Move Commercial 39

LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESHIRE MANCHESTER

JULY-AUGUST 2014

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move CommerCial The north-west’s guide to property and business

Issue 39

Regenerating Regions Securing investment in the North West

IFB to return in 2016 Chancellor commits to funding

Industrial revolution The disused buildings being brought back to life www.movecommercial.com

A TRULY UNIQUE HOTEL WITH HISTORY AND CHARACTER

Now Open The Titanic Hotel is part of the redevelopment of the historic Stanley Dock complex.

The 153 rooms at Titanic Hotel are all about the space.

Our furnishings are rich and earthy. Our bed linen, is nothing short of wondrous. Each bedroom has the original windows of this incredible building giving vast views over the historic Port of Liverpool.

The Rum Warehouse is our conference, exhibition and banqueting centre which boasts 1400sqm of exhibition space, seating 1560 delegates over two levels and with capacity for up to 1000 in one space. Floor to ceiling glazing cannot but inspire all who gather here. The technology installed as standard will wow and excite you, including 100mb broadband throughout. In addition a range of boardrooms and breakout spaces are incorporated as are catering facilities and spacious accommodations to match.

Coming Soon

448 apartments, bars and shops planned in the Tobacco Warehouse

To book call 0151 559 1444 or visit www.titanichotelliverpool.com

Stanley Dock, Regent Road, Liverpool info@titanichotelliverpool.com

0151 559 1444

Standing opposite the Titanic Hotel is the grade 11 - listed Tobacco Warehouse which will be the location of the next phase of development of Stanley Dock.

All enquiries please contact: declanbaxter@harcourthouse.com or patpower@harcourthouse.com

WWW.TITANICHOTELLIVERPOOL.COM

OUR LIVERPOOL FLEXI-OFFICE REVOLUTION IS GATHERING PACE...

MORE AND MORE BUSINESSES ARE ENJOYING THE FLEXIBILITY OF A SERVICED OFFICE WITH NONE OF THE ADD-ON COSTS.

CAN YOU SEE YOURSELF IN THIS SPACE?

Our Flexi-Offices are letting as quickly as we can create them.

A range of new suites at Graeme House and No.1 Old Hall Street – from 140sqft upwards – will be ready for occupation in the next few weeks. So, if you have an office requirement for one person or more – just tell us what you’re looking for.

WE’RE READY WHEN YOU ARE.

T: 0151 707 2666 E: offices@downing.com www.downing.com/flexi-offices

Issue thirty-nine Move Commercial

Contents News 06 The region’s latest at a glance 07 Chester BID approved in ballot 08 Agents instructed for Grade A scheme 09 New tenant at refurbished Anfield offices 10 North West rental rates outperform UK 12 Preston Guild Hall set for £1m revamp 13 Mason Partners helps secure deals 14 IFB to return in 2016 15 Wirral firm receives training fund 21 Funds set aside for delivery-ready schemes

44

Welcome to Move Commercial It’s been a busy month for the region, with delegates descending on Liverpool for the inaugural International Festival for Business and employers and apprentices celebrating their achievements at a host of events. Plus, here at Move Commercial we recently launched our brand new website www.movecommercial.com, bringing you a new way to keep up with news and developments from across the North West.

Features

This latest issue of the magazine is packed with coverage from some of the biggest events from the past few weeks, and we focus on regeneration in the region with our expert debate and a look at some of the biggest redevelopments of industrial buildings.

As usual, we’ve also got news from across the commercial property and business sectors and expert insight from some of the industry’s most prominent people.

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28 move publishing ltd Advertising Director Fiona Barnet. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Advertising Manager Catherine McCarthy. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Editor Christine Toner. Tel: 0151 709 3871 Editorial Team Natasha Young and Stephen Hurrell.

Tel: 0151 709 3871 post@movepublishing.co.uk

38 Design The Design Foundry.

Email: mail@design-foundry.co.uk Published by Move Publishing Ltd Directors David O’Brien, Kim O’Brien, Fiona Barnet Printed by Precision Colour Printers Ltd Distribution Liaison Manager Barbara Troughton Tel: 0151 733 5492 Mobile: 077148 14662 Credits: McCoy Wynne – Cover. Peter Kelly – Apprenticeship Awards, Apprentice Ship Cup, Accelerate, Regen 2014, Debate, Rising Star.

Tom Murphy – Mover & Shaker, Lunch Date.

Liam Deveney – Apprenticeship Awards.

Emma Leigh Bassnett – Pop Phenomenon

M

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.

18 Bitesize Thinking Food for thought 20 Appointments Who’s moving where?

22 Pop Phenomenon The rise of pop-up shops 26 Key event Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Awards 28 Rising Star Rob Lowe, design co-ordinator at Galliford Try 30 Key event Apprentice Ship Cup celebrations 32 Debate Experts discuss regeneration in the region 36 Key event Regen 2014 at the new Rum Warehouse 38 Mover & Shaker Vince Sandwell, managing director of BE Group 40 Lunch Date Move Commercial meets ES Group’s Robert Diggle for lunch 41 Secrets to success Richard Roberts from Cass Associates reveals all 42 Key Event High profile speakers at Accelerate 2014 43 Business diary What’s on around the region 44 Industrial revolution Giving factories and warehouses a new lease of life 47 Ask the Panel Can Assisted Area status have a noticeable impact?

News in brief Around the region

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BLACKPOOL

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In this issue of Move Commercial our packed news pages bring you up to date on the North West’s commercial property and business sectors, from the latest deals and developments to leisure and retail round-ups.

PRESTON BLACKBURN

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SOUTHPORT

M6 M61

ROCHDALE

BOLTON ORMSKIRK SKELMERSDALE

Plus we take a look at the biggest announcements from the 50-day International Festival for Business as it passes its half way point, and we catch up with financial updates and training opportunities across the region.

WIGAN

OLDHAM

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MANCHESTER

M6 KNOWSLEY

ST HELENS

M62 LIVERPOOL STOCKPORT BIRKENHEAD

WARRINGTON

ALTRINCHAM

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M6 ELLESMERE PORT

M56 MACCLESFIELD

CHESTER

> PRESTON

> CHESTER

> LIVERPOOL

> MANCHESTER

Commercial lots attract early interest

Funding boost for cultural development

Market improvements move forward

Agents appointed for 101 Embankment

Strong response anticipated for two Preston city centre investment opportunities.

Chester complex is among North West projects to receive cash from Arts Council England.

Preferred contractor approved for proposed St John’s scheme.

Instruction for Grade A scheme announced as demolition begins on site.

>> Read More on Page 13

>> Read More on Page 12

>> Read More on Page 10

>> Read More on Page 8

Latest News

Property director faces BID ballot gruelling triathlon challenge victory for BRUNTWOOD’S PROPERTY marketing director, Colin Sinclair is gearing up to take part in his second Ironman challenge in as many months, as he aims to raise £2,000 for charity.

Having warmed up with the Snowdonia Slateman triathlon in May, Sinclair, who is supporting both Scope and youth club charity Onside with his fundraising, completed a tough half Ironman in Exmoor in June reaching the finish line in seven hours and 12 minutes.

On 20 July the gruelling Ironman UK in Bolton will round off Sinclair’s tough triathlon task, when he faces swimming through 2.4 miles of open water, cycling 112 miles and then running a full marathon.

The 52-year-old, who began taking on triathlons three years ago, says: “I train whenever I can around my busy job with Bruntwood and family life. I can often be seen running along the waterfront in Liverpool at stupid o’clock in the morning or along the canal in Castlefield in Manchester City centre at lunch times.”

Sinclair will need to complete the full distance of his forthcoming Ironman event in under 17 hours.

To find out more or to make a donation, visit uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ ColinSinclair1

Colin Sinclair has already completed a half Ironman event

Chester

PLANS TO CREATE a business improvement district (BID) in Chester city centre have been given the go ahead, after more than 75% of ballot votes were in favour of the initiative.

The CH1 Chester BID Company – a team of local business people – initially launched the campaign for a BID to help generate £2.5 million of private sector investment for the area.

Nearly 300 city centre businesses are said to have taken part in the ballot for the BID, which will see more than 500 firms with a rateable value of more than £18,000 contribute a levy equal to 1% of their business rates each year.

Following the ballot victory CH1 Chester BID chairman, Paul Daniels, says: “We’ve worked tirelessly to convince people that the BID is our best option for improving our economic prospects, so we’re absolutely delighted that the local business community has given us the opportunity to deliver a successful and sustainable commercial transformation.

“The BID will be key to better times for our business community and it will create positive change for our city centre. Working together, we can restore Chester’s reputation as the retail, business and leisure destination of choice for our business community, residents, investors and visitors.”

The BID term is set to begin in September and last for five years until 2019.

MOVE COMMERCIAL

7

News Latest

Halton Curve investment welcomed by John Lennon Airport THE GOVERNMENT’S announcement of a £10.4 million upgrade to the Halton Curve rail line has been welcomed by Liverpool’s John Lennon Airport (JLA).

The investment was revealed during a speech at Liverpool’s International Festival for Business (IFB) by Chancellor George Osborne as he set out his vision to build a ‘northern powerhouse’.

JLA has supported the need for the re-establishment of the rail link since it was first proposed more than 10 years ago, as it would aim to improve connectivity between the city, Cheshire and North Wales through the reinstatement of a section of rail track between Frodsham and Runcorn.

Robin Tudor, head of PR for Liverpool JLA, says: “This is tremendous news for the Airport and has been a project we have supported and been pursuing for many, many years. This scheme will now mean that communities in North West Cheshire – many of whom live close enough that they can see the Airport from across the other side of the Mersey estuary, along with passengers right across North Wales, will once again have direct rail access to Liverpool and the Airport via Liverpool South Parkway rail station.

“The Halton Curve is likewise important for inbound visitors using Liverpool John Lennon Airport as a gateway to the region, providing far easier onward access to tourist destinations including Chester and areas across North Wales.”

The project is part of the Chancellor’s plans to invest nearly £35m for Atlantic Gateway projects in the area.

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MOVE COMMERCIAL

Agents appointment for 101 Embankment

The 101 Embankment development

AGENTS HAVE been appointed for the 101 Embankment building in Manchester city centre, as demolition work gets underway on the Grade A office development.

CBRE and DTZ have been appointed joint agents to the scheme, which will create 167,000 sq ft of office space across 10 storeys when it is complete.

The development, designed by a partnership between Ask Property Developments, Carillion and Tristan Capital Partners, will include a 442-

space Q-Park car park and individual floor plates of up to 17,700 sq ft.

Permission for the scheme has been granted and demolition work is taking place at the site. The developers have set a completion date of July 2016 for the speculative office scheme.

Peter Mather of Tristan Capital Partners, says: “We are pleased to welcome CBRE onto the 101 Embankment agency team. Their exposure to the occupier market is second to none and we are confident

that their appointment alongside DTZ will add to the success of our first phase at Embankment.”

The 101 Embankment building is part of a wider scheme to connect Manchester and Salford via a 3.25 million sq ft mixed-use development including a second office building, 100 Embankment, providing 150,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, retail and leisure developments, and a pedestrian footbridge across the River Irwell.

North West benefits from £1 billion Growth Fund MORE THAN £1 billion has been awarded to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs) across the North West region under the government’s Growth Deal, a £12bn programme to devolve spending and boost local economies.

Greater Manchester received £476.7m and will use the investment to support development at Alderley Park through a new Life Science Investment Fund, which will encourage start-ups and other businesses to expand at the bioscience park. Other schemes include a £50m upgrade to Metrolink including 12 new trams and new interchanges at Stockport and Ashton.

Prime Minister David Cameron says: “For too long our economy has been too London-focused and too centralised. Growth Deals will help change all that. They are about firing up our great towns and cities, boosting local economies and driving growth across the country.

