City Focus - South West London

ISSUE 6 A guide for the discerning landlord

MAY / JUN 2014

SOUTH WEST LONDON

SOUTH WEST LONDON Where’s best to invest?

GET OUTDOORS

Our guide to the best parks and green spaces in the area

COULD PENSIONERS BE THE FASTEST GROWING LANDLORD SECTOR?

W

elcome to the May / June Issue of City Focus – our regular magazine for the discerning landlord. I hope you have all had a good Easter and are looking forward to whatever the great British summer throws at us.

In this fun-filled edition, we focus on our own neck of the woods with an in-depth look at South-West London, focussing on its numerous places of interest, the opportunities it presents for investors, as well as its musical and sporting heritage.

As always, we also pick out our favourite events and activities taking place across the UK. Richard Anthony – Editor editor@citylandlord.co.uk

“When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

Samuel Johnson ( 18th century English writer )

Rent arrears fall by 35%

R

ent arrears across the country have fallen, with the number of tenants who are severely behind on their rent plunging by 35% in the past 12 months.

Some 68,000 households still remain seriously behind with rent payments, however this figure is down from 105,000 in the same period last year.

The figure reached a peak of over 116,000 in the middle of 2012, according to the latest Tenant Arrears Tracker by LSL Property Services.

As a result of arrears falling, the number of tenant evictions has also reduced, with court orders down 3% in the final months of 2013.

The number of tenants owing more than two months rent has also improved and now

represents just 1.4% of all tenancies in the UK, down from 2.3% of all tenancies one year ago.

Paul Jardine, director and receiver at Templeton LPA, owned by LSL, said: “Personal finances are finally defrosting across the UK, with many people experiencing the first real financial spring for half a decade”.

“The incentive for investment in the private rented sector is already growing on the back of solid rental yields and gathering capital accumulation.

But now lower risk is proving to be the cherry on top for potential investors,” says David Brown, commercial director of LSL Property Services.

Landlords – protect your rental income with Rent Guarantee Insurance from City Landlord, call 0800 2944 546 today.

NOSY NEIGHBOUR

In each issue we take a sneaky look at what’s been going on in rental properties across the UK

Fergus Wilson guilty of letting agent attack

Landlord fined for failing to maintain property

Controversial landlord Fergus Wilson has been found guilty of hitting a letting agent in a dispute about a boiler.

A landlord has been fined £6,000 for renting out a poorly maintained house that did not have a working smoke alarm.

Wilson, 65, appeared in Folkestone Magistrate’s Court last month accused of punching Daniel Wells, 31, who works for Property Lettings and Sales (PLS) in Folkestone.

Oxford City Council prosecuted William Edwards for failing to maintain his property in Dene Road, Headington, after an inspection last June.

The court heard that 22-stone Wilson stormed into PLS in Cheriton Place on 19th January last year and shouted: “Right you little s**t,” at Wells before walking to his desk, hitting him in the temple and knocking him off his chair.

Wilson was found guilty of assault by beating, and was ordered to pay £1,650, which includes £150 in compensation to Wells.

Furthermore, there was no sign displayed within the house giving the manager’s name and contact details, which are required under HMO rules, and a copy of the electrical installation or gas safety certificate had not been received by the council.

Edwards was fined £1,000 for failing to license a HMO, £500 for each defect relating to the property which totalled £5,000, a £100 victim surcharge and £350 costs.

CITY SPOTLIGHT

[ SOUTH WEST LONDON ] - Each issue we shine our spotlight on a different part of the UK, focussing on what it has to offer everyone from property developers to casual daytrippers.

SW1

SW7 SW5 SW10 SW13

SW3 SW8

SW6

SW9

SW11

SW14

SW4

SW15 SW18

SW12

SW2

SW17 SW19 KT2

SW16

SW20 KT1 KT3 KT5 KT4

SOUTH WEST LONDON

D

espite London being the most populated city in the UK, the South West district has one of the highest number of public parks and green spaces to help you escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

As you’d expect, there are also a plethora of shops, bars, cafés and restaurants in the area, as well as museums, art galleries and places of interest (see pages 10 & 11).

