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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESTER MANCHESTER

Sept–Oct 2009

MOVE COMMERCIAL The north-west’s guide to property and business

Issue 14

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CITY POINT

GREAT HOMER STREET, LIVERPOOL L5 3LE

STYLISH GRADE ‘A’ OFFICES TO LET ¸ Less

than 1 mile from the city centre ¸ Comfort-cooled suites from 1,466 sqft to 8,943 sqft ¸ Raised-access floors, LG7 lighting and private kitchens/WCs ¸ Secure under-croft parking and visitor spaces

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Issue fourteen Move Commercial

Contents News

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Welcome to Move Commercial THIS ISSUE of Move Commercial puts global investors in the north-west region under the spotlight.

Lunch with representatives from two of the region’s biggest developers, Downing and Bruntwood, put inward investment into Liverpool and Manchester on the table as we discussed the region’s strategy for attracting key companies to the region and showcasing what we have to offer.

Mover and Shaker Lindsey Ashworth at Peel Holdings talked about transforming the waterfront to compete in a global environment, while Dr Tasker from Liverpool Science Park, our Rising Star, said she’s building relationships with

new businesses and attracting innovators to Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter.

New ideas are always hot and Simon Nixon, co-founder of the ground-breakingly successful internet business Money Supermarket, shared his plans for new ventures in virtual and real estate over lunch. A focus piece on retail in the region examines how big firms are making money in a challenging market and we discussed the leisure industry and regeneration in Southport’s Pontins resort with Founding Father Ian Smith. To top it off, we assembled a mix bag of reds and blues to discuss the missed opportunity for a shared stadium – see page 38 for photos of what ensued.

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move publishing ltd Advertising Director Fiona Barnet Tel 0151 709 3871 Account Manager Jo Tait Tel 0151 709 3871 Editorial Team Lucy Oliver and Jonathan Kearney Email post@movepublishing.co.uk Tel 0151 709 3871 Published by Move Publishing Ltd Directors David O’Brien, Kim O’Brien, Fiona Barnet

06 Global investors move into World Heritage Site 07 Mann Island scheme on track 08 Fresh signings Central Village 09 Leigh Sports Village shoots for victory 10 Office schemes’ success in Liverpool and Manchester 11 Planning go-ahead for Hope Street scheme 13 A new signing at City Point 14 £200m retail scheme 15 Wirral hotel deal made 16 Supermarket checks in at Halewood 18 Transport innovations link up the City Region

Features 22 Entrepreneur Simon Nixon seeks new adventures 26 Mover and Shaker Lindsey Ashworth on Peel’s plans for the waterfronts 28 City Region Focus Manchester and Liverpool regions in the spotlight 30 Founding Father Ian Smith on revamping Southport Pontin’s 33 Talking Point Attracting global investment 36 Regional Retailers Focus Thriving local giants 38 Five Decide Did Liverpool and Everton miss an opportunity for a shared stadium?

40 Rising Star Dr Tasker on encouraging innovation 45 Ask the Panel Should public spending be accessible to public viewing?

Key Events 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

20 Tithebarn transformed City Centre office refurb 25 Transport briefing Creating a regional infrastructure 43 The Big Rack Deacon Park in Knowsley attracts occupiers

Careers 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.

46 Q and A Patrick Crean is in the spotlight

Front cover image: City Point, photographed by McCoy Wynne

MOVE COMMERCIAL

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EXCHANGE FLAGS

LIVERPOOL’S MOST DESIRABLE ADDRESS

ALREADY HOME TO: BRABNERS CHAFFE STREET, MINISTRY OF DEFENCE, DELOITTE, REGUS, KNIGHT FRANK, PHILPOTTS & COFFEE REPUBLIC.

SINGLE FLOOR PLATES UP TO 28,000 SQFT OFFICES TO LET FROM 2,000 TO 135,000 SQFT LEISURE UNITS FROM 500 TO 10,000 SQFT Flexible terms will be considered to meet individual business and leisure requirements

WWW.EXCHANGEFLAGS.CO.UK LEISURE ENQUIRIES

OFFICE ENQUIRIES

EXCHANGE FLAGS IS A DEVELOPMENT BY UK LAND & PROPERTY AND POCHIN

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News Move Commercial Schools of thought

THE FUTURE of the iconic Littlewoods building in Wavertree is still being discussed.

The art deco building, opened in 1938, had previously been earmarked for discussion as a potential apartment complex, with hotel and retail space attached. Now, the site looks set to become part of the Edge Lane Innovation Park scheme and, under plans for Wave 6 of the government’s Building Schools for the Future project (BSF), to see local school St Hilda’s C of E relocated to the site. At one stage in earlier discussions, it was suggested to move St Margaret’s C of E High onto the Innovation Park from its site in Aigburth, but current plans are now considering keeping that site on Aigburth Road – making the school at Edge Lane a single sex girls’ school. Assistant director of education at Liverpool city council, Tim Warren, commented: “No decision has yet been made.

This is a proposal at this stage.

Even if this proposal goes ahead it will result in the school going co-educational from 2014.” The local education partnership responsible for delivering the scheme will be appointed in September 2011.

The iconic Littlewoods building has, over the years, been the centre of the Littlewoods Pools business, and the nerve centre of a government code-breaking agency MC5 during the Second World War. The building has been empty since 2003, when it passed into the ownership of the North West Development Agency. The £45million project is set to boost the regeneration of the area.

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MOVE COMMERCIAL

The Port of Liverpool building

Graceful refurb attracts international investors

Downing attracts another global brand THE £15 MILLION refurbishment of the Port of Liverpool Building has attracted another leading international brand to the jewel in the crown of the city’s World Heritage Site.

Swiss company Kuehne + Nagel has signed a 10-year lease with developer Downing for 8,000 sq ft of space in the Grade II listed building. The newly refurbished suite on the ground floor of the waterfront landmark will welcome 51 staff from the India Buildings. The signing is the third of major logistics groups at the Port of Liverpool since Downing completed its revamp in January this year. The firm acquired the building in 2001, and has a portfolio of more than £500 million of mixed-use schemes under development.

Robin Ellis

Barry Murphy, branch manager of Kuehne + Nagel Ltd, said he was impressed with the facilities offered at the site: “We are delighted not only to remain within the city, but to be moving to such a prestigious building. It can only enhance our reputation as a leader within the industry.”

Senior agency surveyor at Downing, Robin Ellis, commented: “Kuehne + Nagel is a significant international brand with high standards to match. We’ve invested heavily in complementing the Port of Liverpool building’s presence and character with the facilities and specification that modern businesses demand. This letting is further proof of its enduring commercial appeal for occupiers of the highest quality.”

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Move Commercial News

Work begins on World Heritage site scheme

Mann Island on track ONE OF LIVERPOOL’S key development schemes is now underway to construction.

The 140,000 sq ft commercial office element of the £135 million Mann Island scheme by developers Countryside and Neptune began in August, following the recent £47 million deal with German fund Commerz Real.

Merseytravel has already signed to lease space in the new building in one of the region’s biggest property deals to take place this year.

Managing director at Neptune, Steve Parry, commented: “We are delighted to see a new tower crane on the Liverpool skyline. It’s an indication that the city’s regeneration is continuing to proceed even in this difficult economic and commercial environment.

“Clearly the success of the scheme owes to its quality and unique location in the heart of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site.

This is a hugely exciting project

and we are delighted that it remains fully on track and will be completed on schedule.”

He added that three quarters of the residential units are now reserved, and that the final phase of apartments will soon be released onto the market. Neptune is also on track with its other projects to redevelop the region. The second phase of the New Brighton scheme will see the start on site later this year.

CGI of the completed development at Mann Island Deacon Park

Knowsley is a safe bet Largest letting at former Littlewoods Bet Direct site

Eye-opener LIVERPOOL’S Open Eye Gallery is set to move to new premises in 2010.

The space occupied at the Mann Island site, developed by Neptune and Countryside, will total 400 sq m, more than twice the size of that in the current Wood Street premises. The new gallery, designed by architects RCKa, will include a mezzanine level of about 125 sq m

and up to 150 sq m of exhibition space. Director at the Open Eye Gallery, Patrick Henry, commented: “Our ambition is to create a more vibrant and popular gallery, playing a bigger part in the city’s cultural life, and to build on our international reputation.

The construction and fit-out of the new space begins early next year in time for a summer/autumn launch.

DEACON PARK on Moorgate Road has welcomed a new tenant to its out of town office site.

Anthony Donald Evans Ltd signed for a 10,000 sq ft call centre in a ground floor office at the popular Highcross development. Robert Diggle, partner at Edward Symmons, joint agent on the scheme with CBRE, commented: “This is the largest letting that Knowsley has seen in 2009 and, in combination with other lettings that have recently taken place within Deacon Park, it clearly demonstrates the strength of the Knowsley office market.”

Iain Taylor, asset manager at Highcross, stated: “We are delighted to have secured this significant letting which emphasizes the affordable, quality accommodation at Deacon Park. Smaller self-contained offices are still available from 800 to 30,000 sq ft, for which we are receiving enquiries on a regular basis.”

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The Central Village scheme

A bold statement Central village developer makes its mark MEREPARK has confirmed a spate of fresh lettings at its redeveloped premises on 9-25 Bold Street in Liverpool.

The new signings follow £3 million of investment to refurbish the retail units before the construction of the £160 million Central Village scheme begins in autumn.

Already, clothing retailer Animal and Brew tea bar have signed 10-

year leases at sites of 4,500 sq ft and 2,700 sq ft respectively. Youth training provider ESG has also signed a four-year lease for 5,500 sq ft of office space at 13-19 Bold Street. The joint agents acting for the developer are CB Richard Ellis and Savills. Surveyor at CBRE, Pippa Page, commented: “These lettings are an extremely positive sign for the retail property sector, as

£5 million makeover Joint venture transforms Tithebarn site

The new office space 8

MOVE COMMERCIAL

well as Liverpool itself, to have attracted these leading brands to the city.”

Neal Hunter, associate director of Merepark, commented: “Bold Street has always been renowned for its distinct personality and vibrant retail offer – these lettings certainly add to that reputation.

“We have created high quality retail units that will become an

important gateway to the wider Central Village development, helping to ensure Bold Street remains a popular area of the city.”

The Central Village scheme will comprise two new hotels, an aparthotel, retail and leisure units, a new multi-storey car park and offices combined with an attractive public realms, timber boardwalk and a stepped water race.

THE FORMER Tithebarn House, owned by ARC property fund, has been transformed into a state-of-the-art office space over eight floors.

Now rebranded as No1 Tithebarn Street, the joint venture developers Kenmore Property Group and Legal & General have transformed the building to the tune of £5 million.

The makeover includes a dramatic double-height contemporary entrance onto Tithebarn Street, with an impressive DDA compliant reception, and the 115,000 sq ft of office space also now boast aesthetic improvements such as comfort cooling, new perimeter radiator heating, raised floors for power and data and full carpeting.

Neil Kirkham, partner at Hitchcock Wright & Partners who are joint agents on the scheme with Keppie Massie, commented: “This is a stunning transformation of one of the principal office buildings in the city. The reception, common areas and office suites are unrecognisable in comparison to how they were and this, coupled with the location, quality, large office floor plates and competitive letting terms, makes No 1 Tithebarn a premier choice.” The space also includes three high speed goods lifts, a goods lift and a newly installed lift for disabled access.

Current tenants include Morecrofts Solicitors and Merseyside Police.

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Move Commercial News

Plans for leisure village attract attention

Scoring victories for £83m project LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE on Atherleigh Way is attracting interest in its combination of leisure, office and retail accommodation.

Developers, The Greenbank Partnership, completed the £83 million scheme in November 2008, in partnership with Wigan Council.

The sports village is an exciting new development in the north-west, including a 10,000 seat stadium, used by Leigh Genesis football team, Leigh Centurions rugby league team and Blackburn Rovers reserves. The site also contains a

150 bed hotel, a new leisure centre with a gym, pool, athletics track and the stadium used by Leigh Harriers, and Wigan & Leigh Sixth Form College. A new supermarket is also planned for the site.

The retail space on offer at the sports village provides two selfcontained ground floor units circa 2,000 sq ft. On the first and second floor, offices are available from 450 sq ft to 6,600 sq ft at Grade A specification. Car parking and hot desk facilities are also available at the site.

John Morgan, agency surveyor at

Mason Owen, commented: “The accommodation would suit a range of occupiers who can benefit from the facilities available within the village and within the stadium itself.” Conference, function and banqueting facilities are also available at the stadium, with the village located on the A579, just off the A580 East Lancashire Road Junction 23 of the M6. John added: “We currently have strong interest and terms out on over 50 per cent of the space, and with the planned arrival of the supermarket demand is expected to increase.”

