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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESTER MANCHESTER
February-April 2012
8 PAGE PULL OUT LIVERPOOL COMMERCIAL OFFICE MARKET REVIEW 2011
MOVE COMMERCIAL The north-west’s guide to property and business
Issue 26
Richard Branson interview GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONGRESS International event at ACC Liverpool FROM CANNES TO CANNES DO The need for networking
Grade A mezzanine offices released at Mann Island
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____MANN ISLAND_LIVERPOOL_L3
Grade ‘A’ Offices To Let/For Sale. The Latitude Building
____COMTEMPORARY, STYLISH, UNIQUE
Up to 15,877sqft (1,475 sqm) For more information contact
A Development by
Brian Ricketts M: 07970 837454 E: brianricketts@hwandp.co.uk Andrew Owen M: 07798 576789 E: andrew.owen@masonowen.com
____LIVERPOOL
WWW.MANNISLANDCOMMERCIAL.CO.UK
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Issue twenty-six Move Commercial
Contents News 06 Second phase for MediaCityUK 07 Biocampus puts Liverpool on the map 08 North West bids for Green Investment Bank 09 Mann Island mezzanine opens 10 Alder Hey plans get green light 13 Totem pole brings continuity to Waterfront 15 Kirkby to get £13 million investment 16 Bruntwood complete multi-million pound sale 17 Games sector thriving at LIP
Features
06
Welcome to Move Commercial Welcome to Move Commercial’s entrepreneurs issue. With the Global Entrepreneurship Congress coming to Liverpool – the first time the conference has been held in Europe – this issue celebrates the go-getters that have set the business world alight. We’ve got interviews with three of the GEC’s keynote speakers – and arguably three of the biggest names in business – Sir Richard Branson, Lord Michael Heseltine and Martha Lane Fox.
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We provide an at-a-glance guide to the events taking place and meet the chief executive of host venue, Liverpool’s Arena and Convention Centre, Bob Prattey. And we look at where the next generation of entrepreneurs will be learning their trades in our spotlight on University Technical Colleges. Plus, we profile the best in commercial space in Liverpool with our eight-page Commercial Office Review pull-out.
20 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 Christine Toner. Email: christine@movepublishing.co.uk Tel: 0151 709 3871 Jenna White. Email: jenna@movepublishing.co.uk Tel: 0151 709 3871
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18 GEC Focus At-a-glance guide to the congress 20 Global Entrepreneur Move Commercial meets the king of Virgin, Sir Richard Branson 23 Bitesize Thinking Food for thought 25 Commercial Office Review An in-depth look at commercial space across the Liverpool City Region 34 Entrepreneur Dotcom champion Martha Lane Fox talks to Move Commercial 38 Founding Father Lord Michael Heseltine tells Move Commercial of his hopes for Liverpool 43 Lunch debate Peel Holding’s Ian Pollitt and Brock Carmichael’s John Cassell discuss the importance of MIPIM 46 Spotlight on UTCs A look at the investment taking place into the new dawn of schools in the North West 52 Mover and Shaker ACC Liverpool chief executive Bob Prattey discusses the venue’s impact on the city 54 Ask the Panel What will the GEC mean for Liverpool?
M 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
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.
Key Events 36 YMPA 2011 All the glitz and glamour from the Your Move Property Awards 2011 50 GEC A GEC announcement at the ACC Liverpool
Appointments 22 Who’s moving where
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News Latest
Second phase for MediaCity THE Peel Group today unveiled ambitious plans over the next 20 years for further phases of MediaCityUK at Salford Quays. Peel is seeking outline approval from Salford city council for an additional five million sq ft of
development, with the ultimate aim of creating a new town centre for Salford Quays. The site at the heart of the application lies immediately to the east of the existing MediaCityUK complex and is bound by South
Langworthy Road, Broadway and The Quays, extending to a total of just over 10 hectares (24.9 acres). Stephen Wild, managing director, MediaCityUK, said: “We see the new development playing a pivotal role in supporting what Peel has already
built in the initial phases, as well as furthering the city council’s aspiration of creating a new town centre at Salford Quays. This is a 20year plan and demonstrates our continuing long-term commitment to the area. We will now consult as widely as possible in producing our detailed plans.” The proposed development, which is expected to be delivered in four phases and will complement the existing site, consists of offices, residential, hotel, retail, leisure, car parking and public spaces. The aspiration is to create a sustainable community which meets people’s social, economic and environmental needs, and takes a responsible approach to energy and resource consumption. MediaCityUK is the new home to BBC North, ITV, Coronation Street, the University of Salford and a host of commercial occupiers, large and small. The development has been delivered by The Peel Group, one of the leading infrastructure, real estate and private investment enterprises in the UK. Peel has invested £650 million in MediaCityUK.
Fred Olsen have committed to returning to Liverpool. It’s a real vote of confidence in the future of Liverpool’s cruise industry and shows that they share our optimism that turnaround facilities at our cruise liner terminal will soon become a reality.
“We are grateful to the Government for giving us a fair hearing on this matter. We can now look forward to the big ships returning to the Mersey to start and end cruises. It will be a massive boost, not only to the city’s economy but to the region as a whole.”
MediaCityUK
A NEW ERA FOR LIVERPOOL CRUISES THE Liverpool cruise liner terminal will soon be able to cater for turnaround passages after the city council agreed to pay back any sum decided by a government-appointed independent panel. Paying back the grant cash, over a number of years, will lift a ban on cruise journeys beginning and ending at Liverpool cruise terminal. The announcement from council leader Joe Anderson came days after the secretary of state for transport Mike Pennington MP said he found repayment of £5.3 million of grants by Liverpool city council was 6
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insufficient and would be seeking independent advice. Liverpool city council leader, councillor Joe Anderson, commented: “I’m really excited about what will be a new era for us. I promised this would be my top priority when I was elected council leader. I expect Liverpool to be so popular for turnarounds we will be developing a second cruise terminal in the near future. “We will be submitting a planning application next week for a temporary baggage and customs facility at Princes Dock. “It’s great news for the city that
Liverpool docks
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Latest News
CANNES DO SELLS OUT IT’S THE biggest event in the Liverpool property calendar and this year it’s set to be bigger and better than ever before as organisers have already declared the Liverpool Cannes Do 2012 a sell out. Cannes Do is hosted by Professional Liverpool each year as an alternative to Cannesbased property conference MIPIM. This year’s event will take place at the Peel offices at 12 Princes Parade on Princes Dock on 9 March. The main sponsors include Peel Holdings, Move Commercial, Estates Gazette, Hill Dickinson, Liverpool Vision, Denton Associates, Santander, CS Financial, Curtins Consulting, Grant Thornton and Tweeds, part of the WYG Group. Stuart Keppie, chairman of Professional Liverpool’s property group and partner at Keppie Massie will act as master of ceremonies for the afternoon along with Andrew Lovelady, trustee of Liverpool Community Voluntary Services. Entertainment will be provided
by comedian Willie Miller and all money raised will go to Sparks, a charity which funds life-saving research into conditions affecting babies, children and mums-tobe. Stuart said: “Cannes Do was originally established as an alternative event for those people not fortunate enough to go to Cannes but it’s now grown to such an extent that people are coming back from Cannes early to attend. It is a cheap and cheerful event and it has certainly caught the attention of the property market.” Liza Marco, property manager at Peel’s Princes Dock said: “We are delighted to be able to host the annual Cannes Do. Princes Dock is a magnificent waterfront environment and is already home to some of the UK’s most prestigious occupiers. The event is extremely popular with the business community and we expect it to continue to be a huge success again this year.” In 2011 over 400 people attended the Cannes Do event, raising raised £6,000 for charity.
Biocampus puts Liverpool on the map
The Liverpool BioInnovation Centre
PLANS have been submitted to Liverpool city council for the first phase of a city centre BioCampus that aims to give Liverpool a new global economic identity. The Liverpool BioInnovation Centre is the first step towards the creation of a city centre BioCampus that will place Liverpool alongside Boston and Singapore as a leading international centre for the Life Sciences. The BioCampus will create up to 5,000 high tech/high value jobs and is being driven by a partnership between the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, the University of Liverpool and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and other partners. The project was highlighted in the recent report from Lord Heseltine and Sir Terry Leahy as the city’s number one economic development objective. Chief executive of the Royal
Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospitals NHS Trust, Tony Bell said: “The key to successful knowledge economies is being able to connect academic and specialist research assets to emerging technologies that have major market potential, which is the Silicon Valley model and it’s something that the BioCampus has been designed to emulate. This development can define what Liverpool’s future economy is about and is key to regeneration.” The current planning application for the Liverpool BioInnovation Centre will create a 70,000 sq ft building with state-of-the-art commercial scale laboratory space where new lifesaving treatments and technologies can be tested and developed for the commercial market place Work on The Liverpool BioInnovation Centre could commence as early as mid-2012 with completion expected by early 2014.
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News Commercial
North West bids for Green Investment Bank FOUR NORTH WEST locations are vying to host the new Green Investment Bank (GIB) with Liverpool, Chester, Warrington and Manchester all in the running. The Green Investment Bank is designed to accelerate private sector investment in the UK’s transition to a green economy. The bank is the world’s first investment bank dedicated to greening the economy and promoting economic growth for UK business at home and abroad. It will offer grants from over £3 billion of funds before 2015 and will create 50 to 70 jobs in the area chosen to host it. The criteria for deciding on a location, published by the government, state it must be able to recruit and retain the specialist staff needed to run the organisation; enable the GIB to work closely with other parties
involved in deals as well as other investment bodies, project developers and green technology providers and be in a location that provides good value for money, to ensure that the GIB is cost effective. Business secretary Vince Cable said: “There is a great opportunity for British businesses to lead the transition to a green economy and stake a claim on a sector that has massive potential for growth. I’m pleased to see that more than 20 places recognise the impact the Green Investment Bank could make, and are expressing an interest in being its home.” The government wants the bank to be set up as soon as possible and a decision is expected within a matter of weeks.
Jeweller scoops three awards JEWELLERY GROUP David M Robinson is celebrating after picking up a trio of awards. The jeweller received the ‘Most exciting and innovative window display’ accolade from Liverpool ONE for its Christmas window at the shopping complex. Karl Irwin, general manager for the company, said: We spend a great deal of time and resource on our windows, to create real interest amongst the general public. We took the theme from the Alice in Wonderland Exhibition at The Tate Liverpool, Mr Robinson is a supporter of The Tate and it was our pleasure to be able to show visitors to our showroom from outside the city the way to the exhibition itself”. Alex Martin Wright of the Liverpool ONE showroom was honoured by the National Association of Gemmologists, taking first place in the Jewellers Diploma Course and winning the coveted Bransom Award. The jewellery group has also been accredited by the “Best Companies” Survey, which is run in conjunction with the Sunday Times. The survey, completed by over 8
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200,000 employees across the UK from 2,300 companies, assesses levels of engagement, management style, employee well-being and community involvement. David M Robinson received “two star” status in the group deemed Outstanding Employers. Fiona Goddard, human resource director for the company, said: “We are delighted to receive this accreditation from the UK’s largest independent employee survey of its kind. It is testament entirely to the values of a proactive, modern family run business which David M Robinson typifies”.
David M Robinson Window display
Vince Cable
CAPITAL FIT OUT COMPLETE PROPERTY GROUP Downing has completed its work on the fit out of The Capital on Liverpool’s Old Hall Street. The fit out involved 221,781 sq ft of space to accommodate the UK Border Agency (UKBA) at Liverpool’s largest office building. The company signed a recordbreaking letting agreement with UKBA in December 2009. The subsequent fit-out programme has enabled the government department to consolidate its six Liverpool offices and bring 2,000 staff together under the same roof for the first time, at the landmark building on Old Hall Street. The works also saw Downing undertake a retrospective fit-out of 10,000 sq ft to incorporate government organisation Buying Solutions, which has relocated from the Liver Building into UKBA’s offices.
George Downing Construction (GDC), the construction arm of the Downing group, carried out the latest phase of works across The Capital’s fourth (35,892 sq ft), fifth (31,572 sq ft) and sixth (20,566 sq ft) floors. John Clegg, head of property management at Downing, said: “This was a landmark project for Downing and GDC. The Capital has been transformed under our ownership and is a real benchmark for highest quality, refurbished space across the region. “Apart from the sheer scale of the project, the works were particularly complex with unique operational requirements. It’s testament to our in-house projects and management teams that despite works being undertaken around existing tenants, disruption was kept to a bare minimum and clients remained happy throughout our activity.
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Commercial News
Coresafe offers free compliance audit
Paul Jasper
A CROSBY business is offering companies free health and safety compliance audits in order to help them manage risk within their industry. Coresafe Consulting specialises in construction, workplace and property health and safety. Managing director Paul Jasper says: “Local business plays an important role in the future economy. At Coresafe, we see it as our job to make sure that our clients don’t fall foul of the regulations because they don’t understand them or weren’t aware they should be doing something as ignorance is no defence. “We deal with construction, design
and management compliance, asbestos management and event safety as well as all of the usual health and safety legislation to keep people safe.” Coresafe is also urging small to medium enterprises (SMEs) to seize the opportunities the forthcoming Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) will present. The GEC will take place at the Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre from 9-16 March, with fringe events across the city. Jasper says that whilst the event is attracting some big names to Liverpool it is also inspiring small businesses in the area. He said: “I think it’s a great opportunity for SMEs in Liverpool to celebrate people, passion and potential and to find out more about the big success stories.” Jasper is part of the North Liverpool Business Forum and will be at a business breakfast hosted by the group on 15 March, which is an official fringe event for the GEC 2012.
SEFTON BUSINESS EXPANDS A GLASS COMPANY that was named Business of the Year 2011 has announced its plans to continue recruiting and growing the business. Bootle Glass, which has been trading for more than 40 years, has already recruited four new employees in the last year and intends to keep expanding throughout 2012. The firm, based on Bank Hall Street in Bootle offers commercial, industrial and a 24-hour board up service. It also provides PVCu and aluminium windows and doors as well as a large selection of glass including sandblasted, Pyro and coloured. The firm is also a Pilkington Stockist and registered Energy Care Partner. It recently moved to its Bank Hall Street premises after outgrowing its smaller premises on Stanley Road. Led by owner and director Martin Clarke, the team at Bootle Glass are trained in all aspects of glass and glazing in both the commercial and the domestic market.
