LONDON-Occupier demand for commercial property fell sharply in the third quarter of 2001, according to a new report from the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors.

LONDON-John Laing Property Business Space has lodged a planning application for the final phase of development at its Drakes Meadow business park close to the M4 in Swindon, Wiltshire.

STOCKHOLM-The Swedish post office has raised up to 400 million ($360 million) from property disposals, selling its new Stockholm headquarters and a portfolio of properties across Sweden.

LONDON-Trade is holding up well in the UK's shopping malls despite the uncertain political and economic backdrop. New figures from FootFall show pedestrian traffic in UK malls was up 3.6% in September 2001 compared with the previous year.

BARCELONA-The overall Spanish investment market is significantly quieter in 2001 than it was in 2000, according to a new survey from King Sturge. Investment volumes are down as investors become more nervous.

LONDON-Connecticut-based furniture retailer Ethan Allen Interiors has formed a joint venture with the MFI furniture group to open up to 50 stores in the UK.

LONDON-Trade is holding up well in the UK's shopping malls despite the uncertain political and economic backdrop. New figures from FootFall show pedestrian traffic in UK malls was up 3.6% in September 2001 compared with the previous year.

BARCELONA-A booming market for distribution centres around the Catalan capital is driving up land values to unprecedented levels. A new survey from King Sturge says prime values have risen 30% to 40% in the past year.