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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESHIRE MANCHESTER
OCTOBER 2017
FREE
Issue 58
Workspace evolution A decade of Manchester’s office market
stadium regeneration
channel 4 relocation
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Issue fifty eight Move Commercial
Welcome to Move Commercial
Contents News
From a growing need for a sense of place to the increasing prominence of the creative and digital sectors, it’s been a transformational 10 years in the office market. As a northern magnet for tech startups and global law firms alike, Manchester, for one, has been keeping pace with the workspace trends and changing demands of business tenants throughout the past decade. As Move Commercial’s 10th anniversary year continues we recently brought commercial property experts together to discuss the evolution of the city’s offices during that time, and you can read all about it in this issue. And as speculation continues over the future of
Channel 4 and whether it will relocate from its London base, we explore the potential of a move to Liverpool or Manchester after both cities expressed an interest in providing a new home for the broadcaster. Plus we shine the spotlight on the North West’s indoor markets, considering how they can move with the times and thrive; and with stadium projects underway in the region we look at whether these multi-million pound developments are a strong catalyst for wider regeneration.
06 Commercial projects shortlisted for NWPAs 07 Ten Streets plan could move a step closer 08 Coffee operator heading for 20 Chapel Street 09 Two new tenants for Old Hall Street 10 £1m investment underway at Old Trafford office building 11 ADT Workplace completes LJMU revamp project
Natasha Young, editor natasha@movepublishing.co.uk
12 National Museums Liverpool properties ‘future-proofed’
Features 14 Bitesize Thinking Food for thought 16 Appointments Who’s moving where? Photo: Claire Harrison
19 My Month Tom Jonson from LUC brings us up to speed on a month of projects, plans and progress
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22 Workspace Evolution As our 10th anniversary year continues, we bring experts together in Manchester to discuss a decade of the city’s office market
Photo: geograph.co.uk / Paul Farmer
28 Out with the Old How can North West indoor markets move with the times and thrive 32 Channelling Growth
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A look at the impact Channel 4 could have if it relocates to the North West 36 Interview Graham Donoghue, CEO of growing Chester-based firm Sykes Cottages
Advertising Director Fiona Barnet. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Advertising Team Catherine McCarthy, Natalie Holden, Anthony Santos, Kimberley Wheeler, Lucinda Murrell. Editor Natasha Young. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Editorial Team Lawrence Saunders, Matthew Smith, Christine Toner, Liam Deveney, Rhiannon Ireland. post@movepublishing.co.uk Design Mark Iddon.
Cover Image iStock / User: oversnap. Photography Mike Black – Business Breakfast. Credits Certain graphic elements by Freepik.com 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
38 A Home Win Do multi-million pound stadium developments truly act as a catalyst for regeneration? 44 Business Lifestyle Business-focused tips, reviews and ideas for the colder months ahead 47 Ask the Panel
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.
Do enough companies in the North West offer flexible working and what more needs to be done?
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News Latest
Awards will be presented across 11 categories
North West commercial schemes shortlisted for top awards North West commercial property firms and projects have been shortlisted for this year’s prestigious NWPAs. Ahead of a glittering awards presentation on 19 October, organisers have revealed the shortlist for categories including ‘Best Commercial Scheme’. Commercial Estates Group (CEG) is in the running for the accolade for its Exchange Station project in Liverpool, along with Urban Splash for Stubbs Mill in Manchester and Watch This Space for 31 Princes Street in Manchester. The category is one of 11 which will celebrate a year of commercial and residential property
success across the region on the night, with others including ‘Best Affordable Home to Rent or Buy’, ‘Regeneration Award’, ‘Best Student Landlord’, ‘Show Home of the Year’ and ‘Best New Home’ for small, mid-sized and large schemes. Winners of other categories including ‘Best Commercial Let’, ‘Best Property Law Firm’, ‘Residential Property Agency of the Year’, ‘Judges’ Special Award’ and ‘Interactive Award’ will also be announced during the awards ceremony but there is no shortlist. The event will take place at Lutyens Crypt in
Start-ups urged to carefully consider move from home to office Start-up businesses are being urged to do their research before making the leap from home-working to leasing a commercial space. According to law firm Kirwans, small companies could risk negatively affecting their business or causing a ‘revolving door effect’ on smaller office leases if they don’t carefully consider the location, size and how technically equipped a potential base is before letting it. Commercial property solicitor Lisa Evans says many home-based workers are failing to realise that there are a host of points to be considered aside from standard legal paperwork and due diligence. She says: “Leaving home working
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arrangements behind and taking on an office is undoubtedly an exciting move. “However, in the rush to establish a more visible presence important considerations can be overlooked, leading to financial and legal difficulties for the business owner and an undesirably high turnover of tenants for the landlord.” Small businesses seeking a commercial lease are advised by Kirwans to locate themselves close to their target and current client base, as well as third parties they work with; find somewhere with enough space to allow workforce expansion; and ensure their chosen premises offers the technological support they require.
Liverpool’s Metropolitan Cathedral. Housebuilder Countryside is this year’s headline sponsor while MSB Solicitors, Redrow Homes Lancashire, UK Business Supplies, The Foundry Agency, Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors, Redwing Living, The Sovini Group, BMD Law and Brock Carmichael have signed up to sponsor categories. Furnish That Room is sponsoring a drinks reception on the night. For more information about the NWPAs and to view the full 2017 shortlist, visit www.nwpas.com.
Kirwans’ commercial property expert, Lisa Evans
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Latest News
City law firm boss announces retirement The managing partner of Liverpoolbased law firm MSB Solicitors has announced he is to retire from the top job. Paul Bibby, who joined co-founder Sean Sexton in 1989, will step down in March but will retain an advisory role. Emma Carey, who has been a partner at the growing firm since 2005, will take over from Bibby. She is currently head of MSB’s family department and specialises in divorce, financial disputes, children issues including care proceedings, co-
habitation disputes and domestic violence. Bibby will leave MSB, which has three offices across Liverpool, following a record-breaking financial year which has seen revenues break the £5 million barrier for the first time, soaring by 16%. Recent months have also seen the firm relocate to a new headquarters at the commercial district’s 4 St Paul’s Square. Announcing his retirement, Bibby says: “I’m immensely proud of what we
have built here at MSB - I believe we are rightly recognised as one of the most dynamic law firms in the region. “Emma Carey’s professional reputation in the city could not be higher - she is both a brilliant lawyer and an astute businesswoman who I have no doubt will take MSB to even greater heights.” Carey adds: “We have a strong record of achievements at the firm and, with the support of everyone here, I believe I can build on the legacy created by Paul and Sean.”
Paul Bibby
Liverpool’s Ten Streets plan takes step closer The transformation of over 100 acres of former Liverpool docklands into a “creativity district” could take a step closer on Friday 29 September. A report will go to Liverpool City Council’s cabinet seeking approval for the draft Ten Streets Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) to go out to public consultation. The document sets out a planning framework and key principles to shape development on the 125-acre site – at the heart of which lies the Ten Streets creativity district. The SRF presents a vision, illustrative masterplan, and a set of design and development principles to guide the future development of the wider site over the
A view of the Ten Streets district
next 15 – 20 years. A six-week long public consultation is expected to begin in early October, and following feedback, it’s anticipated the final SRF will return to the cabinet in December for approval and formal adoption as a Supplementary Planning Document. The Ten Streets vision, launched earlier this year, includes plans to regenerate the northern edge of the city centre and the landmark Tobacco warehouse at Stanley Dock. The proposed creativity district has the potential for up to 1 million sq ft of development including a major performance space with the UK’s first revolving auditorium alongside apartments and space for start-up businesses.
Councillor Ainsley Arnold
Second consultation launched on proposed planning levy A second consultation is underway on a proposed planning levy to help fund new community facilities and infrastructure in Cheshire. The money raised will be used to support local development set out in the Cheshire East Council’s Local Plan. The Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) will be payable once new developments start construction and is calculated per square metre of eligible floor space. Following initial consultation in the spring and updated market evidence, the draft charging schedule sets out the council’s position on potential future CIL rates in the borough. The CIL consultation sets out the various charging rates that would apply for new development, alongside different charging zones throughout the borough. These zones are based on the costs and viability of new development, rather than the cost of new infrastructure. Councillor Ainsley Arnold, Cheshire East Council’s cabinet member for housing and planning, says: “Our borough is growing and, following the successful adoption of our Local Plan, we want to ensure that sufficient funding is in place to pay for new community facilities – the roads, schools and recreational spaces that residents will need in future.” The consultation runs until 6 November.
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News Sales & Lettings
Coffee operator heading for 20 Chapel Street The office building has been undergoing refurbishment to make way for Bean
St. Modwen acquires 368,000 sq ft Southern Gateway
Southern Gateway is approximately seven miles south of Liverpool city centre
St. Modwen has acquired the 368,000 sq ft Southern Gateway industrial estate in Liverpool. The property investment and development firm purchased the multi-let scheme from asset management group Gresham House for £7.25 million. The former GlaxoSmithKline manufacturing and distribution facility extends across a 17.3-acre site in Speke. Current tenants include Shop Direct and Nerudia. David Nuttall, development manager for St. Modwen, says: “This investment typifies our ongoing strategy of acquiring assets that demonstrate excellent potential for further value generation and in turn, growing our commercial development pipeline. “Southern Gateway is close to Jaguar Land Rover and Liverpool John Lennon Airport, is on a major arterial route and has around a third of a kilometre of road frontage. It will therefore provide a variety of options for St. Modwen moving forward. “As part of our ongoing strategy, we are actively looking for further opportunities in the region, including both land and income producing assets, in order to grow our pipeline of commercial and residential development sites.” GVA and Pinsent Masons acted for St. Modwen whilst JLL acted for the vendor. 8
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Coffee operator Bean will open a new ground floor outlet at Liverpool’s 20 Chapel Street after securing 1,300 sq ft of space. The café is part of a £3 million refurbishment project which is being carried out at the commercial district building by owner Canmoor. As part of the works, the property’s entrance has been reconfigured and enhanced to create space for Bean within the reception area. Canmoor purchased the freehold of the 16-storey office development last summer when it was 40% vacant, and this latest signing makes the building 82% occupied. Other existing tenant resigns and new lettings during the past year have included deals with RSM, Ernst & Young LLP, Goldsmith Williams, Idox and Orega.