This historic deal means real change for people and businesses in Greater Manchester.”

Alderley Park

Liverpool’s LEP plans to use its £230m Growth Fund investment to expand the city’s freight and logistics capabilities and improve connectivity in the city centre.

The LEP also plans to create a Business Growth Hub and support the International Festival for Business 2016.

Other regions to benefit from the funding include Lancashire with £233.9m and Cheshire and Warrington with £142.7m.

Latest News

New tenant at refurbished business centre The new conference facilities

ANFIELD BUSINESS CENTRE in Liverpool has welcomed a new tenant to the building after upgrading its conference facilities.

Parthenon Facilities Management has taken space on the newly refurbished second floor of the building, while current tenant Pertemps, part of one of the UK’s largest recruitment agencies, has expanded its office space after a year at the site.

The news comes after extensive upgrades to the facilities at the offices, which include a new 16-person conference suite complete with 50-inch smart TV, projector facilities and free WiFi. Along with an existing 18-person conference suite, it will provide meeting and presentation space for the

Event space launched at the Royal Liver Building A NEW EVENT space has been launched inside one of Liverpool’s most iconic buildings.

The Venue was opened on the first floor of the Royal Liver Building in June, and is being lead by event agency The Concerto Group.

The firm has awarded Chesterbased Dougherty and Allen with the catering contract for the site, inside a building regarded as one of the city’s ‘Three Graces’, which will host corporate and private events and is

Inside new space, The Venue

also licensed for civil wedding and partnership ceremonies.

Dougherty and Allen will provide three-course seated dinner menus as well as canapé receptions, buffets and drinks menu, and has been appointed by The Concerto Group for its “bold flavours, the finest seasonal produce and fantastic local produce”.

The flexible space, which also boasts panoramic views across the Mersey, is equipped with technology including WiFi and full AV support.

building’s occupants, says owner business centre manager Chris Dunford.

Mark Wilson, director at Parthenon Facilities Management, says: “We moved to Anfield Business Centre because it was a little more luxurious than our previous space. The specification and finish of the office and the new facilities have been a big plus since we’ve moved here Chris has been brilliant.

“The office will help the business grow and is somewhere where we would be happy to bring clients back.”

For more information about the serviced offices at Anfield Business Centre call 0151 438 2122.

Tobacco Warehouse

Plans progress for the next stage of Stanley Dock development STANLEY DOCK Properties is planning the next phase of the Stanley Dock development, as it celebrates the opening of the luxury Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse convention centre at the North Liverpool site.

The next phase will see the Tobacco Warehouse, labelled the largest brick building in the world when it was constructed in 1901, restored and converted into 448 duplex luxury apartments.

Pat Power, of Stanley Dock Properties, says: “We are excited to begin the next phase of the development after receiving such a great reaction to the new luxury Titanic Hotel and Rum Warehouse conference centre. This is a unique

development in a historic area and we look forward to creating a world-class destination for people to work, live and play.”

The hotel opened its doors on 7 July and boasts 153 rooms, a spa, restaurant and bar, while retaining the listed building’s original features. The development also includes the 1,560-capacity Rum Warehouse conference centre. It is part of a wider scheme to regenerate the largest collection of Victorian dockside warehouses in Western Europe.

For more information on the Titanic Hotel and the Tobacco Warehouse visit www.titanichotelliverpool.com

MOVE COMMERCIAL

9

News Retail

Council approves market contractor LIVERPOOL CITY COUNCIL’S cabinet has tasked Graham Construction to carry out a proposed £2 million refurbishment of St John’s Market, after agreeing to appoint the firm.

The construction company is already carrying out improvements to the shopping centre area of the site and, subject to planning permission, will also focus on the modernisation of the Elliot Street entrance and improving signage to make the market more visible.

Inside, the planned refurbishments will deliver a new central atrium space and seating area, and bring the balcony back into use with additional stalls, a café and new public toilets.

The new-look market will also offer free wi-fi and group stalls that sell similar items together. The number of traders in the market will increase from 120 to 140 under the new plans.

Councillor Malcolm Kennedy, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration, says: “This work is much-needed because St John’s Market still has the feel of something that was designed in the 1970s.

“Our proposals will see the market transformed into a much more up-to-date, brighter and more airy environment in line with what we know shoppers want.”

Work on the market is expected to start later this year and will be completed by April 2015. It will be funded by the council’s capital programme.

The planned market refurbishment 10 MOVE COMMERCIAL

North West retail rents outperform UK RETAIL RENTAL performance in the North West outstripped London and the rest of the UK for the first time since 2011, according to a new report.

Colliers International’s Midsummer Retail Report found retail rents fell by just 1% in the North West and a number of retail centres saw rising or stable rents. The region’s top performing retail centre was Burnley, which enjoyed increases of 7% or £5 per sq ft in retail rents.

Average retail rents in Liverpool, Manchester and Stockport all remained unchanged at £265 per sq ft, £250 per sq ft and £100 per sq ft respectively.

According to the report, the total number of retail centres with stable rents rose from 12 in 2013 to 31 in 2014, representing 79% of all retail centres in the region. Meanwhile, the number of shopping centres with decreasing retail rents fell from 64% in 2013 to just 18% in 2014.

David Fox, head of retail agency for the North at Colliers International, says: “The more optimistic outlook for the North West is borne out by our own market activity on behalf of retailer and landlord clients.

“Whilst there are still towns and secondary streets in bigger urban areas that have an uncertain future, new entrants into the North West retailing landscape and a proactive approach from landlords are enhancing the appeal of the region’s shopping destinations.”

David Fox

Consultation for Trafford Centre Metrolink line opens

The proposed Trafford Centre stop

PEOPLE WILL be able to have their say on a proposed £350 million Metrolink line that will link the Trafford Centre to the existing network, after a consultation was launched.

The new 5.5km Trafford Park line will run from the Pomona stop to the Trafford Centre, stopping at Wharfside for Old Trafford, the Imperial War Museum North, Trafford Park Village, Parkway and EventCity on the way. The public

have 12 weeks to submit their views on the plans, which has £37m funding secured from the Greater Manchester Combined Authority to get the scheme ready and build 10 new trams to serve the line.

Peter Cushing, Metrolink director at Transport for Greater Manchester, says: “This new tram line proposal is great news for the Trafford area.

“Metrolink will offer excellent transport connections to local

businesses, shopping and leisure opportunities along the route – while also opening up links to the wider tram network, which will cover around 92km when the new airport line opens later this year.”

If successful Tranport for Greater Manchester will seek additional government funding opportunities and says it could be completed by as early as 2019.

To take part in the consultation email future.metrolink@tfgm.com

find energy At the heart of the UK, close to Liverpool and Manchester, Wirral is an international gateway that’s full of opportunity. And with the best access to west coast offshore wind zones Wirral is ready to be a hub for offshore energy. The world famous Cammell Laird is leading the way, making the most of its location on the banks of the River Mersey and Wirral’s highly skilled workers. With 7 million people and 12 universities within one hour’s drive of Wirral you’ll find a new energy with us.

EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future

European Regional Development Fund 2007-13

investwirral.com

find innovation Wirral is home to innovators large and small. From Unilever’s R&D centre at Port Sunlight driving innovation in household brands around the globe to Restaurant Fraiche in Oxton creating Michelin Star food to thrill the taste buds.

People in Wirral benefit from an excellent range of homes, top performing schools and a better quality of life with stunning views of mountains, sea and city skyline. And Wirral has room to grow with space for 1.7 million sq.m of new developments and the highest level of incentives of an Enterprise Zone in England as the £4.5bn Wirral Waters vision becomes reality. Innovation and growth, you’ll find it with us.

EUROPEAN UNION Investing in Your Future

European Regional Development Fund 2007-13

investwirral.com

MOVE COMMERCIAL 11

News Leisure

Chester’s Cultural Centre development

Culture developments win arts funding CHESTER’S CULTURAL CENTRE and The Met in Bury are among the North West venues to receive funding from the latest round of grants from Arts Council England.

Arts Council England agreed to fund several venues and arts projects in the region as part of £1.9 billion in annual funding, including Chester’s Cultural Centre, which has received £3m in capital funding grant. Detailed plans to create a £37.5m theatre, cinema and library complex will go before a Strategic Planning Committee in October.

Councillor Stuart Parker, executive member for culture and economy at Cheshire West & Chester Council, says: “This is terrific news; a massive leap forward and a wonderful endorsement of the financial and

artistic qualities of our bid.”

A £4.5 million refurbishment for The Met theatre in Bury has also moved a step closer after it secured £3m funding from Arts Council England towards the build.

The money, part of a host of funding announcements for arts in the North West, will go towards installing a mezzanine floor in the main theatre, modernising public facilities and improvements to backstage areas.

David Agnew, director of The Met, says: "This is an important step for the project.

While not a guarantee, it allows us to continue conversations with other stakeholders about investment in the building to better reflect the quality of work we are presenting."

Open Championship will return to Birkdale The Preston Guild Hall refurbishment

PRESTON GUILD HALL SET FOR £1M REVAMP PRESTON GUILD HALL will be converted into a live music and entertainment venue after Preston Council agreed to sell the complex to a local businessman.

The £1 million regeneration will include a new Italian restaurant, banqueting and conference facilities, a coffee shop and a start-up business hub, according to plans by Simon Rigby, who owns a catering and entertainment business. The decision to sell the hall to Rigby was made to avoid the hall’s closure, says the council.

Councillor Peter Rankin, leader of Preston City Council, says: “As a council we have to save over 12 MOVE COMMERCIAL

£3.6m over the next three years and without Simon’s intervention we would have had no choice but to close the Guild Hall. It currently costs us £1m a year to run and the building is in need of significant investment, which the council simply has not got.”

The £1m investment will be used ‘immediately’ to refurbish the hall, according to Rigby. He says: “This will transform the Guild Hall into a fabulous live entertainment venue for Preston, which will include community use of the building. We are flexible and we will see to it that nobody with clear budget issues for putting on a community event at the Guild Hall is turned away.”

GOLF’S OPEN CHAMPIONSHIP will return to Royal Birkdale in 2016 for the first time since the course hosted the event in 2008.

The announcement was made on the eve of this year’s tournament, which takes place in Hoylake at the Royal Liverpool links course and will see the Open, which is the only major golf championship outside the US, return for the 10th time to the historic venue.

When the Open was last held at Royal Birkdale in 2008, officials from organiser The Royal & Ancient estimated the event gave the local economy a £70 million boost and Sefton Council says a similar impact is expected this time.

Councillor Peter Dowd, leader of Sefton Council, says: "The Sefton coast is famous for its amazing links golf courses and we are delighted to hear that the Open Championship will return to Royal Birkdale in 2017.

"When it was last here in 2008 it provided a huge boost to the local economy through accommodation bookings, food and drink and leisure activities.”

Meanwhile plans are underway to build a new world-class golf course, five-star hotel and conference facilities at a 285-acre site near to Royal Liverpool and a development partner will be announced in autumn 2014.

Sales & Lettings News

Investment opportunities lined up for auction A MIXED USE building in Liverpool city centre is among the commercial highlights of the next Sutton Kersh auction.

The 17 July event, at the Liverpool City Centre Marriott Hotel, will see the part-let residential and retail site on Sankey Street, adjacent to China Town and The Blackie Cultural Centre, go under the hammer.

The property offers an investment opportunity for potential buyers as its 14 two-bedroom apartments and three ground floor retail units currently generate an annual rent of £106,920, which could increase to more than £160,000 when fully let.

The guide price is £1,250,000 to £1,300,000.

The auction’s varied 106 lots also include a number of other commercial opportunities including a former pub on Lodge Lane in Liverpool which has been converted into three ground floor retail units and four flats, and produces an annual income of £18,000 when fully let. It has a guide price of £130,000 to £140,000.

