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Future of £58m Bristol research centre in question following deal

2025-04-26 09:57:28

Plans for a new £58m research centre in Bristol are reportedly in question after an acquisition deal. Wiltshire inhaler firm Vectura, which was behind the proposals, was snapped up last week by US manufacturer Molex - the parent firm of contract development organisation Phillips Medisize. It acquired the Chippenham-headquartered respiratory medicines business from tobacco giant Philip Morris International for a knock-down price of £150m ($198m). The Marlboro cigarette maker announced the sale of Vectura last September, three years after buying the business for more than £1bn. The acquisition deal in 2021 was criticised at the time because Vectura's products are used to treat lung conditions. In 2022, Vectura was granted permission by South Gloucestershire Council to build a large R&D facility at Bristol and Bath Science Park. Construction work was originally due to start in 2023, according to The Times, but so far only preliminary development work has been carried out on the site. The latest deal with Molex has now created uncertainty around the future of the “Inhalation Centre of Excellence” in Emersons Green. Paul Chaffin, president of Phillips Medisize, told The Times: "We recognise the Bristol site is a very valuable asset. Our primary focus is on integrating the Vectura employees into our team and building the Vectura customer pipeline. We will carefully evaluate the alignment of the Bristol site to our business needs and decide at a later date." Phillips Medisize will add approximately 350 employees to its team of more than 6,000 following the deal, including more than 1,200 engineers and scientists. Vectura was founded in 1997 as a spin-out from the University of Bath and employs around 450 people across Wiltshire, Cambridge Science Park, London and Basel in Switzerland. “The acquisition of Vectura reflects our commitment to advancing industry-leading medical capabilities for our customers,” added Joe Nelligan, chief executive of Molex, which acquired Phillips Medisize in 2016. "Together Phillips Medisize and Vectura will unlock significant growth potential to support the growing need for inhalation therapies.”

Gary Neville says ‘leap of faith’ paid off as No 1 St Michael’s in Manchester is fully let before building work completes

2025-04-29 05:15:21

Footballer turned property developer Gary Neville says he’s proud of the “leap of faith” taken by his company Relentless Developments as its flagship office building is now fully let before it is even completed. Relentless started work on the 100% speculative development in 2022 and has since secured six office tenants and three food and drink operators. It has three times set a new headline rent for offices in the city. The business calls No.1 St Michael’s “the best new office development outside London” and says this is “the first time in 15 years a speculative office building of this scale in Manchester has been fully let prior to practical completion”. Last month investment bank Cavendish announced it was opening its first office in Manchester and would be moving into No.1 St Michael’s in spring. In October Channel 4 confirmed it was to take 12,293 sq ft of space at No. 1 St Michael’s. The scheme, set to open in late spring 2025, has been delivered by Relentless and investment firm KKR, supported by Manchester City Council. Bowmer & Kirkland started work on the building in January 2022. OBI Property, CBRE and Metis Real Estate are instructed to support Relentless with letting the commercial space, while Kuits Solicitors has provided legal advice. Gary Neville, director at Relentless Developments, said: “It was a huge leap of faith to speculatively-build a development in excess of 200k sq ft but we’ve always been confident in our ambition for the building. We spent a great deal of time understanding what modern occupiers want from an office and ensured we carefully selected the right amenities and F&B operators into the development. We also recognised sustainability was crucial and invested heavily in time and capital to ensure our ESG credentials met the aspirations of our tenants. “Achieving fully-let status ahead of completion is thanks in no small part to the world-class partners we’ve had supporting us along the way; KKR and Manchester City Council for remaining committed to our vision, our tenacious agent partners for marketing the scheme’s potential and B&K for the beautiful building we’ve created. I’d also like to thank all our tenants for their trust in our ability to set new standards in quality, aesthetic and experience for office working here in Manchester.” Nicky Barker, head of asset management in KKR’s European Real Estate team, said: "In today’s market, top tenants expect world-class sustainability, a prime location and distinctive amenities – these have become crucial drivers of long-term value. This was the vision we shared with Relentless when collaborating on the development of St. Michael’s, a vision now affirmed by the project's success in setting new benchmarks for Manchester’s real estate market." Relentless will soon launch another 80k sq ft of office space at the neighbouring No. 2 St Michael’s.

West Midlands retail park sold for £27.6m

2025-04-20 17:29:17

A retail park has been bought for £27.6 million. Clearbell Property Partners has sold Orbital Retail Park in Cannock to British Land. The park, next to the M6 Toll south of the town centre, spans 123,215 sq ft of retail space across 11 stores and counts Aldi, Pure Gym, M&S Foodhall and Boots among its tenants. It is also adjacent to a Sainsbury's supermarket and the town's Gateway Retail Park. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. British Land is taking forward the asset management of the scheme and said it was in advanced discussions over a new flagship unit in the current Homebase store. Toby Saul, asset management director at Clearbell, said: "Over the last four years of ownership, we have worked to continuously improve the tenant mix at Orbital. "Through this active asset management strategy, we have been able to secure several strong new tenants, including anchor tenant Aldi, that has seen footfall increase consistently. "We are very pleased to have been able to sell to British Land who have the experience and expertise to take the scheme forward." Kelly Cleveland, head of real estate and investment at British Land, added: "This latest acquisition further solidifies our market leading position in retail parks as we continue to deliver on our strategy of recycling capital into this sub-sector. "Retail parks remain the preferred physical retail format for an increasing number of retailers due to their affordability, adaptability and accessibility. "We are nearly fully let across our parks portfolio and continue to see strong competition for this type of space."

Glencar wins brief for new Birmingham industrial units

2025-04-21 06:39:27

Construction contractor Glencar has won the brief to build a new warehousing and logistics complex in Birmingham. Aviva Investors has appointed the St Albans-based company to build four units ranging from 22,500 sq ft to 64,250 sq ft on Catalyst Industrial Park, in Washwood Heath. Midlands managing director Pete Goodman said: "Logistics and industrial is at the heart of what we do and we look forward to working with Aviva Investors and the full project team to deliver this outstanding scheme which features leading-edge environmental, social and governance credentials which are becoming standard in this sector." James Stevens, head of real estate investment at Aviva Investors, added: "We are pleased to partner with Glencar at Catalyst Industrial Park which we think is an exciting new development project in a strategically important logistics location.

Ribena owner Suntory announces £6m Gloucestershire factory plans

2025-05-07 16:04:55

A Gloucestershire factory that makes drinks for Ribena and Lucozade is planning to spend £6m on reducing carbon emissions. Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I has submitted a planning application for the project at its Coleford plant that it says will reduce reliance on natural gas. Under the proposals, the company is aiming to become completely independent of its current gas turbine through a new electricity connection. If approved, the new model is expected to be up and running in 2026. According to Suntory, the connection will increase the factory’s access to electricity purchased from renewable sources and will reduce external outages and power cuts. Karl Ottomar, supply chain director at Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I, said: “This £6m investment represents a significant step towards reducing our carbon footprint. Not only will it put us on track to achieve greater emissions reductions quicker, but it allows us to focus on even more sustainability projects and the future integration of renewable energy.” In 2019, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I set near-term emissions reduction targets approved by the Science Based Targets Initiative. The company has committed to a 30% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by 2030 and is working to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 across its whole value chain. The company said its Coleford project would be backed by an environmental impact assessment carried out by local authorities, with the aim of minimising any impact to the local environment or community. Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I was established in 2014 and is part of the Japan-based Suntory Group. In September, Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I reported a seventh consecutive year of profit increase, alongside a continued post-pandemic sales rise.

Persimmon sees sales rebound and points to higher profit expectations

2025-05-12 11:13:29

Housebuilder Persimmon has pointed to the beginnings of recovery in the housing market after seeing a growth in sales last year. The York-based firm, along with all of the UK’s largest housebuilders, has seen a period of decline in recent years as rising interest rates and wider problems in the UK put the brake on sales. But now it has announced a 7% increase in housing completions last year, selling more than 10,000 homes and seeing a small increase in its average selling price. Persimmon will announce its final results for 2024 in March but in a trading update it said that new home completions had risen to 10,664 last year and its average selling price had increased 5% to £268,500. It also said the increase was being driven by consistently higher demand for private homes, with its private sales position 31% better off than the previous year. But it said that discounting had been in place for much of the year to drive sales. Persimmon is now expecting full-year underlying profit before tax to be around the upper end of market expectations of between £349m to £390m. Group chief executive Dean Finch said: “We performed well through 2024 delivering 7% growth in completions, ahead of market expectations. We expect to report an underlying operating margin in line with the prior year, as previously guided, with 2024 underlying profit before tax expected to be around the upper end of market expectations. Customer enquiries and sales rates have been consistently ahead of the prior year since the spring selling season. “Persimmon has worked hard and is well positioned for the future, supported by the land and planning investment we have made in recent years, our vertical integration capabilities and our excellent teams. This investment, coupled with the Government’s ambitious planning reforms which demand more of the high-quality, affordable homes which are Persimmon’s core strength, supports our growth ambitions in the medium-term.” Persimmon ended the previous year with net cash of around £260m, lower than the previous period. It had spent £60m on remediating potentially dangerous buildings during the year, bringing its spending on post-Grenfell issues to £120m. It said remediation works were either under way or completed on more than 70% of its known developments. Persimmon said it was “well positioned” for 2025 and welcomed Government announcements on changes to planning guidance to encourage more housebuilding. But it said it was “mindful of evolving macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, including the timing of future interest rate changes, and the effect that they may have on our market and consumer confidence in the short-term.”

Homes and care farm plan for grounds of historic stately home

2025-04-27 20:01:25

The grounds of a landmark hall may be set for a transformative redevelopment, new plans lodged with Cheshire West and Chester Council show. The proposal envisions repurposing outbuildings at Churton Hall Farm into 10 new domestic residences around a courtyard, with dedicated office spaces crafted from an old hayloft to facilitate home working. Furthermore, the project includes establishing a care farm aimed at offering support to individuals facing physical or mental challenges, operating under a not-for-profit CIC structure for community and educational benefits. Recently, the council approved a separate proposal to divide the Grade II listed Churton Hall, in the village of Churton, into two distinct dwellings, enhancing the site which features a blend of Elizabethan and Victorian architecture. Additionally, the development is intended to house an office for Barnston Estate, stewarding over 1,800 acres and responsible for Churton Hall Farm. Ed Barnston, Estate Manager, commented: "We have a responsibility to protect historic Churton Hall Farm for future generations. The site contains listed buildings and doing nothing is not an option." "Churton Hall itself is the oldest house on the Estate and parts of it have been dated to the 15th Century. We have consulted with parish councillors and the village closely on our plans over the last couple of years and we believe they offer an exciting future for the site and one that ensures that it continues to be of huge importance to people living and working in Churton, Farndon and other neighbouring villages." "We are particularly excited by the plans to create a care farm which would include a restored walled garden, grow house and an educational and community hub. We're also planning to introduce British Longhorn Cattle on to the land. It would provide opportunities for different groups, such as schoolchildren and those in respite care, to spend time outdoors, learning about the land, growing organic produce, caring for livestock and getting their hands dirty.", reports Cheshire Live. "Our hope is that it would become a place that supports mental and physical wellbeing. Care farming is increasingly recognised by health, specialist education and social care commissioners for delivering a professional, quality service to a range of service user groups. We are passionate about the plans that have been submitted and success will depend on a true partnership approach including the local authority, Historic England and others." The Barnston Estate, in collaboration with Chester-based firms Raise Architects and Land Studio, has developed plans for a new access off Chester Road. The proposal includes regenerative landscape design and management plans to boost existing biodiversity, diversifying flora to attract more wildlife. Nature-led strategies will be implemented to provide nesting spaces for birds and bat roosts within the converted farm buildings and their surrounding landscape.

Hortons offloads city centre units

2025-05-19 18:06:08

A city centre retail parade has been sold in an off-market deal. London-based investor Tri Capital has acquired the units in Dudley Street, Wolverhampton, from Birmingham-based property group Hortons. The parade comprises eight retail and office units, totalling 69,519 sq ft, which are let to tenants such as Metro Bank, Starbucks and TSB. Hortons owned the property for more than 60 years and the sale is part of its strategy to dispose of non-core assets and re-deploy capital into projects within its existing portfolio as well as potential acquisitions. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Earlier this year, Hortons sold the adjacent Castle Yard retail parade to a private investor for £2.7 million. Birmingham-based MK2 Real Estate advised Hortons on the sale. Director Mark Johnson said: "Following the sale of Castle Yard in May, we're pleased to have assisted Hortons on the disposal of its second and final retail investment in the city centre. "The property produces a consistent rental income, with opportunities to add value through future rental uplifts and the letting of the vacant Sports Direct unit."

Green light for Botanical Gardens revamp

2025-05-13 22:37:16

A project to rejuvenate a popular tourist and event destination in Birmingham has been handed the green light. Birmingham Botanical Gardens in Edgbaston is planning to carry out a major overhaul of its glasshouses and has already received grant and lottery funding. The 15-acre site has four Victorian glasshouses which will be restored to reflect their original form and adapted to serve contemporary horticultural needs. Other planned work includes a low-carbon, sympathetic reinterpretation of the existing gardens and structure and will deliver a long-term sustainable future for the attraction. The project is called 'Growing our Green Heritage'. The grade-II* listed venue is home to more than 10,000 botanic species but is also a popular choice for events. It opened in 1832 and welcomes around 220,000 visitors and 19,000 school children every year. Chief executive Sara Blair-Manning said: "We are delighted that planning has been granted for the capital project. "The gardens offer a rich, uniquely biodiverse natural environment and we know, through consultation, they are hugely treasured by the people of Birmingham and the West Midlands. "The gardens need urgent and extensive restoration and repairs and are considered at risk by Historic England. A successful project will mean they can continue to connect people with culture, heritage and nature in a large urban metropolis. "We are grateful to The National Lottery Heritage Fund and National Lottery players for the development monies and look forward to being able to deliver a successful project." Birmingham architecture practice Howells and heritage consultancy Donald Insall Associates are also working on the scheme. Sandeep Shambi, a partner at Howells in Digbeth, said: "We are delighted to have received the go ahead for the Birmingham Botanical Gardens which is one of the last independent botanical gardens in the UK and so it’s vitally important this heritage asset is conserved but also given space to develop. "We are working in collaboration with their talented team, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, stakeholders and Donald Insall Associates, to help preserve the gardens for future generations and create jobs and opportunities for people in Birmingham." Matthew Vaughan, practice director at Donald Insall Associates, added: "Birmingham Botanical Gardens is a landmark, not just for its historic buildings but its living collection of rare species from across the globe. "Conservation of the glasshouses to respond to these particular heritage considerations will be a key challenge, protecting the historic fabric while enhancing their performance for the needs of the collection within.

Plans for waterfront hotel and leisure scheme in Porthcawl move forward

2025-04-30 01:11:01

Plans for a new waterfront hotel and leisure facility in Porthcawl have taken a step forward with land earmarked for the project put on the market by Bridgend Council. The site is situated at the southern end of the Salt Lake near to the Porthcawl Marina, the Grand Pavilion and Cosy Corner, and could eventually see the delivery of a new luxury hotel and leisure facility for the town. The 2.1 acre plot of land off Eastern Promenade is currently set aside for development under the Porthcawl Placemaking Strategy which aims to develop the area for both residents and tourists as an attractive place to live, work, and visit. It is part of a wider scheme of regeneration planned for the area in the coming years, which includes proposals for around 900 new homes, a school, a multi-storey car park, as well as a 200m-long seafront park that runs the length of Salt Lake, along with the closure of the town's Coney Beach Pleasure Park. Click here to sign up to our BusniessLive Wales newsletter An advert for the site from property advisory firm EJ Hales says: "The allocated hotel / leisure development site, which we have been instructed to market by Bridgend County Borough Council, has been earmarked within the Porthcawl Placemaking Strategy as providing an opportunity to deliver a high-quality hotel and is situated at the southern end of the Salt Lake ownership with views over the nearby beach. "It is close to completed and current regeneration projects including The Jennings, Cosy Corner, Porthcawl Marina and The Grand Pavilion. The allocated site comprises 2.1 acres / 0.8 hectares and the council’s intention is to dispose of the site by way of a long leasehold interest, the details of which will be subject to specific negotiations." They also added that if the hotel was delivered as a priority by a developer, a mixed use scheme including residential properties could also be considered by the authority moving forward.

New property joint venture launches

2025-05-14 07:29:46

A development company has launched a new joint venture. Birmingham-based Nurton Developments has teamed up with industry specialist Ian Harris to create Nurton Retail. The new business will focus on sourcing and delivering retail and roadside development opportunities. Mr Harris has 30 years of experience in this area of property, including site sourcing, planning, occupier engagement and construction management. His experience has been gained from roles with retailers Lidl and Wickes and as a director at property consultancy CBRE among others. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. For 12 years, he also operated his own development consultancy, working with high-profile clients including Bullring co-owner Hammerson and Strathclyde Pension Fund. Nurton Retail will target retail and roadside sites of up to ten acres, with a focus on high-visibility locations along major roads and offering services such as site identification, viability assessment, achieving planning consents and construction. Mr Harris said: "I welcome the opportunity to join forces with Nurton. "This collaboration brings together decades of experience in development and retail development and a shared commitment to identifying and delivering high-quality roadside and retail opportunities. "With a hands-on approach and strong client and occupier relationships, we are well-positioned to meet the growing demand in this dynamic market sector." Nurton Developments' managing director David Bradshaw said: "This is a sector we have had some success in previously, however our partnership with Ian is a gamechanger, offering unparalleled expertise and industry insight which will be instrumental in delivering growth opportunities.

Stunning images show how Leeds office is set for transformation by x+why

2025-04-26 19:40:51

A rapidly rising workspace provider is set to transform four floors of a city centre building into offices complete with a clubspace, coffee bar and roof terrace. Trendy workspace specialist x+why is set to take over the first, second and ninth floors of Bridgewater Place in Leeds and a new 5,000 sq ft roof top terrace on a 10-year agreement, as well as the operation of a new reception area and coffee bar at the prime property. The firm has struck a deal to occupy almost 34,000 sqft of space at the 30-storey mixed use tower, following the deal with Martley Capital Group. The company also operates over 430,000 sqft of flexible office, receptions and food and beverage led clubspaces in buildings across London, Birmingham, Manchester and Milton Keynes. Since purchasing the tower in 2022 following years of underinvestment, the current owners have raised £35m to carry out a complete refurbishment, with the aim of creating a high quality, energy-efficient building, to secure its continued status as a Leeds landmark. x+why’s fully refurbished offering is due to open in late 2025 with available suites ranging from four desks to a 5,000 sqft office which can be adjusted to member needs. Eamon Fox, partner and head of development for Knight Frank, which represents Martley Capital, said: “Securing x+why is brilliant for the asset and the wider Leeds business community and our approach is to excel in the mandatory characteristics of best-in-class buildings. The baseline for the future office is being reset at Bridgewater Place.” The partnership with x+why means that Bridgewater Place will provide occupiers with flexible working space, private enterprise suites, meeting rooms, event space, food and drinks, a clubspace and extensive roof terrace. x+why will also be running the main building reception, including a new coffee bar in the refurbished atrium. The members’ clubspace and roof terrace will offer views across Leeds from the ninth floor and will be available for all tenants of the building to use and enjoy. The floor will also feature meeting and events spaces that will be available for use by tenants, as well as open to bookings from the general public and local business community.

Work starts on £3.5m Calder Park business units that will generate 100 jobs

2025-04-23 16:57:08

Work has started on a £3.5m business park in Yorkshire aiming to bring new jobs to the region. Marrtree Investments has started construction work on the 40,000 sq ft development of nine new business units at Calder Park near Wakefield – the developer’s 23rd strategically located employment site across the North. The new development – scheduled to complete in June 2025 – will provide warehouse, industrial and trade counter space across nine units of between 3,500 sq ft and 5,000 sq ft. The scheme follows on from the completion of a £4.5m 27,000 sq ft business park and Starbucks drive thru at Clifton Moor in York by the Harrogate business earlier this year. Marrtree Investments director William Marshall said: “Calder Park is a really great location for our brand of modern, ergonomic business space. It has fantastic communication links, situated right next to junction 39 of the M1 motorway, which makes it ideal for a variety of occupiers, and the site is also served by regular public transport and safe cycle routes from Wakefield town centre. “Demand for really good quality space of this size, like our product, continues to outstrip supply and not surprisingly, we have seen excellent levels of interest so far. As with our previous developments, such as the 70,000 sq ft Sowerby Gateway site at Thirsk, we expect demand to be high for the units at Marrtree Business Park Wakefield, with the prospect of around 100 jobs being created.” Organisations currently based at Calder Park include National Highways, Taylor Wimpey Homes, West Yorkshire Police and Minster Law. Marrtree Investments director George Marshall added: “We have also worked really hard on the environmental credentials of this new development, which is next to a 100-acre nature reserve. “We have incorporated solar panels on the roofs of the units as well as EV charging points, and we are excited that it’s a location that enables people to cycle to work safely and easily.”

Opinion: It’s crunch time for Manchester’s commercial office space

2025-04-20 18:05:54

We’ve seen years of office occupancy speculation since the pandemic, but the picture is finally becoming clearer. Employers are increasingly asking staff to return to the workplace and, in Manchester, we’re starting to see the impact. A recent JLL survey found that 75% of Manchester-based firms now require employees to spend three or more days a week in the office. That’s a clear sign of confidence in the office market. But it’s also putting significant pressure on the city’s limited stock of commercial property, especially those much sought-after Grade A spaces. Over the past three years, demand for Grade A office space has skyrocketed. In fact, more than half of all post-pandemic lettings in Manchester have been in this top-tier category. Businesses increasingly understand that premium office environments are critical for attracting and retaining top talent. You only have to look at recent deals to determine a clear trend. From Bank of New York Mellon committing to 200,000 sq ft at 4 Angel Square through to ARM taking 70,000 sq ft at No.1 St Michael’s, it’s noticeable that companies are prioritising the best spaces to meet their employees’ needs and expectations. Despite this, no new Grade A developments have broken ground in nearly two years. So, while demand continues to rise, supply is dwindling fast. By 2024, Manchester is set to experience its highest levels of office take-up in five years. Yet, without action, the city is on course towards a supply crunch. At the current rate of Grade A uptake, Manchester could face a serious shortage of premium office space in the next 18 months. This tightening market will make it even tougher, and pricier, for occupiers to secure premium office space. Therefore developers, landlords, and funds who can bring new projects to market quickly will find themselves in a rare and lucrative position, benefiting from limited competition and sustained demand. But what happens if this call for new supply isn’t answered? For Manchester, the implications could extend far beyond the property sector. The city has built a reputation as a hub for inward investment and innovation, consistently drawing major occupiers like Vanguard, Starling Bank, Cloud Imperium and Uber. These firms, and the talent they attract, are vital to the region’s economic growth. If Manchester can’t provide these companies with the space they need to grow, there’s a real risk they’ll look elsewhere. That’s a scenario we can’t afford to see play out. Manchester is a city built on resilience and reinvention, and now is the time for developers, investors, and local authorities to act. Those who can take the lead in delivering new Grade A office schemes will help secure Manchester’s position as a leader in the UK’s regional office market catalyse the city’s growth. Manchester’s future prosperity may depend on how we respond to the looming supply-demand imbalance in its commercial property market.

