In our article dated 1 July 2007 entitled "Strained Relations", we reported conversations that took place during a private seminar hosted by DLA Piper. We would like to apologise to the participants of the seminar for reporting on matters that were discussed in breach of an agreement with the organisers.

Meadowhall shopping centre remains partially closed more than a fortnight after the catastrophic flooding that hit Sheffield on Monday June 25. The upper malls reopened on Monday July 2 after losing six days' trade but other parts of the centre remain closed.

Last month's 'Future of Retail' conference, organised by the free-market think tank the Institute of Economic Affairs, brought together three retail experts to give an occupier's view of the retail property market.

With an impressive track record in the retail sector, Resolution Property last year embarked on a R1.5bn real estate acquisition programme targeting major retail park investments throughout Europe.

Australian export Boost Juice Bars has been brought to the UK by former Millie's Cookies chief Richard O'Sullivan, who is putting a fresh spin on the juice and smoothie market.

It's that time in the cycle when if in doubt companies buy themselves out, or sell themselves on or look to make one and one equal three! Of course there is no market without two parties thinking the opposite thing, and that depends on perception.

An open letter to the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities

Following its recent ICSC award for European Shopping Centre of the Year 2007, it was time to visit Dundrum Town Centre to have a look for ourselves. As Ireland's largest centre at 80,000sq m, the foodservice facilities are numerous and varied, with 26 units, in addition to a 600-seat, cook-to-order food court, feeding both shoppers and leisure visitors alike.

The wave of mergers & acqusitions in the surveying business shows no sign of abating with a management buyout at Lambert Smith Hampton and the potential takeover of Donaldsons by DTZ.

With the factory outlet market reaching saturation point in the UK, property owners and investors are now focusing their attention on extending and rebranding their existing centres to ensure they are giving their core catchments everything they demand.

With an increasing number of houses being built in Glenrothes to cater for the ever-growing population, the town's Kingdom shopping centre, owned by CIS, is keeping up with the times with plans for major expansion works.

Today's technology is delivering much more towards the development of better solutions for facilities managers across a wide range of areas, including security, operational cost efficiency, sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Creating the right streetscape is not only about architectural design but also about choosing the right furniture.

== ? Chorley ==

The EFM FACILITIES team in London has expanded with the appointment of RICHARD CASTILLO as head of IT to bolster the group's support services. He joins EFM Facilities from ITD UK and brings with him 10 years of IT experience including operational support and training skills.

Over 200 children from seven Edinburgh primary schools flocked to the Gyle shopping centre recently to discover all there is to know about wild birds.

More than 100 retail destination and shopping centre executives from the North of England took part in the annual BCSC Northern Region Conference at the De Vere Oulton Hall near Leeds in early June.

The BBC's Politics Show sent its cameras to Maidstone retail centre Fremlin Walk this month, where the programme makers recorded footage for a TV debate on the increased use of CCTV.

Land Securities and Capital Shopping Centres kicked off the marketing for their million-sq ft St David's 2 project in Cardiff with a Welsh-themed event at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden.

Cushman & Wakefield's stable of shopping centres has adopted the Retail Trust as their charity of choice, and they're doing their bit to celebrate the retail industry's charity's 175th birthday.