Business : BDC Blog News

Is holiday let ownership in the UK on the rise?

The popularity of holiday lets in the UK has boomed in recent years, particularly since the crackdown on financial breaks for buy-to-let landlords. The coronavirus pandemic is pushing even more landlords to consider switching to holiday lets, as an increasing number of Brits decide to holiday closer to home and

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A Guide to Start Real Estate Business

The real estate business is all that we want to start when we have enough investment in our hands. We cannot deny the fact that there are so many things which we have to think about before finalizing the deal. Here are some of the guiding steps which all of

Read More »

Are you ready for Commonhold?

We were ready back then, and we’re even more ready now!  Commonhold isn’t new to us, back in June 2019 the Fexco Property Services group was already looking at it. Being part of the larger Australian based Fexco where it is widely adopted as a type of property ownership, meant

Read More »
How To Plaster A Wall Like A Professional: A Step-By-Step Guide

How To Plaster A Wall Like A Professional: A Step-By-Step Guide

With plaster being all around us, this groundbreaking mixture of cement, gypsum, sand, and water is massively used for building, construction, art, and even medicine. As there are numerous different types of plaster each of them with a different set of applications and mixing techniques, being able to recognize which

Read More »

Unwanted tools to help change lives in Africa

Following the launch of RGB Building Supplies’ Tools for Africa appeal in January, the builders merchant is thanking trades and the community for helping to donate 15 bulk bags full of preloved tools which have been passed to South West-based charity Amigos. Amigos works closely with another UK charity called

Read More »

Research Analyses Energy Efficient Homes

Resonance, a data communications consultancy, has released the results of its research on 19 million Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) showing the extent to which the energy-saving home improvements are required. Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out a £2 billion grant scheme in England for home improvement projects such as wall insulation,

Read More »

DealTrak Returns to Leeds Dock Base

DealTrak, the automotive techology specialist, is set to return to its Leeds Dock base later this year, as the AutoProtect Group business commits to keeping its city centre building. The technology platform, which connects automotive dealers’ finance, insurance and compliance processes, will return to the city centre tech, media and

Read More »

Grupo Sogevinus Acquires Historic Property

Sogevinus has announced the acquisition of the historic Quinta da Boavista from Lima Smith, an 80-hectare property that was part of the first delimitation of the Douro region carried out by the Marquis of Pombal in 1756. Located on the right bank of the Douro River, in the heart of

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Latest Issue
Issue 330 : Jul 2025

Business : BDC Blog News

UK homeowners spend over fifty billion on renovation during lockdown as they prepare to stay home for the long term

