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LIVERPOOL WIRRAL SEFTON KNOWSLEY

January–February 2009

FREE

MOVE COMMERCIAL Merseyside’s guide to commercial property

The wraps are off The fully refurbished Port of Liverpool Building

Issue 11

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MERE MAJOR NEW OFFICE PARK

V

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To find out more about Mere Grange visit

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Issue eleven Move Commercial

Contents News

04

Welcome to Move Commercial WELCOME to the eleventh issue of Move Commercial at the start of 2009, a time to look forward to new developments and opportunities in the forthcoming months.

With the ceremonies and celebrations of Capital of Culture year now behind us, we’ve looked at the highlights of the year for local businesses in our Talking Point. Lunch in the cultural Georgian Quarter focuses on how the city should now be capitalising on its ‘culture’ to bring in inward investment, where work still needs to be done, and how the year’s success can really be measured.

With the effects of the current market continuing to be felt, we look at businesses whose long-term investment in the city has brought the city forwards and shown confidence in our markets. Our Founding Father, Andrew Collinge, is a businessman whose passion for his home city meant a global brand was born in Liverpool, the site of his flagship salon. In our interview with Rising Star Tom Venner, Land Securities’ retail development manager, it’s

clear that the current refurbishment of the longestablished St. John’s shopping centre, and of Clayton Square, will boost the city’s already thriving value market.

Makeovers for landmarks is definitely a theme at the start of the new year. Our Mover and Shaker, Mike Gardner from Claremont Group Interiors, talks about redesigning the interiors of the Royal Liver Building, that waterfront icon. Across the river, the spotlight’s on Wirral International Business Park, where increasing numbers of local and international businesses are finding high quality accommodation.

And, as the Mersey Gateway awaits government approval and spring sees roadworks resume on the city’s eastern road gateway, transport remains a hot topic in this issue’s Focus. We examine the major projects to improve the transport infrastructure in the region, and evaluate how far they’ll support Merseyside’s growing appeal to investors.

04 The MoD moves into Exchange Flags 05 Hill Dickinson advises Iceland on Woolworths purchase 06 New occuppier at The Estuary 07 The Baltic Triangle offers opportunities 08 Liverpool One’s new tenants 09 Downing refurbishes the Port of Liverpool building 11 Lingley Mere proves popular 12 St Helens’ plans for regeneration 13 Hilton lands at JLA 15 Awards for Liverpool Vision

Features 16 Founding Father Andrew Collinge on his salons in the changing city centre 20 Mover and Shaker Mike Gardner at Claremont on designing the Liver building interiors 24 Focus Wirral International Business Park wakes up the peninsula 27 Tracking the Progress An update on Merseyside’s evolving transport network 31 Talking Point Debating the Culture Year’s highlights and the city’s future plan 39 Deals All the latest signings 40 Rising Star Tom Venner at Land Securities on breathing life into St. Johns

Key Events

12 LIVERPOOL WIRRAL SEFTON KNOWSLEY

January–February 2009

FREE

MOVE COMMERCIAL Merseyside’s guide to commercial property

Issue 11

27 move publishing ltd Advertising Director Fiona Barnet Tel 0151 709 3871 Advertising Sales Manager Jeff Porter Tel 0151 709 3871 Account Manager Jo Tait Tel 0151 709 3871 Art Director Adrian Lloyd Email mail@design-foundry.co.uk Editorial Team Lucy Oliver and Marie Martin Email post@movepublishing.co.uk Tel 0151 709 3871

Published by Move Publishing Ltd Directors David O’Brien Kim O’Brien Fiona Barnet Design & Production The Design Foundry 36 Henry Street, Liverpool L1 5BS. Tel 0151 709 1633 Printed by Acorn Web Offset Limited Distribution Liaison Manager Barbara Troughton Tel 0151 733 5492 Mobile 077148 14662

The wraps are off The fully refurbished Port of Liverpool Building

Copyright Move Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form or by any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publishers written permission.

Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Move Publishing can accept no responsibility for the veracity of the claims made by advertisers.

19 Women in Construction celebrate success in style 22 Servicemaster arrives in Speke 35 Forward Point launches in Widnes 37 Oscar Developments launch offices on city gateway 43 Christmas lunch at Merseyside Property Forum 45 Halliwells brings in the New Year at the Town Hall

Careers 38 Whispers The commercial property grapevine 44 Appointments Who’s joining whom and acting for whom 46 Q and A The spotlight’s on Iain Taylor at Highcross MOVE COMMERCIAL

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News Move Commercial

Ministry of Defence sets up camp Exchange Flags welcomes government occupiers The historic site

FOLLOWING the announcement in August 2007, that the Ministry of Defence (MoD) had taken a prelet of 70,000 sq ft at Walker House, Exchange Flags, in Liverpool’s prime core, the fit-out has now been completed and the MoD has moved its operations to the city centre location.

Walker House is undergoing a £15million refurbishment to transform the former vacant building into Liverpool’s premier office accommodation with floorplates ranging from 9,332 sq ft to 26,700 sq ft. This is the final phase of the regeneration of Exchange Flags, bringing 450,000 sq ft of high quality office space to

the market.

The news follows announcements towards the end of last year that Coffee Republic has taken 1,200 sq ft of retail accommodation on the ground floor of Walker House and complements the letting of 3,000 sq ft at Horton House to Ridge in November 2008.

Joint venture developers UK Land & Property and Pochin undertook the fit-out at Walker House on behalf of the MoD, which will occupy a third of the building and incorporate its own dedicated entrance. The MoD employs some 600 people on site has been fully operational from

the end of December 2008.

On the completion of the first phase, Paul Johnson, director at UK Land & Property, commented: “By carrying out the comprehensive refurbishment on behalf of the MOD, we created a turn-key package specific to its requirements. Having now completed this phase to programme, we are now working towards the completion of the remaining 140,000 sq ft, which will be ready for occupation by the end of January.”

Tony Reed at Keppie Massie added: “The impressive refurbishment of Walker House, due to be completed this month,

will complete the transformation of Exchange Flags into, what is already regarded by many as, Liverpool’s premier office address.

Few schemes in the city can boast the tenant profile of Exchange Flags which has, in turn, helped to attract other businesses that are dissatisfied with their current accommodation.”

The project follows the completion of its counterpart Horton House and is now home to Brabners Chaffe Street, Deloitte, Regus, Knight Frank and Ryder Architecture.

Keppie Massie is the office agent for the scheme, along with Knight Frank and King Sturge.

£43m assistance for supported housing GB Finance partnership fills the gap GB FINANCE GROUP and Cosmopolitan Housing Association are expanding their provision of non grant-funded supported housing.

The £43m investment will help local authorities and NHS Trusts to provide an estimated 100 additional units of accommodation to people with supported housing needs.

The partnership will provide the funding over the next two years and aims to reduce the numbers on local authority supported housing waiting lists.

Gary Gardner, director of GB Finance 4

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Group, said: “We have worked with Cosmopolitan for some time and have been impressed with the management team. They are a very talented group of people who are totally dedicated to providing high quality accommodation for their clients.”

Dave Griffiths, Cosmpolitan's development director, said: “We initially started out on quite a small scale about six or seven years ago, using Cosmopolitan's own funds to help our local authority partners fill the gap in their publicly funded programmes.

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Hill Dickinson advise Iceland on purchase of Woolworths stores

£100m Liverpool scheme back on track Prominent joint venture development to be delivered

DEESIDE-BASED food retailer Iceland has bought over 50 former Woolworths stores throughout the UK. The 51 stores were acquired following Woolworths collapse into administration late last year.

Hill Dickinson LLP advised on the deal, which will create around 2,000 jobs.

Andy Pritchard, managing director of Iceland Foods Ltd says, “The acquisition of these prime retail sites will further increase our presence throughout the UK and Northern Ireland.”

Michael Stephens, partner at Hill Dickinson LLP who advised Iceland Foods Ltd, said: “This deal is highly significant. Iceland Foods Limited is working to an ambitious expansion strategy and this key acquisition will help the food retailer achieve its business objective and increase its market share.”

Castle Chambers refurbishment Castle Chambers is set to receive a £2.5m refurbishment which leading commercial property consultancy CB Richard Ellis has been appointed to manage on behalf of Merseyside Pension Fund.

The historic building at 10-18 Castle Street provides its occupants with office accommodation within period property surroundings and currently has over 15,000 sq ft of space available to let.

Tim Garnett, senior surveyor and part of the North West office agency team at CBRE, said, “Liverpool has seen a massive transformation recently, particularly in the case of city centre office buildings. It is encouraging to see Liverpool continuing to regenerate and provide quality accommodation.”

The Quarter

WORK HAS re-started on the £100m mixed-use waterfront development, The Quarter.

The high profile regeneration scheme at the junction of Sefton Street and Parliament Street is being developed by Sefton Street Developments LLP, which was a joint venture between Ethel Austin Properties and Vermont Developments.

Construction was interrupted in August when Vermont was put into administration by Downing Corporate Finance, one of its London-based shareholders.

The Quarter, owned and funded

by Sefton Street Developments, was

unaffected by the administration but the situation at Vermont created a number of legal and contractual problems in completing the initial phases of the project.

Ethel Austin Properties and a new company, Vermont Capitol Limited have now committed to the completion of the scheme, which features a 173-bedroom four star hotel and 22-storey residential tower, office accommodation, retail and leisure space and a new public square.

The development has already sold 83 per cent of the first phase of 187 apartments and secured the prestigious international hotel

brand, Ramada Plaza.

Vermont Capitol Limited is led by Mark Connor. He said: “It’s been a difficult few months, but having reached agreement with all the stakeholders on the project we can focus on moving forward with delivering our vision for The Quarter. I’m obviously grateful to Bank of Ireland and Ethel Austin Properties for their unstinting support.”

Andrew Lovelady, of Ethel Austin Properties said: “The Quarter will be great news for Liverpool and we’re delighted to be able to get back on track with what is an outstanding scheme.”

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News Move Commercial

Bespoke development is a tempting prospect Skelmersdale ups its offer PROSPECT (GB) LTD has secured outline planning permission for a bespoke office development in Skelmersdale.

The Warrington based firm, which is one of the country’s fastest growing property development and investment companies, is offering potential occupiers offices that will be designed specifically for them at a three acre site at the Whitemoss area of Skelmersdale.

The site, which will house 91,400 sq ft of Grade A office space, is located just off junction four of the M58 and is easily accessible from the north-west’s motorway system.

Knight Frank has been appointed as agent of the project and partner Graham Bowling believes that Whitemoss offers great potential.

He said: “It represents a tremendous opportunity for an occupier to secure tailor-made premises in an area in which new developments are rare.

“It is well-connected via the motorway network and is close to a large and high quality workforce.”

Prospect (GB) Ltd’s development manager, Jane Thompson, said: “We’re offering someone a chance to get their dream offices in a good location and we’re confident that this chance will be quickly grasped.”

Jane Thompson

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The Estuary (Photography by McCoy Wynne)

Kier announced as new tenants at The Estuary UK LAND AND PROPERTY have announced Kier, as its latest tenants to come to the Office Quarter at The Estuary.

The UK building and civil engineering contractor is relocating from Knowsley Industrial Park and has taken 15,000 sq ft of office space on a 10-year lease at the site in Speke.

Located at The Estuary, Merseyside’s flagship business park, the Office Quarter has 464 sq m immediately available and when fully completed, the scheme will total 13,006 sq m in buildings from 929 sq m to 3,716 q m.

The campus, a high quality style development, which offers its tenants an excellent transport network, is located immediately adjacent to facilities such as David

Lloyd, Marks and Spencer and the Crowne Plaza hotel.

Ian Sherry, development director of UK Land and property, said, “Kier is a real coup for us and further demonstrates the extent of quality of the offering at Estuary.

In this current climate it’s comforting to see that the occupational market is still showing levels of significant activity and we have no doubt that the Kier brand will further enhance south Liverpool as Merseyside’s out of town location choice.”

Managing director of Kier, Nigel Brook, added: “Our move to Estuary sends a strong message to the market that Kier is committed to the north-west. It’s a location which we can all be proud of and

will provide the perfect platform to help grow the business across all sectors over the next five years.

We are now carrying out the office fit out; once complete in March next year, the scheme will house approximately 100 employees.”

CBRE and King Sturge are joint agents for the scheme. Helen Moss, surveyor at King Sturge, said: “There is a good choice of available new office accommodation in south Liverpool and Kier’s selection of the Office Quarter is a testament to the exceptional quality of buildings provided by UKLP at the scheme.

We are now promoting the last 5,000ft2 at the Office Quarter and the design and build opportunities from 10,000 ft2 to 40,000 ft2 on the future phases of the scheme.”

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Move Commercial News CGI of the Kings Dock Mill

Bright future for Baltic Triangle Development opportunity at landmark site A SUBSTANTIAL residential development opportunity, complete with planning consent, between St James Street and Jamaica Street in the Baltic Triangle area of Liverpool has become available.

The specialist firm of consultant surveyors, Edward Symmons, has been appointed to sell the site. The plot adds to the firm’s growing

portfolio of LPA receivership appointments being handled by the firm’s strong line-up of NARAregistered receivers.

The site, which covers some 0.35 acres, presents a prime development opportunity for the astute investor, as the plot already benefits from planning consent for 60 apartments and a retail unit with 56 associated parking spaces.

