Move Commercial 54

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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESHIRE MANCHESTER DECEMBER 2016 - JANUARY 2017

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Issue 54

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2017 Tech Vision Which innovations will shake up the property sector?

Food for footfall

Motivation made easy

Fighting spirit

Restaurant boom transforming regional retail hubs

Tips to start the year with success

Halewood drinks chief’s transformational approach

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Issue fifty four Move Commercial

Welcome to Move Commercial

Contents News

In our final issue of 2016, we reflect on a year of achievements across the property and business sectors and take look at what lies ahead for the next year.

From the glitz and glamour of the NWPAs to the past year’s success stories in Knowsley, we bring you all the pictures and coverage from some of the region’s biggest celebrations.

Meanwhile, we round up the key technological advancements expected to shake up the property sector in 2017 and our Business Lifestyle section is packed with tips for starting the year as you mean to

go on – feeling organised and motivated.

Plus we look at the boom in restaurants which has been transforming some of the North West’s prime retail destinations and question whether the market is heading for saturation.

And we put Bootle under the spotlight to explore its future potential as a new framework has been unveiled.

06 IronBird secures ACC Liverpool project 07 Business leaders give optimistic 2017 outlook 08 Downing continues No. 1 Old Hall Street upgrade 09 Work underway on Liverpool John Lennon Airport departure lounge refurb 10 Network Space acquires £2.5m of industrial space

Natasha Young, editor natasha@movepublishing.co.uk

11 Lowry Hotel up for sale 12 Bridging Finance Solutions sponsors annual industry dinner

Features

Photo: iStock/phive2015

14 Bitesize Thinking Food for thought 16 Appointments Who’s moving where?

19 My Month Bruntwood’s Colin Forshaw on his latest project updates 20 A window of opportunity All the action from the North West’s MIPIM UK showcase

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22 Interview Stewart Hainsworth, group CEO of Halewood Wines and Spirits on the company’s new direction 24 NWPAs All the winners, reaction and pictures from the glittering property industry celebration 30 Changing Perceptions Bootle’s potential with a new framework for its future 33 Key event Yin Yan celebrates its first anniversary

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38 Advertising Director Fiona Barnet. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Advertising Manager Catherine McCarthy. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Editor Natasha Young. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Editorial Team Lawrence Saunders, Mark Langshaw, Christine Toner, Matthew Smith.

Tel: 0151 709 3871 post@movepublishing.co.uk Design Mark Iddon.

Email: mark@movepublishing.co.uk

Credits Liam Deveney – Wray Bros interview / Halewood Wines and Spirits interview / NWPAs / Yin Yan event.

Alan Edwards – NWPAs / Knowsley Business and Regeneration Awards. iStock/Sasha_Suzi – Cover image.

Published by Move Publishing Ltd Directors David O’Brien, Kim O’Brien, Fiona Barnet.

Printed by Precision Colour Printers Ltd Distribution Liaison Manager Barbara Troughton.

Tel: 0151 733 5492 Mobile: 077148 14662

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

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

34 Interview Wray Bros’ founders on entrepreneurial success and remembering their roots 38 Building tomorrow The technology expected to shake up the property sector in 2017 40 Food for footfall The restaurant boom transforming traditional North West retail districts 42 Key event The Knowsley Business and Regeneration Awards return 44 Business Lifestyle Tips and ideas for a motivated start to 2017 47 Ask the Panel How will the approved Heathrow expansion benefit the North West?

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News Latest

Liverpool Bay wind farm generates energy for the first time DONG Energy has announced its offshore wind farm in Liverpool Bay has generated electricity for the first time.

The Danish firm hailed the energisation of the MHI Vestas 8MW turbines as a “key milestone” for the Burbo Bank 2 facility.

Claus Bøjle Møller, Burbo Bank Extension programme director, says: "First power is a key milestone for us because it proves every part of the transmission and generation equipment is successfully working.

“We're progressing well with the construction of the wind farm thanks to a huge effort from our construction team and our contractors.”

The 258MW Burbo Bank 2 wind farm is the result of a joint venture between DONG, PKA and Kirkbi, with the Scandinavian firm’s partners each having a 25% stake in the project while it holds 50%.

DONG has also started building an operations and maintenance facility in King’s Wharf, Seacombe to support its two wind farms in the area, with up to 75 jobs said to have been created for its construction and a further 45 to staff it upon completion in the second half of next year.

All 32 of Burbo Bank 2’s turbines are expected to be in place by the first quarter of 2017.

DONG Energy’s wind turbines have generated energy

IronBird will build on the success of its previous ACC Liverpool project

Liverpool drone firm secures new ACC Liverpool project ACC Liverpool has enlisted the services of aerial filming and photography specialists IronBird to record footage of its facilities using drones.

The Merseyside company has been commissioned by ACC Liverpool to shoot structures including the BT Convention Centre and Echo Arena Liverpool for a new marketing campaign.

Rob Tilly, IronBird co-owner, says: "ACC Liverpool wants us to deliver a full fly-through journey of its conference spaces, convention centre and arena.

Earlier this year we had carried out some work showcasing its new exhibition centre.

“The campus is incredibly large and what ACC Liverpool has there is such a

huge offer to potential event organisers.

With this in mind we want to show off the variety and highly flexible convention space within the video.

“It also needs to display the technical information such as dimensions and capacity, which is really important information for prospective clients of ACC Liverpool.”

IronBird will use DJI Inspire drones to carry out its filming at the site due to the hardware’s diminutive proportions and indoor manoeuvrability.

The firm, which is based on Jordan Street in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, has previously worked with ACC Liverpool as well as high profile clients including Peel Holdings, Lime Pictures and MUTV.

Northern Powerhouse ‘needs to remain a key priority’, says Lord Jim O’Neill Former commercial secretary to the treasury, Lord Jim O’Neill has pledged his ongoing commitment to the Northern Powerhouse concept.

The ex-Conservative minister will take the stage as a keynote speaker at 2017’s UK Northern Powerhouse Conference in Manchester, and has declared that businesses will play a vital role in fulfilment of the strategy which was set up by former Chancellor George Osborne.

Lord O’Neill says: “Building a Northern Powerhouse to help rebalance the British economy, create jobs and unleash economic growth in the North of England needs to remain a key priority for the new government.

But the key to achieving this lies not just in the 6

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government’s support, but also the backing of businesses across the region.

“The UK Northern Powerhouse Conference is a great opportunity for businesses to hear firsthand how they can play their part in shaping the Northern Powerhouse and ensuring the region’s future economic success.”

Backed by business leaders from across the region, the Northern Powerhouse Conference will include sessions with CEOs from firms including Nissan, Cisco and Stobart Group, and opportunities to network with trade delegations.

The 2017 conference will be held in Manchester Central on 21-22 February and is expected to attract around 3,000 delegates across the two days.

Lord Jim O’Neill

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Latest News

Manchester’s commercial leaders offer positive outlook for 2017

Bruntwood’s Chris Oglesby appeared on the expert panel

Leading figures from Greater Manchester’s commercial sector have offered a positive outlook on the region’s economic prospects for 2017.

Representatives from Bruntwood, OBI Property, Allied London and AEW Architects were speaking at pro-manchester’s Property and Regeneration Lunch in Salford.

The panel agreed that despite challenges ahead, including the expected fallout following the triggering of Article 50, Greater Manchester would continue to see high investment and commercial occupancy levels next year.

Chris Oglesby, chief executive of Bruntwood, believes it’s up to the region’s property developers to create the “right environment” for investors, and told attendees: “The most important thing we need to concentrate on is generating the income

Local businesses urged to plan ahead for Wirral track renewal works Liverpool City Region businesses are being urged to make arrangements for staff ahead of essential track renewal works to the Wirral loop line early next year.

Merseytravel is inviting firms to come forward with their plans to deal with the disruption, which is expected to last six months, including organising breakfast clubs and allowing flexible working hours.

From 3 January all cross-river train journeys will be halted for six weeks to allow Network Rail to replace the most challenging sections of concrete based track in the ‘loop’ - originally laid in the 1970s.

Alongside Liverpool and Sefton Chambers of Commerce, Merseytravel has developed a checklist and a number of case studies which employers can use to generate discussions around the impact the works will have on their staff.

Wayne Menzies, head of rail for Merseytravel, says: “We want to work with businesses and organisations to reduce travel during peak periods, particularly cross-river, to help people get to work and to keep the Liverpool City Region moving.”

The works, which will see disruption until 18 June 2017, are part of a £340 million investment in the city region’s rail network over the next three years.

Units at Eden Square come with planning permission for a range of uses

Disruption to cross-river services will last until June 2017

streams for investors to invest in.”

Steve Burne, managing director at AEW Architects, said: “There is a potential fear that when Article 50 is served people will panic but as long as the transition is handled properly then we should have the confidence to plough through.”

Chris Reay, Spinningfields estate director at Allied London, added: “At Spinningfields eight out of the 10 restaurants have London trading figures - we should believe in ourselves and carry this through to next year.”

Fellow speaker Will Lewis, founding director of OBI Property, concluded: “From an investment point of view the city will continue to attract international money - Singapore, China, America and Germany are still very interested in Manchester.”

Delivery of Autumn Statement pledge is ‘what really matters’, says North West director Delivery of new infrastructure funding pledged by the Chancellor “is what really matters” when it comes to boosting North West growth, according to a business leader in the region.

Dave Loughlin, director of the area’s office fit out contractor Cube7 Interiors, has welcomed Philip Hammond’s commitment to investing in transport and connectivity in November’s Autumn Statement, however he Dave Loughlin of Cube7 is now waiting to see the benefits of it being put in place.

Following the government’s announcement of transport initiatives including a £450 million trial of digital signaling on UK railways, and £1 billion of investment in the likes of digital infrastructure, fibre networks and 5G trials, Loughlin says: “There’s no doubt that the end of 2016 has been marred with uncertainty in the wake of Brexit.

Increases in local and regional infrastructure are crucial to give small businesses the confidence to grow.”

He adds: “The allocation of £556m to Local Enterprise Partnerships in the North is welcomed and will hopefully boost confidence, especially for SMEs which need improved infrastructure such as higher quality broadband and public transport to open up new growth opportunities and tap in to new markets.”

However, with some finer details still to come, Loughlin says: “From better roads, railways and runways to faster broadband; infrastructure is the essential foundation for businesses to grow and deliver prosperity, but the delivery of this funding is what really matters. Hopefully it can help SMEs across the North West attract new talent, create more jobs and ultimately fund growth.”

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News Development

New office suites are coming to No.1 Old Hall Street

Downing progresses with No.1 Old Hall Street upgrade Property developer Downing has announced plans to continue with its redevelopment of Liverpool’s No.1 Old Hall Street building.

Upgrades include the expansion of the firm’s flexi-office portfolio and a new deal to let the commercial district property’s ground floor unit to coffee chain Pret A Manger.

The development will bring 10 new office suites to the market, ranging in size between 140 sq ft and 1,100 sq ft with space to accommodate 20 staff.

Downing plans to let out the units on a flexible basis, with inclusive monthly rents, short form leases and negotiable contract duration to meet the needs of its customers.

The ground floor unit will undergo renovations prior to Pret A Manger moving in and Downing has enlisted the services of construction partner Keepmoat to carry out the revamp.

John Clegg, head of property management at Downing, says: “We’re delighted to be progressing with our plans to upgrade one of Downing’s landmark buildings in the centre of Liverpool’s commercial district.

“No.1 Old Hall Street is one of the most prestigious addresses in the city and the new suites will be amongst Downing’s highest quality flexi-offices to date.”

The new branch of Pret A Manger is expected to open in spring 2017 and the workspaces are due to be ready for occupation shortly after.

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First public exhibition on Liverpool’s £2bn Paddington Village underway The first public exhibition of the £2 billion masterplan to create a world leading urban village in Liverpool is currently underway.

The showcase details the Paddington Village scheme - the flagship development of the city’s new Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool).

Paddington Village, which lies less than a mile from the city centre, will focus on creating a “world-class investment” environment for knowledgebased businesses and a new residential neighbourhood.

Paddington Village consists of three zones; Paddington Central (Phase 1), Paddington South (Phase 2) and Paddington North (Phase 3).

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) has already signed up to set up its Northern Centre of Excellence in Paddington Central, where plans have also been submitted to build a new Liverpool International College.

