Move Commercial 63

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LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESHIRE MANCHESTER

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER 2018

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MOVE COMMERCIAL The north-west’s guide to property and business

Cultural shift

Work-life balance Top tips to achieve it

Arts developments boosting the region

Issue 63

Serving up success What makes a strong restaurant investment?

HEATHROW EXPANSION

How a third runway could affect the

North West EXPERT VIEWS: How to strengthen Liverpool’s business district

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Advertorial

MSB’s Mark Forman gives his thoughts on why Liverpool’s office market gives us reasons to be cheerful

T

here have been genuine concerns around the health of the office market in Liverpool. With a dwindling stock of grade A space those concerns are certainly justified. But there are reasons to be optimistic.

Over the past couple of years we have lost something in the region of 1m sq ft of office space as old stock has been converted in to apartments, restaurants and hotels.

That process must be seen as largely positive. It has brought empty accommodation, no longer suitable for modern office Brad Armstrong occupiers, back into use and helped stimulate Liverpool’s residential property market and its £4bn visitor economy.

Meteoric Success We have some fantastic hospitality entrepreneurs in this city.

They include one of our clients, Indian street food brand, Mowgli, and its meteoric success in the city, driven by the energy of founder Nisha Katona, has led to expansion to other parts of the UK. So we need to celebrate the success of our visitor economy and, at the same time, recognise there is still the issue around creating new office stock to satisfy the demand of both existing businesses in the city who are looking to move or upgrade and requirements from elsewhere in the country.

MSB itself relocated last year, from Silkhouse Court in Tithebarn Street to No 4 St Paul’s Square. In our building, and in others across the square, there are a number of dynamic and growing professional services firms.

Centre of Excellence Liverpool has long been a centre of excellence for the financial and professional services sector and if we are to continue to build on that then we have to attract occupiers from places such as London and overseas.

Easier this month we saw a report published that forecast the sector could create an extra 20,000 jobs in the city region over the next couple of decades. For that to happen we need to create capacity.

There are signs in the market that is starting to happen and that the number of enquiries from potential occupiers is growing. There is real optimism that later in the year prime office rents will move upwards, making it a more attractive proposition for investors to create new office space.

When St Paul’s Square was being built, it required gap funding from the EU in order to make it happen. Signs are that this time around the local market is sustainable enough for such an intervention not to be needed.

If you would like to know more about anything mentioned in this article, contact Mark directly by email on markforman@msbsolicitors.co.uk or call our commercial property team on 0151 281 9040.

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Issue sixty three Move Commercial

Welcome to Move Commercial According to the Secretary of State for Transport, Chris Grayling, expanding Heathrow Airport with a third runway will “bring real benefits across the country”.

Now that the government is pushing the controversial plan forward, Move Commercial explores the impact the development could have on the North West and whether it truly will provide a boost.

Plus we look at the key cultural developments which are already making a difference to their immediate surroundings as well as the wider region and the Northern Powerhouse agenda, from Chester’s now open Storyhouse to Manchester’s forthcoming venue The Factory.

Contents

And it’s been a turbulent 2018 so far for some areas of the casual dining sector, with other foodie ventures continuing to thrive. With this in mind, we find out what makes a strong restaurant investment opportunity in the current climate.

We also ask the experts which needs must be addressed to strengthen Liverpool’s commercial business district, and our latest Business Lifestyle section is packed with tips and advice to achieve a healthy worklife balance.

News 07 Law firm merger to help build on financial growth 09 Sovini Trade Supplies secures £9m supply chain solutions partnership 11 Call for city region businesses to help develop ‘next generation of workers’

Natasha Young, editor natasha@movepublishing.co.uk Photo: Exhibition Centre Liverpool / Ant Clausen Photography

Features 12 Appointments Who’s moving where?

14 Cultural Shift The North West’s key cultural projects and their importance to the region’s success 16 Key Event A look back at this year’s International Business Festival in pictures

22 Photo: Flickr.com/Marco Verch - foto.wuestenigel.com

19 Under Construction A timeline of Knowsley’s prominent industrial development, Alchemy 22 Clear for Takeoff With Heathrow’s expansion moving forward, how will it affect the region?

24 Key Event

26

16

STEM businesses encourage future workforces at The Big Bang North West 26 Restaurants Unchained

Advertising Catherine McCarthy. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Editor Natasha Young. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Editorial Team Lawrence Saunders, Matthew Smith Design Mark Iddon.

Cover Image iStock / baona.

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.

Amid fast-paced industry changes, what’s the key to a strong eatery investment?

28 Business Lifestyle Tips, reviews and advice on achieving work-life balance 30 Ask the Panel What are the key needs to address in order to strengthen Liverpool’s commercial business district?

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Latest News ‘Exciting time’ for Widnes as development continues

(L-R) Clare Matson, Andrea Cheesman, Leslie Cheesman, Emma Carey, Christian Cheesman and Mary Ellis

Law firm merger to help build on financial growth Growing Liverpool law firm MSB Solicitors is merging with family-run practice Cheesman & Company.

The move forms part of a strategy

by MSB managing partner Emma Carey to drive financial growth across key areas of the company, and follows its acquisition of debt recovery specialist Matrix in January.

Cheesman & Company, which has more than 40 years’ experience servicing clients nationally, is expected to bolster the family and property law teams in particular at MSB, which has offices in Allerton and the city centre.

Carey, who assumed the managing partner role at the firm in March this year, is keen to build on recent strong financial results through a series of planned mergers, appointments and promotions.

She says: “MSB has experienced steady and organic growth throughout

its near 30 years' trading. We now employ more than 100 people across three offices and have become a key player in Liverpool’s legal sector.

“I am delighted to welcome Cheesman & Company to the fold.

Leslie and his son Christian Cheesman have long been recognised for their expertise in family law, and Andrea Cheesman in property law. They are an excellent fit for us and this move will allow us to further strengthen our family law offering.”

Leslie Cheesman, senior partner at Cheesman & Company, adds: “MSB has an excellent reputation in the field of family and property law and the joining of our two firms made absolute sense.

“The experience of our team, combined with that of MSB and the increased resource internally can only see both our firms continue to go from strength to strength.”

Halton Council’s leader has hailed it “an exciting time” for Widnes and its small businesses as development continues in the area.

Building work has begun to convert Foundry House at Widnes Business Park into a new co-working space featuring 36 office suites.

Due to open in autumn, the renovated 19,000 sq ft property will include up to date meeting rooms, breakout areas and a garden with external Wi-Fi among its features.

The project by Thrive will see Foundry House join the company’s fellow operations in Warrington, Newton-le-Willows and Wigan.