Clarke says the firm strongly believes in establishing a personal rapport with its customers in order to develop a better understanding of their needs and expectations. Build Sefton, which named Bootle Glass Business of the Year 2011, is an initiative that helps to ensure local businesses benefit from construction work taking place in the area.
Martin Clarke
MANN ISLAND MEZZANINE OPENS THE MEZZANINE FLOOR at Mann Island is now on the market, offering 16,000 square feet in a prime location. The mezzanine includes a private entrance off the covered public realm and also features a dedicated lift providing access not just to the mezzanine level but also to a basement car park, which offers over 200 parking spaces. Andrew Owen, from agent’s Mason Owen, said: “This type of office space does not come onto the market very often. Situated in the heart of Liverpool’s world famous Waterfront, with the new canal basin on the doorstep, the Albert Dock next door and Liverpool One a step away, Mann Island truly is a singular proposal. We are expecting great interest in this property which is unique in being able to offer an occupier a 16000 sq ft office suite
on one level with the added appeal of its own private entrance off the covered public realm.” A Starbucks has already opened on the ground floor of Mann Island and a range of restaurants and other retail and leisure operators are expected to be announced in due course. Brian Ricketts of joint agents Hitchcock Wright & Partners added: “Liverpool’s Waterfront is going from strength to strength, from the historic three graces to the new Museum of Liverpool and Ferry Terminal, and the area is becoming one of Liverpool’s most popular locations. The mezzanine at Mann Island offers a tremendous opportunity for a company to occupy or own Grade A office space with its own front door and one of the best views in the City.”
Mann Island
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News Health
Olympic champion launches Wirral's events programme THE WIRRAL Year of Coast and Countryside was launched by local Olympic gold medalist and cycling champion Chris Boardman MBE, who unveiled a programme of events including food festivals. The programme was launched at the new Marine Point development, where the programme was unveiled to 100 tourism businesses, with a presentation on how the £60m development is transforming the fortunes of the much loved seaside resort. Chris Boardman MBE said: "I was so pleased to be asked to help launch the Wirral Circular Trail as part of the Year of Coast and Countryside. My family and I use the Wirral Way regularly and always marvel at the spectacular scenery on our doorstep and incredible views. I am sure the Circular Trail, developed by Wirral
Council, will be just as popular for both visitors and residents alike. I am also looking forward to the full programme of walks, talks and other activities, and hope to get involved myself during this very special year." The programme of events include The Mersey Pirate Muster, The Women's Open Golf, Food and Drink Festivals and the Wirral Kite Festival. Cllr Chris Meaden, cabinet member for Culture, Tourism and Leisure said: “The Wirral Year of Coast and Countryside has resulted from the findings of a visitor research study undertaken last year, highlighting coast and countryside as the key consideration for visitors coming to our special peninsula. The Year also follows the success of Wirral's tourism businesses over the past 12 months."
Chris Boardman
Green light WORK BEGINS ON MULTIMILLION CENTRE for new Alder WORK has just got underway on a £5 million new Neighbourhood Health Centre being built in Liverpool’s largest regeneration zone. Situated on Edge Lane in Kensington, the new centre is
being developed by LSHP Ltd on behalf of Liverpool Primary Care and will mark an important milestone in the wider regeneration of the area. The new health centre will be the very first building to be constructed in the Kensington area, following a major programme that took place in the area in 2009 covering a total of 5,531 properties. The centre will form part of wider regeneration plans for the area, including the £350 million Edge Lane Project that encompasses work to create a dual carriageway along the full length of Edge Lane, with new housing, over Cllr Malcolm Kennedy, Graham 1,000,000 square Pink andHumyak Gideon House Ben Tovim feet of new and
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refurbished commercial and retail floor space and community facilities. Graham Pink, chief executive of LSHP Ltd said: “The new Neighbourhood Health Centre will be a major landmark for Kensington, as it’s the first new building to be constructed following the demolition works in the area, and we believe it will be a huge asset to the local community.” When completed, this new state-of-the-art development will house a range of health services, including dental, pharmacy, childhood immunisations and vaccinations, and blood tests. It will also provide patients with longer opening hours for GP services. The contemporary design plans for the new centre has been provided by Liverpoolbased architects, Taylor Young. It is estimated that work on Kensington Neighbourhood Health Centre will be completed by early 2013.
Hey building ALDER HEY Hospital has begun to proceed towards building a new £288 million centre after independent NHS regulator Monitor assured the new Children’s Health Park is affordable. This assurance by Monitor’s Compliance Board is significant as it means that the hospital is in a position to now proceed with the selection of its preferred bidder as planned next month. Their assurance confirms that the new hospital plans are affordable and will enable Alder Hey to continue to carry out the appropriate standards of quality service and patient care. Louise Shepherd, Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to
announce that Monitor’s Compliance Board have said ‘Yes!’ to our new hospital. Monitor’s assurance is fantastic news for Alder Hey and its future. “We now look forward to the next stage of the process and selecting our chosen bidder. We have been working with two bidders (Acorn and Balfour Beatty Healthcare) on their designs for many months. Both designs are really exciting and we look forward to sharing the chosen design in the near future.” Alder Hey plan to officially announce their chosen bidder in March 2012. The new hospital is set to open its doors in 2015.
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Developments News
Signage brings continuity to waterfront
Princes Dock totem sign
A NEW Totem sign has been erected at Peel’s Princes Dock development in Liverpool city centre. Peel has been guided by the Liverpool Waterfront Business Partnership’s signage strategy, which is supported by Liverpool Vision, to assist pedestrians and drivers to access Liverpool’s waterfront. The new Princes Dock sign follows the design of those already located at the entrances to Albert Dock and Kings Dock. It is located on the edge of the Princes Dock site, by the Crown Plaza meaning it is clearly visible from The Strand and to those heading towards the waterfront from Chapel Street. Liza Marco, property manager at Princes Dock said, “We were keen to keep continuity with the signage at Princes Dock in line the other waterfront destinations in the city and Liverpool Waterfront Business Partnership assisted the design process to achieve this. Peel has a member on the board of the
partnership as we believe it important to work together to create a better waterfront environment for the city.”. Liverpool Waterfront Business Partnership is a group of landowners, developers, destination owners and managers who alongside public bodies came together in 2008 with a shared aim to promote the city centre waterfront as an international visitor destination. A planning application has also been submitted to roll out similar signs for Pier Head which will signpost world class attractions such as the Three Graces and the newly opened Museum of Liverpool. Speaking on behalf of the partnership Sue Grindrod, who represents Albert Dock Liverpool said: “Clear, highly visible signs are a vital element of our branding and we are delighted that the successful scheme, developed at Albert and Kings Dock, has been adopted by Peel.”
Office investment continues in St Helens DESPITE the slow down in the economy, investment in employment sites is continuing in St Helens. Northern Trust has started work on the first phase of its new brownfield site on College Street, which was purchased from St Helens council following a competitive tender. With the assistance of European Regional Development Fund money, Northern Trust plans to develop out the site in three phases, the first of which will comprise 21 high quality workspace units totaling 30,677 sq ft of new units, ranging in size from 535 sq ft up to 3,779 sq ft. This will be the first phase of a £7.5 million, 80,000 sq ft development at Gerards Park. The site renovation will also bring forward a further three acres for the
future phased development, and initial plans include the provision of a 30,000 sq ft modern office building, which could be available on a pre-let basis. The new development, to be known as Gerards Park is located on College Street, half a mile from the town centre on the main arterial route to the A580 (East Lancashire Road). Also on the northern side of the town the £36 million Pilkington NSG investment at Cowley Hill is about to start and a further 43 acres is being made available for other employment uses. John Quirk, business location service manager at St Helens council, said: “This shows our confidence in the product we offer for the benefit of small to medium enterprises and will bring forward further investment in the region.”
Councillors approve Chester accommodation CHESHIRE WEST and Chester councillors have given planning permission for a care housing scheme in Chester The development will be built by the Arena Housing Group on the council’s car park in Northgate Avenue. The three-acre site will comprise of 131 one and two bedroom apartments for people aged over 55. Around 80 per cent will be affordable housing, with a mixture of rented and shared ownership. The development will include a bistro, hairdressing salon, craft room a library and IT room. Some of the facilities will be available to the wider community. Ward councillors Tom Parry and Adrian Walmsley spoke in support
of the project at the council’s Planning Committee. Councillor Parry said: “Extra Care Housing provides a lot of older people with new homes and access to care as they need it, providing safe and sociable environments and also providing community facilities for the wider benefit in the local area.” Councillor Walmsley added: “I fully support the application. It desperately helps the housing need in Chester and there are facilities on this programme for nearby residents to use.” The council rejected plans for 85 student apartments in Chester after George Street Projects submitted a scheme centred on the former careers office in George Street. MOVE COMMERCIAL 13
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Developments News
New leisure complex for Speke Speke is set to get a £50 million leisure and retail complex after proposals by Towerbeg were approved. Towerbeg is a subsidiary of the Belfast-based Benmore Group. It will now build a sevenscreen cinema, 18 commercial units and a 78-bed hotel on a 15-acre brownfield site near the New Mersey Retail Park off Speke Hall Road. It has also won outline permission for a 120-bed hotel, another 78-bed hotel and a further three commercial units. Benmore hopes to be on site later this year and complete the scheme in late 2013. It says it will create 400 construction jobs and 320 permanent posts. Benmore's chief executive David Burrows said: "We are delighted to have been granted permission for a project which will make a real difference to the lives of thousands of people in south Liverpool, creating hundreds of jobs and providing sorely needed family leisure facilities for local people. "We are committed to working with all stakeholders to ensure this project is delivered on time and on budget, with minimum disruption to existing businesses using the site and maximum benefit to the people of Speke Garston." The proposals had been criticised by Ford. The car manufacturer says it is concerned because it leases part of the site to store up to 4,000 cars for its distribution operation. It employs 135 people directly, and supports a further 54. It says these jobs would be lost if it is forced to move.
Kirkby to get multi-million pound investment KNOWSLEY Council’s Cabinet has agreed proposals to plough £13 million of investment into Kirkby as part of wider plans to regenerate the town centre. The area is already set to receive private sector investment from Tesco. The council’s decision means councilfunded developments such as improvements to Kirkby Market, the
remodeling of the Kirkby Suite and enhancements to public space in the town centre will now go ahead. A new health centre is also being developed by NHS Knowsley. Councillor Dave Lonergan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Economy & Skills said: “Securing significant private sector Kirkby regeneration
investment in the current economic climate is a major achievement and we have always been committed to supporting that with our own investment into public services and facilities. “As the wider regeneration continues to move ahead, I am pleased that we have been able to confirm the funding we need to support and enhance this regeneration initiative by improving our own facilities in the town centre.” Cllr Lonergan says this is a major step forward in the plans to regenerate Kirkby and a positive opportunity for the council to demonstrate its commitment to this development. He adds: “Now that the funding is agreed, we will be asking residents to share their views to help us shape their town centre in the future.” A public consultation of Kirkby residents conducted throughout December and January revealed residents were strongly in favour of the proposed improvements.
Historic church to be converted THE St Andrew’s Church building on Liverpool’s Rodney Street is to be converted into student flats, it has been announced. Middle England Developments has been given the green light for the conversion, which includes a remodeling of the exterior and a rebuilding of one of the Grade IIlisted turrets. Internally, 100 new student bedrooms will be created around a courtyard. St Andrew's Church was built for Scottish Presbyterians in 1823-24 and is one of the few surviving works designed by architect John Foster Jr. The building had fallen into disrepair and Liverpool city council spent more than £100,000 in legal fees to acquire the site in 2008. It has since spent a further £150,000 on emergency repairs. In August 2011 a deal was agreed by the city council to sell the property to Middle England developments for £1, as well as potentially providing grants of up to £300,000 towards its refurbishment. The developer has
applied for around £625,000 of external grants. A restaurant is planned for the site on Rodney Street. Middle England Developments director Nigel Russell said by March this year the firm will see an extra 300 joiners, brick layers, electricians, laborers and several other building professions start work on several large scale projects across the city.
Nigel said: “At a time when significant job cuts are being made in industry as a result of the economic downturn, I am delighted that Middle England Developments is able to create employment opportunities due to its expansion. There are vast opportunities open to us within our sector and we look forward to recruiting new members of staff to our business.”
St Andrew’s Church building
MOVE COMMERCIAL 15
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News Sales & Lettings
Plaza's fifth floor on market
OVER 22 thousand square feet of office space at The Plaza has come on the market after Experto Credite, leading providers of debt management services in the UK, appointed Liverpool commercial property agents, Hitchcock Wright & Partners and Mason Owen to manage the disposal of the space at the Old Hall Street building. Experto said it remained committed to Liverpool, and will keep a presence either in the building or in the Liverpool city centre dependent upon interest generated in the floor. The Plaza has recently undergone an extensive refurbishment to provide tenants with a new reception and entrance, featuring floor to ceiling glazing, a customer lounge area, on-site shops and state of the art meeting rooms. Brian Ricketts, Hitchcock Wright & Partners said, “This is one of the largest office floor plates now available within the central business district of Liverpool providing excellent quality grade A space suitable for immediate occupation. The Plaza is located at the heart of the newly transformed St Paul’s Square and benefits from convenient access to a range of facilities within the area. “We are anticipating good interest in the floor and are already in discussions with several parties who are keen to take advantage of the terms available and quality of specification on offer.”
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Bruntwood multimillion-pound sale BRUNTWOOD has announced the completion of its £42 million 1 New York Street, in Manchester, sale to international property investment manager Invesco Real Estate. The announcement of the deal came a few days before Bruntwood, the family-owned commercial property company with 101 buildings in the North and Midlands, filed its latest set of results for the 2011 financial year showing an increase in its net worth. Bruntwood has sold the building to enable further growth and diversification in its portfolio and this sale is a key part of iys growth plans in its core cities. Chris Oglesby, chief executive of Bruntwood said: “Bruntwood has grown through buying problem buildings from other companies and turning them into high quality investments. The difference in pricing
between prime investment and those problem buildings has never been wider. We are actively looking at expanding our customer base in Manchester through significant new investment in the science and technology sectors, as well as seeking expansion opportunities in Birmingham and Leeds.” Neil Harris, European Head of Asset Management for Invesco Real Estate, said: “One of the aspects which we are well known for is our strong and active local asset management team, as we firmly believe this is one of the keys to ultimately delivering returns to our clients. In this regard, we look forward to working directly with the occupiers in 1 New York Street now we have acquired the building.” WHR Property Consultants LLP acted on behalf of IRE and Jones Lang LaSalle acted on behalf of Bruntwood.