Planners approve of New Brighton hotel CGI of Travelodge on completion

A bird’s eye view of Leigh Sports Village

NEPTUNE DEVELOPMENTS has received approval from Wirral council for the final reserved matters in the second phase of the firm’s scheme in New Brighton.

The news arrives hot on the heels of Travelodge signing up to operate a 66-bedroom hotel as part of the scheme. Construction of the new Morrison’s supermarket, digital cinema, bars, restaurants, watersports training centre model boating lake, public lido and public realm in the £60million development is expected to start on site at the end of the year.

Director of Neptune, Rob Mason, commented: “This is great news for both New Brighton and Neptune as we are now all systems go to complete our vision for this once great seaside resort.”

The completed first phase of the scheme saw the successful refurbishment of the 800-seater Floral pavilion and Conference Centre, and more end-users of the scheme are expected in the coming months..”

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Double appeal of region’s cities

RETAIL ROUND-UP

Bruntwood’s prime spaces BRUNTWOOD developers are attracting tenants to the commercial hearts of Manchester and Liverpool.

At the end of June, insurance underwriters Affinity Scheme Insurance expanded its space at Orleans House from 1,150 to 1,740, sq ft in Liverpool, and took up another office in Manchester.

The firm now occupies 4,300 sq ft of space in Bruntwood’s Portland Tower in the city centre.

Jim Magee, operations director at Affinity, commented: “We chose Bruntwood for our Manchester office partly because of their excellent on-site customer service teams. We were also impressed with the level of flexibility Bruntwood provide due to the number of office buildings they own, the quality of the space and the fact you can move seamlessly throughout their portfolio, meaning they were the

perfect choice for our Manchester office.”

Bruntwood’s director of sales, Andrew Butterworth said, “We’re delighted we could accommodate Affinity’s office requirements.

Last year we helped over 50 customers move throughout our offices, both expanding and contracting their space. This shows the commitment Bruntwood have for our customers’ long term prosperity.”

George Davies

ACCLAIMED fashion designer and retailer George Davies has secured a 2,500 unit at the Liverpool One development. The store, on the development’s upper level, will house Davies’s new GIVe venture, an “affordable luxury” clothing brand aimed at women over 30. Liverpool One will be one of several sites to feature a GIVe store, after Davies signed a number of other shopping centre deals, including Bluewater in Kent and Meadowhall in Sheffield. The Bluewater store will open on 1 October.

Orleans House

The Metquarter

Portland Tower The new office space 10 MOVE COMMERCIAL

AT THE METQUARTER in Liverpool, two new arrivals are also set to make their mark on the city’s retail scene. Jo Malone, purveyor of exclusive skincare and fragrances, has signed for 1,055 sq ft at the Whitechapel premises in the city centre, and is set to open in early October.

M.A.C make-up specialists have also decided to increase their space in the exclusive shopping precinct to 2,000 sq ft to include a lash bar and group consultation rooms. The deal follows the news that British fashion designer Kirsty Doyle has launched her concept flagship store in the development, occupying 1,200 sq ft.

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Hope Street hotel approved Maghull Developments granted planning for Hahnemann Building Hahnemann Building

Plans to house a boutique hotel in Hope Street’s Hahnemann Building have been approved by Liverpool City Council. Maghull Developments, the developer for the £80m scheme, now has planning consent to convert the Hahnemann Building at 42 Hope Street and 58 Hope Street into a four star 50-bedroom boutique with bar, restaurant and day-spa.

A previous application to develop a 62-bedroom hotel was withdrawn in 2008 when the period building was granted Grade II listed status.

Michael Hanlon, managing director of Maghull Developments, commented: “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 resident groups and this is the final piece in the jigsaw for our development plans.”

A variety of self-contained office suites at the Hahnemann Building are currently available on short term flexible leases from one month upwards, before the expected hotel construction in 2011. Premises, ranging from 120 to 10,000 sq ft, were made available in July following refurbishment work by Maghull Developments. Michael added: “We are currently letting the Hahnemann Building as office space and this will remain our focus

in the short to medium term.

This strategy will give us time for the city’s hotel industry to level, before we progress with our redevelopment plans.”

Site agents Mason Owen say interest in the building won’t just be confined to commercial businesses.

Partner Andrew Owen commented: “With the studio space available we want to appeal to other businesses such as modelling agencies, galleries and other leisure based clients. It’s still relatively early days yet but the initial interest has been good.”

For letting enquiries contact Andrew Owen at Mason Owen, on 0151 242 3000, or visit www.masonowen.com.

Tenants flock to Chapel Street More occupants to follow soon AGENT Hitchcock, Wright & Partners has secured three new tenants for the RIBA award winning 20 Chapel Street, adding to the growing list of prestigious clients who occupy the Liverpool city centre building. Award winning agency Finch, most recently famous for creating the 08 European Capital of Culture brand, has relocated from their former Covent Garden offices to take 2,600sq ft on the first floor, while accountants and business advisors Jackson LLP will occupy 3,165 sq ft on the 2nd floor after their move from Orleans House in Edmund Street, Liverpool. Elaine Cunningham, of Elaine Cunningham Interiors is also to open a 5,000 sq ft BoConcept store at street level on 11 September. The BoConcept store is a first for the north-west and will stock the full range of their designer furniture and lifestyle products.

Alastair Newman, commercial marketing consultant for 20 Chapel Street, commented: “Despite the recession we have had a very positive year so far which reflects our policy to tailor lettings to suit individual businesses and offer a fast turn around and fit out. We are in negotiation with a number of other organisations and will be making further letting announcements very shortly.”

20 Chapel Street

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Seymour Terrace Office Space

www.makingit.co.uk

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What Seymour Terrace offers • Fully serviced city centre offices • Modern office furnishings • Broadband Internet access • Cleaning and maintenance of office and communal areas • Virtual office rates from £45 per month • Competitive rates

Contact Esther or Adele on 0151 703 1069 info@makingit.co.uk

12 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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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Move Commercial News

A warm reception

City Point

Refitting impresses the business district

Oscar success MORE TENANTS have secured office space at Oscar Development’s City Point in Liverpool. Occupancy of the Great Homer Street building is now approaching 50 per cent after national charities, Richmond Fellowship and Inclusion Matters moved in. Richmond Fellowship took two suites extending to 3,000 sq ft and Inclusion Matters took a 1,500 sq ft office suite to join Green Plan Energy and Off Plan Developments in the 27,500 sq ft commercial office development.

Andrew Owen, partner at Mason Owen – joint agents for City Point with CBRE – commented: “Despite the current economic climate, demand remains strong for accommodation at City Point. The

development offers a rare opportunity for occupiers to take small suites on the fringe of the city centre with the benefit of car parking. The building has been designed to a Grade A standard, as good as anything within the city centre, and we believe that it is this quality of design together with its excellent accessibility that is attracting occupiers to the development.”

City Point is a five-storey block made up of 16 temporary offices, each built to a Grade A standard extending to around 1,500 sq ft. The development offers flexible floor plates which enable the units to accommodate purchasers requiring up to 6,000 sq ft. James Marshall,

Developer makes a splash AWARD-WINNING DEVELOPER Urban Splash has announced that it has completed deals on over 2,000 sq ft of space in Manchester, following news of signings for 10,000 sq ft of space at developments in Liverpool.

The Smithfield Building in Manchester has signed up footwear retailer vans for 836 sq ft, and Shane Hamilton Barbers for 763 sq ft on its ground floor. Architects Ollier Smurthwaite have opened an office in the mixed-use Albert Mill scheme in

Manchester, and Influential Media has signed up for over 300 sq ft in two units at the Dulcie Building.

Associate director at Urban Splash, Lynn Haime, commented that it had been a busy summer period: “With deals in Manchester and Liverpool now complete we have let or sold more than 11,000 sq ft of space; a great achievement and reflective of the encouraging activity beginning to show in the commercial lettings market in these cities.”

commercial director of Oscar Developments added: “We are absolutely delighted that both Richmond Fellowship and Inclusion Matters have chosen City Point as their base within Merseyside. Interest in the scheme is now gaining momentum and we are confident given the quality of the product available that occupancy rates will continue to improve.”

For viewings or further information on City Point call Andrew Owen at Mason Owen on 0151 242 3000 or email andrew.owen@masonowen.com.

Alternatively call Mark Worthington at CBRE on 0151 471 4971 or email mark.worthington@cbre.com.

THE NEWS of the letting follows Bruntwood’s completion of 1 Dale Street in Liverpool city centre, a 32million development in the city’s traditional commercial quarter. The high spec office spaces range from 920-23,750 sq ft and takes the firm’s portfolio to 870,000 sq ft.

Mark Worthington from CBRE, a retained agent at the building said “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. 1 Dale Street 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.”

Head of Bruntwood’s Liverpool sales, Colin Forshaw said “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 efficiently up or downsize their office space, within the terms of their one lease.”

The new entrance and reception at The Plaza, Bruntwood’s landmark building in Liverpool, is also set to impress investors. The updates include floor-to-ceiling glazing, a customer lounge and a number of retail units alongside an additional five modern meeting rooms.

Garden Festival site grant agreed DEVELOPERS LANGTREE and the Northwest Regional Development Agency have come to an agreement on a £2.1m grant to improve the site. A separate contribution of £1.6m from the Northwest European Regional Development Fund is also currently being considered for the scheme, bringing the total package of investment sought to £3.7m. Steve Broomhead, chief executive of the Northwest Regional Development Agency, commented: “The site has the potential to create a major visitor attraction of international significance and enhance the wider Mersey Waterfront programme to maximise the potential of Merseyside’s waterfront areas.”

The Garden Festival was originally introduced in Liverpool in 1984 in an attempt to revitalise tourism in the city and was later home to the Pleasure Island amusement park. The site passed through the hands of various developers until its closure in 1996, with Langtree later announcing plans to construct 1,000 new homes around the cleared dome area.

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Post Office pull Smith & Sons extend office space for growing Wirral business SMITH & SONS has signed up a new tenant at the Grade II listed former Post Office building in the centre of Birkenhead. The property consultants have leased 1,700 sq ft of office space to Wirral business Crowder Consulting.

Smith & Sons now has only 1,500 sq ft of commercial property floor space still available at Post Office House.

Peter Bowskill, managing partner of Smith & Sons, commented: “Seeing such a successful business expand in these difficult times is very rewarding. This is excellent news for Wirral in terms of business growth and future job creation.”

Water industry consultants Crowder have now leased a total of 7,200 sq ft through Smith & Sons. George Crowder, managing director of Crowder Consulting said: “The move to extend our premises is a positive one for the company and will provide us with the flexibility needed to recruit and expand in line with our fiveyear strategy.”

Post Office House, on Argyle Street, Birkenhead, underwent a full refurbishment and restoration in 2005. For lettings enquiries, email Jason Wadeson at Smith & Sons at jxw@smithandsons.net, or telephone 0151 647 9272.

Peter Bowskill, managing partner of Smith & Sons and George Crowder, managing director of Crowder Consulting outside Post Office House, Birkenhead.

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New plan for Edge Lane £200m retail offer to boost city gateway DERWENT HOLDINGS are likely to replicate a rival Liverpool retail site in securing a new development for Edge Lane. The Isle of Man based developers are in negotiations with Liverpool City Council to transform the Edge Lane approach, with a planning decision likely to be made towards the end of September. Derwent intend to demolish the existing retail offer at Edge Lane, to construct 500,000 sq ft of shopping space as part of a £200m

Church House alters use

scheme. The current retail park represents around 430,000 sq ft.

John Francis, a partner at Derwent’s planning consultants DPP, commented: “We’re looking for something that’s similar to the New Mersey Retail Park in Speke.

Derwent have enough land to deliver that. The quality in that park is considerably better than at Edge Lane.” The proposed retail units have been designed doublefronted and will be accessible from Edge Lane itself, as well as the

retail car park, offering what Derwent believes to be a more attractive thoroughfare into the city centre. The city council had previously launched a legal battle against Derwent for the clean-up of the more dilapidated areas of Edge Lane. As part of the deal a number of “sweeteners” are believed to have been agreed with Derwent, including the extension to Mersey Care’s Rathbone Hospital, a new park to replace Rathbone Park, and a “grot-spot”-free zone.

Church House

Office and retail offering follows £1/2m refurb’ NEW OFFICE and retail space has become available at Church House on Liverpool’s Hanover Street. Site agent Mason Owen now offers 7,500 sq ft of Grade A office space on three upper floors, together with 5,000 sq ft of commercial space on the ground floor.

The Grade II listed building is still owned by the Diocese of Liverpool and has received a £500,000 refurbishment to bring it to a high specification. Andrew Owen, a partner at Mason Owen, commented: “This is a superb building, in terms of

specification, location and price. We are already in talks with a number of businesses who are keen to further explore the opportunity here and we are expecting to announce three confirmed tenants in the near future, including one of the city’s leading PR agencies.”