Halton Council leader,

Councillor Rob Polhill, says: “It’s fantastic to welcome Thrive to Widnes. The Mersey Gateway Bridge and road network improvements have transformed the borough and are providing much quicker and easier travel through Halton to the Liverpool City Region and the wider North West - it’s such an exciting time for the town and its small businesses.”

The renovation gets underway as Thrive looks to continue expanding over the next six months, with plans to open in Burnley, Blackburn, Oldham, Cheadle and Farnworth as well as having operations in Blackpool, South Yorkshire and the North East in the pipeline.

Work is underway to transform Foundry House

Vault firm celebrates ‘busiest’ launch with Liverpool facility

Seamus Fahy and David Walsh

The company behind Liverpool’s first safe deposit box facility is celebrating its “busiest” launch to date.

The Liverpool Vault opened six months ago in the 1,500 sq ft basement of the Royal Liver Building following a £1 million transformation of the space.

The vault inside the ‘Three Graces’ building features 1,000 safe deposit lockers, protected by cutting edge security and technology which is said to surpass the standards set by banks.

It is the third facility in the UK for the company, which also has vaults up and running in Glasgow and Newcastle.

Liverpool Vaults, a subsidiary of Merrion Vaults, was founded by Seamus Fahy and David

Walsh in 2013.

Co-founder Fahy says: “This is our first facility in the North West and the response has been excellent, with clients coming from both businesses and private individuals.

“This is our busiest and most successful launch to date, with many businesses now using the facility to store important documentation and back-up memory devices. We are also the preference for companies wanting to store cash, due to our generous opening hours and discrete location in this iconic building.

“The Liverpool opening is part of our ambitious plans for further growth across the UK. We have achieved so much within our first six months and have exciting plans ahead for Liverpool.”

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Latest News

Sovini Trade Supplies secures £9m supply chain solutions partnership Sovini Trade Supplies has struck a £9 million deal with Liberty Group to provide its supply chain solutions over the next three years.

The Aintree-based company, which is part of The Sovini Group, will supply and deliver materials for the North West group, which provides services for leading housing associations across the nation.

The new partnership is also expected to boost the local economy by creating employment opportunities within warehousing and logistics.

Sovini Trade Supplies will implement its bespoke ‘Biz Track’ technology with a digitally integrated real-time service for the group, enabling automatic van restock and remote ordering service to ‘fast track’ checkouts and same day delivery service.

Sovini Trade Supplies’ managing director, Anita Harrison-Carroll, says: “The services we are set to provide are bespoke and tailored to the group’s business requirements.

“Our technology and wealth of experience enable us to provide cost efficiencies, as well as reliable supply chain solutions.”

Garry Vaughn, director of procurement at Liberty Group, adds: “Liberty is committed to delivering high quality services that offer the best possible value for money for our customers.

“The innovative technology provided by Sovini Trade Supplies will play an important part in supporting this, enabling us to continue to provide an efficient and cost effective service.”

The Sovini Group agreeing the three-year deal with Liberty Group at Sovini Trade Supplies

No. 1 Old Hall Street attracts new tenants ahead of ‘exciting developments’

The Liverpool City Region’s combined authority is being given greater freedom over government funding

More power over spending agreed for Liverpool City Region A new agreement will give the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority greater freedom over how it uses government funding.

The deal will see more than £120 million moved into the city region’s revenue budget from its capital budget over the next 27 years.

The arrangement will give Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, and his combined authority, greater autonomy to plan and invest in ways which will drive economic growth. This includes transport improvements, learning facilities and housing.

The funding agreement will be reviewed every five years – it’s the government’s expectation that it will not be used for the running of day-to-day services.

Robert Jenrick, exchequer secretary to the treasury, said during a 12 July visit to Liverpool: “Liverpool and Merseyside are important parts of the Northern Powerhouse, with businesses in the region delivering vital skills, jobs and growth.

“Since 2010 we’ve seen nearly 50,000 new jobs created in the Liverpool City Region alone, and inward investment increased by 6% in the North West as a whole in the last year. “[This] announcement will build on this progress and provide greater flexibility for leaders to deliver the jobs, infrastructure and growth in productivity that will help secure the region’s place in the new economy.”

Mayor Rotheram adds: “I welcome this announcement which gives us more power over how we use the £30m a year we receive from central government under our devolution agreement.

“This shows their confidence in our ability to drive long-term growth and make a real difference to people’s lives across the city region.”

Two companies have secured space at Liverpool’s No.1 Old Hall Street as “exciting developments” lie ahead for the Downing property.

Construction Marketing Experts Ltd has taken a Flexi-Office suite within the commercial district building’s third floor, and Heds Law has taken a corner suite on the recently refurbished fourth floor.

Kate Carr, property management surveyor at Downing, says: “No. 1 Old Hall Street is a fantastic base for businesses, located in the heart of the commercial district – providing easy access to clients and Liverpool’s professional community.

“We’re so pleased to welcome both our new arrivals to the building and hope to see them thrive from their new bases.

“There are exciting developments on the horizon for No. 1 Old Hall Street and we are looking forward to transforming the building by creating 5,000 sq ft of outstanding Grade A office space directly accessed off the new reception.

“This internal and external refurbishment will feature full height glazing overlooking Old Hall Street above Pret-A-Manger and create a statement entrance which befits the building’s standing as prominent city landmark.”

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Latest News

Tenant referencing form expands into commercial property sector Call for city region businesses to help develop ‘next generation of workers’ Liverpool City Region businesses are being encouraged to assist the area’s young people who are looking for work experience.

St Helens Chamber is calling for companies who could offer placements to 16 to 24-year-olds to come forward, as it works to equip the next generation of workers with the right skills, experience and attitudes for jobs and apprenticeships.

A spokesperson for St Helens Chamber says: “Work experience is the best way of enabling young people with a flavour of what life is like in the world of work and benefits them greatly, developing their initiative, personal skills, social skills and decision-making as well as getting them ready to enter the workforce.

“By providing work experience, you and your business could play a valuable

part in helping to develop the next generation of workers.

“There are many benefits to offering work experience to young people such as boosting staff development through working with young people, raising your company’s profile by demonstrating ‘Investor in People’ status and widening your recruitment pool.”

Participating workplaces will have job descriptions agreed to meet their company needs and will be paired with young people matching their requirements for a seven-week placement.

There is no requirement to have a job available at the end of the placement, although participating businesses are asked to be willing to provide a reference.

For more information on taking part call St Helens Chamber on 01744 742045.

© McCoy Wynne

Companies who could offer work experience are being asked to come forward

An online tenant referencing and credit check provider is expanding into the commercial property sector following a “great level of interest”.

