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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESTER MANCHESTER
June–July 2009
MOVE COMMERCIAL The north-west’s guide to property and business
Issue 13
First impressions make lasting impressions
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EXCHANGE FLAGS
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Issue thirteen Move Commercial
Contents News 4 5 6
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Welcome to Move Commercial THIS ISSUE of Move Commercial sees a number of exciting plans unfold as the magazine expands its distribution and its focus to take in the region. Mover and Shaker Paul Monaghan of AHMM architects proposes a scheme to modernise the Royal Court, while the regeneration of Widnes Waterfront into a commercial park comes under the spotlight in our interview with Paul Murphy, chairman of the business steering group. The much anticipated Central Village scheme is also making headlines, and the plan for Lewis’s and retail in Liverpool’s as yet undeveloped Renshaw and Lime Street area are set out in our Founding Building’s take on the Ranelagh Street landmark. On a wider scale, the Focus explores uptake of industrial and
LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESTER MANCHESTER
20 June–July 2009
MOVE COMMERCIAL The north-west’s guide to property and business
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office space in Warrington and the NWDA’s research into a parklands scheme to link the Manchester and Liverpool region’s economy in a sustainable fashion. In a final flourish, Talking Point saw TMP’s Rod Holmes, FACT’s Mike Stubbs and Marketing Manchester’s Steve Small meet to discuss the region’s plan to work collaboratively ahead of the 2012 Olympics in London. From maximizing footfall and spend in the north-west to interesting insights into the region’s strengths and challenges, we hope to see competition between the two major cities boost our regional offer for a more thoughtful and hopeful approach to how we do business now and in the future.
31 Issue 13
First impressions make lasting impressions
move publishing ltd Advertising Director Fiona Barnet Tel 0151 709 3871 Advertising Sales Manager Jeff Porter Tel 0151 709 3871 Account Manager Jo Tait Tel 0151 709 3871 Art Director Adrian Lloyd Email mail@design-foundry.co.uk Editorial Team Lucy Oliver and Jonathan Kearney Email post@movepublishing.co.uk Tel 0151 709 3871
7 8 9 11 12 13
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
Central Village scheme gets go ahead Liverpool Science Park complete £50m Pall Mall scheme submitted Investing in South Sefton Plans for the Ropewalks City centre office take-up Haydock races ahead Hope Street scheme revised Birkenhead Town Hall for sustainable scheme Supermarket rivals in Halewood Support for the Gateway Wirral’s hotel offer expands
Features 20 Founding Building Iconic Lewis’s set for a revamp 24 Mover and Shaker Paul Monaghan on redesigning the Royal Court 26 Warrington Focus The area’s business parks under the spotlight 28 Rising Star Paul Murphy on the Widnes Waterfront steering group 31 Finding a green corridor Creating an eco-region in the north-west 35 Talking Point How will Manchester and Liverpool gear up for the 2012 Olympics? 42 Entrepreneur James Barton on Creamfields
Key Events 23 Liverpool One Office space in refurbished buildings 38 HSBC Liverpool’s launch The Lord Street bank open for business 45 Force 6 units launched Newton-le-Willows’ distribution space
Careers 46 Q and A Mike Boyens, Gresham House, is in the spotlight
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.
Front cover image: Walker House, Exchange Flags
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News Move Commercial
£160m scheme gets green light
CGI of how the Central Village development will look
Mixed-use venture approved WORK IS to begin on Liverpool’s £160m Central Village development, after Liverpool City Council approved two planning applications for the site. The go-ahead has been given to construct a 455 space multi-storey car park, with ground floor retail space, on land between Heathfield, Back Bold Street and Renshaw Street. Permission has also been granted to modify the Copthorne Hotel, offering 240 bedrooms, associated hotel facilities and ground floor retail space. Millennium & Copthorne have entered into 20 year agreements
to operate the Copthorne Hotel and the four-star Millennium Hotel at Central Village. Developers Merepark also confirmed that Q-PARK, who operate parking facilities at Liverpool One, will lease the 455 space car park as part of a 35 year agreement. Ian Jones, director of Merepark, commented: “The approvals are the catalyst to start work on site. We now have the green light to begin making Central Village a reality as the second phase of work will include construction of the multi-storey car park and relocation of the Network Rail
Liver Building refurbishment underway First phase of £5m project reaches completion Acies’ Liver Building refurbishment
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Central Station maintenance depot onto land below the car park. The Network Rail depot relocation is significant because it frees up the remainder of the development site, including the hotels and the boardwalk, and work will commence this summer.” Ian also believes the deal with Q-PARK will provide a significant boost to the Central Village development. He added: “Securing a deal with Q-PARK is significant and sees the company expand its presence in the city. More importantly, it will provide much needed additional parking, to
support the future and existing retailers, businesses and leisure operators in this part of the city centre.” Liverpool’s Central Village will also comprise of serviced apartments, retail and leisure units, a cinema, and offices combined with a stepped water race. The development will feature a public boardwalk and public realm and be directly linked to Central Station. Merepark recently completed the redevelopment of 9-25 Bold Street, to provide a gateway to the main Central Village site.
ARCHITECTS ACIES has announced that phase one of the building’s internal refurbishment has been concluded on time. The £970,000 works include the transformation of the main west entrance and reception area, incorporating a new glazed entrance within the building’s portico. The architects believe the work will improve accessibility for staff and visitors. Roy Alexander, director of architecture at Acies, commented: “The Liver Building deserves an interior to match its stunning exterior. The first phase designs have been closely developed with the local conservation department and English Heritage, ensuring a sensitive approach with a meticulous attention to detail. The result is a quality and sophisticated response which befits the prestige and stature of the building.” The Liver Building, one of the world’s most iconic structures, will
undergo a £5m refurbishment, which will also see the creation of a mezzanine floor specifically designed to accommodate new office space at the world heritage site and Grade 1 listed building. Roy added: “The project 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 reinforced concrete construction, and as an architect it provides an exciting challenge.” The Liver Building is located within a UNESCO world heritage site and makes up the Three Graces, along with the Cunard and Port of Liverpool Buildings. The Port of Liverpool Building completed its own restoration project in January this year. Liverpool property group Downing acquired the building in 2001 and reported strong interest in its refurbished office suites, following the £10m works.
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Move Commercial News
Awards won on campus
Widening the knowledge corridor Sustainable scheme delivered
University of Liverpool Department of Engineering
ARCHITECTS SHEPPARD ROBSON have been recognised for their work on the University of Liverpool Department of Engineering restructuring project. The firm picked up the Manchester Society of Architects Community Education award for the £20m development, a 16,000 sq m refurbishment of laboratories and construction of state of the art technology facilities. Design director Tony O’Brien, commented: “The University of Liverpool Department of Engineering restructuring project was incredibly complex, involving a dramatic renovation to provide cutting edge engineering facilities within its 100 year old historic buildings. We are delighted to have won this award and pleased that our specialism within the education sector has been acknowledged in this way.” Sheppard Robson also received commendation for their £47m work on the University of Manchester Michael Smith Building and the firm has recently been appointed to design the £11m University of Central Lancashire School of Architecture and the Built Environment. The 6,000 sq m building will be located on a new site recently acquired by the university at the centre of the campus, scheduled for completion in September 2011.
The completed second phase of Liverpool Science Park
NEPTUNE DEVELOPMENTS has completed its £35m Cathedral Precinct project in Liverpool, with the opening of a second landmark building at the Liverpool Science Park. The four storey ic2 facility on Brownlow Hill will complement the science park’s existing ic1 facility and the JMU Design Academy. The 38,750 sq ft building, designed by Liverpool architects Falconer Chester Hall, is one of the first in Liverpool to receive an “excellent” BREEAM rating for sustainable design, and will be housed in the city’s Knowledge Quarter.
Neptune’s managing director, Steve Parry, commented: “We are delighted to have completed the latest phase of Liverpool Science Park. As the final phase in our partnership with Liverpool Archdiocese, this building completes the transformation of sites around the Metropolitan Cathedral. These developments, together with the improvements to the cathedral and Lutyens Crypt, now provide an environment and destination of outstanding quality and sustainability. The science park has already attracted cuttingedge businesses to Liverpool, and
this new building will help to further boost this growing sector and help the city’s economy.” Liverpool Science Park chief executive, Dr Sarah Tasker, said she was delighted with the new development. She commented: “We are competing for an international market, so our ambition is to deliver world class facilities. Our innovation cluster provides the very best facilities and services for up to 80 science and technology companies and establishes Liverpool as an important location for the commercial knowledge sector.” MOVE COMMERCIAL
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News Move Commercial
Sustainable build to attract government departments Hatton Garden
Hatton Garden curries favour
£50m development plans for commercial district CGI of how the proposed 30 Pall Mall project will look
New site for property firm DAVID CURRIE & CO. has moved to new premises in the heart of the business district. The new high specification office space occupies 2,000 sq ft at 25 Hatton Garden, and includes a ground floor reception and office space on the first floor with an open plan fit-out, partition offices and a boardroom. The tenancy has been agreed as an assignment of McInerney Homes’ lease on the building. Karl Kiernan, senior agency surveyor at David Currie & Co., joined the firm in September 2008. He commented: “David Currie was set up seven years ago and we also have offices in Manchester, so the move to a new building in Liverpool solidifies our presence in the heart of the business district here, with excellent access to key clients. We have allocated staff parking as well as a short stay car park for visitors.” David Currie & Co. covers all aspects of commercial property and consultancy, including property management and professional services. 6
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PLANS have been submitted to construct the UK’s tallest single core commercial building in Liverpool. Northern Ireland-based company 30 Pall Mall Ltd proposes to provide 225,000 sq ft of new office space, which will include an 18 storey tower, in the heart of the city’s business district. The £50m plans will comprise two separate buildings with distinctive textured facades and a covered courtyard. The ambitious 30 Pall Mall project will also include cafes,
restaurants and shops. Ashley Moore, managing director of Pall Mall Ltd, believes the project will be crucial in helping to maintain the growth of the city’s commercial quarter. He commented: “We are delighted to be submitting this application. It signifies our belief that Liverpool can become one of the UK’s premier business destinations. The city has some fantastic strengths but it is essential that it continues to grow its supply of top quality commercial
office space, if it is going to maintain its post Capital of Culture renaissance in the longer term.” The developer hopes to promote the building as a potential home for up to 2,500 civil service jobs from The Ministry of Justice. Ashley added: “This is the only development taking place in Liverpool that meets the requirements of The Ministry of Justice, in terms of space and the potential phasing of the relocation. I look forward to working with the city’s politicians, and its regeneration and investment agencies, to help attract what would be a fantastic economic boost for Liverpool.” Andrew Moore, from the project’s agent, Mason Owen, commented: “The fact that a development of this scale and ambition is proceeding at the present time says a great deal about the underlying strength of the city as a commercial centre. 30 Pall Mall is delivering a high quality and innovative product that will be attractive to a wide range of public sector and private sector occupiers and help the city to expand and diversify its commercial economy.” Matt Brook, from architects Broadway Maylan, believes the building will also set new standards for sustainable design and construction. He commented: “This will be Liverpool’s greenest office building. The design utilises natural ventilation and maximises natural light penetration to reduce energy use as much as possible. At a time when companies and public bodies are aiming to minimise their carbon footprint, we are ensuring that these objectives are at the heart of our design approach.”
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Move Commercial News Investment Centre in Bootle
Invest for success in Sefton Bootle high-spec suite launches
SOUTH SEFTON Development Trust has appointed Liverpool based Keppie Massie as sole agents for their recently completed Investment Centre in Bootle. The landmark Stanley Road building offers a wide range of Grade A office space with flexible floor plates from 780 sq ft to 4,900 sq ft and rents from £12 per sq ft.
Cate Murphy, from South Sefton Development Trust, commented: “We're looking forward to working with Keppie Massie to complete the tenancies at the Investment Centre, which is already proving to be a popular location”. The Investment Centre is targeted towards small businesses and start-ups, with units available
Aztec vision delivered
on easy-in, easy-out terms. The centre contains incubator units in its “I-Space” and also has a 1,270 sq ft café with a prominent ground floor front. Keppie Massie’s Rupert Lowe commented: “Keppie Massie is delighted to be appointed on this unique property, which has so much to offer at sensible rents.
Interest has been seen at an encouraging level and the first tenants are already settled in. With further suites under offer, we would advise interested parties to make an approach sooner rather than later.” For letting enquiries contact Rupert Lowe or Andrew Byrne at Keppie Massie, on 0151 255 0755.
