Move Commercial 59

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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESHIRE MANCHESTER

DEC 2017 - JAN 2018

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www.movecommercial.com

Issue 59

2018 Outlook What lies ahead for the region?

Manchester Town Hall A 140-year-old icon

Should more be done to keep fast-growing online and app-based firms in check?

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Issue fifty nine Move Commercial

Welcome to Move Commercial

Contents News

As we approach the end of 2017, we celebrate another 12 months of commercial property success and look at what we can expect in the year ahead.

With the continuing impact of 2016’s EU referendum, and industries settling down from a 2017 that brought us a snap general election and the arrival of the North West’s first metro mayors, we’ve gathered the views of a range of prominent experts to find out what 2018 could hold. From infrastructure and regeneration to technology and the office market, regional leaders give us their predictions.

Plus we bring you the commercial winners, reactions and pictures from this year’s spectacular

NWPAs, along with news of how you can get involved in next year’s prestigious awards ceremony.

With the likes of Uber and Airbnb continuing to hit headlines over their impact on their industries and the cities they operate in, we also look at whether more should be done to regulate such disruptive firms from the outset; and we shine the spotlight on Manchester’s historic town hall as it prepares to close for a major refurbishment.

06 Chester’s One City Place sold 07 Bank of England visits Liverpool to ‘bridge the gap’ on economy 08 Atlantic Pavilion interest continues following Smaller Earth deal 09 Developer welcomes Liverpool’s Dale Street renaissance 10 New support for unemployed young people in Liverpool City Region

Natasha Young, editor natasha@movepublishing.co.uk

11 Liverpool architect takes on 20,000 sq ft industrial development 12 Highest value of short-term loans written in Together’s 43-year history

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

19 My Month

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Colin Sinclair, CEO of Knowledge Quarter Liverpool, talks us through a busy few weeks 20 Making History A look at Manchester Town Hall’s history, importance and future 24 The NWPAs 2017 All the winners, reactions and pictures from this year’s awards 30 Taming Disruption

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Keeping fast-growing online and app-based firms in check 32 2018 Outlook A range of regional experts look at what lies ahead 34 Made in Liverpool

Advertising Director Fiona Barnet. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Advertising Team Catherine McCarthy, Natalie Holden, Kimberley Wheeler, Lucinda Murrell.

Editor Natasha Young. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Editorial Team Lawrence Saunders, Matthew Smith, Christine Toner. post@movepublishing.co.uk Photography Liam Deveney – NWPAs / Try & Lilly / Bank of England news. Robin Clewley - NWPAs.

Design Mark Iddon.

Cover Image iStock / User: phive2015.

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

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.

Suzanne Jennions of long-running family-run millinery Try & Lilly 37 Business Lifestyle Top tips and ideas to boost creative thinking 39 Ask the Panel How can the North West meet the demands of businesses amid concerns of a prime office stock shortage?

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News Latest

Chester’s flagship One City Place sold Hermes Investment Management has exchanged contracts with Muse Developments for the purchase of One City Place in Chester.

No price has been disclosed for the deal, which Hermes completed on behalf of Hermes Property Unit Trust.

The 70,000 sq ft, Grade A office building, which launched in January 2016, is the first in the wider £120 million City Place development, forming part of Chester’s new Central Business Quarter, which is being brought forward by Muse in partnership with Cheshire West and Chester Council.

The 3.5-acre scheme will eventually provide more than 500,000 sq ft of Grade A office space with retail and leisure facilities, as well as 200 residential units and new public realm.

The whole project is due for completion in 2028.

The remaining space at One City Place is currently in lawyers’ hands, meaning the building is effectively fully occupied.

Current tenants include RSM, Excello Law, Power Solutions (UK), Black & Veatch and Sykes Cottages.

GVA and CBRE act as joint agents for City Place.

City Place was named Best Commercial Scheme at the 2016 NWPAs

Deloitte’s Simon Bedford

Manchester named ‘most attractive hotel investment destination’ Manchester has retained its position as the most attractive hotel investment destination in England outside of London.

Deloitte’s European Hotel Investment Survey has revealed that investment in the city’s hotel sector is set to continue its strong momentum in 2018 as the region delivers key projects.

According to the findings of the survey, hotel investors are optimistic about 2018 growth prospects in the regional UK hotel market.

Growth is expected to be highest in the larger cities, such as Manchester, with the majority of respondents expecting growth between 1-3%.

Adding to the 338 hotel rooms delivered in 2016, a further 1,040 rooms are currently under construction and expected to be completed this year.

Key projects underway include Roomzzz Manchester Corn Exchange and the 19-storey Crowne Plaza and Staybridge development on Oxford Road.

Simon Bedford, partner at Deloitte Real Estate, says: “It is pleasing to see Manchester secure its position as the most attractive city in England for hotel investment outside of London.

“Appetite for hotel investments in the region is of little surprise in the wake of tourism from overseas while the pound remains weak.”

Liverpool council to take back control of city’s highways Liverpool City Council looks set to take back control of the city’s highways by ending its contract with infrastructure support provider, Amey.

If approved by the council’s cabinet, the local authority and Amey will complete the mutually agreed split by the end of January 2018.

A report recommends that the nine-year contract for the delivery of highway services be closed in the New Year as part of council efforts to save £90 million over the next three years.

The move comes as part of a council-wide review which has brought parks services, street cleansing, bin collections, IT and HR and payroll services all back in-house to deliver further savings.

Councillor Ann O’Byrne, deputy mayor of Liverpool, says: “The highways contract with Amey LG did initially deliver savings but we believe more can be achieved by bringing the operations back in-house.

“We have seen with other services such as street cleansing and refuse collections that insourcing can deliver savings which can be reinvested to make our money go further.”

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The council spent £3m in 2016 in an attempt to tackle a backlog of 14,000 potholes

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Latest News

The Bank of England brought its Future Forum to Liverpool this month as it aims to raise awareness and understanding of the economy.

During the build-up to the annual event, which took place at the landmark St George’s Hall, Mark Carney and fellow governors spent the morning visiting schools and speaking to students around the city.

Carney, governor of the Bank of England, attended Alsop School as part of the initiative, which was organised in partnership with UK-wide education charity Speakers for Schools.

As well as addressing young people about his role at the helm of the Bank and his background in finance, he also faced questions from pupils about everything from his daily job to the economy.

During the main event at St George’s Hall, Carney told attendees the Bank is launching “practical tools” to help educate everyone about the economy as it aims to “bridge the gap”.

He added: “We’re here today to discuss with you what causes changes in the economy, how they affect people and businesses in Merseyside and across the country and the Bank of England’s role in supporting jobs and growth. The economy matters for everyone and people want to understand it better.

“Three quarters think there should be better education about the economy and half want a better understanding themselves but virtually no-one – just one in 10 – think public figures talk about economics in an accessible way.”

Bank of England governor Mark Carney at Alsop School

The Cargo Building was recently officially opened

Images courtesy of Hamptons International 2017

Bank of England visits Liverpool to ‘bridge the gap’ on economy

Liverpool professionals drawn to central development A Liverpool PRS development has proven popular with professionals from a range of sectors.

Medical, legal and financial workers in the city are said to be among those targeting the recently launched Cargo Building residential development, along with lecturers starting new positions at the area’s universities.

Jane Yates, general manager of the complex which is close to Liverpool’s waterfront and Baltic Triangle district, says that 230 of the 324 apartments at the central scheme have now been let, 90% of which have been taken by professionals.

Yates adds: “The scheme has proven popular with professionals due to its central location, the fact that it’s a new build and its range of on-site facilities.

“Our market research had predicted that we would attract a lot of professionals due to the location, and we’re hoping to see this demand continue.”

Facilities available to residents at the Cargo Building include a gym, 24-hour concierge and a communal lounge.

Network Rail to sell off its North West commercial property Network Rail is to sell off its entire North West commercial property portfolio.

The sale is part of the state-owned company’s decision to dispose of its 5,500 ‘non-core’ properties across England and Wales which are not essential to the running of the railway.

An overall value of the entire estate has not been revealed, but it’s reported to be worth over £1 billion.

Network Rail says the sale will give it a “significant

injection of cash” as it focuses investment on passenger benefits.

Most of the properties in the portfolio are spaces in railway arches and will be sold on a leasehold basis with Network Rail retaining the freeholds to ensure access rights continue unaffected.

The business is the largest provider of small and medium-sized business space in the UK, and current tenants will transfer to the new buyers with existing

leases and notice periods unchanged.

Mark Carne, Network Rail’s chief executive, says: “This deal will bring more investment into the commercial estate for the benefit of the local communities and it will help fund a better railway.

“I hope to see areas around the railway positively transformed with new and refurbished shops, amenities, and extra facilities for local people and passengers.”

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News Sales & Lettings

Landlords advised to check EPC rating before new law kicks in Commercial landlords could risk having their properties classed as ‘unrentable’ unless they ensure their Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings are up to scratch.

The Energy Efficiency Regulations 2015, due to come into force on 1 April 2018, will make it unlawful to sell or lease commercial property with an EPC rating of ‘F’ or ‘G’.

Jasper Dawson, partner at law firm Kirwans, is advising landlords to take action or face the possibility of having their buildings categorised as substandard and being hit with penalties of up to £150,000.

Dawson says: “Landlords and tenants who sublet surplus space will be hit hard if they fall foul of the new rules.