Paddington South will be largely residential and education focused and will include new green space designed to provide a relaxing environment in contrast to the busier Paddington Central.

Meanwhile Paddington North, which fronts onto Kensington Fields, will also be predominately The proposed RCP Tower at Paddington Central residential and will accommodate existing communities’ facilities.

Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson says: “KQ Liverpool is going to transform this city’s economic landscape beyond all recognition and Paddington Village is its beating heart.”

The public exhibition at Kensington Fields Community Centre, on Low Hill, runs until 23 December.

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Development News

First artist confirmed for Neo digital art space Bruntwood has lined up the first artist to exhibit work at its new Neo office development in Manchester.

Renowned designer Brendan Dawes has been commissioned to create an interactive installation called ‘Fermata’ for the building’s digital art space.

Situated on the ground floor of the development, Neo’s quarter of a million The digital art space reception at Neo pound art space features 30 55-inch screens which will display works by emerging and established artists.

The digital gallery will be open to the public during office hours and will play host to regularly changing exhibitions, initially curated in-house but later by guest curators and those working at Neo. Kate Vokes, marketing and HR director at Bruntwood, says: “We have a strong commitment to supporting the vibrancy of our cities of which art is an important part. “‘Fermata’ will be an inspiring beautiful and apt launch of the digital art space at Neo. This will then be followed by a host of new media artworks and exhibitions from emerging and established local talent and international artists.”

‘Fermata’ will go on display at Neo in early 2017 and a call for digital artwork submissions for future exhibitions has been issued.

Terminal improvements underway at John Lennon Airport Refurbishment work to improve the departure lounge at Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport (LJLA) is now underway.

Approximately £4 million is being invested in the upgrade as part of a broader The new look departure lounge scheme to enhance the customer experience for departing passengers.

The latest phase of the redevelopment will see around 2,000 sq m of the upper floor of the departure lounge revamped with a reconfigured space for new and existing retailers, new washroom facilities, large flight information screens and new seating.

Refurbishment works at LJLA have been going on for the last 18 months, with the first phase of terminal improvements wrapping up earlier this year following a £2.5m investment.

David Taylor, LJLA’s interim commercial manager, says: “We are looking to create a real ‘wow factor’ for passengers as we welcome them into the departure lounge, further enhancing the customer experience and building on the really positive passenger feedback following the completion of the first phase of terminal improvements earlier this year.”

The departure lounge revamp is expected to be completed by June 2017 ahead of the peak summer season.

New Grade A office space ready at Chester Business Park A refurbishment has been completed at International House

New Grade A office space is ready for occupancy at Chester Business Park following a refurbishment at the site.

Liverpool-based Prospect GB has revamped a 7,500 sq ft unit at its International House building and has appointed agent Legat Owen to market the accommodation.

The open plan office is situated on the first floor and features air conditioning, double glazing, suspended ceilings, new lighting, a swipe card entry system, motion sensors and raised floors.

It is available to let individually or in conjunction with one of International House’s ground floor

units for a total of 6,000 sq ft.

Head of Prospect GB’s commercial division, Chris Walker, says: “Our newly refurbished first floor suite is Category A space featuring an extremely high specification throughout.

“We have applied a quality-led approach to design which has already proved to be highly successful in recent refurbishment projects at our two neighbouring buildings, Montell House and Edward House.

“The offices also benefit from 24-hour security, an on-site standby generator and barriercontrolled car park with a generous allocation of 62 spaces.”

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News Sales & Lettings

Network Space boosts industrial portfolio with double deal Network Space has acquired two North West industrial units in a deal worth more than £2.5 million.

The properties include an 18,500 sq ft warehouse on The Grange in Warrington, which is currently let to Vodafone, together with a 10,000 sq ft HSS Hire centre in Ashton-under-Lyne.

The acquisitions are the latest in a series of off-market deals which has seen Network Space purchase eight buildings totalling £15.5m in the five months since the Brexit vote.

Commenting on the double deal Martin Mellor, investment director of Network Space, says:

“We are delighted to acquire these two modern, well let industrial buildings in close proximity to the M6 and M60.

“The age, specification and location of these and our other recent investments are another perfect complement to our existing £130m portfolio.”

Simon Wood of B8 Real Estate, which represented Network Space, adds: “This offmarket deal demonstrates the continued strength of investor demand for good quality industrial investments in the North West and wider regions.”

Freehold offices at Wavertree Technology Park come to market A freehold office building offering 7,484 sq ft of space at Liverpool’s Wavertree Technology Park has arrived on the market.

Dunedin Industrial has appointed Hitchcock Wright & Partners to market the single-storey 18 Faraday Road - a pavilion-style development with an open plan floor plate, metal double-glazed windows and on-site car parking.

Brian Ricketts, partner at Hitchcock Wright & Partners, says: “We are delighted to be appointed as agents by Dunedin Industrial for this office accommodation.

“We anticipate high interest from businesses looking for high quality, open plan office space with the added benefit of excellent transport links and amenities.”

The unit is the only one up for sale at the business park, with other sites available to let.

Wavertree Technology Park is situated in an area which is benefitting from ongoing investment, with the £100 million redevelopment of the adjacent Edge Lane Retail Park set to transform the location.

The 18 Faraday Road unit

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The HSS Hire centre lies adjacent to J23 of the M60 in Ashton-under-Lyne

‘Iconic’ Grade IIlisted mixed-use mansion sold

Alston Hall is set amongst more than nine acres of woodland

A 19th Century Grade II-listed mansion near Preston has been sold for more than £1.5 million.

Alston Hall, located in the village of Grimsargh, comprises 35 bedrooms, conference rooms, a bar, restaurant and a commercial kitchen.

CBRE’s Manchester-based specialist markets and land and development teams have disposed of the mansion on behalf of Lancashire County Council to a local buyer.

Prior to its closure in December last year, the property was operated as an adult residential training and events centre. The hall was also licensed to hold weddings for up to 100 people.

Nick Huddleston, associate director at CBRE Manchester, says: “We are delighted to have sold this iconic property.

“We were inundated with interest for the property from a number of individual and corporate buyers with proposed uses ranging from conversion to a single residential dwelling, elderly care home uses, boutique hotel and wedding venue.

“We understand the purchaser is proposing to convert and renovate the property back into a high end residential dwelling and country estate, which is fitting given its uninterrupted views of the surrounding Ribble Valley.”

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Sales & Lettings News

Portfolio expansion helps care property firm grow Warrington-based primary care property developer Assura has enjoyed “significant” growth over the last six months with help from its expanding portfolio.

The firm’s half-year financial results for the period ending 30 September confirm that it completed acquisitions and developments worth £131 million during a fruitful six months.

Assura reports a 10.6% increase in investment property to the tune of £1.2 billion, along with a 9.9% upturn in rent roll to £70.1m and pre-tax profits of £41.7m.

The company, which also secured a cheaper debt facility during the period in question, has forecast further growth going

forward, with a 9% increase in quarterly dividend from January 2017 anticipated.

Jonathan Murphy, Assura’s interim CEO, says: “Assura has grown significantly in the first half of the year, reflecting the benefit of completed developments and acquisitions. The group is well positioned as a sector leader in a market that is in critical need of investment.

“There is a growing consensus that primary care must play a bigger role in health provision and the group is ideally placed with the expertise, scale and financial flexibility to help the NHS develop our nation’s primary care infrastructure.”

Assura’s Warrington base

The Lowry Hotel goes up for sale

Oldham industrial scheme attracting strong interest

Refurbishment work is due to commence on the Chadderton site

An industrial scheme at Satellite Park in Chadderton is said to be attracting early interest as a refurbishment is due to commence.

Chancerygate acquired the vacant 18,000 sq ft unit on a 1.5 acre plot at the Oldham site in September, and contractors are due to begin the work during early December.

Mike Walker, development director at Chancerygate, says: “We have now agreed the specification of works on the refurbishment and our contractors are starting on site in the first week of December.

“Interest since we bought the unit and starting marketing it has been good and we are confident that an occupier will be found soon.”

The building, which Chancerygate purchased from NOV, was previously a Kawasaki Motorcycles unit but has remained empty for a number of years.

Walker adds: “With the unit comprehensively refurbished it will provide quality industrial space with good eaves height and a large secure yard. Its location will be of interest to occupiers looking for a prominent location in North Manchester.”

Chancerygate is also creating a 60,000 sq ft parcel distribution unit for DPD at Satellite Park, with construction expected to begin early next year after planning consent was obtained.

The Lowry Hotel is located on the border of Manchester and Salford

The five-star Lowry Hotel has been put up for sale.

CBRE has been instructed to find a buyer for the 165-bedroom hotel on behalf of its owner, an affiliate of Westmont Hospitability Group.

The well-known building has undergone an extensive renovation and rebranding since its acquisition by Westmont in August 2014.

The Lowry was the first five-star hotel to be built in Manchester and one of only 20 hotels in the UK to be part of the Leading Hotels of The World (LHW), one of the world’s largest luxury hotel collections.

Named after the famous artist L. S. Lowry, the luxury hotel is reportedly the current home of Manchester United FC manager Jose Mourinho and is often booked up ahead of major football matches by visiting teams.

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News Commercial

Business psychology consultancy announces new art partnership

The Bridging Finance Solutions team was among more than 400 financial attendees

Photo: Clive Lawrence Photography

Bridging Finance Solutions backs Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants dinner Bridging Finance Solutions took an “incredibly exciting opportunity” to sponsor this year’s Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants annual dinner.

The November event at Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza saw more than 400 professionals from across the financial sector attend and the BBC’s deputy political editor, John Pienaar gave the keynote address.

Steve Barber, managing director of Liverpool City Region based Bridging Finance Solutions, says: “The fantastic event is highly regarded across the finance and professional sectors.

“There is of course considerable synergy between ourselves, the

organisation and the audience and so we felt that a main sponsorship package was an incredibly exciting opportunity.”

Andrew Moss, president of the Liverpool Society of Chartered Accountants, adds: “I was delighted to welcome Bridging Finance Solutions as lead sponsor to our annual dinner. As a locally based business, Steve and his team have shown that a strong commercial offering combined with good financial management and corporate governance can underpin sustained profitable growth.

“They are a fantastic success story for the Liverpool City Region and ideal dinner sponsors.”

A Liverpool-based business psychology consultancy has agreed a new partnership with an art gallery in the city.

C.H.I Talent Assessment, which offers companies help with issues surrounding workplace stress and absenteeism, has joined forces with dot-art to offer new wellbeing initiatives.

Founded in 2006, dot-art works with more than 100 local artists and is a member of Creative Organisations of Liverpool (COoL), a collective of key arts organisations in the city.

Commenting on the new agreement Philip Huxford, consultant at C.H.I, says: “A great deal of scientific research has shown that the inclusion of artwork in the workplace stimulates creativity and productivity; consequently dot-art seemed like a great fit.”

C.H.I. Talent Assessment, which relocated to Oriel Chambers on Water Street earlier this year, is currently promoting free employee wellbeing assessments to all businesses.

The firm’s consulting strategy aims to optimise the working environment to promote productivity.

Lucy Byrne, managing director of dot-art, and Phillip Huxford, consultant at C.H.I Talent Assesment

Merseyside glazing firm enjoys successful 2016

Bootle Glass’ growing fleet of vehicles is helping the company to expand

Merseyside glazing company Bootle Glass is gearing up for a busy 2017 following a year of significant expansion.

The business has invested in the latest technology over the last 12 months, including equipment to fabricate its own commercial aluminium, and is growing its workforce.

According to director Sharon Clarke, the aluminium venture is standing the company in good stead for the year ahead.

She says: “We have had a fantastic 2016. We are fabricating our own commercial aluminium and have seen that really taking off, so we’re really optimistic for 2017.

“We have invested in new technology to keep up with industry standards as well as expanding the workforce. We are currently recruiting for more staff to join our established team.”

The firm has also begun taking on more work further afield having expanded its fleet of vehicles to cater for customers across greater distances.

Bootle Glass has been undertaking commercial, industrial and domestic glazing and refurbishment projects across the country for more than 25 years.

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p01-20_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 16:50 Page 14

Bitesize thinking

Neil Higson associate director, Parkinson

In my crystal ball...

