Firnas Faris

Regional cities across the UK are now at the center of major institutional investment strategies. While London remains a global hub, investors are increasingly drawn to markets such as Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, Newcastle, Bristol, and Glasgow. These cities combine strong economic fundamentals, competitive yields, and ongoing regeneration. The establishment of a northern hub by Edmond de Rothschild REIM highlights this shift in investor focus.

Why Investors Are Expanding Beyond London

London continues to be a key market, but rising acquisition costs and lower yields have encouraged investors to diversify geographically. Regional cities offer a balance of affordability and growth potential. Strong employment clusters, expanding tech and creative sectors, and government backed infrastructure projects all contribute to positive investment conditions.

These cities have also experienced population growth over the last decade. More young professionals have chosen regional hubs because of lifestyle benefits, lower living costs, and increasing job opportunities. This demographic movement drives demand for both residential and commercial property.

The Rise of Regional Investment Hubs

Edmond de Rothschild REIM’s decision to appoint a dedicated northern team demonstrates confidence in the long term prospects of the region. The new hub will focus on identifying opportunities across logistics, residential, mixed use, and commercial assets. These sectors are experiencing rapid expansion due to increased consumer demand and ongoing regeneration efforts.

Logistics hubs around Manchester and Leeds continue to attract major occupiers. Residential demand remains high due to supply shortages. Cities like Birmingham and Liverpool are experiencing large scale transformations supported by public infrastructure investment.

Stronger Yields and Lower Entry Barriers

One of the biggest advantages for investors is yield performance. Regional cities typically offer higher net yields than London while still benefiting from strong tenant demand. Lower entry costs mean investors can acquire high quality assets at more accessible prices, allowing for better long term returns.

Institutional investors also appreciate the lower volatility seen in some regional markets. With more balanced supply and demand dynamics, these markets can provide stable income streams even during slower economic periods.

Future Outlook for Regional Investment

As the UK continues to decentralise economic activity, regional cities are expected to become even more attractive. Expanding transport links, tech ecosystem growth, and increasing government attention to regional development all support the long term case for investment.

Institutional capital is now viewing regional markets as core territories rather than alternative options. This strategic shift is likely to influence market activity and asset pricing over the next few years.

Retail parks in the UK are entering a new growth phase as international investors begin to revisit this asset class with stronger confidence. After several years where attention shifted toward logistics, build to rent, and mixed use developments, retail parks are now proving their long term resilience. Market activity in recent months shows that European investors in particular are actively acquiring out of town retail assets with strong fundamentals, stable tenant bases, and reliable income performance.

Why Retail Parks Are Regaining Momentum

Retail parks have always offered advantages that traditional high street locations sometimes struggle to provide. Large parking areas, convenient access, and a concentration of essential service retailers create a steady stream of footfall. The shift in consumer behavior during and after the pandemic has further supported the success of out of town retail. Families and commuters often prefer the convenience of driving to a single destination where multiple needs can be met at once.

Many retail parks are anchored by tenants who continue to perform well even in economic uncertainty. These include supermarkets, home improvement stores, and discount retailers. Because these businesses operate in sectors that attract continuous footfall, their presence provides a foundation of stability for the entire park.

The Appeal for International Investors

International investors view retail parks as dependable, income producing assets. Compared to high street retail, leases within retail parks tend to be longer, which provides predictable rental returns. These leases are often held by strong national or multinational tenants, reducing risk and increasing portfolio security.

Another advantage is asset adaptability. Retail parks offer flexible floor plates that can accommodate a wide range of tenant types. Investors recognize that reconfiguring units or repurposing vacant spaces is often more cost effective than dealing with older high street buildings.

The yields offered by retail park investments are also highly competitive. With interest in secure, inflation resistant income increasing globally, retail parks provide performance that aligns well with institutional investor strategies.

Operational Resilience and Modernisation

Retail parks have adapted faster to shifts in consumer habits, such as click and collect, online order returns, and last mile delivery partnerships. Their layouts allow easy logistical integration, making them an important component of omnichannel retail.

