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LIVERPOOL WIRRAL SEFTON KNOWSLEY

March–April 2009

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MOVE COMMERCIAL Merseyside’s guide to property and business

Issue 12

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Issue twelve Move Commercial

Contents News

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Welcome to Move Commercial WELCOME to the Cannes issue of Move Commercial magazine. Property professionals gathered in great numbers to support the Liverpool version of the French event at The Capital building.

The spotlight is on education in the region, tracking the schemes which should make the city a centre of learning for future generations. We feature the academies and Building Schools for the Future schemes in our area, as well as further and higher education level projects in the region. Knowsley also comes under the lens, as the attraction of out of town office parks is felt in the borough.

Director of investment management at Rathbones, Andrew Morris, talks to us about the financial services in Liverpool and the skilled workforce taking advantage of a career at the prestigious firm. Our Mover and Shaker, James

Timpson, fills us in on the business’s success in a challenging retail climate, and Miles Dunnett, asset manager at the city’s Rising Star development of Liverpool One, charts the final lettings at the retail and leisure units in the landmark site.

The RIBA approved designs for the Royal Court in Liverpool and the National Wildflower Centre in Knowsley are also making headlines, for energy efficiency and heritage-aware designs, and we look at the biggest deal of the year as Merseytravel moves into Mann Island.

The Merseyside Transport Conference got businesses together to discuss transport options for the cohesion of the city region and the health and safety of local residents and, finally, this issue’s Talking Point put the waterfront plans on the table and asked how we can support Peel in the transformation of the city region’s future.

37 LIVERPOOL WIRRAL SEFTON KNOWSLEY

March–April 2009

FREE

MOVE COMMERCIAL Merseyside’s guide to commercial property

Issue 12

16 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 Contributors Julie Whyman, Helen Parker & Simon Beasor Editorial Team Lucy Oliver 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 Precision Colour Printers Ltd Distribution Liaison Manager Barbara Troughton Tel 0151 733 5492 Mobile 077148 14662

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.

04 The Royal Court’s new design on show 05 Merseytravel move into Mann Island 06 Morrison’s invests in New Brighton 07 Refurbishment at India Buildings 08 The Port of Liverpool and Royal Liver Buildings 09 The National Wildflower Centre design 11 Southport schemes and news in brief 12 New tenants at Moorgate Point 13 Lettings continue at Connect Business Village 15 Mere Grange welcomes occupiers

Features 18 Founding Father Andrew Morris on Rathbones’ presence in the city 24 Mover and Shaker James Timpson on retail success 26 Entrepreneur Dougal Paver on building up his business 28 Knowsley Focus The thriving business parks 33 Capital Projects focus Education is on the chalkboard 37 Talking Point Why we should back Peel’s plans for the waterfront 40 Rising Star Miles Dunnett on Liverpool One

Key Events 16 Cannes Do The Capital hosts the event of the year 20 World Property Fair Liverpool delegates in Cannes 23 Penrhyn Court Breakfast launch at Knowsley 31 Transport event The future of transport

Careers 44 Appointments Who’s doing what, and where 46 Q and A Simon Jones is in the spotlight

Front cover image: Allford Hall Monaghan Morris Architects

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News Move Commercial The chosen design by AHMM

Unity architect’s RIBA win Royal Court’s redesign selected THE ROYAL COURT THEATRE in Liverpool city centre has named the successful architects from its RIBAran ‘Theatre’s Next Stage’ competition.

British architectural practice Alfred Hall Monaghan Morris was announced as the successful candidate after their design was approved by a panel of judges.

The task of redesigning the grade II listed building received extensive interest and 51 submissions were made to the competition.

AHMM was founded in 1989 by four architecture students from UCL, one of whom, Paul Monaghan was born in Liverpool. The firm has worked across a variety of sectors, most famously in the Saatchi Gallery in London, and the award-winning Unity building in Liverpool.

AHMM is accredited by RIBA with a plethora of awards as well as two Royal Fine Art Commission Trust Awards and two National Homebuilder Awards.

The design for the theatre addresses key challenges including disabled access, improving public access and circulation within the building. The proposal went on public display in the city centre via RIBA’s ‘Architruck’ for two weeks before the outcome was made public. On the news of the firm’s appointment, Paul Monaghan commented: “It is such an honour to be working on this important building in my home city and we are very excited by the powerful

vision that The Royal Court has for its theatre.”

The regeneration cost of the theatre is said to be around £5m10m. Trustee of The Royal Court Trust and chief executive of Urban Splash, Jonathan Falkingham is pleased with how the money will be spent: “The Royal Court is a building dear to the hearts of the people of Liverpool and the trust is committed to seeing the theatre given a new lease of life for future generations”.

Rebuilding the fort Liverpool’s castle to be brought back to life Derby Square, Liverpool

LIVERPOOL’S DERBY SQUARE is to undergo a £2m historical regeneration.

Work is likely to begin on the revamp within weeks of its formal approval by the council, as part of the city centre movement strategy which will spend £73 million on improving the transport network.

The historic importance of the castle’s site is set to be redoubled by granite markings plotting out the walls of the castle which stood in the square in the 17th century.

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The work will be one of the final phases of the city’s regeneration, and should improve the route to the landmark retail and leisure development, Liverpool One. The work will also see aesthetic improvements including repaving and improved lighting.

The total costs of £2 million will be partly met by a NWDA grant for £1.3 million.

Councillor Peter Millea, the city’s regeneration leader, is keen to stress that though the area is one of historical

importance, the work on Derby Square has important benefits for the city today: “"There has been a long-standing wish to improve this area of the city centre.

"It was originally intended that it would tie in with the Merseytram project but the delay to that scheme has made us rethink proposals. Now, with the opening of Liverpool One there is an added need to improve the links between this area and the new development as it is one of the main access points to Chavasse Park

and the terraces.

“We intend to make a start very soon on vastly improving the look of Derby Square and there will be an opportunity for people to make their views known on the updated ideas for Castle Street."

Work is expected to start this spring, for completion by the end of the year.

The plans for the surrounding streets, with a proposed one-way system from Dale Street to Cook Street, costing approximately £3.6m, will also see a public consultation take place.

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Move Commercial News

Mersey docklands attracts global investment

Merseytravel moves to Mann Island Transport authority takes space at landmark mixed-use site

This sugar silo could have a palm oil processing facility as its neighbour

Bootle site go ahead for £18m project THE MERSEY DOCKLANDS will be the site for a £18milion scheme which will see a palm oil processing facility established in Liverpool.

Global firm, New Britain Palm Oil, will move to the six acres site near regent Road, Bootle, to produce sustainable oil from certified traceable sources; a growing trend among major food companies. The producer of palm oil in Australasia, NBPOL, chose the Merseyside site in its search for a UK base, close to key customers in the EU. Director Alan Chaytor commented: “We decided on Liverpool because the physical location is ideal. There is the deep water facility here which is ideal for our tankers and the tank storage capacity is also a major advantage.

“Doing business here has been a very smooth and efficient process.”

He added that the site also offered excellent transport links to its major customers, like food producers, to the north.

A key factor was agreed with Tate & Lyle to utilise existing neighbouring tanker storage capacity in the deal.

CGI of the Mann Island site

MERSEYTRAVEL has signed one of its biggest commercial property deals in years.

The signing will see the passenger transport authority move to Neptune Developments and Countryside Properties’ Mann Island site on the River Mersey. The new building is an 11 storey, 140,000 sq ft building designed to some of the country’s highest environmental and accessibility standards. It will see Merseytravel staff brought together from the existing four sites across the city.

The move ends a two-year long exhaustive search for a new headquarters. Cllr. Mark Dowd, chair of Merseytravel, commented: “This is a landmark deal and will

mean we are in the heart of the city, right next to all our major assets, the rail and bus network, the Mersey tunnels and the Mersey ferries.”

The £135 million Mann Island Development will also see the introduction of two striking granite buildings to the space adjacent to the strand. These will house shops, restaurants and a series of waterside public realm spaces within a premier office, residential and leisure location.

On the office units deal Steve Parry, managing director of Neptune Developments, commented: “It’s certainly the biggest office letting in Liverpool for several years. The high standard of the office space, achieving the

BREEAM excellent environmental standard, fits in with Neptune and Countryside’s philosophy that delivering developments of exceptional quality leads to commercial success.”

Nick Rice, senior director at CB Richard Ellis, advised on the deal and said he was optimistic about the move’s wider implications: “It is great news for the city’s office market at a difficult time and we’re confident that it will bring forward other schemes needed to meet continuing demand for Grade A office space.”

The design and layout of the building will be fine-tuned over the coming months to include a number of customer improvements.

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Everton’s future Public inquiry closed THE FUTURE of the Everton stadium awaits the outcome of the lead planning inspector’s report.

The public inquiry into the Destination Kirkby proposals commenced after neighbouring councils objected to the scheme, which hoped to make Kirkby a major retail and leisure destination.

The inquiry closed at the beginning of February, and the report will be considered by the secretary of state for communities and local government for a decision to be made about the plans.

If approval is granted, Destination Kirkby will be the single biggest regeneration initiative Knowsley has seen for a generation.

Leader of the council, Ron Round, commented: “We look forward to a decision finally being made on this project.

“It has been a lengthy and complex planning process, which has caused lots of uncertainty about what the future holds for the town.”

The £400million scheme proposed

by Tesco and Everton F.C. should receive a final decision later this year. Cllr. Round added: “Securing investment into our communities remains a top priority in Knowsley.

We are working harder than ever to secure this much needed investment to nurture and maintain the future prosperity of the borough.”

The scheme, if it wins the government’s favour, will include a 50,000 seater stadium, a Tesco superstore, 50 high street retailers and the opportunity for leisure development on an 80 acre site.

The planned stadium

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The six screen digital cinema planned as part of the development

Neptune sweeps a deal Supermarket signing for New Brighton

SUPERMARKET CHAIN Morrison is to invest in Neptune Developments’ £60m makeover of the New Brighton area.

The contract that has been signed will see Wm Morrison Supermarket Plc, the fourth largest UK food retailer, become the anchor tenant in Neptune’s scheme after negotiating for several years.

The deal will see 64,000 sq ft of new retail space introduced as part of phase two of the seaside town’s development. This second phase sees the Morrison’s space take shape in one of three groups

of buildings with associated landscaping and public realm space as well as highway and public transport improvements.

The £60m development is expected to breathe fresh air into the once thriving seaside community, creating around 300 jobs for locals. Following on from the success of the £11.5m investment into the Floral Pavilion Theatre, Rob Mason, Neptune’s development director said: “We are very pleased to be putting our relationship with Morrisons on a formal footing with this contract.

“The success of the new Floral Pavilion Theatre, coupled with the official signing of this deal, as well as the news that we will be building a new Premier Inn and six screen digital cinema means that 2009 has started with a bang for the people of New Brighton.”

New Brighton’s development schedule has been hotting up in recent months with plans for the north-west’s only digital light cinema. A large hot water spa is planned for construction, as is a new model boating lake which is now to have dedicated parking facilities.

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Move Commercial News The transformed St Hugh’s

Bootle’s tempting office offering Bruntwood launches St Hugh’s BRUNTWOOD has completed the development of St Hugh’s, its first office in Bootle, Liverpool.

The 48,000 sq ft, six storey building on Stanley Road in Bootle town centre has undergone a £3.6m transformation externally and internally. It now includes a new reception and some of the highest

quality office space in this area.

Colin Forshaw, Bruntwood’s head of sales in Liverpool said, “The quality of the offices at St Hugh’s rivals many city centre alternatives but offer greater value for money.

The building has been designed to cater for businesses with between one and 500 people, so will

accommodate a variety of office requirements.”

The Bootle office hopes to attract clients from the city looking to up or downsize their office space in Liverpool. Bruntwood sales director, Andrew Butterworth, commented: “Completing St Hugh’s means we can offer our Liverpool customers a

greater variety in product and price along with greater flexibility to move around our portfolio as they require.

Last year we helped 50 customers to expand and contract seamlessly and cost efficiently within the terms of their lease, showing the dedication we have for our customers’ business prosperity.”

Historic building to enjoy a revamp Refurbishment of India Buildings LEADING COMMERCIAL property consultant, CB Richard Ellis, has been appointed by Green Property as advisor on the refurbishment of the 350,000 sq ft India Buildings on Water Street, Liverpool. CBRE were appointed in December to manage the investment and have since been confirmed as letting agents and are now working with Green on a marketing strategy.

The staged refurbishment will include a show suite in the multi-let, iconic and listed building which covers ten storeys.

Existing occupiers include several law firms, including Weightmans, DLA and Rees-Roberts.

John Lea, head of CBRE’s north-west property and asset management team, commented: “We will be helping Green

Property, who have considerable experience in this field, to bring the accommodation and this very special building up to the highest standards, with the style this well known and rather unique property deserves. The building has a reputation for style and elegance and occupiers have indicated they support Green’s ambitions to restore the property’s splendour and reputation.

"This is the only building in the traditional commercial core of the city today that can offer floorplates as large as 33,000 sq ft. That opens it up to the market for major government departments and inward investment relocations, as well as businesses seeking to consolidate their separate holdings."

