Archive for the ‘News’ Category

Pension membership and contributions fall, ONS

October 28th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News |

By Michael Trudeau | Published Oct 28, 2011

Long-term trend of falling pension in-payments is outpaced by the increasing number of plans paying their members, according to new data.

The total number of pension plans receiving payment has continued to decline while the number of those paying out has risen by two million in the last 20 years, according to new data produced by the Office for National Statistics.

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Source:-http://www.ftadviser.com/2011/10/28/pensions/group-pensions/pension-membership-and-contributions-fall-ons-kOGIq6YAf0QrpFKnlxF5AJ/article.html

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Pension pots evaporate as annuity rates fall

October 26th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News |

Thousands of pensioners across the country have little hope of experiencing the retirement lifestyle they would have wished for due to low annuity rates.

Any chance of a comfortable pension pot may have crumbled as annuity rates fall and high inflation eats away at what little is left.

UK adults are living longer, working less and spending more. According to the Office for National statistics, two thirds of men and three quarters of women now reach the age of 75. With this in mind, it can be hard to see a viable way of planning for your future financially, especially in such a fragile economy.

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Source:- http://www.moneyexpert.com/financial-news/none/800580546/pensionpotsevaporateasannuityratesfall/article.aspx?affiliateid=405&campaign=A1505

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100 properties sold at Llana Beach Hotel, Cape Verde

October 25th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News | Tags: , ,

Officially launched in September, Llana Beach Hotel has become an instant success with 100 properties already sold!

That means over 16% of the hotels’ 601 luxurious suites have been sold in just a few weeks. They have been snapped up by savvy UK investors, who have been clearly impressed by the luxurious Master Plan for the development as well as the excellent investment returns on offer.

Most notably, investors receive a guaranteed 3% per annum on their initial deposit value for 3 years during construction or the completion of their property, whichever occurs first.

Once built the Hotel will be managed by the world’s largest hotel operator, MELIA Hotels international and they will utilise their global travel agent and tour operator network to drive high levels of occupancy to the Hotel. This offers an excellent opportunity for attractive rental returns and capital growth for all property owners.

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Construction at Merricks, Barbados

October 15th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News | Tags: , , , ,

Harlequin Developments has set up offices in Barbados to oversee the projects at The Merricks Resort and the H Barbados hotel.

The team is led by David Campion, who, along with in-house architects, engineers and designers, undertakes all the work necessary to build our projects. This gives us more control in ensuring the smooth process from conception through to completion.

Work on The Merricks Resort Show Village has begun under the watchful eye of Kraus-Manning Inc., who have been assigned to project manage the construction, with Adams Consulting International (ACI) providing the civil engineers. Both companies bring a team of highly qualified professionals with vast experience of working in Barbados and the Caribbean in general.

The Show Village, which will form part of the final resort, already has a number of its components and features completed. These include:

Access road from Peat Bay Road
Car park
Office
Maintenance buildings
A fence surrounding the site
Foundations for show villas

With the foundations in place, the villa walls are currently being constructed using a quad lock ICF (insulated concrete formwork).

Once that is finished, interior fittings and landscaping will commence, with completion of the show village scheduled for early 2012. Also, work is currently being finalised on a number of criteria that form our planning permission for the first phase of the main project.

In their continuing endeavour to be environmentally and financially responsible, the Harlequin Developments team, along with its many consultants and procurement specialists, is sourcing green products and technologies from around the world so they can be assessed for their potential use on current and future projects. For example, a special roof tile being used for the villas at The Merricks Resort is made from recycled material and insulates 20% better than a standard shingle tile, so as well as being green, the tile will also reduce energy consumption from air conditioning and, consequently, operating costs.

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The O’Grille at Tortuga – Officially one of the best bars in the World!

October 12th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News |

The spectacular success of Melia Tortuga Beach has reached new heights this week with the O’Grille Beach Bar voted within the top 50 bars in the world!

Anyone that has experienced it for themselves will agree; with a stunning view of the Ocean, the sun setting in the background and your favourite cold drink in hand, there is no other place on earth quite like it!

Since Opening in May 2011, Melia Tortuga has received great reviews and experienced excellent occupancy figures. In fact, never before have Melia Hotels International experienced such a fast and successful start after opening a new resort!

For more information  click to read the full Top 50 bars in the world article

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Hayes & Jarvis promoting Buccament Bay, St Vincent

October 12th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News |

A brand new luxury resort, Buccament Bay Resort is located on the south west coast of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Situated on a white sand beach with a beautiful mountain backdrop, the resort offers a truly five star service in enchanting surroundings. Sports enthusiasts will love the Pat Cash Tennis Academy and Liverpool Football Club Soccer School and the variety of watersports available from the beach including Diving.

http://www.hayesandjarvis.co.uk/hotel/119025

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Construction progress from Dunas Beach Resort 11th October 2011

October 11th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News | Tags: , ,

Photos taken at Dunas Beach Resort in Cape Verde 11th October 2011 courtesy of The Resort Group Plc.

Dunas Beach Resort is now SOLD OUT. For more information about Llana Beach Hotel the next development on sale call ROC on 0121 616 5019 or click here

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Melia Tortuga five star all inclusive resort

October 9th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News |

Located in the south of the island of Sal, only 15 minutes from the Amilcar Cabral international airport and 5 minutes from the traditional village of Santa María. The five star all inclusive resort Meliá Tortuga Beach is the perfect vacation location for a combination of relaxation and leisure.

The resort provides a sandy beach opposite a coral reef with rich marine life (access to the sea is provided by a 50 m floating pier). There are also stunning views of the ocean and Monte Leão which provide the island’s most famous sunsets. The island of Sal offers wonderful fine sand beaches which extend for several kilometers, a relaxing way of life and unbeatable natural beauty.

Cabo Verde is home to one of most important nesting grounds for marine turtles in the world, and between the months of June and October turtle watching is one of the island’s biggest tourist attractions.

http://www.solmelia.com/hotels/cabo-verde/isla-de-sal/melia-tortuga-beach/home.htm

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The Future of Self-Storage

October 9th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News |
By Andrew Donaldson – May 2008


When I first became involved with self-storage 10 years ago, it was a good US product that had travelled badly. There were just over 100 UK facilities in operation and most Europeans hadn’t even heard of it!

Today there are over 1000 UK and European facilities, PLC listed operators, REITS and a total market capitalisation of £5billion.

Where will the industry be in another 10 years? Well, based upon its last 10 years growth anything is possible.

I predict the following – The UK market will at least double, if not treble , from 750 facilities to 2000 or so facilities – even then the saturation level will only be about a quarter of the current US level of nearly 6ft2 per person. The mainland European market will be at least 5 times its current size of 300 or so facilities and in all probability will accelerate past the current UK dominant self storage industry with possibly up to 3000 facilities spread across the mainland.

My prediction and credibility is based upon 10 years of industry experience, 3 chains of self-storage facilities, design and fit-out of over 100 facilities and a dozen business awards. Five or so years ago, I remember speaking at the UK Self Storage Conference and predicting 2 things – the industry would treble over the next 5 years and the world wide web would become one of the main enquiry drivers for a self-storage facility.

Source:- Ask Active company website http://www.askactive.com/the-future-of-self-storage-uk-europe

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Payday loans face limit after Citizens Advice warning

October 8th, 2011 Posted by admin | Posted in News |

BBC News – 8 October 2011

The number of people running into debt problems after taking out what are known as payday loans has quadrupled in just two years, according to the Citizen’s Advice Bureau.

They say it is too easy to take out one of the unsecured loans which can have interest rates running at more than 1000% per year.

To read the full article click here

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