Unless you enjoy crawling through traffic, the best way to get around the area is by public transport, including regular buses, it’s extensive underground network and overground railways lines.

Property-wise, London operates in its own micro-climate with average house prices almost double that of the rest of the country and average rents also significantly higher

as the shortage of housing pushes demand through the roof.

However, many experts have warned that predicted house price rises for London are unsustainable and risk driving young families out of the capital for good.

The National Housing Federation estimates that in only six year’s time the average London house price will have risen 40% to £650,000, meaning even more will struggle to get a foothold on the property ladder.

For landlords, South West London’s mix of young professionals, families and student population mean it is a good area to invest.

Average yields actually fell by 1.9% during 2013 to 4.8% as rents reached breaking point compared to wages, however this was counteracted by capital gain rises of 7.9%.

Below are some of the best places to invest in South-West London:

Wandsworth Home to television chef Gordon Ramsay and Take That star Mark Owen, leafy Wandsworth attracts young professionals looking for flats by the river and young families attracted by its reputable schools.

You can enjoy riverside walks and the wild acres of the common, as well as the Southside shopping centre. More unique shops and restaurants are in small parades scattered throughout the borough.

Wandsworth was one of London’s topperforming boroughs in 2013, with property prices up by almost 18% to an average of £505,797.

Hammersmith & Fulham Properties in Hammersmith and Fulham have performed strongly in 2014 with prices up 16% to an average £685,797.

Good transport links and international companies such as Coca-Cola based there means there is strong demand from single professionals and professional couples.

The large houses in St Peter’s Square sell for as much as £3 million and even modest properties in the area are on the expensive side. High demand means there will be no shortage of potential tenants however.

Kingston Kingston is characterised by small two and three bedroom terraced and semi-detached houses, selling for £350,000 to £600,000 depending on proximity to the river, schools and transport links.

The area has performed well in recent times with prices rising by more than 14% in the past year. Kingston University also means there is

DID YOU KNOW? Each day about 2,000 trains pass through Clapham Junction station, more than through any other station in Europe!

a large student population looking for short term rental accommodation.

will continue to see increases in property values,” says Claire Seward of estate agents Chesterton Humberts.

“It’s like prime central London but with even larger houses, much more outside space and fewer planning constraints,” says Richard Marsh, of the buying agency Property Vision.

Putney

Richmond Home to eBay and PayPal’s UK headquarters, Richmond upon Thames is spearheading London’s growing tech industry, with the highest concentration of tech workers of any London borough.

The town centre is full of both high street favourites and much-loved antiques shops, along with high-end boutiques and designer stores. It also boasts an impressive array of eateries, cafés and top class restaurants.

“As demand continues to outstrip supply, with more young professionals and families moving to the area, home owners can be quietly confident that the next 12 months

Putney is an area with universal appeal along the river there is a new piazza with restaurants and pubs perfect for summer evenings, and up the hill Putney feels like the countryside with heaths and woods for walking, cycling, horse riding, and pubs for relaxed Sunday lunches.

Families love the large West Putney houses and many people arrive as first-time buyers.

For investors, a two-bedroom flat in Putney typically costs £373,000 and will rent for anything between £1,272 and £4,700 a month.

Nearby University of Roehampton and Kingston University also mean there is also a burgeoning student market to be tapped into.

Battersea Limited supply of property means that in recent years you have had to pay a premium to invest in Battersea, and whilst it still isn’t cheap, there are a number of new developments making it easier, most notable of which is on the site of Battersea Power Station.

The site includes 254 apartments, ranging from studios to five-bedroom penthouses and has been in high demand since it opened for sale at the beginning of the month. Significantly the apartments are being offered to UK buyers only amid fears that foreign investors are snapping up much of London’s prime property. At the time of writing there are just a few apartments left - so you’ll have to be quick!

For more information on the development visit: www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/

CITY SPOTLIGHT - SOUTH WEST LONDON

SOUTH WEST LONDON - the facts and figures Get the lowdown on the south-west of the capital with our handy info-graphics.

