insideKENT Magazine Issue 78 - September 2018 | Page 152

NEWS
DISNEY STORE NOW OPEN IN CANTERBURY
Disney Store has
joined the
Whitefriars line-
up, and was
opened on 15th
August.
Marking its
Canterbury
debut, Disney
Store has taken a
unit in Gravel
Walk opposite Sports Direct. Disney Store will introduce its unique retail
experience to Whitefriars in the form of a pop up, which will offer a
wide range of exclusive Disney merchandise, providing something for
everyone including a vast range of toys, apparel and accessories that
suit every age group, with ‘cast members’ providing entertainment and
greeting customers.
The store will stock the latest
product ranges including
Incredibles 2, Furry Tail Friends
and Back to School, alongside a
range of seasonal merchandise
in the run up to Christmas.
Sixteen jobs are expected to be
created by the move.
Graham Burridge, managing
director, Disney Store Europe
commented: “We’re delighted to
open a pop-up Disney Store at
Whitefriars. The store features a
fantastic range of Disney, Marvel
and Star Wars merchandise and
is the perfect place to find the
toys, gifts, collectibles and
everyday treats for all the family.
Our staff are looking forward to
welcoming the people of
Canterbury over the coming
weeks and months.”
Whitefriars manager Peter Scutt
adds: “Disney Store is a great
addition to Whitefriars and will
provide customers with an
exciting retail experience. This
summer saw the highest
occupancy rate since the centre
opened in 2005/6, with JD Sports
also commencing trading on
Saturday 11th August in
Whitefriars Square.”
SUPPLY OF HOMES TO RENT IN THE SOUTH EAST DROPS IN THE WAKE OF TAX CHANGES
The South East is seeing a continued reduction
of new property coming on to the lettings
market, according to the July 2018 RICS UK
Residential Market Survey which revealed that
19% more respondents saw a fall rather than
a rise in new landlord instructions last
month. This is the third consecutive quarter
that the supply of homes for rent has fell in
the region.
This pattern reflects the shift in the Buy to Let
market in the wake of tax changes which are
still in the process of being implemented, as
smaller scale landlords exit the sector.
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Significantly, the drop in instructions is evident
in virtually all parts of the country to a greater
or lesser extent.
Turning to the sales market, house prices in
the South East did not pick up during the
month of July, with 16% more respondents
reporting a fall rather than a rise in house
prices, whilst the average number of homes
on agents’ books in the region rose to 40 (up
from 39 the previous month). This is an
improvement on the same time last year (July
2017) too, when agents had an average of 31
homes on their books.
Abdul Choudry, RICS policy manager, says:
“Our survey suggests that recent Government
policy and legislation changes have impeded
the growth of the Private Rented Sector (PRS),
which is a vital part of a functioning homes
market. Withdrawing tax breaks that small
landlords relied on, placing an extra 3% on
second home Stamp Duty, and failing to
stimulate the corporate build to rent market,
has understandably impacted supply.”