The revamp of Church House, which sits at the apex of the Liverpool One shopping developments and the city’s Ropewalks district, is a joint venture between the Diocese of Liverpool and developers TJ Thomas Estates; with

lettings managed jointly by Mason Owen and Honeybourne Kenny. The ground floor retail space is currently home to the Bistro Franc restaurant, with a second 1,885 sq ft until still available, with planning permission for A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and B1 use. There are six office suites spread over three floors, ranging from 996 sq ft to 1,565 sq ft.

For more details on Church House and to arrange a viewing, telephone Andrew Owen at Mason Owen on 0151 242 3120.

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Move Commercial News

Second coming to Easter Telecoms firm confirms freehold purchase

Travelodge set for Wirral

Easter Park, Widnes

Smith & Sons helps secure long-term lease

THE EASTER GROUP has sold a second industrial unit at Easter Park, Widnes. Celluar Systems, which provides telecommunications equipment and infrastructure, has completed the freehold purchase of Unit 1, a 26,800 sq ft detached industrial unit. Director Joe Drinkwater commented: “We have been looking to expand our accommodation for some time and Easter Park provided not only the ideal location but also the layout and specification of the facility that gives us space for growth.” Unit 1 is one of four detached buildings which forms part of the first phase of the development and comprises 22,800 sq ft of industrial and warehousing space, with 4,000 sq ft of first floor offices.

Currently only Unit 2, from phase one of the development, which comprises approximately 40,000 sq ft remains available, either to let or for sale.

Easter Park is set on a 15-acre site at one of the entrances to the Widnes Waterfront regeneration zone. Phase two comprises seven acres of land and has planning consent for a combination of industrial and office facilities totalling 135,000 sq ft.

Phil Morley, from Jones Lang La Salle, who advised Easter Group on the sale, commented: “Easter Park is one of a few well-located industrial development sites to provide speculatively built buildings and also have planning in place for phase two of the scheme. Enquiries for bespoke accommodation have increased in recent months and the potential development of a second road bridge linking Widnes to Runcorn should also prove attractive to potential occupiers.”

Ian Raffe of Parklodge Developments and Peter Bowskill of Smith & Sons

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY consultants Smith & Sons has acquired a long-term lease on behalf of Parklodge Developments.

Nationwide budget hotel chain Travelodge has agreed a tenancy for the Pool Lane site in Bromborough on the Wirral. A contractor has been appointed to begin construction works on the 60-bedroom facility, which is set for completion in January 2010. Initial consultations between Smith & Sons and Parklodge began in

autumn 2008 when research revealed a growing need for further hotel and accommodation facilities offering central access to Liverpool, Chester, Wirral and the nearby Wirral International Business Park. Under a contract exceeding £2m, Travelodge has signed a 25-year lease agreement with Parklodge for the new hotel, which is expected to create up to 18 new jobs when open.

Peter Bowskill, managing partner of Smith & Sons, commented: “The

opening of a new hotel in Wirral is a welcome arrival for the local community as well as business and leisure visitors. Our involvement in this scheme began at the very early stages when we were instructed by Parklodge to identify a suitable site for development. We acquired the land on behalf of our client, carried out necessary research to identify the right market and concluded successful negotiations with Travelodge on behalf of Parklodge.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 15

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News Move Commercial

Capital’s refreshing welcome

Aldi selected as the anchor tenant for Halewood regeneration scheme

New retailers ring the changes

Neptune heads Halewood scheme Aldi centrepiece of new development NEPTUNE DEVELOPMENTS will spearhead the regeneration of Halewood’s new district centre. An Aldi supermarket will be at the heart of a new shopping centre at the Raven Court site, after Neptune was chosen to develop the site ahead of rivals Renova. Neptune’s plans will deliver 44,950 sq ft of new shops, which will include Knowsley’s first Aldi store, and a number of smaller units aimed at other high street retailers.

Olympic Park

Warrington welcomes CEL 16 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Cllr Graham Morgan, Knowsley’s cabinet member for regeneration, economy and skills, commented: “Residents have needed new shopping facilities and a revitalised district centre for a long time. I am sure they will be happy that this is progressing. Local people have been very supportive of an Aldi store in Halewood and I am pleased that the council has been able to respond and choose the best development scheme for Halewood.”

The retail development will complete the £16million regeneration of Halewood’s Raven Court site. The bus station on the site will be repositioned and remodelled, while there is also potential for a new pub.

Nick Kavanagh, executive director for regeneration, economy and skills, commented: “This is an important milestone in the regeneration of Halewood, especially when other developments across the country are struggling and failing to stack up.”

BUSINESS SERVICES provider CEL has moved its head office from Glossop to Olympic Park in Birchwood, Warrington. CEL has taken an 8,000 sq ft self-contained office at Olympic Park on a twelve-year lease at £15.50 sq ft. The company has relocated its finance, IT, HR, sales and marketing functions to Olympic Park, Birchwood, along with its procurement and transact Divisions.

Half of its 100-strong workforce will be based at Olympic Park. DTZ acted as commercial property agents for the deal.

Paul Kennedy, CEL chief executive, commented: “Warrington was always going to be the location for CEL’s new head office. Our move to Olympic Park will help us continue the transformation of the business which started following the management

buyout in December 2008. We wanted a location which was readily accessible for all the transport networks and was close enough to our Glossop office to make it viable for existing staff to commute every day. Olympic Park ticked all the boxes.”

CEL procures £100m worth of goods for social housing and healthcare organisations and generates 70 per cent of its income from long term public sector contracts, providing purchasing, payment, knowledge, technology and training services to the private and public sectors. The new Olympic Park development, which is owned by West Yorkshire-based Commercial Development Projects, is made up of sixteen office buildings, surrounded by ten acres of grounds.

DOWNING’S landmark property on Old Hall Street, The Capital, has signed up a rack of tenants.

Tesco has signed for a new 4,000 sq ft Tesco Express at the site after signing a lease at the end of 2008. In the atrium, an independent 86 seat café has been designed with open-plan seating and quiet meeting spaces to suit the business community using the Grade A office premises.

Woodwards Café is owned by exEverton footballer Alan Stubbs and his wife Mandy, the third in a chain of Woodwards cafés, and its quality reflects the building’s wider £10 million refurbishment.

Managing director of Woodwards, Paul Garton, commented: “We wanted the café to be attractive, both to tenants of the building, and those working in and visiting the commercial district.” As a result of the new lettings, the firm has seen another successful quarter for its Merseyside portfolio of commercial properties. Robin Ellis, senior agency surveyor for Downing, commented: “The range and size of The Capital’s facilities are what sets it apart from other commercial properties.” Of the new café, he added: “Woodwards is a great addition, providing added value for our tenants and another valuable social and meeting space for the business district. We’ve been heavily involved in the seating design and layout. Space is a luxury we want customers to enjoy, and the standard of design and comfort is unmatched in Liverpool.”

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TO LET – RETAIL & OFFICES LEIGH SPORTS VILLAGE ATHERLEIGH WAY, LEIGH

Leigh Sports Village is an £83m project including a 10,000 seat stadium, sixth form college building, sports facilities, 150 bed hotel, offices, leisure and specialist retail facilities including a health & fitness centre, together with a planned supermarket.

Leigh Sports Village is located off Atherleigh Way in Leigh, within one mile of the A580 East Lancashire Road, which provides access to Junction 23 of the M6 and the M60/M62.

• RETAIL AND OFFICE ACCOMMODATION • EXCELLENT ACCESSIBILITY THROUGHOUT THE REGION • AMPLE ON SITE CAR PARKING LOCATION

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News Move Commercial

High-speed link proposed THE LENGTH of train journeys between Liverpool and London will be dramatically reduced if plans for a high-speed rail link are approved in a proposed £34billion scheme.

Network Rail has proposed a highspeed line between London and Scotland, that would reduce the Liverpool journey time down from 2hrs 8mins to 1hr 23mins. Under new plans the journey time between London and Manchester would also be reduced from 2hrs 7mins to 1hr 6mins, with similar times proposed for Warrington. If approval is granted Network Rail plan to complete the first section of the line between London and Birmingham by 2020, and trains on the route could travel at speeds up to 200mph. The new line would require more than 1,500 miles of rail, sleepers and ballast, 138 bridges over roads and current railway lines. The route would replace the existing West Coast Main Line.

A high-speed link is proposed

New faces at Dures Partner and litigator to meet firm’s expansion THE DURES PARTNERSHIP in Liverpool has appointed a new partner to head up the firm’s property department. Sarah La Rocca previously spent two years with Brabners in the commercial property department and has acted for a diverse range of major clients. Her expertise covers the full spectrum of commercial property legal work, including sales and purchases, development, granting and taking of leases, secured lending, investment transactions and general property management. Sarah’s appointment reflects the firm’s continuing expansion, achieved with a 15 per cent growth in a recession year, coupled with the opening of a new branch office at Queens Drive, Liverpool.

Sarah commented: “I am really excited about the prospects of joining The Dures Partnership and I look forward to contributing to their reputation as being both client-focused and results driven.”

Simon Pick has also recently joined The Dures Partnership as a commercial litigation solicitor specialising in the resolution of disputes arising in the corporate sector. He commented: “It’s a very exciting time to join

the partnership. Their forward thinking and progressive approach to the needs of the client has resulted in continuing growth despite the economic slowdown.”

Sarah La Rocca

Simon Pick

Labour heads for Liverpool LIVERPOOL has been lined up to host the Labour Party conference in 2011. North-west minister Phil Woolas claimed the event signalled the progress Liverpool has made as a conference destination, commenting: “The city has now got world-class conference facilities, great hotels and, as everyone knows, Liverpudlians always make visitors very welcome.” The September conference will be held at the Liverpool Arena and BT Convention Centre and is expected to generate around £20million in revenue for the city.

The four-day event will attract up to 20,000 delegates, journalists and lobbyists, making it the largest conference the city has hosted. It follows the success of the Liberal Democrat spring conference in 2008, and the hosting of a cabinet meeting in January this year. The Liberal Democrats have also announced they will host their September 2010 at the same venue.

Lorraine Rogers, chief executive of The Mersey Partnership, commented: “Winning events of this magnitude confirms our position as one of the UK’s and Europe’s leading conference destinations. This event will create huge opportunities for Liverpool city region’s leisure, tourism and retail sectors.”

Liverpool awaits business rates

David King

18 MOVE COMMERCIAL

AN ASSOCIATE at a Liverpool property and asset management firm has warned Liverpool businesses not to count on business rates falling next year. On 30 September, draft assessments for the 2010 business rates are to be published by the government.

Following the publication of a recent document indicating the likely regional changes, it’s predicted that the total cost of business rates will drop by around one or two per cent in the north-west.

David King, an associate at Edward Symmons Liverpool office in St Paul’s Square, commented: “A key consideration is that Liverpool has undergone a series of considerable changes over recent months, from the opening of Liverpool One, which dramatically changed the pattern of retailing, pedestrian flows and therefore rents in the city centre, to our year as European Capital of Culture. These factors will undoubtedly be considered by the Valuation Office

when assessing rateable values for business, but the extent to which they are reflected remains to be seen.”

The rating assessments were based on property values in April 2008, before the worst of the financial downturn.

Business owners have been given until 23 September to comment on these proposals and are able to lodge appeals once the new Rating List is published in April 2010.

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TDP Commercial Solutions Your Best Move

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Our approach is very much client driven and we are always happy to talk through your plans, whatever stage they may be at.

Please contact Fred Dures on: T: 0151 229 1012 | E: fred.dures@tdpsolicitors.co.uk The Dures Partnership Solicitors Trident House, 31-33 Dale Street, Liverpool L2 2HF T: 0151 229 1006 | F: 0151 229 1007 | W: www.tdpsolicitors.co.uk

MOVE COMMERCIAL 19

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Tithebarn is No. 1 Key events

ADVERTISEMENT

Chris Harmer specialises in advising commercial landlords and tenants in relation to property and contract disputes

CHRIS HARMER

Q. I am a landlord of a tenant w ho has indicated that he is about to go in to liquidation. Where do I s tand?

A. This would depend on the terms of your lease which would need to be reviewed in full. However, in the majority of leases it is a standard condition that should your tenant become insolvent then this would automatically be a breach of the lease entitling you to take further action.

This could include forfeiture of the lease - which may be of interest particularly if there are rent arrears. However, this would depend on what type of insolvency action is being taken. For example, if the company is about to go in to administration, there is a moratorium for 6 months which prevents any legal proceedings being taken against the tenant without consent of either the administrators or permission of the court. If the company goes in to liquidation there is no such moratorium.

You would need to speak to the company and to the potential liquidator/administrator. It may be intended for the company to continue trading for a short period of time and a condition of this may be the payment of any rent arrears along with any future rent. In addition, a liquidator may not want to continue with the lease and they’d be happy to give back possession which would prevent costs and time being incurred for possession proceedings to be taken by yourself.