British homeowners have spent an average of £4,035.70 each on renovations as they expect to stay home for the long term Home pub makes post-pandemic pad wish list alongside garden studio and indoor gym as emerging social areas look set to add value to homes Garden is the most popular lockdown refurb for homeowners and veg patches make a comeback  With most of the nation stuck indoors due to lockdown restrictions, homeowners across the UK are investing in lockdown makeovers, new research reveals. The 2020 Renovation Nation Report, by mortgage comparison site money.co.uk, has found that UK’s homeowners have invested an average of £4,035.70 each on home renovations, since the lockdown began in March. And it seems that Brits are sacrificing more than ever for their perfect pad as the prospect of more time at home becomes the new normal. Garden upgrades (34%) top a list for the most popular lockdown renovation projects, closely followed by the living room (23%), bedroom (22%) and kitchen (22%) as together the nation’s homeowners invested £55bn* in their properties. The findings by the personal finance experts at money.co.uk, also suggest that homeowners have abandoned all hopes of a holiday. Almost a quarter (24%) stated they have used money originally intended for a holiday to finance their new home improvements, which is second only to general savings (26%). Some even admitted to sacrificing their ‘big day’ as 4% of Brits revealed they used savings originally intended for a wedding or engagement ring. When asked why they chose to invest in their home, over a quarter (27%) of homeowners cited adding value to their home as a reason. Zoom has also played its part. Approaching half (40%) of British homeowners admitted to ‘Zoombarrassement’ over the appearance of their homes. Keen to make the most of staying home, green-fingered Brits have also been turning their hand to growing their own vegetables, with just over one in five (21%) homeowners investing in a greenhouse or vegetable patch during the pandemic.  Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at money.co.uk, said: “While many have struggled with the impact of lockdown restriction on their finances, our research found that having to spend more time at home has inspired almost two-thirds (65%) of homeowners to invest in renovations to their properties. “Almost three quarters (73%) of the property owners we spoke to said they will continue to stay home as much as possible even with lockdown easing, it looks like the trend for investing in homes looks set to continue. “For those looking to renovate or improve their homes, they will need to balance short term wishes with long term gain. The financial impact of investing in your home should always be a concern and ensuring you add value to your home through the work you do to the property is essential.” Pandemic changing Brits renovation dreams – but will they add value?   When asked which home project Brits would consider investing in as a direct result of the pandemic, garden projects again reigned supreme: ●        Over a third (34%) said they wanted a garden summerhouse/studio ●        Over fifth (21%) are craving a greenhouse/vegetable patch ●        14% dream of raising their glass to their own pub. Inside the home, work and leisure are on the wish list: ●        indoor gyms (17%) and bike storage (9%) ●        offices (16%) ●        leisure rooms (17%) ●        and even classrooms (2%) making the list. Property expert, Adam Parson, Area Supervisor (SE) Andrews Property Group commented: “During these unprecedented times what has become immediately noticeable is the lack of attention people had previously given to the most social areas of the home i.e. garden and living room. “As we emerge from lockdown the perception of importance has changed, and the specialist areas will be seen as an asset rather than a novelty. Areas such as a garden studio, leisure area or pub/bar area that add a point of difference, escapism or an improvement to well-being will be seen as a necessity. Going forwards, we believe that the home buyers in today’s market will take more notice of these areas which increases their potential to add value to the overall property.” For more information on what post pandemic renovations will add value to your home and ways to finance them can be found in the 2020 Renovation Nation report at money.co.uk.

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Is holiday let ownership in the UK on the rise?

