Hello all
The market positivity entering 2026 has given way to another period of caution (not the first one we have seen in the past decade!) with the conflicts in the Middle East and the Labour Party Leadership question the main drivers behind this. With an inflationary period ahead, and its anticipated impacts on monetary policy, those interest rate cuts of 2025 do feel like a long distant memory. Notwithstanding these macro factors, we are not standing still in what has been a very busy and fruitful period at Allsop with another strong year and continued evolution into new business areas. This includes setting up a new planning team, a long time gap in our offering, which is aligned with our approach of selective growth in complementary business areas.
The planning team debut in this latest jam-packed edition of ALL magazine, with a focus on key policy changes intended to drive change in a challenging development market. We cover other legislative changes impacting the residential world as well, namely the significant leasehold reform afoot and the key considerations within the Renters’ Rights Act. The wider living market continues to be a varied picture, we make the case for the unloved multi-family BTR sector and highlight the importance of robust budgeting and underwriting in the student operational space. With the continued strength of the residential auction market, we place the emphasis this time on the regional growth and the returns available, whilst also highlighting the increase of the “million pounds plus” lots as a trend in the auction room.
Hot topics aren’t confined to the residential sector with the government’s approach to upward only rent reviews causing consternation, with our analysis drawing on inputs from our lease consultancy, valuations, and investment lenses. A collaborative view is also taken on our exploration of how to navigate the Charities Act with input from our auction and valuation teams, alongside a third-party legal perspective. Whilst the commercial property market has experienced its travails, we examine why it still remains a safe haven for investors, and also focussing on a success story in the form of the leasing bounce evident in Liverpool Street, the most dynamic of the City’s submarkets. 2026 has seen a significant shift in the advancement of AI and its adoption and we specifically address how it is shaping and redefining every aspect of the logistics market and the delivery of the “intelligent warehouse”.
In addition to this sectoral and market analysis, we highlight our on-going link with Ravensbourne University, mentoring their students on the presentation of content in the brokerage market, as well as approaching the less glamorous, but vitally important subject matter, of how we are staying ahead of financial crime and safeguarding you, our clients, in doing so. The usual gallery of deals is included (yes they are still happening!), alongside the weird and wonderful from Allsop life and our fantastic charitable initiatives.
We were delighted to return to our Wigmore Street HQ in March after 9 months in temporary pastures. If anything within this edition piques your interest, we would be delighted to give you a tour and discuss all things property. If you are not able to make the trip to the West End, be sure to subscribe to our Propchat channel for up to date market insights. Enjoy the read!
Andrew Boyd Senior Partner