Paul Parker of Edward Symmons commented: “This site presents an exciting opportunity with very strong prospects in the mid to long term. Positioned just a mile from the city centre it offers opportunity for residential development in a prime geographical location. In the short term the site has potential for use as surface parking and may also be

suitable for advertising hoardings together with a wide range of alternative uses, subject to the necessary consents.”

The area has seen increasing interest, with the Kings Dock Mill development set for completion in January 2010 which will include a Hampton by Hilton hotel, 188 apartments and 3,600 sq ft of office space.

Knowsley attracts construction kings Puma Court welcomes Balfour Beatty KENMORE PROPERTY GROUP has announced the letting of an office at Puma Court in Kings Business Park, Knowsley, to the engineering, construction and investment company Balfour Beatty.

The firm is relocating from its premises in Prescott to take on a 7,417 sq ft unit within the park.

Balfour Beatty will occupy the space on a new 10-year lease, with a fiveyear break option, and has agreed a stepped rent starting at £14 per sq ft and rising to £15.50 per sq ft by the fifth year.

Mark Robinson, associate director at Kenmore’s Manchester office,

Puma Court

commented: “We are delighted to welcome such a high profile occupier to the building. This letting demonstrates that, despite a tough economic climate in which we find ourselves, there is still a market for good quality, well located office premises.”

Puma Court comprises seven units, five of which were originally owned by Kenmore. Of the five, two were sold, one to Johnsons Group of Properties and another to Kings Park Day Nursery.

I-Paye Ltd occupies the first floor of Unit Two where the ground floor has space available of 4,070 sq ft. Unit Four, of 7,634 sq ft, is available to rent or buy as a stand-alone unit.

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High Street heavies land at Liverpool One

New Brighton regeneration enters second phase Leisure and transport improvements to begin The six screen, 1,000 seat digital cinema planned as part of Phase Two

Retail signings bring confidence GROSVENOR’S £1bn Liverpool One project is celebrating the New Year with a selection of prominent new signings.

High street retailers Topshop will open a new flagship northern store in spring 2009, totalling 65,485 sq ft and set to be the biggest outside of London.

Jigsaw opens its doors for the first time at the end of January, taking 5112 sq ft of space closely followed by Flannels, which arrives in mid February taking 20, 941 sq ft.

Award-winning Thai restaurant brand Chaophraya is also set to open in March, occupying 14, 679 sq ft over two sites while Pesto, which takes the Spanish style of tapas eating and applies it to Italian cuisine takes 5,444 sq ft.

Tesco opens a new superstore in February in a 29,000 sq ft space as part of the Liverpool One development on Hanover Street.

The fresh signings indicate the success of the Liverpool One development in attracting inward investment to date and show the remaining confidence that retailers have in the city.

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NEPTUNE DEVELOPMENTS has unveiled extensive plans for Phase Two of its £45 million New Brighton scheme.

This is the second and final application to be submitted after outline planning approval was received in early 2008.

Plans for the scheme include three groups of buildings with associated landscaping and an improved public realm including a new seafront promenade, and a new model boating lake, as well as highways and public transport improvements.

The main mixed-use building will feature a number of leisure uses, including a 60-bed Premier Inn, a six-screen 1000 seat digital cinema, restaurants, bars and a Morrison’s supermarket.

The second building will border the western shore of the existing

marine lake and will house single storey restaurants and bars with a two storey sailing school. There will be a large public area separating this building from the main building, which will be utilised for public performances.

A new public outdoor pool will sit behind the model boating lake and the area between this and the main building will provide a 750 space landscaped car park to cater for the visitors expected to help the development bring in additional spend of £21 million per annum to New Brighton and Wirral.

Steve Parry, Neptune’s managing director, said: “We are delighted to be getting underway with the main body of the scheme.

The completion of the new Floral Pavilion demonstrates the quality of the whole project.”

The new Floral Pavilion Theatre, completed by contractor Kier North West on time and on budget, is seen to demonstrate Neptune’s expertise and commitment to New Brighton.

Ken Martin, Floral Pavilion architect, said: “I am delighted the scheme is approaching completion on time, on budget and it is a credit to Neptune Developments, Wirral Borough Council and Kier North West.

This was a remarkable team effort with good will on all sides and we have finally produced an iconic cultural building which will change the image of New Brighton.”

Work on Phase Two is due to begin in March 2009 and will take approximately 18 months, with completion due by Christmas 2010.

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Downing makes over Port of Liverpool

Waterfront landmarks to keep their sparkle

City jewel refurbished

ONE OF LIVERPOOL’S most historic commercial buildings has undergone a comprehensive £10 million restoration project.

The Grade II listed Port of Liverpool Building has been restored by Downing, who acquired the building in 2001, and is on target to offer more than 20,000 sq ft of newly refurbished office suites during 2009.

This is the first time the building has been restored since it was damaged during the Blitz. Its iconic dome has now been returned to its former glory, with its inner glass and marble cleaned and fully restored.

The work on the building began in 2007 when the building’s limestone exterior, internal terrazzo flooring and marble wall cladding were restored and the

stained glass windows were refurbished and reinstated.

Now the building boasts new lifts, upgraded internal and external lighting, disabled access and state of the art technology that allows tenants to opt-in to a centrally managed cooling system.

Senior agency surveyor at Downing, Robin Ellis, said: “These extensive repair and upgrade works to the building’s fabric and envelope, mean that our valued occupiers can enjoy the magnificent building safe in the knowledge that it has been future-proofed, giving them valuable confidence and certainty on costs.”

The strength of the refurbishment space saw the Port of Liverpool building become one of Liverpool’s most successful

commercial properties in 2008, with some 20,00 sq ft f space to let to global brands including DHL and shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd.

George Downing, chairman of the company, added: “There are few buildings in the UK as iconic as the Port of Liverpool Building.

It boasts a level of grace and quality that would be impossible to recreate today.

“We will continue to invest in the building to ensure it thrives in its joint roles as the jewel of Liverpool’s World Heritage Waterfront and one of the city’s most prestigious business addresses.”

Joint agents Knight Frank and CBRE are currently marketing two refurbished suites of 3,035 sq ft and 6,251 sq ft on the building’s first floor.

LIVERPOOL WATERFRONT’S landmark Cunard building is to benefit from a conservation management plan to keep it in all its splendour.

The Grade II star listed building, one of the city’s Three Graces, will be receiving a development programme of repair and restoration led by the Liverpool office of architects, Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams, who have been appointed by building managers CB Richard Ellis.

The building was constructed between 1914 and 1917 as the headquarters of the eponymous shipping company. Today, it is a highly successful commercial centre with tenants including the government office of the north-west.

The plan, being drawn up in consultation with the local authority conservation officer and English Heritage, will look at the building’s history, significance, vulnerabilities and propose polices for the Cunard’s long term conservation and management.

Ken Smith, associate to Buttress Fuller Alsop Williams, said: “The Cunard building is obviously an architectural treasure but it’s also a highly successful office which must continue to meet the needs of occupiers and changing market needs. We are using our design and conservation expertise to bring out the Cunard’s immense character reinstating some original features that have been lost over time.”

Meanwhile, the iconic Royal Liver building is also receiving a makeover.

Warrington based Claremont Group Interiors are in the process of completing design and refurbishment works in the landmark premises.

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Industrial letting in Runcorn CBRE lets Fairoak Lane FURNITURE RETAILER Oceans Apart has taken an industrial unit on the well-established Whitehouse Industrial Estate in Runcorn.

The 19,082 sq ft warehouse facility on Fairoak Lane, which also contains a production facility and office extension, was successfully let by commercial property consultant CBRE on a five-year lease.

Companies already located within the industrial estate include O2, B&Q, Guinness and Wincanton.

Paul Cook, director of industrial agency at CBRE, said: “Located within easy reach of both Manchester and Liverpool, Runcorn is widely recognised as one of the main industrial locations in Cheshire and a leading business destination in the north-west. The site is ideal for Oceans Apart to take advantage of the high specification facility and local infrastructure.

“We are pleased to say that this letting exemplifies there is still a healthy demand in the area for high quality warehouse facilities.”

Paul Cook

The new Fire and Control Rescue Centre

Lingley Mere launches new centre North West Fire Control hot on the heels of business park tenants THE NEW North West Fire and Rescue Control Centre has been completed at Lingley Mere Business Park in Warrington.

Joint venture partners Muse Developments and United Utilities Property Solutions have now handed over the new 31,000 sq ft building to the Department for Communities and Local Government on a 25-year lease.

The building has been designed and constructed to be low in carbon emissions and has achieved an excellent rating under the Building Research

Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM).

This is a significant achievement for a building, which has to be highly secure, resilient and operate around the clock.

Jonathan Ashcroft, project director at Muse Development, said: “We’re delighted that we have been able to deliver this building on time, on budget and to the highest standards of quality.

“Lingley Mere was originally chosen as the location for the centre due to its accessibility and

excellent transport links, its suitability for further development and because it has the latest standards in sustainable design and energy efficiency.

Located near junction eight of the M62, Lingley Mere Business Park currently provides 380,000 sq ft of high quality office accommodation set within 100 acres of landscaped parkland.

Other tenants at the site include Wates Construction, MWH UK Ltd, Jaymar Estates and the United Utilities shared service centre.

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News Move Commercial

High street names head for Halton

St Helens growth plan extended Redevelopment success encourages further investment The spectacular façade of the refurbished Theatre Royal

New complex pulls in retailers A NEW SHOPPING complex in Widnes has attracted a number of top high street stores to the town centre development.

Marks and Spencer will be the flagship store at Widnes Shopping Park on the former Windmill Centre site.

Other famous name stores opening branches at the complex include Next, River Island, New Look, Topman and Warehouse.

Widnes Shopping Park, will form an integral part of a modernised Widnes town centre being linked directly to the high street by a pedestrian walkway.

When completed the complex will extend to 297,000 sq ft with over 600 car spaces on two levels and it is estimated that around 500 jobs will be created.

The new stores are due to open in early 2010 alongside the existing tenants.

Cllr Rob Polhill, executive board member for regeneration, added: “This is the icing on the cake for the regeneration of Widnes. The opening of the shopping park and The Hive leisure development is a really exciting prospect and something everyone can look forward to.”

Further regeneration in the area includes the redevelopment of the former Widnes Town Hall.

Construction has recently begun on the £1.275m scheme to redevelop the 123-year-old building, creating a boutique hotel with function room, bar and restaurant. The project is planned for completion in around nine months.

12 MOVE COMMERCIAL

ST HELENS COUNCIL has announced the revision of its 10year development plan following its successful implementation over just five years.

The revised City Growth Strategy now spans 90 projects with a collective value of £1.8 billion.

These include 30 extensions to original projects and 60 brand new schemes.

The majority of the original 70 schemes have been completed, including the flagship £6 million St Helens Chamber HQ and Graduate Enterprise Centre, £8 million office space at Mere Grange Business Park and the £90 million redevelopment of St Helens Hospital.

The new projects reflect the fact that the economic environment has changed since the CGS was first developed and many of the original projects have been

realised, with new opportunities emerging.

Revisions to the project include Chalon Way Enterprise Park, a new two-hectare park for high-tech companies to be located on the former British Lead Mill site in the town centre and St Helens Forest Park, involving the creation of a major new regional attraction.

The spectacular façade of the Theatre Royal in the multi-award winning George St cultural quarter is one of many buildings in St Helens which has received the star treatment in recent years.

Cllr. Brian Spencer, Leader of St Helens Council says: “The fact that we have revised the original 10-year City Growth Strategy after only 5 years is a reflection of our highly successful approach to regeneration in terms of our firm focus on delivery and working in close partnership, particularly with

the private sector.

“Change won’t happen overnight, however there is a real determination to achieve our ambitions so we can ensure that St Helens continues to develop as a vibrant, modern and enterprising borough at the heart of the north-west.”

CGS was devised at the Harvard Business School in the United States and aims to inspire a forward thinking approach to the economic development of urban areas. It encourages partnerships with the private sector in order to create jobs, income and wealth for inner-city residents.

St Helens was chosen as one of only four areas in the UK to pilot the CGS model in 2002. Following the success of the model in St Helens, CGS was rolled out across the country in neighbouring cities such as Manchester and Liverpool.

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Move Commercial News

New frontiers in north Liverpool

The office development

Bootle’s Atlantic Park attracts new tenants

Hilton Hotel lands at Liverpool Airport Peel signs £37m franchise agreement for Hampton by Hilton PEEL HOLDINGS (LEISURE) has announced the signing of a franchise agreement with Hilton Hotels for its new hotel at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, Hampton by Hilton.

The 160 bedroom hotel, due to open in summer 2009, is part of a £37m development that includes a multi-storey car park and a bridge that will allow guests to walk directly to the terminal building from the new development.

The franchise agreement with Hampton by Hilton claims to be “a new kind of economy hotel brand, offering consistency and comfort for business and leisure travellers.”

This hotel will be Peel’s second airport hotel, following on from the successful opening of Ramada Encore at Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield in autumn last year, and further hotels are planned throughout the group’s portfolio.

Peter de la Perrelle, director of Peel Holdings (Leisure), said: “Hampton by Hilton continues the successful development of Liverpool John Lennon Airport and will bring a quality hotel product to the airport where guests will be able to walk undercover Caption herefrom the hotel directly to the terminal building.

It is expected that this agreement will be the first of many with Hilton as Peel Holdings Ltd continue to develop their hotel estate.”

