'Oh I do like to be beside the seaside'

Bank of England Base Rate:

0.5%

LIBOR Rate:

2.16% as at 05/02/09

News Bites:

Finance News:

Our friends at Resident Broker have a good blog here.

EasyJet announces new service to Larnaca for Spring 2009 

Flights depart from London Gatwick from the 31st March 2009.  This is great news for those of us who have invested on the island.  Read the full story here.

Government launches new agency to combat mortgage fraud:

The National Fraud Strategic Authority (NFSA) has been established to co-ordinate the fight against mortgage fraud - with measures in place to capture the true value of new-build properties, to verify the true income of borrowers, and for lenders to report suspicious mortgage brokers.

Read the full story here:

19.01.09  Challenor Properties are raided by the Serious Fraud Office.  Read the full story here.

15.02.09  "The true extent of mortgage fraud is now only coming to light ... !".  Read the full story here.

12.03.09  Nine people seized over mortgage fraud.  Read the story here.

How Valuers became the bad guys of property:

Click here for an interesting article from Property Week on valuations.

4Walls launches new Portfolio Review service for 2009:

If you feel that your portfolio is under-performing, we can help you get it into shape for 2009.  Read more here.

Today's Top Tip:

To increase your property knowledge and contacts, join a Forum.  We have recently launced our own forum at www.propertytribes.ning.com to encourage genuine discussion, networking, and education.

Thought for the day:

"Don't try to be someone else. Be yourself. More. With skill."

- Rob Goffee, Professor of Organisational Behaviour, LBS

The Five Pillars of Success:

1.  See (really see) what is possible;
2.  Know specifically what you want to achieve;
3.  Make good choices;
4.  Understand the tactics to get things done and change minds;
5.  Earn the trust and respect of people around you.

Seen:

Nick Tadd (Director) on BBC2’s “The Truth About Property” (April 13th 2008)
Berkshire Property Meet
Hampshire Property Meet
Lincs PIN - Nick and Vanessa spoke about U.K. holiday lets.
Chelmsford Property Networking (May 2009) - Vanessa and Nick spoke about social media marketing in property.

Heard:

Nick Tadd (Director) BBC Radio 4 – 25th and 27th July '08.
22nd October '08 for one week: Vanessa and Nick are the featured guests on Radio Love Property. You can listen to our interview on www.loveproperty.org or on iTunes.
Radio 5 Live - 26th February '09.  Nick was a guest speaking about rental trends.

Published:

Enterprise Nation - 17th March 2009.  Interview with Vanessa and Nick.  Read it here.

"Daily Mail" - 6th February 2009.  Vanessa and Nick are featured in an article about U.K. holiday lets.

The "Sunday Times" - 28th October 2008. Vanessa is featured in an article about second homes on the U.K. coast. Click here to read the article.

"Coast" magazine - 15th September 2008. Vanessa and Nick are included in an article about the increase of interest in Camber Sands, East Sussex as a holiday destination. Vanessa and NIck were featured because of their holiday let, "SeaBreeze".

Meet us:

4wallsandaceiling.com Property chat with Vanessa and Nick event.
Next event: Sunday 2st June in Guildford.  Venue: Holiday Inn, Guildford.

Speaking engagements:

Vanessa and Nick regularly speak at major property exhibitions and events and appear as contributors on TV, radio, and new media. Alternatively, if you wish to book us as speakers at your event, please email nick@4wallsandaceilng.com.

PONTIN’S ANNOUNCES £50 MILLION DEVELOPMENT PLAN FOR ITS HOLIDAY CENTRES THAT WILL CREATE 2000 NEW JOBS

Ocean Parcs, owner of Pontin’s Ltd today announced plans to invest £50 million in developing and refurbishing its holiday centres.

• Initially the existing substantial entertainment, catering and bar facilities will be refurbished
• Holiday Centres at Brean Sands and Prestatyn Sands will be completely refurbished with the next generation of guest accommodation
• Holiday Centres at Camber Sands and Southport will be completely re-designed and re-built.
• The Pakefield Holiday Centre near Lowestoft will double the size and capacity of the centre
• Over 2000 new jobs will be created
• 2009 key Half Term, Easter and Summer Bookings significantly up

Ian Smith, Chief Executive of Ocean Parcs and Pontins commented:

“We are tremendously excited about the investment planned for the development of our Pontin’s Holiday Centres and the employment and tourism revenue that will be generated by this substantial investment. It is particularly rewarding to be able to announce these plans which will not only generate increased tourism but create over 2000 new jobs whilst the country is in a recession. Our total development costs will exceed £50 million”.

Initially all the entertainment, catering and bar facilities will be refurbished and redesigned. This will co incide with the launch of a re-styled entertainment programme coupled with a substantially enhanced food and beverage offer aimed at satisfying all tastes and budgets.

The holiday Centres at Brean Sands and Prestatyn Sands will, subject to planning approvals, see a complete renewal of the accommodation facilities and re-furbishment of the retail, entertainment, restaurant and bar facilities.

Following the initial programme of works the Holiday Centres at Camber Sands and Southport (Ainsdale-on-sea) will, subject to planning approval, be re-developed with our vision for the future of integrated Holiday Centres.’

Clarke Osborne, Property Director commented: ‘’We have been working on our next generation of Holiday Centres for over 9 months and I think that the results of this careful design strategy will be very well received by both our extensive and loyal customer base and new customers that are joining us each year. We have commenced dialogue with some of our local councils, business leaders and planners and received encouraging responses. This dialogue will be extended to all our Holiday Centres as it our intention to submit proposals for planning permission during the year”.

“It is particularly pleasing to note that due to a significant increase in bookings for this year, a number of our Holiday Centres are already showing only limited availability for the key half term, Easter and Summer holiday periods” commented Ian Smith. He continued: “I have no doubt this is due to the outstanding value for money offer enhanced in all areas this year including nationally and internationally renowned entertainment acts”.

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