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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESTER MANCHESTER

March-May 2010

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

CHRIS OGLESBY, BRUNTWOOD Exclusive interview SHANGHAI 2010 Liverpool at World Expo.

ENTREPRENEUR MICHAEL CAINS ABode Chester

Issue 17

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Liverpool in a building Suites available from 2,000 sq ft • Open-plan, flexible and efficient floor-plates • Generous finished floor to ceiling height of 2.9m • High level of natural light • VRV/VRF heating and cooling system • Suspended ceiling • Fully accessible raised floors (150mm clear void) • PIR sensored LG7 lighting (400 lux)

The place to do business, the place to be seen...

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THE INVESTMENT CENTRE – BOOTLE

TO LET The Investment Centre, Stanley Road, Bootle, L20 3EF • Stunning offices in a town centre location • Superb access to all local amenities and public transport • Accommodation to suite various requirements • i-space – fully serviced incubator accommodation from single desks to 1-2 person offices • Flexible terms • Traditional office suites 920 sq ft – 3,316 sq ft • On site car parking • 65% Let • Excellent café/restaurant opportunity – 1,270 sq ft • Rents from £10 per sq ft

For more information contact: Rupert Lowe at Keppie Massie T: 0151 255 0755

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E TLY OL EN ECT N WH REC NN UTIO R CO L OO O SO FL ET T NET L ER T IN

TO LET EI8HT WATER STREET

AT THE HEART OF LIVERPOOL’S GRANDEST COMMERICAL THROUGHFARE 22,770 sq ft (2,115 sq m) of quality refurbished office accommodation • Ample secure parking on site • Flexible space planning options available • Full security

All enquiries contact the joint agents Hitchcock Wright & Partners or Mattews & Goodman for more information:

Brian Ricketts 0151 227 3400 brianricketts@hwandp.co.uk Robin Evans 0151 236 8732 revans@matthews-goodman.co.uk

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BE PART OF THE NEW LIVERPOOL Superb offices to let opposite Liverpool One development 20,310 sq ft (1,887 sq m) of quality refurbished office accommodation on three floors • On site secure car parking spaces • Flexible, open plan environment with excellent natural light

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Issue seventeen Move Commercial

Contents News

30

Welcome to Move Commercial In this issue of Move Commercial, looking forwards and pushing ahead is the theme for our featured developers and those with leadership roles in the city. Our Rising Star this issue sees an interview with John Taylor from Derwent Holdings, quite literally on the ground at Edge Lane, the site for extensive work on the thoroughfare into Liverpool. Mike Taylor, investment director on the board at Liverpool Vision, talked us through the benefits for the city of showing at the Shanghai Expo, and how we can hope to capitalise on this audience for the region’s economic advantage. Regional aspirations, competition and collaboration, are something

our Mover and Shaker Chris Oglesby of Manchester-based Bruntwood is well placed to comment on when we grill him at The Plaza. Out in Chester, Michael Caines shares his story of overcoming adversity and his entrepreneurial achievements. In our regular roundtable feature, our panel looks ahead to how educators and business leaders need to work together and train up the workplace we need for the north-west region’s growth. Meanwhile, property professionals are gearing up in line with MIPIM, holding a special Cannes Do event in Liverpool for agents in the city.

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13 LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESTER MANCHESTER

March-May 2010

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

CHRIS OGLESBY, BRUNTWOOD Exclusive interview SHANGHAI 2010 Liverpool at World Expo.

ENTREPRENEUR MICHAEL CAINS Abode Chester

07

Issue 17

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 Picture Researcher Frances Gill. Email frances@movepublishing.co.uk

06 07 09 13 14 15 16 17 18 20 21 22

Smiles all round in Sefton Towering ideas A Brand New Brighton Salford’s regeneration St Helens’ appeal Widnes’ deals in motion Supermarket sweep Seaforth skyline vision Aintree the favourite for SMEs Hotel for the Ropewalks Peel lets space in Wallasey Royal welcome at the waterfront 23 All sewn up

Features 10 Bitesize Thinking Food for thought 24 Mover & Shaker Chris Oglesby on shaping the region 26 Rising Star The vision for Edge Lane, Liverpool 28 Entrepreneur Michael Caines’ ambitions in Chester 30 Focus Liverpool and Shanghai’s cultural connections 35 Debate Imagining the workplace of the future 38 Ask the Panel How should the general election benefit the north-west?

Key Events 19 The year in property Professional Liverpool’s market review 32 Mobile networks Merseyside Transport Partnership’s conference

Designer Rob Whyte. Email rob@movepublishing.co.uk Published by Move Publishing Ltd Directors David O’Brien, Kim O’Brien, Fiona Barnet Printed by Precision Colour Printers Ltd Distribution Liaison Manager Barbara Troughton Tel 0151 733 5492 Mobile 077148 14662

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

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

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News Move Commercial

Big smiles at Sefton

CGI of how the Central Village development will look

New lettings at office scheme

St Hugh’s in Bootle

Sefton’s appeal increases

SOUTH SEFTON Development Trust has secured a deal with NHS Sefton backing, for a 20-year lease on office space at the Stanley Road Investment Centre in Bootle. The PCT will fit-out the ground floor accommodation with £500,000 to provide state-of-the-art surgeries to let and sub-let to BA Ventre and Martin Kelly dental practices. The new tenants will join existing occupiers Sefton New Directions, Arvato Government Services, Sefton Council’s economic regeneration department and the building managers, South Sefton Development Trust in the five-storey building. Chief executive of the Trust, Cate Murphy, commented: “This 20year agreement is a very significant letting for us and we’re delighted to welcome our new tenants. The deal is also good news for the local community in two ways, providing residents with local top-class dental facilities, and when the building is full any surplus rental income will be reinvested into future regeneration activities in the area.” The latest deal means that 65 per cent of the

Funding in place for first stage of development Investment Centre, Bootle

BRUNTWOOD have attracted their first buyers to the St Hugh’s office building in Bootle. The building has recently undergone a £3.6million refurbishment, including a new reception and a selection of offices from 160 to 48,000 sq ft. Asset Training and Consultancy have now taken 2,515 sq ft of office space on the first floor of the building.

Peter McEvoy, managing director of Asset Training and Consultancy, commented: “We’re delighted to be 6

MOVE COMMERCIAL

a customer at St Hugh’s. We were looking for a higher quality office than our previous accommodation without having to greatly increase our occupational costs and Bruntwood were able to comfortably accommodate our requirements.” Colin Forshaw, head of sales at Bruntwood, added: “We’ve purposely developed the building so it can accommodate a diverse range of customers in suites from 450 to 4,500 sq ft. In doing

so, we’re giving small to medium sized businesses access to some of the highest quality office space in Bootle at a highly competitive price, all delivered with a level of service that’s difficult to find outside our portfolio. It also means we’re able to offer our Liverpool customers a greater variety in product and price along with the flexibility to move around our portfolio as they require.”

Investment Centre’s 26,000 sq ft is now let. Rupert Lowe of Keppie Massie, agent for the building, commented: “We’re very pleased with the current level of interest in the development and the accommodation is now starting to be taken up at an encouraging rate. As footfall in and around the building increases, we’re also expecting more enquiries for the café and restaurant opportunity on the ground floor.”

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Move Commercial News

Planning required for 165 metre tower Funding in place for first stage of development LIVERPOOL has moved a step closer to housing one of the tallest buildings in the UK. Landowners Richmont Properties and developers Y1 Developments are confident in receiving planning permission to construct the proposed King Edward Tower at the junction of The Strand and Leeds Street. If planning approval is granted the 54-storey building will become the tallest mixed-use development outside of London.

The latest plans released for the 165-metre building proposed for the site of the old King Edward pub are a complete redesign from those put forwards in 2007, with the new designs having incorporated comments made by the city council and CABE. The current design has incorporated fresh master plan proposals to work alongside and

enhance Peel’s proposed Liverpool Waters development. Peter Buglass of Richmont Properties commented: “These designs and artists’ impressions are still work in progress but are indicative of how the building might look. We are confident that following final revisions arising from the CABE review the application will move forward quickly to a positive conclusion.” The proposed tower will house a mixture of office, retail and residential properties, with a large restaurant with open viewing deck. Y1 Developments has confirmed that the first stage funding for the development has been secured. Subject to planning permission, work could start on site early in 2011 with opening scheduled for 2014.

CGI of how King Edward Tower will look

Deals at the Exchange Four new occupiers

The Cotton Exchange

BRUNTWOOD has secured four new lettings at Liverpool’s Cotton Exchange. Lettings totalling 6,100 sq ft have been agreed with HH Law, iProgress, Medicals Direct and MJP Justice at the Grade II listed building in the city’s commercial district. Medicals Direct, a health service provider to the insurance sector, has taken a 1,000 sq ft office on the building’s fifth floor.

The company has also let a 3,000 sq ft suite in Bruntwood’s St Christopher House in Stockport. Personal injury specialist HH Law has signed a threeyear lease on a 700 sq ft refurbished office. Web design company iProgress is moving into a 400 sq ft suite on the sixth floor of the building, upgrading from a 200 sq ft office. Law firm MJP Justice is also doubling its space in the

Cotton Exchange, expanding from 2,000 sq ft to 4,000 sq ft. Both leases are for three years. Colin Forshaw, head of sales at Bruntwood, commented: “These new lettings mark another great start to the year for Bruntwood and we are pleased to welcome such a wide range of businesses into the Cotton Exchange.

The building remains one of our most popular properties and we’ve worked closely with our tenants to ensure they have the type and size of suite that they need. Lettings to companies such as Medicals Direct highlight the flexibility that Bruntwood offers in allowing customers to move seamlessly within our buildings as their business requirements change and they look to up or downsize.”

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big

on support

If you are considering relocation for your business, or expanding your company, Wirral offers accessible, user-friendly information that saves you time and enables faster, better informed decision-making.

You will find specialist advice and assistance from finding sites and development partners, through to recruiting and training quality staff and developing new supply chains.

A full package of location advice and business support is available designed to give your company a competitive advantage.

For more information and advice about investing in Wirral

Call 0151 650 6915 Visit www.investwirral.com

417JUN08PJ

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Move Commercial News

Brand New Brighton Funding for second phase secured THE NORTHWEST Regional Development Agency has contributed £3.9m to phase two of the ‘Brand New Brighton’ scheme.