Northern developers Placefirst and Strata launch housebuilding joint venture

2025-05-02 00:03:26

Two Northern developers have come together to launch a joint venture that aims to create hundreds of family homes using modern construction methods. Build to rent developer-operator Placefirst, which is based in Salford, has partnered with Doncaster housebuilder Strata to form a 50:50 joint venture with plans to deliver more than 500 single-family homes by 2028. The new company will start with a development to create 128 homes at Strata’s ‘Desire’ development near Thorpe Park, Leeds. The homes will be built using Modern Methods of Construction (MMC), enabling them to be delivered significantly faster and more sustainably than traditional building approaches. That approach will include the use of timber to improve insulation and reduce energy costs for residents. The companies’ framework agreement has already identified a further 221 homes for delivery across the UK. Anna Hwang, chief investment officer of Placefirst, said: “Our ambition to deliver more quality homes across the UK comes down to a simple belief: renters deserve better. For too long, poor-quality housing with unstable tenancies has been the norm in the UK’s rental market. We know the only way to solve this problem is deliver more expertly-built, professionally-operated rental homes – whether through building them ourselves or through collaborative partnerships. “This partnership with Strata is one such example and represents an important step forward in our mission. Combining our expertise, we can deliver sustainable homes at scale faster than ever before. Through our shared commitment to creating places where residents don’t just live but thrive, we will deliver a homeowner-quality living experience for our renters.” Gemma Smith, chief executive officer at Strata, said: “This partnership with Placefirst is a natural progression for Strata as we continue evolving to become an innovative multi tenure home builder. We believe everyone should have the opportunity to live in a home that is beautifully designed, build to high quality and energy efficient, whether buying or renting. “We have designed a collection of homes for the single-family rental market, retaining the signature Strata style inside and out. We have worked with Placefirst to carefully consider the internal specification and ensure the homes offer everything a resident will be hoping for. “We see it as our role to create communities that will in turn improve the lives of generations to come. By joining forces, we can expand this vision and not only deliver more high-quality homes in areas of need, but use our combined experience to ensure our developments retain a strong sense of community and meet the needs of residents today and in the future.”

Former council offices to be transformed into new apartment block

2025-04-28 16:03:38

A former council office block in Middleton is set to be converted into an apartment complex. Platinum House, which was previously used by the local authority and now serves as a retail warehouse, will be transformed into a 15-apartment block following approval from the planning committee. The proposal, put forward by Mr Ali Saroya, includes the addition of another floor to the three-storey building and will comprise 10 one-bedroom flats, three two-bedroom flats, and two three-bedroom flats. Two of these homes will be available for affordable rent, at up to 80 per cent of market value, while the remaining 13 will be rented out by the landlord. There were concerns from 18 objectors about the lack of off-street parking and potential traffic congestion in the Middleton Conservation Area. Rochdale highways officers shared the concerns about having only on-street parking but suggested the introduction of a residents parking scheme would make the proposal viable. The plans were approved on November 27, the same night a retrospective plan for a house extension on Newhouse Road in Heywood also received approval, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Runway East to open co-working space in Bath

2025-05-08 20:08:49

Co-working space provider Runway East has signed a 20-year deal with global investment firm Abrdn to open a new site in Bath. Kings Court, a Grade II listed building on Parsonage Lane in the city centre, is the flexible workspace company’s third site in the South West. Runway East Bath, which covers 23,000 sq ft, will open in phases starting in the spring of this year. The agreement is the second with partner Abrdn following a deal for Runway East Bloomsbury, a 45,000 sq ft joint venture. “It seems we’re collecting all the cities beginning with B! Bath joins Brighton, Birmingham and Bristol in addition to our sites in London,” said Natasha Guerra, chief executive of Runway East. “Bath is internationally known for its UNESCO World Heritage status, it is regularly featured as one of the best places to live, work and visit - so we are thrilled to offer our services here.” Edinburgh-headquartered Abrdn joins L&G, GPE, Peer Group and Soho Estates as landlords of Runway East sites. In Bristol, Runway East is the largest operator of flexible workspace. Peter Tomley, deputy fund manager from Abrdn, said: “We’re really pleased to welcome Runway East to King’s Court, Bath. With a business model to create the best possible environment for startups and scaleups, as well as established businesses looking for more flexible office solutions, their product is a great addition to the city, playing both to the region’s growth agenda whilst also providing the fund with long term, durable income.” Runway East was selected as the preferred partner by Abrdn given its knowledge of the South West market. Will Kinnear, founder of HEWN who advised Abrdn, added: “They are a great addition to the Bath market, their in-demand product is attune with the ambitions of the local council and the economy it wants to create and foster.” Runway East, which is B-Corp certified, now has 13 spaces across London, Birmingham, Brighton and Bristol. Businesses using their space include household names such as Deliveroo, Dojo, and Grind.

Shopping centre could be demolished earlier than thought

2025-05-12 16:32:13

The demolition of Nelson's Pendle Rise shopping centre may commence earlier next year than first anticipated. The original plan was for work to begin in October 2025, once Pendle Council had full control over the entire site and all shop traders had been relocated. However, progress has been made in several areas, including supporting traders through the current Christmas period, dealing with vermin, and planning for telecoms masts, the Nelson Town Deal Board has been told. The board was set up to oversee the £25million Nelson Town Deal, agreed under a previous Conservative government. Town boards across the UK typically comprise a small number of publicly-elected councillors, a local MP - in this case Labour's Jonathan Hinder - and non-elected individuals from private businesses, developers, community, health and police representatives. Neil Rockett, shop director of Pendle Nutrition at Pendle Rise, represents retailers. The board's latest meeting included updates on Pendle Rise and town deal budgets, as well as other plans to revitalise Nelson, including work by Lancashire County Council. Richard Savory from Raise Partnership is collaborating with Pendle Council and provided various updates on Nelson town centre, reports Lancs Live. He said: "Since purchasing Pendle Rise, Pendle Council with the management operator, Beddows Ltd, have repaired key operating systems and dealt with a vermin infestation. The centre continues operating relatively smoothly. There are some issues still, such as the absence of operational heating around the main areas, which is a problem at this time of year. But we are running a safe and compliant centre." "The project team has ramped-up marketing and communications to support the existing retailers and show local people that Pendle Rise is still open for business. This has included town centre banners, posters and signs, visual impressions of the proposed new development, newspaper and radio advertisements, newsletters, social media and a short video. "The council leader, Coun Asjad Mahmood, has continued visits to meet traders and images of the visits have been used to raise awareness." "These actions cannot turn back the clock to the heydays of Pendle Rise. But this is a strenuous effort to support current traders through this change and through the key Christmas period. "In addition, ongoing meetings have taken place between tenants and Pendle Council's estate team about future options and their rights under the compulsory purchase order process". Mr Savory outlined that a 'soft strip-out' of some vacant shops has already been carried out. He indicated that once the festive period concludes, efforts will pivot towards moving the remaining traders to alternative premises within Nelson town centre. Concurrently, a 'hard strip-out' will be initiated, encompassing the removal of asbestos, even while the centre remains operational. Progress on the Pendle Rise project also includes ongoing negotiations with telecom companies for the relocation of masts. When discussing the financial aspects of various Nelson initiatives, Mr Savory said: "There are no massive changes to the budget. As we get into a more detailed discussion about demolition, we will get more clarity. But we have a reasonable contingency budget, if needed." Planning is also in progress, aiming to align Pendle Rise developments with Lancashire County Council's envisaged enhancements to Nelson. Although the two endeavours have distinct funding streams and timelines, there is hope their deadlines can coincide. Stephen Barnes, Chair of the Nelson Town Deal Board, asked: "Regarding masts and utilities, can we pin the telecom companies down to dates? Regarding utilities, we all have scars on our backs from dealing with utilities and we know there are utilities around Pendle Rise." Mike Nuttall from the property development company Brookhouse Group, who is collaborating with Pendle Council on the Pendle Rise initiative as part of the Penbrook joint venture, said: "This is a key constraint. Utilities are the 'uncontrollable' elements in this. However, we are optimistic about utilities and have good things in place. With telecom masts, one firm has got approval and two others are being encouraged to act. The compulsory purchase order is coming and all the firms are now engaging. Previously, one was not."

Engineering firm Halton Flamgard expands by taking entire Welsh Government new build unit

2025-05-18 04:59:57

International engineering firm Halton Flamgard has struck a lease deal for the whole of a new build industrial unit in Blaenau Gwent speculatively developed by Welsh Government as it looks to more than double its Welsh workforce. The company will occupy the 52,588 sq ft Rhyd y Blew One (RYB1) unit, the first development at the 30-acre Welsh Government-owned Rhyd y Blew land site near Ebbw Vale. Halton Flamgard, which manufactures damper units for clients in specialised industrial sectors, is relocating its smaller operation in Pontypool into RYB1, where over the next three years it plans to see it head count rise from a current 70 to 168. The business was acquired by Finish global group Halton in 2023. The £8.5m funding for RYB1 came from a Welsh Government £100m commitment back in 2017 for its Tech Valleys initiative, after opting not to back the proposed Circuit of Wales project in Ebbw Vale. The building was marketed at £6.50p per sq ft, alongside investment opportunities for the entire 30-acre site, on behalf of the Welsh Government by the Cardiff office of property advisory firm Knight Frank. Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning, Rebecca Evans, said:“We are committed to driving high quality employment opportunities and skills development for local communities across Wales. “Our significant investment in Rhyd y Blew, which is strategically located in the Ebbw Vale Enterprise Zone, compliments our vision for the Tech Valleys area to become globally recognised for new technologies and the advanced manufacturing sector. “Attracting an international operation like Halton Flamgard to RYB1 highlights the success of our commercial property strategy to drive future economic growth. “I wish them well with their ambitious growth plans and look forward to seeing local businesses, communities and supply chains benefit.” Halton Flamgard managing director Lucy Newman said:“We are excited to embark on this new chapter as we move to our state-of-the-art facility. This transition marks a significant milestone for our team, and we are excited about the endless possibilities it brings. Our new space will not only enhance our capabilities but also inspire innovation and collaboration. “Additionally, this move opens up significant job growth potential, allowing us to expand our workforce and create new opportunities within the community. We look forward to achieving great things together in this dynamic environment.” John Morgan, Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council cabinet member for place and regeneration said:“We are thrilled that we’ve landed a fantastic manufacturing project here in Blaenau Gwent. This is incredible news for our community and a testament to the strong partnerships we’ve built with the Halton management team. “We would like to thank our partners at Welsh Government for their vision in developing the Rhyd y Blew site. This project aligns perfectly with our vision of attracting inward investment (including relocation projects) and supporting local business growth. “We believe investing in economic development, business grants, networking, sites and premises, skills and STEM development which results in job creation, wider supply chain opportunities and most importantly drives economic growth across the borough. “We are proud to have worked so closely with this business to make this a reality, and we look forward to seeing them make a positive impact for our residents and local business economy.” Don't miss the latest news and analysis with our regular Wales newsletters – sign up here for free Neil Francis, head of logistics and industrial at Knight Frank in Cardiff, said:“The confidence shown by Welsh Government to speculatively develop this building in order to deliver much-needed Grade A accommodation has paid off spectacularly. “RYB1’s modern design, green credentials and excellent location close to the Heads of the Valleys road proved highly attractive to a number of potential occupiers and we are delighted that Halton Group has taken a lease on the space.”

Former bank to become church

2025-05-20 12:34:36

A former Barclays branch building in Middleton is set to be transformed into a church, two years after the bank shut its doors. The Redeemed Christian Church of God has received council approval to establish their newest place of worship at the site, adding to the growing number of the faith's churches in the Greater Manchester area. Despite receiving 51 letters of objection from locals concerned about potential traffic impact and overdevelopment, Rochdale Council's highways officers are confident there would be no increase in traffic as a result of the development. Planning officers also noted that the application is only for a change of use, meaning the building's appearance would remain the same. No major internal or external changes are planned. As the building would effectively look the same and the application was for a change of use, this work would not be deemed 'inappropriate' or 'overdevelopment'. The Redeemed Christian Church of God, a form of Christianity founded in Nigeria in 1952, has a presence in 197 countries and territories worldwide, with millions of members in Nigeria alone, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Huge new retail complex could be changed to accommodate new hospital

2025-05-04 22:39:41

Lancashire County Council says it could modify plans for a major industrial, retail and leisure development to accommodate the proposed new Royal Preston Hospital. This follows last week's announcement by the NHS that it had purchased land in Farington, South Ribble, for the construction of a new state-of-the-art health facility. The plot, located off Stanifield Lane and south of Stoney Lane, is part of the larger Cuerden Strategic Regional Investment Site, which is primarily designated for the county council's 'Lancashire Central' project. This initiative will see the council develop a wide range of industrial, storage and office spaces, along with retail units, food and drink outlets, a drive-through restaurant, car showrooms, a leisure centre, gym, health facility, creche and 116 new homes. Planning permission for this blueprint was granted exactly a year ago, ending long-standing uncertainty about the location near the junction of the M6 and M65. This followed the collapse of a previous plan centred around a new IKEA store after the company withdrew in 2018. County Hall owns 71 percent of the overall 65-hectare Cuerden site, between Stanifield Lane and Wigan Road, with the remaining portion known to have been under the control of Manchester-based property firm Brookhouse Group Limited as of last year. An analysis by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) of maps from the Lancashire Central development's planning application and those produced by the NHS, showing the proposed hospital location, suggests that the new health facility will fully occupy the Brookhouse land. However, neither the company nor the NHS has confirmed a sale agreement, reports Lancs Live. The analysis also indicates that the relocated Royal Preston Hospital may extend into a significant area of the county council's Cuerden site, with the council expressing its intention to "assist" the hospital plans. The Lancashire Central development is divided into five zones, with the hospital seemingly occupying one entire zone, which is the second largest. This zone, Zone D, was initially earmarked for a leisure centre and about 30 percent of the industrial, storage, distribution, and office space. While other parts of the development could still accommodate these facilities if their size is reduced by the hospital, it remains unclear whether the leisure centre can be relocated to another zone. Any such move would necessitate further alterations to the Lancashire Central project. . Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council, commented: "These new hospitals should make a real difference to health services in the county, offering the very latest facilities. In the background, we have been working closely with our NHS partners as they have considered potential sites for these two new hospitals." She continued: "This will continue as the schemes are designed and the County Council will consider changes to the proposed Lancashire Central development, one of our key economic development sites to assist the Royal Preston site come forward. We will continue to be closely involved as the schemes are developed, particularly in relationship to transport planning." This comes after the Cuerden site, the location of the proposed new Royal Preston Hospital, was embroiled in a High Court dispute between Brookhouse and the county council late last year, with the company challenging the local authority's process for selecting a development partner. However, there is no record on the Courts and Tribunal Judiciary website of a High Court judgement having since been issued in relation to the matter. The Lancashire and South Cumbria New Hospitals Programme has clarified that the land purchased for the new Royal Preston Hospital is subject to public consultation and could potentially be used for alternative locations. The NHS has also developed an "exit strategy" in case the government funding is not approved or if alternative locations are chosen after a nationwide review of planned hospital facilities.

Bristol's Cheese Lane Shot Tower once among city's 'most polluting' now targeting net zero

2025-04-26 03:26:16

A Grade II-listed Bristol office block that was once one of the most polluting buildings in the city is on course to achieve a net-zero target after securing funding to help cut its emissions. The Cheese Lane Shot Tower, home to charity the Workforce Development Trust, has been a distinctive feature of Bristol’s skyline for decades. The building, near Temple Way, was built as the headquarters of the Sheldon Bush and Patent Shot Company - manufacturers and suppliers of lead shot. It opened during the late 1960s as a replacement for the original 18th century lead shot tower in Redcliffe. Lead shot was manufactured in Bristol until the 1990s before it was banned due to environmental concerns. Following Sheldon Bush’s eventual closure, the 142ft tower was empty until it was converted into offices around the turn of the millennium. John Rogers, the chief executive of The Workforce Development Trust, which supports the NHS and other frontline public services develop and maintain a sustainable workforce, describes the tower’s recent carbon cutting overhaul as “quite the turnaround”. He said: “It is an irony that a building which at one point was producing a cocktail of toxic chemicals causing untold environmental damage can now be held up as a symbol for a much cleaner, greener future and economy for the city.” With the support of a Green Business Grant from the West of England Combined Authority, the building has been fully upgraded and retrofitted with a range of carbon reduction measures, including low-energy LED lighting and solar panels. A total of £2m has been made available for businesses across the region to help cut emissions, with applications open to firms until March next year. Dan Norris, mayor of the West of England said: “It’s great to see our Green Business Grants make a real impact on an iconic piece of Bristol’s skyline. Cheese Lane is a towering example of how my Mayoral Combined Authority is helping local businesses harness solar power.” The Workforce Development Trust is targeting net zero by 2035. Mr Rogers added: “By sharing our slightly quirky journey, we’re hoping that it will help to inspire other small charities and businesses in the region to seek out the support they need to reduce their carbon emissions."

Council takes over ownership of shopping centre

2025-04-29 05:49:15

Ownership of a shopping centre in Staffordshire has been transferred to a local council for nothing. Ankerside in Tamworth has been taken over by the town's borough council, adding the long leasehold interest to its existing freehold in the 200,000 sq ft centre. Current tenants at the retail hub in George Street include Barclays, Three, EE and Pandora. The council said it would now work with real estate investment trust NewRiver, which specialises in managing retail centres, to revamp Ankerside. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Cllr Nova Arkney, portfolio holder for infrastructure, heritage and local economy at Tamworth Borough Council, said: "Through mutual agreement with the current owners, the council has negotiated ownership of Ankerside. "We're committed to seeing a town centre fit for the future and this move seeks to provide stability and reassurance to Ankerside tenants and shoppers and to secure the long-term future of the shopping centre in the heart of our town centre. "We have plans to invigorate the centre and are supported by NewRiver in developing this. "NewRiver is working on our behalf with all existing Ankerside tenants and contractors to deliver a smooth transition and continued operation of the centre. "Ankerside Shopping Centre and the wider Tamworth town centre remain open for business and we encourage everyone to continue to support the businesses in our wonderful town." REI Nederland BV said in a statement: "We are delighted to have worked with Tamworth Borough Council over the past 24 months, culminating in the council adding the long leasehold interest to their existing freehold interest.

Business owners devastated after flooding causes more than £1m of damage

2025-05-06 18:12:02

Business owners at the Meadow Industrial Estate in Stockport have been left devastated after New Year's Day floods caused what's likely to be more than a million pounds of damage. The business park, located next to the River Tame and behind Meadow Mill, saw its second flood in three years, leading some tradespeople to contemplate shutting down. More than 400 residents of the converted Meadow Mill apartments were evacuated by emergency services as the car park and lower floors were inundated, disrupting water and power supplies. The approximately 20 units on the industrial estate were also swamped with water that owners say reached over six feet high. Workers returning to the units on Thursday found their life's work washed away, with stock and equipment worth tens of thousands of pounds destroyed. The total cost is expected to exceed £1 million. Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, business owners revealed that the area had previously flooded in February 2022, causing significant damage and making it impossible for them to secure insurance. Chris Fawley, 57, the proprietor of Meadow Mill Wood Finishing, said: "I'm done. Last time it cost me £20,000-£30,000 to get myself back on my feet. But that time the water only came up a foot or so. This time was much worse and you could probably double that figure and more. "And what's the point when it could just happen again. I would just be flogging a dead horse. It's the customers I feel sorry for. I had about half a dozen things I was working on. If it would have been a few weeks ago there would have £300,000 worth of furniture in here." Fawley was vacationing in Spain but cut it short and returned late on New Year's Day. "Even though I knew what I'd be coming back to I couldn't stay there," he said. "I had to come and see it myself so I could evaluate and think about the next step. Everything's unsalvageable. "A mate of mine has lost £200,000 worth of machinery. He thinks it could bankrupt him and he might have to sell his house." John Hayes, 52, from Heaton Chapel, who has been based at Meadow Mill for 15 years and has two neighbouring units, one a furniture workshop and one a storage unit containing classic cars and stock, shared his experience. "We managed to move some of the cars before it started to get really bad," he said. "But some we couldn't. I moved my stock higher up and thought that it would be okay but the whole place is wrecked. It looks like a bomb has hit it. "We came away and when we came back the police were here and weren't letting anyone down. It was about 4pm (on Wednesday) we managed to get down. I don't think you could print my reaction. It's devastating for everyone. Especially given its happened twice. "This is my livelihood and it's in tatters. I have got no insurance as they won't cover it. A few people have given their keys back today because they just can't bring themselves to go through it all again." Steve Brocklesby, 59, who runs a firm making polished concrete tables, flooring and other furnishings said: "Its the best day for it to happen I suppose. Start the year s**t and then it can only get better from here. I'd actually sold most of my stock before Christmas and was due to move to a new, bigger unit around the corner. "So if it'd have happened a few months ago, or a bit later, I'd have been absolutely f****d. I did get a call from the landlord but I couldn't have got here to do anything anyway. "When I saw how many emergency services here were I was expecting it to be really bad. You can see on the walls how high it got. It's mad. I'm just gutted. I feel sorry for the people who are not starting up again. Its a disaster." The site is owned by the Hewer-White Trust who use the income from the rents and their other properties to fund its charity, which amongst other things offers independent living for vulnerable over 55s. CEO Gemma Papp, 41, told the MEN: "We had a flood warning at 11pm on New Year's Eve, so we came down straight away, just to see that what the height the river was and then we monitored the height of the sensor that we have, that can tell us how quickly the water is rising." "I stayed up till two o'clock in the morning and it was just consistently rising. Obviously, we did a call cascade to all the tenants to say you need to come down, but even if they'd move things I'm not sure that would have helped as the water got so high. "I woke up and got here for about 7am in the morning and there was police everywhere, we couldn't get down and I knew then it wad a disaster. "I managed to get down to the corner and it was absolutely shocking. We could not have imagined in a million years that this would happen like this. "We are a charity and this is our income, And we've had a number of tenants say that their business has gone, they can't afford to rebuild and you don't get flood insurance here because we're near the river. "So nobody's insured, except maybe one or two, so a lot of the businesses that have been with us for decades, say that their business is probably gone. "It's devastating, it's heartbreaking and everyone's still in shock at the moment," she added. "It's horrible. Just the look on people's faces, you can just see the pain and upset. For now it's just a case of clean up, make safe and then get the skips in clear out and then it's all about what happens after that. " Gemma said she wanted to know how this had happened. She said: "As a business you put trust in agencies and I just feel angry and devastated for the community that we have here, and the businesses and the livelihoods that have been affected. Everyone deserves answers as to how the hell this happened."