Skills Funding Agency relocates to Princes Dock THE Skills Funding Agency, a partner organisation of the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has relocated its Liverpool based staff to Princes Dock. The Agency staff, who moved from The Plaza on Old Hall Street, will occupy approximately 2,540 sq ft of existing government office space in No. 12 Princes Dock, until 2015. The Skills Funding Agency fund and regulate adult further education and skills training in England to ensure that people and businesses can access the skills training they need to succeed in playing their part in society and in growing England’s economy. Liza Marco, property manager at Princes Dock: “Peel are delighted to welcome the Skills Funding Agency staff to Princes Dock, situated within a stunning waterfront setting in the heart of Liverpool city centre. We are sure they will enjoy their place of work and the excellent facilities for occupiers at Princes Dock including a coffee shop, health
club, nursery and restaurants.” Princes Dock is a hub of business activity, and part of the proposed £6 billion redevelopment scheme of Liverpool waterfront, Liverpool Waters. It is located adjacent to the iconic Liver Building alongside the new cruise liner facility. The new Leeds - Liverpool canal link extension also passes through the development.
There are over 2,500 people employed within 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.
Princes Dock
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Sales & Lettings News
Games sector thriving at LIP UK-BASED game developer, Spiral House has expanded its footprint at Liverpool Innovation Park following extensive growth since its launch. The company which develops interactive entertainment on all leading platforms such as PC, Sony PS3/PS Vita and Nintendo Wii/DS producing popular games such as PSP Eyepet, Alone in the Dark (PC), and Silver, has moved from its previous base in three small spaces to one larger 1,516 sq ft office in Baird House. Established in 1998 by Kevin Oxland and Bobby Earl, Spiral House has grown from its early days in one of the New Business Incubators to a 14-strong team all based at the Innovation Park. Kevin said: “It was the flexibility of Liverpool Innovation Park that attracted us there in the first place and the fact we were surrounded by similar companies with shared interests. Spiral House is currently working with Sony to create a game for the launch of its new console the Playstation Vita in February. Kevin added: “Being at the Park is ideal for meetings with the likes of Sony and our other partners, especially since the café and networking hub opened
Ellesmere Port attracts national business NATIONAL automotive parts supplier, Andrew Page Ltd has taken two units at Waters Business Park, Oil Sites Road, Ellesmere Port as part of its expansion in the North West. Andrew Page have leased the units, which total 6,175 sq ft for a term of 10 years and will be creating a number of new jobs at the site. The accessible location of Waters Business Park, adjacent to Junction 9 of the M53 and the high quality of accommodation were key factors in Andrew Page deciding to locate at Waters Business Park. Jon Swain, of Mason & Partners, said: “This significant new letting to a national occupier consolidates the position of Waters Business Park as the premier industrial/trade park in the Ellesmere Port area.” The Landlord, Northern Office Investments Ltd were represented by agents, Mason & Partners and Legat Owen.
last year. It also helps that we can offer visitors free on-site parking which is a huge plus point and one of the reasons we discounted office space in the city centre.” Dr Mark Tock, Innovation Manager at Liverpool Innovation
Park said: “The Park offers the ideal environment for technology-based businesses and thanks to projects like FibreNet, led by LIP tenant AIMES aiming to deliver super fast broadband speeds of up to 100Mbps, the park is rapidly establishing
Manchester’s new culture hub CGI clusters of tech-based businesses that complement one another.” Space North West, a joint venture between Ashtenne Industrial Fund and the Homes and Communities Agency, operates Liverpool Innovation Park.
Liverpool Innovation Park
Striking warehouse for sale THE VICTORIAN warehouse Contemporary Urban Centre in the heart of the Baltic Triangle in Liverpool has been put up for sale by charity People Can. Mason Owen, North West commercial property specialists, is handling the sale of the Grade II
listed building, previously owned by stationery company Shawcross and Dickinson, and bought by the charity in 2000 in a sale also handled by Mason Owen. The property which closed down in January is situated on Greenland Street and operated as an arts and entertainment venue, hosting numerous exhibitions, concerts and events. “This is a significant and distinctive building which is being sold within the creative Contemporary Urban Centre quarter of the
City and we are confident that it will generate good levels of interest,” said Andrew Owen director of sole selling agents Mason Owen. The building comprises a basement, ground and five upper floors over approximately 170,000 sq ft and includes substantial office accommodation, conference facilities, various bars and restaurants, a 120-seat cinema and a 430-capacity music venue/comedy club. The property which is being sold with full vacant possession and has been improved by an extensive refurbishment programme in recent years including the installation of a new roof and the replacement of all the windows and mechanical and electrical equipment. MOVE COMMERCIAL 17
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By Dina Karim dina@movepublishing.co.uk
Over 5,000 hotel beds filled
40 fringe events
125 countries
2000 delegates
2012 is the year to champion and develop entrepreneurs, the small and young companies which are the wealth and job creators that will change the current economic climate.
Global Entrepreneurship Congress rom March 9 to 16, the Global Entrepreneurship Congress 2012 will come to Liverpool, providing a festival for business where people, passion and potential will be celebrated, inspired and accelerated. The Congress will celebrate enterprise and inspire those with the ‘can-do’ spirit to turn their dreams into an ambitious reality. Hosted by Liverpool Vision, Global Entrepreneurship Week and The Kauffman Foundation, the Congress will be a powerhouse of business brilliance that inspires people, excites potential and celebrates passion with the aim of “unleashing the will to win”. On March 13, entrepreneurs and aspiring business leaders will experience an inspiring journey through sessions of speeches, panel discussions and debates centred on three themes that explore the concept of winning in business. The Ideas Village, in the foyer of the Arena and Convention Centre (ACC) will offer a unique platform for ‘Best of British’ businesses and organisations to network.
F
GLOBAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP CONGRESS 09.45am LAUNCH OF GEC: Max Steinberg (chief executive, Liverpool Vision) and Jonathan Ortmans (chairman of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress) 10.05am WHO DARES WINS: SCREW IT, LET’S DO IT: Sir Richard Branson explaining his philosophy on business success, with FT columnist Mike Southon 10.35am WHO DARES WINS: WHAT I WISH I’D KNOWN: Sir Richard Branson meets three entrepreneurs from the Virgin Media Pioneers programme in discussion about the secrets of his success and the lessons he has learned 10.55am THE WINNER WITHIN: THE MINDSET OF SUCCESS: Sir Terry Leahy keynote speech about what gave him the ‘will to win’ and establishing the UK as a powerhouse of enterprise and industry
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MARCH 13 2012
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UNLEASHING THE WILL TO WIN
12.05pm THE BEST OF THE BEST: Benno Schmidt, CEO of The Kauffman Foundation 12.20pm GLOBAL SNAPSHOT: BRILLIANT BUSINESSES: Debate chaired by Minister for Business and Enterprise, Mark Prisk MP with Sir Richard Branson, and Sir Terry Leahy 2.00pm GOING FOR IT IN 2012: Panel discussion on government policy with Mark Prisk MP, Manuel Trajtenberg (Chair of the Planning and Budgeting Committee of the Council for Higher Education) and moderated by Bob Litan (Vice President of Research & Policy, Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation) 2.25pm WINNING STORIES; THE FARMER, THE FOX & THE KITCHEN: How to win with the consumer - panel discussion with Martha Lane-Fox (Lastminute.com and Lucky Voice), Wilfred Emmanuel-Jones (of The Black Farmer) and Paul Lindley (Ella’s Kitchen)
11.50am SPOTTING THE OPPORTUNITY AND GOING FOR IT: Lord Heseltine tells the Haymarket Story and why taking risks has ensured sustainability over four 2.50pm decades of business RACE TO THE TOP, GLOBAL START UP COMMUNITIES:
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Horatio Melo (Startup Chile) and Mark Nager (Start Up Weekend) 3.20pm THE POWER OF WE: Lara Morgan (Company Shortcuts), Emma Harrison (A4E), Will King (King of Shaves) and Martha Lane-Fox discuss the importance of knowledge sharing 3.40pm INVENTION; THE MOTHER OF NECESSITY: Debate centred on how to give birth to new ideas and the significance of innovation with Steve Felice (President of Dell) IBM, Ashok Rao (Chairman TiE Global Board of Trustees) 4.20pm STANDING ON THE SHOULDERS OF GIANTS: How to do well by doing good with Sir Richard Branson and Dr Chris Luebkeman (Arup) 4.45pm SHOW ME THE MONEY: Doug Richard chairs a discussion on access to finance with Jalak Jobanputra (New York City Investment Fund) Paul Kedrosky (GrokSoup) and Lloyds TSB Bank 5.05pm Keynote speech to be announced
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GEC 2012 Focus OUR TOP FRINGE EVENTS
Fringe events are available for everyone to attend, some are subject to availability of paid and free tickets Lord Heseltine
Sir Richard Branson
Sir Terry Leahy
Martha Lane Fox
STARTUP WEEKEND, CAPITAL BUILDING, OLD HALL STREET, 9-11 MARCH At Startup Weekend people with a startup idea can pitch it to fellow attendees. Everyone picks the idea they like best and offers their skills to turn it from an idea into a real business over the course of a weekend. Tickets: £75. www.liverpoolstartupweekend.phusemarketing.co.uk --GO-ONLINE IT’S LIVERPOOL DIGITAL CHAMP CELEBRATION, MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL, 13 MARCH, 6PM - 8.30PM Led by Martha Lane Fox, who heads the Race Online 2012 campaign, the event will include speeches and announcements, digital champion awards together with networking and celebrity entertainment. Tickets: By invitation only. www.liverpooldigitalchampionscelebrationevent. eventbrite.com --LGBT ENTREPRENEURS, MONIQUE’S, VICTORIA STREET, 14 MARCH, 2PM - 7PM This event will be a celebration of LGBT culture and how the Stanley Street Quarter can be made a more attractive place for investors, businesses and visitors and the role played by LGBT entrepreneurs in adding value to the city and its economy. Tickets: 70 remaining, Free. www.gec2012lgbt.eventbrite.co.uk --OWNING YOUR BUSINESS OVERSEAS - YOUR GUIDE TO INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY PARTNERSHIP FOR LEARNING CHARITY TRAINING AND CONFERENCE CENTRE, SPEKE, 14 MARCH, 3PM - 4.45PM Liverpool Chamber of Commerce host a seminar covering the four main areas of intellectual property (trade marks, patents, designs and copyright) and how to protect Intellectual Property rights both locally and internationally, with a focus on China. Tickets: £15. www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk --TECHNOLOGY IN HEALTH, ROYAL LIVER BUILDING, 14 MARCH, 7.30am to 10am This event is an opportunity to meet key decision makers from leading health organisations who embrace the notion of innovation in the health sector and recognise the growing significance of technology in delivering community health services. Tickets: Free, GEC website --ENTREPRENEURS, LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO THE BANK, THE BRINK, PARR STREET, 14 MARCH The Brink, a recovery alcohol free bar social enterprise will be hosting self care for the entrepreneur sessions throughout GEC week. Anyone wearing an official GEC ID
will receive a 10 per cent discount and a free 10-minute mini massage. In addition there will be a lecture dinner (7-10pm) on Laughology by psychologist Stephanie Davies who is also a stand-up comedian. Tickets: 50 places available. Free. email info@thebrinkliverpool.com --LIVERPOOL SOFTWARE CITY INTERNATIONAL, ACC LIVERPOOL, 14 MARCH A special one-off super charged edition of the highly successful Software City International will be held at the Liverpool ACC from 1pm with registration and networking followed by 10 pitches by aspirant digital companies from the USA, Finland and the UK. IBM will give a short presentation on what’s hot in the industry and Simon Jack (BBC Business Correspondent) will deliver closing keynote. Tickets: www.liverpoolvision.co.uk/softwarecity2012/default.aspx --ENTREPRENEURSHIP & SCHOOLS ATTAINMENT (LJMU), LIVERPOOL INNOVATION PARK, EDGE LANE, 14 MARCH This is a CPD opportunity for school leaders and teachers to engage in a quality, interactive and enjoyable CPD experience. It will focus on recognising and developing enterprise skills in developing school leadership both at senior and subject level, and the development of enterprise skills in teachers in order to embed outstanding teaching and learning in lessons. Tickets: £60/£100. www.ljmu.ac.uk/ECL/121791.htm --SHAPING SMART CITIES/CARBON NEUTRAL DINNER, ACC LIVERPOOL, 14 MARCH, 6pm This unique evening will include a carbon neutral business dinner and talks from a panel of speakers, including Arup’s Global Foresight and Innovation leader Dr Chris Luebkeman, and Peter Madden, chief executive of Forum for the Future. Tickets: Free. karen.walters@arup.com --NORTH LIVERPOOL BUSINESS FORUM, LIVERPOOL FOOTBALL CLUB, 15 MARCH, 7.30AM-9.30AM Businesses will be invited to attend a business breakfast to meet and listen to local and international Entrepreneurs. The event will focus on a debate discussing ‘Creating an Entrepreneurial City’. Tickets: Free, www.nlbf.biz --LIVERPOOL IN CHINA BUSINESS NETWORK, MUSEUM OF LIVERPOOL, 15 MARCH, 5.45pm This is a great opportunity to network with businesses that are already trading with China or looking for opportunities to trade with China. Tickets: Free. www.liverpoolvision.co.uk/Support_for_your_Business/Its_ Liverpool_in_China.aspx
Ticket prices for the Global Entrepreneurship Congress on March 13 start at £150. Special group discounts for all tickets are available for bookings of 10 or more tickets. To book tickets visit www.gec2012.com or email tickets@gec2012.com MOVE COMMERCIAL 19
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By Christine Toner christine@movepublishing.co.uk
He is one of the world’s most famous entrepreneurs and is set to tell would-be business leaders the secrets to his success at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Liverpool. Move Commercial caught up with Sir Richard Branson to discuss entrepreneurialism in today’s world.