Sam Walker, director at Canmoor, says: “The building has materially evolved over the last year, not just physically with the improvements from the refurbishment works, but the service offering too. “Having Bean based at 20 Chapel Street too will also help us to build on that growing sense of community and provide a focal point where tenants can socialise or hold informal meetings. “The investments we’ve made in to the building are clearly paying off and show that there’s an appetite for well-managed, high-quality office accommodation in the city.” Worthington Owen acted for Canmoor in the Bean deal and has recently been joined by CBRE as a joint agent on the remaining 25,000 sq ft of refurbished office space.
Liverpool Grade A suites ‘under offer’ A number of suites are said to currently be under offer at Liverpool’s 4 St Paul’s Square office building. Demand for the development, situated at the heart of the commercial district, comes amid a depleting supply of Grade A space in the city. Aberdeen Asset Management acquired the Grade A office building from English Cities Fund (ECf) – a joint venture comprising Muse Developments, Legal &
General and the Homes and Communities Agency – in July this year. The new owner, which purchased 4 St Paul’s Square for £18.7 million, is now planning to carry out refurbishments at the site. Worthington Owen, which acted on behalf of Aberdeen Asset Management in the acquisition, has been appointed to work alongside CBRE as a joint letting agent for the scheme.
4 St Paul’s Square was acquired by Aberdeen Asset Management this year
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Sales & Lettings News
Downing welcomes two new tenants to Old Hall Street
Gym Monkeys has taken Unit 3 at the park
New gym heads to Liverpool’s Wavertree Technology Park A new independent fitness studio and gym has become the latest tenant at Wavertree Technology Park in Liverpool. Gym Monkeys has taken the 4,000 sq ft Unit 3 at the park on Faraday Road. Established by Nicky Gill, the gym features a coffee bar for customers and is also a training provider of Broga – a high energy strengthening workout which incorporates traditional yoga disciplines to open up tight areas like shoulders, hips and hamstrings. Gill says: “We are delighted to open Gym Monkeys at Wavertree
Technology Park. “We’ve been overwhelmed with the feedback and support so far and we are very excited to continue welcoming new members.” Sean Collins-Jones of agent Hitchcock Wright & Partners, which acted on behalf of Dunedin Industrial, adds: “Gym Monkeys is an exciting new gym operation which is a welcome addition to Wavertree Technology Park. “With its experienced team and range of classes on offer, it is already proving to be a popular addition for the local community.”
Developer Downing has welcomed two new tenants to its No.1 Old Hall Street development in Liverpool’s commercial district. The building, which recently welcomed Pret a Manger into its lower ground floor level, will now be home to Bluebird Support Services and Ackland Moore Limited. Bluebird Support Services offers outsourced typing and document production, PA and marketing services to the legal sector. The company has taken a 125 sq ft flexi office at the building. Meanwhile Ackland Moore Limited, which offers business support services and equipment, has taken a 395 sq ft flexi office at the development. John Clegg, Downing’s head of property management, says: “No.1 Old Hall Street is a fantastic building in the heart of Liverpool’s thriving business district and we’re delighted to welcome Bluebird Support Services and Ackland Moore Limited to the building.” Looking ahead, he adds: “We’ve got great plans in the pipeline for No. 1 Old Hall Street and we’re really looking forward to seeing these come to fruition at this landmark building.”
No.1 Old Hall Street is based in Liverpool’s commercial district
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News Development
£1m refurbishment programme underway at Trafford House
Round-up £1 billion Bolton masterplan unveiled Bolton Council has unveiled a £1 billion masterplan which will shape and transform the future of the town centre. The blueprint contains proposals to create 1,800 new homes, 7,400 new jobs and generate economic activity worth £412 million over five strategic sites. The areas identified are: Trinity Quarter, Cheadle Square, Crompton Place, Church Wharf and Croal Valley. Following adoption of the masterplan at a meeting of the council’s cabinet, it’s hoped the first phase of site clearance could start as early as spring 2018.
A lounge is among the new features at Bruntwood’s Trafford House
A £1 million investment programme is underway at Manchester’s Trafford House office building. Bruntwood has been adding a new range of amenities to the 134,000 sq ft Chester Road site in Old Trafford, including a lounge, outdoor terrace, fitness and events space, showers and changing facilities. A new co-working space with hot desk options is also among the new additions to the space as the property firm aims to meet the increasing demands of Greater Manchester companies and freelancers adopting flexible working patterns. Andrew Cooke, head of asset management at
Bruntwood, says: “Old Trafford is becoming an increasingly attractive hotspot for businesses because it boasts good transport links to the city centre. “Out of town locations like Old Trafford offer more accessible rents to start-ups and smaller companies and when you combine this with the type of amenities associated with city centre working in the way we have provided at Trafford House, you have an ideal location for a business to thrive.” The investment into Trafford House is the first of several for Bruntwood sites around the North West, with similar refurbishments said to be lined up for Booths Park in Knutsford and Wilderspool in Warrington.
New lighting aims to bring ‘wow factor’ in Piccadilly Place revamp Huge lamps are set to light up Manchester’s Piccadilly Place piazza as part of plans to revamp the outside space. The five lights, ranging from 3.4m to 6m tall, will aim to reflect various eras and centuries of innovation in the city. An Art Nouveau Tiffany lamp, an Art Deco-style lamp, a traditional table lamp, a desk light and a shining beacon are being lined up, and will also offer shelter and seating for piazza visitors. Electric heaters for the winter months will also be included in the new outdoor furniture, which forms part of a recently approved planning application submitted by HOW Planning on behalf of Property Alliance Group. New landscaping, paving, stairs, trees and plants have also been given the green light as part 10 MOVE COMMERCIAL
The lamps will also incorporate shelter, seating and heaters
of the project. Alex Russell, managing director of Property Alliance Group, says: “We wanted to create something that’s not been seen before in the city centre and a wow factor, which will help draw more people to the piazza and improve the environment for those working in the area. “These innovative new lights form a major part of our plans to transform the outside space at Piccadilly Place. They will be complemented by new landscaping and paving, which will also be very unusual. We’re planning a bold floor graphic that starts at the entrance and meets at the square, and colourful patterns within the tunnel entrance to create a big impact.” The new lighting is scheduled to be installed by the end of 2017.
Progress for Liverpool’s Paddington Village A multi-million pound programme of site works has been approved to pave the way for the first phase of construction at Liverpool’s Paddington Village. The infrastructure works, which will help prepare the new Knowledge Quarter Liverpool district for the arrival of the Royal College of Physicians’ (RCP) £35 million northern base, a new learning centre for Liverpool International College and the £35m Rutherford Cancer Centre North West, could get underway in October. A new car park, hotel, office space and a district heating system have also been proposed for Paddington Village.
St. Modwen reaffirms Great Homer Street commitment St. Modwen “remains committed” to its Great Homer Street regeneration after parts of the Liverpool scheme were brought to the market. Colliers International has been instructed to sell some large District Centre units and smaller units opposite the Sainsbury’s entrance with a £15.58 million price tag. Paul Batho, St. Modwen’s projects director, says: “St. Modwen has achieved a number of significant lettings across the new units (approx. 90%) which is testament to the excellent trading location of Great Homer Street and the quality of the environment that has been created. “St. Modwen remains committed to the regeneration of Great Homer Street and will continue with its other pipeline of development activity on-site which includes a further four and a half acres across the scheme.”
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Development News
Manchester’s Mayfield mystery solved The sign was re-created by Marplebased sign writer Damian Whyatt
An original wooden sign has been restored and reinstated on the disused Mayfield Railway Station in Manchester city centre. The sign came to the attention of The Mayfield Partnership whilst work was being carried out on the building this summer. It was decided that it should be restored and repainted with the original wording. Unfortunately, being left open to the elements for decades, the lettering had become illegible which led the partnership to seek the help of its social media followers. Explaining how the mystery was solved James Heather, development director of Mayfield development partner U+I, says: “We had a number of suggestions including input from the London, Midland and Scottish Railway Historical Society but nobody could tell us with any authority what the sign said. “We were then contacted by a local resident who had done some detective work and some software image manipulation. Using this method, he was able to provide the wording which we agreed was the original. From this we were able to create the new sign and have now reinstalled it.” The Mayfield Partnership - a joint venture between Manchester City Council, LCR, Transport for Greater Manchester and U+I - is bringing forward an £850 million mixed-use plan to regenerate the 24-acre site next to Piccadilly Station.
Refurbishment programme completed across LJMU A refurbishment programme across Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has been completed in time for the new academic year. ADT Workplace has created six new student social spaces as well as upgrading a drama theatre and refreshing teaching spaces as part of the scheme. The student areas – to be known as ‘SU Spaces’ – are situated in the university’s Redmonds, John Foster, IM Marsh, Byrom Street, Tithebarn and John Lennon buildings and provide places for the students to relax, socialise and plug in mobile electronic devices. Liverpool Students’ Union had an input in the scheme after gathering comments from more than 1,200 students on what they wanted the spaces to feature. Jan Murphy, director of strategic partnership initiatives at LJMU, says: “Students were very clear that they wanted space to relax, use mobile devices, socialise and do ‘casual’ study. “While each space has common design features, they are all slightly different, reflecting the needs of students at each location.” Meanwhile LJMU’s drama theatre was modernised and teaching spaces within the John Foster and Redmonds buildings were reconfigured. A new shop was also installed at the IM Marsh sports campus during the programme. KKA Interiors designed the ‘SU Spaces’ and Todd & Ledson acted as cost consultant. Actua Building Consultancy acted as project manager on the drama theatre and teaching space elements of the programme, which was procured through the Construction Impact Framework.
The new ‘SU Space’ in LJMU’s Redmonds Building MOVE COMMERCIAL 11
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News Leisure
CBRE ‘future-proofs’ National Museums Liverpool properties
Liverpool’s World Museum on William Brown Street
CBRE’s North West engineering team has “future-proofed” 19 properties on behalf of National Museums Liverpool. The work included the completion of vital mechanical dilapidations inspections across its buildings portfolio. The team undertook conditions surveys and advised on financial planning to safeguard the properties, which included flagship museums, galleries, an office and a warehouse. CBRE says the assessments were completed to provide the new mechanical facilities management (FM) contractor with a clear understanding of the current conditions of mechanical systems, confirmation of asset schedules and to identify any potential issues or technical risks in providing the new FM contract. Led by CBRE senior engineer Emma Chapman, inspections were carried out at prestigious Liverpool buildings, including County Sessions House, Walker Art Gallery, World Museum, Maritime Museum and Lady Lever Art Gallery. Chapman says: “With such a large portfolio, co-ordination between all parties was key to the success of the inspections being completed promptly. “After providing our initial brief to the maintenance contractor we also presented an overview of potential capital works required in the next five years to our client, providing reassurance to both the new maintenance provider and the building management team.”