The new fit-out
Fit-out completed on time and to budget LIVERPOOL BASED Aztec Interiors has completed the fit-out of One Vision Housing’s new headquarters. The Atlantic Park development on Dunnings Bridge Road in Liverpool received a high specification fit-out to the first and second floors of the three storey building. Aztec announced that the firm completed the works at the 22,000 sq ft headquarters on time and within budget. Neal Maxwell of Aztec Interiors commented: “Each and every job we
undertake we aim to deliver it on time and on budget and we regularly achieve this goal. It is gratifying for us when we do this but our main goal is to deliver an environment that the client is happy with and is suitable for their requirements.” The second floor of the housing association offices now incorporates a sophisticated audio visual system for presentations; meeting rooms, individual offices and open-plan office space. The fit-out of the first floor has
been delivered with a 24 hour CCTV security room to monitor activity within One Vision Housing’s residential areas; open plan office space, a call centre and “break out” and “touch down” zones. Neal added: “Each job is different and it is pleasing to see it come together during the process. We are very pleased with the standard of work we have delivered to One Vision Housing and are proud to hand it back over to them.” One Vision will house 200 staff in
the new building, where they will manage all aspects of the operation of the housing association. They currently seek tenants for the remaining 11,000 sq ft ground floor office suite. Mark Howard, One Vision Housing senior project manager, commented: “We are very pleased with the end result of Aztec’s work. They have delivered a fresh and modern interior to complement the building’s exterior, which also enhances the image of One Vision Housing.” MOVE COMMERCIAL
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News Move Commercial
Independent quarter update
A bold entrance Developer sought for FACT
LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL has drafted in marketing consultants Blue Sail to help re-brand Liverpool’s Ropewalks area. The city intends to establish the historic area as Liverpool’s Independent Quarter and are looking at ways to create a more vibrant atmosphere in the district. Matt Biagetti, development manager at Liverpool Vision, commented: “There have been a lot of changes in the area over the last 10 years and there have been a lot more people coming to visit, live and work. A lot of people come into Bold Street and Hanover Street but it’s about trying to market the status of the Ropewalks, establishing what sort of identity it should have, and how it should attract visitors and businesses. Matt added: “A lot has been done in terms of marketing the area and getting the streets and spaces within the Ropewalks more animated. We are preparing a report which will look into the identity of the area, in the hope of attracting events such as festivals and fetes. The Ropewalks is a unique area. There is nowhere like it in the city and we want it to be recognised.”
Artist’s impression of how FACT’s extended entrance will look
FACT, the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology, in the Ropewalks of Liverpool is extending its entrance to front onto Bold Street. The gallery and digital space receives 430,000 visitors each year from the UK and internationally, and the new entrance will increase the centre’s visibility from Bold Street and the city’s bohemian quarter. The square footage is not yet decided as, currently, an early
visualisation of the space has been created. The cost for this new design is estimated at £600,000. An architect is already on board and public funding for the venture looks likely, but a developer is needed to come forward. FACT director Mike Stubbs commented: “We’re trying to collectively grow the identity of the Ropewalks, but also to do something interactive which brings information about the city to the people.” The plan is also to link up
the city’s cultural quarter with other major players in the arts in Liverpool and Manchester. Mike added: “Our aim is to exploit better the resources that we have and draw the Ropewalks together, collaborating with Arthouse, PCT at the Tea Factory and LARC on a live art and regeneration consortium.” The atrium at FACT has also been re-imagined inside to become an additional gallery space for visitors, and in June will showcase the ‘Burning of the Bell’ showpiece.
Heritage building brought up to date
Blue Sail will re-brand Liverpool Ropewalks
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BRUNTWOOD has completed a £2m refurbishment of one of Liverpool’s most prominent period office buildings. The development of 1 Dale Street, in the city’s commercial quarter, has been modernised to offer a variety of high specification and cost effective offices. A new reception and entrance, which opens directly onto Exchange Flags, has been added, to complement the building’s existing features, including sash windows, vaulted ceilings and iron columns. Office sizes range from 950 to 23,750 sq ft, which the developer believes would suit a staff of between nine and 250 people.
Mark Worthington from CB Richard Ellis, a retained agent at the building, commented: “1 Dale Street is a prime example of how the heritage of Liverpool’s buildings can be preserved, whilst still bringing them up to a high quality standard. The building provides some of the most individual offices in the city centre, and because of this, we’ve already had some strong interest in the offices at the building.” The project is expected to follow on from several recent schemes, including Downing’s The Capital, which poses a counter challenge to the out of town office market by
attracting the interest of major occupiers. Bruntwood now has a portfolio of 870,000 sq ft in Liverpool, with 1 Dale Street their 11th building in the city. Colin Forshaw, head of Liverpool’s Bruntwood sales, commented: “Completing 1 Dale Street means that not only are we bringing a unique office product to Liverpool, but we can also provide our customers with more flexibility to move throughout our portfolio if their business needs change. Last year we helped over 50 customers cost effectively up or downsize their office space, within the terms of their one lease.”
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Move Commercial News
A brighter outlook
Orbit’s strong pull
Second phase planning submitted
Granite Building
Developers clinch two new tenants The second phase of New Brighton’s development
NEPTUNE DEVELOPMENTS has submitted a detailed planning application for the second phase of its £60m regeneration scheme in New Brighton. This phase will comprise of three groups of buildings housing leisure and retail space with associated landscaping and public realm work, and improvements to highways and public transport links. The main mixed-use building will include a pioneering six screen/ 1000 seat digital cinema, a 66 bed budget hotel and a Morrisons supermarket as well as bar and restaurant provision. Although the original operator for the budget hotel, Premier Inn, has
withdrawn from the scheme, an announcement is expected shortly on another major budget hotel operator for the development. The development will also see a new public lido, a car park with 750 spaces, a two-storey sailing school with purpose built pontoon and a large public area separating the hotel from the Marine Lake. The new work follows on from the well-received 800 seat Floral pavilion re-build and the conference centre’s success in the local community, attracting performers and theatre goers across the region. Director at Neptune, Rob Mason, commented: “We are delighted to
have submitted this final detailed application and are looking forward to getting started on construction as soon as possible. The regeneration of New Brighton will not only provide 60,000 sq ft of retail space, but will also create jobs and help to boost the local economy.” He added: “Some big names will feature prominently in the development, and we’re expecting at least 70 per cent of the available space to be signed up within the next few months.” The second phase of construction is expected to take approximately 18 months, with completion due in 2011.
New signing for Yorkshire House
partnership with Arrowcroft and Ethel Austin Properties, to occupy the new premises in Yorkshire House. The insolvency practice, which has been operating in the city for 90 years, will move from their offices in Old Hall Street, to take two floors at the Chapel Street building. Parkin S Booth & Co believes the move will help meet increasing demand for
their services. The deal means that Yorkshire House is now 70 per cent let, following the building’s £2m refurbishment. The building’s 1920’s stone facade was fully renovated, while the interior was modernised. The letting agents for the deal were CB Richard Ellis and Mason Owen, acting on behalf of Parkin S Booth and Faircroft Properties respectively.
INSOLVENCY practice Parkin S Booth & Co have moved into 4,000 sq ft of new office space in Liverpool’s commercial district. The firm, Liverpool’s longest serving insolvency practice, signed a 10 year lease with Faircroft Properties, in
COMMERCIAL property developer Orbit Developments has signed two new tenants to the Granite Building in Liverpool. Solicitors Berkson Globe Partnership, and project management and construction cost consultants Vextrix Management will occupy the new space at the Stanley Street building. Dennis Dwyer, divisional director for Merseyside at Orbit Developments, commented: “The recently refurbished and highly adaptable property provides the perfect solution for both Berkson Globe Partnership and Vextrix Management. We have recently seen a growing interest in our Merseyside portfolio, and these new deals highlight that there is still the demand for quality office space in the area.” Family law specialists Berkson Globe Partnership will occupy the whole of the second floor of the Granite Building, while new start up company Vextrix will take up 700 sq ft of first floor space at the property. Existing tenants at the Granite Building include Brown Turner Solicitors and accountants Sloan & Co.
MOVE COMMERCIAL
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Move Commercial News
Haydock races ahead Sales continue at Easter Park
Easter Park site at Haydock Industrial Estate
EASTER DEVELOPMENTS has sold a second commercial unit at its development in Haydock. Property investment and development company Helmsley Securities secured the 22,485 unit, one of the largest at Easter Park, for £1.37m. The unit, one of six
at Easter Park, has been let to steel giants Corus on a ten -year lease. Robin Jones, a surveyor at commercial property advisers CB Richard Ellis, commented: “This illustrates that the Easter Developments product is attractive
to both occupiers and investors, and that despite a slower market, there is still a healthy demand for quality warehouse facilities in good locations. Haydock is a prime location for industrial warehouse occupiers, with several companies, including Sainsbury’s
and Costco, already in the area.” Easter Park, which is located at the Haydock Industrial Estate, was completed in December and offers six industrial units, from 6,750 to 22,500 sq ft. Four of the units are still available, either for sale or to let.
Riverside Park at the Wirral International Business Park
Wirral’s waters appeal Riverside setting attracts new occupiers
WIRRAL INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK in Bromborough has attracted a new tenant to its Riverside Park development. The Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network will occupy 4,300 sq ft of office space at Riverside Park, which is at the southern end of the business park. Pat Higgins, Cancer Network director, commented: “We find Riverside Park
works well for us as a dynamic team. The office is easy to access and the abundance of natural light, together with the quality environment, enables us to function in an excellent setting.” Riverside Park boasts stunning views across the River Mersey and the Liverpool waterfront, in a landscaped country parkland setting. When completed, Riverside Park, which
also houses solicitors Lees Lloyd Whitley, Adviser Plus Business Solutions and Wirral Primary Care Trust’s condition management programme, will provide 250,000 sq ft of office accommodation. John Henley, Riverside Park managing director, commented: “This letting to the Merseyside and Cheshire Cancer Network is a further endorsement of the quality and prime location of
Riverside Park. We are proud to welcome the Network to the development and assist the excellent work that they undertake.” Over £150m has been invested in Wirral International Business Park, which is expected to create around 3,000 jobs. The construction of new offices at Riverside Park will be completed in four stages. MOVE COMMERCIAL 11
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News Move Commercial
Halliwells expands
Four star facilities Hope Street plans in progress Hahneman Building on Hope Street
Halliwells property solutions team L-R Sarah Hegarty, Rachel Watkin and Sarah Hall
New appointments to meet growth COMMERCIAL law firm Halliwells have strengthened their property department in Liverpool, with the arrival of two new solicitors from the Manchester office. Sarah Hall and Sarah Hegarty have been added to the team to meet the growing workload at the Old Hall Street branch. Real estate partner Rachel Watkin commented: “Since the start of the downturn in transactional work, we have seen a steady but constant increase in work that we describe as solutions work and, as a result we are finding a need to increase the size of our property solutions team. Both Sarahs are first rate solicitors and their arrival will further enhance the team.” Rachel added: “Clients usually come to us, either when referred by their solicitor, internal or external, who has identified a potential risk of problems arising or clients come to us themselves when the problem has already manifested itself. Our aim is to resolve the issue either through clever strategic moves to eradicate the problem or, where that is not possible, to find a way of resolving the problem according to the particular clients needs and priorities.” Rachel will be speaking at seminars hosted by the Royal Institute of Chartered surveyors in Liverpool on 16 June. For more information, contact RICS, on 020 7695 1600.
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REVISED PLANS have been submitted for a boutique hotel on Hope Street in Liverpool. Maghull Developments had previously applied for permission to develop a 62 bedroom hotel at the Hahneman Building, but the application was withdrawn in 2008 when the building was granted Grade II listed status. The developers now wish to convert 42 Hope Street, and neighbouring 58 Hope Street, into a four star 50 bedroom facility, with bar, restaurant and day-spa. Michael Hanlon, managing director of Maghull Developments, commented: “We’ve considered the comments made in respect of the previous applications very carefully.
Local businesses, stakeholders and residents made some very interesting observations and suggestions and we’ve taken many of these on board in the new scheme. We’ve spent considerable time and money revisiting the application with the help of a newly appointed architect and are confident that we’re bringing forward a commercially viable scheme that embraces the feedback and complements the surrounding area. In particular we’ve reduced the scale of the new build extension and are proposing a boutique hotel of the very highest standard of design, operation and service.” Michael added: “Our whole vision
for Hope Street was borne out of extensive consultation with the city council’s planning and conservation officers, English Heritage and various residential groups and we are hopeful these modifications will meet with the approval of all parties.” While the planning application is processed, Maghull Developments will take vacant possession of the Hahnemann Building from Liverpool John Moores University, before undertaking refurbishment works to provide short term flexible office accommodation for the next 18 to 24 months. Space will be available later this summer, from 120 sq ft to 10,000 sq ft.