Many landlords are also investing in modernisation initiatives. Improved landscaping, better lighting, updated facades, and EV charging stations all contribute to enhanced visitor experience. As physical retail evolves, retail parks have shown that they can meet expectations for convenience and efficiency.

Market Outlook

Industry experts anticipate that the renewed wave of international capital will continue into next year. Investors with a long term view see retail parks as durable assets that remain relevant even as e commerce expands. With strong tenant retention, competitive yields, and growing demand for essential goods, this asset class is positioned to remain attractive in the medium and long term.

The UK’s affordable housing sector is emerging as a major area of focus for large real estate investment managers. With build to rent suburban housing reaching maturity in several markets, investors are now prioritising models that address the growing demand for accessible housing. Several studies and market insights suggest that the next phase of institutional housing investment will concentrate on affordability, stability, and sustainability.

Why Affordable Housing Is Gaining Investor Attention

Affordability has become a key national challenge. Rising rental prices, limited supply, and increasing cost of living pressures have created strong demand for homes that meet the needs of working families, students, and young professionals. Affordable housing offers investors long term occupancy, steady rental income, and alignment with social responsibility mandates.

As ESG criteria grow in importance for institutional investors, affordable housing supports both social impact and financial performance. High occupancy rates, low tenant turnover, and predictable cash flow create strong stability compared to premium build to rent schemes.

Government Policies Increasing Sector Appeal

Government backed programs, funding incentives, and planning support have made affordable housing more attractive. Many local authorities are actively seeking partnerships with REIMs to deliver modern, energy efficient homes. Policies promoting regeneration and community development also create opportunities for long term investment.

The shift in government strategy toward improving accessibility and reducing homelessness has resulted in increased cooperation between public and private sectors. This collaboration gives investors confidence in regulatory stability.

Changing Investment Priorities in Build to Rent

Analysts note a softening in demand for certain suburban build to rent schemes. While the sector was highly profitable over the last decade, rising development costs and shifting tenant expectations have created challenges. As a result, large REIMs are reallocating capital toward housing models that offer broader appeal and more consistent demand.

Affordable housing schemes fill this gap by providing strong rental resilience in all market conditions. Whether the economic cycle is expanding or contracting, demand for affordable homes remains steady.

Long Term Market Outlook

The affordable housing sector is expected to grow significantly over the next decade. Institutional capital is not only supporting new development but also investing in upgrades to existing housing stock. Investors see long term value in modernising older buildings to meet environmental standards and community needs.

Affordable housing combines social purpose with strong financial fundamentals. As demand continues to rise and government policies support expansion, this sector is well positioned to become one of the most important areas of focus for real estate investment managers.

In today’s commercial real-estate climate, traditional lenders are exercising caution, with longer lead times and more stringent covenant checks. That’s where the flexibility of bridging finance comes in. At Reim Capital, we’re seeing an uptick in enquiries from developers and investors needing speed, certainty and tailored terms.

Recent industry commentary highlights:

• • A slower deal-flow environment for large institutional capital as risk-appetite remains muted;
  • A shift towards shorter-term funding solutions and gap-funding to bridge until refinancing is secured;
  • Increased demand for capital that can respond rapidly to repurposing or redevelopment situations.

Why this matters for you:
  You’re redeveloping a commercial asset and need completion financing while leasing momentum builds.
  You’re an investor bridging an acquisition until longer-term debt is placed.
  You’re seeking a partner who understands short-term property risk and moves fast.

At Reim Capital we specialise in bridging loans and buy-to-let mortgages, tailored to property investors and developers who need access to capital now. Let’s explore how we can help you capitalise on current market dynamics.

Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced a significant “emergency” package of measures aimed at stimulating home building and tackling the housing crisis across London. This decisive action, developed in collaboration with the UK Government, comes as the capital faces its most challenging period for housebuilding since the global financial crash, driven by high interest rates and rising material costs.