Progress for Liverpool cruise terminal plans New images of how Liverpool’s £50 million cruise terminal facility could look were revealed as a two-day consultation got underway recently. A planning application is expected to be submitted later this year for the Liverpool City Council project, which proposes the controlled removal of Princes Jetty and construction of a new terminal within a statement building. The terminal would be situated on a new suspended deck structure in the River Mersey. Engineering consultancy firm Ramboll has been appointed to lead a technical team for the
development, which would aim to help the local authority capitalise on the city’s cruise success. The current terminal is said to generate more than £7m a year to Liverpool’s economy, but the council hopes to bring a further boost with the addition of new passenger and baggage facilities complete with passport control, lounge, café, toilets, taxi rank and vehicle pick-up point. Stride Treglown, Gardiner & Theobald, JLL and Hyland Edgar Driver are also part of the multi-disciplinary design team for the project,
and tender documents for procurement of a main contractor on a two-stage contract award basis are expected to be issued during late October. Subject to planning and funding approval, construction works are expected to start in summer 2018 with Ramboll then project managing and assisting with monitoring of the construction. Further planning applications could potentially include supplemental projects with a new 200-room hotel and a 1,700+ multistorey car park.
A statement building would accommodate new passenger facilities
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Bitesize thinking
Jasper Dawson partner, Kirwans law firm
In my crystal ball... Co-working is relatively new - but it looks set to grow in popularity in UK cities, towns and villages offering opportunities for commercial developers - especially those who provide innovative ‘add-ons’ such as 24/7 access, security, technical support alongside shared facilities like Wi-Fi and meeting rooms. With its origins in the United States around 10 years ago, ‘co-working’ brings together people, often freelancers or SMEs, who rent a desk or space for anything from a few hours to full-time. Offices are usually open plan, fresh and even quirky. Collaborative work, networking and socialising
is encouraged. Co-working is well established in our region, especially among digital and creative workers, notably Liverpool’s Baltic Quarter. The flexible nature of our working lives and the expanding gig economy will see demand for coworking spaces grow, likewise for serviced office space and virtual offices. ‘Business buddy’ licences for small set-ups to operate alongside complementary businesses (e.g. a nail bar operating within a beauty salon) will also grow in popularity.
If only I’d known… Spreading investment and reducing risk is always sound advice, especially in turbulent times. And while us lawyers are often branded a cautious bunch, there is good reason for this. Few predicted the Brexit scenario facing us; fewer still can predict what the final destination looks like. The UK commercial property market showed resilience post EU referendum when, after an initial wobble, the value of transactions recovered and stability was achieved. Peaks and troughs on forecast charts are certainly
not as extreme as in 2008 and 2009 but growing signs of caution reflect the emerging political complexities of Brexit. My advice going into the EU Referendum, like many commercial property lawyers, was to be cautious. With hindsight, perhaps we could and should have shouted it louder? As always flexibility is often the key to business success over the long term, especially with commercial property. Businesses that survive and hopefully thrive may be those which can respond most nimbly to Brexit.
My favourite building with... Chris Bolland managing partner, Brock Carmichael
Willis Faber & Dumas HQ, Ipswich Norman Foster, like no other architect, understands the business of architecture. As a young architect leading a new practice, in 1971 Norman Foster beat a list of competitors to secure a commission to deliver the new country headquarters for Willis Faber & Dumas. This was a brave move for a new practice with only a handful of small buildings under their belt, braver still for a large insurance company looking to invest. The result of this was a radical building, a building that would push forward the boundaries of material technology and explode the convention of office design. Following intensive research into the client’s working practices an innovative open plan, organic design emerged. This would embrace new technology and the coming IT revolution; it would deliver a highly efficient, cost effective, flexible building. Moreover, it was a scheme that challenged the social paradigm of the workplace; with a swimming pool, a rooftop restaurant and garden it created an environment that sparked joy in the users. This final solution brought together a marriage of the conflicting issues that face all building design; time/quality versus cost, socially acceptable versus commercially viable. In 1991, only 20 years after design commenced, it was granted Grade I-listed status. 14 MOVE COMMERCIAL
Photo: Wikimedia Commons / © Andrew Dunn, 11 August 2005 / CC-BY-SA-2.0
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Photo: Peel Ports Group
Bitesize thinking
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Ged Rooney procurement director, Bardsley Construction
Curriculum VITAE Main duties: Board director of Greater Manchester-based Bardsley Construction, a leading contractor of residential, education and commercial buildings across the North of England with specific responsibility to manage frameworks, business development, planning and estimating. Education: Master’s degree in Construction Management (MSc), Chartered Construction Manager (MCIOB) and Chartered Project Manager (MAPM). First Job: I was a site engineer with Wimpey Homes on a training scheme. Shortest Job: A one-year training scheme with Wimpey Homes. What’s the secret to your success? Hard work, good communication and being honest and fair with everyone you meet as you never know when you may come across these same people in the future.
What piece of advice would you give someone starting out in the industry? Never be afraid to ask a question if you are unsure. Nobody will ever turn you away as they have all been in that position before. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve received? You can never be too honest. Keep your integrity. What makes Bardsley Construction different? We are a privately owned family business with more than 200 staff, our own bricklayers, joiners and labourer operatives along with 15 trainees and apprentices. We build on our relationships with client and supply chain partners and undertake a lot of repeat business with these teams that successfully delivers in excess of £60 million of turnover in the region. Tell us about Bardsley Construction’s plans for the next six months? We’ll continue to build on our hard-earned reputation; look after the staff, clients and supply chain that we have and continue to grow a successful business.
Liverpool2 Peel Ports has invested £400 million over the past three years to create one of Europe’s most advanced container terminals, and in July 2017 Phase 2 of the scheme was announced.
JUN
The ground-breaking ceremony is held and the dredging process, to remove one million cubic meters of material from the seabed, begins.
AUG
Peel Ports appoints BAM Nuttall and international dredging and offshore contractor Van Oord to create a new container terminal, with a contract valued at £75m.
OCT
Steel pilings are added to the site and overall 19,000 tonnes of metalwork is used to form the 30m-high and 854m-long quay wall.
JUL
Van Oord dredges a 10 sq mi area of the River Mersey Approach Channel to provide the necessary clearance for larger vessels.
NOV
Five ZPMC-built Megamax ship-to-shore cranes arrive on site with another three expected to follow shortly.
MAY
The first six cantilever rail-mounted gantry (CRMG) cranes arrive ready for installing and commissioning from Nantong, China.
JUN
Berthing trials begin and MSC vessels participate in manoeuvres and procedures after announcing partnership with Peel Ports.
OCT
2016
Last batch of CRMG cranes arrive on the River Mersey. Meanwhile, Liverpool and Panama ports enter into a significant Memorandum of Understanding.
NOV
Phase 1 is launched by Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade.
MAR
Liverpool2 welcomes first giant ‘post Panamax’ ship to its terminal following the Phase 1 opening.
JUL
Phase 2 is announced. Three ship-to-shore cranes and 10 gantry cranes will be added to existing infrastructure and additional reefer points will provide the capacity to unload two 380m vessels simultaneously.
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Tweet all about it The 5 best commercial tweets
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@NPHinfo Work starts on @manairport £1bn super terminal. Creating 1,500 jobs and connecting the #NorthernPowerhouse globally. @citygatemcr #HS2 has taken a huge step forward as contracts are signed for bridges, tunnels & earthworks @merseygateway We’ve joined up! Final segment of bridge deck was poured today – Mersey Gateway Bridge now spans the River Mersey. @CheshireSciCorr Economic output (GVA) of Cheshire & Warrington is greater than some core cities: Birmingham, Leeds, Sheffield. @KnowsleyCouncil Really positive news for #Kirkby regeneration plans as @StModwen gets town centre demolition works under way.
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Work is expected to be completed.
2019
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ppointments
Ion appoints associate director Ion Development has named Chris Jones Chris Jones as ociate director of projects. The property developer says nes will cover a number of the iness’ key projects including erpool Lime Street and Earlsfield k in Knowsley. Chartered surveyor Jones worked AECOM for 10 years on velopments such as Liverpool E, St Paul’s Square, Kingsgate in kenhead, Omega North in rrington and the expansion of Main Stand at Anfield Stadium. Steve Parry, managing director of Development, says: “Chris has me to us with excellent experience both large budget developments d regeneration projects which kes him a perfect fit for this role. His appointment underlines the ength of our ambition for Ion velopment.”
Graduate appointment for Hitchcock Wright Hitchcock Wright & Partners has Chris Michael appointed Chris hael as a graduate surveyor. Michael studied business and nagement at Leeds Beckett versity, and recently completed a sters in commercial property nagement at Liverpool John Moores versity. He says: “I am delighted to join chcock Wright & Partners and gain aluable experience across all sectors he North West. I’m especially looking ward to working in Liverpool, a city passionate about.” Partner Matt Kerrigan says the ointment is “testament to chcock Wright’s growth in recent nths,” adding: “As we celebrate our h year in business we are looking ad and growing our specialist team h new talent. We are pleased to have Chris on rd as we grow our team and ensure continue to strengthen our position he North West marketplace.”
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SCP hires associate director Infrastructure design consultancy SCP Mark Devenish has appointed Mark Devenish as an associate director in its Manchester office. Chartered engineer Devenish has 15 years’ experience working in consultancy. David Roberts, director at SCP, says: “We are delighted to welcome Mark to the SCP team. His experience and style of working is a great fit for us, along with his knowledge of the issues and personalities both in the North West and Yorkshire and Humberside regions. “Mark’s addition will allow us to enhance the service to our clients in terms of the extra resource available to us whilst maintaining the high quality of work that our clients expect and deserve.”