Sankey Street

Elsewhere, a pair of vacant threestorey properties in Boughton, near Chester city centre, comprising two ground floor retail units, two selfcontained flats and a commercial office are guided at £100,000 to £125,000.

Ahead of the sale, which starts at 12pm, auction manageress Cathy Holt says: “We have once again assembled a large and varied

Century Building

THE CENTURY BUILDING at Liverpool’s Brunswick Business Park is welcoming new occupiers as it “continues to be popular”.

Liverpool Housing Trust has taken a 4,500 sq ft industrial unit and Philip Armstrong Ltd has taken a 3,870 sq ft unit at the site, which offers office and industrial accommodation.

Meanwhile existing occupiers Riverside Laundry and Complete Site Safety have committed to larger units of 4,194 sq ft and 4,264 sq ft to accommodate expanding operations.

Jon Swain of Mason Partners, which acted for the landlord alongside CBRE, says: “Century Building

catalogue which reflects the ongoing confidence our customers have in our ability to dispose of their surplus stock efficiently.”

Sutton Kersh is also inviting instructions for its 11 September auction. The catalogue closes on 8 August.

For further details visit www.suttonkersh.co.uk/auctionsproperty

Mason Partners leads lettings deals

continues to be popular with occupiers, its flexibility enables a wide range of office and industrial requirements to be accommodated.”

The lettings are among a number of recent deals in the region which Mason Partners has been involved in.

The agent also acted alongside Legat Owen for landlords at The Oaks Office Park in Ellesmere Port, where Xenon Green Energy completed a lease of 5,205 sq ft, leaving just 3,100 sq ft available at the site.

Mason Partners also acted with CBRE for the landlord of Liverpool’s Boundary Workshops, as Rockoff Retail relocated to an 8,200 sq ft industrial unit.

‘High interest’ for Preston office buildings TWO OFFICE buildings in Preston city centre are expected to attract a “high level of interest” at Pugh & Company’s forthcoming Manchester auction.

Norwest Court, a part-let eightstorey commercial property with 24,358 sq ft of lettable accommodation and current rents reserved at £64,660 per annum, will be on offer at the 24 July event with a total investment guide price of £800,000 plus. The building is already occupied by tenants including Hays and Pearson Driving Centres.

Meanwhile Guildhall House will also go up for sale at the event, which takes place at the Etihad Stadium from 12pm, and consists of a multi-let five-storey office building and car park. The guide price for Guildhall House has been placed at £1,200,000 plus.

Paul Thompson, director and auctioneer at Pugh & Company says: “We are anticipating a high level of interest for these high value investments due to their prime location and covenant strength. We are already taking viewing requests on the properties and would urge any interested parties to register their interest early.”

For more information log on to www.pugh-auctions.com

Norwest Court MOVE COMMERCIAL 13

News IFB

Liverpool’s IFB to be ‘even bigger and even better’ in 2016

George Osborne made the announcement during the Santander SME summit

LIVERPOOL’S International Festival for Business (IFB) will return in 2016, after the Chancellor committed funding and support.

As he delivered a keynote speech at the Santander SME summit at the halfway point of the inaugural 50-day festival, which is currently delivering a programme of business events across the city, George Osborne MP told delegates: “When I travel round the world meeting foreign

governments and investors I am selling Britain as a brand and events like this International Festival for Business make that job easier. It’s a shop window for global markets and a reminder that we can be proud of the stamp that reads ‘Made in Britain’.

“So today I am backing this initiative, committing the funding requested by the Mayor [of Liverpool] Joe Anderson and Liverpool city council for another festival here in Liverpool in 2016.”

During the announcement, which took place in the Cunard Building, the Chancellor said he would work with the city to make the event “even bigger and even better” when it returns.

The news has been welcomed by Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson, who says: “We have demonstrated our business credentials, developed an extensive worldwide address book of key contacts and the feedback we have received from businesses and organisations has been hugely positive.

“This year’s festival has been no mean feat and my team at Liverpool Vision have risen to the challenge and I know we have the expertise to do it again.”

IFB chair Max Steinberg, who also previously told Move Commercial that some legacy events were being planned for 2015 to continue the momentum from this year’s festival, adds: “Deals are being done, relationships are being made, visitors have thoroughly enjoyed their experience of the city and organisations are wanting to come back.

International participation in this year’s festival has indicated that there will be further interest in coming to the city in 2016 and being part of the continuing worldwide economic recovery.”

BAC WINS ‘FACE OF THE FESTIVAL’ PRIzE SUPERCAR MANUFACTURER Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) has been named as the International Festival of Business’ (IFB) ‘Face of the Festival’.

The carmaker will receive a package worth £30,000 including advertising on the Liverpool Lime Street digital wall and free broadband for a year from BT Business. It will also receive a package of support from UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) as part of Business is GREAT’s campaign to find the most exciting SME in the North West.

BAC built its only car model, the lightweight Mono supercar, live at the IFB’s hub at the Mann 14 MOVE COMMERCIAL

BAC has taken part in an advertising shoot

Island development during the inaugural business festival.

Neill Briggs, BAC’s managing director, says: “We’re delighted to have won the GREAT Face of the Festival and to receive the fantastic prize.

We’ve already done the advertising shoot and can’t wait to see it up on the big Liverpool screen.

We’ve also enjoyed the International Festival for Business and have made new contacts with

companies and individuals from around the world.”

The BAC Mono supercar has a waiting list over a year long and exports to 11 countries across four continents. The company moved from its Cheshire location to an 11,143 sq ft site in Langtree’s £2 million Speke Hall Industrial Park development in January 2014 to expand operations to meet demand.

Training News

Exhibition Centre Liverpool to create skills training legacy

Front row L-R: Bob Prattey ( ACC Liverpool), Councillor Nick Small (Liverpool City Council) and ISG’s Alan McCarthy-Wyper at the Social Investment Group launch

THE EXHIBITION CENTRE Liverpool project provides a “catalyst for training and substantial job creation in the city,” according to the construction firm behind the development.

ISG is building the new £66 million venue and four-star hotel, which will form part of ACC Liverpool, and has launched a Social Investment Group to use the scheme as a springboard to create a longlasting employment and skills training legacy.

Key stakeholders and supply chain partners have signed an ‘Exhibition Centre Liverpool Project Charter’ to formally commit to the future prosperity of

Liverpool, and the initiative has received backing from key regional partners including training and employment organisations Liverpool in Work and Fusion 21, and The City of Liverpool College which provides apprenticeship training.

The charter will permanently be displayed at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool highlighting the commitment that has been made, including employing local businesses and people to work on the scheme, providing apprenticeship and training opportunities for local people, assisting individuals in progressing into local employment, engaging with local educational institutions and supporting

local community groups and charities.

Alan McCarthy-Wyper, managing director of ISG’s construction business, says: “By initiating this group, we have brought together a broad spectrum of partners focused on providing lifechanging opportunities to individuals, providing that first step on the ladder towards realising ambitions.

“We firmly believe that the Exhibition Centre Liverpool project provides the catalyst for training and sustainable job creation, providing an iconic legacy within Liverpool’s built environment as well as making a significant contribution to driving permanent and positive social change.”

Government Growth Deals aim to boost skills and jobs THE NORTH WEST’S £1 billion share of the government’s Local Growth Fund will help to provide training and employment support, according to the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister.

On announcing a series of Growth Deals across the country, with authorities in the Liverpool City Region, Lancashire, Greater Manchester and Cheshire and Warrington among the recipients, Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, who is also chair of the Local Cabinet Growth Committee, says: “Growth Deals will create thousands of jobs, provide incredible new training opportunities for young people, build thousands of new homes and improve transport links across the country for people and their families; building a stronger economy and a fairer society.”

Prime Minister David Cameron adds: “By trusting local people, backing business and investing in infrastructure, skills and housing, we can create thousands of new jobs.

And that means more economic security, peace of mind and a brighter future for hardworking people across the country.”

Across the UK, Growth Deals have been announced for infrastructure, housing and transport improvements starting in 2015 and 2016, with the revamp of Manchester’s Metrolink system among key projects to benefit from the funding pot.

Through the initiative the government also aims to improve educational attainment, provide significant investment in skills training for small businesses, and get more people from welfare to work.

Wirral firm receives £70,000 training fund A WIRRAL customer contact firm has been awarded a £70,000 funding boost to enhance staff training and development.

The Contact Company (TCC), which is based in Birkenhead and employs 550 people, is receiving the cash from the Skills for Growth Bank having submitted a successful bid, and will also contribute £70,000 of its own money towards recruiting, training and boosting the productivity of staff.

The £32 million Skills for Growth Bank provides funding for businesses across the Liverpool City Region, and aims to give firms full control to invest in the skills to help their workplaces grow.

Karen Russell, training and development manager at TCC, says the firm is creating a “loyal and sustainable workforce” by up-skilling staff and adds: “We currently have over 100 people taking Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM) courses, 20 on Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) courses and more studying for NVQs in Learning and Development, Customer Service and Business Administration.

“The majority of our workforce will receive some form of training within key business areas such as IT, sales, collections, HR and management.

“The Skills for Growth Bank is operating a truly innovative employer ownership pilot for businesses providing funding for apprenticeships alongside regulated and non-regulated training. It gives employers full control to invest in the skills their workplaces need to grow.”

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Parry & Company Solicitors Key events

Knowsley businesses enjoy charity evening An evening of entertainment was co-ordinated by Knowsley-based Parry & Company Solicitors, to help boost funds and support for local causes.

The firm’s business development team says it was “delighted” to be involved in the Knowsley Business Community Fund event, which took place at Suites Hotel Knowsley and helped to raise awareness of The Big Help Project and its Knowsley Foodbank initiative.

More than 100 guests, including representatives from the area’s business community, Knowsley Council and Knowsley Chamber of Commerce were in attendance, and enjoyed performances from a number of talented artists including Liverpool singer Danny Pye and the host for the evening, Rossi.

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1. The evening began with informal networking for guests in the Atrium at the Suites Hotel, with a live pianist 2. Lesley Martin-Wright, chief executive Knowsley of Chamber of Commerce 3. Guests enjoying the Champagne reception courtesy of QVC 4. A lucky prize winner 5. Kelley A. Hargreaves, BDM Parry & Company Solicitors, and Councillor Peter Mitchell 6. Councillor Barry Kushner, Mrs Kushner, Councillor Peter Mitchell, Councillor Alan Walker and Mrs Walker 7. Guests of the The Big Help Project 8. Lee Spencer, chairman of LJS Group; Craig Griffiths, managing director of LJS Accounting Services; Jonathon Davies, group marketing director & Ian Knox (LJS Group) 9. Rossi (Radio City 96.7) and Lee Spencer, chairman of LJS Group with the grand raffle prize winner of House of Commons whisky. 10. The Big Help Project/Knowsley Foodbank staff, volunteers and guests 11. The amazing Danny Pye, wowing the guests with his Frank Sinata Tribute Special thanks to local businesses, supporters and sponsors who donated prizes for the event including QVC, Kingfisher Design and Print Ltd, KHT, Rainbow Childcare, Yoursuresave.biz, and the main sponsor of the evening LJS Group

Bitesize thinking

Neal Maxwell managing director, Aztec Interiors

In my crystal ball...

I’ve been in this business for nearly 30 years and during this time have seen many changes in the industry, some good, some not so good.

In the coming months we will see further changes within the industry and one which we look forward to embracing is the introduction of BREEAM None Domestic UK Refurbishment and Fit-out schemes.

One of the key aspects of the new BREEAM UK Refurbishment and Fit-out scheme is its flexible structure. The scheme will be structured into four modules, referred to as parts one, two, three and four. This will allow projects to be assessed against the parts that are relevant to the type of project, allowing a much broader range of refurbishment and fit-out schemes to be assessed under BREEAM. The four parts are broken down to fabric and structure, core services, local services and interior design. Dependent on the extent of the project either all or part of the above elements can be assessed.