JST

Should a tenant indicate to you that they may potentially be insolvent, you should seek immediate independent legal advice.

1 1. Neil Kirkham, Hitchcock Wright, Rob Brook, Kenmore, Brian Ricketts, Hitchcock Wright, Stuart Keppie, Keppie Massie, Mark Robinson, Kenmore, Mark Chadwick, Professional Liverpool, Chris Pearse, Legal & General, and Andrew Byrne, Keppie Massie.

Tithebarn transformed Property Group and Legal & General.

It now provides a new contemporary entrance onto Tithebarn Street, and offers 115,000 sq ft of office space over eight floors. Joint agents Hitchcock Wright & partners and Keppie Massie welcomed interested parties to a welcoming lunch to view the available space, in the premises already occupied

by Morecrofts Solicitors, Merseyside Police, CSAV Group Agencies and SDV.

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk Property and business professionals from Liverpool and the north-west region gathered at the formal unveiling of No. 1 Tithebarn Street in Liverpool city centre. Formerly known as Tithebarn House, the building has received a ÂŁ5million refurbishment in a joint venture between Kenmore

2. Sarah Roberts, Rees Roberts Solicitors, Paul Unger, Place North West, Phil Rees Roberts, Rees Roberts Solicitors, Heather Summers, JST Lawyers, and Chris Connor, Mason Owen 2

3

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3. Mark Robinson, Kenmore, Stuart Keppie, Keppie Massie, and Norman Jones, Mace & Jones 4. Kayleigh Walton, Adam Hall and Stephen Fieldsend, Falconer Chester Hall

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

20 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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5. Julie Johnson, Crawford Davidson, Brian Lawlor and June Chiocchi-Smith, Morecrofts Solicitors. 6. Mark Chadwick, Professional Liverpool, with David Wade Smith, LiveSmart, and Mark Robinson, Kenmore Property Group

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CHURCH HOUSE

1 HANOVER STREET LIVERPOOL L1 3DW

Adjacent to the John Lewis ‘Gateway’ to Grosvenor’s Liverpool One

Refurbished offices to let from 996sqft (92.5sqm) New lift to all floors, comfort-cooling, LG7 lighting, perimeter trunking and private kitchens/WCs

0151 650 0600

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Simon Nixon co-founder of Money Supermarket is leaving the business in capable hands to pursue greener pastures near and far. He told Move Commercial about the challenges of a new start-up, and his top tips for success.

Seeking pastures new Entrepreneur Simon Nixon is wellknown in the media for starting up the hugely successful Money Supermarket.com internet business, which floated on the stock market in 2007 for £850million – the largest internet float ever made in Europe. The Chester city centre offices are now teeming with staff working on new ventures. Nixon’s authority in providing a marketplace price comparison for a full range of financial products, has found another platform. Set to transform how the travel industry views its customers, Simon Seeks offers an online guide to popular holiday destinations as a comparison site with filters to search according to destination, budget and expectations of the trip. The revenue generated by advertising, in turn boosted by evidence of a growing readership, will fund the business and pay the writers who will work as partners in the initiative. Said Simon: “It’s not easy to find high quality, relevant travel advice and of those sites that already exist, often the website makes money out of the community which writes for it. I think that that’s funfair.” His approach is instead to make the writers financial partners, giving them the incentive to make their guides and, effectively the site, the best on the marketplace. Honesty is key to the guides’ success, and Nixon has already fallen foul of the national press for his brutally honest ‘tweets’, such as one where he said Marbella was not ideal for a romantic break. At our meeting, he 22 MOVE COMMERCIAL

has just returned from Ile de Re off the coast of La Rochelle, and his review of it, as a family and couples’ destination, is glowing.

“With a project like this it’s all about the power of the community and so anyone can write for us.

Unlike a newspaper, which has a travel section, we’re not restrained by budgets and pagination. We don’t have just five new pieces published per week in a supplement – we’ve been seeing 40 diaries uploaded to the site daily.”

Publishing is a field where Simon proved himself in his early twenties. After quitting university to become a financial advisor, he launched Mortgage 2000 as a guide to the marketplace for mortgage brokers. “At the time, mortgage brokers didn’t really use computers, so I published a magazine with all the best products within it. I think though, that certain things do work better online.” It was from here that the seeds were planted for Money Supermarket Simon continued: “Mortgage 2000 grew and evolved into a computer package, where the broker could key in client details and work out the current available deals for them in a matter of minutes. Then, when internet access became free, I thought, let’s take it online and make it consumer friendly. That was the start, and then the business grew into Money Supermarket, and started to cover savings and credit cards – now we focus on 50 different areas.”

It’s clear that Simon measures his success not merely by the growth of

his business, but by how it has reengineered the marketplace and altered the way that banks see their customers and increased competition to offer better deals.

“Ten years ago, there was no transparency in the financial services marketplace. If you wanted a loan or a credit card, you went to the bank and you had to almost beg them for it. I thought, let’s make this more transparent – let’s let customers see all the products in the marketplace and find the best deal. What we’ve done is revolutionised the way people buy and research financial products.

“

perfect.” He continued: “At Money Supermarket we got to a position where it is a mature business, and we have brilliant people on board who can run it better than me, dayto-day. It doesn’t need an entrepreneur running it any more.

As a corporate, you’re restricted by considering the shareholders. I’m free to do what I want, as my new ventures are 100 per cent funded by me, and I will take risks and calculations. At Simon Seeks we can just say, ‘I think we could try this,’ and there are no guarantees, but we can just give it a go.”

To monitor the success of a start-

If we were just a start-up without Money Supermarket behind us you wouldn’t be talking to me now, but the work that I put into that and the success it became has meant that any new business I launch has to be taken seriously.

”

We’ve made consumers more savvy and banks have had to sharpen their products to become competitive.”

The new venture takes inspiration for the same source; a dissatisfaction with the current offering rather than a desire to run the shop: “I didn’t set out wanting to run my own business. I get a buzz from coming up with an idea that is really destructive to the marketplace, something that’s a solution to make the market more

up, Simon will be asking a crosssection of readers to attend feedback sessions, and the site carries an exit survey. “About one in every hundred people fills it in, but it’s a useful guide for us. In addition, we’re asking our writers and our readers for their feedback and I expect the site to look completely different in twelve months’ time; it’s always a mistake to develop something that’s just your view, or to try and predict what people want. You have to put

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Simon Nixon Entrepreneur yourself in the shoes of your audience. As we’re trying to appeal to all types of travellers, for luxury trips and budget breaks, we need it to have a universal appeal.”

The idea behind Simon Seeks developed from Simon’s passion for travel, and the lack of good advice online. “It was born to a large extent out of my own, and other people’s, frustration with the travel advice market. There really wasn’t a lot out there to help you plan a trip. When starting up a business, you have to ask yourself some key questions and, ‘is this a really good concept?’ is the first. There’s no point in starting up a ‘me too’ business, because you’re not offering anything different, even if you can do it really well. My measure of success is how many people’s lives you affect with your proposition or offering, or how many people’s lives you improve.

The second thing is to get the right people on board, who are better than you at what they do.” Simon’s belief in his staff made history when, with Money Supermarket those who had put their time and effort into building up the brand were rewarded with shares of the £850m generated in the 1997 stock market flotation. “I’ve got some of the best writers in the industry on board to work with me, and they’ve given up good salaries and stable jobs to take a risk on a start-up, because they believe in the site and the rewards. We’re hoping that over the course of the next few months, we’ll be able to have more permanent ‘Simon Seekers’ writing just for the site, but it’s more likely that people will use it to supplement their day jobs and generate enough income to pay for their holiday.”

For the new venture, building the brand is now a priority. An online expert, Nixon understands the importance of coming up first in the search engines and how to build corporate partnerships with other sites to drive traffic to his own – he has done it all before with Money Supermarket: “The strategy for Simon Seeks start is to have lots of PR. Anyone can go out and spend £10million on television, but the clever thing is to make it pay. If we were just a start-up without Money Supermarket behind us you wouldn’t be talking to me now, but the work that I put into that and the success it became has meant that any new business I launch has to be taken seriously. We want to

Nixon File Born: 1967 School: St Richard Gwyn, Flint.

Education: Quit his accountancy and finance degree at Nottingham University to pursue his own goals.

Yardstick: “My measure of success is how many people’s lives you affect with your proposition or offering, or how many people’s lives you improve.”

Catch a bite

Nixon’s Three Challenges 1. For Simon Seeks to be a top 10 within a year 2. To launch Simon Seeks in the US 3. To make Simon Escapes a success

be perceived as the place to come for travel inspiration and travel advice. That’s our goal. My role now is primarily to spearhead the PR, recruit and motivate the team, and to keep developing the product. I work with our editorial director on the tone of the guides, seeing which ones do really well, and feeding that information back to our writers. We’re still finding our way through that.”

In terms of his investments, Simon has a passion for property

(not just virtual) and has bought prominent sites in the Cotswolds, Abersoch and Cornwall, which will be developed into self-contained boutique hotels to be rented out by guests through another new venture, Simon Escapes. It’s clear that travel is an enduring passion, shared with his readership, but in response to those who ask him whether now is the best climate in which to launch a new product it’s clear that his approach is businesslike, as usual: “In some

Simon and Lucy enjoyed lunch in The Brasserie, where the 21st birthday menu offers three courses with coffee and sweetmeats for £29.50 per person, and £14.95 for juniors. A sample menu would offer goat’s cheese open ravioli, confit of Gressingham duck or smoked fish pressing to start, followed by braised beef and oxtails, Yorkshire free range chicken, or roast cod, finished off with a selection of affogato – Amaretti cake, white rum baba or bitter chocolate marquise.

Telephone to make a booking at La Brasserie telephone 01244 895 618.

Photograph: On location at the Michelin starred Chester Grosvenor and Spa Restaurant in Eastgate, Chester city centre. The historic and prestigious five star venue dates back to 1865, and is owned by and named after The Duke of Westminster.

ways the current climate has its advantages as fewer people have the resources to compete with you.

The next step for me will be to launch Simon Seeks in the US, and then to go global.” With this, it’s time for this confident and capable, self-styled risk-taker, leaving me with the impression of a man who has found a carefully managed balance between unlimited, virtual space to explore, and ‘real’ property and success to enjoy.

MOVE COMMERCIAL 23

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BOUTIQUE HOTEL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY This magnificent town square is surrounded by neo-Greek Georgian terraces and is the single largest collection of Grade 1 listed buildings outside London.

It is located only minutes from Liverpool’s shopping and nightlife and Birkenhead’s own market and town centre. Easily accessible from the motorway network with good local rail links to the West Coast Main Line. This is an unrivalled location for a 30 bedroomed boutique hotel with a 120 cover restaurant and conference suite.

FOR ALL ENQUIRIES CONTACT DYLAN JONES ON 0151 708 0406 36 HENRY ST / LIVERPOOL / L1 5BS

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Transport briefing Key events

By Jon Kearney jonathan@movepublishing.co.uk

1 1. Speakers Edward Hobson, CABE, with Dr Robert Hickman, Oxford University, Jim Gill, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, and Neil Scales, Chairman of Merseyside Transport Partnership

Sustainable Cities 2

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2. David Blainey, Merseytravel Bus Services, with David Hunter, AA Projects 3. Cllr Mark Dowd OBE, chairman of Merseyside ITA, and Jim Barclay, Merseytravel 4. Peter Griffiths and Phil Halewood from Arup

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5. Anne-Marie Clegg, Sefton Council Environmental Services, with Jill Rothwell, Jobcentre Plus, and Colin Angus, Colin’s Photography 6. Mark Loughran, Liverpool City Council Development Control, with John Stonard, Design Liverpool, and Dr. Peter Brown, University of Liverpool 7. Nicola Daly and Joan Brookman from Liverpool Primary Care Trust and Dr Ruth Hussey OBE, NHS North West

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THE JURYS INN on Keel Wharf hosted delegates from across the Liverpool City Region for a Merseyside Transport Partnership breakfast briefing to discuss climate change. Speakers at the ‘Sustainable Cities’ event included Merseyside Transport Partnership chairman Neil Scales, Jim Gill, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, Edward Hobson, head of research and futures at CABE, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment, and Dr Robin Hickman, a research fellow at Oxford University and an associate director at Halcrow. Neil Scales introduced proceedings, before Jim Gill emphasised the importance of maintaining public transport networks in Liverpool city centre.

Following an open forum discussion, Edward Hobson offered a comprehensive insight into the topic of climate change, and what cities such as Liverpool can do to tackle it. Dr Robin Hickman also addressed the gathering, following his recent CABE report on transport issues.