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New partner at Knight Frank Rob Tilley has joined Knight Frank as a Rob Tilley partner in its logistics and industrial agency team in Manchester. Tilley joins from P3 Property Consultants. David Porter, head of office at Knight Frank, says: “Rob’s knowledge and wide experience right across the region is very highly regarded. He will be a good fit with the team which continues to go from strength to strength.” Rob Taylor, head of the office’s industrial team, adds: “Rob’s recruitment undoubtedly bolsters our offering and signals an exciting new chapter in our team’s progression. His experience of working with clients such as Manchester Airport Group, Wilson Bowden, Morley Estates, Harbert, Canmoor and Standard Life and many others, demonstrates the broad scope he will bring to our existing instruction list and will enable us to grow the team further.”
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My Month Tom Jonson, director of landscape architecture, LUC From opening a new Manchester city centre office to meeting with a government agency, it’s been a busy month for LUC’s (Land Use Consultants) Tom Jonson. He brings us up to speed on his standout projects and forthcoming plans.
My goal at the start of the month was... My goal at the start of the month was to continue to grow the business at the new Manchester office of LUC, a landscape architecture, landscape planning, urban design, planning, landscape management and ecology practice with over 50 years of experience. The firm’s portfolio includes projects like the Eden Project in Cornwall.
My biggest achievement was...
My biggest challenge was...
I am currently helping to organise the LUC Manchester conference ‘The Right Homes in the Right Places - Overcoming the Barriers in Greater Manchester’ which will take place in November. My biggest achievement was persuading Tom Bloxham from Urban Splash to get involved in the conference. Tom is an inspiring speaker and one of the most influential people in property in the North West and we are delighted that he has agreed to be a part of the event.
My biggest challenge in relation to the LUC conference was helping to find the range of speakers who can provide fresh thinking on how Manchester might go about accommodating growth in the future. They needed to be able to demonstrate innovative thinking as well as provide evidenced-based solutions to some of the issues facing Greater Manchester. It was also a challenge for us to secure the right venue and select a date that was convenient for all the speakers.
THE NEWS STORY THAT CAUGHT MY EYE
The key meeting I had... The key meeting I had was with Jon Sandford from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA). Jon is passionate about smart city thinking and about how we ensure that new communities and urban areas have the correct digital, transport, energy, healthcare, water and waste infrastructure to ensure they are resilient to economic, social, security and technological change. Following the meeting Jon agreed to speak about smart cities at the LUC conference.
My plan for next month...
Photo: Flickr.com / User: fumigene
The news story that caught my eye was homeless by 2020 because of rising ‘Housing crisis threatens a million rents, benefit freezes and a lack of social families with eviction by 2020’. housing. The article by Toby Helm discussed It’s clear that some intervention is the UK’s escalating housing crisis and required in order to increase the supply specifically a report by Shelter which of affordable housing and it is found that more than a million encouraging that Andy Burnham has Photo: Policy Exchange households are at risk of becoming made this a key priority for Manchester.
My plan next month will be to continue establishing the new LUC Manchester office. With existing offices in London, Bristol, Edinburgh and Glasgow, LUC’s expansion into the North of England has enabled us to better serve our clients at a local level. Our range of experience includes master planning, public realm design, healthcare, education, landscape assessment and historic park restoration. We will also be helping clients overcome some of the challenges facing Manchester’s housing requirement and reducing the impact that future housing has on the green belt in Greater Manchester. MOVE COMMERCIAL 19
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Natasha Young natasha@movepublishing.co.uk
The debate gathered industry professionals at Manchester’s Neo building
The debate panel: Oliver Thomas
David Harrison
Gavin Sorby
senior director, CBRE
client director, Godel Technologies
managing director, Buttress
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The evolution of Manchester’s workspace Business Breakfast
As Move Commercial’s 10th anniversary year continues, what better time to reflect on a decade of change in the office market? We rounded up an audience of commercial property industry insiders at Bruntwood’s Neo building in Manchester for a morning of networking and debate about how the city’s workspaces have evolved in the last 10 years.
Workspace evolution Tell us about the key office trends you’ve seen in Manchester over the past 10 years. OT: The recession’s had a massive impact as we’ve seen office take-up dip and people try to react to cutting costs. What’s been borne out of the last 10 years is a real drive on flexibility and there have been various ways and means of how people have gone about that. Fads have included things like desk booking systems and trying to drive technology too quickly, and things just fizzle out and become a thing of the past. When you talk about flexibility the drive to collaborate has had a real impact on how things are shaping up, whether that be the landlords’ reaction to creating more flexible spaces or the occupiers’ take on trying to attract and retain staff. GS: One that didn’t work as well as intended was home-working. There’s a place for all these things and I don’t think any of them die out completely but when you look at sending people home to work, have they got a place to work at home? Lots of us have home offices but lots of people don’t so they don’t like
going home because they’ve got kids or dogs running around or a fridge full of food that stops them working. People like to communicate and be part of a community. One insurance company was looking at home-working as a means of saving costs by reducing their office space, and when they asked their staff they didn’t want it. The staff wanted to come to work for interaction. What are the main business needs affecting office space right now, and how do they compare to 10 years ago? DH: Candidate attractions seem to certainly be key for technology businesses, and one thing we’re finding in the sector is the skills gap seems to be ever widening. Having a flagship office that pulls candidates in and makes them feel engaged and active when they come to work [is important]. When I first started my job it was essentially working out of a portable cabin 10 or 15 years ago. People are now making decisions on a broader range of things like access to amenities and transport. When they come to work, has it got on-site crèche facilities or an on-site gym?
I’ve seen start-ups with a yoga centre for things like mindfulness, so it’s about having a more holistic approach to attracting candidates and an office becoming almost like a mini eco system. It promotes more of a social space rather than an office purely being an office. OT: Spinningfields is quite a visionary development that was born in the early 2000s and was highly focused on becoming a financial district. Fast forward 10 years and look at Spinningfields now - it’s a leisure hub. There’s been so much work there around placemaking, which is a relatively new buzzword and has probably been going on for years but is kind of becoming the new ‘collaboration’. You only have to look at the scale of semi-temporary construction that’s now going on, with the development of The Ivy outside No. 1 Spinningfields, to show there’s so much money being ploughed into creating that sense of community. The Oast House was only supposed to be here for about six months as a concept but it’s been here for eight or nine years, and it’s moved. The attraction and getting people into a space, and how that assists with the community side of things, is a real plus.
How well is Manchester’s office market keeping pace with businesses’ changing demands, particularly when you consider technological developments? DH: From a personal perspective in terms of connectivity and wireless, Manchester offices seem to be keeping up with the likes of London. At Godel Technologies we’ve got quite an interactive office with HD conferencing and cameras that follow you around the room when you walk in, and that enables us to have conversations with both remote clients and parties overseas. Having offices that are technology enabled has been fantastic in making sure that connectivity is key for us. OT: As a creative hub Manchester, outside of London, is top of the pile and with various research papers around on why that is I think universities have been and will continue to be a massive catalyst around how the business community now reacts to the tech and creative age. Your average tech company is probably around 50-odd people so relatively that’s quite a small office. The creation of a space like Neo is an example of the market reacting to the MOVE COMMERCIAL 23
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requirements of the tech market. The work at Circle Square, for example, is a completely different kettle of fish. That’s looking at the university as a hub, building around it, supporting the graduation process and trying to keep talent in a geographical location which is really important. I was quite surprised to see Glasgow and Edinburgh are right up there in terms of technology, but more on the computer sciences side, and the rate at which their office markets have flourished in the out-turn from the recession has been quite impressive. Geographical locations are trying to hoard the talent and then the businesses will come and lock down their future in those cities. GS: It’s hard to be creative from nine to five, and then you’re not creative the rest of the time so your offices have to be able to adapt. They are, I think. They’re more flexible – they’ll let you in early or late, if you want to be creative in the middle of the night you can go to work in the middle of the night, and that’s got to be embraced. There’s a company in the States, and I personally think it goes a bit too far, but it doesn’t think people can be creative five days a week so it employs them three days a week to be creative and they can do whatever they want for the rest of the time. That might not be nine to five so they’ve got a big warehouse where their staff live and there’s a crèche in it, there’s everything you’d want, so they can be creative in the middle of the night, in the morning, Tuesday or Thursday or whenever they like but they live there. I’m not sure if that’s the ultimate flexibility or the ultimate prison but it’s the way things are going – people driven and technology driven. DH: Lots of businesses have bought into the wellbeing of their employees being paramount with things like health and fitness and mindfulness. It’s also about reducing sick days, which has an effect on the output for that business. Also putting little things on like healthy food and drink options at work, even in a managed office space – I’ve seen plenty of those set ups which is really good.
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Manchester’s creative, media and digital sectors are prominent. Given their focus on ideas and collaboration, as well as workspace benchmarks set by industry giants like Google, what impact have those sectors had on Manchester offices across the spectrum? OT: We’ve seen landlords committing to speculatively creating spaces to collaborate. There are plenty of examples across Manchester, and plenty of other cities collaborating with city councils, colleges and universities. With that confidence the old idea around incubator space – where the perception is you get a box room and it’s white - couldn’t be further from collaboration or collaborative space. You need to create an environment where there’s an ability to interact because lots of tech companies do very niche things and if you give them a forum and a place to talk and collaborate you’ll get business generation, especially given the size of some tech companies. They’re small and being locked in a room with the same 15 people day in, day out is unhealthy so I think it gives the confidence to landlords to do it and Manchester is a shining example of a city that’s backing itself. £87 billion worth of creative, positive impact on our economy should give anybody the confidence to say ‘right, that’s a good area to focus on’. Has it had a ripple effect into other kinds of offices; for instance Grade A spaces that perhaps aren’t occupied by creative sector firms? GS: It comes back to attracting staff, and then you’re looking at millennials and what they want, what they’re expecting, how fast they expect to move on, who they’re working with, what the environment’s like and what they’re learning. Also is there a gym, a bike store, a shower? I think that drives the change so it’s the people and the technology ultimately, and the office market responds eventually. DH: It seems like there’s a shift away from the ‘80s and ‘90s cubicle focus to a more open plan, slightly integrated social space where you’ve got a hot desk, but it’s more of a social interaction space where you have other businesses cohabiting which drives
Neo Charlotte Street, Manchester, M1 Hailed as Bruntwood’s ‘most evolved workspace to date’, this vibrant Manchester city centre office building has the flexibility to accommodate small start-ups and established businesses alike. Well equipped with a diverse range of areas to collaborate and interact, it includes a roof terrace with all-weather pods, communal lounges and kitchens, presentation spaces and studios. Meanwhile an innovative approach to the transformation of the building, which was formerly known as Bank House, has added features such as an interactive digital art space, Bluetooth enabled mobile door access and an on-site gym. www.bruntwood.co.uk
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Quirky old listed sites can be a pain in most portfolios where you’ve really struggled to create a new lease of life around a historic building but the tech industry loves it.
