Sherwoods attracts UAE and regional investors to London

In a statement, Sherwoods representatives said properties in Central London and its neighbourhoods offered a significant opportunity to UAE investors to diversify their asset portfolio with an assured prospect to maximize returns within a short to medium-term time frame. Keith Pepperdin, Sales Director of the UAE-based Sherwoods Independent Property Consultants, said: “There is a considerable turnaround in the UK property market, particularly in Central London, where a severe short supply of property is causing prices to increase. We have noticed that in the last one year alone, the UAE investors have been scouting Central London for opportunities, particularly in the residential sector.”

“As a gateway to Europe and the world, and as a global financial centre, Central London has always remained a hotspot for property investors. Over the years, demand for properties has appreciated exponentially with annual rental yields and capital appreciation hovering around seven per cent and 10 per cent respectively. This is a significantly high and attractive rate of return for investors, presenting a growth opportunity compared to many other markets,” he said.

Quoting demand vs. supply data in Central London, Pepperdin said: “In London and the south east of England the current need in 2010 is for 79,500 new households and against this only less than 5,000 units are coming up, leaving a huge gap in 
demand and supply.”

He said Central London have many pluses which includes the reputation of having the highest concentration of universities, over 50 hospitals making it an acclaimed medical centre. It is also the centre of the UK’s legal profession. Apart from this, Central London has the largest concentration of high earners with over 320,000 people employed in the financial sector alone.

Sherwoods also unveiled two properties in Central London by the UK-based Tudorvale at the event. - Bezier city apartments in the south of the City of London and St. Williams Yard at Kings Cross. Both properties are being marketed in the UAE and the region and have elicited enthusiasm among investors.

Tudorvale is offering suites and one and two bedrooms in Bezier while St. Williams Yard has one, two and three bedrooms available. The development of both the projects has been complete.

“In the context of the rising interest in Central London, the Tudorvale properties offer a unique investment vehicle and we are confident of its appeal to the UAE and Gulf investors who are looking at strengthening their asset portfolio,” Pepperdin said.

· issacjohn@khaleejtimes.com