Move Commercial 19

MOVECOMMERCIAL

Sept-Oct 2010LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESTER MANCHESTER

The north-west’s guide to property and business Issue 19

INDIA BUILDINGSA landmark transformed

SIMON ARORAB&M’s soaring success

FIGHTING TALKThe power of the town centre

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I N D I A B U I L D I N G SLIVERPOOL

I N D I A - B U I L D I N G S . C O M

A DEVELOPMENT BY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

MARK [email protected]

0151 224 7666

GREENPROPERTY

DAVID [email protected]

Suite 291 2nd Floor India Buildings Water Street Liverpool L2 OXF

Matthews& Goodman0151 236 8732

A TRANSFORMATION IS HAPPENING AT ONE OF LIVERPOOL’S GREATEST AND MOST PRESTIGIOUS LANDMARK BUILDINGS — WITH SUITES AND WHOLE FLOORS UP TO

35,000 SQ FT

THIS MAGNIFICENT BUILDING, OCCUPYING AN ENTIRE BLOCK, IS A PREMIUM OFFICE OPPORTUNITY IN CENTRAL LIVERPOOL

The eight upper floors provide a range from 200 sq ft (18.5 sq m) to 35,000 sq ft (3,251 sq m). Each bespoke office area can be refurbished to the highest modern standards, with specification options including fully accessible raised floors, metal tiled suspended ceilings with recessed LG3 compliant light fittings, and a clear height of over 2.8m in the office areas.

Full floor occupiers can incorporate personalised receptions, creating a modern, high-impact arrival in contrast to the building’s classic jewelled entry lobbies. A high standard service offers 24-hour security, in-house maintenance, conference and meeting facilities and underground car parking.

Alternative specification showing exposed ceilings.

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TO LET

RETAILGround Floor Retail Unit - 1,372 sq ft

Basement storage also available.

OFFICESThird and Fourth Floor Offices - 2,194 to 4,614 sq ftBrand new purpose built accommodation ready for immediate occupation.

135 Hanover Street /24 School Lane, Liverpool L1

Iconic landmark buildingRETAILContact: Matt Vercell

Email: [email protected]

OFFICESContact: Jon Swain

Email: [email protected]

Mason & Partners The Corn Exchange, Brunswick Street, Liverpool L2 0PJ

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To let / for sale new build industrial units6,775 – 12,091 sq ftKnowsley

www.langtreegroupplc.co.uk/alchemy

- Contemporary design

- Fully fi tted fi rst fl oor offi ces including carpeting, lighting and central heating

- Heating and lighting to warehouse

- Planning for B1, B2 and B8 uses

The Alchemy development is transforming bare land into one of the region’s shining commercial schemes.93,107 sq ft have already been built with future phases to include design and build warehousing up to 300,000 sq ft together with a potential hotel and leisure related scheme.

Units benefi t from the following specifi cations

For enquiries contact:

Last

2 unitsremaining!!

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Issue nineteen Move Commercial

Welcome to Move Commercial

Contents

28

07 08

Tourism and retail, two key drivers in Liverpool’s economicfuture, are considered this issue when our lunch debateguests discuss the importance of the city’s World HeritageStatus. We also interview Simon Arora, managing director ofthe rapidly expanding chain, B & M Stores. In addition steeringthe city toward its inaugural boat show, David Beard ofHarbourside Marina plc shares his thoughts on his waterbased aspirations for the region. With everyone’s thoughtsvery much focused on the impending October spending

review we look at the state of capital projects in the regionand ask a panel of local business minds what their hopes are.We’re back on the high to take a look at how town centres

are fighting back, to hopefully share in some of the retailsuccess story that has been Liverpool One. A roundup ofcommercial property news this issues reveals that newoccupiers, planning go-aheads, development work, businessexpansion and growth continue despite the hardenedeconomic times we all face.

move publishing ltdAdvertising DirectorFiona Barnet Tel 0151 709 3871Account ManagerJo Tait Tel 0151 709 3871Editorial TeamLucy Oliver and Jonathan KearneyEmail [email protected] 0151 709 3871

DesignerRob Whyte. Email [email protected] by Move Publishing LtdDirectorsDavid O’Brien, Kim O’Brien, Fiona BarnetPrinted by Precision Colour Printers LtdDistribution Liaison ManagerBarbara TroughtonTel 0151 733 5492 Mobile 077148 14662

Copyright Move Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form orby any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publishers written permission.Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Move Publishing can accept no responsibility forthe veracity of the claims made by advertisers.