The grant will enable Neptune Developments and Wirral Council to continue with the development of the town’s waterfront with a range of new retail and leisure amenities. The facilities, across 20,667 sq m of new floor space, are expected to create 714 new jobs upon completion in 2012. The project will also deliver 14 hectares of public realm improvements

across New Brighton seafront that will include a new model boating lake and promenade. Phase one of the project delivered a new Floral Pavillion theatre and conference centre for New Brighton. The development will eventually include a new Morrisons supermarket, hotel, upgraded marine lake and sailing school facilities, an outdoor lido and commercial and leisure facilities including a cinema, fitness centre, restaurants and bars. Phase two of the project will lever a further

investment of £33.6 million from Neptune Developments. Steve Parry, managing director of Neptune Developments, commented: “The NWDA’s investment in public realm will complement the commercial scheme. All of this will undoubtedly provide a great boost to the local economy in this difficult time, as already achieved by phase one. We will continue to work closely with Wirral Council to create a new New Brighton for the people of Wirral.”

Jonathan Atkinson

Dilapidations experts bring skill to region Liverpool office opens

Neptune Developments’ New Brighton scheme

DILAPS UK, a dilapidations specialist, has announced the opening of its Liverpool regional office. Headed up

by Liverpool managing partner Jonathan Atkinson, the national firm will bring the expertise of highly experienced and qualified dilapidations surveyors to the service of corporate occupiers and landlords in the region. Atkinson is confident that his track record and local detailed knowledge of dilapidations liabilities, claims and settlements, will be in demand among clients in the northwest. He commented: “Most commercial leases obligate corporate occupiers to return premises to a defined condition on expiry of the lease. For tenants, Dilaps UK will minimise claims through either negotiation, the carrying out of works or argument that the claim is restricted in view of minimal damage.

Also for tenants, a deferred liability for dilapidations can be assessed and stated as potential liability within the firm’s financial accounts. “When representing landlords, Dilaps UK can provide required schedules, gain monetary settlements, and supervise appropriate works.” For more information, contact Dilaps UK on 0845 604 6233.

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Bitesize thinking Move Commercial

&

FAVOURITE BUILDINGS

Steve Parry

16 Cook Street, Liverpool

Home Away

Only joking

By George he’s a big fella – he’s blockin’ me view of the film. Still, that’s got to be worth a good few bob, eh?

10 MOVE COMMERCIAL

STEVE PARRY, managing director of Neptune Developments, received the enviable task of choosing his favourite buildings to share with Move Commercial readers. “If I had to pick my favourite, it would be the lesser known 16 Cook Street in Liverpool, next door to Piccolino’s. Built in 1866 by Peter Ellis, it’s one of the very oldest cast-iron frame buildings in Britain or even the world.” Built just two years after Oriel Chambers on Water Street, 16 Cook Street is a Grade II* listed building. When asked to choose his favourite building, from any in the world, Steve settled on the Chrysler building in New York, USA. “I’m an anorak – I just love cars,” he says. The art deco skyscraper erected in 1930 on the east side of Manhattan in the Turtle Bay area, stands at 329 metres tall. It was the tallest building in the world before it was surpassed by the Empire State Building.

Chrysler Building, New York

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Move Commercial Bitesize thinking

Buzzword ‘DEALBREAKER’ IT’S A DECEPTIVELY informalsounding, direct and to the point, statement, but the origins of this phrase lie at the most senior level of business, uttered by the director or executive with the final say; the last word on a deal. The phrase has made its way into popular culture, appropriated for use in every kind of scenario where an ultimatum is issued. Most recently, the term appears in ‘Up in the Air’ when a character refers to what a man absolutely must have (in this instance, “nice eyes”) for a relationship to be successful. Of

Guy Butler, Senior development director, Grosvenor

course, the widening usage of the term brings its own questions about the nature of relationships (business and romantic) and the ‘deals’ formed and sustained within them, but a lengthy discourse on this topic takes us further from our starting point, and its punching ‘cut and thrust’ components. An online business tabloid in the US uses the compound noun’s grammatical simplicity for its own title, setting a standard and hoping its journalists will measure up by producing a publication that equals the sum of its parts.

Guy Butler

Vital statistics

£70m Estimated net worth of the Open Golf Championship to the wider region.

The event returns to Royal Liverpool in 2014, marking the 12th time the Hoylake links has hosted the Open. In 2006 the event attracted 230,000 visitors to the region, with the creation of 960 full-time jobs. The Open is expected to generate around £40m from TV coverage alone.

If only I'd known… ...about the north-west I would have moved here earlier. Being from South Wales and moving straight to London I had not spent any time up here. My first job avoided it as well, although I spent some time in Halifax, and for some reason I never came further west. There had been an opportunity to work in Liverpool earlier in my career but I held on to the typical prejudices that I now fight against – namely that opportunities would not be here and that I would best staying in London. Once my first big development (in Basingstoke) finished I was put on Liverpool and I have never looked back. So much so that I have moved out of London to live in the north-west and hope to stay here.

In my crystal ball…

The north-west region is going to need to have a stronger presence in London as the economy contracts, to manage perceptions and opportunities to compete with other investment opportunities. I split my time between London and Liverpool and it is apparent that whilst my projects are happening in the north-west, like One Park West and Hanover Place, the purse strings are held firmly in London.

This might not apply across the board, but be this with the banks, central government, funds, consultants and so on, there is a perception that the north-west is going to have to work harder against the reduction in Government spending and stand up for itself more in London.

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£10.8million kick-start for Salford Chapel Street redevelopment launched THE NORTHWEST Regional Development Agency (NWDA) is granting £10.76million to launch the redevelopment of the Chapel Street area in Salford.

The redevelopment plans for Chapel Street, which have been led

by Central Salford Urban Regeneration Company (URC) with developer partner English Cities fund (ECF) were approved

by Salford City Council in January 2010 following more than two years of consultation with the community and stakeholders.

Investment will provide the public infrastructure needed to set in motion a major mixed-use redevelopment scheme in the heart of the city. Funding of £8.97million from the NWDA and a further £1.79million under the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which is managed in the Northwest by the NWDA, will establish high quality public spaces and highways which will connect future retail, housing, leisure and office developments. The final scheme will generate 220,000m2

Architect’s impression, 'Salford Arches' in the New Bailey Street area, image courtesy of RHWL Architects

of commercial floor space for office, retail, and leisure development, 849 homes and 390 hotel rooms. Paul Lakin, director of land and property at the NWDA, said: “The proposals for Chapel Street will create a vibrant new city centre in Salford and I am pleased that this funding means we can begin to turn these plans into

reality. This illustrates how our targeted interventions can help to stimulate private investment and support economic recovery. The area has huge potential but needs significant public investment to create the type of environment which is essential to attract high levels of private investment.” He continued: "It will be a

monumental project which will mean more jobs, economic vitality and a better future for both Salford and Manchester." The ambitious plans cover 17 hectares around the main road of Chapel Street, Salford Central station and the Adelphi Riverside Park at the Wirral and BexleyInternational Square Conservation Business Park Area which features St Phillips Church and Salford Cathedral.

POWER UP St Helens’ appeal A RAINFORD-BASED engineering firm has expanded its operations with a move to Knowsley Business Park.

Beverston Engineering intend to relocate their 32-strong workforce from their current premises on Rainford Industrial Estate, St Helens, to a 15,000 sq ft site at Penrhyn Court, developed by Caddick Developments.

The £2.1m expansion will also see the creation of 14 additional jobs. The move was finalised after Knowsley Council awarded the company £35,000 for an Industrial Improvement Grant. This allowed the company to upgrade the power supply to the new premises, something which was

needed in order to run Beverston’s specialist machinery. Rod Wah, managing director of Beverston Engineering, commented: “We are very pleased to be moving to Knowsley. The financial support of Knowsley Council and the NWDA was instrumental in making this happen. After looking in several areas, Knowsley Council was the most helpful and keen to attract Beverston into their borough.” The firm, established in 1974, supply high precision machined parts for a wide range of industries including the aerospace, pharmaceutical and pump industries. The move is expected to be completed by May.

Penrhyn Court

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News Move Commercial

Liverpool Science Park

Cannes we do it?

Annual property event to be held at No1 Tithebarn

Innov-8-ve move at Science Park A FIRM of mobile technology specialists has taken a double suite of offices in Liverpool Science Park’s Innovation Centre 2. Righttxt currently employs 21 people in offices in Chester and Liverpool city centre. Managing director Ian Appleton, commented: “Opening our second UK office in Liverpool offers us an opportunity to grow the Righttxt brand in the heart of the knowledge quarter, during an exciting time for the mobile communications sector. We are leading the way in the development of applications for mobile technology that brings greater power into the hands of business owners and users. We are recruiting the best of the talent the Liverpool City Region has to offer and we are a huge growth business for anyone looking to fast track a career in Mobile Communications.” Righttxt is one of the market leaders in multiple platform mobile marketing communications. Chloe Young, business development director for Liverpool Science Park, commented: “We are delighted to welcome Righttxt to our newest building, Innovation Centre 2. This exciting and dynamic company represents a high-growth sector in the region and is a very positive addition to our growing community of science and knowledge based companies.”

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No1 Tithebarn

The Cannes Do attracts agents from across the city

THIS YEAR’S Cannes Do is set to be a lavish affair for property professionals and their associates.

The annual event, which keeps on growing, is to be held in the newly refurbished and high specification No1 Tithebarn House, showing off the space available for businesses to locate. In the sell-out event with over 400 attendees organised by Professional Liverpool, with main sponsors Kenmore Property Group

and Legal & General, the ticketed event will see a drinks reception held at 12pm for 12:30pm, with lunch at 1pm. The after starters speech delivered by Chris Connor of Mason Owen is highly anticipated by veterans of the Cannes Do, and comedian Peter Edge will be trying to follow the property-related round-up after the main course is served.

Mark Chadwick, chief executive

of Professional Liverpool, commented: “The Cannes Do is a great idea with a rich tradition and a great reputation, so I’m delighted that Professional Liverpool has the opportunity to take this forward.

This year, with 400 attendees, we have almost twice as many people attending the lunch than ever before. Our sponsors have been tremendously supportive, and I’d like to thank all of them for making it possible to put together the biggest property lunch Liverpool has ever seen.”

Other sponsors of the event include Move Commercial, Denton Associates, Grant Thornton, Hill Dickinson, HSBC, Liverpool Vision, and The Purple Wine Company. The event will be held in support of Local Mencap.

St Helens’ office take-up increases Langtree signs private sector tenant on a five-year lease

Phil Ball, Keller Geotechnique and Jayne Furnival, Langtree

THE MERE GRANGE development of self-contained offices off the St Helens Linkway have announced a new occupier in Keller Geotechnique. The specialist in restricted access piling and ground engineering has signed up for 2,374 sq ft on the ground floor at the 34,000 sq ft office development of speculative buildings. Keller Geotechnique, which developed into a multi-million pound enterprise in its first ten years, decided to move out of town as the business expanded. Deputy MD, Philip Ball, commented: “Following the recent restructuring of our business we felt we had outgrown our existing business centre premises in St Helens

but wanted to remain in the town, so Mere Grange was the ideal choice for us.” Deborah McLaughlin, regional director for HCA in the north-west, added: “It is great to see original investment in this development continuing to reap the rewards by attracting private sector companies to Mere Grange. The will safeguard local employment and provide opportunities for future jobs in St Helens.” Further phases of development at the site will see total 300,000 sq ft in speculative and bespoke office premises. Keppie Massie and King Sturge (Manchester) are joint agents on the scheme.