The Virgin King
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Of course Sir Richard has worked through a couple of previous recessions in the 1970s and late 1980s. “In each case I learnt that there are many business opportunities amidst the gloom and doom,” he adds. “Remember rent is cheaper, there are more people looking for work and the big players are often very
“
The brave may not live forever but the cautious do not live at all
“
There are not many people who can say their business is so diverse it encompasses everything from music to multi-million pound banks. Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson, though, is one of them, The man whose name is synonymous with entrepreneurialism has one of the most varied portfolios in the business world and is well known for trying his hand at, well, anything – including of course public speaking as he is set to appear as key note speaker at the 2011 Global Entrepreneurship Congress at the Liverpool Arena and Convention Centre. He is keeping his cards close to his chest when it comes to what his speech will focus on though, telling me simply “I’m afraid you’ll have to come and see me on the day.” The story of how Sir Richard created an empire worth £5bn from the humble beginnings of a mail order record store and a student rag (which he set up in 1970) is well known. But I’m interested to know if he thinks today’s economic climate lends itself to that sort of entrepreneurialism. “Today’s economic climate is fragile and the global market makes it very competitive,” he says. ”However, businesses with the right product and service can thrive and the rewards for getting it right can be much higher than they were back in the 1970’s.”
preoccupied. We started very much focused on the UK. Today, thanks to the Internet, one could launch an international business from their bedroom. Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook founder) did.” Richard’s enthusiasm for all things business is infectious. It’s not surprising then that even now, after achieving so much he’s still
constantly looking for new ventures. What drives him to keep looking for new opportunities? “I have always been driven by the opportunity to learn new things and tackle new challenges and ventures,” he says. “At Virgin we look for opportunities where we can make a difference to people’s lives and that we can enjoy building and working on. I believe you must be passionate about what you do to be able provide your customers with a quality service.” Over the years Virgin has reinvented itself many times from music to transport to mobile telephones, financial services and now space. “I enjoy what I do and that sense of enthusiasm and inquisitiveness keeps us going,” he says. When asked what advice he would give to budding entrepreneurs Sir Richard says the most important thing is not to be scared of failure. “Don’t be afraid to take that leap into the unknown,” he says. “It is how you react to setbacks that are most important. I’ve taken many knocks over the years but it has only made me stronger and more determined to get it right the next time. I always say ‘The brave may not live forever - but the cautious do not live at all.” The ‘brave’ amongst us, it would seem, are needed more now than ever. Prime Minister David
Cameron has said on several occasions that entrepreneurs and go-getters will save the economy. Something Sir Richard Branson clearly agrees with. “A healthy economy is one driven by the growth of inventive, fast moving small and medium sized companies,” he says. “These are the ones that create jobs and prosperity for a country. These are also usually the most innovative and help to draw investment into local economies. The economic crisis which has beset Europe is making life tough for everyone, but I do believe the downturn can provide entrepreneurs with great opportunities.” To seize those opportunities, says Sir Richard takes conviction and perseverance. “But we must also make sure there are the right conditions for young businesses to flourish and that includes strong bank lending and less red tape to tie people down. I would love to see the government offer loans to young entrepreneurs the same way they do with students who study business studies,” he adds. “We have to remember that many young people have an entrepreneurial spirit in them and they display exceptional drive, they just need a little support along the way.” Events like the GEC aim to offer such support, giving young people the chance to hear from seasoned entrepreneurs, meet other budding entrepreneurs and potentially meet
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Sir Richard Branson Global Entrepreneur
Branson File DOB: 18 July 1950
backers or partners. “These events are great at sparking ideas and providing the final push for someone to take that important leap,” says Sir Richard. “It may well have helped me with Student magazine (my first real business) as I am sure we could have got some great interviews with the speakers and also some
sponsorship from the organizers.” Sir Richard regularly says “we” rather than “I” throughout our interview, obviously seeing Virgin’s success as a team effort. Recently Jonathan Kaufman, chairman of the GEC spoke of the importance of teams, claiming the idea of the one-man band entrepreneur is changing.
“To be successful your business needs to grow in different directions with trusted people around you who are passionate just as much as you are - which will increase your chance of success,” agrees Sir Richard. “I don’t believe I have ever been a one man band – every great journey should be shared.”
Education: Scaitcliffe School in Surrey and Stowe School in Buckinghamshire. Career: Set up a mail order record business under the name Virgin in 1970. Went on to grow the company into a £5 billion enterprise and expand into areas such as finance, travel and mobile technology.
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Appointments CBRE strengthens North West team
Alex Russell
CBRE has further strengthened its North West team by appointing Colin Thomasson to head its Capital Markets team and Alex Russell as associate director of Office Agency. In addition, Will Kennon will be joining CBRE Capital Markets utilising his extensive experience within CBRE’s agency team to reinforce the firm’s North West investment offering. John Ogden, managing director of CBRE Manchester, said: “2011 was a strong year for our North West office agency team. With the team strengthened even further we look forward to an even better 2012”.
DTZ adds to Portfolio Active Management team
Lauren Hanson
DTZ in Manchester has appointed Lauren Hanson to work within the Portfolio Active Management team. Having worked in previous roles at MCR Property Group and Hurstwood Developments, Lauren brings direct knowledge and understanding of the needs and drivers of investors to her new role at DTZ. Lauren, who will be responsible for providing property management services to a variety of clients, said: “I look forward to the opportunity to work with the firm’s portfolio of high-profile clients, as well as establish new client relationships.”
Nightingale’s science push Nightingale Associates architecture practice has recruited Chris Brightman-White as science sector lead in its Liverpool Studio. Prior to joining Nightingale, Brightman-White worked for Amec and Fairhurst Design Group and went on to have his own practice based in Stratford-uponAvon for five years. At Nightingale, Brightman-White will work with science practice lead, Adrian Gainer on a variety of schemes. Nightingale is currently involved in the ‘four labs, four cities’ project, which is comparative analysis of laboratories in Oxford, Toronto, New York and Vancouver.
S O L I C I TO R S
Need a Commercial Lawyer? Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors can offer you friendly, specialist advice in a wide range of Business Law services including;
Chris BrightmanWhite
New RIBA North West director RIBA North West has appointed Andrew Ruffler as the new regional director of the architects organisation, taking over from Belinda Irlam-Mowbray who has been promoted to assistant director nations and regions. Ruffler previously worked for The Mersey Partnership, the Liverpool city region economic development agency, as sector manager for low carbon since he joined TMP in late 2008. Prior to TMP he spent two years working for the inward investment agency in Manchester, Midas, where he was responsible for the food and drink, manufacturing and cleantechnology sectors.
Company Law Sales & Acquisitions Insolvency Employment Law Commercial Property Commercial Mortgages
Call John Roberts 0151 264 7363 www.paulcrowley.co.uk
Liverpool’s Local Lawyers Andrew Ruffler
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PAUL CROWLEY & CO
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Move Commercial Bitesize thinking
CHRIS MUSSON chief executive of Liverpool Science Park
In my crystal ball… With caution being the watchword for many companies as they try to stay solvent and flexible, those who can provide accommodation to meet this evolving behaviour will prosper. Many companies are now trying to do more with the space they have, to expand in situ, or indeed to have asymmetric additional space added to the main lease, to respond to new contract wins. Space providers who can accommodate this level of flexibility will have a key advantage. Those who can also then convert these piecemeal deals into longer-term contracts once the green shoots of recovery emerge to give those same tenants the certainty they will then require, will also be well positioned.
30.7m
The number of overseas visitors expected to visit the UK in 2012. With the Queen’s Jubilee and, of course, the Olympics taking place this year VisitBritain estimate a massive £17.6billion will be spent in the UK by tourists. The Queen’s Jubilee celebration takes place during the first weekend of June while the Olympics run from 27 July to 12 August.
&
Home Away
FAVOURITE BUILDINGS Paul Jasper, managing director of Coresafe "For me, it has to be Liverpool Cathedral. Not only is it an iconic creation recognised all over the world, but it holds some sentimental
If only I’d known…. The Science Park’s creators had the foresight to recognise the importance of flexible facilities located in close proximity to the universities to drive the future development of the city’s knowledge economy. However, if they’d known how the market would develop and the level of importance that the government would place on key high value sectors to help grow the economy, I’m sure they would have sought to provide from the outset the commercial laboratories we are putting in our existing second building and in our planned third building.
‘Blame-storming’ Buzzword Meaning: There’s nothing like a good brainstorming session is there? Getting together with your peers and just bashing out a few genius ideas, all clambering to have the best one. Well, flip that on its head and you get the newest word on the business block – blame-storming. Yes, not so much competing over who has the best idea but rather deciding who should take the blame
Vital statistics
when the proverbial hits the fan. Blame-storming involves a group of colleagues getting together to pass the baton of responsibility for the latest blunder. It first made an appearance in the world of office-speak around 2008 according to recruitment consultancy Office Angels, along with the phrase “boss-spasming” – meaning pretending to look busy as soon as the boss arrives in the office. MOVE COMMERCIAL
memories for me too. I had my university graduation there and it was an occasion I'll never forget. The other reason I hold it dear to my heart is because on the night my youngest daughter Megan was born, the cathedral was celebrating the centenary of the laying of the first stone and me, my wife and daughter Hannah watched the firework display from the hospital with our newborn."
Liverpool Cathedral
La Sagrada Familia
For his favourite building abroad, Paul chose La Sagrada Familia or the Roman Catholic Basilica in Barcelona. "It's a truly amazing structure which I first saw when my wife and I visited Barcelona on our honeymoon. I have happy memories of climbing up the inside of the spires for a breathtaking view of the city." 23
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New entrance at Liverpool Innovation Park
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LIVERPOOL COMMERCIAL OFFICE MARKET REVIEW 2011
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OUT OF TOWN NORTH LIVERPOOL M6
BOOTLE M58
CITY FRINGE CITY CENTRE
OUT OF TOWN
OUT OF TOWN
ST HELENS
KNOWSLEY M57
OUT OF F TOWN WAVERTREE R M62
OUT OF TOWN SOUTH LIVERPOOL RIVER MERSEY LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON AIRPORT
SUMMARY
LIVERPOOL CITY REGION MAP Combining the Central Business District and the city fringe and out-of-town markets reveals total Liverpool City Region office market take-up in 2011 of 382,592 sq ft. Total city centre office take-up in 2011 was 268,298 sq ft, up 29.3 per cent on 2010. 2011 saw professional firms return in force to the city centre’s occupational office market. They accounted for 47.8 per cent of all floorspace let in the Central Business District. The combined professional and financial share of Central Business District take-up was 60.4 per cent (162,060 sq ft) compered to 47.5% for the region. The cautious return of the middle market to Liverpool’s Central Business District, begun in 2010, continued in 2011. Training firms were increasingly active in the both the city centre and out-of-town office markets in 2011, a sign of grassroots economic recovery. One in every six sq ft of office floorspace let in 2011 was taken by the training sector. Once again the Wavertree area proved itself the most resilient out-of-town market staging a recovery for the second year in a row. Take-up in 2011 was 19,504 sq ft, an increase of 46.9 per cent compared to 2010. St Helens had the busiest out-of-town office market with 22,312 sq ft let in 2011. It also has the lowest supply of office space, compared to annual take-up. A total of 257,283 sq ft of Grade A office space is empty and ready for occupation in Liverpool’s CBD. The completion of 4 St Paul’s Square has contributed to an increase on 173,178 sq ft reported in 2010. Grade B floorspace accounted for 84.6 per cent of Central Business District take-up. Half of all available Central Business District office space is in unlettable Grade D or largely unwanted Grade C office space (944,549 sq ft, or 49.7 per cent). Prime office investment sale showing 7.7% at St Paul’s Square. First significant sale since early 2009.
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WELCOME... ...to the Commercial Office Market Review for 2011 produced by Professional Liverpool with support of Liverpool Vision and, for the first time, the Commercial District BID. This annual review, now in its seventh year, has been produced to provide you with an accurate impartial overview of the commercial office market in Liverpool. Last year’s review not surprisingly referred to a “challenging year” and Liverpool’s take up, like that of other cities, reflected the tough economic conditions. It is therefore encouraging to see the clear signs of recovery hoped for in 2010 emerging in this year’s review. Total city centre take up improved by almost 30% and the return of a very significant presence of professional and financial services firms is a particularly welcome sign for the market. Despite this positive development you will see from the research that there is still a lot of work to do if we are to maximise the potential of our city’s assets and encourage new development. This year the review has been extended to include St Helens as well as Bootle and Waterloo to provide more comprehensive coverage of the market. We would like to thank all those involved in the production of the review for their hard work for what has now become a valuable source of reference, and comparative measure, for the office market for Liverpool and its region. We hope you find it informative.
STUART KEPPIE
MAX STEINBERG
DAVID GUEST
Chairman, Professional Liverpool Property Group
Chief Executive, Liverpool Vision
Chair, The Commercial District BID
property group
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OFFICE TAKE-UP IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT FOR 2011
SQ FT 300,000 29.3%
225,000
RISE
2010
0
268,298
75,000
The figure represents clear evidence that Liverpool’s office market is recovering after the recession. As well as outperforming 2010, CBD take-up in 2011 was higher than in 2008 (245,000 sq ft) and would have been comfortably above the
2011
207,515
150,000
Total Central Business District (CBD) office takeup in 2011 was 268,298 sq ft, up from 207,515 sq ft in 2010, an increase of 29.3 per cent.
YEAR
take-up in 2009 if the distortion of that year’s figures by two large pre-election public sector requirements is excluded (2009 take-up would have been 159,274 sq ft). Each year there are a handful of larger transactions. In 2011 the city saw a 94,000 sq ft letting to solicitors Weightmans. By comparison, in 2010 the largest single letting was for just 29,000 sq ft.
SQ FT 400,000
OFFICE TAKE-UP OVERALL
300,000 393,441
382,592
2010
2011
200,000 100,000
Combining the Central Business District and the out-of-town markets reveals total Liverpool City Region office market take-up in 2011 of 382,592 sq ft, broadly stable compared to the 2010 total of 393,441 sq ft.
0
The resilience of the city centre office market, the effective withdrawal from the market of the public sector - and a continued dearth of transactions above 20,000 sq ft - provide the background to the “new normal” Liverpool City Region office scene.
YEAR
OFFICE TAKE-UP FOR 2011 IN THE CITY FRINGE
27%
Total city fringe office take-up in 2011 was 50,610 sq ft.