Wirral-based LetHQ launched in 2016 and has since enjoyed a growing client base of letting agents, independent landlords and housing associations across the UK. Building on its LetHQ’s Simon Paul Skinner expertise, the firm has recently branched out with a new company reference product enabling property owners and managers to reference companies for commercial, business or agricultural leasing.

Simon Paul Skinner, the director of operations at LetHQ, says: “We have seen a great level of interest, it is equally important for commercial landlords and agents to thoroughly vet a prospective tenant or company when leasing either residential or commercial property.”

The growing company, which is a finalist in the SME National Business Awards 2018, aims to continue strengthening its services right across the business as Skinner adds: “We continue to develop and enhance both our bespoke user portal and back end CRM system ensuring we can process reference checks quickly and smoothly whilst offering the best possible value to our clients.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 11

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Appointments

25 to join Peel Ports Peel Ports has hired 25 full-time Port of Liverpool staff in a local recruitment drive.

The permanent employees will work at the Liverpool2 and Royal Seaforth Container Terminal.

After being trained as port operatives, many are expected to progress into specialised roles including tug drivers and gantry crane operators.

Jouke Schaap, port director at Peel Ports Group, says: “We’re pleased to be creating a further 25 full-time jobs at the Port of Liverpool, underlining our role as a major employer in the city and a significant contributor to the local economy.

“We’ve invested heavily in our estate, infrastructure and staff in recent years as we cement Liverpool’s position as one of the UK’s most important ports for global trade and business growth.”

JLL boosts Manchester teams Three new appointments and six promotions Joe Evers have been made across JLL’s Manchester teams.

Joe Evers joins the cost management business unit as assistant cost manager, as the department grows to meet increased development demand.

Meanwhile Yvette Black has been appointed as a graduate planner and Rob Bursnoll joins as a graduate building surveyor.

Tom Robinson has stepped up to senior planner in the planning and development team and Andy Allen has advanced to senior surveyor in the building consultancy team.

The property and asset management team has also promoted Henrietta Daniels to senior surveyor, Christine Arnold to surveyor, and Kirstin McIntosh to assistant surveyor.

Natalie Harrison moves up to a senior surveyor role in the residential advisory team.

David Lathwood, lead director for JLL in the North West, says: “The growth of our cost management team reflects the service’s success, and the strong pipeline for new build and renovation projects across Manchester, which require trusted advisors.”

12 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Adams brings experience to MD role

L to R: Eddie Bredenhann, Jon Adams, Mark Hatton, Jim Alexander

Jon Adams has been appointed as managing director of the construction division at North West firm Pochin’s Ltd. Adams brings almost a decade of experience in a top role to Pochin Construction Ltd, having previously lead Balfour Beatty’s major portfolio in the North as commercial director.

A chartered construction professional, he has more than 30 years’ experience in delivering growth and sustainable change.

Adams says: “With my experience and knowledge of this market, customer base and supply chain, I am relishing the opportunity to now lead a long-established North West construction business with a respected reputation.”

Roberts heads up new Elite Advisory team

L to R: David Platt, Haydn Roberts, John Drape, Alistair Macintosh

Manchester City’s former head of player liaison, Haydn Roberts has joined Shoosmiths to lead a new Elite Advisory team.

The private client advisory service, which was recently launched at Shoosmiths’ Manchester office, will manage the affairs of professionals and entrepreneurs in sport, media and entertainment.

Roberts will act as one point of contact for a team of experts offering full-service legal advice in the team.

Roberts says: “It is no secret that the quality of legal advice given can make or break careers in the world of sports and entertainment.

“Our first step was to bring these lawyers together to form one house of experts for these clients – and the second step was to create one point of contact within Shoosmiths for clients and the house of experts.”

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Natasha Young natasha@movepublishing.co.uk

Millions of pounds are being invested in new arts venues across the North West, but what is their true value to the areas they’re being built in, the region as a whole and the wider Northern Powerhouse?

Cultural shift When Chester’s £37 million Storyhouse opened in 2017, it arrived with ambitions to “attract the broadest possible audience from Chester and beyond, helping to revitalise the city and at the same time to re-invent the role of civic cultural buildings in the 21st Century”.

Blending old architecture with new, as the Grade II-listed Odeon cinema building was converted and extended, the attraction brought a new library, theatres, a cinema, restaurant and bars.

Having reached completion on time and on budget, the venue has since been pulling in visitors and putting the area under the spotlight.

According to Storyhouse, it has turned out to be “one of the country’s most successful cultural buildings, with one million customers in its first year,” not to mention recently grabbing attention with an official opening by the Queen and Duchess of Sussex.

The positive impact of Storyhouse on the city and its Cheshire surroundings was becoming apparent before Royal guests and droves of culture-seeking visitors were wandering through its doors though.

“Several years ago Arts Council England and Visit England launched the Cultural Destinations fund and at that stage we were unable to bid for it because we didn’t really have anything to leverage, we had no story and nothing to say,” explains Katrina Michel, chief executive of Marketing Cheshire and a Storyhouse trustee.

“Whereas in 2017, because we had Storyhouse opening and other people 14 MOVE COMMERCIAL

were already talking about doing things in and around Storyhouse, we were able not only to bid for it but we received £300,000 to try to develop Chester and Cheshire as a cultural destination.

“Before Storyhouse, Chester was seriously underweight in terms of culture and now I’d say that for a regional city, culturally we’ve got some fantastic content.”

Looking ahead, Michel believes Chester must continue progressing its cultural and night time offer amid the city’s ongoing regeneration to ensure Storyhouse becomes part of a “bigger cultural cluster”.

Numerous residential and hotel projects are in the pipeline there, which in turn will increase footfall at night.

Meanwhile Chester’s increase in commercial space thanks to developments like City Place “brings in

“

people for whom a cultural lifestyle is very important,” says Michel.

“If I have one concern then unless things move on a bit Storyhouse will be doing all the major heavy lifting for the night time economy,” she adds.

“We’ve got quite a few new hotels and restaurants coming in but it would be great to have other night time offer that’s less traditional. We’ve got a Picturehouse cinema scheduled, one of these more trendy market concepts, and it’d be really great to have more stuff that gives people a bit more choice.”

A rise in hospitality businesses is also being seen in Knowsley’s Prescot, helped, in part, by its looming Shakespeare North Playhouse development.

Kier Construction is scheduled to begin the main construction of the theatre and education hub in autumn

Before Storyhouse, Chester was seriously underweight in terms of culture and now I’d say that for a regional city, culturally we’ve got some fantastic content.

“

2018, with completion due in summer 2020 and the first students due to start courses in October that year.