The introduction of this scheme will encourage quality companies to better assess their environmental impact and also improve cost management.

If only I’d known…

When starting out all those years ago we operated on a different level, although it seemed much easier as there was far less paperwork and bureaucracy.

Interestingly, whilst working and living in London I was fortunate to meet Jonathan Porritt, the well-known and much respected environmentalist. We built some offices for him in central London and I was really interested about his vision for the future and the need to take action on many environmental issues. Whilst it was something I was aware of I didn’t have a great deal of knowledge about it. If I had known how much damage we could and did cause to the earth between then and now I would have looked at things differently and made more radical changes to the way we operate.

My favourite building with...

John Garrett project co-ordinator, Ullet Road Eco Offices

Bosco Verticale (vertical forest) in Milan This pair of residential tower blocks, now almost complete, has been designed to bring biodiversity into the city at the same time as providing much needed new housing.

Nine hundred trees have already been planted on these 112 and 80-metre high towers.

Architect Stefano Boeri has provided his flats with woodland terraces up to 80m2 in size. In a polluted city, the planting of what is effectively a hectare of forest should have considerable health benefits, as well as providing residents with summer shading.

Trees and shrubs will be watered by solar powered pumps using recycled greywater.

Rather than create new garden cities, once again popular, maybe it’s better to turn our existing cities into cities with gardens. Along with New York’s High Line, London’s Garden Bridge and our own Churchill Flyover proposal, Stefano Boeri offers another way of greening our cities.

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“The planting of what is effectively a hectare of forest should have considerable health benefits”

Bitesize thinking

Derek Dawson Solicitor and head of commercial, Paul Crowley & Co

Curriculum VITaE Main duties: Attending court, meeting clients, liaising with opponents’ solicitors, meeting the courts’ strict deadlines, managing colleagues and marketing.

Education: St Margaret's High School, Aigburth, Liverpool, the University of Liverpool and the College of Law in Chester.

First job: I worked at a friend's grandfather's distribution business handballing containers of tuna imported from the Far East. I still cannot eat tuna.

Shortest job: Sales job. It lasted the weekend!

What’s the secret to your success?

Perseverance, hard work, being able to listen to others and patience as with a combination of these elements you will always obtain the desired outcome.

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

Issue court proceedings, which often results in a more sensible reply, cutting out prevarication and concentrating the parties' minds.

What advice would you give to somebody starting out in the industry?

Ensure that your case is as fully prepared as possible, preferably before issuing court proceedings.

What makes Paul Crowley & Co different?

Our clients are our top priority. We make every effort to ensure we really get to know them and understand their needs. We build relationships with our clients and we genuinely care that they get the outcome they need.

Tell us about Paul Crowley & Co's plans for the next 12 months?

We have some really exciting plans for the next 12 months, but you'll have to wait and see what they are.

Tweet all about it The 5 best commercial tweets

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@PwC_North Schools, colleges & universities need to encourage a new generation of engineers to support inward #engineering investment #NWOPP @B2BHour Over 200 events throughout June and July 2014. Helping to double UK exports by 2020 and generate £100m of new investment. @ifb2014 @fletcherchris Osborne - "we need to think big" - announces a new high-speed rail requirement East to West. The North needs to be viewed as one big city. @ignitebizclub #Cheshire & #Warrington economy is already worth nearly £19bn a year, and is forecast to grow to £30bn by 2030. @colindsinclair Henry Brooks: "Liverpool 2 Superport will cut the cost of getting a container into the NW from £400 to £100".

Commercial

STaTS

5,500 sq ft The amount of office space remaining at Vantage Point in Manchester's Spinningfields district after GL Hearn became the latest new tenants at the site, which was acquired by Lothbury Investment Management last year. OBI Property advised Lothbury.

998 sq ft The space at Bruntwood's Cotton Exchange building in Liverpool which has been taken by transport planning and engineering services business JMP Consultants. The firm, which has 10 nationwide offices, relocated its Liverpool base from the city's Il Palazzo.

£1 million The cost of expansion plans announced by Manchester post production company Flix Facilities, which will add to its existing MediaCityUK base by building finishing suites and theatres across 5,500 sq ft of the seventh floor the White Tower.

91 The number of business premises which will be connected to superfast broadband at Everton's Project Jennifer, after one of the first cabinets was switched on. Around 98% of Merseyside homes and businesses are expected to have access to fibre broadband by July 2016 thanks to a partnership between local authorities, the goverrnment and BT.

20 The number of months preferred contractor Carillion is expected to spend on the £75m redevelopment of the Main Stand at Liverpool Football Club’s Anfield stadium. The scheme is subject to planning permission later this year.

6,000 sq ft The amount of ground floor commercial space being developed at the 10-storey One Smithfield Square in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Muse Developments is building the sixth phase of the area’s Smithfield regeneration scheme.

Appointments Muse expands development team Greg Ball has joined Muse Developments’ North West team as a development surveyor after leaving his role Greg Ball at JLL. Ball will focus on the development area of the business after 10 years of office agency and professional property experience of disposals, acquisitions and development in his previous roles.

Mike Horner, regional director for Muse Developments, says: “Greg is a well-known and well respected figure in the marketplace with an in-depth knowledge of office markets throughout the region.”

Ball adds: “I’m very excited to be joining Muse and taking on a more development focussed role.

I’ve always been passionate about the urban landscape and I’m looking forward to having the opportunity to directly influence it in my new position.

Office agency reshuffle at CBRE Mark Worthington, CBRE’s office agency director in Liverpool, will move to a similar role in the Manchester office.

Worthington Mark Worthington replaces the departing Alex Russell as office agency director in Manchester, who is leaving to take up a role at Property Alliance Group.

Worthington has 15 years of experience in Liverpool and during his tenure CBRE secured an 80% market share in the city, according to John Ogden, head of CBRE’s North West office agency.

He says: "It is great that Mark will be based in our Manchester office after his impressive track record of driving the business forward in Liverpool. As a North West team we have always worked hand in hand and can now further transfer Mark's extensive market knowledge and experience to our broader client base."

20 MOVE COMMERCIAL

New graduate trainee at Pavis Pavis Financial Management has appointed Tom Calland as a trainee investment advisor in its Tom Calland Liverpool office.

He joined the chartered financial planning firm joins the firm in August after completing a masters degree in Economics & Finance at the University of Liverpool as part of the MSc Study Award scholarship. Calland, 22, has previously graduated from Liverpool John Moores University.

Bob Newton, managing director of Pavis Financial Management, says: “Tom is a highly skilled young man who has already demonstrated he has the potential to be an excellent financial planner.

“We are confident he will bring a further fresh perspective to the service we offer our clients and we look forward to welcoming him to the team.”

During his degree, Calland established an asset management organisation using funds from student membership and a £1,000 Student Union grant.

Two in at Matthews & Goodman Commercial property advisor Matthews & Goodman has hired a new recruit to its valuation team, which it James Mallon says reflects an increase in valuation activity over the past 12 months.

James Mallon joins the firm from WT Gunson in Manchester and will take up a role in the Liverpool office. A second appointment sees Alistair Pollock join Matthews & Goodman’s London West End valuations team, having graduated from the University of the West of England.

James will be tasked with offering a valuation service for commercial.

Residential, licensed, leisure and healthcare property as part of the valuations team, and will be working with major clearing banks, specialist property lenders, overseas banks and building societies in the corporate and commercial mortgage sectors.

Financial News

Funding pot for deliveryready developments DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS in Cheshire and Warrington are wanted for an unclaimed £9 million funding pot set aside for ‘delivery-ready’ schemes.

Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership’s Growing Places Fund (GPF) is expected to rise in the coming months having already delivered £12m in loans to major developments including speculative industrial development at the Omega site in Warrington, as well as homes at Edgewater Park in Warrington and Tower Wharf in Cheshire West and Chester.

The latest round of funding has been earmarked for projects that have planning permission in place and are fully designed.

Developers must also have a repayment strategy and a delivery team already in place.

Nicola Rigby, director at GVA, which is leading the call for submissions, says: “The Growing Places Fund has the potential to make a significant difference in the sub region at a time when many proposed schemes are unable to proceed due to capital constraints. We hope to find equally viable projects across a range of sectors, which will create jobs for local people and boost the local economy as a whole.”

Applications for the funding should be sent to gpfenquiries@gva.co.uk

Nicola Rigby

Greater Manchester welcomes devolution plans MANCHESTER’S BUSINESS community has welcomed an announcement from Ed Miliband calling for more economic power for regional cities in place of the current ‘archaic’ system.

The Labour leader wants to devolve £30 billion to local authorities to boost economies in Manchester and other cities if his party wins the next general election. It would mean additional revenue raised through business rates would be spent according to plans from combined authorities and not central government.

Chris Fletcher, director of policy and communications at Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce (GMCC), says: “The announcement this week from the opposition around greater fiscal devolution to city region areas is

Chris Fletcher

welcome but any system must have at its heart a fully accountable process that will give a control and certainty to businesses.

“Money raised in the future should and must be spent back in the local community to boost economic growth. Many businesses want to invest in the local economy but the present archaic system prevents both business and the local authorities from being able to do this.”

He says the current system of how business rates are spent ‘should be changed’ but successive governments have failed to properly address the system.

GMCC has called for ‘serious discussions’ from both the government and opposition and vows to hold the winning party to its word after the election.

Industrial space attracting investors STRONG YIELDS in the North West industrial market have stimulated demand despite a traditional lull in summer transactions across the UK, according to experts at Colliers International.

While national investment volumes in the year to date in 2014 are down 12% on the same period last year at £15.7 billion nationally, demand for industrial space in the North West is showing no signs of declining, says Colliers.

John Hanson, director, national investment at Colliers International, says: “Whilst the summer months have historically been a quiet period for commercial property investment transactions, investor’s appetite for industrial investments continues to be very strong. We are experiencing a greater focus on strong performing regional markets where a more attractive yield can be achieved in comparison to the South East.”

Hanson was speaking after the firm completed the acquisition of the a 147,000 sq ft distribution warehouse and office building at Walton Summit Industrial Estate in Preston from M&G investments for £7.29 million. The deal, on behalf of Aviva Investors, will return a net initial yield of 7.65% from the passing rent of £590,000 passing rent per annum. Current occupant Thysseni rupp Aerospace UK Limited has let the building for the next five years.

MOVE COMMERCIAL 21

Christine Toner christine@movepublishing.co.uk

The pop-up shop concept has grown in popularity in recent years but how do they benefit the high street and why are they so appealing to retailers?

Move Commercial investigates.

Pop Phenomenon On Saturday 5 July a trio of empty units on Moor Lane in Crosby, Liverpool were brought to life when three pop-up shops opened their doors. The event, a collaboration between commercial agent Hitchcock Wright & Partners and three schools in the area, showed how exciting new retail concepts can bring footfall to an area and bring a somewhat deserted street back to life.

It was also the latest step in the meteoric rise of the pop-up shop. A concept that has been around in one guise or another for years but which has suddenly become the focus of media attention.

“Pop-up shops have been around for as long as there has been retail, from the orange sellers by the 22 MOVE COMMERCIAL

side of the road in Spain to the annual BHS Christmas pop-up shop,” explains Matt Bell, director of Revolver Retail, which creates spaces for people to trade from. “Like many things pop-ups now have a name that’s marketable, it’s the same with ‘street food’ at the moment. The name pop-up is a trend that will pass, what will not is the continuing reduction in the length of a retail lease. Consumer’s needs are changing faster than ever and as a result retailers and property owners are having to be more innovative to keep up.”

