EG’s newly installed editor, Samantha McClary, took to Twitter this week asking the world for thoughts and ideas on what she should do differently at the helm and what you, our wonderful audience, want to see more of.
There were some very helpful replies – more on how communities are developed, more on the relationship between bricks and digital, more regional insight on development and planning, the impact of MEES on PRS – and some less helpful replies that instead offered a bit of insight into the life of EG’s new ed. There were fears that she would have less time to partake in industry bike rides (never!) and a genuine plea for more on vegan restaurants and cats. We will definitely deliver on some of those requests. We’ll let you figure out which ones.
Main image © David McEnery/Rex/Shutterstock
Jobs for everyone
If you can’t make it, fake it. Or perhaps just channel the power, knowledge and expertise of someone who most definitely did make it. That seemed to be the vibe at EG’s first TechLive event of the year this week. Without co-ordinating outfits, an uncannily high proportion of both EG bods and guests at the event had decided to channel Steve Jobs and rock a turtleneck. And we did it well, of course. Not that we or any of our guests needed to fake our tech expertise – the content from the event is evidence of that (you can watch it in full by visiting www.egi.co.uk/tech-live-2019). But it does make Diary wonder what we call a group of proptech types… a turtleneck of techies perhaps?
© Keystone/Zuma/Rex/Shutterstock
Because I got high street
Could cannabis ride to retail’s rescue? Don’t bet against it. Canada hit the headlines last year when it became the first G7 country to legalise marijuana. Lawmakers and, ahem, users have been watching developments closely ever since. Some landlords expected a windfall too, especially warehouse owners, but it’s been pretty quiet so far, according to an article in EG’s latest Global Investor Guide (look out for it in airports, hotels and on the EG stand at MIPIM next week). But some in the UK are already thinking ahead. Tom Crosthwaite, leisure property consultant at CDG Leisure, tells EG that legalised marijuana could boost experiential leisure. “If marijuana becomes legalised – depending on how it becomes regulated – operators with an offering focused around this may have the potential to fill some empty space on the high street,” he says. Might we see cannabis-infused yoga classes spring up, as they have in Canada? Yes, suggests Crosthwaite. Delivery services and fast food operators are likely to benefit indirectly too, he thinks. Presumably, from the “munchies”.
Primark of history
To Birmingham Question Time, where Diary found itself wandering past the city’s new Primark, due to open next month. It will be the world’s biggest, with 160,000 sq ft of floorspace and around 1,000 staff. More than that, there will be a beauty studio, a barber shop and – count ‘em – three dining outlets. Retail historians will know that this used to be the Pavilions, a shopping centre that closed in 2016 after 29 years’ trading. It was also where Diary bought its first interview suit and caught the National Express to said interview. You may not be surprised to hear that Diary did not get the job. But – and this is always a dangerous question for a semi-humorous back page to ask – who’s laughing now?
Talking Brexit
With news that the blockbuster battle between Canary Wharf Group and the European Medicines Agency over Brexit (and its impact on the EMA’s lease) is going to appeal, Diary’s legal colleagues were delighted to hear that two top QCs on either side of the dispute are interested in coming in to our studio to record a podcast on the case. Sounds fantastic, but, with packed diaries all round, can a suitable date be found? Turns out a mutually convenient slot for the two busy barristers does exist… on 29 March. Great, we’re sure we don’t have anything else on. Should be an interesting listen!
Community service
Capital & Regional investment manager Chris Rees may want to steer clear of Luton for a while. A seemingly innocent month-old tweet in which he asked: “What makes a great community shopping centre?”, tagging C&R’s @TheMallLuton among others, was at the time swiftly followed with his own answer: “people make communities”. But it has belatedly caught fire this week, with residents of the town airing their grievances. One writes, “Hi Chris – great question. I’d suggest not p***ing off a whole town by objecting to planning permission that will regenerate the complete area. People of Luton won’t forgive and won’t forget.” Another suggests: “Certainly not Capital & Regional.” A third accuses Rees of “having a laugh”, claiming C&R has “sucked the life out of Luton town centre”, while a fourth opines: “@TheMallLuton is a dump.” Rees set out for a bit of “community engagement”, but perhaps got more than he bargained for.