“The Bard micro pub opened earlier this year and building work on a new Shakespeare-themed boutique hotel is starting this summer,” explains Councillor Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development. “There are new restaurants planned including Pinion Bistro, Kingsmen and Urbano Chiringuito, while Albion Bakehouse is opening a second business.”

A transformation of Prescot’s Market Place, creating a café and outdoor events space run by MATE Productions, is also getting underway in July and supermarket chain Aldi is developing plans for a store alongside a coffee drive-thru, pub, employment units and a fast food restaurant on land off Cables Way. Knowsley is confident such growth can only increase as its prominent cultural development gathers pace.

“The Shakespeare North Playhouse will be a distinctive high quality visitor attraction for Prescot, Knowsley and the wider Liverpool City Region, attracting over 100,000 new visitors to the area each year from across the UK and internationally,” says Cllr Brennan.

“It’s estimated the project will increase the value of goods and services produced in the city region by £13m during construction and by £5.3m each year following opening.

“It’ll also bring new high quality jobs, growth of the local economy, increased footfall in Prescot town centre, new

p01-20:Move Commercial 16/07/2018 18:55 Page 15

Cultural developments Focus

The Factory, Manchester

business investment and improved access to world class educational and cultural activities for young people and local communities.”

The work of Knowsley Place Board, which promotes the area as a destination to live, work and visit, is being enhanced by the project too.

“It’s incredibly exciting and is the best example of a place-based approach to economic growth that I know,” says Edward Perry, chair of the board. “When the public, private and voluntary sectors bring their energies and ambitions into a single vision, projects become unstoppable.”

Perry believes the playhouse’s arrival will “turbo-boost Knowsley’s economic growth, its confidence as a place and the self-assurance of its people” whilst capitalising on the “unique asset” that is the borough’s genuine historic links to the Bard and early English theatre.

According to the Northern Powerhouse Partnership, which aims to increase the North’s impact on the UK economy, culture presents an opportunity “to tell the story of a place and the wider Northern Powerhouse” – something it says has been particularly successful during the current Great

Exhibition of the North and Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture status of 10 years ago.

“The Factory in Manchester is a further critical project which, as part of our wider work in culture and the arts, will help build up further the great assets many of our cities and towns here in the North have,” says Henri Murison, the partnership’s director.

Another major cultural centre for the North West which, like Shakespeare North, has received government backing, The Factory is being built within Allied London’s St. John’s neighbourhood.

Ground broke on the project, which is being led by Manchester City Council in partnership with Manchester International Festival (MIF), in July 2017 and amendments to the scheme are due to go to planning in the coming months.

Whilst the city may already be home to a plethora of cultural venues and an ever-growing creative sector, expectations are high for the impact of the forthcoming building designed by the Office for Metropolitan Architecture (OMA).

“The Factory will be a world-class venue right in the middle of Manchester and is going to change lives as well as

“

The economic benefits to the city and wider region are huge, and it’ll also have a significant impact on arts education and the development of creative and technical talent.

“

the cultural landscape,” says Manchester City Council leader Sir Richard Leese, predicting it will be “like no other venue in the range, scope and scale of cultural opportunities it will provide”.

The venue, to be managed by MIF, is expected to create or support 1,500 full-time jobs and add £1.1 billion to Manchester’s economy in its first decade, with a programme targeting local, national and international audiences.

“The economic benefits to the city and wider region are huge, and it’ll also have a significant impact on arts education and the development of creative and technical talent,” adds Sir Leese.

MIF’s CEO and artistic director, John McGrath describes The Factory as a “fantastic opportunity for Manchester and the wider region,” suggesting it underlines the commitment of local and national government to “culture at the heart of the city’s future success as a place to live, visit and invest in”.

“At 13,500 sq m this unique building will enable artists to create work of scale and ambition that cannot be made anywhere else, strengthening Manchester’s reputation as an internationally important centre for culture and creativity,” says McGrath.

“The Factory will open up a new neighbourhood in the city, bringing audiences of up to 850,000, drawn by a year-long programme of great work from across the UK and around the world. They will also be able to enjoy the many other first-rate attractions the city has to offer.”

Elsewhere in the region there are projects much further from fruition but seen as no less important to their areas’ long term success.

A proposed new St Helens Arts and Cultural Centre, to be located at the World of Glass, forms part of a wider vision to redevelop and transform the town centre.

Architects have been procured to produce a concept design for the complex, which would sit alongside the regenerated canal and include feature conference and exhibition facilities.

“An arts and cultural centre within the town will provide people with an attractive alternative to visit the town centre and a competitive advantage over nearby towns, as well as forming part of the wider vision to redevelop and transform St Helens town centre,” says a St Helens Council spokesperson.

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International Business Festival 2018 Politicians, royalty, prominent business leaders and global delegations descended on Exhibition Centre Liverpool as the International Business Festival returned.

The Duke of Cambridge, Prince William explored this year’s immersive venue and its stands of innovative exhibitors having been named a patron of the festival.

The Duke also spoke at the event, telling the audience businesses were "responsible for many things that are the bedrock of our society: quality of life, meaningful employment, prosperity and technological solutions".

Throughout the three-week festival, conferences and seminars covered topics ranging from exporting and manufacturing to life sciences and the economic impact of sport and culture.

Local, national and global business leaders, experts and entrepreneurs featured in 2018’s line-up of speakers as the festival took place in Liverpool for the third time.

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1. The Duke of Cambridge visited the festival 2. Visitors enjoyed interactive exhibitions 3. Lord Michael Heseltine was among the speakers 4. Conferences and seminars drew in attendees 5. A Chinese delegation was in attendance 6. Liverpool FC chief executive, Peter Moore 7. The World Forum for Foreign Direct Investment was among the events 8. Urbanisation and cities was among the themes for discussion 9. Simon Segars, CEO of ARM Holdings 10. Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram with Jude Kelly and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham

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International Business Festival 2018 Key event

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11. A well-attended panel discussion 12. Delegates stayed connected at the festival 13. Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram looked around the festival venue 14. Tanya Beckett, business presenter on BBC World News 15. The Invest Liverpool stand 16. Max Steinberg introduced a message from the Prime Minister 17. An opportunity to network on the sunny waterfront 18. Business continued as the festival took place 19. Theatre director and producer Jude Kelly with Cherie Blair QC 20. Liam Fox MP at the festival Photography credits: 2018 International Business Festival / McCoy Wynne Photography - images 1, 2, 7, 12, 18. Exhibition Centre Liverpool / Ant Clausen Photography - images 3, 8, 10, 11, 13.

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Online. Offline.

Anytime.

