PropList Blog
PropList @ MIPIM UK 2018
MIPIM UK’s annual must-visit conference returned to London’s Olympia in October for expert analysis of all the successes, issues and uncertainties in the property industry. PropList general manager, Reiss, attended for the duration of the event, and highlighted these three talking points as his personal highlights of MIPIM UK 2018:
Blockchain: Friend or foe?
An ever-present topic in PropTech conversations, Blockchain formed the backbone for the first day of conferences. With the conversation starting around the headline “Blockchain has, in real terms, failed, as of yet to ‘land a blow’ – is this about to change”, Gonzalo Sanchez-Slik, head of investor relations and business development at Brickblock, constructed his compelling case in support of the potentially revolutionary technology: “Blockchain can only improve markets and be implemented if we have a sound marriage between the traditional and the new world”.
Whilst the room was divided on the successes of Blockchain to date, most found common ground in Gonzalo’s above statement that working in harmony with tried-and-tested methods is the logical next step. It was put forward that as things progress, a legal framework will come into place to aid real estate investments, and Blockchain will allow developers to raise the capital from investor pools and investors to access investments around the world.
The changing face of the high street
A topic PropList tackled a few months ago is still one of the most raised concerns in all commercial property, a point backed up by this week’s budget. Whilst PropList’s blog looked at the opportunities which are arising for new start-ups in prime locations, the discussions in London focused on why the country has seen a downturn, and what is needed to not only accelerate high street sales, but what legislation is needed to pin back online growth.
Mike Stiff, director at Stiff and Trevillion, made cases for three points that need desperate consideration in order for the high street to survive: “The failure to tax online retailers fairly, excessive business rates and transport policy could consign the traditional high street to history.”
In all cases, the future of the high street, which was once seen as the pinnacle for British retailers, lies at the feet of decision makers at the very top.
Generation growth in cities
A huge highlight of this year’s conference was hearing the thoughts of the country’s elected mayors and political leaders, as commercial property moves further up their priority list. With differing levels of devolution across the country, each speaker had different success stories about their regions.
Andy Street, mayor of the West Midlands, discussed how cities like Birmingham and Coventry have benefited from an influx of young people moving to the area, but he wants more support and structure in place for those who do start businesses in his region: “Let’s make transport data available to start-ups. Digital businesses will come up with better solutions – we’re trying to use this new way of thinking to solve a traditional infrastructure problem.”
Tim Bowles, mayor of West of England, echoed Andy Street’s thoughts on migration to his area, and how the government has been supportive: “Connectivity is key to our region and has been for centuries. We have more people relocating from London and South East to our region than anywhere in the UK. The government has made large investments in rail in our region.”
This is just a small round-up of what was another hugely beneficial two days of commercial property knowledge sharing, with almost every session at capacity. The next leg of MIPIM’s conferences sees PropList head to Cannes in 2019, where the team will round up the key takeaways once more.
IMAGES COURTESY OF @MIPIMWorld
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