Digital bank Starling in major expansion of its Cardiff office

2025-04-30 15:36:19

Digital bank Starling has expanded its office in Cardiff following a major letting deal that underpins its expansion plans. Starling, which already occupied 27,907 sq ft on the 5th and 8th floors of the city centre Brunel House scheme, has taken an extra 14,445 sq ft of space on the 14th floor. The expansion takes its office space to just over 42,000 sq ft, under a single five-year lease at an annual rental of £18 per sq ft. Property agency JLL represented Starling on the transaction. Property consultancies Cooke and Arkwright and Knight Frank are joint letting agents for Brunel, acting on behalf of landlord Castleforge. Brunel House extends to 225,000 sq ft and is the largest multi-let office building in the centre of Cardiff, with floor plates capable of accommodating up to 220 staff per floor. The building has undergone extensive refurbishment in recent years. Starling, which was founded by Swansea-born Anne Boden in 2014,now has than four million current and business UK bank accounts. It has offices in London, Cardiff, Southampton and Manchester. It employs more than 800 in Cardiff. Rhydian Morris of JLL said: “The expansion floor acquired by Starling Bank at Brunel House provides impressive views of Cardiff as well as this letting being a welcome boost to the office take-up and more importantly the creation of new job opportunities in the city. “The amenity offer at the building is of high quality with the flex offer, coffee shop, business lounge, bike parking as well as the shower and changing facilities and I am sure that Starling Bank will continue to be very happy at Brunel House.” Mark Siddons, of Cooke & Arkwright, said: “It is very satisfying to have secured this outcome for the landlord in what is currently a slightly uncertain office market. We are confident the quality of the building will continue to match Starling’s needs and we look forward to working with them again in the future.” Mark Sutton, partner at Knight Frank, added: “Starling is a great example of Brunel’s capacity to allow tenants to grow within the building. With suites from 600 sq ft upwards through to entire 14,000 sq ft floors for larger organisations, Brunel can flex with the needs of occupiers.” Jack Beckett, leasing manager at Castleforge added: “We are delighted that Starling Bank has chosen to take additional space in Brunel and continue to grow its regional headquarters in one of our assets.

London property company fully lets Baker Street office space ahead of completion

2025-04-25 21:47:51

A UK property company has successfully fully let office space on Baker Street at a substantial premium, marking an optimistic opening to the commercial sector in 2025. Derwent London announced the pre-letting of 204,300 sq ft to five tenants at their upcoming 25 Baker Street W1 complex, set to be completed by the end of the year, as reported by City AM. "These lettings highlight the strength of demand for high quality, design-led and amenity-rich spaces in the right location with class-leading sustainability credentials," said Derwent. The company achieved a 16.5 per cent premium on the rental value appraisals, setting a new standard for the area. Rental prices across the building span between £98 and £113 per square foot. Owning a portfolio predominantly in central London including 63 buildings valued at £4.8 billion as of June 30 last year, Derwent is the largest London-focused office real estate investment trust (REIT). By 2030, Derwent intends to be a net-zero carbon business. Paul Williams, CEO of Derwent, attributed the exceptional rental rates to "positive structural market trends" and a lack of prime office supply in London's West End – partly due to new energy efficiency regulations rendering many office spaces unrentable by 2027. The market is witnessing a 'flight-to-quality', with the pursuit of sustainable, 'smart' workplaces being the primary force behind office take-up in 2024. Additionally, companies are increasingly mandating staff to return to the workplace. Just this week, FTSE 100 advertising behemoth WPP joined the movement, instructing its workforce to be in the office four days per week. This shift is expected to stimulate demand for commercial office space in London and could potentially reverse the downsizing trend that has been prevalent since the pandemic.

New £250m data centre could open in Greater Manchester

2025-05-03 00:26:23

A new data centre could soon be built in Salford in a move developers say could be significant boost to the area's technology sector, could soon be built in the city. The proposed £250m scheme in Eccles is situated on a six-acre industrial plot off Liverpool Road, just north of Salford Community Stadium. DLD (Salford) Ltd has submitted the application, which it says could generate new employment opportunities and attract additional businesses to the region. DLD says the facility would serve as a physical storage space for digital data, supporting everything from internet usage to advanced technologies like artificial intelligence. If approved, existing buildings on the land, currently used for car sales and storage, would be demolished to make way for a data hall and offices. Data centres are deemed 'crucial' for the country's future, storing vast amounts of information, so the proposed Salford site would necessitate robust security measures including security checkpoints for anyone entering or exiting the site, anti-climb fencing, and comprehensive surveillance. Its backers say the centre could also bring benefits to the city and the wider North West, potentially being utilised by local councils or to support services such as transport and education. Planning documents submitted alongside the application indicate that the UK requires 'significant levels of new data centre capacity' to keep up with the fast-paced changes occurring in the tech world, reports the Manchester Evening News. The site's location has been chosen to link in with the proposed regeneration plans around Salford's rugby stadium. Meanwhile, construction has commenced on a data centre in Stockport, Greater Manchester, with an expected completion date of 2026.

City of London approves plans for new 36-storey skyscraper near Walkie Talkie tower

2025-05-07 15:25:00

The City of London has given the green light for a "landmark" 36-storey tower near Liverpool Street. The £500m project at 60 Gracechurch Street was initially proposed in April by Sellar, the UK property developer behind The Shard, and Japanese developer Obayashi, as reported by City AM. The developers have stated that construction will commence in 2026 once the current building is vacated, with completion expected by 2029. This development forms part of a series of new structures set to redefine London’s skyline in the coming years. The City of London Corporation has confirmed that the plans for 60 Gracechurch Street are in line with its City Plan, Climate Action Strategy and Destination City programme. Shravan Joshi, Chairman of the City of London Planning and Transportation Committee, said the project delivers "much needed A-Grade Office space, whilst simultaneously providing a new visitor and educational attraction, as well as contributing to our net zero goals." He added: "It is no coincidence that the City is bucking the global trend of rising office vacancy and stalling construction activity. " "With a dedicated, solution focussed planning department, combined with clear policy and strategy, we are creating an environment in which developers and investors can help us create a vibrant, thriving Square Mile, for all to enjoy." This approval comes on the heels of a recent Deloitte Crane survey which highlighted a decline in the number of new construction projects in London.

Bristol office market predictions for 2025

2025-05-14 10:58:13

As with regional office markets across the country, a theme we’re predicting for Bristol in 2025 is a period of undersupply of quality stock. A total of 705,021 sq ft of new and refurbished space is expected to complete by the end of the year across developments including The Welcome Building, 3 Rivergate and The Crescent, leaving the city’s grade A availability rate standing at 2.5%. There is a further 81,000 sq ft of refurbishment projects currently under way and due to complete in 2026, but we need to see more new office development in the pipeline if the city is to continue to be an attractive place to do business in the longer term. Following the immediate switch to home working during the pandemic, businesses are now starting to adjust closer to pre-Covid working practices, and although hybrid working is a trend that seems here to stay, many are spending more time back in offices. More businesses are also mandating a minimum number of days in the office, and this trend is expected to continue in 2025. With that has come the flight to quality, with occupiers looking to invest in high quality spaces which have the ESG credentials that employees value. The push for greener buildings is also prompting more landlords to consider comprehensive refurbishments or redevelopments, often leading to discussions about mixed-use conversions. This presents an opportunity to align sustainability investments with broader asset transformation. Although more office stock is needed, developers remain cautious, with borrowing and construction costs still high and limited downward pressure on yields. In the short-to-medium term, we expect that supply in Bristol will continue to be restricted without significant market shift to help bring new developments forward. We have already seen significant rent increases, as developers implement the kind of sustainable measures that modern occupiers are demanding. This is undoubtedly a challenge, however in Bristol we have seen that despite the tough economic climate, businesses are prepared to pay more to achieve the best space because of that flight to quality. Bristol has demonstrated that occupiers are prepared to pay a premium if the product is right. The city saw one of the largest prime rent increases in the country in 2024, reaching close to £50.00 per sq ft, an increase of 18%, which bodes well for 2025, especially for those looking to invest in new developments in the city.

Business advisory firm FRP opens Bournemouth office

2025-05-10 23:08:34

Business advisory firm FRP has opened a new office in Bournemouth. The company already operates from a number of locations in the South of England including Southampton, Brighton, Bristol and Salisbury. The new office is based at Oxford Point in the centre of Bournemouth and will be headed up by existing FRP partner Sandy Kinninmonth and director James Prior. The pair will lead a seven-strong restructuring team locally to support the market in the town and the wider Dorset region. The move represents the latest step in FRP’s expansion as it seeks to bolster its coverage across the UK. The announcement follows the opening of new offices in Northern Ireland and Wales in 2024 – a year in which the company completed five acquisitions, including Southampton-based Hilton-Baird and valuations specialist Globalview. Sandy Kinninmonth, restructuring advisory partner at FRP, said: “Bournemouth’s emergent reputation as a hub for business is seeing a growing number of firms call it home. "However, despite their strong performance in recent years, local firms remain exposed to the wider economic challenges facing businesses across the country, including weak consumer demand, elevated interest rates and increased national insurance contributions. “With insolvencies already at a historically high level, it’s key that businesses of all sizes can access the guidance and support required to navigate times of difficulty. "Our demonstrated expertise in this area means that we’re well placed to act as a supportive partner to the region’s businesses in the years to come.” FRP now operates across a network of 33 locations in England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Cyprus and the Isle of Man. Geoff Rowley, chief executive officer of FRP, added: “2024 was a pivotal year in our growth strategy that saw us continue to expand our geographical reach while continuing to provide our clients with the high level of service we pride ourselves on. "The creation of our Bournemouth office represents a continuation of this strategy, and we look forward to the contribution Sandy and the team make to the firm throughout 2025 and beyond.”

Lloyds Banking Group confirms new hub in South Wales for 3,000 staff

2025-05-20 01:40:52

Lloyds Banking Group is creating a major new hub at the soon to be completed John Street office scheme in the centre of Cardiff that will house more than 3,000 staff. In the biggest office letting deal in Wales since Covid, the bank has agreed a 10-year lease to take the entire 110,000 sq ft building, where construction work from developer JR Smart is scheduled for completion in September next year. The new office, which Lloyds plans to occupy following a fit-out of the building in the second quarter of 2026, will house existing staff based in Newport and those currently just yards from John Street at St William House. Lloyds said there would be no reduction in staffing numbers by bringing its current Cardiff and Newport operations under one roof. Able to accommodate 3,100 staff, the hub will have its own cafe. Lloyds staff in the two cities consist of various teams providing customer service and support services to many parts of the group. John Street, which will also feature a roof terrace, was marketed on behalf of JR Smart at £30 per sq ft by the Cardiff office of property advisory firm Knight Frank. It is understood that the rental agreement was close to the asking price. CBRE acted for Lloyds. Sharon Doherty, chief people and places officer, Lloyds Banking Group said: “We’re thrilled to announce our move to John Street in Cardiff, boasting industry-leading sustainability credentials and offering modern, state-of-the-art facilities for our people and reaffirming our commitment to the city. To successfully deliver for our customers and help Britain prosper, we are creating the right spaces for our colleagues to work together and thrive. “Cardiff is one hub, alongside Birmingham, Leeds, London, Belfast, Edinburgh and Manchester, to benefit from the significant investment we’re making to transform our workplaces for colleagues and to attract the talent of the future.” John Street has been designed to BREEAM Excellent certification for its sustainable and energy efficient design.

Footasylum expands presence at Merry Hill

2025-04-21 09:52:50

High street fashion brand Footasylum has expanded its presence at the Merry Hill centre in Dudley. The move has more than tripled its footprint at the retail hub after relocating from a 3,000 sq ft unit to a 10,000 sq ft unit. The upsized store has features including a mobile payment system, new digital screens and a refreshed fit-out alongside an expanded selection of products across all categories. Shannon Osman, head of retail at Footasylum, said: "We are thrilled to announce the opening of our newly expanded Footasylum store at Merry Hill. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. "Over the past several years, Merry Hill has proven to be an excellent location for our brand and we've developed a strong base of loyal customers and have established ourselves as a well-known brand in the West Midlands. "We're thrilled to welcome customers to our enhanced store experience, showcasing our even bigger and better range of products from the world's leading footwear and apparel brands." Alistair Winning, asset manager at Merry Hill's manager Sovereign Centros, said: "Merry Hill is a centre where brands not only succeed but thrive, exemplified by the expansion of Footasylum. "This year we have driven record levels of brand investment, with Footasylum now sitting among dozens of leading names that have both committed and recommitted to the destination, demonstrating Merry Hill's transformation and catchment strength." This latest letting follows recent deals with XF Gym and Australian electronic and home product retailer Harvey Norman.

Opinion: Manchester at MIPIM 2025 is the UK’s growth opportunity

2025-05-11 10:54:00

In recent years Greater Manchester has laid the foundations for growth and begun to build on them. Not so long ago, we were a declining industrial city but now, the region has a rapidly growing and diverse economy, which has outperformed London and the rest of the UK in recent years, as well European peers. Our strong leadership, economic strategy and shared ambitious vision across all local authorities have brought us to this place. Now our region is in an exciting position, with our growth mission aligned to that of the new UK Government. Greater Manchester is poised to spearhead a new era of inclusive growth in partnership with the UK Government, continuing our strong growth trajectory whilst maximising opportunities for our residents and businesses. We already have the strategic framework in place and a shared ambition across all local authorities to deliver growth through housing, transport, innovation, clean growth, and a thriving business ecosystem. With the past two decades proving that our region can deliver growth at pace, our mission now is to deliver growth that benefits all our residents. For the region to succeed, we must ensure that our economic growth links to our places; a strong economy is underpinned by vibrant, thriving and well-connected communities. We must drive the growth and innovations from our successful urban core to our suburbs and towns to bring genuine benefits to people, communities and the environment. Quality housing is a key driver of growth. Both the UK Government and Greater Manchester have outlined the UK housing crisis as a priority and a matter of urgency. In Greater Manchester, we recognise that a good home is the cornerstone of a happy, healthy life and we’re working to ensure all our residents have access to safe, secure and affordable places to live. From community-driven regeneration projects like Wythenshawe, Wigan, and Bolton town centres to the creation of new neighbourhoods like Holt Town and Victoria North – the latter being the north of England’s largest regeneration project – we’re addressing increased demand for city centre living as well as providing more homes in all boroughs. Across the region we’re committed to creating sustainable neighbourhoods that work for communities, creating highly desirable places to live at all life stages. We’re also spearheading innovation in placemaking. Places like Salford set a precedent for sustainable and truly affordable social housing, with projects like the Passivhaus scheme in conjunction with Muse truly putting residents' needs first. Working with private sector partners and finding innovative new ways of delivering homes, Greater Manchester is on track to deliver 75,000 new homes (10,000 of which will be truly affordable net-zero homes), far surpassing the target set by the UK Government. Greater Manchester is leading the way in revolutionising sustainable public transport. Our devolved budget has allowed us to take control of public transport and spearhead initiatives like bus franchising and capped fares. We believe that to drive growth, we need to connect people in all corners of the region to opportunity, and delivering the Bee Network will be one of the keys to doing this; integrating bus, tram, rail, and active travel into one easy-to-use and connected network. By investing heavily in active travel and public transport we will also move towards the ‘Right Mix’ ambition for 50% of all journeys to be made by walking, cycling, and public transport – in turn cleaning our region’s air, creating liveable neighbourhoods, and promoting healthier lifestyles. We’re also investing in wider transport infrastructure projects that will increase connectivity to other city-regions across the north and the UK as a whole. Improving connections and capacity on our rail lines and motorways, as well as Manchester Airport, will enable new business opportunities and drive economic growth. With world-class innovation assets and academic institutions, Greater Manchester is well positioned to deliver the Government’s innovation-led growth agenda. Underpinned by our Local Industrial Strategy and the frontier sectors identified as the city-region's unique strengths, we have been working to connect academia to industry to help our businesses leverage this research excellence, innovate, and grow. Now, we’re looking to take this further by building new innovation districts that can support collaboration between local government, businesses, and our world-leading universities. Sister, MIX Manchester and Atom Valley are all large-scale examples of developments primed to spur on innovation through collaboration, attract world-leading businesses, and create quality jobs for our residents. By investing in these spaces, we can ensure our businesses and people are connected to opportunity, bringing together our sectoral economic ambitions with our vision for the built environment and place-making. With a target to be carbon neutral by 2038 – twelve years ahead of the UK target – Greater Manchester is accelerating clean growth in our places, buildings, transport, and green innovations. We know that climate resilience is key to future success; helping our residents live long and healthy lives but also reducing living costs in the near term. Our regeneration projects and new developments are all designed with sustainability in mind, and our private sector partners are all pushing the boundaries in this space. Holt Town, for example, is set to be a truly sustainable mixed-use neighbourhood as is Mayfield, which provided the city with its first new park in over 100 years. Eden New Bailey is pushing the boundaries of what sustainable office buildings can be, while boroughs like Trafford are paving the way for active travel, sustainable communities and decarbonising our business base. Greater Manchester is ready to lead the green revolution: with strategies in place for retrofit projects and strong buy-in from private sector partners, we’re on track to rework our city as an exemplar of green buildings and infrastructure. Manchester is a hotspot for culture and sport, with a booming visitor economy and a reputation as the UK’s most liveable city. We attract large-scale events like the MTV EMAs and world-leading sporting events, and we have invested in significant cultural assets such as Co-Op Live and Aviva Studios – the largest UK public investment in the arts since the Tate Modern almost a quarter of a century ago – leaving us well-placed to build on our position as a prominent destination for some of the biggest names in arts and entertainment. We’re ensuring this investment runs through to our communities, whether that’s paving careers in the arts for our residents or providing apprenticeships for our young people building these iconic venues, through strong social value arrangements. Together with an increasingly diverse hospitality sector, the city-region's visitor economy contributes almost £10bn per year, sustaining over 100,000 jobs further as well as allowing residents and visitors to benefit from an exciting, vibrant city-region. It's not just the city centre where culture is thriving: Bolton has reopened its Octagon Theatre, Rochdale is investing heavily in the arts as part of its redevelopment, and MediaCity has spurred 142% growth in Salford’s digital creative sector, hosting over 250 creative businesses. Now is the moment for Greater Manchester to drive conversations and position itself as the standard for what an inclusive, climate-resilient, and prosperous UK city-region can be. We’re ready to accelerate growth and productivity to create a more equitable future for all, setting a blueprint for other regions to follow just as we have for English devolution. Conversations such as this can begin at MIPIM. The world-leading property festival will allow Greater Manchester to set out its stall for investors, showing our strengths in placemaking, pioneering ideas in the built environment, innovation ecosystem and equitable growth. With new leadership nationally, attending MIPIM in 2025 feels like a significant moment to drive the change we want to see, linking our ideas with national policy and maximising opportunities for growth. To find out how to join Manchester at MIPIM, and be a part of Manchester’s growth story, view The Manchester Invest Partnership’s packages here.

Funding boost for new Digbeth resi scheme

2025-05-12 02:26:18

A new residential development in a Birmingham district has been handed a funding boost. West Midlands Combined Authority has agreed to make a "multimillion-pound investment" into the project in Digbeth although the final figure is yet to be decided. The scheme comprises 481 apartments with 55 per cent of these classed as affordable, including 141 for social rent, across a pair of interlinked buildings reaching ten and 34 storeys respectively. The scheme, earmarked for derelict land off Clyde Street, has been brought forward by Latimer, the development arm of affordable housing provider Clarion Housing Group. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. The decision comes after Mayor Richard Parker launched his ‘Homes for Everyone' plan in September which focuses on increasing the construction of social and affordable homes and the creation of new communities. Mayor Parker said: "This scheme will deliver over 140 social homes, the first step in delivering my manifesto pledge of thousands of social homes across the West Midlands. "For too long, investment in social housing has been neglected, leaving people without the safe, affordable homes they deserve. I'm determined to change that. "Rebuilding our social housing stock not only provides homes for those who need them most but also creates jobs and drives economic growth in our region." The WMCA's approval in principle will now trigger detailed negotiations with Latimer to agree a final investment deal. The project, to be built on the 1.3-acre site of a derelict storage facility, would also include five commercial units and a pocket park. All of the properties would be powered by solar panels and heat pumps, helping to reduce energy bills for residents. The residential tower would be one of several planned or under construction in Digbeth including a project by Moda Living and Aviva Capital Partners. Called The Stone Yard, it will be housed on a four-acre site at the corner of High Street Deritend and Alcester Street which was once home to the Bull Ring Trading Estate and a Peugeot showroom.

North Yorkshire attraction set at former POW Camp is put up for sale as owners retire

2025-04-24 03:37:13

A North Yorkshire visitor attraction based at a former Prisoner of War camp is up for sale after the founding family announced plans to retire. Specialist leisure property adviser, Christie & Co, has been instructed to sell one of the UK’s most iconic, award-winning visitor attractions: Eden Camp Modern History Museum in North Yorkshire. Originally a prisoner of war camp, Eden Camp was built on the outskirts of Malton, North Yorkshire, in early 1942 to accommodate POWs, the majority of whom were not Nazis but ordinary men conscripted into the German forces. The site was bought 40 years ago by Stan Johnson, who invested £750,000 investment into a two-year project to turn it into Eden Camp Modern History Museum, opening it to the public in 1987. Today, the museum tells the story of The People’s War, the social history of life in Britain from 1939 to 1945, as well as its historic background as a POW camp. The museum tells its story through moving figures, authentic sounds and even smells to transport visitors back in time. Over the last few years the owners has invested over £1.25m in renovation and restoration works to the fabric of the buildings, while also adding a new 'Blitz Experience', a remodelled entrance, new exhibition spaces and the Heritage Exhibition Hall, which displays Eden Camp’s collection of unique and rare military vehicles and equipment. The business works closely with veterans groups and over the years its archive has become a resource of national historical and educational importance. The museum attracts around 125,000 visitors each year, and is popular with school groups, with around 25,000 children visiting in 2023. For many years the museum has also received both TripAdvisor’s Travellers’ Choice and Certificates of Excellence awards. After nearly 40 years in the same family ownership, Christie & Co is marketing the business for sale as its owners look to retire, and the property company is seeking “substantial” offers for the business to include the valuable freehold property. Howard Johnson, son of the late Stan Johnson, said: “Since our father passed away in 2015, my sister and I have continued as custodians of this incredible business. We have consistently invested in improving the facilities and customer experience and have a fantastic team we work with here, but we too are at that time in our lives where it makes sense to pass the reins to new owners. I’ve been contacted a number of times over the years asking if we would sell and so this tremendous opportunity now becomes a reality.” Jon Patrick, head of leisure and development at Christie & Co who is overseeing the sale process, said: “There are many people, particularly those from Yorkshire, who will have visited Eden Camp as a child and returned with their own children, parents and even grand-parents as there is something here for everyone. With over 105,000 items of memorabilia we can see Eden Camp appealing to a national and even international buyer audience, such is the interest in the subject matter.