“If they haven’t already done so, they should make it a priority to evaluate the energy performance of their properties and carry out whatever work is necessary to ensure it meets the minimum requirements in time for the implementation date.

“However, there are some exemptions, so owners should seek specialist advice if they believe the new restrictions may not apply to their property.”

Kirwans’ Jasper Dawson

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Atlantic Pavilion demand continues following Smaller Earth deal Group, and Smaller Earth Group CEO, Bastian Weinberger says: “We wanted to find a building that would complement our company culture and that our staff would feel connected to.

“After searching for some time, we found Atlantic Pavilion - not only did it tick all the boxes visually, but it is also welllocated in terms of amenities, public transport and local pride.

“The team is excited to move in and continue on our journey of inspiring 25,000 sq ft remains at the Albert Dock site people to go further.”

Mark Worthington of Albert Dock’s Atlantic Pavilion is continuing to draw Worthington Owen, which is joint letting agent strong interest according to agent Worthington Owen. alongside Cushman & Wakefield, adds: “It is great to All 25,000 sq ft of remaining space at the landmark see an indigenous Liverpool business thriving on an location is said to be attracting prospective tenants to international stage. the site, which recently saw Smaller Earth Group take “We hoped Atlantic Pavilion would appeal to 7,372 sq ft of space. creative, forward-thinking businesses such as Smaller The firm, which offers young people work and travel Earth and are delighted it has committed to the opportunities around the world, was established in building.”

Liverpool in 1999 and now employs 54 people locally Worthington Owen acted for Home Shopping and 158 globally.

Group and Smaller Earth represented itself in The space has been sublet from Home Shopping the deal.

Agent expects to see ‘strong interest’ in Wirral warehouse Commercial agent Mason Owen is expecting to see “strong interest” in a Wirral warehouse which has recently been brought to the market.

Mark Coulthurst, partner at the firm, believes demand for the 27,921 sq ft unit at Stadium Court in Bromborough will be increased by a shortage of quality stock in the area.

Unit 9, which is located within the established Wirral International Business Park, comprises a detached warehouse/workshop unit incorporating ground and first floor offices.

The unit also benefits from an enclosed yard and its own separate parking area with space for 40 cars.

Coulthurst says: “This is a high quality building in a sought after location and is of type, size and specification not readily available elsewhere.

“At the moment there is a real lack of stock available to let around the Wirral area and we’re anticipating strong interest in the property.”

Warehouse space at the unit totals almost 23,000 sq ft

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Sales & Lettings News

Design agency signs up at Bruntwood’s Treehouse

Developer welcomes Liverpool’s Dale Street renaissance Ensuring “the right spaces are in place” for new businesses will be key to continuing growth in Liverpool’s Dale Street area, according to a city developer.

Downing is welcoming the ongoing leisure-led renaissance of the commercial district location, which has seen the arrival of food and drink operators such as Dead Crafty Beer Company and Sixty Dale Street and is also expected to see the Municipal Building transformed into a four star hotel.

John Clegg of Downing, which is providing 1,000 sq ft of flexible space at its Eden Square development on the site of the area’s former Hatton Garden Fire Station, says: “Liverpool’s Dale Street district is experiencing a fresh influx of great restaurant and bar brands, which are breathing new life into the area - creating a

fantastic sense of place and providing key links right across the broader commercial district and into the heart of the city centre.

“We’re keen to see this trend continue to gain momentum, creating valuable jobs and ensuring that our city centre is a place where people want to spend time and enjoy themselves.

“A key element of this vision is ensuring that the right spaces are in place for leisure operators and new businesses to locate and create new exciting hubs.

“With the right occupiers, we believe Eden Square would create a great space to enable the leisure surge the city is experiencing to continue to spread and create a new hub of leisure and office occupiers.”

© McCoy Wynne

Eden Square brings flexible space to the Dale Street area

Design agency Buffalo 7 has become the latest firm to take space at Bruntwood’s West Village in Manchester.

The company, which specialises in creating PowerPoint presentations, has taken 5,157 sq ft in The Treehouse.

The Treehouse, located at 127 Portland Street, is part of the West Village scheme which is spread across four buildings and is home to like-minded businesses from the media, PR, digital and creative industries.

Buffalo 7 has incorporated its own design identity into the suite, which has a treehouse as its centerpiece, investing over £100,000 in its fit-out.

Lyndon Nicholson, CEO of Buffalo 7, says: “The Treehouse offers the ideal workspace for us to focus on collaboration, which is key for us as a creative business.

“We also have room to grow and have hired six more team members since moving here.”

Bradley Topps, head of transactions and asset management at Bruntwood, adds: “We welcome Buffalo 7 to the West Village community and are confident that The Treehouse will provide them with the best environment to grow and develop their business.”

The Treehouse is located in 127 Portland Street

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News Training

New support for unemployed young people in Liverpool City Region

Tony Cahill from First Ark, which is supporting the initiative

A new initiative that aims to get more unemployed young people into work has been launched in Liverpool.

The City Social Partnership supports 16 to 29-year-olds who are currently not in education, employment or training.

The programme, which is being led by charity Tomorrow’s People, will involve public and private sector organisations working together to identify local employment needs and skills shortages across the city region.

Gilly Orr, head of social partnerships at Tomorrow’s People, says: “The City Social Partnership is an exciting new chapter for us.

“This partnership model allows us to develop a sustainable programme that benefits young people, businesses and the entire community.”

The initiative is being supported by First Ark, a social business based in the city region.

Tony Cahill, executive director at First Ark, adds: “Employment is not just about earning money to pay for life’s essentials, it gives people dignity and purpose.

“That’s why it’s so important to engage young people who, for whatever reason, haven’t been able to develop the skills needed to enter the jobs market.”

Apprentice gets first step on career ladder at £18m Morgan Sindall scheme Morgan Sindall has given a 16-year-old groundwork apprentice his first taste of working on a major construction site.

Daniel Preston is the first apprentice to start work on the firm’s £18 million expansion of The Co-operative Academy of Manchester in Blackley.

Based on-site at the project, Preston is training five days a week with Morgan Sindall’s supply chain partner, Will Nixon Groundworks as part of a Level 2 Apprenticeship in General Construction Operations.

The Co-operative Academy expansion comprises of a new Expressive Arts Centre, additional teaching space and improved sports facilities.

During its construction, the project is aiming to reach a target of providing more than 230 weeks’ worth of apprenticeships with an emphasis on benefiting local young people.

Barry Roberts, Morgan Sindall’s North West area director, says: "Morgan Sindall has a strong track record of supporting new talent within local communities, through both our own apprentice programmes and our supply chain partners.

“We are committed to providing young people like Daniel with the opportunity to take their first step onto the career ladder in the construction industry.”

Daniel Preston with Morgan Sindall’s Ian Park and Ray Johnson

Trending stories on MoveCommercial.com • ‘City council & EFC need to address Goodison concerns’

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• Wirral Council reveals acquisition plans to boost Wirral Growth Company

• First look at how Liverpool’s Monarch’s Quay office development could look

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Development News

Liverpool architect takes on 20,000 sq ft industrial development

A CGI image of the new campus

Pochin’s celebrates topping out at Radius HQ Pochin’s is nearing completion of Radius Payment Solutions’ new 66,000 sq ft global headquarters in Crewe.

The North West construction and property firm has held a topping out ceremony at the Crewe Business Park development which it’s expecting to finish in spring 2018.

The four-storey building, which is to include a gym, communal meeting areas and café, will improve capacity from Radius’ existing site to up to 500 employees.

Bill Holmes, CEO of Radius Payment Solutions, says: “I know that our staff are watching the campus take shape with real

Ed the Campervan at Albert Dock

anticipation – ultimately, this is for them and we look forward to welcoming everyone here next year.”

Bob Nicholson, director at Pochin’s Ltd, adds: “We are excited to be entering the final stages of a project that will no doubt contribute to the continued growth of Crewe and the wider Cheshire economy.

“We’re working hand in hand with Radius to bring to life a high quality working environment reflective of the success of the business, and one that can act as a shining example of the huge potential of Crewe for high-growth businesses in the North West.”

Brock Carmichael has been appointed to design a new 20,000 sq ft industrial development in Speke.

The high bay, bulk distribution warehouse with associated offices is being lined up for Venture Point.

John Cassell, partner at the Liverpool-based architect practice, says: “This is an exciting commission which reflects the recent upsurge in commercial development in the Liverpool City Region and the attractiveness of Venture Point as a business location.”

Ian Jones, who joined Brock Carmichael in 2014 and has recently been promoted to associate at the firm, is leading on the new commission. He has also been working on a portfolio of current and completed projects for education sector clients including the City of Liverpool College and Ruthin School.

Jones was promoted to associate alongside colleague Phil Malthouse, who joined the practice in 2016 and is leading on prominent residentialled developments including the £50 million Hive City Dock PRS scheme for Your Housing Group.

Meanwhile Ben Kent and Jamie McShane have recently qualified as architects at the practice.

Brock Carmichael partner John Cassell

Project finds Liverpool residents want chance to influence developments A three-month project aimed at discovering how Liverpool residents feel about their ability to shape the design of their city has published its findings.

In June 2017 Liverpool-based social enterprise PLACED, with its campervan called Ed, launched the Better Places Together campaign to highlight the importance and value of engaging local people in the design of the built environment.

A series of public events took place across Liverpool with issues on the agenda from the design of spaces to the value of Liverpool’s World Heritage Site status.

