Latest news with #Blackburn-based
Scotsman
4 days ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Patrick Grant named as Queen Margaret University's new Chancellor
Patrick Grant, the designer, entrepreneur, writer, and advocate for sustainability and sustaining communities, is to be the next Chancellor of Queen Margaret University, (QMU) Edinburgh. The Chancellor is the ceremonial head of the University, presiding over graduation ceremonies and performing an ambassadorial role. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A prominent figure in the British fashion industry, Patrick has become a household name through his role as a judge on one of BBC One's favourite shows, 'The Great British Sewing Bee'. However, his TV success is based on extensive recognition of his dedication to traditional craftsmanship and sustainable practices. As founder of the social enterprise Community Clothing, Patrick is an advocate for sustainability and building strong communities through entrepreneurship. Brought up in Edinburgh, he has developed an international reputation as a champion of UK textile manufacturing, supporting local communities while producing high-quality, long-lasting garments. His book 'Less', which was published in 2024 and is a Sunday Times Bestseller, details his commitment to reducing consumption and embracing circular, regenerative fashion. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Over the past two decades, Patrick has built a distinguished career in the fashion industry – working with global brands including Cartier, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Barbour, and Alexander McQueen, and always advocating for craftsmanship and quality. He revitalised Savile Row tailor Norton & Sons, relaunched men's tailoring brand E. Tautz - winning Menswear Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards - and led Debenhams' most successful designer collaboration with Hammond & Co. Patrick Grant His passion for British manufacturing took a new turn in 2015 when he rescued the historic Blackburn-based clothing factory Cookson & Clegg from closure. This experience inspired him to launch Community Clothing in 2016, a pioneering initiative that has earned him widespread recognition for revitalising the UK garment industry. Community Clothing's mission is to sell exceptional quality everyday clothing at a fraction of the price of other premium brands and, by making all its clothing in the UK, sustaining and creating jobs and helping to restore local economic prosperity and pride. Beyond fashion, Patrick is a familiar face on television. In addition to the 'The Great British Sewing Bee', which was nominated for a BAFTA in 2022, he has presented the award-winning documentary 'Coronation Tailors: Fit for a King'. He has appeared on BBC Radio 4's 'Desert Island Discs', won BBC One's 'Celebrity Mastermind', and written extensively for publications including The Financial Times, The Times, and GQ Magazine. Patrick has strong connections with Edinburgh, where he grew up and where Queen Margaret University is based. With family still living in the city, he continues to be a regular visitor to the Scottish capital. Having been educated in both Edinburgh and Barnard Castle, Patrick went on to study a degree in Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Leeds, followed later by an MBA from the University of Oxford. He holds honorary fellowships at a number of universities. He is an ambassador for The King's Foundation, which works globally to create sustainable communities through placemaking projects and practical education programmes. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pamela Woodburn, Chair of the Court of Queen Margaret University said: 'Patrick's career and achievements resonate strongly with the University's strong social justice ethos, and with our commitment to building strong communities and acting as a force for good. He is someone who uses his intellect, skill and passion to solve problems, most notably in his work building community wealth through revitalising the UK garment industry, and in his promotion of sustainable consumption. Taking up his post during Queen Margaret University's 150th anniversary, his story mirrors that of our founders, who, to quote an old motto of our institution, acted 'with head, heart and hand' in creating our institution to deliver practical solutions tackling social and economic problems.' Patrick's example of combining entrepreneurialism, skill and people-focused thinking to build thriving communities aligns with QMU's purpose of shaping a better society through teaching and research in health and rehabilitation, education and social science, the creative industries, and sustainable business. Patrick will be installed as Chancellor at the first of QMU's 2025 graduations on 7 July 2025 at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh.