Inside India Buildings

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Facelift for heritage building

The Royal Liver Building

PROACTIVE PROPERTY and construction consultancy Acies has been appointed as architect on the redevelopment and reconfiguration of the famous Royal Liver Building in Liverpool.

The £5m project will include a major refurbishment to the ground floor of the Grade I listed building, transforming the west entrance by enclosing the portico in glass, to make a new entrance to the building. The designs will also see the creation of a mezzanine floor specifically designed to accommodate new office space.

Roy Alexander, partner and head architect at Acies stated: “The Royal Liver Building is an iconic site, and is a unique opportunity to use our skills and experience to transform a building of this calibre.

The building is one of the earliest examples of multi-storey steelwork construction, and as an architect it provides an exciting challenge.”

As part of one of the world’s most famous waterfronts, the Royal Liver Building stands with the fabled liver birds nested on top.

Roy Alexander concluded: “As a world heritage site, it is essential to ensure our designs are to the highest standard, enhancing the buildings features but remaining in keeping with the building’s overall appearance.”

Move Commercial used the incorrect images for the Port of Liverpool Building in the last issue. The images shown on page 11 were in fact Acies’ designs for the Royal Liver Building as shown here.

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Strong interest at landmark site Port of Liverpool refurbishment proving popular LIVERPOOL’S LARGEST private commercial landlord, Downing, is reporting strong interest in its refurbished office suites at the historic Port of Liverpool Building.

Downing is on target to bring more than 20,000 sq ft of newly refurbished office suites to the market during 2009, following the completion of a record-breaking £10 million restoration project at the waterfront landmark.

The company has revealed it is in advanced talks with businesses interested in letting space in the Grade II* Listed building.

The restoration project, which completed in January, was one of the UK’s largest privately-funded refurbishments of a listed building.

Works were undertaken throughout the building, with the iconic dome returned to its former glory and its inner glass and marble cleaned and restored for the first time since the building was damaged in the Blitz.

Robin Ellis, senior surveyor at Downing, said: “The high level of interest in the building is a testament to the quality of the refurbishment. Liverpool’s occupier market is holding up well and the credit crunch hasn’t changed the fact that leases still expire and tenants are looking to achieve best value.”

Downing began work in 2007 to restore the building’s limestone exterior, internal terrazzo flooring and marble wall cladding and to remove, refurbish and reinstate its stunning stained glass windows.

The company has also introduced

The atrium at the Port of Liverpool

new lifts, upgraded internal and external lighting, as well providing a new disabled access. Occupiers can also link into a new cooling system, with state-of-the-art technology that allows tenants to opt-in to a centrally-managed system.

The strength of the refurbished space saw the Port of Liverpool Building become one of Liverpool’s most successful commercial

properties in 2008, with some 20,000 sq ft of space let to global brands including DHL and shipping giant Hapag-Lloyd.

Property group Downing acquired the Port of Liverpool Building in 2001. 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.

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Move Commercial News

RIBA Win for Knowsley

Ellesmere Port attracts new tenants

Jonathan Thorne, CBRE

New lettings at warehouse site

The winning design

IAN SIMPSON ARCHITECTS with AKT Engineers have been chosen to create an innovative conference and education centre at the National Wildflower Centre. Registrations for the RIBA-run competition, funded by the NWDA, numbered 296, and over 100 submissions were made for the prestigious opportunity.

After a two-week period of questioning by a judging panel, who challenged the entrants on evolutionary sketches and deliverability, the winning submission prevailed over five other shortlisted candidates including DM3 Architecture, Kirkland Fraser Moor, Nicolas Tye Architects, Studio Verna and Urban Salon Architects.

Ian Simpson’s Fibonacci-

inspired design satisfied RIBA’s desire to make an architectural statement that skilfully conveys the link between nature and mathematics. Simpson’s winning entry will be a gateway into the Liverpool region’s already awardwinning educational site and a strong counterpoint to the existing Millennium Building which promotes the creation of new wildflower habitats.

Sue Carmichael, a RIBA Advisor commented: “Ian Simpson’s innovative concept, backed by his capable design team, should result in a building which is a groundbreaking ‘green’ exemplar, an inspiring mathematics education resource and a favourite visitor and conference destination.”

Ian Simpson’s design will be the latest addition to the 35 acre Victorian Court Hey Park Site situated five miles from Liverpool City Centre. Chief executive of Landlife, founder of the National Wildlife Centre, Grant Luscombe commented: “A budget of £5.6m will now need to be raised to deliver the new building so that construction can begin in 2011 with doors opening to visitors in 2012. We recognise that this is an ambitious programme, but it is achievable with the support of our partners and friends.”

A breathtaking 60m long and 4m high building wrap is being shown on 26 March at the National Wildflower Centre depicting an artist’s impression of the plans.

SEVEN NEW OCCUPIERS have signed up to Junction 8 Business Park in Ellesmere Port.

The total signings on the estate, owned by Royal London, now totals 33,500 sq ft. Rents achieved are said to be over £4.00 per sq ft, and tenants include ECT Group, SES Metals, AM Transport, Events1 and Liverpool & London. CB Richard Ellis has been acting as the joint agent with HWP. Jonathan Thorne, associate director of industrial agency in the northwest team at CB Richard Ellis, commented: “These recent deals show that landlords such as Royal London, who provide a good product and are prepared to be flexible with tenants, can still be successful in securing occupiers.

“There is continuing interest in the development and we are confident the remaining space will be let in the coming months.”

CBRE transaction successes THE NORTH-WEST industrial agency team at CBRE has announced that 2008 saw successful lettings and sales totaling 3.5 million sq ft of industrial space.

Over 90 transactions took place across the region due to the team’s effort, to the value of around £120 million.

Key deals include 210,000 sq ft at Pioneer Business Park in Ellesmere Port, let to Prowell the German cardboard manufacturer in October, and 103,000 sq ft at The Bear in Widnes in November to outdoor equipment and clothing specialist Gelert Ltd.

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In brief BOOTS THE CHEMIST is moving into new premises at 9 Church Street from its current position on Whitechapel.

A spokesperson for the company said: “The new property provides an improved retail space that will allow us to give our customers a fantastic health and beauty offering.

“We hope to have completed the move from our current premises by the end of April 2009.” Savills advised on the deal.

THE LIVERPOOL ONE Zavvi outlet was bought out of administration by the store’s former chief executive, Simon Douglas.

The store is one of five saved across the UK after the entertainment retailer, formerly known as the Virgin Megastore chain, encountered financial difficulty. The business went into administration on Christmas Eve, hampered by the economic downturn and the Woolworths’ Entertainment division late in 2008.

The investment made by Mr. Douglas and his company Head Entertainment is welcome news for the high street. That store alone is thought to be saving 40 jobs in its excellent corner location opposite John Lewis and Urban Outfitters in the new Liverpool One development.

New look for Pontin’s Holiday parks’ investment plans OCEAN PARCS, owner of British holiday resorts Pontin’s, has announced plans to develop its United Kingdom parks with £50m of investment.

The Southport-based holiday and leisure group plan to refurbish the existing entertainment, catering and bar facilities across its parks.

The sites at Prestatyn Sands and Brean Sands are due to benefit from a complete refurbishment with what the company has described as the ‘next generation of guest accommodation’. The Camber Sands and Southport centres will be completely redesigned and rebuilt.

The news follows Ocean Parcs’ takeover of the seaside holiday group last March in a £46m buyout.

The company’s headquarters has since moved to Ainsdale House, which covers 5,020 sq ft, where the management is focussing on repositioning the holiday destinations in the UK tourism markets.

Ian Smith the chief executive at Ocean Parcs commented: “We are tremendously excited about the investment planned for the

10 year plan for Southport

Southport Pontin's will be refurbished

development of our Pontin’s Holiday Centres and the employment and tourism revenue that will be generated by this investment.”

The local economy should also benefit from the jobs created by Ocean Parcs’ investments. Councils have welcomed the refurbishment and regeneration and Clarke Osborne, the company’s property

director, has hinted that this could be just the start for the Pontins’ investment: “We have been in dialogue with some of our local councils, business leaders and planners and received encouraging responses. This dialogue will be extended to all our Holiday Centres as it is our intention to submit proposals for planning permission this year.”

Southport's Arts Centre will be improved

£4m arts centre for seaside town photography David Cowlard

SEFTON’S 10 year regeneration plan for investment in Southport will see the town receive a new £4m arts centre through a government grant.

A new ‘cultural centre’ will be built with funding made available by the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) through its Sea Change programme. The Southport scheme is the largest beneficiary of the programme which has been set up to

give the country’s sea side resorts a new lease of life through similar projects around the UK. CABE chief executive Richard Simmons commented that he is keen to see regeneration through arts and culture: “Very strong applications were received from some of the country’s most deprived areas, which is exactly where we want this money to go. Every single one of these projects will be of enormous benefit to

the resort.”

Southport’s particular improvements with see Lord Street’s Grade II listed arts centre, library and art gallery link up to include a theatre, popular music venue and museum in the heart of the town centre.

Two government ministers visited the town at the end of February to see the vision for the town. Hazel Blears, secretary of state for communities and

local government, commented: “The tougher economic conditions are challenging, but regeneration projects such as those proposed here in Sefton are still going ahead and during a downturn, it’s crucial that central and local government, together with the private sector, remain focussed on the economic revitalisation of our communities to ensure they remain both economically viable and vibrant.”

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The Matchworks attracts tenants to Speke

Mersey House

MERSEY HOUSE, one of the buildings situated in Urban Splash’s Matchworks scheme in Speke has attracted three new tenants to its office suites.

Northern Electrical Facilities has taken three units, and recruitment Quay Group Limited and educational training company Excel Business Development have both taken one office suite. Collectively, the new occupiers have signed up to 1,349 sq ft of space.

These are the first tenants to move into the Grade II listed Mersey House. The building boasts two floors of fully furnished, flexible serviced office space, which has been created in response to market demand.

Rents are available from £220 per month on short-term leases and monthly license agreements and the suites range from 191 sq ft up to 885 sq ft.

Lynn Haime, associate director at Urban Splash said: “The market has changed greatly in recent months. We’ve seen an increase in requirements from small businesses who want spaces in which their business can grow without the burden of huge running costs and restrictive lease terms. It’s because of this that we decided to offer flexible offices at Mersey House on a monthly licence basis with inclusive payments – making it easier for the occupier to manage.

“The building is situated within the thriving community of the Matchworks in Garston. Occupiers at Mersey House will not only benefit from affordable high quality space with generous car parking, but an excellent location and fantastic amenities.”

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£1.5 million refurbishment proves attractive Moorgate Point signs up first tenant Mark Ridehalgh (Kilmartin Property Group) and Steve Murray (Commercial Credit Management Ltd)

THE NORTH-WEST agency team at Matthews & Goodman, with joint letting agents CB Richard Ellis, has already secured a new tenant at Moorgate Point, Knowsley.

The signing follows the recent completion of a £1.5 million refurbishment of the detached two storey office building by Kilmartin Property Group.

Commercial Credit Management Ltd has taken 2,740 sq ft of high spec office accommodation on the first floor accessed via a newly

created central lobby area.

Robin Evans, senior surveyor at joint letting agent Matthews & Goodman, commented: “The quality and range of office accommodation now available at Moorgate Point, along with the ample amount of on-site car parking, 24/7 security and on-site management means that the building appeals to a wide range of office occupiers.

“It caters for everyone from small start-up businesses looking for a one or two man office, to medium

and large sized businesses looking for big open plan office suites.

Our ability to secure a company of Commercial Credit Management Ltd’s calibre at such an early stage is testament to the quality of office accommodation that we have to offer.”

Moorgate Point provides office accommodation from 88 sq ft to 27,313 sq ft in a range of suites from small, self contained, cellular offices to large open plan floor plates, available on competitive and flexible terms.”

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Connect Business Village

Connecting to the city centre Langtree announces deals in north Liverpool LANGTREE’S Connect Business Village has announced a further two deals at its site of selfcontained offices.

The Property Helpline has taken 1,554 sq ft in a two-storey office on a six-year lease. The company, which offers mortgage solutions, needed to improve its existing city centre location and premises.

The second deal sees NP Sadler Accountants purchase a 1,144 sq ft office at the site, which offers a total 60,000 sq ft of space. The business village also includes the 30,000 sq ft Centrix Business Centre which provides serviced offices and pay-as-you-use conference facilities. The 12 selfcontained offices provide

Resilient markets REPORTS ON market conditions have been met with surprise and boosted confidence in some quarters. While the prevailing climate cannot be denied or ignored, research has shown that Liverpool has fared better than neighbouring cities, and that credit is due to hardworking local businesses and investors.

The Merseyside Commercial Property Market review for 2009, conducted by Stuart Keppie at Keppie Massie, found that “Merseyside markets have displayed commendable resilience to the worsening conditions, with lower reductions in rental and capital values than the national average.”

He added that “the office vacancy rate was down by 10 per cent in 2008 in comparison to 12 per cent in 2007.”