More than 1,000 people, from young children to older residents, participated in the creative, interactive events designed to enable them to share their views and ideas.

The study noted a significant gap between how important people feel it is to be able to

influence the built environment, and their current potential to do so.

Jo Harrop, director of PLACED, says: “The people of Liverpool are passionate about the city and want to contribute to its future.

“However, many do not believe there is opportunity to influence decisions about developments, and believe that decisions are being made without the involvement of local people.”

Looking to the future Harrop adds: “The campaign highlights that there is significant potential to develop better, more open channels for engagement and real opportunities for people to work together with decision makers to help shape places.

“We now want to work together with the public and decision makers to develop more effective ways for us to create better places together.”

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News Commercial

Highest value of short-term loans written in Together’s 43-year history

Kirsty Rogers, regional development manager at Together

Cheadle-based specialist lender Together has provided a record £677.5 million worth of shortterm loans in the past financial year.

According to the latest figures from the group, which has a 43-year history, the value of bridging loans to 30 June this year saw a 14% hike compared to in 2016.

The increase is said to underline the growing popularity of short-term finance, which is used for the likes of growing property investors’ portfolios, major regeneration projects, or limited companies

Opus 4 celebrates top Tameside business award Greater Manchester-based office design specialist Opus 4 has been hailed the best medium business at a top awards ceremony.

The firm picked up the prize at the glittering Pride of Tameside Business Awards 2017, which took place at the borough’s Dukinfield Town Hall.

Judges recognised the company’s continued growth, workplace culture and commitment to apprenticeships.

Commenting on the achievement Daniel Blackburn, managing director of Opus 4, says: “We have had phenomenal growth over the last three years, underpinned by a lot of hard work and great customer-focused service from the whole team.

“It’s great to get recognition for our efforts and to meet other Tameside businesses who are helping to put the area back on the map.”

Opus 4’s work in helping businesses integrate their work culture into the office environment to help them attract and retain talent is said to have enhanced the firm’s growth and success during a changing time for the workplace.

The firm was among a number of Tameside businesses to receive prizes across a wide range of categories during the annual event.

The Opus 4 team were presented with the accolade

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

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looking to release equity to expand their business operations.

Together works with developers and SMEs in the North West and across the UK to assist with access to funding.

Highlighting that short-term loans can provide fast assistance in cases “requiring quick completion and when mainstream lenders may not be able to help”, Kirsty Rogers, regional development manager at the company says: “Speed and service are the key factors when it comes to bridging loans.”

Liverpool law firm and experts praised in ‘The Legal 500’

Sean Sexton and Emma Carey are among the firm’s solicitors who have been recognised

Liverpool-based law firm MSB Solicitors has been listed in Britain’s ‘The Legal 500’ guide to the profession.

The annual publication, which highlights the work of outstanding lawyers and firms, has praised the company along with six of its solicitors.

MSB’s work in crime and fraud is among the areas to have been singled out, with its representation of clients who are subject to major criminal investigations by HMRC being highlighted.

According to The Legal 500: “The practice is particularly known for its skill in representing individuals who are subject to major criminal investigations

by HMRC; key matters included representing a professional in a case involving alleged breaches of Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes regulations through the selling of high-risk investment schemes to high-networth individuals.”

Founding partner and head of crime at MSB, Sean Sexton made the list with praise for his “extensive knowledge of and experience in serious and complex financial crime”.

Meanwhile Emma Carey, who will succeed Paul Bibby as managing partner of the firm when he retires next year, was named in the “leading lawyers” list by the guide.

Congratulating the firm’s success, she says: “Being recognised in The Legal 500 is an incredible achievement for a fantastically talented team.”

MSB’s recognition in The Legal 500, which also praised the firm’s family law department, continues a year of success. In June the company reported its strongest financial results to date, topping £5 million for the first time.

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TO LET HIGH QUALITY WAREHOUSE INCORPORATING OFFICES Unit 9, Stadium Court, Plantation Road, CH62 3QG

• 2,593.9 Sq M (27,921 Sq Ft) on 1.65 acres approx

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VIEWINGS All arrangements to view the premises are strictly by prior arrangement with the Liverpool office of Mason Owen.

Contact LOUIS HOLT

Contact MARK COULTHURST

Tel Mob Email

Tel Mob Email

0151 242 3145 07887 530 274 louis.holt@masonowen.com

0151 242 3123 07767 685 598 mark.coulthurst@masonowen.com

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Bitesize thinking

Rob Yates director and head of North West office agency, Cushman & Wakefield

In my crystal ball...

I can see occupiers continuing to demand a nontraditional offering and more lease flexibility. The growth of the flexible sector of the office market is staggering.

This has been evidenced by co-working firm WeWork announcing it will be opening its second Manchester location, a 40,000 sq ft space in One St Peter’s Square, just months after confirming it was taking 60,000 sq ft in No1 Spinningfields. A third Manchester location is also being sought, again of around 40,000 sq ft.

The Spinningfields venue is set to be WeWork’s first outside of London and is still being fitted out ahead of opening in November. Desks in WeWork space are priced at a monthly rate and are expected to be taken not just by tech entrepreneurs but also by professional advisors looking to be close to them as they start building their businesses.

WeWork’s two acquisitions account for 10.6% of 2017 city centre take-up - an ominous sign for traditional landlords seeking to secure occupiers on traditional leases.

If only I’d known…

If I’d known the massive evolution in office specifications in the last 10 years was coming I could have got my forward thinking landlord/developer clients to embrace changes ahead of the curve.

Occupiers see their office property not just as a necessary cost but a tool to help grow the top line of their business. As a result, they want more from what used to be considered purely a commodity to be judged primarily by price. Companies want to easily access talent to innovate, collaborate and drive revenue.

In Manchester developers and landlords have adjusted their product for an increasingly diverse range of occupiers and, where possible, have started with a

My favourite building with...

Nick Serridge managing director, NS Architects Photo: Flickr.com / User: Reading Tom

Tate & Lyle Sugar Silo On 5 November 1957 the first grain of sugar was dropped from the overhead conveyer down the central apex of the giant arch forming a central pile at Liverpool’s Tate & Lyle Sugar Silo.

The importance of this is that the Huskisson Dock building’s formation, in my opinion, is a utilitarian derivative of the way the sugar piles high in the centre and falls away low at the sides.

The giant monolithical arches personify the functional formation that create this cathedral-like structure. The end gable windows give a stunning back light similar to the stain glass window at the rear of the church alter.

Like with the Sydney Opera House, brutalism can be beautiful however it is a huge shame that this building on the Buildings at Risk Register.

Recent music events have been a popular way of reusing the huge open plan space and could help save this iconic building.

Hopefully this Grade II-listed building will factor into Peel’s regeneration of the northern docklands and the Liverpool 2 port expansion, bringing this transatlantic 20th Century icon back to life.

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blank sheet of paper when designing the next generation of office buildings.

New conventional offices may provide you with a choice of up to 10 different types of spaces to work in – from a fully kitted-out desk or stand-up bench, to a telephone booth for long calls, an office for confidentiality, meeting pods, meeting rooms and so on.

Most developers are now considering at the design stage how they can differentiate their scheme.

Forward thinking developers are considering the wide range of potential end users and trying to devise accommodation which can respond positively.

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Bitesize thinking

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Nicolas Sablier workspace solutions consultant, Opus 4 and Diamond Interiors.

Curriculum VITAE Education: I graduated from ESSEC Business School in Paris and went to Singapore Management University for an exchange. I prefer to talk of the 13 years I spent running my own fit out companies in Paris where I learned a lot.

First job: Waiter in an Italian restaurant near Paris. It taught me to look after my clients.

Shortest job: During business school I did a two-year apprenticeship in Thales Group - a French aerospace and defence multi-national company.

I learnt how important it was to be a team player.

What’s the secret to your success?

When it’s possible, say yes to your client. When it’s impossible, find a solution.

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

Be customer-focused. Work hard and work a lot for your clients. Think and be innovative, empathetic and reliable.

Most importantly though, always do what you say. Happy clients are the cornerstone of your success.

What’s the best advice you’ve received?

When I was 32 I was fortunate enough to be president of an important branch of the French Builder’s Federation and I met lots of interesting people.

I remember speaking with Manuel Valls, the French Prime Minister, who taught me not to take anything for granted and that life is an incredible journey with challenges and opportunities every day. These words have remained with me.

What makes Opus 4 and Diamond Interiors different?

Diamond Interiors creates workspaces geared towards a guaranteed return on investment.

That’s both an investment in people through attracting and retaining staff, and the financial investment of the project itself through maximising efficiency per sq ft, and empowering a workforce to become more productive.

We also directly employ our own key installation teams, giving us more quality control on our projects, and we have an award winning in-house design team with a reputation for innovative, creative solutions.

Tell us about Opus 4’s plans for the next six months: Our new financial year has just begun and we’re fortunate to have nearly 50% of our annual target already booked.

Our plan is to have controlled, measured and sustainable growth this year. We also plan to refurbish our offices and showroom to introduce clients to the latest workspace trends and technology.

Photo: Artist's impression of the EventCity stop / www.messengernewspapers.co.uk

Trafford Park Line JUL-SEP

2014

NOV

TfGM releases the results of the consultation, which collected more than 1,500 responses.

The findings reveal 89% of respondents are in favour of the project. Just 5% of respondents are not in favour.

As part of Greater Manchester's devolution agreement TfGM secures £350m for the development of the line. Following the consultation results it applies for power under the Transport and Works Act 1992 to build and operate the line.

