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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESTER MANCHESTER
November-December 2011
MOVE COMMERCIAL The north-west’s guide to property and business
Issue 25
The region’s cultural venues MAX STEINBERG His vision for the visitor economy
The Epstein Theatre
MANCHESTER LIBRARY TRANSFORMATION Graham Cavanagh interview
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LOOKING FOR LIVERPOOL OFFICES? WE HAVE TWO STUNNING LANDMARK BUILDINGS. TO LET
CUNARD BUILDING.
Cunard Building has undergone a transformation receiving an extensive refurbishment inside and out to compliment its unrivalled location within the heart of Liverpool’s waterfront. The building offers the opportunity to combine modern office occupier requirements within a striking classic environment.
TO LET
43 CASTLE STREET.
43 Castle Street offers a superb new entrance lobby with cutting edge contemporary design and an imposing new entrance area. The refurbishment also includes modern high speed lifts, new double glazing throughout and air conditioning to most suites.
WWW.LIVERPOOL-OFFICES.CO.UK TO ARRANGE A VIEWING CONTACT THE JOINT AGENTS:
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Liverpool's first speculatively developed BREEAM ‘EXCELLENT’ office building
New 8 storey Grade ‘A’ office building (109,361 sq ft) in the heart of Liverpool's new Commercial District Column free floorplates from 13,719sq ft (1,274sq m) to 14,155sq ft (1,315sq m)
Suites from 5,286 sq ft (491.1 sq m) Panoramic views of Liverpool city centre Solar control glazing
VRF Heating and Cooling System
Fully accessible raised floors Secure on-site car parking (1:1,000 sq ft)
20% reduction in carbon emissions through intelligent design
Stunning double height entrance and reception area
A development by
4 more information
Ian.Steele@gva.co.uk
mark.worthington@cbre.com
Supported By
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RED HOT OFFICE DEALS THE RENT AT MERE GRANGE IS SO LOW IT’S A SIN!
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M
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Issue twenty-five Move Commercial
Contents News
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Welcome to Move Commercial Welcome to Move Commercial’s culture issue. In this issue, we encapsulate everything that it means to be cultural in the North West; from looking at the renaissance of theatres in the region to the economic and cultural legacy of the Capital of Culture. Liverpool’s culture tourism is debated over lunch with the city’s top movers and shakers,
28
who highlight the significance of culture tourism, the marketing of the city as a brand and what lies in the future for the city. Move Commercial also talks to chief executive of Liverpool Vision Max Steinberg and Lime Pictures’ managing director Sean Marley.
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44
move publishing ltd Advertising Director Fiona Barnet Tel 0151 709 3871 Account Manager Jo Tait Tel 0151 709 3871 Editorial Team Dina Karim. Email: dina@movepublishing.co.uk Tel: 0151 709 3871 Emma Pinch. Email: emma@movepublishing.co.uk Tel: 0151 709 3871 Jenna White. Email: jenna@movepublishing.co.uk Tel: 0151 709 3871
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 Credits: Peter Kelly – Key Event. Rob Whitrow Photography – The Epstein Theatre image.
06 Liverpool signs to Euro green zone 07 Project Jennifer given council backing 08 Mental health hospitals in Liverpool given go-ahead 09 Manchester Football Club plans new academy 10 Simple Be expands into high street 11 Home Bargains defies market 15 Rathbones expands at Port of Liverpool 16 Liverpool ONE unit available 17 Daresbury Science and Innovation Parks attracts tenants 20 Multimillion pound community centre opens in Childwall 21 Funding secured for Liverpool Science Park
Features 13 Bitesize Thinking Food For Thought 18 Focus Exploring the top cultural schemes of the North West 24 Mover and Shaker Peter Millett on remodelling Liverpool Central Library 26 Rising Star The architect behind Manchester Library Graham Cavanagh 28 Entrepreneur Sean Marley of Lime Pictures 31 Lunch Debate Panel discuss Liverpool’s culture tourism 38 Feature Looking at Britain and Ireland’s Capitals of Culture 44 Founding Father Max Steinberg on heading up Liverpool Vision 46 Ask The Panel Is the EU good for British businesses?
Key Events 35 Land Rover Experience Towngate’s breakfast launch
Appointments 22 Careers Movers and Shakers in new roles
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.
MOVE COMMERCIAL
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News Latest
Mersey Gateway invites bid THE MERSEY GATEWAY BRIDGE Project’s procurement programme has kicked off with the publication of the Contract Notice in the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU), which invites potential bidders to register their interest in the scheme. The publication follows the unanimous decision by Halton councillors to accept the funding conditions proposed by the Department for Transport in October. Rt Hon Philip Hammond MP, secretary of state for transport, said: “In response to the Government’s request to reduce costs, Halton Borough Council have achieved savings of around £30m on the original proposed cost – meaning the scheme will offer better value to the taxpayer, whilst bringing vital improvements to the region. Further cost savings are expected through a competitive procurement process.” The council will use the North West Local Authorities’ procurement portal, ‘The Chest’, to administer the prequalification process, which potential bidders can now register through. Steve Nicholson, Mersey Gateway Bridge Project Director, said: “We are very pleased that we have able to respond quickly to Government’s funding offer and begin the procurement programme within three weeks of the Secretary of State’s announcement. We are aware there is a great deal of interest in this tendering opportunity and we are looking forward to receiving expressions of interest from world class organisations.” The procurement process is expected to take two years, with a final contract being awarded towards the end of 2013.
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MOVE COMMERCIAL
Liverpool signs Euro green scheme LIVERPOOL city council has joined a European initiative aimed at reducing greenhouse gasses. It has become a signatory of the EU Covenant of Mayors, a network of cities committed to exceed the EU objective of cutting CO2 emissions by 20 per cent by 2020 through enhanced energy efficiency and cleaner energy production and use. Liverpool will join major UK cities including London, Manchester, Birmingham, Nottingham and Newcastle in signing the covenant and reducing emissions at 32 per cent by 2024. Councillor Tim Moore, cabinet member for environment and climate change, said: “This is a very challenging target but it is a challenge we have to meet in the face of increasing evidence about climate change. “By joining with cities throughout Europe we are showing our intent in this matter. But there are also practical benefits from signing the covenant. It may give us access to some funding and financial advice from the European
Investment Bank and other bodies. There will also be technical assistance to help us develop a sustainable energy action plan. And recognition across Europe of the work we are doing in the city could lead to further investment.” The covenant intends to mitigate climate change through encouraging local renewable energy generation and increasing resilience to future energy
shortages by making buildings more energy efficient and, in doing so, creating local jobs and improving the quality of life. Cities which sign the covenant have to submit, within a year, a sustainable energy action plan showing how they will reach their CO2 reduction target. The city council has been working with councils across the city region and the private sector to develop such a plan.
Wind turbine shot of city
PRINCES DOCK HOLDS FIRST DRAGON BOAT RACE PRINCES DOCK held its first Dragon Boat racing event and was deemed a huge success with over 150 people attending. The event attended by rowers and spectators, had boats rigged with decorative Chinese dragon heads and tails and a drummer sat facing the paddlers throughout the races banging the rhythmic drum to synchronize their strokes.
Before the racing began the guests were treated to a canapé reception provided by the Malmaison Hotel (based on site at Princes Dock) and whilst the racing took place in the dock guests were then able to enjoy further refreshments in Bean deli and coffee shop (located in Building 4 at Princes Dock). Liza Marco, property manager at Princes Dock, said: “The Dragon Boat racing event
was a huge success and it was a fantastic afternoon which everyone thoroughly enjoyed. We are now planning to hold an annual Dragon Boat event to showcase the development to an even wider range of business from across the city and to continue to illustrate the excellent location and amenities on offer at Princes Dock”. The fast paced and competitive nature of the event proved an excellent experience for those racing and watching, culminating on one of the closets finals organisers had ever seen, all set within the stunning surroundings of Princes Dock which offers impressive views of the Liver Building and River Mersey. The winning team of Brabners Chaffe Street solicitors and CBRE Property Consultants were then whisked off in a luxury helicopter trip across the city. The aim of the event was to raise awareness of the excellent office, retail and leisure offerings available at Peel’s Liverpool waterfront development.
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Latest News The Capital to smash records at £60M LIVERPOOL could see the record for a single property transaction in the city smashed when landmark The Capital building is sold. Property firm Downing said it has received strong interest in the prestigious building, in Old Hall Street, which is up for sale for £60.5 million resulting in a net yield of eight per cent. The Capital is home to the UK Border Agency (which last year agreed to a 15-year lease), Royal Sun Alliance, Liverpool Vision and retailer Tesco. John Clegg, head of property management at Downing, said: “The Capital has been transformed under Downing’s ownership and is a demonstrable success story, not least because it secured one of Liverpool’s largest ever commercial lettings. Its previously untapped potential has been fully realised and we’re proud to have set a new bench mark for quality refurbished space in the city. “Over a period of time we have received sustained interest from potential purchasers and we have now decided the time is right to explore this on a more formal basis. Any transaction would have to be right for Downing. We’re proud to have The Capital as a centrepiece in our portfolio. “The building is a great asset for the city’s Commercial District and with 89 per cent of its income secured against the UK Government, RSA and Tesco; we expect it to prove very attractive as a stable investment opportunity.” The building also includes a glass atrium entrance; the three-storey car park will be retained by Downing, operated by subsidiary Capital Car Parks.
Council says ‘robust case’ for Project Jennifer LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL and its development partner St. Modwen have concluded that there is a ‘robust case’ for the £150m Project Jennifer to progress. The city council will now formally call for the government to bring forward a public inquiry, which is likely to be held by summer 2012. Project Jennifer is set to transform a 45-acre site in North Liverpool, creating new homes, employment opportunities, improved public areas, new community and leisure facilities and retail and employment space. Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, Liverpool city council’s cabinet member for regeneration and transport, said: “We have completed a thorough review into the objections raised to the CPO and believe that a robust case exists for Project Jennifer. We have listened to businesses and we remain committed to ensuring that fair compensation is agreed with all land and business owners,
to allow businesses to relocate to suitable alternative premises and to enable this vital scheme to progress.” If the public inquiry rules in favour of the CPO, Project Jennifer will be delivered in phases, with the initial phase anchored by the 110,000 sq ft Sainsbury's food store and featuring 80,000 sq ft of additional retail space, improved public spaces, a new open market, community facilities and a new public transport interchange.
Michelle Taylor, regional director at St. Modwen, said: “Project Jennifer will comprehensively regenerate the Great Homer Street area. This is the scheme that the local community wants and it will act as an important catalyst for future regeneration in North Liverpool.” Subsequent phases of the scheme, in the Marwood and Dryden Street areas, would follow the successful delivery of Phase One.
Great Homer Street CGI
advert strip. not sure the size yet?
MOVE COMMERCIAL
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News Development
Bebington's medical offering expands WORK has begun on developing a state-of-the-art £3.5 million GP surgery in Bebington, Wirral. The project, by Assura, a leading healthcare property group, is expected to complete in the summer of 2012 and will be delivered in partnership with LSP Developments. The 14,000 sq ft medical centre is designed to specifically meet the requirements of Kings Lane Medical Practice; it will provide patients with access to additional consultation rooms, a minor operations suite and integrated pharmacy.
Bebington Surgery sketch
Tom Cooke, development manager at Assura Group, said: “Working in partnership with the GPs, local PCT and LSP Developments means that we can develop a leading healthcare facility for the people of Bebington.” The building has been designed to incorporate substantial expansion space, which would potentially allow a second practice to relocate to the building in the future. The facility is being built by Liverpool based building contractor WH Snow Ltd. The architects for the scheme are West Hart Partnership.
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MOVE COMMERCIAL
GO AHEAD FOR NEW HOSPITALS Walton mental health hospital CGI
TWO NEW Liverpool mental health hospitals have been given the goahead by the government Treasury Office. The two mental health facilities are being built by leading developer LSHP on sites in Walton and on Edge Lane, as part of Mersey Care’s ambitious plans to provide high quality, modern, therapeutic mental
health environments in communities where they are needed. The announcement means that building work will start on the two centres by Spring 2012, with a combined cost of around £48million. Work has already commenced on the demolition of the old Walton Hospital off Rice Lane in Liverpool, ready for the construction
of the first of these new facilities. The planning permission for both centres went through with no public objections; a result which Graham Pink, chief executive of LSHP, says is ‘practically unheard of’ on projects of this size and scale. Graham Pink said: “The fact that we also have such a strong level of local support highlights the level of involvement that local communities have had throughout the process.” LHSP Ltd has successfully developed numerous community centres across Liverpool and Sefton, with a further three centres also currently under construction. John Doyle, project director for Mersey Care added: “The two new mental health facilities are an important part of our commitment to providing people with easily accessible healthcare that is modern, friendly and located right in the heart of the community, near to where they live.” Both of the new hospitals are expected to be completed by the end of 2013.