7%
7% 48%
TOTAL TAKE-UP (%) 27% Professional 7% Training
1%
3%
7% Creative 48% Other
The network of historic terraces and modern conversions close to the city centre has faced the twin challenge of discounted rents in the nearby city centre, and a sharp slow down in growth in the creative, media and digital industries which have, until now, provided as much as one-third of its lettings. The result has been a steady drop in take up, with the 2011 figure down from 53,846 sq ft in 2010, and
Creative, media and digital industries now account for 7.3 per cent of the city fringe office take-up, down from 20 per cent in 2010. Professional services are the largest single occupier group claiming deals totalling 13,621 sq ft (26.9 per cent of take-up) in 2011. This is nearly double the professional sector’s take-up in 2010 (7,058 sq ft) and is consistent with the surge in professional services activity throughout the city.
OFFICE TAKE-UP OUT-OF-TOWN IN 2011
15%
17%
Demand for suites in Liverpool’s out of town office markets fell sharply in 2011. 20% 44%
OFFICE TAKE-UP (%) 17% 1% 3% 15% 44% 20%
the peak of 70,695 sq ft recorded in 2008.
Wavertree South Liverpool Knowsley Bootle / Waterloo City Fringe St Helens
Office take-up in the business parks of North and South Liverpool, Wavertree, and Knowsley, and in the more mixed markets of St Helens and Bootle/Waterloo, totalled 63,684 sq ft. This contrasts with 132,080 sq ft in 2010, barely changed from 131,220 sq ft in 2009. Once again the Wavertree sub market proved itself the most resilient, staging a modest recovery for the second year in a row. Take-up in 2011 was 19,504 sq ft, an increase of 46.9 per cent on the 13,274 recorded in 2010.
Unique additional research into the St Helens and Bootle/Waterloo office markets revealed strengths and opportunities. St Helens recorded office take-up of 22,312 sq ft, making it the largest of the out-oftown sub-markets by total floorspace let. With just 129,496 sq ft of office space available and ready for occupation, this market deserves investor and developer interest. Bootle/Waterloo has the highest level of availability of any of the out-of-town sub markets (382,534 sq ft). Take-up is 16,638 sq ft. We will return to the St Helens and Bootle/Waterloo sub markets in next year’s report.
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OFFICE TAKE-UP TRENDS IN THE CENTRAL BUSINESS DISTRICT SQ FT
2011’s strong improved office take-up figures illustrate a return to stability - historically the hallmark of the Liverpool office market.
600,000 500,000 400,000
268,298
207,515
519,274
245,289
2009
2008
100,000
2010
200,000
2011
300,000
0
YEAR
Total city centre office take-up in 2011 was 268,298 sq ft, up 29.3 per cent on 2010. This compares to a five year average of 340,000 sq ft. Although the 2011 figures clearly do not represent a return to pre-recession levels of take-up they demonstrate steady improvement, with demand almost entirely generated by indigenous businesses. This is the consequence of an increasingly self-reliant local economy. 2011 saw a return to stability after several years of fluctuating take-up. Long term trends make the point clearly. In the nine years from 1999 to 2008 the performance gap between the best and the worst years settled at around 170,000 sq ft yet in 2009 the gap widened dramatically to 311,000 sq ft. In contrast 2011 saw performance move back well within the normal range of variation. The gap between take-up
and the five-year average was just 72,000 sq ft. Analysis of underlying demand suggests the creation of a “new normal” in the Liverpool office market. Excluding the distorting effect of deals over 40,000 sq ft shows underlying demand of 159,274 sq ft in 2009, of 207,515 sq ft in 2010 and 173,469 sq ft in 2011. It is a sign of the fragility of the UK economy that domestic concerns in the first quarter of 2011, and the Eurozone crisis in the fourth quarter, proved powerful deterrents for many occupiers. They preferred to stay out of the office market until the economic future became more certain, resulting in a fall in the number of CBD office transactions. In 2011 we recorded 44 transactions, down from 56 in 2010, 49 in 2009 and 66 in 2008. The ups and downs of the European economy were reflected in the pace of deal-making. Just six deals were concluded between January and April 2011, and after a busy summer, the market slowed again in the autumn/winter quarter.
TAKE-UP BY SECTOR 2%
14%
15% 8%
13%
48%
DEALS BY SECTOR (%) 8% 48% 13% 15% 2% 14%
Public Sector Professional Financial / Banking Training Creative / IT / Media Other
PROFESSIONAL AND FINANCIAL SECTOR Professional and financial services occupiers made an eye-catching return to the Liverpool city centre office market in 2011, accounting for 60.4 per cent of take-up. This represents a remarkable turnaround. Professional and financial services businesses withdrew from the Liverpool city centre office market in September 2008 at the time of the Lehman Brothers collapse, but are now back in force. Professional occupiers accounted for 47.8 per cent of Central Business District take-up (128,261 sq ft), whilst financial services occupiers claimed 12.6 per cent (33,799 sq ft). The combined professional and financial share of CBD take-up was 60.4 per cent (162,060 sq ft). Compare this powerful performance with the 27.4 per cent combined share in 2010, or the 15.2 per cent reported in 2009, and the extend of the change is apparent.
Mere Grange. St Helens Grade A highest take-up out of town
The Plaza. Weightman’s largest letting in CBD
Even allowing for the distorting effects of the single large letting by Weightmans Solicitors (94,829 sq ft), professional and financial services comfortably outperformed 2010. Excluding the Weightmans deal combined take-up in 2011 in the Central Business District was 67,231 sq ft, compared to 56,898 sq ft in 2010. The same encouraging story of growth is apparent in the out-of-town markets: for instance, in the City Fringe area take-up from professional services firms increased by 92.9 per cent. This was the result of fewer deals than in 2010 (three deals in 2011, six in 2010) but each deal was considerably larger (2010: 1,176 sq ft, 2011: 6,810 sq ft). Across the out-of-town markets professional services accounted for 16.4 per cent of take up (18,738 sq ft). Combining the city centre and outof-town markets to produce a Liverpool City Region figure suggests professional and financial services together account for 47.5 per cent of take up (181,769 sq ft).
Port of Liverpool. Letting to Rathbones
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TRAINING AND RECRUITMENT Training and recruitment firms were increasingly active in the both the city centre and out-of-town office markets in 2011, a sign of grassroots economic recovery. We calculate that 63,142 sq ft was let to this sector, meaning one in every six sq ft of office floorspace let in 2011 was taken by training or recruitment firms. In the Central Business District a total of 33,799 sq ft was let to five training providers, equivalent to 14.9 per cent of total take-up in 2011, up from 13 per cent in 2010. In the city fringe and out-of-town markets the strength of the training sector is even more striking. A total of 20,377 sq ft was let to training operators in 2011 accounting for 17.8 per cent of all out-of-town floorspace let. Training firms alone accounted for lettings totalling 58,825 sq ft across the combined city centre and out-of-town markets. PUBLIC SECTOR It is now impossible to claim that Liverpool’s office market is dominated by public sector take-up. The trend has been unmistakable. In the 1990s the public sector accounted for half the take-up in the Liverpool’s city centre office market. During the boom years 2004-2008 the city‘s increasingly strong private sector forced the proportion down to around one-third. Today the public sector has now all but withdrawn from the UK office property market. Total
public sector take-up in the Central Business District amounted to just 22,108 sq ft (8.2 per cent) in 2011. The 2011 figures represent an increase on the floorspace absorbed by the public sector in 2010 (11,870 sq ft). However, this represents only a modest proportionate rise compared to 2010 (5.9 per cent) and is merely a fraction of the mediumterm trend (an average of 27.5 per cent of city centre floorspace absorbed by the public sector 2006-2010). CREATIVE AND MEDIA OCCUPIERS The creative, media and digital sector has now established itself as one of Liverpool’s most important. After four years of steady expansion, the pace of growth has inevitably slowed as the industry matures. In 2011 creative, media and digital occupiers accounted for 2.7 per cent of Central Business District office floorspace let during the year (5,827 sq ft). This is comparable with the 2.8 per cent reported in 2009. Outside the Central Business District the Wavertree area remained a strong attraction for creative businesses and secured deals totalling 5,211 sq ft. Combining the city centre, city fringes and out-oftown locations shows total creative, media and digital take-up of 22,703 sq ft, amounting to 5.9 per cent of total office take-up.
OFFICE SUPPLY IN THE CITY CENTRE Vacancy rates in the Central Business District have remained stable for several years. 34% 39%
13% 14%
GRADES A-D (%) 13% 39% 34% 14%
Grade A Grade B Grade C Grade D
In November 2011 a total of 7.15m sq ft of office space of all ages and qualities was recorded in the Central Business District, a figure virtually unchanged since 2007. Of this total our census shows 1.96m sq ft available and ready for occupation, an increase of 67,938 sq ft (3.6 per cent) on the figure recorded in November 2010. A total of 257,283 sq ft of Grade A office space is empty and ready for occupation in Liverpool’s CBD, an increase compared to 173,178 sq ft in 2010. The long-anticipated completion of the 109,000 sq ft speculative development at 4 St Paul’s Square has contributed to the increase. The largest single source of supply in Grade B office space: this year's total of 759,067 sq ft represents a 10 per cent fall on Grade B supply in 2010. Liverpool’s vast legacy of historic buildings makes the raw data an unreliable guide to the real vacancy rate. Around half of the available office space is in buildings that pre-date the 1960s - most of it (46.7 per cent, 914,668 sq ft). Expressed
another way, 49.7 per cent of available office space is either unlettable Grade D space, or largely unwanted Grade C. The centre-ground of the Liverpool CBD office market has been good quality recently refurbished Grade B office space. Around two-fifths of available office space is classified as Grade A, and this has remained constant for several years (38.6 per cent in 2011). If Grade D office space (274,949 sq ft for which there is effectively no market) is excluded from our analysis then the “wide” measure of the CBD vacancy rate is 23.5 per cent (2010: 23.4 per cent). Alternatively, the “narrow” measure of the CBD vacancy rate (which also excludes 669,600 sq ft of Grade C office stock) produces a vacancy rate of 14.2 per cent (2010: 14.4 per cent). Before the recession began to bite in 2008 the figure was 12.6 per cent. Vacant Grade A stock accounts for 15.3 per cent of all vacant office space in the Central Business District on our “wide” measure (2010: 10.5 per cent). On the narrow measure it represents 27.1 per cent (2010: 17.1 per cent).
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OFFICE SUPPLY: CITY FRINGE AND OUT-OF-TOWN
5%
10%
22% 16%
18%
22% 7%
AREA (%) 22% 16% 10% 5% 22% 18% 7%
Wavertree South Liverpool Knowsley North Liverpool Bootle / Waterloo City Fringe St Helens
The City Fringe market saw a marked decline in the supply of office space available and ready for occupation. In November 2011 we recorded total City Fringe availability at 318,906 sq ft, a fall of 14.4 per cent on the 372,324 sq ft reported in 2010, and a return the trend which saw 326,665 sq ft available in 2009. Historic town houses are being returned to domestic use, whilst other office space is now occupied by leisure users, and this is likely to account for the fall in supply. Elsewhere, an increase in the supply of out-of-town office space confirms the picture painted by the take-up figures: the business parks of North and South Liverpool, Wavertree and Knowsley are continuing to experience difficult trading.
5% 10%
Liverpool’s city centre office market has long been dominated by the appeal to cost-conscious tenants of good refurbished office space. In the Central Business District take up of Grade B office space - defined as refurbished office space over 5 years old - accounted for 84.6 per cent of all floorspace let during 2011 (227,089 sq ft). This is a steep rise from the 58 per cent recorded in 2010. This is a testament to the greater appeal of Grade B space, improved by a decade of refurbishment.
85%
DEALS BY GRADE OF BUILDING (%) 10% Grade A 85% Grade B 5% Grade C
6% 3%
12%
The dominance of Grade B office space is by no means unusual. In 2008 in the Central Business District lettings of Grade B office space accounted for 95 per cent of all floorspace let; in 2009 the proportion was 65.3 per cent amounting to
We calculate that 431,950 sq ft of Grade A office space is available and ready for occupation in the out-of-town and city fringe markets, representing 24.9 per cent of supply. However, this figure conceals wide variations: South Liverpool saw ambitious speculative development during the economic boom, and its 223,083 sq ft of vacant Grade A office space amounts to more than half the total available outside the city centre. At the other extreme, there is no grade A office space vacant in Wavertree.
The cautious return of the middle market to Liverpool’s Central Business District, begun in 2010, continued in 2011.
51%
2011 DEALS BY AREA IN SQ FT (%)
338,869 sq ft.The modest revival in the appeal of low-priced Grade C office space - apparent at the lowest point of the recession - seems to be over. Grade C floorspace accounted for just 5.3 per cent of all Central Business District floorspace let in 2011 (14,212 sq ft). This compares with 17 per cent in 2010, and seems more in line with the 2.6 per cent (13,633 sq ft) recorded in 2009. The take-up of Grade A space has fluctuated wildly in what has traditionally been a supply-led market. Grade A accommodation accounted for 14.3 per cent of take-up in the Central Business District in 2011, down from 25 per cent in 2010. Performance in this market is extremely variable ranging from a dominant 32.1 per cent in 2009 to a barely noticeable 3 per cent in 2008.
TAKE-UP BY SIZE OF OCCUPIER
13%
3% 0-1000 6% 1001-2500 15% 2501-5000
The November 2011 census of office availability shows 907,128 sq ft of office space available and ready for occupation compared with 843,380 sq ft in November 2010, an increase of 7.6 per cent. This is the second year in which supply has increased following last year’s rise of 17.3 per cent, up on the 719,180 sq ft of recorded in November 2009. The rate of growth is therefore slowing - a potentially encouraging sign.
TAKE-UP BY GRADE OF OFFICE
CBD
15%
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The strengthening is most apparent in the market for smaller suites where there has been a sharp improvement in activity. In 2010 we reported that 65 per cent of all transactions were for suites under 2,500 sq ft. In 2011 the figure is 47 per cent.
12% 5001-10,000 Simultaneously Liverpool city centre saw a 13% 10,001-20,000 51% 20,000
substantial increase in the number of individual deals between 2500-5000 sq ft - and an appreciable increase in the floorspace occupied as a result. In total 27 per cent of the number of all city centre deals fell into this category (up from 12.5 per cent in 2010), accounting for 39,398 sq ft (up from 22,517 sq ft in 2010). Just as in 2010, during 2011 the city centre saw six deals above 10,000 sq ft. This compares with three in 2009, and 10 in the boom year of 2007.