Senior vice president of brand management for Hampton by Hilton, Phil Cordell, said, “Hampton by Hilton is an exceptional product which is set to transform the UK’s economy hotel sector and fill a gap at its upper end. The international expansion of the brand continues at a pace and we are delighted to be building our presence in a destination like Liverpool John Lennon Airport.”

THE COMPLETION of the first phase of Atlantic Park mixed-use scheme was marked by the recent launch of Merseyside's largest speculatively-developed Grade A office building.

The 54,000 sq ft five-storey building provides the striking frontage to the 800,000 sq ft mixed-use business park, the first of its kind in north Liverpool.

The office building on Bootle's Dunningsbridge Road has already attracted significant interest from local occupiers and is aiming for a rental price of £14.50 per sq ft.

Sulzer Pumps has already taken a lease for 90,000 sq ft of industrial space, which will soon be vacated by Rolls Royce.

Nigel Lax of Industrial Securities, which represents Royal London Asset Managers, the owners and developers of Atlantic Park, said: “North Liverpool is known for its established industrial and commercial base but it has lacked a high quality mixed-use offering like Atlantic Park.

“In particular, there's been a real need for high quality office space and this building is clearly meeting demand.

“Overall the site's excellent location, major transport links and prominent frontage make this prime space for a wide variety of businesses and we expect it to continue the regeneration of Bootle and Sefton.”

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DITTON COURT FOUNDRY LANE, WIDNES

ONL Y UNI 2 TS RE MAI NIN G

New Business Units 240m2 (2,585 ft2) to 1,320m2 (14,215 ft2) FEATURES

FOR SALE/TO LET DESCRIPTION

LOCATION

The development comprises 5 high quality units suitable for a range of manufacturing, warehousing and general business uses.

The units range in size from 240m2 (2,585 ft2) to 1,320 m2 (14,215 ft2) and are available in multiples to suit individual needs.

Located 2 miles southwest of Widnes Town Centre in an established and improving industrial area. The development is situated 1/2 mile from the A562 Speke Road, which provides excellent access to the Regional Motorway Network via Junction 6 of the M62 (3 miles north) and Junction 12 of the M56 (4 miles south).

14 MOVE COMMERCIAL

• High quality brick and profile steel clad elevations • Large loading doors 4.7m high • Dedicated parking • Low maintenance landscaping

For more information contact:

East Side Developments on

07718 530000

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Move Commercial News

Prime opportunity for office space City centre suite to attract high quality tenants THE TWO remaining office units in a building close to the heart of the £1bn Liverpool One complex are now available for let or sale.

Situated on Henry Street and Lydia Ann Street, the units of The Foundry both offer self-contained accommodation and are available for immediate occupation through agents Keppie Massie and CBRE. The first on Henry Street offers 11,069 sq ft of new build offices with individual floors available from 2,077 sq ft.

The second, on Lydia Ann Street is a 4,125 sq ft of refurbishment office space over ground and lower ground floors with original exposed brick walls.

Associate for Keppie Massie, Tony Reed, said: “The Foundry offices provide high quality accommodation in the popular Rope Walks area of Liverpool.

“The development is already home to some high quality tenants including Move Publishing, the Design Foundry, PS Costs Law and Open Communities.”

‘Visionary’ work Liverpool’s economic development company scoops awards REGENERATION WORK carried out by Liverpool Vision on key routes into the city has been recognised with two prestigious national awards.

Constructing Excellence, set up to help deliver industry performance, named Liverpool Vision National Client of the Year 2008 for its work on the Edge Lane project, Stonebridge Park and Aintree Industrial Estate.

The award celebrated Vision’s commitment to adopting best practice principles on each of the projects and throughout the supply chain.

Rob Monaghan, director of gateways at Liverpool Vision, who

Rob Monaghan

collected the award said: “Working closely with local communities is always our number one priority during a construction scheme.”

A second award for the city’s economic development company came from The Green Organisation for the environmental improvements on Horrocks Avenue in Garston.

Dr Mohanned Ahmad, senior project manager at Liverpool Vision, said: “The two awards we have been honoured with are very welcome and truly a reflection of the efforts that we, and our contractors, go to in order to ensure we always make the right impression in the communities in which we work.”

Towngate launches Widnes Business Centre Fork lift challenge for guests over breakfast TOWNGATE PLC, one of the north’s leading commercial and industrial property providers, held a launch event with a difference for their portfolio of north-west properties at the Towngate Business Centre in Widnes.

Agents and potential tenants at the launch were invited to take part in a ‘forklift challenge’ to learn some of the skills required for forklift truck operation and gain an understanding of the risks involved.

The 70 plus attendees were rewarded for their efforts with a choice of either English or Continental breakfast.

The Towngate Business Centre has a number of properties available after a recent refurbishment, offering units of 75,000 sq ft on the industrial estate.

Warehouse and factory units, with storage and parking land, are on offer at the site on Everite Road, Widnes.

Advisors plan Widnes’ regeneration Waterfront scheme to focus on undeveloped sites ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES firm, Taylor Young, has been appointed to update the masterplan and delivery strategy for the development of a 200 acre former industrial area in south Widnes, forming part of the Widnes Waterfront regeneration scheme.

Developments already completed at the site include Forward Point, Easter Park and Turnstone Business Park and the regeneration of the remaining undeveloped sites is expected to create over 2,700 jobs on completion. Plans for a £10m

leisure complex by Widnes Regeneration Limited are well underway.

Jim Fox, director at Taylor Young, said: “Even in the midst of the credit crunch, Widnes Waterfront has the potential in the medium to long term to be transformed as an exciting riverside employment and leisure led mixeduse area, building on successes already achieved and the huge potential offered by proposals for the Mersey Gateway crossing immediately to the west.”

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Winning the Regional Salon of the Year Award has been just one of the highlights of Liverpool’s Capital of Culture Year for Andrew Collinge.

The acclaimed Liverpool hairdresser’s move into his flagship salon almost five years ago placed him at the heart of the city’s commercial district, poised to contribute to, and enjoy, the city’s growth. With plans to expand the business further this year, he remains as keen and hands on in the industry as ever, and equally enthusiastic about Liverpool’s future.

Ahead of the game THE STATE of the art Castle Street premises of Andrew Collinge’s flagship salon welcome clients in to enjoy high ceilings, large windows and polished floors as though it were a boutique art deco hotel. A former building society, the site is now home to the salon’s main business after moving across from St John’s shopping centre, where it was established for 40 years, although the training salon continues to do well inside the precinct. It’s now four years since the relocation of the flagship studio and, with the city also changing rapidly within this period, it’s a move that confirmed the brand’s reputation in the commercial district of the city at a crucial time, and which brought to bear a total rethink of traditional hairdressing premises and sites: “We wanted to be as near to the main shopping district as possible, and here we’re just a stone’s throw from Church Street.

“It was a maze of offices and corridors when we first saw the building, but when we ripped it out we found some fantastic skylights.

We used the designer Ian Wilson who worked on some salons for us previously, and he’s created a real Fifth Avenue feel here, on what is 16 MOVE COMMERCIAL

arguably the most beautiful street in Liverpool.”

The brand was not new to the business district, having had premises in Brunswick Street, but the relocation was a significant step in establishing its headquarters in a spacious building: “We wanted to expand our training premises and so we decided to use the space in St John’s and to set up our flagship salon elsewhere. Ideally, we were looking for a large shop of 3-4,000 sq ft, to accommodate the salon as well as beauty rooms and private meeting rooms. This location was perfect as it’s also not far from the shopping district on Church Street and Liverpool One, which is convenient for our clients. Weekdays are busy catering for the business community as well as Saturdays.

We open from 8am and until 8pm to cater for those coming to us before and after work. There’s a cosmopolitan feel to it as the city comes to life and it’s great to be trading as the working day ends and the nightlife in the city is just beginning.”

It was Peter Collinge’s awards for hairdressing which first brought the Collinge name to attention, and those salons’ reputation for

excellence which Andrew has built upon and extended with the Andrew Collinge brand. It was in working in one of his father’s salons during the summer in 1974 that Andrew discovered his passion, and from there began his career at the West Kirby salon, and later at Thatchers, the innovative cut and blow dry salon, in Liverpool. Andrew’s ambition and drive then took him to Michaeljohn in Mayfair, London, where he assisted in the styling of the stars, including Elizabeth Taylor. It was also in the capital that he met Liz, who was then a model for his hairdressing, now his wife and known for the brand of beauty products under her name.

Andrew is modest about his reputation and the salon’s, admitting that he worked hard for his achievements, travelling to Europe on numerous occasions for seminars and shows: “I was nominated for Hairdresser of the Year six or seven times before I won it in 1993 and in 1997, and I think I was the first to win it without being based in London.” His growing profile saw him become president of the Fellowship of British Hairdressers in 1996, following in the footsteps of his father who had held the

presidency in 1973. Andrew became a household name when working on This Morning for ITV, when it filmed in Liverpool, offering makeovers to viewers, alongside Liz: “We did over 500 shows during those nine years, and it was a fantastic experience.”

The company now operates six salons, two graduate salons and two training salons covering Liverpool, Wirral, Chester, Manchester, and Selfridges in the Trafford Centre.

The Heswall salon was established 23 years ago, the Ormskirk one 40 years ago by Peter Collinge; longevity matched by innovation and advancement. The company owns the premises at the Academy, where the head office is based alongside the training salon. As a managing agency for training, the training is integral to the business and, at any one time, 200 students are enrolled: “We’ve been awarded Beacon status and a Grade 1 in the OFSTED inspections for the past three years, and we also run, in the Academy at Seymour Terrace, private courses for qualified hairdressers from salons around the country. This was something my father started in the mid 1970s, and 30 years later, it’s still going strong.”

With one training salon based in

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Andrew Collinge Founding Fathers

“ ”

My father established the Collinge name as synonymous with excellence in hairstyling, and became a legend in the north-west for ladies’ hairdressing, and for training up hairdressers of the future.

St John’s shopping centre, the other at The Grange in Birkenhead, and a graduate salon at the Academy on Seymour Terrace, the floorspace given to educating the city’s hairstylists of the future is considerable. The St John’s studio is laid out to serve both the client and the student’s needs: “It’s been modeled to have a number of classrooms, and the salon is at the front, where graduates work under supervision and learn how to run their own columns of clients. The premises are ideally situated at the heart of the shopping district and, while the shopping centre has changed over the years, it remains a key venue for us and easily accessible for clients.”

The brand has certainly come a long way forwards since Andrew’s grandfather’s barber shop, which started in the north-west in 1911.

Andrew’s father developed his career in ladies’ hairdressing, competing against Vidal Sassoon, before establishing a chain of salons.

This began with Cooper’s Building opposite Henderson’s on Church Street in Liverpool in the mid 1950s: “My father established the Collinge name as synonymous with excellence in hairstyling, and became a legend in the north-west for ladies’ hairdressing, and for training up hairdressers of the future.” In 2008, Andrew Collinge’s artistic team styled the L’Oreal Colour Trophy Final at Earl’s Court, visited New York to give a seminar to British hairdressers, and styled Autumn Kelly for her wedding to Peter Phillips. Two stylists were also shortlisted this year for the prestigious national hairdressing awards.

The brand’s reputation in the capital and across the north-west has been matched by a growing awareness abroad. The launch of the product range in pharmacies and supermarkets in the UK, and in

Australia and New Zealand for the past 10 years, has seen the Andrew Collinge brand become global. The range will also be expanding into new markets in the Far East but this hasn’t stopped Andrew from viewing hairdressing as the company’s mainstay: “I’ve always believed that the salon is important; dressing clients’ hair comes first; that’s why so much of what we do involves travelling to shows and seminars.”

As Liverpool moves beyond Capital of Culture Year, Andrew is optimistic, having personally experienced the city’s new-found appeal: “This week alone I’ve got three different groups of clients coming up to visit. I’ll have meetings with journalists from magazines, our suppliers and retail chains, and they’ll all come up here. We’ll give them a fantastic welcome, with dinner in one of the top restaurants, and I’ll take care of their hair. Five or 10 years ago, it wasn’t as easy to encourage people to come up here.

Now, they’re really keen to see what we have to offer.

“With Liverpool One opening and the increased footfall in the city as a result of the past year, it’s really exciting for those of us who worked in Liverpool and traded here during the darker days.” It seems clear that it’s the city’s hardworking businesses which have created these opportunities. Andrew, for one, plans to open another salon this year: “The time is now right to expand, and we’re very excited about our plans to open another salon in Liverpool, this year, and about expanding our Heswall salon, after acquiring the shop next door.

“We’ve always invested a lot into the salons to make them a special place to visit, rather than trying to open as many as possible. Now we’re ready to build and expand the brand, starting here. Liverpool has a very bright future; it’s going to be a real destination city.”

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The first matter that must be considered is whether or not the tenant actually owns the plant or machinery. Is for example the plant leased/hire purchased or no finance? If it is then the landlord will not be able to exercise a lien.

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The final option to consider therefore is whether by the landlord taking possession of the plant, whether this would increase the pressure on the tenant to pay. The landlord must take possession of the plant but must carefully consider what action to take. For example if the tenant is excluded from the property this could constitute forfeiture of the lease rather than the landlord exercising a lien.