Debates with the panel of four then took place, with discussions on how policy can be influenced in the region, before the ‘Sustainable Cities’ event was rounded off. Merseyside is one of nine regions eligible to bid for a share of £29m government funding, to be invested over the next three years to create England’s first “sustainable travel city”.

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8. Carl Woods, John Lewis, and Grant Luscombe MBE, Landlife 9. Cllr Denis Knowles, Merseyside ITA and Wirral Council, with Kerry Stewart, Merseyside Sports Partnership 10. Simon Peters, St Helens Council Planning, and Colin Irlam, Wirral Council Sustainable Transport 11. Rob Smith, St Helens Council Transport Planning and Kush Thakar, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry

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Merseyside is one of nine regions eligible to bid for a share of £29m government funding, to be invested over the next three years to create England’s first “sustainable travel city”

”

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Sea change Peel Holdings has embarked on an unprecedented project to transform the waterfronts of Liverpool and the Wirral and, in turn, boost the region’s economy as a whole. Peel’s development director Lindsey Ashworth is spearheading the plan that will be decades in the making.

In August this year Wirral Council approved a £200million scheme that will create around 1,000 jobs within the East Float at Birkenhead Docks. For Peel Holdings, the go-ahead to link the converted Grain Warehouses on Dock Road to the Hydraulic Tower on Tower Road is merely one step towards the largest private sector investment anywhere in the UK. The Northbank East plan makes up one element of Peel’s £50billion ‘Ocean Gateway’ project, a plan to transform the economic prospects of the major water arteries in the north-west. This includes the £10billion Liverpool and Wirral Waters scheme, a proposed redevelopment of dockland formerly owned by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Company on either side of the Mersey. With an unparalleled level of ambition, Peel intend to develop 3.6million sq m of land for a mixture of commercial, retail, cultural and leisure use. The development, which will take place over a number of decades, will also see the creation of 40,000 new homes and the creation of 50,000 directly linked full time jobs.

Key to the smooth running of this mammoth project is Peel’s development director, Lindsey Ashworth. From the expansive Peel Dome in The Trafford Centre, Lindsey’s third office base 26 MOVE COMMERCIAL

during his 20 years at Peel, he is overseeing what surely amounts to the largest project he has been involved with and his greatest challenge to date. “The likes of Liverpool and Wirral Waters are unprecedented in the UK,” said Lindsey. “It’s very unusual to get one scheme as large as each as one of those. To get two together, there’s nothing in the UK that comes close. So it’s a challenge, not just for me, but for the local authorities.”

The Ocean Gateway proposals as

“

Liverpool and Wirral Waters, which, when fully underway would transform the respective waterfronts and, as Peel hope, supercharge the economic prospects of the region and place them in competition with other waterfront powerhouses such as New York, Shanghai, Vancouver and Sydney. It is little wonder then that Peel’s development director is so keen for the project to progress through the planning stage. “The planning has got so complicated that with even the

The experience you’ve got is probably only as good as the last five years. Every year different things come forward that are obstacles we have to overcome.

a whole encompass sites along the River Mersey and the adjoining Manchester Ship Canal, with major new developments in Ellesmere Port, Warrington, Salford and Manchester. One such development, MediaCityUK, will house the BBC’s Northern operations, 50,000 sq m of office space, 21,000 sq m of further broadcast facilities, a hotel, residential apartments and shopping. Though wholly impressive, it is an element of the scheme which is dwarfed by

”

simplest of schemes you feel like you’re going to be taking forever to get planning permission. I’ve been to Shanghai a couple of times and the scale at which that place moves on is unbelievable.

From somebody saying there’s a piece of land to develop, you go back two years later and the building is up and done. In England you’re talking 15 years from an idea to something getting completed and we have just lost touch with the rest of the world.

We have got such an intense set of

consultants now all working together to move things forward. I find those changes exciting in their own way. It doesn’t matter how much experience you’ve got, it’s changing all the time. The experience you’ve got is probably only as good as the last five years.

Every year different things come forward that are obstacles we have to overcome. I find that aspect of the job quite rewarding.”

Such is the size of Liverpool and Wirral Waters, Lindsey has faced the unusual obstacle of negotiating the planning process in two local authorities, one of which was consumed in recent times with the Capital of Culture preparations and celebrations.

With a significant part of the job set aside for informing people as to the nature of the scheme, Lindsey is satisfied with the level of support garnered, but accepts the size of the project means it likely to be “called-in” by the Government before it is all given the green light. “The schemes are so large they would go to Government office for final determination. Not only have they got one scheme to look at in the north-west, they’ve got two schemes that’ll be coming at the same time. They’ve got to look at the regional impact of these schemes. It’ll be a difficult call for them to decide whether it’s been called in or not. Part of it all is the unknown and I think half of my job now is about lobbying for support or informing people what we’re doing, rather than just trying to unravel planning complications. If people don’t really know what you’re doing and why you’re doing it and what you’ve created then they’re not going to get behind you. Every month I’m out somewhere giving a presentation or an update of what we’re doing. At Wirral we actually took a stand on Birkenhead market and we got hundreds and hundreds of forms filled in. A similar thing will be happening in Liverpool. We put ourselves in a public place and get the views of the public because you need to get the public behind you to see what you’re doing.”

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Lindsey Ashworth Movers & Shakers

There is no doubt that the scheme is on a grand scale, inkeeping with a growing trend to promote the prospects of cityregions, rather than those of individual authorities. It is a philosophy that Lindsey believes the region must adopt if it is to compete in a global market. “It’s about time we all acted as a region because when you’re going to act on the world market you can’t act as Salford or Manchester or Liverpool or Wirral on its own, you’ve got to work together. The scale of the north-west is important to get together, but we spend a lot of time all objecting to each other. The north-west working as one body will work a lot better for itself as working as individuals.”

Lindsey added: “The Ocean Gateway started off by me being a bit brassed-off with looking at all the planning rules in front of us and that we’re trying to do a scheme which has tens of thousands of jobs attached to it.

You look at the planning rules and you think it’s never going to happen because the planning system doesn’t envisage something so complicated coming forward. It was to show 50 of Peel’s biggest projects. Originally it was to show Wirral waters and Liverpool waters, and then we expanded it to take in the whole region. If you put all that together, the scale and investment that’s proposed for the north-west is absolutely huge yet they’re all getting stuck in the planning system. When you’re in a recession it’s just not good enough. The private sector is pushing against what seems like closed doors.”

With the development planned for a World Heritage site, delays in the planning process were inevitable. Now, with ten per cent of the scheme approved on the Wirral, and the Liverpool application to be submitted later this year, there are signs this major project could soon begin to take shape. For Lindsey, that equates to raising Wirral’s status within the region and onto the international stage. In Liverpool it

would also facilitate the improved links between its docks and airport hub, in conjunction with the continued expansion and improvement of the Peel operated Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

“There’s a regional imbalance between Manchester and Liverpool that ought to be addressed. There ought to be more business at the western end

of the north-west to make it all work together. There shouldn’t be this emphasis on considering Manchester to be the centre because it isn’t. The Liverpool City Region has got all the natural assets that Manchester hasn’t got so why isn’t it doing so well? We want the Liverpool Airport to be the best in the region. The whole idea is to try

and make Liverpool work as a joined up city, with the airport, port, development on the waterfront and the city centre working as one. We’re not doing something in isolation here that’s for its own benefit. We need to show the world it’s got great prospects. In 50 years time people will want to replicate Liverpool’s success.”

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The major conurbations of the north hope to advance by pooling the respective resources of neighbouring authorities. We look at how the Liverpool and Manchester City Regions are shaping up.

Key People Chairman: Mike Blackburn

Key Driver Manchester Enterprises

Chief executive: Mike Emmerich

Responsible for leading on economic development, employment and skills.

Two of eight city regions defined in 2004 by “Moving Forward: The Northern Way” A collaboration between three regional development agencies: One NorthEast, Yorkshire Forward and the North West Development Agency.

Primary Objectives Continuing the expansion of Manchester Airport Developing the financial and professional services

Part of the Government’s £22billion “Sustainable Communities Plan”.

Promoting the growth of life sciences, manufacturing, ICT and the media.

Goal Date By 2025: “A world class city-region at the heart of a thriving north”.

Area Covered Cities of Manchester and Salford Boroughs of Stockport, Tameside, Trafford, Bolton, Bury, Oldham, Rochdale, Wigan, High Peak and Warrington.

Former boroughs of Congleton, Macclesfield and Vale Royal.

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The city regions Focus

Economic Objectives To attract a greater volume and variety of companies to the region and significantly plug the £29billion output gap between the North of England and the UK average.

Key Driver The Mersey Partnership

Key People Chairman: Rod Holmes

Responsible for attracting new investment and developing tourism for the region.

Chief Executive: Lorraine Rogers

Primary Objectives To establish the region as the “premier destination centre” Utilising the coastal assets

Obstacles How to respond to the economic downturn. The recession is likely to affect the short-tomedium term actions of the city regions.

Developing the sea, air and rail gateways Developing the skill base and increasing productivity Improving communities and neighbourhoods

Area Covered The core area includes Liverpool, Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Sefton and Wirral.

Goal Date By 2025: “Regain our status as a premier European city region”.

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Shore plans for success Ocean Parcs chief executive Ian Smith is the local man helping to drive the revival of Pontin's holiday camps and Southport's leisure industry.

The revival of the UK coastline as a leisure destination has been a long sought for goal within the industry, and one that’s been highlighted by the media in response to the combined effect of an uncertain financial climate and concerns for climate change. The revival of Pontin’s holiday camps, however, is no mere by-product of a changing mood. Ian Smith’s approach as chief executive of the Ocean Parcs group, the investment vehicle which acquired Pontin’s in 2008, has been a hands on, targetled strategy to increase profitability. With record bookings, up by 25 per cent this year, he is also ensuring the firm maintains the ‘value for money’ criteria so strongly expounded since the days of Fred Pontin himself.

Self-proclaimed ‘local lad’ Ian Smith, took over Pontins after the 2008 buyout by investment and management firm Ocean Parcs saw the camp’s former chief executive set the wheels in motion to revitalize the leisure brand and capitalise on a growing market for value and environmentallyconscious led products in the UK’s leisure market. The £46m deal saw Ian, formerly group finance director of Matalan, and responsible for the retailer’s highly successful stock flotation of 1998, come into Ocean Parcs as chief executive and lead from the firm’s new head office, based at the Southport Pontin’s site.

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Since Fred Pontin established the first family holiday camp at Brean Sands in 1946, Pontin’s has grown to now encompass six sites, most of which are owned or leased on a long-lease, and one of which is currently up for discussion with a view to extending the lease agreement. Profitability is already up. By Ian’s account, the figures are already looking more than healthy and money is coming in: “We’ve more than doubled the profits the previous owners made in their last year, and we’ll more than triple them this next year which is very pleasing. We are

“ ”

chalet accommodation and entertainment – the famous Bluecoats - will always retain an air of nostalgia, the Pontin’s package has been modernised to offer families a break in keeping with modern schedules and lifestyles. Ian is adamant that the British vacation is here to stay: “That’s true, without a shadow of a doubt. People do like a week or two abroad to relax, but they’ve also become more used to taking a few other breaks in the year. I for one have taken to visiting parts of the UK I’ve not seen before – we have a fantastic island here with

We’ve more than doubled the profits the previous owners made in their last year, and we’ll more than triple them this next year

focused on taking the business forwards and that’s from keeping in tune with our customers.”

The physical plans for expansion include extending the Pakefield site at Lowestoft from 40 to 60 acres, and planning permission is being sought to put in place a small golf course. The move marks a departure from the core family market at Pontin’s, but is certainly in keeping with the new management’s vision to take the leisure industry forwards and to run it like a business. While the British holiday, complete with

some amazing places to visit.

We’ve got a few of them at our Pontin’s resorts, with fantastic beach locations, and we offer shorter breaks such as long weekends or mid-week stays which have proven to be very popular.”

While some resorts will continue to focus on the family market, the development at Lowistoft is expected to appeal to the more mature market. Recent news that the group is looking to acquire new sites and business is sure to cause excitement up and down the

coast. Ian’s approach for the new ventures is to focus the market: “I don’t believe in diversity in a business as it just increases the problems. We’ll be looking for businesses which are similar to what we already do, and we’ll be investing more than £50m into this.”

In terms of developing the current stock, Ian is aware that the current profit returns will only be exceeded with further investment in the holiday camps themselves.

As the sites are generally expansive in size and offer jobs and facilities in the local community, it’s unsurprising that the local authority has voiced support for the redevelopment and regeneration. Indeed, a 10-year plan for Southport’s has seen a government grant enable the building of a cultural centre through CABE’s Sea Change programme. The regeneration scheme will also see improvements to Lord Street’s Grade II listed arts centre, library and gallery to revitalize the leisure and recreational appeal of the whole town, complementing the work underway at the Pontin’s resort. Ian commented: “This site and our site at Camber Sands are both in need of considerable redevelopment and we’re currently in discussion with the local authorities, planners and our own architects as to how we might reconfigure the site to make it a bit more commercial. The idea is that not just guests but local people, from Southport and Ainsdale, will visit us for the restaurants and bars.”