INVESTMENT Since 2009 there have been no office investment transactions in the city. This has changed with the sale of 1 St Paul’s Square by Sigma Capital to a private Israeli investor
for almost £30 million reflecting a net initial yield of 7.7%. The principal tenant is Hill Dickinson with a 10 year unexpired lease. This should provide a stimulus for other investors into 2012.
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4 St Paul’s Square. Largest CBD Grade A availability
1 St Paul’s Square - Prime investment sale
NOTE ON TERMINOLOGY
ACCREDITATION
For the purposes of this research, Grade A space was defined as office space completed since 1st January 2006; Grade B space as office space completed before 1st January 2006 or other accommodation recently refurbished or due to be refurbished Grade C as unrefurbished but ready for occupation. Grade D is office space which could not be occupied without substantial refurbishment, and that no plans exist for such refurbishment.
This report has been compiled by members of the Property Group of Professional Liverpool with assistance from Liverpool Vision and the Commercial District BID. Our special thanks go to:
CONTACT INFORMATION Professional Liverpool Tel: 0151 224 1855. Email: johnhall@professionaliverpool.com Liverpool Vision Tel: 0151 600 2900. Email: info@liverpoolvision.co.uk Commercial District BID Tel: 0151 600 2984. Email: info@liverpoolcdp.com
Words by David Thame. Designed and produced by Move Publishing Ltd.
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By Dina Karim dina@movepublishing.co.uk
Dotcom champion Martha Lane Fox is certainly a legend in the digital world, if not on the same level as Mark Zuckerberg, then maybe the British version of the internet mogul. Starting Lastminute.com, the online travel and leisure retailer, it quickly became an icon of the UK internet boom. She is now, as appointed by David Cameron, the UK’s Digital Champion racing to get the nine million people who have never used the internet online.
34 MOVE COMMERCIAL
your customers are saying about your product. Brent and I were our first customers on Lastminute.com and we use the site all the time. If you aren’t completely obsessed about testing the product I don’t think you’ll ever build a truly great business because loads of people will make it live or die.”
Voice, or as the website says ‘the most liberating, heart-racing, lifeaffirming private karaoke experience on earth,’, was started as a tiny bar in Soho and now has eight bars countrywide, as well as being available to use online and as an app. As a strong and vocal advocate on social justice, through the grant-
“
Like every new business you have to be tenacious, be bold, don’t take no for an answer.
“
Martha Lane Fox is ideally suited to talk about how just having a great idea, and a lot of luck, can launch a company internationally. Lastminute.com is a sign of how well a digital company can do against more traditional companies - when floated on the London Stock Exchange the share price rose on the first day of trading to 511p, giving a valuation of £768m. Although no longer managing director of the company, she stepped down in 2003 following a car crash, she continues to work in the digital industry as an advocate for getting people online. Talking to Martha about Lastminute.com, who she set up in 1998 with Brent Hoberman, I ask her about the strengths it takes to build such a successful company. “I think the first thing is a huge dose of luck,” she said. “But that is not enough in itself, you have to go out there and get stuff done. Beyond that I think that like every new business you have to be tenacious, be bold, don’t take no for an answer. I think we called some of the airlines that first gave us the seats to sell probably about 20 times when we were trying to get them to work with us; you have to just be a bit relentless. Never lose touch with what
Since the massive success of Lastminute.com, Martha hasn’t stopped thinking outside the box and building business. She has since cofounded Lucky Voice and Antigone, and is also a non-exec director at Marks and Spencer, Channel 4 and Mydeco.com. The quirky Lucky
making trust Antigone she set up, Martha works with a number of charities each year, learning more about the needs of socially excluded people to help promote their successes to ministers and the press. Grants are made to causes where technology can make a difference -
“I’m particularly interested in helping them think about how technology might help do things more cheaply or reach more people or even be a better solution for some of the problems that they’re trying to solve,” she says. In 2009, she was appointed the UK Digital Inclusion Champion to head a two year campaign to make the British public more 'tech savvy'. This role was extended in 2010, when David Cameron asked Martha to expand her role advising how online public services delivery can help to provide better, and more efficient services as well as getting more people online. Under the project, she has started an initiative in Liverpool to encourage 100,000 people in the city who had never been online to get online. Lead by the council and lots of different partners across the city, from the libraries to the post office and Mersey Travel, they’ve been getting people online. “The North has some real digital talent. So I’m really excited by the potential, although there are some tougher parts of Liverpool, places where it’s virtually deprived I really do think that technology has the opportunity to help people; the social problems as
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Martha Lane Fox Entrepreneur
Lane Fox file DOB: 10 February 1973 Education: Oxford High School, Westminster School and Magdalen College, Oxford Career: Co founded Lastminute.com in 1998, joined the board of Marks & Spencer as a non-executive director in 2007, as well as Channel 4 and furniture website Mydeco.com. She was appointed the UK Government's Digital Inclusion Champion in 2009, setting up a new Digital Public Services Unit within the Cabinet Office in 2010.
well as helping businesses in the future.” As one of the keynote speakers at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress, being held in Liverpool in March, she filled me in on what to expect of her speech. “I will be talking about some of the things that I care
most for: the importance of start-ups and entrepreneurships in restarting the economy, which is keeping the economy going,” she said. “How it doesn’t just have to be about being the next Virgin or the next Google, or the next Lastminute.com, but it can also be just about people starting
their own business and having a bit more freedom and ability to have a different kind of life. I think the UK has still got a huge amount going for it and particularly Liverpool.” Not only a dotcom pioneer, her strength at riding out the dotcom crash, then recuperating from her
own car crash and now as a champion for digital literacy, mean she is ideally placed to inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs. “You have to be quite a strange character to be an entrepreneur; you have to be kind of egotistical on one level slightly a bit of a megalomaniac, probably a bit infuriating to work with because you’re probably obsessed with what you’re doing,” she said. “So I think the important thing is to encourage people to take that step if they seriously are thinking about starting a business and to make sure that if they do so that they’ve got all of the skills around them. But I get really depressed when I hear of bright young people who are leaving university and going to work in a big bank or for big accounting company, and aren’t thinking about going to do more interesting things and going to smaller businesses because I think that’s where they’ll be encouraging people. “Britain is not growing in its dominance on the world stage, quite the opposite, so we need to keep inventing and for people to keep coming up with the next big idea and that will happen predominantly out of small businesses.” MOVE COMMERCIAL 35
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Key events Your Move Property Awards
Your Move Property Awards 2011 As 2011 drew to a close the biggest names in property and business came together to celebrate a fantastic year for Liverpool property. Commercial categories included Best Student Accommodation (TJ Thomas Estates) and Best Commercial Scheme (No.1 Mann Island).
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1. Denizen Contracts, Construction company of the Year, with Lesley Martin-Wright (Chief Executive of Knowsley Chamber). 2. Stuart Keppie, Keppie Massie (far right), mingles with guests. 3. The awards get underway. 4. Presenter Nigel Jay. 5. Matthew Kerrigan (Hitchcock Wright) and wife Sam. 6. Champagne reception. 7. Winners of Best Law Firm, Paul Crowley Solicitors. 8. Peter Wong and team (Wongs Jewellers).
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9. Peter Wong (Wongs Jewellers) with Steve Parry (Neptune), Best Commercial Scheme, No.1 Mann Island. 10. The awards. 11. Jazz Con Fusion. 12. Knowsley Chamber of Commerce. 13. Eric Mahoney (TJ Thomas Estates), John Blythe (Accommod8) and David Mahoney (TJ Thomas Estates). 14. Emma Griffiths and Helen Jones (The Design Foundry). 15. A stary night. 16. Stuart Keppie with Ged Massie (Keppie Massie). 17. The Riverside Home Ownership table. 18. David Mahoney (TJ Thomas Estates) wins. 19. Lesley Martin-Wright (Chief Executive of Knowsley Chamber) and guests.
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By Dina Karim dina@movepublishing.co.uk
As a champion for Liverpool’s regeneration, Lord Michael Heseltine has been at the forefront of the city’s transformation for over 30 years and was recently honoured with the Freedom of Liverpool in recognition for his service to the city.
Liverpool's champion As council leader Joe Anderson said: “Lord Heseltine has been a great friend of Liverpool for many years. The renaissance of the city started with the transformation of the Albert Dock and the International Garden Festival, which he was largely responsible for bringing about as Minister for Merseyside. He has worked with me to push the government hard to win new powers and substantial extra investment for our future regeneration plans which are now set to transform the face of Liverpool.” It is statements such as this, which makes Lord Michael Heseltine such an esteemed figure in the city. As the city gears up to welcome thousands of delegates from around the world for the festival celebrating business, the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) in March, I talk with Lord Michael Heseltine on his impact on the city as well as his continuing advocacy, and of course his global multimillion company Haymarket Media Group. Ahead of the conference he gave us a sneak peak of what his speech at the GEC will be: “I will be talking about the enormous opportunities that are now on offer to Liverpool and Merseyside, and also something of the 38 MOVE COMMERCIAL
background as to how all this has come about and thirdly the vital role of individuals in the process.” Being an entrepreneur is something of which Lord Heseltine knows well, as he was a businessman first before he ever became a politician. Originally founding the company, Cornmarket Press, with friend Clive Labovitch, following investment by Hazell Watson & Viney, and Labovitch’s departure, Haymarket was formed in 1964. Publishing a number of business and consumer magazines such as What Car? and Gramophone?, as chairman of the group Lord Heseltine remains involved with the growth of the company, which reported a pre-tax profit of £5.1m in 2010. His top tips for entrepreneurs are: “Spotting the luck, hard work, quality of colleagues, and weathering the storm.” It is his work in government, however, that has thrust him in the limelight, first with his exhaustive work getting Liverpool back on track in the 80s - he was pivotal in the regeneration of Liverpool in the wake of the Toxteth riots in 1981 and now as an advisor to David Cameron, still championing the cause of Liverpool. “The outgoing labour secretary of state Peter Shore
had obtained a sum of money to help urban areas with particular problems and he personally associated the use of that money in Liverpool,” Lord Heseltine commented when recounting his past. “I wanted to develop urban development corporations and Liverpool had one of the first two and then the garden festivals, again Liverpool had the first of the garden festivals so the relationship developed from day one in my period of government. The big decisions I took early on, I did make one change which I think was fundamental and that was to say that the fund would only be available to a local authority if they showed that they had a private sector use for the land that they reclaimed and what this did was create public private sector partnerships.” Although, the physical changes of the redevelopment of the city centres, including the docks, is immensely important the more important change is in the attitude of the people. In regenerating the city, it has created and inspired a generation of people with energy, talent, ambition and determination. Under the David Cameron government, Lord Heseltine has breathed new life back into the city, by laboriously promoting the introduction of an elected mayor
and working on a report last year with Sir Terry Leahy promoting Merseyside’s economic growth. The Rebalancing Britain: Policy or Slogan? report proposed developing the Liverpool North Docks as well as supporting the city’s expanding Commercial District. He said: “There’s a great future of optimism in my view on Merseyside. I think that cities today are fighting in a global world for their share of the economic opportunity and Liverpool has been very far sighted, particularly in building relationships with China. It’s all good to say were going to rebalance Britain but you’ve got to do things and I’m encouraged that
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Lord Heseltine Founding Father
Lord Heseltine File DOB: 21 March 1933 Education: Shrewsbury School, Pembroke College, Oxford.
now we have a Minister for Cities, the Rt Hon Greg Clarke, who’s discussing localised agenda with individual cities, so the process is beginning.” One of the most recognisable and respected British figures of the last 40 years, Lord Heseltine served for 34 years as a Conservative MP, during which time he assumed both the roles of Cabinet Minister and Deputy Prime Minister. He continues to endorse the city by acting as its spokesperson - at the Invest in Liverpool event in London he spoke about Liverpool’s medium to longer-term prospects for future investment remaining strong, as one of the UK’s fastest growing economy
outside London. Much of his vision for Liverpool has already materialised, in particular the devolution of powers from central government through the appointment of a directly elected mayor, elections to be held in May, which will also accompany a muchneeded £130 million pot of cash. To understand his achievement, we must also remember the man behind the name; from spending his leisure time as a keen arboriculturalist, his arboretum was actually featured in a BBC documentary and he specifically hopes it is as a lover of trees that he is remembered for, to looking back fondly on his time in Liverpool in the 80s. “I come from Swansea and
there are similarities about the problems of Swansea and the problems of Liverpool, that they’ve both seen a major decline in their traditional wealth,” he says. “There is a charm about Liverpudlians; they’re very witty and I became very fond of them. The kids were huge fun, they used to follow me around like a pied piper always wanting my autograph, and it was very flattering, until I discovered they were immediately flogging it for 50p to their mates. It was a great entrepreneurial venture, I thought.” It looks like no matter under what circumstance Lord Heseltine will always promote entrepreneurship and Liverpool.
Career: Started Cornmarket Press in 1957 at the young age of 24 years old, which eventually became Haymarket in 1964. As a Conservative he was elected to Member of Parliament for Tavistock in 1966, until 1974. In 1983 he became the Secretary of State for Defense, under Margaret Thatcher, then Prime Minister, although it was during his first period as Secretary of State for the Environment from 1979 to 1983 that he is mainly remembered. After a brief lull in parliament, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and First Secretary of State from 1995 to 1997. Heseltine resigned his Henley-on-Thames constituency at the 2001 election. He now acts as advisor to David Cameron, and remains chairman of Haymarket Media Group.
