Mary, queen of tots
Poor Mary Portas, who gave BCSC’s keynote address at this week’s conference in Liverpool. It emerged that her partner, Melanie Rickey, an editor at fashion magazine Grazia, had given birth just two days beforehand, leaving the Queen of Shops tired and frazzled – she was forced to ask an assistant (off stage) to help her out with an answer. Still, she had enough energy to deliver a scathing attack on the government over its inertia on her high street review.
A beery atmosphere
Elsewhere at BSCS, on the Hammerson stand, Diary spotted a beer we hadn’t tried before: Modelo, a Mexican pilsner full of attitude and image, according to its brewer. “Could we try one?” asked Diary.
“No,” said the nice lady on the stand, a little embarrassed at having to refuse.
“Why not?” replied Diary, clearly of age and entirely sober.
“I can give you a bottle to drink later, but we can’t let you drink it here. We’re not licensed to serve it.” “Why then do you have vast fridges stacked with the stuff?”
“The stand colour is yellow,” said our new friend, “and the gold-topped bottles fitted in with the theme.” Of course.
Rees to remain hard at work
Diary was saddened to hear the rumours that WR Berkley’s plans for a City skyscraper could be the last major project overseen by everyone’s favourite planner, Peter Rees. But, fortunately, our quick commiserative e-mail proved unnecessary. Far from retiring, the City planning officer assured us he has “no retirement plans, and hopes to oversee more giant erections before I am sent off to stud”.
Planning for a bit of R ‘n’ R
Rees may have been in a chipper mood this week, but other planners were less full of joie de vivre. The government’s latest round of housing policies designed to stimulate the economy were met with a less-than-enthusiastic response. “What the hell am I going to do now?” asked our contact when told about new rules, which waive the need for permission for home extensions. “The only work I’ve had recently has been writing objection letters for people’s extensions. Now I’m really in trouble.”
Bali survives the tsunami
Good luck to CBRE’s Andrew Hallisey. The head of client solutions is due to head off on his honeymoon this month, almost 18 months after he got married. Fortunately for Mrs Hallisey, this isn’t the result of a procrastinating approach to one of life’s great events but the effect of one Japanese tsunami and some serious dedication to the client. Diary hopes Bali lives up to its billing at the fourth time of asking.
Stung by the fourth estate
Another CBRE titbit as was forthcoming at Estates Gazette‘s Southampton Focus reception last week. A CBRE employee mentioned that the acquisition of agent Franc Warwick was a well-kept secret. He referred to several of CBRE’s previous buys. On one occasion, when visiting his future in-laws for the first time, he was asked by the family on whether any more acquisitions were likely. He told them: “No, I don’t think so.” The future family members then took out a copy of a weekend national paper to show the employee an exclusive story on the agency buying another firm. Said staff member admitted to feeling slightly embarrassed.
Doing one’s knightly duty
Worrying times for the “Manchester family” recently as one of its members found itself landed with the daunting task of taking Sir Howard Bernstein’s stepdaughter on work experience. Three months into a stint at Marketing Manchester, however, she told the management she’d landed a job in London and thanks very much for the opportunity. Deep breaths all round as the eggshell carpet was rolled up and put back in the grant-funded cupboard.
Maternal instincts Breast is best in Kettering
Breast is clearly best in Kettering, where a new shopping centre development is set to boast a “private and comfortable” breastfeeding area in its refurbished toilet facilities. The owners of Newlands shopping centre have consulted with breastfeeding charity La Leche League (www.laleche.org.uk) on the design and furnishing of the area, which will be one of the first facilities of its kind in the UK. The facility is for mums only, but the shopping centre doesn’t extend such exclusivity to dirty nappies: Newlands will offer baby-changing facilities in both the female and male toilets. Sorry boys – no excuses now.
