Hammerson has this morning confirmed a proposed rights issue to raise gross proceeds of £552m and the sale of most of its 50% interest in VIA Outlets to joint venture partner APG Asset Management for around €301m (£274m). It has also outlined plans to overhaul its leasing structure and continue with further disposals as outgoing chief executive David Atkins tells CoStar News the moves "safeguard the future" of the business.