UK factories keep growing but hike prices as 'unworkable' Brexit rules hit supply chains
UK manufacturers’ order books have continued to grow over the past month, despite lockdown restrictions and “unworkable” Brexit border rules hitting supply chains.
A majority of firms expanded in January, according to a closely followed purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the sector.
The business survey is turned into headline readings on performance, with figures above 50 showing most firms report growth and below showing decline. The final figure came in at 54.1 in January, higher than the 52.9 reading suggested by preliminary figures last month.
But factories are battling major challenges, and growth was the weakest in three months.
Market 2021 | Offices to rebound, ‘clock ticks’ on retail
Who would want to predict what might happen in 2021? Fortunately, property professionals are a hardy breed, and Place North West asked those at the sharp end how conditions in commercial real estate are likely to evolve over the next 12 months.
Offices
Offices in the North West – and across the whole country – have suffered the biggest shock of all in 2020. A sector that especially in its key Manchester market has enjoyed prolonged success, with companies investing in workplaces to win the talent war, was suddenly faced with its customers wondering, “If we can all work at home, why would anyone pay through the nose for an office?”
But with vaccines now being rolled out, the industry is hoping for a resurgence in companies looking to get on the front foot, and at least find a middle ground for their workforces in 2021.
Chris Cheap, managing director of UK regions at consultancy Avison Young, said: “We certainly expect a return to form for central Manchester. The raw materials that underpinned [the market’s] stellar performance over the last 10 years have not gone away – people enjoy city centres and the access to talent is greater. Once we gain certainty from the vaccine roll-out, ‘muscle memory’ will kick in.”
Will Lewis, OBI co-founder, reckons the numbers might start to spin quickly. He said: “There’s a certain amount of pent-up demand from 2020 that should firm up if the [vaccine] roll-outs are successful, and we’re already seeing a step-change in confidence.
2 Bed Apartment FULHAM-SK
Offering free WiFi and city views, 2 Bed Apartment FULHAM-SK provides accommodation situated in London, just 1.2 km from Stamford Bridge - Chelsea FC. The property is 3.6 km from Eventim Apollo and 3.7 km from Olympia Exhibition Centre.
The apartment has 2 bedrooms, a flat-screen TV with cable channels, an equipped kitchen with a dishwasher and a microwave, a washing machine, and 1 bathroom with a shower.
Natural History Museum is 3.3 km from the apartment, while Victoria and Albert Museum is 3.4 km from the property. The nearest airport is London City Airport, 20 km from 2 Bed Apartment FULHAM-SK.
UK manufacturers to regear factories to build ventilators for NHS
Car production at Vauxhall’s Ellesmere Port factory was due to shut down this month because of coronavirus, so it will be free to make ventilators. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty
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The Welsh Local Shop Report
The 2020 Welsh Local Shop Report has revealed the important role that convenience stores play to both the economy and local communities in Wales.
The report revealed that 62% of local shops in Wales operate in rural locations, providing essential services to their local communities, including bill payment services (79%), cash machines (68%) and Post Offices (25%).
Key figures from the report include:
- There 2,931 local shops in Wales, 84% of which are independently owned
- Convenience stores in Wales generated £2.5bn in sales
- 39% of stores operate in an area with no other retail/service businesses nearby
- The average shopper in Wales visits their local shop four times per week
- Shoppers travel an average of 2.07 miles to their local shop and 46% of shoppers in Wales drive to store
Convenience stores continue to make a positive contribution to the communities that they trade in, providing over 27,000 jobs across Wales and playing an active role in their local areas, with 82% of independent retailers engaging in some form of community activity in the past year.
ACS works on devolved issues in Wales with members of the Welsh Assembly, promoting the convenience sector in Wales through the Cross Party Group on Small Shops. Chair of the Cross-Party Group Janet Finch-Saunders AM has tabled Statement of Opinion 146, calling on the Welsh Government to extend High Street Relief beyond 2020 to support local shops and the communities where retailers trade.
Modern & Spacious Terraced House North London
Within 5 km of Alexandra Palace and 6 km of Emirates Stadium, Modern & Spacious Terraced House North London provides free WiFi and a garden. Guests staying at this apartment have access to a fully equipped kitchen.
Composed of 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, this apartment comes with a flat-screen TV