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The evolution of Manchester’s workspace Business Breakfast
“
The old idea around incubator space - where the perception is you get a box room and it’s white couldn’t be further from collaboration or collaborative space.
“ things like sharing ideas. You can then get a new business off the back of that or something you can go to market together on. There certainly seems to be more vibrant and interactive spaces which are colourful and not just your stale grey and white walls. I’ve been to businesses where they’ve had a place called an ASE (Acceleration Solution Environment). It’s a fully interactive space but there are things like manuals from NASA and Buzz Lightyears to generate ideas and encourage creativity. It’s quite unique but it’s not for everybody – it has to mirror the needs and culture of your business. OT: Grade A space is Grade A space how do you make that sexy? Well it’s by adding a roof garden, introducing leisure options, creative space for collaboration at ground floor level, and placemaking. What happens on your route to work and when you leave? What’s on your
doorstep? The creative market has boosted lots of the secondary building stock. Quirky old listed sites can be a pain in most portfolios where you’ve really struggled to create a new lease of life around a historic building but the tech industry loves it. What was probably perceived five to seven years ago as a bit of a barrier, having lots of smaller cellular space in a listed building for example, is actually quite an appealing thing now whether it’s a serviced office or actually space that is let out. There are shining examples around Manchester. GS: There’s a definite move towards something that has a root in history. Everybody has [a smartphone]. They get music, books and everything on it and there’s nothing tactile, nothing they can hold onto to do with the past and where they’ve come from, which is why they’re buying LP records again even though they’ve nothing to play them on!
What do you predict lies ahead for business needs or office space in Manchester? DH: I can imagine there being more of a push towards virtual office spaces but within the office itself, so potentially where the barrier to entry for certain technology gets lower with things like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). I’ve seen concepts where you go into what’s almost like a small meeting room to use the likes of Google Glass and have what is essentially a meeting with remote people. They all look like they’re in the same space as you. GS: VR and AR, absolutely - it’s going to be huge. I think there will be huge social issues around VR though because it’s so believable and the virtual world is so much more appealing than a lot of people’s existence that they’ll choose
to spend more time in it, so it’ll be interesting. The possibilities of VR are immense. OT: When people have talked about flexible working spaces they’ve tried to fix how you use them with things like room booking systems. You’re fixing something that needs to be flexible and you could say that about technology. For example, video conferencing rooms – are they a thing of the past because at most tech companies these days everyone is glued to their laptop, walking around and Skyping and sharing information. Being flexible and what that actually means is going to change and largely be driven by technology, but spaces will be less fixed and people are going to react to that using technology so it’s about how we can facilitate using technology.
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Lawrence Saunders lawrence@movepublishing.co.uk
As Liverpool City Council continues its attempts to revive St Johns Market, Move Commercial examines the state of the region’s indoor markets and finds out whether there’s a viable future for this traditional trading arena.
Out With The Old
Photo: Claire Harrison
Picture a traditional British indoor market and images of butchers hoisting up huge cuts of meat whilst lively traders exchange banter with regulars will no doubt spring to mind. But with footfall dropping and occupancy rates dwindling across many of the region’s markets, it's a stereotype an increasing number of operators have been keen to move away from. “Everyone has a vision of the oldstyle indoor market where it’s about selling old stock, old tat and greasy spoon cafés, etc – we wanted to get away from that,” says Mark Catherall, tourism, investment and employment service manager at Sefton Council, which looks after Southport Market. A £3.3 million refurbishment of the 130-year-old Liverpool City Region market was completed in 2012, including a revamp of the market hall and a new emphasis on local food. Essex-based management company Quarterbridge oversaw the refurbishment work and took over the
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The big focus is on food... But it has also been about how we sell the market as well. We’ve got rid of the old fashioned marketing.
“ Quality food vendors provide an attractive draw for customers
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running of the market but in 2015 Sefton Council decided to bring the operation back in-house after footfall and occupancy figures failed to rise as hoped. “When we took back control of the market the atmosphere was quite toxic,” admits Catherall. “The traders had become frustrated because they didn't see anything new happening and footfall and occupancy was down.” The council continued with the strategy of introducing a more foodfocused offering but also pursued a new marketing plan in an attempt to change public perception of the retail space. “The big focus is on food and we’ve been lucky because we’ve got a butchers, a high quality fruit and veg stall, plenty of cake stalls and a new gluten-free pop-up café. “But it has also been about how we sell the market as well. We’ve got rid of the old fashioned marketing with people holding up pieces of meat or wool in a basket. “If you look across the whole country that's your typical marketing strategy, you’ll have traders smiling holding up their produce but in reality that's not going to attract customers anymore when they can order online or visit a supermarket.” Whilst the situation in Southport is improving with occupancy rates steadily increasing, the tale of another historic North West market sadly appears no closer to a positive conclusion. In November 2016, Liverpool’s St Johns Market reopened after a £2.5m revamp which gave it a modern
makeover and expanded its capacity from 90 to approximately 120 stalls. However the changes were not well received with many long-standing traders complaining it had left the market with an insipid atmosphere and contributed to a fall in customer numbers. In response to the complaints, a spokesman for Liverpool City Council told Move Commercial the local authority is “working with traders at St Johns on plans to improve footfall by attracting more people into the market” and revealed that the council’s ambition remains to “ensure St Johns is at the beating heart of the retail offer in Liverpool”. It’s hoped the relocation of Liverpool’s main Job Centre Plus from Williamson Square to the upper floors of the market, where it will be based alongside the council’s One Stop Shop, will help towards this end. Top of the council’s list of preferred new traders for St Johns are “food commodities”, suggesting the local authority harbours ambitions to follow the example set by Southport Market and another of the region’s most successful and celebrated indoor markets. Winner of the Observer Food Monthly’s Best Market Award in 2015, Altrincham Market & Market House has become home to some of the region’s finest food and drink traders since a revamp saved the retail hub from seemingly terminal decline. Closed in 2014 for refurbishment before reopening after just six months, the market was transformed with period features such as original wooden counters and plans to create a European-style food market.
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Indoor markets in the North West Focus
Altrincham Market has been transformed in recent years Photos: Claire Harrison
The main hall building was fitted out with heaters and long wooden tables were installed to allow customers to enjoy their food in the market. Jenny Thompson, part of the management team at Altrincham Market, admits that turning the facility into what it is today didn't happen overnight. “It took a long time to attract the quantity of quality traders we have working with us,” she says. “We decided early on that we would rather have fewer traders but traders of a very good quality. That gave the public confidence to shop with us and in turn attracted more good traders.” According to Thompson, one of the reasons so many traditional markets are struggling is due to the saturation of low cost shops on the high street replacing one of the main functions markets used to fill. “Low price goods are now available in so many high street stores and pound shops. “We believe that our market must offer better quality goods than can be
bought in supermarkets and wherever possible the goods should be locally produced and made, celebrating the North West region.” Another of the region’s more famous markets which has continued to thrive in modern times is Bury Market which has seemingly done so without needing to move away from its established trader core but rather through clever targeting of customers. Bosses invested in a coach drop-off situated right next to the market in an
attempt to maximise the impact of coach visitors by catering for what market manager Andrew Heyes calls the “elderly and female make-up” of its customers. “Of course shopping habits are changing and internet shopping and retail parks are making it an extremely tough environment for markets but you’ve just got to raise your game and do what you can,” he says. “About 12 years ago we built up a coach database. We started targeting coach firms and offered five-pound lunch vouchers for the drivers. “We’re trying to make it as convenient as possible for our visitors and also the coach drivers, who we’ve built rest facilities for with Wi-Fi, drinks facilities and a television. “We built it up near enough from scratch to a point now where over the last five years we’ve had over 1,500 coach visits a year. “People are actually coming to spend and when they get here we’re fully occupied so it's a full day of shopping for them.”
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Our market must offer better quality goods than can be bought in supermarkets and wherever possible the goods should be locally produced.
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Natasha Young natasha@movepublishing.co.uk
Both Liverpool and Manchester are among the UK cities hoping to provide a new home for Channel 4. As speculation over the broadcaster’s future location continues, Move Commercial explores the impact the media heavyweight could have on the region.
Channeling growth An “exciting opportunity” was revealed in March when culture secretary Karen Bradley addressed media industry representatives at Salford’s Nations and Regions Media Conference. Declaring she is “unsympathetic towards those who recoil in horror at the very idea of media jobs being based outside the capital,” she invited potential new homes for Channel 4 around the UK to express their interest as the government considers relocating the publicly owned broadcaster outside of London. Although reportedly met by opposition from Channel 4 itself amid fears it would lose its competitive advantage, the relocation is suggested by the government to be necessary for the broadcaster to “evolve to serve the country and add public value in new and different ways”. It would also fit in with the government’s commitment to spreading jobs across the country. Liverpool and Manchester are among the cities to have since thrown their hats into the ring, as both North West destinations believe the channel would provide a welcome boost to their growing media, digital and creative sectors 32 MOVE COMMERCIAL
whilst they, in turn, have a lot to offer. In Greater Manchester developer Peel has this year been marking a decade since it kick-started construction on its MediaCityUK hub, which has since become home to fellow media heavyweights the BBC and ITV alongside a host of other industry companies. Whilst ITV swapped the former Granada Studios in Manchester for MediaCityUK’s Orange Tower and created a new production centre for long-running soap ‘Coronation Street’, the BBC took the more dramatic step of shifting departments from the capital. With speculation over Channel 4’s future location ongoing, recent months have seen debate over how beneficial the BBC’s partial move has been for Greater Manchester after independent think tank Centre for Cities suggested the impact had been limited since the arrival of BBC North in 2011. Around 2,700 staff across 26 BBC departments, including BBC Children’s and BBC Breakfast, set up home at MediaCityUK but according to Centre for Cities’ key findings any resulting job creation figures “should be handled carefully”.