Liverpool historic hall reopens A LIVERPOOL hidden architectural gem is to reopen as an entertainment venue. The 1200-capacity, Grade-II listed Central Hall, inside Grand Central in the heart of Liverpool city centre, has been renamed The Dome and will reopen in November. The Dome offers theatre-style seating on two levels and a huge organ, installed in 1907, acts as an impressive backdrop. The owners Jenny Davies and partner Sean Finnerty already own the lease on the striking Gaudi-style Barcelona Bar on the ground floor of the building and have now bought the 25-year lease on the theatre space.
Grand Hall
Director Sean Finnerty said “This is a five-year dream come true for me, it was a crying shame to see this stunning venue decaying and not put to good use and I was determined to do something about it. “This area will be transformed in a year or so time, with Central Village coming to life between Bold Street and Renshaw Street and I want The Dome to be a big part of the regeneration of this area too. There is
a gap for a venue of this size in the city centre and I am already impressed with the enquiries coming from local, national and international promoters to book the venue.” Central Hall, designed by Bradshaw and Gass, originally opened as The Central Hall of the Liverpool Methodist Mission in December 1905. In 1908, it became The New Century Picture Hall, one of Liverpool’s first cinemas.
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Development News
Manchester City FC submits campus plans MANCHESTER CITY Football Club has submitted plans for a proposed youth development and first team academy in the Openshaw West area of East Manchester. The proposed development of up to 80-acres of brown field land opposite to the Etihad Stadium would form part of the Etihad Campus. The development would include a home for up to 400 young players who will train alongside senior players, 11-full size youth development pitches, a planned first team building with changing rooms, gym, refectory and injury and rehab centre and a 7,000 capacity stadium for youth matches. Brian Marwood, chief football operations officer of Manchester City Football Club, said: “It is important
to also make clear that the development and recruitment of youth talent is at the heart of our long term strategy of building a successful and sustainable football club for the future. The opportunity to build a world class facility supported by a well researched youth development plan would be a significant step in the realisation of that strategy.” Manchester City said it has entered a new phase in the longterm strategy set out by the Club’s owner three years ago. At the heart of this strategy is the focus on the recruitment and development of young players and whilst the Club already has a strong pedigree of nurturing young talent, the limits of what can be achieved with the existing
Knowsley youth centre unveiled
Plaque unveiling OurPlace Knowsley
YOUNG PEOPLE from Knowsley joined Councillor Connor to unveil the new OurPlace youth facility in Knowsley. The £5 million centre in Huyton includes a media suite, cafe area, arts and sports spaces, skate/BMX park as well as a multi-use games area. Councillor Connor formally unveiled the building by revealing an ‘OurPlace’ plaque in the reception area. Councillor Connor, cabinet member for leisure, culture and community at Knowsley council, said: “Young people from Knowsley can now enjoy some first rate facilities. They have been instrumental in its development
and I am sure they are very proud that their hard work has paid off and they can now enjoy all the facility has to offer.” The facility has been funded by the Department for Education and is aimed at young people aged 13 to 19 years. The OurPlace partnership board consists of Knowsley council, NHS Knowsley, Connexions, four children as well as representatives from the OurPlace Forum. Luke Best, vice chair of the OurPlace Forum, said: “OurPlace has evolved from being a drawing on a piece of paper to a world class youth facility that will benefit the whole of Knowsley and its young people.”
facilities has been reached. A comprehensive study by the Club of more than 30 elite sports development centres around the world over the past two years has
provided the blueprint for the plans submitted to the council. A decision from Manchester city council planners is expected early next year. Manchester City Academy plans
EDGE LANE’S NEW PHASE EDGE LANE has entered a new phase of works as the city’s major highway improvement project gets underway. The final phase of the Edge Lane West improvement programme began in August 2010 and is scheduled to be completed in spring 2012, with surfacing of the new carriageways currently underway. The Edge Lane West scheme forms part of the £350 million Edge Lane Project to regenerate the corridor and improve the strategic link between the M62 and the city centre. Award-winning chartered accountants Wilson Henry LLP, based on Edge Lane, committed to a sixfigure investment at their offices, following negotiation with the city council to remain on their existing site. Peter Alcock, partner at Wilson Henry LLP, said: “We moved onto Edge Lane in 2002, to an area
earmarked for regeneration, knowing that in the fullness of time we would be ideally placed in an important and successful location within the city. “It is an exciting time to be here, every day we can see change taking place around us, and we are taking advantage of the momentum to upgrade our own facilities both internally and externally for the benefit of our clients.”
Edge Lane MOVE COMMERCIAL
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News Retail
Simply Be expands into high street
Simply Be, Liverpool ONE
Metquarter’s new offering
Metquarter
LIVERPOOL’S city centre Metquarter is set to undergo a radical transformation as a result of securing three new international brands. The cult fashion and home ware 10 MOVE COMMERCIAL
name Jack Wills has signed a 10 year lease on over 10,000 square feet of space in the upper and lower malls. Meanwhile, Illasmasqua will take 1,000 square feet over the same
period. Illamasqua’s celebrity following includes Courtney Love, Beth Ditto and Lady Gaga with their new Metquarter store being the first standalone outside London. Julian Kynaston, founder and joint managing director of Illamasqua, said: “Everywhere we went people were telling us that Liverpool would be perfect for Illamasqua. Eventually it became too loud to ignore. We are looking forward to witnessing Liverpool’s reaction to the cult that is Illamasqua.” Italian restaurant Carluccios is rumoured to be opening in early 2012. The Metquarter opened in March 2006, and after a successful 18 month launch period, it was sold to a group of Irish investors in August 2007. Centre manager Jennina O’Neill said: “This is an incredible development in terms of regeneration for Metquarter and great news for Liverpool. The nature of the unique high quality brands means that we have secured means visitors will enjoy a completely new experience at the centre.”
CLOTHING BRAND Simply Be has opened its first flagship store in Liverpool and a second store in Bury as part of its expansion into high street retail. Marketing manager Alison Forbes said: “Simply Be has long been an online destination for curvy fashion and we are excited to make this logical step into retail.” Simply Be is part of the JD Williams group whose other brands include JD Williams, Jacamo and High and Mighty. Launched in 1999, Simply Be specialises in an affordable range of ladies wear in larger sizes and has until now only been online and in catalogues. The Liverpool ONE store has a trading floor space of 3,217 square feet, whilst the Bury store located in The Rock shopping centre occupies 4,314 square feet. To celebrate the retail openings, Simply Be held VIP in-store launch events in Liverpool ONE and The Rock, with celebrity guests Coronation Street’s Katy Cavanagh and actress Lisa Riley officially opening the stores.
CLAYTON SQUARE FILLS UP CLAYTON SQUARE shopping centre in Liverpool has announced a host of new retailers to join the centre. MadHouse, the national sportswear retailer, has opened a 5,000sq ft store at the entrance of Church Street. Clothing retailer West Coast opened its doors in the 2,215 sq ft unit between Clas Ohlson and Mothercare and has committed to the centre for the next five years. Clayton Square also welcomes Clayton News and the confectionary seller, A Quarter of Sweets, to units on Great Charlotte Street and Parker St. The new retailers represent an uptake of over 7,500 sq ft. James Larmuth, portfolio manager at Land Securities’ who own the centre, said: “The high street may be busy but every pound in the consumer purse has to work much harder. So we’re listening to our customers and working hand-in-hand with retailers to ensure we deliver the right deals to bring great value for money brands such as Madhouse and West Coast into the scheme.”
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OFFICE BUILDING FOR SALE/TO LET POTENTIAL ALTERNATIVE USES SUBJECT TO PLANNING RESIDENTIAL | RETAIL | LEISURE
40,992 SQFT (3,808 SQM) BIRCHEN HOUSE BIRKENHEAD CH41 6QS Contact: tim.garnett@cbre.com
12 MOVE COMMERCIAL
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Retail News
Home Bargains defies market HOME BARGAINS has reported a growth of 24 per cent this year and is planning to open 250 stores over the next five years. Discount retailers Home Bargains have defied current market conditions by reporting record financial results with a turnover of £721 million and an operating profit of £59.5 million. Parent company TJ Morris currently has 250 Home Bargains stores across the UK; plans to open a further 250 stores will create 12,000 job opportunities. Joe Morris, operations director at TJ Morris, said: “We’re delighted with the year’s results. While the discount sector has seen continued growth, competition has increased dramatically. The sector as a whole has seen a drop in margins, but we’ve managed to maintain our position. This has been achieved through continuous improvement in everything we do, significant reinvestment and hard work.” As a result of its success TJ Morris joined The Sunday Times Top Track 100 and ranked 30th in the North West Top 200.
Home Bargains
Waitrose invests in North SUPERMARKET chain Waitrose is planning to invest more than £100 million into opening at least 10 new stores in the North West over the
next five years. National supermarket chain Waitrose have also brought forward plans to redevelop Chester’s
Waitrose, Chorley CGI
Boughton Retail Centre into a larger supermarket. They are also opening a new £35 million distribution centre in Chorley in autumn 2012, which in itself will create 600 new jobs. David Jones, supply chain director of Waitrose, said: “This marks another exciting chapter in our history and the growth of the Waitrose brand in the North West. We have really begun to establish our brand here and we are looking forward to making a continued investment and creating new jobs in what is rapidly becoming a heartland territory for us.” Waitrose currently has over 37,000 employees and their new investment will create more than 1,500 jobs. Waitrose was first established in 1904 and has gone on to open 243 branches across England Scotland and Wales. Until seven years ago the most northerly Waitrose store was in Newark, Nottinghamshire. Waitrose has since embarked on the biggest period of expansion in history, including opening nine stores in the North West.
SOUTHPORT’S WATERFRONT DEVELOPMENT NEPTUNE DEVELOPMENTS is redeveloping Southport’s waterfront in a £30 million project. The waterfront scheme aims to create a new destination for restaurants, cafes, bars and other leisure facilities on the promenade. Stephen Parry, managing director of Neptune Developments, said: “We know Southport extremely well and felt that the area had a nascent leisure scene in terms of opportunities to increase the mid to upper market offer of wining, dining and entertainment.” The first brand the site has attracted is Spanish tapas restaurant Finos At The Waterfront, whilst other leading licensed and leisure brands have shown interest in locating to the waterfront. Finos At The Waterfront director Bob Warrior believes his brand’s offer will attract customers from around the region and will help increase Southport’s profile on the North West culinary map. He said: “The scheme has allowed us to create an ambience and location that matches the strength of our food and drink we have to offer.”
Graham Bowling, Fitton Estates, Stephen Osuhor, Neptune Developments, Bob Warrior, Finos owner, John Barnes, Fitton Estates on site MOVE COMMERCIAL 11
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Move Commercial Bitesize thinking
TIM GARNETT CBRE, senior surveyor
In my crystal ball… Liverpool is now in an enviable position of having a healthy stock of Grade A and very good Grade B office accommodation to suit a variety of office needs. Despite the tough markets, which we envisage to continue for the medium term, Liverpool will continue to offer office occupiers a package that competes with the best both in terms of property on offer but also the many amenities now available in the cty. The dramatic rise in visitor numbers proves what a great location Liverpool is, particularly now the city is more cohesive with great environs such as Liverpool ONE and Mann Island helping to interconnect the key office districts with the rest of the city. If Liverpool can build upon its strengths of low costs, excellent demographics and some of the best examples of architecture in the world there is no reason why Liverpool should not see a dramatic rise in new occupiers locating in the city. Indeed with such a great package on offer we should be asking ourselves why more businesses haven’t yet been secured?
If only I’d known…. I wouldn’t have put my money in bank shares! Seriously though, what the down turn has taught me as an office agent is that we operate in a very transparent market and occupiers (at whatever budget level) seek good quality accommodation and quickly disregard space that isn’t up to a suitable standard. Sadly, during the better times new build office and refurbishment schemes in Liverpool were too slow in delivery. The few key players that did deliver quality space reaped the rewards of office occupiers crying out for good quality accommodation.