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18 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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Women in Construction Key events

Style in the City

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

1 1.Liz and Andrew Collinge with Heather Summers and Sarah Duncan,

JST LAWYER Sarah Duncan manages the Women in Construction group on Merseyside, and the latest event on the calendar involved a stylish evening at Andrew Collinge’s flagship store on Castle Street in Liverpool’s commercial district. The ladies only event saw guests gather for hair, make-up and beauty advice from the professionals over canapés and champagne for an enjoyable evening of networking and pampering.

JST Lawyers

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2. Andrew tousles a model’s hair 3. A model receives a makeover 4. Jane Harper and Pat Cobham from Cobhams, Jody Stockton from Wates, and Debra Grant from JST Lawyers

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5. Lindsay Gray, Lindsay Gray Residential, Antonia Martin-Wright from Bruntwood, Katy Roper from Bellway and Hollie Gaskell, Bruntwood 6. Rachel Hall, JST Lawyers with Caroline Heaps and Jan Blanchard from The One Above Ltd, and Sarah Duncan from JST Lawyers

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7. Laura Sherulker, Michelle Ryles and Ana Mateus, Austin Smith Lord 8. A model tries out a new style 9. Andrea Shaw and Alex Napper from Edward Symmons, with Sarah Deluga from Gilling Dod MOVE COMMERCIAL 19

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Sustaining growth in the prevailing times of economic uncertainty is arguably suited to those businesses whose expertise or product is tailored to a reduced budget. They are the recognisable beneficiaries of a contraction across the economy. The less obvious are those who are doing so due, not to a tailored offering, but the fact that they are able to ride with the times and evolve their business accordingly.

It’s what’s inside that counts CLAREMONT GROUP INTERIORS, the Warrington-based fit-out specialist, has a proven track record of evolution and managing director, Mike Gardner, is the main driver behind such change.

Since its conception in 1977, Claremont has gone through significant metamorphoses that have helped the company find its feet and eventually, to come of age. From furniture supplier to interior design and fit-out specialist and, more recently, encompassing the supply of audiovisual technology and multimedia, the company is now able to offer an overall solution to clients and avoid missed opportunities. Mike says: “We have our core business and our individual specialisms which allow us to cover the whole gamut of office interiors and provide a total environment for our clients.”

From his arrival as finance director in 1986, investing in a 10 per cent share in the company, Mike Gardner 20 MOVE COMMERCIAL

proved his interest in Claremont extended further than just employee.

Several buyouts and two decades later, Mike has extended his share to 30 per cent and cemented his commitment as managing director.

Mike’s dedication to Claremont is shared by his employees, 20 of whom raised £200,000 in 2000 to buy out the business’ venture capitalist and allow the company to now be solely owned by the board and members of staff: “As management we were very humbled by the fact that they were prepared to go and get second mortgages or whatever it took to invest in our company.” This sense of a shared interest in the success and fate of Claremont is what leads Mike to describe it “a family business without actually being a family business” and what he believes has enabled it to sustain growth for the past thirty years: “Undoubtedly as we've moved from being a furniture business to a fit-out business there have been

changes in personnel as we’ve looked at different skill sets but we now have around 25 people who’ve been with us more than 10 years and of those there are about 10 who've been with us for the best part of twenty years.

“While you have to ensure that doesn’t stifle new energy and growth, what it does provide is stability and a demonstration that people care.”

With such a strong and committed workforce alongside him, Mike Gardner has been able to take the company from strength to strength, adapting the business’ offering to suit changing markets but at the same time staying true to its roots: “In the first six months of this financial year we’ve won £17m worth of business and our target is to do £28m and we’re very much on plan to do that. Looking beyond that we can see £33m worth of business that we’re currently in dialogue for over the next year.

“In this climate, commercially, you

have to accept that prices are going to be tighter because people are going to be hungrier, and we’ve been able to demonstrate we’re very realistic about our prices.

“At the moment there is enough business out there for us to go and compete, what we’ve got to do is make ourselves available to win it.

If you equate it to musical chairs, while you’ve still got a chair, you’re still in the game, and for us it’s about winning business, which fortunately we seem quite good at doing, both because of our track record and our capabilities.”

But while winning business is important, for Claremont winning clients is the priority and they have recently taken on some very high profile contracts that will help to showcase their capabilities. The recent appointment to complete design and refurbishment works at Liverpool’s Royal Liver Building will see the firm fit-out both common areas on behalf of the landlord of

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Mike Gardner Movers & Shakers

the iconic building and the offices of some of its tenants. While there is inevitably some added pressure involved when taking on a project of this magnitude, Mike says their approach remains unchanged: “One of the constraints with this project is recognising that you need to get to a certain standard to be able to compete with the other buildings in Liverpool, so there are certain functional elements such as air conditioning that need to be included. But ultimately there is the same responsibility with this project as any other.

“As soon as you put your head above the parapet then in some ways you’re increasing the pressure because your reputation is at stake if you get it wrong.

“For us the Royal Liver is a fantastic opportunity, particularly in the current climate. The key is not to be restricted by the building’s heritage but to embrace it. And maybe when we’ve successfully

completed this project, India Buildings might look to do the same.”

Mike admits that his sales focus and approach to risk may belie his training as a chartered accountant but it is those characteristics that have informed his decisions regarding business and propelled Claremont to where it is today.

And in turn Mike and his team encourage businesses to think laterally in terms of design: “We challenge our clients’ brief because often there are myths that can be uncovered and debunked. A client may assume they need more meeting rooms than is really necessary; it may just be that they need to use an effective booking system.

“It’s not about providing a solution that is the same for everyone; businesses may have common challenges but they have individual needs and it’s about making sure we understand the initial brief. The

‘Trinny and Susannah’ approach is fantastic in lots of ways but it’s not the norm because people have to feel comfortable with their own clothing and the same applies to a business environment.”

As the largest fit-out business outside of London and a wealth of major projects across the northwest under its belt, Claremont now understandably considers itself very capable in terms of hard nose contracting: “We’re competing against national players who invariably come up north particularly when times are not so good and we want to be in a position to provide local businesses with a local alternative.

“Rather than businesses assuming that once a project gets to a certain size they have to go to London we want to send out the message that no they don’t, they can come to Claremont.”

Since Mike Gardner’s arrival at Claremont the company has seen

significant changes, most notably in terms of the scale and complexity of projects. The focus has now shifted to the creation of ‘intelligent businesses’ and is far more contract and fit-out orientated. Furthermore the addition of specialist divisions such as Viewpoint, offering audiovisual and communications solutions and Airangel, the firm’s sister company, specialising in branded guest internet access, Claremont has backed up its claim to ‘building a reputation on a willingness to innovate.’

Mike has led the business through exciting times, all be it interspersed with economic challenges, and the firm’s constant willingness to embrace and understand the technological changes occurring in the workplace has ensured it has not just survived but flourished: “It’s about not losing sight of your expertise but building on it and remembering your competitors are always chasing you.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 21

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Key events Welcome to Speke

Venturing forth

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

1 1.Kathy Humes and Jim and Annette Doran, Servicemaster

2

VENTURE HOUSE at Venture Point has welcomed Servicemaster as a new tenant. The Speke-based business park, which is managed by Liverpool Vision, welcomed dignitaries and guests at the launch where the official opening was conducted by Maria Eagle MP, drinks and canapÊs were served and speeches given on the area’s economic and physical regeneration.

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2. Andy Wallace, Liverpool Vision, with Jeff Porter, Move Publishing, and Peter Smith, Liverpool Vision 3. Lynette Moorcroft, Servicemaster and Tina Gould, executive member to the leader of Liverpool City Council 4. Colin Felton, Mike Phillipson and Steve Emmerson, Servicemaster 5. Maria Eagle, MP, with Daniel Hughes

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6. The ladies in pink: Janet Howarth, Kathy Humes, Cathy Bickerstaff, Anne Gannon, Annette Doran, Lynette Moorcroft, Barbara Kindred and Joan Daley with Neil Jones, Les Sutton, Eddie Holmes and Tom Hilton 7. Andy Wallace, Liverpool Vision, with Maria Eagle MP, Jim and Annette Doran, Servicemaster, and Rob Monaghan, Liverpool Vision

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8. Terry Lowe, Servicemaster, Chris Prescott, King Sturge, Lynette Moorcroft, Servicemaster 9. Steve Dwan, Hygenol, with Mike Connelly, CD Construction (Widnes) Ltd 10. Mike Phillipson and Jim Doran, Servicemaster, and Paul Lodge, Select Clutches 22 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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MOVE COMMERCIAL 23

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Wirral International Business Park may be the peninsula’s best-kept secret. A mix of local and international businesses, employing highly skilled workers in high specification buildings, enjoy unrivalled views of Liverpool’s waterfront and excellent access to the north-west’s major cities. This Wirral is not so sleepy after all.

Frank Rogers business development partner, Lees Lloyd Whitley Solicitors

Brendan Bilton managing director, Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

Riverside Park

High-performing peninsula MENTION WIRRAL International Business Park (WIBP) to the man on the street, and he may be confused with the well-known Croft Retail Park, where a cinema, bowling alley and a number of restaurants rub shoulders. On the semi-circular road behind that park though, the WIBP offers space to businesses from across the globe in legal and financial services, science and engineering, technology and manufacturing. Covering 830 acres, the site was recognised as a key location in the regional economy by the NWDA and was earmarked for new business and resources.

Riverside Park consists of eight Grade A office buildings in the 24 MOVE COMMERCIAL

business park’s second phase of redevelopment. This will provide more than 21,000 sq ft of office accommodation, built on a reclaimed brownfield site with views of the waterfront and parking for staff and clients. Lees Lloyd Whitley Solicitors moved into their new offices with just under 30,000 sq ft over three floors at the site at the end of 2007 and business development partner Frank Rogers says it’s been a success story: “Our roots on Wirral date back to the nineteenth century, and in that time we’ve had a strong presence just off Hamilton Square. When the lease came up for renewal last year we had three options; either we

could renew it, buy the building to control its destiny, or move. It wasn’t built for office use, and although Hamilton Square has, in the past, been seen as the jewel in Wirral’s crown, it had lost some of its former glory.

“We are a Wirral firm, although our clients are local and national, and we wanted to retain a presence here. InvestWirral was very supportive. They introduced us to Riverside Park and helped us to secure the space.”

In June this year, the department that was using the Liverpool office decided to move across to the site, retaining the city centre office just for client meetings. Although town

and city centres have traditionally been seen as the home of the legal and financial sectors, this didn’t deter Frank from wanting to move the firm, and this opinion, forwards: “It’s a myth that the city is prerequisite for excellence in these sectors. Here we have high specification, open plan office suites with a boardroom and video conferencing room, and a lounge area to have meetings or lunch in.”

As the first of what may soon be a large number of firms in the legal and financial sector, Lees Lloyd Whitley has already introduced itself to other major national and international players located on the park, and it’s apparent that

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Wirral Focus

Paul Graham conference and events manager, Leverhulme Hotel

increasing numbers of business transactions may soon be taking place here rather than in the town centre. Rather than being viewed as an out of town destination, firms in WIBP are just as connected to Wirral’s business community as those in Birkenhead town centre.

Lees Lloyd Whitley will be hanging pieces of art in their new premises, designed and made by students at Wirral Metropolitan College’s art department. They’re also funding a fellowship in Fine Art at the college, and continue to sponsor Claire House with initiatives such as sending electronic greetings cards, and donating the cost of buying cards to the charity. Frank adds: “This move would have been thought impossible 10 years ago, but it’s been the best thing we’ve done in decades. We now have unrivaled views of the waterfront, on site parking for staff and clients and it’s incredibly accessible if you’re coming by car down any of the major routes from across the north-west. Our clients have welcomed our move without any reservations, and it’s given our staff the modern working environment which they deserve.”

As Frank says, the Wirral of the past may have been a slumbering giant, but the peninsula is beginning to wake up to a bright future. At Riverside Park, the plan is to construct eight buildings on the site to accommodate companies in the financial and professional services sector, with car parking facilities for their staff and clients.

Just down the road, a pilot manufacturing project making ceramic for fuel cells operates from a lab space in an older building on the park. Brendan Bilton is managing director of Ceramic Fuel

Leverhulme Hotel

Cells Limited, which develops and produces planar solid oxide fuel cell technology for use in fuel cells, and with a view to entering the European ceramics market. The project was established on Wirral because of the space and facilities on offer, its proximity to major cities and transport links, the skilled workforce in the region, and because the region has an excellent reputation for chemical engineering. Brendan commented: “There are just six of us on the site, and we recruited locally. It’s a pilot plant, but the plan is to expand within these premises over the next few years.

“Zirconia, which we process, is the second most used ceramic in the world. There’s a large market for it which we may enter in the future, including zirconia for insulation in batteries, as a coating on a jet engine, and on hip implants and jewellery.

“As this is a pilot plant, it’s all about the control systems and to do it on a larger scale and produce more zirconia we’d need to upgrade everything to the right scale, but in this building, the old Candy plant, we have the space to do that. Some modern buildings have a height of eight and a half metres, but some of our equipment is taller than that by 20 cm, so we need these high ceilings.”

CFC Ltd’s premises provide 25,000 sq ft of which only 8,000 are currently being used, offering plenty of scope for development as the production of zirconia increases. Brendan puts this into perspective: “We’re expecting the output of zirconia will be up from 15 tonnes a year to somewhere near 100 tonnes once we’ve expanded, but that’s a little way off.”