Yorkshire's Harworth Group announces record residential plot sales of £104m for 2024

2025-05-17 03:47:37

Yorkshire property business Harworth Group has announced record residential plot sales in its fourth quarter, helping to double plot sales for the year to £104.1m. The Rotherham-based company, which specialises in regeneration of land and property for sustainable development and investment, completed 1,896 residential plot sales worth £71.7m in the final quarter of 2024. The record figure brings total residential plot sales for the year to 2,385, up from 1,170 plots, with a total headline sales value of £104.1m - almost doubling the previous year's figure of £52.1m. The group said the volume of sales reflects continued strong demand for Harworth's residential land product, as well as success on its strategy to accelerate delivery of residential sites and broaden its range of products. It said the sales were broadly in line with, or ahead of, the June 2024 book values, and that its residential land pipeline now totals 31,264 plots, with 15% already consented, putting it on track to support delivery of the UK's housing targets across its regions. Key transactions within the housing sector last year included its largest deal at its Coalville development in Leicestershire, where it sold 357 plots to Taylor Wimpey, and at Simpson Park, Nottinghamshire, where the group sold 530 plots to Stonebridge and Bellway Homes. Meanwhile at Pheasant Hill Park based on the former Rossington colliery site in South Yorkshire - a key part of a wider Gateway to the Sheffield City region project - the group completed sales of 282 plots to Homes by Honey and Great Places, bringing the total plots sold to 927. Lynda Shillaw, chief executive of Harworth Group, said: "Throughout the year we continued to see healthy demand for our high quality de-risked serviced land, and notably we also completed two major land sales at our Skelton Grange and Ansty developments in December, for £106.3m. The proceeds from these sales will be reinvested into our Industrial & Logistics development programme to continue creating value for our stakeholders.

Business hub to create 45 jobs as plans approved for lorry park

2025-04-26 21:21:07

A business hub at the lorry park of a Darwen factory has secured planning permission, with developers promising to boost local employment. The proposed employment building at Sough Works in Sough Road will replace a previous approval for 10 starter units on the 1.4-acre site and is expected to create 30 full-time and 15 part-time jobs. Blackburn with Darwen Council has given the green light to the development of the 24/7 business hub by Gnosall Estates Limited of Prestwich, imposing 19 conditions on the project. Planning officer Tom Wiggans noted in his report: "The present use of the site is employment land used for storage, but planning permission has previously been secured, in 2022, for 10 industrial starter units." He further described the immediate area as having a commercial/industrial character and said the wider area is mixed-use, with other commercial activities and residential properties within walking distance, reports Lancs Live. Mr Wiggans added: "This application seeks to create a single-storey building with central ridge roof to provide a net internal storage and distribution floorspace of 609 square metres employing circa 30 full-time and 15 part-time staff. The new building would be positioned towards the front (east) side of the site, parallel to the highway. "The staff and customer car park would be at the northern end of the site, and the delivery entrance would be at the southern end of the site, and the yard would located at the rear (west) end of the site, behind the proposed new building. There would be 27 parking spaces, including two disability spaces; 10 cycling spaces, and three motorcycle spaces. "The proposal would bring with it environmental and economic benefits. This proposal would maintain the existing employment use, and would involve the effective re-use of the land. "The proposed building is intended to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The majority of activity would be concentrated within the typical daytime working hours but there would be infrequent evening and nighttime deliveries to and from the site. "The proposed new building, whilst predominantly comprising grey cladding, with some red cladding to add visual interest, would be an improvement on the present situation. The removal of the open wagon storage from the street scene is considered to be of notable benefit, and the proposal would provide a visual uplift to the immediate area."

Housing association Gentoo to invest in new Sunderland trade base

2025-05-17 08:43:59

Housing association Gentoo is set to invest in a new base on the former Littlewoods site in Sunderland as part of moves to bring extra benefits to customers and colleagues. Gentoo has picked the site in Hendon to become the location for Eastgate Point, the new home for its property services teams from summer 2026. The multimillion-pound Eastgate Point complex, a 120,000 sqft industrial project, will be developed by Promenade Properties and will also feature other trade units across several buildings on the site of the former retailer, as well as an EV charging station and drive-thru coffee shop. The scheme brings certainty to a site which has seen a number of planning bids brought forward without being put into action. Plans for a builders merchants with trade counters were approved by the city council in 2019 but no development followed at the time. The facility will also see Gentoo’s current materials suppliers, Jewson Partnership Solutions (JPS), move into the base, saying that a closer working relationship will bring an improved service that will reduce waiting times for repairs and planned investment works for customers’ homes. Marc Edwards, Gentoo’s executive director of property, said: “I am absolutely delighted that Eastgate Point will become the new home of our colleagues in property, delivering maintenance and investment to customers’ homes. “We have been working tirelessly for the last 18 months to find the right location for a new home. And here we will have a brand new, purpose-built, best in class, state-of-the-art facility. “It will be designed to make sure that, as part of the £75m service that we deliver annually through our property maintenance and investment teams, all colleagues are together in one location.”

Stena Line unveil major plans for Anglesey site which could create up to 2,000 jobs

2025-05-19 05:06:30

A major data centre campus is part of £1bn plans to redevelop a former aluminium works on Anglesey. Smelting came to an end at the Anglesey Aluminium site in 2009 - with Orthios later taking it on and developing a materials recycling facility. But the business collapsed in 2022 with up to 100 staff losing their jobs. Later that year ferry operator Stena Line - which has owned and operated Holyhead port for nearly 30 years - bought the 213 acre site. They said the new site - named Prosperity Parc - has the potential to provide additional land and services to existing customers and attract new long-term uses and investment to Holyhead. Now a major scheme has been revealed in a development that could eventually create between 1,000 and 2,000 jobs - as well as around 900 roles in the construction phase. This would include a potential huge data centre campus in a development space of up to 238,000sqm. The proposals also include up to 10,000 sqm of office space, and up to 5,000 sqm research and development space. There would also be Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) with a target capacity of up to 349MW. The application is from Stena subsidiary Anglesey Land Holdings. A pre-application consultation has been launched. Ian Hampton, executive director at Stena Line, said: “We are really excited to share these proposals with the community. Our plans will see jobs, training and the next generation of technology come to Anglesey. By investing further in the Cae Glas land and the former 2Sisters site, we have shown how much we believe in Anglesey and how committed we are to delivering the vision of the Freeport. We believe our plans will protect and enhance the heritage of Anglesey, the Welsh language and the culture that we have been proud to be a part of for over 30 years. “As we open our consultation on our plans, I would encourage everyone to take part, give us your feedback and help us shape the future of Prosperity Parc.” Agent Oxalis Planning said: "The site benefits from access to very large amounts of grid power, as well as good access to strategic telecommunications links to Ireland, the wider UK, and beyond. Coupled with Anglesey's potential to support a range of new energy generation sources, this makes the site particularly well suited to data centres." On operational jobs, they said it was "estimated to be at least 1,151, but potentially up to 2,073 depending on end-user and occupier final requirements." They added: "The data centre proposals will include a range of jobs across a variety of technical and skill levels involved in operating and supporting the day to day operations of the data centre campus." The application is made in outline with details included about how the existing two access points from London Road (A5) will be utilised. Details in relation to the layout, scale, appearance and landscaping will be provided through reserved matters applications submitted to the Local Planning Authority in due course. It would see existing structures removed from the site - where the famous chimney was demolished earlier this year. In conclusion, the agent said: "The proposals to redevelop Prosperity Parc for a data centre, research and development and office space, will help deliver significant levels of jobs and investment in the site which will drive growth and bring wider socio-economic benefits to Anglesey and North Wales. "This would include a £1 billion construction cost, 1,151 to 2,073 operational jobs at a range of skill levels, and approximately between £109 million to £274 million of additional GVA per annum for Anglesey, as well as training and up-skilling opportunities and benefits for the local area.

UK house price growth set to return across all regions in 2025

2025-05-07 21:40:54

Zoopla has forecasted a positive growth in house prices across all regions and counties of the UK in 2025, with the north expected to outpace the south. The property platform anticipates sales growth at five per cent and house price growth at 2.5 per cent across the UK, with Northern Ireland and the North West seeing the fastest price increases, as reported by City AM. Despite "despite Budget headwinds", Zoopla predicts this growth, although it acknowledges that "affordability pressures" continue to weigh on house prices in the South East, where it forecasts price growth of less than one per cent. "Postponed home moves, an ageing population, rising running costs and changing working patterns will continue to impact moving decisions, in addition to the desire to seek a better home or location. " Zoopla stated. The platform also noted that "First-time buyers will remain the largest buyer group, supporting housing chains and helping existing homeowners to move." This is despite the end of first-time buyer’s relief on stamp duty, which will result in an additional 20 per cent of first-time buyers being liable to pay. Zoopla highlighted that higher-than-expected income growth has been aiding affordability. With wage growth recently surpassing inflation, household disposable incomes have risen by 15 per cent between the second quarter of 2022 and the second quarter of 2024, as reported by the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR). This has made houses more affordable without the need for a drop in house prices, according to Zoopla. After a period of prohibitively high mortgage rates, affordability has seen an improvement, making home ownership more attainable for many. "Higher income growth and lower mortgage rates have helped reset housing affordability faster than many expected over 2024," observed Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla. "This has supported an increase in the number of sales and house prices over the year which we expect to continue over 2025," he added. Matt Thompson, head of sales at Chestertons, commented on the broader market sentiment: "Other buyer demographics, including families, couples, professionals and downsizers considered 2024 a challenging year to buy a property amid political and economic uncertainty but now feel more motivated to resume their search in the new year."

Social housing group Thirteen seals £30m funding deal with NatWest

2025-04-23 16:07:57

Social housing provider Thirteen Group has secured a £30m funding deal to help support a major project across its North East portfolio of properties. The Middlesbrough-based business has agreed the finance package with NatWest, with the funding including a new Housing Green Retrofit Loan (HGRL), which forms part of a larger transaction through which the bank will continue to be a main strategic funding partners, providing a total funding package of £211m. Thirteen will use the new HGRL funding from NatWest to deliver a programme of retrofit works, which form part of its aim to reduce carbon emissions by 100% by 2050, in line with Government targets. Andrew McColl, Thirteen’s interim chief finance officer, said: “This additional £30m funding will enable us to accelerate our retrofit programme, benefiting thousands of customers by making their homes more energy efficient. It’s a landmark deal for Thirteen, and one which reflects our reputation as a trusted housing association with a proven track record of investment in our homes and a clear commitment to achieving net zero. “We look forward to continuing our excellent relationship with NatWest as we deliver these improvements for our customers.” David Horne, relationship director real estate finance at NatWest, said: “We have had a long-term relationship with Thirteen, who are committed to building and maintaining high quality sustainable housing across the communities they operate in. This funding will enable the group to move forward with works to support what is a significant upcoming investment to help transition their existing properties towards net-zero.! Thirteen owns and manages more than 36,000 properties across the North East, Yorkshire and Humber, providing homes and services for around 100,000 customers. The organisation, which employs more than 1,500 people, invested almost £250m in new and existing homes in its 2023/24 financial year and is on target to build 650 new homes this year. Over the next five years, Thirteen plans to build more than 1,800 new homes.

Wembley Park developer Quintain loses over £700m

2025-05-04 09:29:48

Quintain, the company responsible for the Wembley Park transformation in London, has reported a staggering loss of over £700m in its latest financial year. The firm's delayed accounts reveal a pre-tax loss of £721.7m for 2023, a significant downturn from the pre-tax profit of £139.7m recorded in 2022, as reported by City AM. Despite this, the company's revenue saw an increase, rising from £110m to £123.5m during the same period. These results were filed with Companies House several months past the 30 September deadline. Wembley Park encompasses the London Designer Outlet, Brent Civic Centre, Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre, Boxpark Wembley, and a variety of independent retailers, along with 5,176 new homes, 3651 of which are managed by Quintain Living. As of the end of 2023, there were 769 homes under construction, with completion anticipated in early 2025. In September of the previous year, Quintain finalised the refinancing of its existing corporate facility and infrastructure loans. This £780m agreement, backed by JP Morgan and Cheyenne Capital, replaced the prior facility established in 2016. Upon completion of the Wembley Park project, over 8,500 homes will have been built, with a third categorised as affordable. Additionally, 633,000 sq ft of office and retail space will be created, generating more than 8,640 jobs. Quintain, the property development company, has expressed confidence in its trajectory, stating: "The group has a clear business plan, objectives and an agreed strategy and there have been a number of major events and milestones achieved in the period to December 2023 which have contributed significantly towards achieving those objectives." The firm, established by Adrian Wyatt and Christopher Walls in 1992 and listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1996, has seen significant growth over the years. In 2002, Quintain acquired the entity holding the land around Wembley Stadium, and in 2015, it was taken over by US private equity giant Lone Star for £745 million. Recently, the company announced the completion of a refinancing deal for a build-to-rent (BtR) building at Wembley Park with a £128.7 million green loan from Natixis CIB. The Robinson, which is part of this project, features 458 homes, including affordable units, across three blocks.

Ardent relocates Birmingham team to new base

2025-05-15 19:30:38

A development consultancy has relocated its Birmingham team to a new home in the city. Ardent, which specialises in land, consent management and stakeholder engagement, has moved to Northspring in Temple Street from The Colmore Building. The firm works on consenting and delivering projects across the transport, renewables, utilities and regeneration sectors. It employs around 50 staff in Birmingham and 200 across its portfolio of offices in London, Leeds, Warrington, Dublin and Glasgow. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Group managing director Jonathan Stott said the move was part of the company's wider growth strategy and to offer the best possible working environment to colleagues. He said: "We support the delivery of some of the most important developments across the UK through the expertise of our people across all of our teams. "It has led to very strong growth over the past couple of years and we are planning to grow the team even further in Birmingham and across our other locations too. "Northspring offers us a fantastic space for the team to be able to come together in one place, to collaborate and to offer the very best service to clients.

New £68.7m funding deal agreed for Birmingham student flats

2025-05-06 07:00:44

A huge student accommodation project due for completion in Birmingham next year has been boosted by a new funding deal. LaSalle Investment Management has agreed a £68.7 million loan deal with developer and operator Vita Group for its project in Gough Street near the city's landmark Mailbox scheme. The building will house 540 beds and be run by the Cheshire-based group once completed. It will cover 105,000 sq ft across two blocks of ten and 29 storeys and contain private dining rooms, a hub for socialising and study, a gym, outdoor basketball court and terraces. Construction work started in 2023 and it is due to be ready to welcome students ahead of the 2026/27 academic year. It will add to the firm's other student project in the city at the former home of BBC Pebble Mill studios in Edgbaston. Vita Group is also behind the regeneration of the old Axis Square site, in Holliday Street, where it plans to build 'Goods Station', a residential-led, mixed-use scheme across four acres of derelict land. Chief operating officer Max Bielby said: "We're delighted to be working with trusted partner LaSalle to deliver this best-in-class student accommodation to the heart of Birmingham. "The delivery of this building is well under way and will raise the standards of what students should and can expect from their accommodation experience in the city centre. "We look forward to welcoming students from September 2026." David White, head of LaSalle real estate debt strategies, added: "This latest development loan completed by our debt investments platform maintains our strong pace of deployment, positioning our business as one of the most active real estate debt providers in Europe.

MCR Property Group secures £42m funding from NatWest as it plans ‘aggressive growth strategy'

2025-04-29 09:29:43

Property investment and development company MCR Property Group has secured a £42m funding deal with NatWest it says will support its “aggressive growth strategy”. The Manchester developer, which also has offices in Birmingham, London and Glasgow,says the deal and its consolidation of lending through a singular facility with NatWest will allow it to develop commercial, residential, industrial and retail projects throughout the UK. The company’s North West portfolio includes the Universal Square office campus in Devonshire Street, Manchester, home to over 50 businesses with 1,000 employees, and Dale House in Stockport. It has properties across the country, including Cobalt Square in Birmingham, St James House in Sheffield, In May, MCR announced it was selling St Vincent’s House in Ipswich for an undisclosed sum, and said it also had an “extensive acquisition pipeline, highlighting MCR’s commitment to enhancing its presence across commercial and residential sectors throughout the UK.” Andy Clarke, director of corporate real estate finance at NatWest, said: “We have been in discussions with MCR for a number of years and we are delighted to be supporting this funding package which will enable them to invest into future projects. This lending paves the way for the start of a deeper relationship between MCR and NatWest and we look forward to working with them on future transactions”. David Tracey, chief operating officer of MCR Property Group, said: “We are thrilled to have secured this significant funding deal with NatWest, which marks a pivotal moment in MCR Property Group’s journey. The partnership not only strengthens our ability to deliver high-value projects across the UK but also underscores our commitment to creating lasting value for the communities we serve. "With NatWest’s support, we are well-positioned to drive forward our ambitious plans and continue building on our 30-year track record of excellence in real estate investment and development. We look forward to a successful and collaborative relationship with NatWest as we embark on the next phase of our aggressive growth strategy.”

From dentistry to the Yorkshire Dales: family firm changes career to acquire camping and guesthouse business

2025-04-26 20:19:02

A family firm is swapping dentistry for tourism, after snapping up a Yorkshire Dales camping and guesthouse business. Peter and Teresa Wakefield have acquired Colman’s of Aysgarth, a 1.7-acre site set within the Wensleydale hills of Aysgarth offering boutique guesthouse accommodation, a touring caravan park and campsite, as well as residential accommodation they will now turn into their new home. The deal – completed for an undisclosed sum – represents a career change for Mr Wakefield and their son Harry, who have until now worked as dentists. Peter Wakefield will be managing the guesthouse business while his son manages the campsite operations. Newcastle law firm Hay & Kilner LLP acted for the Peter and Teresa Wakefield on their acquisition of the business, based close to the village of Aysgarth, Aysgarth Falls and a number of walking and cycling routes. The site is set along the Herriot Way, a popular four day, 52 mile walk, which runs through the lower end of the property, and it has been recognised with several awards, including Best Certificated Site, Warmest Club Welcome and Family Friendly Site in 2019 and Warmest Club Welcome 2022 by the Camping & Caravanning Club. Hay & Kilner’s corporate team provided legal advice on the acquisition to the couple, acting simultaneously for them in the sale of their home, which was used to part-fund the transaction. Peter Wakefield said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be the new owners of Colman’s of Aysgarth. It’s a complete career change from our former life in dentistry but we’re looking forward to our new life in the country and welcoming guests to this beautiful part of Yorkshire. As keen motorcyclists we also hope to attract bikers in the future and offer local tours. “Thanks to the team at Hay & Kilner for their support in allowing us the opportunity to purchase this wonderful site.” John Morgan, partner at Hay & Kilner, said: “We are very pleased to support Peter and Teresa on both the acquisition of the business and sale of their residential property demonstrating the variety of services that Hay & Kilner can offer. “This sale demonstrates that the hospitality and leisure sector remains buoyant and the demand for businesses in the sector continues despite the challenges around operating costs. We wish them well for their new venture providing quality accommodation for the Yorkshire tourist and leisure economy in a stunning environment.’’ David Lee of Christie and Co advised the sellers and they were represented by Ian Barker and Karolyn Scott of BHP Law.

Closure prompts interior design team to launch new firm

2025-05-05 07:55:51

A new interior design firm has been launched by staff from a previous company which closed down last year. Chapter 9 Design in Redditch has been born out of Claude Hooper which ceased trading following the retirement of its eponymous founder. It has set up shop on the Moons Moat industrial estate after agreeing a six-year lease on a 1,756 sq ft office in Croft House. Senior interior designer Sarah Clements said: "After the retirement of Claude Hooper, we decided that we wanted to use our experienced team and bring fresh ideas and creativity to our clients. "Our stylish and attractive designs can play a big role in highlighting the strengths of a new home. "We took our proposal to a leading local businessman, Stephen Lomas, and he agreed to back us and come on board as the managing director. "With his support and our experience, we are now securing work all over the country so being based in Redditch at the heart of the UK motorway system is hugely useful and gives us national reach." James Haynes, apprentice surveyor at Redditch property agency John Truslove, worked with the firm on sourcing a new office. He said: "It is great to see such a talented and committed team of people creating their own new business and we are delighted to have been able to help them find the right premises.