Key Measures to Kickstart Development

The temporary measures are designed to boost the viability of stalled projects and incentivise developers to “get spades in the ground” quickly:

• • Fast-Track Planning Route: A time-limited fast-track planning process will be available for sites that commit to delivering at least 20% affordable housing, a reduction from the previous 35% target for the mayor’s quick-approval route. This aims to unlock developments by making them more feasible without a full viability assessment.
  • Temporary Levy Relief: Developers may receive temporary relief from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL), a tax on new development, to reduce costs for schemes that can start promptly and guarantee affordable homes for Londoners.
  • Increased Mayoral Powers: The Mayor will be granted new powers to fast-track housing, including the ability to review and ‘call-in’ schemes of 50 homes or more where boroughs intend to refuse the application, streamlining the planning process.
  • Developer Investment Fund: An initial £322 million of government funding will be used to establish a City Hall Developer Investment Fund, aimed at unlocking and accelerating housing delivery.

Mayor Khan emphasised that while affordable housing remains a top priority, this “lower proportion of something is better than a higher proportion of nothing” approach is necessary to prevent the supply of affordable homes from drying up entirely.

This comprehensive package seeks to reignite construction, increase housing supply, and ultimately deliver more of the affordable homes Londoners urgently need.

At Reim Capital, speed, precision, and reliability are at the heart of everything we do. Our latest success story is a testament to how our agile approach and trusted partnerships allow us to deliver outstanding results fast.

We’re proud to announce the successful completion of a £248,500 bridging loan on a residential asset in West London, finalised in just three working days.

The 12 month term facility was secured at a 70% (LTV), demonstrating our ability to move quickly without compromising on thorough underwriting and risk management.

How It Happened
The deal landed on our desk late Friday evening, with an urgent request from our Co-Founder, Amar Khiroya, to complete it by Wednesday. With the clock ticking, our team at Reim Capital wasted no time.

We immediately engaged our legal partners at Harold Benjamin, who responded promptly and began progressing the deal overnight.
Their team Rima Sengupta, Karan Lotay, and Jai Sharma had worked closely with us to ensure all documentation and due diligence were completed with speed and accuracy.

Key members of the Reim Capital team, including Jigar Patel, our Senior Underwriter, and Co-Founder Kunal Vaitha, dedicated their weekend to keep the process on track. The result: a seamless, efficient deal completed well within the deadline.

A Word from Our Co-Founder
“The deal progressed exceptionally well. We received it Friday evening, and when Amar requested completion by Wednesday, we immediately got to work. We contacted Harold Benjamin right away and began moving things forward. An email came through from Harold Benjamin late that night, and from there, both Rima and Jigar dedicated their weekend to ensuring everything stayed on track.”
 — Kunal Vaitha, Co-Founder, Reim Capital

This deal reflects the Reim Capital promise:

• •   Fast, responsive lending
  •   Strong collaboration with legal partners
  •   Transparent communication
  •   Weekend dedication to deliver under pressure

If you’re working on a time-sensitive auction, refinance, or residential acquisition, get in touch with the team that delivers fast.

Contact us today to learn how we can support your next deal.

REIM Capital is proud to announce that they were crowned the 2025 Champions at this year’s Prideview Group Cricket Day an incredible event in support of the charity One Kind Act. 

Held annually, the Prideview Cricket Day has raised over £250,000 for charitable causes, and REIM Capital was proud to be part of such a meaningful day. With strong performances in the morning and victories over OakNorth and Vail Williams, the team progressed to the finals and secured a well-earned win against Eastway Estates Limited. 

Beyond the competition, the day was filled with fantastic food, drinks, and entertainment all for a truly worthy cause. Congratulations to everyone who took part and contributed to such a memorable event. 

REIM Capital is already looking forward to returning next year to defend the title, enjoy another brilliant day, and most importantly, continue supporting the vital work of One Kind Act.