AVERAGE PROPERTY PRICES Below is a breakdown of the average asking price in south west London by property type:

Average current value

DETACHED

SEMIDETACHED

TERRACED

FLAT

£2,118,380

£1,209,085

£1,106,6054

£650,714

£751

£710

£828

£898

4.3

3.7

3.6

1.9

£1,811,193

£1,132,950

£1,053,970

£580,018

Avg. £ per sq ft.

Avg. # beds Avg. £ paid (last 12m)

(source: zoopla)

1 BEDROOM

2 BEDROOM

3 BEDROOM

4 BEDROOM

5 BEDROOM

(source: zoopla)

Average rents

£2,173 pcm

£2,932 pcm

£5,596 pcm

£6,370 pcm

£8,940 pcm

Highest value streets £26,249,373

The Boltons, London SW10

£20,363,553

Grosvenor Crescent, London SW1X

£9,727,064

Montrose Place, London SW1X

Carlyle Square, London SW3

Chester Square, London SW1W

£9,694,414 £9,266,403

Average estimated asking price per property (source: zoopla)

Twinned with Edinburgh is twinned with the below cities:

Hammersmith & Fulham Anderlecht, Belgium

Kingston Upon Thames Delft, Netherlands

Richmond Upon Thames Fountainebleau, France

Clapham Brooklyn, New York, United States

Kensington & Chelsea Cannes, France

Twinning describes a form of cooperative agreement made between towns, cities and even countries; in geographically and politically distant areas to promote cultural and commercial ties.

Average Wages Mean average annual salary for those in full time employment.

£36,077 £35,892

Twickenham

£35,689

Richmond

£36,185

Wimbledon

£21,326

UK

Putney

(source:Evening Standard)

Did You

Know

The final scene of the 1998 movie Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, when Tom is about to throw two very valuable shotguns in the river, was filmed on Putney Bridge.

PLACES TO VISIT Whether you’re looking for great food, a nice place to go for a walk, or to immerse yourself in history, here are some of our favourite places to visit in South-West London.

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GETTING AROUND IN SW LONDON

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Bus, train, tube, you name it, London has it - public transport in London is the cheapest and most environmentally friendly way to get around.

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For more information and live updates visit: https://www.tfl.gov.uk/ or call 0343 222 1234

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Hampton Court Palace

1

Buddhapadipa Temple

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East Molesley, Surrey, KT8 9AU

14 Calone Road, London, SW19 5HJ

Discover the magnificence of Henry VIII’s favourite royal residence. Stroll through over 60 acres of enchanting gardens, lose yourself in the famous maze and appreciate the beauty of one of the greatest palaces on earth.

Is a Buddhist monastery covering 4 acres and includes an ornamental lake, a small grove, a lovely flower garden and an orchard. The Shrine Hall of the temple is the sacred house for all Buddhist activities and ceremonies.

www.hrp.org.uk/HamptonCourtPalace

www.buddhapadipa.org

Wetland centre

5

Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, London, SW13 9WT

Voted the UK’s Favourite Nature Reserve 2012 by Countryfile magazine. Roam the beautiful walkways amongst the lakes and pools of this 105 acre haven, perfect for bird spotting and other wildlife. www.wwt.org.uk/wetland-centres/london

Ham House

4

Ham St., Richmond-upon-Thames, Surrey, TW10 7RS

Ham House is Europe’s most complete surviving example of 17th century fashion and power. The garden is one of the few formal gardens to survive the English landscape movement. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ham-house

Red telephone boxes

3

London Road, Kingston, KT2 6QJ

Visit Old London Road the site of Kingston’s famous falling over phone boxes (officially named ‘Out of Order’ by artist David Mach).

Coronation stone

2

High St, Kingston-upon-Thames, Greater London, KT1 1EU

This stone is thought to have been used for the coronation of up to seven Saxon kings in the tenth Century. It can now be found in the grounds of the Guildhall, where it has been installed as a monument in 1935. www.whereenglandbegan.co.uk

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Rose Theatre

8

7

Tooting Lido

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24-26 High St, Kingston-upon-Thames, KT1 1HL

Tooting Bec Rd, London, SW16 1RU

The 899 seat theatre opened in January 2008 and cost around £11 million to complete, its layout is based upon the Elizabethan era Rose Theatre in London with the seating circled around a wide ‘thrust’ stage.

