All posts by Admin

May 24

Why We Love Camden

Why We Love Camden

With all that London has to offer, we all have our favourite spots. The places we go to meet friends, while away sunny Saturday afternoons, soak up some culture or just do a bit of people watching.

In our opinion though, the one place that has it all is Camden. With its bustling market, its wealth of pubs, restaurant & clubs and its uniquely alternative culture, Camden is a melting pot that represents everything that’s great about London.

Here are just a few of the reasons why WE LOVE CAMDEN!

Shopping

Camden Market is arguably one of the best in the world, with a seeming endless array of quirky stalls selling everything from vintage clothing and antiques to custom jewellery, Japanese arts & crafts and much, much more.

The high street boasts an eclectic mix of high street brands and alternative clothing stores, as well as tons of pubs, bars and restaurants.

Eating

The market’s food hall is an eclectic mix of outstanding street food and cuisine from all over the world. We love the fried chicken sandwiches at Butchies, the seafood at Seawise and for desert – why not try liquid nitrogen ice cream at Chin Chin Labs.

Beyond the market’s food hall there are hundreds of restaurants from Honest Burgers and Hi Sushi Salsa to Poppies Fish & Chips and the Michelin Starred York & Albany (we could go on, and on…).

There are loads of Great British gastro pubs in Camden too – our favourite is the Prince Albert.

Drinking

There are loads of bars and pubs in and around the market area, we particularly love the rooftop terrace at the Lockside Camden – great for a cold beer on a sunny afternoon. The Hawley Arms and the Spread Eagle are also great pubs, and Barfly is great for dancing the night away.

Fans of real ale and craft beer are spoilt for choice in Camden with the BrewDog, the Camden Town Brewery and the Earl of Camden to name but a few.

Music venues

If it’s live music you’re after, Camden’s is home to some legendary venues. Long associated with the alternative, punk, indie and metal scenes, there is something for everyone here. There’s far too many to mention of course, but some of our favourites are Koko’s (formerly the Camden Palace Victorian Theatre, now a fantastic indie venue), Electric Ballroom and the Jazz Café.

For the Family

Venture further away from market area, and there’s plenty to keep the kids entertained in the wider borough of Camden. From Regents Park and boat trips on the Regents Canal, to the modestly named Museum of Everything, Painted Earth and the nearby ZSL London Zoo.

Of course we’re biased (as you can probably tell), but if you’re considering relocating to London or looking to buy your next home in the capital, we think Camden should be at the top of your list.

Mar 31

Admin

London Property Prices

Article 50 Triggered – What Will Brexit Mean for London Property Prices?

Article 50 Triggered – What Will Brexit Mean for London Property Prices?

On Wednesday, the Prime Minister triggered Article 50 of the Lisbon Treaty, officially starting the process of the UK leaving the EU. Over the next 2 years, the negotiations will undoubtedly affect property prices across the UK, particularly in London.

The triggering of Article 50 puts an end to the period of uncertainty in the property market caused by the result of the referendum result on 26th June last year. Finally the government has given investors and buyers the confidence that Britain will be leaving the EU in 2 years time, now it’s just the small matter of negotiating the deal.

Whilst stability should now return to the property market, the extent and swiftness of it’s return will be largely determined by the speed and success of the negotiations – as each of the items on Teresa May’s “to do list” are ticked off, so stability will increase. As the deal takes shape and the uncertainty diminishes, buyers will feel more confident in getting on with their lives, and sellers will feel more confident asking higher prices.

Having said that, Londoners are likely to remain more cautious than elsewhere, given that London had been enjoying a property price boom. The Brexit vote slowed down that growth to it’s lowest level since 2013, and experts believe that over the next few years the growth rate will flat-line at around the 5-6% mark.

The weakened pound has also provided overseas investors and buyers looking to relocate to the capital with an opportunity to get a better deal.

Whilst year on year the number of properties being sold in London is down by around 20%, the demand for property in London continues to outstrip supply, ensuring that the market here will remain largely protected from any negative impact from Brexit.

Ultimately then, the impact of Brexit on London’s property market comes down to the final deal, and what impact it will have on the wider economy – on jobs, immigration, inflation, interest rates and the value of the pound.