OCT

TfGM is granted power to build the line by the Secretary of State for Transport.

JAN

Initial enabling works begin on the project with full construction expected to start later in the year.

Meanwhile TfGM and Greater Manchester Combined Authority announce a consortium led by Keolis Amey which will replace the current contractor RATP Dev and construction partner MPT. Alistair Gordon, chief executive of Keolis UK, said: “We welcome this opportunity to bring our expertise to bear on the Greater Manchester Metrolink network and provide an excellent public transport service to the city and surrounding areas.”

FEB

The Second City Crossing linking a new tram stop at St Peter’s Square to Exchange Square and Victoria opens. The crossing is being billed as the final piece of Metrolink’s £1.5bn ‘big bang’ expansion programme, which has seen extensions to MediaCityUK, East Didsbury, Rochdale via Oldham, Ashton and Manchester Airport.

JUL

Work begins at Crumpsall in preparation for the new Trafford Park line. The work will allow customers to switch between Bury and future Trafford Park line services.

MID’

The first phase of works are due to be completed, and then a final phase of work will take place before the new Trafford Park line opens in 2020.

2014

2016

2017

Tweet all about it The 5 best commercial tweets

1 2 3 4 5

@merseygateway First traffic over our new Mersey Gateway Bridge. Huge thanks to the various teams on construction phase who have worked long & hard to get to this point.

2017

@lpoolcouncil Great attendance for @channel4 debate this morning @LJMU #C4Liverpool @Bruntwood_UK #WorldMentalHealthDay focuses on mental health at work. Do you know how office environment can impact mental health? @WirralWellMade Equipping the #Wirral workforce for the skills needed today and tomorrow is a strategic priority. Strong partnerships help #MipimUK @RCPLondon ‘We are thrilled to welcome #RCPNorth to Liverpool – the power of partnership will make this a reality’ Prof. Janet Beer, VC Uni of Liverpool

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) begins a public consultation into whether a new six-stop Metrolink line should be built linking the Pomona tram stop to the Trafford Centre.

The proposed stops are Wharfside, Imperial War Museum, Village, Parkway, EventCity and Trafford Centre.

2017

2018

p01-16_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:01 Page 16

Appointments

Dyson joins CBRE Property advisor Bob Dyson has joined the Bob Dyson Manchester office of CBRE as a consultant.

Formerly chairman of JLL North West and industry development advisor, Dyson has worked on high profile schemes including Spinningfields, NOMA and Manchester Airport City, as well office projects like Great Bridgewater, 81 Fountain Street, Direct Line House, The Observatory and Belvedere.

CBRE’s North West managing director and executive director of office agency, John Ogden, says: “To be welcoming such a respected and prolific Manchester property expert to the CBRE Manchester office is incredibly exciting for the business and also our valued clients. Bob is truly a force to be reckoned with in the property arena and the role he has played in unlocking some of the city’s most significant regeneration schemes is widely acknowledged.”

Scanlans bolsters Manchester team

Philip Manson with two new appointments

Property management and surveying firm Scanlans has promoted Philip Manson to partner and head of valuation at its Manchester office.

Property manager Anthony Kingdom and senior building surveyor Mike Dutson have also strengthened the firm’s team in the city.

Scanlans’ chairman, Ian Stanistreet, says: “Philip has been an important part of our team for 14 years and we are delighted to see him become a partner.

“Mike will be working on a wide range of building surveying projects, including many in our ever-increasing property management portfolio. Anthony will be taking on a prestigious portfolio of properties throughout the North West and we are confident that his knowledge and experience will prove to be a great asset to Scanlans and our clients.”

16 MOVE COMMERCIAL

TEM welcomes five new additions

TEM Property boosts team Consultancy TEM Property has bolstered its team with five new appointments.

Rosie Littler joins the Knutsford headquartered firm as head of sales and marketing for TEM Events.

Associate planner Rachel Wilbraham will deliver planning strategy and advice for commercial, residential and agricultural clients.

Ronnie White has been appointed as HR manager, Charlie Greenstein is head of locations and Daniel Lee joins as graduate finance assistant after completing a business management with HR degree at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Henry Brooks, managing director of TEM Property Group, says: “As TEM Property’s workload and pipeline continue to grow, we are investing in new hires to help support our clients with new projects and to deliver their ambitions and potential.”

Jo Morfee joins DfE Digital panel Liverpool Girl Geeks’ director, Jo Morfee has Jo Morfee been appointed to the Department for Education’s (DfE) new Digital T Level Panel.

The panel is part of a package of reforms to ensure young people and adults benefit from a high quality technical education system that meets the expectations of modern employers.

Morfee will join fellow industry professionals to help shape a new system of technical education in England.

She says: “There is a digital skills gap here in the UK with many roles remaining unfilled each year as a consequence. The panel presents an opportunity to address that gap through strategic educational reforms.”

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:02 Page 17

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 16:39 Page 18

TO LET

HYBRID / OFFICE UNIT

Liverpool city centre 5 mins - 15 Gibraltar Row, L3 7HJ • 6,800 Sq Ft (632 Sq M) • 2 storey offices with ground floor storage space • 11 car spaces • Walking distance to city centre • Flexible/competitive terms/rent • Separate car parking areas

VIEWINGS

All arrangements to view the premises are strictly by prior arrangement with Mason Owen or via our joint agents Prescott & Partners - 0151 236 9983.

Contact LOUIS HOLT

Contact MARK COULTHURST

Tel

0151 242 3145

Tel

0151 242 3123

Mob

07887 530 274

Mob

07767 685 598

Email

louis.holt@masonowen.com

Email

mark.coulthurst@masonowen.com

NAUTILUS HOUSE

COLUMBUS

FOR SALE Freehold Office Headquarters

RIVERSIDE DRIVE LIVERPOOL L3 4DB

All enquiries:

10,281 sq ft (955.1 sq m) 40 On-site Car Spaces Brian Ricketts BrianRicketts@hwandp.co.uk

W W W.CO LU M B U S Q UAY L I V E R P O O L .CO.U K

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:02 Page 19

Colin Sinclair My Month chief executive, Knowledge Quarter Liverpool With a multi-billion pound raft of developments lined up for Knowledge Quarter Liverpool (KQ Liverpool), it’s no wonder the past month has been busy for the team driving the area forward. From a MIPIM UK appearance and a key branding event to progressing the overall vision, Colin Sinclair tells us about his latest projects and plans.

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

The KQ Liverpool team and its partners use the power of partnership and disruptive collaboration to push forward. We don’t stand still and we definitely don’t accept the norm.

At the start of October our mission was to take big strides and move our vision forward by launching the KQ Liverpool Spatial Masterplan and Transport Vision during MIPIM UK in London.

We knew we were taking a risk in being so visionary, so inventive, and that we would inevitably face flak from the cynics and sceptics out there, but as far as KQ Liverpool is concerned we knew we had the full backing of our board and that our track record on delivery was second to none.

My biggest achievement was...

My biggest challenge was...

Staging the new Liverpool Brand Anatomy event at the Everyman.

It must be three or four years since Sean Beech from Deloitte, Ian Pollitt from Peel and myself (then with Bruntwood) hatched a plan to get Liverpool back to MIPIM – the annual global property conference and exhibition.

Since then Liverpool’s delegation has grown massively and the idea that a private sector-led initiative, facilitated and supported by Marketing Liverpool, could reposition the city as a place of opportunity was born.

Our move to investigate the Liverpool brand was a natural next step and working with Chris Brown of Marketing Liverpool, we enlisted the help of Michael Parkinson from the Heseltine Institute, Unilever’s Jon Hague who is also the LEP Innovation Board chair, and Ian Pollitt. We got the support of Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and set out on a mission to take a fresh look at Liverpool and find a new compelling narrative that we can all use when we talk about our great city.

I’m still doing it. We’re working on something called Project LISA (Liverpool Innovation and Science Assets), which will join together all of the science and innovation assets in KQ Liverpool to create a model that could extend across the city region.

It could attract massive private sector investment alongside our partners – the universities, hospitals and council – and win more research funding, commercialise research, foster more spin outs and start-ups, provide world-class business support to growing SME’s, attract global science and tech companies and create a science/tech infrastructure to compete with anywhere in the world.

THE NEWS STORY THAT CAUGHT MY EYE DoES taking space at The Tapestry in the Fabric District.

It seems a long time ago that Mark Lawlor from Baltic Creative introduced us to young Islington property owner Jason Abbott, yet it must be less than a year. Working with the legendary workspace designer Atul Bansal who we introduced to Jason, they have started to transform this once rundown textile district into Liverpool’s coolest new urban community.

Now becoming a CIC (Community Interest Company) like the nearby Hope Street, and with huge support from a number of Liverpool’s councillors, the Fabric District is coming to life in a way no one could have imagined a year ago.

The key meeting I had...

At the start of the month we took a group of stakeholders for Paddington Village to London to meet with Produce - a place marketing organisation that works with Argent and London Knowledge Quarter in Kings Cross St Pancras.

As many people will know, that area of London was pretty run down but now it’s attracting huge names like Google. We need to take that spirit and inject it into Paddington Village and the new KQ Gateway site, which is perfectly located to adopt a similar model.

My plan for next month...

Every day offers a new and interesting challenge for us all, so it’s hard to predict what November will hold.

