A woman who runs her own business, earning £80,000 a year, has been unable to get a mortgage because she is self-employed. Eve Scragg, 36, says banks have also had a problem with her credit rating – although it is “far from bad”. Eve set up marketing agency Fan The …
Read More »What a £250,000 home looks like in Reading, Slough, Wokingham and other parts of Berkshire
UK property prices are on the rise – and Berkshire is no exception. Research from online mortgage broker Mojo Mortgages suggests first-time buyers in Reading need to borrow more than five times their salary to buy their first home. Many people, especially young people, cannot afford the average house price, …
Read More »Veljko Paunovic gives Reading FC transfer hint after Liverpool and Stoke City frustrations
Reading FC boss Veljko Paunovic has hinted the Royals will try to sign a defender on a free transfer after a frustrating transfer window in January. The Royals only brought in two new faces in January, with goalkeeper Karl Hein on loan from Arsenal and midfielder Tom Ince arriving on …
Read More »Tesco boss issues warning to all customers over food prices
Tesco chairman John Allan today issued a warning to customers about the continued rise in food prices in the UK – saying the worst is yet to come. Mr Allan said food prices at Tesco rose just 1% last quarter but were expected to rise 5% by spring, reports The …
Read More »Mold-ridden Bracknell apartments ‘make kids sick’
Apartments overrun with mold are making children sick, according to their parents who say they feel “helpless”. The group of residents of Iveagh Court, Bracknell, who make up around 44% of the flats in the complex, have banded together to demand changes to their living conditions. The group said the …
Read More »What a £ 250,000 property looks like in Reading, Slough, Wokingham, Bracknell, West Berkshire and the Royal Borough
Berkshire is a sprawling county filled with many types of people and properties. Each of the county’s six boroughs has different things to offer. Some have gorgeous country mansions and mansions, while others are filled with apartments and maybe even houseboats – all with a mix. In July 2021, the …
Read More »Harry Potter: what it’s like to live in the real life of Privet Drive according to the inhabitants
The first Harry Potter movie turns 20 this week, and residents of the cul-de-sac where the scenes were originally filmed are still feeling the effects all these years later. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone was released in the UK on November 16, 2001 and 4 Privet Drive, the fictional …
Read More »Chesney Hawkes Berkshire childhood memories and filming of Buddy’s Song near her grandmother’s house
Famous musician Chesney Hawkes revealed his penchant for the much-ridiculed old town center of Bracknell after filming what became a cult movie there in the late 1980s. The singer starred in Buddy’s Song with the legendary Roger Daltrey – lead singer of The Who – as a teenager, which was …
Read More »Mom uses simple tricks to write off £ 17,000 in debt in 11 months
A 40-year-old mother says regaining control of her finances has enabled her to write off £ 17,000 in debt in 11 months. Telecommunications worker Gemma Jordan lives with her son Enzo, 11, and daughter Mila, 8 – and decided to sort her money after splitting from her partner last December. …
Read More »House prices in Berkshire: the average price of house in each region of Berkshire, from most to least expensive
For many, gaining access to the ownership ladder seems like an impossible feat. House prices are undeniably high and rising, and the south of England is one of the most difficult places to buy a first home. Berkshire is one of the most expensive places in the country to live, …
Read More »Warning to anyone with a mortgage, credit card or loan
More households are expected to default on mortgages and other loans by the end of November, according to a Bank of England survey of lenders. The Bank’s Credit Conditions Survey asks banks and mortgage lenders about recent trends and expectations for the next three months. The last survey was carried …
Read More »Berkshire home prices: Berkshire’s ‘millionaire lines’ as data reveals top 10 most expensive postcodes
The rows of millionaires in and around Berkshire have been revealed. According to the online real estate agent Zoopla, a number of zip codes in and around the county hold expensive and sky-high market values. The most Berkshire postcode area is Titlarks Hill in Ascot, which has an average price …
Read More »Burglars Explain What They Look For When They Target A Home
In the past year, burglaries in England and Wales have fallen by 30%, the fewest cases in the past 20 years. However, as we move into darker nights and many offices encourage staff to return, it has been reported that break-ins will increase by 20%. Speaking to former burglars and …
Read More »How Using Netflix Can Improve Your Credit Score
In just three smart steps, the 27.1 million UK households currently subscribed to streaming services could improve their credit scores, financial experts say. Subscriptions are one of the easiest ways to build a history of on-time credit payments. Sticking to three simple steps can gradually improve your credit score and …
Read More »Replace “obsolete” housing tax, urges think tank
Housing tax and stamp duty should be scrapped and replaced with something based on home values, a think tank asks. The IPPR said the current system is based on “outdated” property valuations, which means the housing tax paid on expensive homes lags behind their rising value. A so-called proportional property …
Read More »Bracknell was dubbed “Soulless and Dull” by The Independent 25 years ago – has he changed?