Get the north-west’s latest business and property news wherever you are. www.movecommercial.com 18 MOVE COMMERCIAL

@MoveCommercial

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UNDER CONSTRUCTION

COMPANY REFERENCING FOR COMMERCIAL PROPERTY LEASING JUST GOT EVEN EASIER!

Alchemy Business Park Alchemy Business Park is a multi-phase, prominent North West employment space development in the strategic Liverpool City Region location of Knowsley.

Work commenced on the latest phase of the scheme earlier this year.

APR

2006

R ESI DENTI AL R E F ERENCI NG WE OFFER A RANGE OF C R E D I T C H EC K S A N D REFERENCING S U I TA B L E FO R RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES

APR

The second phase of the site’s Platinum Court development commences to deliver 49,000 sq ft.

Both phases were aided by grant funding.

LATE

The Platinum Court project completes in late 2007 at a value of ÂŁ12 million.

SEP

Developer Network Space submits a planning application to Knowsley Council for 270,000 sq ft of additional warehouse units and offices on a 20-acre plot next to its Alchemy site. The following month, the Alchemy expansion plan is hailed as an example of “the confidence that developers have in choosing Knowsley as a place to invest and do business�.

FEB

Network Space secures planning consent for a total 100,000 sq ft of industrial space at its Alchemy site, including three units of 22,000 sq ft, 33,000 sq ft and 46,000 sq ft.

Planning consent is also granted for 150,000 sq ft in later phases on the remaining land, giving the site additional capacity.

OCT

Network Space secures ÂŁ1.8m funding from the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Single Investment Fund to deliver the approved three industrial units, which represent phase two of Alchemy Business Park. It’s confirmed the phase will be called ‘Element’.

2007

2007

CO M PAN Y R E F ERENCI NG

2016

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Phase one of Platinum Court includes a new junction and environmental improvements to the A580 as well as the delivery of 43,000 sq ft of workspace.

to discuss how we can beat your current supplier.

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JUN

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Work commences on the ÂŁ8m second phase of Alchemy Business Park. Caddick Construction has been appointed contractor for the project.

MAY

Completion is expected in mid-2019, with B8 and CBRE the appointed agents.

2019

p01-20:Move Commercial 16/07/2018 18:56 Page 20

Lawrence Saunders lawrence@movepublishing.co.uk

In June, MPs backed contentious plans to build a third runway at London’s Heathrow Airport with promises abound of benefits for the whole of the UK. As the project takes its next step towards fruition, Move Commercial examines what impact the multi-billion pound expansion could have here in the North West.

Clear for takeoff The then Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson might have given it a miss but June’s House of Commons vote on plans to build a third runway at Heathrow was ‘kind of a big deal’.

With Tory MPs under orders to support the proposals, the government won a decisive victory with a thumping majority of 296.

Construction on the expansion could now start within three years, with the runway operational by 2026.

Heathrow believes the development, one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Europe, could result in a £187 billion economic benefit for the UK, new routes to “growing economies” in Asia and the Americas, and 180,000 new jobs.

Here in the North West that could mean 15,300 new jobs and a boost of up to £16bn.

Ahead of the vote, Transport Secretary Chris Grayling urged members to seize the opportunity of new overseas markets for British businesses and the creation of thousands of jobs.

He also promised guaranteed benefits for the whole of the UK including new rail links and new global opportunities for regional businesses.

These “guaranteed benefits” are the extra domestic flights the government has committed to, with 15% of slots from the new runway potentially being ring-fenced and exempt from air 20 MOVE COMMERCIAL

passenger duty.

It’s reported that six regional airports could be added to the Heathrow hub network, including Liverpool, meaning direct flights between the two famous cities could return for the first time since 1992.

“The government’s decision on a third runway for Heathrow must include additional capacity for a direct link between Liverpool and London,” says Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.

Flybe is reputedly keen on picking up the route, with the airline looking forward to working with Heathrow to explore the “viability and commercial feasibility of developing more domestic routes”.

Meanwhile Mayor Rotheram’s city of Liverpool counterpart concurs that it’s high time the Liverpool/London connection was restored.

“The incredible renaissance and growth we have experienced over the last decade means the time is now right to reconnect with Heathrow, giving people travelling for business or pleasure the opportunity to fly in and out of Liverpool and on to destinations around the globe via a hub airport,” says Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson.

For its part, Liverpool John Lennon Airport (LJLA) welcomes the news that the project is

Photo: Flickr.com/Warren Rohner/CC-BY-SA-2.0

“

The use of off-site manufacturing and Heathrow’s innovative proposal for logistics hubs has the potential to rebalance jobs more equitably throughout the country, including the North West.

“

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Heathrow Airport expansion Focus

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The decision on a third runway must include additional capacity for a direct link between Liverpool and London.

moving forward but is mindful there is still “a long way to go”.

At the other end of the M62, the region’s biggest airport believes it’s “vital” that with a year to go until Brexit, the government does more to “maximise the potential of all airports”. “[The] government must match its support for a third runway at Heathrow with specific and practical proposals - not least because new capacity at Heathrow is more than a decade away,” says a spokesman for Manchester Airport following the Commons vote.

“Manchester Airport has provided new links to North America, the Middle East, Africa and Asia over the last year, and has the potential to deliver many more direct long haul services in the years to come.”

It would appear much of the government’s rationale behind how the third runway will benefit the North West is reliant on other high profile transport developments including HS2.

Regional passengers will not only be able to link with Heathrow via increased domestic flights, but also take advantage of shorter journey times on the railways.

According to Heathrow, a train ride from Liverpool to the airport which now takes around three and a half hours will be reduced to an hour

and 50 minutes by 2032 – when the second phase of the high speed line is due to open.

Likewise, the rail trip from Manchester is expected to be cut from around three hours and 20 minutes to an hour and a half.

It’s worth noting these times have been forecasted based on the assumption that Heathrow will be connected to a high speed rail network via the planned passenger interchange at Old Oak Common.

“Government should match [investment at Heathrow] by, specifically, accelerating the delivery of HS2 and ‘Northern Powerhouse Rail’,” adds a Manchester Airport spokesman.

Alongside internal flights, logistics hubs where components of the airport will be preassembled - have been heralded as another possible benefit to the rest of the country.

Chairman at Heathrow Airport, Lord Deighton has called the strategy a “once in a generation” opportunity to “transform the UK construction industry” and deliver a “lasting skills legacy for future generations”.

And in April a delegation from the UK’s busiest airport visited Greater Manchester as part of its tour of sites bidding to help build the third runway.

Alongside the inspected locations in Bolton

and Rochdale, other sites longlisted as potential hubs across the North West include Cammell Laird in Birkenhead and Port Salford.