We’ll certainly be continuing with our mission to attract an innovative transport pilot to Liverpool and have already had an approach off the back of the launch. We’ll also be working closely with our board members to further develop Project LISA and working with the city to progress the KQ Gateway Spatial Regeneration Framework, which is set to transform that part of the city centre.

Add working with the NWBLT (North West Business Leadership Team) on the wider North West science offer and our role on the Northern Powerhouse and LEP Innovation and Health & Life Sciences Boards, helping with plans for a national Alcohol Research Centre and developing ideas with the universities to help grow Liverpool’s creative and digital cluster.

Of course, there’s still plenty to work on with the city at Paddington Village too, with RCP (Royal College of Physicians) North and the proposed hotel, so you can guarantee another action-packed month.

MOVE COMMERCIAL 19

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:02 Page 20

Christine Toner

It’s one of the most famous buildings in Manchester and has played a big part in the city’s history. Now, as the Grade I-listed Manchester Town Hall undergoes a massive refurbishment, Move Commercial takes a look back at its illustrious history.

Making history In the centre of Manchester, situated in the famous Albert Square, sits one of the city’s most recognised structures the town hall. A Victorian building that has played host to countless events and meetings in its 140-year history, the hall is a key feature of Manchester’s architectural landscape. But within a few months it will close its doors for six years as work begins to bring the building into the 21st Century.

Architect Purcell has been appointed for the refurbishment which, it says, will bring the 1860s building up to ’modern access and safety standards’ and will include the restoration of the Great Hall and its Ford Madox Brown murals.

External repairs include work on the roof, stonework and drains.

“Our aim is to bring the town hall back to the cultural heart of Manchester city as a flagship destination,” says Mark Goldspink, chief executive officer at Purcell. “We are looking forward to working closely with Manchester City Council and our project partners.”

Councillor Bernard Priest, deputy leader of Manchester City Council, says while it will be sad to see the town hall building closed for a number of years, it would be “infinitely worse” if it was allowed to slide into disrepair and decay.

“We simply can’t and won’t allow that to happen which is why we are taking action now to safeguard this gem for current and future generations of Mancunians,” he adds. “We are determined that both the town hall and Albert Square will continue to play a role at the heart of city life and as internationally important symbols of Mancunian pride.”

20 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Did you know?

- Manchester Town Hall’s three spiral staircases are built in granite sourced from different parts of the UK. One was built with English granite, one with Irish granite and one with Scottish granite.

- The Clock Tower is 280 feet (87 metres) high. The inscription on the three clock faces, visible from Albert Square, reads: "Teach us to number our days".

- The Great Hour Bell in the Clock Tower, which weighs more than eight tonnes, is known as ‘Great Abel’, in honour of mayor Abel Heywood.

- The town hall bells were cast by John Taylor & Co, a renowned firm responsible for most of the UK's heaviest bells, including the one hung at St Paul's Cathedral. Experts consider the town hall's bells to be among the very best sets of English-hung bells in the world.

- The landing outside the Great Hall is known as the Bees, after its mosaic floor decorated with bees - symbols of Manchester’s industrious spirit. The mosaic was laid by Venetian craftsmen.

Manchester Town Hall will close for a six-year refurb

The construction of Manchester Town Hall took place from 1868 to 1877 after the existing town hall, a Grecian-style building on King Street, was deemed too small for the needs of a rapidly expanding Manchester. The council was forced to rent extra office space - a situation which became worse when space had to be found for the Cotton Famine Relief Fund, set up to tackle the suffering caused by the American Civil War, in 1862.

Over 120 architects entered a competition to design the new building, with most entries featuring Gothic or Italianate styles. However, it was architect Alfred Waterhouse who won the competition after his friend, the author Elizabeth Gaskell allegedly asked art critic John Ruskin to recommend Waterhouse to the council.

The project is estimated to have cost as much as £1,000,000 - a huge amount at the time.

The money, it seems, was well spent as the building has received plenty of praise over the years.

Dan Cruickshank, art historian at the Daily Mail, called the design “arguably the greatest Gothic Revival public building anywhere in the world,” adding “Manchester Town Hall is a building that encapsulates the wealth and aspirations of a mighty city in its prime and is a wonder to behold.”

Architectural historian Dr Jonathan Foyle described it as “truly majestic design… to take the imagination beyond the realms of practicality and into the sublime,” adding: “Waterhouse delivered for Manchester a truly magnificent municipal Gothic palace”.

Meanwhile Kathryn Hughes of The Guardian claimed “Manchester needed

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:02 Page 21

Manchester Town Hall Founding Building

“

We are determined that both the town hall and Albert Square will continue to play a role at the heart of city life and as internationally important symbols of Mancunian pride.

“ The 280 ft Clock Tower

an administrative centre that reflected its sense that it was a centre of massive economic prosperity, but also radicalism”. She went on to say: “I love Manchester Town Hall because it’s a building which absolutely understands its place in history… not at the beginning of a story, or at the end, but right in the middle”.

Both the courtyard and interior rooms are regularly used in the making of TV shows and films, including ‘Sherlock Holmes’, ‘The Iron Lady’, ‘Victor Frankenstein’ and ‘The Limehouse Golem’ while famous visitors to the hall have included Queen Elizabeth II, Winston Churchill and President Xi Jinping of China. Notably Queen Victoria did not attend the opening of the hall,

despite the council at the time naming the square on which it stood after her husband.

“When our Victorian predecessors commissioned this building they wanted something special, an announcement of Manchester’s arrival on the world stage, and they got it,” says Cllr Priest. “Our town hall endures as a symbol of Manchester’s confidence and ambition.

It is in that spirit that we have determined that the building cannot be allowed to slide into decay and disuse but we must protect it, improve public access and bring it up to modern safety and energy efficiency standards. That is a huge undertaking but I can think of a no more fitting way to mark the building’s 140th anniversary.”

Memories are made of this Manchester City Council has issued a call for people’s memories of Manchester Town Hall to mark the 140th anniversary of its official opening.

“Whether it is getting married in the town hall, a chance encounter with a VIP, attending a memorable event in the building or square, you or a relative once worked there or another anecdote, you could be part of that story,” says the local authority.

The council is inviting anyone with stories or photos to share to contact them via its Facebook or Twitter (@ManCityCouncil) accounts or by email to ourtownhall@manchester.gov.uk.

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:51 Page 22

The Ultimate present for any football fan from just ÂŁ99! www.circuithospitality.com | 01454 201 210

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22 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:03 Page 23

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:03 Page 24

The NWPAs 2018

A spectacular celebration A year of North West property industry success was recently celebrated as the spectacular annual NWPAs returned.

The glittering black tie event, sponsored by Countryside, rolled into Lutyens Crypt at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral with a fabulous circus theme, and brought a host of firsts for 2017.

There were brand new awards, new sponsors and, of course, a new group of worthy nominees and winners from across the commercial and residential property sectors.

Long established Liverpool-based architect practice Brock Carmichael was among the firms backing the event for the first time this year, as it sponsored the prestigious Regeneration Award on the night.

“The practice has been involved in regeneration since our inception in 1974 so we’re very proud to be here tonight championing it,” said managing partner Chris Bolland during the event, which took place for the 14th year running.

“The award is showcasing some fantastic regeneration projects and I

think the future’s strong for that.”

Along with the presentation of 13 top accolades on the night, glamorous NWPAs attendees enjoyed a drinks reception sponsored by Furnish That Room before sitting down to a lavish three-course meal. There was also entertainment in the form of live dance, music and magic, and guests went head to head in a quiz using interactive keypads.

The tech gadgets also paved the way for the presentation of the inaugural Interactive Award, which saw guests choose the best dressed table.

Luxor Estates took the prize on the evening.

Plus there was tough competition throughout the other categories this year, which brought a big night for double prize-winning developer Urban Splash.

The firm was awarded the Best Commercial Scheme title for its Stubbs Mill project in Manchester, before winning the Best New Home (large scheme) award for its modular housebuilding concept, ‘House’.

The NWPAs 2017 esteemed panel of expert judges included: - Alastair Shepherd, director of Falconer Chester Hall (FCH) - Lesley Martin-Wright, CEO of Knowsley Chamber - Elaine Cunningham, owner of Elaine Cunningham Design Studio.

Preparations are already underway for next year’s NWPAs and it’s never too early to get involved.

As the prestigious event returns on 11 October 2018 for its 15th year, once again shining the spotlight on the North West’s property achievements, two brand new awards will be presented.

The Innovation Award will be open to all property-related businesses as it recognises those which are working to keep up with the fast-paced changes in the sector and stay relevant to their client base.

The Community Award will also be open to entrants from right across the region’s property sector as it celebrates the businesses which are getting involved in the communities they work within and giving something back.

For full details of next year’s categories, which will acknowledge a year of success amongst top North West commercial and residential property firms and projects, log on to www.nwpas.com.

Tickets for the event and sponsorship opportunities are also now available.

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:03 Page 25

The North West Property Awards 2017 Event Special The Winners BEST COMMERCIAL SCHEME

JUDGES’ SPECIAL AWARD

Sponsored by Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors

Sponsored by The Sovini Group

Regeneration was a key theme in this category’s 2017 shortlist, with redundant buildings being given new life to create “thriving communities and workspaces”.

This was certainly the case of the winner on the night, which was Urban Splash’s Stubbs Mill project in Manchester.

On collecting the prize for the transformation of the former machine works into creative workspaces, Urban

In its 15th anniversary year, the charity Housing People Building Communities (HPBC) received a special award for its work in creating low-cost homes for Liverpool.