The popularity of holiday lets in the UK has boomed in recent years, particularly since the crackdown on financial breaks for buy-to-let landlords. The coronavirus pandemic is pushing even more landlords to consider switching to holiday lets, as an increasing number of Brits decide to holiday closer to home and stay in the UK. Holiday lets can be a great investment for landlords who understand the market, but it’s important to know what you’re taking on before investing in a holiday let. Holiday lets require a different management style than traditional residential properties, as well as different financing options and tax regulations. Do people still vacation in the UK? Absolutely. According to research conducted by Sykes Cottages, two thirds (66%) of Brits enjoyed holidays in the UK in 2018 compared to 56% in 2017. In 2019, respondents said they planned to take an average of three UK trips in 2019. With most UK breaks being shorter but more frequent than overseas trips, this means there’s still a healthy market for domestic tourism. And, of course, this doesn’t even take into consideration the millions of tourists travelling to Britain every year from outside the UK. Tourism is, in fact, the fastest growing industry in the UK, with experts predicting the industry will expand by 3.8% a year between now and 2025. Visitors to the UK from overseas reached a record-breaking 7 million in 2018, a 4.4% increase on 2017. The UK tourism industry is not just strong, but it’s also growing every year. Are holiday lets a good investment? Holiday lets can be a great investment. Rental income from short-term holiday lets is usually significantly higher than rental income from long-term residential lets, although the difference between the two isn’t as high as it first seems. Mortgage rates for holiday lets are usually charged at a higher rate, meaning more interest is paid every month, and running costs are higher because holidays lets need to be cleaned and tidied between guests. Lovemoney have crunched the numbers, comparing profits between holiday lets and residential lets in both Whitby and Liverpool. These figures show that holiday lets in both the tourist hotspot and the city centre location fare better than residential lets despite higher maintenance costs and fees. How to finance a holiday let One complicating factor for investors considering holiday lets is that financing a holiday let can be a little harder than financing a residential property. Holiday lets aren’t covered by standard buy-to-let mortgages, which usually stipulate that a property is to be let on an assured shorthold tenancy agreement with a minimum fixed term of six months. Instead, some lenders now offer holiday let mortgages designed specifically for these properties, although there are not as many products available as there are in the buy-to-let market and holiday lets are seen as a riskier venture due to their seasonal nature, which means interest rates tend to be higher, too. There are various types of holiday let mortgages available depending on the lender, including fixed-rate mortgages, discounted rate mortgages, and flexible rate mortgages. Holiday let mortgages are usually offered on an interest-only basis. Because holiday let mortgages are deemed more risky by lenders, most lenders will request a 25% deposit minimum, with better interest rates available for those borrowers with bigger deposits. Most lenders will also want to see your projected letting income, and this should be at least 125% of the annual mortgage interest payments you will need to cover. Other options for financing a holiday let are available, including remortgaging your existing home to release equity or even taking out a personal loan. However, it’s important to be very careful before making decisions like this: run through the numbers to make sure your decision is financially profitable, and be conservative when projecting annual profit margins on any rental property or holiday let. Top 5 holiday let locations in the UK If you’re thinking of purchasing a furnished holiday let in the UK, it’s important to do your research and buy a property somewhere which offers great yields. You may want to choose a let nearby, particularly if you’re planning to manage and maintain the property yourself, or you might choose a let in another part of the UK because it offers higher ROI and a place to get away to yourself. Here are five sound bets for holiday lets in the UK. 1. London If you’re considering a city centre holiday let, you can’t go wrong with London – assuming you can afford the high price tag. 53% of overseas tourism spend occurs in London, and the city’s international fame guarantees a stable supply of tourists for years to come. 2. Dundee It might not be the obvious choice, but Dundee has topped the list of the most profitable places in the UK in terms of holiday let rental yields, offering 15.1% average short term rental yields in 2019. This is likely due to the city’s recent rebirth as the cultural capital of Scotland, with the opening of the V&A Dundee. 3. The Lake District For a more traditional location where a holiday let can double as a holiday home for landlords, buying in the Lake District will never be a bad move. The Lake District welcomes over 19 million visitors every year making it a solid choice for canny investors. 4. North Wales Wales is another strong contender. Property prices are still relatively affordable in most of the country, and yet with scenic spots such as Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons welcoming millions of visitors every year, there’s plenty of demand for holiday lets in North Wales. 10.2 million people visited Wales in 2018, and buying a holiday let in a tourist hot spot such as one of many scenic villages around Snowdonia is a sure-fire way to get great yields on bargain properties. 5. Cornwall Cornwall has long been considered the UK’s very own Costa Del Sol, and the numbers show that this is still the case.

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A Guide to Start Real Estate Business

The real estate business is all that we want to start when we have enough investment in our hands. We cannot deny the fact that there are so many things which we have to think about before finalizing the deal. Here are some of the guiding steps which all of us can follow in this regard. Keep them in mind, and we are sure that they will bring the best out of your business.  Develop and refine your idea You must develop your idea, and refine it to make sure that everything comes with it in a sequence. There has to be an organization in all that you do, and if it is missing, then you cannot expect your business to thrive or progress in the future. Write a business plan You can also look for a real estate agent at Inner West, and get the ideal guideline about how you can also start the best real estate business like them. The process is simple, but all you have to do is to keep in mind that how great of a deal it would be for you to get the results in your business as you want. The business plan which they use is simple, but the execution is what you will learn from them. So, keep that information in your mind, and be sure that you work on it to get the results that you expect from them in the long run.  Decide your legal business structure There should be a legal business structure that you have to follow in every way possible. This will help you stay on the right track for the business which you want to do. Try to keep that in your mind, and be sure that there is nothing wrong that can go in your way. This is how it works, and this is how you can start a good business in this field. Get a license The licensing of your real estate business is also very important. Try to keep this in your mind that there is nothing better than having the option of dealing with the authorities that are working in your state or country. Try to keep them in your mind, and be sure that you work out through them to get the actual results that are expected from you.  Conclusion For a business-like real estate, there is no short cut. Just like all other business units, you have to do all of the things in your capacity to make sure that they al work in the best way possible for you. Try to keep this in your mind, and be sure that they are working for the business you are selecting to start. It could be from any field of real estate, so keep this in your mind, and make sure that it works very well for you in the long run as well. We are sure that the information which we have shared with you is of great value for you. 