Twenty-five years ago, Clare Garner wrote an article for The Independent titled “The Battle Begins to End Bracknell’s Boredom”. “Gray,” “concrete,” “soulless,” and “drab” were some of the words Garner used to describe Bracknell in 1996. The article explained that there were new plans to regenerate the city center, but …
Read More »Electric vehicle sales at BYD backed by Warren Buffett quadrupled in August from a year ago
A BYD logo on a sport utility vehicle in the company’s Beijing showroom on August 25, 2021. … [+] Photographer: Qilai Shen / Bloomberg © 2021 Bloomberg Finance LP New energy vehicle sales at BYD, the Chinese vehicle and battery maker backed by Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, quadrupled in August …
Read More »House prices in Berkshire: Postcodes in Reading where house prices have been reduced
Homes in some Reading postcodes are seeing prices drop by more than £ 10,000 it has been revealed. And in a postcode-reading area, the economy was as much as £ 25,000. The research was carried out by home buying company Property Solvers. READ MORE: The exclusive four bedroom reading mansion …
Read More »Reading houses: see how much house prices have skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic in your area
Berkshire house prices have exploded during the pandemic, with some areas £ 30,000 more than a year ago. The region is following the national trend, which has seen prices skyrocket due to the impact of the pandemic and stamp duty cuts leading to higher asking prices. The upper area was …
Read More »Lapland UK wants permission to move in a week early – and not everyone is happy
Lapland UK is keen to make a number of changes to how it operates in the coming years – but the proposals have left some people feeling less than celebratory. The main seasonal destination – which attracts visitors from across the UK during the Christmas season – wants to change …
Read More »Reading Time: Thunderstorm forecasts for Slough, Wokingham, Bracknell and other towns in Berkshire
Although Berkshire was engulfed in sweltering heat last month, thunderstorms seem to be the running theme in recent weeks. The county experienced torrential rains, hampering summer vacation activities. More electric weather is expected to strike on Friday August 6, marking the start of another wet weekend. Read more: When will …
Read More »Reading property: what a £ 300,000 house looks like in these Berkshire towns
Houses in Berkshire are normally priced high due to their proximity to London and excellent access to the motorways. However, if you look around you can still get a good deal in the real estate market and some homes on the market would be ideal for first-time buyers or those …
Read More »Former Emmerdale star’s widower Leah Bracknell finds love again two years after tragic death
The widower of the former Emmerdale actress, Leah Bracknell, has found love two years after the tragic death of the star. Leah, who played Zoe Tate on the ITV soap opera for 16 years, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer in 2016. She later died in September 2019, at …
Read More »Bracknell ice rink: abandoned site at risk of demolition after being sold a year after it closed
The old Bracknell ice rink sold out exactly one year after it closed and could become warehouses. The former John Nike Leisuresport at John Nike Way, Binfield, closed on July 14, 2020, after it was revealed that he was no longer financially viable. It was heavily affected by the coronavirus …
Read More »Rats close Bracknell’s Jubilee Gardens as infestation is dealt with
A Bracknell park will be closed for several weeks during the summer after a rat infestation. Jubilee Gardens has been closed by the Bracknell Forest Council for health and safety reasons while the rodent problem is addressed. The park, which is just outside of downtown Bracknell, was closed today (Monday, …
Read More »Garth Hill College staff member investigated for ‘inappropriate behavior’
An investigation is underway at a school in Bracknell after an allegation of “inappropriate behavior” by a member of staff. BerkshireLive understands that the allegation was made regarding a staff member at Garth Hill College in Bull Lane, Bracknell. Principal Keith Grainger said: âThe school is aware of an allegation …
Read More »Berkshire schools operate at a loss – as numbers rise amid rising Covid costs and government underfunding