Specifics on how the logistic centres will work are yet to be revealed, and with a lack of concrete plans the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) says it’s difficult to predict the exact impact the hubs could have here in the North West.

However the national body is still behind the government’s policy which would make the Heathrow expansion the first major infrastructure project to employ off-site construction centres.

“High quality international connectivity is vital to the UK’s economic wellbeing and ICE supports the decision to build a third runway at Heathrow,” says Hannah Vickers, head of policy and public affairs at ICE. “We also support the use of off-site manufacturing and Heathrow’s innovative proposal for logistics hubs, which has the potential to rebalance jobs more equitably throughout the country, including the North West.

“We are encouraging other client organisations to join with Heathrow to develop this network of hubs to serve more infrastructure delivery organisations.”

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www.nwpas.com @theNWPAs

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Subscribe to our daily newsletter Visit www.movecommercial.com to sign up.

Get the north-west’s latest business and property news wherever you are. www.movecommercial.com

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Education All Round

Bolton School

WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN MORNING Saturday 13 October, 9.30am-1.00pm Call 01204 840201 to discuss enrolling your child in our co-ed Nursery or Infant School or in one of our single-sex Junior or Senior Schools.

MOVE COMMERCIAL 23

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Businesses promote STEM careers The Big Bang North West took over Exhibition Centre Liverpool, providing businesses with a chance to showcase STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) careers to schoolchildren.

Organised by All About STEM as part of a programme led by EngineeringUK, with backing from headline sponsor AstraZeneca (Liverpool), the annual event saw young people from across the region

enjoy a fun, hands-on taste of the industries they could work in.

This year’s exhibition was attended by Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and saw prominent companies including Unilever and Lime Pictures host interactive stands and activities for visitors.

Alongside stands, shows and exhibits, the event also featured the regional ďŹ nals of The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition.

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1. Liverpool City Region Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram with Michelle Dow, managing director of All About STEM 2. The ITV News stand 3. Science demonstrations entertained young visitors 4. The Royal Air Force was among exhibitors 5. Children learnt about forensic science 6. The Shaping Futures team 7. Football fever reached The Big Bang North West 8. Technology was on display 9. Live experiments took place 10. Participants enjoyed a photo opportunity

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Big Bang North West Key event

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11. Schools from across the region attended 12. The All About STEM team 13. Attendees were given hands-on career insight 14. A wide range of job opportunities were being showcased 15. AstraZeneca experts were on hand 16. The Big Bang UK Young Scientists & Engineers Competition winners 17. Lime Pictures provided a fun experience 18 A fancy dress photo booth was in full swing 19. Unilever gave some expert insight 20. Children enjoyed activities at the stands Photography: Gareth Jones | Š Big Bang North West

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Lawrence Saunders lawrence@movepublishing.co.uk

The first half of 2018 saw a slew of casual dining chains announce drastic cost-cutting measures and restaurant closures up and down the country. All the while independent eateries appear more popular than ever, prompting the question of what makes a viable food and drink venture here in the North West today?

Restaurants Unchained An oversaturated market, mounting food costs, a rise in the national minimum wage – just some of the perceived factors behind a dramatic reversal in fortunes for some of the UK’s best-known casual dining operators.

The start of 2018 saw Jamie’s Italian drop 12 restaurants, whilst Byron Burger announced it was entering into a Company Voluntary Arrangement (CVA) which put 20 sites at risk.

Here in the North West, despite recent data which shows the number of food-led licensed premises grew in Manchester and Liverpool over the five months to March, the region hasn't avoided the cull with Prezzo closing sites in Formby, Warrington, Deansgate and Chester (Chimichanga).

Elsewhere Carluccio's called time on its Hale restaurant as part of a restructuring process aimed at saving the struggling Italian chain.

“There has certainly been an oversaturation of some of these brands, with many operating two or three venues within the same city,” says Felicity Tulloch, licensing partner for North West commercial law firm Kuits.

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“Customers are becoming more discerning and looking for experiential dining concepts and more authentic cuisine.”

In contrast to the so-called ‘casual dining crunch’, the independent restaurant scene appears to be booming with recent BBC Two series ‘Million Pound Menu’ documenting the hunt for the “next restaurant sensation to take the UK by storm”.

Each week two pop-ups were given a three-day trial run in a 40-seater Spinningfields restaurant, and the chance to win over diners as well as potential backers including Jeremy Roberts of Living Ventures and Allied London’s Tim Gee. Hundreds of thousands of pounds were invested by the experts over 12 shows, demonstrating a strong interest from financers for food and drink start-ups.

So should we expect investors to abandon casual chains wholesale in search of the next bright young foodie things?

“You cannot say an independent restaurant is a better investment than a chain, both are equally vulnerable to market changes and increasing

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You cannot say an independent restaurant is a better investment than a chain, both are equally vulnerable to market changes.

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customer expectations,” says Andreas Anastasiou from Tano Properties.

“Investors have, however, noticed there is a gap in the market, providing a source of finance to talented restauranteurs who cannot raise money through mainstream lenders.”

Anastasiou, who has been involved with numerous restaurant lettings on Liverpool’s Bold Street and has, himself , invested in the city’s Baltic Market food hall, thinks a shift in how people want to spend their money and the quality of food they expect has been fundamental to a change in fortunes for chains.

“To be viable you need to be relevant; you need to understand what is required in terms of customer service, quality of food and pricing,” he adds.

“You have to understand the mechanics of how a restaurant works, but above all you have to have a real passion for the industry and food.

“There are people who run restaurants and there are restaurateurs who run and understand the DNA of the restaurant industry.

“You are only as good as your last meal.”

One prolific North West restaurateur

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Photo: Flickr.com/Marco Verch - foto.wuestenigel.com

Casual dining trends Focus

who’s on the cusp of opening her sixth venue certainly wouldn't argue with Anastasiou on that.

“The barometer for any restaurant, chain or independent, should be ‘would you want to serve this food to the people you love three times a week?’,” says Nisha Katona, owner of Mowgli Street Food.

“If the answer to that is no then you have no right in selling it to the public.

“The half of [running a successful restaurant] is your passion for the product.”

For Katona, who opened her first ‘twisted Indian’ eatery in Liverpool in

2014, the independent versus chain debate isn’t as black and white as it might seem to some.

“The truth is, the independents aren’t doing better [than the chains] because if they were, they would be chains!

“If an independent is doing really well, it will build more because it wants to take its ‘Disco Cauliflower’ or its ‘Yoghurt Chat Bombs’ to the nation.”

With sites in Liverpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Oxford, and one in Nottingham on the way, Mowgli itself is very much on the way to becoming a chain – something which doesn't bother Katona but does raise an interesting question for foodie startups expanding beyond their modest beginnings.