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OBITUARY
TRIBUTE TO PAUL RICE Your Move was one of a great many organisations to be saddened to hear of the death Liverpool Commercial Partnership’s Chief Executive Paul Rice who passed away on Saturday 21 January 2012. The Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King was packed with mourners from all walks of life for the Requiem Funeral Mass which took place on 1 February. Paul was appointed as chief executive of the Liverpool Commercial District Partnership in 2006. He was diagnosed with MDS 18 months ago (a form of blood cancer similar to Leukemia). Throughout this time he battled with courses of chemotherapy and underwent a bone marrow transplant in the Royal Liverpool University Hospital in January last year. Despite the intensive, invasive and gruelling nature of his treatment he continued to work seemingly tirelessly successfully campaigning to secure a ‘yes’ vote in the ballot last year to achieve Business Improvement District (BID) status. Paul was highly regarded in the business community and his passion, commitment and energy was appreciated by everyone who had the privilege to work with him. A devoted Liverpool supporter, Paul chaired the inaugural meeting of the Spirit of Shankly (SOS) Supporters' Union before being elected as Chair and then Vice Chair and Lifetime Vice President in recognition of his work for the organisation. Tributes flooded in from across the city and around the world from those who knew Paul. Liverpool FC managing director Ian Ayre said: "I was fortunate to have known Paul personally and he was a true fan and also an excellent businessman.” Peter Hooton of The Farm described him as ‘inspirational.’ Chairman of the Commercial District Partnership David Guest said: “There are no words that can do justice to such an inspirational character. Both professionally and personally I had the utmost respect and affection for a much loved man who was genuinely committed to Liverpool and whose achievements for the city will leave a lasting legacy. Paul’s unique personality shone with his sense of humour, warmth and likeability. He had the ability to relate to anyone whatever their status or walk of life and always made an impact on people. He will be sorely missed but never forgotten.” Paul was cared for by staff in wards 7y and 10z at the Royal University Hospital Liverpool and throughout his illness he described both teams as incredible. Before he died Paul decided to set up SPLOSH (Staff, Patients and Loved Ones Supporting Heamatology). Donations received will be directed to the Haematology Dept at the Royal who will use it for the benefit patients and their families and support the invaluable work their dedicated staff do. www.lindamccartney.workwithus.org/fundraising/Donate.as px?mode=edit&page=7072
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By Dina Karim dina@movepublishing.co.uk
The value of MIPIM Lunch debate
Trading places With MIPIM, one of the biggest annual international trade shows, about to start in March in Cannes, we ask why it remains the must-attend event for anyone in the commercial property industry. Ian Pollitt, development investment surveyor at Peel Holdings, which is behind the Liverpool Waters scheme, joined John Cassell, of Brock Carmichael Architects, which acted as executive architects on Liverpool ONE’s One Park West building, to discuss the value of MIPIM. The experts sat down for lunch at Gusto restaurant, in the Albert Dock, debating Liverpool’s presence as a city at the event, how important alternative (and cheaper) events like Cannes Do are, and the foreign investment market.
John Cassell Brock Carmichael Architects
Ian Pollitt Development investment surveyor at Peel Holdings
What is MIPIM all about? Ian: Last year I did not attend MIPIM as part of a Peel delegation, I went as a guest of GDF Suez. They had showed interest in the Liverpool and Wirral Waters projects either side of the River Mersey and had invited me over to meet their Executive VicePresident Wilfrid Petrie. Over dinner Wilfrid
informed me that in 1901 his grandfather was the Lord Mayor of Liverpool and we then managed to get him to visit Liverpool a few months later. GDF Suez is now actively involved with the Liverpool Smart city board and is keen to be involved with Liverpool. That is what is great about MIPIM a potential investor to Liverpool Waters and the Liverpool City region was found by making the trip over the Cannes. John: Ian has made a point there. If you’ve never been to MIPIM, there’s a common view that it’s just a bit of a big jolly in the sun. And that’s the problem, I think one of the beauties of MIPIM is that it is so relaxed, you have these chance encounters as Ian has described. I met our Bruntwood client not in a seminar or at a formal meal, but in the bar quite
late on the Thursday night and we just hit it off and there was no way we would have had that level of contact if I’d done a cold call and that’s what it is all about. I went originally to promote the city, with Brock Carmichael as a major firm in architecture. Then there’s the educational angle because, although it never gets mentioned, if you buy a ticket as well
as all the exhibits there are lectures. I went to one lecture where you had Richard Rodgers in the morning and Norman Foster in the afternoon, the best architects in the world together in one day. That was just unbelievable. Does Liverpool still have a strong presence at MIPIM, and are other trade expos like the Shanghai Expo in 2010 just as important? Ian: Peel has taken a stand at MIPIM for many years and in recent times we have been promoting are Waters projects and Media City. It is important to support Liverpool at any large exhibition event and we work closely with the City Council, Liverpool Vision and The Mersey Partnership. Peel was proud to be the main sponsor of the Liverpool stand at the Shanghai Expo in
2010 and used the event to further strengthen our already strong links with China. Peel will probably return to MIPIM next year as we look to promote Liverpool and Wirral Waters to the world. John: I think to go to MIPIM as a consultant, like ourselves, and meet some Swiss investor that’s going to gain us a multi-million pound project is just not going to happen. It allows you to reinforce your relationships with people you already know and it allows chance meetings to meet new people, but it also gives you time out to review where you are. We went to Shanghai and out of that we’ve now got a Hong Kong office. Without going to Shanghai we would never have dreamt of opening a Hong Kong office and now we’ve got four projects in China. Ian: Peel also attend the retail focused MAPIC event also at Cannes. Sadly we will not be attending MIPIM this year as it clashes with the Planning Committee date for Liverpool Waters. John: Those that don’t go find it quite hard to stomach, saying I want to go to the Mediterranean for five days, and I’ll be eating in four star restaurants every night, it’s a hard sell. But I think if you take a sensible approach to it, you’ve got to do your homework and groundwork and already plan what you’re going to do. What do you think is the most important way to exhibit at MIPIM, as a public presence promoting the city council or as a member of the private sector?
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A potential investor to Liverpool Waters and the Liverpool City region was found by making the trip over the Cannes.
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John: We all went as individuals round the exhibition and round the events meeting our clients, we were all Liverpool and we were all branded Liverpool, with Liverpool badges so you’re selling yourself and you’re selling the city. Ian: Even though Peel had their own stand, we made sure the Liverpool Waters team attended all events on the Liverpool stand and regularly took interested parties between the two stands. It’s about all working together to promote Liverpool, if Liverpool does well, we all do well. Cannes Do will be held at Peel’s Princes Dock development in March, what are your thoughts on the property event? John: We’re hosting a table. Cannes Do is from Professional Liverpool, I like the idea of Professional Liverpool because it’s not a networking organisation, there’s too many of those, it’s actually about talking about the business and it strays outside the property sector into legal and commercial sectors as well. Last year, when I went for the first time, was a massive eye opener of how big the event was. It was totally relaxed, totally tongue in cheek with the review by Stuart Keppie, it’s just a great marketing event to some extent but networking too and a thank you to your clients, and being Liverpudlian there’s a great bond in that room. Ian: This is a fantastic opportunity for Peel to promote the vacant space at No.12 Princes Parade. The event always attracts a wide range of companies from the Liverpool business community and to have them within one of Peel’s properties is great. They will also be able to walk around Princes Dock and see all the great facilities we have on hand. Manchester’s got a massive presence at MIPIM, how do you think it compares to Liverpool’s stand? John: When you go to MIPIM the cities in the UK that promote themselves are the Yorkshire group, Sheffield, Leeds, Bradford all team up together, Birmingham has a presence, London has a magnificent presence, it has a marquee and with the Olympics it’s going to be even bigger, Birmingham and Glasgow and Liverpool. Liverpool’s presence is an important thing, Manchester always has a room next to the entrance and they do it more low
The value of MIPIM Lunch debate
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I don’t think the public are aware of the potential Liverpool has.
key but are very permanent. That room is always Manchester’s so it has a bigger presence because it’s permanent. Manchester does it very well. Ian: In previous years Liverpool has had a strong presence at MIPIM, a decision has been made by the City council, not to attend
this year , but I am sure Liverpool will still be well represented at the event. John: The later years when we went, they had a Liverpool night on a Thursday in Mulligan’s Bar and they closed the street. They had Beatles tributes and Liverpool acts, the whole of MIPIM was Liverpool focused and Manchester just went along with it as well, and again that was massive. What does Liverpool have to offer for foreign delegates visiting MIPIM? John: I don’t think the public are aware of the potential Liverpool has. I go to talk about one of my projects like LIPA, which is a very successful international university, discussing in detail a phase two, the new dance facility, other cities don’t have LIPA. The number of hotels, the fantastic arena, the exhibition hall being planned. Liverpool could be a conference city for the country because we have all the facilities, which are the best because we’re the newest. Once you brand yourself
as convention city no one can take that away from you. Ian: Liverpool is a fantastic City and has a lot to offer foreign delegates, the range of hotels, restaurants and bars is second to none. Then there is the cultural offer which delegates will be spoilt for choice. MIPIM is a great way to connect with foreign markets; what foreign investment markets are you looking at? Ian: It’s the obvious ones, China, South Korea and India, but that does not mean we will not consider other markets. Peel’s attendance at the Shanghai Expo and UKTI’s support has helped reinforce relationships with China. How do you see the investment in the city right now, to what it could be in five years? Ian: I think the positive effects of 2008 and a decade of development in the City culminating in the completion of Liverpool One , has helped cushion Liverpool better than most other cities in the UK. With Liverpool Waters and the exciting proposals being discussed by Joe Anderson for the City, on the back of the mayoral elections which will see new schools, houses and Cruise Liner terminal built, not to mention the new Royal Liverpool Hospital and Alder Hey, the future is starting to look a lot brighter. What about outward investment, globalising your companies? Ian: The benefits of being such a diverse company means that we are also attractive to foreign businesses selling products into the UK. It therefore works both ways, we are looking for inward investment / partners and they are looking to sell their products to Peel, whether that be equipment for our Airports and Ports or Peel Energy. John: If we had not gone the Shanghai Expo we wouldn’t have offices in Hong Kong; going to Shanghai and taking that time out we met like minded people, we saw the opportunity, did a lot of observation and that led to us working there. Since being out there, we’ve been introduced to the Oval Partnership who we now work with in the UK and when we've got work in China we work with them. Events like the Expo and MIPIM enable you to move out of your normal zone of working and open your eyes to opportunities.
All events could be improved upon, where do you think MIPIM could do better? John: The fight for accommodation, the price of air tickets. If you go to Cannes outside of MIPIM week its £45/50 return, if you go during it it's £500 return. One year a few guys and I flew to Paris from Manchester, we then got the train to Cannes which was fantastic, to go through the middle of France with all the country side having a nice bottle of wine. When you get there getting accommodation is hard, if you think about it 19,000 delegates descend upon Cannes in one week and you’ve got 4000 exhibitors. MIPIM is bigger than the Cannes Film Festival. It’s the biggest event Cannes lays on. You find people sharing rooms, sharing beds, it’s mad. Ian: I think MIPIM is great and will continue to grow as the economy picks up, I must agree with John that the cost of accommodation and travel is the biggest negative.
GUSTO Edward Pavilion, Albert Dock, Liverpool, L3 4AF
The panel enjoyed a lovely taster lunch at this contemporary Italian restaurant overlooking the Tate Gallery and nestling in one of Europe's finest heritage sites. The menu focuses on freshly prepared classic and contemporary Italian dishes featuring an excellent range of pizza, pasta, seafood and meats. The panel enjoyed a lunch of various starters from the a la carte menu, including the fantastic Baked Avocado with Baby Scallops, the refreshing Romesco chicken salad with goats’ cheese and appetizing Roasted Garlic Mushrooms in a cream sauce with Prosciutto. To make a reservation telephone 0151 708 6969 or visit www.gustorestaurants.uk.com.
The article above has been amended as a result of inaccuracies in the original piece.
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By Christine Toner christine@movepublishing.co.uk
Investing in the new dawn of education With two University Technical Colleges in the region already given the green light, another awaiting confirmation and further school development projects going ahead, Move Commercial takes a look at the new breed of school making its mark on the North West education landscape. As the hangover from the credit crunch lingers on many development projects that offered such promise have ground to a halt. However, there is one area in which investment is still being made and that is the education sector. Whilst the Building Schools for the Future scheme may have been dropped other sources of funding are still accessible for the right projects – namely to create a different kind of school. According to a recent report by IMC (UK) Learning, 54 per cent of British employers believe the British education system is failing to equip young people with the skills they need for employment. A new breed of schools is attempting to fill that void by equipping students with practical, sectorspecific skills, which will prepare them for the working world. University Technical Colleges offer 14-19 year olds the opportunity to take a ‘highly regarded full time technicallyoriented course of study’ and David Cameron calls them "The next great poverty-busting structural change we need – offering first46 MOVE COMMERCIAL
class technical skills to those turned off by purely academic study”. The involvement of employers, from key industries for the area, harks back to the days of apprenticeships. Something the country is crying out for. At the Labour conference in Liverpool last year, shadow education secretary Andy Burnham told delegates: “As a country, we haven't focused anything like enough on the opportunities for the 50% or more of kids who don't plan to go to university. Young people who want to head towards work or an apprenticeship are left to fend for themselves." Susan Higgins is a spokesperson for The Baker Dearing Educational Trust, which is promoting the development of UTCs. “The colleges allow students to specialise in a subject they're interested in by combining practical and academic studies, as well as offering opportunities to work with local employers,” she says. Each UTC will have sponsors (key partners often an employer and a university) and other partners which will act as supporters.
NORTH LIVERPOOL LIFE SCIENCES UTC
What: The Baker Dearing Trust says the college will create the next generation of scientists, healthcare practitioners, engineers and entrepreneurs. Its aim is “to transform life opportunities for young people by developing technical employability skills for the Life Sciences and Health Care Sector in the Liverpool City Region”. Its sponsors are the University of Liverpool, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital Trust and North Liverpool Academy. Local Partners include Bristol Myers Sqibb, Unilever, Novartis, RedXPharma and Provexis. When: The Baker Dearing Trust claims
it will open in 2012, although reports suggest 2013 is more accurate. Where: A site has yet to be chosen, casting doubt on the Trust’s aim to open the college this year. What the sponsors say: ''As a venture which will respond to demand from industry whilst broadening economic opportunities to new areas of the city in a sector which is critical to the city's future economy, the University is very pleased to support the application to establish the Life Sciences UTC,” says Professor Sir Howard Newby, vice-chancellor, University of Liverpool
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Educational developments Review
WIGAN UTC – OPENING 2012 What: The Wigan UTC will specialise in a technical curriculum of manufacturing engineering, food production and the green economy, environmental technology, and providing academic qualifications. It’s sponsors will be the University of Salford, Wigan and Leigh College and Ainscough Group of Companies while its local Partners are Heinz, Blakely's Waste Management Ltd and Peel Energy. When: It is set to open in 2012 Where: Rushton’s Mill Building, Wigan
What the sponsors say: "I am keen to work with the local and regional community by ensuring that the students at the UTC develop the entrepreneurial skills needed for employment," says Martin Ainscough, chair of the Ainscough Group. "The specialist subjects proposed in this University Technical College fit well with our teaching and research disciplines and also support future areas of business growth in the region. I write to endorse the proposed UTC in Wigan which I believe will become a significant asset to the region," says Professor Martin Hall Vice Chancellor University of Salford.