Plans for a major public sector hub in Cardiff Bay

2025-05-13 08:53:31

Plans for a major public sector-led office hub scheme in Cardiff Bay can be revealed. While still at an early stage, Cardiff Council has identified a site as part of a wider Atlantic Wharf mixed-use development scheme for potentially up to 500,000 sq ft of new office space. The hub would be located on council-owned land between the site of the proposed 15,000-seater indoor arena - for which financial closure is expected this spring - and the existing Red Dragon Centre, which will be demolished to make way for new development. A key element of the hub would be a 100,000 sq ft new Cardiff Council headquarters, replacing the existing 270,000 sq ft. County Hall building at Atlantic Wharf. The existing HQ will be demolished, with the land repurposed for a residential-led commercial development. Its current car park area will partly accommodate the new indoor arena, to be operated by global venue and entertainment company Live Nation. For the hub, it is understood that council officials are in discussions with the Office of Government Property of the UK Government, over the potential relocation of civil service functions and staff from London. The council aims to secure relocations across government departments, following the example of the Treasury with a new hub building Darlington in the north of England that will open in 2027. The council would look to private developers to deliver further phases for public sector organisations, although there could also be space for private sector firms. The hub project is being positioned as a catalyst for creating career pathways, with ease of transfer of expertise between the council and government departments, including in areas of potential growth such as AI and cybersecurity. Companies House may also consider establishing a new, smaller HQ office in Wales, at Atlantic Wharf. This would allow it to vacate its current location in Gabalfa, which Cardiff Council is looking to acquire. The new council headquarters would be financed through borrowing powers under the UK Government’s Public Works Loan Board (PWLB).Savings from reduced running costs, particularly with a more energy-efficient building compared to County Hall, would contribute towards the financing costs. Any new building is estimated to cost around £35m. It is also understood that the council is seeking for the site to be included as part of a new investment zone. The zone, with a £160m package of business support measures over ten years, is one of two in Wales (the other focused on advanced manufacturing in north-east Wales). The initiative, confirmed by the former Conservative UK Government and backed by the new Labour Westminster administration, will be overseen by the Cardiff Capital Region, which covers the ten local authorities of south-east Wales. The zone, which will aim to secure match funding from private sector and other sources, will be divided into smaller, ring-fenced areas. In addition to Atlantic Wharf, it could include parts of central Newport. The zone will be focused on tech and compound semiconductors, but the hub, with AI and cyber-security roles, could be seen as being applicable. With £100m in funding agreed - split between the UK and Welsh governments -for a new tram network from Cardiff Central Station to Cardiff Bay Station, the council is seeking further funding for the next phase of its wider Cardiff Crossrail project. This would see the network extended through Atlantic Wharf to Pierhead Street. The 30-acre masterplan for Atlantic Wharf, which includes the Red Dragon and County Hall sites, has been divided into two development areas, with regeneration opportunities put to market in 2023. The Red Dragon site, offering 11.3 acres of land south of Hemmingway Road, received two detailed bids following an eight-week marketing process. Aviva Capital Consortium (ACC) was selected as the preferred developer. ACC’s proposal is for a mixed-use development including new homes, offices, hotels, food and beverage outlets, and leisure facilities. Don't miss the latest news and analysis with our regular Wales newsletters – sign up here for free The £250m indoor arena project, which will be central to the transformation of Atlantic Wharf, has faced inflationary pressures in recent years, adding around £100m to its original projected cost. This includes the relocation of the existing Travelodge Hotel. However, Live Nation, which will operate the arena under a 45-year lease with the council, has agreed to make a £100m financial contribution to the project. The council’s funding commitment of around £150m remains unchanged and will be financed through prudential borrowing via the PWLB. The council’s debt financing is expected to be offset by Live Nation’s undisclosed rental agreement for the arena.

Demolition team appointed to flatten derelict police station and pave way for new development

2025-05-10 18:39:08

A demolition team has been hired to demolish the former Bonny Street Police Station and Magistrates' courts in preparation for new developers at the Blackpool Central site. The clearance process, which will include Chapel Street car park and the old joke shop on Central Drive, will be led by DSM Demolition. Work is set to begin in the new year and may take up to six months. During this period, the 15-acre council-owned plot will be marketed globally to attract fresh investment after the departure of the previous developer, Nikal, which had plans for hotels, restaurants and indoor theme parks. The council has terminated its land sale deal with Nikal but will retain £4.5 million from the original agreement signed in January 2020. A multi-storey car park with a 1,306-space capacity recently opened at the site, with an option for the council to acquire it for a nominal sum in the future, reports Lancs Live. The leader of Blackpool Council, Coun Lynn Williams, said: "Blackpool Central sits right at the heart of our plans to make Blackpool better for everybody. We're committed to attracting a world-class leisure development that creates jobs for our local people, extends our tourism season to be all year round and supports our local economy to grow. "In the last five years at Blackpool Central, we've made more progress on this site than the 50 years before it since the Blackpool Central train station closed in the 1960s, largely paid for by the private sector without risking council tax payer's money." She added: "The road to regeneration isn't always smooth but we will not stand still. We will continue our plans to demolish the courts and the police station early in the new year in order to create a shovel-ready site for a new leisure attraction. "We have very high standards for the type of attraction which this site needs and any future scheme will have to match those ambitions. To deliver on that we need serious investors and we will be heavily marketing this opportunity to get that international calibre of attraction." The demolition costs will be covered by the £6.95m allocated to the project from the previous government's Levelling Up fund.

Plans for landmark leisure development revealed for Gateshead quayside

2025-05-02 11:16:26

A landmark leisure development is set to create 120 jobs when it revives a popular food and drink fixture on Gateshead quayside – and this time it will be permanent. The region said a sad farewell to By The River Brew Co, its popular taproom and award-winning nose to tail restaurant Trakol this year, when the brewery and adjoining foodie hub Hwkrland were forced to close when repair work began on the Tyne Bridge. The shipping container village had completely transformed a once derelict patch of land at Hillgate, welcoming thousands of people into its popular brewery tap overlooking the river, as well as showcasing dozens of independent foodie operators each weekend. When it was first announced in 2018 the original developers Dave Stone and Rob Cameron had said it would only remain in place for four years, but its popularity saw it stay on an extra two years, only bringing down the curtain on the much loved site in September this year. Now, however, the team behind By The River are concocting a new rendition of the leisure landmark which will be a permanent fixture, promising a new-and-improved version under a new name, with all the features which proved popular at the original along with some new additions. New images were issued over Christmas, showing how version 2.0 will look, with a new style including an event space on the banks of the Tyne with private gardens. Around 120 full and part time jobs will be created at the site, and its new name is set to be unveiled soon. More than £5m is set to be invested in the project – significantly more than the first site’s £1.5m investment – and the company is aiming to use a mix of construction methods, including using some of the existing framework with some timber new build and steel frame timber clad. A spokesperson said: “First of all, By The River will not be known as By The River going forward – it is a whole new landscape and offer. “Trakol will be making a return as will the Bikeshop but both will be in different guises. There will be cocktails. There will also be a whole new style, with all the good bits you know and love with so much more. “Obtaining planning approval is the latest step in bringing this vision to fruition. The aim is to commence on site next spring / summer and the build will take nearly a year. We do of course have to work around the bridge repairs. “The discussion on creating a permanent development started on the opening night of By The River. The impact of creating a sense of place on the site and positively affecting the surrounding area was immediately apparent. Fast forward a few years and the real planning started during Covid and brought us to where we are today. “The council have played a major role in supporting this development and they are as excited as we are. Our intention is to create a landmark that can be enjoyed by everyone for many years to come whether they live in the neighbourhood or are visiting the North East.

National law firm to expand into North East in former Newcastle bank site

2025-05-03 14:34:10

A national law firm is poised to expand into the North East after snapping up a former bank in a Newcastle suburb. The Barclays Bank unit on Gosforth High Street has lain empty ever since closing its doors to customers in March 2022 having operated as a bank for more than 125 years. The closure was among a number in the region, after the banking giant noted a fall in the number of people using its in-person services as many switched to digital banking. Now, however, property company Bradley Hall has struck a deal with a law firm to let the prominent building. The company taking on the site has yet to be named, but it has chosen the property after looking to open a North East branch, Bradley Hall said. The site had been operated as a bank by a number of companies over 128 years before its closure, originally operating as The North East Banking Company, which opened in 1894, following the development of Gosforth from Bulman Village into a wider residential area. The site then became Martin’s Bank in 1928 before being taken over by Barclays in 1969. The lease was agreed by Henry Bowers and William Reavley from Bradley Hall’s commercial agency team, based at the firm’s city Newcastle centre head office.

Wirral Council's properties 'worth £9m less' than when local authority bought them

2025-05-18 16:37:23

Investment properties purchased by Wirral Council have seen a drop in value of more than £9m since their acquisition, an auditors' report has shown. The portfolio includes notable assets such as Birkenhead's Vue Cinema and the Europa Centre, both of which had already seen a decline in value. On January 6, auditors Grant Thornton published their annual report on the council's financial accounts, ahead of an emergency meeting scheduled for January 14. The audit firm made a legal recommendation and identified three major weaknesses within the local authority, making two key recommendations and a further 12 suggestions for improvement. According to the report, the council is legally required to publicly respond to these recommendations under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 as it is "in an extremely challenging financial situation with significant financial pressures creating budget overspends combined with low levels of reserves." This week, the council announced plans to seek a £40m bailout from the government over the next two years, stating it would likely face bankruptcy without this support. In response to the report, Wirral Council's leader, Cllr Paul Stuart, stated that the council is "implementing detailed and stringent measures to address the financial challenges," adding: "Years of underfunding and the rising costs and demand for social care services have outstripped available funding necessitating major changes in operations, including some very difficult and unwanted decisions to ensure the council can provide its statutory services and look after and take care of our most vulnerable residents.", reports the Liverpool Echo. He acknowledged that the audit pointed out several areas where financial management could be improved, but he also noted: "The reality is that regardless of efforts there has not been and still is not enough money to maintain services as they were." The auditors raised issues about the council, including a projected increase in school finance deficits, problems with SEND services, compliance with an improvement notice, placement costs for children in care, and councillor oversight. One issue pertains to the council's investments in recent years, as the value of the council's commercial properties funded through borrowing "have significantly reduced in value which creates financial risk to the council." These properties were purchased to support the council's planned regeneration of Birkenhead rather than for financial reasons. The purchases included £8.4m for the Europa Centre in Birkenhead, where Wilko was once a major tenant, £6.8m for the Birkenhead Vue cinema, £10.59m for the Pyramids and the Grange shopping centres, as well as £9.2m in other investment properties. As of March 2024, these were estimated to be worth a total of £30.1m. However, following an audit, these properties are now valued at £26m, marking a 25% decrease from their purchase price. The auditors found no evidence that the council was considering selling any of these properties, despite the investment strategy predicting a return of 3.17%. They warned that the £9m drop in value "does create financial risk to the council" and highlighted that the council had stated it would review these properties if their value fell "significantly below their purchase cost." The auditors recommended that the council provide members with an updated investment strategy report detailing the most recent values of its commercial properties, the financial impact of the valuations, and planned council activity to manage any financial risks. This, they said, would improve transparency and oversight. In response, the council management stated that all investment properties were valued annually and that the inclusion of these properties in the investment strategy reported to councillors would be considered. They emphasised that all decisions regarding assets were made by the Economy, Regeneration and Housing committee.

Offices of former Tory MP Sir Jake Berry to be turned into minicab call centre

2025-04-29 22:59:16

The former office of ex-Lancashire MP Jake Berry in Darwen is set to become a minicab booking hub after receiving the go-ahead from planners. The premises at 7A Railway Road, previously used by Sir Jake until his defeat to Labour's Andy MacNae on July 4 by 5,628 votes, will be converted into a taxi booking office without public access, following applicant Waseem Hussain's successful proposal. The building, which has been vacant since serving as the constituency office for the former Rossendale and Darwen MP, received planning approval with two conditions attached. A planning officer's report endorsing the decision noted: "The host building is a single-storey, stone-built, property. It adjoins a three-storey building that forms part of the terrace fronting the west side of Railway Road. "The property is set back from the adjoining terrace and has a flagged forecourt in front. The site is bounded to the south by the service road for the adjacent Darwen Market premises. The building is currently vacant, having last been occupied as a constituency office for the local MP." The planning submission has revealed that the proposed taxi office will not be open to the public. No changes to the exterior of the building are planned, reports Lancs Live. The site is situated in a predominantly commercial area within the defined Darwen Town Centre and falls within the Darwen Town Centre conservation area. The report continues: "Given this factor, and the nature of the proposed use that does not include access for members of the general public, there appears little prospect for the proposal to erode the amenity of surrounding uses. It is also noted that the property has previously operated as a taxi booking office for more than a decade without any identified conflict with the amenity of the locality." The taxi office is expected to employ one full-time staff member and will cater exclusively to online bookings .The report clarifies that due to the absence of public access, there is "no realistic prospect" of taxis collecting customers directly from the street outside the premises.

Second co-living tower with 97 homes planned in Salford as part of 'landmark' scheme

2025-05-05 03:26:23

A 'landmark' ten-storey co-living tower comprising 97 homes is in the pipeline for Salford. Developer CCL Media City Ltd has lodged a planning application for the proposed structure at the junction of South Langworthy Road and Eccles New Road, by the Langworthy Metrolink stop. The site is presently occupied by the vacant Hollywood office building, which would be razed to make way for the new development if it gets the green light. This application comes on the heels of a previous proposal for the wider site that was rejected by the council in August 2023 for lacking 'acceptable' levels of amenities and for 'failing to respect the character of the local area' with the design. The developer now says these concerns have been rectified in the revised submission. According to the planning documents, the co-living concept targets students or young professionals aged 18 to 30, offering private apartments with communal living and dining areas on each floor. Despite Salford Council approving its first co-living tower in September, some councillors voiced scepticism about the lifestyle, equating it to "more George Orwell than living." Salford is grappling with significant housing challenges and a surging demand for accommodation, exacerbated by a burgeoning student body at Salford University, currently numbering around 30,000 and expected to rise in the coming years, reports the Manchester Evening News. In an attempt to tackle its housing issues, Salford council has embarked on a strategy of constructing more social housing and devising regeneration plans for the city. This includes the ambitious £2.5 billion Salford Crescent masterplan, which aims to deliver thousands of new homes.

Thompsons of Prudhoe 'thrilled' at 2025 opportunities despite fall in profit and turnover

2025-05-03 19:03:21

Directors at demolition specialist Thompsons of Prudhoe say they are excited at the opportunities in 2025, despite seeing turnover and profits fall in recent accounts. The Northumberland business carries out demolition and dismantling, earthmoving and excavation, waste management, recycling and haulage operations across the North East. Recent investments have included a £10m spend on two washing plants for quarries at Springwell, Gateshead and Anick Grange, Northumberland. The company has now published accounts for the year ended March 31, 2024, which saw it come up against strong comparatives from its 2023 performance – its 75th anniversary year in which it chalked up record figures. As a result, turnover for 2024 fell 33% from £82.7m to £54.9m, while pre-tax profit also tumbled, from £18.2m to £24,147. The previous year’s operating profit of £18.5m was converted to a loss of £101,240 and overall profit for the year fell from £14.7m to £1.77m. Total equity increased from £35.9m to £36.7m. A breakdown of turnover showed its contract work revenue fell from £66.2m to £39.5m, although its own product revenue rose from £4.48m to £6.1m. Group employee numbers dropped from 333 to 304. During the year the firm acquired Lakeland Minerals Ltd, and accounts show the deal was struck for £2.43m. Since it was acquired, the firm has brought in £239,585 in sales, with profit of £63,403. A report within the accounts highlights how the year’s results came up against a number of big contracts seen a year earlier. The report said: “The directors have considered the performance of the business during the financial year and are content with the result given the positive impact of large demolition and dismantling contracts in prior year and inflationary cost pressure during the current year. “The cash position of the group is supported by a bank overdraft facility provided to the group. At the year end the group was not utilising this facility and has a cash balance of £12,265,647 (2023: £7,451,913). The balance sheet position, including the financing facilities and cash resources available, is considered adequate for the needs of the company for the foreseeable future. “The group operates in a highly competitive market. In order to maintain its market share and minimise the risk of market penetration from competitors, the group prides itself in the efficient service it provides to customers. This is delivered by a loyal and experienced workforce. Management continues to explore different avenues of business development, delivering further efficiencies in the services provided and exploring opportunities in new locations.” Following publication of the accounts, a spokesperson said: “We are thrilled about the opportunities that 2025 will bring, particularly the launch of the significant re-investments, including the fruition of two new washing plants at our quarries in Springwell, Gateshead, and Anick Grange, Northumberland. This £10m investment also includes substantial infrastructure upgrades to support these new facilities. “At Thompsons of Prudhoe, we remain dedicated to positioning our business for continued success. The ambition, passion, and hard work demonstrated by our workforce over the past seven decades form the foundation for our next phase of growth. Our profitability has decreased this year, due to the conclusion of our flagship project at the Teesworks steelworks site last year, which had been a key driver behind the notable profitability spike in previous years. “Despite the project’s completion, we are proud to have maintained our workforce throughout this transition. “Looking ahead, 2025 is already shaping up to be a strong year, with new projects across the UK ensuring job security for our staff, including a move into Scotland.”

Mamhilad Park Estate boosted with major letting deal

2025-05-11 11:09:35

Mamhilad Park Estate near Pontypool has been boosted with a major office letting deal. NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership has taken a lease on 72,000 sq ft of refurbished warehouse space that will be used for the archiving of medical records. It includes 3,500 sq ft of new office space which is in addition to the existing 14,000 sq ft office that NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership already has at Mamhilad. Moreover, South Wales Fire & Rescue Service has acquired 4,400 sq ft of office and garage space on a two-year lease while their existing local Fire Station is refurbished. The 140-acre park, which provides 180,000 sq ft of office space and more than one million sq ft of industrial space, is more than 95% let. It is home to more than 150 businesses and organsations. Peter Downes, operations manager for Johnsey Estates UK, owner-managers of Mamhilad Park Estate, said: “Demand for commercial property can fluctuate, but we continue to enjoy occupancy rates in excess of 95% thanks to our unique offering. Mamhilad is a popular choice with those looking for flexible and affordable space. “The commitments by NHS Wales Shared Services Partnership and South Wales Fire Service are testament to this, whilst several of our private sector occupiers are also looking to expand significantly in 2025.”

Plans for 30-storey apartment scheme in the centre of Cardiff

2025-04-29 07:49:27

Plans for a new skyscraper on top of where a popular Cardiff bar once stood has taken another step forward. Developers behind plans for the tower block at Harlech Court in the city centre lodged a planning application in December 2024. A development to build on top of Harlech Court were first announced in 2021 with reports stating at the time that the structure would be 35 storeys high and Wales' tallest building. The plans submitted by Draycott Group show that their proposal is now for a building up to 30 storeys in height. A design and access statement produced by CWA Architects on behalf of the developers states that the building will contribute "to the city centre's housing supply targets in a very sustainable location". It also states that the initial vision was to "deliver a proposal within the established tall building group" but also that "it needed to be fiscally deliverable". Don't miss the latest news and analysis with our regular Wales newsletters – sign up here for free Cardiff Council gave the go-ahead to the demolition of Harlech Court in July. The new building, replacing the 1970s office block and the former home of popular bar Porter's, will consist of 340 apartments and units of mixed use on the lower floors. In the design and access statement it says there could be a gym, cafe, lounges, and a shop. On the type of apartments it adds: "The mix is predicted towards one-bed units with less two-bed units. Studios are not preferred especially with the emergence of the co-living market in Cardiff." A number of developments proposed for Cardiff city centre over the years have been seen as successors to the tallest building in Wales - currently The Tower in Swansea (107m). Cardiff Council granted planning permission for a 42-storey building in Custom House Street in 2016 but work on the development is still not complete. Developers Watkin Jones said in June 2023 it was considering the future development potential of the site and work was on hold due to "challenging wider market circumstances". More recently an application for a screening opinion in relation to the site was made on behalf of the developers. A screening opinion is a request made to a council to determine whether a proposed development requires an environmental impact assessment. The application states that it is in respect of the proposed development of a co-living building with flexible ground- and first-floor uses.

Decision delayed on Manchester office block plan amid debate over historically significant Victorian building

2025-04-21 07:09:16

Councillors have postponed their decision on plans for an office block in Manchester's Northern Quarter amid debate over the demolition of a historically significant building. Developers Soller Nine are hoping to demolish some buildings within the block bordered by Lever Street, Great Ancoats Street, Little Lever Street, and Houldsworth Street, near the Bem Brasil restaurant. They plan to replace them with an 18-storey office block boasting 180,000 sq ft of floorspace, reusing some facades as entrances. The developers claim this will contribute £34 million to Manchester's economy. Some structures on the site date back to 1781, while others are from the Victorian era. The developers argue that 'a number of buildings' on the plot 'are unsafe, as demonstrated by the partial collapse in May', necessitating their demolition and redevelopment. However, heritage groups have criticised the plan. The Victorian Society contends that the demolition would cause 'significant harm', as it would result in the loss of 'the former Land O' Cakes Public House', which 'played an historically significant role as the founding place of the world's first working-class party, The National Charter Association in 1840', according to a council report. "It, therefore, is not only greatly important to the history of working-class culture in Manchester but nationally as well as internationally significant," the report adds, reports the Manchester Evening News. The report had initially concluded that the economic and public benefits would surpass the loss of heritage buildings, recommending councillors to approve planning permission at the Thursday (December 19) meeting. However, the committee has opted to postpone their decision to further assess what Manchester might lose. "I am concerned we seem to be saving the facades of two buildings, but not actually the ones with a link to Manchester's residents, the residential aspect on Houldsworth Street," Coun Angela Gartside said during the Town Hall meeting. "I know the area, I know it's been in decline and it's a useful development to have, to bring in that business. But I think it's important [to say] that it's not one or two buildings that are important, it's the normal, working-class, everyday buildings that are important too." The councillors will now conduct a site visit before the next planning meeting scheduled for late January, where they are expected to reach a final verdict on the application.

MCS Group wins brief to build new HQ

2025-04-25 15:02:05

Construction contractor MCS Group has won the brief to build a new headquarters for a signage firm in south Birmingham. The Warwick-based company is building a £20 million, 80,000 sq ft base on behalf of Allsee Technologies which will house teams working on the company's manufacture of digital advertising displays and signs. The design and build project, which is expected to reach practical completion in late 2025, includes three storeys of office space, car parking and external works. Allsee Technologies received consent in May for its new head office and digital centre on Longbridge Business Park which it said would create more than 150 jobs. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. The company, which is currently based in Bartley Green, develops software for displays and also manufactures hardware to build the products. Keir Edmonds, managing director at MCS Group, said: "Starting a new development is always exciting and our latest project is no exception. "We are thrilled to be working alongside Allsee Technologies to create a fantastic new headquarters here in the Midlands, bringing investment and new jobs to this exceptional regeneration zone." Baoli Zhao, managing director at Allsee Technologies, added: "Longbridge has a proud history of manufacturing and innovation and we are honoured to become part of this legacy with our new headquarters and digital technology centre. "This development represents an exciting step forward for Allsee Technologies, and the region as a whole, as we invest in creating high-quality job opportunities and advancing digital display and communication technologies.