Professor Parkinson’s regeneration

accommodation from 1,270 to 3,330 sq ft or a combination providing up to 15,000 sq ft.

Jayne Furnival, senior property manager at Langtree, commented: “We are delighted to welcome our new occupiers, taking this part of the site up to 40 per cent complete.

“Connect Business Village is the first of its kind in the north of

Professor Michael Parkinson

report from JMU found that while the regeneration sector will be affected by the economic downturn “it’s not all doom and gloom.” He commented on the need to take action: “Now is the time to take stock, make the right long-term decisions and re-gear ready for the upturn.”

In retail, recent reports of empty space should not colour our

perception of the growing retail and leisure centre that Liverpool city centre has become. The benefits of retail-led regeneration were highlighted in the British Council of Shopping Centres’ report which reminded us that retail was the third largest employer in 2007; when the upturn arrives, this could be set to continue – especially since Liverpool One is now over 90 per cent let.

Liverpool’s business district and offers everything a business needs to be centrally located, but without city centre prices.”

Langtree’s partners are the NWDA, Government Office North West, Homes and Communities Agency and Liverpool Vision. The joint agents for the site are Keppie Massie and Roy Backhouse & Co.

Towngate site goes live… and offers free beer THE NEW Towngate website went live at the end of January. Towngate’s Julia Ford commented: “It’s a user friendly, easy to navigate, attractive website, to replace our existing, rather tired one.

The branding and colours used reflect our rather colourful firebird logo and create a very attractive to the eye, enjoyable web experience. I have received some extremely positive feedback, and visits to the site have increased significantly.”

She added: “Shark, our web designers are continuing to offer great support now that the content of the site is managed by ourselves in-house. And, as part of the launch, we are offering free beer to the first visitors registering onto the site www.towngate.plc.uk.”

Move Commercial will be one of the first to sign up, we assure you.

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A UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY PRIME REFURBISHED OFFICES FOR SALE 1,500 TO 3,000 SQFT LIVERPOOL 14 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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Move Commercial News

Wirral welcome for new tenants Prenton Business Park

Mere Grange

Mere Grange sending out the right message Communications firm signs for space LANGTREE’S prestigious office development in St Helens, Mere Grange, has secured another new tenant.

Lloyds Business Communications has signed up for 3,500 sq ft of office space at the site on a ten-year lease. The firm decided to relocate from its existing Warrington premises to upgrade its working environment. Managing director of Lloyds, Ian Allmark, commented, “We considered a number of other potential office developments

before opting for Mere Grange. Its superior specification, business park environment and superb transport links meant that Mere Grange was the ideal choice for us.”

The recently completed first phase of Mere Grange, in a joint venture with the Homes and Communities Agency, comprises 34,000 sq ft across 10 high quality speculative buildings, as detached or semidetached offices. The units range from Caption 3,400 here to 10,000 sq ft and include on site car parking.

Jayne Furnival, senior property manager at Langtree, commented: “We are delighted to welcome another occupier to Mere Grange, and as we have strong interest in the remaining buildings we hope it will only be a matter of time before further tenants join Lloyds and our other occupier, Miller Construction.”

The development is situated off the A570 St Helens Linkway. Joint agents for the scheme are Keppie Massie and King Sturge.

PRENTON BUSINESS PARK has welcomed two new tenants to its Wirral site.

Wirral Partnership Homes (WPH) has taken unit four on the premises extending to 3,246 sq ft and Fairtrades will occupy unit three which also extends to 3,246 sq ft.

WPH has said it will be using the space at the park for a satellite office, while Fairtrades is relocating from Hoylake, Wirral.

It’s now just a year since the speculative development by Derwent Holdings Ltd was completed, comprising four selfcontained buildings offering office space.

Each benefits from its own feature entrance, on site parking and landscaping on the scheme which is visible from junction 3 and accessed from Prenton Way. Managing director at Fairtrades, Nick Edgel, commented: “We were delighted to be shown this venue as it’s in a great locality, in the heart of Wirral, with brilliant access.”

Neil Kirkham, partner at the agent HWP said: “The accommodation at Prenton Business Park sells itself due to the high quality of the finish and specification and also the perfect location at the epicentre of the Wirral.”

Two units remain and are available on flexible leases as a whole or as individual floors from 1,623 sq ft.

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1. Helen Moss and Chris Prescott, King Sturge, with Chris Connor, Mason Owen, and Janice Weatherly, Mace & Jones 2. Paul Watson, Bella Design, and Vicky Bedford, Diffuse 3D, with Sue Taylor, Keppie Massie Residential

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3. Gavin Quinn, Invest Sefton, with Simon Reid, Andrew Ruffler and Steve McKeown, The Mersey Partnership 4. David Heron, Arup, and Phil Summers, R-Gen 5. Julia Ford, JST Lawyers, with Paul Dickson, Regenda, and Lesley Martin-Wright, JST Lawyers

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6. Richard Goudie, Chloe James, and Christine Shapley, Dixon Webb 7. Robin Ellis, Downing, with Roy Backhouse, Roy Backhouse & Co., Tim Hansford, Big Design Productions, and Peter Moran, Peter Moran & Associates 8. Joel Lawson, Matt Kerrigan and John Barker, Hitchcock Wright & Partners

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9. William Coleman and Alastair Newman, Rumford Investments 10. Joanne McCormack and David Tabnor, Weightmans, with Robert Diggle, Edward Symmons, Karen English, Weightmans and Paul Parker, Edward Symmons 11. Lee Randle and Andrew Mason, Mason & Partners, with Malcolm Irving, CBRE, and Geoff Mason, Mason & Partners 16 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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Event at The Capital Key events

Property professionals’

Cannes do The beautifully refurbished seventh floor of Downing’s The Capital was the setting for the Liverpudlian version of the property event of the year, the Cannes Do. Organised by Professional Liverpool with main sponsor Downing, and also sponsored by Barclays, Liverpool Vision, Herriots, Halliwells

and Move Commercial, the lunch saw property professionals gather to enjoy speeches from Tony Reed and Stuart Keppie at Keppie Massie, and to welcome back Chris Connor of Mason Owen, who was presented with The Merseyside Property Forum’s ‘Property Legend’ award. With a traditional

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cottage pie lunch and plenty of wine, the afternoon got into full swing with Tony Reed’s take on last year’s cultural success and the MTV awards. His photos of ‘Katy Perry’ Diggle, ‘Kid Rock’ Reynolds, ‘Beyonce’ Kirkham and ‘Elton’ Keppie are ones we’ll be glad to see return to the album.

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

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12. Les and Mark Chadwick, Professional Liverpool 13. Claire Wooldridge, King Sturge, and Varun Maharaj, Mace & Jones 14. John Sutcliffe, Sutcliffe, Nicola Woolford, CBRE, with John Spencer and Ian Maciver, Sutcliffe, and Antony O’Toole, Gilling Dod

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15. Guy Wallis, Graham Hall, Helen Johnston, Luke Hopkins and Alex Davies, DWF, and David Sayer, GVA Grimley 16. Conor Mulloy, Cheetham & Mortimer, Sarah Howe, DWF, Will Thomas, Mason Owen, and Dan Sweeney, Hill Dickinson

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17. Will Kennon, CBRE, and Antonia Martin-Wright, Bruntwood 18. Colin MacGregor, Alexander MacGregor, with Nicky Hughes, Roland Dransfield, Ian Henderson, Brabners, and Kate Longden, Roland Dransfield 19. Stuart Longden, Ed Henshaw, and Phil Winckles, Keppie Massie MOVE COMMERCIAL 17

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‘Diversifying’ is a term that’s been weakened with misuse, but it remains an essential attribute of any firm in a changing economic climate. Rathbones is one partnership that’s thrived over the course of three centuries by observing trends, and seeks to match its entrepreneurial prowess with philanthropic activity. Andrew Morris is the director of Rathbones’ investment management business in Liverpool, Edinburgh and Kendal, and manages a large number of client portfolios.

Managing the city’s fortunes Larry Rathbone

18 MOVE COMMERCIAL

RATHBONES IN Liverpool occupies a landmark position in the World Heritage site, fitting for a business that has overseen the changing financial markets for the best part of three centuries. The Port of Liverpool, owned by Downing, is another fatherly figure on the waterfront and recently benefited from a refurbishment that’s restored the stained glass windows and the dome in the building’s atrium to its former glory. The fourth floor offices at Rathbones, where I meet Andrew, welcome clients through a frosted glass entrance to a reception fronting an open plan office where fund managers brainstorm on the floor.

Andrew’s responsibilities at Rathbones cover a number of facets.

When he’s not in Liverpool, where he’s from, he spends time in the Edinburgh office and at Kendal, as well as overseeing the business in Liverpool and managing client portfolios: “I’m an old lag – I joined as assistant to Sebastian Rathbone, who was then senior partner, so that was a great start to my career.”

Since then, Rathbones has undergone a ‘sea change’, as Andrew terms it, merging with a London firm in 1988 and opening offices around the UK: “Rathbones is predominantly a UK-based business in discretionary fund management,

and this area has grown over the last 20 years. Our Liverpool business has benefited from this growth around the UK and we’re very proud of this.”

As chairman of the training and competency committee, Andrew is keenly involved in ensuring that the professionals employed at Rathbones are fully qualified to carry out their role. The Liverpool office is the largest in the firm’s portfolio, with 300 staff employed in various capacities, and there is plenty for Andrew to keep a handle on: “Rathbones has maintained its operational hub in Liverpool, which services our entire UK network. It’s cost effective to run the business here, and we’ve always been able to source high quality staff to employ – we have the best of both worlds.”

Andrew is the first to suggest that career progression and quality of life go hand in hand for those working in Liverpool’s financial sector. Born in Maghull and raised in Ormskirk, Andrew now lives with his wife Gill and their children Oliver and Lucy in Formby, where he’s a member of the golf club. His heart is also tied to the city’s Everton F.C, where he played in reserves for five years as a teenager. As a member of The Mersey Partnership and an employer of local people, Andrew agrees with the former that the financial services sector is well-

served in Merseyside, with HR, personnel, fund managers, tax advisors and accountants working from the Liverpool office, which looks after £1.4billion. By comparison, Edinburgh employs mostly fund managers in a smaller team, looking after £1billion.

Graduates of the University of Liverpool are frequent recruits, and found to be of a high calibre.

Andrew graduated from the same institution 1986, although his degree was in biochemistry: “I realise that that’s a rare occurrence these days.”

Rathbones’ merger, two years into Andrew’s career path, saw the fund management business play to its strengths. Twenty years later, adapting to trends and using innovation and foresight to cater for clients is key to attracting more investors: “As a business, Rathbones has always grown organically, and in 2008 we saw the funds under management grow by 7.4 per cent.

That’s a very creditable figure in difficult market conditions, winning new business, and that’s something that’s been pretty consistent in recent years.”

Rathbones’ history is an intriguing tale of entrepreneurship throughout the centuries. Beginning as a timber business before moving into trading and shipping in the heyday of the British Empire, the firm’s roots in

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Andrew Morris Founding Business

Andrew pictured with ‘The Story of Rathbones Since 1742’

by David Lascelles

Liverpool are not merely a historical postscript to today’s balance sheet but a seed in germination for perennial success. The strategy for expansion is opportunistic, and seems to be a formula that’s been tried and tested to great success.

As Andrew comments: “We are very financially strong on the balance sheet, and we will be looking at investment opportunities. I couldn’t say until I saw one what that might be, but it is our strength that we’re financially strong and in a position to do that.”

The Liverpool office occupies approximately 55,000 sq ft in the Port of Liverpool Building; the whole of the fourth floor, the majority of the third linked by an internal staircase, some basement space for shower facilities and bike storage, and a comfortable staff area.

The new office, which opened in Birmingham in the middle of last year, was similarly chosen for its location and quality specification: “We look for a prestigious space which is also sensible and costeffective, in the business district to make us accessible for our clients.

“We moved in to the Port of Liverpool in 1984, so I can’t take any credit for that. We’re incredibly lucky to work in a landmark space which has been adapted to meet our present needs, with an open plan

floor. Downing made a commitment to us to create a high quality working environment and carried it out; it’s also a very beautiful building.” Indeed, chief executive Andy Pomfret divides his time between the Liverpool office and New Bond Street. Andrew adds: “I don’t think that, coming to work here every day for over 20 years, I’ve ever fully appreciated the surroundings.”

Latest trends in investment management include the growth of the self-invested personal pension scheme, and charities investments.

Andrew adds: “The former has been growing steadily since 2007, and may continue this year. We’ve also seen our work in managing charities’ monies increase, and that sits superbly with the historical ethos of Rathbones, and the philanthropic backdrop of the firm.”

Greenbank, the ethical investment arm, takes its name from the Rathbone family house which was gifted to the university.

Today, Sebastian’s son Julian now heads up the charities unit in Liverpool, working closely with Andrew, and continuing the firm’s ethos of investing in Liverpool.

Members of staff are involved as governors on the boards of four schools in Liverpool, offering their expertise in areas which would

“

Liverpool is such a different place now. It’s pulled itself up by the bootstraps and is looking good.