A few minutes away, and the business park is home to a number of blue chip companies such as Brystol-Myers Squibb, Shell UK, Meyer Prestige, D1 Oils, food manufacturers Bake Mark, Typhoo Tea and CPUK. The powerful commercial energy of the area brings the entrepreneurial vision of Lord Leverhulme, who created the model village for the employees of his soap business at Port Sunlight, into the twenty first century. Lord Lever’s vision of a well catered-for workforce came to the fore with employment, housing and leisure activity in the village, and the local area continues to offer beautiful residential properties. Yet, with so many businesses in such proximity it’s also become apparent that the area’s leisure offering needs to up its game. Brendan Bilton is just one major player hoping that the hotel industry will address the needs of visitors to Wirral. Increasing numbers of international clients and customers from across the UK are making frequent appearances at meetings and conferences on the peninsula, and the accommodation and restaurant offer is not seen, as yet, to meet these growing needs.

One business that hopes soon to be addressing this gap in the market is the Leverhulme Hotel in Port Sunlight, just a few minutes away from the headquarters of many major companies on the WIBP. Located on the site of the old cottage hospital on the Lever estate, it is currently expanding to increase its rooms from 15 to 55, and to include a ballroom, gymnasium, pool and spa for clients. Paul Graham, conference and events manager, said the area has increasingly been catering

Laura Downing Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited

to the business market.

“We have a diverse mixture of companies in the area, and so we have a number of foreign directors from international companies arriving for meetings.

Our underground conference facilities will accommodate up to 100 guests, in surroundings I’d describe as art deco with a contemporary twist.”

The owners of the Contessa brand, Craig and Lisa Baker, who are also responsible for the Hillbark in Frankby, purchased the site in 2006 and transformed it from a derelict building into its present glory, restoring the original sash windows and uncovering the hospital’s attractive stone mosaic floor. In a Grade II listed building, this can’t have been easy, but the rewards should be great considering that, just a year on, it’s already attracting the local and the business community.

With contracts worth hundreds of millions of pounds from the Ministry of Defence placed with Northwestern ship repairers and Shipbuilders (NSL), and the Wirral Waters project in the pipeline for the peninsula, it’s clear that the area is becoming a hotspot for the diverse business sector in the north-west. Clients and staff can work, rest and play in surroundings that offer the best in accommodation, parking and technology, coupled with stunning views and picturesque retreats to tempt in leisure hours.

At the same time a base for international enterprise and a more rural landscape, Wirral’s International Business Park may not be kept a secret for much longer.

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26 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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Merseyside Transport Update Focus Transport in and around the Liverpool City Region is key to the area’s sustainability and economic growth, and recent projects have taken this on board to attract investors and to manage congestion and pollution. New and improved routes and extended public transport services within an integrated system are essential for the region’s accessibility. This is our guide to tracking the changes in the Liverpool City Region’s transport network.

Tracking the region’s progress in transport

The Mersey Gateway Description: A new tolled bridge to link Halton and south Merseyside with Warrington and Manchester.

Location: Halton Developer: Halton Borough Council will enter a competitive process in late 2009/early 2010 to select the concessionaire who will then build and operate The Mersey Gateway.

Costs: £431million.

Funded by: Government grant of £86million from the regional funding allocation, a private finance initiative of £123million and the rest (77 per cent) by toll revenue.

Agencies involved: Mersey Gateway Project Team.

Supporters: John Lennon Airport, owned by Peel Holdings Plc, O’Connor Group of Companies.

Aims and benefits expected: To make Halton a better place to live and work. The new bridge is expected to change the traffic through the area, reducing it by 80 per cent on the Silver Jubilee Bridge, reducing journey times, improving health and linking the northwest to the rest of the country more efficiently.

Regional related spin offs: The new gateway will mean that essential maintenance work can be carried out upon the Silver Jubilee bridge in Runcorn, which will return to a bridge for local

users with pedestrian and cycle access, two lanes and will also be tolled. There will be discounts for frequent users; those that are travelling within the Halton borough. Consistency of journey times is also expected to be a key outcome, and benefits to the freight and transporter industries.

Work begun? Not yet: to be decided upon the outcome of a public inquiry.

Work scheduled to complete: 2014.

On target? Currently the subject of a public inquiry.

The Liverpool Canal Link

Description: The extension of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, which currently ends at the lock flight running down to Stanley Dock, near the Eldonian Village.

Location: The canal link will extend through the disused Central Docks, across the Pier Head in front of the Three Graces, and into the South Docks.

Developer: Balfour Beatty at the Pier Head, Countryside Neptune at Mann Island and Pierse Contracting at Central Docks.

Costs: £20m.

Funded by: British Waterways, Northwest Regional Development Agency, Merseyside Objective One Programme, English Partnerships and Peel Holdings Plc. Agencies involved: British Waterways has worked in conjunction with various funding partners and contractors to deliver this scheme.

Supporters: Liverpool Vision and Liverpool City Council, Oxford Archaeology North and Maritime Museum.

Aims and benefits expected: The canal link will provide a further 1.4 miles of navigable waterway to the 127 mile Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The route includes two new locks, open channels and tunnels. At the Pier Head the development will provide access to the water's edge and utilise space for the public to enjoy.

Regional related spin offs: British Waterways estimates the benefits of the scheme will include: “around 200,000 extra visitors annually to the Liverpool waterfront, spending an extra £1.9million each year; an estimated £2.2million in expenditure annually on boating related activities; 187 person years of temporary construction related employment; 173 net additional local jobs, an estimated £3.3million per annum in net additional gross value added to the local economy, an increase in property prices in the immediate canal link area and wider corridor and wider socio-economic impacts such as an improved city image.”

Work begun? January ’07 at Pier Head.

Work scheduled to complete: December 2008 and will be open to boats in Spring 2009.

On target? Yes. MOVE COMMERCIAL 27

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John Lennon Airport’s new KLM Gateway Description: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has announced its intention to operate new services out of John Lennon Airport renewing a partnership which first began seventy years ago.

Location: Speke, Liverpool.

Developer: N/A. Costs: N/A. Funded by: N/A. Agencies involved: KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (Peel Airports Group), The Mersey Partnership.

Supporters: N/A. Aims and benefits expected: From 29 March 2009, KLM cityhopper will operate a new scheduled service three times daily between Amsterdam and Liverpool, connecting the Liverpool City Region

with over 100 worldwide destinations on KLM’s own intercontinental network and with over 650 destinations across KLM’s Skyteam partner networks.

Regional related spin offs: It is expected that the region’s increased connectivity to the rest of the world via this new gateway will be a significant driver for future growth across sectors such as tourism. The flights will also aid the city’s business relations with international markets.

Work begun: Seats on flights have been bookable since November at KLM reservations and local travel agents.

Work scheduled to complete: Flights will commence from 29 March 2009.

On target? Yes.

Revised City Centre Bus Network Description: Merseytravel has recast the city centre bus network, following deregistration of some of the city’s key services. S1, S2, S3, 4 and 11 bus routes have been terminated and four new services have been created including the C2, C3, C4 and 139 routes.

Location: Various.

Developer: Merseytravel.

Costs: Not disclosed.

Funded by: Merseytravel.

Agencies involved: Merseytravel, Arriva.

Supporters: N/A. Aims and benefits expected: The new C2 service will improve connections to the city’s waterfront, linking in with the operation times of the Mersey Ferries serving Queen Square Bus Station.

C3 will maintain many cross-city connections taking in prominent locations such as the two cathedrals and Royal Liverpool Hospital. C4 will link Dingle to Queen Square Bus Station, picking up elements of the previous 11 route.

Regional related spin offs: The creation of four new services will see an improved network in some areas with new and stronger connections to key city destinations and ensure the continuity of services in many others.

Work begun: N/A. Work scheduled to complete: The service changes came into effect on 27 December 2008.

On target? Yes.

West Coast Main Line upgrade Description: Network Rail has completed its engineering work to improve the West Coast Main Line, the key route linking London with cities such as Liverpool and Birmingham.

Location: London – Scotland West Coast Main Line.

Developer: Network Rail.

Costs: £9bn.

Funded by: Network Rail. Funding of around £50m over seven years also came from the European Commission.

Agencies involved: Network Rail has delivered this improvement working with industry partners such as Virgin Trains, London Midland and EWS. Supporters: N/A. Aims and benefits expected: The improved infrastructure will now facilitate faster, more frequent services across the route.

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Regional related spin offs: Train services across the network will increase by over 30 per cent. The upgrade has allowed Virgin Trains to introduce new timetables, which include a new daily two-hour train service from Liverpool Lime Street to London Euston.

There will be more trains, running at faster speeds between Liverpool and London and more direct services at weekends. These improved links to the capital will facilitate connectivity for business users and in the long term encourage inward investment into the city.

Work begun: 2003.

Work scheduled to complete: Completed December 2008.

On target? Completed.

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Merseyside Transport Update Focus Merseytram Line One Description: The Merseytram system was proposed to run east from Liverpool City Centre to Kirkby.

Location: Liverpool to Kirkby.

Developer: Merseytravel.

Costs: Merseytravel advised government in May 2005 that total public sector costs had increased by 40 per cent to £315m.

Merseytravel’s contribution not disclosed.

Funded by: Merseytravel, Department of Transport.

Agencies involved: Merseytravel, Department of Transport.

Supporters: Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Royal Liverpool Hospital.

Aims and benefits expected: To create an 18km tramway from Kings Waterfront to Kirkby town centre including 30 tram stops and a 750 vehicle Park and Ride site. The scheme will provide a high quality public transport service, which will integrate well with existing transport networks.

Regional related spin offs: To bring clear transportation, regeneration and socioeconomic benefits to the area.

Work begun: Planning approval given in December 2004. Merseytravel advised Department of Transport of increase in public sector costs in May 2005. The government has refused to increase its contribution but is still committed to the original funding figure of £170 million. In June 2005 the Government asked for assurances that no further requests for government funding. Not all Merseyside districts have been prepared to give such undertakings and so the project is currently on hold.

Work scheduled to complete: Merseytram is in dialogue about the revised business case for Merseytram Line One and obtaining political backing for the scheme and have the powers to begin work on the project until February 2010.

On target? No.

Hall Lane Gateway Description: Hall Lane Strategic Gateway is a project to improve the important route into the city centre from the M62.

Location: The scheme will provide a link between Edge Lane West, Erskine Street and Islington.

Developer: Birse.

Costs: £20 million.

Funded: Department of Transport and European Regional Development Fund Agencies involved: Liverpool City Council.

Supporters: Royal Liverpool Hospital, the local community and road users.

Aims and benefits expected: To improve one of the main arterial routes into the city centre from the M62, providing a much improved traffic route for vehicles entering Liverpool from the east. The new alignment

will take traffic away from the residential areas of Hall Lane and Towerlands Street and will be in dual carriageway form for most of its length. The junction at Low Hill will be improved and this new north south link will improve traffic flow between Islington and Grove Street.

Regional related spin offs: Development opportunities will be created including the formation of new frontage to the proposed Royal Liverpool Hospital development.

Work begun: Planning approval was given at the end of 2008 and work is due to start in April 2009.

Work scheduled to complete: Autumn 2010.

On target: Yes.

Merseyside Cycle Strategy Description: Programme of engineering, information and training to increase cycling, including building, sign posting and maintaining a network of cycle routes.

Location: Merseyside.

Developer: Merseyside Transport Partnership (Merseytravel and Knowsley, Liverpool, Sefton, St Helens and Wirral Councils).

Costs: £1.5m-£2m pa.

Funded by: Cycle Strategy is part of Merseyside's Local Transport Plan. Merseyside Transport Partnership receives government funding to deliver this transport strategy and improvement programme. Additional funding partners include Cycling England, Sustrans, EU and developers making contributions through planning permissions.

Agencies involved: Merseyside Transport Partnership through Travelwise.

Supporters: Developers, architects, companies, universities, hospitals and schools who develop Travel Plans, which encourage

sustainable travel. The health and education sectors, CTC, Sustrans and Cycling Solutions as well as cycle shops.

Aims and benefits expected: To increase cycling trips by 10 per cent from 2006 to 2011.

Regional related spin offs: This would improve the health and safety in the region considerably, ease congestion and, if successful, would work towards making the region a more appealing option for new business to relocate. Successful European cities have much higher levels of cycling than Liverpool does currently. It would also contribute to a better environment and low carbon economy.

Work begun: 2006.

Scheduled to complete: 2011.

On target: There are signs that people are using bikes more and, according to Travelwise the programme is developing well, but it is too soon for the data to tell a clear story yet.

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30 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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Culture in focus Talking Point

Stuart Keppie, Keppie Massie

Carol Kavanagh, Alphabet Design

Ann Lodge, Downing

At the beginning of 2009, the business community in Liverpool should be feeling the effects of Capital of Culture Year, but what are the tangible benefits and will they make any difference in the current economic climate? We spoke to Stuart Keppie of Keppie Massie, Ann Lodge from Downing and Carol Kavanagh from Alphabet Design for their thoughts on how the city has and can continue to reap the rewards of Culture Year within its business community.

Liverpool’s Culture Legacy The setting was the chic 60 Hope Street in the city’s picturesque Georgian Quarter, where a first class lunch was served in colourful surroundings in an iconic area; particularly apt for our discussion of cultural success.

What, for you, have been the benefits for the city’s economy as a result of Capital of Culture Year?

SK: The benefits of Capital of Culture Year have been enormous, despite the effects of the economic downturn over the last 12 months.

The Capital of Culture context has no doubt helped us, as Liverpool One has given us a real boost, and the new arena and convention centre has attracted important events like the British Council of Shopping Centres conference, which really is unique for the city.