‘Going Forward’ Buzzword Meaning: The buzzword that refuses to take a breather. Presumably employed to remove any doubt in the minds of readers that the business is Going Backwards, Sideways or Off to Have a Nap. In most cases Going Forward can quite painlessly be replaced with ‘in the future’ or ‘looking ahead’ – but verbs that assist that favourite business metaphor of company as
powerful jungle cat – lean, hungry and supple are often found in subsequent sentences – are obviously preferred. While ‘Going Forward’ is bad, it’s not quite as unforgivable as ‘Moving in the Direction of Travel’. That term really does push the envelope in terms of meaningless corporate drivel. But with offspring like ‘Drive Forward’ (business as 4WD) there’s no looping back on Going Forward.
Vital statistics
13,000
Is the number of delegates, journalists and lobbyists believed to have descended on Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference. Liverpool city council said the four day event at the Echo Arena BT Convention Centre on Kings Dock brought £15 milllion to the local economy in terms of extra spend and positive publicity generated for the city.
&
Home Away
FAVOURITE BUILDINGS Robin Ellis, senior agency surveyor at Downing “At home I really like the Bling Bling building on Hanover Street in Liverpool,” he said. “There aren’t a lot of new buildings, apart from the new Musuem of Liverpool that really grab me but this one really seems to sum
up the renaissance of Liverpool. It fits in well with the buildings next to it but it is still a bold building that smacks you with visual impact from all angles. Features like the gold boxes on the side make it interesting. It’s attitude seems like that of a typical Scouser!”
The Bling Bling Building
For his favourite edifice abroad he chose the Chhatrapati Shivaji railway station in Mumbai, India. “It’s a fantastic high Victorian gothic building built in the best traditions of British architecture of the age,” he explained. “It’s slap bang in the middle of a modern Indian city, teaming with people and when you see it, it just comes as such a surprise. Inside the amount of life and activity you see takes your breath away. If you spend an hour in there you’ll see every aspect of life – and it sums up India for me.”
Chhatrapati Shivaji, Mumbai MOVE COMMERCIAL 13
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The Strand , Liverpool , Merseyside , L2 0PP
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MAJOR REFURBISHMENT NOW COMPLETE OFFICES TO LET FROM 200 sq ft (18.6 sq m) TO 9,000 sq ft (836.1 sq m) www.cornexchange-liverpool.co.uk 14 MOVE COMMERCIAL
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Sales & Lettings News
Rathbones expands at Port of Liverpool building From London to Liverpool
Port of Liverpool boardroom
PROPERTY GROUP Downing has secured an additional letting to long-term tenant Rathbones at the Port of Liverpool Building. The FTSE 250-listed wealth management company is expanding its presence in the Grade II listed building with an extra 10,299 sq ft of space. The deal means that Rathbones now occupy in excess of 65,000 sq ft in the building which is its largest base in the country, housing 380 staff, with a new long term lease commitment. Paul Chavasse, director at Rathbones, said: “The Port of Liverpool Building is already our largest office but this extension of our lease gives us the impressive historic boardroom as well as improved security and connectivity with our own private lift lobby on the third floor. “We were keen to stay in the building as it has unrivalled character and is in a fantastic location for us.” The new lease sees Rathbones
expanding into three suites on the third floor, gaining its own lift lobby and taking over the building’s historic boardroom on the second floor. The boardroom will be available through Rathbones on a select basis for meetings and events to the Port of Liverpool Building’s other occupiers. Last year Downing completed a comprehensive £15 million restoration and refurbishment project at the waterfront building Robin Ellis, senior agency surveyor at Downing, said: “Rathbones are a highly valued tenant and we are pleased that they have chosen to take advantage of the facilities we provide by taking additional space – we are also thrilled to see the magnificent boardroom back in action.” The project, one of the UK’s largest privately-funded refurbishments of a listed building, also incorporated new lifts, upgraded internal and external lighting and new disabled access.
Medicash relocates HQ ONE OF THE largest office lettings in Liverpool this year has just been completed with healthcare provider, Medicash, taking 12,807 sq ft at One Derby Square. The North West office agency team at CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) completed the letting of 12,807 sq ft in the fivestorey building, which underwent complete refurbishment in 2009. The move follows a strong year for Medicash, in which its results were boosted by a record take-up of corporate plans and a raft of client wins including DWF, GMG Radio and Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool. Medicash chief executive Sue Weir said: “This year will be our 140th anniversary and we are delighted, as we continue to expand and develop, to be moving to One Derby Square. We have always operated from Liverpool and remain committed to being based in the heart of the city centre.
The focus on product and service innovation has become a priority and with a growing number of staff our needs have changed. Derby Square is an ideal location for us and we are now in a strong position to build on the successes of the last year.” The building boasts impressive features including a sweeping staircase and a comprehensively refurbished and remodelled reception, with new shower facilities installed on all floors. Mark Worthington, director of office agency at CBRE North West, commented: “This is one of several substantial lettings that should complete before the end of the year and we anticipate that total office take-up for 2011 will exceed 2010. This is primarily
driven by indigenous demand although we are seeing increasing interest from inward investors.”
Mason Owen is joint agent alongside CB Richard Ellis. Matthews and Goodman advised Medicash. One Derby Square
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News Sales & Lettings
HAYDOCK INDUSTRIAL ESTATE
Prime Liverpool ONE unit available Liverpool ONE
HAYDOCK Industrial Estate has seen five completed lettings so far this year totalling 35,000 sq ft. New tenants include machine hire business Lifterz, furniture company Nestco and pub furniture suppliers Pubstuff. Food industry specialists Kapak Foods and Interserve Industrial Services have also moved in and existing occupier Film and Foil has acquired an extra 3,600 sq ft of space within the estate to satisfy surplus storage requirements. Companies already based in Haydock include, Costco, J Sainsbury PLC, Palmer & Harvey and Booker. Acting on behalf of Aberdeen Asset Management, the North West Industrial team at CBRE completed the lettings. Darren Hill, senior surveyor at CBRE North West, said: “Haydock has always been a popular location for industrial occupiers due to its strategic location at Junction 23 of the M6 and its intersection with the A580. This combined with the landlord’s flexible approach to lettings has ensured that demand for the units has remained high, which is clearly illustrated in the level of take-up within the estate so far this year.” Haydock Lettings acted as joint agent alongside CBRE.
Haydock Industrial Estate
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A SHOPPING unit in a prime spot at the heart of Liverpool ONE is now available to rent. Liverpool-based property agents Mason Owen have been appointed to market the former Jack Jones unit on Church Street - they have said there
has already been a great deal of interest in the key retail space. The building is adjacent to River Island and the main entrance to Liverpool ONE which has an average weekly footfall of 550,000. Peter Burke, head of retail at Mason Owen, said: “This is a prime location
right at the heart of Liverpool’s thriving shopping community and it really is a unique opportunity for a retailer to take advantage of this excellent base. “The property offers massive potential with nearly 15,000 sq ft of sales space over three floors and would make an excellent home for a retail outlet on a busy shopping street.” Arranged over three sales floors and two further floors for storage, the premises provide a fantastic opportunity to trade amongst a number of top multiple fashion retailers including Hennes, Next, Topshop, Urban Outfitters and Cult Clothing. The unit is directly opposite the soon to be redeveloped 1-5 Church Street where Forever 21 will be occupying a new 40,000 sq ft unit and other major retailers nearby include Boots, Marks & Spencer, JD Sports and McDonalds. The accommodation is available at a rent of £750,000 per annum and a new 15-year FRI lease is available subject to five yearly upward only rent reviews.
Iconic Parr Street Studios sale LIVERPOOL’S Parr Street Studios and Hotel, where artists such as Coldplay recorded, is for sale for £2.5m. The building is steeped in musical history with the likes of Coldplay, Elbow, Take That, the Spice Girls, Echo & the Bunnymen, Paolo Nutini and even Barry Manilow using the studios. Parr Street Studios now houses two Grammy award winning fullyequipped recording studios, two award winning bars (3345 and STUDIO2), 11 offices, a 12bedroom boutique hotel and a new self-contained hotel concept with six-mini bedrooms called PodZzz. Andrew Owen, head of business space at property agents Mason Owen, said: “With an exceptional pedigree, this iconic recording studio was once owned by Genesis and has become one of Liverpool’s most well-loved creative buildings. “It is now on the market for sale
to discerning buyers keen to be the next owners of this unique building. This is a unique offering as the freehold, Parr Street Studio’s immense goodwill, its car park, tenancies and growing business in the heart of the city are all included in the sale. The purchaser has an outstanding opportunity to expand Parr Street Studio’s hotel, hospitality and office business - or simply to walk straight into a ready-made multifaceted business.” 33-45 Parr Street, was built in the 1930's with accommodation on four floors, and was purchased by Gary Millar, Steve Macfarlane and Thomas Lang five years ago; since then the partners have successfully developed the property into a well-presented business providing several sources of income. With the exception of the hotel, offices and PodZzz all other parts of the premises have the benefit of
long-term leases (those businesses are unaffected by the sale). Also included in the sale is a seven-space car park, which is part of the site.
Parr Street Studios
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Sales & Lettings News
Three sign to new Daresbury building THREE high-tech businesses have become the first tenants at the new £8.5m Vanguard House building at Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus. The trio of companies Byotrol, Optimised Energy Solutions and Arcis Biotechnology - has each arrived from other parts of the Cheshire campus as Daresbury SIC continues to expand to accommodate the high growth rate of firms' onsite. John Downes, chairman of Daresbury SIC, said: "Vanguard House is the latest example of the Vanguard House campus' commitment to supporting the growth of high-tech companies through outside the Campus, to extend their innovation and collaboration with a networks and find new opportunities variety of organisations. It is the next for development and investment." step in our ‘Home for Life’ philosophy Hygiene technology firm Byotrol, for these high-tech businesses that is which this year successfully launched a further supported by our recent number of co-branded consumer success at securing Enterprise Zone products, including an anti-microbial status. cleaning spray for Tesco, has taken "The calibre of these three new 2,486 sq ft of office and laboratory additions reflects the impact that space. Vanguard House will have in providing Arcis Biotechnology has moved to an essential platform for cutting-edge Vanguard House from the enterprises, both from within and neighbouring Daresbury Innovation
The Observatory
Centre after identifying that the new facilities will enhance research and development. Optimised Energy Solutions has integrated its entire operation at the new site. Gary Millar, chief executive at Byotrol said: "Moving into Vanguard House gives us the opportunity to continue that growth strategy and consolidate our commercial activities while taking advantage of its close proximity to our existing technical centre at the Daresbury I-TAC facility."
MediaCity university hub opens THE UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD has opened the doors of its new MediaCity facility to hundreds of students as teaching commenced for the first time. The facility is sited next door to the main BBC buildings and has a range of facilities on offer to 1,500 students and staff. Dr Andrew Cooper, the academic director of MediaCityUK, said: “The first day of teaching marked a major milestone in the development of the whole site. For me, the excitement of today is the students arriving and making the whole if the MediaCityUK environment come to life.” Buro Four provided management services for the design, procurement and fit out of the space, and also represented the university in negotiations with Peel Holdings over the lease.
Nick Hague, project director at Buro Four, said: “The development team is delighted with the facility we have been able to produce for the University of Salford and its students. The production suites, studios and digital infrastructure have been specified by industry experts and future proofed for emerging creative technologies. “The project has been carefully designed to inspire staff to develop new teaching methods and stimulate students by encouraging collaborative learning. It’s worlds apart from most university campuses and will no doubt set a new benchmark for academic fit out.” The university has taken advantage of the growing media hub by helping to secure further research and placement opportunities with a
CAPITA SYMONDS MERGES MANCHESTER OFFICES
number of major digital and media companies, including Adobe, Avid and Carnegie Mellon University in the USA.