Swim at Tooting Bec Lido, the largest fresh water pool in England. As well as the main open air pool, the lido has a children’s paddling pool, showers, toilets, changing area and café.

www.rosetheatrekingston.org

www.wandsworth.gov.uk

CITY SPOTLIGHT - SOUTH WEST LONDON

FAMOUS RESIDENTS South West London has a rich heritage of film, literature and historic figures. Here are some of the area’s most notable residents:

Naomi Campbell

British model Campbell was born in Streatham to a Jamaican mother, she was scouted by a modelling agency at the age of just 15, before going on to become one of the best known ‘supermodels’ of her generation.

Lawrence Oates

Captain Lawrence Oates was born in Putney in 1880 and was an English Calvary officer who died in the Terra Nova Expedition. Oates, afflicted with gangrene, walked from his tent into a blizzard, reportedly uttering the famous words “I’m going outside and may be some time”. His death is seen as an act of self-sacrifice as his ill health was compromising his three companions.

Hugh Grant

Hollywood actor Grant was born in Charing Cross hospital in Hammersmith and grew up in the area. His big breakthrough came in Richard Curtis’ 1994 romantic comedy Four Weddings and a Funeral before going on to become one of the big screen’s most recognisable faces.

Thomas Cromwell

Cromwell was born in Putney in 1485 and served as chief minister to King Henry VIII from 1532 , he was one of the biggest advocates of British reformation and spearheaded the breakaway of the Church of England and is credited with changing both the political and religious landscape of Britain at the time. He was executed without trial in 1540.

Dame Jacqueline Wilson

Although born in Sommerset, the celebrated children’s author spent most of her childhood in Kingston upon Thames and remains local to the area. Her books – including the Tracy Beaker series - have sold over 30 million copies in the UK. Dame Jacqueline recently succeeded John Simpson as Chancellor of Roehampton University.

Gerry Anderson & Jim Henson

Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson and Muppets pioneer Jim Henson have both leased the same (now demolished) workshop on Rotherwood Road in Putney, working on some of the most iconic television characters in the world on the premises.

SPORT IN SOUTH WEST

South-West London is home to some of Britain’s most iconic sporting locations, here are some our favourites:

Wimbledon

Home of the world-famous Wimbledon Championships, the only Grand Slam tournament played on grass. Wimbledon is the highpoint of the British tennis calendar.

Held at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in south-west London, since 1877, Wimbledon now no longer has to rely on the great British weather either: Centre Court’s new retractable roof – unveiled in 2009 as part of a £100m renovation – means play can continue despite those very English early July showers.

The grounds of the All England Club contain 19 tournament courts, 16 other grass courts as well as five indoor courts.

Other landmarks include the statue of Fred Perry – the last British player to win Wimbledon back in 1936 before Andy Murray’s success last summer – and the grassy Aorangi terrace (known as Henman Hill or Murray Mount) where fans gather to watch games on the big screen come rain or shine!

Craven Cottage

Resting on the banks of the Thames, Craven Cottage, the oldest football stadium in London, is a must see for any football fan travelling through capital.

Visitors will be taken aback by the listed façade of the Johnny Haynes Stand and the old-world feel of the venue.

As well as being the full-time home of Fulham FC, the stadium has been also been used by the Australian and Canadian national football teams and was formerly the home ground for rugby league team Fulham RLFC.

London Rowing Club

London Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, and is located by Putney Bridge.

It was founded in 1856 by members of the Argonauts Club, wishing to compete at Henley Royal Regatta.

It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh.

Two of its members, James Lindsay-Fynn and James Clarke, competed in the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008 as part of the Lightweight Men’s Coxless Fours.

Stamford Bridge

Located on the Fulham Road in SW6, Stamford Bridge has been home to Chelsea Football Club since their inception in 1905.