LIVERPOOL LOW CARBON AND SUPERPORT UTC
What: With the Life Sciences UTC already being given the go ahead there are calls for a second UTC to be created in the city, namely from prospective sponsors Liverpool Community College and Liverpool John Moores University. Its specialisms would be engineering, green industries and logistics. There will be approximately 20 employer and business partners including Peel Ports, Balfour Beatty and Mersey Travel.
What the sponsors say: “The specialisms are aligned to two of the region's transformational drivers – low carbon industry and the SuperPort. The bid has the backing of South Sefton given that the SuperPort sits across
both areas. In terms of the other Liverpool UTC it’s important to remember the UTCs are very different and this is all about generating the skills needed to future proof business in the region and to create a future for the young people of Merseyside,” says David Scanlan, marketing manager at Liverpool Community College. “The idea behind this UTC really appeals to us. We’ve been to the talks and we’ve worked with Liverpool Community College and the Eldonian Village in putting the bid together. I believe we have a very strong case. At Peel, we have the Liverpool Waters project and the Deep Sea Berth project in Seacombe – these projects are really inspiring for the pupils who would attend this college. It makes so much sense for this to happen and it can only be a good thing,” says Ian Pollitt, development investment surveyor, Peel Land and Property.
improvements to the educational outcomes for our students, whilst helping to regenerate the wider South Liverpool community. The innovative new building
and associated learning park will certainly contribute to that vision,” says Barry McBrion, lead sponsor representative and support services manager Enterprise Plc.
When: If given the go ahead it will open in 2013. Where: The college will be located at the Eldonian Village on Vauxhall Road
ENTERPRISE SOUTH LIVERPOOL ACADEMY What: The Enterprise South Liverpool Academy, although not a UTC, has a similar offering including a group of sponsors with experience across business and education. These are Enterprise, Liverpool City Council, University of Liverpool, Diocese of Liverpool and Archdiocese of Liverpool. Its specialisms include enterprise, business and languages for business and the new site being developed for the academy is set to be impressive. The new ‘Learning Park’ site is an 8.5-acre outdoor learning space allows its curriculum to be taken outdoors. It will have amongst other things: a forest school (classroom environment in a clearing under the trees) science and languages gardens (containing plants used in medicine and from around the world) an amphitheatre for group work, a fitness trail with pieces of challenging exercise equipment at intervals around the site, student and community allotments (to grow, harvest, cook, sell produce from) apiaries (total of 4
bee hives, to study, harvest and retail honey etc) and pods (an outward facing curriculum model that will see its students learning hairdressing and beauty and childcare in a real environment whilst remaining on site throughout). When: The site is due to open early 2013 with construction partners Lend Lease (previously Bovis) and architects BDP Architects making good progress since July 2011. Where: Horrocks Avenue, Liverpool 19. What the sponsors say: “The sponsors vision was to create a truly transformational scheme that would deliver real
MOVE COMMERCIAL 47
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BT Convention Centre Key events
GEC Announcement BT Convention Centre The great and the good of the Liverpool business world came together at the BT Convention Centre to hear the exciting news that Sir Richard Branson would be a keynote speaker at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress. The GEC, which will take place from the 9 to the 16 March, will see some of the biggest names in business descend upon the city. Liverpool Vision’s Max Steinberg revealed to guests from across the country that entrepreneurial great Sir Richard Branson would be amongst the speakers at the event, along with Michael Heseltine, Martha Lane Fox and plenty of others. 1
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1. Sir Richard Branson to be keynote speaker at the Global Entrepreneurship Congress. 2. Bob Prattey, ACCC, Max Steinberg, Jeanette Kehoe -Perkinson and Mike Taylor, all Liverpool Vision. 3. Mike Southon, Financial Times, Bryan Adams, Ph. Creative and Kirsty Hewitt EN Magazine. 4. Victoria Symes and Karen Brady, University of Liverpool. 5. Lynn McCann, Liverpool City Council, Sylvia Pearson School for Social Entrepreneurs and Deb Leary, British Association of Women Entrepreneurs. 6. Roger Philips, Radio Merseyside, Ken Pye , Discover Liverpool and Chris Burgess, Alterity. 7. Jonathan Ortmans, Kauffman Foundation and Max Steinberg, Liverpool Vision. 8. Darrell Matthews Institute of Directors, Tony Wilson, Hill Dickinson. 9. Jonathan Ortmans, Kauffman Foundation. 10. Paul Amman, Stanley Street Quarter, Andy Snell, Liverpool Vision and Bethany Hockey, Bay TV. 11. Carol Crosby, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Charlotte Hastings, Seven Hills.
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By Christine Toner christine@movepublishing.co.uk
As the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) descends upon the Liverpool Arena and Conference Centre (ACC), Move Commercial meets with chief executive of the venue to find out what’s next for one of the city’s biggest success stories.
Built for Success
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A business studies graduate, Bob began his career as a salesman for a number of engineering firms in the West Midlands before he “saw the writing on the wall for the manufacturing industry and decided to go with the flow and move into the service sector” – taking a job at the Birmingham NEC as assistant events manager. He stayed at the NEC Group for almost 20 years, eventually becoming managing director of the group before he was approached by Liverpool city council to head up the at the time yet-to-be-built ACC. “I’d been there an awful long time and this gave me the opportunity to start from scratch,” he says. “I could actually create my own team of people who were going to approach the business in the way I wanted it to be approached.” The ACC has 120 full time staff but on a busy day could have as many as 500 staff on site. It adopts an outsource business model, contracting out the likes of catering, stewarding and cleaning. “We were opening a new business and we didn’t know how successful or not it was going to be so we didn’t want to have all the overheads associated with taking on 500 staff,” says Bob. As we speak, in the arena below our box a group of BBC executives are perusing the venue ahead of the BBC Showcase in February – the Beeb’s annual event during which its programmes are sold to delegates all over the world. “To the BBC it’s the biggest single thing they do in the year,” says Bob.
“It’s been down in Brighton for about 25 years and has never moved but we convinced the BBC to bring it here. This is the first time it has taken place outside of Brighton.” The arena of course is no stranger to big events. In its first year it played host to the MTV Europe Music Awards and Sports Personality of the Year. “It’s no coincidence that we hosted events which had TV coverage,” says
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Research has shown people think Liverpool is improving quicker than any other city.
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Ask Birmingham born Bob Prattey how he’d describe his time in Liverpool so far and he’ll sum it up in one word - phenomenal. It’s a word he’ll use several times while we discuss his role as chief executive of ACC Liverpool and it’s not surprising. As the ACC celebrates it’s fourth birthday, looking back it’s clear to see its success has been nothing short of, well, phenomenal. Before the ACC had even opened, projections forecast it would be turning over £6m by 2010/11. When those results were published (the latest figures on offer) the turnover was revealed as being over £14m – more than double the target. “To some degree there was a low level of expectation”, explains Bob. “In the UK that goes back to stereotypical images of what Liverpool is about and where it’s come from. But research has shown people think Liverpool is improving quicker than any other city.” Bob is modest about the part the ACC is playing in Liverpool’s revival. “I think we’re playing a small part in the overall scheme of things”, he says. “People are sitting at home watching events like the Labour Party Conference and they’re taking notice. They’re beginning to ask ‘What’s going on in Liverpool?’” Sat in one of the VIP boxes inside the arena as we discuss not just the ACC’s hugely successful four years but what’s in store for it next, Bob talks with all the excitement and enthusiasm of someone still in love with his job, impressive for someone who has been in the events industry for over two decades.
Bob. “We wanted the world to know we had this amazing arena and that publicity, in those first few months, we couldn’t have purchased it. We certainly didn’t have the advertising budget to,” says Bob. Bob attributes much of the success of the events the ACC hosts
to something he calls the ‘Liverpool welcome’. “It comes across in spades,” he says. “Conde Nast magazine voted Liverpool as the friendliest city to visit. We find that with the delegates, we do a lot of delegate research post events and they all comment upon it”. But is the Liverpool welcome enough to help the ACC compete with more established venues in the North West such as the Manchester Arena? Bob says he is thinking bigger than that. “We’ve had to compete to a degree but I think our competitive palette is much wider than that and some of these events we’re attracting are on a national and international basis,” he says. Indeed the GEC, as its name suggests, is an event of international importance. “It’s a premier league, world conference,” says Bob. “Just look at the quality of the speakers (including Sir Richard Branson and Lord Michael Heseltine) - those speakers will attract entrepreneurs and investors from around the world so we expect a major audience.” While the Arena may deliver more high-profile events for ACC Liverpool, it is the events that are held at the Convention Centre that deliver more economic benefit to the city. “It’s the hotel spend and the delegate spend in restaurants and bars,” he explains. “That’s what we’re here to generate, to give a return to what the city has invested and what the city will continue to invest. We’ve got ourselves now so established that
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Bob Prattey Mover & Shaker
hoteliers will ring us up and say “We’ve got a quiet February, what are you doing about it?”. But Bob and his team are not resting on their laurels. The next stage of development of the ACC is a £35m exhibition centre, which Bob says is “the last piece of the jigsaw puzzle creating the new three graces”. “The exhibition hall will compliment the facilities we have here,” he says. “It’s called an exhibition hall and it will stage exhibitions but we’re future proofing the designs so it can do concerts and events. In the arena we can only do stand up concerts for about three and a half thousand people. There’s a market for concerts that want 10,000 stand ups.” The building will consist of three halls, each of 2,700 square metres each that can be brought together to hold 10,000 standing guests. “We’re designing it to make it as flexible as possible because the market is constantly changing,” says Bob. “We don’t just want the ACC to be right for now, we want it right for 2020 and beyond. We’re not going to get complacent, we know we’re only as good as our last event,” says Bob. As we speak the last event was in fact a concert by new boyband One Direction, which sold out on the same morning tickets went on sale and saw thousands of screaming girls descend on the arena. By it’s own measure then the ACC is doing pretty good. Or, you might say, phenomenally.
Prattey File DOB: 29.01.1955 Education: Kings Heath Grammar, Coventry University, Institute of Marketing Career: Spent the greater part of his career with Birmingham’s NEC Group. As managing director of group venues, he was responsible for the International Convention Centre, Symphony Hall and both the NEC Arena and the National Indoor Arena. Became chief executive of ACC Liverpool in 2005.
MOVE COMMERCIAL 53
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Expert views Ask the panel
What is the value of the Global Entrepreneurship Congress to the region? What is your opinion on small to medium enterprises and the opportunities available to them in Liverpool?
“Liverpool will be the first city in Europe to host the event; this is extremely high profile and, of course, speaks volumes about the city and the region. Diversity is often the hallmark of entrepreneurship, and for our SME business community this presents an opportunity to be recognised, to be involved and, more importantly to contribute through the events and workshops.” Lesley Martin-Wright, Knowsley Chamber of Commerce
“Liverpool will be the focus of the business world. A wonderful opportunity to showcase this great city, our conference and cultural facilities and to ensure that the enthusiasm and confidence of the business leaders to act upon the messages delivered and ideas spawned out of the GEC leave a tangible legacy of business origination and growth. I firmly believe that we are up to the task and able to use the GEC as a springboard for further economic prosperity in the city region. SME's are the lifeblood of a region's economy. Currently, Liverpool lags behind other cities in the UK and needs to create a climate which says: ‘we are open for business’. I believe this is happening generally and particularly in sectors such as bio sciences and creative and digital. To build upon the spirit of entrepreneurship that exists in this creative city, we need greater support from banks and other institutional lenders, and business angels, to turn ideas and dreams into reality. There is a growing confidence in Liverpool which I believe is not misplaced and which can help create a significant number of SMEs over the next few years in order to boost our economy.” John Hall, Professional Liverpool
“The GEC is fantastic and it will bring a lot of businesses to the city, as well as, like we saw last year with the Labour Party Conference, provide Liverpool with a great publicity platform. It’s going to put us on the map, it will encourage entrepreneurs in the city and it will be excellent for the local economy. Having Sir Richard Branson as the keynote speaker is a great coup for the city. I do think SMEs could be better supported, there is nowhere near enough support out there. We’re a leading networking organisation for the construction industries, we help our network build contacts and develop effective relationships and business opportunities.” Roy Gronow, vice chairman of Forum for the Built Environment (fbe)
“The Global Entrepreneurs Congress is extremely significant and Liverpool Vision should be congratulated on securing it for the city. The event ticks so many important boxes. In terms of profile, it puts Liverpool in the same bracket as Shanghai and Dubai, both of which have hosted the Congress in recent years. It brings major international business speakers and political leaders to the city with all the media attention that naturally generates and it is a superb showcase for the Arena and Convention Centre. But most importantly of all, the event raises the subjective of entrepreneurship at every level – in big firms, SMEs, public agencies,
schools and the voluntary sector. Entrepreneurship is about calculated risktaking and while it most often applies to individuals in new and small businesses, it can be equally important to bigger companies and the public sector. SMEs have never been more important to Liverpool. It is going to be new and small businesses that generate jobs and opportunities for apprenticeships and Liverpool has spawned more new businesses in the past five or six years than at any time in its recent history.” Jack Stopforth, Liverpool Chamber of Commerce
“Hosting the GEC in Liverpool provides two important opportunities. Firstly, it will generate significant national and international press coverage of the city and our renaissance maintaining the momentum established by Capital of Culture and our presence at the World Expo in 2010. Secondly, and most importantly the GEC must act as a catalyst and a platform to support and spark entrepreneurial activity and thinking across the region. The target for growth is SME’s, the life blood of the UK economy representing 99% of all businesses, 60% of employment and almost half of private sector turnover nationally. In Liverpool we are no different with the majority of people in our 14,000 firms being employed by smaller rather than larger firms. One of our advantages is that the people of Liverpool are recognised as some of the country's most innovative and creative thinkers and using the GEC to harness this innate talent and channel it into business, perhaps through Liverpool in London, will benefit everyone. .” Mark Chadwick, chief executive, Liverpool City Region
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