Hill Dickinson retail property seminar

Meeting the challenges in a changing retail landscape

Hill Dickinson is delighted to invite you to join us for an afternoon seminar that promises to give you an insight into the changing retail property landscape and help you uncover the potential opportunities that lie in 2013 and beyond.

We have a tremendous line-up of speakers with key figures joining us from British Retail Consortium, Co-operative Group, NewRiver Retail and Savills, all of whom will all be offering their insight into the retail property market from their own different perspectives.

Programme

15:00 Registration, tea and coffee

15:30 Welcome: Pamela Jones, Head of Retail, Hill Dickinson

The retail sector – where are we now?

Richard Lim, Head of Business Information at the BRC

Richard will provide an economic overview of the retail sector. This will include an in-depth look at Christmas sales, the growth of food, non-food and the growing importance of online retailing. The presentation will also look at some of the challenges the sector faces in 2013.

Where are the opportunities to generate income in retail property?

Peter Ratcliff, Director UK Investments, Savills

Some commentators state that prime property is entering bubble territory pricing. Against that backdrop Peter will consider where there may be opportunity for greater returns in the secondary retail sector in 2013 and beyond.

Pretty vacant

Bill Chandler, Legal Director, Hill Dickinson

With more than one in ten shops sitting empty following the worst recession in living memory, Bill will explore some of the major issues facing retailers with vacant property in their portfolios: continuing obligations affecting the property, including lease covenants, insurance policies and empty business rates; putting the premises to short term use; problems exiting surplus properties, including latest break clause traps and whether non-competition covenants can be imposed on disposal.

Break with refreshments

An Overview of the Retail Market and how to achieve attractive returns

Allan Lockhart, Property Director, NewRiver Retail

NewRiver are the UKs largest owner and manager of community shopping centres with an annual rent roll of £30 million and 750 retailers. Allan Lockhart, Property Director, of NewRiver Retail is very well placed to provide an insight into the retail market from a property owners perspective and to share with us his views on what type of retail assets have the potential to deliver high returns in a low growth environment.

Where next for the retailer?

Geoff Player, Director of Commercial Investment and Property, Co-operative Group

And what of the retailer? Primary or secondary, high street or out of town shopping centres; Geoff will offer an insight into the challenges facing the retailer in 2013 offering an insight into where the opportunities may exist.

18:00 Networking with drinks and canapés

Venue details and directions

Institute of Directors, 116 Pall Mall, London, SW1Y 5ED

RSVP

Please contact Kerri McKeown to reserve your place by Friday 8 February 2013:

Email: kerri.mckeown@hilldickinson.com

Telephone: +44 (0)151 600 8752

Supported by British Retail Consortium