Holiday Inn proposes major redesign for Hull property

2025-04-28 00:05:58

Holiday Inn has lodged plans for a revamp of their hotel at Hull Marina. The proposals, submitted to Hull City Council, outline changes to several areas of the hotel, including the bar and restaurant area, conference facilities, and parts of the building's exterior. The aim is to enhance the visual appeal of the approach to the 100-room hotel. The modifications are planned in conjunction with the A63 improvement works, due for completion in May 2025. Due to these changes, the Eastern approach to the hotel has been eliminated, meaning vehicles will now only be able to access the hotel from the West. However, pedestrians can still reach the hotel from the East and city centre via the Princes Quay Bridge. Upgrades will be made to the existing outdoor seating and furnishings, parasols, and glazed screens along the boundary line with planters to match dockside architecture. The plans also reveal the hotel's intentions to remove the fitness suite and meeting room provision and replace the current glazed balconies. Major improvements are also planned for the reception and walkway into the hotel. The hotel's courtyard is also set for a makeover, including enhanced lighting and landscaping, and the installation of a decked terrace, reports Hull Live.

Ten-storey tower block could be built for 400 students

2025-05-20 03:56:24

Nearly 400 student flats could be constructed in a ten-storey tower block in Salford as X1 Campus has submitted a proposal to Salford council to demolish the existing Cumberland House building on Lissadel Street. The new site would house 396 studios and include 'communal amenity' facilities for future residents if approved. A planning application must be submitted and approved by the council before work can commence on any new building. The three-storey Cumberland House building was initially built as a mill and factory, later becoming a repairs garage and taxi office. It is currently used for car storage, but the building is not listed, according to planning documents. The proposed development is near the Salford Crescent masterplan area, a £2.5 billion scheme designed by the council and Salford University to revitalise the area. This will result in 3,000 new homes, offices, and a new pedestrian and cycling bridge known as Salford Rise, which is already under construction. The Salford Crescent masterplan also includes creating one-million square feet of offices, retail and leisure facilities, and a new innovation zone around the university to foster collaboration between academics, researchers, and businesses. The university, which currently has nearly 30,000 students, anticipates growth in the coming years. Recently, it unveiled plans to refurbish its campus with a new student village centred around Peel Park, reports the Manchester Evening News.

Property deal provides new home for fleet firm

2025-05-16 10:30:32

A fleet management and vehicle leasing company is relocating across the West Midlands. Multifleet Vehicle Management, which trades as Run Your Fleet, is moving from Henley-in-Arden to 9,000 sq ft offices it has bought at Remus 1 on Solihull Business Park. The company's customers range from accountancy firms to multinational corporates, using a wide range of services including fleet management, leasing, rental and salary sacrifice schemes. Terms of the off-market purchase were not disclosed. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Chief executive Steve Whitmarsh said: "We have grown rapidly since we launched in 2011 in our original base at Forward House on Henley-in-Arden High Street. "We now work with around 1,200 businesses with fleets from two to over 4,000 vehicles and will soon oversee a managed fleet approaching 40,000 vehicles. "The time has come to invest in the space we need to continue to grow and purchasing Remus 1 gives us both space to expand and enhance facilities for our growing staff numbers. "The location is also adjacent to many of the key franchised dealerships in Solihull, making it even easier for us to collaborate with these businesses."

£2m boost from Metro Mayor's office to revamp town centre - promising economic growth and new jobs

2025-05-17 07:33:56

The Huyton Village regeneration project has received a significant boost with a £2m investment from Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram's office. This funding forms part of the ambitious £163m Huyton Village scheme, which is set to bring numerous economic and social benefits to the town centre and wider Knowsley area. The plans aim to revitalise Huyton's town centre by introducing a blend of leisure, retail, residential, and office spaces. The initial phase will concentrate on creating 72 affordable homes, a 130-bed hotel, commercial office space, a community hub and library. The proposal includes the demolition of old council buildings, freeing up nearly seven acres of land for future development. The Huyton Village project is projected to generate £62m for the local economy and will continue to evolve, according to the Metro Mayor's office. They also confirmed that further phases will soon be initiated, including more commercial space and an additional 300 new homes. The £2m from Liverpool City Region's combined authority will fund the purchase and refurbishment of properties on Cavendish Walk, with further plans to create temporary office space for relocated council staff. This will facilitate the development of a new, modern 'village green' and energy-efficient office building, including the seven-storey Huyton Municipal Building. , reports the Liverpool Echo. Steve Rotheram expressed his enthusiasm for the project and said: "We've shown in Kirkby and Prescot what we can achieve when we work together-and now it's Huyton's turn." He continued: "This investment isn't just about new buildings - it's about creating homes, green spaces, and better facilities that will bring jobs and businesses back into the town centre." As part of the plans, the Cenotaph will be relocated to a new village green. A cutting-edge transport hub will be constructed at street level to replace the current multi-storey car park, featuring electric vehicle charging points and secure cycle storage. This element of the project will be funded through a bid to the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement. Knowsley Council Leader Cllr Graham Morgan added: "We're delighted to have the support of the Combined Authority to drive this transformative project forward. This is a huge step in our plans to deliver lasting economic and social benefits to Huyton and the wider region."

Henry Boot to build £1bn of developments after launching new joint venture with investor

2025-04-30 19:23:06

Henry Boot is set to build industrial developments worth £1bn across the UK after forming a joint venture with an investor. The group’s Henry Boot Development (HBD) has formed the partnership with Feldberg Capital which will be known as Origin, with the Yorkshire firm taking a 25% stake, amid moves to become a leader in the development of ‘mid box’ industrial and logistics schemes. Origin will be seeded with an initial portfolio of three sites, in Walsall, Welwyn Garden City and Markham Vale – a development pipeline worth £100m. At the Spark scheme in Walsall, Henry Boot will create a 13-acre development site with a £53m gross development value )GDV), just off the M6. Spark has full planning consent for phase one, which comprises two units totalling 270,000 sqft. In Welwyn Garden City the firm will work at Inter, a three-acre development site with a £27m GDV near Junction 4 of the A1(M). The site has detailed planning consent for a 71,000 sqft scheme. At Markham Vale in Hertfordshire, the Ark scheme is a nine-acre development site with a £19m GDV and planning consent for four units totalling 107,000 sq ft. This marks the second phase of HBD’s 200-acre flagship scheme at Markham Vale. The partnership will draw on both HBD’s development pipeline as well as acquire sites from third parties for further pre-let and speculative industrial and logistics development. For each project, development finance will be procured from an external lender. The aim, subject to market conditions, is to deliver around £1bn of high quality schemes across the UK over the next seven years. Tim Roberts, CEO at Henry Boot, said: “The launch of this new industrial and logistics platform with Feldberg Capital is an important transaction for Henry Boot, allowing us to partner with a first-class international investor with the funds and ambition to invest alongside us into one of our key sectors. At the same time, it enables us to accelerate our own £1.3bn industrial and logistics pipeline and in turn recycle capital more efficiently. We now look forward to fulfilling our significant ambitions for Origin alongside the team at Feldberg.” David Turner, managing partner at Feldberg Capital, said: “Having held back from the industrial and logistics market while assets looked overpriced, we believe now is a highly attractive entry point, with land values having come down over the last 24 months and entry yields being at more sustainable levels. The positive tailwinds within the sector remain, driven by structural trends including the continued growth of e-commerce and more firms serving the UK market looking to ‘onshore’ their production here in the face of a shifting regulatory and geopolitical backdrop.

Birmingham pub set for £600,000 facelift

2025-05-07 19:06:24

A pub in a Birmingham suburb is set to undergo a £600,000 overhaul. New plans have been revealed to revamp The New Inn, in Harborne, by owner Joule's Brewery. The Shropshire-based company acquired the venue in Vivian Road in May. Subject to planning consent, it said it wanted to revive some of the history of the New Inn, which dates back to 1845, including adding reclaimed bricks and panelling. It is also planning a full refresh of external areas including landscaping, lighting and new seating alongside upgrades to the kitchen. Anna Brakel, development director at Joule's Brewery, said: "The New Inn is a special site and one that we are very proud to now call a Joule's Brewery Taphouse. "We are committed to bringing the brewery to Birmingham and are pleased to reveal that this will be our biggest investment in a taphouse to date. "It's key for us to share our plans with locals and engage them in this process." Managing director Vicky Colclough added: "We believe that all pubs are honeypots of the community. Our plans are to create The New Inn to be once again a centre for the community of Harborne and the wider towns. "Protecting those special spaces such as the snug and original bar but adding in more flexible spaces, an improved outdoor area and increasing dining to allow a lovely fresh pub food menu, filled with old and new favourites."

Manchester's Hotspur Press redevelopment stalled by listing bid that developer warns could 'potentially condemn' the site

2025-04-21 22:32:40

The refurbishment of the landmark Hotspur Press Victorian printing mill in Manchester city centre has been put on hold due to a pending listed building application – with the developer criticising the length of time the process is taking. The mill, which ceased printing operations in 1996, has fallen into disrepair and has seen numerous stalled attempts at renovation, including a plan to transform it into a 171-home, 28-storey flat block. Despite receiving planning permission in 2020, construction never commenced, leaving the mill to further deteriorate. There was new hope earlier this year when a new developer, Manner, received council approval for its redevelopment plan. The proposal includes preserving the mill's facade and iconic 'Percy Brothers' signage while constructing a 36-storey student housing tower with 595 bedrooms and a new public square. Planning permission was granted in May, but work has yet to begin on Cambridge Street due to an anonymous listed building application that has halted the construction of the student towers. The application was submitted in late summer and is still under consideration by the government body responsible for listed buildings, which has confirmed receipt of Historic England's opinion on the matter. Typically, a listing request decision takes 12 working days, but in the case of the Hotspur Press, it has been months, leading developers to express their frustration with the government, reports the Manchester Evening News. Richard James, the boss at Manner, said: "We are calling for the urgent need to decide on the listing process for The Hotspur Press. "It has now been three months since Historic England issued its report to the Secretary of State and well over the 12-day average response time that DCMS state. "As a result, the listing process has created significant delays to the redevelopment plans. We have always wanted to do more than just save this iconic building: we want to create a place the local community can be proud of. "If The Hotspur Press is listed, it will not save it. All it will do is potentially condemn the future of this wonderful building and its history, and have the community lose out on the public realm benefits that they want." In response, a government spokesperson said that a decision will be made 'in due course'.

Sale deal for Black Country warehouses

2025-04-24 07:00:25

A pair of warehouses in the Black Country have been sold. Polydrain Civils has acquired the adjoining units in West Bromwich. Terms of the sale were not disclosed but Units 1 & 2 Ridgacre Road were on the market with a guide price of £3 million. The two long leasehold units, which span 61,484 sq ft on a three-acre site, are close to the A41 Black Country New Road. Polydrain Civils, which is based in Oldbury, specialises in water management services and will use the warehouses for its own occupation. Property agency Watling Real Estate sold the units on behalf of a client. Chris Davies, a director in its Birmingham office, said: "The sale has allowed our client to consolidate their operations into an existing facility while providing much-needed space for the purchaser to expand their operations and strengthen their presence in the region.

Unite reports 'strong demand' amid student housing shortage

2025-04-25 09:04:16

The UK’s largest student accommodation provider is expecting to boost rental growth over the next academic year amid “strong demand” and a shortage of supply, it said. In a fourth-quarter trading update, Bristol-headquartered Unite Group said it had sold 66% of beds so far for 2025-2026 with occupancy estimated to be between 97% and 98%. Rental growth for the academic year is expected to be between 4% and 5%. Unite said the outlook for student numbers was “encouraging” with domestic demand underpinned by a 2% larger population of UK 18-year-olds. It added there were also improving trends in international demand. Joe Lister, Unite Students chief executive, said: "We have seen a strong start to the 2025-26 sales cycle, highlighting the continued demand for our high-quality accommodation from both students and universities.” Mr Lister said Unite had made “good progress” with the delivery of its development pipeline and had acquired eight investment properties, with value-add potential, in recent weeks. “These transactions grow our presence in some of the UK's leading university cities where demand for accommodation is strongest,” he added. Unite has now deployed around 50% of the proceeds from its July 2024 equity raise. In November, the company acquired the freehold interest of a 260-bed property in London for £37m which the group had previously sold and leased back from the freeholder. The property was acquired at below-replacement cost, Unite said, and has value-add investment potential upon expiry of a nomination agreement in 2026. A planning application for Unite’s Newcastle University joint venture was submitted in the summer and is expected to go to committee early this year. The organisation is also in discussions over a second university joint venture, which it said would be announced within the next three to six months. The company has maintained its previous profit guidance for adjusted earnings per share at the upper end of the 45.5-46.5p range.

Owner of Boringdon Hall snaps up Cornwall spa and golf hotel

2025-05-17 08:48:04

The owner of Devon's five-star Boringdon Hall Hotel has acquired a Cornish spa and golf resort for an undisclosed sum. Family-run Philema Hospitality Management has taken over the Budock Vean Hotel in Falmouth in a move it described as a "significant milestone". The group's portfolio also includes the four-star adult-only Fistral Beach Hotel and Spa and the family friendly Esplanade Hotel, overlooking surfing beach Fistral in Newquay. Budock Vean is based on the banks of the Helford River, with facilities including a golf course, spa, and award-winning restaurant. Philema said it would "preserve the hotel’s legacy" following the deal, while "enhancing" the guest experience. "We are thrilled to welcome Budock Vean to the Philema family," said Laura Cameron, managing director of Philema Hospitality Management. Budock Vean is a truly unique property with a deep-rooted history in Cornwall’s hospitality landscape. We look forward to honouring its legacy while bringing new innovations that will elevate its charm and appeal for today’s discerning travellers. "Our vision is to create unforgettable guest experiences that celebrate Cornwall’s heritage and natural beauty, and Budock Vean aligns perfectly with this mission."

Plans to move Merthyr Tydfil's indoor market to new location

2025-04-26 10:12:50

Merthyr Tydfil's indoor market is set to move, the council has announced. It will relocate to the ground floor of the former Wilko premises in St Tydfil's Shopping Centre. A concept plan has been drawn up for a more multifaceted, modern marketplace, with traditional elements. The space will also feature a sensory area, a separate performance area and an exhibition space. It will feature a produce market, a market academy for future traders and improved facilities. The move follows a consultation which was held with stallholders and the wider public and the hope is it will be up and running by Christmas. Councillor Jamie Scriven, cabinet member for regeneration and housing, said: "I am delighted as the new cabinet member to be taking this project forward with my dedicated team of officers. The town centre's development moving forward is incredibly important to me and I want to ensure that we get this right for the people of Merthyr Tydfil. "During the Merthyr Tydfil Placemaking Plan consultation, we listened to the community's suggestions about relocating the current indoor market, and the plans we have in place now reflect that feedback. The new market will feature a produce market, a market academy to nurture future traders, and improved facilities for our tenants. "It will also offer opportunities for pop-up stands, making it easier for people to explore a career in market trading. We've shared these plans with our current tenants and are now working closely with specialist architects to bring this vision to life.

Barbican Centre to undergo £191m regeneration as City of London approves funding package

2025-04-28 03:57:56

The City of London Corporation has given the green light to a £191m investment to refurbish and improve the Barbican, the City’s premier cultural and arts hub. The approval for funding was announced yesterday, with plans set to put construction into motion starting in 2027. This hefty sum will cover 80% of the initial phase in the centre's overhaul, with the remaining costs anticipated to be sourced through an extensive fundraising effort set to begin in 2025. The project is timed for completion in honour of the Barbican's 50th anniversary in 2032, as reported by City AM. Chris Hayward, the City Corporation policy chairman, emphasised the importance of the funding: "This funding underlines our support, recognising its unique role as a leading cultural institution and driver of economic growth, contributing £86m a year to the UK economy and supporting around than 1,100 jobs across London." He also added, "The Barbican Centre is central to the Square Mile’s cultural identity and plays a pivotal role in our attractiveness as a place to work and visit." The Barbican refurbishment is one of several initiatives as part of the City Corporation's Destination City initiative, a proposed evolution of the Square Mile aiming to establish it as a prime destination for business, culture, events, and leisure. Jackie Boughton, Director of Commercial at the Barbican, remarked on the significance of this development: "This decision marks a transformative moment for the Barbican Centre and its ability to host world-class conferences and events."

Northumberland luxury hotel starting work on multimillion-pound spa project

2025-05-16 05:29:58

Directors at luxury Northumberland hotel Matfen Hall have revealed work is poised to start on a multimillion-pound spa which aims to put the venue on the UK map as a leading leisure destination. The Matfen property was acquired by Walwick Estate Group in 2022 – owned by True Potential founder Sir David Harrison – after being part of the Blackett family since the 1830s. Following the deal the country hotel, spa and golf estate was closed for a number of months to make way for a major refurbishment programme, reopening last summer to reveal the results which included upgraded bedrooms, renewed leisure facilities and the restoration of the Grade II-listed building’s Great Hall. Now the company is weeks away from starting its latest project – the creation of a new spa which will take total investment to date above £40m. The hotel secured planning permission last year for the creation of the spa, with plans showing how the a new internal courtyard willl be created alongside the new wing, which will accommodate additional treatment rooms, a yoga studio, bar/dining and the pool, bathing and thermal cabins. Commercial director James O'Donnell said the new spa, which will take 11 to 12 months to complete, aims to draw guests from across the UK to Northumberland. He said: “The ongoing process is the repositioning of the hotel as a luxury destination. Previously it’s fair to say Matfen was more of a wedding venue with accommodation alongside a golf course and spa, and were quite disparate businesses under one umbrella. “Sir David is aiming to create a luxury destination for the whole country, and in doing so the investment is unmatched in recent times anywhere outside of London, running into several tens of millions. The development of a new spa will start in about three weeks, which will see overall investment go north of £40m. “We are adding a new wing and once that will complete that will allow us to reconfigure the existing spa, and supplement what’s in the new spa - it allows us to do the work in two phases which means the spa will always be available. There’s a focus on making it a very luxurious spa - it will bring it in line with other work we have done at the hotel, and more in-keeping with the expectation of a luxury traveller.” News of the spa’s creation comes as accounts for the Walwick Estate Group Ltd, which cover Matfen Hall and the Chesters Stables luxury self-catering development, are published for the year ended March 31 2024, showing a leap in turnover, from £2.6m to £4.6m. But operating losses widened from £3m to £5.4m on the back of the hotel’s significant investments, and employee numbers rose from 109 to 126, taking staff costs up from £2.18m to £3.41m. Mr O'Donnell said: “Any losses that are incurred are part of the continued development. Sir David’s very substantial investment in the property is a commitment by him to both the region and to the industry and to what he believes Matfen should be.” A report in the accounts signed off by Sir David highlights how the luxury hotel been affected by staff shortages, a trend being seen across the hospitality sector, and that it also expects to be impacted by rising staff costs as a result of last year’s autumn statement announcements. The report adds: “The board believes that the refurbishment has ensured that Matfen can be regarded as the best luxury hotel in the North East England, which has been recognised by Matfen being awarded a 5 Star rating by the AA and winning the Conde Naste award for Best Hotel Refurbishment 2024. Matfen has also recently won the Conde Naste award for Best Country Hotel 2025. “The financial outlook for the hotel is strong, particularly now that the refurbishment of the hotel itself has been substantially completed although, along with all other businesses in the hospitality sector, the business has been affected by the shortage of experienced labour, in particular labour with experience in a luxury hotel setting, and will be impacted by the increases in the minimum wage and Employers National Insurance contributions announced in the recent Budget.”

Construction begins on new business units at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone

2025-05-01 19:32:56

Construction has started at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone on 11 new business units – with four of them being snapped up even before completion. Prospect Development NW has started construction at plot 109, between Lancaster House and Lockheed Court on Amy Johnson Way, to bring both warehousing and office space to the 1.8-acre site. The project is slated for completion in autumn 2025. Four units have been sold while the remaining units are set to hit the market early next year. Along with the units, there will be car parking for 60 cars, with electric vehicle charging stations, alongside bicycle and motorcycle parking. A touch of green will be added by landscaping along Amy Johnson Way, reports Lancs Live. Cllr Mark Smith, the cabinet member for economy and built economy at Blackpool Council, said: "Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone is becoming one of the North West's premier business destinations, supporting thousands of jobs for people on the Fylde Coast. Our commitment to invest in infrastructure such as the new road is creating an environment where the private sector is also investing in new business units, creating space for more companies to start and grow, and creating more jobs, boosting our local economy and making Blackpool better." An £18.5 million new road is set to open in 2025, paving the way for additional commercial development. Since its establishment in 2016, the enterprise zone has seen the development of over 200,000 sq ft of new accommodation and the refurbishment of an additional 176,500 sq ft. Currently, it houses more than 200 companies and some 4,000 jobs.

NG Bailey relocates Leeds headquarters to White Rose Park

2025-04-23 08:26:39

Engineering firm NG Bailey is moving its Leeds headquarters to White Rose Park in a bid to provide an "exceptional" office for its workforce. The £312m turnover business, which has worked on a number of high profile projects in the UK including the Hinkley Point nuclear power station, will swap its Brown Lane West headquarters in Holbeck for space in the ABC Building at the south Leeds site. Bosses say the new 25,230 sqft Grade A office space at White Rose Park was chosen for its high quality transport links and will provide a great place to work for the firm's Leeds-based team. NG Bailey was founded in 1921 in Leeds and has gone on to become a major player in the UK construction and engineering market. In its latest accounts for the year to the beginning of March 2024, it said the long term outlook for its markets was good, despite headwinds including high interest rates and political change causing caution among customers. Jonathan Stockton, CEO of NG Bailey, said: "Our move to White Rose Park marks an exciting new chapter for NG Bailey. While Brown Lane West has been our home over the past five decades, our relocation to a modern office space under a long-term lease is crucial for our growth in Leeds and the wider Yorkshire region. Our new office, combined with the numerous amenities in the Park, will foster a more vibrant and collaborative atmosphere for our team and visitors. The move supports our emphasis on sustainability and wellbeing in our workplace, with the Park being an exceptional place to work." NG Bailey can make use of health and wellbeing initiatives at White Rose Park including a running club, yoga classes, outdoor training parks and green spaces. The site is also home to a Starbucks, a nursery for pre-school aged children and a 200-seat communal restaurant area. David Aspin, chief executive of Munroe K, which owns and operates White Rose Park, said: “We are delighted to welcome NG Bailey to our White Rose Park Community. Their move is a real endorsement of our park and our collective ambition to provide the working environment of the future where people look forward to attending the office.