One area of the city centre that has embraced the pop-up concept is Liverpool ONE. February saw the launch of the complex’s dedicated pop-up store,

situated on Manesty’s Lane between John Lewis and Beauty Bazaar Harvey Nichols, which has since hosted four pop-up concepts.

“The dedicated pop-up is working and the feedback from brands and visitors alike is very positive,” says Cathy Maddock, commercialisation manager at Liverpool ONE. “A great example is the recent La Redoute pop-up, the French online retailer making its UK debut with a physical store at Liverpool ONE.” While La Redoute is already a popular and successful brand, for the most part pop-ups provide an opportunity to get set up with a lower risk and cost base.

Pop-up shops

Case study Liverpool commercial agent Hitchcock Wright & Partners recently used the pop-up shop concept to promote three units in Moor Lane, Crosby Village. The agent gave three local schools the opportunity to take over the units for a day during the first weekend in July where they could create and run shops, organising the brand and function of their shop, as well as determining prices, shop layout and staff.

The event, which saw Merchant Taylors', Holy Family Catholic High and Bishop David Sheppard Primary School become retailers for a day, was a huge success, rejuvenating the high street and encouraging further interest in the units themselves.

“It was fantastic to see that stretch of Moor Lane come to life and it demonstrates what we have always known – that with the right tenants Moor Lane can become the thriving shopping area it once was,” says Matt Kerrigan, partner at Hitchcock Wright & Partners.

“We meet very few traders who just want to turn up, sell for a month and then pack up,” says Bell. “Our spaces will be on flexible rolling leases. This will allow them to trial and experiment to get their offer right and a trading history so when they are ready for their own unit they will be in a much better position to make it succeed.”

Becky Jones is manager of PopUp Britain, a project now owned by the Association of Town and City Managers (ATCM) but founded in 2012 by national enterprise campaign StartUp Britain.

Its model involves between 10 and 12 retailers trading in a space at a time for between one and two weeks.

Jones says this is because many of the retailers she works with are either home-based or have part-time or full-time jobs, and can't commit to an installation for the long term until their business is in a position to take on the overheads of a space.

“The idea for PopUp Britain came from national enterprise campaign StartUp Britain,” she explains.

“At the time in 2012 we were seeing record numbers of small businesses being started in the UK – and at the same time record numbers of shops empty.

We wondered whether we could start to help retail start-ups get back onto the high street by giving them low-cost, short-term access to high street spaces. We found that we could and PopUp Britain was born.”

Jones says pop ups can help firms to gain a better understanding of retail and how it works.

“Many online retailers never get the kind of

“

Pop-up shops have been around for as long as there has been retail, from the orange sellers by the side of the road in Spain to the annual BHS Christmas pop-up shop

”

feedback online that they get in a physical space,” she says. “And they underestimate how important it is for humans to actually interact with people as much as products. They should be inviting their online customers into the shop with the offer of a discount or something for free so they can cement their online relationship for the future.

“It’s also great for having something real to say to people via social media channels – it makes your brand more real, and friendly. They are also a great venue for an event and to recruit new customers.”

Of course the idea of shorter leases and therefore more variety can have huge benefits for a retail area.

It has long been acknowledged that the traditional high street model has to evolve to meet the needs (and wants) of consumers and Bell says this is one way that can be achieved.

“For us there is a dogma attached to the high street and the effects of the internet. The high street is struggling in some areas because it is not giving the customer what they want,” explains Bell.

“Consumers are not engaged with the high street because the product is homogenous. A good mix of multiple stores and independents is essential but the market needs new entrants to be able to get set up and innovate. Consumers want variety, products with a story, local independents, they are bored and want surprising. The high street attracts more visitors each week than any football club, arena or attraction.

Every day should be an event rather than a chore, this is what will attract customers back and keep them coming back.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 23

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Key events Apprenticeship Awards

Photos by Peter Kelly and Liam Deveney

Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Awards 2014 Employers across the Liverpool City Region were recognised for their commitment to training apprentices, as a spectacular awards evening took place.

The Liverpool City Region Apprenticeship Awards were held in a marquee within Lord Derby’s Knowsley Estate, and coincided with the current International Festival for Business.

Evolve Facility Services and Unilever were among the Employer of the Year winners, picking up accolades in the SME and Macro categories respectively. Meanwhile Jaguar Land Rover was a runner up at the event, which also recognised promising apprentices.

Guests enjoyed a delicious menu and entertainment following a global theme, with Brazilica dancers featuring in the line-up of performers.

The awards, part of the Apprenticeship Hub, provided an opportunity to thank and celebrate businesses who continue to invest in staff and make a difference to young people.

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1. Employer of the Year (Macro) winners Unilever with Tony Cahill (far left), executive director of commercial services at Vivark 2. Employer of the Year (Large) winners Aintree University Hospital with Richard Else (far left), plant director of Jaguar Land Rover 3. Awards were presented to recognise achievements 4. John Davey, MD of Davey’s Chemists Ltd, with Lesley Martin-Wright 5. Guests filled the marquee for the celebrations 6. Employer of the Year (SME) winners Evolve Facility Services with Sue Higginson (far right), Principle of Wirral Met College 7. Tony Cahill (Vivark) 8. A string quartet entertained guests 9. Brazilica dancers entertained guests 10. Table decorations followed a World Cup theme 11. James Glendenning (Greater Merseyside Learning Providers Federation) 12. Katie Myers, Sandra Ellis, Jasmine Lee Preston and Lyn Fitzpatrick, all of Keppie Massie

JULY PROPERTY AUCTIONS Wednesday 23rd July 2014 | Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool Thursday 24th July 2014 | Etihad Stadium Manchester GDH HOUSE, LIVERPOOL LOT 41

PILGRIM STREET, BIRKENHEAD LOT 46

UNIT 1 FORTON ROAD, WIGAN LOT 53

Detached office building approx 15,048 sq ft.

On site of approx 0.59 acres.

Vacant workshop/office premises.

Approx 10,224 sq ft.

Freehold industrial premises on an enclosed gated site. Approx 10,876 sq ft.

Guide Price: £200,000+

Guide Price: £80,000+

Guide Price: £150,000+

BRITANNIA & CASTLEFIELD WORKS, EBURY STREET,RADCLIFFE

NORWEST COURT, PRESTON

GUILDHALL HOUSE, PRESTON

LOT 59

LOT 64

LOT 65

Workshop, offices and storage premises.

Approx 5,921 sq ft.

City centre part let eight storey office building.

Current rents reserved at £64,660 p/a.

City centre multi let five storey office building with car park. Current rents reserved at £176,363 p/a.

Guide Price: Refer to Auctioneer

Guide Price: £800,000+

Guide Price: £1,200,000+

UNIT 1 , COMUS STREET, SALFORD

UNIT 5 JURY STREET, MANCHESTER

HALFPENNY LANE, LONGRIDGE

LOT 73

LOT 88

LOT 93

Warehouse/trade counter. Let at a current rent reserved of £29,925 p/a.

Vacant three storey commercial premises.

Approx 2,192 sq ft.

Farm buildings and lake.

On approximately 3.26 acres.

Guide Price: £250,000+

Guide Price: £90,000 - £100,000

Guide Price: £175,000+

For more information on buying and selling at auction speak to us today on

08442 722 444 or visit www.pugh-auctions.com

By Natasha Young natasha@movepublishing.co.uk

Since joining the construction industry as an apprentice, Rob Lowe has been seizing every opportunity he can to bring diversity to his career. And as he currently plays a key part in one of Manchester’s most high profile developments – Hotel Football - working as design co-ordinator on the project, he has certainly been afforded some unforgettable and unique experiences.

In a league of his own For any Manchester United fan, kicking a football around on a rooftop with key players from the team’s iconic ‘class of ’92’ is something they can only dream of, but for Rob Lowe its simply one of the “quirks” of his latest project.

Lowe has been involved since the tender stages of Hotel Football – a 139-bedroom hotel and supporters’ club overlooking Old Trafford which is the latest business venture from former player Gary Neville and longstanding team member Ryan Giggs.

Competition amongst firms hoping to build the new venue – with features including a roof terrace housing a 16m x 12m pitch with retractable roof – was said to be 28 MOVE COMMERCIAL

tough but Lowe’s employer, UK construction firm Galliford Try, was picked for the job.

“Any sort of scheme of that size in Manchester is sought after so it was competitive, but I don’t think who the investors or the client were would have swayed that in any way,” says Lowe.

“There were various other people vying for it and we did a lot of work with the investors and the client at that stage to get the scheme to stack up how they wanted it, and that’s been an ongoing process in working with the client and investors to get their desired solution. It is high profile and that’s had its quirks to it in a way. Playing football on the roof

was one of them.

“I am a Manchester United fan so that was a highlight. I’m working with Gary Neville on a week to week basis and it’s been a little bit surreal too because you’re used to seeing him on the telly, but it’s been interesting.”

With Hotel Football having recently topped out and the “exciting” fit out of rooms now beginning to get underway at the site, the development is expected to be completed in autumn this year and will be another building that Lowe has helped bring to fruition in his home region of the North West.

The Warrington man joined the construction industry after leaving

school at 16 and served as a modern apprentice in electrical engineering.

After moving into main contracting he later joined Galliford Try as a site agent on a project in Glasgow.

When the chance later came around to relocate to Galliford Try in the north of England, Lowe was not only attracted to the possibility of coming back home to the region, but also to the opportunities that the firm had on offer in the area despite the country being in the thick of the economic downturn.

“We were doing a lot of NHS LIFT (Local Improvement Finance Trust) schemes, which were health centres, and we delivered circa 30 of those around the North West and I was

Rob Lowe, design co-ordinator, Galliford Try Rising Star

“

Because of the nature of the industry that we work in the diversity of roles is just incredible.

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heavily involved in that.”

One LIFT development in particular which Lowe had a hand in was the multi award-winning Kensington Neighbourhood Health Centre on Edge Lane in Liverpool, which is known for its striking ‘Love Life’ message across the exterior.

Another Galliford Try project which Lowe worked on was the £24m development of The Grange School in Runcorn through the former Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative. It’s a project which Lowe considers to be a “particular highlight” of his career so far as he says it has almost been like “giving something back to the community”.

“The end result of the LIFT projects is satisfying but I think building the school and leaving that legacy is something that everybody involved is really proud of.”

And from diverse schemes ranging from healthcare and education to hospitality and another new power station project, to diversity in his day to day role at Galliford Try, Lowe hasn’t shied away from trying something new within the industry.

He’s already gone from working purely in the production stages to his present role as design co-ordinator, which sees him undertake duties right from the tender stage of a project to seeing a scheme through to the end alongside architects

or structural engineers, ensuring the design desired by the client is delivered.

“Because of the nature of the industry that we work in the diversity of roles is just incredible. Whatever your educational background there’s always opportunities for somebody with the right work ethic who applies themselves to move forward,” says Lowe.

He’s now looking forward to a bright future ahead as he continues to vary his career, adding: “Personally I continue to keep looking for those opportunities and I’m confident that Galliford Try will provide them as and when.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 29

Key events The Apprentice Ship Cup

Photos by Peter Kelly

Apprentice Ship Cup celebration An awards evening and dinner was held to celebrate the success of the Apprentice Ship Cup. Public and private sector employers from across the North West supported the cup, organised by Mersey Adventure Sailing Trust (MAST) and saw their teams of apprentices take part in a challenging regatta sailing from Liverpool to Whitehaven via Belfast and then back to Liverpool.

The evening at Hope University Campus in Liverpool celebrated the achievements of each crew who took part, and recognised their commitment to the event.

Main Apprentice Ship Cup sponsors Glendale Liverpool, as well as United Utilities, Peel Ports, Plus Dane and Bibby Group, sponsored special accolades which were presented during the evening and all crew members received certificates.

Entertainment on the night followed a nautical theme as ‘Captain Jack Sparrow’ was in attendance.