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Are you ready for Commonhold?

We were ready back then, and we’re even more ready now!  Commonhold isn’t new to us, back in June 2019 the Fexco Property Services group was already looking at it. Being part of the larger Australian based Fexco where it is widely adopted as a type of property ownership, meant we were ahead of the game over a year ago. Back then we wrote about Fexco having built the largest strata management group in Australia (https://picagroup.com.au/) managing in excess of 200,000 apartments as well as a further 60,000 via a franchise operation. The vast majority are homes in strata title schemes, so commonhold management is something we are very familiar with as an organisation. Read the full article HERE. However, Commonhold is something that the UK property industry has typically shied away from – the feeling is that it’s just not necessary. The concerns within the industry appear to be around the additional work that may be involved to bring about this change, and that the current Leasehold set up could just as easily be tweaked to provide a similar offering. Whilst this is a valid point, as an organisation, we feel that the advantages outweigh any changes that are necessary to bring it about. It’s not new – Part I of the Commonhold & Leasehold Reform Act 2002 (the Act) was finally enacted in September 2004 introducing commonhold as a new form of freehold ownership, an alternative to the Leasehold system. It can be used for commercial, residential and mixed-use premises, and it addresses two of the problems currently encountered by tenants of residential leasehold buildings; firstly the enforcement of covenants between tenants and secondly the diminishing value of leasehold property as an asset. Via a Commonhold Community statement tenants (or Unit Holders) will benefit from greater transparency, and because the unit-holder will own the freehold interest to its unit, rather than a diminishing leasehold interest, Commonhold properties may attract a premium as a result. And there are other benefits additional to these two. Units are likely to be sold more quickly due to lower associated costs, no 7-year period restriction on resale, and because the Commonhold Community statement and associated documents will be set as non-negotiable. Of course, as with most things, there will always be a few downsides to consider, such as the potential lack of control the Commonhold Association may have on non-paying Units. It is most definitely not a system that will suit everyone, nor is set up to be a unifiable ‘fit’ for everyone’s requirements, and having tenants living and effectively ‘working’ together may cause some discomfort along the way. But we are ready to embrace all of these changes and can easily cope with what Commonhold may bring. We are in the best place to guide clients towards a Commonhold system and help them with this transition. We’re confident that providing the best advice will not mean losing a client. The ‘legal personality’ of the client might change but the work required remains the same. Unlike some in the industry – we are not shy of change. Being equipped to provide the best advice when it comes to it means if it’s going to happen, we’re ready! Jennifer Holmes Fexco Property Services

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Employee-owned Packaging business Kite Packaging, donates £9,000 to local charities

The employee-owned business has 7 Regional Distribution Centres located around the UK, an environmental business and a leading B2B ecommerce website both based in the Midlands. Each year they individually nominate a charity of their choice to donate £1,000 to and support throughout the year. The charities that have received a £1,000 donation from Kite for 2020 are: Zoë’s Place: A baby hospice providing palliative, respite and end-of-life care to babies and infants LOROS Hospice: Providing free, high-quality, compassionate care and support to terminally ill adult patients, their family, and carers Rotherham Rise: Providing help and support for survivors of domestic abuse and sexual exploitation Children with Cancer UK: Leading national children’s charity dedicated to the fight against childhood cancer Anxious Minds: Support for mental health across the North East Family Food Bank: Helping support families and reduce the impact of child poverty Macmillan Cancer Support: From the moment of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond, they are right there with you, offering emotional, physical, and financial support Age UK: Helping older people when they need them the most SMASH: Helping young people who are not thriving to improve their levels of well-being For more information on Kite Packaging please visit kitepackaging.co.uk