Now we need to generate more business here, and we all need to pull together to do that.”

”

otherwise not come into contact with a leading player in the financial sector. Andrew’s ambitions for the business’s growth are essential to continue the firm’s contributions around the city: “One of the consequences of what’s going on in the financial market is a shake up in our sector, where the weaker players will come under pressure.

That, in a way, presents a kind of opportunity for us.

“If Rathbones can continue to grow around the UK, Liverpool is a direct beneficiary of that. It will be very interesting to see what happens over the course of the next 12 months as, once we get through the current hiatus, I think we will be in a very good position.”

A man with his hand on his heart and a finger on the pulse is not altogether an anomaly in Liverpool’s financial sector, but it is rare to find one such man as unassuming as Andrew - who would shy away of such blatant marketing speak and as calmly optimistic. He added: “When I came to work here in 1986 my peers thought I was barking mad, and I probably was.

Liverpool is such a different place now. It’s pulled itself up by the bootstraps and is looking good.

Now we need to generate more business here, and we all need to pull together to do that.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 19

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World Property Fair Key events

Liverpool property professionals on the continent

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

1 1.Richard Peel, director, Merepark

Liverpool civic and business leaders headed to France for the city’s MIPIM do at Cannes. The 20,000 plus delegates emphasised the city’s assets and attractions at a stand in the Palais des Festivals, in an attempt to draw global investors to the north-west.

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TO LET FOR SALE HIGH QUALITY REFURBISHED OFFICES > Situated within an exciting and vibrant City Centre location, in close proximity to Church Street, and the new Liverpool One Shopping Centre.

> > > > > >

Impressive new entrance foyer from Bold Street.

8 person passenger lift.

Full access raised floors.

Excellent natural daylight.

24 hour 7 day access.

Adjacent to the main entrance from Bold Street to Central Village.

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2.Maggie Mullan, partner, Austin-Smith Lord Architects 3.Dougal Paver, MD, Paver Smith, and Michelle Helsby, Evolve Productions

Suites from 2,260 to 14,050 sq. ft.

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4.Professor Peter McDermott, director at the Centre for Construction Innovation, and David Berrisford, Poole Dick Associates 5.Sam Tawil, director, Transition Espresso, and Paul Whithead, Liverpool Vision

2ND & 3RD FLOOR 9-19 BOLD STREET LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE

6 6.David Barlow, associate director, Paul Moy Associates 7.Martyn Best, director, Paver Smith, and Des Walker, director, Walker Sime 20 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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0151 224 7666

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THE CHAPEL CROSSHALL ST LIVERPOOL

www.chapel-liverpool.co.uk

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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 / Offices / Restaurant POINT OF CONTACT Mark Worthington Direct Dial: 0151 471 4971 Tel: 0151 224 7666 mark.worthington@cbre.com

Tanhouse Lane, Widnes, WA8 0SL

Now availabl ef immedia or t occupan e cy

NEW OFFICE UNITS FOR SALE/TO LET 2,207 sq ft (205 sq m) – 16,553 sq ft (1,537 sq m).

Available as individual floors or whole buildings.

Contact: Chris Wright, The Forward Partnership, Lady Mary Square, Rostherne Lane, Rostherne, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 6SA Tel: 01565 832 500

Contact: Andrew Owen 0151 242 3120

email: sales@fcdl.co.uk MOVE COMMERCIAL 21

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Penrhyn Court is located on Penrhyn Road, Knowsley Business Park, to the south of the A580 (East Lancs Road). The estate has excellent access to junctions 4 and 5 of the M57 motorway, linking through to the M62 and M58 motorways and the Liverpool conurbation. Knowsley Business Park is an established quality environment, which has seen numerous new developments in the last 15 years.

Specification •

7 metre clear internal height in units A, B and C

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6.5 metre clear internal height in units D and E

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10% office content

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High quality offices including comfort cooling / heating, carpets, suspended ceiling incorporating light fittings, WC’s and showers

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Unit B benefits from a ground source heat pump which contributes to office heating and reduces running costs

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Intruder alarm to offices

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37.5 kn / m sq floor loading to warehouse / industrial areas

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Generous car parking and concrete yard areas

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Each unit provides a first floor area for light storage or office expansion, subject to the necessary consents

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Industrial units launch Key events

Smarter storage from Caddick in Knowsley

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

1 1. Myles Hartley, director at Caddick Developments and the Mayor of Knowsley

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The breakfast launch of Penrhyn Court’s new suite of industrial units in Knowsley Business Park saw an excellent turn-out from interested parties who met the developers at the site and enjoyed a tour of the largest warehouse unit.

The Mayor of Knowsley welcomed the guests and drew the tickets for the prize draw, which

provided the winners with vouchers for John Lewis and dinner at Malmaison, and all enjoyed the sausage and bacon sandwiches before taking home a bottle of wine. With a range of semi-detached and detached units with ground source heating, internal heights of up to seven metres, and suitable for office usage or storage, the suites are available to buy or to rent and range from 5,715 sq ft to 24,300 sq ft.

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2. Simon Roddam and Jos Baxendell, BE Group 3. Darren Hill, CBRE, and Robin Evans, Matthews & Goodman 4. Nick Harrop, Hitchcock Wright & Partners, Paul Parker from Edward Symmons, and Paul Thorne, Mason Owen 5. Paul Parker, Edward Symmons, and Andrew Owen, Mason Owen

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6. Rob Taylor and Andy Johnson, Knight Frank, and Bruce Bott, Mason Owen 7. Alastair Newman, King Sturge, with Peter Johnston and Mark Atherton, Legat Owen 8. Myles Hartley, Caddick Developments, and Vince Sandwell, BE Group, with Jonathon Hutton and Dale Milburn, KMBC

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9. Julien Kenny, Colliers, with Helen Moss and Louise Bardsley, King Sturge 10. Mark Coulthurst, CBRE, with Andrew Byrne and Rupert Lowe, Keppie Massie, and David Newman, Matthews & Goodman 11. Sarah Friskney and Chris Allott, senior contracts manager, Caddick Developments MOVE COMMERCIAL 23

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One firm enjoying the other side of the coin in the retail market’s current struggle is Timpson, where the ‘make do and mend’ trend is leading to further growth and business success.

Well-managed marketplace TIMPSON HOUSE in Wythenshawe acts as the head office for the company whose units hide away in unusual locations on the high street. The design-led interiors, with a virtual fish pond in the waiting area, encompass a hive of activity as colleagues – that’s how employees are referred to in the company – pass in and out of the building, which also operates as a shop. James Timpson joins me after a meeting with one of the senior members of the Max Spielmann team, which Timpson acquired in December last year.

We meet during the course of the one day per week James spends at his office; the rest of the time he’s out on the road conducting, as he styles it, ‘management by walking around’. It’s an approach which sees the company oversee 823 shops in the UK and Ireland, in addition to the Persil Services units bought in June 2008 and the newly acquired Max Spielmann and Klick units from KPMG. The Timpson empire began as a family business in 1865 when chairman John Timpson’s great grandfather opened his first boot shop, aged 16, in Manchester. The company expanded throughout the 30s and was always a strong contender in the marketplace, but decided to take a different course in the late 80s as increased competition, rents and imported 24 MOVE COMMERCIAL

shoes affected the market, selling on the brand to Oliver of Leicester in 1987. Retaining the shoe repair business became the focus at Timpson, expanding into key cutting, shoe care and a range of related services. James commented that current conditions on the high street may be some contributor to more recent growth: “We find that shoe repairs do really well when it costs the third of the price of a new pair - and when it’s raining. We don’t get a lot of shoes here from the very low end of the market; they’re normally shoes that have cost £50 or £60 a pair or more.”

The make do and mend mantra has found a popular following and considerable media coverage in the current climate, to the detriment of most retailers. In James’s opinion, the problems on the high street are, in some cases, a result of bad management: “Liverpool isn’t an example as so much has been happening there of late, but in somewhere like Mold or Oswestry where you haven’t necessarily got the best people working in a store, you will make a loss. The boon covered a lot of mistakes. Here, if a shop is struggling we’ll do what we can to fix it, but if you need to cut the tail and move on that’s what you have to do. Here, we’ve become a sort of specialist in buying bust businesses.”

James began working for his father aged 14, in a shop in Northwich, before a stint in Kirkby: “that was a steep learning curve.”

He became a relief manager and an area manager, and ran a number of shops while studying for his geography degree in Durham, “which means I can find my way around.” Deciding to work for his father was, he says, less a choice than “the fact that no one else was going to employ me.”

He must have done something right. Today, James and his father John Timpson, well known for his books on entrepreneurial success, compete as to who can suffer fewer failing shops. For James one disaster stands out: “It was Torquay, and it just didn’t work. The best deal however, was one I made with Auto Magic when I joined the company full time in 1995. They had great sites but were badly run. I did a deal to get Mr Minit for 31 and we made £3 million in a year.”

He is evidently pleased by the acquisition of Max Spielmann, and the opportunities which the buyout will bring to the Timpson brand: “We’ve found that the photography units do really well in value areas, while Timpson does well in more upmarket ones, which means that we’ve now got shops across a wide range of markets. The Max Spielman shops cover the north-west from

Chester across to Hull, and we’ll be putting about half a dozen Timpsons in some of those stores.”

When it comes to choosing the locations, James takes a personal interest in finding the right unit: “I’m out all the time visiting the shops and I’ll look for new locations – I like to be near a public toilet or a MacDonald’s as that tends to be where we’ll do really well. We don’t need much space; our average number of colleagues in a store is 2.2, although we have anything from one to six people in some of the stores. Our smallest shop is only 78 sq ft. I like a cheeky location – you’ll find Timpson in the corner where there used to be a power cupboard, or behind a pillar.”

Continuity is important to keeping customers, making location ever more important, but statistics aren’t a factor in the location choice: “When we go into a shopping centre we always end up pushed right at the back, because these centres cater for really big retail units, which we don’t want. We only need electrics, not even running water, and the space can often be such an odd shape that it’s difficult then for the landlord to pin us down.

“I think that makes us a bit of a nuisance to the shopping centre really.”

The firm’s property portfolio dates back to the days when the shops used greater floorspace, so some of the buildings in the portfolio are now leased out to other retailers – as in Old Swan, Liverpool, where the Co-Op Travel take a lease. James continues: “We do own some freeholds, but not many. We’ll rent them out, but keep a presence in them.

“We’re a highly cash-generative business, so I normally can get what I want, even if I have to wait a bit.

When we put an offer in, we can pay up front; another company has to make an offer ‘subject to planning and finance’ but when I make an offer I’m subject to nothing.

“I do normally choose now to rent than to buy as that ties up the assets.

Having said that, there are some good opportunities in property at the moment and I am thinking of making some investments. For the past five or six years property has been very expensive, but now the yields are 10 per cent plus.”

Timpson has recently acquired The White Eagle pub in Rhoscolyn and the Maelog Lake Hotel in Rhosniegr for the use of colleagues on their holidays: “I paid in cash up

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James Timpson Movers & Shakers

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I like a cheeky location – you’ll find Timpson in the corner where there used to be a power cupboard, or behind a pillar.”

front to secure the deal.” The honest, straight-talking business approach makes for a pleasant as well as a profitable environment. Tricia, who directs the property team alongside six in-house surveyors and a two man legal team, will speak to James three or four times a day about the progress of deals: “’Fees’ is a disgusting four letter expletive.

I like to do all of my property management in-house to keep tight reigns on how it’s going, on costs and to control the pace. It’s essential with a portfolio this size.” The firm is currently looking for an opportunity in Southampton, which James will find by walking around taking photographs when he’s next there for the day: “We want a cheeky unit, and sometimes just by ringing up or writing to a florist or a small business in a good location I’ll find that the proprietor will agree to sell up for such an amount, or if we pay their costs.

“I’ll compare the site I’m looking at to something already in the portfolio, and work out by that what the takings should be. More often than not, it’s very accurate.

“The rents vary a lot. I have one shop that costs £3,000 a year and one that costs £90,000 - and we take more in the £3,000 a year shop.”

A new venture has been launched at Liverpool One under the name of The Watch Workshop, a repairer of high end watches and jewellery which has, according to James, been doing really well so that there are now eight stores across the country.

Common sense and honest business practice is matched by schemes to reward hardworking colleagues.

One scheme - alongside the five weeks holiday, pension plan and having your birthday off work - is called ‘Dreams Come True’; this week James received a letter from an employee who he’ll be paying for to take their sick child to Disneyland.

Rewards also make hard work worthwhile; recruitment for the top jobs is sourced in-house from employees who’ll have begun by working in one of the shops. James comments: “If you’re good, this is the best place to be.”

Timpson File Born: 1971 Education: Uppingham School, Chester Durham University Work: Joined Timpson in 1995 MOVE COMMERCIAL 25

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Dougal Paver is a man with many passions, but his city and his business are right at the top. Lucy Oliver took Paver Smith’s MD to sample Thai cuisine at Sabai on North John Street to discuss business success at the heart of the city’s commercial district.