Brexit was a surprise but the market was slowing down before the referendum. Whether this was in anticipation of the result or a cyclical correction starting to take the heat out of the market is unclear.

Noticeably in regions where investors had previously flocked to find value, they were now facing similar yield levels on prime assets to those in the capital and the second city.

The market, however, is back on a positive footing and I feel this will remain for some time. With commercial property, if the fundamentals are there to do a deal then do a deal.

The industrial sector will be one of the most resilient. With e-commerce well beyond its infancy, a diverse tenant base and the lack of new

development, it will continue to sustain rental and capital growth for the short to medium term. Location is key, however, and there’s still a lack of small to medium size units.

In 2017 there’ll be more joint ventures with local authorities, landowners and property developers due to development costs for multi-let industrial stock being high and making appraisal viability difficult. Joint ventures remove competitiveness from the land input and allow developers economies of scale on larger sites where they’ll benefit from exclusivity.

With a fragile stock market and low bond rates, 2017 will continue to be positive for commercial property. There’ll be an element of caution but there always should be with investment decisions.

If only I’d known…

The £200 million move by the BBC to Salford’s MediaCityUK in 2011 was scrutinised by many. The move brought over 2,000 jobs and, although the BBC is now benefitting from it, many property developers and investors have benefitted further.

Hindsight is a wonderful yet very frustrating thing.

Since the BBC has moved to MediaCityUK, along with ITV, the University of Salford, and many other blue chip occupiers, the former 200-acre development site is now buzzing and quickly

My favourite building with...

gaining a worldwide reputation.

Following the move by the BBC, over £645m worth of investment property transactions have completed. These have included Clippers Quay at £98.7m, Peel Park Campus at £81m, Trinity Bridge House at £45.25m and most notably, L&G acquired a 50% stake in MediaCityUK from Peel Group in March 2015 at £251m.

If only I’d know back in 2011 that the site would become what it is now.

Photo: Cayambe

Lee Birchall managing director, DV8 Designs

Portmeirion, North Wales Whilst not a singular building but a collection of stunning architecture, my favourite design would have to be that of Portmeirion in North Wales.

I visited often throughout my childhood and now I take my own children.

As one of my earliest memories of stunning architecture, the wholly unique village still influences design elements within my projects today.

Designed by Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of a classic Italian village, the coastal resort is a place of wonder, excitement and nostalgia for many.

As a true Welsh wonderland, there’s such a diverse range of architectural elements packed into a small area, set against breath-taking coastal beauty.

The buildings boast bright colours, which are enchanting and mesmerising on their own and when you step back and take in the village as a whole.

Each colour, both complimentary and contrasting, adds to the overall character and charm of the place.

Arguably one of the most romantic and picturesque locations in the UK, the overall design mixes a juxtaposition of romantic Baroque with tongue-in-cheek modern elements.

14 MOVE COMMERCIAL

“As one of my earliest memories of stunning architecture, the wholly unique village still influences design elements within my projects today.”

p01-20_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 16:50 Page 15

MOVE COMMERCIAL

Bitesize thinking

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Adam Lavin development director, Property Alliance Group

Curriculum VITAE Main duties: I’m the development director, working closely with a talented team.

Education: I studied for a BSc in General Practice Surveying at Newcastle upon Tyne Polytechnic.

First Job: I worked as an agricultural, auctioneering and residential assistant at Smith and Hodgkinson in Chorley.

Shortest Job: The same job – I worked there for nine months.

What’s the secret to your success?

I will let you know when I succeed.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received?

Property is a very small world. You have no need to upset people, you are bound to meet them again in business.

What piece of advice would you give someone starting out in the industry?

Work hard, be honest and be yourself. That way, people know you for who you are.

What makes Property Alliance Group different?

It is a true property developer and property company – buying, selling and asset managing opportunities and creating value.

Tell us about Property Alliance Group’s plans for the next 12 months?

To continue to step up to the mark and search out and win new opportunities, and to build on existing and new relationships for strategic alliances.

It’s a busy time. In Manchester city centre alone, Alliance is underway with a significant development pipeline, including three residential schemes with 570 apartments plus 3 St Peter’s Square, which comprises a 328-bed hotel and a further 90 apartments.

Lime Street Preparatory works have been paving the way for a multi-million pound transformation of Liverpool’s Lime Street gateway to begin, bringing additional retail and leisure space and student accommodation.

MAR

A proposed £39m renovation of Lime Street is revealed including 28,000 sq ft of retail and leisure space with a 101-bedroom hotel now pre-let to Premier Inn, and student halls. The plans, by Regeneration Liverpool with Neptune Developments, are panned by critics.

JUN

New plans are released following a consultation in the wake of the criticism. They include new facades though the key features remain the same.

AUG

Plans are approved by Liverpool City Council’s planning committee.

JAN

Calls by SAVE Britain’s Heritage for a judicial review into the plans are rejected. The group claimed the plans breached guidelines by not consulting UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee.

MAY

The campaign group goes to the Court of Appeal and is granted permission to legally challenge the plans. Meanwhile the site is declared unsafe by independent inspectors and Lime Street is closed for safety works.

JUN

The street reopens weeks later than planned as work carried out to make the derelict Futurist building safe goes over schedule.

AUG

SAVE Britain’s Heritage’s bid to overturn planning permission is rejected by the Court of Appeal, and Lime Street closes once again as work begins on the scheme.

SEP

The first phase of demolition is completed and Lime Street reopens. Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, cabinet member for regeneration, defends disruption caused, saying Lime Street is a “vital gateway for Liverpool and this scheme will transform it, creating much needed new jobs”.

OCT

The council launches a public consultation over a £45m transport scheme, including improvements to Lime Street. Meanwhile Sigma announces that Neptune Developments will break ground at the site before the end of 2016, with help from new funding partner Curlew Student Trust.

2015

2015

2015

2016

2016

Tweet all about it The 5 best commercial tweets

1 2 3 4 5

@gerryhughes2: Attending the launch of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool. Exciting initiative for amazing city @lpoolcouncil @investliverpool @GVAViews @nickcoote: Educational improvements achieved in London must be replicated in #NorthernPowerhouse for the workforce to drive productivity @LSHtweets @CaptainKnowsley: @ShakespeareNorth Playhouse will put #Knowsley and #Prescot on the map, attracting visitors from around the world! #Shakespeare

2016

2016

2016

@IFB2016: Thanks to all our partners and sponsors in delivering IFB2016, economic impact of £250m is a team effort! @HSBC @bt_uk @Google @tradegovuk @McrDig: How to translate your culture with your customers/investors - Invite them to your offices. Educate them about your processes. #StartUpStories

2016

p01-20_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:03 Page 16

Appointments

Two new hires for MAG Manchester Airports Group (MAG) has appointed Cath Schefer and Jon Wragg as nonexecutive Cath Schefer directors.

Civil engineer Schefer is a senior executive at MWH Global while Wragg is currently responsible for the global e-commerce, wholesale and digital marketing functions of the FTSE 250-listed SuperGroup plc.

Chairman of MAG, Sir Adrian Montague says the pair have “a wealth of relevant experience” and will assist the group as it embarks on key infrastructure projects and develops its online and e-commerce offering.

He adds: “I am sure they will both make a significant contribution to the development of the group's strategy looking forward."

Parkinson boosts team following growth

LSH appoints capital markets team director Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) has appointed Scott Gemmell as a director in Scott Gemmell the firm’s North West capital markets team.

Gemmell has previously advised on a number of high profile schemes in the region including St John’s, the NOMA Estate, Carrington, Mayfield, London Road Fire Station, XYZ and No 1 Spinningfields.

Abid Jaffry, head of LSH’s northern capital markets team, says: “We have a great team and an ever expanding transactional book. We are expecting continued growth and a busy period ahead with a number of opportunities in the second half of the year.

“Scott’s depth of experience on the highest profile schemes will be invaluable in advising our clients on the best possible performance on investment opportunities across the North.”

Kingsley is an award winning recruitment consultancy that prides itself on a high quality, professional and committed service to both clients and candidates in the following areas:

property management, agency, planning, building surveying, quantity surveying etc.

solicitors, paralegals, legal executives etc.

structural engineering, M&E, civil engineering, transport planning etc.

Assura names interim CEO

Mark Smith & Neil Higson

Property consultancy Parkinson Commercial has made two new appointments after experiencing growth across “all aspects of its service offering”.

Neil Higson has been appointed as an associate director. He joins from the Manchester office of Gerald Eve having previously been associate director at Nolan Redshaw.

Mark Smith has been appointed to the position of director. He joined Parkinson in 2007 and became an associate director in 2011.

Smith, who operates from the company’s Manchester city centre office, will continue his activity in the valuation department of the business and is leading the introduction of new client focused initiatives.

16 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Warringtonbased real estate investment trust (REIT) Assura has appointed Jonathan Murphy as interim chief Jonathan Murphy executive officer as it continues to recruit a permanent candidate for the position.

Murphy is currently finance director at the company.

Meanwhile Andrew Darke has been appointed property director.

Simon Laffin, who has been executive chairman since March, will revert to a non-executive role.

He says: “We are focused on appointing the right person as CEO. I am delighted that Jonathan Murphy has agreed to take on the role on an interim basis and that Andrew Darke is joining the board.”

Murphy adds: "Assura continues to trade well with further strong growth as shown by [the latest] trading update.

I look forward to working with Andrew Darke on the board to ensure our continued success."

administration, business development, reception, secretarial, sales etc.

across all of the above sectors.

For a full list of all our current jobs throughout the North West and beyond, visit:

kingsleyrecruitment .co.uk Call 0151 242 1630 / 0161 393 9889 You Seek, We Find.

Liverpool | Manchester Birmingham | Leeds | London RECRUITMENT SPECIALISTS

p01-20_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:03 Page 17

WE`RE BUSY - BUT STILL LOOKING FOR MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP IN THE NORTH WEST J21 TRAVELODGE

M60

PULLMAN VOSA TEST STATION

KITBAG FINDEL

IRON MOUNTAIN

• • • • •

10 acres 60,000 sq ft pre let to DPD 17,896 sq ft To Let Suit Trade Counter type occupiers Unit undergoing comprehensive refurbishment • Prominent large self-contained site

NOV

60,000 SQ FT PRE-LET TO:

JACQUES PRODUCTS LTD

Greengate, Chadderton, Manchester M24 1SA

M6

A49

4.6 acre site Close to M6 and M61 Existing 47,478 sq ft unit To Let 7.4m eaves, large yard D&B enquiries from 10,000 sq ft to 40,000 sq ft

A49

FUTURE DEVELOPMENT

DAWSON LN

• • • • •

WIGA N RD

Matrix Park, Eaton Avenue, Chorley PR7 7NA

LIVERPOOL 2 CONTAINER PORT 3 MILES

• • • • •

13.5 acre Strategic Gateway site Fronting A5036 Dunnings Bridge Rd Close to new Liverpool 2 Port complex Close to M57/M58 Planning to be submitted for 180,000 sq ft B1, B2, B8 scheme • Units from 11,500 sq ft to 90,000 sq ft • 36,000 sq ft pre let to Selco • Plot sold to Euro Garages for Starbucks drive through, PFS and Spar convenience store

DU

M57/M58 0.5 MILES

Dunnings Bridge Road, Liverpool L30 6UZ

Mike Walker / Development Director DD: 01925 394 021 / M: 07850 319 955 mwalker@chancerygate.com

www.chancerygate.com

NN

ING

S

GE B RI D

RD

A 5 03

6

p01-20_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:03 Page 18

EXPERT LEGAL SOLUTIONS FOR THE PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SECTOR OUR SERVICES • • • • • • • • • • • •

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18 MOVE COMMERCIAL

p01-20_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:03 Page 19

Colin Forshaw, head of property, Bruntwood My Month With a string of new deals and initiatives in the pipeline Colin Forshaw, head of property at Bruntwood, brings us up to date on his past month in the region’s commercial property sector.

My goal at the start of the month was...

The Plaza

At the start of the month, my goal was to further enhance The Plaza, our massively successful landmark building in Liverpool city centre.

The challenge for myself and the team was to come up with a strategic plan to keep moving the building forward and examine how we might integrate concepts like wellbeing and mindfulness with one of our Cotton Exchange customers, Mindfit.

