THERE is constant discussion as to whether we can call "the bottom of the property market" and with significant uncertainty still in the market it's a very difficult call to make.

But we have seen increasing signs of clients willing again to invest which suggests there may be profit to be made which is some change from the trend over past months.

A very significant and successful London based operator in the national property market said recently history has shown that residential property has, on average, risen between 6% and 7% per annum for the past 50 years, despite big ups and horrible downs. My experience over the last 25 years reflects that and it is a statement of fact.

Clive Bleasdale discusses commercial tenancy agreements in the current market.

THE MAJORITY of retailers are struggling with business in the current climate and an increasing number would like to pay rent on a monthly rather than quarterly basis.

Landlords have been getting nervy at the prospect and at the moment a question I'm being asked a lot is if a landlord has flatly refused such a request, is there any legal challenge that can be brought?

So if you are a retailer in this situation, it is worth considering the following advice.

Challenging times in many ways but to a degree we've been there before and the challenges faced are no bad thing in forcing concentration on ensuring the key elements of business success are in place.

AS THE 2008 Culture Year progresses towards its close I took myself to the Everyman this week to see an excellent play based around the era of the club Eric's in Matthew Street which I frequented in my 'teens (along with the Everyman.)

An excellent production with an ageless plot and those who have been or intend to go will relate easily to it.

Eric's has become the talk of legend in some ways, but there is no doubt it formed the nucleus for some key bands of recent decades and played a significant part in peoples lives at its time.

Whilst conscious that as a Liverpool Property Lawyer, I will be seen as having a vested interest in making supportive comments in favour of Liverpool and the City Region, I do have the following observations:-

• It strikes me that the heritage of Liverpool is its unique selling point. From its prosperous origins as a thriving port, the City has an abundance of history, particularly reflected in its buildings which have withstood the tests of time and economic conditions. The thriving tourist economy in Liverpool is evidence of that and this must be a growing selling point for the Region, supported by the Capital of Culture status.

• The quality of life the City Region can offer now, in view of the significant rebuilding and regeneration that has occurred as reflected by the huge investment in Liverpool by Grosvenor and the resurgence of the Albert Dock supported by the new Arena make the City an extremely attractive place to work and now also to live.

• There is an inherent quality in the entrepreneurial spirit of Liverpool, which was doubtless founded in the days when the shipping trade was flourishing but which is now reflected in the diverse number of businesses that succeed from a Liverpool base, from insurance monies through to financial institutions, property developers and businesses, as well as new technology businesses.

• There is a strong case to ensure that our key cities do thrive. We need to make an effort to maintain an equilibrium within the Country with regard to commercial centres, rather than an imbalance between South and North. Manchester has made great strides in recent times towards its regeneration and Liverpool is fast following in its footsteps.

• As well as the efforts of the City Council other Local Authorities within the Region, are making strong attempts to make the Region an attractive place to live and work in and my firm as a major employer in Liverpool is finding that it is increasingly easy to attract talented Lawyers to the Region for these reasons.

• It is not a case in my view of looking at matters through "rose tinted spectacles". There is an inherent realism here in Liverpool and our political scene is far more middle ground these days, in terms of convincing businesses that we have a stable and vibrant city in which to work and prosper.

• The analysis of our strengths and weaknesses has been carried out and we have learnt from past mistakes and are putting them right. There is no doubt in my mind, that this Region provides now a thriving environment on which to build further success with a view to enhancing the attraction for businesses to relocate to the City and the City Region, based on the real benefits we have to offer.

Clive Bleasdale
Head of Property
Weightmans LLP

Bill had told me about the project three or more years ago and the concept already caught my imagination then.

To be invited to see the finished product was an absolute delight bearing in mind my Mum and Dad had told me about the Hotel and its former glory having gone on their first dinner date there back in 1958.

On both occasions the market re-adjusted, picked itself up and it was onwards and upwards for all involved. The same will happen this time.