12 news/legal expert


Landlords be alert to tenants potentially headed for administration


The commercial property sector continues to struggle as we move through 2013. There have been a number of high-profile companies that have appointed administrators so far this year, with well-known names including HMV, Blockbuster and Jessops. With no imminent change expected in the economy it is likely that many more companies will enter administration this year, writes Martyn Chadderton of Glanvilles


Landlords should be on alert to signs that a commercial tenant may be on the verge of administration. If they are requesting a change in payment terms (such as a change to monthly rent payments) or are in arrears then it would be worth the landlord carrying out some research into the financial stability of the tenant. If the landlord is really concerned that the tenant may imminently enter administration then it may be prudent to consider seizing goods before anyone else or forfeiting the lease if there is the potential to relet.


Once appointed, an administrator may want to try and force the landlord to allow a


Guaranteed return pays off for Splice


Splice Marketing‘s partner program was the only service-based company recognised for its innovation in the recent 2013 Europe and Middle East Business Excellence Awards (EMEA), held in Portugal with Clive Woodward as keynote speaker.


The Fair Oak-based conversion specialist made it to the final of the awards, missing out in the end to a French company. Splice was the only marketing company in the finals thanks to the partner programme, which guarantees companies a return on their marketing investment.


Managing director Ray Vernon said: ”We believe that when a company invests in marketing it‘s because they want to sell more products online or generate more leads. In an era when we can test and measure everything, digital marketers should take responsibility for the results their clients expect and deserve; this is what we achieve through our partner programme.”


Business coach Kevin Stansfield, of ActionCOACH, who nominated Splice, added: ”The competition this year was very tough, so to finish as runner up is a great achievement, especially for a service-based business in the innovation category.”


www.businessmag.co.uk


surrender of the lease. It is worth noting that an administrator does not have the power to disclaim a lease in the same way as a liquidator. Therefore landlords should not feel forced into accepting a surrender.


Landlords should also bear in mind that they are likely to be able to draw on a rent deposit should the tenant enter administration. It would depend on the exact terms of the rent deposit deed and so it would be wise to take legal advice before taking money from the deposit.


For any related advice, contact Martyn Chadderton direct on the details shown, or Glanvilles business & commercial services team at commercial@glanvilles.co.uk


Hotel prices below the UK average


Visitors to Southampton experienced an average price rise of 7% from £68 to £73 for their hotel rooms in 2012 compared to the previous year, according to the latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI).


The HPI looks at prices paid by travellers for hotels around the world during 2012 compared to the previous year, and shows what all travellers, both global and domestic, paid when visiting UK destinations.


Despite 2012 being named as the wettest year on record, Southampton still attracted large amounts of visitors, with its tourism numbers receiving a big boost from the P&O Cruises 175th anniversary in July.


Kate Hopcraft, from Hotels.com, said: ”Although rates have risen in 2012, hotel prices in the city still represent great value for business and leisure travellers and are way below the UK average of £100. It‘ll be interesting to see what happens to room rates if the bid to be the new UK City of Culture in 2017 is successful.”


Among other UK destinations to experience rare price rises were Belfast (10%), benefitting from the Titanic Centenary and Aberdeen (9%), buoyed by mid-week demand generated by the energy sector.


Chinese technology company opens doors


Hengshen Corporation, the largest vertically- integrated carbon-fibre composite materials manufacturer in China, has opened a technology centre at the University of Southampton Science Park, Chilworth.


Carbon fibre composite materials offer a lightweight, performance enhancing, fuel saving alternative to traditional materials in a wide variety of applications from aircraft and car parts to industrial machinery, wind turbine blades and sporting goods.


The technology centre will provide technical support to European customers in sales, design and development.


aap³ makes top 100


Hampshire-based IT services and recruitment provider aap3 has been honoured with inclusion in the top 100 list of leading recruiters for 2013.


Chief executive, Rod Jackson, was named by Recruitment International magazine in its influential table of the UK‘s businesses and leaders tipped to make the largest impact this year. The companies were selected from the magazine‘s Top 250 Report.


THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – SOLENT & SOUTH CENTRAL – APRIL 2013


Details: Martyn Chadderton 01329-282841 m.chadderton@glanvilles.co.uk www.glanvilles.co.uk


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