Dozens of Berkshire schools spend more money than they receive. Across the country, a growing number of schools were already struggling to stretch their budgets ahead of the coronavirus pandemic, with teachers’ unions warning that the additional costs offset much of this year’s funding increase. They warned that the additional …
Read More »Nationwide launches new monthly £ 1million raffle for customers
Millions of Nationwide Building Society clients will have the chance to win up to £ 100,000 in a new monthly raffle, without having to do anything to enter. Eligible people will automatically be entered for a chance to win a share totaling £ 1million per month. Britain’s largest construction company …
Read More »Reading property: Berkshire house prices skyrocket during pandemic – here’s where the biggest increases are
While we have been locked in our homes, their prices have skyrocketed. Berkshire homes are now worth up to £ 37,000 more than at the start of the pandemic. For owners, this is one of the few bright spots to take from a nightmarish year dominated by the coronavirus. But …
Read More »Identical twins who shared their marriage move to same estate after leaving husbands
After getting engaged to the men of their dreams, twin sisters Sonia Dixon and Adrienne Campbell found themselves planning weddings at the same time. But before long, they decided that it made more sense to just have a joint celebration to save money and therefore their family and friends would …
Read More »TripAdvisor’s 19 wild reviews of some of Berkshire’s top attractions
TripAdvisor can be a blessing when traveling to an area for the first time – but it turns out it’s also the perfect place for Britain’s best moaners to let off steam. Berkshire is home to some of the country’s finest attractions, many of which have received accolades for years. …
Read More »10 of the best dog walks in Berkshire
Exploring exciting paths and meeting new four-legged friends are two of my cocker spaniel’s favorite activities. With sunny weather forecast for the coming weeks, we’ve put together the best dog-approved walks in Berkshire that will not only make your puppy’s tail wag, but also put a smile on your face. …
Read More »Credit Score Myths and Why They Matter
New research has found that half of the UK public has never checked their credit rating. Research, credit management company Lowell, found that many people in the UK are unaware of the importance of credit scores, what will and will not affect their rating, and how to check it. A …
Read More »Outings in Berkshire: 15 things to do if you are visiting for the first time
With Covid-19 restrictions likely to make international travel and vacations unlikely for many this summer, stays in the UK are expected to gain popularity. Traveling in the UK has become increasingly popular in recent years, with tourists enjoying the views and the occasional sun on the floor of the house. …
Read More »“ Having a car loan harms you when applying for a mortgage ”
Are you considering an auto loan? You might want to think again. Africa Melane interviews financial planner Gerald Mwandiambira. Click here for all of our personal finance articles in one place. South Africa has decent roads but lacks a good public transport infrastructure. Many South Africans therefore choose to buy …
Read More »Shinfield’s new temporary film studio ‘could become a permanent fixture’
The new temporary film studio under construction near Reading could become permanent, if the company behind the project is successful. Shinfield Studios plans to open a four-stage film studio at Thames Valley Science Park in September, so an American production company can shoot the next installment in a “well-known film …
Read More »Maidenhead Smokey’s nightclub could open in new downtown development
A shopping center in the process of being transformed into a thriving shopping and nightlife district has offered one of its spaces to a nightclub. The owners of Smokey’s in Maidenhead have expressed fears they will be left without suitable space after plans to redevelop Nicholson’s Mall were approved last …
Read More »New Reading Film Studio Already Gets Attention From ‘Well-Known Film Franchise’