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Move Commercial News
Space in time Council purchases central Warrington site
Time Square
Birkenhead Town Hall on the market
WARRINGTON BOROUGH COUNCIL has acquired a key retail site in the town with the aim of facilitating major regeneration projects. The council has completed a £6m purchase of Time Square, a 1.2 hectare site in the town centre. They were assisted by the Manchester office of law firm Cobbetts LLP in securing a long leasehold for Time Square, which consists of around 20 mixed use retail units. Funding for the acquisition was provided by the North West Development Agency. Mark Barker, partner in the real estate team at Cobbetts, led on the transaction and was assisted by solicitor Amy Jones. Mark commented: “We are delighted to have worked with Warrington Borough Council on the purchase, especially as the site is located in such a key strategic zone and one which has been earmarked for major regeneration in the future. Warrington Borough Council, like a number of public sector organisations, is seeing the current climate as an opportunity to acquire key strategic sites within their borough to facilitate major urban regeneration projects.”
Birkenhead Town Hall
Sustainable use sought for Grade II listed structure WIRRAL COUNCIL has invited expressions of interest in Birkenhead Town Hall, in an effort to secure a sustainable use for the building. The Grade II listed building, in the prestigious Hamilton Square, was used as council offices until the early 90s and currently retains some civic uses, such as a registration centre for marriages and a venue for local and national elections. The town hall also houses the Wirral Museum. Birkenhead Town Hall was designed by architect Charles Ellison and formally opened in 1887. The Victorian
structure boasts Scottish silver granite, local sandstone, a Welsh slate roof, and a 200 ft clock tower overlooking the River Mersey. Its interior includes examples of stained glass, hand crafted tiles and a sweeping staircase with pink marble balustrades. The council is offering the building to individuals and organisations for sale or lease. For applications, contact Tony Simpson at Wirral Council, on 0151 691 8320. Viewings will be arranged in the weeks commencing 1 June, 8 June and 15 June. The closing date for initial applications is Friday 3 July. MOVE COMMERCIAL 13
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Move Commercial News
Developers’ rivalry Halewood residents consulted
Thumbs up for Penrhyn Court
Penrhyn Court, Knowsley
Knowsley attracts tenants One of the potential supermarkets for the scheme
TWO SUPERMARKET giants have become the centrepiece of rival plans to develop a new district centre for Halewood. Knowsley Council has received proposals from developers Renova and Neptune, who wish to introduce Tesco and Aldi respectively, as the chosen supermarket operator for the new Raven Court development. Negotiations with developers Renova were almost complete for the Tesco plans, but the council also invited Neptune to submit their plans, following a consultation with local residents. Council officers have been evaluating the merits of the proposals and will shortly make their recommendation to the council. Nick Kavanagh, executive director for regeneration, economy and skills at Knowsley Council, commented: “A lot of hard work has gone in to securing the interest in the Halewood retail development and
to be able to give the community more than one deliverable option is fantastic news. With many projects being shelved or in difficulty across the country, having two major national operators in competition to invest is a real triumph for Halewood.” Renova and partners Pochin Developments have submitted two plans, both of which would see the arrival of a 16,709 sq ft Tesco store in the heart of Halewood. One proposal is for a total of 31,700 sq ft of new shops including the Tesco store, and a new bus station, repositioned from its old location. The other proposal is to leave the existing bus station unchanged and to construct 28,700 sq ft of new shops. Developers Neptune have submitted a larger scheme, featuring a 17,190 sq ft Aldi store within 44,950 sq ft of new shops, the potential for a new pub and a new
Industrial space fills up MITIE ENGINEERING PROJECTS has secured new industrial space at the Nexus Development in Knowsley
Business Park. Mitie has entered a four year contract with Spencer Holdings, Caption here for 5,949 sq ft of light industrial, at £4.75 per sq ft.
bus station. Knowsley Cllr Graham Morgan commented: “It is great news for Halewood that in the current economic recession, two competing developers are interested. Whilst this process has added a few weeks to the development programme, getting the right scheme is of paramount importance for the success of the development and for the residents of Halewood. The council remains positively committed to the Raven Court redevelopment scheme and its vision to complete the new district centre for Halewood.” The supermarket plans would make up phase two of the regeneration for the Raven Court site, following the completion of the multi-million pound Halewood Centre. It is understood work on the chosen supermarket project could start within months, following the evaluation of the schemes.
Chairman of Spencer Holdings, Jim Spencer, commented: ‘‘We are delighted to have signed another excellent covenant at Nexus following recently completed deals with Nurock and G4 Security earlier in the year. The diversity
CADDICK DEVELOPMENTS has announced the first letting on the Penrhyn Court development in Knowsley. Local firm Green Thumb Lawn and Garden Services has signed a 10 year lease for a new 5,715 sq ft high quality unit at the site. The news follows on from a successful breakfast launch at the light industrial site, as featured in Move Commercial earlier this year. The Penrhyn Court light industrial scheme on Knowsley Business Park offers a range of units from 5,275 to 22,400 sq ft and interest in several of these has already been expressed, with further occupiers to be announced soon. Green Thumb’s Managing Director, Eifion Jones commented: “We are delighted to be expanding our business and were attracted to the high specification and build quality at Penrhyn Court.”
of the site and excellent location, at the intersection of Junction 4, M57 and the East Lancashire Road (A580) is attractive to tenants looking to locate or relocate to a premier business destination.’’ MOVE COMMERCIAL 15
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Move Commercial News
Serviced space makes a splash
Albert Mills, Manchester
High reaching clients move in URBAN SPLASH has secured several new tenants across a number of its sites in Liverpool and Manchester. The company have put the recent success down to the diversity of the products. Coffee company Schulter SA and window cleaning service High Reach North West have moved into the Grade II listed Mersey House in Speke, Liverpool. The companies, who will occupy 495 sq ft and 129 sq ft respectively, are the latest in a line of tenants to take advantage of serviced
offices in the building. At 5-11 Slater Street, web designers David Tompkins have taken 138 sq ft, while IT firm the Tissea Group has secured 180 sq ft of office space. In Manchester, architects’ practice Ollier Smurthwaite became the first tenants at the Albert Mill, having moved into a commercial unit at the building. Anglodene has also taken 1,864 sq ft at the City Court Trading Estate in the city. Lynn Haime, associate director at
Urban Splash, commented: “We’re delighted to welcome these businesses to our Manchester and Liverpool portfolio. Something which is proving crucial at the moment is the diversity of our products across the North West; from serviced office space at Mersey House in Liverpool, through to bespoke self build offices in Manchester at Albert Mill. It means that we have the ability to cater for so many different types of businesses, on varying leases and terms.”
Mersey Gateway update THE LEADER of Halton Borough Council, Tony McDermott, has lent his support for the £431 million scheme to create a new tolled bridge over the River Mersey and to remodel the existing Silver Jubilee Bridge. For six weeks from the end of May, a public inquiry will be held into the scheme to decide whether the proposed development of the transport infrastructure, as featured in a Talking Point feature in Move Commercial last year, will go ahead. Tony McDermott has now gone on record before the inspectors to say he believes the project is vital for the social and economic future of the region. The benefits of the scheme for local businesses, the freight industry and for commuters and those living in Halton were discussed at great length in an interview with David Parr, Halton council’s chief executive, and Steve O’Connor of The O’Connor Group of Companies, who are vocal supporters of the project.
The Dream is installed
St Helens’ dreams visualised A 20 metre high sculpture in white marble has been turning heads on the M62.
The site of the proposed tolled bridges
DREAM, a sculpture of a head 40 times life size and weighing more than 370 tonnes, is a £1.88 million project funded by government agencies as a public art piece in 3D. Arup Northwest was appointed as lead consultant while Cheetham Hill Construction worked as principal contractors.
MOVE COMMERCIAL 17
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News Move Commercial
Grade I development opportunity Wirral’s potential for hotel and restaurant Artist’s impression of the proposed hotel
The First National
First past the post Public house’s extension opportunity THE FIRST NATIONAL public house in Liverpool city centre is now on the market. The Fenwick Street premises cover 5,285 sq ft and plans for internal refurbishment and an extension to the mezzanine floor to seat 230 as a bar and grill type restaurant have already met with approval. The building is situated in a prominent city centre location, and touted as ideally situated for the central business district and the law courts. The property is being offered with a long lease and agents David Currie & Co. believe that the site will also benefit from the £135 million Mann Island scheme in the vicinity, which will see 140,000 sq ft of commercial office space and 376 apartments on the waterfront. 18 MOVE COMMERCIAL
A2 ARCHITECTS is marketing four neo-Greek Georgian terraces on Hamilton Square in Birkenhead, with the invitation to become a 30 bedroom hotel with 120 seat restaurant and conference suite. The historic location is expected to draw in developers, as detailed proposals for the site have already been submitted and agreed with the local authority and English Heritage, with formal approval anticipated.
Dylan Jones, director at A2 Architects, commented: “These Grade I listed buildings have the potential to form an intimate and very personal hotel with the feel of a private members’ club. Many Georgian interior features are fully preserved and form a fantastic backdrop to our contemporary interior.” Agents are currently being instructed to invite offers on a variety of terms.
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Q. My tenant has become insolvent. What do I do now? A. Unfortunately this is a situation that is becoming more and more common as businesses fail. It will have a negative knock on effect with your cash flow and so you will need to move quickly. It is important to understand what sort of action has been taken against the tenant and determine whether the business tenant has been placed into liquidation or administration. There is an important difference between the two as there may be different outcomes depending upon what has happened to the tenant. It is important to remember that however the business tenant becomes insolvent that is an action which may well entitle the landlord to forfeit or terminate the lease. If the tenant has been placed into administration there is a period of 6 months granted to the company where no court proceedings can be taken against the business without permission of the administrator or a Court. The purpose of administration is to seek to sell the company as a going concern to pay any creditors any monies that are owed, which would include any unpaid rent. It may well be that there is a request for an assignment of the lease to raise funds or for a new lease to be granted in favour of somebody else by the administrator. If the administrator is to continue to trade then the administrator will agree to pay the ongoing rent as an expense of the administration. If the administrator cannot sell the business as a going concern then the administrator may still look to try assign the lease, but if this is not possible then the administrator has the power to bring the lease to an end. This is known as “the power to disclaim�. In liquidation the purpose is to seek to close the business and it will cease trading. The liquidator will either look to assign the lease, or if that is not possible, then to disclaim it. The important thing to remember is to discuss matters with the administrator/liquidator as soon as possible to find out what the aims are of the administrator/ liquidator and then you can act accordingly to protect your position.
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JST
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For further information please contact Chris on
0151 282 2882 www.jstlaw.co.uk charmer@jstlaw.co.uk JST Lawyers, Colonial Chambers, Temple Street, L2 5RH
MOVE COMMERCIAL 19
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From humble beginnings, Lewis’s, on the corner of Ranelagh Street and Renshaw Street, has become one of Liverpool’s most cherished institutions. The tenacity of the department store, and its perseverance in the face of adversity, appears to mirror the character of the city which it calls home and, despite a tumultuous past, Lewis’s has managed to thrive for over 150 years. Now, as part of the multi million pound Central Village project, the famous old building is to undergo a revamp. The ambitious scheme is just the latest chapter in the store’s remarkable history.