The think tank concluded that the BBC move had certainly brought several thousands of media jobs to MediaCityUK - an area where the industry “had little presence” prior to its arrival. “However, much of the growth in media was down to displacement, particularly from elsewhere in Greater Manchester,” the findings add. “Around 1,200 of the new jobs at MediaCityUK were in businesses which moved to Salford from other parts of the city region before 2011. Outside of MediaCityUK, the number of jobs in media in Greater Manchester declined between 2011 and 2016.” Another of Centre for Cities’ key findings suggests that between 2011 and 2016 there was no growth in media jobs within the one-mile area around MediaCityUK and growth in other industries is “unlikely to have been linked to the BBC’s relocation”. Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) has been quick to reject what it describes as a “flawed” report. “The BBC’s move to Salford has benefited not just Salford, but Greater Manchester as a whole and indeed the entire North West,” says Sean Anstee, GMCA’s lead for
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It is precisely because the BBC and ITV have strong presence in our city region that we are such an attractive proposition for others.
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employment and skills and leader of Trafford Council. “As well as the direct benefits of the thousands of people that are now employed across Greater Manchester as a result of the BBC’s relocation, the move north has been instrumental in sparking a creative and digital revolution in the city region. “We have seen phenomenal growth in our creative and digital sectors in Greater Manchester, making a compelling case for industrial clusters of excellence. The sector is worth £3.1 billion to Greater Manchester’s economy – that’s double what it was in 2010. There are 55,000 people employed in the sector. We are producing some of the most highly skilled graduates in the sector and are now in the top 20 European digital cities. “It is precisely because the BBC and ITV have a strong presence in our city region that we are such an attractive proposition for others, from Channel 4 to the 1,600 startups formed in Greater Manchester in the past year." Channel 4, which began broadcasting in 1982, currently has around 820 staff with a small proportion of them, said by the
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Channel 4’s potential North West relocation Focus
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We have seen phenomenal growth in our creative and digital sectors.
culture secretary to be fewer than 30, based outside of central London. Manchester’s inward investment agency MIDAS believes the fact that some of that small proportion is based in the North West city works in its favour as part of its case to attract the channel’s full operation. “Greater Manchester is a vibrant, creative hotspot guaranteeing Channel 4 and other media companies access to a strong and well established industry and a large talent pool,” Tim Newns, chief executive officer at MIDAS, tells Move Commercial. “With a 50-year history of broadcasting, media and producing original content, the city region is an internationally recognised centre of excellence for TV, radio and
Photo: geograph.org.uk Photo: geograph.co.uk / Paul Farmer / CC-BY-SA-2.0 / Paul Farmer
children’s media. “The presence of two of the UK’s largest broadcasters has strengthened the network of smaller independent companies, many of which already work with Channel 4. “A substantive relocation of further Channel 4 operations to Greater Manchester – it already has a sales office in the city – would further boost the creative assets and allow the city region to create an even more substantial international footprint.” Greater Manchester boasts a longrunning relationship with Channel 4 which dates back to the 1990s, as the area produced some of the station’s most successful shows including ‘Queer As Folk’, ‘Countdown’ and ‘Shameless’. However, it’s not the
only city region with a growing media sector and previous form in delivering hit Channel 4 programmes. Liverpool was once home to hit soap ‘Brookside’ and is still where ‘Hollyoaks’ is made for the channel by Lime Pictures. The soaps’ creator Phil Redmond, who remains a prominent cultural figure in the Liverpool City Region, has been flying the flag for Liverpool to become Channel 4’s new home, suggesting it is an “obvious solution”. Although it doesn’t currently have a dedicated hub of media production like MediaCityUK, there are major studio developments in the pipeline as part of the transformations of the city’s iconic former Littlewoods building and Lime Street. Plus a raft of 317 productions
supported by Liverpool Film Office, including creations for the big screen and high end TV dramas, were filmed around the city during the 2016/17 financial year and are said to have generated £8.4 million of inward investment into the local economy. According to Invest Liverpool it’s this, combined with a healthy digital sector, which stands the city in good stead as a range of UK destinations are considered by the government for the proposed relocation. “Channel 4 will be looking for more than cost savings moving out of London, and Liverpool has something unique to offer,” says Ellen Cutler, Invest Liverpool’s director of investment. “Our filming credentials are already well known and respected, but it is the additional digital competency of the city that sets us apart. “As the industry develops, it’s becoming more and more important to consider online platforms for all forms of entertainment and our skills and experience in this area are exceptional. “An investment in Liverpool would be a prudent strategic decision for Channel 4 in the industry and Liverpool would work tirelessly to support the successful transition.” The North West, along with other areas including Yorkshire and the Midlands, now awaits the outcome of a government consultation into how Channel 4 can contribute to regional economic growth to see if it will become the base for the broadcaster. If Liverpool or Manchester are successful in their bid, the move is also expected to strengthen the region’s reputation as a place of opportunity for media industry talent. “What’s interesting about a big company [like Channel 4] coming to either Liverpool or Manchester, and often we’re vying for companies to come, is that once a big company comes in and they’re doing mass recruitment you find that people go ‘oh there are jobs up there so maybe I’ll go and have a look to see what’s going on’,” explains Louise Finch of the British Interactive Media Association (BIMA) in the North West, which is working to enhance and connect the region’s digital industry. “It has a massive knock-on effect into the wider community as well from the perspective of people who are looking for jobs.” MOVE COMMERCIAL 33
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Sponsored Content
Business partnerships Focus
Christine Toner
Setting up a business with your spouse or partner may make perfect sense, but there are vital steps that must be taken to protect your venture in the event of a relationship breakdown. Move Commercial calls on the family law specialists at MSB solicitors to offer some expert guidance.
The business of partnerships Know your options Despite the importance of having an agreement drawn up, Carey says with family there is often a lot of informality and, as such, many marriages fall apart with no formal agreements in place for the family business. “If nothing has been put in place and the couple find themselves in dispute, the options are clear - they can either continue working together, have one party buy the other out or both sell up,” she explains. “If they sell then they will need specialist advice regarding the sale of shares or assets and obviously family expertise will be needed as to how this affects finance.”
Going into business with your spouse or partner has plenty of benefits. You’ll have a sound relationship already and will trust each other to act in both of your best interests. You’ll have plenty of time to discuss work issues as you’ll spend so much time together. And, if you have kids, you’ll have the freedom to both set your own hours to ensure family life isn’t disrupted too much. However, there are also plenty of pitfalls including, of course, the sad fact that many marriages end in divorce 42% to be exact. Along with the emotional impact of a marriage ending you’ll also have to deal with the business aspects and what to do with the company, so MSB Solicitors provides some advice.
Make it official from the get go “As soon as you enter into a business, regardless of whether it’s with family, get an agreement drawn up - either a shareholder agreement or a partnership - dealing with who does what, profits and how any capital is dealt with,” says Emma Carey, head of family at MSB. “As unpleasant as it may be, think about the worst case scenario and how things would pan out.” Carey says it’s important to consider where the money is coming from to set up the business and to record and agree this along with whether it is repayable as debt to a third party or a gift. “This is particularly relevant when a parent provides a sum which is then invested,” she says.
Keep it formal “If the joint owners are able to continue they will need to draw up a partnership agreement or a shareholders agreement dealing with the day to day running of the company, the shareholding between the parties, protection for any directors to ensure that one party cannot remove the other from the day to day running and details of how capital is held,” says Carey. “Negotiations may obviously be difficult but if they can work together then the company can continue and they can receive the profits.” Carey says minority shareholders need to be especially careful as they are more easily removed without the supporting agreements.
Be careful of terms Legal speak can be confusing so you may think you have formal agreements in place simply because you’ve misunderstood the terms. “If they are only 'trading as' they are a partnership, and so they need to take care as if they do not have an agreement to say otherwise then when one party leaves the partnership is dissolved,” explains Carey. Trust the experts “Dealing with a jointly owned business in the wake of a marriage breakdown is a complex and sensitive matter,” says Carey. “It’s essential you seek the advice of experts who can deal with the issue not just from a commercial point of view but from a family point of view too.”
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As soon as you enter into a business get an agreement drawn up.
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Lawrence Saunders lawrence@movepublishing.co.uk
With more and more people opting for a ‘staycation’ in place of an international excursion, business is brisk at the country’s biggest independent operator of UK holiday rental properties, Sykes Cottages. As the firm prepares to move into its new Chester HQ, Move Commercial caught up with CEO Graham Donoghue to talk expansion plans, overseas ambitions and Airbnb competition.
Cottage Industry Boasting a CV that includes managing director and board roles at TUI Group, MoneySuperMarket and TravelSupermarket, Graham Donoghue was a straightforward choice to succeed outgoing CEO Miles Hill at Sykes Cottages in August 2016. Donoghue’s background in travel, and particularly e-commerce, has proved a central component in Sykes’ success in the overwhelmingly online-driven market of shortterm holiday rentals. In July, Sykes announced record growth in sales and profit, whilst bookings in the financial year to date were up 23% meaning the firm is on track to serve over 1 million holidaymakers in 2017 – an increase from 815,000 in 2016. A month later the firm signed a 10-year lease for 24,000 sq ft at Chester’s One City Place – more than doubling its current floor space at Richard House in the city. The new location was hailed a key part of Sykes’ ongoing investment strategy to support its expansion. Donoghue has previous form in strengthening 36 MOVE COMMERCIAL
companies. During his stint at travel firm TUI he managed to significantly grow the group’s online brands, in particular those of Thomson Holidays and Portland Holidays, at a time when the internet was still a bourgeoning tool for holiday booking. It’s this commitment to identifying and utilising growing technologies that Donoghue has been keen to continue since joining Sykes. “We’re a technology-led business in terms of how we think and how we operate,” says Donoghue. “Despite us being a relatively small company as a whole, we’ve invested a lot in our technology platform - £1.2 million last year. “The technology investment which we’re making is really about allowing the business to scale.” Following a technology-driven strategy saw Sykes launch its first mobile app in September, which brings the knowledge of its 8,000 holiday home owners direct to customers. The ‘My Sykes’ app also includes local-specific content offering insider tips on the best places to
visit and things to do at different locations across the UK. Donoghue is happy to extol the virtues of Sykes’ commitment to giving customers the very best online and virtual experience, but he is equally keen to stress the more traditional side of the business – something he thinks Sykes does better than the biggest name in short-term rentals. “The service that we offer and how we look after our owners is very different [to Airbnb],” he says. “We’re not just, dare I say it, a digital, faceless booking agent. We’ve got boots on the ground up and down the country. It’s a lot more human.” Although both Sykes and Airbnb appear to offer a very similar product – short-term rentals across a variety of property types – according to Donoghue, the proposition couldn't be more different. “Airbnb has been phenomenal. It has four million listings globally and 100,000 listings in the UK, but if you look at where those properties are, they are very much concentrated in cities like London, Manchester, Birmingham, Glasgow, etc.