Black Country business park secures new tenants

2025-05-17 02:39:23

A Black Country business park has secured two new tenants. Multipark Pensnett in Kingswinford has welcomed software and IT services firm Syscom and car restoration and enhancement outfit Black Country Detailing. Syscom Plc has signed a five-year lease on two recently refurbished units in Baird House. Black Country Detailing has signed a quarterly license which allows small business owners flexibility by not having to commit to a long-term lease. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Syscom director Chris Brentnall said: "This year, Syscom is celebrating 50 years in business. Moving into our newly refurbished premises at Baird House marks an exciting new chapter for us. "From our new home, we will continue to build on the trusted relationships we have formed over the past five decades and welcome new customers to Syscom." David Charlton, director at the park's landlord LCP, said: "At Multipark Pensnett, there are countless opportunities for Black Country-based businesses to work together to source a wide range of services right on their own doorstep. "We are delighted to see the number of businesses on site increase further as we welcome both Syscom and Black Country Detailing." Industrial lettings manager Paula James added: "It has been a pleasure working with both businesses to secure their ideal units at Multipark Pensnett. "The newly refurbished space at Baird House provides the perfect environment for Syscom's growing team while the flexible leasing options at Multipark Pensnett are ideal for Black Country Detailing's current needs.

Harworth completes £53.5m Warwickshire deal three years in the making

2025-05-03 13:28:06

Regeneration specialist Harworth has sold a 278-acre strategic land site in Warwickshire in a £53.5m deal first agreed three years ago. The Rotherham-based group has offloaded its Ansty site having exchanged contracts with Rugbyalpha (Freeholdco) Limited, SDI Propco (100) Limited, in December 2021 with the sale having been conditional on the granting of hybrid planning permission of the site. Harworth says it intends to put the proceeds of the sale into infrastructure works and development across its 9.6m sqft consented industrial and logistics pipeline. The Ansty site is adjacent to Junction 2 of the M6. Land there was first acquired by Harworth in autumn 2019, with the site valued at £23.9m in June 2021. The group said this deal demonstrated its ability to “unlock significant value from low value land”. Lynda Shillaw, chief executive at Harworth, said: "The Ansty transaction demonstrates Harworth's specialist ability in creating value from strategic land assembly which, alongside the strength of our balance sheet, enables us to take a longer-term view and develop the right schemes for our sites. Collaboration and partnership are key to unlocking schemes like this and we have worked closely with a number of different stakeholders on this project, including the purchaser since exchange of contracts, ultimately enabling us to accelerate delivery of the site. "Our ability to identify and unlock significant value from strategic land is a key factor in Harworth's outperformance and we continue to identify and acquire strategic sites like Ansty to support our ambitious growth targets.

Plans revealed for 33-storey co-living scheme in the centre of Cardiff

2025-04-27 18:27:29

Plans for a 33-storey co-living scheme in the centre of Cardiff can be revealed. Bangor-based and Alternative Investment Market listed developer Watkin Jones will next week launch a pre-planning public consultation exercise for its 400 build-to-rent bedroom scheme on a brownfield site at Custom House Street. Co-living is a type of communal housing in which residents have private bedrooms and bathrooms, but share other facilities required to meet everyday needs, such as communal kitchens and living spaces. Other shared facilities in the scheme, designed by Cardiff-based Rio Architects, include a gym, gardens and co-working space. The co-living concept has grown in popularity in other core UK cities, including London and Bristol. The statutory consultation will run to the end of March with a planning application expected to be submitted to Cardiff Council in the spring. Watkin Jones, which specialises in student accommodation and build-to-rent developments, is working with planning consultants Lichfields on the project. Two virtual webinars will be staged this month to gauge the views of, and obtain suggestions from, the local community and stakeholders on the plans ahead of submission. Iain Smith, planning director at Watkin Jones, said: "The webinars will provide us with the opportunity to engage with the community, understand their perspectives and ideas. This feedback will help shape our development plans, ensuring that the final submission aligns with the needs of the surrounding community and future residents. As an experienced developer and manager of co-living, the sessions will also provide a platform for the community to ask questions about this emerging form of housing." Subject to planning approval, work on the scheme would start before the end of the year and take around 30 months to complete. As with its other property schemes, Watkins Jones would be expected to sell the asset to an institutional investor. Last year work started transforming the former Knox Court office building on Newport Road in Cardiff for another co-living scheme. It came after developer Urban Centric struck a £23.8m debt deal with Shawbrook for the project at the 60,000 sq ft building, alongside securing a £7.6m equity injection from Housing Growth Partnership, which is part of Lloyds Banking Group.

Jo Malone London to open new West Midlands store

2025-04-26 06:28:40

A UK perfume and beauty product retailer is opening a new store in the West Midlands. Jo Malone London is launching in Leamington Spa on December 13 at 67 Parade. The company, which has more than 50 stores across the UK, is in the process of moving into the 1,523 sq ft town centre unit. UK general manager Rachel Baker said: "We are delighted to announce the news of our new Jo Malone London store opening in Leamington Spa. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. "This elegant Regency town located in the heart of Warwickshire offers a sophisticated setting for Jo Malone London with its regal architecture and renowned spas. "We believe that Leamington Spa's charm and rich heritage perfectly complement our brand." Property agency Wareing & Company acted on the deal. Director Jonathan Blood added: "Jo Malone London is a highly recognised brand that will be an excellent addition to the many great stores on Parade.

£200k search launched for new Blackpool Central developer

2025-05-16 11:27:22

Blackpool Council has officially terminated its land sale agreement with the now-defunct developer Nikal Ltd for the Blackpool Central regeneration scheme, clearing the path for a new investor. The council's executive members have agreed to cancel the deal and allocate £200,000 to initiate a worldwide search for new developers. It was disclosed in October that Nikal, which had been collaborating with Blackpool Council since 2016 to introduce indoor theme parks, hotels, and restaurants to the Central Station site, had entered administration. However, town hall leaders are optimistic about finding new investors for the site, which was slated for a £300m makeover. The site will be marketed as swiftly as possible, with existing planning consents, including preliminary planning permission for three indoor theme parks, a 200-room hotel, bars, restaurants, and outdoor entertainment space. Full planning permission was granted in October 2021 to refurbish buildings on Central Drive, including the King Edward cinema, King Edward pub, and King Edward apartments into holiday accommodation, restaurants, and bars as part of the Heritage Quarter. A seven-storey car park with 1,306 spaces opened on the site earlier this year. Chris Webb, MP for Blackpool South, has supported public calls for an indoor arena, similar to Manchester's Co-op Live Arena, to be constructed on the land. A report to the executive suggests that terminating the agreement with Nikal, signed in January 2020, "will ensure that the council is able to re-market the excellent investment and development opportunity the site presents. " The report continues: "The council remains determined to see its vision and aspirations for a world class leisure development delivered on the site, as it seeks to move forward with its ambition for regeneration, economic growth and resilience across the town. It is imperative that the momentum to see development on the site is not lost and that every effort is maintained to seek a new investor/developer as soon as practically possible.", reports Lancs Live. The demolition of the vacant police station and magistrates court building is now anticipated early next year to provide a fully cleared site. The £200,000 marketing costs will be covered by revenue generated from the existing Central Station surface car park.

Bradford City Village moves forward as landmark development agreement is struck

2025-04-22 08:31:57

A development agreement has been struck to pave the way for phase one of a new sustainable community in the heart of Bradford. Bradford City Village aims to transform the city centre by creation a community where people can live within walking distance of amenities, shops, parks, work and school. The scheme will have up to 1,000 new homes, including affordable homes, three new community parks and public spaces, shops, cafes, restaurants, and offices. The project, which is being delivered through a partnership between Bradford Council, ECF, Homes England and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, took a step forward this week as the local council and ECF – the partnership between Homes England, Legal & General and Muse – entered into a Development Agreement to kick-start construction. The milestone follows the launch of the Government’s Devolution White Paper which it said is a key way to kickstart economic growth. Bradford Council leader Coun Susan Hinchcliffe said: “This is an exciting step forward in our vision to create a healthy, sustainable and friendly neighbourhood. City Village is a transformative regeneration programme which will re-define the city centre. Whilst housing is at the heart of these plans, City Village will also create opportunities for new independent retail, cafes, bars and business spaces in a city that in 2025 will become the UK’s number one cultural destination. “It shows the direction of Bradford for the next 10 years – quality housing, more public and green spaces with a strong cultural offer, creating the quality of city centre living that our residents need and deserve. We’re delighted to be moving forward on City Village, as part of a much bigger picture of regeneration across Bradford with current programmes like One City Park complete, and the pedestrianisation works due to finish soon.” Bradford City Village is one of 15 sites identified in the Strategic Place Partnership between the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and Homes England, announced last year, which aims to unlock residential regeneration schemes and boost the delivery of thousands more homes. Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Thanks to partnership working and the power of devolution, we’re unlocking millions of pounds of investment to regenerate communities, raise living standards, build more homes and grow our economy. Bradford City Village will be a gamechanger for West Yorkshire as we work to build a stronger, brighter region.” With the crucial Development Agreement now in place, ECF will work in partnership with the Council to progress a planning application expected to be submitted in spring 2025, following a second phase of public consultation.

Bristol office market has highest rents outside London

2025-04-24 10:12:43

Office space in Bristol is now more expensive than any other big city outside of London, a new report has revealed. Surging demand among businesses and a lack of supply drove up rents last year, the Bristol Office Agents Society found. Headline rents in the city increased through 2024 to £48 per sq ft - the highest of the big six cities analysed. A lack of "good quality" space also drove up prices on refurbished buildings which in many instances achieved rents of £40 per sq ft. Though take up of space was below the five and 10 year averages for the year, there was an increase on the level for 2023 and with strong demand towards the end of the year market sentiment going into 2025 is positive, the report said. Bristol’s city centre market saw 41 deals completed in the second half of last year with a H2 take up of 187,527 sq ft. Total annual take up in the city centre for 2024 was 440,562 sq ft. Among the biggest deals was BLOCK’s acquisition of 21,235 sq ft at the newly refurbished building The Fairfax. There were also agreements at UBS’s newly refurbished 3 Rivergate, with Aecom’s taking 15,124 sq ft on the sixth and part of the fifth floors, and DNV taking 11,261 sq ft on the fourth. Other Grade A lettings this quarter include CBREIM’s letting at Halo of 9,504 sq ft to Softcat; Mazar’s move to 7,821 sq ft at AXA / Bell Hammers Assembly C; and CBRE acquiring 7,309 sq ft of space for themselves at CEG’s EQ. Several new build schemes also completed in Bristol last year, including CEG’s EQ, Trammell Crow and Tristan Capitals’ Welcome Building, and AXA / Bell Hammer’s Assembly Buildings B & C, all of which secured pre-lets. Beyond these there are no other new developments under construction. The only major works ongoing are comprehensive refurbishment schemes including APAM’s One Friary, CEG’s Crescent and Abrdn’s Queens Quay. Andy Smith, office agency partner at Knight Frank, said: “An election year always has a negative impact on levels of take up as businesses often put moves on hold due to the uncertainty surrounding a new government and 2024 was no different. "However, even in this challenging market there were a number of significant deals, and occupiers continued flight to quality saw rents rise." He added: "As we start 2025 there has been a marked uptick in new enquiries both in and out of town which reflects an underlying improvement in occupier sentiment and a slightly less uncertain political and economic outlook for the year.” Meanwhile, the Bristol out-of-town market saw 13 deals cross the line through the second half of the year to give a H2 take up of 54,773 sq ft. The largest of these was the long leasehold of 13,075sq ft at 23 Clothier Road to Outcomes First Group. The figure was below the five and 10 year averages but the outlook for 2025 is "more positive", the Bristol Office Agents Society said. Chair of the South West OAS, and Lambert Smith Hampton’s office agency director Roxine Foster, added: “2024 proved to be a year of mixed fortunes, however the outlook for 2025 is positive and with pressure on supply becoming more and more evident it will be interesting to see which the next schemes are to start on site."

Start date on new £6m riverside plaza scheme for Pontypridd

2025-05-15 08:42:42

Work transforming the former Marks & Spencer store site in the centre of Pontypridd to create a new £6m riverside plaza will start next month. The former M&S and Dorothy Perkins buildings, which had been empty since 2015, were demolished last year in preparation for the new development. More than £5.6m of funding has been secured to develop the site into a proposed 'riverside plaza', which the council say will provide a functional and aesthetically-pleasing public space, and open the townscape towards the river for the first time in more than 100 years. Part of the new 'riverside plaza' will also include small, lightweight kiosks (commercial units) that will offer the sale of food and drinks. It will also bring new green spaces of trees and foliage to the town centre. The redevelopment is part of the Southern Gateway project, which also saw the old Bingo Hall aka Angharads, demolished and replaced by an area with new bus bays and more seating areas which was completed earlier this year. The project aims to transform the area into a key 'transitional space' for a new visitor route, linking the train station to the town centre via the bingo hall site. Rhondda Cynon Taff Counciil aim for the new development to provide a new open space that is flexible enough to respond to new opportunities for the town centre. The £5.6m funding has been secured via contributions from the Welsh Government's Transforming Towns Programme (£3.68m) and the UK Government's Shared Prosperity Fund (£1.95m). Flood modelling is being used to ensure that the majority of the site will be raised out of the flood zone after Taff Street and other areas of Pontypridd have been hit with flooding over the last few years, most recently in November during Storm Bert. The lane leading to Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, where the National Eisteddfod was held last summer, will also have enhanced resurfacing and street lighting. Horan Construction, have been appointed to deliver the works scheme. Councillor Mark Norris, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's cabinet member for development and prosperity, said: "Securing more than £5.6m funding for the construction phase, and appointing a main contractor, are important milestones to revitalise the former MandS and Dorothy Perkins site in Pontypridd. Having now achieved these, the Council and its contractor are making the final preparations for the works to be started in the weeks ahead. "The strategic site in the heart of Pontypridd presents a unique opportunity to expand and open up the southern part of the town centre – and the original idea of creating a 'riverside plaza' was very well received when we previously consulted with the public on how best to utilise the site. Since Cabinet received the most-recent update in summer 2024, important work to further develop the proposals has continued, led by the Council-appointed multi-disciplinary team. "The M&S development will aim to complement what has already been achieved at the former Bingo Hall site – creating a bright, open space and incorporating features such as areas of greenery and food/drink kiosks. This bigger space is also intended to be flexible, and ready to be utilised when required – for example, during town centre events. It will also have the scenic backdrop of the river and views across Ynysangharad War Memorial Park. "Both the M&S and Bingo Hall sites are important parts of the Southern Gateway vision within the Pontypridd Placemaking Plan – which is the wider blueprint for regeneration investment across the town. It aims to build on the momentum that has already been created in recent years, through flagship schemes such as the Llys Cadwyn development, the Cwrt yr Orsaf housing scheme, Y Muni, YMa, and various improvements across the park. "Town centre visitors may notice the appointed contractor carrying out some initial works at the MandS site soon, in preparation for the construction phase which starts in February. The Council will inform residents once all plans are in place, including any expected disruption to residents, the retail area and the business community – which will be minimised as much as possible." Welsh Government's Cabinet Secretary for Housing and Local Government, Jayne Bryant, added: "This project is a fantastic example of how our Transforming Towns funding is supporting transformational improvements across our town and city centres. "This significant redevelopment project will improve Pontypridd's functionality, attract visitors, and provide new commercial opportunities, helping to strengthen the local economy.

Padel club plans for Peddimore

2025-05-03 23:04:57

The growing racquet sport of padel could have a new home in Birmingham. Plans have been revealed to build a padel centre at the Peddimore scheme near Sutton Coldfield. The Padel Club is eyeing the site as part of its wider expansion plans out of its North West home. The group first launched in Wilmslow and is backed by high-profile sports people such as ex-England cricketer Michael Vaughan and former Aston Villa players James Milner and Shay Given. Subject to consent, the new club would have two open-air courts and eight indoor courts, a clubhouse and landscaped social area. The Padel Club also has a site in Gloucester and other planned venues in Greater Manchester, Knutsford and Stockton-on-Tees. Chief executive Kris Ball said: "Birmingham is an exciting next step in our expansion and we welcome the opportunity to share this journey with IM Properties." IM Properties' Peddimore scheme is being developed on land off Peddimore Lane, Minworth. The masterplan for the site includes mainly warehousing and logistics space which is estimated could create and support thousands of jobs in the wider Birmingham area. It is being developed in partnership with Birmingham City Council and is already home to online retail giant Amazon. In November, Rockwool, a manufacturer of non-combustible insulation, announced it had signed a deal to open a huge new production facility after acquiring 114 acres of land there. IM Properties' development director Richard Lawrence added: "Providing the local community with an amenity space and hub for the scheme is part of our placemaking strategy on Peddimore which fits in with our sustainable futures vision focusing on people, planet and place. "The Padel Club concept appealed to us because it is fresh, exciting and accessible. The facilities are designed to encourage people to stay afterwards, socialise and build a community of like-minded individuals.

New owners of former Hilton hotel in North Wales

2025-04-27 04:17:09

The new owners and name of the former Hilton hotel in North Wales have been confirmed. Hilton Garden Inn hotel opened in 2021 next to the surf lagoon at Adventure Park Snowdonia, Dolgarrog. The Ainscough family invested millions into the site and both schemes were backed by around £8m of Welsh Government grant funding. The surf lagoon closed in the summer of 2023 after a series of mechanical failures. But the hotel site - owned by Snowdonia Hotel Ltd - continued to operate under the Hilton branding. Last month Begbies Traynor were confirmed as administrator of Snowdonia Hotel with a pre-pack sale agreed and staff transferred to the new owner. It has been confirmed the sale was to Interesting Hotels for an undisclosed sum, with Enterprise Hotels and Hospitality advising on the deal. The freehold hotel was purchased unbranded and features 106 guest bedrooms. It has now been renamed as IXORA Hotel and Spa. Interesting Hotels Group's portfolio includes Chateau Rhianfa in Anglesey, Hawkstone Park in Shropshire, Poets House Hotel and Restaurant in Ely, Llangoed Hall in Powys and The Swan at Hay in Herefordshire. Gavin Wright, founder of Enterprise Hotels and Hospitality, said: "This was an exceptional opportunity to acquire a newly built hotel and spa fitted to an excellent standard near the Snowdonia(Eryri) National Park, which attracts nearly four million people every year. "The hotel has been successfully acquired by Interesting Hotels, who completed the transaction within just a three week period. The hotel has been renamed IXORA Hotel and Spa and adds to Interesting Hotels' existing portfolio, which includes three other hotels in Wales."

The English Marquee Company seals six-figure funding package

2025-05-18 08:37:18

A Yorkshire company that supplies marquees to exclusive events around the UK has secured a six-figure funding package. The English Marquee Company, based in Ripon, was launched in 2018 by brother and sister Sam and Tor Peters after they spotted a gap in the market for marquee hire, and the company now employs around 30 staff. Now, to take the business to the next level, the company has secured the significant sum from NPIF II – Mercia Debt Finance, which is managed by Mercia Debt as part of the Northern Powerhouse Investment Fund II (NPIF II), to add a new structure to its range. The 500 sq ft marquee, known as the Nord, can hold 350 people and is currently installed at a high-profile private members’ club and hotel in the Cotswolds. The Nord has been made to the company’s own specification and consists of glass panels with a glulam frame – a wood product that is a more sustainable alternative to steel. It is one of a growing number of marquees that the business offers, alongside its glass orangeries, pagodas, glass marquees and more traditional pole tent range. The company provides structures for everything from small garden parties to lavish weddings and major corporate events, with customers including Newby Hall and Grantley Hall in Yorkshire, as well as high-net worth individuals and leading event planners. Tor Peters, founder and director, said: “In recent years, particularly since the pandemic, both businesses and individuals have placed greater value on bringing people together, creating connections and crafting unforgettable experiences. Our marquees provide an exceptional centrepiece or backdrop to any event. “We pride ourselves on our stunning range, our responsive customer service and our ability to transform even the most challenging, hard to access sites. This latest funding from Mercia and NPIF allows us to add another innovative marquee to our range in line with our aim to create the most sought-after event spaces.” Andy Clough of Mercia Debt said: “Sam and Tor had a vision to take marquee hire to a new level and create the most spectacular events spaces. The business has been growing exponentially and is now the go-to supplier for elite event planners and private clients. Mercia and NPIF have provided several rounds of funding to help them build their product range and are pleased to have played a part in their success.”

The ambitious plans to transform Swansea's beachfront Civic Centre site

2025-04-29 04:30:04

Plans to transform Swansea's beachfront Civic Centre and six other sites in the city have been unveiled. Regeneration specialist Urban Splash envisages restaurants, cafes and bars on the ground floor of the Civic Centre and flats and potentially a hotel above. A two-storey aquarium featuring marine life on the ground floor and digital and educational displays above is also proposed. Urban Splash would also like to make more of the green space between the building and promenade. Ideas include outdoor markets, theatre and screenings. It doesn't end there. The Civic Centre site straddles 23 acres and new blocks of flats feature in the drawings. New leisure and cultural uses, making the most of the waterfront location, also form part of the thinking. The Civic Centre was built in the 1980s and is home to Swansea Council employees, the central library and West Glamorgan Archive Service. The council is relocating staff and the library and archives will move to the former BHS store on Oxford Street. Urban Splash - appointed as strategic partner by the council in 2021 - set out sketches for the seven sites under the banner of City on the Beach at an event on December 4 and said it would like to hear from the business sector and public. Jonathan Falkingham, the company's co-founder, said there had been suggestions initially that the Civic Centre could be knocked down, but that's not the case now. "The building is really well made," he said. "We think it's robust, and it's very adaptable. The upper floors are very flexible. We genuinely think we've got some really exciting uses for the building." He added that asbestos and concrete surveys had been carried out. "We are fairly comfortable," he said. Urban Splash development director David Warburton said the Civic Centre site with its 550m of waterfront had space for potentially 500 to 600 new homes. The Civic Centre isn't everyone's cup of tea architecture-wise, which Mr Warburton alluded to when addressing an audience at The Green Room Bar and Kitchen by Swansea Arena. "Our job is to make you fall back in love with the Civic Centre," he said. It's too early to say when work would start though, and planning permission would be required. Urban Splash is further advanced on another of the seven sites - a chunk of land from St David's multi-storey car park to St Mary's Square. Detailed planning permission has been given for a five-storey public sector office hub and there is outline consent for further development alongside. The current thinking is an office-led quarter featuring five additional blocks with ground floor commercial space, and a refurbished former Iceland building with some retail use. Mr Warburton said work was expected to start on the public sector hub next summer. Urban Splash, along with partners it has brought on board, is also working on plans for around 160 homes surrounded by greenery by the River Tawe in St Thomas. The other four plots it wants to redevelop are at Hafod-Morfa Copperworks, land on the Sainsbury's side of the Sailbridge, open space behind The Observatory cafe at Swansea Marina, and what is now the Oxford Street car park opposite the Grand Theatre. There would be a mix of new homes, heritage, leisure and commercial uses. Mr Falkingham lived in Swansea for four years as a teenager before going on to qualify as an architect, and said its waterfront location combined with its small scale and proximity to Gower to the west and Bannau Brycheiniog to the north-east made it very appealing to live and work in. He said he was also impressed by the council's ambition and investment in city centre projects such as the new arena. Mr Warburton said: "What really clinched it was they (the council) have moved beyond the rhetoric and actually started to deliver." Asked whether there would be demand for the new office space planned at the St David's site, Mr Falkingham said he believed this was the case. He said: "The Welsh Government say they have enquiries coming in all the time for Swansea, but there's nowhere for them to go." He added: "Businesses are now more discerning about what space they take. They want it to be good quality, well-connected, not stuck in an enterprise park." Public sector finance might well be needed to make the office quarter a reality, and it could face some competition from the almost-completed office block on The Kingsway, the new Princess Quarter scheme on Princess Way, and the refurbished Palace Theatre near the railway station. Mr Falkingham said Urban Splash has been talking to many people about its regeneration plans for the seven sites. Its City on the Beach brochure outlining its vision, he said, was "a gestation of a lot of those conversations". He added: "This is an opportunity to engage more widely. The more ideas, the more engagement from people in the city, the better." Mr Warburton added: "We are in this for the long term, for at least 20 years."