This process will involve expanding the bike storage facilities and the range of lunchtime classes to engage customers within the building.

My biggest achievement was...

Reaching a milestone moment with the team at LEAF, led by Natalie Haywood.

We have now agreed that the company will open an exciting third Liverpool venue at the front of Cotton House, complete with a bar and an events space.

There are still some planning issues outstanding but we are hopeful of having these resolved to breathe new life into this part of the commercial district.

THE NEWS STORY THAT CAUGHT MY EYE Apart from a ‘minor’ US presidential shock, it was the launch of the Paddington Village development space in the Knowledge Quarter.

My biggest challenge was...

I was finally able to encourage my daughter Marley to ride her bike for the first time and become interested in cycling.

I wanted to change the perception that cycling isn’t for her – we now can't get her off the bike.

The key meeting I had...

The key meeting I had this month was with the senior management team at Bruntwood over a two-day break in the Lake District.

The excellent collaboration between our different departments left me feeling energised and confident that we have a strong and agile strategy to allow us to deal with the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in the future.

My plan for next month...

Keep our team focused on the current strategy of the business in the Liverpool City Region.

We have some large lettings that we want to see being completed prior to Christmas and they will require real determination from each of us.

I also want to get the Christmas shopping done early and not leave it until Christmas Eve, which is my usual form!

MOVE COMMERCIAL 19

p01-20_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 15:34 Page 20

Natasha Young natasha@movepublishing.co.uk

Brexit may have been firmly under the spotlight at this year’s MIPIM UK exhibition, but as the debate over what the future holds rolled on it didn’t stop the North West from promoting numerous investment opportunities. Move Commercial was there to capture the action throughout the three days.

A window of opportunity Bringing cabinet ministers, private and public sector leaders, property industry insiders and potential investors together under one roof, MIPIM UK returned to London’s Olympia and representatives from across the region seized the opportunity.

Manchester and Liverpool once again joined forces to create a prominent platform in the centre of Olympia’s exhibition space.

Meanwhile the Knowsley delegation held its own at the event for the third year running - bringing more business partners and events than ever - and Lancashire’s nine local authorities pulled together alongside the private sector for its first county-wide presence.

The Northern Gateway Development Zone - a partnership between Cheshire and Warrington local authorities and Stoke-on-Trent - also highlighted the potential for the area in linking the Northern Powerhouse and the Midlands Engine as plans for the HS2 connection take shape.

So what were the benefits of the North West’s MIPIM UK presence and how did the region stand out?

Photo: © Duncan Soar

p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 15:36 Page 21

Event Special MIPIM UK 2016

Photo: © Duncan Soar

Secretary of state for communities and local government, Sajid Javid with Sir Howard Bernstein

Active appearances The exhibition floor was where each destination had an opportunity to highlight their selling points and key projects to attendees.

It brought a space for the Knowsley Place Board and this year’s expanded team of private sector partners to build on 2015’s work in sharing the ‘Knowsley story’.

As the team once again drew attention to the borough’s potential as a hub for warehousing and logistics given its one million sq ft of current speculative industrial developments and proximity to Manchester and Liverpool - it hosted a bumper events programme to back up its case.

A drinks reception led by Morley Estates put Knowsley Business Park under the spotlight, and a debate featuring Peel Ports’ head of commercial strategy and planning, Stephen Carr and Andrew Dickman of dbsymmetry focused on the benefits of Liverpool2 for the wider city region.

The regeneration of Prescot town centre was also a focal point of Knowsley’s 2016 presence, with the delegation keen to shout about progressing Shakespeare North plans and Geraud UK’s investment into that area’s retail offer.

“Geraud Markets (UK) Limited partnered with Knowsley Council at MIPIM UK and the event was a resounding success,” says Philip Lamb, managing director of the firm which previously acquired Prescot Shopping Centre and hosted a stand event focusing on town centre partnerships.

According to Lamb the event not only highlighted Geraud’s Knowsley success but also drew interest in the company from further afield.

“We engaged with a number of local authorities with whom we have never previously done business and secured high level follow-up meetings to explore future opportunities,” he adds.

Meanwhile, such was the success of the Liverpool and Manchester stand

that it picked up MIPIM UK’s Strategic Exhibitor Award this year.

Led by the private sector, it was also backed by regional leaders including Manchester City Council chief Sir Howard Bernstein, Liverpool City Council chief Ged Fitzgerald, Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, Wirral Council leader Phil Davies and Knowsley Council’s leader Andy Moorhead and chief executive Mike Harden.

With development schemes including the ‘Ten Streets’ proposals to breathe new life into Liverpool’s North Docks and a £50m investment into new cruise terminal facilities among those highlighted, Sean Beech, head of Deloitte’s Liverpool office and leader of the city’s MIPIM UK steering group, says: “MIPIM UK presents a brilliant opportunity to showcase Liverpool in all its glory and we enjoyed a very successful expo - as evidenced by the Liverpool and Manchester stand taking MIPIM UK’s coveted Strategic Exhibitor Award.

“We have a fantastic proposition for investors and it’s key that the city region is seen as being open, accessible, and ready to do business.”

Future in focus Following June’s EU referendum, the nation’s future in the wake of the Brexit vote inevitably became a prime topic of discussion.

With a new government in place and George Osborne no longer on the front bench, as well as Brexit negotiations being at the forefront of UK politics, a debate over the future of the Northern Powerhouse in light of the decision to leave drew insight from North West leaders.

Sir Howard Bernstein, Ged Fitzgerald and Councillor Phil Davies took part in discussions alongside other northern city representatives as part of the event’s main conferencing programme.

The leaders called for government commitment to projects and investment in the region to back up the

“Northern Powerhouse rhetoric”.

However, Fitzgerald insisted that the “Northern Powerhouse existed before the Northern Powerhouse on the basis of emphasising rebalance” in the economy, and told delegates that the North’s key cities will continue working towards that goal and taking opportunities regardless of whether or not the government remains focused on the strategy.

Sir Bernstein also called for the skills pipeline to be addressed to enable growth across industries post-Brexit.

“You can’t, on one hand, say you want to reduce economic migration and not recognise there’s a problem with our skills system,” he said.

“We’ve got to have a system that produces the skills and fundamentally we don’t have that at the moment.”

Fringe at the forefront Not all of the action took place at Olympia. During the three days, North West representatives also hosted events elsewhere in the capital.

Knowledge Quarter Liverpool took the opportunity to hold its official launch at the Royal College of Physicians’ headquarters near Regents Park, following the announcement earlier this year that the medical institution will be setting up a northern base in the growing Liverpool district.

“At MIPIM UK you’ve got all the key players in the local and national government and the property and investment sector in London at that time, so it’s not just the London investment and occupier market you’re speaking to but the rest of the UK regions and people internationally there too,” says Knowledge Quarter Liverpool chief executive Colin Sinclair, who insists there “couldn’t have been a better time” for the launch.

“We’re now in talks with a number of developers for science, education and health space as well as residential space so there’s significant developer interest and people wanting tours on a daily basis.

“We’ve got hotel sector interest, which is important because we not only want Hope Street Hotel to continue to expand and be successful but also new hotel and conferencing facilities on Paddington Village,” adds Sinclair, who also indicates that a “major player from the US science market” is looking to potentially work with the Knowledge Quarter.

Over on the South Bank, the Shakespeare North Trust also revealed more about its progressing plans for a 350-seat Shakespearean playhouse

and education hub in Prescot, which will highlight the town’s historic links with the Bard and boost Knowsley’s cultural offer.

A private dinner at The Swan at The Globe was attended by Knowsley delegates, business and property industry insiders and MP George Howarth, and highlighted the project’s “transformational” potential for Prescot, Knowsley and the wider region.

Guests were also given a glimpse of The Globe’s Sam Wannamaker Theatre to hint at what the new venue could look like inside.

“Shakespeare is a very important part of the Knowsley story and it’s one that I think will be regenerative within that story, particularly in Prescot where we’ve also got Geraud doing its bit,” says Knowsley Place Board chair Edward Perry, who tells Move Commercial that the Shakespeare brand is “beginning to get a lot of attention within the wider city region”.

“The Prescot regeneration is an interesting one to watch because there are so many different elements,” he adds. “It’s very typical of when we go to MIPIM UK in that, although it’s a property event, the Knowsley team sees that it’s not just about one of those elements – it’s about being a great place to work, great to visit, great to invest in and a great place to live in because they all have the same basic needs.”

“

At MIPIM UK you’ve got all the key players in the local and national government and the property and investment sector in London at that time.

“

MOVE COMMERCIAL 21

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Lawrence Saunders lawrence@movepublishing.co.uk

If Stewart Hainsworth needed a reminder of the size of the task ahead of him when he took the reins at Halewood Wines & Spirits last year, he was handed a pretty big one in his first month when the Liverpool City Region drinks firm posted an operating loss of £8.4 million. After 16 months at the helm, Move Commercial finds out how this internationally mobile CEO has set about turning things around.

Fighting Spirit Best known for producing the popular sparkling perry drink Lambrini, Halewood Wines & Spirits - the parent company of Halewood International - was formed in 1978 by John Halewood and is the UK’s largest independent drinks manufacturer and distributor. It has operations in five countries across the globe, employing over 1,000 people.

However when Stewart Hainsworth was drafted in as group CEO of the Huyton-based company in June 2015, which counts Crabbies and Red Square Vodka amongst its top brands, turnover was down 14% on the year - marking a tough period following the passing of John Halewood in 2011.

Hainsworth’s impressive CV includes stints at two of Europe’s largest tobacco firms alongside three and half years as chair of Russia’s principal vodka producer, meaning his appointment wasn't exactly what you’d call risky.

For Hainsworth, who splits his time between the Knowsley base and London, the initial few months in the hot seat were spent trying to figure out what was going wrong with the company before highlighting what was going right and maximising those revenue streams.

22 MOVE COMMERCIAL

“The basic idea was to look at spirits because they have a longer life cycle as a product,” he explains.

“For example Smirnoff has been in the market for over 50 years whereas RTD (Ready To Drink) products like alcopops are more like fashion – they come in and then they go out again in two to three years.

“I wanted to focus on more of a longevity strategy in terms of spirits which would also generate higher margins and better cash flow in the future.”

After formulating a strategy, the next step was to implement it and Hainsworth’s contacts in the industry were to prove vital in this process.

“We brought in a team of managers which could execute a spirits strategy,” he says.

“My finance director is ex-Russian Standard, as is my managing director in the UK, plus we also had contacts between us in Whyte and Mackay, Grants and Rémy Martin.”

With his team now in place, Hainsworth set about transforming the company’s sales approach which was very much volume focused and geared towards supermarkets and wholesalers.

Whilst acknowledging that these channels were and continue to be important to the business model,

Hainsworth believes Halewood was overlooking the ‘on-trade’ practice of selling to hotels, restaurants and bars to its detriment.

“Halewood was ignoring that trade to some extent,” he says. “We started to invest in creating new jobs to get people out into the market with our product and showing them what we can do.

“The grocers and wholesalers are important but we’re growing a premium spirits portfolio. The ontrade is the most important factor to push the business forward.

“It gets interaction with the consumer. You speak with the bartender, they test your liquids and if you’re lucky enough that they like your liquids then they will, in effect, promote your product to new consumers.

“That’s a really important strategy for Halewood and something that we haven’t done to any real extent in the past.”

A prime example of this new strategy involved the firm’s biggest selling vodka brand, Red Square earlier this year.

The brand had been included in a tender with a major grocer and in order to stay listed it would cost Halewood £250,000 - accounting for 35% of the Red

p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:05 Page 23

Stewart Hainsworth, CEO, Halewood Wines & Spirits interview

“

The ‘on-trade’ is the most important factor to push the business forward.

“

Square UK sales volume.

Believing the vodka to be at least the equal of the market leader in terms of quality, Halewood declined the listing and instead invested in Red Square through the on-trade, creating 20 new sales positions.

The decision proved a shrewd one for Hainsworth and Halewood, with Red Square enjoying growth each quarter since and it has recently outperformed the overall vodka category by more than 14%.

This renewed focus on spirits has also led the company to acquire a number of liquor brands, both internationally and here in the Liverpool City Region, including Liverpool Gin and The Pogues Irish Whiskey, but it's the local brand which has stood out.

