Reasons to be cheerful – Part 2

As I’m writing on the eve of the long Easter weekend, I thought it appropriate to take as my theme the second part of an occasional series to appear in this column: \'Reasons to be cheerful\'. We’ve had plenty to be pessimistic about of late, so let’s look on the brighter side for once.

Reason one; it looks as though the UK will avoid the dreaded triple-dip recession feared by many. We can’t be certain of it yet, but figures just released show that Britain’s service sector – which accounts for 70 per cent of all economic output – rose by 0.3 per cent in January. This despite the awful weather and continuing problems in the Eurozone.

As I’ve argued before there’s a long way to go, but an increasing number of respected and hitherto downbeat commentators are beginning to see ‘green shoots’ and a more positive glow on the horizon. Conditions remain fragile and susceptible to even minor shocks, but it may not be just the long winter that is due soon to break.

Reason two; I’ve had in recent days some very interesting and uplifting conversations with a number of our important broker partners and allies. While not underestimating the frustrations inherent in bridging – such as investing considerable time, effort and money in a deal only to see it fall over at the eleventh hour – we’re seeing a surge in new lending opportunities from a diverse range of sources. Some will require considerable nurturing, but I’m excited by the level of activity I’m suddenly feeling.

Reason three; a glance at my business calendar for the month ahead reveals some fun and celebration coming my way. Awards-wise, we’re hosting tables at both the Property Week Awards and RESI Awards 2013 (Ahem, did I mentioned that Omni Capital is shortlisted at the latter for ‘Residential Developer of the Year’?). Our guests include the usual eclectic mix of brokers, developers and the media so much to look forward to.

In addition, we have the next Association of Bridging Professionals (AoBP) forum coming up. Being held at the ultra-trendy Soho Hotel in, er, Soho, it promises to bring together the finest elements in bridging – lenders, intermediaries, lawyers, valuers and the media. If you haven’t attended before you should consider doing so this time. Full details are available from the AoBP website.

Reason four; we don’t live in Cyprus and most of us, I suspect, haven’t piled money into Cypriot property or banks. I can sympathise a little with the many expats facing an uncertain future on that bedevilled isle, but it only extends so far when I recall how smug some of them were when boasting interminably about, “Finding our place in the sun…”.

Reason five; in the past 48 hours I’ve been able to open a newspaper or magazine and switch on the television without being greeted by another profile piece on that shrinking violet of British politics, Boris Johnson. We all know he’s aiming for the top job, and that through a privileged upbringing and an elite education, believes he’s superbly equipped to take it, almost of right.

It scares me, but the Boris Bandwagon appears unstoppable right now.

And reason six; I’m just about to depart with my lovely wife for a short break in the beautiful and historic Italian town of Siena. Famous for all sorts of things, I will probably subordinate my natural cultural instincts (stop guffawing at the back…) in favour of a Campari and soda and a nice dinner on the terrace of a favourite trattoria. If that – and the visual company of the local signorini taking the evening passeggiata – isn’t enough to cheer me up, then things really are beyond bad.

Arrivederci…