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Move Commercial News Future Flower beginning to bloom Rosy future for Widnes Waterfront

Workmen finishing the Future Flower at sunset

WORK HAS STARTED on the construction of an iconic 14 metre high wind-powered illuminated flower on the banks of the River Mersey. Widnes Waterfront, the multi-million pound regeneration of over 200 acres of former industrial land, commissioned the artwork as part of the ongoing regenerative programme. The Future Flower has 120 metallic petals that will flutter in the wind and will be illuminated by 60 low powered LEDs in various shades of red with their intensity depending on the wind’s strength and direction. The unique structure will be officially launched at an event on the 29th March. Although work on site is programmed to last for a total of five weeks, the art installation was erected by specialist fabricators Mike Smith Studios in only three days, with supervision from the appointed main contractor, Cheetham Hill Construction. The artwork was designed by award winning architects Tonkin Liu as

part of an international design competition and funded by the NWDA. Halton Borough Council leader Cllr Tony McDermott commented: “We are proud to see how quickly the Widnes Waterfront area is developing, and expect thousands of people to enjoy the Future Flower over the coming months.” Anna Liu, director of Tonkin Liu, said: “It is great for us to see the Future Flower rising out of the river bank halfway between industry and nature. The view of the Mersey with the Silver Jubilee Bridge in the distance with the wind-blown reeds in the foreground makes for a beautiful location. During the day the silver flower will reflect the everchanging light of the expansive sky and as the sky darkens the flower will glow red to herald the power of the wind. The future flower celebrates the regeneration of the area and encourages visitors to enjoy the natural beauty of the Widnes Waterfront.”

Widnes deal brings job creation

New distribution centre

THE STOBART GROUP, freight specialist, has signed a deal with Tesco to bring a new distribution centre to Widnes. The state-of-theart 528,000 sq ft centre will be developed on Stobart’s inland port next to the River Mersey and will handle fresh food and goods from

July, replacing Tesco’s existing facility in Middleton, Greater Manchester. The location within the Mersey Multimodal Gateway was selected by the supermarket giant for the efficiency of its distribution network around the north-west. The Stobart Group

achieved £61m in the disposal and has entered into a 25-year sale and leaseback agreement and expects to develop further phases on the land at inland port, which totals 95 acres. Chief executive at the Stobart Group, Andrew Tinkler, commented: This asset disposal

illustrates a fundamental strategy of our Group which is to invest in assets in order to develop existing and new customer relationships, and then to realise the value of the asset at a profit, to reinvest elsewhere in the business.”

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News Move Commercial

The Great Homer Street development

Great Homer Street development secures anchor

Sainsbury’s checks in AT THE END of February, Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin Kin formally committed the supermarket giant to the Project Jennifer scheme with a visit to Liverpool. The £150m project in the Great Homer Street area will see a Sainsbury’s foodstore, community

facilities and a public realm space transform the northern corridor into the city, and encourage further investment and development in the area. A legal challenge from Tesco put the project on hold, but with an anchor tenant secured for the mixed-use development St Modwen

developers, behind the transformational scheme, are delighted. Justin King of Sainsibury’s commented: “We are absolutely committed to delivering what will be the largest supermarket on Merseyside, and signing this contract today is a big

step towards making it happen. St Modwen has worked very hard with the local community for over five years now, and we know that the scheme has the wholehearted support of the people in the area who just want to see some progress.”

The Plaza attracts new tenants Commercial district’s appeal LAW FIRM DWF is continuing to expand in Liverpool, taking more office space on Old Hall Street in Bruntwood’s the Plaza. The firm’s resolution law team will take 8,000 sq ft on the building’s ninth floor, where around 30 lawyers will work for claimants direct or through their insurance companies. Partner David Blaquière commented: “This latest move is a further sign that we are continuing to buck the trend.” David 16 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Guest, regional director of Bruntwood, commented: 2We’re committed to making our customers’ leases as flexible and practical as possible. By listening to what DWF wanted we were able to provide them with value for money, through a move within our Liverpool portfolio.

It’s great news for the city as this significant letting highlights a returning confidence to the region’s property market.”

The Plaza

David Blaquiere

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Move Commercial News

Culinary credentials WIRRAL has put the northwest firmly on the map, and on the menu, with recent successes for the peninsula’s restaurants ahead of the food tourism events to be launched for 2010 Wirrals’ Year of Food. At the beginning of 2009, Fraiche in Oxton was awarded a coveted Michelin star and in the 2010 Which Good Food Guide Da Pier in Irby was recognised as the best new entry. Cllr Bob Moon, cabinet member for culture, tourism and leisure on Wirral, commented “The response we’ve had from our food tourism business has been fantastic and there will be exciting new events as well as established favourites for everyone to enjoy throughout 2010.”

Fraiche interior

L-R Alexander House, Montgomery House and Churchill House

Seaforth skyline facelift Kings Park plan in vision ONE VISION is to spend £20m modernising three high rise tower blocks in Sefton. The works by the social housing provider, which were approved by the Government Office for the North West, will see improvements to Montgomery, Churchill and Alexander Houses in Seaforth. One Vision also aims to remodel the open spaces around the Kings Park area over the next few years. The Kings Park plan will incorporate ‘Home Zones’ in an attempt to improve conditions for pedestrians and residents. The measures

include reducing traffic speeds to 10mph, improving street lighting, landscaping and the creation of children’s play areas. The finished towers will hold 109 apartments and seven new affordable houses. Roy Williams, One Vision Housing chief executive, commented: “It is an exciting time as we set out to achieve our vision of providing high quality, affordable homes in thriving communities where people have a sense of pride and place. We have no doubt that Kings Park will provide this.”

Aintree Racecourse Retail Park

£250m hospital launched THE THREE YEAR build of the new Whiston Hospital has been completed six months ahead of schedule. The £250m facility is expected to be fully operational from 26 April, with the new A & E department set to open prior to that, on 25 March. The 75,000 sq m complex on Warrington Road, Prescot, includes 5,000 individually designed rooms. The facility has been nine years in the planning process, but took just three years to build. The space includes 400 single patient bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and state of the art operating theatres.

Retail firms in Orbit ORBIT DEVELOPMENTS has added to its list of retail tenants at Aintree Racecourse Retail Park. The Alderley Edge firm has secured lettings to Wren Kitchens & Bedrooms and The Carpet Company at the mixed-used

development. Wren, founded by Hygena entrepreneur Malcolm Healey, has aggressive acquisition plans and secured their third store with a 10,000 sq ft unit. The Carpet Company has taken 1,031 sq ft on a

ten-year lease at the Ormskirk Road site, next to Aintree Racecourse.

Property agents Jones Lang LaSalle and Cheetham & Mortimer acted on behalf of Orbit Developments for the duration of the deals.

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Sefton is the favourite Support for SMEs at Aintree A ONE DAY event organised by Invest Sefton saw over 200 businesses meet at Aintree Racecourse for a special Question Time-style debate. Key issues surrounding the recession were debated by a panel of experts including Gary Lee from Begbies Traynor, Andrew Cross from Brabners, Andy Wallis from Invest Sefton and Mike Taylor, investment director at Liverpool Vision. The day also saw workshops and seminars delivered by the region’s leaders in finance, law procurement and e-marketing. Leading support organisations from across the region exhibited, allowing businesses the opportunity to access on the spot advice and help on a range of issues. Director of planning and regeneration at Sefton MBC,

(L-R) Andrew Cross, Gary Lee, Mike Taylor, Steve Dickson, Steve Heneghan and Mike Mullin

Andy Wallis, commented: “We are acutely aware of the challenges business are facing at the moment, and Business Plus Sefton delivered an intensive programme of activity to provide them with the full range of support services under one roof.

We are committed to doing all we can to listen to businesses and allow new and growing businesses access to quality advice and help, to give them the very best chance of survival and growth.”

City eyes world prize Chester has launched a bid to become a World Heritage site. A heritage panel will be formed next month with the aim of putting the walled city on the international tourist trail. It is hoped a successful bid would be a significant boost to the local economy and help fund the preservation of the city’s heritage.

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Cllr Mike Jones said: "With two thousand years of rich history, I believe that Chester has all the assets necessary to qualify for this Premier League of historic attractions. From the walls, rows, cathedral and imperial amphitheatre, to some of the earliest council houses in the country, our architectural heritage spans every period from the Romans onwards and is, in part, unique.”

New tenant for England’s oldest shop India Jane Furnishings

Chester welcomes furniture store ENGLAND’S OLDEST shop front, the Three Old Arches store on Bridge Street in Chester, has welcomed a new occupier. The city centre premises, covering 1,800 sq ft of retail space, have been let to India Jane furnishings, the first franchise for the furnishing store north of London. Owner Christine Lomax commented that the historic premises and location were a pull in choosing the space, and the business has enjoyed a successful start to 2010.

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A Professional performance Key events

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

Room with a Review Professional Liverpool launched its annual review of the commercial property market at Downing’s Port of Liverpool building at the end of January, and confirmed the city’s status ‘as one of the largest and most active regional office markets in the UK’. The Professional Liverpool forum calculated that in the 12 months to December 2000, city centre take-up totalled 520,000 sq ft, and that the out of town market saw 721,000 sq ft taken up. While two large public sector deals boosted the overall figures, the increases on take-up represent, according to Jim Gill, chief executive at Liverpool Vision, “a very good performance in the face of challenging economic conditions.” The supply of office space in out of town markets surrounding the city has also fallen by 5.3 per cent to 720,000 sq ft. Stuart Keppie, chairman of Professional Liverpool Property, added: “It seems the city has rallied after a significant reduction in take-up last year, while the creative, media and IT continues to show underlying growth and the city fringe and Knowlsey markets are performing reasonably well.”

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1. Stephen Burrows (Professional Liverpool Chair), Norman Jones from Mace & Jones, and Jim Gill (Liverpool Vision). 2. Sally O’Brien (Downing) with Stuart Keppie (Keppie Massie). 3. Peter Smith (Liverpool Vision) and Gareth Pickering (Creative Liverpool). 4. John Brown (Knight Frank), Gary Banks (Arup) and Andy Lloyd (Baker Tilly). 5. Richard Hughes and Stephen Fitzsimmons (NWDA). 6. The catering was provided by Pickled Walnut. 7. Colin McGregor (Alexander McGregor) and Helen Moss (Knight Frank). 8. Fabian Delle (Downing), Dave Murphy (Andrew Louis), with Jon Swain (Mason & Partners) and Edward Landor (Edmund Kirby).