A “well-known film franchise series” could be shot in the new film studio that will open in Shinfield, with claims that other US film producers are already interested in the site. Last week, a building permit was approved for Shinfield Studios to build four sound stages and four workshops in …
Read More »Film playback studio “to meet Netflix, Amazon and Disney demands” approved
A film studio will be built in Berkshire after those behind the project say there is a lack of space to meet demands from companies like Disney, Netflix, Amazon and Apple. The studio could be used to make Hollywood blockbusters and will be built in Thames Valley Science Park near …
Read More »Bracknell Hewlett Packard site to be demolished as new business park is planned
The new owners of the old Hewlett Packard offices want to bulldoze them as they plan a new 350,000 square foot business park on the site. Plans for a 24-unit business park at the Binfield site – which will hopefully attract data centers or film production – were released last …
Read More »Shinfield Studios: Major Hollywood blockbusters could be shot in huge new studios outside of Reading
Hollywood movie stars may soon descend on Reading as plans for a new television and film studio nearby look set to be given the green light. Shinfield Studios is seeking permission to operate the studio, which would have four sound stages and four workshops, for five years in Thames Valley …
Read More »BT red phones for adoption in Wokingham, Bracknell Forest and elsewhere in Berkshire
Berkshire communities can now adopt a red phone booth for just £ 1 – as BT leaves the English institution. Over 375 iconic phone booths are up for grabs in the South East, including 12 in Berkshire. Almost 7,000 boxes have been adopted to date and they have been turned …
Read More »Developers behind Grazeley’s 15,000-home ‘garden city’ plan lose key legal battle
The controversial plans for a new ‘garden city’ in Grazeley have received another heavy blow, after developers lost a legal battle in the High Court. A site about a mile from AWE Burghfield had been set aside for 15,000 new homes, but the project faced a series of setbacks. Last …
Read More »Unusual Berkshire Place Names and Their Origins
Berkshire is a historic and diverse county. Its six cities have a wide and varied history. Some, like Reading, date back thousands of years and contain historic sites like Reading Abbey. Others, like the town of Bracknell, are much more recent. But what all parts of the county have are …
Read More »How much do you need to earn to climb the real estate ladder in Berkshire?
First-time buyers might hope that the bright side of the Covid-19 pandemic will be falling house prices due to the uncertainty it has created. However, a major downside is that the 5% deposits have basically been scrapped and you probably won’t be able to buy a house with a 10% …
Read More »4 Berkshire towns named the best places to live in the UK
Now that we are spending more time at home in confinement, more and more people are reconsidering the areas where they live. YOPA real estate agency has launched a new map revealing where the best neighborhoods are to buy a home. Yopa’s Love Where You Live guide uses a color-coding …
Read More »This is when The Deck in Bracknell could be completed.
More money is needed to complete work on a major project at Bracknell, it has been revealed. And the additional £ 1million needed appears to be taxpayer funded. The developer has asked for more money to complete the ambitious regeneration project, which will see the former Bentall’s department store demolished …
Read More »New details emerge about Hewlett Packard’s departure from Bracknell headquarters
New details have been revealed about Bracknell’s HP Enterprise base transformation plans following the announcement of Hewlett Packard’s departure. A joint venture could see the creation of a 350,000 square foot business park on the Cain Road site. The âNetwork Westâ space should be divided into 24 units for local, …
Read More »The new 4,000-unit development in Bracknell that will provide “cheaper homes”
A new estate to be built in Bracknell will now include affordable homes, the latest plans have revealed. The houses will be part of a 4,000-unit subdivision intended for Jealott’s Hill in Warfield. And the latest proposals now include 1,400 âcheaper homesâ. That means 35 percent of housing will be …
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