Business News Round Up (10/04/2020)
Businesses put office moves on hold amid coronavirus uncertainty
Property consultancy Knight Frank has revealed businesses are putting office moves on hold until uncertainty has passed. It revealed a total of 124,004 square feet had been leased in the capital from January to March. Space leased in the city centre for that quarter was 68,915 square feet, down more than 25% on the same period last year. Knight Frank said there had been a 15% quarterly increase in the number of enquiries but that most had been put on hold.
https://www.insider.co.uk/news/businesses-put-office-moves-hold-21839975
Chamber launches GM Business Community
Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce has announced it is offering all businesses who are not currently members free access to a new initiative launched in response to the coronavirus outbreak. The Greater Manchester Business Community will allow non-members free access to the network and support, membership includes: up-to-date information on business support options from the Government, the Chamber and its members, access to MyGMCR – a mobile app where businesses can connect with and direct message fellow business users, access to digital events hosted by the Chamber, access to online training and workforce planning, and a complimentary token to access on of the Chamber’s local events once lockdown is over.
https://aboutmanchester.co.uk/chamber-launches-gm-business-community/
Altia-ABM announced business expansion
Altia-ABM, Glasgow based anti-fraud software specialists, have announced expansion of its global operations. The group saw revenues for the year ending December 2019 increase by 17% to £5.9 million. It posted a 92% increase in EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation) to £1.4 million. Altia-ABM has expanded its sales and support office in Melbourne, Australia, and its operations in Canada, Colombia and Peru. It now has customers in 16 countries worldwide, including law enforcement and tax officials investigating money laundering and people trafficking.
https://scottishbusinessnews.net/2020/04/09/altia-abm-announces-business-expansion/
Housing market in North West has ground to complete standstill
The North West housing market came to a complete standstill in March, according to a new report. The March 2020 RICS UK Residential Market Survey results show that despite a few months of an increased in market activity, March will significantly impact the outlook for the rest of the year. In March a net balance of -89% respondents reported a fall in buyer demand, 74% of respondents saw newly agreed sales drop across the region. As a result of the restrictions placed on the market, 70% of respondents anticipate house prices across the region to fall in the coming three months.