The commercial appeal of the improved site will also take a modern aesthetic, as Ian continued: “One things for sure; we’re not going to build a big fence around it. It will be much more open and friendly. In terms of the developments themselves, the accommodation is most likely to be what they refer to as New England-style; more modern. It won’t be the stark reality of the classic 50s and 60s camp that we have at the moment, and that’s a vision shared by everyone we’ve asked. I don’t think there’s anyone who would say they don’t think the look of the place needs a lift.

“In terms of encouraging others to invest, I don’t think we can ever

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Ian Smith, Ocean Parcs Founding Father

do enough and we all need to work together across Merseyside and the north-west region to ensure that we become, again, a throbbing hub of industry, leisure and commerce.”

In managing the sites, head office staff visit the various camps to share ideas and oversee policy implementation. Ian’s recipe for success values consistency across all sites and keeping the management in touch with the day-to-day staff and customers at the camps. His background in automotives, telecommunications and retail has seen him successfully transfer his cost accountant training into a number of industries and learn the importance of profitability. A stint for a housing organisation convinced him further that industry was where his passion lay. He bought the longestablished upmarket menswear store, Man to Man, number 509 on Lord Street in the town eight years ago and is passionate about improving parking in the town centre to help retail as a whole.

Indeed, his commitment to the town and to the region’s success, matched with his superb track record, is sure to inspire his team and other regional stakeholders.

He continues: “My own role now is about motivating staff and coming up with profit-generating ideas, and new channels to reach our own market and satisfy the customer.

The current economic situation poses a challenge as it brings uncertainty, which means that some of our regulars are leaving it a little later to book. I’m currently looking at sites to expand our portfolio, which is very exciting, and the improvements to the infrastructure at our current sites will raise capacity significantly.

“Another challenge locally has been to work with the area’s status as a Site of Special Scientific Interest. As a local lad the site means a lot to me in terms of its heritage, and we don’t want to upset the flora and fauna. We just want to see it developed into something of which we can all be proud.” Visionary, but straighttalking and to the point, Ian’s plans for the future of Pontin’s look very bright for campers and the region as a whole.

Smith File Born: 1952, Southport Education: Linacre Street and Holy Trinity primary schools, and Christ Church secondary modern. Trained as a cost accountant at Mullard electronics firm in Southport and then studied HND in business at Preston Polytechnic. Qualified as ACMA in 1978.

Career highlights: The highly successful handling of the flotation of Matalan in 1998, before the retailer won Retailer of the Year (Retail Week) in 1999. “I thoroughly enjoyed that. People told me I’d do it once and never want to again, but I have no fear of doing it again.

I set the ground rules out well with the city advisors and got on well in the city; it was a massive personal achievement.”

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32 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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Inward Investment Lunch Debate

Attracting inward investment into the north-west region is the hot topic for public bodies and the private sector, with significant benefits for the local economies. Yet, to fill interested parties with confidence in investing in the north-west is a challenge which still needs to be met.

Going global

Sally O’Brien joint chief executive, Downing

Chris Roberts sales director, Bruntwood

Kevin Lee partner, Halliwells

We assembled Sally O’Brien from Downing, Chris Roberts from Bruntwood, and Kevin Lee from Halliwells at The Racquet Club in Liverpool for a lunchtime discussion.

Are global investors interested in our region?

SO’B: There is a naivety in people I’ve found when I’ve been showing around some big companies who are thinking about moving up here.

They perceive Liverpool as not having the right quality housing for their staff. People know that Manchester has some good areas with beautiful properties and good schools, but that’s not the perception of Liverpool. They don’t

know about the lovely areas in the suburbs and the schools with excellent grade A results – but they know that Manchester can give them that.

CR: That’s a perception of Manchester that’s been built up over the past ten years and it took a lot of proactive work to do that.

Manchester International Festival, which we’ve just held over the summer, is a month long celebration of the arts and culture

and it brings thousands of people into the city and they can then see what else it has to offer, and this changes their perceptions.

SO’B: I think another big difference between the cities is what you find when you’re dealing with people.

You need the people at the top to get right on the ground with you.

CR: I think Manchester City Council is the envy of all regional councils and it’s down to leadership.

SO’B: We need to be proactive and

ask each other, ‘what can we do together?’

KL: It seems to be some people’s perception that Liverpool City Council does a better job of scuppering things than succeeding – I’m sure that’s not fair but that’s how it’s presented in the local media, and in the national press.

There’s this idea that everyone is at each other’s throats rather than getting the job done.

SO’B: For Warren Bradley going to MOVE COMMERCIAL 33

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MIPIM for instance, he’s damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t – they’ll either say that the city isn’t keeping up if he stays here, and if he goes it’s all ‘he’s on his jollies’.

Plenty of good does go on, but it doesn’t get reported. Saying that, if someone says something about you and it’s correct, then you should take it on the chin – and often the press is correct.

KL: Unfortunately that’s perpetuated by the media outside Liverpool as well, but the city doesn’t have a problem with its international reputation. People may not have heard of Manchester for example. It’s the national perception of Liverpool that’s the problem. I’m not from Liverpool, but I do think the city gets an unfair treatment in the national media. I know that some people do have an eggshell mentality, but then I’m not from here so I haven’t had to live with that.

What do we need to do to appeal to big companies?

CR: Liverpool needs to decide what it wants to be – a city in the northwest region, or at the centre of something much smaller. If it does want to be part of the north-west region then it needs to accept Manchester’s size and position and the two cities need to collaborate to be successful. Liverpool people often work in Manchester and vice versa, so the ties between the two are inextricable.

SO’B: I don’t think people can be really aware of all that goes on in the city – they say ‘the docks aren’t what they used to be’ but the turnover there is greater than it’s ever been.

CR: We already have some huge assets, such as Manchester International Airport and then John Lennon Airport.

SO’B: But I think that people can be unsure of what to do when they come here and where to go if they do want to invest. When a bid is put out it gets confusing – who do you go to? There are too many quangos.

CR: That’s true for Liverpool but in Manchester it’s fairly straightforward.

SO’B: I also wonder whether the 34 MOVE COMMERCIAL

NWDA pushes all the schemes fairly and equally to potential investors - as if they do lose out to another region, the loss would be to everyone’s detriment.

CR: I suppose on a wider scale their role is to make sure the wider north-west region sees investment.

SO’B: But if they’re not open about what’s available across all the schemes then we could end up losing out.

KL: There are so many of these bodies and they all have their own agenda. Over the past five years the biggest regeneration we have seen in Liverpool has been building flats in the city centre – but does the city really want to be known as the buy-to-let capital of the north?

SO’B: The same thing has happened in Manchester, but if developers want to take the risk then they should take it. There aren’t as many empty as people think. People need accommodation – it’s the first thing companies think of when they consider coming up here. They ask, ‘do we have a workforce, what is the housing stock like?’ As the city grows, those issues work themselves out.

CR: A varied housing stock is key to an area’s success but you can have too many one or two bedroom apartments. You need a full supply and range, and you also need ancillary services or you end up with a missed opportunity and areas aren’t socially inclusive and diverse.

In terms of transport facilities, does our region offer what investors need?

KL: In the suburbs of Liverpool it’s all much better than it used to be, especially the train service.

The links to London have improved but it’s a shame that there’s no direct flight now from Liverpool airport – I suppose that came down to a lack of numbers.

CR: Manchester airport is only 35 minutes’ drive from Liverpool’s centre so it’s very well served.

SO’B: But parking is very expensive at Manchester airport.

The trains to London are also very expensive.

KL: Yes, I’ve seen the prices.

“

The north-west is the strongest region I’ve seen.

We have a presence internationally, strong trade and transport links, and a diverse range of industries – and Liverpool and Manchester can work together.

”

Chris Roberts

SO’B: You could take four people away for a week to Marbella for the price of two train tickets to London.

How do we compare with other regions?

KL: Compared to Wales or Newcastle we’re in an ideal situation for accessing the capital.

SO’B: We don’t suffer from congestion in the city centre here as you do in some places.

CR: The approach to Manchester from the south and west can get very congested, but for Leeds it’s more from the north and the east where it gets very busy.

Do we have the right skill base for investors?

SO’B: Some say we do and some say we don’t. The universities have a good graduate retention rate in the city, but I think we need better training in the schools.

KL: I think we have an oversupply of lawyers, surveyors, accountants, and they are all jobs with a saturation rate. We also have people from here who go away for university and then come back to Liverpool for the quality of life, and so in some sectors we’re second only to London. Unfortunately, primary and secondary level education suffers and you can see it in the league tables. Some school leavers aren’t able to read or write.

Which industries should we invest more in?

CR: Private companies need to work together to invest in the city centres, to improve and keep the public realm looking good to investors and lift the feel of the place – as that’s what people see when they first visit.

KL: Big firms insist on their staff being well-trained and an economy based on call centres is a bad thing; we need proper jobs and training.

CR: The BBC had to sell Salford to its staff when it announced the move up here for Media City. They took staff around the nice areas, restaurants, parks, showed them the theatres and the shopping districts, and sold it to them.

Ultimately, all the regions outside of London need to do this.

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Inward Investment Lunch Debate

SO’B: Change always has to be sold, even when it’s for progress.

CR: We’re lucky that the recent downturn perhaps hasn’t affected us as much up here because we have a diversity of industries and we’re not reliant on any one sector.

KL: We do need to raise the bar in primary level education though, and forge better links within the industries.

CR: Some of our people go into schools to share their experience and offer careers advice and life coaching.

SO’B: There’s been too much emphasis placed on going to university in recent years, and the trades and apprenticeships have been neglected. University isn’t for everyone; some people do better by working and studying alongside their job.

CR: There are also people starting university not knowing what they want to do so after they finish, they have to do another qualification or a vocational course anyway.

KL: With the law, university is key to a career, but many prospective job applicants are rejected at the first hurdle because they don’t have a 2.1, and the emphasis on grades means that candidates don’t even get through the door – even if they may have been a better choice for the role in the long-term. And as our sector is struggling at the moment, there just aren’t enough jobs for graduate lawyers and there won’t be for the next few years.

SO’B: Even at successful independent schools the pupils all aspire to be doctors or lawyers, but they don’t know much about the property industry and jobs there, for example. I don’t think that young people are given enough opportunity to explore different avenues and careers which are just as rewarding and fulfilling.

Do we have the office space to attract investors?

SO’B: Yes we do, we have some very good vacant space in old buildings and new, and some of the older refurbs are actually more suitable as they have larger floorplates and facilities.

CR: Spinningfields in Manchester is doing well as it’s surrounded by space, but often the new builds are restricted by size and location.

SO’B: If you look at The Capital, you couldn’t afford to build that today.

CR: The worry for me in attracting investors is gap funding making it an uneven playing field. There’s then no appeal to developers to build and take risks. New development should be seen as leading the way, pushing boundaries and bringing the rest of the market with it.

How can we improve on what we have?

CR: The north-west is the strongest region I’ve seen. We have a presence internationally, strong trade and transport links, and a diverse range of industries – and Liverpool and Manchester can work together.

SO’B: Liverpool needs Manchester and Manchester needs Liverpool.

CR: The BBC chose Salford, but that’s still good for the region – we need to stop being so insular. The spinoff benefits help us all.

KL: It’s annoying when work for Liverpool goes down the road. We need to work together and not just get the job done by the cheapest firm, in another city. Manchester City Council wouldn’t send a job outside of their city, and rightly so.

The council should say, ‘we are prepared to pay x’ and then see if there is a local firm who can do the job. That’s the only way to build up local expertise. We have such a diverse range of employers in this region, look at Widnes, and Speke for instance.

Whose role needs to step up?

KL: The local management needs to up its game and the city council; it needs to convince the local people and show some strong leadership.

SO’B: The problem is the disunity between the quangos, which need to work together more.

CR: I think that if we can get the city centres right, and that’s what visitors and investors will see first, then that’s key –without neglecting another area. Street lighting, signage and the public realm are vitally important, and lift perceptions of the whole city.

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The changing economic climate hasn’t brought all bad news. Certain elements of the retail sector are enjoying a renaissance with rebranding, refitting and reinvention in delivery. In the north-west, some of the sector’s strongest players are reaping the benefits and redeveloping the landscape and the marketplace.