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Base2stay

Liverpool’s appeal to leisure tenants £14m investment A NEW four star hotel to open in Liverpool this July is set to have a positive economic impact on other local businesses in the Ropewalks area. The venture is the second hotel by the base2stay brand after the launch of the first in Kensington, London, in 2006. The venue, unlike other branded hotels, will not offer dining or bar facilities for guests, instead encouraging them to take advantage of the city’s bars, cafes and coffee shops with discounts agreed between the hotel and local

business owners. The £14m investment for a 106 room hotel is destined for Seel Street, and expected to create 60 jobs in the city. The building itself dates back to 1855, and was formerly engineering works, a brewery and a cork warehouse. Base2stay chief executive, Robert Nadler, commented: “The momentum which Liverpool has built up since 2007 has been enormous and it is great to be a part of this. The chance to get involved at a time when so many business drivers are

in conjunction is unusual.” He continued: “All of the organisations within Liverpool have tremendous dynamism and a great pride in the city. It isn’t resting on its laurels post Capital of Culture, but rather continues to push and strives to be even better.

For instance, it is the only UK city with a representation at the World Expo in Shanghai, with which it is now twinned - something which the city should be justifiably proud of.” He added: “The RopeWalks, where our new hotel will be

located, may be the undiscovered quarter of the city, and this gives us the opportunity to be one of the drivers of the regeneration of this area. The development of Liverpool One has shifted the city centre, and RopeWalks is now right in the heart of Liverpool. It’s a very exciting and historic quarter, with many of the elements that visitors to the city will be looking for. It combines history, culture and entertainment with a feel of the real Liverpool and an urban edginess.”

A Pleasant transformation £6m scheme due to start in March THE THIRD PHASE of Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter is to be realised with the multi-million pound transformation of the Mount Pleasant corridor. The project will deliver improvements along Mount Pleasant, Upper Mount Pleasant, Rodney Street, Clarence Street and Oxford Street, and create a new public space in front of the Metropolitan Cathedral. York stone similar to that used on Hope Street will be used in the improvements to Mount Pleasant and Rodney Street, with sandstone used to improve the Oxford Street area. The volume of traffic along Upper Mount Pleasant will be reduced, with the road reserved for use by buses, taxis and access to car parks.

The scheme has been funded by the Northwest Development Agency and 20 MOVE COMMERCIAL

the European Regional Development Fund, with contributions from both the University of Liverpool and John Moores University. Liverpool Vision’s senior development manager Matt Biagetti commented: “This project will strengthen links between the Knowledge Quarter and the rest of the city centre, making both areas far more accessible, particularly for pedestrians and public transport. In addition the improvements will create a superb environment in which to attract further investment to the city, complementing the other major developments in the Knowledge Quarter.” It is estimated the city’s Knowledge Quarter generates around £1bn per annum and supports around 14,000 full-time jobs.

The new public space in the Knowledge Quarter development, Hope Square

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Solicitors see the light Manchester-based solicitors Nikolich & Carter have secured 1,040 sq ft of new office space at Manchester‚s Sunlight House. The deal, on a fiveyear lease, has been secured just a month after the completion of a refurbishment of the communal areas of the Grade II listed building.

Steve Nikolich commented: "The major draw for us was the accessibility of the building and the refurbished reception areas, which have given the building a modern feel while still retaining the original character." Nick Taylor, senior asset manager at Warner Estate Holdings commented; “We are delighted to welcome Nikolich & Carter Solicitors to Sunlight House. The letting is the first since the £3 million refurbishment of the common areas and further develops the reputation of Sunlight House as a major office location in Manchester City Centre."

DTZ and Cannin O’Neill are the joint letting agents acting for Warner Estate Holdings.

Sunlight house

Rule Britannia

Large scale letting in Knowsley A SOLICITORS firm has secured new office space at Knowsley Industrial Park. GT Law has signed a five year lease on its new 12,000 sq ft premises in a move which is expected to create around 100 jobs. GT Law director Gordon Tucker said: “After launching a fairly small operation down south last year we are now growing into one of the leading law firms in the UK. Our success in such a short period of time meant we had to move somewhere quickly which had both quality commercial space available at a good price and a quality workforce.

The move to Kirkby is providing us with both and that’s why we signed a five year deal as we are confident that the business will continue to grow.”

Peel has let 17,000 sq ft of space at Britannia House in Wallasey COMBINED HARVESTERS has signed a 10 year lease to help facilitate their continued expansion. The firm, which was previously located in Bromborough, is one of the foremost suppliers and fitters of rainwater harvesting systems and associated parts. Peel’s David Smith commented:

An artists impression of La Lunya interior

“Britannia House is an excellent location and offers flexible warehouse accommodation. We are delighted that Combined Harvesters has seen the benefit of being located here.” Al Tunnington, managing director of Combined Harvesters, added: “The company has seen an

impressive growth pattern over the last three years and with the implications of the new code for sustainable homes, the rainwater harvesting and stormwater management side of the business was set to grow the company further.”

Legat Owen acted on behalf of Peel.

Gorden Tucker

Taste of Spain GROSVENOR’S landmark Liverpool One scheme has attracted another leisure retailer to the mix.

Liverpool’s first Catalonian restaurant and deli, set to open on 13 March, is a £750,000 development based on College Lane in Liverpool One. The Lunya restaurant will be split across two floors, with a bar area on the ground

floor. Executive chef and proprietor Peter Kinsella commented: “At present there are no other restaurants like it in the UK, never mind Liverpool.” The signing follows other recent retailers including Kirsty Doyle fashion boutique and Coast ladieswear at the mixed-use city centre scheme.

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Royal welcome for tenants

Royal Liver Building

Landmark site’s attraction THE ROYAL Liver Building on Liverpool’s waterfront is set to welcome two new tenants to the newly refurbished premises. After extensive and careful restoration work by Claremont Group Interiors, the Royal Liver Group is set to welcome Amaze plc at the end of March and Rights & Humanity in April to the waterfront building.

Amaze has signed for 5,000 sq ft

Wirral on course ANTICIPATION is building as The Open Golf Championships will return to Hoylake on Wirral in 2014. Hosted by the Royal Liverpool Golf Club, it will be the 12th time that Hoylake has hosted golf’s oldest Major. It’s estimated that each time the Open Championships return to the north-west, £70m is generated for the local economy. There’s also a historic significance in that Hoylake hosted the inaugural Amateur Championship in 1885, and the first international match between GB and the USA in 1921. Cllr Steve Foulkes, leader of Wirral council, commented: “This is fantastic news for Wirral. We look forward to getting ready to welcome new visitors to the peninsula as well as returning golf fans who enjoyed themselves so much with us four years ago.”

while Rights & Humanity has signed for 10,000 sq ft both on the first floor floor, in newly refurbished Grade A suites. Peter Fane, head of the Royal Liver Group, commented: “We are delighted to welcome two new tenants to the Royal Liver Building, as we are very proud of the space of the extensive refurbishment works over the last 18 months.”

Eco-build go-ahead Plans for students in city centre THE UNIVERSITY of Liverpool has been awarded planning permission for its £45m ‘eco-halls’ project. The development will include 710 en-suite study bedrooms on the site of the management school car park on Chatham Street. The scheme will also include shops and a new 250-seat restaurant. A spokesman for the

University commented: “The University is keen to ensure that the student experience offered at Liverpool is first-rate and recent market research indicates that in order to attract the best students, the University needs to offer more accommodation at its city centre campus, particularly self-catered and

en-suite rooms. The residences will be at the cutting edge of sustainable design and will benefit from a low energy heating and cooling system, rainwater harvesting, low energy lighting and solar thermal water heating. The development will also feature green roofs with potential for wildlife habitats.”

Artists impression of Eco Residences

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Launch attracts large occupiers PEEL is continuing to expand its offer in distribution space. Planning consent has just been granted for Hareshill Distribution Park in north Manchester.

The 22 acre site provides selfcontained, detached unties from 20,000 to 370,000 sq ft close to Junction 3of M66 and Junction 19 of M62. Business parks manager at Peel, Matt Fitton, commented: “Hareshill Distribution Park is now arguably north Manchester’s premier distribution location. With the recent B8 planning consent and quality alternative sites and buildings in limited supply, it’s well placed to capitalise on what we hope will be an improvement in the design and build

market for 2010.” Colliers CRE will be acting as joint agents with BNP Paribas. Mike Walker of Colliers CBRE commented: “The market for design and build opportunities seems to have improved because of the recent takeup of large new build big sheds in the north-west generally. This lack of supply of existing buildings, the fact that Heywood is a proven distribution location, and that Hareshill has B8 consent means that it will be firmly on the radar as a potential location for big shed enquiries, fro occupiers looking for space in Manchester and the north-west.” The investment is expected to bring £15m of investment to the area.

Hareshill Distribution Park

THREADNEEDLE Property Investments have let an entire floor of their recently refurbished office scheme at New Barratt House in Liverpool city centre. The property, situated on the corner of North John Street and Lord Street, is located directly opposite the main entrance to the new Liverpool One Retail Scheme to Connect Internet Solutions. David Colvin of Matthews & Goodman, acting on behalf of Threadneedle, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to announce the letting. Whilst the market remains very difficult indeed, the quality of the accommodation available at New Barratt House, the location and the attractive deal on offer made the building a clear favourite despite fierce competition”.

The accommodation comprises approximately 7,000 sq ft of fully refurbished offices. The new lease was granted for a period of 10 years at a rental equating to £13.50 per sq ft. The tenant also has the benefit of

six car parking spaces and basement storage. A three year rent free period was granted and the landlords made a contribution towards the tenants fitting out.

Colin Charlton of Connect, which relocated from Liverpool Innovation Park on Edge Lane, added: “We are very positive about our move to the city centre and this location is ideal for both Liverpool’s retail and commercial districts.

Clients for website development and training now have convenient access to our purpose designed premises” Connect moved into the City from Liverpool Innovation Park on Edge Lane. Three floors of accommodation remain currently available in New Barratt House although the agents report serious negotiations are being undertaken with 2 further interested parties.CBRE represented Connect, and Matthews & Goodman and Hitchcock Wright & Partners are joint agents for Threadneedle.

International attractions Liverpool Science Park

LIVERPOOL Science Park’s ‘Soft Landing Centre’ is setting its sights on luring global businesses to take up space in the city’s Knowledge Quarter. The R&D Business Centre, a Lithuanian firm, has signed up for space to test the UK market from a north-west base.

