News reports suggest that the card retailer has been trumped by online card companies – like Moonpig and Funky Pigeon – that have embraced new technology to offer personalized messages and video cards.

Administrators Zolfo Cooper said that the size of the Clinton Cards retail estate compared with the overall performance of the retailer has left them with no choice but to close just under 50% of the stores.

Clinton Cards joins other recent victims of the high street recession including Mothercare, Peacocks and GAME.

For retailers who need advice on cutting costs, Johnson Fellows can assist tenants with services such as budget management, lease restructuring, surplus unit disposals, or rating appeals.

As retail specialists, Johnson Fellows has experienced all sides of the recession through its clients.

Whether seeking advice on rates, attempting to negotiate lower rents and cut costs, or the smaller, independent retailers looking to expand their business through the agency’s acquisition services, the Birmingham-based chartered surveyors have seen it all.

James Merrick, equity partner at Johnson Fellows, said: “Following the recent news that mother and baby fashion retailer Mothercare will close 111 of its branches over the next three years, and the troubles announced this month (May) by Clinton Cards, the demise of the high street looks set to continue unless there is a drastic change.

“While Birmingham City Centre appears to be fairing well, local towns such as Wolverhampton and Walsall have been hit hard by the departure of major retailers.”

In March, Wolverhampton ranked within the top 10 list of voids in the UK, with approximately 35% of shops in the town centre being empty. Walsall is also suffering from high void rates as the retail focus shifts from the Old Square shopping centre to the Crown Wharf Retail Park, at the north end of the town. Both towns are struggling to retain retailers and increase footfall, but they hope that Mary Portas’ initiative – Pilot Towns – will come to the rescue.

James said: “The Pilot Town Initiative – which will see 12 towns receive a share of £1.2million to help turn around their high streets – has received a huge response of 371 bids. This just goes to show how many of the UK’s high streets are in decline and, although Mary Portas and the government have pledged to select an additional 12 towns to receive a cash boost, it’s clear that they can’t help everyone. Therefore, it’s up to the towns themselves to form their own committees – comprising retailers, landlords, shopping centre managers, and even local residents – to turn things around.”

To enter the draw for the Pilot Town initiative, each town had to come up with their own ideas on how to improve their local high street. If either of the Black Country towns are successful, night markets and a loyalty card scheme could be introduced in Walsall, while Wolverhampton would enhance its student culture by running a Dragon’s Den-style competition – Wolf’s Lair – to support young entrepreneurs with a start-up business. It would also bring the high street to life with modern-day town criers, street artists, musical theatre and storytellers.

James said: “The high street used to be a place where you could find all the services you needed. For example; a bank, library, small supermarket, card/gift shops, clothing retailers – all in one place. However, town centres are now being over-run with charity shops, discount retailers, betting shops and pawnbrokers so people don’t need or want to visit them as often.

“Retail landlords need to diversify and consider utilizing upper floors of shops, which are often unused. As well as generating extra income for landlords, it could potentially add to footfall for the retailers with a greater number of mixed uses on the high street.

“The popularity of online shopping has also been blamed for the demise of the high street. However, while some people do prefer to order items from the comfort of their own home, others still like the experience of purchasing goods from shops. They may search online for the best deal but a large majority of people prefer to visit a store, seek advice from a store assistant and walk away with the product in their hand.”

For a high street or town centre to be a popular shopping destination it needs to have some top retail brands. But, what are retail landlords prepared to do to secure the big names?

“The balance of power between landlords and retail tenants has definitely shifted during the recession. Where landlords were once able to charge substantial rents, a number of our national retailers are now in a position to name their price as landlords are eager to retain or secure high profile tenants. Major brands can often help landlords to fill neighboring vacant units as their occupancy implies that the shopping centre or high street is worth moving into.”

James thinks that retail landlords and tenants need to become more collaborative to ensure that they can support each other through the tough times. Landlords need to be more realistic about rents and offer incentives such as rent free periods or monthly payment options to help retailers manage their cash flow.