AL: For the past 30 years, it’s fair

to say that Liverpool had a fairly negative image. Capital of Culture has done wonders for the city’s perception across the UK, and the arena is going to be key to business tourism here.

CK: With the MTV coverage alone, it’s been phenomenal.

SK: It’s been a highlight of the 12 months. I personally wish I had paid more attention to the events taking place as the ones I’ve been to have been superb.

AL: There really was something for everyone to take advantage of throughout the year, although not everyone could take advantage of everything. Some events in particular really did get national recognition, like the Royal Variety performance.

SK: Or the Tall Ships, you went to that as well didn’t you? The atmosphere was like being

somewhere on holiday, with people just enjoying the waterfront.

AL: Yes, there was a real buzz!

That has to have been good for the business tourist market.

CK: And in terms of solid improvements to the city, the new bus station is a massive improvement and will make a huge difference to shoppers. It’s so much more conveniently situated now.

SK: Yes, although in some ways the most important aspect of the transport is the airport. To attract the global market we need aspiration. It’s easy to be critical of big developments and pick holes, but all credit to Grosvenor because there was nothing like Liverpool One before.

AL: KLM coming to the John Lennon Airport is going to be massive, and will really open us up to the world.

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Which event, in your opinion, has been most responsible for putting the city on the map?

SK: We’ve had so many; the Tall Ships, the spider, the MTV awards.

AL: I think the MTV awards were a real finale to the year. I watched it on the television, and Liverpool was mentioned all the way through, and the city really did get the recognition it deserved.

CK: Klimt was an excellent exhibition, and Simon Rattle coming back to the Phil too; it was an incredible year.

Are you aware of how much has been spent on events for local people?

CK: I read that La Machine cost £2 million and I think we have been kept informed. There’s always someone who will complain about the cost and how can it be justified, but the truth is, we’ve never had an event like that before. The spider was worth every penny; it was a resounding success. The local press may not have put the positive spin on it which it deserved, but like the majority of the events, we’ve been kept well informed and the money’s been well spent.

SK: I agree. We all did the Superlambanana trail. That was something which just gathered incredible speed and the Superlambanana has become a real icon for Liverpool.

CK: I know that it won a lot of support from expats who left blogs, or came back to visit, and I think in terms of costs the money has been well spent.

Do you think enough was done to involve the city’s businesses this year?

AL: The Mersey Partnership did a really good job, and will continue to work now to bring in future investment, which can only be a good legacy of the year.

CK: I personally think that a number of businesses, including myself, could have been much more involved, but we weren’t asked.

I would have liked to have had more involvement with the events and to have had an input, but I think that this was damaged by in-fighting in the period beforehand.

SK: It’s certainly true that before Capital of Culture, more could have been done to educate the business community about what would be happening during the year. The political problems here and political in-fighting of recent times hasn’t helped. It’s also not right that the majority of business couldn’t use the logo.

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CK: That made it seem as though the logo was an exclusive club.

SK: It catered for bigger businesses who could afford to pay to use the logo, and not the smaller ones in the region, and that’s been a shame. The Mersey Partnership isn’t cheap to join either, which may prove to be a problem later on and hold us back.

Critics have said that the Klimt exhibition didn’t showcase some of his most important works.

Do you think there have been occasions where event organisation has let us down?

AL: No, I really think the city was really well organised with street cleaning and a police presence.

CK: I think that the Klimt exhibition at the Tate was really well done.

It had some really famous pieces in it, and the Tate always does a brilliant job. The giant spider ‘La Machine’ was fantastic and worked really well, and the Capital of Culture Year should prove to be a major springboard for us.

Are there any disappointments though, from a business perspective?

SK: I still think it’s a shame that Liverpool One opened half-way through the year, as in an ideal world all the shops would have been ready at the beginning of the year. The opening though, and the opening of the arena, were two of the biggest events of the year and they have been two of the biggest factors to carry it through. Even Manchester doesn’t have an arena with conference facilities.

AL: I think though that the organisation of the arena has frustrated a number of people, as it’s confused those who don’t know it is a convention centre. If people take a cab from the airport and say to the driver, ‘I’d like to go to the conference centre’, the taxi drivers don’t always know where that is, and they should do!

SK: There are also some key sites that need finishing off. There are still physical gaps where we could benefit in the current climate if they were filled. There’s an argument that we need decent office space, but we also need people to move in and fill it for growth.

The Culture Company stated that Liverpool received £200 million of positive press. Do you believe that the press coverage we’ve received has helped to change the city’s image, and has this been a job well done?

CK: I’m sorry to say it but the local press hasn’t always been supportive of the events for the year, and has

“

Capital of Culture has done wonders for the city’s perception across the UK, and the arena is going to be key to business tourism here.

”

at times put a very negative take on what’s been happening. The national press has been far more encouraging, with coverage in The Times and a number of dailies and weekend papers talking up what’s been going on.

SK: I completely agree.

AL: So do I. In terms of marketing, The Mersey Partnership has a long way to go, even though it has already made great strides. It’s not a time for anyone to be negative though.

CK: No, it’s a time to be proud.

What’s your understanding of how work will progress this year?

AL: Parking is a concern which I hope will be addressed, and I’ve also heard about plans for Bold Street which should keep the retailers’ momentum going.

SK: Yes, and in the longer term, there are incredible plans for the region.

The Liverpool and Wirral Waters schemes must have made the local authorities quite gleeful. Essentially, Peel Holdings is doing the job of regeneration for the councils. They’re ambitious, aspirational plans, which Liverpool needs. I do have my own reservations about the sustainability and the marketability of the plans but that’s still not to criticise Peel; if it all comes off then this will really allow the region to attack the global market.

AL: I agree. Peel’s is a 50-year plan and we can’t afford to take a negative attitude to it or we’ll just fall into a trap of doing ourselves out of something incredible. It’ll change everything and bring new jobs, and we can’t afford not to be behind it.

SK: The flaw in the plans though is the sustainability.

AL: But that’s the question of the chicken and the egg; the project is just beginning.

CK: It should certainly help to stem the brain drain. I can’t see anyone with a better plan to do this.

What is the legacy of the year for businesses?

SK: For retailers like John Lewis, it’s been a good year and the store has always done well in Liverpool. It must have also given the shops on Church Street a boost because the city’s so much easier to walk around now. For the Metquarter I think it is slightly worrying, but now that Liverpool One has opened it should do better.

AL: At Downing, we’re not concerned about the perceived oversupply of apartments which people have been talking about. Of course, no developer wants apartments that they can’t sell but we’re confident

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Culture in focus Talking Point

that the good quality ones will find their way out there and into the market. We need city centre apartments to put us on a par with the rest of the major cities in Europe.

CK: This also needs to be followed by schools and supermarkets and other facilities though.

AL: The problem we have at the moment is that developments have been investor-led due to the boom in the market in recent years. Owneroccupiers are crucial to the market though, and we should encourage more retired people to live here, as it’s so convenient for them with transport and security.

CK: We also need to create a café culture and attract more people into town.

AL: That has been happening, and now being in the city centre at night-time is like being on holiday.

SK: Where we’re sitting now, we’re also at the heart of the student community. Liverpool really has upped the ante and offers students a sophisticated package more than ever before. We have really good, world-class courses here, and Capital of Culture has only added to the package for people to want to move here for work. We now just need to make sure we attract the graduates to keep them here.

AL: The universities aren’t always recognised but they are the ones bringing in students and graduates and are boosting the economy. We need to retain the graduates and build on that.

CK: Liverpool does have a great reputation in its universities which we should all be proud of; it’s a good city to be a student in.

SK: Liverpool as a brand is stronger abroad than other cities in the UK. The rest of the country likes to

“

We’ve got to get it right in Liverpool then, before we can make a start on marketing and promoting the region…

”

denigrate Liverpool, but now Liverpool is far more cosmopolitan and has benefited as a result. The people here have a real work ethic, and we just need to reintegrate people from outside the city, and I think this is already happening.

Has it been too city centre focused or has the year brought local councils together to work?

SK: The category ‘Merseyside’ has been done away with in favour of the ‘Liverpool City Region’ and that has been to show that the brand emanates from the city centre.

We’ve got to get it right in Liverpool then, before we can make a start on marketing and promoting the region and it will depend on all sorts of things like transport.

The out of town office market has seen a steady growth, in Speke, Widnes and further outside the city. I’m not sure though that The Mersey Partnership has promoted the whole region. Southport is very affluent and the hotel offering is fantastic. It will be intriguing to see the huge developments on the M62 at the Omega site; that’s another aspirational plan.

Liverpool has been said to be riding the crest of a wave; did you experience this firsthand?

SK: I think that because of the past year we may escape some of the effects of the recession.

In terms of employment, Liverpool doesn’t compare to Manchester and so if jobs are being lost across the different sectors then that decline won’t affect Liverpool.

AL: It’s the survival of the fittest at the moment.

SK: There are some schemes that haven’t survived, such as the tram between the docks and the airport.

How do we carry on this momentum?

SK: We need to keep encouraging inward investment; there’s no better time as the current economic climate should help us as we give better value for money.

CK: The SMEs aren’t being looked after at the moment though.

AL: It’s a national problem at the moment, but it’s also happening here.

SK: A small conveyancing practice can’t afford the P.I. cover and the result is, it goes out of business; but firms should be helped and encouraged. There’s also a real lack at the moment of start up business.

It’s just too expensive and firms need a leg-up.

AL: We need to use Capital of Culture to reach out for inward investment and highlight our diverse offer here.

Restaurant service, leisure facilities, everything is on the up, and so are our expectations.

SK: The test will be when it comes to the public sector. At the moment, does any Manchester firm use a Liverpool supplier? It’s always the other way around – but maybe that will now change. Liverpool needs to set its sights high, and it is already doing this. Hill Dickinson moving into St Paul’s Square is a big step in the right direction.

To book a table at 60 Hope Street telephone 0151 707 6060. The food follows a seasonal calendar with a daily specials menu as well as the a la carte, and is renowned for its seafood and fish dishes.

The private dining room is also available for business lunches, dinners and parties, seating up to 10 people.

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Gateway to the Waterfront Key events

Widnes is pointing forwards

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

1 1. John Moseley and Graham Hale, Hale Group

2

THE FORWARD PARTNERSHIP celebrated the completion of its £2.4 million Forward Point scheme at the Widnes Waterfront with a breakfast launch where guests mingled with racy Italians – the Alfa Romeo models they had the chance to test-drive. The Grade A office development is the first scheme of its kind in Widnes for over a decade, providing 16,500 sq ft of space across three buildings at the Widnes Waterfront gateway.

3

4

2. One of the sleek Alfa Romeo models available for guests to admire and test-drive 3. Winner of an Alfa Spider for a weekend, Simon Roddam, BE Group with Chris Wright, The Forward Partnership 4. Tim Leather, Wesley Rourke and Gareth Bennett of Halton borough council

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5. Jonathan Baucher, Cushman & Wakefield, Robert Diggle and Paul Parker, Edward Symmons 6. Ian Threadgold and Dave Billington, Globe, Damian Cafferty, The Forward Partnership and Paul Fraser, Tweeds

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7. Simon Roddam, BE Group with Robert Diggle and Paul Parker, Edward Symmons 8. Tim Leather, Halton borough council, Emily Parkinson, Colliers CRE and Wesley Rourke, Halton borough council 9. The completed Forward Point MOVE COMMERCIAL 35

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For Sa For Sale ale / TTo o LLet et Grade e A Office Offifice Space Sp pace Cityy P Point, oin nt, Greatt Homer Street S reet 27,500 sq feet 16 Self Contained Containe ed Multi-Floor Office Offices es Onsite Parking Parking LLess ess than one m mile ile from the City Ce Centre entre

www.oscardevelop.com www .osca osca arde elop com ardevelop.

For more For e infor information ma ation call 015 51 298 2 795 0151 2795

36 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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City Point Launch Key events

Office suites at the city’s gateway

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

1

OSCAR DEVELOPMENTS unveiled the new office suites at City Point on Great Homer Street with a deluxe breakfast buffet for agents and clients.

A tour of the building’s high specification self-contained suites, with raised flooring, comfort cooling and separate kitchen facilities, was also provided, all complemented by outstanding views of the city’s landmarks.

1. Jim Marshall, JWM Commercial, Pat Loftas, Oscar Developments and Paul Day, Muirs Associates

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2. Rupert Lowe, Keppie Massie, Robert Diggle and Paul Parker, Edward Symmons 3. Andrew Owen, Mason Owen and Graham Bowling, Knight Frank 4. Jonathan Baucher, Cushman & Wakefield, with Neil Kirkham, Hitchcock Wright & Partners and Roy Backhouse, Roy Backhouse & Co

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5. Brian Ricketts, Hitchcock Wright & Partners, Stuart Keppie, Keppie Massie, and Alastair Newman, King Sturge 6. Tony Reed and Andrew Byrne, Keppie Massie 7. Jon Swain, Mason & Partners, Robin Evans, Matthews & Goodman and Tim Garnett, CB Richard Ellis 8. Paul Thorne, Mason Owen and Helen Moss, King Sturge

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9. Janice Mears, The Mersey Partnership, Mark Worthington, CB Richard Ellis and Andrew Owen, Mason Owen 10. John Golledge, Liverpool Vision and Cllr Joe Anderson, Labour Party leader 11. Natalie Fox, Active Profile, John Brown, Knight Frank, and Anna Heyes, Active Profile MOVE COMMERCIAL 37

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Whispers As the New Year begins we look back on the final months of 2008 with quiet reflection…a year of dos, deals and developments – in reverse order of course! Whispers was there, as always, sourcing material for our column – although with an increasing amount of ‘inside whispers’ winging their way to us, we may have to soon hang up our party hats.