Company director Marius Lanskoronskis, was impressed after attending one of the Science Park’s business breakfasts in the Knowledge Economy series and commented: “The Soft Landing Centre’ provides the ideal

combination: high quality space, a community of innovative SMEs and access to the rich academic and research base on its doorstep.”

The Soft Landing Centre facility launched in January 2010 to offer international firms space free of charge for a defined amount of time on a low-risk trial period.

Component XS from Canada have also joined them and two Finnish companies, who enjoyed a three day tour of the north-west working with ic2, are hoping to set up base in May.

Connecting business Threadneedle’s spin for success New Barratt House

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They’ve seen through two major recessions but Bruntwood office developers show no signs of slowing down their pace, hand in hand with the UK regional cities in which they operate. At Bruntwood’s landmark Liverpool office building, The Plaza, Chris Oglesby explains how developing property for the occupier is his passion, and reveals the secrets to the firm’s success across five UK locations.

A public appeal

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model revolves around placing the customer right at the centre of what we do. We work hard to understand what that is, and to make sure that our products and our service are the best they can be. That sounds as if we’re stating the obvious, but in the property industry – which is so inward looking – so often it puts the needs of the financier before anybody else, and that often isn’t what the end-occupier wants.”

Having been taken on at Bruntwood just before the last recession, Chris’ role charged him with running the firm’s in-house leasing team and growing the business, and times were tougher then than they have

“

We’re in a privileged position to be able to see what works well, and then take something from one area to another

“

The Plaza on Old Hall Street is one of Bruntwood’s nine buildings in Liverpool, from the firm’s portfolio of 90 buildings across the northwest, and Midlands. Sitting at the centre of Liverpool’s emerging central business district, its imposing façade opens onto St Paul’s Square, the newly established destination for the city’s professional services firms. The overtones in the naming of the building evoking that sense of a meeting place, a forum for business, hearkening a return to the times when the public square was a place where news was announced and deals were brokered. Since Bruntwood purchased the 15-storey tower block and set to refurbishing it, the building has attracted a number of high profile tenants to do exactly that. Plans are currently ongoing for the emerging commercial district in its vicinity, through public and private sector partnerships - with Bruntwood’s chief executive officer bringing his experience and contacts into the mix for the benefit of all parties.

Chris Oglesby joined his father’s business almost by accident but has now been at the helm for over a decade, during which time he’s overseen the business’s expansion in the UK’s core cities, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool, and the outlying areas of Greater Manchester and Merseyside.

From its beginnings in Cheadle, the now Manchester-based company has increased its staff from fewer than 20 employees to build teams dedicated to each of its key sites. In step with changes in the market, and trends for new ways of working, Bruntwood develops offices, virtual offices, and meeting rooms, in response to the demand from the client – whom Chris says is placed at the centre of Bruntwood’s plans: “Our business

been this time around: “The ‘phone wasn’t ringing very often, sometimes for two or three days.

The effects of that recession saw our economy change from its manufacturing base to see the start of a fragile service economy. This recession hasn’t been nearly as bad, and the ‘phones have kept ringing; people are still looking for offices.”

Getting the business through some difficult years, and growing it out of the Manchester office, led to Chris becoming MD in the mid 1990s. The growth of the business

in the last decade was checked only within the last 18 months, when the firm began to take stock and centralise the business once more.

Yet, after some readjustment, the company’s plans for 2010 are ambitious and directed towards growth. Says Chris: “We’re now starting to grow our business out in the regions once again, broadening out.”

With a handle on the opportunities in each of the firm’s locations, Chris liaises with major players across cities which find themselves in competition, as they vie for inward investors’ attention. In the past this strength has cast the shadow of suspicion on Bruntwood in some quarters, wary of the developer’s intentions, but the firm’s professionalism has allayed those fears: “We understand that each of the regional cities has its own confidential agenda, and we’re sensitive to that. We have at times in Merseyside found a little bit of suspicion about us being a company that operates out of Manchester, but I can absolutely assure people that anything that’s discussed in confidence is kept that way. Our team here is focused on making sure that this part of the world prospers as much as it can.”

In Liverpool and Leeds, the firm has taken best practice to work with local directors and partners establishing the Liverpool Commercial District and West End Partnerships. He says: “We’re in a privileged position to be able to work across the different areas and see what works well, and then take something from one area to another.

We’re also playing an active role in the Eco Cities project, by financing and involving our staff, buildings, and customers, in practical pilot programmes that will help contribute to the research.” That

five-year research programme into how cities can impact on climate change, whether through low-carbon buildings, or by developing techniques to make city infrastructures more resilient in the face of climatic changes, seems to be an investment made with the heart and the head at a time when many would be less than keen to explore any negative outcomes of their current business operations.

Furthermore, Chris’s active role in local area partnerships in the different regions – here distinguishing between Greater Manchester and Merseyside -places him well to observe the barriers to inward investment and growth of the economy in the north-west. He comments: “The emergence of the buy-to-let market saw the property industry centre itself around building property for investors and not for people to want to live in – and we have examples of that in the office market with a lot of the small business freeholds which are sitting empty.”

The success of the region’s science parks in recent years has been coupled with the regional bodies’ focus on the region’s capacity to attract inward investors. For global firms looking to pitch their products in the north-west, where skilled staffing is available, and regional and international transport links are better than ever, new developments of office space in Liverpool and Manchester will need to be tailored to requirements. Bruntwood’s plans to develop in partnership with Manchester Business School are set to expand and take the business in a new direction: “Our primary business model is CBD offices to let to various financial and professional service companies, and this move will take us into a new customer segment, so we won’t be in danger of

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Chris Oglesby Movers & Shakers

Oglesby File DOB: 09/09/67 in Scunthorpe Education: Monetary Economics at LSE and BSc (Hons) Property Valuation and Finance at City University, PACE course at Manchester Business School.

Top tip: Be yourself.

cannibalising our existing holding. It will be a mixed use scheme, with retail and office space and a hotel, which makes it different to your usual office scheme – and it’s an area where we’re hoping to be able to develop similarly in other cities.”

It’s clear that Chris’ business philosophy extends further than a

strategy for profits. As a director on the board of Heathcotes restaurant, Chris has seen the difficulty first hand for restaurant businesses in the recession to cut costs when compromising on the quality of the product is not an option: “Heathcotes is a personal passion of mine as it’s such an authentic

business. That’s a journey we’re on in this part of the world – to appreciate real cooking, and locally sourced, fresh produce, but Heathcotes has built an incredibly strong brand.” For Bruntwood, 2010 will also bring fresh challenges: “Last year our ambition was to survive and this year I’m under no

illusions. At the same time, we are seeing more interest from new occupiers. Our challenge this year is to really work on making sure that our business is operating as effectively as it can. This year is likely to be a year of growth for us.

We want to provide the best service we can for our customers.”

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Edge Lane Retail Park on the edge of Liverpool occupies a prime position, and plans for its development have provoked debate over the latter part of its 25 years in existence. After extensive consultation with the city’s planners, Derwent Holdings are ready to move forwards, and John Taylor is tasked with making this vision a retail reality.

John Taylor

Edging forwards Behind the scenes of the visionary scheme for the £110m project spread over 50 to 60 acres of the city, is Albert Gubay - the Liverpoolborn entrepreneur best known for starting Kwik Save and making it global, and for Total Fitness.

Derwent Holdings, his development company, employs chartered surveyor John Taylor as a director, overseeing the Edge Lane scheme.

John has been working alongside Mr Gubay since he started his career in property 30 years ago, at first when he worked for Mason Owen and then in running John Taylor & Company. Gubay’s Derwent Holdings, however, is a property firm with a difference – the organisation develops land for commercial use at schemes across the UK in order to donate the profits generated to charitable causes, through the AG Foundation. I arrive to meet John on site, in McDonalds on Edge Lane where trade has always been high, and find him with Nigel Machin, a leading architect on the scheme from Manchester-based AEW. They spread the plans out to show the scope and scale of the project and John explains how the 26 MOVE COMMERCIAL

hill has been allowed for in the gently sloping car park: “Edge Lane’s not just about a retail park, it’s about a complete urban regeneration to sort out a lot of the issues in this part of the city. We’re going to provide somewhere in the area of 650,000 sq ft of retail space which is not that much more than we have already, it’ll just be very modern. It will be in the European style, which this retail park merits.”

The multi-million pound project currently comprises a team of 4 architects from AEW, two Spanish architects, two project managers and a team of engineers and other consultants working on it, and the discussions for the next phases of development will bring 10 years’ work to fruition: “This is a first generation retail park and it needs updating. It’s been a long process.”

Covering a vast area, and a significant one at that as a gateway into the city, seeds for the overarching vision of a world class retail park were planted when work first began on land acquisition. It first started 25 years ago with MFI, when Derwent bought an old mill across the road from the

McDonalds, followed by the surrounding land, from Robinson Willey at the eastern end of Edge Lane down to Montrose Business Park. John adds: “We acquired something like 90 different freehold interests from houses to the old Meccano factory, and a plaster workshop – all sorts of different things. It’s taken us 25 years to get here, and we acknowledge that the existing retail park is very tired and needs an overhaul. We’re taking it one step further in terms of making it brand spanking new – state of the art. There’s not another retail park in Britain like the one we’re going to build here. The design and layout are fantastic – AEW are very good and we’ve got the Spanish involved too – under Alessandro Benet.”

It’s by no means been an easy journey to arrive at this point. John confirms: “We have an interesting relationship with the city council – it’s been both very bad and very good. I think a lot of credit needs to go to the two Jims – Jim Gill at Liverpool Vision and Jim Davies at DWF Solicitors. They got together and had a frank chat about what was going on with Derwent Holdings

and the city council, and they got us to put everything to one side and crack on. They did a great job and deserve the credit for catalysing everything. A lot of work from everyone has gone into this, particularly over the past 18 months, with our planning consultants DPD, AEW and myself in detailed, nitty gritty negotiations with the city’s planning officers, Mike Birchnall and Nigel Lee. It’s been tough but we’re getting there.” That involved coming up with a scheme to satisfy the city’s visions of growth and competition, meeting environmental and social needs, in an area which is a prominent gateway and which has certainly seen its share of controversy in the press. John continues: “Liverpool is an interesting city politically and there are challenges you find in Liverpool that you don’t necessarily find in other cities. We worked together with the city over the last 18 months and we’ve come up with a fantastic solution. In commercial property terms, location is everything. We have the best location for this type of development – it’s as simple as that.