Its pioneering ‘sweat equity’ initiative has helped make properties more affordable by enabling ‘partners’ to spend 500 hours building their home in return for a £10,000 deposit contribution.

Shannon Ledbetter, founder and

Splash co-founder Jonathan Falkingham said: “Stubbs Mill is not the biggest scheme, it’s about 30,000 sq ft, but it's in a difficult area of Manchester and we had to work really hard.

“It was all about regeneration and getting people excited about moving back into the area so it’s great to be recognised with the award.”

Commercial Estates Group was named runner up for Exchange Station in Liverpool.

chair of HPBC, said: “It’s absolutely amazing that we’ve won this award.

It’s testimony to the thousands of people and supporters who have believed in us from the very beginning.

“We’re hoping to move on from here to bigger things with more people and having more exciting projects; helping people to find good, affordable houses which they can call home.”

BEST COMMERCIAL LET

REGENERATION AWARD

Sponsored by Redwing Living

Sponsored by Brock Carmichael

Commercial Estates Group (CEG) was crowned this year’s winner in a category which was open to a diverse range of lets across the North West for office, retail, industrial and hotel space.

The firm picked up the prize for attracting Liverpool John Moores University to take 58,000 sq ft of space at Exchange Station, in what was Liverpool city centre’s biggest

office deal since 2014.

Antonia Martin-Wright, head of investment north at CEG, said: “We’re delighted to win this award. We bought the building 18 months ago and since then we’ve let over 100,000 sq ft.

“It’s been a real team effort between Hitchcock Wright & Partners, GVA and CEG, and we’re really proud to be part of this thriving city.”

Residential projects dominated the shortlist for this year’s prestigious Regeneration Award, which was also open to commercial projects, and Countryside’s Highfield Green development in Kirkby took the title.

Tracey Ward, sales manager at Countryside which previously won the prize for its New Broughton

Village scheme, said: “We're delighted to have won the Regeneration Award again for the second year running – this time for Highfield Green. The scheme has been really successful.”

The transformation of Liverpool city centre’s Chancery House was named runner up.

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:03 Page 26

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1. Magician Matt Colman wowed guests with his incredible card tricks 2. Specialist company Table Art supplied the bespoke centrepieces 3. Mark Worthington (Worthington Owen), Tracy Thompson (Tracy Thompson Associates), Robin Ellis (Yin Yan), Andrew Owen (Worthington Owen) 4. MSB Solicitors celebrates a big win 5. Dancers from the Shelagh ElliottClarke Centre of Excellence entertained guests during the drinks reception 6. We have lift off... 7. What it’s all about 8. Elaine Cunningham and Helen Kaufman (Elaine Cunningham Design Studio) with Shannon Ledbetter (HPBC) 9. Host Neil Fitzmaurice 10. Vermont’s Mark Connor and guests with Alistair Shepard (FCH) 11. Kirwans Solicitors

26 MOVE COMMERCIAL

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:04 Page 27

The North West Property Awards 2017 Event Special

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1. Hallmark once again provided delicious food 2. Martina Collins, Countryside’s sales and marketing director 3. Guests at the Downing table with Catherine McCarthy (Move Publishing) 4. Leslie Priestley, Derek Dawson and Daniel Rawcliffe (Paul Crowley & Co Solicitors) 5. Roasted tomato soup served with crème fraiche 6. Dinner service was executed flawlessly 7. Lesley Martin-Wright (Knowsley Chamber) 8. The magnificent Concert Room 9. The Crypt Hall provided an atmospheric backdrop 10. A trio of talented musicians tempted guests to the dancefloor 11. Stephen Fieldsend (FCH), Sue & Paul Young (Chancery House LLP) and James Tartt (FCH)

MOVE COMMERCIAL 27

p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:04 Page 28

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28 MOVE COMMERCIAL

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p17-32_Move Commercial 20/11/2017 15:04 Page 30

Lawrence Saunders lawrence@movepublishing.co.uk

The emergence of app and online-based giants such as Uber and Airbnb may have revolutionised the process of hailing a taxi or booking a place to stay but they’ve also irrevocably altered their respective markets. As efforts to limit the impact of these types of firms begin to gather pace, Move Commercial examines whether it’s time our cities got to grips with disruptive businesses before their presence becomes damaging.

Managing Disruption Until Transport for London’s (TfL) unexpected decision not to renew Uber’s licence to operate in the capital, the rise of the controversial taxi app here in the UK had been swift and ostensibly irrepressible.

Whilst the judgment was welcomed by many hackney cab drivers, a petition from users urging TfL’s chairman Sadiq Khan to reverse the ruling garnered half a million signatures just 24 hours after going live.

Uber has since lodged an appeal but it remains to be seen whether TfL will renege on its verdict which branded the firm “not fit and proper” to do business in London.

Although TfL’s decision was somewhat of a shock, the surge in popularity of app and online-based platforms such as Uber, Airbnb and Deliveroo hasn't been without its controversy, with complaints from rival firms, employees, users and the locations they've impacted on abundant.

Whilst here in the North West there appears to be no immediate administrative threat to Uber - its licence to operate in Manchester and Liverpool runs until 2021 - a recent motion submitted by Liverpool City Council saw councillors call for increased regulation to combat 30 MOVE COMMERCIAL

homesharing businesses like digital giant, Airbnb.

The motion urged the Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson to appeal to the government for a cap on entire home listings to 90 nights per year in an attempt to reduce what they see as the “negative impact” of the online hospitality service in the city.

According to the councillors, negative impacts can include anti-social behaviour from “irresponsible guests”, whilst current regulation is not “smart enough, comprehensive enough” and was introduced “before technologies that allow homesharing existed”.

The 90-night rule has been in place in London since January 2017, but the news that Liverpool could follow the capital’s lead was met with disappointment from the city’s HostSo-Simple - a management firm for users of homesharing sites like Airbnb with the company’s co-owner Joe Davies saying the limit would be would be “detrimental to the city” and its tourism offer.

With the market disruption the likes of Airbnb and Uber have generated, and the subsequent consternation with what some see as heavy-handed attempts to curb their influence, is it time policymakers started taking a more pro-active and anticipatory

“

We have to be very careful now because globally there has been a push for more regulation of app-driven businesses but you cannot interfere too much with the free market.

“

approach with these firms when it comes to regulation?

“A little bit more regulation wouldn’t be a bad thing,” says Dr Ming Lim from the University of Liverpool Management School, who has been researching the gig economy and the impact of businesses like Uber, Deliveroo and Airbnb.

“But how little and what do I mean by a little bit? At the moment I think regulation is a little blunt but that’s the nature of regulation.

“Regulatory authorities have a different set of interests from consumers and obviously from the businesses themselves.

“We have to be very careful now because globally there has been a push for more regulation of app-driven businesses but you cannot interfere too much with the free market.”

Dr Lim believes the public needs to be better informed as to why companies like Uber and Airbnb are penalised or don't have their licenses renewed.

“I can think of very few industries where you can just kill a business like [Uber],” she adds.

“Although I don't disagree with the calls to keep an eye on these companies I think regulation is a blunt instrument.”

For others, the whole issue requires a

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Photo: iStock / User: phive2015

Photo: Wikimedia Commons / User: Mosieur J. / CC-BY-SA-2.0

Managing disruptive businesses Focus

Top right: Deliveroo drivers are becoming increasingly present in inner cities Bottom right: Many travellers have swapped hotels for homesharing apartments

more nuanced approach, broader thinking from existing businesses and not just a focus on the so-called disruptive companies.

“It’s very easy to get into ‘either-or’ thinking,” says Ian Finch, managing director of digital agency Mando Group, who spoke at the recent IoD (Institute of Directors) Liverpool ‘Tales from the frontline of digital disruption’ event.

“If we’re going to embrace the future and cope with disruption we need to get into ‘and’ thinking.

“Uber has a right to exist and deliver its service and we have to look after existing businesses and support them and the economy.

“I don't think you look after existing other businesses simply be destroying Uber.

“It’s incumbent on existing businesses to evolve their business models to be more agile, to look at different ways of billing and to look at allowing passengers to have more choice.”

With regards to the issue of Uber in the UK, Finch is of the opinion that the company simply focused too heavily on the customer side of the business before considering the more pertinent legal and technical factors of running such a vast organisation.

“Uber concentrated on the user

journey and the customer experience and worried about getting the rest done later. It’s still catching up on the laws now but you’ve got to respect the thinking.

“Conversely if you are going to take on the world, you’ve got to get your house in order. You can’t be disruptive and then not train people, not keep people safe, not obey the law.

“I think there’s right and wrong on all sides but the answer has to be what can we do to ensure quality legislation and how can we turn it around in a more rapid way?”

It’s clear that online businesses aren’t going away any time soon and, according to Dr Lim, we’re going to see more and more of them in the future so “local authorities had best get used to them”.

Finch takes a slightly more alternative view on what lies ahead in the coming years for disruptive firms.

“The reality of it is that until several years after Brexit is over, nobody is going to care about anything apart from that,” he says.

“Business may be able to abuse the system because there won’t be enough civil servants to look after everything.

“It's a really fascinating time to be living through and we could end up with a ‘Wild West’ type situation.”

Photo: iStock / User: vgajic

“ “

It’s very easy to get into ‘either-or’ thinking. If we’re going to embrace the future and cope with disruption we need to get into ‘and’ thinking.