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Graham Donoghue,
CEO, Sykes Cottages Interview
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Despite us being a relatively small company as a whole, we’ve invested a lot in our technology platform £1.2 million last year.
“ “They are not really growing in our heartlands which are mainly rural and coastal locations. “The service that we offer to our owners is very different also. On a typical day we could be dealing with a dairy farmer who wants to give it all up and put some yurts or shepherd huts on his land.” Enterprising farmers are just one example of the wide range of owners flocking to Sykes and, as Donoghue explains, they fall into one of three different lead types the company typically gets. “We classify them as ‘thinking of buying’, ‘new to letting’ or ‘experienced’,” says Donoghue. “The experienced ones are relatively straight forward. What they're looking for is maximum income or the maximum number of bookings which is just a proxy for income. “However, what’s interesting is that not all of our owners want the largest amount of money. Sometimes they just want the property full and they enjoy meeting people - it's a lifestyle for some of them.” Whilst it maybe a lifestyle choice for some, for others the decision to rent out their property is
purely financially motivated. “We’re seeing a real rise in the number of people who are using their pensions to buy a second home and then using that as a yield and an income,” reveals Donoghue. “There’s a lot of growth in that particular area because a typical owner will get around £40,000 income per year from the property and the yields are generally between 5-7% depending on the property.” With just over 10,000 properties on the books and ambitions to double that number in the next couple of years, Donoghue evidently has plenty of confidence in the growth potential of the UK holiday market. He credits the continuing fallout from the Brexit vote, a weakened British pound and fears over international terrorism as the three major factors which have seen more people, both from the UK and abroad, choosing to holiday in this country. “The appeal of rural Britain is huge, the number of people going on holiday in the UK is growing significantly.
“We get a lot of customers who are now solely going on UK holidays because they feel nervous about going to an overseas destination.” Despite this success and Donoghue’s intimate knowledge of the European holiday market, the CEO has no designs on expanding Sykes’ coverage across the English Channel to take on the likes of Airbnb just yet. “Going overseas? Whilst the headroom is still significant in the UK and there’s plenty of space to grow, we want to remain focused and committed to being the best at what we do in Britain. “Saying that, there are a lot of overseas visitors who come into the UK so we do spend quite a lot of time marketing in France, Spain and Germany “The technology platform which we have been investing in has been built to be multi-currency and multi-language so at some point in the future if we run out of headroom or if we make an acquisition in Europe, our technology will allow us to scale into those markets. “But at the moment the market drivers are very positive for self-catering holidays in the UK.” MOVE COMMERCIAL 37
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Christine Toner
Multi-million pound sports stadium developments may be warranted by the thousands of spectactors who frequently fill them for events, but what impact do they have on the wider areas in which they’re situated? As Anfield’s transformation continues and plans for a new dockland Everton FC ground are on the horizon, Move Commercial considers whether stadium projects truly act as a catalyst for regeneration.
A home win Liverpool is no stranger to regeneration. From the Grosvenor-led Liverpool ONE project which transformed the city centre to the resurrection of Albert Dock, the city is certainly accustomed to rebirths. It is also, of course, a major footballing location. Home to two Premier League teams and the birthplace of some of the biggest names in the game, football is part of the city’s identity. And now, just a short drive from the city centre, that experience of bringing areas back to life and that passion for the beautiful game have come together for one major project - the Anfield regeneration. Since 2015 work has been underway in Anfield which will see not only the extension of Liverpool FC’s ground but also new facilities and housing in the local neighbourhood, an area that for many years has fallen into decay. The plans include a new high street, new retail and hospitality space and the development and refurbishment of a number of homes in the area. During work on the new stand Ian Ayre, then chief executive of Liverpool Football Club, said: “Whilst the work on our new Main Stand is approaching completion, we recognise that the creation of a new high street would be transformational for the area, attracting new jobs and creating new 38 MOVE COMMERCIAL
businesses. It would make Anfield a better place to live, work and visit.” Of course, stadium-led regeneration is not something that is unique to Liverpool. Indeed, in major cities all across the UK massive transformation projects have taken place, anchored by the development of or extension of a sports stadium. Back in 2015 the London Assembly Regeneration Committee published The Regeneration Game report which looked into the impact of stadium-led regeneration on local areas. The report came as several of the capital’s teams were in negotiations for new stadiums, including Tottenham Hotspur which currently plays at Wembley while its new £750 million stadium is built. Gareth Bacon, chairman of the committee, said: “The bright lights and multi-billion pound TV and sponsorship deals keep the world’s eyes firmly glued to the football world. But what is going on closer to home, just outside new stadium gates, in terms of the impact on the local community? “Football stadia can act as a catalyst for regeneration and improve an area, but developers and clubs need to ensure they give something back to the communities they’re affecting, especially given the vast costs involved. When the public purse is used to support such large scale schemes, we need to make sure that local people don’t miss out when it comes to jobs,
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When the public purse is used to support such large scale schemes, we need to make sure that local people don’t miss out when it comes to jobs, skills and housing.
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skills and housing.” But while there is work to be done to ensure local people benefit, there are plenty of examples of stadium-led regeneration success. A report commissioned by New Economy entitled ‘Analysing the value of football to Greater Manchester’ cited the “significant urban regeneration” that was “a hallmark of the successful hosting of the Commonwealth Games for Manchester in 2002”. Manchester City’s involvement in the regeneration of Eastlands, the area in which the Etihad Stadium and Etihad Campus are situated, as well as the Middlebrook development where Bolton Wanderers’ Reebok stadium is located, were also highlighted examples of a successful collaboration between sport, businesses and the local council. The report says football has an impact in four distinct areas: the economic costs and benefits of football to Greater Manchester, the tourism benefits that football brings, the wider benefits attributable to football, and the social and community benefits of football. The same is hoped for Anfield. “As a result of regeneration, a brighter Anfield has been created for those who live, work and visit there,” Councillor Ann O’Byrne, deputy mayor of Liverpool, tells Move Commercial. “We’ve had a great reaction from residents who appreciate everything
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Stadium regeneration Focus
The Anfield regeneration scheme includes a revamp of the surrounding streets
achieved to date and welcome the plans which are in place to further improve the area.” Joe Gervin, director of Liverpool Property Solutions, says the work in Anfield has brought investors back to the area. “Prior to the crash in 2007 Anfield was a hot investor spot,” he says. “The market was negligible for most of 2008-2015 however the green shoots have started again and once again Anfield is experiencing a swell in investor confidence and a cheap firsttime buyer option also. There are some great opportunities and lovely streets to grab a bargain.” However Gervin doesn’t believe enough is being done to ensure the whole area benefits from the new stadium. “We still think the council has some way to go in raising the living standards of the residents in Anfield,” he says. “More public events in areas like Stanley Park need to be organised as well as lowering crime rates. The community in Anfield is great and this should be a selling point for the owners at Everton and Liverpool to accentuate, as well as assistance from the council.” While work continues at Anfield, football rival Everton Football Club is preparing plans for its own new £300m stadium, although this will involve the Blues moving away from the Walton area of the city to Bramley
Moore Dock. It’s an ambitious plan and one which both the club and council say will benefit the north dockside area of Liverpool considerably. In his recommendation of the proposal Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson noted: “From the city’s perspective, the proposed new stadium will complement and accelerate the regeneration plans already in place for the North Liverpool area captured within the approved development framework for the Atlantic Corridor, the recently launched vision for the neighbouring Ten Streets creativity district, and proposals for significant investment in highways and infrastructure, a new cruise terminal, an Isle of Man ferry terminal and new residential and office developments proposed for Liverpool Waters all within the city’s World Heritage Site and Buffer Zone.” While the waterfront may well benefit though, will the future be as bright for the area Everton FC will leave behind? “The area won’t have the same footfall as it currently has from people not from the area which will have a negative impact,” says Gervin. “Everton FC and Liverpool City Council need to make sure they have social, economic and environmental concerns boxed off before any demolition works of Goodison.”
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As a result of regeneration, a brighter Anfield has been created for those who live, work and visit there.
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MOVE COMMERCIAL 39
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Online. Offline. Anytime. Get the north-west’s latest business and property news wherever you are. www.movecommercial.com 42 MOVE COMMERCIAL
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Revo Liverpool 2017 Key event
Revo Liverpool 2017 The largest UK retail property deal making, learning and networking event took place at Exhibition Centre Liverpool recently. Key decision makers, influencers and experts from across the retail property and placemaking community descended on the waterfront venue for Revo Liverpool 2017. The 19-21 September event, which kicked off with a launch party in Liverpool’s Baltic Triangle, featured exhibitors from across the industry. Attendees also had the chance to explore an arena of food and beverage (F&B) businesses and a ‘Digital Showcase’ hosting
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some of the newest technologies and innovators shaping how retail property owners, managers and retailers engage with consumers. Guest speakers were on hand during the conference to discuss key talking points throughout the event including changing shopping behaviour, the trends disrupting retail and the importance of transport and infrastructure in the industry to name a few. The Revo conference will remain in the North West in 2018, when it will take place at Manchester Central Convention Complex.
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1. Attendees were shown some of the new technology shaping the retail sector.
2. The Revo event provided an opportunity for deal making and networking.
3. Key topics affecting retail and placemaking were discussed and debated by experts.
4. The annual event was held at Exhibition Centre Liverpool for 2017.
5. Revo hosted the event in the city, which is said to be the UK’s largest gathering of people creating places to work, rest and play. 6. Experts addressed attendees including directors and partners, chairmen and CEOs from across the sector.