He added: “What we eventually

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Edge Lane Rising Star CGI of the plans for Edge Lane

“

There are very few people building at the minute, but we’re just cracking on.

agreed on was, instead of just concentrating on the retail park, an area-wide strategy for urban regeneration. That’s called the Edge Lane Central Development framework. The transport is separate but it all plugs in. The city did the Rocket end and then the Hall Lane improvements, and it all ties in to the Edge Lane masterplan.”

For a private developer to devote such time and energy to a project which, at many stages of the process must have seemed a thankless task, takes an extraordinary vision. With the scheme on the cusp of getting underway, with four of five planning applications submitted and the fifth expected by the end of March, the plan is to get on site before the year is out. It’s an exciting time as everything comes to fruition, bringing together global inspirations and years of experience and dedication to the task. Originally from Wigan, rugby league loving John doesn’t anticipate many more problems for the scheme with the Spanish-style emphasis in its design and outlook: “We got a lot of the detailed ideas for the nitty gritty on

here from Zaragoza in Spain, where there is a very exciting retail development. The Spanish are very good at building on hills, and they’ve created a retail park built into the side of the hill at Zaragoza – it’s fantastic. From the top corner of Edge Lane to the bottom corner there’s a 10m difference but here on the drawing we’ve worked around that so you would never know with ramps and slopes. We did that by looking at a lot of the Spanish schemes with their architects. They put a lot of detail into the public areas with public art in public spaces. We’ve incorporated a lot of that into this. We’re talking premier league.

“The retail application will go in at the end of the month, and we don’t expect a lot of issues because the city has already approved the development framework. The majority of the detailed analysis has been done and we want to be on site at the end of the year, building phase one.” The challenges that remain for 2010 are to continue with the business’s plans across the country and to grow. The firm is clearly experienced and talented in

”

developing retail parks, currently on site in Sheffield and Hull, and building the biggest Tesco in Europe in north Manchester at the moment.

John adds: “There are very few people building at the minute, but we’re just cracking on.” He is also positive about the opportunity to do more in Liverpool – and although he won’t disclose what that may be, it’s no secret that Derwent are a large landowner in the city. Profitability and growth are linked: “The ethic that Mr Gubay set up in terms of the way he ran his businesses in the past was always very tight cost control – and that will always continue in the business. On the development side there’s a lot of creative guys in the team who have come up with some very visionary stuff. This isn’t like your traditional Which DIY kind of scheme - it isn’t going to be one of those.”

Across the project’s industrial, retail and various related strands, anchors and occupiers include existing retailers and industrial occupiers – beginning with the retail site surrounding McDonalds in the centre of Edge Lane. John adds: “We’re in discussion with a number

of big national retailers at the moment, which we can’t disclose, but a big national chain of chemists wants to be on board, a ladies’ fashion brand and homewares have expressed interest and also a catalogue operator. The existing retailers are also staying - I had a meeting with Comet yesterday and they are keen to relocate and expand their premises here. No one will be leaving, we’re just remodelling it.

This is one of McDonalds’ best stores in Great Britain – it’s busy all the time.”

From all of the firm’s achievements so far, John can pinpoint a number: “There’s loads – Total Fitness. Mr Gubay thought of that on holiday in South Africa – we sold the business a few years ago and that did very well. Kwik Save repeated a successful formula all around the world, and we’ve done so many big schemes across the country and Ireland – one of my best ever deals was developing the biggest Tesco in Ireland a few years ago. Now we’re working on the biggest Tesco in Europe in north Manchester.” For Derwent, there’s clearly no holding back.

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In April this year chef Michael Caines will launch the ABode Hotel Chester, the first custom built property of the brand he developed with business partner Andrew Brownsword. For a man who suffered a near-death experience, the north-west expansion displays a continued determination to excel in the business world.

Bode’s well for the future

28 MOVE COMMERCIAL

“There are bigger hotels but at 85 rooms it’s our biggest. We could have put more bedrooms in but we wanted to give a generous size with the rooms. We’ve got a fifth floor which is entirely for fine dining, a champagne bar on the ground floor, other restaurants, a late night lounge bar and business and conference facilities. We’re being quite diverse with what we’re doing and I feel it will be a real adventure for the business. We feel it’s a landmark property for us.” Rooms will feature hand-built beds and oversized baths, with private balconies boasting views across the city, the racecourse or internal plaza. As an integral part of the business model, the venue also includes food and beverage overseen by Michael. “Chefs are inextricably linked with hotels. I started my training with the Grosvenor House Hotel on Park Lane, then I went to Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons with Raymond Blanc.

For me the heart and soul of the hotel is its food and beverage, it brings them alive. So many hotels don’t do food and beverage well but it’s such a good opportunity. We see people crossing the road from our

competitors in Manchester and coming in for our food and beverage. So many people go to hotels and don’t think of eating in a restaurant that’s within that space.

We’ve managed to create a destination restaurant within a city

“

Chester gives us the opportunity to mature into a truly great brand

“

AFTER JUST TWO MONTHS as head chef at Gidleigh Park in Exeter, the country park hotel at which he would later attain a second Michelin star, Michael was involved in a serious car accident.

He avoided a fatality but lost his right arm as a result. Undeterred he was back in the kitchen two weeks later, ready to continue the momentum of a career that would see him claim a string of accolades and awards, including an MBE, and successfully enter the hotel market, helping to create the ABode brand in 2006 as operational partner and director. We meet at the champagne bar of the ABode on Manchester’s Picaddilly, the brands first venture into the region which secured a turnover of £1.1m in its first year.

Michael arrives from a visit to the new Chester hotel, located on the site of the former Cheshire Constabulary headquarters, adjacent to the Roadee Racecourse.

At 85 rooms it will be the largest of the ABode properties to date. The hotel, which has been secured on a long-term lease, will form part of the HQ development that will also include 35 offices and 60,000 sq ft of offices. Michael commented:

which I think is quite important to recognise. In Chester we feel we offer a real alternative to what’s already in the city. We fit within the market as someone who is brighter and fresher than some of the

existing brands. I think the dining area will prove very popular as a place local people want to come and enjoy local food at local prices. We want to create a real destination experience.”Although very much an Exeter boy, Michael believes the region is key to the overall success of the business. He added: “The north-west is a huge market for us.

There’s a high level of affluence here, built on a foundation of hardworking people, and we’re very keen to maximise that opportunity in cities like Chester and Manchester. It’s a good leisure market, a good business market and a great tourist destination and I’m really encouraged by our progress here. Now we’ve got a great building and a great product Chester gives us the opportunity to mature into a truly great brand.”The success of the business is aided in no small part by Andrew Brownsword, the entrepreneur with an estimated wealth of £190m and former chief executive of Hallmark. The pair entered into a business relationship in 2000 with the purchase of the Royal Clarence in Exeter and began to develop the ABode brand from there. Michael feels Andrew’s desire

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Michael Caines Entrepreneur

Caines file Born: 1969 Education: Exeter catering college Michael became a Member of the Order of the British Empire on 17 June 2006.

ABode Hotel Manchester The champagne and cocktail bar at the ABode Hotel Manchester offers quality at highly competitive rates. The exclusive ‘grazing menu’ features fully executed variations from the à la carte menu, created in smaller sizes either to enjoy as a casual light bite or with drinks, seated at the bar, or to order and share with friends around a table.

Caines’ Three Challenges 1. Grow a new market in Chester and open it successfully 2. Retain and grow our current market share 3. Achieve a third Michelin star at Gidleigh Park to develop his property portfolio has given the brand an advantage over rivals in a time of economic uncertainty. “At times where some people are looking for help from the bank we don’t necessarily need to do that, but at the same time you can’t just rely on deep pockets.

We’ve got sound business guidance from Andrew and his co-director and they have sound aspirations for their money. We’re very astute with our investments and the hotels have

to drive back independence quickly from the parent company but at the same time we recognise that initially there is need for support from the parent company so they can become established. We own all the real estate outright, either with a very long lease or a freehold. That suits Andrew’s portfolio but we also have a good trading asset on top of that. There are a lot of buildings owned by wealthy people at the moment earning no rent because

there’s nobody in there. With our hotels we’re the landlord and the tenant and that gives us the chance to have the asset and continue to trade.”With a new site lined up in Salisbury and other locations earmarked in London and elsewhere ABode is displaying a clear desire for continued expansion over the coming years. Michael Caines is clearly a man capable of driving that ambition forward. “I’m very determined to overcome

adversity and my accident was an issue I overcame. My determination in life is to succeed and put a lot of skill and effort into making it a success. I enjoy the challenge that life presents. I think life’s too short not to take opportunities and I think it’s better to be criticised for trying to do something than sit back and do nothing. I’m the kind of person that has a go.”

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Cultural connections With its launch on 1 May this year, Liverpool will be the only UK city represented at the Shanghai World Expo, a six month event that will welcome more than 200 nations and international organisations to forge new trading and cultural relationships. Move Commercial looks at the implications for the city and the wider region and how it hopes to benefit from a projected £3m – £3.5m investment.

ORGANISERS hope to attract 70m visitors to the Expo over the course of its 184 day duration. In a display of unwavering Chinese ambition, the event, with its theme of “Better City, Better Life”, has been allocated a budget of around £40bn, almost twice that of the Beijing Olympics. Housed on a 5.28 sq km site on the banks of the Yangtze River it will be the largest World Expo ever. For Liverpool, who will stage their exhibition in a 25 m by 18.5 m pavilion, their presence at the Expo represents the clearest possible indication of the city re-igniting an existing partnership with its Chinese sister city. Mike Taylor, investment director at Liverpool Vision, commented: “I think it’s fair to say that probably for the first seven years we didn’t do anything with our twinning relationship and you can put that down to the fact that Liverpool had to sort itself out. The phenomenal regeneration over the 30 MOVE COMMERCIAL

last 10 years I think got us to a point where as a world city we could justifiably be twinned with Shanghai. When we started going back to Shanghai to re-energise the twinning relationship it was clear that the officials in Shanghai were questioning Liverpool and saying ‘well you’ve been twinned with us for 10 years now, are you keen on developing this?’” As a result of their successful application Liverpool will exhibit in the Urban Best Practice Area of the Expo, displaying their cultural and historical assets over the course of the six month event. The exhibition will be divided into six categories over the respective months, enabling sponsors to allocate their resources accordingly. Although a costly venture, a £50m return has been projected for the region as a product of their presence in Shanghai. Mike Taylor of Liverpool Vision commented: “Through the

Northwest Regional Development Agency we commissioned the Scott Wilson Group to conduct an independent assessment of the potential economic value we could accrue from our presence at the Expo and they came up with the answer that it should be worth something in the order of £50m of GVA growth over the next 10 years or so. If you take that kind of general statement of £50m it breaks down into an increase in the number of tourists from China and the rest of the Asian market, an increase in the number of students coming to the north-west and an increase in the total volume of imports and exports.”Key to successfully funding the venture into the Far East will be the continued influx of sponsors.