The stadium holds over 40,000 fans and it’s hallowed turf has been graced by some of world’s greatest players including George Best, Johan Cruyf, and Lionel Messi , as well as current Chelsea favourites John Terry, Frank Lampard and Fernando Torres.

Here you can witness the excitement of Premier League and Champions League football at the home of London’s only European champions.

Guided tours of Stamford Bridge also run daily 10am to 3pm (except match days) and are a fun, informative and unforgettable experience. The tour includes visits to the home & visitor’s dressing rooms, player’s tunnel, pitchside, press room and also includes entrance to the Museum where you can learn more about the club’s history.

CAPITAL SOUNDS

South West London has been home to some of the biggest names in British music over the past few decades, here are just some of famous musicians to grace the area:

VISIT OLYMPIC STUDIOS, BARNES Olympic Studios on Church Road, in Barnes has played host to some of rock and pop’s greatest stars, from the Beatles, who recorded All You Need Is Love there, to Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, David Bowie, Ella Fitzgerald, the Verve, Madonna and Coldplay. The studio now opens its doors as an independent arts theatre.

HALF MOON - PUTNEY The Half Moon is Putney is one of London’s longest running and most respected live music venues, over the years its stage has been graced by The Rolling Stones, The Who, U2 and many more. The venue is still going strong today with comedy and live bands most nights of the week.

Visit: www.halfmoon.co.uk for listings.

The area is still alive and bustling with musical activity today.

To catch a concert in the area visit www.timeout.com/london/music for listings.

Mark Bolan (T-Rex) One of British Music’s most iconic figures Marc Bolan, singer with rock band T.Rex, lived in Putney in the 1970s. He passed away in 1977 aged just 29 after his car collided with a tree in Barnes. A memorial plague marks the spot where the tragic event occured and fans still mark the area with flowers on the anniversary of his death.

Queen All four members of rock band Queen lived together in a house on Ferry Road in Barnes in the 70s, they recorded Bohemian Rhapsody at Olympic Studios there and played many of their early gigs in South-West London.

Metropolis Studios in Chiswick was also the final studio used by singer Freddie Mercury before his untimely death in 1991, he is buried in Kensal Green Crematorium.

Eric Clapton Clapton attended Hollyfield School in Surbiton and began busking in Kingston Upon Thames at the age of 15, before going on to become one of the most influential guitarists of all time with The Yardbirds, Cream and as a solo artist.

Clapton ranked second in Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” and is a threetime inductee into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame.

Malcolm Mclaren & Vivienne Westwood Sex Pistols manager Malcolm Mclaren and fashion designer Vivienne Westwood lived together in a council flat in Clapham, they opened up a boutique together on the Kings Road. Together they are credited with bringing new wave fashion to the mainstream and punk music to the charts.

Green Spaces One of the best things about South-West London is its abundance of open spaces. What’s more, spending the day exploring these areas is absolutely free. Read more about each park below.

Wimbledon Common

Richmond Park

Wimbledon Common covers 460 hectares and includes ponds, a nature trail and a windmill. The common is also home to various species of birds and insect.

The Wombles

The common’s most famous inhabitants are The Wombles, the fictional furry creatures created by children’s author Elisabeth Beresford in the late 1960s.

The lovable pointy-nosed group live in burrows on the common and aim to help the environment by collecting and recycling rubbish in creative ways and ‘making good use of things, that everyday folk leave behind’.

The Wombles, including Uncle Bulgaria, Tobermory and Orinoco are known worldwide featuring in their own TV show and even having a fledgling pop career in the 1970s.

At 955 hectares, Richmond Parkis the largest of the capital’s Royal Parks and has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest and a National Nature Reserve. The park has seen little change over the centuries and, although it is surrounded by human inhabitation, the varied landscapes of hills, woodland gardens and grasslands set among ancient trees abounds in wildlife.

The park is a star The classic historical drama Anne of The Thousand Days (1969) looks back to Richmond Park in the 16th century. It tells the story of King Henry VIII’s courtship and brief marriage to Anne Boleyn.

