she is will spend her ground-running life as the centre-piece of an new inspirational Heritage Hangar which will be built at Doncaster Sheffield Airport.

“We’ve continued to be amazed by the generousity of people who want to see this historic aircraft preseved for future generations to see and the Trust is looking forward to her new home being built so that she can once again wow the crowds,” added Robert.

Support for the 25^th anniversary plaque will contribute to the Trust’s work to secure the new home for XH558

and to build a brighter future for heritage aircraft preservation, restoration and operation. XH558 will help provide inspiration for a whole new generation of engineering and technical talent by enthusing youngsters with the excitement of aviation.

Names will be added permanently to the underside of Vulcan XH558’s Wing and each dedication comes with a personalised certificate that acts as a commemorative receipt for the requested donation of £30.

“This is a great way to support XH558 and is an ideal gift or memoriam of a lost loved-one, having their name inscribed under the wing of this British Icon,” said Robert.

To secure a place on the plaque and to place your desired name on Vulcan XH558’s Wing visit www.vulcantothesky.org

Plans to keep major entertainment events in the City of Wolverhampton that attract thousands of visitors and generate hundreds of thousands of pounds have been announced.

The move comes following the news the Civic Halls will be closed until the Autumn of 2020 for a major £38 million full restoration to create a state-of-the-art venue.

In the meantime, councillors were determined to keep high-profile events in the city rather than risk losing them to other venues.

Full Council has approved that key events already booked in at the Civic Halls for 2018 will now be switched to City of Wolverhampton Council-owned Aldersley Leisure Village (ALV).

This includes the Grand Slam of Darts and a number of premier comedy acts.

The Civic Halls are crucial to the cultural and economic life of the city. The current venue brings in thousands of visitors, directly supports 360 jobs and contributes £4.3m to the local economy.

The ability to switch these events to ALV gives these big acts a home in the City of Wolverhampton until they can return to the Civic Halls.

Cabinet Member for City Economy, Councillor John Reynolds, said: “The Grand Slam of Darts puts the city on map, is watched by millions of people across the globe, attracts thousands of visitors to the city and brings in thousands of pounds.

“Following the announcement about the Civic Halls, many people told us it would be a disaster to lose these events from the city. We have listened, secured their future, and with it further investment.

“It is great news that we have been able to keep this key event in the city.

“We’re also engaging with local councillors and residents to ensure the events runs as smoothly as possible and any disruption, mainly traffic related, is kept to an absolute minimum.”

PDC Chairman Barry Hearn said: "The bwin Grand Slam of Darts is synonymous with being held in Wolverhampton, and though the Wolves Civic is currently closed it's great that we can keep the tournament within the city.

"We've received great support from fans in the West Midlands and the City of Wolverhampton Council over the past decade, and I'm sure that the Aldersley Leisure Village will prove a popular new home for the event this year."

Customers who had already purchased tickets for Civic Halls events are being kept fully informed about their options. Ticket information for the bwin Grand Slam of Darts will be confirmed in due course.