Around 50 per cent of the cost of Liverpool’s presence in Shanghai will be footed by the private sector.

The other half will essentially be funded by the tax payer, with the

NWDA committing £1.25m to support Liverpool’s presence and the city council a further £300,000. The NWDA money has been allocated for the physical build of the pavilion and its content, £600,000 of which has been earmarked for the audio visual content, including a virtual 3D journey from Shanghai to Liverpool which is hoped will be employed for the future promotion of the city. Peel Holdings will be Liverpool’s lead sponsor at the event at a cost of £100,000, with just under 70 sponsors signed up in total, including small and medium sized enterprising contributing £1,500 apiece. Peel intends to utilise the Expo to expose projects such as Liverpool and Wirral Waters to an international audience.At the time of going to press, a major northwest based company was looking to secure the sponsorship package for the science and technology

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Liverpool’s international platform Focus

really been wrestling with their own business plans, with their own bottom lines, balance sheets and

“

Pull quote could go in here to break the text up a little.

“

section of the exhibition, the last remaining element of the exhibition without a main sponsor.

Other major companies, such as Land Rover Jaguar, were also in negotiations to secure greater exposure to the riches of the east and join confirmed sponsors such as Grant Thornton, Enterprise, Arup and Ernst & Young. As a result of breaking down the exhibition into themes, Mike believes the expo has proven a more attractive and manageable proposition for smaller businesses, such as the Merseyside Pension Fund: “Maybe we were a bit naive originally. We thought this is obviously a great opportunity for the private sector to go out and engage with pretty well every emerging economy around the world and that we’d have people queuing up, but it’s more of an intensive one-on-one experience finding sponsors and I think that’s because many businesses have

Mike Taylor

cash flow issues. Most of our sponsors have particularly individualised requirements of what they want out of the Expo.

“

“

a virtual 3D journey from Shanghai to Liverpool

Selling a standard package of support is not what they want.

Some businesses have this very strong sense of ‘I know I need to go out there and do business in these international market places but I don’t really know how to do it’. We’re offering a very comprehensive piece of research as part of the package.”With a unique position in Shanghai, Mike believes those business can take advantage of that special relationship in years to come. “We know from our stakeholders and partners who already do business in China that it’s a long process of building a relationship and once you’ve built the relationship and you’ve demonstrated that you are a genuine friend then they encourage their firms to do business with us. As Liverpool will be the only UK city in Shanghai there’s a real opportunity to get Liverpool’s brand across and present the north-west as

something distinct from the southeast and position ourselves in a very favourable position for investment. It’s not just about the Chinese market, there’s going to be 140 countries with their own pavilion, so for those businesses that recognise indigenous growth in the UK is going to be hard to come across in the next 10 years, they are going to have to find growth by dealing with the emerging markets. A lot of businesses realise that and accept that and indeed many economists say that the UK is actually reasonably well positioned to secure economic growth at a higher rate than other European countries because we’ve got a relatively low exchange rate and a relatively low and flexible cost base. They do so say most of that additional growth is going to come from our ability to export and to do business in overseas markets.”

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Transport: the next step Key events

By Lucy Oliver lucy@movepublishing.co.uk

Challenges and consultations The Hilton Hotel on Liverpool’s waterfront was the venue for the latest instalment in Merseyside Transport Partnership’s series of ongoing breakfast briefings to develop a working local transport plan in the region. Neil Scales opened the conference by pinpointing the significance in the link between an improved infrastructure and Liverpool city’s participation in the Year of Health and Wellbeing, and emphasising a new mobility culture as key to increasing expectations and the standard of living. Low carbon, inclusive public transport systems and economic growth are to be viewed as partners in the process of change as a six-week public consultation takes place to gather input from people in all sectors of the community. The next phase of the local transport plan (LTP3) will be put into practice from April.

1

2

3

4

5

1. Neil Scales (chair of the Merseyside Transport Partnership) with Richard Brown (Mott McDonald) and Joan Brookman (Liverpool PCT). 2. Steve Heneghan (Business Link) with John Flamson (University of Liverpool). 3. Angela Smith and Chris Markey (Merseyside Police) with David Foulkes (CAMERA Partnership). 4. Paul Johnston (Merseytravel) with Richard Brown (Mott McDonald) and Roelant Groen (Merseyrail). 5. Joan Brookman from Liverpool PCT addresses the guests. 6. Steve Tomkins and Robert Taylor (Enterprise Rent-a-Car).

6

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TO LET / FOR SALE

MERE

50% OF F IN

T FIRST HE YEAR (T &CS A PPLY)

A570 ST HELENS LINKWAY OFF J7 M62, ST HELENS MAJOR M AJOR N NEW EW O OFFICE FFICE P PARK ARK SELF-CONTAINED OFFICES S ELF-CONTAINED O FFICES 2,500 FT 2 ,500 - 10,100 10,100 SQ SQ F T D ESIGN & B UILD DESIGN BUILD O PPORTUNITIES OPPORTUNITIES PLANNING P LANNING PERMISSION PERMISSION FOR TO 300,000 SQ FT F OR UP UP T O 300,000 S QF T

EST R LAT U O R N JOI KELLE R E I P UE OCCU HNIQ C E T O GE

To T o find find o out ut m more ore a about bout M ere G range vvisit isit Mere Grange

www.meregrange.co.uk w ww.meregrange.co.uk F enquiries contact: For

In partnership with

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On the instructions of administrators

On the instructions of administrators

85-93 Stonebridge Lane, Croxteth, Liverpool - For Sale

Marl Road, Knowsley Industrial Estate - For Sale

• Potential Investment Opportunity or available with vacant Possession • Two Storey Office Property approx 4,056 Sq ft • A monthly licence to occupy has been granted at an annual equivalent rent of £20,896 p.a to a registered charity.

• Industrial Warehouse Approx 24,78 sq ft GIA. • Steel frame warehouse premises built of brick frame construction under a dual pitched asbestos roof.

• Longleasehold.

• Offers Invited - Guide Price on application.

On the instructions of administrators

On the instructions of administrators

The Old School, Bangor Road, Penmaenmawr, North Wales - For Sale

Former Council Depot, School Lane, Penmaenmawr, North Wales - For Sale

• Two storey attractive period property approx 5,483 sq ft.

• Owner occupier/refurbishment/re-development opportunity.

• Large designated parking provision for up to 24 cars.

• Freehold.

• Offers Invited - Guide Price on application.

• Workshops/Stores/offices approx 3,016 sq ft.

• Owner occupier/refurbishment/re-development opportunity • Ample Service yard and additional compound area • Freehold • Offers invited - Guide Price on application

On the instructions of liquidators

Almonds Green Petrol Service Station, West Derby, Liverpool - For Sale

Netherton Enterprise Centre, 3 Bridle Way, Netherton, Liverpool - For Sale

• Two storey office building & two workshop units to the rear with own shared dedicated yard • Former serviced office centre • Potential Investment or owner occupier opportunity • Total Size approx 11,582 sq ft • Longleasehold • Offers Invited - Guide Price on application

• Petrol Service Station since 1954 • Kiosk and MOT workshop on a site of 0.26 acres • Freehold and Goodwill • Accounts Available on request • Asking Price £500,000 35-41 Stafford Street, Liverpool - To Let/May Sell

On the instructions of liquidators 1 Well St, Holywell, North Wales - For Sale

• Potential Retail Investment/owner occupation property • Three Storey Detached Grade II listed building • Total Size 204.88 sq m (2205 sq ft ) NIA • Ground floor tenant holding over paying £5,760 per annum • Offers Invited - Guide Price on application

• Ground Floor retail shop unit with 2 storeys above • Retail Area - Approx 2,017 sq ft • Total size 7,935 sq ft NIA • Flexible Terms available • Quoting Rental £30,000 pax for whole - Terms negotiable for letting of Ground Floor space only • May Sell - £Price on application

VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT www.davidcurrie.co.uk All enquires contact Karl Kiernan on 0151 207 2537 or email karl@davidcurrie.co.uk

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Forward thinking Round Table Panelists Jeanette Kehoe-Perkinson, VP at Mexx and a board member at Liverpool Vision, Dr Paul Redmond, head of Liverpool University’s Careers and Employability Service and author of The Graduate Jobs Formula, and Jo Ives, deputy director of the Graduate Development Centre at LJMU, met at Liverpool Vision’s offices to discuss how the universities and employers can work together for the economic growth of the north-west region.

Jo Ives John Moores University

Jeanette Kehoe-Perkinson Liverpool Vision

Dr Paul Redmond University of Liverpool

The workplace of the future What are the challenges for graduates entering the workplace in the north-west this year?

Jo Ives: Graduates are facing a very uncertain future in terms of their potential and the rapidly changing work environment. Technology is driving a fast-paced employment market and things are changing rapidly during the three or four years at university. What we’re trying to do is to prepare them for a lifetime of employment, not just a first job, so our challenges are to make them fit for a fruitful career.

Paul Redmond: We’ve been researching the job market this year

and we’ve found nationally that vacancies are down by about 11.8 per cent this year. That sounds bad, but in 1991 they were down by 32 per cent and in 1999 by 34 per cent.

Talking to graduate recruiters, they expect to take on more graduates this year but 50 per cent say they will need to reduce their intake as the jobs are already filled with last year’s graduates or with interns. It’s going to be a lively market.

Are universities preparing graduates to meet these challenges?

PR: We have to ask, what is a university for? There’s nothing wrong

with studying a subject for the sheer love and pleasure of it for three years. This generation is perhaps the most qualified in history – but the world of work has shifted so that lots of layers of middle management have been shedded, and the opportunities to join a company and move up, training as you do so, are fewer. There’s less investment in graduates; they’re expected to be rough and ready – and often, the graduates don’t have the life experience. Things have changed and it’s not their fault, but it is their problem.

Jeanette Kehoe-Perkinson: There

are companies which used to be the best in the world, or in that sector, and which now no longer exist.

PR: It’s interesting that 70 per cent of graduate recruiters don’t specify a discipline, it’s all about skills and attitude.

How does that reflect the impact of the recession in the current economic climate?

PR: We talk to our students about jobs BC and AD – before the crunch and after the downturn. There’s a big difference now, and tactics and strategies needed BC are very different to AD. Of course the biggest challenge for graduates MOVE COMMERCIAL 35

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though is that they are going to be working for companies that don’t yet exist. We’ve developed a formula to help students calculate their own employability, and that’s E=Q+WE+SXC. That means employability equals qualifications, plus work experience, plus strategies multiplied by contacts.