Spirit of Liverpool to resurge
CGI of the plans for Lewis’s
IN A JOINT VENTURE partnership with Capital & Counties, the building’s previous owners, developer Merepark intends to re-develop the nine storey 420,000 sq ft building as part of the £160m Central Village project, a scheme with the potential to more than bridge the perceived gap between the successful Liverpool 20 MOVE COMMERCIAL
One regeneration scheme and the cultural quarter surrounding Hope Street. The major mixed-use development on Ranelagh and Renshaw Street is set to revitalise the landmark site which has long been identified with the city itself. If not for a few renovations, the iconic frontage of the building will
remain largely the same. It is the back of the store that will, in effect, be transformed, as the Central Village opens up the area between Renshaw Street and Bold Street. Ian Jones, a director at Merepark, commented: “As most people know the store from Renshaw Street will stay the same. What you’ll notice is new windows
and the stonework cleaned up. The major change will happen at the back. The shop will become double fronted, with an incision made at the back. At the moment, the back of the store is not a particularly nice area and it’s pretty much used as a cut through for taxis. Having been granted permission to re-house the
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Lewis’s landmark site Founding Building Network Rail maintenance depot, we can move ahead with the scheme.” The Lewis’s store was founded in 1856, when 16-year-old David Lewis, the son of a Jewish merchant from London, arrived in the city to find his fortune. At just 24ft long, the Ranelagh Street store may not have been particularly prominent, but its emphasis on the sale of affordable goods established the ethos that granted Lewis’s such popularity over its intervening years. By the time David Lewis passed away in 1885, he had taken his business across the north-west and into other major UK cities, establishing new stores in Manchester, Sheffield and Birmingham, and Lewis’s had also become the largest department store in Liverpool. While the fortunes of the trading business took one direction, the building itself overcame physical hurdles and, a year after Lewis’s death, a huge fire destroyed most of the original department store. Lewis’s re-opened after a major rebuilding and refurbishment programme, but was extensively damaged again in 1941, due to damage during the blitz. Following its re-launch in 1953, Lewis’s business was booming. The store’s growing confidence was exemplified by the installation of a bold new statue, aptly named “Liverpool Resurgent”. The bronze piece, better known locally as “Dickie Lewis”, was created by American sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein, and became such a popular meeting place in the city that it was referred to in the song “In My Liverpool Home”. In a curious parallel, work by the same New York artist, “Jacob and the Angel” is currently being displayed at Tate Liverpool and, as the Biblical Jacob’s opponent blessed him at the end of their wrestling for his tenacity, so too can we hope for an end to Lewis’s troubles as a new era for Liverpool dawns. By the time the Central Village vision arrives, Lewis’s will have received its fair share of new leases of life. The store has had to withstand the pressures of recession, along with physical damage. Owen Owen, a former tenant of the department store, bought all of the Lewis’s stores in 1991 when the company went into administration. In turn, Owen Owen encountered difficulties in 2007 and, hanging over the precipice, the name of Lewis’s was preserved by David Thompson, Owen Owen’s former managing director, with Vergo Retail,
which continues to trade out of the Ranelagh Street store. Of the many Lewis’s set up nationally over the years, it is only the Liverpool store which survives under the name. Manchester became the first city outside of Liverpool with a Lewis’s, when a store was established in 1877. It too had a chequered history and was a cherished part of the city’s makeup. By the time of the 1996 IRA bombing at the nearby Arndale Centre, the store was in financial decline. In February 2001 it became the last Lewis’s store outside of Liverpool to close. For the Liverpool store at least, the future offers hope. Merepark’s plans for Central Village are once again in the media spotlight after planning permission for two crucial elements of the project were granted by Liverpool City Council. This will include the construction of a 455 space multi-storey car park with ground floor retail space on land between Heathfield, Back Bold Street and Renshaw Street. The new Copthorne Hotel will face onto Newington Square and the boardwalk, with the 80,000 sq ft Grade II listed Watson Building, adjacent to Lewis’s, housing a fourstar Millennium Hotel. Millennium & Copthorne have entered into 20-year agreements to operate both hotels, with Q-PARK having signed a 35 year lease to satisfy demand in an area that has been somewhat deprived of parking facilities. Just as with Liverpool One, breathing new life into existing buildings has become integral to the Central Village project. Merepark has acquired sites such as Lewis’s and the Watson Building and placed them central to their plans. Ballymore, one of Europe’s largest property development and investment companies, are partners in the Central Village project as a whole, but the Lewis’s development will be carried out between Merepark and Capital & Counties. The plans for Lewis’s include a reconfiguration of existing floor space and external alterations to the building, including creation of additional floor space at the plaza and upper level plaza level. The Lewis’s building has a tradition of housing offices and open plan retail space and the revamped store will include a new hotel, 80,000 sq ft of office space and sports clubs and nightclubs in the basement. Dependent on the hotel and retail element, work on the store could
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We’re marketing the offices and we’re a couple of weeks off announcing what’s happening with the hotel.
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Ian Jones, Merepark
begin at the beginning of 2010. Merepark’s Ian Jones added: “The big difference is the building will be occupied. At the moment, Lewis’s is far too big for modern uses, with only a third of the building occupied. As part of scheme, the shop will be double fronted and open up onto the plaza to the back. It is best to get the big space users in first. We’re marketing the offices and we’re a couple of weeks off announcing what’s happening with the hotel. The smaller users will fit in around that.” Merepark is also in negotiations with Vergo Retail for the current inhabitants to remain at Lewis’s, with both parties looking to maintain the existing relationship. Vergo Retail’s David Thompson commented: “Lewis’s has long been one of Liverpool’s key retail destinations. We’re confident the plans for the Central Village will see it develop as a vibrant retailer for many years to come.” The building will be an integral part of the Central Village project, which will include the construction of two new hotels, serviced apartments, flats, restaurants, shops and offices. The development, which will also include a boardwalk, water feature and public walkway to Central Station, could be completed by 2011. Rod Holmes, chairman of The Mersey Partnership – the body responsible for overseeing inward investment in the region – was project director at Grosvenor with the vision for the Liverpool One scheme. He spoke positively about Merepark’s plans for Central Village, as a crucial piece in the city’s commercial jigsaw. He said: “It will be very good news indeed when work starts on the Central Village development. By bringing more life back to the Lime Street and Renshaw Street area, it will take regeneration up towards the Hope Street quarter; the final link, bringing the waterfront, commercial and shopping areas, Ropewalks, Hope Street, cathedrals and universities together. The core of the city will then really be a terrific, powerful heart for the Liverpool City Region.” It is perhaps fitting then that the only store remaining of David Lewis’s legacy should be in the city which has shared the businesses roller coaster history over the course of 150 years or more. Despite the significant obstacles it has encountered over the years, it is fitting then that Lewis’s finds itself in a situation to join in Liverpool’s renaissance. MOVE COMMERCIAL 21
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Your local commercial property experts We have a full range of commercial accommodation available to suit all timescales, sizes and budgets. Below is a small selection of our portfolio:LIVERPOOL CITY CENTRE Cotton Exchange, Old Hall Street Corn Exchange, Fenwick Street Rumford Court, Rumford Place No. 1 Old Hall Street New Zealand House, Water St Century Buildings, Nth John St 1 Union Court 42 Castle Street Rodney Street area Stanley Hall, Edmund Street The Foundry, RopeWalks No.1 Tithebarn Exchange Flags Liverpool One Offices, L1 2 Moorfields Chancery House, Paradise Street Rumford Court, Rumford Place Victoria House, James Street 5 Temple Square The Capital, Old Hall Street
from 200 sq ft upwards 500 sq ft – 9,000 sq ft 600 sq ft – 1300 sq ft 600 sq ft – 4,600 sq ft from 750 sq ft from 1,100 sq ft 1,100 sq ft – 5,700 sq ft 1,100 sq ft – 2,600 sq ft 1,200 sq ft – 6,500 sq ft 1,900 sq ft – 3,200 sq ft 2,000 sq ft – 11,000 sq ft 2,000 sq ft – 20,000 sq ft 2,200 sq ft – 130,000 sq ft 2,200 sq ft – 17,000 sq ft 2,300 sq ft – 9,000 sq ft 2,500 sq ft – 8,500 sq ft 2,600 sq ft – 4,600 sq ft from 3,000 sq ft from 6,380 sq ft from 10,000 sq ft
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MERSEYSIDE INDUSTRIAL Clegg St, Liverpool fringe, L5 from 850 sq ft Wellington Employment Park, L5 1,400 sq ft – 33,500 sq ft LFive, Wellington Emp Park, L5 24,000 sq ft Larch Lea Industrial Estate, L6 from 2093 sq ft Brasenose Industrial Estate, L20 from 1,416 sq ft Gillmoss Industrial Estate, L11 from 2,400 sq ft Gillmoss Industrial Estate, L11 new build up to 20,000 sq ft Harrier Court, Speke new build up to 90,000 sq ft Bridge Industrial Estate, Speke 18,000 sq ft Alchemy Business Park, Knowsley 6,775 sq ft
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For a free report on accommodation for your business contact the Keppie Massie Agency Department on:
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HANOVER BUILDINGS 11-13 HANOVER ST LIVERPOOL L1 3DN
STYLISH REFURBISHED OFFICE SPACE FROM 1,193 SQFT TO 3,661 SQFT ADJACENT TO GROSVENOR’S LIVERPOOL ONE SCHEME
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Hidden gems refurbished Key events
Liverpool One office launch By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk 1 1. Chris Bliss, Liverpool One estates director, and Stuart Keppie, Keppie Massie
The launch of Liverpool One’s office space took place in the Russell Building where guests from the media and creative industries, for whom the building would be ideally situated,
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were treated to fantastic views of the development and the rest of the city. Canapés were provided by Yo Sushi and a prize draw offered a meal at Zeligs, beauty treats from L’Occitane and tickets to the Odeon. The space is being let by joint agents Keppie Massie and Knight Frank.
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2. The Yo Sushi team: Jayne Dillon, Adam Atkinson and Taylor Mitchell 3. David Porter, Tony Reed and Andrew Byrne from Keppie Massie 4. Rob Hillon and Almina Kadic, Think PR 5. Rachel Scott and Dan Symonds, Grosvenor
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6. Rob Lawrence, Nicola Armitage and Steve Gray, Liverpool One 7. Heather Thompson, Think PR, and Rachel Wadsworth, Grosvenor 8. Irene Bird and Natalie Moore, Pulse Modelling Agency, and Cathryn O’Grady, events consultant 9. Andrew Byrne, Keppie Massie, with Trevor Tansey and Neal Maxwell, Aztec Interiors
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10. Paul McGuire and Jess Gascoigne, DJ at the event 11. Simon Rhodes, Smiling Wolf, with Mushtaq Saler and James Griffiths, Studio Three Architects 12. Neal Maxwell, Aztec Interiors, and Lynne Robertson, The Bluecoat 13. David Al-Hadithi, The Design Foundry, and John Brown, Knight Frank MOVE COMMERCIAL 23
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Award winning architects and designers of Liverpool’s Unity building AHMM are back in Liverpool, this time to make a regal splash at the city’s Royal Court theatre. City-born Paul Monaghan co-founded the practice in 1989 in London, but chooses projects across the UK where he feels he can make an impression.
Making an entrance AT THE launch of the new designs for the Royal Court by Alfred Hall Monaghan Morris, architect Paul Monaghan and his screens take centre stage against a backdrop of the set to a popular comedy running at the venue. With actors from ‘Dirty Dusting’, theatre staff and the media gathered, it’s clear that the innovative planned extension and rooftop signage is hoped to clear the way for an even more successful future for the theatre which has launched the careers of several successful playwrights and is seen as home by a number of the city’s actors present. Despite the paraphernalia on stage and the warm audience participation, the plans to make the venue a more accessible and a more stylish place to work in or visit are far from fluffy. The streamlined images which take a practical approach to problems beleaguering generations of actors and audiences have been addressed sensibly, and the plans to restore historical detail yet develop the entrance for access and visibility won the judging panel’s favour over 50 other entries in the RIBA-ran ‘Theatre’s Next Stage’ competition. 24 MOVE COMMERCIAL
“The brief we had was very open,” said Paul. “It covers everything from how you enter the building, to circulation around it, the toilets and access, and the cosmetic appearance. It’s quite a challenge as we’re working with restrictions due to the site and how small the theatre is inside, and facing very practical problems at the same time as making our own statement with the designs. We want to bring out the building’s good qualities, the historical details, and restore what’s inside but we also have plans to make the entrance amazing. “It will be enlarged, using the space at the front, and will really make a statement with its advertising, looking a bit more futuristic with curved glass and giant letters on the rooftop, where we’ll have great views.” The bus stop at the front of the theatre on Williamson Square means the Royal Court already has a central location. Now, the refurbishment programme set to increase the aesthetic appeal of the building’s interior is set to make an equally strong statement. Paul adds: “In a way what we’re doing is very
simple. London theatres are all very tight inside, like those on Shaftesbury Avenue, and this is much bigger and grander. Unfortunately it’s not been blessed with funding over the years, but the makeover at the Empire in recent years made a real difference and that’s what we hope to do here.” Funding is not yet secured for the plans, which are said to cost in the region of £10 million, but it’s hoped that interested parties and patrons will contribute to the pot. Paul commented: “It’s a tall order but that’s the amount that’s needed to really be able to make the changes and the difference that’s wanted by the theatre and the trust. In an old building, a lot of money is eaten up making improvements that aren’t visible, such as rewiring the building for example. We need £10 million to make the dramatic changes. “We’re ambitious for this theatre and we will be taking inspiration from good theatres not just here but from around the world where you see other people tackling the same kinds of problems. We want this to be the theatre in Liverpool that’s the most architecturally sophisticated
and successful, which audiences will appreciate. The people who work here are so passionate about the building, it means so much to them, and that’s infectious.” While the theatre already offers a restaurant service for audience members who choose it, the plans include improving the bar areas “so that this is somewhere people really do want to come and drink”, and make it easier for those serving meals to get to the tables from the kitchen. The current backstage facilities will be improved – to the especial delight of regular actors. Paul added: “We’ve been listening to what the people who use the building want, and now we’re working out the best way to serve those needs.” Perhaps unlike a majority of London-based firms, AHMM has worked and continues to work on projects around the UK, the Unity design bringing Paul back to his home city several times a week at one period: “In recent years we haven’t been up here as much but when we were working on the Unity we had a presence up here for two or three days a week.” Winning
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Paul Monaghan Movers & Shakers about now is that, because we’re past 2008, we don’t run out of steam. We need an ongoing vision so that we don’t lose our focus.” At the same time, Paul is modest about his role in shaping the city we see today, with admiration for buildings like the Metropolitan Cathedral, Urban Splash’s work in the Ropewalks and, further back, the Atlantic Thistle: “When I was about 14, I saw that and it looked incredible, like a ship. I think that’s when I decided I wanted to be an architect. Today, we have architects from all over the UK and the world building here, and that’s very significant.” With concerns in some quarters for the future of the World Heritage Site posing a potential threat to redevelopment of the waterfront, Paul is keen to see Peel receive permission for their proposed schemes: “If in the early days the people of New York had opposed new buildings then New York would not be the city we know today. I think the Peel scheme could be amazing. Liverpool should embrace the future and not look back. We can still like The Beatles, but we need to invest in the future as well. That’s what I like about the Royal Court – the people here are looking forwards.” awards in 2006, the building was seen as controversial then and today: “Taxi drivers will take me there and they always comment on the building – they’ll love it or hate it. It really does make a statement; it’s not just another office block, and that was our intention – to create something which in the future becomes synonymous with the city. I hope that that’s what we’ll achieve here too; something that will end up in the guide books.” The vision for the Unity was something which AHMM found resounded well with the city planners, and they received planning permission in the space of just five weeks –a positive outcome from a traditionally bureaucratic system. AHMM are well known for their work on the Saatchi Gallery in London although their minimalist design is a strength of which Paul quips: “The key to its success is that you can hardly tell we’ve been there.” Winning 12 awards in the past nine months alone, they also master-planned the Olympic Village, worked on a number of affordable housing schemes across the UK, and they’ve more recently been working
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In an old building, a lot of money is eaten up making improvements that aren’t visible, such as rewiring the building for example. We need £10million to make the dramatic changes.
