Lloyds Bank business barometer reported that a recovery in global financial markets helped UK business confidence rise to a nine-month high in May. Confidence jumped by 11 points over the past month to 50%.

The S&P Global UK Services PMI registered 50.9 in May, up from April’s 27 month low of 49.0. The Global UK Composite Index was 50.5, up from 48.5 in April.

Calastone reports that outflows from UK property funds have fallen to their lowest level since July 2024. Investors withdrew a net £59m from the sector in May, half the level of April (£116m) and well below the monthly average £105m of the last three years.

CD&R, the US private equity firm could draw in up to £200m from its latest proposed sale and leaseback of 10 Morrisons stores.

Derwent Estates, on behalf of the Albert Gubay Foundation, has put Junction 1 retail park in Merseyside up for sale for c. £50m.

Kingsgate shopping centre in Huddersfield is being sold by private propco WD Ltd with an asking price in excess of £36.25m.

Unite Students is disposing of a portfolio of nine assets (3,656 beds) to an affiliate of US-based Lone Star Funds, for around £212m.

Unite Students has also made a takeover offer for Empiric Student Property plc valuing it at c.£710m.

Barings and JV partner Rosethorn Capital Partners have acquired a 378-bed PBSA scheme at Spring Mews, Vauxhall for £101.1m from CLS Holdings plc.

KKR and Mirastar REIM have secured a new £300m debt facility with Goldman Sachs to refinance a major chunk of their UK logistics holdings.

TOPSHOP TOPMAN has confirmed the launch of permanent standalone shops from August.

Domna states that multiple reports underline the value that energy efficiency upgrades add to property prices and rental yields. Improving an EPC rating can increase a home’s value by 20%, while landlords see average rental gains of 11% (12% in London).

Mark Charlton – Real Estate Research Consultant at Waypoint