Tooting Common With 92 hectares (221 acres), Tooting Common is the largest of Wandsworth’s open spaces. The common is managed with the aim of keeping much of its natural character.

Streatham Common Streatham Common is a large space at the southern tip of Lambeth. It offers amazing views and has areas of woodland, grassland, wild flower meadows and a picnic area. It also contains The Rookery, a small and enchanting formal garden.

Wandsworth Park The park is 8 hectares in size and is home to over 350 trees of different species.

The design is dominated by a 3.5 hectare playing field in the centre surrounded by an oval path. The south east corner has a more ornamental design and an avenue of trees from the northern edge along the river. The design has remained largely unchanged since its construction.

A bowling green, pavilion, and tennis court were added in the 1920s.

Battersea Park Battersea Park is the most interesting of all the London Parks. The park has a fascinating history, leading from the duel in the marshlands before the Park was built, through to the Fun Fair and Gardens of the Festival of Britain in the 1950’s.

O

ne of the most significant changes announced in this year’s budget was the announcement that “no one will have to buy an annuity” which in a few simple words swept away most of the labyrinthine regulations surrounding pensions. This change, which comes into force in April 2015, essentially frees savers to do whatever they like with their retirement savings.

Whilst the average pension pot in the UK is around £30,000, those with access to more savings are very likely to see buy to let property investment as an easier and more profitable way of securing a regular income than the traditional annuity.

In Australia, where retirees have had the freedom to do whatever they want with their pension savings for many years, one third of savers used their cash to buy a home, pay off an outstanding mortgage or make home improvements. One in five purchased a new car and one in seven spent at least some of their pension on a holiday.

Whilst many groups have welcomed the changes, there have been some dissenting voices concerned that pensioners might be too cautious and leave their savings in low-interest accounts meaning that their income is lower than it would have been with an annuity.

Commenting on the possible impact on the property market, James Lloyd, director of the Strategic Society Centre thinktank said: “Treasury advisors may not have anticipated that they are releasing literally billions of pounds of savings that some baby-boomers will inevitably now transfer into the UK’s overheated property market.

The potential effect on house prices could be even greater.”

George Osborne said in the budget that he was setting aside £20 million to enable savers to obtain free impartial advice on what to do with their pension pot and many employers are also expected introduce workplace-based advice for employees approaching retirement.

As an alternative to property, many advisors are already recommending that savers dump annuities in favour of “drawdown” schemes that pay an income and let people draw down the cash in their later years.

Tell us what you think – are the changes a good thing? And would you consider increasing your property portfolio instead of purchasing an annuity when you retire? Email: editor@citylandlord.co.uk with your views. www.citylandlord.co.uk

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WHAT’S ON

Our guide to the best events going on across the UK in May and June

LONDON Foodies Festival on Clapham Common

Horse-racing: Royal Ascot 2014

Windmill Dr, London SW4 9DE 6th June 2014 to 8th June 2014 Tickets: from £12 The UK’s largest celebration of food & drink returns to Clapham. Sample food cooked by some of Britain’s best chefs, as well as a great range of beer, wine and cocktails in the drinks theatre. www.foodiesfestival.com

RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2014

20 May 2014 to 24 May 2014 Tickets: £23 - £68 Royal Hospital Chelsea, London, SW3 Every year the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea are transformed into show gardens, and vibrant horticultural displays for the world’s most famous flower show. The show is attended by 157,000 visitors each year and purchasing advance tickets is strongly recommended. www.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/chelsea

17 June 2014 to 21 June 2014 Tickets: from £15 Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire, SL5 7JX Royal Ascot is Britain’s most popular race meeting. It’s the place to be seen for high society, royal watchers, and horse racing enthusiasts alike – get your fancy hat ready! www.ascot.co.uk

Hampton Court Palace Festival 11 June 2014 to 25 June 2014 Tickets: Start at £45 Hampton Court Palace, East Molesey, Surrey, KT8 9AU Experience magical summer evenings of music with special guests including Jools Holland, Van Morrison, Jamie Cullum, Jason Donovan, Rick Astley, Dionne Warwick, George Benson and the legendary Beach Boys. www.hamptoncourtpalacefestival.com

Taste of London 2014 in Regent’s Park 19 June 2014 to 22 June 2014 Tickets: £25.80 (adults) & £12.90 (child) Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, London, NW1 4NR More than 40 of the best restaurants in the city gather to show off the best items from their extensive menus, as Regent’s Park in central London is transformed into a foodie wonderland.

