Half a percentage point has been shaved off interest rates by the Bank of England today and they now stand at 1%. Some are already speculating that rates will drop to 0% before the year is out, however, others - including the Federation of Small Businesses - argue that they should have stayed at 1.5%.
Providing lenders pass the cut on, it is hoped that this will encourage more buyers into the property market. Philip Selway of The Buying Solution, a property buying agency, says: 'We have never been so busy with new client enquiries in both London and the Country, with buyers keeping an eye on what they perceive to be the bottom of the market. Clients who need to purchase this year are aiming to do so whilst house prices are still on a downward slope, and with savings rates at an all time low, now is looking like a good time for them to protect their capital in the long term by way of property purchase.'
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Water you're waiting for? Britain's best heritage lidos were built to save swimmers from polluted seas full of potato peelings, oil and coal — and they're still in action todayThe seaside lido continues to offer safe swimming for holidaymakers irrespective of the tide, but they're also architectural gems worthy of our admiration.
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Ironmongers' Hall: The medieval marvel destroyed by a First World War bomb, and it's inspiring 21st century renaissanceIronmongers’ Hall in London EC2 — home of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers — is one of the Great Twelve City Livery Companies. This year it is celebrating the centenary of its Tudor-style Hall; John Goodall takes a look, and tells the remarkable story of the building. Photographs by Will Pryce for the Country Life Picture Library