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on a number of UK wide projects. The firm’s work snowballed after they won a competition to redesign a bus station in Alsall and now, as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme, they have designed Westminster Academy to look less like a traditional school and more a corporate HQ. They’ve certainly built up an excellent perspective from which to view the future of design, and Paul is positive and pleased by Liverpool’s reinvention: “We were at the beginning of the property boom with the Unity and Liverpool One was on the agenda so that was an exciting time. That development now looks fantastic; there are some lovely bits to it like the car park, the bridge next to John Lewis by Stirling Prize winners, and Chavasse Park. So many cities have been destroyed by a bad shopping centre. I wasn’t sure about the Arena at first but it looks really good and has brought some really big bands up here, and it’s been important culturally. We’ve had some very good events and it hasn’t been pompous; it’s all been very Liverpool. “What we have to be concerned
Monaghan File Born: 04/02/1962 Education: St Edward’s College, 1973-80 A levels in maths, physics and chemistry Degree in architecture at Sheffield University Diploma in architecture at University College London Highlights: 1989 co-founded AHMM 2004 appointed visiting professor at University College London 2009 appointed chair of RIBA Awards Group
MOVE COMMERCIAL 25
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While much has been made of Warrington as a growth town for excellent transport links and out-of-town development, it’s the cohesive development of its high-quality office, retail, leisure and hotel development which will take it into its next important phase.
Vince Sandwell director at BE Group, and agent for MEPC Birchwood
Steven Broomhead chief executive at NWDA
Birchwood Park
Masterplanning the future
Thomson House 26 MOVE COMMERCIAL
SUCCESSFUL LETTING of space in Warrington is an ongoing news story as businesses choose out of town office parks to benefit from high quality workspaces and parking facilities. MEPC Birchwood Park let 160,000 sq ft of space across 50 deals in 2008, with December alone seeing 66,887 sq ft let across 11 deals. Thomson House is now occupied by Broker Assistance Ltd, a motor claims outsourcing operation, taking 18,697 sq ft. Chief executive John Ashcroft spoke highly of the location and of the space: “Birchwood Park offers a highly strategic location between Manchester and Liverpool, and Thomson House is close to some of the estate’s main facilities such as The Centre meeting and restaurant
amenities. Our staff will benefit greatly from the free bus service running to and from the estate.” Mondial Wine Ltd, a specialist in imported wine, has also set up base at Birchwood Park for its warehouse and distribution facility, taking 6,589 sq ft of space at Cavendish Place. Mondial Wine joins existing client Vestas-Celtic Wind Technology Ltd, a leading manufacturer in wind technology, which has expanded its Birchwood Park base to take 16,040 sq ft of industrial space at the estate and increased its office operation in Bridgewater Place to over 15,000 sq ft. MEPC Birchwood Park managing director, Jonathan Walsh, commented: “December 2008 was the icing on the cake of what was a truly great year.
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Warrington Focus
Phase 1, Lingley Mere
Gemini Business Park
We supported 20 existing customers with their growth plans and attracted 35 new customers to the park.” Vince Sandwell, director at BE Group, the agent for MEPC Birchwood, commented: “The Annual Property Review shows that yet again, Warrington’s office market can hold up well when other areas of the region may be suffering. I think everyone was expecting a drop in activity but, instead, take up was actually up by a fifth on the previous year.” He stated that Birchwood’s performance was particularly strong, and that Birchwood Park achieved a new prime rent level of £18.50 per sq ft. He added: “Its success is due in part to its location, but the mix of established business and quality office stock are also key factors. The nuclear industry is an example, where companies such as Rolls Royce and UKAEA took up new space during the year. While no new build is envisaged in the next year, schemes such as Birchwood One and Olympic Park were completed in 2008 to add to the quality of office stock. “Furthermore, it isn’t only offices which are helping to maintain Warrington’s strength as a business location. Langtree has added a third phase to their Gateway 49 Trade Park, and St Modwen followed the success of its office scheme with a new industrial development which is already over 25 per cent committed.” As reported previously in Move Commercial, Lingley Mere can report excellent yields on office
MEPC Birchwood Business Park’s Bridgewater Place
buildings sold to Harbek Investments and Elm Assets. Other major companies at the site include Vertex, MWH and United Utilities, and future planning is said to be able to allow for another 700,000 sq ft. One deal which saw a quarter of the area’s total space taken up was at Winwick Quay when the Royal Mail signed up for 16,600 sq m of space, solidifying the region’s image as a prime location for distribution and logistics companies. Gemini Business Park has long attracted well known brands to the area, with a mix of commercial and retail units to accommodate internationals including IKEA, Toys’R’Us, BT and Martin Dawes. The Warrington Annual Property Review makes more enjoyable reading for those who’ve invested in the area - they’re certainly growing in number. 2008 saw five
Bridge Street’s 3D plan
speculative schemes completed; two office, two industrial and one trade counter. While there are none planned for 2009, the completion of these schemes by investors with a track record in Warrington is sure to inspire further confidence when the market situation lifts. Omega Business Park, the current subject of debate in the local and national press as a proposed site for, variously, a prison and a waste disposal centre, is viewed as one of the top 20 regeneration projects in the UK by Regeneration and Renewal magazine and is set to retain a high profile in the media while the scope and direction of future investment is decided. The brownfield site at the former Burtonwood airbase is a £1 billion development opportunity across 558 acres with the potential, say supporters of its development into a business park, to offer
employment opportunities to more than 20,000 people. Warrington has been becoming increasingly visible as a viable leisure and retail space. The waterfront development proposals, a phased 20 year improvement programme, incorporate a lengthy linear park, office, cultural, leisure and residential space for business and intend to improve connectivity to the town centre through an extensive and detailed joint venture between land owners, developers and public bodies. Following the NWDA’s acquisition of Time Square in the town centre, the Bridge Street Quarter (1.2 hectares) is set to be redeveloped with the potential to bring up to £80 million of private sector investment into the area, according to NWDA calculations. Chief executive at NWDA, Steven Broomhead, is confident that 80,000 sq m of mixed-use floorspace in the Bridge Street Quarter could revitalise the area and complement the offer in the commercial district: “The Golden Square shopping centre is successful, but is not matched by provision of offices, hotels and restaurants that a commercial district requires. Time Square is an opportunity on a scale which can support significant regeneration, creating new highquality leisure and office space, new jobs and levering in a considerable amount of public and private sector funding.” Let’s hope that confidence in the area’s potential will see this vital space between the north-west’s major cities come into its own. MOVE COMMERCIAL 27
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As managing director of innovative design and engineering firm Forum Technik and as chairman of the Widnes Waterfront Business Steering Group, Paul Murphy is leading the way for the growth of forward-looking businesses in our region.
A forum for the future DESIGNING SYSTEMS that make buildings run efficiently makes an excellent background for chairing the steering group of businesses at Widnes Waterfront. Set up at a 200 acre site in the former industrial area of South Widnes, the WWBSG will oversee the regeneration of the area into a successful commercial centre. Halton Council has of recent years shown itself to be adept at forward planning, and the soon expected outcome of the inquiry into the Mersey Gateway proposals will undoubtedly play a part in determining the future prospects for the area and its surrounds. Against this background of exciting planning Paul Murphy, whose experience of running his own firm at the Widnes Waterfront site gives him a vested interest in attracting businesses and investment into the area, chairs the group established to monitor 28 MOVE COMMERCIAL
Widnes’ evolution. One of the first, if not the first, company to set up at the park five years ago, Forum Technik’s own energy efficient premises, which the firm designed and built itself five years ago across 3,000 sq ft, use every mod con you might find in a sports stadium, a school, a newly refurbished headquarters or a new build corporate suite. The glass structure on the business park uses a weather station to control the angle at which its blinds tilt, depending on the sunshine, as well as air conditioning and heating to conserve energy, making it possibly one of the greenest and efficient premises at a north-west industrial park. With current economic conditions and government attention turning to greener ways to work, Paul’s business and his offices are certainly pointing the way: “What we do as a
company is very relevant in the current climate. The government’s EPCs and DECs flag up to companies any issues they may have with their buildings to do with energy usage, and we’ll refurbish or design and build systems using electricity or energy to work out how to run it more efficiently. These days, people want to be seen to be running an efficient business, and that means not spending more on energy than needed. If a tenant or a buyer is looking for a building and they narrow it down to two sites, one of which will be more expensive to run, then they’ll make their decision based on that factor.” Forum Technik has recently won a new contract to design and fit-out a sports stadium, and its work takes the firm not only across the UK, but also into Europe. Paul continues: “As government incentives, so to
speak, will be introduced for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint, so energy efficient systems can save firms money. We’ll design and install lights that dim when the sun shines in, blinds that adapt to the light stream, air conditioning that switches off when a window is opened, and the technology that’s popular with corporate offices is also used in high end residential projects, or for assisted living. The fact that it’s green and serviceable is only part of it; the wireless technology is also aesthetically pleasing.” The invitation for Paul to chair the WWBSG was the culmination of a relationship the firm fostered with the council on establishing its premises in Widnes. “When we were looking at where to move into, this site was available with excellent transport links, car parking and plenty of space – all the things
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Paul Murphy Rising Stars
that a business needs at a sensible price – and so we knew it would work. The council has been very supportive of us and we’ve tried to encourage visiting and prospective businesses to invest here by showing them around our offices, and filling them in on the excellent facilities here,” says Paul. Chairing the quarterly meetings was a natural progression. The group has so far overseen improvements to the signage leading to the park, with a bold banner at the end of Gorsey Lane. Paul added: “It’s the practical details like keeping it clean, installing signage and street lighting which make a difference to businesses investing here. We’ve recently got some new bus stops for a public transport service running through the Waterfront, which is an excellent move. “I am upbeat about the area.