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How To Plaster A Wall Like A Professional: A Step-By-Step Guide

How To Plaster A Wall Like A Professional: A Step-By-Step Guide

With plaster being all around us, this groundbreaking mixture of cement, gypsum, sand, and water is massively used for building, construction, art, and even medicine. As there are numerous different types of plaster each of them with a different set of applications and mixing techniques, being able to recognize which type you need for your home project and learning how to plaster a wall can be considered an advanced do-it-yourself project.        Photo by La Miko from Pexels Still, even if most people prefer to leave it to the experts if you are handy when it comes to reasonable DIY home tasks and understand how to work in a slow, systematic and neat fashion, you are at the right place. This step by step guide to plastering will take you through everything you need to know, and hopefully, the finished plastered wall will look as if an expert completed it. First things first, you need to obtain adequate tools and materials for the job.   Needed Tools And Materials It’s always a good idea to be prepared for wall plastering well in advance, so you won’t have to hunt down tools and leave the job halfway through to stock up. The tools and materials you will need to complete the job include a trowel and bucket trowel, plasterers float, corner trowel, hawk board, two buckets, mixing stick or a paddle, adequate plaster, PVA, dustsheets, clean water, sandpaper, stepladder or stilts, and a dust mask. Step 1: Preparation  Before you begin working on the wall or walls, make sure to lay down a dustsheet to protect your floors and gather any potential debris or spillage of plaster. Ensure that the wall you want to plaster is dust-free and get rid of the debris, as this is particularly important if you are plastering an older and worn-out wall. Cover any holes and cracks you may find in the wall using screen tape. In case you are plastering over newly erected plasterboards, use the screen tape to mask all the joints in between the boards. Photo by Lisa Fotios from Pexels  Step 2: Apply PVA To The Wall(s) Being a latex-base product similar to the glue that seals the pores of the drywall, applying PVA to the walls you’re about to plaster will ensure that the layer you will use will dry out equally. First, you need to dilute the PVA in a 1:4 ratio – one part PVA and four parts water. Roll the PVA mixture onto a brush, apply it onto the wall, and check that the entire surface is covered. Once you go over the wall with the PVA glue, the first plaster layer can be applied. Step 3: Mix The Plaster  Depending on what type of plaster you will use for the project, read the manufacturer’s manual, and mix it accordingly. Wear a dust mask as you open up the bags of the material. Pour it into a bucket of cold water and whisk briefly until it has the consistency of thick custard with no lumps. Continuously mix the plaster into the water and never the other way around.  Step 4: Apply Plaster Onto The Walls  Once you got the wall(s) cleaned, and the plaster mixture ready, you can start applying the first coat of plaster using the hawk board, the trowels, and a floating tool. Practice the application on separate plasterboard before you begin to master the technique. Photo from Pixabay Place the plaster on the hawk board using the trowel and use the float to push the material from the hawk onto the walls. Spread the plaster firmly upwards and flatten the float at the end of each sweep. You should always apply the plaster from the bottom left-hand corner and upwards, filling a whole section from bottom to top before moving on to the next section. Always use small amounts of plaster combined with firm pressure on the float, so you ensure a smooth look and avoid excess plaster coming off the wall. Replicate this movement until the entire surface is covered with plaster. Step 5: Skim And Smooth Right after the first coat of plaster is applied, wait for 20 minutes to let plaster dry. Afterward, get rid of bumps and lumps by smoothing the wall over with a trowel. Smooth out the corners with the corner trowel and the bottom and top of the wall too. These are the trickiest areas to plaster correctly, so use adequate tools to even the edges out.   Step 6: Scrape  Scraping is optional, but most experts prefer to scrape the wall before adding the second coat of plaster for the second coat to adhere properly. The simplest way to scrape the wall is by using a devilling float, a tool specifically designed for this. In case you don’t have one near you, you can also scrape the walls using an old kitchen fork. If you opt not to use this step, make sure that the first coat is still wet before applying the second one. Step 7: Second Coat Apply the second and final coat of plaster to the wall(s). This one should be of a thinner consistency than the first one, so dilute the plaster mixture with some more water. Plaster a thin 2 mm layer on the wall and leave the material to slightly dry. Step 8: Finishing Touches  Once the plaster is slightly dried, polish your work. Add some water to the walls using a spray gun. Make sure to spray the edges of the plaster and use the trowel to smoothen out the surface with inward strokes. Finish it off by running a clean float over the entire wall to flatten out any curves and bumps. When the plaster is completely dried, use some sanding paper to remove any excess material. Step 9: Painting And Wallpapering  Your wall(s) is now ready to be painted over or wallpapered if that’s what you prefer. Use undercoat to prime the surface before you apply paint. The same goes

