According to research from Santander, Brits have been incredibly busy in the last year. During the 13 weeks of lockdown in 2020, UK homeowners submitted 61,682 planning applications and three fifths of homeowners carried out a DIY or renovation project. The research also found that for 40 per cent of UK homeowners, the pandemic accelerated home improvement plans and inspired future property projects. In the North West alone, the data shows that 56 per cent of home owners made changes to their home while in lockdown last year. Graham Sellar, Head of Mortgage Development, Santander UK added: “The entire nation spent increased time in their homes during the pandemic, and some may have found they have savings accumulated thanks to lockdown forcing a significant change in spending habits.
The house is on the market for £165,000- which is a whopping £131,478 cheaper than the current York average. However, you will need to invest some of these savings right back into the property as it is in need of renovation and modernisation. In some rooms, the walls are stripped bare and in other the carpet needs the be re-fitted. With a bit of TLC, this property could be a really gorgeous place to live or rent out. It has three bedrooms, which is ideal for new and growing families. The garden is enclosed, with patio and stone areas. Currently, the garden is a little overgrown but the right green fingered owner could whip it into shape.
5th February 2021
Representatives from across the supply chain came together virtually this week to celebrate the efforts of the food and drink industry over the last year at the Food and Drink Federation Awards 2020.
The event toasted the achievements of the sector across a variety of categories including areas of innovation, sustainability, and growth. The awards also recognized the efforts of the individuals who work within the industry.
Ian Wright, the Federation’s Chief Executive, said: “Every year, the FDF Awards is inundated with high calibre entries from across our industry. For 2020 the judging was particularly challenging, as every single entrant played a crucial role in feeding our country during the pandemic.
By Reuters Staff
1 Min Read
FILE PHOTO: People maintain social distance while they queue outside a Natwest bank in Wimbledon in London, Britain, May 1, 2020. REUTERS/Hannah McKay/
LONDON (Reuters) - NatWest has become the latest British lender to switch to issuing Mastercard debit cards from Visa, in an agreement that includes 16 million consumer and business customer cards.
Mastercard - long the main provider of UK credit cards - has been eating into Visa’s lead in debit cards after similar deals with Santander UK and HSBC’s First Direct, while also signing up start-ups including Monzo.
The agreement includes all NatWest Group’s brands, including Royal Bank of Scotland, Ulster Bank and Coutts.
HSBC appoints Tom Wolfenden as retail banking head
By Roger Baird 4
th February 2021 2:33 pm
HSBC UK has appointed Tom Wolfenden as head of retail banking who says it is “time for banks to step up to the mark to deliver for customers”.
Wolfenden moves from his role as head of finance and strategy for the bank’s wealth and personal banking division.
He replaces Tracie Pearce, who leaves the lender after six years to join Santander UK as chief customer officer for homes.
HSBC said Wolfenden, who takes up his role on 1 March, will assume responsibility for all retail products, including the everyday banking, buying a home and customer experience units, as well as strategy & risk and underwriting.