“Retailers can no longer afford to pay large lump sums of rent on a quarterly basis. Monthly rent payments are becoming more acceptable as landlords and tenants work together to ride the recession. By maintaining their cash flow, retailers are able to operate with greater financial fluidity rather than accruing for a quarterly hit that all but wipes out the cash flow in the business. It’s a win, win situation for landlords too as they don’t want to pay business rates on empty units or have the hassle of finding new tenants.”

In recent times, shopping has become more of a leisure activity with people combining an afternoon of retail therapy with a catch up with friends in a coffee shop. Birmingham city centre has embraced this lifestyle within its plans for the multi-million pound development at New Street train station.

The development, which is due to be completed by 2015, will see the existing station transformed into a 21^st century transport hub to cater for more than 140,000 daily rail travellers as well as the expected rise in shoppers travelling from across the UK. A 250,000 sq ft, four storey John Lewis department store will be a welcome addition to the redeveloped station. The new department store, alongside an upgraded Pallasades, will create an exciting new retail offering in the heart of the city.

James added: “The Bullring has been a big pull for retailers and shoppers to Birmingham but, by securing a huge retail anchor such as John Lewis at New Street, it will put the city on a par with London and Liverpool as a ‘must visit’ shopping destination that has excellent transport links. The size of the project is huge but it will be worth it to ensure that Birmingham remains a leisure destination that welcomes new visitors from far and wide.”

from left Andrew Rowson of Johnson Fellows, Steven Handley of Northcroft and Kevin Singh of The Space Studio pictured at St.Pauls Square in Birmingham's Jewellery Quarter

A partnership of three Birmingham companies could be just what the doctor ordered for GPs consortia considering investing in new surgeries in order to provide top quality care for their patients.

Chartered surveyors Johnson Fellows, architects and interior designers The Space Studio and construction consultants Northcroft, all based in the Jewellery Quarter, want to work with GPs responding to opportunities in the new health bill to improve facilities for patients.

Andrew Rowson, of Johnson Fellows, said: “Our three companies are all experts in our field and we believe we can provide a first class service to GPs consortia considering relocating into new surgeries or redeveloping their existing sites. We see a gap in the market where we can provide consulting, property and construction services to GPs consortia in one neat package.”

The move comes in response to new legislation being discussed under the new Health and Social Care Bill currently going through Parliament.

“In the proposed health bill there has been a shift in the way financing is obtained. It has shifted across to GPs consortia and away from PCTs,” said Andrew.

“GPs will now potentially amalgamate with each other or some might see an opportunity to relocate or redevelop their sites and may require new GP practices. That’s where they will require the services of property experts such as ourselves.”

Kevin Singh, director of The Space Studio, said: “We have a close working relationship with Johnson Fellows already on health care projects and we have delivered great quality, on budget and on time. This partnership of three companies will bring together all of our skills, experience and expertise, from finding a site, looking at funding, designing and managing the whole process from start to finish.”

Andrew added: “Funding is now GP-led and can be sourced from various avenues. They don’t necessarily need to follow NHS financial constraints. For example, they can negotiate with a developer to purchase the land and build a new facility and then lease it back for 20 years.”

Steven Handley, main board director of Northcroft, added: “The potential of this consortia is exceptional and we feel that the carefully selected team will ensure that an efficient process is procured at the outset and maintained throughout the life of the development. Northcroft are successfully acting on numerous GP-led schemes and by adding this experience to that already held by Johnson Fellows and the Space Studio will ultimately benefit all parties in the process. We are delighted to be involved.”

The team recently worked together on the Wrekin Community Clinic, Euston House, Telford, which was completed in December 2010. The conversion of an office into an ophthalmology medical facility on behalf of Telford and Wrekin PCT has been hailed a huge success.

The project saw a 6,000 sq ft ground floor office suite converted into a clinic for ophthalmology and MSK services, relieving the pressure on services at Shropshire’s two principal hospitals and bringing the facility into the heart of the community.

Andrew Rowson added: “Up until the white paper, GPs were doing their own thing. In Telford there are 22 GP practices that will be providing welfare services for that area. They are all talking to each other and looking at the way they can do things and particularly looking to relocate or develop new facilities. As a consequence of the success of the Telford project we are now doing another project in Church Parade in Oakengates, Telford. This is a facility for adults with challenging behaviour and learning difficulties.”