Recent national tabloid gossip suggests Downing employees are mingling with the rich and famous away from the office…having worked in the past with Mick Jagger and David Bowie, Robin Ellis, ‘Britain’s poshest builder’ has ‘gone to the wall after Russian billionaire clients failed to pay their bills.’ Considering Downing’s current levels of activity we’re surprised Robin has any time to dedicate to constructing the homes of stars, or could there be an impostor?

Forget ‘working lunches’, in the commercial property world agents are expected to work OUT just for their breakfast. At the recent City Point launch attendees were treated to a tasty morning treat…but had to climb several flights of stairs first because the lifts were not yet in action!

They should have gone to the recent Towngate launch where agents were encouraged to take part in The Forklift Truck Challenge. Normally ones to rise to a challenge (as the numbers who regularly take part in Wii competitions attests) Merseyside agents decided on this occasion to opt out – it would seem that virtual bravery is easier to muster!

Claremont must know something we don’t about Swiss innovation in hydraulics – apparently Switzerland was the port of call when the fit-out specialists were weighing up ‘lift suitability’ for the Liver

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Building! It would seem Claremont is always prepared to go that extra mile!

Even at festive bashes Move Commercial journalists are proud to say they’re never offduty…but is proofreading the sign for a venue’s conveniences a step too far?

Downing has put forward Peter Keppie as a potential candidate for Move Commercial’s ‘Rising Star’ profile…we can’t possibly think why!!

COMMERCE PARK, BIRKENHEAD • Industrial and trade counter units from 600 sqft to 25,000 sqft • Highly prominent position along A41 • Newly completed trade scheme • Popular trade and commercial location

Peter Keppie…the man to BUZZ at Downing.

Happy to hear whispers marie@movepublishing.co.uk

Gladstone House Union Court, Liverpool, L2 4UQ W: www.masonowen.com E: liverpool@masonowen.com T: 0151 242 3000 F: 0151 236 2569

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Changing hands Deals

Latest deals Property: Suites 2 & 4, Building 2, Riverside Park, Bromborough Leased by: Riverside Park Developments Ltd (Mason Owen) To whom: Wirral PCT Purpose: Letting Space: 8,393 sq ft For how long: 10 years with mid-way rent review For how much: £96,508 p/a Property: Queen Elizabeth Hall, Albert Dock, Liverpool Leased by: Albert Dock Company (DTZ) To whom: What’s Cooking Group Purpose: Letting Space: 3,830 sq ft For how long: 10 years For how much: £90,000 p/a Property: Brookfield Business Park, Aintree Leased by: Priority Sites (Hitchcock, Wright and Partners) To whom: Aintree Electrical Supplies Purpose: Letting Space: 4,072 sq ft For how long: 5 years For how much: £5 per sq ft Property: Unit 20, Matchworks, Speke Leased by: Urban Splash To whom: Five Children and Families Trust Purpose: Letting Space: 3,513 sq ft For how long: 6 years For how much: £25,000 p/a Property: 3rd and 4th Floors Compton House, School Lane, L1 Leased by: Grosvenor Liverpool Fund (Knight Frank/Keppie Massie) To whom: Peppered Sprout Ltd Purpose: Letting Space: 4,350 sq ft For how long: 5 years For how much: £16 per sq ft Property: Meridian Business Village, Hunts Cross Leased by: Prospect (GB) (GVA Grimley/Hitchcock Wright and Partners) To whom: Gilligan Legal Costs Management Purpose: Letting Space: 1,380 sq ft For how long: 5 years For how much: £13.50 per sq ft

Big deals W

What’s the deal?

Following its recent high profile launch, Langtree has secured the first letting at its new business park in St Helens, Mere Grange.

What’s the purpose?

UK-wide construction business, Miller Construction (UK) Ltd has taken a 3,316 sq ft office on a five year lease.

What’s the background?

The first phase of this development has seen Langtree, through a joint venture with national regeneration agent English Partnerships, deliver over 54,000 sq ft of accommodation offering 10 high quality speculative buildings as either detached or semi-detached self-contained offices from 3,400 to 10,100 sq ft.

“Our aim is to bring new jobs and opportunities to St Helens.”

Jayne Furnival Langtree

W

Who’s behind the deal?

Miller Construction is part of The Miller Group, the UK’s largest privately owned construction, property development and housebuilding business.

Frank Joyce, area director of Miller, said: “The decision to relocate from Manchester to St Helens was made easier by both Mere Grange’s excellent location, which allows access to the north-west motorway links, and also the high quality of the offices and surrounding landscaping.”

Who secured the deal?

Senior property manager of Langtree, Jayne Furnival, said: “We are delighted that Miller Construction chose Mere Grange, and as a further 3,400 sq ft is under offer we hope to have a second occupier imminently. Our aim is to bring new jobs and opportunities to St Helens and Mere Grange has been designed to meet the exacting standards of modern occupiers.”

What’s the deal?

Gelert have taken a 103, 073 sq ft unit on Ditchfield Road in Widnes on a 15-year lease.

What’s the purpose?

Outdoor equipment and clothing specialists Gelert will use the distribution facility, The Bear, for the expansion of its national distribution network.

What’s the background?

The site was chosen by Gelert as it is strategically located to access the national motorway network. The Bear is a high specification facility owned by Threadneedle Property Investments Ltd and has the capacity to expand up to 150,000 sq ft.

“We are seeing a substantial number of industrial lettings being undertaken in a difficult market.”

Who’s behind the deal?

Gelert, the high quality UK camping brand, has been based in Snowdonia for thirty years and its products are stocked in various outlets across the north-west.

Who secured the deal?

CBRE acted on behalf of Threadneedle Property Investments Ltd. Howard George, senior director of the industrial agency at CBRE, said: “We are seeing a substantial number of industrial lettings being undertaken in a difficult market. Already in this quarter we have let 210,000 sq ft in Ellesmere Port, 50,000 sq ft in Chester, and now 103,000 sq ft in Widnes.”

Howard George CBRE

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HANOVER BUILDINGS 11-13 HANOVER ST LIVERPOOL L1 3DN

STYLISH REFURBISHED OFFICE SPACE FROM 1,193 SQFT TO 3,661 SQFT ADJACENT TO GROSVENOR’S LIVERPOOL ONE SCHEME

With forty years of history and a visionary for its namesake, St John’s Shopping Centre was never going to be left out of the plans for Liverpool’s renaissance.

The heralds of change at Land Securities received detailed permission from the city planners in June this year for a scheme which, according to retail development manager Tom Venner, will see some large scale changes to the fabric of the shopping centre as we know it.

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Tom Venner Rising Stars

Leading the renaissance of a landmark

LAND SECURITIES, known for major retail projects across the UK, boasts a commercial property portfolio worth in excess of £14 billion. At St John’s, the management team has remained on site since the centre was constructed in 1969, and now intends to refresh its offering to the city. Tom Venner, retail development manager for Land Sec, spends three days a week in the firm’s UK headquarters in London, one day in Glasgow and another in Liverpool on the St John’s site. Having joined and taken on the role at Land Sec just two years ago, he has seen the firm’s plans for the city change and develop in consultation with the public and the planners, and is pioneering the scheme to retain current retailers and attract new ones. Part of the

scheme has been to consolidate the area’s offer, starting with a neighbouring shopping precinct linking St John’s to Central Station on one side and Church Street on the other. The £2 million refurbishment of that glass fronted arcade, Clayton Square Shopping Centre, is already underway, and Venner is pleased that Land Sec successfully signed JJB Sports’ flagship store to the site: “Work began at the end of September on the internal refurbishments with new entrances, new ceilings and new lighting to freshen up the look of the centre.

This is nearly completed now, and has completely transformed the lower level. We’ll be downing tools over Christmas, but work will recommence in the New Year and

by June the 24,000 sq ft store will

be ready. JJB Sports is a popular retailer in Liverpool and does really well and so it needs a good prominent, and convenient, position like this. Clayton Square ticks all the boxes.”

The task of refurbishing the 40 year-old St John’s will complement Clayton Square’s appeal to large retailers, and attract its own interest. Here, it’s not just the high street chain but the independent retailer that’s key to the plans for change and it’s hoped that a fresh breed of occupier will join existing tenants in the redeveloped site.

With the relocation of St John’s market, new retail space will be freed up of various dimensions to suit the occupier, and while the refurbishment work takes place, Land Sec is keen to ensure that business continues as

normal. As Tom confirms: “The first phase will take a year to a year and a half to complete because the market isn’t going to close. It’ll move out in late 2011 or the start of 2012.

Williamson Square is a prominent position for the market hall, which has a strong history in the city, and it won’t be hidden from view any longer, as it is at the moment.”

New entrances, steps and frontages are key to bringing the shopping centre back into focus on the city’s retail map. The newly created retail space in the shopping centre will also receive a makeover on the inside: “St John’s complexity is that it is an operational shopping centre. 17 million shoppers visited it last year and we want to retain that, so we’ve phased in the work over a long period of time to ensure MOVE COMMERCIAL 41

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Rising Stars Tom Venner retailers can carry on trading.

New lighting and flooring is going to be put inside the mall, and it should all be ready by 2013. From talking to people, it’s been a general consensus that the centre looks tired and dated.

Just because it’s primarily a centre for value to mid-market retailers doesn’t mean it should be unpleasant to shop there, so the refurbishment will change that and bring in some new tenants too. The relocation of the food court to the upper level, overlooking the city, will mean that having a coffee or a bite to eat also becomes a more enjoyable experience, aided by great views and a feeling that everything is integrated in the city centre.

“St John’s is different to our other assets as it is an older centre and a value centre, but the consultation found that it really is popular and the improvements are being welcomed. Our retailers do really well here. The recent demise of Woolworth’s was a casualty which you may have expected to survive in the current market conditions, but Wilkinson, Argos and Poundland are all doing really well, and in this climate it’s great for St John’s.

“Everyone has a guess as to what the magic ticket for retail will be in the current market, but St John’s has always been strong and popular. It makes sense to retain a value centre in its current location in Liverpool.”

With the current market’s challenges, a comparison to make for recent retail development is with Liverpool One’s recently unveiled scheme, but Venner stresses the difference between the two ventures: “Liverpool One is an obvious comparison to make, but that was a case of work going on behind the hoardings before the finished product was unveiled. Here, the people visiting St John’s will see the changes occur in stages because the work is taking place over an extended period.

“We’ve invested in the city for over 40 years and when we build a centre, we continue to own it and maintain it, which makes us different. St John’s is a critical part of Liverpool and the city itself is one of the most vibrant and fastest growing in the UK. It’s an exciting place to be for the property developer, and we saw that when we invested here in 1969. The city is really seeing a renaissance; we’ve experienced cataclysmic changes over the last five or ten years, and there’s still a long way to go.”

The firm is not yet at the stage of 42 MOVE COMMERCIAL

signing new retailers for St John’s, but the centre has a history of being well let and Land Sec expect interest for the units in the newly opened space in the old market for value multiples as well as independent retailers: “New businesses, perhaps that started in the market, are important to St John’s, and it’s an incubator for businesses to try new things when they start out. We want to nurture that side of things as we go forwards. We have a long term relationship with customers and retailers and offer a level of customer service that goes far beyond what an investor trader would do.”

It’s this difference which has seen St John’s consult the public on the planned changes and a marketing suite set up to answer queries and take feedback from retailers and shoppers. The development management, project management and portfolio management teams have worked closely to design the scheme and its delivery within Land Securities’ portfolio, and Venner’s role has been to balance the needs of the portfolio and project managers and deliver the firm’s commercial objectives; making sure the figures add up in the landscape of design and improvement: “It’s a shepherdherding exercise in many ways as there are so many disciplines working together. I talk to existing and prospective retailers about the site and then gain expertise from what we’ve done elsewhere and what’s worked to make decisions.

“Property development is all about overcoming hurdles. It’s not easy to get to the start on site stage. There are deals to do, people to move, things to buy, the brand and marketing to be worked out, all before the first brick can be laid, We’ve spent a lot of time in the planning process already, and it’s still a way to go before we start on site when the market moves out.”

The campaign to inform the local community found support with 95 per cent of shoppers, and won the backing of Liverpool Vision and the city council, which Venner says has made a huge difference in getting the ball rolling. The public transport links on the scheme’s doorstep is also expected to aid the redevelopment, with a car park of its own, Lime Street and Central Station in the immediate vicinity and buses stopping just outside on Roe Street.

Venner says: “The planners were very receptive to our proposals but, full credit to them, it’s very easy to look at what was there and say

“

…St John’s has always been strong and popular.

It makes sense to retain a value centre in its current location in Liverpool.

”

anything must be better. Our plan though was not just to agree that anything would be better, and the council challenged us to meet a high standard, and so we will be going ahead with the best scheme possible for the city.”