“Of all the acquisitions we’ve done, by far the most successful is the Liverpool brand,” he says.

“It was a very big investment but it’s absolutely flying and generating a huge amount of global interest.”

In May 2016, Halewood bought out the two owners of Liverpool Gin who were manufacturing the drink from small premises in the city centre with no ability to expand the operation.

Halewood has since invested heavily in equipment

“

Of all the acquisitions we’ve done, by far the most successful is the Liverpool brand. It was a very big investment but it’s generating a huge amount of global interest.

“

for the brand including a new copper still, which allows the quality of the product to be controlled with greater precision.

Despite the change in ownership, Hainsworth is keen to stress the gin is still made to the original organic recipe and is immensely proud of the brand’s name and local heritage.

The Liverpool brand has been expanded this year to include Liverpool Vodka and, most recently, Liverpool Rum, and Hainsworth sees no reason why Liverpool can’t follow the success of other spirit brands which carry city names including London Dry gin.

“People around the world know of Liverpool for a few reasons - either because of the port, because of The Beatles or because of the football.

“We would like to be the fourth thing - they know it because of the gin. That’s our aspiration.

“We’re investing heavily in distilleries here in Liverpool on the Huyton site and also in North Wales because we want to do more craft distilling as a business.

“It’s an exciting opportunity for the whole company because it’s taking it into a whole new area where it has never been before.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 23

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Back and bigger than ever, The NWPAs, previously known as the Your Move Property Awards, was significantly expanded for its 14th year to recognise the commercial and residential property sectors across the whole of the North West.

Taking place in Lutyens Crypt at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, the event saw over 250 guests enjoy a glamorous cocktail reception before sitting down to a luxurious meal and the awards presentation hosted by comedian and actor Neil Fitzmaurice, followed by live music and dancing.

The NWPAs 2016 BEST COMMERCIAL LET

BEST COMMERCIAL SCHEME

Sponsored by Bridging Finance Solutions

Sponsored by Elliot Group WINNER

Muse Developments was successful in the first commercial category of the evening for its City Place development in Chester.

The £120 million project aims to create a focal point in the city’s commercial quarter and will eventually provide over 500,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation.

Earlier this year, Muse officially launched the sixstorey One City Place - the first phase of the development and Chester’s maiden speculative BREEAM Excellent office building.

“We’re absolutely delighted,” says Nick Hague project manager at Muse Developments, who accepted the award on the night alongside Catherine Beaumont, communications manager at Muse.

“Hopefully it’s the first of many schemes in Chester for the company - we’ve been massively 24 MOVE COMMERCIAL

WORTHINGTON OWEN & KEPPIE MASSIE WINNER

MUSE DEVELOPMENTS

successful with occupiers moving in and aim to be 65-70% let by the end of the year.”

Falconer Chester Hall was named runner-up for its Tower Wharf development in Birkenhead which has provided Wirral’s business offer with 48,000 sq ft of Grade A office space.

“We are extremely pleased with the recognition we have received for our work on this project,” says Adam Hall, managing director at Falconer Chester Hall.

“We were required to design a building that would set the standard for future development in this important enterprise zone and came up with a scheme that satisfied this aspiration and completely met the needs of the client.”

Capital & Centric’s Lightbox scheme, also in Birkenhead, completed the shortlist.

Open to commercial lets for office, retail, industrial and hotel space right across the North West, this year’s deal saw the relocation of marine consultant and surveying firm Brookes Bell Group from the soon-to-be redeveloped Martins Building on Water Street to Exchange Flags.

The deal for 11,500 sq ft at the prominent office building was jointly completed by Worthington Owen and Keppie Massie who had the task of finding a space to accommodate a growing business whilst ensuring the move was as seamless as possible for its staff.

“It’s been a team effort between ourselves and Worthington Owen,” explains Tony Reed, associate partner at Keppie Massie and chair of the Property Group at Professional Liverpool.

“We’re delighted that we’ve taken a building which was very empty to being almost full – it’s a great moment and it’s nice to have a reward.”

p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:05 Page 25

The North West Property Awards 2016 Event Special

PROPERTY APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR Sponsored by The Foundry Agency WINNER

Sponsored by Redrow North West

BEN FINCH - REDROW

The new Property Apprentice award celebrated an individual who has made a significant contribution to their workplace, and judges were impressed with the high calibre of nominees.

Ben Finch, who is in the second year of his three-year plumbing apprenticeship with Redrow Homes,

came out on top and admitted he was a little shocked by the result.

“It’s more of a credit to Redrow and the structure of its apprenticeship scheme,” says Finch. “Although I’ve gone up and taken the award it’s something the whole company can be proud of.”

Charlotte Dorricott, who has become pivotal to the success of Liverpoolbased Block Management & Property Specialists, finished in second place.

SAS Daniels’ legal apprentice Dominic McGovern rounded off the shortlist having quickly become a valuable member of the property team at the firm, which has three branches across the North West.

COMMERCIAL PROPERTY AGENT OF THE YEAR Sponsored by PCS Law

Winners across many of the categories were chosen via a wide-ranging judging process by a respected panel made up by esteemed figures from across the North West’s residential and commercial sectors

COUNTRYSIDE Housebuilder Countryside won the Regeneration Award for New Broughton Village in Salford.

The scheme, on the outskirts of Manchester, has seen 180 acres of previously run-down land completely transformed and played a key role in the £500m regeneration of Lower Broughton.

Accepting the award, Peter Vella, regional sales and marketing director at Countryside, says: “It has been a successful scheme and we’re really

pleased with it.”

Capital & Centric was also in the running for its £4m regeneration of a vacant 1970s office building on Tithebarn Street in Liverpool city centre.

Rebranded as Tempest, the building is now fully let and includes a roof garden as well as free electric car charging for tenants.

New Pendleton from Together Housing was named runner-up, with Willowbrook Hospice also highlighted on this year’s shortlist.

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD WINNER

its clients.

Hitchcock Wright & Partners has been involved with a number of high-profile deals over the past 12 months including Commercial Estates Group‘s (CEG) acquisition of Exchange Station and a 20,000 sq ft lease to Home Bargains at the £150m ‘Project Jennifer’ scheme on Great Homer Street, both in Liverpool.

“We’re delighted to win it for the second year in a row,” says Matt Kerrigan, partner at Hitchcock Wright & Partners.

“It’s an honour to receive the award but equally we recognise that without the team involvement it wouldn't have been possible,” adds Brian Ricketts, also a partner at the firm.

Worthington Owen, which has acted on several significant deals in Liverpool this year including the £7.2m sale of No.1 Tithebarn Street was named runner-up.

The judging process

WINNER

Sponsored by Countryside

HITCHCOCK WRIGHT & PARTNERS WINNER

Arguably the most sought-after commercial prize of the night went to Hitchcock Wright & Partners.

The panel of independent adjudicators was impressed with the Liverpool firm’s commitment to delivering outstanding service and going the extra mile for

REGENERATION AWARD

WILLOWBROOK HOSPICE The final award of the evening was reserved for a development which has had a truly transformational effect on its local community.

The Willowbrook Hospice in Prescot has cared for 7,500 patients and receives over 1,110 patient referrals a year.

To meet demand, the organisation last year purchased a derelict building in the area.

Following an extensive redevelopment it was brought back to life and reborn as The Living Well - a multi-functional space with conference and treatment facilities, offices, a charity shop and a community café.

including Lesley Martin-Wright, CEO of Knowsley Chamber; Eric Wright, retail specialist and arbitrator; Alastair Shepherd, director at Falconer Chester Hall; Elaine Cunningham, owner of Elaine Cunningham Design Studio; Fiona Woodward-Kelly, owner of Wood Kelly & Co Ltd and James Glendenning, CEO of

The Living Well promotes positive wellbeing and offers support for those facing the most difficult times in their lives, either as patients or carers.

“We're delighted,” says Neil Wright, chief executive of the Willowbrook Hospice, who accepted the award. “To turn a derelict building back into community use – we brought a building which was dying back into living.

“It’s going to help support people in the future and we’re very grateful to the judges for being able to recognise the work of the hospice.”

Greater Merseyside Learning Providers’ Federation (GMLPF). The winners of the Property Apprentice and Commercial Property Agent of the Year awards were decided by a panel of independent adjudicators, who assessed each entry on a variety of specific criteria and evidence-based factors.

MOVE COMMERCIAL 25

p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:05 Page 26

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1. Derek Dawson (PCS Law) 2. Forth Homes was the main sponsor of this year’s event 3. Guests dressed for the occasion 4. Glamorous attendees arrived 5. Live music entertained guests 6. Rachael Clarke, Catherine McCarthy, Natalie Holden (all Move Publishing) and Hannah Fowler (The Foundry Agency) 7. Cocktails were served during a drinks reception 8. Brian Ricketts (Hitchcock Wright & Partners) 9. Judge Lesley Martin-Wright (Knowsley Chamber), Fiona Barnet and Kim O’Brien (both Move Publishing) and retail consultant John Mason 10. The NWPAs had a black tie dress code

26 MOVE COMMERCIAL

p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:06 Page 27

The North West Property Awards 2016 Event Special

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1. Paul Crowley & Co attendees 2. Catherine Beaumont and Nick Hague (both Muse Developments) 3. Keppie Massie guests 4. Furnish That Room sponsored the drinks reception 5. Talented musicians performed 6. James Glendenning (GMLPF), Neil Fitzmaurice, Lesley Martin-Wright (Knowsley Chamber), Alastair Shepherd (Falconer Chester Hall) and retail specialist and arbitrator Eric Wright 7. Actor, writer and comedian Neil Fitzmaurice hosted the event 8. The Move Publishing team with Hannah Fowler from the Foundry Agency 9. Bridging Finance Solutions guests

MOVE COMMERCIAL 27

p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:06 Page 28

The North West Property Awards 2016 Event Special

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1. Property industry attendees enjoyed the celebrations 2. Elliot Group guests 3. A lavish three-course meal was served 4. The event was a glitzy affair 5. Peter Vella from the Regeneration Award-winning Countryside 6. Andrew Owen (Worthington Owen) and Tony Reed (Keppie Massie) 7. A saxophonist contributed to the evening’s entertainment 8. Guests from across the region’s commercial property sector were in attendance 9. UK Business Supplies guests

28 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 16:52 Page 30

Lawrence Saunders lawrence@movepublishing.co.uk

Having transformed from a tiny well-to-do bathing resort just over a mile from the River Mersey into a thriving industrial hub by the creation of the docks at the end of the 19th Century - Bootle is now bidding to reinvent itself once again. Move Commercial examines a new and ambitious framework featuring plans to maximise the area’s commercial offering and attract more private occupiers and investors to this proud North West town.

Changing perceptions The fact that seven of the 10 tallest buildings in the areas surrounding Liverpool are found in Bootle gives you an idea of how significant the town’s physical footprint is in the region.

Many of these buildings are large office blocks, developed during the 1960s and 1970s to facilitate government departments including the 24-storey Triad building on Stanley Road, home to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

However important these public sector developments have been for the economic prosperity of Bootle in years gone by, it appears their appeal is now on the wane and not best suited to the flexible requirements of modern firms.

The Bootle Town Centre Investment Framework, a new strategy developed

by Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH) for Sefton Council, attempts to address these issues - setting out plans to redevelop the area’s commercial offering.

Harnessing Bootle’s existing assets including the canal, New Strand Shopping Centre, Hugh Baird College and its proximity to Liverpool city centre and the Port of Liverpool, the 30 MOVE COMMERCIAL

council hopes to reimagine the town as a desirable business, residential and educational destination.

From the get-go, the document admits that many of the town’s highrise developments do not match investor or private sector business requirements for office accommodation due to rigid floorspace layout, advanced age and high running costs.

“They’re all past their sell by date,” says Adam Mirley, director of planning and development consultancy at LSH, which was chosen to develop the framework following a competitive bidding process.

“A lot of those buildings are no longer suited to modern day occupiers.

They’re of a scale which, in the current climate, is probably too big for what Bootle is as an office location.

“Clearly there is a need to do something to change that and we felt clearing some of those sites or looking at potentially alternative uses would be a better way of trying to encourage investment in Bootle town centre.”

These alternative uses are not exactly nailed down in the framework and could include anything from private

rented sector (PRS) schemes or private residential developments to accommodation for students of the local Hugh Baird College.