It’s sometimes overlooked and its assets aren’t realized with regards to how accessible it is for the motorway and the airport, and the rail links. We’re only ten minutes away from Runcorn station here, and London Euston is just two hours away; to get there and back in a day really is brilliant.” The future of the area’s dependency on a skill base and relationships with training institutions is another facet of Paul’s concerns: “We’re specialist engineers ourselves, and have strong links ourselves with the universities, and it’s important for graduates who are starting out to be able to use public transport. It’s making opportunities more accessible. I hope that other firms like ourselves, with high quality workers and skills, will choose to relocate here, and that we can retain the traditional skills of the area in manufacturing
and the service industry. There’s certainly scope for both.” Paul’s passion for the area is catching, and it’s perhaps a combination of Liverpudlian roots and a background in extensive traveling across the globe which has contributed to his outlook: “Widnes has still to shake off some associations with chemical works which it has for local people, but nationally, it doesn’t evoke those negative views for investors. As for Liverpool, I would travel for work at a time when negative stereotypes about Liverpool people and their behaviour prevailed, but now with Capital of Culture, all of that has changed. I’m proud to be from here.” He continues, alluding to another interesting side to chairing the business group: “I’ve been watching Big Art on TV lately and it keeps harking back to our city as
the unofficial capital of public art installations. As part of the steering group I had a really interesting day helping to choose a piece of public artwork for Widnes. We decided on a huge, illuminated flower sculpture to really make people sit up and notice.” Tonkin Liu’s Perspex ‘Future Flower’, which lights up in the wind, will measure three metres in diameter by 12 metres high if planning permission is granted on 8 June. A funding application to the NWDA is currently being prepared by another body, for the artwork which would cost in the region of £125,000. With its bold yellow colour and environmental credentials, it’s certainly a worthy choice for the River Mersey site. With the outcome of the public inquiry into the Mersey Gateway expected shortly, Paul voices his support for Peel Holdings and Stobarts who have backed the bridge: “The subject of the bridge is one that’s linked people here, and on the whole the idea has been wellreceived, if with some reservations about the toll here and there. I do wonder though why we’ve needed to have an inquiry into it; I suspect that if we were talking about a bridge over the Thames or something for the Olympics we’d already be driving over it by now.” Equally, Paul is supportive and appreciative of the council’s efforts to promote the area to local people and to national firms: “How can I put this? Halton is hungrier somehow – unlike the other big councils it has to work harder to attract business and make a success of a scheme like this, and the work that’s been done so far has been impressive. David Parr has visited us here for a cup of tea, to ask me what he could do to help; if someone with an important job like his can find the time to do that then that shows his passion for the borough. You wouldn’t find many council leaders who’d do the same.” With one eye on the future and a firm grasp on the present, he concluded: “It’s like any neigbourhood; you have to put in what you want to get out. If I can use a local firm for a job then I will do as we do have the skills and services right here. People might criticise the new developments, but the more you travel the more you realise what you have at home.” MOVE COMMERCIAL 29
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DITTON COURT FOUNDRY LANE, WIDNES
ONL Y UNI 2 TS RE MAI NIN G
New Business Units 240m2 (2,585 ft2) to 1,320m2 (14,215 ft2) FEATURES
FOR SALE/TO LET DESCRIPTION
LOCATION
The development comprises 5 high quality units suitable for a range of manufacturing, warehousing and general business uses. The units range in size from 240m2 (2,585 ft2) to 1,320 m2 (14,215 ft2) and are available in multiples to suit individual needs.
Located 2 miles southwest of Widnes Town Centre in an established and improving industrial area. The development is situated 1/2 mile from the A562 Speke Road, which provides excellent access to the Regional Motorway Network via Junction 6 of the M62 (3 miles north) and Junction 12 of the M56 (4 miles south).
Connectivity, Catchment, Cost Three good reasons to invest in St.Helens…and there’s more St.Helens has been officially identified as one of the most attractive office locations in the country1. Thanks to its prime regional connectivity - midway between Liverpool and Manchester - a catchment area of over seven million potential customers, and a highly cost-effective and business-friendly environment, St.Helens has a great deal to offer. Innovative and dynamic companies who’ve chosen St.Helens are enjoying the benefits of improved competitiveness and unparalleled business support. Why don’t you join them?
If you want to find the right reasons to locate in St.Helens, please call John Quirk, Business Location Service on 01744 742 011, visit www.investinsthelens.com or e-mail enquiries@investinsthelens.com 1East-West
location, October 2005
30 MOVE COMMERCIAL
• High quality brick and profile steel clad elevations • Large loading doors 4.7m high • Dedicated parking • Low maintenance landscaping
For more information contact:
East Side Developments on
07718 530000
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Eco-regions Features
Following other successful schemes in Europe and the capital, how could our region be transformed through a similar parklands scheme in the Liverpool-Manchester gateway?
Finding a green corridor The blueprint in Europe Project: Emscher Landscape Park Description: The economic and social transformation of the Ruhr area, drawing on the region’s cultural strengths and heritage. Location: Ruhr region of Western Germany between the River Ruhr in the south and Lippe in the north, and the Emscher in the centre. History: For more than 100 years, the Ruhr formed the industrial heart of not just Germany, but Europe. The area became an industrialised, artificial surrounding, but after the industrial boom ended in the middle of the last century the industrial plants fell into disuse and jobs were lost. The area experienced a deep structural and social transformation. Between 1989 and 1999 the Emscher Landscape Park was the central component of an integrated development strategy for the former industrial region as part of the International Building Exhibition, and work has been ongoing since 1989. Vision: To create a new landscape, a new regional park in this area, which is not geographically, historically or politically a unit. 17 cities, two urban districts and KVR (Association of Ruhr District Local Authorities) have formed seven inter-municipal working groups
to undertake the planning of seven green corridors running along a northsouth axis. Aims: To improve the working and living environment for more than two million inhabitants in the region. Delivery: The gasworks and chimneys have been treated as iconic landmarks providing exciting locations for art, culture, leisure and living space, so that concerts are given in former steel plants and the twelve-storey Oberhausen gasometer is used for cultural events; another gasometer is used as a diving school. Hiking trails and climbing walls take place at what was once a coalmine, coking plant and foundry. Drives: The five objectives for the Emscher Landscape Park are to preserve the remaining leftover landscape, link up the isolated separate areas in the agglomeration, re-zone the separate areas as parkland, reach agreements regionally and locally on individual projects for the long-term and maintain and manage the new open spaces in a permanent regional park association. Agencies: The IBA Company was responsible for the first decade of development from 1989. KVR masterplanned the Emscher Landscape
Cultural & leisure activities take place in former steel works
Former industrial site now used for climbing
Park and Project Ruhr has now taken over the project management of the scheme. The two will work together on the 2010 masterplan which will be to regenerate the Emscher River System and the Emscher Valley. Finance: Government of North Rhine/Westphalia’s Emscher-Lippe Ecology Programme with EU funding. Partners: Local authorities in 17 cities and two urban districts. Work schedule: 300 projects have been completed. Progress made: Shrubbery Garden House in Ripshorst in Oberhausen,
Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park, Garten Osterfield, Nordstern Landscape Park, Mechtenberg Landscape Park, Lakeside Park Lunen. Due for completion: No final date stated as achievements are set to span for at least another decade. Evaluation: This scheme has already a vast area regenerated through effective partnership of local authorities and partners, creating a blueprint for regeneration of other industrial zones in Europe, including the Thames Gateway and the north-west. MOVE COMMERCIAL 31
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Regeneration in the UK capital
Rainham Marshes
Project name: Thames Gateway Parklands Description: The Parklands initiative aims to make the Thames Gateway region an eco-region. A new landscape framework will be created using green space to lead to new development to support local businesses, attract investment, build infrastructure, and to strengthen and develop communities. Location: The Gateway covers the river, estuary and horizons of the marshland in East London, South Essex and North Kent across 64km. History: For the last hundred years heavy industry has colonized much of this natural setting, changing perceptions and linking the area with power stations, gasworks, oil storage depots, ports and electricity pylons. Aims: The three driving forces identified in the Thames Gateway Delivery Plan are to create a strong economy, improvements in the quality of life for local communities and the development of an eco-region. The Parklands scheme aims to capitalise on existing natural, built, historic and cultural assets to strengthen character and diversity and transform perceptions. Delivery: The objective is to transform this region in tune with the cultural and ecological landscape and its heritage to become a low carbon area and a net producer of energy. The efficient use of water and wastewater will be maximized and flood risk will be 32 MOVE COMMERCIAL
Wat Tyler Heritage Centre, a work in progress
“ ”
The objective is to transform this region in tune with the cultural and ecological landscape and its heritage
Chatham Historic Dockyard
effectively managed. Construction waste will be minimized. Drives: The environment is key in terms of blending the military heritage with the nationally important wildlife reserve – a haven for birds of prey will be created at Rainham Marshes, the former Ministry of Defence site. Spin-offs: Widespread economic and green benefits are expected. The region’s position between London and mainland Europe is seen as strategically important for the economic prosperity of the nation. The aim of producing more food in this area, cutting food miles to London, is also heralded as important to making London a more sustainable area. Vision: The pioneer of this type of project is Emscher Park in the Ruhr,
the former industrial heartland of Western Germany. The framework for delivery in the Thames Gateway Parklands is to develop a new estuary path along both banks of the river, matching improved access with an improved river environment. Funding is allocated to support the bids for World Heritage status for historic sites, land will be identified and funded as green space, and environmental improvements to strategic transport corridors will be made. The investment in this area is to be supported by other partners. A number of city squares will be identified to provide cultural, economic and environmental activities. Agencies: Homes and Communities Agency, Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE).
Architect: Sir Terry Farrell has been appointed on the Thames Gateway project. Finance: £35 million of government funding has been set aside for the Parklands scheme from the £500 million Thames Gateway programme. Partners: The Thames Gateway Strategic Partnership (TGSP) was established in 2000 with a number of government agencies, local authorities, regional development agencies and the universities in the area. Work schedule: The publication of the Thames Gateway Delivery Plan in November 2007 set out a three-year delivery plan. Progress made/Due for completion: An evaluation of progress delivery will be made in 2010.
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Eco-regions Features
A scheme for the north-west
“
Climatic and economic benefits expected include attracting high calibre graduate workers to the region
”
Manchester Ship Canal
Bridgewater Canal
River Mersey and Liverpool’s Waterfront
Project: A study into identifying a ‘green corridor’ between Manchester and Liverpool. Description: Research into an integrated regional strategy for the north-west is being undertaken through a partnership between the NWDA and 4NW, the regional leader forum, to identify potential for a regional landscape transformation. Location: The landscape stretching from Liverpool to Manchester, broadly defined as the River Mersey, Bridgewater Canal and Manchester Ship Canal. Vision: To identify where strategic green infrastructure could best underpin economic growth, ensure climate change adaptation and mitigation, and improve quality of life for residents. Aims: Economic growth in a sustainable fashion, drawing on the experience of
regional parks, greening initiatives and international examples such as Emscher Park in Germany. Delivery: The consultation process will research if and how to deliver a vision for the region, with the climate and greening initiatives at the heart of the social and economic regeneration. Drives: Context for the research focuses on the government’s commitment to place the UK at the forefront of environmental technology innovation, the need to build on the continuing regeneration of Liverpool and Manchester, the potential economic benefits of green infrastructure investment for attracting inward investment and changing external perceptions, and recreational and social opportunities. Spin-offs: Climatic and economic benefits expected, including attracting
high calibre graduate workers to the region, and the intriguing possibility of the research leading to a nationally significant green infrastructure initiative. Agencies: URS, an environmental and engineering agency, has been appointed by the NWDA to lead the research. A steering group has been established to guide the research, chaired by the Mersey Basin Campaign. Representatives from the NWDA, Homes and Communities Agency and Peel Holdings, as well as Natural Economy North West (a partnership between Natural England, NWDA and the SITA Trust) are also on the steering group. Finance: The research is being funded by the NWDA. Budget details cannot be specified under Purdah guidelines. Partners: Key study partners working with URS include Urban Practitioners,
West 8 and Barnes Walker Landscape Architects. Work schedule: The preliminary research findings are due to be reported in July 2009, and further steps will then be taken. Progress made: A Principles and Issues Paper was drafted to inform the consultation process into a regional strategy and completed at the end of April. Due for completion: The outcome of the research will determine future plans. Evaluation: With NWDA funding and links to significant players in the private sector, such as Peel Holdings with their impressive track record and current and future interest in Manchester and Liverpool, we must hope that the research concludes with an action plan to match up to European and London-based parallels. MOVE COMMERCIAL 33
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Promoting the region Talking Point As London prepares to host the 2012 Olympics, we ask how our sub-region could and should prepare to welcome visitors to the UK with improved infrastructure in tourism, leisure, services, and a marketing campaign.