Andrew Rowson, partner at Johnson Fellows

Two companies have made a new connection to take advantage of a growing need for major organisations to make significant improvements to their data centres.

Birmingham-based chartered surveyors Johnson Fellows and global IT specialists NextiraOne UK believe that data centres are a growth area as both public and private sector customers need to invest in upgrading and enhancing their facilities to fix inefficiencies and reduce energy costs.

As part of the new enterprise, Johnson Fellows has expanded its building services into architectural design, site appraisal and feasibility study assessment, location research, and project management. NextiraOne focuses on the design and build elements of the data centre, including, power, cooling, M&E, cabling and specialist fit out and migration services.

The partnership has been strengthened by the success of a number of recent customer projects for major NHS, Local Government and financial organisations. Both companies have real synergy in this growing market and now aim to complete at least five more projects together in the next 12 months.

Johnson Fellows and NextiraOne first collaborated on a £5 million scheme to upgrade the IT and communications infrastructure for a major Southern-based NHS Trust, which involved consolidating the IT requirements into one dedicated facility, including a disaster recovery location.

Johnson Fellows designed and project managed the state-of-the-art building and, to avoid disruption while the work was being carried out, NextiraOne laid more than 60 kilometres of new voice and data cabling to keep the systems running as normal. NextiraOne also designed and installed the interior M&E fit-out including air conditioning and in-row chilled water-cooling solutions within the data centre, along with UPS systems, electrical services and standby generators. The new facility is now up and running and is saving the NHS Trust 50% on its energy bill.

Andrew Rowson, partner at Johnson Fellows, said: “Normally, estates or facilities and IT departments wouldn’t communicate until something goes wrong with the project. But by providing that essential ‘conduit’ and working together from the start, we can ensure projects meet the client’s brief and work is carried out with minimal disruption, within budget and to the desired timescales. This is certainly an exciting development for Johnson Fellows and an area which we believe will grow significantly in the next few years.”

Peter Smith, practice leader at NextiraOne, said: “Imperative to any large scale IT project is to keep businesses running as normal throughout any project, and that we cause as little disruption as possible for our customers. We look forward to working with the Johnson Fellows team on many more successful data centre projects.”

NextiraOne is Europe’s leading technology services company partnering with 60,000 customers to provide data centre, unified communications, contact centre and managed services.  For more information, please visit http://www.nextiraone.eu/uk.

People, along with the Valuation Office (VO), the government body who set and maintain the rating list, believe ratepayers should be able to contact the VO if they believe their assessment is wrong and they will rectify it. Easy. However, there can be pitfalls in doing this without professional advice.

“There’s a misconception that because rates are a tax on the right to occupy a business premises, they can’t be appealed. But they have been successfully appealed for thousands of properties for many years,” says Whelan.

There are lots of reasons why ratepayers think their rates are wrong, and many appeals are producing savings to the ratepayer and peace of mind that they aren’t being over charged.

In simple terms, business rates are charged on commercial properties and are calculated by multiplying the rateable value (RV) by the relevant uniform business rate (UBR), currently set at 42.6p in the pound.

The main reasons for appealing the RV placed upon your property are:

1. Your rent is lower than your RV

2. You believe your floor areas are lower than the VO’s valutation

3. You have works to the building or vicinity that is causing distress and may affect the potential rental value of your property

4. Rental evidence in the vicinity indicates the VO has got its figures wrong.

However, Whelan says business owners should remember that rates can go up as well as down. “Many properties have not been inspected for a number of years, or never in some cases, and there could be factors that could actually increase your RV: floor areas being larger; extensions being built; improvements including heating and air-conditioning. I would always recommend seeking advice before contacting the VO.”

What the majority of rates payers don’t realize, says Whelan, is that if you improve you pay.

