Friday December 7, 2018

I love everything about the festive season leading up to our family highlight, Christmas Dinner. With twenty guests expected and parents who have spent a lifetime in the restaurant business, no pressure? Around the 23rd my wife and I go into military mode as we plan the hundred and one finer details. Last year we […]

Monday August 29, 2016

Few people shed a tear when bank stress test results are announced. Indeed, one professional colleague recently speculated that the introduction of thumb screws might improve the process.  But while bank stress test results hit the headlines, the results from banks own stress tests on private landlords fails to make the news. On a mortgage […]

Monday November 18, 2013

It is an intuitive conclusion that the north east is moving from a home owning model to a region where long term rental is more prevalent. The reasons for this trend are economic and social. Many young professionals are encumbered with student loans and the charity Shelter estimates it takes an average of 14 years […]

Monday October 7, 2013

It is always nice to see an area of town enjoy a bit of a renaissance, especially if you live and work there. For too long Heaton has been overshadowed by its glamorous sisters, Jesmond and Gosforth but of late the area has emerged with its own distinct style and vibrant atmosphere. Heaton is fast […]

Tuesday July 2, 2013

Newcastle City Council has decided that the root cause of noise complaints and anti-social behaviour in Heaton, Sandyford, Jesmond and South Gosforth is multi-occupancy houses with the finger of blame being pointed straight at students. The knee-jerk reaction from our Council was to impose Article 4 Directions, meaning any development requires planning permission. Despite significant […]