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1. Tall ship themed decorations were on the tables 2. Jim Graves, chairman of MAST 3. The Second Captains Apprentice Award for Pelican of London winner, Wayne Dowling with Peter Cosgrove (Glendale Liverpool Ltd) 4. A harpist provided music for the evening 5. A Jack Sparrow lookalike entertained guests 6. Shannon Scott Cuthbertson receives The Final Captains Apprentice Award for Challenger Yacht 2014 from Peter Cosgrove (Glendale Liverpool Ltd) 7. The Second Voyage The Pelican of London winners of the Top Watch Award with Ken Longshaw (United Utilities) 8. Laura Woodlass, Apprentice of the Year, with David Huck (Peel Ports) 9. Peter Cosgrove (Glendale Liverpool Ltd), winner of the Special Contribution Award, presented by Sharon Vaughan (Plus Dane Group) 10. Winners Peel Ports receive the Apprentice Ship Cup from Ian Coward (Bibby Ship Management)

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Stephen Hurrell stephen@movepublishing.co.uk

Regenerating regions

32 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Regen 2014 Lunch debate

The Regen 2014 conference welcomed speakers from the world of commercial property to discuss regeneration in the North West. But what is regeneration and what are the challenges facing the region as it emerges from recession? Move Commercial invited three industry experts to the conference at the Rum Warehouse in the Stanley Dock Village development to discuss the topic.

David Ainsley client design advisor, Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and co-founder of Ainsley Gommon

What do we mean by the term regeneration?

JD: For me regeneration is about people and creating jobs. It’s about improving the economy and having people populate places. The impact people have as they move around places and begin to use them is what fascinates me.

NW: Regeneration has got to create sufficient value to give a rate of return for investors. I absolutely agree with everything Jenny has said but it’s about trying to persuade developers from the South East that there are opportunities here that are just as vibrant and give just as good a rate of return and provide sustainability.

This will lead to more jobs, which is the end goal.

DA: I agree with both of you.

Regeneration has to be financially viable. It has to make a profit for the developer but for it to be successful it does need to do all of the things that Jenny is talking

Jenny Douglas head of investment, Liverpool Vision

about. It has to create good places that people want to go to work, to live in them, to play in them. If they create a good place and help the community then you will have a financially viable project.

NW: I think sometimes talking about financing regeneration has a bad name. It sounds as though it’s the accountants driving the schemes. The worst regeneration schemes are those that looked like they were going to make a quick buck and in the end lost value.

They didn’t really regenerate anywhere in the long term.

How important are regeneration agencies in improving urban areas?

JD: A lot of the investment that Liverpool Vision has done is in infrastructure. In 1999 the infrastructure in terms of the way people move around was very degraded. There was a massive programme using public money to

Nigel Wilcock chair of the North West branch, Institute for Economic Development (IED) and director of Mickledore

address that look and feel and we can see evidence of that on the waterfront and Pier Head and around Lime Street. We’ve also invested heavily into the commercial district.

NW: Clearly Vision has had a big impact on the city. In general when it comes to regeneration agencies one thing that is underplayed is all the legwork that goes into a scheme before any developers are appointed. How many land owners do you have to get on board? Is the planning framework correct? Are stakeholders involved correctly?

For all of that to be done by the private sector in an area where returns are marginal, you’re asking a lot. The role of organisations such as Liverpool Vision is crucial for getting complicated urban schemes off the ground.

DA: A good example is the Ropewalks area. It was very run down but by tackling the overall environment first – relaying the

streets and pavements for example – it suddenly became a rather pleasant place to play and people could see that it was worthwhile investing there. There were quite a lot of start up projects that livened it up and then people started to invest serious money.

How important is the role of design when creating places as part of regeneration projects?

DA: In Liverpool, one of the earliest projects was Concert Square by Urban Splash. They had a very clear idea of what they wanted to achieve and they had people with the design capabilities on board so they didn’t miss an opportunity in the way they assembled the land.

JD: I think you can see examples around the Baltic Triangle. A few years ago we hadn’t actually got the right uses. You look at the huge warehouses that were heavily invested in to form the Contemporary Urban Centre. That MOVE COMMERCIAL 33

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Ancoats is one of the best examples of regeneration in Manchester because they’ve built on that heritage and done a fantastic job.

was a massive investment but for a whole series of reasons it wasn’t embraced by businesses or people and didn’t add anything to the area. And then a number of businesses came in and the area has transformed and grown. For quite a time what happened there didn’t necessarily have a negative impact but it has a stalling impact in the sense it stops things happening because it’s not being embraced economically.

Are we seeing an upturn in regeneration projects in recent months?

DA: We are seeing the start of an upturn. Many RIBA offices are fairly busy at the moment. Architects tend to be at the front end of that professional stream. The question is how many of these schemes actually come to fruition at the end of the day. One of the things in

Liverpool and Manchester is the confidence there is now. When you look back, 20 years in terms of a city’s development is not a long time. Confidence means more people are investing and most architectural practices are seeing more activity than three years ago.

NW: It’s still a bit patchy. I think when it comes to large industrial users looking for space there are a few enquiries. There is something coming back into the office market.

If you take the legal profession, both Liverpool and Manchester have large occupier deals in the legal market. It is happening slowly and there are signs all over the North West of new schemes, whether it is very large industrial sheds in Warrington or a few more office developments being talked about.

DA: One of the things that is interesting is that there’s quite a

lot of small scale activity. It’s important because a lot of those are riding on the back of bigger developments but at the same time they’re adding character and vitality to larger scale developments. We are seeing a spread of development activity.

NW: It is crucial to allow regeneration to happen. With schemes like MediaCityUK and Liverpool 2 you’ve all of a sudden got a tier one level of activity

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that’s going to drive lots of investment below it and the tail of that is going to drive the economy for years to come.

Are the large amount of historical and listed buildings in North West cities a help or hindrance to regeneration schemes?

JD: I think it’s a benefit. We hear a lot about tensions but actually having that wealth of historic buildings adds to the character of

We are seeing the start of an upturn. Many RIBA offices are fairly busy at the moment.

Architects tend to be at the front end of that professional stream.

34 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Regen 2014 Lunch debate

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It is crucial to allow regeneration to happen. With schemes like MediaCityUK and Liverpool 2 you’ve all of a sudden got a tier one level of activity that’s going to drive lots of investment.

the area. Ancoats is one of the best examples of regeneration in Manchester because they’ve built on that heritage and done a fantastic job. Sometimes it can be problematic, particularly when you’re looking at viability issues, and that can be a challenge. But essentially sense usually prevails and we get a good mix. Liverpool has a good reputation for understanding how to mix old and new.

NW: I’d temper that slightly in that the buildings can be a marvellous addition to any regeneration activity but where the North West suffers enormously is where we have contaminated land. It’s adding no value at all. That can put a real anchor around the neck of lots and lots of schemes, which is one of the problems.

DA: The mix of old and new has to be a huge benefit to Manchester and Liverpool and other places. I think there used to be an issue, particularly for architects, with planning agencies. Now I have to say the best planning authorities are encouraging activity to take place. They want to see modern buildings in among the old buildings and that duality can work to introduce a vitality you wouldn’t get if they were all old or all new buildings.

NW: One of the places we’ve done a lot of work is in Bath, which is a World Heritage site. The

conservation activity has frustrated the ability to mix the new and avant garde buildings in with the Georgian Bath stone type of developments. But Liverpool has done it well.

How important are green spaces and sustainability in modern regeneration projects?

DA: It’s interesting you mention parks because Birkenhead Park in Wirral is the only Grade I listed park in the country. When that was originally built it was swampland.

By reclaiming the swampland and turning it into a park it meant all the land around it suddenly had an enhanced value. It’s a perfect example of development. When they were refurbishing that park there was a lot of eyes looking upon it. The new pavilion, which Ainsley Gommon designed, is a very modern building that sits in the middle of that heritage park, and I think that vitality is what we’re looking for.

NW: One word of caution for planning authorities is if we look at it without doing the viability analysis. It will have to be paid for somehow and I’m not so sure that level of analysis is properly understood and completed by some local authority planning authorities when they are trying to create all those wonderful spaces.

JD: That would be my comment. I’m not sure we’ve got the situation

right in terms of how we fund these sorts of things in particular putting that green infrastructure into an area up front to start to establish an area. It remains to be seen whether we’ve got those funding models right and whether it will enable us to do that sort of work early doors. It would be nice to see developers of larger sites being able to go in and establish their infrastructure early so that when development occurs you have a mature landscape.

How should we define a successful regeneration scheme?

NW: Once stakeholders and public agencies have stepped out of the way there are people clamouring to get involved for the next stage because the next developer can see the financial return.

DA: I agree. In the first instance it has to be financially successful otherwise why would developers do it? To be successful financially it has to be a place people want to go to. Liverpool ONE is a very well

designed place. Right from the word go they had a clear idea about what they wanted to produce. They took a lot of care integrating it into the town.

JD: I also think that is the scheme that springs to my mind when you ask the question. It’s a very sustainable scheme. It’s a scheme that restored streets, that created places, that built individual buildings and over the next century that area is capable of being reinvested and redeveloped.

NW: If you look at that and Spinningfields in Manchester as well, and you look at the fact it’s taken some of the original layout of the city and some of the boundary of the city and just pushed a little further, it’s had a lot of investment and has a lot of self sustainability and the city will grow in that direction.

To watch the debate online, visit www.movecommercial.com

MOVE COMMERCIAL 35

Key events Regen 2014

Photos by Peter Kelly

Regen 2014 High profile speakers and exhibitors gathered at Liverpool’s new Rum Warehouse venue to take part in Regen 2014 - a two-day event focusing on UK regeneration.

The Move Commercial Media Lounge was among the stands at the exhibition, providing a platform to launch the new www.movecommercial.com website and also welcoming industry experts for a debate on the key theme of the event.

Meanwhile the North West’s Atlantic Gateway project, the high streets and economic performance were key topics to be included in the conference part of the event.

Regen 2014 formed part of the current International Festival for Business (IFB) in the city, and also provided an opportunity to see the first phase of the major regeneration of Stanley Dock Village as they visited the venue, which forms part of the new Titanic Hotel at the site.

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1. Regen 2014 formed part of the IFB 2. Move Commercial Media Lounge 3. IFB chair and Liverpool Vision chief executive, Max Steinberg, at the Move Commercial Media Lounge 4. Delegates networked and enjoyed refreshments in the lounge area 5. Kieran Gordon (Greater Merseyside Connexions Services) speaks at the conference 6. Industry experts were exhibiting at the event 7. The exhibition and conference attracted lots of delegates 8. Exhibitors were on hand to provide information 9. The Rum Warehouse overlooks Stanley Dock’s historic Tobacco Warehouse. 10. Delegates explored the exhibition during the two day event

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MOVE COMMERCIAL 37

By Stephen Hurrell stephen@movepublishing.co.uk

Vince Sandwell is managing director of Birchwood based BE Group, a multi-disciplinary property and regeneration company that has grown beyond the Warrington market to across the UK. After the Annual Warrington Property Review highlighted the town’s resurgence in the commercial market, we caught up with Sandwell to see how the company is adapting.

Live Wire Vince Sandwell has been a part of BE Group for more than 15 years and his career is closely tied to another veteran of the property market in the Warrington area, he reveals.

In 1982, a sales manager at Warrington and Runcorn Development Corporation called Peter Crompton hired Sandwell to work as part of the commercial team, and it was to be the beginning of a long working relationship between the two men. Crompton moved on shortly after but five years later they were reunited at a Birchwood based company called Business Environments, which is now known as BE Group.

Sandwell says: “It specialised in the development of business parks across the UK. They’d been running it for five years and they found they were getting more and more commercial property work and they needed somebody to help them with that. I was dealing with lettings, sales, commercial property valuations, rent reviews, all the professional work that was generated. I then started building that side up over the years.