The University of Salford
CAPITA SYMONDS is co-locating its two Manchester offices into one new location The Observatory in the heart of the city centre. The 6,119 sq ft, 8th floor offices will bring together 60 employees from the Sunlight House and Fountain Street offices which offer the full spectrum of real estate services for clients such as Axa, BBC, University of Manchester, British Library and LaSalle Investment Management. Nick Gregory, director of Capita Symonds, said: “The Observatory is going to provide Capita Symonds with a better environment in which to work – modern, well appointed accommodation, with great facilities and views. Being in one location will help us to build our presence in the North West and to communicate to clients the broader service offer they can now access through Capita Symonds’ Real Estate Division, which in turn presents new business opportunities for the team.” The prestigious landmark Grade A office building in the heart of Manchester’s central business district has recently undergone extensive refurbishment to the 6th and 7th floors. Chris Lloyd, associate director at DTZ, who represented the Landlords USS, commented: “This is an important letting for us as it underpins the strength of The Observatory’s location and is the first letting since the comprehensive refurbishment of the reception and vacant floors.” DTZ and LSH represented USS. Capita Symonds acted for itself.
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By Jenna White jenna@movepublishing.co.uk
It’s curtains up for a wealth of new theatre projects across the North West. Move Commercial looks at what the story is in Liverpool, Manchester, Southport and Chester.
Theatre’s Regional Renaissance Liverpool - Everyman Theatre WHAT Everyman Theatre, Hope Street. The £23 million development will double the size of the existing theatre and modernize ageing facilities. The two level, 400 seat auditorium will recreate the original “thrust” stage, create a new dedicated Youth Theatre space, add space for rehearsals and workshops, parking, offices, a loading bay and a new bar and restaurant. WHY Iconic though it is, the Everyman hasn’t been refurbished since 1977 and due to its weak roof and cramped backstage facilities was in dire need of a facelift. WHEN Due to open in 2013.
DEVELOPERS Building contract currently out to tender; Haworth Tompkins, architects; Sloyan Doyle are the demolition contracters.
THEY SAY David Malpass, of the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said: “The city of Liverpool is a major tourist attraction, so ensuring that we continue to provide visitors with exciting places to visit is essential. “Developments to the Everyman theatre will not only ensure that visitors enjoy a quality venue, but will also provide facilities for the local community to get involved, with professional training support available on site.”
Everyman Theatre CGI
Southport - Atkinson Centre for the Arts WHAT Atkinson Centre for the Arts, Lord Street. The £15 million Southport Cultural Centre will combine Southport Arts Centre including Cambridge Theatre and The Studio, with the Atkinson Art Gallery and Southport Library to make a brand new cultural centre. It will provide three new museum galleries, a craft gallery for high quality local work, a local history centre, an extended cafe and bar and space for community groups to use for their own activities.
Atkinson Centre for the Arts CGI
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WHY The existing buildings were unfit for purpose because of their age. It is hoped the facility will provide a regional centre for the arts, attracting more music, dance and theatre to the town.
DEVELOPERS Contractor Bovis LendLease; architects, Levitt Bernstein. WHEN Open to the public in 2012. THEY SAY John Taylor, head of arts and cultural services at Sefton council, said: “The centre is coming along nicely. The project is really taking shape and everyone involved is getting very excited. The library is looking fantastic and will be much bigger than before the galleries will allow us to bring in some amazing exhibitions from national museums. As well as the refitted theatre, which will be more comfortable and easier to access for people with disabilities, there will also be a music venue capable of holding up to 500 people. These really are exciting times.”
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Theatres Round up Focus Manchester - Corner House and Library Theatre WHAT Corner House and Library Theatre, Whitworth Street West. The £19 million development will expand and relocate Manchester’s three screen Cornerhouse cinema from Oxford Road to nearby Whitworth Street West and provide a new home for the Theatre Library Company. The new facility will house five screens, 600 sq m of contemporary gallery space, a 500-seat theatre and smaller studio/education space and an outdoor performance space plus a café and state-of-the-art back of house facilities. WHY The new combined arts centre will form the first plank in a major regeneration project covering a 20 acre site around First Street. The existing Cornerhouse cinema on Oxford Road, which specializes in independent cinema, has, despite increasing demand, been stifled by lack of space, while the Library Theatre Company has been seeking a new home since moving out of its historic home in the basement of the city’s Central Library, also undergoing development.
Liverpool The Epstein Theatre
WHEN Expected to be finished by 2014. DEVELOPERS Ask developers; architects Mecanoo. THEY SAY Councillor Mike Amesbury, executive member for culture and leisure for Manchester city council, said: "Manchester is committed to culture, something we see not as a luxury but as a necessity that unlocks jobs and other opportunities and is a fundamental part of attracting investors to our city.”
Completed Epstein Theatre
Current location of Corner House and Library Theatre
Chester - Chester Theatre Complex WHAT Chester Theatre Complex. The £43 million development is expected to see a medium scale theatre built with an 800-seat auditorium, capable of scaling down to 450 for smaller audience productions, plus a flexible studio theatre seating around 200. After much consideration it was decided that the privately owned Odeon Cinema site would offer much better value for money and pose much less risk compared with council owned Little Roodee site.
WHEN Cheshire West and Chester council have completed a £2.6 million purchase of the Odeon. WHY There aren’t currently any cinemas or theatres within the city since the Odeon was closed down in 2006 due to competition from the Cheshire Oaks multiplex. The development is seen as being as vital to Chester’s economic future as Albert Dock was to Liverpool, putting it firmly on the regional cultural map. DEVELOPERS Not yet appointed.
Chester Theatre Complex artist’s impression
THEY SAY Councillor Richard Short, executive member for culture and recreation on Cheshire West and Chester council, said: "We have always contended that the city desperately needed an iconic theatre to fill a major gap in its cultural offer. "We are about to take a major step towards both achieving that dream and also to providing a major boost to the city's economic regeneration."
WHAT The Epstein Theatre, Hanover Street. The £1 million renovation has seen the grade II listed Neptune Theatre renamed The Epstein Theatre in honour of Beatles manager Brian Epstein. Antique fittings have been repaired, including the main Edwardian chandelier and original plaster mouldings, and original paintwork reintroduced. New facilities for the disabled including access and toilets have also been added, along with a newly restored bar area. WHY The 98-year-old theatre was closed down six years ago due to health and safety reasons and was in desperate need of refurbishment. The theatre will welcome new and renowned performers as well as acting as a resource for community groups. WHEN Work completed earlier this year but Liverpool city council is still looking for an operator. Unlikely to be open before January 2012. CONTRACTERS Nobles Construction and architects 2020 Liverpool. THEY SAY Peter Linford, director at Nobles Construction, said: “The theatre looks fantastic. There has been great attention to detail to ensure the restoration is sympathetic to its Edwardian heritage, while also bringing it into the 21st Century for modern day use. “The Neptune has always been one of Liverpool’s cultural jewels and we’re delighted to be handing the building back to Liverpool City Council as it enters the next step in its history.” MOVE COMMERCIAL 19
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News Commercial
MULTIMILLION Mann POUND CENTRE OPENS Island A NEW £8 MILLION development, which combines Liverpool’s busiest library service, a brand new neighbourhood health centre, and education facilities, has just opened its doors. The ‘Fiveways Centre’ in Childwall will provide a focal point for the local community and act as a catalyst for improving health and wellbeing in the area. The new centre will house the new Childwall Library; learning facilities for Childwall Sports College as well as a Neighbourhood Health Centre. The £8 million Childwall Centre was developed by LSHP on behalf of Liverpool Primary Care Trust, Liverpool City Council and Childwall School Specialist Sports College. Building work began in summer 2010. Gideon Ben-Tovim, Chair of Liverpool PCT said: “This is an extremely exciting and innovative scheme, which will drive health and wellbeing improvement in Childwall and the surrounding communities. It is an example of true partnership working between the PCT, Liverpool city council, Childwall School and
our developer, LSHP Ltd.” The health centre is part of Liverpool Primary Care Trust’s wider vision for ‘A New Health Service for Liverpool’, which has seen millions of pounds invested into new health facilities across the city. Childwall is the tenth purpose-built health centre created by LSHP Ltd as part of these plans, with a further two currently under construction. The new facility will also provide Childwall Sports College with three
modern learning spaces and two offices for use by sixth form students and staff, making up a modern education centre with access to the new library facilities. In addition to traditional GP provision, the neighbourhood health centre will offer services including sexual health clinics, blood tests, and minor surgical procedures. Patients will also be able to benefit from longer opening hours, including evening and weekends.
Patrick Henry (Open Eye Gallery), John Grealis (Countryside Properties), Rob Mason (Neptune Developments)
The ‘Fiveways Centre’ Childwall
Himor expands property portfolio PROPERTY INVESTMENT company HIMOR plans to expand its property portfolio following a £13.8 million refinancing deal. The co-operative bank provided the loan to refinance the Ship Canal House in Manchester, which HOMIR acquired for £22.8 million in February
this year. Will Ainscough, managing director of HIMOR, said: “We are delighted with the facility that The Co-operative Bank has provided. It has given us more liquidity to pursue other acquisitions. We look forward to doing more deals together soon.” The
Will Ainscough, MD of HIMOR and Steven Peck, of The Co-operatiove Bank
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Showcase
property investment company based, in the North West, has £78million under management and plans to double this over the next five years. The purchase of Ship Canal House was only the fourth time the 71,000 square foot building had changed hands since being constructed in 1924. Law firm Gateley, Fortis Bank, CLB Coopers, Stripes Solicitors, Fidelity International and Liverpool Victoria are currently tenants of the 10storey property. Stephen Peck, corporate manager in the property finance unit of The Cooperative Bank, said: “This is our first transaction for HIMOR and because the Bank places great emphasis on the importance of developing longterm relationships with its customers we very much hope this is the beginning of such a partnership between us.” The building’s current managing agent is North West property and asset management team CB Richard Ellis.
NEPTUNE DEVELOPMENTS and Countryside Properties treated investors to a tour of Liverpool’s Mann Island with foodie tenant Brasserie Blanc catering the recent showcase. Attendees, which included prospective tenants, investors and clients, were shown the remaining leisure units of the landmark residential and retail unit. The scheme has already attracted the celebrity chef Raymond Blanc and his Brasserie Blanc restaurant brand, which is his only brand restaurant in the North West. The mixed-use development next to Liverpool’s Three Graces overlooks the River Mersey and Albert Dock. It comprises two predominantly residential buildings with two levels of basement car parking and one predominantly commercial office building with ancillary retail, cafes, bars and restaurants, covered public space, open public space, public realm works and landscaping. The commercial office building will be occupied by the Merseyside Integrated Transport Authority and Merseytravel, following the signing of one of Liverpool’s biggest commercial property deals in years. The organisation will bring staff from four sites together for the first time into the 140,000 sq ft building, which has been designed to achieve the country’s highest environmental and accessibility standards. The residential development comprises of 376 one, two and three bedroom apartments.
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Commercial News
Funding secured for Liverpool Science Park From London to Liverpool
THE CONSTRUCTION of Liverpool Science Park (LSP)’s third building will commence on site next year following the announcement of a £7.6 million funding package. Innovation Centre 3 (ic3) will provide 42,000 sq ft of Research
and Development offices and laboratories to support, retain and expand the region’s growing life sciences and physical sciences sector. It will also offer purposebuilt starter pods for young knowledge based companies and state-of-the-art open innovation
Liverpool Science Park
space for all LSP tenants. Chris Musson, chief executive of Liverpool Science Park, said: “Confirmation of funding for ic3 is a key moment in Liverpool Science Park’s evolution, and will provide world leading opportunities for our current tenants and for the region’s commercial knowledge economy. “From our experience, laboratory-based SMEs demand flexibility and our Containment Level Two laboratories and flexible leasing policy will enable the creation of a new and vibrant tenant mix to the Park. We are answering a need and sending a clear message
nationally to science-based companies that Liverpool is a high quality destination for commercial knowledge enterprise.” Ic3 will be built on a 0.55-hectare site over the existing car park of Innovation Centre 1 (ic1), off Mount Pleasant, to the south west of Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. It will feature flexible office space, fully serviced laboratories over three floors, meeting rooms, under-croft car parking, and secure cycle storage. Professor Nigel Weatherill, vicechancellor of Liverpool John Moores University, said: “Harnessing local talent and attracting inward investment is key to future growth and building a pipeline of high value jobs. This new building will enable us to unlock the commercial potential of the city’s world-class company and research base.” Construction is expected to commence in late Spring 2012 and open in Summer 2013.