“Is it bad to have more than one restaurant? Does it mean you suddenly stop caring about your food? It absolutely doesn’t at all.

“I think one of the saddest things for this nation is for us to think of the word ‘chain’ as a pejorative term.

“If you look at somewhere like Nando’s, which does one dish really well, then it's a great thing to become more than one.”

Whether they’re opening additional restaurants or their first permanent venues, according to Tulloch at Kuits, independents have begun to take advantage of sites vacated by departing casual dining occupiers.

“The closure of some of these brands’ sites doesn’t mean that the Photo: © Mr M Evison / CC-BY-SA-2.0 market in Liverpool and the North West is necessarily saturated,” she says.

“For the right operator with the right concept in the right location there are opportunities.

“We have certainly been busy applying for new licences, but for smaller, independent brands.”

Tulloch cites an award-winning beer and Indian restaurant as an example of a growing independent which has made a successful step up from pop-up to permanent and as a sign of the times for the industry.

“Bundobust, which currently operates in Leeds and Manchester, has recently obtained a licence in Liverpool.

“The street food revolution is evolving into food halls, providing startups with their first permanent locations, allowing them then to take the next step and open standalone sites.”

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One of the saddest things for this nation is for us to think of the word ‘chain’ as a pejorative term.

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Diary Dates Best for social media

Best for networking

Best for business support

25 July

8 August

19 September

Enterprise Hub presents: Building a Social Media Strategy

A4B Trafford GM Chamber Expo

Wirral and Chester Business Fair 2018

Lancashire County Cricket Club, Manchester

The Women’s Organisation, Liverpool

From blogging and Twitter to Facebook and LinkedIn, find out which is best for you on this half-day course.

Expect to be guided through different platforms and time saving techniques when it comes to developing a social media marketing strategy for the online performance of your business.

Part funded by The Women’s Organisation, the course is offered at a subsidised £50 rate but women living in Merseyside and thinking of launching a business may be eligible for a free place.

New Brighton Floral Pavilion, New Brighton

The inaugural GM Chamber Expo will bring together a range of professionals and is an essential event if you’re aim is to grow your business and develop contacts in the Greater Manchester region.

Entry is priced at £15 for non-members excluding VAT, and free for members.

The fair, held annually since 2005, is now firmly established as a popular business event attracting 40-50 exhibitors and 400-500 visitors.

Large and small firms can gain information and advice on how best to grow and develop operations in the region as the event features workshops and seminars, free business clinics, special promotions, prizes and support and advice from experts.

The event is free to attend.

Professional Pointers

In the know

Maintaining a healthy work-life balance

Wunderlist Available for free on iOS, Android, Windows, Kindle Fire and the web

with Sue Henry, founder of MSH Partnership Working every waking hour may make us feel like we’re getting more done, but a gruelling schedule impacts on our health, affects relationships and reduces productivity. When we tend to our wellbeing we become more creative, make better decisions and feel happier both at home and in the office.

Sue Henry, founder of MSH Partnership and co-founder of the Healthy Business Hub Wirral and Chester, offers some tips on achieving work-life balance.

morning for a response. Disconnecting from work will reduce stress before bedtime, setting you up for a good night’s sleep.

Prioritise and plan Think about what’s important to you and make a list of priorities, then schedule the key components into your calendar as you would a meeting and stick to it.

If time is short, adapt the appointments to fit – take a 15-minute walk at lunchtime, dedicate half an hour for breakfast with loved ones, or keep time free to read a favourite book. You’ll feel better and get more done in the long run.

Take notice In a busy and demanding role it can be hard to avoid getting distracted by work even during downtime.

Thoughts of today’s stressful meeting creep in while you’re eating dinner, or anxiety about an unfinished task interrupts when you’re watching TV. Try to notice when this happens, then make a conscious choice to give 100% of your attention to what you’re doing in that moment and enjoy it.

Disconnect to connect Switch off emails after a certain time in the evening and at weekends to spend time with family and friends. It may seem like you need to be constantly available, but once you tell colleagues that you won’t reply after eight o’clock, most are happy to wait until 28 MOVE COMMERCIAL

There’s no such thing as a perfect work-life balance.

At times, you’ll need to adapt your priorities and that’s okay.

Aim for a healthy blend of both and you’ll ultimately see a positive difference to your business.

Do you feel overwhelmed by your list of tasks that need completing both in and out of work?

Setting up a Wunderlist account can help you keep track of everything that needs doing, no matter how big or small, enabling you to manage your time more effectively each day.

From juggling a number of projects professionally to planning a holiday or keeping on top of day-to-day chores, the app enables you to organise everything that needs doing and set reminders and deadlines.

Use the task management tool to get stuff done, and then feel the satisfaction of seeing your to-do list get smaller as jobs appear in the ‘completed’ section.

Wunderlist can be upgraded with ‘Pro’ or ‘Business’ subscriptions for use with fewer limits and the ability to share lists and work together on projects with colleagues or family and friends.

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Business lifestyle

How to… embrace flexible working practices

Tried & Tested Post-work wind down The Club House - Chavasse Park, Liverpool ONE, L1 Review by Matthew Smith Enjoying a prime location in the popular shopping and foodie hotspot of Liverpool ONE, Hamptons-inspired venue The Club House boasts an impressive interior and extensive food and drinks menus.

When we arrived it was particularly busy with shoppers, city workers and families all unwinding outside and enjoying the good weather. The atmosphere was friendly and relaxing, with a beautiful aroma drifting across the park.

My dining partner and I were warmly greeted by our attentive server and shown to our table on the first floor balcony, which offered a perfect view of the greenspace surroundings.

Staff were very accommodating and allowed us to relocate indoors when the surprisingly warm British weather became too much.

At The Club House you can choose from a wide variety of cocktails, including alcohol-free options which are perfect for a mid-week work night, as well as nibbles, starters, mains, desserts, real ales and wines.

My guest chose a glass of Malbec ‘1300’ Andeluna from Mendoza, Argentina (£9.75 for 250ml) and immediately declared it “extremely smooth”.

I selected the alcohol-free Raspberry and Elderflower Cooler (£4.50) which was especially refreshing given the climate.

We then ordered from the bread and olives menu and decided on the Farmhouse Loaf and Chicken Gravy (£3.95). Granted this sounds like an unusual combination but the gravy, made inhouse from the rotisserie chicken, combined perfectly with the warm homemade loaf.

Moving onto starters my fellow diner plumped for Homemade Houmous (£5.25) which came with blackened tomato salsa, crudites and toasted flatbread. The dish was presented perfectly, with an array of colourful vegetables and warm bread stacked on the plate.