Paving the way to success PAVER SMITH, which opened up in 2006 in Liverpool city centre, has most recently acquired Stripe Communications, in addition to Pazang, and has opened a new office of 4,500 sq ft in Manchester’s Spinningfields: “We’ve got a 100 ft long private balcony; Chris Hennessy (CBRE) tipped us off on the building.

I didn’t want to be in some exwarehouse. The environment of our office is part of what I’m selling to my clients. They need to feel that they’re on a level with their peers when they come in here. We’re ‘creative’ yes, but we are also efficient and profitable, which you need to be to survive.

We’ve bought up a couple more agencies lately, and we plan to buy some more this year.” The long-term plan is to move into London, and to expand across the UK: “I want to build a network of offices across the country with Liverpool as the headquarters, so that we have the ability to serve our clients in the local market, and nationwide. We’ve already moved into Manchester, London is about a year away, and 26 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Paver File D.O.B 12/04/1968, Broadgreen Hospital Education: Sacred Heart, Crosby First job: Door to door car cleaning aged 10 Worst role: Cleaning the ladies’ toilets at B.H.S

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For me, my people are 100 per cent of the deal, and that’s why I invest in them

then we’ll be going into Birmingham, Leeds, Belfast, and so on.”

To start, I opt for the prikka thiem squid, in a light batter, to be followed by chicken green curry and sticky rice. Dougal chooses the katong tong, a tofu dish, which arrives with a beautifully presented Thai style salad – and some typical Thai beer. I ask Dougal what made him choose to set up and work in Liverpool: “I was a graduate entering the world of work in the ’92 recession. I knew I wanted to run my own business; my passions were never for academic disciplines like my sisters. I flunked my O Levels, but then I got into studying business and it was like a switch went on. I got into Trent poly, but I didn’t like the way they taught the course so I left after two months and lived in Barcelona for a year. When I came back I did retail marketing in Manchester, a really competitive course, and absolutely loved every minute of it. I don’t think many people can say they use the skills from their degree every day, but I can.”

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Dougal Paver Entrepreneur Dougal likes to take his clients on business trips to Spain every two months or so, and the annual Christmas party for staff is held abroad over the course of a few days; this year’s will be in Valencia. Here in a Liverpudlian venture into Thai cuisine, it’s time to tuck into our mains. Dougal enjoys the pad maheer tet - Thai king prawns and coconut rice while I choose my personal favourite, green curry with chicken and sticky rice, served properly in a raffia basket. The city’s growing number of successful new ventures (Sabai itself is situated on the site of the former Harvey Malcolm) has seen the commercial district expand and change shape.

Paver’s first office, as part of Paver Downes, at Queens Square overlooked Queens Square but with subsequent growth, from the initial seven staff to today’s figure of 38, new premises had to be sought, and 3,900 sq ft at Bruntwood’s The Plaza on Old Hall Street is the latest destination: “When we began Paver Smith we were based in Castle Chambers, and we had to earn our way to The Plaza. I think that now we have a venue where we can invite clients to come in and show them the level of service they can expect from us.

“Old Hall Street works for us on a number of levels; a great neighbourhood that looks fit for purpose, good neighbours, a good landlord and very accessible. We wanted to be surrounded by our clients not our competitors, and this is going to be our guiding principle when we set up in new cities.”

“It’s a pleasant environment for staff with panoramic views of the waterfront. For me, my people are 100 per cent of the deal, and that’s why I invest in them. We’ve launched a new training academy with 42 modules our staff can take for their personal development. Talent has the pick of jobs, so it’s important to interest them and keep them happy.

It’s just good business practice.”

Our main courses are served.

The green curry is light enough for a lunch-time dish with choice cuts of chicken and an excellent selection of vegetables and subtle combinations of flavours. The sticky rice is served the proper way – moulded together inside a wicker basket for ease.

Dougal’s prawns arrive whole, and are a good size. On the subject of the city’s management he is both frustrated but compassionate: “Local government politics doesn’t attract business people, who’d be well-

A Side Order of Success Sabai Thai restaurant on North John Street is Paula Smith and Wil Vongsanga’s first venture.

They opened in January 2007, and chose the location for its proximity to the business district.

The Liverpool One development’s appearance was a happy accident that’s been bringing shoppers to the welcoming, authentically Thai venue, with bold décor and a tempting menu. A business lunch is available six days a week with three courses for £9.50, including wine or a soft drink, between 12pm and 5pm. “The first year’s been busy and had a good response, and we’re still building up the business,” said Paula.

Book a table on 0151 236 7655.

Paver’s Three Challenges 1. To stay on top of the cash flow 2. To find more talent 3. To constantly improve client service informed to make important decisions. Previously we had very benevolent leaders, who were also business leaders, and I’d like to see that happen again.”

Dougal is no less candid about the risks he’s taken in business: “The worst mistake I ever made was when an accountant advised us to float on the stock market; it cost us £300,000 in cash and lost opportunity.” There have, of course, been many successes, which Dougal modestly puts down to a simple formula: “The best advice I’ve ever been given is that it’s not what you know or who you know, but the use of what you make of who you know, and the use you let them make of you.” He pauses, reflecting: “Oh, and look after your staff and see great things happen.” As savvy, marketing men come, Dougal is not one to sell himself short but, it’s evident to me

that his passion for the city and for his staff is genuine; next up are his plans to make it into The Times’ list of the 100 best small businesses to work for. That, and to create the best PR agency in the UK – “in terms of employment practice and standards of service.” He adds: “I have always been very driven, and part of that was to work in the city that I want to, where I can have a successful business and a good quality of life.

For my siblings and many others of my generation, it wasn’t possible to carve out a successful career here as there weren’t the opportunities, but things have changed and I want my children to be able to have that choice as to where they work.

“For 250 years Liverpool was the best place to be, and the success of last year has given us a platform to build upon, to do that again.”

“

I have always been very driven, and part of that was to work in the city that I want to, where I can have a successful business and a good quality of life.

”

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Knowsley’s excellent transport links make it a viable option for businesses locating to the north-west. Unlike other, industrial based areas, its office industry is also growing in the greenfield site, with high specification premises at reasonable rates pulling in some high-profile occupiers.

Moorgate Point

The lobby of Moorgate Point

Business park in the know KINGS BUSINESS PARK in Knowsley has been attracting tenants for office space in a green environment since its opening.

Puma Court, developed by Kenmore Property Group, recently let just short of 7,500 sq ft to Balfour Beatty on a ten-year lease with a five-year break option. The firm secured a stepped rent starting at £14 per sq ft, rising to £15.50 by the fifth year.

The building holds seven units, and Johnsons has also recently located its administration quarter there.

Mark Robinson, who oversees the firm’s developments in the northwest, said Kenmore is offering two more units, one at ground floor level with 4,000 sq ft and another selfcontained unit of 7,500 sq ft: “Kings Business Park is well-located for Knowsley, Warrington and Runcorn with strong links to the M57 and M62, so there’s a good catchment 28 MOVE COMMERCIAL

area for potential occupiers.

“I think that, with the market being tough, we’ve been able to secure some reasonable rates on the site. We’re agreeing deals on an individual basis.”

At Stephenson House in Knowsley Industrial Park North, Balfour Beatty employs those working on the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) project at seven sites in Knowsley – as described in our education focus feature on page 33.

Barry Yates, director at Balfour Beatty, said that 12 per cent of the workers employed on site are local, through the firm’s contractors, and that 30 per cent are from the northwest. It’s certainly an attribute of the region that skilled workers are in good supply, but the site’s links to excellent transport routes is a key attraction when choosing to set up base. He added: “I’d say that what

we need now is perhaps some better signposting around the estates.”

Avanti Environmental, a leading independent environmental management company, has also invested in the area. Its new building and renovations at its headquarters demonstrates a commitment to the borough which takes advantage of the space for purpose built buildings, such as that needed for the firm’s 80 members of staff.

Deacon Park, a development by Highcross, has been proving popular with occupiers looking for high quality office space. Vertex, Virgin Media, Knowsley Borough Council, Sayers the Bakers and Rathbones Training have all signed leases at the site. Industrial occupiers include Movianto Health Care Logistics, West Coast Corrugated Limited and SugaRich.

There are currently offices available from 560 sq ft to 9,700 sq ft available and warehousing accommodation available from 50,000 sq ft to 456,000 sq ft.

Iain Taylor, asset manager at Highcross, commented: “We know we have a strong product to offer with excellent levels of parking and an unbeatable location. We have access to the A580, M57 and M62 and there is a strong labour force available in the area.

“Despite the current economic climate we have recently let a 79,263 sq ft industrial warehouse on Deacon Park to Movianto, 3,157 sq ft offices to Sayers The Bakers and a further 3,525 sq ft to Rathbones Training. These lettings illustrate that demand remains from companies who are still actively looking to relocate, expand or consolidate their business.”

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Knowsley Focus

The Avanti team with Cllr Round at Knowsley Industrial Park

Northern Gateway

Caddick Developments celebrated the launch of Penrhyn Court with a breakfast launch, featured on page 23, at which the Mayor of Knowsley commented that he was delighted to see investment in the region going “from strength to strength.” The warehouse space was opened up for the event which saw agents from the city centre come together to see just how accessible the park is from Liverpool via major roads, and to appreciate the green space and trees planted on the site.

Miles Hartley, director, commented: “We had an excellent turn-out at the launch event. The units range from semi-detached to detached, and all have ground source heating.

The internal heights go up to seven metres, so they can be used for offices or for storage as required.”

The Northern Gateway is a brand new distribution facility of 148,000 sq ft (13,749 sq m) on Knowsley Industrial and Business Park, situated close to the M57/A580 junction. The warehouse is 138,000 sq ft and the offices are 10,000 sq ft, providing excellent facilities in an out of town space that’s still just eight miles from Liverpool city centre. The quoting rental is £4.75 per sq ft. It is available to let or sale

of the freehold would be considered, and the agents on the scheme, Steven Johnson at King Sturge and Julien Kenny Levick at Colliers, are handling enquiries.

Kilmartin Property Group has recently completed a £1.5million refurbishment of Moorgate Point, a detached two storey office building on Moorgate Road, just off junction 4 of the M57. Commercial Credit Management has taken 2,740 sq ft on the first floor, as the development’s first tenant.

A comprehensive refurbishment programme has seen the building transformed externally and internally, with the office accommodation and common areas finished to a high standard. The office space is available over the ground and first floor, providing large open plan floor plates. Part of the first floor has been converted into the Enterprise Centre offering sub-divided offices from 88 sq ft.

Mark Ridehalgh of Kilmartin Property Group commented: “We have made a substantial investment in refurbishing Moorgate Point and the quality and range of accommodation now available means that there is a fantastic opportunity for any

business based in the north-west.”

Another developer enjoying early success at a new site is St Modwen, which announced its first deal at Stonebridge Park on the A580. The Neighbourhood Services Company (NSC), which seeks to train up local people, has purchased unit two comprising approximately 15,850 sq ft overlooking a newly created waterfront feature. Michael Hosie, development manager at St Modwen, commented: “We are delighted to welcome NSC to Stonebridge Park. The move demonstrates that there is still demand for the right product in the right location.” The tenant, Tony Jennings of NSC said: “The prestigious appearance and quality of the buildings, as well as the attractive landscaping and strategic location, were all key factors in our decision.”

The first phase of the Stonebridge Park scheme directly fronts the East Lancs Road with four high quality industrial or warehouse units from 13,000 to just under 29,000 sq ft for sale or to let, with quoting prices from £4.90 per sq ft and £72.50 per sq ft exclusive, and all enquiries taken by David

Neman at Matthews & Goodman.

The park also aims to provide the opportunity for further speculative and bespoke development for office, industrial and distribution uses, as an integral part of a regeneration project led by Liverpool Vision.

One thing that Knowsley’s commercial sector would like to see is an expanding leisure offer, to attract a more diverse range of businesses in the area. Mark Robinson at Kenmore agrees: “I’d like to see an improved public transport system too, as that is lacking at the moment, along with some more retail and leisure facilities for employees. That will all come with critical mass, and when it does and leisure activity is strengthened then that will also strengthen its appeal.”

The future looks bright for tenants in need of office and industrial space in the borough.

It seems certain that, as occupiers sign up on the growing park, more will follow to take advantage of all this striking region, secluded and yet easily accessible from surrounding major cites, has to offer.