The entrances to St John’s, the public realm area linking to the transport systems with the rest of the city and the improved outside appearance of the buildings is going to be supplemented by new signage and street furniture, consistent with the city’s newly improved image as a tourist destination for visitors from across the globe. Putting Liverpool on the map has been a long journey and a collaborative process for businesses and the council, and with developments such as this continuing after the Culture Year is behind us, building on and improving what was started in the 60s is surely a major part of the legacy for the city. Venner adds: “We’ve been here a long time and the centres have been a success, now other developers have come in and changed the face of the city and we felt it was time we updated our offering.”

With seven years’ experience in the industry after completing his land management degree at Reading University, 28 year-old Venner now works with the consultants and uses his knowledge to influence a vision for the future of the firm’s presence in Liverpool: “I like it here, and spend a lot of time here apart from work, and I do feel that have learned a lot from the local shoppers about how to best conduct our business.

Taking advice is a real art; I’ve been on the other side of it and know that, and listening to recommendations and making decisions is so important to what we do. Money is shorter all round in the current climate, so we have to make most prudent use of what we have for the best results, and that’s what we’ve done all along.” An experienced head on young shoulders, Venner takes his inspiration and vision from the success story of ours and other cities in a manner of which St John’s namesake would be proud. At the same time, this is a development entirely of the new century and if he is a messenger of tidings for reform and change, it is because he hopes to lead the city not into a desert but to water: “We’re in a strong position in the market that we’re in and, although there are tough times ahead in the current climate, we’re providing what the retailers want.”

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Merseyside Property Forum Christmas Dinner Key events

Season of goodwill

By Marie Martin marie@movepublishing.co.uk

1 1. Stuart Keppie and Tony Reed, Keppie Massie with Jon Swain, Mason and Partners

MERSEYSIDE’S COMMERCIAL property professionals swapped deals and acquisitions for turkey and trimmings at the Merseyside Property Forum’s Christmas dinner. Sponsored jointly by Move Commercial and Estates Gazette, the event provided an opportunity for attendees to celebrate the year’s successes over a festive feast in the snug surroundings of John Mac’s Private Members Bar.

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2. John Davies and Paul Hames of Edmund Kirby 3. Mike Honeybourne, Honeybourne Kenny, Andrew Owen, Mason Owen and Alastair Newman, King Sturge 4. Sean Seery, Smith and Sons with Peter Brack of Dears Brack

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5. Robin Evans, Matthews and Goodman with Jim Remfry, GVA Grimley 6. Paul Cheshire and Neil Morton, Dixon Webb 7. Stuart Shapley, Estates Gazette, William Clowes, King Sturge, Karl Kiernan, David Currie and Co, Julie Southern, Estates Gazette

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8. Alan Bevan, City Residential with Andy Nichol, DWF 9. Graham Bowling, Knight Frank and Mark Worthington, CBRE 10. Fiona Barnet, Move Publishing and David Al-Hadithi, The Design Foundry.

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Appointments Move Commercial Career Appointments Edward Henshaw, Hollie Gaskill, Jenny Adie and Stuart Longden Keppie Massie Surveyors and property consultants Keppie Massie has further expanded its team with the appointment of four new personnel.

Jenny Adie joins after 13 years with Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, and will be working with both the regeneration and property asset management teams.

The Liverpool commercial team also welcomes Stuart Longden and Hollie Gaskill.

Stuart, a qualified surveyor previously with Mason Owen, will be working alongside Jenny Adie and Mark Richardson as a property asset management surveyor whilst Hollie, who joins from Bruntwood Estates, will be working in the regeneration team as a graduate general practice surveyor. Finally, Edward Henshaw, another recruit from Bruntwood Estates, will be based in the expanding Manchester office and will be responsible for both regeneration and landlord and tenant instructions.

Terry Reed, practice manager at Keppie Massie commented: "The latest recruitment drive by the practice is to facilitate our expanding workload across all aspects of commercial and residential property in the region. We now have over 40 experienced personnel throughout our Liverpool and Manchester offices”.

Neil Waddington Prospect (GB), Neil Waddington is the new managing director of Prospect (GB), one of the UK's fastest growing investment and development companies based in Warrington, Cheshire.

A wholly owned subsidiary company of the Riverside Group, one of the country's largest housing organisations with a portfolio of over 50,000 properties, Prospect (GB) has residential and 44 MOVE COMMERCIAL

at Royal Liver, added, “I am delighted to have CBRE on board and to further strengthen our relationship with them. The package of services offered was developed to meet our specific requirements and I was impressed by their attentive and flexible approach as well as the high level of client care they demonstrated throughout the selection process.”

From left to right: Edward Henshaw, Hollie Gaskill, Jenny Adie and Stuart Longden

Riverside Park Smith & Sons commercial developments ongoing across the north of England and a current turnover of over £6million.

With previous experience in both the residential and commercial property sectors, Neil has worked for major developers such as Miller Homes (NW), Barratt and, latterly, Hurstwood Living where he was managing director in the north-west with responsibility for expansion into the Midlands.

With flagship developments under way in Salford and just completed on Merseyside, Neil is looking forward to taking the company forward. He comments: "We are confident that our current schemes are in the right locations for success and although others are at planning stage or have just received consent, we believe that these will be in the development pipeline before too long."

acre former industrial area in South Widnes. Paul commented: “As one of the businesses located at the Widnes Waterfront I take a vested interest in the area as a whole. Through my position as chair I hope to maintain the excellent business relationships that have already been formed and ensure we work together to help the Waterfront become a successful commercial business park.”

Anne Selby, Lord Peter Smith, John Stageman and Brenda Smith The North West Development Agency The North West Development Agency has appointed three new directors, and extended the appointment of another.

Anne Selby, Lord Peter Smith and John Stageman took up their three-year posts in December last year. Brenda Smith, has had her appointment renewed for one year until 13 December 2009.

Paul Murphy

Paul Murphy Widnes Waterfront Business Steering Group Paul Murphy, chief executive of Forum Tecknik+, has been elected to chair the Widnes Waterfront Business Steering Group, which plays a major part in the regeneration of the 200

Alex Taylor

Alex Taylor Spencer Holdings Spencer Holdings has recruited Alex Taylor to spearhead the lettings team.

He joins from CBRE and will work on a diverse

portfolio comprising 6m sq ft on 101 estates throughout the UK, and finding tenants for schemes at Arrowe Commercial Park in Wirral, Chapel Brook, Link on Huyton Business Park and Pikelaw Place and Potter Place in Skelmersdale.

Group property director Chris Hughes commented: “Alex brings with him experience from Ashtenne and CBRE and is proving to be an excellent addition to our growing in-house asset management team.”

Agency Appointments Royal Liver CBRE The Liverpool office of CB Richard Ellis has been appointed by leading financial services business, Royal Liver, for the valuation of properties in its main and pension funds.

The five-year contract, secured by CBRE’s valuation team, will see the property consultants value Royal Liver Assurance’s full UK portfolio which boasts over 40 properties across the British Isles, including its landmark Grade I* listed headquarters on Liverpool’s waterfront.

Peter Eustance, director of valuation at CBRE, said: “This contract is testament to the strength of our valuation team here in the north-west and our capability as a global practice to provide a personal service on a regional and national basis.

“We are thrilled to have been appointed for this project and look forward to working with Royal Liver in the coming years.”

Peter Fane, head of property

Riverside Park

Appointed by developer Riverside Park Ltd, Smith & Sons are acting as joint agents on the scheme along with existing agents Mason Owen.

Set within a wellestablished business area, Riverside Park enjoys views across the River Mersey to the famous Liverpool waterfront and when fully completed will provide 250,000 sq ft of brand new, Grade A high quality office accommodation.

Pete Bowskill, partner at Smith & Sons, said: “We are very much looking forward to working on such a great scheme and have already had keen interest from potential occupiers.”

Riverside Park managing director, John Henley, said: “We are delighted to be working with such an established practice as Smith & Sons. With nearly 170 years agency experience they know the market pretty well. The recent letting of an additional 8,000 sq ft of office space at Riverside Park is a further endorsement of our customers’ satisfaction with the scheme and that it is unparalleled in terms of location and quality.”

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Halliwells at the Town Hall Key events

Jump into January

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk Business people from throughout Merseyside gathered at Liverpool Town Hall for law firm Halliwells' annual "Jump into January" event. The event, hosted by the head of Halliwells' Liverpool office, Jonathan Brown, is now in its fourth year and attracted a record number of guests. During the course of the evening a range of business and charity related themes for the year ahead were discussed and moved forward.

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1. Liverpool Town Hall 2. Alan Linguard, RBS Property with Rachel Watkin, Halliwells, Gary Quinn, Atlantic Chambers and David Morgan, Halliwells

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3. Lesley Hickson, RBS with Tricia Evans, RBS and Beverley Bentley, Halliwells 4. John Fairbrother, Begbies Traynor with Bob Richards, KPMG and David Moore, Begbies Traynor

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5 5. Malcolm Rawsthorne, Begbies Traynor with John Newell, PKF, Donna Crompton, Begbies Traynor and Matthew Dunham, BDO 6. Rod Morris, Raphael Health with Jonathan Brown, Halliwells and Matt Allen, AFM

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Asset manager Iain Taylor

In the spotlight Iain Taylor is an asset manager in the northern office at Highcross, the property fund manager specialising in investment and development opportunities. The firm’s property portfolio covers 14 million sq ft of office and industrial premises across the UK.

What led you into this role?

I had my first insight into commercial property working as an estate surveyor at Preston City Council.

I moved into private practice in Manchester in 2001, where I dealt with asset management work in a consultancy role for Walker Packman and Hartnell Taylor Cook from 2004.

In 2006 I got my first experience of the ‘client side’ as asset manager for Close Brothers PLC, where I managed part of a £185m industrial and commercial property fund. Then, in June this year, I heard about the opportunity at Highcross in Manchester and their continuing expansion and active acquisition programme were my key attractions to the role.

What does your daily routine involve?

The beauty of the job is that no one day is the same. The main thrust of my role is to mastermind revenue opportunities through active property management, new lettings, lease renewals, rent reviews, and to explore potential development/refurbishment opportunities on existing sites in the portfolio. The major developments I am responsible for in the north-west include logistics warehouses such as Sils Building at Ellesmere Port and 46 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Deacon Park in Knowsley. Our office also deals with office premises at Grosvenor House in Runcorn and our managed workspace subsidiary, Biz Space, provides managed/serviced accommodation in Birkenhead, Haydock, Hooton, Garston and St Helens.

What are Highcross’s specialisms?

Highcross is a property fund manager focusing on office and industrial property investment and development opportunities across the UK. Over the past four years we’ve acquired £1.1bn of property, and the current development pipeline totals three million sq ft. Following on from the successful investment in the first two funds, a third fund was raised in 2008, in which we achieved new equity of over £450m. To date, Highcross has already invested £200m in industrial and office space across the UK. What are Highcross’s plans for the north-west?

Highcross’ Manchester office was set up in 2006 to serve the northern region, headed by Richard Pellatt. The firm has invested over £250m in property acquisitions across the region, including in Knowsley, Runcorn and Ellesmere Port. Further growth of the Manchester office is in the

pipeline through the third fund, which will focus predominantly on the office and industrial markets. The funds have been raised and are ready to invest, which is a unique position to be in at this time!

What excites you most about your role?

Highcross is a very progressive company and the diverse range of property across the region from prime city centre office developments to major industrial schemes offer a daily exciting challenge, including working to let 450,000 sq ft at Knowsley, and being part of Highcross’s redevelopment schemes.

What are the best and worst parts of the job?

The best and most satisfying thing is getting a deal done, whether it’s a new letting, negotiating a new lease or achieving a good settlement or rent review. I also enjoy the variety of work and different challenges, as well as travelling the full northern region from Crewe right up to Carlisle. The worst part, and I know that I am not the only one saying this, but I am frustrated by government policy such as the imposition of empty rates tax.

How do you like to unwind from it all?

I like to spend time with my family

and having three young daughters ensures that there is never a dull moment in the Taylor household!

However when I do get time to myself I enjoy spending time at my local fitness club working out in the gym, swimming and playing racquet sports.

How would your colleagues describe you?

I’m two months into the role and they say it feels as if I’ve been here years.

I’ve chosen to take that as a compliment!

TAYLOR FILE BORN 1971 Born in Morecambe FIRST JOB 1986 Started at Nationwide Estate Agents CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 1996 Professional career started at Countrywide Surveyors 1998 Joined Preston City Council 2001 Joined Walker Packman 2004 Joined Hartnell Taylor Cook 2006 Moved to Close Brothers 2008 Joined Highcross

www.chapel-liverpool.co.uk

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THE CHAPEL CROSSHALL ST LIVERPOOL FOR SALE/ TO LET

12,283 sq ft with proposals to extend to 22,764 sq ft

Of interest to Developers, Leisure Operators and Investors for: Boutique Hotel / OfďŹ ces / Restaurant POINT OF CONTACT Mark Worthington Direct Dial: 0151 471 4971 Tel: 0151 224 7666 mark.worthington@cbre.com

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THE

PORT OF LIVERPOOL BUILDING –

Stunning refurbishment now complete

Restored to its former glory – for your future glory.

A stunning £10 million refurbishment has made one of Liverpool’s most distinguished buildings the city’s most desirable office address.

Situated within the UNESCO World Heritage Site and the first of the famous Three Graces, the Port of Liverpool Building exudes confidence for any business – and has modern, high specification suites from 600 to 10,000 sq ft waiting for you. For more information on the fantastic deals available and how we can offer certainty on costs, contact our agents or speak to us direct.

developing a great britain

T: 0151 707 2666

www.downing.com