Ringing the changes The Co-operative Group

CGI of new head office for The Co-operative Group

AGAINST A BACKGROUND of corrupt banks and politicians, ethical businesses have won a new-found favour in the marketplace. The profile of the north-west based The Co-operative Group, which offers a vast range of food and non-food (travel, pharmacy and financial products) retailing has been rising fast this year. The consumer-owned business, which can trace its origins to the first Co-operative Society established in Rochdale in 1844, is run by its three million members, who also decide how profits are distributed. Originally organised by 28 weavers in a northern town, it is now a national retail force to be reckoned with. A £1.5 billion rebrand in 2009 has seen 60 per cent of the firms 4,300 outlets refitted and, 36 MOVE COMMERCIAL

coupled with a television campaign featuring Bob Dylan’s ‘Blowin’ in the Wind’ and print advertising, the marketing spend totals £70 million.

The financial services arm’s merger with Britannia in August this year created a business with more than £70 million of assets and nine million customers in over 300 branches. The merger is expected to create a super-mutual bank, offering a trusted and ethical alternative to shareholder-owned banks throughout the UK. The acquisition of Somerfield, costing £1.565 billion, brings the group up to fifth place in the competitive UK grocery market.

The 3,000 stores are generating in excess of £7 billion a year. The national brand is particularly strong in the south-west region,

complementing the Co-operative’s other outlets.

With the expanding portfolio, the firm is also investing in new headquarters in Manchester.

Approximately 320,000 sq ft of open plan office space over 16 storeys will be built on Miller Street in the city centre, opposite the Co-operative Insurance tower. A planning application has been submitted and, if granted, work will start on the building at the start of 2010, with occupation scheduled for 2012.

Director of marketing at the Cooperative Group, Patrick Allen, commented: “We are currently witnessing a renaissance of The Cooperative. Our food business has enjoyed 13 successive quarters of like-for-like sales growth. We acquired Somerfield earlier this year and our financial services business recently merged with Britannia.

“The winning combination of high quality shops and products, coupled with the increasing relevance of our ethical way of doing business, and the ability to benefit directly from trading with us, are the compelling reasons why thousands of new members are joining us every month.”

Patrick Allen

T.J. Morris Distribution facilities are also key to expansion plans for retailers. T.J. Morris, the retailer behind Home Bargains, announced in May 2008 its plans to redevelop a 333,000 sq ft warehouse facility at Gillmoss in Liverpool as part of a £35m programme of investment. The extension has increased the site to 600,000 sq ft over the past 12 months, fitting in with the retailer’s plans for growth. By 2016, the retailer is expected to operate in over 350 outlets. Over the last half of 2009 alone plans are afoot to open 30 new stores with much of the expansion owed to the take-over of a number of former Woolworths stores nationwide. For a business which began in 1979 with a high street store in Liverpool’s Old Swan, there are major plans to make inroads into new regions of the UK. With an existing stronghold in the north-west and the midlands, the firm expects to continue its expansion into Scotland and the north-east, and gain new ground in the south of England.

Joe Morris

Following the announcement of £383m turnover in 2008, the firm’s goal is to be a £1bn going concern by 2015. Joe Morris, director of T.J. Morris, commented: “We’re currently growing at about 25 per cent per annum and we expect that to continue. We’re a discount retailer so the recession has helped us more than other retailers. Customers have to be more careful with the money they spend at this time and we offer the lowest prices for the products we sell. We are also benefitting from the property side of the downturn because as other businesses go under more retail space becomes available.

We’ve probably acquired about 20 former Woolworths stores. We want to keep the growth going.”

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Regional spotlight Retail Feature Littlewoods & Shop Direct home shopping retailer with a broad range of products including over 400 high street brands and our great own label product. When customers shop online with us they can find this all in one place. Our broad offer has helped us to stay relevant to customers at a time when the focus is on trusted brands and value for money.”

previous Littlewoods facilities has been sold on and since 2005, many of the former Littlewoods retail branches have been converted into Primark stores. Littlewoods, an iconic firm formerly occupying landmark city centre premises, is exploring new territory online and out of town. Shop Direct, which was born out of Liverpool retailer Littlewoods, still retains its local

roots and the company now operates out of its £31m Skyways House former aircraft hangar headquarters in Speke under the leadership of owners David and Frederick Barclay. In February this year the company acquired Woolworths from administrators Deloitte, to preserve the name and the Ladybird clothing brand as an online business. Recently Shop Direct, which has annual sales of around £1.6bn, made the online expansion into Europe offering 250 high street brands through Littlewoodseurope.com. The company, which currently employs around 10,600 people, is forecasting an even greater percentage of online sales in the next two years. Mark Newton-Jones, chief executive of Shop Direct Group, said: “As an online retailer we are not shackled by overheads such as rent and utility costs which can become a burden in a downturn. This allows us to stay nimble in the recession and to adapt our proposition via our websites. We are the UK's largest online and

market conditions and in particular our ability to outperform the market. Whilst profitability has continued to improve we have also generated strong cash flows which has allowed the group to pay down £45m of debt in the year. Given the position of the UK economy, we fully expect the coming 12 months to be challenging. However, customers continue to respond well to our strategy of offering quality products at fantastic value and we believe Matalan is well placed to meet these challenges as customers continue to embrace the relevance of Matalan’s brand and offer.”

headquarters in Skelmersdale, Merseyside, Matalan recently announced that like-for-like sales for the week ending 6 June 2009 were up 8.2 per cent on the previous year – a figure that the firm says was achieved with improved margins. Out of town stores are

out-performing high street competitors and the retailer has gained a market share in menswear and women and children’s clothing.

Much of the success since February 2008 was owed to an extensive store improvement programme, with the refurbishment of 57 stores part of a £16m spend to strengthen the store portfolio. Another raft of stores will receive a revamp this year. Cost effective marketing campaigns continue to be pursued, with the “High Street Fashion, Matalan Prices” promotion helping to secure a card holder database with transactional details of over 11 million cardholders. The introduction of the ‘M Party’ party range, which had been trialled the previous year, also proved profitable after it was rolled out into 70 stores.

This year the company is hoping to further utilise the commercial potential of the website and open three new stores. More construction is planned for 2010, as part of an accelerated programme of expansion. Matalan chief executive Alistair McGeorge commented: “We are pleased with our performance last year given the challenging

Littlewoods head office, Speke

The Shop Direct Group was formed out of a merger between Littlewoods and Shop Direct companies and has established itself as the UK’s leading online retailer. The transition to ecommerce has not been without casualties in employment however, with thousands of jobs cut from Shop Direct operations across the region as a result of streamlining the business. Land occupied by the

Mark Newton-Jones

Matalan

Matalan’s large retail offer

Matalan is another retailer to have benefited from the demise of discount rival Woolworths. Since its founding in Preston in 1985, Matalan has gone on to secure annual revenue of over £1bn a year, with an emphasis on spacious outof-town facilities. From the

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Everton and Liverpool both intend to boost capacities and corporate potential by leaving their famous old stadiums and moving to modern football arenas.

Everton’s controversial plans to relocate to Kirkby are currently in the hands of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, while Liverpool’s ambitious plans to build a stadium in Stanley Park have been stalled by financial uncertainty. We ask whether the clubs would be better served sharing a stadium in the city.

Would a shared stadium be the best option for Everton and Liverpool?

“ ”

I do now think it is time for both clubs to put their heads together.

Norman Jones

38 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Five prominent local football supporters discussed the shared stadium issue over lunch at Blakes Restaurant in the Hard Days Night Hotel. Liam Fogarty, chairman of the campaign for a mayor for Liverpool, independent consultant Colette Malton, The Design Foundry director David Al-Hadithi, Norman Jones, partner at Mace & Jones Solicitors and Stuart Keppie, partner at Keppie Massie Commercial indulged in the venue’s “Summer of Love” menu.

Considering the financial climate, is a shared stadium the most logical option for the two clubs?

LF: Is there any other city in the world that would be frankly daft enough, in the teeth of a long term downturn in borrowing, in credit and in property - in one of the poorest areas in Western Europe, to build two separate stadiums for their two football clubs? The ideal for any Evertonian would be rebuilding Goodison Park in some form with much better facilities. In the current climate Everton can’t generate that sort of revenue, short of a sugar daddy arriving.

Liverpool can.

CM: Well we’re £650million in debt at the moment!

DA: Financially it probably makes sense. My view is that it does work in some countries but for very different reasons. Obviously financially it does stack up, but I’m a no.

NJ: My pedigree is an Evertonian but above all I’m a fan of the city of Liverpool. I do now think it is time for both clubs to put their heads together and seriously consider a combined stadium. With tourism such a major source of revenue we need a world class stadium.

Fundability is a problem but that has to be met by the public sector. I could envisage a situation where each club would own a stand, with the balance owned by the North West Development Agency and the city council. That would ease the financial requirements of each club.

I do think that it’s very feasible.

Would the public sector be on board?

LF: There’s going to be no public sector investment from here on in for about 8 or 10 years in anything that’s not deemed to be absolutely essential to the public good. If we don’t get our heads together there’s going to be no public support.

NJ: I think in order for it to be remotely fundable the public sector partners will own say a third, and

the other two clubs would own a third apiece.

CM: I think the public funding would be there if it was to regenerate the outlying areas of the stadium. I don’t see any public funding going to a football stadium though. We’re in a recession here and a lot of people don’t like football and have lost their jobs.

LF: There was a window, 12 or 18 months ago for the shared stadium but that window has shut.

NJ: I’m not so pessimistic. I think there’s a window of another 3 to 6 months but it depends on a) Kirkby being knocked back and b) Gillette and Hicks continuing to be in financial difficulties. I still think it may achieve some public sector funding.

Does the city need a new stadium to secure host status for a potential World Cup in 2018?

LF: The current stadiums just don’t meet the FIFA specifications.

There’s a very real possibility that the self styled capital of football won’t be involved.

SK: Surely the city needs a decent stadium that can cater for the World Cup. DA: There’s also a case for having a bigger and better stadium i.e. FIFA and UEFA qualification for major finals. We don’t want those games

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Five Decide Talking Point

Norman Jones Partner, Mace & Jones Solicitors

David Al-Hadithi Director, The Design Foundry

going down the East Lancs.

Could a shared stadium have a detrimental effect on the clubs – diluting their identity?

SK: It doesn’t bother me that no other clubs in the Premier League have a joint stadium. They have done it in Munich and Milan. Have those clubs suffered?

DA: The Milan stadium is owned by their council. It’s not owned by either of those clubs. That’s the only model that works with a massive fan base. There’s also a lot of dilapidation of stadiums in Italy which brings up the question of who has the responsibility for their upkeep. What about the stadium sharing model that’s been employed in America even longer?

There’s a desire there now not to share, and they have done for a long long time.

LF: Look at the crowds that turned out for Liverpool in South East Asia. It’s amazing and it’s a vast asset base. LFC has got the potential to build a brand new stadium and pay for it.

CM: I think the majority of Liverpool fans would be against a shared stadium.

Can the council allow an institution such as Everton to leave the city?

SK: As an Evertonian that’s the last thing I want. I would not want to surrender the confines of the city.

Financially, in the short to medium term it would maybe be OK but I could see the fan base dwindling dramatically.

NJ: I think you’re being optimistic.

Why would a business want to up sticks from its customer base and run the risk of losing even 25 per cent of its customers from day one?

SK: Equally if Liverpool were to develop Stanley Park and we stayed at Goodison I couldn’t be looking over there at this big gleaming stadium and think what

Stuart Keppie Partner, Keppie Massie

we’ve got.

NJ: The club has refused to examine any other options in detail other than Kirkby. My understanding is that the Secretary of State will approve the application.

LF: The current signals being sent out are that the inspectors will approve, possibly with a diminished capacity to address some of the transportation issues. So we’d be left with a 40,000 stadium but we’ve already got one of those. It’s a good news story for a depressed part of the world because of the thousands of jobs and millions of pounds worth of infrastructure improvement.

What kind of impact would it have on L4?

LF: It’s imperative for L4 because it does invest that region with a life and an income stream.

SK: The closer the stadium is to the city centre there’s far more spin off. You look at Cardiff and Newcastle and they’re buzzing on a match day.

Where would a shared stadium be sited?

LF: Which private sector entity on Merseyside has the land, the clout, the capital and the time to do this?

Peel. Anybody who thinks that central docks will one day be festooned with Shanghai style skyscrapers is living a fantasy.

That period globally is over. They’re going to need to do something on their property portfolio. Look at what you could do on the back of a waterside stadium in the central and north docks. There’s good existing infrastructure, plenty of capacity to access.

NJ: And it would kick start the regeneration of that area.

LF: It’s the only game in town.

SK: I agree on the central docks.

It’s close to the city centre, has the advantage of economies of scale,

Colette Malton Independent Consultant

transport and car parking.

LF: And a new ferry terminal. At the moment you’ve got this tumble weed past Old Hall Street. A stadium would add massive value to the land.

DA: Not that I’m for a shared stadium but if it were to be shared it should be at Stanley Park because if both clubs left the whole economy of that area would be ripped to pieces. It’s already in a really poor area. There’s something about walking down those terrace streets.