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Natasha Young natasha@movepublishing.co.uk

After 2016 was shaken by the vote for Brexit, 2017 took an unexpected turn with a snap General Election and also saw the arrival of Greater Manchester and the Liverpool City Region’s first metro mayors. As we approach the end of the year, we ask experts from a range of key sectors: What lies ahead for the North West in 2018?

2018 Outlook

“ Infrastructure Darrell Matthews region director, Institution of Civil Enginners (ICE) in the North West 2018 will be a key year for infrastructure in the North, both in the sector and in political terms. There should be further devolution to give the metro mayors and combined authorities more power, and they should work with Transport for the North and other bodies to encourage investment, both public and private.

Government must have confidence to keep investing in crucial projects to connect all of the Northern Powerhouse, and rebalance decades of underspending on roads and rail by allowing innovative funding sources.

As detailed in ICE’s recent report, a northern infrastructure strategy is required to tie this all together to identify priorities - including crucial aspects such as energy, digital, transport and skills – so that there’s one voice to government on the requirements, to ensure we improve the lives of all of us that live and work in the North.

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The restaurant market appears to have peaked and we expect this to plateau in 2018.

However, there are a number of expanding fast food occupiers.

“

Retail Dan Oliver co-founder and director, Emanuel Oliver Generally the market for retail is still difficult although there has been a slight increase in retail enquiries this year. Going forward we expect this slow improvement to continue, although this could change quickly dependent on Brexit announcements but perhaps more importantly, an increase in interest rates which could affect demand from start-up retailers.

Business rates continue to be a problem although rates payable have generally fallen across the North, particularly in nonmetropolitan areas where this has been by up to 40% down in some towns.

Unfortunately, due to the transitional phasing arrangements in place, the full reduction in rates payable won’t be received by occupiers for another four years but this has helped to increase demand for vacant space in a small way and will continue to do so into 2018. In Wales, where there’s no transitional phasing, the reductions in rates payable for occupiers was immediate and this has helped with occupiers’ ability to afford to open shops.

The restaurant market appears to have peaked and we expect this to plateau into 2018. However, there are a number of expanding fast food/grab and go occupiers including Krispy Kreme, Warrens Bakery and Taco Bell looking to take additional shops.

On the whole, interest is improving from smaller retailers but the larger chains continue to focus on the top 100 centres. This is a structural shift that’s likely to be permanent.

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2018 Outlook Focus

Technology Kirsty Styles talent and skills lead, Tech North

Office James Devany director of office agency, JLL North West

Regeneration Mike Horner regional director, Muse Developments

I'm really excited about the Co-op's new Federation House building in Manchester. One of the city's oldest brands is today bringing together the brightest and best from across the North West to build a community powered by digital, built on cooperative values.

That means any companies joining the space have to sign up to a pledge saying they operate fairly - an idea that I believe could give the North West an edge over other global tech clusters if it were adopted widely.

I also finally feel like 'skills' and 'diversity' are making it towards the top of the agenda, not least because of a £2 million funding boost from the Greater Manchester mayor.

We're seeing companies like coding bootcamp North Coders, diversity focused Liverpool Girl Geeks and refugee trainer Code Your Future going from strength to strength.

They're all trying to ensure the North West becomes the world's most inclusive tech workforce and are all now residing in Federation House too.

The short supply of quality Grade A office space will be the biggest challenge next year. In Manchester, for example, the record-breaking level of take-up we first saw in 2015, which has since been maintained, could be effected due to the lack of new build schemes set to be delivered in 2018.

Demand is showing no sign of dropping. There’s a growing interest in good quality city centre space in Manchester, particularly from tech companies which are moving from out-of-town locations to help attract and retain top talent. Likewise, demand will continue to be buoyed by the continuing trend of London-based occupiers ‘north shoring’ and moving certain operations into the North West.

The delivery of good quality refurbished city centre stock, like at 11 Portland Street and NOMA’s Hanover, will be crucial in capturing demand while we wait for schemes like the 116,000 sq ft One Two Five Deansgate to be delivered in 2019.

2018 will see more major transport projects to improve connectivity and ease congestion, e.g. Metrolink, smart motorways, rail electrification and the linking of Manchester Victoria and Piccadilly via Ordsall Chord.

Regeneration will be focussed around key transport interchanges for accessibility and links between businesses and skilled labour pools.

There’ll continue to be a strategic focus on housing and tackling the homes shortage with emphasis on affordable homes, but also private market sale and PRS where there remains untapped demand in regional towns and cities.

Allocation of the government’s Housing Infrastructure Fund will unlock key residential opportunities for early development.

Major town centre schemes are being brought forward in Warrington, Preston, Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Stockport.

Regeneration will be driven by strong public/private partnerships and local authorities will help drive projects by becoming investors or occupiers in their own town centres.

Sustainability will become even more important as schemes are increasingly designed for people not cars, and the congestion charging debate will begin to re-emerge.

SMEs Phil McCabe development manager, Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) in Merseyside, West Cheshire and Wigan Many things will impact on Nort West SMEs in 2018 but three stand out: devolution, Brexit and the International Business Festival.

Steve Rotheram and Andy Burnham, the metro mayors for the Liverpool City Region and Greater Manchester respectively, are passionate about spearheading the Northern Powerhouse and this region’s prosperity.

They’re also firm allies and, probably for the first time, we have a genuine commitment for collaboration between our two great cities.

There’s been a frustrating lack of progress in the Brexit negotiations. FSB will continue to lobby for the rights of EU citizens working in the UK which are so important to our small firms, for a real transition period allowing businesses to adjust and much more. We’re at a crucial stage - the government must get it right.

The UK must also take advantage of emerging opportunities globally. The International Business Festival will return to Liverpool in summer 2018.

It’ll be the biggest showcase of UK business to international investors in the world and there’ll be many opportunities for small firms to begin or develop their journey into international trade.

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Lawrence Saunders lawrence@movepublishing.co.uk

For over 150 years Liverpool-based Try & Lilly has been producing bespoke hats and caps for everyone from the Metropolitan Police and the Royal Navy to Northern Irish marching bands. Move Commercial sat down with projects assistant Suzanne Jennions to find out how this family-run millinery has managed to stay on top in an industry increasingly occupied by low-cost overseas manufacturers.

Made in Liverpool Founded in 1864, Try & Lilly on Hanover Street quickly became known as a quality supplier of seamans’ caps for the steamship lines crisscrossing the globe during a period when Liverpool was home to Britain’s great Merchant Navy fleet.

Fast-forward to 1958 and Suzanne Jennions’ grandfather took over the storied manufacturer before handing it down to her father and uncle who run the company today.

With the demand for tweed hats and caps not what it once was and Liverpool’s mercantile dominance remaining only in name, how has Try & Lilly managed to keep its head above water?

“Similar to a lot of the textile industry, the majority of hat making production has gone overseas,” says Jennions.

“Many just couldn’t compete with the low wages of places like China and India when they started manufacturing.”

Jennions thinks an established name has helped Try & Lilly retain customers whilst the superior quality of its product versus foreign makers, and ability to produce smaller runs, has also worked in its favour.

“Some people really do care more about quality and have stayed with us all the way, whilst there are others who are realising what they buy overseas is just not of the same quality.

“Uniform caps are extremely niche. There aren’t a huge number of people in the world making them and it’s quite complex textile manufacturing.

“Also, being relatively small scale and having the flexibility to make small quantities is a real advantage.

“Many of the overseas manufacturers won’t deal with small quantities, you have to buy several thousands of caps.

“It’s interesting at the moment in textiles because lots of people think UK manufacturing should be about bespoke and small runs but at Try & Lilly it’s something we’ve been doing for the last 50 years or so.”

In a further sign of its prosperity, Try & Lilly recently signed a deal to supply the Metropolitan Police with all of its male and female caps and bowlers.

This prestigious contract is in addition to the firm’s similar agreement with the rest of the UK’s

“

It’s interesting at the moment in textiles because lots of people think UK manufacturing should be about bespoke and small runs but at Try & Lilly it’s something we’ve been doing for the last 50 years or so.

“

police forces, as well as a string of enforcement agencies across the world.

Jennions believes overseas interest in Try & Lilly products has a lot to do with the distinction that a ‘Made in Britain’ tag affords.

“We do a lot of export business and we make for lots of forces overseas in places like Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean,” she says.

“A lot of that business is based around quality and the fact that institutions in these parts of the world were originally formed by Great Britain so there’s a connection there.

“Lots of people like to buy UK made and enjoy the prestige having UK made textiles brings.”

According to Jennions though, it’s not just the UK-made credentials that keeps the orders flooding in from abroad.

Try & Lilly’s commitment to innovation has seen it literally set a new standard in national police headwear.

“We’ve put a lot of work into meeting the criteria that the UK police require,” explains Jennions.

“For a long time the bowlers that female police officers wore were non-protective or much less

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Suzanne Jennions, projects assistant, Try & Lilly Interview

“

We make for lots of forces overseas in places like Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean... Lots of people enjoy the prestige having UK made textiles brings.

“

protective than the police helmets worn by male police officers.

“We’ve managed to create a bowler which meets all the same requirements as the police helmet, so now you have men and women on the beat together with the same protection.

“If you’re prepared to innovate and stay ahead of the competition and produce something that customers want then that definitely sets you apart.”

Of course as with any UK manufacturer involved with exporting goods, the issues surrounding Brexit and any future trade deals are a hot topic.