“We have to presume the property is vacant and to let and value as it stands,” he says. “So business owners who put in heating, so that their workers don’t freeze in their factories, pay. Businesses that put in air-conditioning, to make their executives more comfortable whilst sitting at their desks, will pay. Businesses that build a nice little store to the rear of their property, so their stock doesn’t get ruined by the elements, will pay. This seems very unfair, especially as most improvements are ignored in the rent.

The VO talks of maintaining a fair and reasonable rating list, but what’s fair about penalising businesses that want to improve their working environment?”  That’s the hypothetical world of rating in a very real world of ever increasing costs.

Nick Wint, partner at the retail sector specialists, issued the warning amid more news of major brands closing hundreds of High Street stores across the UK leading to thousands of job losses.

Pressure from internet retailing and the squeeze on consumer spending caused by the gloomy economic news and rising unemployment have combined to make trading conditions extremely difficult, he said.

“In terms of our Landlord and Tenant Department, we have enjoyed a steady year but the in-town retail market is now suffering from the big squeeze and the lack of consumer spending, said Mr Wint.

“In this respect 2011 has been another difficult year for the High Street, a trend which is set to continue for the foreseeable future. The uncertainty with the Euro and the underlying economic climate means most are expecting little or no growth in 2012 either.

“There is no doubt that the High Street has come under ever increasing pressure from internet retailing with the most recent statistics now showing more than 50% of consumer spend is now off British High Streets. The problem has been exacerbated by the competition from out of town and the fact that many High Streets simply no longer cater for what the consumer wants.”

He added: “Simply put, the town centre needs to reinvent itself to tempt the shoppers back. Faced with free and easy parking at shopping centres and large superstores is there any wonder why the great British shopper has voted with its feet? It is simply not a level playing field and until the local authorities and Government realise this it will be very difficult to see how we can stop the High Street from haemorrhaging further and eventually bleeding to death.

“It will be interesting to see the impact of Mary Portas’ Retail Review will have.”

Johnson Fellows has a strong team of senior surveyors specialising in the negotiation of rent reviews, lease renewals and lease re-gears in all sectors of the retail property market. It is able to operate on a national and regional basis according to the requirements of the client. It also has extensive knowledge and experience in arbitration, expert, and court proceedings and benefits from having a RICS appointed expert and arbitrator within the team.

The company enjoyed a generally good 2011, primarily serving the ‘in-town’ retail sector around the UK where fee income targets have been met. Due to prudent management, the business continues to expand steadily and has made a significant investment in its ratings department.

Johnson  Fellows is inviting people to meet its team and discuss issues ranging from rent reviews, lease renewals, valuations, rating, management, building surveys and other property-related issues. The event is part of the company’s aim to build strong business links with firms throughout Birmingham and the wider West Midlands.

The open day will be held on Thursday, 24 November, from 1pm to 6pm, at the company’s offices at Charter House, 163 Newhall Street, in Birmingham.

Angela Meisterics, associate partner in the property management department, said: “In these difficult economic times, businesses are looking to make savings and maximise their income wherever possible. “We hope that our property advice day will encourage local business people to come and meet our team and take the opportunity to discuss any property-related issues they may need guidance on.”

Subjects to be discussed could include:

• Is your lease coming to an end?
• Can we save you money on your business rates?
• Is your rent being reviewed?
• Are you a landlord with management responsibilities?
• Do you have any building defects?
• Are you looking to place your property on the market?
• Have you been served with a Schedule of Dilapidations?

Amongst the 33-year-old’s key clients is the Lloyds Pharmacy chain. Stuart, from Aldridge, has joined the agency team at Birmingham-based Johnson Fellows from niche retail consultancy Jones Retail.

His career also includes periods at DTZ and Burley Browne. He has more than seven years experience of the Birmingham property market.

Stuart said: “Johnson Fellows is one of the largest independently owned practices in Birmingham and indeed the UK that specialises in retail property.  The company has a large number of high profile retail clients that have been with the company for many years. I am proud to be joining the agency team and will do all I can to continue the Johnson Fellows tradition of providing our clients with the very best advice available.”

He added: “Johnson Fellows is well established, experienced and knowledgeable, but at the same time the agency function is young, ambitious and extremely pro-active in delivering solutions for clients.