Following the demise of the docks in the 1960s, government agencies have long been a significant source of employment and prosperity for the town.

The impending loss of HMRC, which declared its intention to move out of three Bootle buildings to Liverpool city centre last year, is therefore a considerable blow and the framework acknowledges that major public sector partners which are consolidating into fewer buildings are also now seeking modern property.

Despite this decision, the local authority believes being in close proximity to an area of significant activity like Liverpool could have some direct benefits for Bootle.

“We know that Liverpool is going to change,” says Phil Cresswell, head of regeneration at Sefton Council.

“There’s great activity in Liverpool and we absolutely embrace that and welcome it. But there is a nudge effect associated with that.

“There will be tenants who move into Bootle who want to be part of the Liverpool City Region either because they want to be associated with the expansion of the port, or they want to be part of the city of Liverpool but don't want to pay the city rents - they want them to be more affordable.”

A rapidly diminishing supply of Grade A office stock in the city could also be to Bootle’s benefit according to Mirley and the new framework.

“There’s a dearth of Grade A stock, not just in Liverpool but across the North West, and we feel that Bootle is well placed to meet some of that supply,” he adds.

Even closer to home, Bootle will be hoping to capitialise on opportunities created by Peel’s £400 million deepwater container terminal at the Port of Liverpool, known as Liverpool2, which was officially launched at the start of November.

Rather than offering a base for some of the major shipping firms which, as Mirley admits, often prefer a Liverpool address, it’s thought the town could instead fill the expected requirements for back-office

p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 16:52 Page 31

Bootle Regeneration Focus

“

If the private sector can work with the council to deliver much higher levels of amenity, then the town’s development potential over the next decade may be immeasurable.

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accommodation.

“We felt there was an opportunity from that sector with the growth which is expected on the back of Liverpool2 in terms of logistics,” he adds.

“Logistics is not just about the big sheds, it’s about the call centres and being able to move people from A to B. Why couldn't that be located in Bootle - close to where the action is happening?”

Sefton Council certainly believes it can. The local authority is convinced it will be able to attract some of these businesses on a winning ticket of lower rents and high-quality accommodation, referencing Bruntwood’s £3.6m renovation of the St Hugh’s building on Stanley Road as a prime example of a modern, flexible workspace.

The property firm has marketed the development, which offers units from 200 sq ft up to 48,000 sq ft, as a match for anything in Liverpool city centre and believes the scheme is a sign of an already shifting commercial offer in the town.

"St Hugh's is a testament to the

continued popularity of Bootle as a home for start-ups and growing businesses,” says Matt Lee, head of sales at Bruntwood.

"The investment framework is as exciting as it is ambitious, with the prospect of injecting £100m into Bootle town centre, delivering a long overdue boost to the town's fortunes and banishing any lingering negativity that may still surround it.

"If the private sector can work with the council to deliver much higher levels of amenity, such as the canal side bars and restaurants, then the town's development potential over the next decade may be immeasurable.”

In a further fillip for the town, specialist printing firm Domino UK has recently committed to the area, recently breaking ground on a new 140,000 sq ft fluid manufacturing facility at Senate Business Park.

Despite this positivity it’s clear Bootle isn’t going to be transformed overnight and the job of delivering these higher levels of amenity and attracting more private businesses like Domino to the town isn’t going to be easy.

Bootle still has a way to go in terms of its regeneration according to associate partner at Keppie Massie, Tony Reed, who says it is currently “such a tough market”, but the chair of the Property Group at Professional Liverpool is hopeful that the Liverpool Waters and Liverpool2 schemes will take the town in the right direction.

Sefton Council accepts that this rebrand won’t be achieved overnight and as Mirley points out, the framework doesn't claim to provide all the answers but is rather a 15-year strategy designed as a way of guiding the council in the right direction to meet certain requirements.

“It’s very much about changing perceptions,” says Paula Lowrey, service manager of regeneration at Sefton Council.

“The commercial offer is just one part of the overall framework.

“We’ve got to move forward in all aspects of that to make it a vibrant town during the day and the night, looking at the retail offer and the housing offer. All of those pieces in that Bootle jigsaw will feed in and support the commercial offer.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 31

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p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:49 Page 33

Key event Yin Yan anniversary celebration

Yin Yan celebrates first anniversary Yoga and pilates provider Yin Yan hosted an evening of laughter and fizz as it celebrated its first anniversary in Liverpool.

Led by commercial property expert Robin Ellis the company, which works with landlords to host classes in vacant workspaces, marked the special occasion at Bean Coffee and Cocktails in St Paul’s Square.

Guests at the event, in the heart of the city’s commercial district, enjoyed a feel-good session of laughter yoga and had fun posing with Yin Yan’s ‘Yogi Photoshop’ boards.

Yin Yan’s ‘head of wellbeing’, Carter the dog was also on hand to meet attendees as they networked and heard about the company’s plans to build on its initial year of success.

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1. The event was celebrating one year of Yin Yan Yoga 2. Stephen McCoy (McCoy Wynn Photography), Dave Duvall (Denovo Design) and Stephanie Wynn (McCoy Wynn Photography) 3. The staff at Active Profile 4. Guests were led through some fun exercises 5. All smiles after the group fun 6. Liz Lennard (ACL), Rebecca Mortby (Jackson Canter), Amy Toal (St George’s Hall) and Lynn Dwyer 7. Stacey McCarroll (Santander), Rob Jeffrey (GVA), Claire Robinson (GVA) and Martin Finnegan (Marsh and McLennan) 8. Rachel Clark and Natalie Holden (both Move Publishing) with Robin Ellis 9. Robin’s dog, Carter, made an appearance!

p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 18:04 Page 34

Natasha Young natasha@movepublishing.co.uk

When Liverpool brothers Graham and Mark Wray found themselves living amongst a dearth of employment opportunities during the early 1980s, creating their own business seemed like their best option for a brighter future. Move Commercial finds out how a helping hand from The Prince’s Trust and a charismatic company name set them on a path to decades of entrepreneurial success.

What’s in a name?

These days, Graham and Mark Wray are at the helm of growing multimillion pound workwear and janitorial supplies company Wray Bros, providing services to public sector organisations and businesses.

Rewind 32 years though and the city the company is based in as well as the firm’s vision and even its name were very different.

Living in a Liverpool which had recently endured the Toxteth Riots and was going through a difficult economic time, the two brothers were in their early twenties and searching for job opportunities when the idea for their own venture came about.

“Graham worked for a company which sold wipers,” explains Mark, who at the time was an unemployed sheet metal worker having been made redundant. “[The business] was Graham’s idea; he said ‘I’m thinking of going self-employed doing something similar to what my current employer does but I think we can actually do it better’. He took the brave step of handing in his notice and brought me along and that was that.”

34 MOVE COMMERCIAL

A £3,000 bursary from The Prince's Trust helped the duo make their start-up idea a reality and they set about selling old clothes as rags and wipers to garages around the city.

“Nobody had jobs and when you were in the pub people were talking about The Prince’s Trust, saying you could get money from it,” says Graham. “You’d be having a pint and you’d think ‘actually that’s not a bad idea’.”

When the business was born its trading name in particular was sure to attract attention.

"We called ourselves Willy Wiper,” says Mark. “We were advised to keep the name and we did for 12 years. We had three or four royal visits and people wanted to know about Willy Wiper.

“We were the memorable firm rather than, say, John Smith the Hairdresser, and Willy Wiper draws attention but it restricts you.”

Once established for more than a decade the company renamed to Wray Bros – a title more suited to its vision for growth.

“You couldn’t go to a university

and say ‘I'm Mark Wray from Willy Wiper’,” adds Mark. “They wouldn’t take you seriously.

“I always liken it to Virgin. It’s commonplace now, it's on planes and on trains, but when it came out it was very risqué, cutting edge.

With Willy Wiper we didn’t have the finance to make it professional or acceptable.”

Over the years Wray Bros has gradually branched out to offer a wide range of services to clients, from cleaning products to workwear and embroidered uniforms as well as consumable workplace items, signage and training videos. The acquisition of a row of buildings on Liverpool’s Pleasant Hill Street has facilitated this expansion.

“I’d go round selling rags and wipers to garages and they'd say ‘instead of you coming for rags and wipers and him over there for a case of paper hand towels, can you get them for us?’, so we started the evolution to become a more janitorial distributor,” says Mark.

“We took our company and aligned it with other companies and we made this huge conglomerate, so

really there’s 45 of us throughout the country and we have our own range of branded products.

“Six years ago we decided that if we’re going for a nursing home or university where we’d supply all the cleaners and consumables, then why don’t we supply cleaners’ clothing such as tabards or tunics?

We’ve now got an embroidery print department here because around 25% of the company is clothing.”

According to the brothers, each change has proven pivotal to making the company what it is now.

“When we started, The Prince’s Trust invested £3,000 in us, and we’ve self-financed £1.1 million in the last five years,” says Graham.

“It’s never been a Eureka moment but we’ve had staging posts like buying the likes of buildings.”

Positioning Wray Bros as somewhat of a one-stop shop has helped the firm keep up to date with consumers' demands as well as future proofing the business.

"We live in a convenience society," explains Mark. "With supermarkets you park your car and can get anything from

p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 18:05 Page 35

Graham and Mark Wray, founders, Wray Bros Interview

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If this campaign puts one young person or a group on track to achieve something similar to us it will be worthwhile.

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30,000 products.

"If you come to us we're going to try and get as many products as we can and then it's more difficult for somebody to take your business off you because you become more of a support mechanism to the client."

The now 22-strong Wray Bros team's clients include Liverpool City Region councils and a significant share of the area's schools along with higher education institutions.

Such organisations make use of many of the company's services.

"A primary school will probably spend around £6,000 per year on products," says Mark. "A secondary school could spend around £15,000 a year, a college could spend up to £25,000 per year.

"With universities, for instance, we've just put a tender in for a quarter of a million and that's just on consumables."

According to Graham, the company has benefitted from cleaning becoming more of a serious factor in the industries it caters for.

"You find now that the environment people work in is a lot cleaner,” he says. “If you go into a garage it's not like a garage I remember; they're spotless.

"These are very tight and clean units so their image is important to them.

"And as clever as you are, if you run out of toilet rolls the building grinds to a halt!"

As Wray Bros continues to keep an eye on the future, with plans to increase its staff number to 30 and an aim to enhance the firm's retail element with a "high end trade counter" at its site, it's also looking back to its roots.

Now considered to be one of the

oldest businesses to have begun with support from The Prince's Trust, Wray Bros has created a campaign to give back to the charity and help more young people live out their aspirations - all in the name of Willy Wiper.

Soft toy versions of the company's original mascot Willy Wiper - a character dressed for the workplace - are being sold, with proceeds being donated to the cause. Meanwhile buyers are being encouraged to take Willy on their travels and share his far-flung 'selfies' via social media and the character's own website.

Graham, who admits the firm's toughest challenge during its evolution has been becoming a "digital savvy company," believes the initiative will also be effective in spreading the Wray Bros word online.

"The Willy Wiper doll works more now on the internet than it would have done slapped on the side of a van," he says, adding: "And it would be boring to just write a cheque for The Prince's Trust so we decided to [show support] the hard way - we've always done things the hard way. If there's a lift, we go up the side of the building!"

"Graham and I would be absolutely delighted if the circle was complete," says Mark. "Someone gave us a hand so we went out and proved this social experiment does work. If you invest in underpriviledged kids who don't necessarily have degrees they can do it another way.

"I remember what it was like to have no future so if this campaign puts one young person or a group on track to achieve something similar to us it will be worthwhile" MOVE COMMERCIAL 35

p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 15:53 Page 36

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p21-38_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 18:02 Page 38

Mark Langshaw mark.langshaw@movepublishing.co.uk

Technology is changing the way we work, reshaping industry and pushing business boundaries. The property sector moves with the times and such breakthroughs are empowering professionals in fields including construction and building management. With this in mind, Move Commercial examines three growing and emerging technologies expected to make waves in the North West property industry in 2017.

Building for tomorrow Virtual reality Movies, video games and other forms of entertainment are now more immersive thanks to the rise of modern virtual reality (VR), but its potential stretches far beyond digital thrills.