The government believes trade with Commonwealth nations, something Try & Lilly is already conducting, will give the country a postBrexit boost but Jennions is less certain what the future holds for the family firm once the UK bids farewell to the EU. “We export a lot currently; it will be interesting to see if we gain any new customers after Brexit,” she says.

“We make for both the New Zealand and Canadian navies already, so in terms of our

customer base we’re quite widespread.

“You could argue that the drop in the value of the pound will be positive for Try & Lilly but equally if we leave the EU with no trade deal and revert to World Trade Organisation tariffs, that may effect us in a negative way.”

Something that Jennions does agree is unquestionably a positive for Try & Lilly is an ambitious new vision for the area of Liverpool city centre where the firm is based.

Exciting plans for new homes, shops, offices and public realm are part of proposals which could see Islington reborn as the Fabric District.

Jennions, who sits on the Islington Stakeholders Group (ISG) and helped to create the vision document for the area, thinks the changes can be directly beneficial for Try & Lilly and the 30-plus staff in its factory on Kempston Street.

“The best outcome for Try & Lilly from the Fabric District project is an improvement to the public realm of Islington.

“Creating a nicer environment for people to come to work in is very important for us and what we want to do with the Fabric District fits in with that.”

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Business lifestyle

Diary Dates Best for digital marketing

Best for social media

Best for start-ups

28 November

6 December

11 December

CIM Digital Marketing Event Manchester

Google Digital Garage – Social media and digital advertising sessions

Millennials teach start-ups how to use social media

Grindsmith, Deansgate

Sensor City, Liverpool

Manchester Science Partnerships Citylabs 1.0

Ideal for those looking to expand their digital footprint, this event gives attendees the opportunity to network with digital marketing professionals.

Expect to learn about the digital marketing trends of 2018, how to create and market content that converts, and factors affecting the search engine ranking of your online content.

Tickets are free and refreshments are included.

Ideal for digital and creative businesses, this free, three-session seminar event focuses on social media and digital advertising.

Attendees can expect to learn more about writing appropriate content for social media and launching digital advertising campaigns.

Pitched at a beginner to intermediate level and open to all companies, it’ll be of particular interest to start-ups and SMEs looking to expand digital operations.

Tickets are free but online registration is required.

Manchester Entrepreneurs brings a half-day event providing an overview of creating and developing efficient and cost-effective marketing campaigns on digital platforms.

Ideal for start-ups in the creative and digital space, this event gives attendees the chance to learn about how strong content can be created, evaluated and improved.

General admission is free and attendees can register online.

How to...

In the know

Boost creative thinking in the workplace

Consider flexible working It’s hard for staff to feel creative when they’re working to stringent timetables and strict procedures. If possible, consider offering your staff flexible working hours. By doing so you’ll allow them to work when they’re at their most creative and productive rather than simply clock watching.

Be open to mistakes It’s impossible to think freely and ‘outside of the box’ when you’re far too worried about making a mistake. Encourage staff to come up with innovative ideas - and to try them - by reassuring them that you know mistakes are par for the course.

Avoid pushing ahead with anything that could be detrimental to your business or client base but rather, allow for teething problems with new ideas.

Create space to think Think ‘creative workspace’ and you’re likely to

Free app available for Apple & Android devices Graphic: Freepik.com

How important is creativity in your company?

Depending on the type of work you do you may think it’s not that high on the list of priorities but you could be mistaken.

A study by international management consultancy McKinsey suggests firms employing more creativity in the workplace are more likely to record above average organic revenue growth than those that don’t.

But just how easy is it to promote creative thinking at work? These tips will help:

Brainsparker

conjure up images of bean bags and table football a la Google’s offices but developing a creative environment doesn’t necessarily mean turning your office into a glorified common room. Consider the workspaces available to your staff and ask yourself whether there are enough options available to encourage different types of working.

Are there spaces where the team can brainstorm? Quiet areas to work on an idea? A place to eat lunch and chat together? All of these will help promote greater creativity and collaboration.

Be accessible It’s no good telling staff to come to you with new ideas if you make it very difficult for them to do so.

A full team meeting once a month for everyone at the office might not be the most inviting place for a staff member to offer a new suggestion or idea.

Instead, make sure you’re accessible to your staff.

Keep your office door open. Encourage them to come in and chat to you when they have an idea or, indeed, a problem. Consider an old school approach and have a suggestion box in the office. Anything that sends the message ‘your ideas and thoughts are welcome.’

There’s a time during any project or piece of work when you’ll inevitably hit a creative wall.

It can be frustrating but luckily the brainsparker app has been designed to help you overcome this maddening block and reignite your imagination in no time.

Whenever you’re stuck brainsparker will offer you a random trigger word, quote, image, action or question to unblock your mind and set fresh ideas flowing.

The app can also be utilised as a unique brainstorming tool to be used with groups and teams in the office to help generate new and original thoughts.

In a further attempt to build and stimulate your creative muscles, the app also includes the option to schedule a ‘daily brainsparker’ as well as free creativity workouts and regular nuggets of inspiration.

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Expert views Ask the panel Annual and quarterly reports on the region’s office market have once again brought concerns of demand for prime stock outstripping supply.

With this in mind, we ask the experts: Q: Amid ongoing concerns over a shortage of prime office stock, how can the North West ensure it remains able to meet the demand from businesses?

It’s well publicised that the North West has experienced exceptionally high demand for office space over recent years and the average annual takeup for Manchester city centre space now sits at over 1 million sq ft per annum.

Supply is just about keeping up with demand but the North West must take note that the supply of office space is critical in ensuring the continued growth and prosperity of the region.

SMEs, start-ups and tech firms need space to grow and therefore we must not only build more Grade A stock but protect existing office buildings in key employment locations. This means protecting buildings from new uses such as hotel and residential conversions.

Tax breaks for developers who refurbish existing office stock, and also a robust planning regime protecting office use within city centres and areas of high employment, would help the supply situation. Creating flexible and collaborative working environments with the best fibre connectivity and infrastructure will be critical if the North West is to attract and retain businesses.

John Ogden, managing director of CBRE's North West business

Landlords need to remain confident about investing in refurbishment, as well as speculative development; deliver the right space and demand is there.

Occupiers are seeking offices to help them attract and retain the best talent, as well as providing an environment designed to increase productivity and help their business flourish.

Inspiring space, diverse local amenities, healthy lifestyles, strong and resilient connectivity and efficient building running costs are high on the list of today’s occupier needs.

Space which encourages collaboration has moved far beyond the water cooler; quiet rooms, Skype pods, break-out areas and places to meet, chat, work and get good

food and coffee will improve business efficiency.

Working with existing and potential tenants to better understand their business requirements and then tailoring the refurbishment and leasing structure accordingly will ensure your space better meets demand.

The development of high quality real estate is essential for the North West in order to attract further investment and growth. As the capital of the region Manchester has an important role to play in delivering this required development, particularly in the office sector, to offer both inward investment and expansion opportunities.

Manchester still remains very attractive for businesses due to its relatively low cost point and highly skilled workforce but without a good supply of new office stock there’s danger businesses may look to other large conurbations to satisfy their office requirements.

As developers in a market where funding for speculative office development still remains challenging, we’re looking to unlock

key office developments by partnering with local authorities. An example is 100 Embankment where, with the support of Salford City Council, we’re due to commence shortly with Phase 2 which will deliver a further 165,000 sq ft to the market in Q1 2020. This will help provide much needed office pipeline in 2020.

With the stock of ready-to-walk-into Grade A offices in Manchester city centre falling to less than 75,000 sq ft, occupiers are allowing more project lead-in time by increasingly turning to the in-build supply chain.

There are currently four Grade A projects underway, delivering between them almost 500,000 sq ft by the end of 2019, with intense interest from potential occupiers already reported.

Manchester city centre has always thrived on having a wide choice of new offices available and, with another 1.26m sq ft of Grade A office space consented and ready to

start for delivery from 2020, talk of a supply crisis looks overdone with the city facing a temporary ‘blip’ that’s about to correct itself.

Antonia Martin-Wright, head of investment, CEG

Jamie Hills, senior development executive, Ask Real Estate

Peter Gallagher, director of national offices at Colliers International in Manchester

Prime office stock is essential to attract and, more importantly, retain big corporate players to the North West and Liverpool in particular.

Reduced stock in the region, particularly Liverpool’s central business district, has reached alarmingly low levels with effectively 12 months’ worth of take-up remaining.

Rental prices in Liverpool need to rise to aid expansion of stock and to encourage developers and existing landlords to build or refurbish new high quality accommodation.

There’s undoubtedly an onus of responsibility on landlords, tenants and property professionals to re-educate their clients. On the landlords’ part to encourage the provision of the highest quality specification, and on the tenants’ part in understanding and appreciating that this comes at a cost and therefore realising they must be prepared to pay more and accept less in the way of tenant inducements if they’re to enhance their environment.

In turn, this should help rebalance the market, reducing office stock lost to uses such as residential and hotels and finding opportunities to refurbish and upgrade older stock.

Brian Ricketts, partner, Hitchcock Wright & Partners

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No two spaces are the same Small suites available with a special all-inclusive pricing offer on spaces up to 500 sq ft.

If you’re a small business starting up or an established one in need of new workspace you’ll find a range of inspirational offices in Bootle, Crosby and Liverpool city centre. Our all-inclusive pricing can make your transition to a new office even easier.

If you’d like to take a look around, give us a call or visit the website