Meanwhile I ordered the Vietnamese Vegetable Spring Rolls (£5.50) which came with peanut and chilli pickle. Although a pleasantly surprising dish, I found the look of my dining partner’s choice more appealing.

After devouring the courses, and staying true to the Hamptons’ lifestyle, my dining partner ordered one of The Club House’s famous hanging kebabs – chicken (£11.95), which came with garlic butter and seasoned chips, garnished with sweet chilli and ginger.

As I waited for my dish to arrive I watched the garlic butter slowly drip down the kebab and onto a bowl of chips and couldn’t help but wish I’d ordered the same.

Any regrets and doubts I had about my plate were immediately laid to rest as soon as it arrived though. The Beer-Battered Fish and Chips (£13.50) from the House Classics section of the menu was made with home-brewed speciality ale and served with minted peas and house tartare sauce. The portion size and taste justified the steeper price .

We also followed our server’s recommendation and ordered a side of Charred Sweetcorn (£3.95) which came sopped with garlic butter.

Despite wanting to venture into the extensive dessert menu, we found ourselves full of delicious food. However, when we return to this relaxing getaway I have my eye on the Baked Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (£5.95), served with salted caramel ice cream and toffee sauce.

When you find yourself wanting to unwind after a long day at the office you should definitely consider heading to The Club House.

Offering excellent food, great music and refreshing drinks, the all-American recreational retreat offers the perfect way to fill the hours out of the office, especially under the summer sun. The Club House could not score higher.

According to Work Wise UK, which promotes ‘smarter’ working practices through campaigns including Work Wise Week and National Work from Home Day, the likes of flexible, remote and mobile working can boost productivity and increase work-life balance.

Here are some tips to bear in mind when introducing more flexibility into your workplace.

Consider everyone Whilst a more flexible approach to work can really benefit employees with children, be it utilising technology to enable remote working when staff have matters to deal with at home or compressing the number of working hours across fewer days, such initiatives shouldn’t just be geared to staff members with families.

According to Investors In People, making worklife balance incentives accessible and relevant to all can “encourage everyone to lead an active and fulfilling life that can boost morale, attitudes and behaviour across the board”.

Develop skills More flexible working hours are believed to enhance productivity as staff see a greater value in ‘work time’ as opposed to viewing 9am until 5pm as the hours they must be in the office.

Ensure your team has the ability to manage their own time effectively and work towards goals and objectives.

Training may also be required to enable staff to comfortably use necessary technology for workplace flexibility.

Focus on outcomes Government advice on ‘smart’ and more flexible working suggests a need to focus management on results and outcomes as opposed to the presence of staff.

In order to achieve success whilst working in this way, teams need to work openly and collaboratively by sharing schedules, being supportive of each other and letting others know where or when they are working.

Members of the team should always be clear on the structure of working, and their goals and objectives, and the way people are working must always be challenged to ensure it is continuously productive and right for the business.

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Expert views Ask the panel Liverpool City Council’s cabinet recently gave the go-ahead for a draft Spatial Regeneration Framework (SRF) to be drawn up for Liverpool’s commercial business district, in a bid to protect and enhance employment space and position the area to make the most of surrounding regeneration projects. With this in mind, we’re asking business and property experts:

Q: What are the key needs to address in order to strengthen Liverpool’s commercial business district?

Liverpool’s leisure and residential development sectors are thriving around the commercial district with a number of new bars and restaurants on Castle Street, and Water Street coming back to life with office-toapartments conversions.

It’s great to see new life being breathed into some of our city’s most iconic buildings, but that process has a downside. Liverpool has lost more than one million sq ft of office space over the past couple of years to leisure and residential conversion and that’s a big chunk out of a total of around 7m sq ft.

If we are to attract new occupiers from outside the city and meet demand from firms looking to move within the city then we urgently need more space.

A number of schemes are proposed, including Pall Mall and Princes Dock. These projects need to be brought forward quickly if we want to grow our economy and attract new investors.

Emma Carey, managing partner, MSB Solicitors

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The creation of an SRF to cover the commercial district is exactly the right step for the council to be taking. These are the issues I hope it addresses: • Creation of a sense of place for the commercial district, a central space around which development can occur, which draws people in and encourages dwell time and improves the experience of workers.

• Restriction over certain uses, and

The proposed SRF is an exciting prospect, which promises to have a long-lasting impact on Liverpool’s commercial district.

To maximise the positive effects of this significant investment, several considerations must be made to ensure its impact is meaningful.

The proposals outline plans to guide the supply to meet the growing demand for first-class workspace. Alongside these commercial spaces, it’s also crucial that there’s investment to improve the area’s residential and retail offering. This holistic offer is key to developing thriving commercial communities.

Connectivity is also a key factor to consider, to stimulate growth and investment in the area. Priorities should include ongoing enhancements to digital connectivity, a secure environment and further upgrades to the public realm, with associated improvements to its cleanliness and upkeep.

mediocre architecture which isn’t conducive to the creation of a high quality business environment.

• Due to Permitted Development Rights, it’ll always be more financially beneficial to acquire a building for conversion to residential than a high quality office refurb.

Somehow this needs addressing to allow developers who want to create employment space a fair playing field when looking to acquire buildings.

• Creation of a prime commercial zone within which competitive tension can be created and rents can increase. Liverpool’s current stock and pipeline is too widely dispersed to see consistent rent appreciation.

If the above can be achieved then I believe Liverpool’s commercial district can once again begin to thrive.

John Moffat, development director, Capital&Centric

For three centuries Liverpool’s business district had an identifiable heart: Castle Street.

The town hall and the Bank of England told us that this was the city’s fulcrum of power. You couldn’t ask for anything more definitive in place-making terms.

Today Castle Street is dominated by leisure and residential uses and, whilst they bring a welcome level of animation and buzz to the business district, I’m left asking ‘where is its new heart?’

The planned office extension to St Paul’s Square should answer that, whilst our project at India Buildings will help reinforce the historic core’s importance as 3,000 new staff move in.

Provision of flexible office space such as Capital&Centric’s Tempest reflect the more fluid nature of work and lifestyle and I hope we’ll see more such schemes.

Living and working in close proximity is more sustainable and extends the ‘hours of animation’, keeping the city vibrant.

Alastair Shepherd, director, Falkoner Chester Hall

Striking this balance to create a worldclass, competitive business environment within a vibrant neighbourhood will be crucial to the success of Liverpool’s commercial district, creating a diverse and well-connected place to live and work.

John Clegg, head of property management at Downing, and a member of the Liverpool BID Commercial District Development Board

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