Rod Holmes, former project director at Grosvenor’s Liverpool One and now chairman of The Mersey Partnership as well as a trustee at The Lowry
Mike Stubbs, director of FACT (Foundation for Art and Creative Technology)
Steven Small, heads up the business tourism team at Marketing Manchester
How will the north-west prepare for the 2012 Olympics? We dined at HoSt, a recent addition to Hope Street in Liverpool’s restaurant offer, where a mixture of Asian dishes and drinks can be enjoyed over lunch and dinner. The latest venue to be opened by successful restaurateur brothers Gary and Colin Manning, the bright and welcoming venue is matched by its staff and colourful menu. How are we gearing up to make the most of the opportunities offered to us as a region for 2012? MS: FACT in Liverpool, Cornerhouse in Manchester and Folly in Lancaster are joining together for a crossregional cinema and digital culturethemed event to tie in with the
2012 Olympics. We’re also creating a crystal bridge between Liverpool and Manchester using real time technology to send communications between the two major cities, and later we’ll be linking this up to other major cites like Leeds. This year FACT as an organization is 20 years old, and the building is five years old. It’s a big year for us with the Abandon Normal Devices (AND) festival in September. Bold Street really is the jewel in Liverpool’s heritage crown and now we need to bridge the gap between the wonderful Liverpool One and that end of Church Street up to Hope Street. I think what we need now is an independent consultation on the brand to take that forwards,
and that’s being supported by the major players in the Ropewalks and others in the city. RH: Yes, there is support across the city for that area to not be seen to lose out – it’s a fantastic area of the city and I quite enjoy walking through it. SS: We’re currently working towards hosting a discovery campus where the good and the great will look at training initiatives this year and in 2011, and we’re working with North West Vision and Media on that. MS: Our Tenantspin project at FACT will be 10 years old this year; digital storytelling in a physical space is huge and very tied to Liverpool, where the oral tradition of
storytelling is unique. Manchester has that too, but you can feel it on the streets here. RH: There’s a marvellous book, ‘Sung and Unsung Heroes’ of Liverpool with some very clever photographs – in which you feature Mike. You’re right, Liverpool is unique and special. What’s being done to research the potential of 2012 for the north-west’s economy? RH: We’ve asked people who visit the city what they think of us and how it compares to their own city, and the statistics say that we’re seen as very friendly with plenty to offer. SS: Manchester has hosted competing and training teams now for a growing number of MOVE COMMERCIAL 35
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international sporting events and that is a real achievement. We have a contract with the Australian swimming team which runs beyond 2012, and it’s this which raises our profile and acts as a springboard for other events and activities. MS: We haven’t yet decided on the full extent of the 2012 programme, working with other agencies through Liverpool Arts Regeneration Consortium (LARC), but it will be a co-operative event. We are working on whether to host events around the Olympics or whether we’re really attracting a different audience. A study is being produced with the council on the impact of Capital of Culture years and the Olympics on cities to see when the effects really start to kick in. Glasgow, for example, is now a super city with a European profile, and we need to concentrate on sustaining the levels of investment here. Merging the sports tourism and arts markets is one way to do this – we need to see being in the limelight as an opportunity. RH: Footfall really makes a difference – with more train and bus fares sold as well as money spent on actual tickets. SS: We need to keep a consistent, quality offer with restaurants, bars and hotels and Manchester has identified that and built it up. I think now that the two cities could help one another to increase business tourism. We’ve been working with Visit Britain on marketing Manchester and seeing it as the gateway to the north. MS: Yes. I was at a meeting this morning on how we can drive Liverpool’s marketing as a destination. At the moment FACT is hosting the ‘Climate for Change’ exhibition for which the strapline is ‘the only currency is collaboration’. Of course Manchester and Liverpool are competitive and of course they’re collaborative. The relationships are getting better; we just need to see more of this. RH: King Cotton was an excellent example of a collaborative theatre piece between the two cities on the history of the cotton trade. MS: And it’s not about homogenising everything. What do we need to be focusing on as a region to make the most of our assets and attract future inward investment? MS: We’ve designed a new extension for FACT to bring us out onto Bold Street as we always intended to be. We also have funded PHDs at FACT from JMU and Liverpool University going on, practice-based in an open 36 MOVE COMMERCIAL
environment looking at the interaction of citizenship of with digital activities and public realm ideas, covering art, architecture and the urban environment. To really get the best ideas we need to ask bright, young people who are educated and intelligent to collaborate on projects. SS: Manchester International Festival is something we’re concentrating on and research is being done into the best ways to attract visitors for 2012. In terms of attracting inward investment for the city as a whole, we have a team dedicated to doing just that, as at the Mersey Partnership. Working together and supporting each other’s events is the way to do this. Are there lessons to be learnt from the Capital of Culture event in Liverpool and Manchester’s success in hosting international events? SS: Last year saw big changes come to fruition for Liverpool, and I’m very proud of what Capital of Culture achieved. Manchester’s status as ‘Sport City’ was awarded as a cumulative effect of the city hosting the UEFA Cup, the World Cycling Championships and the World Swimming Championships in previous years. The city proved it can deliver high-end international events, and so there’s no reason why it couldn’t handle something on the scale of the Olympics itself. We needed that experience to show what we can do when different bodies work together. We beat Berlin and Melbourne to that status; it’s those awards which really break down people’s perceptions and make them see the city in a different light. MS: The legacy of 08 was to see the collaboration of key players like the Philharmonic, the Tate, the Biennial, and National Museums Liverpool, and the city became a destination with a programme of events all through the year. RH: Yes, there really was something for everyone, and the role of The Mersey Partnership is now to build on that image, that precedent that’s been set to change people’s opinions of Liverpool to keep on drawing inward investment. MS: I know that the city council and Liverpool Vision are working on a case study to chart the impact of events like Capital of Culture on Europe and to estimate how companies can be persuaded to invest and reinvest here. SS: Manchester has built up a reputation for sporting success now and now it needs to build on its other disciplines so that people know there is much more to that city – which
there is. Football is key to the two cities but it’s actually through strengths like these that we can work on showing that we’re not actually just about that. MS: It’s a matter of merging the different markets. The ‘We Play’ project is the north-west’s cultural legacy programme for the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics, and that’s all about using the limelight when it’s on us for other opportunities. RH: Big events do bring people up here but more often than not they will spend very little other than on the ticket to the event and their accommodation. We need to attract them through the big events so that they want to come back up here for the experience, without a planned schedule. If they see the energy up here, they’ll want to take it all in and walk around, try out somewhere new to eat, go into a gallery. Last year for example, think about the numbers who attended the Paul McCartney concert: it was huge. But over the course of a few months, the Klimt exhibition brought massive numbers of people into the city to experience more than just a one-off event. How do the two cities differ in their offer to guests, and is this something which we can take advantage of to attract more business tourism? RH: I do like visiting Manchester; it’s so different to Liverpool. SS: Yes, they’re completely different. I’m from Liverpool originally, but I’ve lived in Manchester for the past ten years – so I can call it home now – but there’s a really different vibe and feel to the two places. MS: Consistent, quality of the offer is important. Perhaps people don’t realise it but Liverpool has the second highest level of gallery tourism after Edinburgh. That brings people into the city centre to shop and eat in massive numbers. SS: It’s true that we have seasonal peaks but we do have a very strong all-year round offer in the northwest. RH: Often it’s the case that we’re viewed as somewhere a little bit different for a hen or a stag do, but when people have visited us here they’ll want to return with their families – or for conference, as they’ll find out about out facilities like the ACC. MS: We’re also growing our international festivals here, which brings in people from all over. The Liverpool Biennial has gone from strength to strength every time. Is the competition between the two cities something which
will boost the region’s offer, and will we need to fight the northsouth divide? RH: I think we are all competing for the pound, but the current economic situation has brought opportunities for UK-based destinations. There’ll be holidaymakers who will choose to stay here this summer rather than go abroad, and we could expect visitors from all over the UK here. After Capital of Culture, Liverpool is still enjoying a hype and awareness – it’s a very strong brand internationally too. MS: Liverpool and Manchester are competitive, yes, but they’re also collaborative – that has to be our only currency here, and supporting each other’s festivals like the Manchester International Festival and the Biennial. SS: Competition is healthy for business tourism; it keeps our standards high. MS: We need to remove that jingoism. RH: It’s also true that our cities are, really, like chalk and cheese in their offer – and that’s true across northern England, look at Leeds, Hull, Halifax - they’re all so different. I lived in Holland and comparing Amsterdam with Rotterdam – the two personalities are so different even though they’re just a few miles apart. The answer is to visit them both. What should we be supporting and how? SS: I think that with the airports up here now offering so many different routes into the UK for travellers from abroad, that affords us opportunities we didn’t have before. MS: That’s true, if the trains were better from the big cities in the north to the capital, then we could have long had a good way of getting people to visit us when they’ve been to see London. I know of people, and I’m sure we all do, who’ve wanted to take a supposedly two hour train ride up here for an event but they’ve missed it because of delays. Not only that, they’ve found that no one has been able to give them any information about their journey’s progress, and they’ve had to endure the smell of the toilets for the entire journey. RH: It’s interesting how transport fits into this debate. In Liverpool five years ago we were talking as though we could afford it all, but now we need to look at our priorities. Now that’s just not possible, but other benefits have come such as the KLM links –which is a real coup for us. MS: I’d say that’s essential.
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Promoting the region Talking Point
RH: But that hasn’t needed to be a huge project like building a motorway - it was a business decision. SS: And I think that it’s something Liverpool can handle very well. RH: There are still some areas we need to build upon, in terms of welcoming visitors and cleaning public space, having trains arrive on time and not dropping litter and we need qualified and experienced people to lead these things – without spending huge sums of money. SS: I’ve just given a presentation to our members this morning at Marketing Manchester, focusing on the importance of needing to behave like a city to welcome people, using signs and greetings. RH: Yes, there is the problem that being friendly doesn’t always add up to good service. MS: Future branding is also important. The north-west is a huge place and within 20 miles of the M62 there are 15 million people, all with the potential to enjoy the offer in our two cities. SS: This is really a global opportunity for us. The two cities have complementing strengths. When we talk about them it can begin to sound very clichéd, but we do have a lot of culture, sport, music and some very good universities up here. MS: The Cornerhouse and FACT have been working together to grow the digital economy in the north-west so that you can be a media company in either city – they’ve both been recognized by Digital Britain as model 21st century art centres. The new 100 MG line at FACT will be able to send HD digital files of a massive capacity to Salford in real time, which is necessary - until we get a really good high speed rail link.
SS: Media City is a real opportunity for us. The BBC moving up here is fantastic, but it’s actually only a small part of what’s to come for key industries. (Editor’s note: As we go to press, it’s been announced that 50 per cent of Media City contracts have been awarded to firms in Greater Manchester.) It’s a fabulous opportunity. This collaboration of Cornerhouse and FACT should be a model for the convergence of agencies and business opportunities. Manchester has the second largest productivity outside of London, and we’re closing that gap. Liverpool has its universities and the Knowledge Quarter, and micro-businesses started up by young people. What are our obstacles? MS: We can’t just celebrate the glorious trophies of empire as a global recession is happening around us – we need to rethink what Britain’s unique selling point actually is. Every city wants to be a creative city with a digital economy, but here we actually already are up here, and we have a strong heritage. We have to ask what will be the new destiny for culture and heritage, and Britain as a whole needs to be looking at its relationships with India and China. The Shanghai EXPO is another crucially different way for us to market ourselves. I don’t know what the figures are for how many people that will bring to Liverpool, but with events like that here and the Olympics in London we’re contributing to the world perception of Britain, so we need to be clever so that people want to engage with that. We need to be looking at disenfranchised people and reeducating ourselves in ideas of work. RH: In a recession, ideas are at the
highest premium. The current climate wasn’t expected so now whatever job you’re in we need ideas. Before now, the medium was the message – to borrow that expression. Now, we have the media and the technology – but we need the message. MS: Today’s graduates are a different generation who bring new ideas. They’ve grown up with Facebook and the Internet so they don’t have the concept of privacy. We need to take our ideas from the very young; we should be asking five-year-olds. RH: Capitalism has let us down and now we’re back to square one. MS: It’s a very interesting moment to be in. We’re being forced to do some radical rethinking and privileged people will not be buffered from this. We have to develop a sense of global responsibility; we can’t expect to just take oil and resources from Africa and then walk away. RH: The idea that Manchester is the city of the industrial revolution and Liverpool’s history in trade actually also brought another side out up here. Methodism began in the north and some of the great philanthropists and pioneers for public health and sanitation were from Liverpool. Ideas arrive at unexpected times and in unexpected places and that’s carried on here with popular music and literature. We have a concentration of ideas up here; this part of the world really punches above its weight. For more information on the events and initiatives raised in this discussion see www.andfestival.org.uk, www.visitmanchester.com, www.merseyside.org.uk, www.fact.co.uk.
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Liverpool and Manchester are competitive yes, but they’re also collaborative
Our panel enjoyed an eclectic mix of cuisines form Massaman curry with braised beef, taro and Thai basil, to tomato, red lentil and spinach curry with sweet potato fritters, and steamed sea bass with bok choi, ginger, spring onion and soy. The independent venue owned and managed by brothers Gary and Colin Manning, known for their successful 60 Hope Street and The Quarter, uses only fresh, in-season, locally sourced ingredients. To book a table at HoSt at 31 Hope Street, for lunch or dinner seven days a week, telephone 0151 708 5831 or visit www.ho-st.co.uk.
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A fine investment: The launch of HSBC Liverpool Key events
A champagne celebration guests enjoyed champagne tasting, canapĂŠs, magic tricks and fashion consultations. PGA golf pro Lee Sheldon was on hand to coach guests in their skills and celebrity Liverpool hairdresser Herbert cut the red ribbon. The branch now offers additional services to clients including a dedicated business specialist area and a premier suite.