Businesses are exploring the world of possibilities VR has to offer and the property sector has proven to be fertile ground for this rapidly growing discipline.

Industry professionals have dabbled in the tech before but now is the time for it to rise to prominence in the sector, with a growing number of agents and developers taking clients on virtual tours of their completed developments long before building work has wrapped up, and more businesses using it to save time and money during construction.

For instance Network Rail is utilising the latest 4D virtual modelling tech to plot its redevelopment of Liverpool Lime Street station. It’s a system which will enable the firm to improve safety when the development begins and convey more detailed planning information to the construction team.

The use of VR in a professional context is growing in prevalence too thanks to the rise of mobile headsets like the Samsung Gear VR and Google Cardboard, devices which have made the technology more accessible, cost-effective and widely embraced by the general public and businesses alike.

Commercial property developer Bruntwood has been trialling VR tours for two of its schemes Platform in Leeds and Manchester-based Neo - and the early response is said to have been positive.

“We’ve used VR on these schemes at different stages in the customer’s journey,” says the firm’s head of digital, Jamie Boulger. “For example, at Neo we’ve got clients who are further along with their deals than others, but it’s helping them see what their fit-out will look like so they can sit down with our design team and envisage where everything will go.“ In the fast-paced world of property investment, time is often tight and distances vast, but the 38 MOVE COMMERCIAL

growing acceptance of virtual reality as a tool of the trade is combating these issues.

Boulger says VR tours have helped Bruntwood target customers who aren’t necessarily local but may have a head office or estates division where the development is based. This method has also proven popular with those looking to relocate to these cities as well as foreign investors.

Figures from multinational finance company Goldman Sachs suggest virtual reality in property is a $1 billion (£803 million) industry globally, with that number set to treble by 2020, and Boulger foresees this momentum picking up in 2017.

Although adamant VR will never replace traditional property viewings, he believes the technology’s growth in entertainment and other fields will lead to widespread acceptance, and therefore increased use in the property industry over the next 12 months.

“I think in 2017, VR is definitely something that will be more widely embraced in property because the technology is becoming more accepted,

commonplace and refined,” he says. “Operators like Samsung will start bundling headsets with their phones, in the same way they give away earphones now, and once that happens the hardware will only grow.

“I think residential listing sites will start using headsets to offer immersive, customisable tours of their properties more and more, and I see no reason why the momentum won’t filter over to the commercial side.”

Within the next year, Boulger foresees VR being used more in planning as well as construction, allowing local authorities to digitally preview the schemes they’re assessing, and the wider industry appears to agree.

A study by legal firm Nabarro shows that 81% of UK property professionals believe virtual reality will change how developments are planned, marketed and leased in the next decade, becoming as synonymous with the industry as the brochure was in the 1990s and the website in the 2000s.

p39-48_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 18:03 Page 39

Technology in property Focus

The Internet of Things

3D printing The concept of 3D printing has been around since the 1980s, but only with recent advancements has it begun to fulfil its potential and the construction industry is reaping the benefits.

Hobs Studio, a 3D printing specialist with offices in Manchester, Liverpool, Chester and Warrington as well as further afield, has assisted builders and architects across the region on a number of projects, including Manchester City FC’s £100m training facility the City Football Academy.

Shay O'Carroll, a national sales manager at the firm, says the technology is helping construction professionals demonstrate sophisticated plans to clients through the use of scale models.

“Interactive prints allow our clients to describe key areas of risk on a project and associated solutions to non-technical stakeholders through a medium they can easily understand,” he explains.

“An example of this would be using a landscape model with removable land mass to clearly demonstrate the volume being excavated. 3D prints are now commonly used in pre-construction and

bidding stages during presentations.”

O'Carroll believes the immediate future is bright for 3D printing, predicting more planning authorities, real estate marketing companies, architects and building firms will adopt the tech in 2017 as it becomes a more cost-effective and robust solution.

In a further boost to property professionals, he also foresees more crossover with VR and augmented reality as 3D building models can be used in conjunction with headsets and the immersive software experiences they provide, triggering VR tours when the headset user glances at the printout.

“The combination of high quality and increased affordability together with reduced lead times achieved through 3D printing means our clients can now use models in applications where required budget or longer lead times prohibited their use,” he says.

“The effect being that models can now be used where previously it wasn't feasible. As well as combining lighting and apps to control the models we can now use 'triggers' to launch augmented reality experiences, or orientate a client before immersing them into a virtual reality experience - the possibilities really are endless.”

The Internet of Things (IoT) isn’t a new concept.

Researchers have been discussing the idea of networking smart devices for decades, but it has become more than just a future possibility.

With connected appliances, buildings and vehicles no longer limited to science fiction, IoT technologies are beginning to realise their potential and they could prove revolutionary in the property industry and wider business sectors.

The North West is the UK’s vanguard for this tech, with Manchester having been named as host for the government-led CityVerve Project which will see the city become a testbed for the latest IoT innovations, from talkative bus stops to sensor-enhanced lampposts.

Working with partners including Cisco and the University of Manchester, Manchester Science Partnerships (MSP) is heavily involved in the CityVerve Project and recently kitted out its Citylabs 1.0 innovation centre with IoT sensors to transform it into a fully-fledged smart building.

Going forward MSP’s head of partnerships and innovation, Anne Dornan, believes IoT technology will have a “transformative” effect on the property industry by improving buildings for the better.

“It’s very early days, but the ability to deploy smart technologies and sensors in a fully connected and integrated approach within buildings to control multiple building systems such as lighting and heating, is extremely exciting,” she tells Move Commercial.

MSP - which is adding a new 70,000 sq ft smart building to its Central Campus next year - is forecasting further investment and growth for IoT tech in 2017, with the UK business community having a major role to play in its development.

“I believe we’ll see further investment and innovation in 2017 and also greater public perception of IoT and how these technologies can change our lives for the better - in a trusted and secure way, which meets user needs,” Dornan adds.

So what does this mean for commercial property professionals? With greater investment in IoT technologies real estate is expected to become more high-tech with building values surging as a result.

Figures from property services firm JLL indicate smart buildings will command 10% more rent than standard developments, suggesting the connected future the property sector is heading for will also be a lucrative one for those who embrace the latest advancements.

“Technology is altering how and where we work and, crucially, is allowing our responses to our environment to be tracked, measured and analysed more than ever before,” says James Brown, JLL’s head of research for EMEA. “These changes are giving occupiers, developers and investors strong cues about how their approaches to real estate will need to change practically in the future. New opportunities will emerge and those who are able to respond to change will reap the rewards.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 39

p39-48_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:08 Page 40

Christine Toner

An influx of new eateries and schemes to reposition retail complexes as prime dining destinations is turning North West towns and cities into foodie hotspots.

Move Commercial looks at the impact this ongoing high demand from restaurant operators is having in the region, and whether such a feast of food and drink establishments could ever be too much.

Food for footfall The North West has been party to something of a food revolution of late with new restaurants and cafés popping up on an almost weekly basis.

Indeed our town centres, once dominated by retailers, are starting to become as popular for their culinary offerings as their shops.

Earlier this year the Metquarter in Liverpool’s Whitechapel announced plans to reposition itself as a premium dining and retail destination within the city, with several new restaurants set to open within the complex.

It will follow in the footsteps of Manchester’s Corn Exchange, previously The Triangle Shopping Centre and now home to 17 food outlets.

As blueprints go, it seems a smart one to follow.

“The Corn Exchange has brought a large number of new restaurants to the city which are not available elsewhere and has provided locals and visitors alike with a one-stop space for quality, casual dining,” says Sheona Southern, managing director of Marketing Manchester. “People seem to like the idea of being able to turn up and decide on the day what they will eat from a range of options.

Its location works in its favour as the Manchester Arndale is next door, along with New Cathedral Street and The Printworks which all help in terms of footfall and passing trade.”

The Corn Exchange is situated in Manchester’s Medieval Quarter, an area which has seen significant regeneration since 2012 when the National Football Museum moved in.

“The Corn Exchange is a further extension of the 40 MOVE COMMERCIAL

redevelopment that has flourished in the area,” says Southern. “The National Football Museum was followed by improvements to the cathedral, Chethams Library, a Christmas market zone during the festive season and now a Metrolink stop on its doorstep which can only be beneficial to the future of the Corn Exchange.”

Of course the Corn Exchange is not the only prominent example of a previously retail-led area rethinking its offering. The Spinningfields area of Manchester, particularly The Avenue, has had great success in repositioning itself as a food destination.

“There is still a handful of luxury boutiques on The Avenue such as Emporio Armani, Mulberry, Flannels and Oliver Sweeney, but this number has dwindled over recent years with restaurants taking their place,” says Southern. “King Street is another area which is beginning to follow suit; its history is radically different to that of Spinningfields but a similar pattern is emerging. It was once one of the most important thoroughfares in the city centre and home to an abundance of high end, luxury shops and boutiques.”

It’s not just about restaurants taking spaces though, it’s about retailers leaving them. In order for previously retail-led areas to become home to restaurants, the units must be available. Southern says a decline in retail is causing this to happen.

“There hasn’t really been any standalone research into why retail focused areas in Manchester have seen restaurants move in,” she

says. “The most logical reason appears to be that many bricks and mortar retail stores are suffering due to the rise of e-commerce, leading to widespread closures across the country. Therefore, commercial property owners are more than willing to offer their premises to the hospitality sector, which is on an upward trajectory at present and offers itself as a more sustainable partnership. It is worth remembering that these retail areas were and are still popular commercial thoroughfares which are receiving a lot of footfall and, even with the decline in the number of shops, these locations still remain vividly in the public psyche.”

But how difficult is it to change the primary purpose of an area? And is it a challenge for agents when letting these spaces?

John Barker, partner at Liverpool-based commercial agent Hitchcock Wright & Partners, says it’s not always about changing the primary use of an area but more so meeting consumers’ demand.

“Thriving city centres are ones which have a mix of business, retail and leisure space, and Liverpool is developing in this way as different areas merge together,” he tells Move Commercial.

“Areas such as Castle Street in Liverpool are becoming real foodie destinations, something which Liverpool BID Company has been keen to showcase through its Commercial District Restaurant Weeks this year.

“The demise of the banks on Castle Street has left listed buildings which are much more suited to

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Restaurants on the rise Focus

“ “

“

Thriving city centres are ones which have a mix of business, retail and leisure space.

Many bricks and mortar retail stores are suffering due to the rise of e-commerce.

Therefore, commercial property owners are more than willing to offer their premises to the hospitality sector.

Photo: iStock/SolStock

restaurant and hotel use than office use.

Restaurants such as San Carlo and Viva Brazil established themselves early and have paved the way for new eateries and other destinations in the business district such as Exchange Flags.

“We’re dealing with a property on Castle Street which is currently in for planning, so this could provide yet another restaurant opportunity for this bustling food quarter.”

One need only look to Liverpool ONE for an example of a combined offering which has proven successful. The Grosvenor-developed leisure complex combines high end and high street stores with a host of restaurants and leisure activities and the combination of the two guarantees high footfalls.

“The demand for restaurants is almost as strong as for the stores,” says Donna Howitt marketing and business performance director at Liverpool ONE. “Exactly what draws visitors here; whether it be an enticing new menu, the latest clothing collection, the sales or one of our events varies depending on the time of year. As we near the festive season we are expecting millions of visitors to enjoy the in-store experiences, maybe catch a traditional choir or mulled wine, pick up an online order and then take the opportunity to recharge with one of our restaurants’ Christmas menus. Liverpool really is a day to night city destination welcoming visitors either travelling from further afield to enjoy our offer or just popping in.”

One danger with the current growth of the restaurant sector in the region is that we may be at risk of a saturated market. With retailers moving out and making way for eateries, the number of food establishments is soaring and a saturated market means it will be difficult for new ventures to survive.

“There are fantastic restaurants opening up in Manchester on a regular basis and it would be easy to say that the city can continue in sustaining all these new openings but their growth in the market needs to be relative to changes to the demographic and at the moment there is some risk of saturation,” says Southern. “As the market becomes more competitive and quality increases

Photo: iStock/phive2015

“ in an attempt to attract and retain customers, some of the weaker offerings are going to fall by the wayside.

“This isn’t limited to Manchester, of course, but is a familiar occurrence across almost all cities that are in possession of a rapidly developing food and drink market.”