Princes Dock lights up A NEW SIGNAGE structure is to be put in place at Peel’s Princes Dock development in Liverpool city centre. The new totem style sign will be the same design as those already located at the entrances to Albert Dock and Kings Dock, bringing continuity across the popular waterfront attractions. The sign will be 9 metres tall by 1.25 metres wide with ‘PRINCES DOCK’ etched in white with internal lights. Due to be installed by December, the sign will be located on the edge of the Princes Dock site, by the Crown Plaza ensuring it is clearly visible from The Strand and those heading towards the waterfront from Chapel Street. Liza Marco, property manager at Princes Dock, said: “Princes Dock is
an established business and leisure destination which forms an integral part of the city’s icon waterfront and therefore it is fitting that there is a signage link between all of the major waterfront destinations.” Princes Dock is a hub of business activity set in 14.5 hectares, and part of the proposed £6 billion redevelopment scheme of Liverpool waterfront Liverpool Waters. Princes Dock with occupiers including Coutts Bank, PricewaterhouseCoopers and KPMG. In addition to three Grade A office buildings Princes Dock is home to two high quality hotels; the Crowne Plaza and Malmaison, three luxury apartment towers and a 760 space multi storey car park. The joint letting agents are CB Richard Ellis, DTZ and Keppie Massie.
Princes Dock signage artist’s impression
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Appointments Kingsley new associates
Caroline Kingsley with Pan Kakou
Niche property & legal recruitment consultancy, Kingsley Associates in Liverpool, have recently expanded their legal team by the appointment of Pan Kakou. Pan was originally a solicitor with both Hill Dickinson and Pinsent Masons before moving to legal recruitment in 2004, working for Sacco Mann and more recently Badenoch & Clark in Manchester. Caroline Kingsley, director of Kingsley Associates, said: “We are delighted that Pan has joined the team as he brings with him his excellent legal knowledge, contacts and consultancy experience gained over the years.”
Auction addition to Venmore
Geoff Guest
Award-winning Liverpool estate agent and auction house, Venmore, is delighted to welcome Geoff Guest as Auction and Commercial Director to their property team. With over twenty years of experience in the property industry, Guest plans to elevate Venmore by strengthening the company’s relationships with financial suppliers as well as pushing forward an innovative technological programme that will benefit the estate agent’s customers. Having worked with Venmore partner group Bradshaw Farnham & Lea (BFL) since its inception in 2003, Guest is well versed in the language of property. His expertise 22 MOVE COMMERCIAL
in e-commerce, strategic planning and web marketing have already helped to firmly establish the BFL brand across Wirral and he will now utilise these skills to further enhance Venmore’s online presence. Rob Farnham, chief executive of Venmore, comments “We are so pleased to welcome Geoff to the team. His knowledge of the BFL Group brand, skills and ability to deliver exceptional results have always made him an asset to our business and we look forward to seeing him thrive in his new position.” Drivers Jonas Deloitte announce assistant director Property consultant Drivers Jonas Deloitte has announced the promotion of Manchester-based surveyor Adam Robson to assistant director, after seven years at the firm. Adam specialises in occupier advisory, leasing and strategic consulting with a range of public and private sector clients across the North. Adam has advised on a number of significant deals, including the centralisation of NHS Manchester’s office accommodation. Simon Bedford, head of Drivers Jonas Deloitte Manchester, said: “Adam is fast establishing himself as one of the region’s leading occupier advisors. His skills will mean that Drivers Jonas Deloitte is well placed to play a central role in transactions in the region.” Team strengthened at CBRE CBRE has further strengthened its North West Valuation and Advisory Services team, with the appointment of two surveyors, James Lockwood and Ed Higgins. Lockwood joins from DTZ to focus on valuation advisory drawing on his expertise within both residential and commercial sectors, whilst Higgins who was previously with Knight Frank has joined to work with institutional clients. Major recent deals for the team include the 260,000 sq ft acquisition of the former Royal Mail Depot for Liverpool John Moores University, valuation of the Booth’s portfolio to assist with a new £93m loan facility and the £20m forward funding disposal of a 416 bedroom student accommodation development in Manchester.
PAUL CROWLEY & CO
S O L I C I TO R S
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By Dina Karim dina@movepublishing.co.uk
Behind the façade Peter Millett has an envious construction heritage, from developing Manchester's Cathedral Street after the IRA bombing to remodelling the interior of the iconic Liverpool Central Library, he's not slowing down anytime soon.
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children’s zone. “Part of the contract is a vibration protocol which gives precise limits of vibration you have to work to while demolishing the job,” Peter says. “So, the demolition has been a very tricky phase of the job. On top of that, we always knew we would have an issue with asbestos. The demolition is now completed so when you go onsite you can see the reinforced concrete structure taking shape.”
Managing the West division his primary focus is Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham. “From a business plan point of view we want to grow our presence in Liverpool, keep our presence in Manchester and in Birmingham we want to penetrate the M5 and further down the M4,” he says. “Because the library is such a dominant project in quite a tough economic time we can really maximise that opportunity to be able to build our business off the
“
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The company behind three major Liverpool schemes: Liverpool Central Library, St Paul’s Square and the University of Liverpool’s new Apex facility, is Shepherd Construction - a company with over 100 years of construction heritage. Across the road from the busy-bee work behind the quiescent façade of the 150-year-old Liverpool Central Library, I meet with managing director of Shepherd Construction’s West Division Peter Millett. “When you look at the library, it’s an honour to be regenerating it from where it was when we first took occupation of the building,” he says. “It had certainly run its lifetime and badly needed regenerating.” The £50 million project is one of the UK’s biggest library development projects being delivered through the Government’s PFI programme, to create a modern library, with archiving facilities. Work includes restoration of the Grade II listed parts of the building and demolition and new build to other areas. The new look library will have a new entrance with ‘literary carpet’, five new floors, a new repository for 20 years of new archive space, conservation studio, rooftop atrium, re-opening of historical internal entrances to the Picton Reading Room and the re-opening of the International Library as a new
We don’t just build buildings we manage people as well.
Constructing buildings is in Peter’s blood, with a father and brother in the industry his passion was instilled from an early age when he would spend his school holidays on major civil engineering schemes with his father - the unorthodox health and safety attitude not lost on him. After studying civil engineering at Bircham Newton Construction College he spent a year with Tarmac, joining Bovis in 1993, and finally moving to Shepherd Construction in 2008.
back of it. Shepherd Construction has quite an old badge, a fantastic tradition, with great people and financial strength so it’s about maximising the positives.” Reminding the industry of Shepherd’s successful history has just got a lot easier following the completion of the £75 million St Paul’s Square scheme, the gateway to Liverpool's new Central Business District, the business quarter centred on Old Hall Street and Pall Mall.
“St Paul’s Square is a one-off in this market because no one is building commercial at the moment. It’s a real good example of what you can do when you work with clients closely because that project was got off the ground thanks to support from English Cities Fund and NWDA. “The difference between working on a commercial scheme like St Paul’s Square and the library is the sensitivity of the project,” Peter comments. “The client developer is supported by an investment fund so it’s commercially driven but at the same time it has to tick a lot of boxes; it has to be green (BREEAM Excellence), it’s got to be high spec, high quality and delivered on time. “The library is culturally different because we have a different client, we have the end user (the council) who is going to be paying for the project over 25 years and that comes along with all the sensitivities of engaging with the library staff and managing relocation. We don’t just build buildings we manage people as well. Once you’ve got past the fact that it’s a great building, Grade II listed, and in a heritage zone that’s all really tricky stuff to manage, but we are also contractually a PFI partner so we’ve got a complicated contractual mechanism in place which takes some careful management of ticking every box in
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Peter Millett Mover & Shaker
delivering what we promised.” Recently, they have also been awarded a £16.5 million contract to build a new research facility for the University of Liverpool. The 5,950 square metre Apex facility will be adjacent to the university’s Bioscience Building, accommodating 600 researchers who will support the university’s health research into infectious diseases, cancer and digestive diseases. With the successful St Paul’s Square just completed, the iconic library half way there, and further work confirmed with the university Peter Millett is as ever keen to move the company forward. He says he would love to build the exhibition centre in Liverpool Echo Arena, work on the Royal Liverpool hospital and be part of Liverpool universities’ redevelopment of its accommodation. It’s hard not to go back to the library though. “The library is the hub for our business in Liverpool for the next two years, because it’s such a special building. Even my mother-in-law keeps going on about the work, asking when it will open because it’s special to her, she spent all her youth in there. Since it’s been taken out of action everyone wants to know what it’s going to look like.” For anybody wondering, the library reopens November 8, 2012 - a date Peter Millett is adamant he will keep.
Millett File Education: Between 1987-1989, he attended a civil engineering course at Bircham Newton Construction College, sponsored by Tarmac where he obtained a City & Guilds in Construction Practice and Concrete Technology Notable work: £1m project at Crewe Football Club, £50m development building the Lowry Shopping Mall at Salford Quays, the redevelopment of Cathedral Street in Manchester following IRA bomb in 1996, £150m Arndale Centre in Manchester (all done while at Bovis); £50m redevelopment of Liverpool’s Central Library, No 4 St Paul’s Square in Liverpool, £16.5m construction of a new research facility for the University of Liverpool (Shepherd Construction).
MOVE COMMERCIAL 25
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By Emma Pinch emma@movepublishing.co.uk
“In the splendid building which I am about to open,” declared King George V at the opening of Manchester Central Library, “the Corporation have ensured for the inhabitants of the city magnificent opportunities for further education and for the pleasant use of leisure."
A grand project
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changed radically since Manchester Central Library was opened in the 1930s. “There’s a modern attitude to a library of it almost being a workplace,” explained Graham. “We don’t have a rigid arrangement with the workplace anymore – it’s flexible. In Manchester we talk about the library as being a third place. It’s not home, it’s not work, it’s somewhere else where both those things can happen.” Their brief from Manchester City Council was to radically improve the accessibility of library materials and raise the throughput. Until now only 30 per cent of the library’s stock was available to public access. A staggering 70 per cent of it was crammed into labyrinthine stack shelving units and available only to library staff. Stairs and lifts were inadequate as were facilities for the disabled.
Manchester Central Library CGI
It was clear that something needed to be done. But as ever when there’s an announcement of modernising work on a much loved piece of heritage, there were fears that history would be swept away. “We had to allay fears that it’s not
the first place, how it was built and the approach of the architecture.” For Graham that meant delving into the past to learn how such an idiosyncratic building came into being. Manchester Central Library is circular in structure, wrapped in a
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Nearly 80 years on there’s no doubt that Manchester Central Library, the biggest public library in the country when it opened in 1934, retains that same quality of grandeur and majesty. But whether it offers the same education and leisure opportunities as those envisioned by George V to a vastly more diverse and numerous populace, is much less certain. Before it closed for renovation last year only 30 per cent of the library’s stock was available to the public and access was limited too – the building’s grandly unchanging face both a blessing and a curse. Senior architect Graham Cavanagh and his team at Ryder Architecture are tasked with the delicate job of both modernising and preserving the library – a challenge some professionals balk at because of the restrictions involved. “Manchester Central Library is a very important building in one of the most important civic areas of the city, and as you go through the consultation and planning process you realise how much pride people have in it,” he said. “It affects so many people’s lives. It’s a responsibility – but it has the potential to be a fantastically rewarding job.” Ryder Architecture won the contract to renovate the building following their award winning work on Newcastle City Library. As with that project, the challenge is to marry heritage with what people want from a library. And this has
In Manchester we talk about the library as being a third place. It’s not home, it’s not work, it’s somewhere else where both those things can happen.
just being adapted for the heck of it and that we were going to ruin the feeling of the building,” said Graham. “The requirements of working on a listed building is that you understand the reason it’s there in
colonnade in Portland stone with a two-storey portico entrance featuring Corinthian columns. It’s suggestive of something near Palatine Hill rather than Deansgate. Architect Vincent Emmanuel Harris’s traditional neo-classical design often leads people to think it’s older than it is. “It looks like a neo-classical piece of architecture but it’s actually part of Manchester’s modern architectural heritage,” said Graham. “Even though it’s modelled like the Pantheon in Rome it has modern ventilation systems and the wiring of modern buildings built in the 30s. “The chief librarian, Stanley Just, was very taken by what the Americans were doing with their public libraries – they were leaders in the field – and they were being modelled on buildings like the White
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Graham Cavanagh, Ryder Architecture Rising Star
Cavanagh File Born: Little Sutton, Wirral Education: Sutton Comprehensive, Little Sutton; Chester College. Honours Degree in Architectural Engineering at Westminster University in London Work: Senior Architect at Ryder Architecture, Liverpool office at Horton House, Exchange Flags, Liverpool.