Yes there’s a problem infrastructure wise but it’s part of the experience.

You’re not just shipped to the game in a hermetically sealed capsule.

Was the Kings Dock site a missed opportunity for both clubs?

SK: It could have worked. It wasn’t the ideal site because of the transport connections. I know that people have varied views on that, with proposals for park and ride and so on.

LF: But nobody envisaged Liverpool One taking shape either.

SK: When Everton were looking at the Kings Dock there was an embargo on Liverpool talking about anywhere in the city centre from the city council. They wouldn’t entertain any application from Liverpool. It almost blocked the option of them moving to the city centre.

NJ: Paul Gregg of Houston Securities dreamt that idea up. He could see he could align it to his other business interests. He and Kenwright couldn’t raise the £30m capital.

Will it happen?

DA: Both clubs, at least front of house, are against this.

NJ: Is it now that Mr Parry has left that the position may change? He was very much against it. Messrs Hicks and Gillette at the outset were quite receptive to the idea.

DA: He said he’d resign if it was ever tabled.

LF: The only way I can see Liverpool

Liam Fogarty Chairman of the campaign for a mayor for Liverpool

going for a shared stadium is if there’s a sufficient heft of public money to offset the infrastructure costs.

CM: If we had a city council behind us saying “come on, we need this to move forward”. We need to build on the city of culture with the football but they’re not doing it.

NJ: Unfortunately Liverpool and Everton are controlled by individuals who couldn’t see further than their own train set.

DA: How long has this idea been rumbling on? Twenty or thirty years?

It’s probably never going to happen.

The panel enjoyed “uncomplicated British classics” from Blakes’ Summer of Love menu, with two courses available for just £9.75 until 13 September. The menu boasts a great variety of locally sourced organic produce, seasonal delights and a fine selection of wines. Three courses and a bottle of wine from the set menu are available for just £21.95.

Blakes Restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

To book a table, telephone 0151 243 2121, or email blakes@harddaysnighthotel.com.

MOVE COMMERCIAL 39

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“ ”

Graduates love the city and now they have somewhere to go.

40 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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Dr Sarah Tasker Rising Stars

As someone who helped secure victory in the 2001 boat race, Liverpool Science Park chief executive Dr Sarah Tasker is no stranger to success. The Cambridge graduate now aims to negotiate the choppy waters of the recession and build on the promise shown in the formative years of her current charge.

Task force Dr Tasker entered academia relatively late, which perhaps makes her rise to prominence in her chosen field all the more remarkable. A housewife and mother-of-two in her 30s, she eventually found herself studying for a PhD in History and Philosophy at Cambridge, before establishing the consultancy firm Cam-Sci, developing science parks around the UK. Commuting from Cambridge three times a week she has overseen the impressive growth of the Liverpool Science Park and maintains relationships with the park’s partners.

Dr Tasker has been involved with the Liverpool Science Park since its inception and as chief executive, has steered its course to become the fastest growing science park in the UK. She joined the Mount Pleasant operation on secondment from Cam-Sci and since the consultants were selected to lead the Liverpool Science Park following an international search, she has administered the opening of the 36,000 sq ft ic1 office facility in January 2006 and more recently the landmark 38,750 sq ft ic2 building.

Making up part of Liverpool’s ‘Knowledge Quarter’ in sites around the Metropolitan Cathedral, the science park is something of a unique project in

the city. A joint venture between the University of Liverpool, John Moores University and the city council, it is hoped the park will develop Liverpool’s knowledge economy and support 7,000 local jobs within 10 years. Twenty-two companies from the region and beyond signed up to the ambitious project within the first year of operations and in a promising show of durability, tenants have continued to flow in ever since.

space at iC2. “The office space is so flexible. The interior walls can go up and down. Each floor plate can be sub-divided in any format. The square footage could be over two floors, depending on the company’s preference. It’s a high quality offering.”

The £9.9m iC2 building was designed by Liverpool architects Falconer Chester Hall and delivered by Neptune Developments, who in partnership

“ ”

The office space is so flexible. It’s a high quality offering.

“The first anchor tenants for iC2 are lined up and we’re having serious negotiations with others” said Dr Tasker. In partnership with Liverpool Vision, a soft landing centre has also been created for companies who wish to try out the facilities before they commit. A third of the facility is currently under option, with a major software development company considering a 10,000 sq ft space at the Liverpool facility, while an existing iC1 company is to upgrade by more than four times their current capacity, to a 4,000 sq ft

with the Liverpool Archdiocese, have now completed the £35million Cathedral Precinct project.

Businesses have been attracted to the flexibility of the highly specified office space, complemented by the laboratory compatibility of the facilities, the ICT infrastructure and high-speed internet connectivity.

Aesthetically, high quality materials have been used to reflect the prominent setting of the building. “We want it to be an identifiable part of the Liverpool

offer to match the stunning architecture that already exists in the city. There’s still some work to be done in terms of landscaping the park land around the buildings but with that the whole thing should be completed by next summer.”

Dr Tasker will be hoping the fledgling facility can replicate the success of ic1. The established development is currently at near full capacity, with what Dr Tasker described as a “quite fluid” movement of tenants. Among them have been a number of success stories: “Two people who had been made redundant set up a small software development company over two storeys. They have been so successful that they’ve been selling products back to their old company. Another firm, a gains development company, has grown from a staff of two to 50. They’re looking to grow further still and we’re helping them achieve that.”

Although pleased with the evident success of the science park to date, Dr Tasker has recognised work needs to be done to firmly establish it beyond the city region.

Earlier this year she released a report claiming Liverpool wasn’t credible as a place to locate knowledge businesses: “People think about the culture, sport and music but not business and knowledge. First and foremost we had to focus on starting up and establishing the science park in Liverpool, which we’ve done very successfully. Within the region we’re doing well but we need to look further.”

Dr Tasker believes the viability of the science park is essential to the city if it is to retain more of the many promising graduates it produces. “Graduates love the city and now they have somewhere to go. The science park stimulates investment but it also stimulates innovation. It’s possible for innovation to go hand in hand with making money.”

As highlighted by the courting of companies in Finland and China, retaining home-grown talent will merely be the icing on the cake for the ever-ambitious Dr Tasker: “We want to maintain and grow our current client base and we’re cautiously optimistic of doing so.

The next stage is to internationalise the brand.”

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Deacon Park’s official launch Key events

Racking up admirers

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

1 1. John Langton of Hurlston Brook with host Iain Taylor of Highcross

The Big Rack at Deacon Park on Knowsley Industrial Estate was officially launched at the end of June, with spaces available from 50,000 to 456,350 sq ft for immediate occupation.

Developer Highcross treated guests, including

agents from Liverpool and the surrounding region, to breakfast. A free car wash was also offered to the first 20 who arrived at the Moorgate Road site, adjoining the intersection of the East Lancs Road and the M57. For more information about occupying the space, contact the joint leasing agents Jones Lang LaSalle, DTZ and CB Richard Ellis.

2

3

2. Chris Hennesey, Edmund Kirby, Phil Morley, Jones Lang LaSalle and Brendan O’Herlihy, BNP Paribas Real Estate, Atisreal 3. Networkers enjoy coffee and snacks

4

5

4. Networkers chat 5. Simon Hamson, WHR Property Consultants, Patrick O’Herlihy, PD O’Herlihy Ltd and Janine Wood, P3 Property Consultants

6

7

8

6. Hosts Richard Pellatt and Iain Taylor of Highcross 7 & 8. The staff at Auto Wash were hard at work on guests’ cars

MOVE COMMERCIAL 43

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Expert views Ask the panel

Public consumption With losses across a number of industries in the recession, budgets in the private sector are tighter than ever.

As public funding is allocated to various bodies before it is distributed within the region, should public bodies’ expenditure be accessible to public viewing?

"Whether its source is international, national or local, transparency of information should be a sine qua non of every penny of public expenditure in respect of its usage and amount.

Public expenditure is derived ultimately from the purses of taxpayers, who are entitled to full knowledge about the use of their money for public purposes just as they know typically for which purposes they use their own money in private consumption. The need for complete openness of information is especially compelling in the current recession when firms are in competition with each other for support from scarce public funds.

The recent debacle of MPs' expenses illustrated graphically how opaqueness in public expenditure leads inevitably to confusion, misunderstandings, and abuse."

Peter Stoney, honorary senior fellow, Liverpool University School of Management

Stuart Keppie, partner, Keppie Massie Commercial

“The regional public bodies such as the Northwest Regional Development Agency do issue details of their proposed expenditure in their Corporate Plan 2008-2011. This document includes an income and expenditure summary. A lot of information is readily available through the various web sites and publications compiled by the various public bodies. Likewise local authorities have to state how a project is being funded when seeking approval to expenditure through council committee process.”

‘Owing to their very nature as ‘public bodies’, we all have a vested interest in the expenditure of public authorities. As shareholders in the private sector, such expenditure should be transparent to its members.”

Neil Kirkham, office and industrial agent, Hitchcock Wright & Partners

“As public funding is essentially funded by the taxpayer, I feel that all expenditure should be accessible to public viewing. If the public can access the accounts of private companies, then it is not unreasonable to be able to view the same for public bodies.”

John D. Morgan, valuation surveyor, Mason Owen

“In our experience, public bodies are already under a great deal of scrutiny in terms of the initial justification for any project funding and then the audit requirements which follow. In addition, most public bodies already publish key funding details in some form or another, and those who take a genuine interest can find this information. It is therefore best that public bodies are allowed to carry out their duties without further obligations being imposed on them, which could be counter productive in the long run and lead to a waste of public funds. Every penny spent on dealing with unnecessary attention is a penny that cannot be spent on projects that need funding. It all adds up!”

Stephen Osuhor, director, Neptune Developments

“ ”

we all have a vested interest in the expenditure of public authorities

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Patrick Crean Managing director

In the spotlight Widnes-born Patrick Crean is the managing director of Mersey Energy Inspections, which conducts energy assessments for residential and commercial properties across the north-west region and North Wales. The company was set up in 2007 to meet demand, due to changes in legislation, affecting agents, developers and occupiers in both residential and commercial space. PSG Liverpool, part of the Property Search Group, the property search and HIP provider, is also under Patrick’s management and direction, and has now been running for 10 years.

What led you to set up your own businesses?

My previous career was in a number of very different industries on a sales basis. I first worked in my family’s firm before I moved across to work in waste management, but after doing that in a senior role for a number of years I felt the urge to be running my own company. Although I had been working for prestigious corporate organisations, I felt restricted and needed to do something more entrepreneurial. I came across PSG 10 years ago and got into the property sector running the franchise. As that business developed and became established, the opportunity arose to set up Mersey Energy Inspections in response to demand from clients who required energy assessments of their properties before they could be marketed.

What does your daily routine involve?

Mine is mainly an advisory and overseeing role, so it can vary quite a lot. I have managers in house who are 46 MOVE COMMERCIAL

responsible for different areas of the business, but I do have a large involvement in the financial side. I work in the office for the main part as it makes my job easier to have a presence there, although I do spend some time going out to present to some of the larger organisations and for meetings, or to advise clients when it’s needed.

What are your plans for the northwest?

Mersey Energy Inspections is expanding its database across the region in terms of sales and we’re also looking to diversify on the energy side.

We have some ideas we’re working on at the moment, looking at how the market develops, as new legislation may open up some different avenues.

What excites you most about your role?

The most exciting part for me is presenting the company to other organisations, both big and small and promoting ourselves and what we do. I believe we do an excellent job and provide a good service, so it’s nice to be able to go out and present our

strengths and to get some positive feedback – I find that the most enjoyable aspect, certainly.

What are the best and worst parts of the job?

The best part is bringing in new clients.

There’s certainly some satisfaction in securing a contract. The worst side has to be the accounts side of running a business. It can get you a bit bogged down sometimes.

What’s your ambition?

My aim for the next 6 to 12 months is to continue to be as successful as at present, and to aim for a certain amount of growth through the difficult market conditions. After that, as the market improves, I expect us to grow even more.

How do you like to unwind?

I really enjoy a game of golf and manage to play once or twice a week.

We have a bit of in house competition and it’s great to get all the staff out onto the local golf course with the incentive that the loser has to buy a round of drinks! It’s also a really good teambuilding event.

How would your colleagues describe you?

I think they’d probably say I’m really laid back most of the time, although I’m a devil for detail and a perfectionist at times!

FACT FILE BORN 1964, Widnes EDUCATION Wade Deacon High School, Widnes FIRST JOB “When I was 16 I went into my own family’s business, a plumbers’ merchants, which I enjoyed. It was a really valuable experience for running my own business later in life.”

TOP TIP “Trust your own instincts. I had a gut feeling about setting up on my own and my belief in being able to make it a success, coupled with enjoying what I do, has been key.”

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