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BlackBerry extends commitment to Slough
Seacourt scoops Award for Innovation
Multi-award-winning environmental print company Seacourt has scooped yet another victory in the national award stakes, competing alongside giants such as Sainsburys and B&Q.
BlackBerry has signaled its commitment to Slough having agreed to extend the lease for its European head office at Bath Road on the Slough Trading Estate for a further 10 years.
The company occupies some 69,000 sq ft space at 200 Bath Road having established its European head office there in 2005. BlackBerry recently dressed its building to coincide with the launch of the Z10 and has now launched the Q10, a new phase in the company’s life that will offer a more diverse service offering to its customers going forward.
Kate Dean, customer development director for SEGRO, said: “BlackBerry’s decision to extend the lease for its European head
Oxfordshire property market set for seller surge
Estate and lettings agency Andrews has anticipated that May and June 2013 will see a property surge in Oxfordshire making it the ideal time to sell or let a property in the county.
On average, house prices have increased by 20% in Oxfordshire since 2010. Across the wider region, Andrews reports that year-on-year the number of offers received on properties is up 16% and the number of completions has increased by 23%.
During May and June Andrews receives more offers (including more higher-value offers) and make more viewings than at any time of the year. In May 2012, Andrews received 10% more offers than the average for the entire year which is anticipated to increase in 2013.
The agent is urging people who had their property valued during the recession and decided not to
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office at the trading estate signals a strong commitment to Slough which remains a growing business location for world- class businesses. New infrastructure developments across the region such as Crossrail and Western Rail access to Heathrow will further enhance the attractiveness of the region.”
Albert de Beer, director of facilities for BlackBerry, added: “BlackBerry has established a strong base here which is good for both our customers and employees. The transport links to London, Heathrow and other motorways also means our suppliers are within easy reach.”
Details:
www.segro.com
sell to get an updated valuation due to the upturn in house prices. By acting quickly as the prime house-buying season begins, they may be able to take advantage of a burgeoning market. Andrews’ number of registered applicants looking to buy a home is up by 10% compared to last year.
Family properties appear to be in especially high demand. Three bedroom homes in close proximity to good schools are currently selling very quickly.
The Cowley area is seeing a lot of activity, with homes in the £250,000 to £300,000 bracket selling well. There has been a price increase of around 2.5% since the start of the year, and an increasing number of properties receiving multiple offers. Around Witney, two-bed homes are performing well, with investors and first time buyers driving much of the activity.
Andrews believes local activity combined with wider regional trends points towards renewed confidence in the housing market. Key indicators associated with a housing boom, such as multiple offers, offers at or above the asking price and quick sales, are beginning to make a return. This is backed up by recent Halifax House Price Index figures which showed a 1.2% increase year-on-
The Cowley-based company won the award based on its closed-loop zero-waste to landfill status, a world first in the printing industry. Since October 2009, there have been no waste collections to landfill from the Seacourt premises, instead they’ve been reducing, re-using or recycling every one of the numerous waste streams.
Seacourt is no stranger to awards. With a string of national awards, two Queen’s Awards in Sustainable Development and being acknowledged as one of the first printers worldwide to achieve EMAS, a top-notch environmental management system, the company has come a long way since its decision to go ‘green’ back in 1997.
The Guardian Sustainable Business Awards 2013 were held in May and were open to all sizes of business in all sectors of industry.
Details:
www.seacourt.net
year at a national level from January to March 2013.
Michael Robson, chief executive at Andrews says this combination of factors shows that the market may have reached a turning point, and a sustained increase in house prices could now become a reality.
“It really is a sellers’ market at the moment, particularly where family homes are concerned,” he says. “We know that sellers who get to put their property on the market now are likely to achieve a quicker sale and at a higher value than in the past six months. Demand for rental property will increase significantly over the coming weeks and landlords will be able to achieve a quicker let and higher rents as demand outstrips supply.
"It is wonderful news for people who had to move into rented accommodation when they needed to relocate and couldn’t sell their own house. People who are ready to climb the property ladder but haven’t been able to sell will also benefit. With mortgage rates at an all time low it is a great time to buy."
Details:
www.andrewsonline.co.uk THE BUSINESS MAGAZINE – THAMES VALLEY – JUNE 2013
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