STV News
5 days ago
- Business
- STV News
Average home sale ‘being agreed at £16,000 below asking price'
House sellers are agreeing sales at £16,000 below the asking price typically, according to a property website. Zoopla, which said the mean average asking price is £367,000, added that it is 'important that sellers are realistic with their expectations on price,' as home buyers return to the market after the Easter holidays. Buyers have more choice, with 13% more homes on the market than a year ago, according to Zoopla's figures. Some lenders have recently changed their mortgage affordability calculations, enabling some people to borrow higher amounts, and the website said this is supporting the growth in sales. The website also said that, within England, the North West is the hottest housing market for price rises. Higher home values and rents in bigger cities such as Manchester and Liverpool are pushing housing demand into nearby areas, boosting house prices, Zoopla said. It said that Blackburn has seen 5.8% annual house price growth, Wigan has seen a 4.4% annual rise and Birkenhead has recorded a 4.1% annual increase in house prices. An increased number of homes for sale in southern England is significantly boosting buyer choice and keeping price growth in check, the website said. It said there are 21% more homes for sale in the South West than a year earlier, 17% more in London and 15% more in the South East. Widened choice, along with affordability constraints, explains why house price growth is less than 1% across the regions of southern England, from 0.5% in the South East to 0.9% in the South West, Zoopla said. There are just 3% more homes for sale in the North West of England and 5% more in Scotland than a year ago. House prices in Scotland have seen 2.9% annual growth on average. Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: 'There are more sales and stronger house price increases in northern regions of England and Scotland, where homes are more affordable. In southern regions of England, affordability continues to weigh on price inflation and the number of sales being agreed. 'Sellers and buyers need to adopt different tactics based on where they live across the UK; however, all sellers need to keep their feet on the ground and be realistic on pricing expectations. 'We expect sales to keep rising over the second half of the year, with UK home values on track to be 2% higher by the end of the year.' Martin Bennett, owner of Blackburn-based Crown Estates and Lettings Agents, said: 'Business is booming in Blackburn, with increased demand for properties both at the lower and top end of the market. 'From my experience, properties that are priced correctly are going under offer within two weeks of being listed, while it's not uncommon to have 10-plus potential buyers on the first day of viewings.' Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank said: 'Buyers can see there is a healthy supply of property on the market this spring, which means they have become choosier.' Matt Thompson, head of sales at London-based estate agent Chestertons, said: 'There has been a stark uplift in agreed sales in May and as buyer demand remains strong, we also expect a busier-than-usual summer market.' Sarah Coles, head of personal finance, Hargreaves Lansdown said: 'There are now plenty of (mortgage) deals priced at under 4%, which opens up affordability for so many more buyers.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Leader Live
5 days ago
- Business
- Leader Live
Average home sale ‘being agreed at £16,000 below asking price'
Zoopla, which said the mean average asking price is £367,000, added that it is 'important that sellers are realistic with their expectations on price,' as home buyers return to the market after the Easter holidays. Buyers have more choice, with 13% more homes on the market than a year ago, according to Zoopla's figures. Some lenders have recently changed their mortgage affordability calculations, enabling some people to borrow higher amounts, and the website said this is supporting the growth in sales. The website also said that, within England, the North West is the hottest housing market for price rises. Higher home values and rents in bigger cities such as Manchester and Liverpool are pushing housing demand into nearby areas, boosting house prices, Zoopla said. It said that Blackburn has seen 5.8% annual house price growth, Wigan has seen a 4.4% annual rise and Birkenhead has recorded a 4.1% annual increase in house prices. An increased number of homes for sale in southern England is significantly boosting buyer choice and keeping price growth in check, the website said. It said there are 21% more homes for sale in the South West than a year earlier, 17% more in London and 15% more in the South East. Widened choice, along with affordability constraints, explains why house price growth is less than 1% across the regions of southern England, from 0.5% in the South East to 0.9% in the South West, Zoopla said. There are just 3% more homes for sale in the North West of England and 5% more in Scotland than a year ago. House prices in Scotland have seen 2.9% annual growth on average. Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: 'There are more sales and stronger house price increases in northern regions of England and Scotland, where homes are more affordable. In southern regions of England, affordability continues to weigh on price inflation and the number of sales being agreed. 'Sellers and buyers need to adopt different tactics based on where they live across the UK; however, all sellers need to keep their feet on the ground and be realistic on pricing expectations. 'We expect sales to keep rising over the second half of the year, with UK home values on track to be 2% higher by the end of the year.' Martin Bennett, owner of Blackburn-based Crown Estates and Lettings Agents, said: 'Business is booming in Blackburn, with increased demand for properties both at the lower and top end of the market. 'From my experience, properties that are priced correctly are going under offer within two weeks of being listed, while it's not uncommon to have 10-plus potential buyers on the first day of viewings.' Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank said: 'Buyers can see there is a healthy supply of property on the market this spring, which means they have become choosier.' Matt Thompson, head of sales at London-based estate agent Chestertons, said: 'There has been a stark uplift in agreed sales in May and as buyer demand remains strong, we also expect a busier-than-usual summer market.' Sarah Coles, head of personal finance, Hargreaves Lansdown said: 'There are now plenty of (mortgage) deals priced at under 4%, which opens up affordability for so many more buyers.'