Visitors can choose from dozens of fine dishes to create their menu.

BRISTOL Grillstock BBQ and Music Festival Date: 7th June 2014 to 8th June 2014 Tickets: Full weekend ticket £30 Music, meat and mayhem come together for the fifth annual Grillstock Festival. US legends Fun Lovin’ Criminals are confirmed as headliners for Saturday and Hayseed Dixie will close the festival on Sunday. www. grillstock.co.uk

www. london.tastefestivals.com/london

Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships 2014

German Beerfest Date: 14th June 2014 Tickets: Advance £10, on the door £15.

Beerfest brings the Oktoberfest to the UK with fine real German ales, the sounds of ompha music, traditional drinking songs and dances, to sizzling foods and entertainment which make for a memorable evening. www.beerfestuk.com

23 June 2014 to 6 July 2014 Tickets: £38 - £148 All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club Church Road, Wimbledon, London, SW19 5AE

COVENTRY Godiva Festival

Wimbledon is one of four annual Grand Slam tennis tournaments held around the world. It’s the world’s longest-running and most prestigious tennis tournament. Games are still played on the original playing surface, grass, and there’s a strict white-only dress code for players (see page 15 for more details).

Date: 4th July 2014 to 6th July 2014 Tickets: FREE!

www.wimbledon.org

www.godivafestival.com

The country’s biggest free family festival returns to Coventry this summer with three days of comedy, family entertainment and attractions as well as the popular funfair. Performers include Happy Mondays and The Buzzcocks.

MANCHESTER An Intimate Evening with New Kids on the Block

SHEFFIELD Ghost hunting at Sheffield Fire & Police station Date: 7th June 2014 Tickets: N/A – Pay on the door Join Simply Ghost Nights at a ghost hunting event in South Yorkshire on a very exciting paranormal investigation, at Sheffield’s spooky Fire and Police Museum.

Date: 30th May 2014 Tickets: from £38.50 With their last European dates being incredibly successful, the award-winning international pop sensations ‘NKOTB’ are to make a spectacular return to wow their fans in their most intimate tour in 20 years. www.seetickets.com

BATH The Royal Bath & West Show

www.skiddle.com/e/12138290

BRIGHTON The Kemp Town Carnival Date: 7th June 2014 Tickets: FREE! This year’s carnival will have something for everyone with a brand new children’s parade, circus skills, street theatre, break dancing, the grand custard pie fight, belly dancers, choirs and much more. www.kemptowncarnival.com

NOTTINGHAM Date: 28th May 2014 – 31st May 2014 Tickets: Up to £19 A fantastic day out for all the family with a host of things to do and see from livestock to fairground rides, from a ride on a miniature train to chickens and eggs, from locally produced food and drink to the Eco-Zone and from the latest agricultural technology to a shopping mall. www.bathandwest.com

Earth & Fire International Ceramics Fair Date: 20th June 2014 to 22nd June 2014 Tickets: FREE! The festival has been a mainstay of the international crafts calendar since 1994 promoting the very best of studio ceramics. www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk

“There’s nowhere else like London.

Nothing at all, anywhere” Vivienne Westwood (Fashion designer)

Words

Richard Anthony

Design

Gaurav Ahluwalia

Liher Landeta

We hope you have enjoyed issue six of City Focus.

We welcome any suggestions and feedback, so please email editor@citylandlord.co.uk with your thoughts.

You can also follow us on twitter: @citylandlord or visit facebook.com/landlordinsuranceuk for all our latest news, as well as exclusive deals and offers. citylandlord.co.uk Phone: 0800 2944 546

City Landlord • The Business Exchange • 26/28 Hammersmith Grove • London, W6 7BA