House. He brought that idea back to England. He wanted to build the best facility for Manchester.” If you imagine the library as a doughnut with the library around the perimeter, Ryder’s team have taken out the core, which housed mainly admin offices and accommodation. Its new circulation core will feature two glazed lifts and in the outer ring one quadrant will be dedicated to navigation to allow easy access to all floors. The basement will be home to a high tech archive facility. But it hasn’t all been about in with the new. They have uncovered original stone floors in Shakespeare Hall, while a soft strip in what had been turned into a café in the 80s revealed an important theatre lobby with ornate plasterwork. It is planned that the latter will become an exhibition space. Graham has come to develop a deep appreciation of the craftsmanship of years gone by, partly sparked by working on the Tate and Lyle grade II listed sugar silo in Liverpool, and developing it into a media hub. “It was a massive structure that we had to fill in some way,” he said. “It wasn’t the sort of project some people would take because of its complexity. What impressed me was the vernacular – design characteristics particular to a town or region – and conceptual details. “For example the roof of the Tate & Lyle Building was built in reinforced concrete and at the angle that sugar collects in if it’s poured through a funnel. “At a small practice in Clitheroe I worked on 300-year-old churches, and it was interesting to look at the craftsmanship, like the lead work, that gave them such longevity.” Will many of our newly built buildings be similarly loved and appreciated in hundreds of years to come? “You have to wonder whether the more commercially driven things that go up are going to have the same sort of loved heritage in our cities in the future,” says Graham. “It’s a shame that such a short term view is taken to the permanence of some buildings.” Manchester is set to have the best of both worlds when the revamped library opens in 2013. Said Graham: “The people of Manchester want to see they’ve got a 21st century library and show it to the world, and we are hoping to provide it for them.” MOVE COMMERCIAL 27
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By Marya McCann
Move Commercial spoke to managing director, Sean Marley, to find out how his career and the skills he has picked up along the way have contributed to Lime Pictures’ present success.
IN THE PICTURE
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background. These were the golden years of commercial radio and I can remember being fascinated by the way these broadcasters seemed to enjoy such a high profile. And, if I’m honest, the soaps would be on the telly, especially Coronation Street because my mum liked to watch it.” Today Sean is more likely to be found watching sport than anything else. “Any chance I get to watch television - I’m fourth choice after my wife and kids, of course - will always be sport. And the one programme that I look forward to watching and really enjoy is QI.” Rather than having famous business icons, Sean’s career has been touched by managers who have inspired him in particular ways. “I have worked for a number
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of bosses who always maintained a respectful and sympathetic manner, even when they were making hard decisions. “I’ve really learnt over the years that just because you have responsibility for making business decisions and managing staff it doesn’t follow that you must be completely ruthless. I aspire to maintain dignity and respect, whatever the situation is that I’m faced with.” Rather than a particular business model being used at Lime Pictures, change has grown quite organically from the legacy left by Phil Redmond’s Mersey TV and the changing commercial landscape. Said Sean: “When Phil owned the company he was able to translate his own ideas into programmes.
That we have actually created a whole new genre is quite amazing.
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Lime Pictures has recently enjoyed significant media firsts within two of its most successful shows. The Only Way is Essex has introduced into our living rooms ‘constructed reality’ (to be explained below!) and its children’s show The House of Anubis has not only been BAFTA nominated but has established links between the Childwall-based Production Company and American network Nickelodeon. Sean began his career in media as a graduate sales trainee at Metro Radio in Newcastle and went on to become MD at Radio City before securing his current post. Does he think his background in sales has been important in driving his career? “Yes, absolutely,” he said. “And there are two skills I can think of immediately which I still use today. When you are selling anything, an in-depth knowledge of your product is crucial. So commercially and editorially, I am fully aware of the nuts and bolts at Lime Pictures and how they come together. “The second skill is the art of negotiation. I use this all the time and have honed it over my years in advertising.” Sean grew up in Pensby on the Wirral. What shaped his view of the media and what was on the radio at home in the late 1970s and 1980s? “I can remember Johnny Kennedy and Billy Butler being on in the
Now that we are not owned by a writer we have more scope to bring in new talent and from a wider network.” Lime is running successfully on a freelance and hiring model (rather than using a traditional in-house team of writers and producers) although it does have a large staff base due to its perennial drama Hollyoaks and the staff and resources needed to keep it in production. This level of ownership has allowed it to respond to current trends immediately and some of the hits seem to have occurred quite naturally. The Only Way Is Essex has taken the whole industry by surprise and is viewed by media commentators as the first example of constructed reality TV. “That we have actually created a whole new genre is quite amazing,” said Sean. The programme follows the lives of real people, but as they have achieved celebrity as a by-product, this reality has become somewhat enhanced. “What we recognised with The Only Way is Essex, and how we marketed the show, is that telly isn’t just telly anymore. Programmes often have the potential to become brands, and actually bigger than their TV shows. “With licensing deals and merchandise we are proving that
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Sean Marley Entrepreneur
some shows benefit from being treated like individual businesses rather than a set of transmissions.” It is clear from talking to Sean that despite recessionary times Lime Pictures is using creative ways to maximise profits. Said Sean: “The industry at large is going through a tough time and the commercial sector relies on advertising to keep on top of its game.” So, has licensing and brand extension arrived at just the right time? “Yes, it’s coincided with the biggest period in our history. We are acting on bright ideas that are affordable,” he said. “And this means spending time on the youth market.” It’s possible, then, that shows such as Hollyoaks may soon introduce carefully researched product placement. In terms of the output at Lime Pictures Sean sums up the split direction of its programming. “We have youth drama such as Hollyoaks, the constructed reality genre of The Only Way is Essex, children’s programming and also a significant digital platform for new and emerging artists with Conker Media.” How does he achieve a work/home life balance? Said Sean: ‘”If you ask my wife she would probably say that I don’t achieve a balance. But, I think it has to be a discipline whereby you make sure you are always there for the important family occasions. Luckily I do love my job, but not as much as my family.”
Marley file Age: 42 Education: Lady Mount Primary School, Pensby; St Anselm’s College, Birkenhead; York University, where he read Chemistry. First job: Stacking shelves in Tesco, Heswall. Married: Actress and presenter, Terri Dwyer. The couple have two sons aged five and two. Lives: Cheshire
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Culture tourism Lunch debate
By Dina Karim dina@movepublishing.co.uk
Jack Stopforth, chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce, Jemima Pyne, communication director at Tate Liverpool and Peter Stoney, economist and honorary senior fellow at University of Liverpool, came together to discuss Liverpool’s culture tourism and its economy. The experts sat down at Blakes Restaurant, in the Hard Days Night Hotel, to discuss the cultural environment of the city post 2008 and the successes of marketing campaigns such as Liverpool Vision’s ‘It’s Liverpool’.
Jack Stopforth chief executive of Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
Jemima Pyne communication director at Tate Liverpool
Peter Stoney economist and honorary senior fellow at University of Liverpool,
A VIEW ON CULTURE TOURISM What do you think of Liverpool’s cultural offering? Jack Stopforth: Next April we will be bringing over a very senior group of politicians and business leaders from Boston, it’s a business partnership we’re looking to establish. On the back of Liverpool Football Club acquired by the Red Sox we felt that might open some doors for us in Boston, which it has in a significant way. We will be putting them up in the Hard Days Night Hotel, because when you go over to the States they are always very keen on The Beatles. Peter Stoney: This is a topic Max Steinberg (chief executive of Liverpool Vision) is very keen on, he thinks we’re under-exploiting the potential of attracting people.
Jemima Pyne: The interest is colossal; The Beatles are such a gift to us. I don’t think we make enough of it but we don’t also make enough of Liverpool or Everton football club or the Grand National. We’ve got some extraordinarily strong cultural assets we need to make the most of - they are a worldwide brand. What is your opinion of the new Liverpool Vision ‘It’s Liverpool’ campaign? Jack: The DVDs are terrific and very interesting. They gave a brief to the advertising agency to surprise them, to show images of Liverpool they don’t expect to see, and they’ve avoided the clichés of the Liver buildings and Cavern Club. They’ve presented a picture of Liverpool which looks intimate,
friendly, very attractive but they have to be very careful how they use it because sometimes the clichés are what people need to be reminded of. I think the idea of the campaign is great, the Talking Heads with ‘I’m Liverpool’ is wonderful it’s a really refreshing and effective campaign. Jemima: I think it’s lovely and creative but unfortunately it’s not really a campaign because there isn’t any money behind it to make it a campaign, so it’s very much dependent for businesses to use it, difficult when you’re missing the essential spend. It’s great creatively, but who is seeing it? Getting it out there is difficult. It’s relying on people using it in their marketing. It’s about pride in a place and
showing them multi-facets of Liverpool, and that’s what Tate is all about: different viewpoints, looking at the world in contemporary ways. Jack: I think the value of those short videos is that they can quickly go viral, people share them with friends, family, business contacts and I used them on the trip to Boston. What comes across in those videos is the warmth of the city. Regarding The Mersey Partnership’s (TMP) campaign and Liverpool Vision’s campaign, do you think they are linked well giving a clear message of Liverpool? Jack: I think it’s a shame that we’ve got two straplines so similar out there, TMP’s ‘It’s Happening in Liverpool’ and Liverpool Vision use ‘It’s Liverpool’. I think a little
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forethought might have not gone remiss. Peter: Do Vision and TMP not work together? Jack: I think on an operational level they do; the management of both organisations work very well together but the big decisions are too politically driven, which is a shame. Jemima: We work with very small budgets, we’re a publicly funded organisation and we are extremely good at getting the public to our events. We’re probably the cultural centre in the city that gets the most national and international coverage. We are regularly mentioned on the national papers, we would expect our exhibitions to be on three or four Radio 4 programmes. We also run marketing campaigns and when we’re doing the big exhibitions for example Picasso and Magritte, we also coordinate our spend with organisations like the TMP. We work a lot in partnerships, so we work with Virgin trains to get people up from London. Ten per cent of our audience of 600,000 people are from London. Talking to them in London is what we need to do and saying it’s only two hours on the train is so brilliant to say. We also work with media partners so we’re working with the Times for the Alice exhibition. The other big area is online, you can’t ignore that’s where it’s all going to be. Peter: The other 90 per cent of visitors where are they from? Have you done any analysis and breakdown of where they come from? Jemima: In 2010, 24 per cent came from Merseyside, 25 per cent from the North West.
Peter: So only 24 per cent from Merseyside, that’s interesting. Jemima: Well, when we say 24 per cent of 600,000, that’s a lot. The rest of the UK was 35 per cent and overseas was 20 per cent. Jack: Does that profile change when you have a big exhibition on? Jemima: Yes. In December with terrible weather in the Albert Dock we can be down as low as 20,000 and in the summer we’re up at nearly 100,000 in August. We currently have the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funding so we have to measure the impact of those exhibitions, measure those spends. Therefore, when people visit the city Tate has to be the main reason. Last year, using the
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Where else is doing paid-for exhibitions with 200,000 people? We’re now rewriting the book for what does work outside of London.