Cosy Club opening its first restaurant in Swansea

2025-05-17 16:13:32

Cosy Club is to open its first venue in Swansea. The restaurant brand , part of hospitality group Loungers, has agreed a long-term lease for its latest venue at the historic Exchange Building at the city’s Maritime Quarter. Located on the building’s ground floor, Cosy Club is aiming to start trading in the first half of 2025. It will be its third restaurant in Wales alongside two existing venues in Cardiff. It has entered into a 20-year lease for 8,000 sq ft of space. The rent per sq ft has not been disclosed. As part of a wider development of the building and the adjoining Post House, it will also become the latest project in the city from hotels group, The Morgans Collection, with plans for a 80 plus bedroom boutique hotel. The Morgans Collection forms part of investment company Swansea.com, whose interests range from hotels to business parks, as well as holding a small equity stake in Swansea City FC. Swansea.com acquired the 40,000 sq ft Exchange Building and the adjoining 25,000 sq ft Post House in 2009. Managing director of Swansea.com, Jacob Hughes,, said: “I am delighted to announce that we have exchanged contracts with Cosy Club, part of Loungers plc. "Cosy Club is a fantastic with only 36 sites in the UK. We are happy to be involved in bringing the brand to Swansea. They are looking to open in the middle of 2025 after both landlord and tenant undertake a substantial investment into the building." Glanmor Chartered Surveyors acted for Swansea.com on the letting deal. Loungers’ other brands include Lounge and Brightside. Across its brands it has more than 270 venues in the UK.

Work starts on £30m industrial project

2025-05-06 09:22:24

Work has started on a new £30 million development for a paper company. Birmingham-based commercial property developer Stoford is leading the scheme in Wolverhampton on behalf of Task Consumer Products. The 210,000 sq ft project will expand Task's operations within a single 18-acre site on Citygate Park, in Stafford Road. It comprises an 83,500 sq ft extension to Task Consumer Products's existing premises and an adjacent new build development of 125,000 sq ft. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. The family-owned business, which was founded in 2007, is a paper converter, making toilet rolls, kitchen towels and other paper products. The new headquarters will deliver purpose-built warehousing and distribution space, and support existing and expanded lines of production. It is expected to create up to 50 new jobs when completed. Stoford has appointed Bromsgrove-based construction company Benniman as main contractor for the redevelopment. It is carrying out remediation works on the brownfield site and has already completed demolition of a vacant building to create space for the new unit. The full project is programmed for completion in August. Task Consumer Products director Nikul Patel said: "We are very pleased to see that the main build works are progressing well. "This development is central to our company's growth and expansion plans and will deliver the additional space we need to increase production and streamline our operations. It's an exciting chapter and we look forward to seeing our vision come to life." Dan Gallagher, joint managing director of Stoford, added: "It's exciting to see the start of construction work on site. "This is a multi-phased project on land which was historically used for landfill so we've had to carry out extensive remediation and demolition works in readiness for the new development.

Trio of lease deals at Birmingham office block

2025-04-22 12:59:07

A trio of new lettings have been secured at Birmingham city centre office building. Dutch software company Total Specific Solutions has agreed a three-year lease for a suite in The White House, New Street, marking the company's second office in Birmingham. The new location will house its mergers and acquisitions team which focuses on sourcing software acquisitions and will also serve as a collaborative hub for remote employees. The firm said it planned to create additional jobs in Birmingham this year as part of its ongoing expansion. Corporate development lead Fraser Burns said: "We chose to make the move to a more private and spacious office with a professional feel where we can invite customers and software business owners alike. "Our future ambition includes growing the team and using Birmingham as a base for employees to visit and work from, whether they are based in the city or elsewhere." Also moving to the building are commercial law firm Glaisyers ETL, which has signed a five-year lease for a first floor office, and Baron Davenport's Charity which has secured a ten-year lease and is set to take occupation in February. The seven-storey building is owned by Birmingham-based property group Hortons. Asset manager Harry Young said: "The White House continues to attract a diverse range of high-profile tenants, thanks to its prominent location and historic charm.

Hull Kingston Rovers reveal job-creating sports campus plans that have major retailer interest

2025-05-08 01:38:30

Bosses at Hull Kingston Rovers have put forward plans for a new 'sports campus' on land near the club's Sewell Group Craven Park stadium. Heads of terms have already been signed with what are described as two large retailers who the club says have the potential to bring more than 100 jobs to the site to the east of Craven Park. The plans also include space for small businesses, green space and community facilities including the existing Waudby Centre, across 15 acres of land which the Super League club has an option to buy from Hull City Council. Paul Sewell, chairman of Rovers, said: "The vision is a sports campus. It will be the cornerstone of our plans for the future and will build on the potential of other projects which we have already delivered and which are creating a legacy for the community. We will be going for planning permission in the spring and we are encouraged by the response to the pre-application process. We aim to have spades in the ground within a few months of permission being granted." Dr Sewell, who is also chair of Hull-based Sewell Group, was appointed club chair after his business secured a deal for the naming rights of Craven Park in 2022. He is leading a new board which includes the co-founder of MKM Building Supplies, David Kilburn; managing director of London-based Oil Brokerage Ltd, James McNicol and director of professional services at Sewell Group, Becky Oughtibridge. Investment into the club has included the launch of a 3G community pitch last month and an extension to the east stand that will be ready for the new season. The stadium is also set to host pop megastars Coldplay for two gigs in August this year - the band's only shows outside of London. In tandem with the sports campus plans, the board has also launched the Hull Kingston Rovers Business Academy which will run a development programme starting this month.

New use for landmark former bank building in Ellesmere Port

2025-05-01 00:10:44

Plans to transform the upper levels of a prominent former bank building in Ellesmere Port into a house of multiple occupancy (HMO) have been approved. The property on Station Road, whose ground floor was most recently home to William Hill and is situated at the Westminster Road junction, will see its first and second floors redeveloped into five one-bedroom flats. The ground floor is not included in the development plans. Previously utilised as office space, these upper floors are part of a building that, while locally listed like the nearby derelict Station Hotel pub, lacks the statutory protection of a Grade II listing. The building's origins trace back to its days as a bank before it became a bookmakers in the 1980s. Zuwin Properties, the developer behind the HMO project, has received the green light from Cheshire West and Chester Council, reports Cheshire Live. Case officer Lee Talbot endorsed the proposal in his report, noting: "The subject building is a former bank building located on Station Road, within the settlement of Ellesmere Port. The subject building is within the designated Westminster local retail centre, and is a Locally Listed Building. "The upper floors of the building were last used as offices in association with a previous betting shop use on the ground floor. The application proposes the conversion of the first and second floor to HMO units, with single storey extension to create a bike store and replacement windows (UPVC as per existing)." He concluded: "In summary, the site is located within the settlement boundary where new residential development is accepted in principle. Subject to the conditions set out below and taking into account the provisions of the development plan and all other material planning considerations, it is recommended that planning permission be granted."

Green works at Black Country logistics hub

2025-05-20 09:10:45

Improvement works on a logistics hub in the Black Country have been completed. Masterfreight is leading the scheme on AMK House, in West Bromwich Street, Oldbury, which is aiming to improve the green credentials of the company's operations there. The work comprises new insulated cladding and improving roof height to aid in the fitting of solar panels. Masterfreight specialises in the import and export of cargo as well as offering warehousing facilities. Its services include HM Customs clearance from major ports, transport to and from all seaports, airports and rail terminals, container unloading and warehouse storage. The family-run business has been trading for more than 20 years and employs more than 25 people, with new roles expected to be created in the coming months. Director Kishore Balu runs the business alongside his wife Surinder and children Alisha and Tony. He said: "The improvements we have made to AMK House support many of our long-term business goals around efficiency and climate." The work by Masterfreight was supported by a £2.74 million funding package from NatWest and the bank's asset finance partner Lombard. David Humphreys, senior relationship manager at NatWest, added: "We are proud to be supporting Masterfreight as it pushes forward with its business growth plans and climate efficiency strategy.

Multimillion-pound deal struck for 14-acre Hull industrial site

2025-05-16 06:54:05

A prime 14-acre site in the heart of Hull’s industrial, manufacturing and renewables sector has been sold in a multimillion-pound deal. The Century Yard site has been snapped up by BVG Property Investments in a deal describing it as “a land of opportunity” for its new owners. The plot, measuring 5.75 hectares, sits opposite the Green Port Hull site, where Siemens, alongside Associated British Ports (ABP) and Hull City Council, have invested more than £300m into creating wealth and employment for the region – a move giving rise to hopes that similar success can now be mirrored at Century Yard. Commercial property specialists Garness Jones have overseen the deal for the sprawling industrial site. Managing director David Garness said: “This has been a very pleasing deal to be involved with at Garness Jones as it is rare for the freehold of a site of this size, in a location of such strategic importance to the region with regards to its proximity to the dock facilities, Green Port Hull and other major businesses, to become available on the market. “Having gone to market an excellent price was secured for the vendor, and it really is a land of opportunity for BVG Property Investments, an expanding commercial property company who now have this site which has more than seven acres still undeveloped.” BVG Property Investments has now also instructed Garness Jones to act in an advisory role to help develop the site. Mr Garness said: “We are delighted that the new owners have asked us to work in partnership with them moving forward to make sure their investment is maximized, along with providing support on a number of other property projects. Not only have they purchased a site which is already home to a number of businesses and generating excellent rental income from tenants, but one which is at the nerve centre of many growing industries in our region. “It is a prime spot to attract businesses looking at what is happening in Hull and the East Riding and considering investing in the region, at a time when we are set to benefit from further growth as a result of the recently agreed £400m devolution deal.

Software firms expands presence on business park

2025-05-15 17:03:05

A tech firm has expanded its base in the West Midlands. Widgit Software was based on the first floor of Bishops House, on Tachbrook Park in Leamington Spa, but has now expanded to take on the whole of the ground floor as well. Widgit is a software company that has worked in the field of symbols-based communication for more than four decades. Commercial property agency Bromwich Hardy acted on the deal on behalf of landlord the Independent Association of Prep Schools. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Managing partner Tom Bromwich said: "We are delighted to have been able to work with Widgit Software, a long-running Leamington company, to enable its expansion. "The deal sees Widgit secure a five-year lease on the first and ground floors of Bishops House with the use of 40 spaces in the building's car park. The new lease is on a fully effective repairing and insuring basis." Law firms Rollasons and Mann & Co also acted on the deal. In separate news, a freehold trade counter unit on Tachbrook Park has been acquired by Bromwich Hardy on behalf of a private investor. The building, currently configured as a trade counter and warehouse unit, extends to around 15,857 sq ft plus a mezzanine floor of around 2,757 sq ft. Mr Browwich added: "The industrial property investment market is strong at present as investors seek a secure home with solid returns for their funds. "The speed with which we were able to complete the acquisition is testimony to the strength of the West Midlands industrial market."

Angry residents told their objections to controversial office-to-residential plans are 'not applicable'

2025-04-25 05:53:06

Residents living near the Sale Point office block in Sale have been told that their objections to its conversion into 80 apartments 'are not applicable'. The locals, who live adjacent to the six-storey building on the A56 Washway Road - a key route from Altrincham into Manchester - argue that the development will exacerbate existing traffic and parking issues. They have also expressed concerns about the ability of local schools and doctors' surgeries to accommodate the influx of new residents. The plans to transform the 1970s building are currently under review by Trafford council's planning officers. However, as the conversion falls under 'permitted development' regulations, the decision will be made by planning officers, not the borough's planning committee. The final decision is still pending. In this week's committee meeting, a separate application was approved for the replacement of all windows and frames at Sale Point, additional window openings, and the installation of Juliette balconies, seemingly paving the way for the eventual approval of the conversion. Despite this, 15 letters of objection were received from neighbouring residents, highlighting concerns over the impact on the highway network, local services such as doctors' surgeries and schools, and ongoing parking issues. Nevertheless, a report to the committee stated that the applicant, Blueoak Estates Ltd's plan, was 'in line with local, regional and national policies', reports the Manchester Evening News. "The proposal is considered to have been designed appropriately and will not have any unacceptable impact on the amenity and quality of life of adjacent residents," the statement read. Trafford's major projects planning officer, Sarah Lowes, informed councillors of a 'separate and pending' change-of-use application from office to residential that falls under 'nationally set permitted development rights', which officers have 'fully delegated' authority to decide upon. Councillor Simon Thomas highlighted that the ongoing use of the building wasn't being scrutinised by the planning committee. "I can see no reason, without much debate, why we can't agree with the officers' recommendation to approve it," he said. Councillor Mike Cordingley concurred, but added: "I can understand why the residents feel that the planning system isn't working for them. I can see why they've objected. Those objections are not applicable to this application, and so we're doing the right thing by allowing it. "But that doesn't remove the feeling of unease that this is not working for them and that they've got an opinion that needs to be heard. I'm just putting it on record, that I hear what they're saying." During discussions earlier in the day with the Local Democracy Reporting Service, residents expressed their concerns. A resident of Westbourne Grove, who chose to remain anonymous, said "The major issue here is around parking. There are not going to be anywhere near enough parking spaces for the people living in that block." Discussing past difficulties before residential parking permits and a two-hour waiting restriction were introduced, they said these measures were necessary due to 'a lot of problems'. Another local voiced frustrations, commenting: "The traffic around here is horrendous. We feel like we are prisoners here sometimes." Residents from surrounding streets including Westgate, Walnut Grove, Barkers Lane, and St Mary's Road also lodged complaints. A Westgate inhabitant was apprehensive about privacy, stating: "We will be overlooked directly by the apartments. They will be able to look directly into our rooms and gardens. There will also be an increase in illegal and obstructive parking. "There are already difficulties getting out of the Barkers Lane/Washway Road junction. There is also limited capacity for local schools and GPs."

Cornwall's Watergate Bay Hotel given green light for redevelopment

2025-05-03 02:03:15

A Cornwall hotel is set to undergo major redevelopment after plans received the green light from the local authority. Proposals for Watergate Bay Hotel, centring on the overhaul of the former Tregurrian Hotel site, were shaped through consultations with local residents, communities and statutory bodies, and will be delivered in up to three phases over several years. The intention is to enhance accessibility and enjoyment of the beach area for both visitors and locals. Once complete, the site of the former Tregurrian Hotel will see the emergence of the new Watergate Bay Beach Club, expanding the existing hotel's wellbeing offerings. Facilities will include a swimming pool, gym, studios, treatment rooms, and a wellness zone dedicated to the hotel staff’s welfare. The development will also have multi-room apartments. A permanent timber-built food pavilion designed to showcase local, independent food and drink enterprises is set to replace the present temporary shipping containers across from the hotel, creating a dedicated spot for "street food by the sea", reports Cornwall Live. A small convenience shop, identified as a significant need through public consultation, will be added to the development. Alongside this, 12 beach loft hotel suites will be constructed closer to the beach and built into the natural contours of the hill, complete with grass roofs and designed in harmony with the surrounding cliffs and beach below, according to the company. A new walkway will connect these structures to the main Watergate Bay Hotel building. The company also plans to improve pedestrian safety and accessibility, following an in-depth road safety audit by Cornwall Council contractor Cormac. Proposals also include a new landscaped car parking area, which the business says will blend into the natural surroundings and enhance the bay's accessibility for the future. Minimising environmental impact was kept front of mind throughout the application process, it added. Will Ashworth, executive director of Watergate Bay Hotel, said: "Having listened to our neighbours, partners and local community, we are today announcing that our plans have been approved. We thank everyone for their input in this process as their views have helped evolve our vision, which will secure the sustainability and accessibility of Watergate Bay for the future – as well as maximise enjoyment of the Bay for everyone."

Landsec buys majority stake in Liverpool One shopping centre for £490m

2025-05-13 15:20:20

Property giant Landsec has acquired a controlling stake of 92 per cent in Liverpool’s largest shopping destination, Liverpool One, as part of its strategy to expand its retail portfolio. The company purchased the stakes from the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (Adia), which owned 69 per cent, and Grosvenor, which held 23 per cent, for a total of £490m. This acquisition follows months of negotiations, with Adia previously withdrawing from a £350m deal to sell its stake in Liverpool One to Landsec earlier this year. With this latest addition, Landsec's retail portfolio now encompasses seven of the top 30 centres in the UK, including Trinity Leeds and Bluewater in Stone, Kent, as reported by City AM. Landsec CEO Mark Allan expressed his delight at the purchase, stating it was an opportunity for the firm to capitalise on the trend towards high-quality physical retail spaces. "The top one per cent of the UK’s shopping destinations provide brands with access to 30 per cent of all in-store retail spend, which is why we continue to see brands focus on fewer, but bigger and better stores in the best locations," he said. "As such I am delighted that we have added another top-ten centre with a highly attractive return profile." Earlier this year, Landsec returned to profitability following a rebound in occupancy and rental income in London, again highlighting a particular trend from brands towards fewer, larger and superior stores, with "significant upsizes and lettings" from leading brands such as Primark, Pull&Bear, Bershka, Sephora and JD Sports. James Raynor, CEO of Grosvenor, commented: "[Liverpool one is] not only one of the most remarkable regeneration stories, re-defining what long-term investment and partnership can achieve, it continues to be one of the UK’s most successful retail and leisure destinations."

GSF launches new national hub set to create 400 jobs

2025-04-24 09:05:51

Motor factor GSF Car Parts has opened its new National Distribution Centre which is set to create 400 jobs. The facility near Wolverhampton covers 500,000 sq ft and serves as the central logistics hub, modernising the company's supply chain infrastructure and streamlining delivery processes into its UK network of 194 branches. GSF, which is headquartered in Minworth, said the new base in the Four Ashes area was designed for future scalability as it is expandable to up to 750,000 sq ft of space with a mezzanine. The site includes office space, logistics capabilities with 58 docks, eight loading doors and nearly 700 parking spaces for cars and HGVs. This news comes off the back of a year of growth for the car part distributor, with sales year-on-year up by more than 22 per cent so far in 2024, it said. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Chief executive Steve Horne said: "The opening of our National Distribution Centre is a landmark moment for GSF Car Parts. "For years, we recognised the need for a centralised facility to elevate our service and now that vision is a reality. "Located in an ideal, central position, this facility empowers us to deliver exceptional service and product availability to our customers. "The National Distribution Centre will ensure branches have more products on the shelf and will remove lots of time-consuming processes so our network can focus on serving the customer. "It is the flagship of a broader investment programme that's transforming GSF Car Parts at every level. "It doesn't just enable us to serve customers better, it also creates a host of jobs across the West Midlands and beyond, reflecting our commitment to invest in the growth and success of our branch teams." Last year, the business welcomed fresh investment from private equity firm Epiris which backed the business alongside the Ahluwalia family office. Chairman Sukhpal Ahluwalia added: "The centre will be an absolute gamechanger for GSF and the industry. "GSF has desperately needed a central distribution centre for years but similar projects under past owners have been met with false starts. "As soon as we acquired the business last year, we knew we needed to get it done - no ifs, no buts. We made the commitment and we delivered.

Revamp project for office block ahead of sale

2025-05-16 04:25:55

An office block has undergone a refurbishment project ahead of being placed on the market for £19 million. Investment fund Clearbell Property Partners has led the revamp of Radcliffe House, in Solihull town centre. The 60,675 sq ft has been refurbished to a grade A specification, including new heating and cooling systems, LED lighting, raised access floors and a new-look reception. Radcliffe House, and its sister building Chadwick House, make up the 146,000 sq ft Blenheim Court office complex, in Warwick Road, which also has a shared car park, landscaped gardens and a separate grade II-listed nursery fronting Warwick Road. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Its tenant mix includes finance firm Legal & General, law practice Shakespeare Martineau and sports better and gaming Flutter. Clearbell Property Partners is a fund managed by London-based private equity real estate and advisory business Clearbell Capital and it has appointed agency Savills to manage the freehold sale. Rhys Jones, asset manager at Clearbell Capital, said: "The refurbishment of Radcliffe House marks a significant milestone for this highly sought-after office scheme in the heart of Solihull.

RTC North become latest tenant for The Catalyst

2025-05-10 10:17:25

Business support organisation RTC North has become the latest to take space in the Newcastle city centre innovation centre The Catalyst. The business growth, innovation and skills agency, which has bases in Sunderland, Leeds and Daresbury, says the new location brings opportunities for growth and development. It puts RTC North at the heart of the Helix site, among other businesses and research bodies, and the move is said to be part of its strategy to increase its client base by embedding itself into key locations across the north. Sarah Hart, RTC's director of operations, said: "We are thrilled to announce our new office space at The Catalyst in Newcastle city centre. The Catalyst offers an inspiring environment that fosters collaboration and creativity, which aligns perfectly with our vision for the future. We’re excited about the potential this new location brings for growth and development, and we look forward to contributing to and benefiting from the vibrant community at The Catalyst." Amelia Findlay, centre manager at The Catalyst said: “We’re excited to welcome the RTC North team to The Catalyst and support them as they settle in. We’re a space for growth, with our tenants always working to develop new products and services. Our supportive centre team and bespoke facilities will help make RTC North really feel at home here, and we look forward to seeing the business thrive.” The Catalyst is home to the UK’s National Innovation Centre for Ageing and the National Innovation Centre for Data, both of which are hosted and funded by Newcastle University in partnership with the Government. RTC joins other tenants including virtual reality simulation training specialist VRAI, independent living tech company Circadacare and biotechnology firm HexisLab.