In the news, Admiral Taverns and its one thousand-plus pubs could be sold to US investment fund Proprium Capital for £220m. Lloyds Banking Group may be set to join the ranks of those leasing their headquarters if it goes ahead with a possible sale and leaseback deal on its City of London office building. Estimates show the country’s local authorities invested around £2.8bn in land and buildings last year, more than double the prior year figure. That could change though, as Treasury and Department for Communities and Local Government officials review the investments amid concerns about their scale and the potential risks.
Admiral Taverns in talks over sale to Proprium Capital (The Times/£)
WEEKEND PAPERS: Admiral Taverns are in advanced talks over a possible sale to US investment fund Proprium Capital for £220m, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Lloyds Bank eyes sale of London HQ (FT/£)
Lloyds Banking Group could be about to sell its headquarters at 25 Gresham Street in the City of London, according to people with knowledge of the matter.
Local authorities’ property buying could be reined in (The Times/£)
Treasury and Department for Communities and Local Government officials are reviewing investments in land and buildings by local authorities, accumulated using low-cost loans provided by the Public Works Loans Board.
Most ex-BHS stores still empty after a year (The Times/£)
The vast majority of former BHS stores are still unoccupied a year after the business failed.
Hotel Chocolat looks to open shops in Hong Kong (The Times/£)
WEEKEND PAPERS: Hotel Chocolat is looking beyond Europe for expansion, signing a deal with B&S in Hong Kong for a number of shops there.
Commuters lured back to London (The Times/£)
WEEKEND PAPERS: Rising train fares and transport issues are persuading commuters to buy in London.