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Diary Dates Best for expert insight
Best for networking
Best for entrepreneurs
28 September
11 October
1 November
Empowerment and Strategy Conference
The Liverpool Business Exhibition
Start-up Business Planning Workshop
The Business Suite, Royal Liver Building
Crowne Plaza, Liverpool
Pacific Road Business Centre, Birkenhead
The Business Hub brings SMEs and entrepreneurs together to share innovative ways of working towards business growth and development. This free conference is a chance to re-focus and work on business strategy whilst also building a robust business network. Experienced speakers will share their advice and experience on how they developed a successful business. Attendees can expect to learn about the power of networking, the importance of goal setting and the strategies to create success.
Returning for its fourth year, the Liverpool Business Exhibition is a chance for SMEs and entrepreneurs to meet new contacts, raise brand awareness and create new opportunities. Motivational speaker Brad Burton will kick off the event with a key note address. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with local business people and build and develop new and existing relationships. There’ll also be advice and support on offer in a number of workshops.
Wirral Chamber of Commerce presents a workshop which is free to anyone living within the Liverpool City Region and eligible for the Enterprise Hub programme. The event supports those who want to start their own business but haven’t yet registered their enterprise. From offering advice on initial concepts to tailoring a strong business plan, the session will cover the development and sustainability of business ideas. Other topics of discussion will include the process of market research, goal setting and establishing a vision and monetising the business.
Professional Pointers
What’s new? Cubert Personal Light £261, colebrookbossonsaunders.com
Graphic: Freepik.com
Tackling disruptive weather with Cari Kirby of Tech North With the colder months of the year we’ve come to expect some disruptive weather from time to time. But how can you ensure icy conditions and public transport delays don’t hamper your business’ productivity and employees’ focus? Cari Kirby, one of Tech North’s ‘Northern Voices’ and a keen champion of parentfriendly and remote working, gives some advice on keeping your team connected – even if they can’t make it to the office on time. “I am a big believer in flexible working - we all have lives outside the office which don't always conform to the nine to five,” says Kirby. “Businesses who embrace remote working and flexibility will reap the rewards of increased productivity and loyalty and it may just mean an edge against your competitors when attracting and retaining talent too. “However you feel about it, with the winter months approaching you might not have a choice but to embrace it as we set in for dark, frosty or snowy mornings. Rather than battling with an extra-long commute and looking out of the window all day worrying about the return journey after work, your staff are safer (and more productive) 44 MOVE COMMERCIAL
staying at home. “There is a wealth of tech that you can integrate into your business to make that easier. “The more of your processes and documentation that are cloud-based or remotely accessed, the better. A few examples include Google Drive for file hosting, Basecamp and Trello as project management tools and HighRise as a CRM (customer relationship management) system. Plus there’s email, Skype or Google Hangout and the good old mobile phone for comms. “There are so many others to investigate and work out which is best to implement for your business but a tech stack like this means you can access your work and be part of the team from anywhere that has an internet connection. “One thing you can’t download or buy online though is trust, which is vital if this is going to work. “Managing that mindset comes down to culture and communication. Make sure you set deadlines and keep communication channels open - as long as everyone is talking to each other, deadlines are being met and work is being done, what does it matter where you are?”
As we head into autumn, working days are becoming increasingly darker meaning adequate lighting becomes even more important. Not only is LED lighting significantly more efficient than traditional lighting but it’s also flicker-free which can help to prevent eye strain during work; reducing stress and anxiety levels. The LEDs in this Cubert Personal Light provide 426 lumens of light which can be controlled using a dimmer switch with four settings, whilst the head can be tilted and rotated to suit the user’s own personal lighting requirements. Not just a simple desk lamp however, the Cubert doubles as a charger for multiple portable items with two integrated smart USB power outlets and two UK mains power sockets making this piece of tech handy for use around the office. The clever USB software recognises your principal device meaning when both ports are in use the first device connected is given primary charging provision.
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Business lifestyle
Where to… grab a hot drink on the go For many, the idea of starting the working day without an extra hot skinny latte is utterly preposterous. Fortunately here in the North West we’re blessed with a wealth of quality coffee shops to grab a hot caffeine kick – many of which are perfectly placed and well equipped for out-of-office meetings and remote working or simply a pit stop during the commute.
Ziferblat MediaCityUK, Salford Split over two levels in the base of the Tomorrow Building, this branch of the part sitting room, part shared office and full-time coffee shop is Ziferblat’s biggest location. Its meeting rooms have access to reliable Wi-Fi and can be booked for just 6p per person per minute.
Frederiks Hope Street, L1 Review by Liam Deveney On Hope Street in Liverpool’s expanding Knowledge Quarter we find Frederiks kitchen and bar, an eatery “inspired by New York City mixed with sleek Scandinavian style and more industrial east European elements”. The stunning interior was designed by the owners with Liverpool-based designers led by Miles Falkingham of architecture and design practice FVMA, whose other projects include Liverpool food and drink destination and events space Camp and Furnace. The contemporary open fire provided a warm welcome which your reviewer greatly appreciated as the dismal weather outside signalled an official end to the great British summer. Frederiks offers a lunch menu between 12pm and 4pm with a range of dishes available including vegan and vegetarian options. However, my plus one and I plumped for two courses for £10 from the specials menu and it was the first inspired choice of many. My dining partner had leak and potato soup with rustic bread as her starter whilst I opted for salmon and sweet potato fishcakes – both were excellent decisions. But it was our main courses which marked out Frederiks as a must-visit restaurant amid the city’s many lunch venues. The roast chicken breast with apricot and pork stuffing plus vegetables was a delight to behold:
perfectly cooked and extremely tasty. But the undisputed winner was the Mediterranean veg waffle stack with wilted greens and pesto. The sweetness of the waffle contrasted perfectly with the vegetables and it’s worth a visit for this tasty dish alone. I tested the Wi-Fi speed via the guest connection whilst waiting for our desserts and it was more than adequate, allowing me to fire off a couple of emails with no noticeable delays. There weren’t too many power points visible in case my laptop battery ran low but it was a minor gripe which won’t attract many – if any – complaints. To the rear of the building is the Pillbox - a soundproof event, performance and party space for hire which could also be used for a business meeting for larger groups. The desserts lived up to the exceedingly high standard of the previous two courses: my sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel sauce and ice cream (£5) was utterly delicious (I was bereft when I took my last spoonful) and my partner’s Nutella chocolate mousse with fresh fruit (£5) was stunning also. Frederiks neighbourhood kitchen and bar isn’t a traditional setting for a business lunch by any means but it gets it right. Just like the waffle and veg dish; try it - you’ll be very pleasantly surprised.
Dale Street, Liverpool Handily positioned for Liverpool’s business community on the edge of the commercial district and a stone’s throw from Moorfields station, Moose is one of the city’s most popular coffee shops thanks to its impeccable send-up of an authentic North American diner pumping out hearty breakfasts and cracking brews.
Jaunty Goat Coffee Bridge Street, Chester This independently owned café serving freshly roasted coffee on the picturesque Bridge Street has proved a hit with locals thanks to its house blend created by Peterborough’s Masteroast and a quality selection of sandwiches, paninis and cakes.
Grindsmith Deansgate, Manchester Located on the ground floor of Central Working’s Manchester club, Grindsmith was launched with a plan to serve the best coffee in Manchester. Judging by the slew of positive reviews, it’s come pretty close to achieving just that.
Original graphic by Freepik.com
Tried & Tested Autumn/winter business lunch
Moose Coffee
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Expert views Ask the panel
The recently published Taylor Review on modern working practises states that "encouraging flexible work is good for everyone and has been shown to have a positive impact on productivity, worker retention and quality of work". Move Commercial asks business leaders across the region:
Q: Do enough companies in the North West offer flexible working and what more needs to be done? A lot of companies do recognise the benefits, including some of the world’s biggest and most successful. There are three staff within my own team on such an arrangement and I firmly believe it results in happier, more productive and loyal employees, which is better for them and for the business. For some the old assumptions still pervade, fearing lower productivity, staff ‘taking liberties’, or that ‘everyone will want it’. But that’s just not the reality. In fact, many bosses find their flexible workers go over and above just to demonstrate they are as keen and loyal as their nine to five counterparts. It’s often ignorance of employees’ legal right to request flexible working and worries over how to make it work in practice that puts businesses off. But any forwardthinking organisation which values its workforce will need to consider such arrangements otherwise it could be left behind as basic market forces will dictate where the good employees choose to stay. Ross Wellman, commercial director at Vincents Solicitors
Professional firms have traditionally been quite reticent about promoting a family-friendly environment, believing
it disrupts the business. We take the opposite view and recognise that people work to live they don’t live to work. They want to bring up families and have a career and women shouldn’t have to make a choice. We have found that by offering flexible ways of working – things like home working days, keep in touch days and a more relaxed approach to on and off the clock working – what we get in return is a highly-motivated team that feels valued. Moreover we have fantastic staff retention, which in turn is of massive benefit to our clients. Emma Carey, head of family, MSB Solicitors
Not every job role is suited to flexible working, particularly in the security and facilities management sector where round-the-clock attendance may be required. That puts the onus on good employers to think laterally, and our solution has been to provide our field staff with the support of an employee assistance manager. He can ensure they feel connected to base in a meaningful way and offer case-bycase support, career progression advice and a sounding board for operational ideas and improvements. It’s a first for our industry, which is traditionally poor at employee training and welfare. We know that by going the extra mile with all our team – not just those in head office whose roles are better suited to flexible working – our clients will notice the return on investment in improved staff performance. And that’s the point: flexible
Flexible working has reaped huge rewards for our business and I would urge more companies to adopt a similar approach. Our ethos centres on the understanding that people have different needs inside and outside of work, especially if they have children. Parents often struggle with childcare arrangements beyond school hours, plus the expense may account for a sizeable portion of their income. Flexible working allows them to manage that timetable more easily, whether it's through using technology to work at home or agreeing truncated hours on certain days to fit their needs. In return for our flexibility we get highly motivated, engaged people at all levels who are likely to stay with us for longer - a theory borne out by excellent staff retention figures. More employers should encourage, rather than simply allow, flexible working. It could be the best business decision they ever make. Julie Waring, partner, Morecrofts Solicitors
working and employee care offer a win:win but it surprises me how few bosses appreciate this. David Potts, chief executive officer, GSTS
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