Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa Real Estate Investor Magazine - June 2017 | Page 60

INTERNATIONAL INVESTMENTS
UK Regions Rival London for
Investment Prospects
BY GEORGE RADFORD
L
ondon frequently tops the list of desired
property markets in the UK for foreign
investment. Recently however, attention has
shifted to regional cities, igniting a genuine economic
counterbalance to the capital.
There is rising confidence in investment prospects
like Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool.
The North, responsible for generating 19% of UK
GDP, comprises five of the ten largest cities, seven
international airports, over one million businesses
and fifteen million people. This strong economic and
demographic growth has attracted global investors,
particularly in the property sector.
Manchester spells good news for residential
property investors who can expect to see yields of up
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JUNE 2017 SA Real Estate Investor
to 6%. 2017 has also already seen the completion of
many high-profile development deals.
Liverpool has recorded the strongest growth in the
last two years and it shows no signs of slowing. From
June to September 2016, Liverpool property prices
grew by 6% and rental yields are some of the highest
in the UK – at up to 7%. This has led to the city being
crowned one of the best buy-to-let cities in the UK.
The city has the second fastest growing digital and
creative sector in the UK and is home to businesses
worth more than GBP121 billion. In fact, by 2020
these business sectors are set to expand by 119%
creating 100 000 new jobs, 20 000 businesses and
pushing the city’s 483 000 population to 1.6 million
by 2040.
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