Puma Court, Kings Business Park

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Transport briefing Key events

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

1 1. Charlotte Dixon, Department for Transport, with Steve Holcroft, The Mersey Partnership, Murray Grant at The Mersey Partnership, David Parr, chief executive of Halton Borough Council, and Jan Rowley, assistant executive director of regeneration at Liverpool City Council

City region challenges

2

3

4

2. David Jones, Merseytravel and Iain Aldred, Northern Rail 3. Howard Farrell, Richard Halsall and John Rimmer, Arriva North West and Wales 4. Jeff Porter, Move Publishing and Phil Spick, Shop Direct

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7

5. Paul Young, BIFA and Roland Graham, Merseyside Cycle Campaign 6. Helen Shaw, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital and Cllr Barbara Mace, Liverpool City Council 7. Steve Parry, Neptune Developments and John Flamson, University of Liverpool

8

9

8. Patience Jones, Knowsley MBC, Colin Langdon, Cycling Solutions and Don Thompson, Merseyside Cycling Campaign 9. Helen Halpin, FRC Group and Paul Garratt, Urban Space Products 10. Phil Stone and Debra Mercer, Arriva North West and Wales

10

THE MERSEYSIDE TRANSPORT PARTNERSHIP breakfast briefing at the Empire Theatre saw representatives from business, academia, the transport industry, the public sector and associated partners join to discuss the future of transport in the economic growth and awareness of the environment in the Liverpool City Region.

The event’s speakers included Murray Grant, head of Merseyside Transport Partnership Support Unit, Charlotte Dixon from the Department for Transport, and Jan Rowley, assistant executive director for regeneration at Liverpool City Council, while Steve Holcroft, vice chair of Merseyside Transport Partnership made the introductions.

Entitled ‘Delivering a Sustainable Transport system’, Charlotte Dixon examined the goals and challenges facing regional and local transport, and advocated working as a city region and with other regions to develop a longterm programme of investment to improve the transport network without compromising the environment.

Murray Grant discussed the expectations raised by the local transport plan, and Jan Rowley’s presentation examined how the Year of the Environment has informed and will guide transport plans in Liverpool, with solid statistics and targets.

The emphasis on co-operative partnerships and forward planning for the environment, road safety, economics and health of the region was paramount throughout the morning’s discussion, under the heading – and challenge - ‘Economic growth and environmental quality… can Merseyside succeed?’

“

The emphasis on cooperative partnerships and forward planning for the environment, road safety, economics and health of the region was paramount throughout the morning’s discussion…

”

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(Computer enhanced image)

LIVERPOOL OFFICES TAKE NOTICE Following an extensive refurbishment programme, due for completion in May 2009, Pearl Assurance House will be renamed One Derby Square.

26,000 sqft of grade A office space will be available, right at the heart of the city centre. Irresistible.

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Capital Projects Features Improving education is key to developing a skilled and talented workforce to take advantage of opportunities in the region, and to attracting future investment. We’ve researched some of the schemes which are set to boost learning and opportunity for future generations, showing how building design, materials and energy efficiency features are working together for the benefit of our region.

Top of the Class

The atrium at Christ the King Catholic and Church of England Centre for Learning

Building Schools for the Future (BSF) Aims: To refurbish or rebuild every secondary school in England by 2020.

Location: Nationally. Closer to home, Knowsley is steadily working its way towards completion of seven new learning centres across the borough.

Contractor: Balfour Beatty in Knowsley, using 12 per cent local labour.

Architect: Aedas Costs: £45 billion nationally.

In Knowsley, £150 million.

Funding from: Partnerships for Schools (joint government and private finance initiative).

Benefits and spin-offs: The whole community will become service users with access to learning, sport, culture and leisure activities under one roof.

Materials used: In the example of Christ the King school in Knowsley, instead of bricks, the more visually attractive cedar boarding (25 per cent), terracotta tile cladding (35 per cent)

and glass panelling (40 per cent) was used to incorporate natural lighting.

Energy efficiency and other essential features: Judging by the first to open, Christ the King, the centres will boast energy efficient and community friendly features.

Underground water is used to partially heat the building and a winter garden includes a roof that lets in a limited amount of water for the plants.

Other supporters: In Knowsley, ICT provider, RM, and Thorpe Kilworth, furniture providers. To be delivered by: Nationally 2020. However, Knowsley

has forecasted a completion date for all schools of January 2010.

On target? Christ the King Catholic and Church of England Centre for Learning opened in January 2009.

Halewood, South Huyton, Prescot and Whiston Centres for Learning and Kirkby Sports College are all due for completion by September 2009.

Verdict: As a snapshot of the regeneration in Knowsley, this is all positive news, and is also setting an example to other regions of the government’s plans to involve the community in education facilities.

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CGI of Hope Academy as planned

National Academies Framework

Hugh Baird, Pembroke Centre building

Hugh Baird 34 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Aims: To provide a new ecumenical academy on the Newton High School site for 1,650 secondary pupils, including a 300-student sixth form, car park and playing fields.

Location: Nationally. Locally, one such project is Hope Academy, Newton-leWillows, St Helens.

Contractor: Willmott Dixon Construction, using local labour.

Architect: Robinson, Manchester Costs: £33million Funding from: Liverpool Hope University, RC Archdiocese of Liverpool and Liverpool Anglican Diocese for the teaching resources.

Benefits and spin-offs: Hope University will contribute to the very latest approaches in teacher training and continuing professional development of teachers at the Academy, along with its feeder and neighbouring schools. The University's Centre for Widening Participation will also work with the Academy and wider community to develop ways of encouraging pupils to aspire to continue their post-18 higher education.

Materials used: Structural steel frame including glulam beams, SIPs panels, coloured glazing, white brickwork, Fermacell boarding and recycled content floor screeds, recycled

decorative paving, and recycled plastic timber-look decking.

Energy efficiency and other essential features:The Academy will incorporate the very latest environmentally sound features to become one of the most sustainable schools in the country. Biomass boilers together with wind turbines for renewable energy generation and photo-voltaic cells in order to achieve the highest possible BREEAM rating.

Other supporters: Overall project manager, Mouchel.

To be delivered by: Work will start in August 2009, subject to planning approval, with completion scheduled for September 2011.

On target? Work is due to begin August 2009.

Verdict: This ecumenical academy is making headlines due to its high profile backers, and will be one of the first academies to see different faith organisations work together. It is the latest in a series of major projects secured by Willmott Dixon under the National Academies Framework. Within the past 12 months, it’s also secured the Middlesbrough BSF, Waingels College in Wokingham, Skinners’ Academy in the London Borough of Hackney and St Anne’s Academy in Middleton.

Aims: Improved facilities for the Pembroke Construction Centre, and a world class learning environment for future generations at the Balliol site.

Location: Pembroke Construction Centre on Pembroke Road, Bootle, and new college (to replace existing Balliol Centre Campus) on Stanley Road, Bootle.

Contractor: Lockwoods for Pembroke Construction Centre. No appointment yet made for the new campus.

Architect: Taylor Young for the Pembroke Construction Centre and new campus.

Costs: £4.1 million for Pembroke Centre and £50 million for new Balliol Campus.

Funding: The funding is provided by Hugh Baird and the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) Benefits: The new campus is set to include world class facilities for students in a comfortable, modern environment, for generations to come.

Materials used: Not specified Energy efficiency and other essential features: Solar panels have been used in the Pembroke Construction Centre, and solar panels and ground source heating will be used in the new college campus.

Supporters: Sefton local authority Delivered by: Pembroke Construction Centre is expected to be complete by April 2009, while the new college campus should be finished by 2011.

On target: Pembroke Construction centre is near completion, but a government decision needs to be made on future funding for the new Balliol centre.

Verdict: These new centres cover a range of education courses, and should not only improve facilities but bring them up to world class level.

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Capital Projects Features

CGI of the planned development of Edge Hill University

Edge Hill University

Maghull Library, part of the Leisure Centre development

Maghull Leisure Centre and Library

Aims: The University’s ambitions include doubling in size by 2020.

Necessary expansion and refurbishment of residential accommodation, academic delivery and improved sports facilities will help to achieve this aim.

Location: Ormskirk, Lancashire Architect: Faculty of Health building, Owen Ellis Partnership and ABW, and ABW for the Business School and residences.

Contractor: John Turner & Sons, S & J Charnley Ltd Benefits and spin-offs: Edge Hill University has been recognised by the Carbon Trust for its green initiatives and it is estimated that the faculty of health buildings, completed last year, will reduce the campus’ carbon emissions by at least 20 tonnes per year.

Costs: £60million Materials used: Traditional use of brickwork, structural steel, high performance glazing, and timber from renewable sources Funding from: Barclays Bank will fund £30m of the total capital.

Other supporters: This project is selffinanced by Edge Hill University.

To be delivered by: 2013. The project has seen several phases already. The business school, an £8 million project, is already opened. The accommodation units are expected to be ready by September 2009.

On target? Work has continued steadily throughout the past 10 years and the university’s current project is student residential accommodation, due for completion in September 2009.

Energy efficiency and other essential features: True to Edge Hill's green ethos, the buildings have been designed with the environment in mind and features include several innovative energy-saving measures. The hot water supply comes from solar energy and electricity is generated on-site, channelling any waste heat towards heating the building's water supply or the nearby swimming pool. A ‘live energy wall’ (which changes colour as more energy is used) is located in the main entrance of the building to remind staff and students to turn off computers, lights and other electrical equipment after use. Renewable energy is used throughout the building, including a natural underground water source from the nearby lake, which is channelled through pumps and heated using solar power. The flats are ecofriendly, using solar panels to heat part of the buildings' hot water supply and triple glazed windows and heavily insulated walls. Low-energy electrical fittings are also used throughout.

Verdict: A 38 per cent rise in applications to the institution is proving popularity with the students, and new facilities should also see standards reach new heights.

Aims: to deliver an eco-friendly leisure centre comprising of a 25m swimming pool, separate learner pool, fitness suite and meeting rooms and library including an IT section and children’s area.

Location: Maghull Town Hall Contractor: allen build Northwest Architect: GLR Benefits and spin offs: The leisure centre will be situated in the heart of Maghull, thus maximizing access. allen build has great experience in the construction of leisure facilities, most recently demonstrated at Splash World, as well as the refurbishment of the original Dunes Leisure Centre. The outcome should be first-class facilities for Maghull’s future Olympic hopefuls. In addition, the new library will house both a large children’s area and dedicated young people’s computer section, information and enquiry pods. It will be fully accessible for people with disabilities with a large car and coach park.

Cost: £8.2million Materials used: Not specified Funding from: Sefton Council Other supporters: Active Sefton To be delivered by: Autumn 2009 On target: Regional building contractor, allen build, started the project in September 2008.

Energy efficiency and other essential features: Environmental credentials include a BREEAM rating of Very Good and features include: a wood pellet carbon neutral biomass fuel boiler, which uses wood waste converted into pellets for burning; a pool filtration system which will recycle water to serve sanitary facilities.

Verdict: This project should make learning and keeping fit accessible to all in the Maghull area, and set a benchmark for other schemes.

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elegance for a new age

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IN

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OPEN DAY 26 MARCH 11.30am - 2.30pm SUBJECT TO CONTRACT

36 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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Transforming the waterfront Talking Point Peel Holdings’ plans to transform the waterfronts of Liverpool and Wirral with a £4.5 billion investment spanning 30 to 50 years have yet to win the support of the respective councils.

Yet, the benefits for the business community on both sides of the water could be immense.

We ask, how far will these plans prove transformative for the region’s economy?

Jonathan Brown, partner at Halliwells LLP

Peter Stoney, senior fellow, University of Liverpool Management School

Mark Worthington, director of office agency at CB Richard Ellis

How will the development of Liverpool’s waterfront transform the city region?

Filini at the Radisson provided a waterfront perspective for lunch and discussion between Jonathan Brown, partner at Halliwells LLP, Peter Stoney from the University of Liverpool’s management school, and Mark Worthington, office agent at CB Richard Ellis.

What’s interesting about these plans for the waterfront?

JB: What’s particularly interesting about these plans is that the schemes aren’t just about the real estate solution where you build 10,000 flats, but it realises that you need the jobs to support the area and that’s one of the things they’re trying to do in Media City in Manchester. These 50 projects, such

as Cammell Laird, look at making the area very successful again. Tourism has been the legacy of ‘08 and improving the image of the city since Derek Hatton and the Toxteth riots, and tourism has brought jobs but, we’ve moved on from that, and Maersk has relocated its head office here.

MW: That’s been the story, but in fact it’s something like 60 jobs are coming up to Liverpool within one subsidiary of Maersk’s HQ. Having said that, Liverpool is capable of attracting that level of investment now, and it wouldn’t have been five years ago. It’s undergone physical changes and has changed in people’s perceptions.

PS: That change has been led by the

private sector and private capital, such as Grosvenor, which is different to see; it’s not just been European handouts.

MW: Grosvenor has transformed the city, reintegrating it. And the Arena and Convention Centre has also gone a long way towards that.

Is Peel doing the councils’ job for them?

PS: I think Peel will do a more effective job than the council by looking at it from a business-like point of view, which I think the council sometimes has difficulty with – especially this side of the river.

JB: I think that’s expecting too much of any council, isn’t it? For them to be involved in building houses; some of these other projects are to do with

energy – Mersey wind farms, using tidal power, making it self-sufficient.

I‘d heard about the scheme previously in terms of offices and houses, but looking at the brochures it is actually going much further than that. I don’t think the council could possibly cover this breadth.

PS: It’s also involving different authorities.

MW: Peel are one of the few companies that are well supported financially to do something on this scale and crucially, they’ve got the land. Nobody else could do something on this scale. It’s not on the public sector’s agenda nowadays to be a direct developer.