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Unwanted tools to help change lives in Africa

Following the launch of RGB Building Supplies’ Tools for Africa appeal in January, the builders merchant is thanking trades and the community for helping to donate 15 bulk bags full of preloved tools which have been passed to South West-based charity Amigos. Amigos works closely with another UK charity called Work Aid, which will now refurbish the donated items before sending them to Africa. The tools will be used by young people so they can learn construction skills and help lift themselves and their families out of poverty. For the past 13 years the charity has provided vocational learning opportunities at Kira Farm Development Centre in Uganda where young people can spend a year acquiring life-changing skills. This includes training in carpentry and building techniques, with 98% of the graduates going on to full-time employment or starting their own business. Phil Pugsley, Chief Executive at Amigos, said: “Winston Churchill once said, ‘give us the tools, and we will finish the job’. It’s no good Amigos training a young Ugandan in carpentry and building if they have no access to the tools needed to put their newfound skills into practice. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has gone above and beyond by turning out their sheds and garages, and to RGB for once again allowing their outlets to be collection centres. Together, we are equipping precious young people with the skills and the tools to transform their lives – thank you.” Kevin Fenlon, CEO of RGB, added: “We launched our appeal before lockdown was put in place, so we’re delighted we’ve been able to bring it to a successful close. Amigos does fantastic work in helping young people learn a trade and gain employment and this is the second time we’ve worked with the charity. By simply donating some unused tools, the kind-hearted people in our area have really helped to change the lives of young people in Africa.”

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Research Analyses Energy Efficient Homes

Resonance, a data communications consultancy, has released the results of its research on 19 million Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) showing the extent to which the energy-saving home improvements are required. Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out a £2 billion grant scheme in England for home improvement projects such as wall insulation, double glazing and loft insulation. Resonance analysed the EPC data to find out where the projects are likely to have the most impact and the types of property likely to benefit. Percentage of homes that could benefit the most: Proportion of homes reporting “Very Poor” energy categories in one or more of the categories – 45% Very poor wall insulation – 26% Very poor loft insulation – 18% Very poor lighting efficiency – 17% Very poor window glazing – 7% Contrary to some reports and commentary, the research found that owner occupied housing is the worst performing of all the home occupancy types: Average Rating Type 59.2 Owner occupied 61.4 Rental (private) 68.2 Rental (social) 81.4 New dwelling The grant scheme has only been announced for England, but the research has found that the least efficient regions of the UK are Scotland and Wales. Within England, the regions set to benefit the most are the North West and the East Midlands: Average Rating Region 56.6 Scotland 60.3 Wales 62.0 North West 62.2 East Midlands 62.3 West Midlands 62.3 South West 62.6 East England 63.0 North East 63.3 East of England 63.8 South East 64.9 Greater London Tom Fry, head of data at Resonance, said: “The UK housing stock is still very much lacking when it comes to energy efficiency. 35 per cent of UK homes have very poor insulation which means they have little or no loft or wall insulation, or they still have single glazed windows.” “While this scheme will help benefit houses in England enormously, the research highlights that housing in Scotland and Wales is most in need of this type of grant, and the government now needs look at how it can help improve energy efficiency in these areas too.”