JI: We’ve looked at the same thing, and our programme World of Work (WoW) gets students to look at how they can boost their employability, recognising what employers are looking for. Our programmes are devised and supported by local and national employers – with workrelated learning and to provide them with what they need when they’re looking for work.

JKP: I have a different perspective as an employer, but I can see the challenges students are facing and it is a difficult place to be – at university. I think the WoW programme is fantastic and was long overdue- it’s an excellent programme.

For the first stage of grauates without MBAs or Masters, it’s not enough. As an employer, the first thing I will look for is a ‘can do’ attitude coupled with evidence of the other skills and qualities they have, from their interests. Their academic skill and knowledge is taken for granted. If they have a degree then they’ve proven that they can learn. I’m more interested in the extra-curricular activity, the social clubs and networks they’ve joined, the team involvement, and

“ ”

come to them through different routes.

Is social networking increasing in importance for recruiters?

JKP: As employers you are looking for better, low-cost ways to recruit, so when you go through sites like LinkedIn or Facebook and the quality of the content makes someone stand out for a career opportunity then that’s one way of increasing their profile. It can be a way of finding candidates who are serious about improving their employability. It shows their ability to be connected and that they are conversant with technology. Working in different sectors, there will be a need for very specialist degrees, but we need people who can see the commercial implications of their research – who can see the bigger picture. If you have borderline candidates with the same degree, you will take the person with the commercial edge as they will be the one to come up with the ideas to take the business forwards.

JI: It makes a difference in the jobs too. No one works in an organisation on their own. We work in teams, interacting with others, and so graduates need these skills, along with being creative and innovative.

With Liverpool’s investment in a Science Park, and the changing landscape of offices and workspaces, how will the working environment change?

JKP: I’ve just taken out 40 per cent headcount of our company over the

What we’re trying to do is to prepare them for a lifetime of employment, not just a first job.

Jo Ives

how they have engaged with other people outside of their study. For almost every job, proficiency in communication is key. The biggest challenge facing the students is their ability to use the networks available to them, and the opportunities, to increase their employability – and to put themselves out there and expose themselves to jobs.

Employers expect candidates to 36 MOVE COMMERCIAL

past three years, because we had to respond to the economy. This is another thing that students in the commercial disciplines need to learn - the reality of, and the language of business. It’s not about revenues, it’s about profitability. We need to see graduates who understand a balance sheet and have educated themselves on the principles and drivers of business. If I ask half of the people in

“ ”

There are so many people who love Liverpool, but they can’t get the kinds of jobs that will pay them what they can earn elsewhere.

Jeanette Kehoe-Perkinson

my company to explain some terms on the weekly reports they may not be able to do that – but we need them to be able to do this. There is more portfolio career now – moving from job to job, and you have to be absolutely sellable as a commodity, with a polished CV. You need to be accountable for yourself – no one owes anybody a living. There are no apprenticeships now, and that’s been a devastating blow to the economy with terrible consequences socially.

PR: While higher education has expanded over the last 20 years we’ve seen a collapse in the number of jobs for the youth. Those jobs which before needed just two A levels, say, are now available only to graduates.

JKP: Britain now relies on a service economy, with no manufacturing base.

PR: We have a generation of 16-18 year olds who are disenfranchised.

JKP: This is a real challenge. Looking at offices and sizes of structures – everything is being restructured for as lean a management structure as possible, with an impact on the career ladder.

JI: Opportunities won’t be available in just one organisation any longer.

JKP: We have to see how graduates recognise that and approach the world of work where they need to show how, if they hold a job down for two years, they delivered something.

PR: Employers need to see a return on their investments.

What do students need to expect from the changing workplace?

JI: They need to be aware that they will have to keep learning and developing their skills, to keep up to date, and to be able to take advantage of opportunities that arise

as the market shifts and as jobs become obsolete. They need to be able to market themselves – and to be able to see that as the nature of their career, rather than expecting to leave university and to walk into a stable job, easily. That doesn’t happen any more. It’s about managing expectations as much as anything else.

JKP: Students at university are used to performing well and being applauded for their achievements – but in the workplace, there are so many applicants for every job that you really need something else as well.

JI: It’s about developing flexibility and problem-solving skills these days.

Traditionally, high education was more knowledge-based.

JKP: Most of my generation would agree that what we learnt on our degree courses isn’t applicable, but a lot of the skills will always be. If you’re developing research skills then that will never leave you.

How are universities working with employers?

JI: Programmes are becoming more vocational, with work-based learning devised by employers with their input, and this gives students a more realistic idea of what to expect when they graduate. Part time work alongside their degree can also be very useful in giving them the valuable management skills, confidence and aptitudes that translate to the workplace after they graduate – even if it’s running a bar, or something that doesn’t necessarily have an obvious correlation. It helps students to become self-aware and see which kind of working environments suit them.

PR: We’re launching an internship

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Forward thinking Round Table

programmes, which is new for some subjects, and helps to incorporate those skills into the programme without devaluing the degree content. But as for employers, do they have the capacity to help with that?

JKP: Yes, and they should. Graduates do need more access to employers for role play to learn about what to expect from interviews.

JI: Students get huge value from those kind of scenarios. A lot of success at interview comes from social confidence, and being able to express their own ability.

JKP: University is a fantastic environment to be able to learn about yourself – but so many students don’t take advantage of that opportunity to develop yourself.

You don’t want to waste those opportunities.

How is entrepreneurialism important to the economy?

JKP: It’s increasingly so, as graduates need to create their own opportunities. I have a strong take on this, as I don’t think that entrepreneurialism can be taught.

You have it or you don’t. A lot of the really successful entrepreneurs fell out of school. They are people with frustration and impatience, coupled with great ideas – which can be fantastic. It comes down to some core qualities; being rebellious, a risktaker, not taking no for an answer, and these sorts of things were, in the past, attributes that were discouraged at university.

PR: This generation is more entrepreneurial- they buy and sell on Ebay, they’re digital natives, and it’s seen as an aspiration. They’re more cynical about organisations. These days being an entrepreneur has a good reputation.

JI: In the past it was the case that to get a good, stable job at a large

company was the aim, but that’s changed. It used to be the case that if you wanted to be an entrepreneur then, why were you at university?

For students now who want to work for themselves there’s much more support available to them to set up their own businesses. In our region, in the creative industries in particular, those skills are crucial. We have a student entrepreneurial programme, which gives bursaries to students with good ideas, to get them marketing and up and running with them. We’ll also put them in touch with funders, and help them get organised, with a business mentor and space to hold meetings with clients. It’s obviously of benefit to the region when these start-ups become successful businesses and employ other students and graduates, which often is the case.

PR: The Apprentice and other TV shows are popular with students, and I’m working with Tim Campbell (winner, 2004) who’s come in to talk to the students. The media has a huge effect on students’ expectations. They have to accept that they’re not going to be working on a project with the chief executive every day. (All laugh) Which areas can you see developing?

JKP: Social enterprise is an area where students can make a real difference – to the communities and to employability in the area by getting a god idea up and running, as well as overseas. Those enterprises need to learn from our students, and that’s going to become a massive area in the future.

How are the universities and employers using their international connections to attract employers to the north-west?

JKP: Liverpool Vision is working hard to attract alumni from the

universities, who are running successful companies internationally, back to city. A presentation has been put together to show them how the city is doing and what it can offer them, and by networking with those people who have lived here during their student days, we hope to attract many of them to consider a move here. Liverpool’s a fantastic city, and those who have studied here may not have wanted to leave but they’ve had to, in order to work in a particular industry. Now, we’re hoping that that will change – and we hope to attract any employers who can provide jobs. It’s not about attracting small traders – we don’t suffer from that in Liverpool - but we need people who can provide bigger numbers of jobs. It’s an ongoing debate; how we can attract people to invest here.

“ ”

It’s all about skills and attitude.

Dr Paul Redmond

PR: As a research-intensive, Russell Group university, the University of Liverpool is one of the UK's most internationally-orientated universities, with a campus in China and links to countries across the world. Because we have so many global links, not only do students from across the world enrol with us to study at Liverpool, our home-based students have fantastic opportunities to work and study overseas. This year, for example, we have students on placement with Fortune 500 companies in China. In the next few years, these opportunities are set to expand, offering superb career opportunities to our students.

JI: We attract a large number of overseas students, a lot of the time because we offer courses they can’t do in their own countries, and we have relationships with institutions internationally. The UK does offer a fantastic higher education system, and when they choose Liverpool it can be for a number of reasons. We do have very good links with Malaysia, for instance. This is fantastic for bringing talent to the city, and spreading the news that our region has a lot to offer those from overseas. We need to invest more in this, as a region.

JKP: There are so many people who love Liverpool, and would love to work here, but they can’t get the kinds of jobs that will pay them what they can earn elsewhere. I’m very lucky in that I will be moving back here shortly, to run my own business, but we need to tap into more people who can create opportunities in this region, and employ people who want to be part of those organisations. Our challenge at Liverpool Vision is to reach international alumni from the city, to engage them in the future of Liverpool, and to benefit everybody.

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Expert views Ask the panel

What are your hopes for the north-west as a result of the forthcoming general election?

“The last decade has seen the profile and stature of the region’s universities increase tenfold. But the work is only half done. The next step must be to ensure, as they graduate from Liverpool and Manchester, students take their skills and talents into the region’s economies, providing us with the next generation of entrepreneurs and professionals - rather than going back home.”

Laura Brown, senior account manager, The Design Foundry “I would like to see greater encouragement of employment retention in the north-west, a greater relocation of public sector employment from the SE, particularly the back office functions - so assisting public sector cost cutting. There needs to be greater financial support for the SME market, and a more pragmatic approach to encouraging the business sector, e.g. rationalising property taxes according to the economic circumstances - particularly business rates on empty buildings.”

“My fervent hope is that we get a government with a strong mandate. The threat of sustained political uncertainty arising from the prospect of a hung parliament will only serve to compound the market's worries about the UK's weak fiscal position and our struggling economy. This in turn this will further undermine sterling, our competitiveness and any prospects of a real recovery.”

“I would like to see an early as possible election, delivering a decisive decision and thus electing a single party with the majority to implement their chosen policies, which will go on to deliver much needed stability. For our region, rather than growth - which would be welcome - I would settle for a leveling from recent falls.”

Neil Waddington, managing director, Prospect GB

Mark Chadwick, chief executive, Professional Liverpool

Stuart Keppie, partner, Keppie Massie

“It's all about jobs. The North West has to be in the best possible shape to ride the upturn. We'll need a modern transport network to do it.

I hope our (new?) leaders resist the urge to ditch plans for muchneeded new transport - and digital – infrastructure.”

Liam Fogarty, chair, amayorforliverpool.org

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There needs to be greater financial support for the SME market, and a more pragmatic approach to encouraging the business sector.

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