JB: You can do it in China, but not in a democracy.

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“

Some other cities have great waterfronts but I doubt many have such a stretch of water owned by one party where they can make something like this happen.

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MW: It would be good if the government did have more powers, in some respects. The approach to the city along the M62 must be one of the worst to any major city in the UK, and that could be resolved with a dual carriageway.

JB: The protests and judicial review have made this a much slower process.

PS: Under the Conservative council, the plans were made to extend the motorway into the city centre but the party was kicked out of office after the protests so it stopped at the Rocket.

MW: I think that’s junction 5 or 3 or something. (All laugh) PS: But Liverpool is in competition with other cities like any business.

As an economist, you have to count transport costs as significant as they are ‘avoidable costs’ if a business is looking to relocate or set up in a city.

While they may not be large in abstract terms they can make a difference to the profit margin so if you go to another port city like Southampton, say, you can drive right in to the middle. The Conservative plan was to build a ring road, which is just partially completed, but as it wasn’t finished the city centre movement strategy is only partially successful – making the best of the infrastructure we have.

MW: I think that transport does still need to be addressed, and if there is going to be a tram, which I’m not sure that there needs to be, then it should prioritise the airport to the city centre, or run from the airport to South Parkway.

Is transport something that needs to be addressed in the region to make the most of opportunities like Peel’s?

PS: Yes, but it’s not going to happen.

JB: The Merseyrail system isn’t a bad system; congestion has improved in the tunnels.

PS: The ferries say that they can’t compete with the train. The parking charges for after 6pm would be an extremely bad idea. We want people to buy goods and load up their car boots. All this green stuff is…well you have to keep a sense of proportion.

MW: There’s no use in making ourselves less competitive and there’s no shortage of spaces after 6pm so there’s no need to make people pay. They’d be less inclined to come here.

PS: With regards to the Mersey Gateway, we did some work at the macroeconomics group to evaluate the economic effects of three different crossings – one of which went from the M57 and leapfrogged

across Frodsham Marshes to the M56. The economic benefits were streets ahead. They will only have increased now with traffic volumes – but another route was chosen as birds come first.

Do you think that the business community has been kept informed about the proposals?

PS: This is the first I’ve seen of the plans. Peel isn’t going out of its way to market the ideas.

JB: Liverpool’s super port is being talked about in these plans but it’s actually provided by The Mersey Partnership, so there needs to be more awareness of these plans. The council should be getting behind Peel and helping them in every way that they can; in the planning process and in other areas.

PS: There was a letter to The Times from someone saying that Liverpool One was a bad idea as it was detrimental to a World Heritage Site, so I replied saying that this was ridiculous. There is so much unemployment here, double the national average, especially in Everton, which is quite close to where we are now. But that sparked off a series of letters from people who don’t want to see any development.

MW: I wonder whether Peel has an easier relationship with the Wirral council than over here, perhaps as there’s not so much need here, as Liverpool council sees it. There was a concern that the World Heritage status may be at risk from the tall buildings proposed for the waterfront - I agree that we need to keep that status.

JB: It’s no coincidence though that other successful global leisure schemes have been built on the waterfront; Peel has been looking at concepts that have worked elsewhere, such as Darling Harbour in Sydney, Victoria and Alfred waterfront in Capetown, and the waterfronts at Vancouver and Portsmouth. The first two of these are more tourist destinations and we’re probably more business related, but Liverpool does have an advantage in being by the water.

Manchester doesn’t have that, nor Leeds.

MW: Some other cities have great waterfronts but I doubt many have such a stretch of water owned by one party where they can make something like this happen.

What are the economic challenges to the plans for the waterfront?

MW: The biggest threat to the plans has to be the general economic situation, and we can’t do anything

about that. There are years of planning here which shouldn’t be affected.

JB: Now’s exactly the time to be making plans, and due to the nature of the scheme it’s a way off before the first shovel will go into the ground.

MW: Peel needs to use this time to make sure that the plans can work for the long term. It’s in everyone’s interests that the plans go forwards to regenerate the city centre, which is far better than out of town office parks. We need to see investment here in city centre buildings. People want to live here and work here rather than going out to Warrington, or to Burtonwood. The nondescript business parks leave me cold – they offer nothing in the way that working in the city centre can.

PS: It’s also much better for the staff.

I agree with you as the hard reality of the Bank of England’s predictions have shown us that we’re going to be hit for six. Although the Treasury has forecast there will be some slight recovery next year, and in my report here it says there will be some anaemic growth.

JB: Anaemic growth - now I’m an optimistic person, but they are actually saying there that the recession will end next year.

PS: There are some strong positives which underpin that idea. The depreciation of sterling will help the exports even though it impinges on domestic inflation - but that’s dead anyway. Apart from soft commodities, commodity prices are coming down. The starting point for this downturn is different from the previous one as we haven’t had inflation, and wage growth is very modest and behaving itself, and industrial relations are OK. If you cast your mind back to 20 years ago, we don’t have a repeat of that scene at all so there’s every reason to believe that the less pessimistic forecasts are going to be more credible.

JB: Even if the economy is in trouble until next year, and even if it then does just become steadier rather than improve, then this is a 30-year scheme so why not use the time now to plan everything properly.

It won’t matter that funds aren’t ready yet for businesses to be able to move.

MW: And Liverpool has come on leaps and bounds in the last ten years, and city centre living has really taken off and proven to be what people want. I do feel that in the long-term it can only be successful.

JB: On something massive like this

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Transforming the waterfront Talking Point we’ve got business, public sector and the green agenda working together for an optimum result.

Business parks are already taking shape on Wirral and proving popular, such as Riverside Park which is attracting people away from Birkenhead. Is this a positive thing for Peel?

JB: People move out of buildings that don’t meet their needs, such as the ones on Castle Street, India Buildings, Martins bank. Businesses want larger floor plates and new office buildings.

MW: Some of the older buildings are being refurbished, like India Buildings, and other Victorian buildings, but the ones that haven’t been invested in over time need a lot of work. Some of them have a fantastic location but they don’t look great. In Liverpool, we have a good number of high quality spaces for businesses to move into. In Birkenhead, businesses haven’t found a suitable product so they’ve moved out of Hamilton Square. We’ve got to the point here where we have a lot of good space available, and we need some large lettings to take the space.

Will the waterfront projects lead to competition between Liverpool and Wirral, do you think?

MW: It’s very rare that companies move across from one side to the other and I think that the proximity of the two schemes will bring inward investment.

JB: For the people who live here, there are jokes about moving across the river, but the feeling is such that people won’t mind whether the investment comes into Wirral or Liverpool. Businesses from Liverpool are more likely to move from the city centre into Bootle than they are a few minutes across the water to Birkenhead, so this barrier might continue but for inward investment the global companies won’t see it like that. There may be some rivalry between the councils then, and perhaps Peel can play them off a bit to their advantage – that might be a good thing.

PS: When the super casino was a possibility for the city, our macroeconomics group did some calculations which worked out that the Mersey Docks site would bring pretty good economic benefits.

There was also talk of the city council creating an additional railway station for in between Sandhills, Moorfields and Vauxhall to feed into that area. We finished the project but then, the next thing we heard, the city council had vetoed the proposal on the grounds that it

“ ”

Liverpool has come on leaps and bounds in the last ten years

was ‘morally unacceptable’ for the population of Liverpool to have such a large gambling vicinity on its midst. If you’re up against that sort of response then anything proposed can be blocked.

JB: That’s a strange point isn’t it, as we have casinos here already? The whole point about super casinos was that they were intended to attract people from outside and tourists, like Las Vegas.

PS: Another idea, which arose at the time, was that of the shared stadium, but that turned out not to be practical.

JB: There aren’t any more regeneration schemes of this type.

There was going to be one at the Cammell Laird site, but it didn’t progress very far. It was more about flats, a naval college and retail, and not on the same holistic scale as Peel Waters, and Peel bought Reddington, which stopped all that. There aren’t any others, so why not back Peel?

We’re not talking about some pipe dream of someone who doesn’t deliver; Peel is a very successful company.

Do you think this will influence others to make their own plans?

JB: I think that Peel is in a good position because they own the land.

The problem would be that it’s easier to do a £500m scheme than a £5billion one, and if the bigger scheme doesn’t happen then that’s a lost opportunity. Piecemeal developments don’t have the same impact so it’s unlikely we’d see something else on the same scale.

The projects are also quite a way off but they need to happen to bring about the other benefits.

MW: You’re absolutely right.

JB: The city council here raised objections about Everton F.C. relocating to Kirkby, as it took the team outside of the city boundary, which you can understand, so we have to ask if they’re going to be difficult about Wirral Waters – as

that too is happening outside the city boundary.

MW: There have been arguments for a non-partisan regional planning body for major developments to be set up, to stop infighting and help to promote the region as a brand.

PS: Would that be along the lines of what the Liverpool city region is aiming to do?

MW: That’s the idea, and it’s commendable.

JB: Yes, The Mersey Partnership can only help with this.

Are these green schemes the optimal solutions, and is there any further controversy?

JB: I think that they are just part of making sure they tick the boxes and cover all the opposition; we’ve got wind farms, tidal power…

PS: It covers the full agenda…

MW: The green agenda is the way things are going. All new developments try to be as energy efficient as possible now, using sustainable resources, cutting the carbon footprint wherever possible.

Corporate occupiers, especially government agencies, are very interested in this. It’s filtering through and it’s getting more and more important.

PS: As with the Mersey Gateway, as long as it all happens then that’s better than nothing.

Filini at the Radisson on Old Hall Street offers a two course lunch menu, which changes every fortnight, for £11.95 per person.

Our panel recommends the pumpkin ravioli with sage and caper butter, and branzino con finoccio-grilled sea bass with a shaved fennel and orange salad, and vincotto vinegar.

Telephone 0151 966 1500 to book a table.

MOVE COMMERCIAL 39

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It’s now almost a year since the first phase of Liverpool One opened for business and the development is enjoying over 90 per cent occupancy in a difficult climate. The more recent launch of the restaurant and leisure phase is also enjoying a success which ought to be compounded as Chavasse Park comes into its own over the summer months.

Miles Dunnett, asset manager at Liverpool One, is the man responsible for keeping the portfolio of retailers happy.

Going the extra mile LIVERPOOL ONE is alive with spectators for the catwalks at the city’s fashion week as Miles arrives for our interview. In the course of a week he spends time at London, Liverpool and Lincolnshire, where he’s from, to oversee the asset management of Grosvenor’s different sites, and is clearly comfortable with the nomadic approach as he quips, “The development is my office. You have to live it and breathe it.” Today, his office is alive with visitors to watch the models and djs entertain the crowds, enticing them to relax and spend in the regenerated city centre, now linked up to Albert Dock, the new arena, and the Tate. Despite retail’s current bad press, the development is doing well. Liverpool One’s Odeon is already the third most successful cinema of that brand in the country. Miles notes: “All but three leisure units at the site are now let and our retail offering is 92 and a half per cent full.” A lease is near to being signed on the origami shaped building on the park, and a Thai restaurant is due to open shortly: “With the leisure terrace opening on 01 October, it’s still early days.

The feedback we’ve had, including 40 MOVE COMMERCIAL

that from our retailers, has all been really positive. I expect it will come alive even more as summer comes, and the park becomes a central place to relax in and hang out. The Hilton is also due to open in summer, and that’s a big endorsement for the city.”

The residential tower overlooking the park, One Park West, is now let on two long leases to the Plus Dane Group and to Bridgestreet Serviced Apartments. With successful lettings complete, half of Miles’ job is done.

Ensuring that retailers are happy is something which employs subtler skills, alongside the hard work of the team at Liverpool One under estates director Chris Bliss, responsible for cleanliness and safety, from day to day. Miles spends his time catching up with retailers and listening to their requests, as well as presenting the concept of investing in the city to new retailers: “The footfall was 650,000 a week in December, and now in line with the rest of the UK it’s down to about 400,000 or so a week. We’re very proud of the figures, but what we’re most proud of is that the footfall across Liverpool is up by 17 per cent, footfall at the docks is up 44 per cent; the whole of the city is

doing well.

“We’re all in this together, it’s about the total offer, and being a collective offer to shoppers.”

The integration of the city is something which Miles holds to be the benchmark of the development’s success; indeed that was always the aim of the scheme. He observes: “Liverpool fell behind other cities over the last 20 years in its retail and leisure investment, but the driving force behind this scheme was to fight back. Liverpool has a lot going for it, with the Tate, the docks, and all the reasons why it became Capital of Culture, but it wasn’t getting the profile and recognition it deserves.

“That’s what Liverpool One was set up for. Retailers have been trading well in very difficult times, and perceptions are now changing about the city and how clean and safe, secure it is. The catchment is coming back and the city now has the ability to be able to attract high profile occupiers to stores in the city centre, and to welcome visitors looking for retail, leisure and culture during their stay. That’s something the people of this city deserve.”