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DealTrak Returns to Leeds Dock Base

DealTrak, the automotive techology specialist, is set to return to its Leeds Dock base later this year, as the AutoProtect Group business commits to keeping its city centre building. The technology platform, which connects automotive dealers’ finance, insurance and compliance processes, will return to the city centre tech, media and creative cluster following the easing of lockdown measures, as it expects a surge in car sales post-Covid-19. “The role of the workplace has changed, it is no longer a space in which we are glued to our desks for eight hours a day, it is a place for collaboration, inspiration and socialising,” commented Allied London chief executive Michael Ingall. “Leeds Dock enables all of this, and is a destination which adds true value to a business and its working week. We’re thrilled to see the AutoProtect Group and DealTrak commit its future to Leeds Dock, and return to the workplace, when some businesses are abandoning the workplace – something which is in my opinion shortsighted, and detrimental in the long run.” DealTrak currently occupies a 5,300 sq ft space over two floors, with a balcony overlooking the waterfront, which is part of the Leeds Dock cluster, owned by Allied London. The property developer has created a water taxi service, in partnership with DealTrak, who created its TaxiTrak app. Allied London has welcomed back all of its Leeds Dock tenants and has assisted in the introduction of on-site safety measures, including screens, two-metre distance markers, additional cleaning, and hand sanitiser stations, as it helps the business cluster get back on track. “Leeds Dock is very much our technology hub and we are committed to retaining the building and supporting Allied London in the continued development of this great part of the city centre,” Matthew Briggs, chief executive at Autoprotect Group, added. “We have always had a flexible working policy at our Leeds office, and this will continue after lockdown restrictions are lifted. Offering our employees the choice of working from home or coming into our fantastic open plan office, allows us to honour our commitment to employee wellbeing.”

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Grupo Sogevinus Acquires Historic Property

Sogevinus has announced the acquisition of the historic Quinta da Boavista from Lima Smith, an 80-hectare property that was part of the first delimitation of the Douro region carried out by the Marquis of Pombal in 1756. Located on the right bank of the Douro River, in the heart of the Cima- Corgo, it was owned by the emblematic Baron of Forrester in the 19th century. A geometric panorama of hand-built schist terraces (up to 8m in height), combined with specific climatic conditions, make Boavista’s terroir unique. Of the property’s 80 hectares, 36 ha are vineyards, with Donzelinho, Tinto Cão and Touriga Nacional varieties planted. The estate also has a large area of Vinhas Velhas, responsible for the production of several award-winning wines, such as Quinta da Boavista Vinha do Oratório and Quinta da Boavista Vinha do Ujo, awarded 94 and 95 Robert Parker points, respectively. This acquisition allows Sogevinus to strengthen its position in the still wine market, following the strategy of focusing on this category, and bringing to its portfolio two new brands – Boa-Vista and Quinta da Boavista – high quality wines and internationally recognized which complement its presence in the premium segment. “With a historic legacy in the Douro and following the strategy of consolidating still wines, we believe that the acquisition of Quinta da Boavista will decisively strengthen our portfolio of DOC wines, particularly in the premium segment. Quinta da Boavista has been very successful in recent years in the development of internationally recognised wines and our expectation is to continue to produce great wines here,” commented Sergio Marly, Sogevinus Group CEO. Sogevinus thus reinforces its position in the Douro with the acquisition of another emblematic farm, joining Quintas de S. Luiz, Arnozelo and Bairro, further cementing its 500-year-old legacy.

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