“My day to day role involves acquisitions, disposal and investment sales. Along with the rest of the team, I will look to develop these areas of the business and specifically our occupier client base.

“We are centrally located in Birmingham which means we can provide multiple retailers with assistance on a national basis.  For instance, we have recently been instructed by Lloyds Pharmacy in conjunction with UKBS to dispose of their surplus property throughout the UK.”

Married with a young daughter, Stuart studied at the University of Central England and achieved a 2:1 degree in Real Estate.

Midlands-based chartered surveyors Johnson Fellows has announced that James Merrick has become an equity partner in the ambitious company.

James joins existing equity partners Nick Wint, Andrew Rowson and Neil Wetherell at the property specialists based in Newhall Street, Birmingham.

James Merrick (right) joins (from left) Andrew Rowson, Neil Wetherell and Nick Wint as equity partners of Johnson Fellows Chartered Surveyors in Birmingham

James who, along with Nick Wint, leads the professional services team, said: “This is a really exciting time for Johnson Fellows and I am very proud to become an equity partner in the company.

“There’s no doubt that we have put together a great team here at Johnson Fellows. Our clients enjoy professional property advice and support of the highest standards and we now have an exciting new brand to take us into the next phase of our development.

“We have recently been buoyed by winning important new contracts with some major household names and we have recruited key individuals who are helping us deliver services at the exceptional levels our clients have come to expect.”

James, aged 35, from Aldridge, joined Johnson Fellows as a graduate in 1999 and has steadily worked his way through the ranks.

A new era for Johnson Fellows began recently when it staged an open day and property advice clinic to celebrate the launch of its new branding and website. The company invited local business people to meet its team and discuss issues ranging from rent reviews, lease renewals, valuations, rating, management, building surveys and other property-related issues. The property clinic could become a regular event.

Johnson Fellows is a commercial retail agency established in 1984, working on acquisition and disposal instructions in England and Wales. The company has assisted in the expansion of retailers from their initial units through to being national multiples.

The practice encompasses several specialist departments and acts for a variety of clients including retailers, investors, developers, financiers and occupiers of commercial property. It specialises in providing professional advice, current market information, guidance through the constantly changing laws and statutes which govern the use of property and, above all, in providing a service which seeks to achieve the optimum commercial outcome for clients. Its team of dedicated surveyors advises many of the UK’s national multiple retailers on a nationwide basis.

QS Group, which has its headquarters in Solihull, has asked Johnson Fellows to handle its entire portfolio after the budget management team helped the company make significant service charge savings. The portfolio includes over 200 Store Twenty One boutiques and the chain of QS outlets.

Ginny Simpson, surveyor in the property management department at Birmingham-based Johnson Fellows, said: “We are very pleased to be able to announce that we have been appointed by QS Group to handle budget management for their entire UK portfolio of fashion stores.

“We will be working hard to deliver substantial cost savings for the company by providing a highly professional budget management service which will include challenging levels of service charges that do not appear to be in line with lease agreements.

“At Johnson Fellows, we always aim to exceed our client’s expectations by adding value and reducing liabilities within their portfolios. We have already achieved significant savings for part of the QS Group and it is that level of success that led to this new instruction.”

Johnson Fellows’ team of surveyors manage an extensive range of retail and commercial property throughout the UK. The property management team has a wide client base including national multiple retailers, landlords, property companies, pension funds and private investors. The company specialises in sublet retail portfolio management and manages an array of national commercial investment portfolios, shopping centres, and individually, privately owned investments

Colin Whelan, head of Johnson Fellows’ rating department, said: “In the current tough economic climate it makes sense for retailers to make savings on their costs wherever they can. Many consider cutting back on staff or even closing stores, but do not explore the possibility of making savings on service charges.

“Many thousands of pounds each year can be cut from their costs by challenging those that do not comply with the terms of the lease so it is an area that is definitely worth investigating, particularly for retailers with large portfolios such as the QS Group.”

Development of the Store Twenty One brand includes a refurbishment programme of existing stores and an aggressive new store plan. Around 30 new stores have recently been launched and a further 50 are due to open by the end of 2011.