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ERDF model, we had £12 million economic impact of revenue spend. That was from 625,000 visitors of which 36 per cent were primarily in Liverpool because of Tate. Jack: It is difficult to measure though, if someone comes here just to see the Magritte exhibition but stays at the Hard Days Night Hotel and goes to the Cavern Club, where do you begin and finish measuring impact? Has there been an increase in people visiting Tate exhibitions because of past successes? Jemima: We’ve definitely seen an increase; the pinnacle year was
Capital of Culture because Liverpool was suddenly on the map and we used that year to raise the bar. We put on Gustav Klimt and effectively broke the model for exhibitions outside of London. Where else is doing paid-for exhibitions with 200,000 people? We’re now rewriting the book for what does work outside of London. We had Picasso, we had Magritte and we’ve got this massive exhibition next year of Turner, Monet and Twombly. Peter: Turner is fantastic, quite an achievement to have them all three up here. Jemima: Our model is all about believing that what we’re putting on is good stuff - Liverpool is on the European map. How much of an impact do you think the Liverpool Biennial has on the city? Jemima: I think the Biennial is great because it creates a moment in the history of the city every two years and those interventions on the street are some of the most memorable things people encounter; I mean the Korean house in between two buildings was fantastic. That sense of excitement is very important but how do you measure the impact of that? Jack: It’s interesting because the cultural offer and character of the city has always been there. I was a part of the economic development of the city in the early 70s, and you had precious little of substance to offer prospective investors. Very often all you could say was this was
the city that produced Boys from the Blackstuff and The Beatles. Funnily enough although Liverpool was at its lowest economic ebb, our two football teams were at their best so Liverpool and Everton were dominating. The vibrancy of the city, the humour of the city, the fact that it’s so well known for producing actors and comedians was always a constant that you could get across to people. No matter how hardnosed a businessman is, although he will want to know the quality of his land and availability of labour, he will also want to know that it’s a good place to live, that there’s something to do at the weekend. How beneficial, in economic terms, is a push into culture tourism? Peter: I don’t think Liverpool is focussed unduly on the cultural side. The Mersey Partnership has given good exposure to a broader agenda such as the Low Carbon Economy, the Knowledge Economy as well as the Visitor Economy. I think it’s a very balanced approach. Jemima: When we were awarded the Capital of Culture, it brought about completely new relationships between the city, the TMP and other organisations which have been very useful in people understanding the other side’s position. The fact that culture and tourism is now one of the strands they recognise is fantastic, but there’s enough room for more visitors. Jack: A message we don’t
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Culture tourism Lunch debate necessarily get across enough is the quality. Although, it’s good that we can present Liverpool from a good night out at The Cavern to a highbrow night at The Phil,
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We’re not in the situation that if the UK economy catches a cold Liverpool gets pneumonia which is how it was for so long.
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sometimes we need to remind ourselves and others that The Phil is one of the world’s greatest orchestras and in Vasily Petrenko (RLPO conductor) we have a genuine superstar. The Tate is not just another gallery it’s the Tate of the North. The high quality is what we need to get across all the time. Jemima: The other thing is that Liverpool has such a lot of culture. It has the best visual arts outside of London. Most cities have an art museum and maybe a smaller gallery, we’ve got the Walker Art Gallery with its incredible history, Lady Lever, Sudley House, FACT doing things no one else can do, The Bluecoat. There’s just so much. We struggle to keep up with it even if you’re in the business. Peter: Does the Liverpool Vision DVD give you exposure to all these various items? Jack: No, the DVD have consciously steered away from the headline grabbers. It’s much more subtle, it’s more about warmth and character and humour and those sort of things. I do worry that it is slightly introspective. I love it because I love Liverpool and know Liverpool as well as I do and I instantly recognise which coffee bar, which park, they’re showing you. But if you’re using it as your lead proposition then it doesn’t tell you enough. Peter: So the promotional mix on that front is capable of improvement. Jack: It’s very useful as a supplementary message to something more upfront. Do you think other industries such as manufacturing or finance need
to be better promoted? Jack: It’s complimentary. As Peter said the Visitor Economy gets about the same sort of exposure as the Port and Knowledge Economy. It’s interesting, we had the same discussion when the Liverpool Enterprise Partnership (LEP) got together, and we decided that we didn’t need to reinvent the wheel. Peter: We’re underrepresented in the financial sector in terms of the proportion of people employed and efforts being made. We have got some good asset management companies such as Shore Capital but there’s an unfortunate split in the professional financial ranks because Professional Liverpool lost its chief executive Mark Chadwick after the abolition of the NWDA and he set up his own counter organisation Liverpool City Region: Business & Professionals. I think that is unfortunate, as it would appear to be a division of effort in the professional financial services. I don’t know how that’s going to play it out. The Port is also getting a lot of exposure; Louise Ellman (MP for Liverpool Riverside) is arguing that English Heritage could be more sympathetic to the situation. Jack: I think the fact that we have the docks on both sides of the river, the Enterprise Zones on both sides of the river, the airport, the ship canal and great swathes of land in between in single ownership is a huge opportunity for us. Whether Peel (owners of the assets) are your favourite company or not it’s still a fact that having a single private sector owner of such as strategic slab of the area can really be exploited. And the Enterprise Zone is integral to that. I entirely sympathise with Louise Ellman, I don’t think they should be so precious with the World Heritage site status. I would rather we not lose it, but once you’re an Olympic champion you’re always an Olympic champion. You can always present the Pier Head as a World Heritage site, it doesn’t suddenly become ugly or anything, if they take the title away the buildings don’t go with the title. If retaining the title means we have to compromise on the continued economic development of the area well then... How does Liverpool’s economy look in the medium term? Peter: It’s going to be a long, slow and hard slog. Unemployment is going up and it’s mainly the public sector that’s feeling it so we need to encourage private sector development. We’ve also got particular problems in
Merseyside where youth employment is higher than the national average. We need to invest in rather dull sounding projects such as roads and rail which don’t sound very glamorous but that is where the investment should be focused. Jack: I wouldn’t disagree with that. You can take some degree of encouragement that because the economy has strengthened so much in the last 10 years due largely to the investment in the previous 10 years we’re not in the situation that if the UK economy catches a cold Liverpool gets pneumonia which is how it was for so long. We’re not immune to what’s happening nationally and internationally but we’re not as vulnerable as we were 20 years ago. And that’s because so much private investment has been attracted to the city in the course of the last 10 years. Peter: Yes, and that’s why we should encourage the Peel investment because the Port of Liverpool, Jack will remember like me in the 1970s, they went bankrupt. Now 40 years on it’s quite a different story. Jack: It’s busier than it’s been in its history, which is quite extraordinary. Peter: So that needs to be marketed and supported, but it’s not going to be a short-term fix it’s going to be long term.
BLAKES RESTAURANT AT HARD DAY’S NIGHT HOTEL 41 North John Street, Liverpool, L2 6RR
The panel enjoyed a delightful lunch from the à la carte autumn menu. Named after the popular artist Sir Peter Blake, the restaurant follows the theme from the hotel offering a stylish dining room with wall-to-wall original Beatles artwork. The restaurant won the Good Food Guide 2010 as Liverpool's top City Centre restaurant. The panel enjoyed a lunch a light lunch of Chargrilled Mackerel, Linguine Pasta with English Heritage Tomatoes, Chilli and Pine Nuts. Blakes Restaurant has just launched the ‘So This is Christmas’ menu with dishes such a traditional roast turkey, cranberry and chestnut stuffing served with sage sauce. To make a reservation visit www.harddaysnighthotel.com or telephone 0151 243 2121.
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Land Rover Experience Key events
Photos by Peter Kelly
Land Rover Experience Townsgate It was all about the flashy Land Rovers and sparkling new Townsgate Business Centre as North West industrial letting agents got together for a breakfast meeting to view the excellent, new site. The new business park in Widnes was launched with fanfare where they unveiled the site, its facilities and the industrial units and yard areas to let. At the delicious breakfast event, neighbours Halewood Land Rover gave attendees a chance to test drive a selection of their vehicles, including two of the new Range Rover Evoques. 1
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1. Alan Smith, Merys Liall, Nick Yates & Julia Ford (all of Towngate PLC). 2. Robin Evans (Matthews Goodman), Jonny Firth (SGP), Rupert Lowe (SGP) & Jonny Lowe (GVA). 3. The new Range Rover Evoque. 4. Jon Swain (Mason & Partners) with Andrew Pexton (GVA). 5. Julia Ford and Merys Liall (both of Townsgate PLC). 6. Alex Smylie (DTZ), Brian Birtwistle (Birtwistle Property Consultants) & Stuart Murray (Savills). 7. Louise May (Jones Lang LaSalle), Steve Dawson (Principled) & Roy Backhouse (Roy Backhouse & Co). 8. The Range Rover Evoque alloy wheel. 9. Robert Dunston (GVA) with Tony O'Keefe (DTZ). 10. The plush interior of the new Range Rover Evoque. 11. Jonathan Lowe (GVA), Darren Hill (CBRE) & Robin Hill (Matthews Goodman).
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By Dina Karim dina@movepublishing.co.uk
ccording to legend, the European Capitals of Culture was born at Athens airport in January 1985. Sitting in the lounge waiting for their planes were glamorous former actress Melina Mercouri, then Greece’s Minister of Culture, and her French counterpart, the charismatic Jack Lang. They were fresh from a meeting of Europe’s culture ministers, and said it was a shame that there were so few occasions of this kind. As they waited for delayed flights Mercouri came up with the idea of launching a series of yearly events that would put the spotlight on cities around Europe and their role in the development of European cultures. Twenty-six years later and the European Capitals of Culture are Europe’s most ambitious collaborative cultural project both in scope and scale, with budgets far exceeding those of any other cultural event. Move Commercial looks at some of the cities of Britain and Ireland who have won the European Capital of Culture status, and the legacy left behind.
A
A cultural legacy LIVERPOOL - CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2008 It is widely believed that Liverpool’s experience in 2008 as European Capital of Culture (ECoC) was the most successful in the initiative’s 26-year history. Internationally, the Liverpool ECoC is perceived as a relevant reference point for future host cities and the European Commission has used Liverpool’s programme and participation as a prime example in areas such as its volunteering, community involvement and research programmes. It also led to one of the most comprehensive reports Impacts 08, a joint research initiative of the University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University, which from 2005-2010 evaluated the social, cultural, economic and environmental effects of Liverpool hosting the ECoC title. It is worth noting though, the paper says: in Glasgow, host of the 1990 European City of Culture title, it took over a decade to understand what aspects of the programme led to impacts that 38 MOVE COMMERCIAL
have sustained in the long-term. Claire McColgan MBE, director of culture Liverpool, said: “Our European Capital of Culture Year was ambitious, complex and one of the most important and exciting years in the city’s history. One of the biggest successes of the year was the number of people who participated in, or contributed to the events taking place across the 12 months. “Because of 2008, we are more aware of the positive economic benefits that culture delivers and as a result continue to work towards maximising its potential for Liverpool. Events this year including the On the Waterfront series - in particular The Macula’s stunning 3D projection to mark the centenary of the Liver Building - have shown there is still a real appetite for large-scale, free events with hundreds of thousands of people flocking to the city. “One of the main legacies of 2008 is that Liverpool now deservedly has a reputation for putting on high quality, artistic events. We’re set to see this
continue in 2012 with the Sea Odyssey extravaganza which will bring a Little Girl Giant to the city streets in a truly inspiring spectacular.”
FIGURES The Liverpool ECoC generated the highest amount of sponsorship and earned income of any ECoC, with a total of £22.3 million of sponsorship and £4.1 million of earned income The main branded programme of events -‘Liverpool 08’ - and related activity, co-ordinated by the Liverpool Culture Company with a wide range of stakeholders over six themed years, with a budget of £129.9million 2008 attracted 9.7 million additional visits to the city, generating £753.8 million in additional visitor spend in the city and North West Over four themed years (2005-2008) there were 41,000 activities held with a total audience of 18 million Liverpool’s number of jobs rose by 12.4 per cent between 1998 and 2008, well above the national and regional average
LEGACY Between 2000 and the end of 2008, the city witnessed up to £4 billion of investment in its physical infrastructure. 2008 marked a peak in major developments, with around £1.5 billion worth being completed during the year. Most of this investment came from private investors Some stakeholders stressed the importance of the Liverpool ECoC to the city’s physical regeneration, seeing it as a crucial factor in focusing the completion of developments, with particular reference to the Arena and Convention Centre Liverpool and the Liverpool ONE complex The Museum of Liverpool, completed this year, is the biggest newly-built British national museum for almost a century, a fitting legacy for the 2008 ECoC Nationally, Liverpool has become a key referent for major event impact research and the framework developed here is informing the evaluation strategy for the London 2012 Olympic Games and four year Cultural Olympiad, and for the new UK City of Culture programme
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Capitals of Culture Review
LIVERPOOL - CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2008
Internationally, Liverpool is seen as a positive brand strengthened by its presence at Shanghai World Expo 2010 and winning the 2012 Global Entrepreneur Conference which is expected to increase investment in new business
GLASGOW - CAPITAL OF CULTURE 1990 In 1990, Glasgow became the first UK city to hold European Capital of Culture title; its immense substantial regeneration and creation of a positive city brand following being awarded ECoC became a keystone in arguments for culture-led urban regeneration. There have been many studies of Glasgow 1990, and they all conclude that the impact was dramatic in terms of building city confidence, developing
a strong strategic and practical base for further development, and setting future agendas for city change. Glasgow is Scotland’s creative powerhouse, producing artistic and cultural work that is both crucial to the nation’s economy and Glasgow’s unique distinction as a vibrant destination, enjoyed by citizens and tourists alike. In a major report, commissioned by Glasgow city council, Glasgow Life this year, it found that 21 years later the sector has gone from strength to strength. Glasgow has the greatest concentration of the creative industries in Scotland, and one of the largest in the UK outside London, which employ a further 24,632. Councillor Gordon Matheson, the leader of Glasgow city council, said: “Glasgow is Scotland’s cultural metropolis, a creative powerhouse
which boosts not only the city’s standing both at home and abroad, but is a key provider of jobs across the city. “We’ve long said that Glasgow is the driving force in Scottish culture and this report proves that there is no greater cultural destination outside London. Tourism is a key driver in our economic success and the city’s commitment to improving what’s on offer, such as the opening of the £74 million Riverside Museum later this year, will reap massive economic benefits as the city emerges stronger from the recession.”