“Up until last year I was heading 38 MOVE COMMERCIAL

up the property side. I had a small property team primarily dealing with property agency around Warrington, Runcorn, North Cheshire and South Lancashire.

Peter, my fellow director, was very much heading up the planning and economic development, regeneration side.”

Last year, at the age of 65, Crompton decided to retire and a company reshuffle saw Sandwell take on the role of managing director of the company, with a focus on overseeing the regeneration and planning side. Meanwhile, Simon Roddam joined from DTZ to head up agency.

Sandwell says: “It’s just been a great working relationship with Peter all through that time. He stayed as a consultant to the BE Group, very much on a part-time basis, which is great for me because of all that experience I can call on.”

Since its creation BE Group has been based at Birchwood and its influence in the area is unmatched.

The company was involved in over 50% of all transactions in the area in the past 12 months and even produces the town’s annual property review, which it launched in

Warrington’s DeVere Village Hotel.

“We’ve always been in Birchwood, we’re the only firm of commercial property consultants based in Birchwood,” he explained. “It’s been an area that has been massive for business. Geographically we’re here so we know the market inside out, better than anybody else and we do a lot of business here.”

There is a reason for the firm’s involvement in the area. According to Sandwell, the Warrington office market is experiencing an upturn.

“In terms of offices, there’s nearly 3m sq ft. In warehousing if you look at Warrington East as a whole there’s almost 7m sq ft of warehousing so it’s an area that has kept us busy.

“The office side is picking up and that is a big part of our commercial agency business. The industrial side is certainly booming in and around Warrington. The biggest problem is that while there is a supply and surplus of office property on the industrial side there’s a real shortage of real good quality industrial space. It’s not a problem with demand; it’s the supply.

Hopefully, what that will eventually do will lead to speculative

development.”

Sandwell says its not just about making money from the property agency team. He has a social conscience too through his position on the board of regeneration company Warrington & Co, a venture set up to act as a partnership between Warrington Council and business leaders to deliver regeneration projects in the area.

“My involvement in Warrington goes way beyond getting fees out of letting and selling properties. That gets us involved in the regeneration of the town as a whole whether we’re involved commercially or not.

We’re lending our experience and advice to Warrington and Co and Warrington Borough Council alongside a number of other high profile property people. We all do have a real affinity for the town.”

Current regeneration projects for Warrington outlined in the review, and overseen by Warrington & Co, include regeneration of 36.43 hectares in the Stadium Quarter, the mixed-use Bridge Street scheme, regeneration of the former Cabinet Works site, Langtree’s Southern Gateway project and Warrington

Vince Sandwell, managing director, BE Group Mover & Shaker

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The industrial side is certainly booming in and around Warrington

Waterfront, a project to regenerate land on the banks of the River Mersey.

However, he is keen to stress the firm works across the UK, with projects ranging from Penzance to Hartlepool. In every market BE Group has an advantage when it comes to regeneration and master planning because of its knowledge of the commercial property market, says Sandwell.

“We look at a location and really understand the market place,” he explains. “You need to understand what the issues are. Our view is if we’re talking how to regenerate a town the fact we work with developers and we’ve acquired property on behalf of occupiers means we know what their needs are. The fact we’ve got all that experience that we’ve gained from, in my case, 30 years in the marketplace, gives us a competitive advantage. We’re not an academic type of economic development and regeneration firm.”

“And we’re looking forward to, after a difficult period of trading for everybody in property and regeneration, growing the business again in the future.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL 39

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Lunch Date

By Natasha Young natasha@movepublishing.co.uk

Fonseca’s Stanley Street, L1 With its broad menu of sharing boards, fresh and flavoursome salads and hearty main meals using seasonal and quality produce, Fonseca’s is an ideal venue for lunch or an evening meal.

Along with its fellow dockside Delifonseca venue, Fonseca’s has a strong reputation in the city.

Meanwhile, its comfortable atmosphere frequently attracts the surrounding business community, local residents, foodies and visitors alike. The venue’s booth seating areas provide a perfect setting for a business lunch.

For more information on opening times and booking reservations, log onto the website at www.delifonseca.co.uk

LUNCH WITH

divisional director of agency, ES Group Located on Stanley Street in Liverpool city centre, Fonseca’s is in the heart of an area which is attracting mixed use development to in turn drive footfall and new businesses.

The restaurant is surrounded by stretches of the commercial district which are combining the likes of student living and apartments with hotels, retail, commercial and leisure spaces, and sites including the nearby Queen Insurance Building and the Grade II listed ‘Dale Street Shops’ which are the subject of current proposals are just a couple of examples.

The restaurant therefore seemed a fitting venue for a lunch meeting with Robert Diggle, the divisional director of agency at ES Group’s Liverpool office.

Diggle kickstarted his work in the property industry with an estate management degree at

40 MOVE COMMERCIAL

Liverpool John Moores University and has since spent the majority of his 26-year career in the city.

Having spent the past 13 of those years with ES Group, he has dealt with property across a range of sectors and is currently experiencing the benefits of “confidence” coming back to both residential and commercial sectors.

According to Diggle, the current influx of student accommodation in particular in Liverpool is paving the way for the likes of retail and leisure units across the city to receive a boost.

One instruction which Diggle says is currently attracting a lot of interest is Crown Place, a 1,250bed student accommodation complex which is well-placed at the heart of the University of Liverpool campus fronting Brownlow Hill. ES Group was appointed by the university to market the 6,000 sq ft ground

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Banks, to pharmacies to supermarkets to restaurants have all been expressing interest in the site.

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Robert Diggle

floor commercial space at the building back in May. “Because it’s such a captive market with 30,000 students, we’ve had really strong interest in from major multiples there,” says Diggle. “We’re just about in solicitors’ hands on three major multiples, so there’s the commercial space benefitting from the residential element, the mixed elements and the surrounding captive audience.”

Although not commenting on who the prospective new commercial tenants may be for the

space, Diggle says businesses ranging from “banks, to pharmacies to supermarkets to restaurants” have all been expressing interest in the site, whilst there has been local interest too.

Diggle is also confident the city’s student market will continue to have a positive impact on central commercial space occupants.

Highlighting Liverpool John Moores University’s plans to redevelop the Royal Mail’s former Copperas Hill site into a connected university village amongst future catalysts to drive more student footfall into the city centre, Diggle adds: “Undoubtedly the footfall will be there day and night and I think commercial users, both bars and restaurants and cafes during the day and pubs and clubs during the evening, will benefit because the students are there 24/7 and not scattered around the suburbs like when I was a student.”

MOVE COMMERCIAL

UNDER CONSTRUCTION

Richard Roberts partner, Cass Associates

St Peter’s Square

SUCCESS Cass Associates has been operating in the North West for over 30 years. From its Liverpool base the firm provides multi-disciplinary design and planning services and has worked on projects such as the renovation of Grade II-listed Calderstones Mansion in Liverpool, design of the £7 million Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service head quarters in Chorley and several housing projects.

We asked Richard Roberts of Cass Architects how the company has achieved success and why sustainability is so important to its work in the North West.

How has Cass Associates maintained its success over a long period of time?

In short, by prioritising client relationships and maintaining diversity in our workload. Whether a single house for a private client or a major regeneration development for a large landowner, the project will be led from start to finish by a partner in the practice, acting as the key client contact. We have retained the practice at a size that allows this close involvement and this has created enduring client relationships.

As a multi-disciplinary professional practice, encompassing planning, architecture and landscape design, we have been able to work across a very broad range of sectors. This also allows geographical diversity and we currently have live projects from Scotland to the south of England.

How difficult is it to keep sustainability at the heart of your business?

Not difficult at all. Successful sustainable design requires a holistic approach and usually results in complex solutions. This demands a multi-disciplinary approach. To be truly efficient it is essential to consider sustainability at the planning and concept stage. As a multidisciplinary practice we are often commissioned at the outset to carry out feasibility and viability studies and are therefore in an ideal position to set the agenda and establish a sustainable ethos for the whole project.

Our complementary skills in architecture and landscape design then allow us to remain at the heart of the design team as the scheme is developed, thereby ensuring that the initial vision remains undiluted, and that an integrated sustainable approach is carried across both buildings and landscape design.

Ambitious office developments, public square refurbishments and revamped transport links are turning St Peter’s Square in Manchester into a commanding, multi-use city square to match the best in the world.

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What are your future plans for the company?

Whilst continuing to work across the UK, we are currently focussing on developing more of a local presence. This is an exciting time for the North West, with a number of important development projects planned across the region.

We recently exhibited at the IFB Regen 2014 conference in Liverpool and were very impressed by the level of commitment that exists to support the city’s regeneration. As one of a very few local practices with the multi-disciplinary skills and experience to take on complex projects from the initial planning stage through to completion, there is a great opportunity for us to make a contribution.

We are also developing a specific branch of the practice, called studioCass, designing bespoke houses for private clients, which is also very rewarding and quite different from much of our other work.

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An application is entered for the demolition of Elisabeth House. It will be replaced by the 14-storey St Peter’s Square, which will offer 300,000 sq ft of Grade A office space and ground floor restaurant space.

Planning permission is granted for One St Peter’s Square but construction is dependent on a pre-let agreement.

KPMG takes 62,500 sq ft on a 15-year lease at One St Peter’s Square. Demolition begins on Elisabeth House in the first stage of the development.

Cooperative Group submits plans to demolish Peterloo House and build the 12-storey 3 St Peter’s Square, delivering 108,000 sq ft of office space.

Plans are submitted for a revamp of St Peter’s Square including new landscaping, tree planting, a new Metrolink stop and relocation of the Cenotaph.

An application from the Done Brother’s property firm is approved for a 162,000 sq ft, 11-storey office at 2 St Peter’s Square. It is dependent on a pre-let being secured for the site.

Completion of work to Central Library and Town Hall refurbishments. One St Peter’s Square is complete and will welcome its first tenants in summer 2014.

Key events Accelerate

Photos by Peter Kelly

Accelerate 2014 Delegates from around the world gathered at the ACC Liverpool to take part in Accelerate 2014, a business growth conference featuring a host of leading business speakers.

Mayor Joe Anderson and Max Steinberg, chief executive of Liverpool Vision, were comperes for the day, and guest speakers including Wayne Hemingway, founder of Red or Dead and Hemingway Design; Ultimo founder Michelle Mone and former Olympian and motivational speaker Steve Smith who tackled the theme of ‘Passion, Performance and Power’.

Guests were able to take part in networking sessions and attend seminars designed to motivate and encourage business growth. The event was one of the largest one-day events in the inaugural International Festival for Business 2014, which is currently underway until late July.

