Rachel Wood, Managing Director of Sladen Estates, is set to speak at our Peterborough Development Plans Conference on the 8th March. The conference will be our first back in the region since the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Economic Growth Conference back in December 2017, and the line-up of speakers will also include Godwin Estates, Peterborough City Council and more.

The Economic Growth Conference was extremely positive, highlighting how local authorities are working together to ensure regional growth – with devolution, housing, skills and transport some of the key topic points. Rachel Wood has now highlighted a few of the things to look out for ahead of 2018:

  • Industrial property will still be a shining light in 2018. It will provide a good vehicle for investment as there will be continue rental growth this year, even if investment yields level out.
  • Brexit is clearly going to be a clear topic this year! Some companies will be staring into the abyss waiting for further updates and clarity from the British Government, but there are those who are already grabbing the opportunity – and there is plenty. Companies in the manufacturing industry, for example, will see continued business growth and help provide the economic growth which the country needs.
  • Consumer will be looking for value! With the continued pressure on the purse will mean a boost for discount retailers. The year will see further changes to the high street which could potentially see some well-known names disappearing. The impact on towns needs to be seriously grappled and fundamental changes made to the mix of traditional high street, led by pragmatic planning decisions.

At our March conference Rachel will be able to share her thoughts on the future vision for Peterborough, and discuss how Sladen Estates are setting up to succeed. Development plans with potential procurement opportunities are likely to be on the agenda at the Peterborough Development Plans Conference.