Latest News

On 29th April 2026 Parliament effectively ruled that Upward‑only rent review provisions will become unlawful for new and renewal commercial leases following Royal Assent of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026. However the implementation of the new provision is unlikely to become effective until at least 2027. This...

Shout out to a wonderful independent retailer  ‘7 Flowers & Tea’ in Cross Street, Reading  for a very enjoyable event making Christmas wreathes – who would have thought that a bunch of commercial property people could be so creative!

The second edition of the RICS Service Charges in Commercial Property professional standard comes into force for RICS-accredited professionals from December 31, 2025. The aim is to bring greater clarity and consistency to how service charges for commercial property are managed, charged and reported. It’s worth underlining that the wording...

This commentary is written ahead of the Autumn budget and the retail sector is holdings its breath for what the government might deliver. Sixty chief executives of many of the UK’s leading brands have joined forces and they wrote to the chancellor in August to warn that the sector could...

We’re proud to announce that Hicks Baker was a sponsor of the recent Thames Valley SME Growth 100 Awards, hosted by Insider Media at Stanlake Park Wine Estate. The event celebrated the region’s most dynamic SMEs, recognising growth, innovation and leadership. Celebrating Local Success The awards showcased thriving businesses across the Thames Valley. Notably, the Tech...

As a new initiative, the Eden Centre are currently running a competition for startup businesses, which will result in the successful candidate securing a retail unit in the centre for 6 months absolutely free! Fiona Brownfoot, Retail & Leisure Director at Hicks Baker, is delighted to be one of the...

Hicks Baker are delighted to have been instructed by the landlords of the highly successful Eden Centre to secure new tenants, with a particular focus on securing local and independent tenants to further enhance the broad tenant mix in this centre. They will be working alongside their joint agents Savills...

Giles Blagden, Managing Director of Hicks Baker, serves as Chairman of the Reading Foundation for Art (RFA) and recently welcomed over 90 guests to the Madejski Gallery at Reading Museum on 29th January 2025 to celebrate the Foundation’s 50th anniversary. The event marked a significant milestone for the charity, which...

The council is now consulting on the draft Town Centre Public Realm Strategy Supplementary Planning Document (SDP) from Wednesday 15 January 2025 to Wednesday 26 February 2025 at 5pm. The draft strategy provides an audit of the existing public realm, an overall pedestrian and cycle movement framework and a design...

Sorbon Estates (www.sorbonestates.com) the Beaconsfield-based commercial property investment arm of the Shanly Group, has purchased the St. Martin’s Centre in Caversham, Reading. The centre occupies a prime location on Church Street in the heart of Caversham and is home to leading retailers including Waitrose as well as a variety of...

We are excited to share that the Honesty Group has launched a new coffee shop at the iconic Horlicks Quarter in Slough, marking the first commercial outlet in this remarkable redevelopment by Berkeley Homes. The new Honesty Cafe, located in Clocktower Place, adds to the growing number of establishments by...

Hicks Baker is delighted to announce the appointment of Lloyd Rockall as Director. Lloyd will lead, develop and expand the Building Surveying Department in order to offer a more comprehensive service to both internal and external clients.   Lloyd is a Chartered Building Surveyor with extensive technical experience in commercial...

Fiona Brownfoot, Director, Retail and Leisure at Hicks Baker has been honoured for her contribution to Reading, alongside a host of famous faces connected with the town.  A piece of artwork, entitled ‘Legends of Reading’ created by renowned hair stylist and entrepreneur, Mark Woolley depicts key figures who are either from, or...

Hicks Baker is pleased to announce the appointment of Adam Schofield as Associate Director. Adam will lead and grow the Lease Advisory department to meet rising demand from clients.  Previously based in London as a property adviser, his arrival at Hicks Baker marks a return to the Thames Valley, having...

Hicks Baker are proud to have been placed 1st in EG’s Radius On-Demand Rankings Categories in the following ‘Retail Property’ categories: EG’s Radius On-Demand Rankings showcase the latest deals and top agents in the country by sector, region and county.