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1. Oli Barrett, Wayne Hemingway, Kresse Wesling, and Adam Shaw answer questions from the audience 2. Accelerate was part of IFB 2014 3. Martyn Best (Document Direct), Steve Smith (Raise the Bar) and Vicky Jaycock (ACC Liverpool) 4. Katie Jones and Carl Sonnen (both of RBS RFU) 5. Karen Brady 6. Andrew Globe (Intex) with Councillor Erica Kemp, Lord Mayor of Liverpool 7. Delegates networked over coffee 8. Kresse Wesling, co-founder of Elvis & Kresse 9. Laura Horton, Cathy Maddock, Danielle Sullivan, Barbara Owens, and Donna Howitt (all of Liverpool ONE) 10. Props included a live snake 11. Mark Smith, Peter Martin and Robert Capleton (all of Liverpool Vision)

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Move Commercial Events Jul Aug

EVENT PLANNER Our pick of the best local events

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Greater Manchester Construction Summit 2014 The Point Emirates, Old Trafford, Manchester 8.30am – 4.30pm The construction-themed summit intends to address the issues of growth, procurement, innovation, skills and training. www.gmchamber.co.uk

Capital Developments Event Warrington Museum & Art Gallery 10am – 1pm Museum Development North West and Heritage Lottery Fund will offer advice for cultural organisations who want to, or are currently going through, capital developments. www.warringtonmuseum.co.uk

Property Hub Gusto Bar & Restaurant, Albert Dock, Liverpool

Manchester Summer Walking Tour Zenith Building, Manchester 5.15pm Join the Association of Women in Property for a tour around Manchester with Green Badge tour guide Philippa Cave. www.womeninproperty.org.uk

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Progressive Property Network Grosvenor Casino, Salford 6pm

Sustainable Design and Low Carbon Technologies RIBA Liverpool 10am – 12.30pm A seminar and practical class by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) that looks at low carbon and renewable technologies as part of a sustainable design strategy. www.architecture.com

A networking conference for local property investors featuring speaker Mark I’Anson, who has been trading property since 2000. www.progressivepropertynetwor k.co.uk/manchester

PICK OF THE MONTH

31 JUL Beswick Community Hub Regeneration Programme Site Visit Manchester 6pm – 8pm A visit to the site of a £44m regeneration programme in East Manchester, which will include a new sixth form college, leisure centre, Institute of Health & Performance, retail units, rugby pitch car park, highways alterations and public realm works. There will also be a 30-minute presentation. www.rics.org/uk

ACC Liverpool bids for Netball World Cup

Cheryl Danson, chairman of England Netball and Clare Briegal, chief executive officer of the INF

Liverpool has launched a bid to host the 2019 Netball World Cup at the ACC Liverpool complex, including the under-construction Exhibition Centre and new four-star hotel.

The bid has been submitted to the International Netball Federation (INF) and if successful will see the 8,300-capacity Echo Arena used as the competition venue, the Exhibition Centre as an athlete training area and the four-star Pullman hotel will be used as the official event hotel during the tournament.

England Netball chairman Cheryl Danson OBE, says: “Liverpool is an iconic city immersed in sport and, with its global

reputation and warm welcome, would be the perfect host to showcase the Netball World Cup 2019 to the world. Through ACC Liverpool we are able to offer the INF a wonderful single site venue that includes the competition arena, training venue, INF Congress venue and event hotel.”

The £40 million Liverpool Exhibition Centre is being built by ISG and will deliver 8,100 sq m of conference space and an integrated hotel set to be completed in spring 2015, it will host 50 events in its first year, bringing 250,000 visitors to the UNESCO World Heritage site. Estimates suggest it will bring £40m to the economy each year once it is open.

Relaxed breakfast, lunch and evening networking sessions for the property, construction and business sectors.

Book a table in advance by contacting Lia Kennedy on 0151 708 6969. www.ifb2014.com

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25 AUG

Secret Venue Breakfast Networking Liverpool 7.30am – 8.45am A unique venue with a view will provide the setting for the latest networking event from Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. One of Livepool’s famous landmarks will open its doors to guests. www.liverpoolchamber.org.uk

Universities Panel Liverpool 7.30am – 9.30am The Forum for the Built Environment hold a panel update on Universities in the Liverpool City Region. Members free, non-members £25 before VAT. www.fbeonline.co.uk

Manchester prepares for graphene conference The University of Manchester will host an international conference focused on revolutionary new material graphene to coincide with the opening of the £61 million National Graphene Institute (NGI) in the city.

Graphene has been hailed as a miracle material because of its strength – 200 times that of steel – flexibility and its lightweight properties. First isolated at the University of Manchester in 2004, it will now be celebrated during Graphene Week 2015 from 22-26 June next year, the key event in the calendar of the European’s Commission’s research initiative, Graphene Flagship.

The event is expected to attract more than 400 scientists to the region and bring £700,000 to the local economy, and will allow delegates to view the NGI, a national hub for graphene research, once it opens its doors in spring 2015.

Dr Cinzia Casiraghi, lecturer at The University of Manchester and chair of Graphene Week 2015, says: “We feel that with the opening of the National Graphene Institute (NGI) in spring 2015, it is appropriate to invite the global research community to one of the top institutions for graphene research.”

Manchester has also been named as European City of Science for the two years leading up to Europe’s largest science conference, the EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF), which takes place in the city in summer 2016.

Tell Move Commercial about your commercial property and business events.

Email post@movepublishing.co.uk MOVE COMMERCIAL 43

By Christine Toner christine@movepublishing.co.uk

Across the North West industrial buildings that had their hey day during the days of industry are being given a new lease of life with developers converting tired warehouses into swanky hotels and old factories into exciting new office complexes. We take a look at some of the most notable projects underway and those that have already proven successful.

Soapworks Former use: Colgate-Palmolive factory Location: Salford Quays The former Colgate-Palmolive factory in Salford Quays, Media City UK is currently the subject of a major redevelopment by global alternative asset manager, The Carlyle Group, and its joint venture partners Nikal and Abstract Securities. The factory was once one of the leading employers in the area before it closed down in 2008.

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The £70 million redevelopment consists of two stages. Phase I of the project, The Boilerhouse, which saw the redevelopment of the factory’s boilerhouse into 20,000 sq ft of offices was completed in October 2011 and fully let to Vital Services.

Earlier this year Galliford Try was appointed as contractor for the second, 210,000 sq ft phase.

The appointment follows the

receipt of a £6 million loan from the North West Evergreen Fund, a local authority backed fund set up to provide financial support to real estate and regeneration projects.

Once complete, the Phase II of Soapworks will provide Grade A workspace in a range of formats and sizes, with units from 1,500 sq ft to 210,000 sq ft available and floorplates of up to 80,000 sq ft.

Reviving factories & warehouses Focus

Stanley Dock Former use: Mixed use to store international cargos Location: Liverpool When Stanley Dock first opened in 1848 it helped bring Liverpool global recognition. Its opening came at a time when Liverpool was becoming one of the busiest seaports in the world and Stanley Dock played a key part in making this happen.

The size of the warehouses and the goods it stored were signs of the Liverpool Dock Committee’s

ambition to make Liverpool a leading port internationally.

According to heritage consultant John Hinchliffe Stanley Dock became the first dock in the world to have multi-modal transport connections as the port connected directly to the canal and railway systems. Out of the 25 docks in Liverpool in the mid-19th Century, it was regularly one of the top five most profitable.

Sadly the port fell into decline and the city faced economic struggles. The dock closed in 1985 and lay empty for 30 years.

This year the building has been transformed as part of a multimillion pound development by Harcourt Developments.

Work began on the dock in January 2013 with the conversion of the North Warehouse into the 153-bed Titanic Hotel Liverpool

and adjoining events and exhibition space, Rum Warehouse.

They are part of a wider regeneration of Stanley Dock Village that will see the Tobacco Warehouse and surrounding area converted into residential, leisure and office developments.

The venue opened in June to host a number of events for the International Festival for Business.

Murrays’ Mills

Tried and tested

Manchester

Tulketh Mill Preston Tulketh Mill in Preston was opened in 1906 and was one of Lancashire’s largest spinning mills. Despite a rapid decline in mills in the area, largely as a result of World War I, Tulketh Mill survived and remained a cotton mill until the 1960s when the region’s cotton industry deteriorated. In 1968 Littlewoods catalogue company took over the site.

The mill has since been redeveloped by current occupiers Carphone Warehouse and Talk Talk to include a restaurant and gym.

Murrays’ Mills in the Ancoats area of Manchester is the oldest surviving urban steam powered cotton factory in the world.

The first mill on the site was opened in 1797. The mills had fallen into ruin before Wates Construction was awarded the contract to carry out a restoration project, funded by £11 million from the Ancoats Buildings Preservation Trust (ABPT) and the Heritage Lottery Fund. It now provides residential, office and leisure space.

Albert Dock Liverpool While 2013 saw Albert Dock celebrate the 25th anniversary of its reopening the building actually dates back to 1846.

The dock was the first enclosed, noncombustible dock warehouse system in the world, and the first structure in Britain to be built entirely of cast iron, brick and stone.

However, the dock was built to accommodate sailing ships with a cargo capacity of up to 1,000 tons and by 1900 only 7% of ships arriving in Liverpool were sailing ships. This marked the beginning of the end for the dock and it finally closed in 1972. It was brought back to life, however, in the 1980s thanks to a refurbishment by owners Arrowcroft Group and is today home to a host of retail and leisure tenants.

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Expert views Ask the panel

Can Assisted Area status have any noticeable impact on an area in terms of attracting development, investment and funding?

The latest successful applicants for Assisted Area Status under the European Commission’s Regional Aid Guidelines for 2014-2020 have been announced. Areas such as Ellesmere Port have been granted the status, which can offer funding options and financial incentives to boost economic recovery. We ask four experts how it can benefit successful applicants.

Igloo is active in developing in areas requiring regeneration and Assisted Area status, when targeted in the appropriate locations, can provide a useful basis for attracting private investment.

At Igloo we both raise our own funding for significant regeneration schemes through the Igloo Fund and its sister funds and finance other developers’ projects through our Chrysalis Fund operating in Merseyside.

The Assisted Area status in Merseyside has enabled our £38m Chrysalis Fund to catalyse £100m of development by using Chrysalis ERDF funding as investment along with grants, structured using commercially sensible levels of aid allowed by Assisted Area status, to lever in private sector funding. We also see mechanisms such as Business Premises Renovation Allowance where capital allowances can be claimed to bring empty buildings back into commercial use with private finance, as being important to delivering economic development to areas that require investment to compete with areas with greater advantage.

John Tatham, partnerships director, Igloo Regeneration

The North West Fund is a £155m investment fund designed to support SMEs in the North West of England.

As part of this, Merseyside is an assisted area and has been allocated a substantial amount of the total pot.

This is great news for the Merseyside economy and gives SMEs a much needed funding boost where traditional lenders are not always able to assist.

The impact of this will only be seen if Merseyside businesses take up this opportunity. We know there are countless, quality businesses in Merseyside and we would encourage them to be confident in applying for funding and take the next steps towards growing their businesses and standing out from their competitors across the UK. The funding can be used for a variety of purposes including owner-occupier property purchases.

Assisted Area status increases an area’s appeal further in two ways: firstly it will generate incremental publicity for the area which in turn will result in more investors both national and international. We’ve already seen that in South Liverpool and the recent status granted to

Assisted areas can make a difference, but only if those who are eligible grasp the opportunity.

Gary Guest, fund manager, The North West Fund for Loans Plus

Ellesmere Port means it will fall into that category and international investors will have a closer look at what it offers.

Gaining Assisted Area status is a great carrot for investors who are looking at the area. Ellesmere Port is already a very attractive area for investors as it has ready to go investment propositions and great connectivity, as demonstrated with exciting investments such as Marks & Spencer and Regatta.

Secondly it should mean that growth in Ellesmere Port accelerates as it attracts businesses faster, improving prospects and the feel good factor.

Katrina Michel, chief executive, Marketing Cheshire

The North West region features prominently on the Assisted Areas Map for 2014-2020. Assisted Area status allows businesses and other ‘undertakings’ to access regional aid in accordance with EU state aid rules. The primary regional aid vehicle in the North West is the Regional Growth Fund, which supports private sector projects designed to stimulate economic growth and create jobs.

Assisted Areas also benefit from additional tax allowances, most notably Business Premises Renovation Allowance (BPRA) and Enhanced Capital Allowances (ECA).

BPRA encourages derelict and unused properties to be brought back to life for business use by giving an initial 100% allowance on capital expenditure for conversion and renovation. BPRA has been around for several years and has been widely used, particularly in Liverpool city centre.

Assisted Area status can also unlock ECA at some Enterprise Zones, including Liverpool, providing 100% first-year allowances for expenditure on qualifying plant and machinery.

David Swaffield, partner, Hill Dickinson

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