Miles started at Grosvenor over

seven years ago, moving to Liverpool at the start of June last year – in time to sign final papers and for the development’s big launch. Grosvenor uses agents, Matthews & Goodman and Cushfield & Wakeman, to lease the remaining spaces, but Miles is emphatic that the plan is to maintain the right mix of retailers across the different spaces. A large part of the job at the moment is looking at the east side of the development. At Peters Lane, Flannels, Jigsaw and Radley have taken space for the first time in Liverpool, and a Cath Kidston is soon to open up there: “We were very conscious of holding out to attract the right occupiers to make the right offer within the space, and to make it different at Peters Lane from the other side of Liverpool One. We’re trying to draw people into the city who haven’t been here before.

Grosvenor has over 300 years’ experience in retaining old buildings sensitively, and that’s what we’ve done for part of the scheme, and in designing new build to be in keeping with the surrounds, as with the arcade which neighbours The Bluecoat for instance. It’s not a mall where everything looks the same.

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Miles Dunnett Rising Stars “It’s all part of the scheme, investing in architecture is part of the project, and the mix of new and old.”

He added that research has shown that shoppers prefer to see a mix of buildings in a development. At the head office in London, Miles discusses which retailers ought to be investing in which spaces, and looks at getting the mix just right: “We’ve invested so much to get to this space, that it’s important to hold out and be brave enough to wait for the right people to come on board so that it’s not just about filling the space but about getting a fine balance.” It’s this approach which should see success in longevity for the occupiers, who sign up to a ten-year lease on average.

Miles does not disclose the rents taken, but he does imply that they’re assessed when the flow of the street has settled: “We haven’t set it out like a mall, it’s a city, and people find their own way through it. Rents for the different units range from £20,000 a year to £4million for the largest, although it depends on location and type of space.”

A trained architect, Miles knows a decent design when he sees one. He studied at the University of Newcastle and in the US for an architect’s practice before moving into surveying and asset management. He gained invaluable experience working for M&S and John Lewis before moving across to see retail leasing from the other side of the fence, and is more than qualified to deal with Grosvenor’s immense portfolio, specifically working on the Belgravia and Mayfair sites: “I did the valuation ratings for M&S and so I understand the pressures that retailers are under, and can try my best to help them. My aim is to get exactly what the retailer and what the city of Liverpool wants.

We’re dependent on each other so my role is very hands on; I don’t believe in being standoffish.” He also shares an uncompromising vision for the city, for which second best would never be good enough. The new Topshop will be the biggest out of London, making the store a destination in itself, and it’s this philosophy which also suffuses the Peters Lane side of the development.

As we speak, eleven leases are currently with the solicitors on that site. The new Tesco on Hanover Street, with a homeware department and late night trading, is another such destination, although perhaps more for the city’s workers. Miles notes: “The success of the scheme is to open up the streets so that it’s all

connected. Hopefully we’ll have people coming in through the Ropewalks and different parts of town too, as well as with the docks and the business district and Church Street, at lunchtimes and different times of day, with people living in the city centre apartments too. It should all just give it life again.” The car park space underneath the development offers 2,500 spaces to shoppers, and those partaking in the city’s cultural offering, but Grosvenor is also keen to work with Merseytravel on improving public transport, with buses running more frequently after peak hours: “It works both ways.

People need to feel safe when they’re travelling home, and with the right services at the right times of day, then this will really reap the benefits for everyone.”

When it comes to battling with competitors, Miles stresses that the plan is not to take away custom from neighbouring cities, but to produce choice and variety here in an integrated fashion, to cater for the city’s people and visitors coming here for business and pleasure: “We’ve got the Metquarter and St Johns here as well, and all of the centres have their place. Liverpool One was designed on a unique scale and is very complex as a regeneration project, so comparisons are difficult to make as there’s really nothing else like it.”

On first hearing about the Liverpool One project, Miles was keen as mustard to come and work in the city: “You couldn’t have stopped me from coming up here. I’d done some work for M&S up here about ten years before, and this was a chance to come back and work on a unique project. I’m also a Liverpool F.C fan.”

Miles finds himself in good company at work; at home retail is also high on the agenda when he spends time with his wife and three year-old daughter Tabitha - “she already enjoys shopping, with her mother.” The rest of the year will see Miles complete the leases on the final tenants to join the mix: “I’m looking forward to seeing the team grow, and maintain the high standards we have here.” It’s the detail in the design which makes Grosvenor proud of its development; the fountains in One Park West are programmed to channel the water in the pattern of the old tidal wave. He continues: “This is a challenging time for everyone, but the product is right and of high quality – it hasn’t been compromised on at any stage. It’s been designed for the long-term and Liverpool will be going from strength to strength.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 41

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DITTON COURT FOUNDRY LANE, WIDNES

ONL Y UNI 2 TS RE MAI NIN G

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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).

42 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:

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Sutton Kersh Commercial COMMERCIAL MARKET SOLUTIONS

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Appointments Move Commercial Career Appointments Alastair Newman

successful in growing an impressive instruction list which has helped to raise the market profile of CBRE in the northwest.’

Agency Appointments

Alastair Newman Rumford Investments Rumford Investments has appointed Alistair Newman (formerly of King Sturge) as commercial marketing consultant at its 20 Chapel Street scheme.

With over 20 years’ experience within the north-west agency market, Alastair was approached by Rumford Investments to assist in marketing the landmark building.

Alastair moved from King Sturge’s Manchester office in 2003 and, after developing their newly opened Liverpool office, has been responsible for a number of high profile property deals. He said: “The property market has changed dramatically in recent months, hence the need to look at deals in a more flexible way.

“I’m very excited about the opportunity that has arisen at 20 Chapel Street.”

John Ogden

John Ogden CB Richard Ellis When John Ogden takes on the role of managing director of CBRE’s Leeds office he will also become head of office agency for the northern region, covering Manchester, Liverpool and Leeds.

Replacing Charles Wardroper, who became MD of CBRE’s business in Poland in December, he will be assisted by Richard Sunderland as Operations director.

Said John: I am delighted to be taking up this position, and my experience will provide the business with a great opportunity to significantly grow market share.

MD of CBRE UK, Martin Samworth, said: “John and his team have been 44 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Heathcotes, Hope Street Hotel, Brabners Chaffe Street consult Knight Frank Knight Frank’s rating team in the northwest has won a flurry of new contracts including Heathcotes, Hope Street Hotel and Brabners Chaffe Street, who have appointed the consultancy to advise them on mitigating costs from business rates.

In addition, Burleydam garden centre on Wirral and Gateacre garden centre, Liverpool have instructed Knight Frank to act as their retained advisor.

Partner Martin Howard commented: “These are impressive regional wins and underline our strength in helping businesses to reduce their occupational costs.”

The Chapel, Crosshall Street for sale/to let CB Richard Ellis Leading commercial property surveyors team CB Richard Ellis has been appointed by Hunstmere and Vision Developments to advise on the sale or letting of The Chapel on Crosshall Street, Liverpool.

Mark Worthington, director of the north-west office agency team at CBRE commented: “This is a really exciting opportunity for Liverpool to gain a truly original office complex.

“Our clients have ambitious plans to develop the adjoining building into a boutique-style property offering the opportunity to purchase small, high-end office suites within a landmark development, featuring unique spa feature in the basement.”

Liverpool F.C. seeking warehouse facility CB Richard Ellis The industrial agency team at CB Richard Ellis has been instructed by Liverpool Football Club to acquire a warehousing facility on Merseyside.

The club is looking for a 4060,000 sq ft warehouse from which to run its ever-expanding merchandising and distributing operations.

Jonathan Thorne, director of industrial agency at CB Richard Ellis commented: “This highlights our strong market knowledge and with current market conditions it is a good time for high profile occupiers to be acquiring.

“We are already well underway on the search and we are looking forward to securing a facility by the end of the season.”

The Hub is a new business support facility based at the University of Liverpool. The Hub at Foresight delivers a new concept in meeting and networking space complementing the existing award winning facilities.

Key to the success of the Hub is the technology that allows it to be used as a multi-purpose space for informal meetings, networking and virtual meetings.

Full business support facilities provide an 'office-from-office' environment and a gateway to the expertise of the University of Liverpool.

For details of membership, contact the Foresight Centre on 0151 794 8060 or foresight@liv.ac.uk

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Peel presents Wirral Waters Key events

Waterfront vision on the table

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

1

1. Geoff Jones, Dual Mortgage Brokers, with Cllr.

Mountney and Graham Smith, managing partner at LLW

2

LEES LLOYD WHITLEY played host to the Wirral Business Park’s forum, where Peel’s director of development, Lindsey Ashworth, gave a presentation on the proposed Wirral Waters projects for the waterfront at Wirral. Business development partner Frank Rogers introduced the evening, where Wirral TV crews and Buzz Radio joined Move Publishing to get an exclusive on the plans. A delicious buffet was served to the 70 plus guests of Lees Lloyd Whitley (LLW), gathered in their stunning new offices at Riverside Park.

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2. Rachel Evans, associate solicitor at LLW, with Sharon Stanton, Invest Wirral, and Anna Murphy, assistant solicitor at LLW 3. Peter Jones, Peter Jones & Co., David Sewell, partner at LLW, and Jean Jones, St. James’s Place 4. Wilf Burns, St. James’s Place and John Haynes, International Coaching Academy 5. Frank Rogers, business development partner at LLW with the speaker Lindsey Ashworth, Peel Holdings

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6. David Sewell, partner at LLW, with Les Russell, Smart New Homes, and Tim Maunder, Abbey Rentals 7. Julie Sillito, LLW, with Cllr. Holbrook, and Anna Murphy, LLW 8. Chris Davidson, Active Presence, with Michael Watkins, Michael Watkins Ltd., and Eilidh Milnes, Impression Management United Ltd.

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9. Alan Robson, Innov8 Safety Solutions, and Gemma Henry, Invest Wirral 10. Allan Jeffcoatt, A.J. Associates, and Graham Vince, Vince Peers Consultants 11. Jean Jones, St. James’s Place, and Mark Donnelly, Learning & Skills Council 12. John Bolderson, Independent Banking and Finance Consultants, and James Jardine, Lock & Key Master (LKM) MOVE COMMERCIAL 45

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Director Simon Jones

Inthe spotlight Simon Jones is the north-west director of Faircroft Properties which was established in 1999 and formed a partnership with Arrowcroft. The company specialises in acquiring quality commercial property investments and has been involved in £150m of transactions since its inception.

What led you into this role?

My father was a civil engineer and from time to time I would attend the site; as my teachers would confirm, I was never good at being deskbound!

I worked in private practice surveying until 2001 when I joined Faircroft.

Two years ago I opened up the northwest office.

What does your daily routine involve?

The beauty of my job is that no two days are the same. My office is in Liverpool but I cover the north-west and also still spend some time at our head office in London. If I am in Liverpool I will drive from home and use the time to catch up on on-going matters on the phone. Once in the office I check my emails, and then usually I am out to meetings. My role is to ensure that the existing portfolio is performing to its optimum and this involves managing refurbishments, lettings and any other matters, and also seeking new acquisition 46 MOVE COMMERCIAL

opportunities. An illustration of this is Yorkshire House in Chapel Street where we acquired a vacant office building and have carried out a large scale refurbishment including the adding of a penthouse floor and basement car parking accessed via a car lift. After overseeing the project I am now concentrating on the letting of the building and have achieved 70 per cent occupancy over the last year, which amounts to five per cent of the take up of the Liverpool market.

What are Faircroft’s plans for the north west?

We are seeking to expand our portfolio and although the commercial property sector has suffered a severe dip in the recession, we are beginning to see some buying opportunities and are looking to capitalise on this.

What excites you most about your role?

Sourcing an opportunity and working on it, from acquisition to the delivery of a fully let building. This process

involves valuation appraisal, acquisition, financing, project management and lettings. I’d have to say seeing the job through from start to finish.

What are the best and worst parts of your job?

The best part is meeting people and the worst part is the paperwork, but it has to be done!

Your ambitions?

My ambition is the grow our portfolio in the north-west and establish a strong regional presence.

How do you unwind from it all?

I enjoy spending time with my two young children Freddie and Sophie, aged four and two, and time permitting, I still enjoy playing golf badly and watching Liverpool.

How would your colleagues describe you?

I would like to think my colleagues describe me as approachable and informal with a good sense of humour; whether they are laughing with me or at me!

JONES FILE BORN 1970 Born in Crosby SCHOOL/UNIVERSITY Merchant Taylors, Crosby and Sheffield Hallam FIRST JOB Kemsley Whitley and Ferris, City of London CAREER HIGHLIGHTS 1993 Joined Kemsley Whitely and Ferris 1998 Moved to Lambert Smith Hampton London 2001 Joined Faircroft London 2007 Set up Faircroft North West Office

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industrial unit - for sale/to let 23,991 sq ft

wellington employment park south phase 3, liverpool LFIVE is a self-contained unit providing 23,991 sq ft of industrial space incorporating first floor offices extending to 3,464 sq ft.

The unit is in an excellent position in terms of local and national road and motorway networks, and is 2 miles to the North of Liverpool City Centre.

To find out more visit: www.langtreegroupplc.co.uk/lfive

For enquiries contact: