Retail property owner Hammerson, whose shopping centres include the Bull Ring in Birmingham and Brent Cross in London, has reported a 2.1% rise in underlying rental income and expressed its confidence in the upcoming year.

Chief executive David Atkins said: “We have reported a good set of results in a year when we saw the beginning of economic and consumer recovery in the UK. In France the economic picture is less clear cut, although personal debt levels remain low, providing the opportunity for a rebound in consumer spending when growth returns.”