By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk HSBC LIVERPOOL branch celebrated the opening of its newly designed premises with an evening of entertainment for customers and professional contacts on Wednesday 29 April. Head of UK retail banking Peter Keenan lent his support, as
1 1. Herbert Howe and Liverpool HSBC branch manager Michelle Carberry
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2. Simon Weir, regional performance manager, Stuart Gallcher, area premier manager, and Paul Scott, premier manager at HSBC 3. Kylie Jones and Joss McDermott, HSBC 4. Pete Smith, Blue Orchid, with Chris Walter, AFM, Ali McGrath, Training2000, and Jeannette McNabb, HSBC 5. Alison Wilson and Jason Butler HSBC, with Agnes Fitzgerald, Linkage Point
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6. Kate Nolan and Cheryl Kirkby, ACC Liverpool 7. Arthur Winstanley, DPM, Jenny Williams, HSBC, Angela Winstanley, Rathbones Investment Management and Natalie Inglesby, HSBC 8. Paul Hughes, Bridge Finance Ltd and Mike Hardie, Dears Brack 9. Sylvia Holland, civil servant, with Ron Jackson, Mouchel, and Joanne Dawber, HSBC 10. Andrew Jones and Linda Pringle, HSBC
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11. Sarah Bark, Tunde Martin, Ben Makin and Richard McKeown, HSBC 12. Karen McGraa, Karen Morgan and Carole Blue, HSBC 13. Liverpool HSBC branch manager Michelle Carberry cuts the tape with celebrity hairdresser Herbert Howe and Peter Keenan, head UK retail banking at HSBC 14. Ahmed Saif and Farhan Abu-Hassan, AlGhazahir Centre 38 MOVE COMMERCIAL
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elegance for a new age
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE THE LATEST LETTING OF TWO FLOORS TO PARKIN S. BOOTH
18 Chapel Street, Liverpool
FULLY REFURBISHED, ELEGANT OFFICE SPACE IN THE HEART OF LIVERPOOLS’ BUSINESS DISTRICT SUITES AVAILABLE FROM 1,400 SQ.FT TO 6,600 SQ.FT UNDERGROUND CAR PARKING 24 HOUR ACCESS COMFORT COOLING
IN
% 65
Contact: Mark Worthington
E
TH
Contact: Andrew Owen
TR LSET YEA
LA
For Sale
First National Public House
Guide Price - £500,000
Public House leisure premises arranged over ground, basement and mezzanine floors. 5,285 sq ft ( 490.98 sq m ) GIA. Prominent City Centre location. Long leasehold - 999 years. Near to Liverpool One. Approved plans for internal refurbishment and extension of Mezzanine floor to seat 230 covers as a bar and grill.
24 Fenwick Street, Liverpool, L2 7NE
Unit 1 Sandford Street, Birkenhead
For Sale
Industrial Warehouse Premises with office accommodation
Situated within a primarily industrial area. Close to the main link road (A5030) & Town Centre. Front Yard area. Offices to the first floor. 1538.83 sq m (16,564 sq ft) GIA.
Guide Price - £350,000
To Let
Former Danish Embassy HQ
£35,000 pax
Two storey office building comprising approx 5,039 sq ft (468.14 sq m) NIA. Available to let as a whole or on a floor by floor basis. Adjacent to New Brighton Train Station. Demised parking plus some unrestricted on street parking. Near to seafront promenade.
Alexandra Road, New Brighton, Wirral, CH45 0JZ
Barclay Trading Estate Brookfield Drive, Aintree, L9 7AX
Self-contained workshop / warehouse accommodation. Secure yards with palisade fencing. Secure site with CCTV. Office suites also available. Flexible terms available. 477.1 - 2871.7 sq m (5,135 - 30,905 sq ft) GIA.
To Let
Rent equivalent to £3 per sq ft
Contact Karl Kiernan for further information on 0151 236 9966 or email karl@davidcurrie.co.uk
DC David Currie & Co Real Estate and Asset Consultants
We’ve moved!
25 Hatton Garden, Liverpool L3 2FE T: 0151 236 9966 F: 0151 236 9578 Visit our website at www.davidcurrie.co.uk
MOVE COMMERCIAL 39
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CITY CENTRE PARKING - L1 SECURE PARKING SPACES AVAILABLE FOR RENT Central location near to Albert Dock and Liverpool One
ÂŁ65.00 pcm Call Waddicar Property on
0151546 0212 40 MOVE COMMERCIAL
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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(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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Since founding the Liverpool superclub Cream in 1992, James Barton has propelled the business to international prominence. Before a busy summer, which will culminate in the flagship Creamfields festival, Jonathan Kearney invited the local boy to Italian Club Fish on Bold Street, to discuss the success of the brand, and how it’s coping with the economic downturn.
Fields of expertise WITH TEN international Creamfields festivals lined up for this year, the ever ambitious James Barton already has plans for further world domination. The festival proved an instant success when it was first launched in 1998, supplementing the burgeoning international reputation of the Cream brand: “It was always my plan to have 20 Creamfields events in place around the world. We’ve got four lined up to start in Australia next year and the deals to set up in China and South Korea should be in place within the next 12 to 18 months. In terms of Creamfields we’re very close to where we want to be. “We’re effectively a franchise now, so people approach us, rather than the sourcing of venues and locations resting in our hands. The local promoters are putting up all the risk and we’re not too precious about the brand. We try to be as flexible as possible. At first we placed quite a lot of restrictions but then we realised it would be 42 MOVE COMMERCIAL
Barton File D.O.B 28/08/1969 Education: Campion High School, Everton First job: Working on market stalls at Great Homer Street and Breck Road from the age of 13 Worst role: “I’ve never really had a bad job to be honest. I’ve always worked for myself and taken satisfaction from being able to do whatever I want.”
quite naive to just think we could pack up Creamfields from the UK and plant it abroad. We could see that we needed the locals and I think that’s why we’ve been so successful.” In 2006 the festival moved to Daresbury in Cheshire from the old Speke airfield site in Liverpool. Although the switch may have disillusioned some traditionalists, the event has since gained momentum and attracted a wider audience. But as James readily admits, organising Creamfields hasn’t always been one big party. “I think the switch has worked on a number of levels and potentially it hasn’t worked on some others. Looking at the long term it’s a great site, and it has allowed us to develop the event into a two day concept which we weren’t able to do with the Speke site. It’s a location that befits the concept of Creamfields and in turn, it’s what people expect from us. The flip side is that it’s very expensive to run, whereas Speke cost less for
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James Barton Entrepreneur various reasons. There are still a number of boxes we need to tick financially and operationally. We’ve always developed a good show in terms of artists and line ups, although it’s always difficult to get all of those combined.” With some hearty choices on offer, we both choose to tuck straight into the mains. The Italian Club Fish has been well received in a city that has been somewhat starved of good fish restaurants in recent years. I opt for the haddock and chunky chips with homemade tartar sauce and mushy peas – a benchmark dish displaying the Scottish influence on the Italian venue. James, keen to sample the continental offering, selects the Supplì di pesce – homemade Italian fishcakes, on a bed of mixed salad. As the food is prepared, James explains why Creamfields is unlikely to revert back to its native home: “The benefits of Cheshire have been really noticeable. When it was staged in Speke it was perceived as such a Scouse event that maybe we didn’t sell as many tickets in the wider region. Now we’re selling more to Leeds and Manchester than we’ve ever sold. We had so many Manchester customers last year with the Hacienda link and everything. It was brilliant and we want to embrace that. We’ve also had the revenue increase with something in the region of 60,000 people attending the two day events.” As James tucks into his fishcakes, I dismantle my tower of chips and enjoy the delicate flavour of the mushy peas. My decision to focus my attention on the main course proves vindicated, as I encounter the healthy fish portion. Its light beer batter enables the taste of the haddock to come to the fore and proves an ample lunch time bite. There has been plenty to chew over in the economy over recent months and James has put the business acumen acquired since Cream’s early days into action. Ticket prices have been reduced for this year’s festival, as James endeavours to transport high street retail values to the dance scene. “Ticket sales are going very well and outperforming last year’s quite steadily at the moment. We’ve sold around 40,000 tickets so far and we’re hopeful that will continue right through to August. We went into this year feeling as though there’s still a market for the right
Catch a bite Italian Club Fish is the latest venture of the Crolla family, proprietors of the nearby Italian Club restaurant. The aspiration to bring fish to Liverpool’s menu has so far proven popular, with customers enticed by the Scottish influence on the traditional Italian fare. “Business is going very well” said manager Paula Neeson. “We’re especially busy at nights and we tend to be fully booked every weekend. With the change of specials every day there is always something different for our regulars to enjoy.” Book a table on 0151 707 2110.
Barton’s Three Challenges 1. Overcoming the challenges of the recession and taking the benefits from the downturn. 2. For the business to remain fresh and relevant 3. Keeping prices competitive shows. The business is in a strong position. We can look at things like ticket prices with flexibility because we’re not hamstrung by debt. When the upturn comes we’ll still be there doing what we’ve been doing for the last 16 years. We’ve been quite shrewd and nimble. What we do isn’t any different to what Marks & Spencer or Asda do. We have to adopt a similar mindset to the High Street. Customers want value for money; they don’t want to be ripped off.” To finish, James orders a refreshing peppermint tea. Enticed by the restaurant’s proud reputation for coffee, I choose a
latte. In this inviting setting, James reflects on the growth of his multimillion pound enterprise that grew out of the ‘90s club scene, and the decision to return the business to a base in its native city. “We were based in London for 12 years. The decision to move back had a lot to do with who we were. We didn’t need a fancy office in the west end of London because we already had the identity. Also the cost was becoming a burden, so I think it was the best thing we ever did. We like being part of the Liverpool success story and we’re really happy with what we’ve contributed to the city.”
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We can look at things like ticket prices with flexibility because we’re not hamstrung by debt.
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EARLE STREET
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Force 6’s breakfast launch Key events
Pulling in prospective tenants 1 1. John Lorimer, chairman of Gresham House PLC, and Mike Boyens, MD, Gresham House PLC
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GRESHAM HOUSE PLC’s breakfast launch at Force 6 on the Deacon Trading Estate proved popular with prospective tenants looking for warehouse units. The distribution park off J32 of the M6 in Newton-le-Willows has a number of one and two-storey units on flexible leases, with bespoke rental packages tailored to budgets and fully racked warehouse facilities. Guests enjoyed breakfast and a prize draw in Unit 9, and spaces available start at just under 6,000 sq ft. Agents Dixon Webb, King Sturge and CBRE are handling enquiries.
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4. Winner of the prize draw Tristan Wooler, Cushman & Wakefield, with Dave Blundell, Gresham House PLC 5. Vince Sandwell, BE Group 6. Louise Bardsley, King Sturge, and Darren Hill, CBRE
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7. Stephen Gleave, Dixon Webb, with Brian Birtwistle, DTZ, Simon Hampson, WHR Property Consultants, and Bob Parker, Matthews & Goodman 8. Ray Eckersley, Hurlston Brook, with John Quirk and Kim O’Connell, St Helens Chamber of Commerce MOVE COMMERCIAL 45
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Managing director Mike Boyens
Inthe spotlight Mike Boyens is the managing director of Gresham House plc, an authorised investment trust which dates back to 1857. The company has invested in approximately 205,429 sq ft of vacant mixed business space in Speke, Liverpool and 143,000 sq ft of warehouse space at Knowsley, Liverpool. What led you into this role? I’ve been involved in the property industry since leaving college. I trained as a quantity surveyor but I didn’t find it at all interesting or exciting, and I quickly moved into estate agency, and from there to the property development and investment company subsidiaries of Gresham House plc, where I’ve been for the last 25 years. What does your daily routine involve? In the current financial climate we’re not able to consider property development, so at present my brief is to maximise income from the existing property portfolio whilst trying to maintain landlord and tenant relationships. What are your plans for the north-west? The Gresham House property portfolio in the north-west comprises, principally, two major medium term 46 MOVE COMMERCIAL
redevelopment sites. There is an existing industrial estate comprising some 525,000 sq ft on 28 acres at Newton-le-Willows, where redevelopment options are currently being discussed with St Helens Council. There will be a significant residential content within the scheme together with an employment “gateway”. Gresham also acquired the old Glaxo Smith Kline premises on Speke Boulevard in Liverpool back in 2006. The 400,000 sq ft existing buildings are now 50 per cent occupied with master planning discussions with the city council for this 20 acre site and adjoining 10 acre ex-Metal Box site. This is regarded as one of the most important southern entrances to the city and our redevelopment will provide a landmark mixed use scheme. What excites you most about your role? Generating income and adding value
to the portfolio from securing viable planning consents. What are the best and worst parts of the job? The best part of this job is the opportunity it provides to travel and meet people from humble ‘one man band’ tenants, to the chairmen of major plc companies. The worst part is having planning applications turned down and failing to secure lettings or losing tenants. What’s your ambition? At my age ambition is wishful thinking! As long as I can continue to manage and add value to the existing portfolio and, when economies allow, to add to it, I’ll be happy. How do you like to unwind? I unwind with an occasional glass of wine and geriatric trips to the gym. Whilst it won’t go down too well in the north-west I must also confess to having a season ticket at Charlton Athletic F.C.
How would your colleagues describe you? I wouldn’t be as presumptuous to assume a description from my colleagues other than, perhaps, ‘old’.
BOYENS FILE BORN 1947 GREW UP Hounslow, London. CAREER HIGHLIGHT “I would probably regard the highlight of my career as being the acquisition of Speke. The site has phenomenal development potential.”
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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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