According to recent research by Savills, foodled outlet growth has increased significantly across northern towns and cities of late with Liverpool, Manchester and Southport seeing year on year increases of 7.7%, 3.5% and 7% respectively. Saturation may well be a risk in the future but, at the moment, the sector is more successful than ever.

Photo: iStock/dr-interior

MOVE COMMERCIAL 41

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Key event Knowsley Business & Regeneration Awards

Knowsley Business and Regeneration Awards 2016 Entrepreneurs and independent retailers to large scale property developers and investors enjoyed an evening of celebration as the annual Knowsley Business and Regeneration Awards returned.

The spectacular 1920s themed black tie event took place at the Grand Marquee within Knowsley Safari Park and reflected on a year of economic success in the borough.

Move Commercial sponsored this year’s Deal/Investment of the Year award which, due to the high calibre of entries, was presented to two winners – Geraud Markets for its commercial work and Countryside Properties for housing.

Guests enjoyed dinner and entertainment and a total of 13 awards were presented on the night, which was organised by the private sector led Knowsley Place Board and Knowsley Council and funded through business sponsorship.

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3

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1. Live performances entertained guests 2. Excellence in Export winners Getrag Ford Transmissions with Robin Tudor (Liverpool John Lennon Airport) 3. Retailer of the Year, Renaissance Skincare & Beauty with Paul Batho from main event and category sponsor St. Modwen 4. Singers performed during the drinks reception 5. Manufacturer of the Year, Jaguar Land Rover with Anne Pryer (Institute of Advanced Manufacturing and Technology) 6. The glittering ceremony was held in the Grand Marquee 7. Philip Lamb of the winner Geraud Markets (UK) Limited with Natasha Young (Move Commercial) 8. Edward Perry, chair of the Knowsley Place Board 9. Transport and Logistics Business of the Year, JMD (Haulage Contractors) Ltd with Eddie Mellor (Mott MacDonald) 10. Guests dressed up for the annual black tie occasion

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Diary Dates - Celebration Special Best for Entrepreneurs

Best for Growing Firms

Best for Construction

1 December

16 December

27 January

Liverpool & Sefton Chambers of Commerce Annual Dinner

Quarterly Economic Breakfast

RICS Annual QS and Construction Dinner

Elliot House, Manchester

The Point, Lancashire County Cricket Club, Greater Manchester

This breakfast event will cover the current state of Greater Manchester’s economy as it transitions to a new phase in its cycle.

The event coincides with an upturn in business confidence, providing a chance to learn more about the main impacting issues.

There will also be plenty of opportunities to connect and network with experienced professionals.

The biggest annual RICS dinner in the world returns to one of Manchester’s largest venues.

More than 900 guests from North West businesses are expected to attend the glittering evening which celebrates the year’s achievements.

Guests will enjoy a four-course dinner, entertainment and an opportunity to network with industry professionals.

A celebrity after-dinner speaker will also be on hand.

The new main stand at Anfield will host the popular annual event, celebrating another fantastic year of business achievements.

This year, attendees will hear from inspirational speakers from the fastest growing businesses in the city and will have the opportunity to meet special guests and network with some of the most enterprising people in the region.

Designed by Freepik

Liverpool Football Club, Anfield, Liverpool

Professional Pointers

Being more organised throughout the coming 12 months is often a classic new year’s resolution for many.

We’ve found one new product which could help keep those efforts and good intentions on track far beyond the first few weeks of January.

The handy Hay Pinorama Board is a pin board with a twist as it has additional accessories like a mirror, shelf, input organiser and cork shelf.

Not only does it provide a handy place for your office essentials but it’s perfect for displaying those all important messages, reminders and to-do lists.

Available in a range of colours including cream, mustard, light blue, dark blue and wine, it looks great too!

with Steve Smith of Raise the Bar

As Edwin Moses, one of the most consistent athletes of all time, once said: “Ain't no use worrying 'bout things beyond your control, 'cos if they're beyond your control, ain't no use worrying. Ain't no use worrying 'bout things that are in your control, 'cos if you have them in your control then why worry?”

It’s an interesting exercise to ask ‘what can we control?’ and then put your energy into those areas.

What do you need to focus on? Why is this important? How will you do it? When can you start?

Like with many things in business, athletes can’t impact on their competitors or the environment and therefore whether they get the medal they deserve.

They focus on the process goals they can control, such as training, diet and equipment, and that way if 44 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Hay Pinorama Board From £109, Utility Design

Motivating your team to achieve As we approach a new year it’s essential to think about where we should place our energy to achieve our 2017 goals.

Steve Smith, co-founder of Knowsley-based Raise the Bar, which draws from the experiences of dynamic experts to boost motivation and engagement, shares his advice on how we can all start controlling our controllables to help better develop our businesses and teams.

What’s New

they don’t achieve the performance goal they can at least look back thinking ‘I gave it my best shot’.

This approach enables us to reduce stress and focus on the smaller things that will lead to the required outcome. Taking this strategy in business enables the best position to achieve and reach our goals.

We can always control: • Attitude and mindset • How we communicate with our teams • Customers’ experience • Presentation of our product • How we coach and lead teams • Our first impressions • Our reaction to failure and challenges • Body language

p39-48_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 14:51 Page 45

Business lifestyle

How to… increase motivation in the workplace

Corporate Gym Membership

Tried & Tested Team building Clue Finders - The Live Escape Game King Edward Industrial Estate, Gibraltar Row, Liverpool, L3 Review by Lawrence Saunders Paintballing, go karting and laser tag are all classic team building activities used the world over by companies keen to get their staff working more effectively as a unit. A live escape game may not naturally be included on this list so it was with a sense of intrigue and slight apprehension that the Move Commercial team - myself and three intrepid co-workers - headed to Liverpool’s Clue Finders.

Located on a small industrial estate on the edge of the city centre, Clue Finders challenges players to break out of a locked room by finding clues, keys and solving puzzles, and claims to offer an “environment a million miles away from the workplace” in which to test teamwork skills.

Now I understand for many of you reading this that spending 60 minutes locked in a small room with colleagues would constitute a cruel and unusual punishment, leaving you wishing you could have gone paintballing instead, but bear with me.

On arrival we were directed upstairs to a briefing room and told to await further instructions. Our friendly game host proceeded to tell us the story of missing spy Remy, before explaining that it was our job to find out where he’d ended up. We were also reminded that the all-important keys to the numerous padlocks were very well hidden, a fact which would soon become frustratingly apparent.

After being handed a locked briefcase and a walkie talkie for our team captain, it was time to get to work.

The first thing that struck the Mystery Movers (brilliant team name) was the attention to detail in Remy’s office. It’s clear a substantial amount of time and effort has been put into making this setting as realistic as possible. Everything from the

furniture to the fireplace fitted the 1940s feel to a tee and helped create an absorbing atmosphere.

The Mystery Movers were making solid progress through the room, unlocking multiple padlocks and solving clues until the location of the final key for a large wardrobe eluded the team, despite our increasingly fraught efforts. Luckily, our game host was on hand to gently push us in the right direction with a vital clue displayed on a wallmounted monitor.

The number of clues provided throughout the escape attempt depended on how well - or not so well - our team was doing, meaning each pointer was tinged with a hint of irritation that we couldn't figure out the next step unaided. Although without the hints, of which we had 11 (the average is 10), we would never have made it out in time or enjoyed the full Clue Finders experience.

I’m happy to report that just as I had anticipated, the Mystery Movers functioned like a well-oiled machine throughout the escape, dealing with each challenge and puzzle in a logical manner without any one member of the team dominating the discussion.

Clue Finders was a highly enjoyable and novel way to test our ability to function well under pressure within a group, something that is particularly pertinent to our profession.

The challenges were tough without being impossible, the props authentic and the story well thought out and impeccably executed.

When you’re planning your next office team building get together, forget rolling around in the mud or an overpriced day of go karting - give Clue Finders a try.

Research shows healthy people perform better at work and take less time off.

Furthermore when someone exercises, the blood flow to the brain is increased which can help sharpen attentiveness and make staff feel ready to take on daily tasks.

A corporate gym membership is an easy way to give staff no excuse when it comes to keeping fit. Employers can offer their workforce membership to a gym or leisure centre based on a flexible or voluntary basis, and through salary sacrifice.

Membership costs of course depend on the gym brand, facilities and location, as well as any discount the company wants to offer.

Team Activities Done properly, staff awaydays and team activities can have serious benefits in the workplace, strengthening team dynamics and increasing morale amongst employees.

Not restricted to large companies with big budgets, an increasing number of SMEs are organising fun office challenges such as cake baking competitions and ping-pong tournaments to boost office engagement.

Thinking bigger? Why not consider a raft-building challenge or have your staff compete against each other in a dragon boat race. A well planned activity can be an essential part of team development.

Perks and Incentives Ranging from small gestures such as an extra day off to season tickets for public transport, perks and incentives can be used by companies of any size looking to provide extra motivation for staff.

Incentive schemes don't necessarily have to be financially based and can be designed to recognise employee priorities and lifestyles including flexible working hours, extra training and dress down Fridays.

If all else fails, free pizza will always be welcome in any office!

p39-48_Move Commercial 28/11/2016 15:10 Page 46

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Expert views Ask the panel

The government has approved the development of a third runway at Heathrow Airport - a move which, according to its supporters, will have a major impact on the North West economy by helping businesses reach an additional 40 long-haul destinations. With a final decision on the development expected in the winter of 2017/18, we ask a panel of experts what this really means for the region.

Q: What effect is the expansion of Heathrow Airport likely to have on the North West?

“The new runway is a bold statement that Britain is very much outward looking and open for trade internationally, although it will likely be years before construction work is finished.

“Based in Wirral, we are blessed with Liverpool John Lennon Airport on our doorstep and Manchester Airport within easy reach.

“The new direct flights from Manchester to China which launched earlier this year, along with more frequent flights to mainland USA, have facilitated a number of new contract wins in these territories already.

“Along with making it easier to take our exports around the globe, the ability for firms to bring the likes of potential customers and distribution partners directly to the North West - cutting out the middleman of London - lends strength to the region’s credibility as a destination for doing business.”

Neil Clark, commercial director and co-owner, Evoke Creative

“The performance of regional economies and that of London are inextricably linked and mutually beneficial - so for the North West to be strong, London needs to be strong and vice-versa. Whatever needs to be done for our regions and/or the capital to maintain and enhance their economic positions and influence at home and abroad, has to be done.

“Such a relationship is also enjoyed by the nation’s airports - hence those at Manchester and Liverpool have to be bigger, stronger and better in terms of destinations served, passenger numbers, freight transport and related essential infrastructure to ensure they continue to be economic hubs, attracting and creating jobs,

“There's no doubt the London hub needs to be able to handle more traffic.

If the Northern Powerhouse is to succeed, we must increase the amount of exports that can be passed onto long-haul trade routes, and most traffic goes through London.

“The government must ensure regional airports (especially in the

investment, trade and growth both domestically and internationally.”

Andrew McFarlane, director and head of the North West offices, Colliers

North West) are also boosted and not ignored. Manchester has direct flights into Shanghai, but it's not normally used as a long-haul trade route because key regional airports are being ignored. These could unlock huge potential for the North if the government is willing to invest as strongly in them.

“Reports have shown investment into Manchester Airport would see a 600% return in growth over the same money being invested in Heathrow.

Manchester Airport was a cornerstone to Osbourne's long-term plan to make the North West the gateway to the Northern Powerhouse, but seems to have been forgotten about under this new leadership.”

Keith Hanshaw, managing director & master craftsman, The Leather Satchel Co.

“As a UK business operating globally, we are supportive of any expansion that benefits our economy. Since the news of Brexit, it is more important than ever that the UK is not only open to operating on a worldwide scale, but that we are actively facilitating global growth. The Heathrow expansion is expected to boost the economy by billions of pounds by increasing the number of flights by 50%.

“As a business with offices on three continents and clients over five, we are constantly travelling.

Increased flights will make it easier for us to export our services to other countries and therefore feel that the third runway is an opportunity that we really shouldn’t miss out on. Connectivity is vital for the UK economy to thrive and this expansion will benefit all global businesses in the UK including the North West, not just those in London.”

James Blake, CEO, Hello Soda - a Northern Powerhouse Partnership Programme member

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