FIGURES Private sector support of Glasgow 1990 was valued at £6.1 million; it generated a positive return to the regional economy of £10.3 - £14.1 million. Revenue support totalled £32.7 million, mainly provided by the two local authorities.
Reports suggest Glasgow 199O resulted in some 580,000 additional visitors indicating expenditure of £33 million During 1990, two major new venues were opened in Glasgow: the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall which saw 170 performances in 1990 with 179,000 attendees and MacLean Galleries which had five major exhibitions with 130,000 visitors
LEGACY The market for culture overall increased by 45 per cent from 1989 to 2008/09 and is 20 per cent higher than at the early special peak in 1990 Won the title of UK City of Architecture and Design in 1999 and won the bid to stage the Commonwealth Games in 2016 CONTINED ON NEXT PAGE
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N E P O
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Capitals of Culture Review
GLASGOW - CAPITAL OF CULTURE 1990
and the elderly participated in over 600 creative workshops in the city. The European Union provided €500,000 of funding through the Culture 2000 scheme Over one million people visited Cork during the ECoC 2005
LEGACY The Lonely Planet Guide nominated the city as one of the top ten cities to visit internationally in 2010 Blackrock Castle, which is one of the best known landmarks in the city, was acquired by the council and refurbished at €1.6 million Restoration of Lifetime Lab, the old public waterworks buildings, was completed in 2005 represents the best industrial heritage site in the country Museums attract 3.57 million visitors, with an additional 0.55 million visiting heritage sites (such as the Mackintosh buildings and Glasgow Cathedral) Scotland’s creative community concentrates greatly in Glasgow which is home to 42 per cent of the country’s dancers, actors and broadcasters Cultural venues were developed such as The Tramway (in a former tram depot), The Arches, the refurbishment of the MacLellan galleries (an exhibition space for the city visual arts collections), and construction of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall
CORK - CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2005 The designation focused the city’s public attention on its cultural assets and its offerings. It acted as a catalyst for certain decisions and infrastructure investments to be made. Across the year, over one million people, seven times the city’s population, attended official Cork 2005 events as local and international audiences turned out to experience the Cork 2005 programme. Liz Meaney, arts officer at Cork city council, said: “Cork’s tenure as European Capital of Culture 2005, had an enormously positive and lasting impact upon both the city. There are now over 22 festivals in the city and there are a number of long relationship and programmes, which originated in 2005. The year increased the city’s profile, audiences and ambitions. We continue to grow and mature as a City of Culture, and continue to engage, through the arts, with citizens and visitors.”
FIGURES Cork city council and the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism were the
primary funders of the European Capital of Culture programme in Cork in 2005, a total support of €13.6 (£11.7) million. A total capital investment of €196 (£168) million, of which €67 (£57) million came from the city council's own resources Over 30,000 people, including schoolchildren, trade unions members, youth groups, asylum seekers, the sick
Comparing the economic impact of the British and Irish European Capitals of Culture doesn’t come easy, aside from external economic factors such as in 2008 the world had entered a global recession indicating a dramatic decrease in spend, assessment is in the eye of
CORK CITY - CAPITAL OF CULTURE 2005
the beholder. The most commonly cited positive offshoot is the radical regeneration of the city as a result of the status boost. Glasgow 1990 is deemed to have rejuvenated a city suffering from urban decay, high unemployment and a reputation for crime to a creative British hub and a radical boost to its international image. Cork’s cultural offering gained higher recognition following its ECoC status, with Lonely Planet naming it one of the top ten international cities to visit in 2010. Liverpool’s theme was ‘The World In One City’, with an aim to become a major tourist destination although it may be a little too early to see the long term legacy of 2008, its subsequent participation in major international events has seen the city come into its own. After 25 years of European Capitals of Culture, their touristic and economic potential is undeniable. The badge of honour offers a unique opportunity for urban regeneration and image boosting both at a national, European and international level. Once you’re a Capital of Culture, you’re always a capital of culture.
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42 MOVE COMMERCIAL
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By Dina Karim dina@movepublishing.co.uk
Any Liverpudlian walking through the city can sometimes be overwhelmed by the sheer transformation in the last 30 years, from a declining port economy to a thriving cultural and modern offering today. For Max Steinberg walking through the city not only brings up feelings of reminiscence but also of pride as he walks past the city’s major regeneration areas which he has had a hand in bringing about.
STEERING LIVERPOOL VISION
44 MOVE COMMERCIAL
Liverpool. Max joined Liverpool Vision 16 months ago, with a task of guiding the company through a tough economic age capitalising on its successes and promoting the city as an international brand. With an envious view of the city from the top floor of the prestigious The Capital building on Old Hall Street, I meet with Max to discuss plans for 2012 and beyond. “Liverpool had such a successful experience at the Expo 770,000 people visited our pavilion; it made us understand how strong an image a city can have and how powerful that can be,” commented Max. “For those people who weren’t sure whether the Expo was the right thing to do, we’ve had up to 20 delegations from China since we came back last October. Yes, there was a significant amount of money invested in going out to China but it has brought investment back to the city. When we came back I started talks with the leader of the council (Joe Anderson) about how we could develop the international agenda for the city because it can sell extremely well.” From these talks came the
branding campaign ‘It’s Liverpool’, promoting a collaboration between the public and private sector. Max has already pronounced the campaign a success after a positive general reaction from all sectors, with
“
Liverpool on the world stage is understood to have a very powerful offer.
“
Max Steinberg is a name synonymous with the regeneration of the city receiving an OBE in 1997 for services to Housing and Regeneration on Merseyside. Beginning his career at city council, he was seconded from the Housing Corporation and assigned to Lord Heseltine’s ‘task force’ in the 80s in charge of a number of projects such as the Eldonian development in Vauxhall and Project Rosemary, which included the building of the Women’s Hospital. Now at the helm of Liverpool Vision as chief executive, Max’s main role is promoting the city as a key British authority attracting business through its strong economic and cultural offering. Liverpool Vision, the city’s economic development company, is one of the cornerstones behind the area’s recent transformation. It has been behind major ventures such as the Liverpool pavilion at the World Expo in Shanghai 2010 - the only city to hold such an honour, as well as many urban developments including Liverpool’s Echo Arena, Liverpool ONE and the Museum of
many following the material on Twitter and YouTube, and the single released on iTunes creating a buzz. The campaign certainly pays homage to the city, the videos creating a warm, positive feeling
of Liverpool showcasing the nooks and crannies often forgotten when promoting the facts and figures to a board of investors. The company is not short of notable events next year, with the hugely prestigious Global Entrepreneurship Conference in March (the first time to be held in a European city), to the colossal street event planned for April and the Olympic Torch passing through the city in June. The ramifications of the Global Entrepreneurship Conference are very important to the city’s economy in being able to continue growing. “If you look at some of the statements that are being made by economists who are thinking how western economies may have to respond to the challenges at the moment they are very much talking about the need for new businesses to be created,” he commented. “The growth will come into our economy through smaller businesses not the large established businesses and it’s that kind of entrepreneurial flare that’s going to create business. “The event has gone from the usual four-day event to a 10-day
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Max Steinberg Founding Father
event so it’s going to be an entrepreneurship festival. It’s going to be a major event in the city; the first day will probably have around 3000 delegates in the arena and at the moment we’ve got 118 countries coming.” The second key event of the year is Sea Odyssey where a Little Girl Giant, bigger than the 50ft spider which visited Liverpool in 2008, will be taking to the city streets in a breathtaking street spectacular. Sea Odyssey is part of the commemoration events next year for the 100th anniversary of the Titanic and is the final event which will use European legacy funding from the city’s capital of culture year. Max says the event is expected to draw in between 800,000 and one million people over the three to four days. “This is not just a regional event or a national event, this is an international event and since the publicity went out about the event we’ve had enquiries from a wide range of countries about people who want to attend. “Liverpool on the world stage is understood to have a very powerful offer,” Max commented. “People who still think Liverpool is rooted in 1980’s are just wrong, the city has gone through, and will continue to go through, a major renaissance. I think there’s an increasing recognition that Liverpool has a very modern environment, it is a very attractive city.” Max has been at the forefront of trying to change this vision of Liverpool on a local, national and international level for three decades. Talking about how he will be directing Liverpool Vision, he commented: “I think virtually every commentator will say at the moment if we’re going to move from the difficult circumstances we are in now economically we have to work hand in glove with the private sector. That’s what Vision does very well. We are recognised by the private sector as an effective organisation that is good to work with, is responsive, we can be that interface between the local authority and business. I want to see more business coming to Liverpool, I want to see more cultural activity showcased in this city; I think we have the opportunity to develop the city on an international basis.”
Steinberg File Career: Began his career at Liverpool city council in 1975 before moving to the Housing Corporation. During 25 years at the Housing Corporation, Max worked in all aspects of housing, eventually becoming Director of Investment and Regeneration North before becoming Chief Executive of Elevate East Lancashire in 2003. In 2009 he became Chief Executive of Regenerate Pennine Lancashire Ltd, one of the largest Economic Development Companies in the UK. Max joined Liverpool Vision in July 2010 replacing recently retired Jim Gill. Boards: On the board of Liverpool John Moores University European Institute of Urban Affairs since 1992 and its chairman since 2001. Board member of the National Housing and Planning Advice Unit, a board member of the Riverside Housing Group and was a non-executive director of Kensington Regeneration from 2003-2006.
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Ask the panel Expert views
Is being part of the EU beneficial for businesses in the UK? With Europe at loggerheads over bailouts and Prime Minister David Cameron recently faced with a backbench revolt calling for a referendum on Britain’s EU membership, Move Commercial asks our panellists if business would really benefit from continuing to be part of the EU? “Yes, in terms of the grants available to boost economic growth and provide investment. The European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which equates to around €8 billion since 2000, contributed £48 million to the regeneration of the Liverpool docks for example. Securing funding on this scale is one of the property industry’s biggest challenges in the current climate. Having access to a ring-fenced pot of money - which is not reliant on the private sector or subject to public sector spending cuts - is obviously beneficial for the construction industry and its vast supply chain of manufacturers, professional advisors and workers." Andy Williams, managing director of building consultancy Powell Williams “Over the past few years the EU has heavily supported Merseyside businesses, so I would say that it has certainly been very beneficial to businesses in our region. Through it, countless local starts ups and SMEs have felt the benefits of additional EU funding streams, training and support which have helped them to grow. It’s a hard time for many business owners at the moment – so the additional business support and networks that EU membership offers can only be a good thing.” Paul Crowley, senior partner at Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors
“ ”
“The answer is both ‘yes’ and ‘no’. In terms of companies being able to trade across borders in a consistent way through stable exchange rates and recognised certification/documentation procedures the answer must be yes. However, underneath this there is still a raft of rules and regulations associated with some countries preserving their rights - tough barriers that prevent good UK companies from entering the valuable export market." Lesley Martin-Wright, chief executive of Knowsley Chamber of Commerce
Europe is the single most important market for business in the UK. 46 MOVE COMMERCIAL
“Yes, it’s a major trading block with many of our trading partners. We particularly need as few barriers to trade as possible. Historically, Europe has been massively important to the rebirth of the Liverpool economy. Vanguard has benefitted from the progress the city has made but we must continue to battle against the increase in regulation.” Brian McCann, partner, Vanguard Corporate Finance
“Europe is the single most important market for business in the UK, so a healthy, thriving Europe is good for Liverpool and good for business in Liverpool. Vision’s Liverpool London mission was set up to promote investment in the city.” Mike Taylor, Deputy Chief Executive, Liverpool Vision
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