North Wales Chronicle
5 days ago
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Average home sale ‘being agreed at £16,000 below asking price'
Zoopla, which said the mean average asking price is £367,000, added that it is 'important that sellers are realistic with their expectations on price,' as home buyers return to the market after the Easter holidays. Buyers have more choice, with 13% more homes on the market than a year ago, according to Zoopla's figures. Some lenders have recently changed their mortgage affordability calculations, enabling some people to borrow higher amounts, and the website said this is supporting the growth in sales. The website also said that, within England, the North West is the hottest housing market for price rises. Higher home values and rents in bigger cities such as Manchester and Liverpool are pushing housing demand into nearby areas, boosting house prices, Zoopla said. It said that Blackburn has seen 5.8% annual house price growth, Wigan has seen a 4.4% annual rise and Birkenhead has recorded a 4.1% annual increase in house prices. An increased number of homes for sale in southern England is significantly boosting buyer choice and keeping price growth in check, the website said. It said there are 21% more homes for sale in the South West than a year earlier, 17% more in London and 15% more in the South East. Widened choice, along with affordability constraints, explains why house price growth is less than 1% across the regions of southern England, from 0.5% in the South East to 0.9% in the South West, Zoopla said. There are just 3% more homes for sale in the North West of England and 5% more in Scotland than a year ago. House prices in Scotland have seen 2.9% annual growth on average. Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: 'There are more sales and stronger house price increases in northern regions of England and Scotland, where homes are more affordable. In southern regions of England, affordability continues to weigh on price inflation and the number of sales being agreed. 'Sellers and buyers need to adopt different tactics based on where they live across the UK; however, all sellers need to keep their feet on the ground and be realistic on pricing expectations. 'We expect sales to keep rising over the second half of the year, with UK home values on track to be 2% higher by the end of the year.' Martin Bennett, owner of Blackburn-based Crown Estates and Lettings Agents, said: 'Business is booming in Blackburn, with increased demand for properties both at the lower and top end of the market. 'From my experience, properties that are priced correctly are going under offer within two weeks of being listed, while it's not uncommon to have 10-plus potential buyers on the first day of viewings.' Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank said: 'Buyers can see there is a healthy supply of property on the market this spring, which means they have become choosier.' Matt Thompson, head of sales at London-based estate agent Chestertons, said: 'There has been a stark uplift in agreed sales in May and as buyer demand remains strong, we also expect a busier-than-usual summer market.' Sarah Coles, head of personal finance, Hargreaves Lansdown said: 'There are now plenty of (mortgage) deals priced at under 4%, which opens up affordability for so many more buyers.'
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Business
- Western Telegraph
Average home sale ‘being agreed at £16,000 below asking price'
Zoopla, which said the mean average asking price is £367,000, added that it is 'important that sellers are realistic with their expectations on price,' as home buyers return to the market after the Easter holidays. Buyers have more choice, with 13% more homes on the market than a year ago, according to Zoopla's figures. There are more sales and stronger house price increases in northern regions of England and Scotland, where homes are more affordable Richard Donnell, Zoopla Some lenders have recently changed their mortgage affordability calculations, enabling some people to borrow higher amounts, and the website said this is supporting the growth in sales. The website also said that, within England, the North West is the hottest housing market for price rises. Higher home values and rents in bigger cities such as Manchester and Liverpool are pushing housing demand into nearby areas, boosting house prices, Zoopla said. It said that Blackburn has seen 5.8% annual house price growth, Wigan has seen a 4.4% annual rise and Birkenhead has recorded a 4.1% annual increase in house prices. An increased number of homes for sale in southern England is significantly boosting buyer choice and keeping price growth in check, the website said. It said there are 21% more homes for sale in the South West than a year earlier, 17% more in London and 15% more in the South East. Widened choice, along with affordability constraints, explains why house price growth is less than 1% across the regions of southern England, from 0.5% in the South East to 0.9% in the South West, Zoopla said. There are just 3% more homes for sale in the North West of England and 5% more in Scotland than a year ago. House prices in Scotland have seen 2.9% annual growth on average. Business is booming in Blackburn Martin Bennett, Crown Estates and Lettings Agents Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: 'There are more sales and stronger house price increases in northern regions of England and Scotland, where homes are more affordable. In southern regions of England, affordability continues to weigh on price inflation and the number of sales being agreed. 'Sellers and buyers need to adopt different tactics based on where they live across the UK; however, all sellers need to keep their feet on the ground and be realistic on pricing expectations. 'We expect sales to keep rising over the second half of the year, with UK home values on track to be 2% higher by the end of the year.' Martin Bennett, owner of Blackburn-based Crown Estates and Lettings Agents, said: 'Business is booming in Blackburn, with increased demand for properties both at the lower and top end of the market. 'From my experience, properties that are priced correctly are going under offer within two weeks of being listed, while it's not uncommon to have 10-plus potential buyers on the first day of viewings.' Tom Bill, head of UK residential research at Knight Frank said: 'Buyers can see there is a healthy supply of property on the market this spring, which means they have become choosier.' Matt Thompson, head of sales at London-based estate agent Chestertons, said: 'There has been a stark uplift in agreed sales in May and as buyer demand remains strong, we also expect a busier-than-usual summer market.' Sarah Coles, head of personal finance, Hargreaves Lansdown said: 'There are now plenty of (mortgage) deals priced at under 4%, which opens up affordability for so many more buyers.'