News06 Work continues at New Brighton07 Wirral Waters update08 Eco success09 Everyman on plan13 MSB open commercial arm14 New tenants arrive15 JLA numbers soar16 Green light for £25m scheme17 New occupiers East Manchester18 Office with a view

Features11 Bitesize Thinking

Food for thought24 Mover & Shaker

Nick Kavanagh leads regeneration in Knowsley

26 Founding FatherDavid Beard a developerwith a difference

28 Capital project updateImpact of budget cuts regionally

30 EntrepreneurSimon Arora on rapidretail expansion

33 Lunch debateHow important is Liverpool’s World Heritage Status

39 FocusTown centre fight back

44 Rising StarNext move for Phil Warren, Warmer Heating

46 Ask the PanelHope for October’sspending review

Key Events21 India buildings re-launch

Historic site gets revamp30

CreditsMediaCityUK news © Peel Media.

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MOVE COMMERCIAL6

News Move Commercial

Work on 14 hectare site completed in New BrightonRedevelopment of seafront continues

WIRRAL Council has regainedcontrol of New Brighton’sredeveloped waterfront. An unveilingceremony took place followingNeptune Developments’ completionof the public realm works. The 14hectare seafront development

includes a new model boating lakeand car park, a new promenade,improved seating and lighting. TheMarine Lake has been drained,refurbished and re-filled. The schemehas benefited from £3.9m from theNorthwest Regional Development

Agency which will enable NeptuneDevelopments and Wirral Council totake forward Phase 2 of thedevelopment, including a new retailand leisure amenities. Rob Mason,development director at Neptune,commented: “The completion of this

scheme complements the work wehave already done with the £11m newFloral Pavilion theatre andconference centre. We are nowlooking forward to progressing withrest of Phase 2 of the plannedimprovements for New Brighton.”

LIVERPOOL’S BASCULE BRIDGE hasbeen re-opened to traffic. The 78-year-old structure on Regent Road had beenclosed for repair since May 2008 andwas subsequently condemned due tonatural corrosion. Bridge owners Peelhas since worked with the council’sHeritage and Highways Departments torepair the landmark. The bridge is theonly surviving example of a rolling

Bascule lifting bridge in Liverpool and ispart of the Stanley Dock ConservationArea and World Heritage designation.Lindsey Ashworth, DevelopmentDirector at Peel said, “Peel takes veryseriously the preservation of any historicelements within its ownership and thisdemonstrates our commitment toretaining such impressive engineeringstructures where practical to do so.”

Ribbon cut onStanley Dock bridgeGateway to Liverpool city centre re-opened

New Brighton

Bascule Bridge

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Move Commercial News

Wirral providesgo-ahead for£4.5bn schemeA £4.5BN dockland developmentwas granted approval by WirralCouncil’s planning committee at thebeginning of August. Peel’s 18million sq ft Wirral Waters schemerepresents the largest urbanregeneration project in the UK andforms half of the wider Peel Watersproject, spanning either side of theRiver Mersey. Wirral Waters willtransform the currently derelictbrownfield land within East Float at

Birkenhead Docks into a mixed useoffer over the course of a 30 yearproject, which is expected to createmore than 20,000 new jobs in thearea. Despite providing the initialgo-ahead for the scheme the councilhas referred the development to theGovernment due to its scale. CllrAndrew Hodgson, cabinet memberfor regeneration and planningstrategy, commented: “Membersand Officers of Wirral Council have

been working closely with Peel foralmost four years to ensure that thebenefits and opportunities of such ascheme can be maximised for allcommunities. Due to the scale ofthe application it will be referred toGovernment for them to consider.It is hoped that work will start onsite within the next two years andofficers of the Council will continueto work with Peel as we move intothe development phase.”

Work on Wirral Waters could start within 2 years

KNOWSLEY Council’s director ofregeneration, economy and skills is tospend around three days a weekdriving Liverpool City Council’sregeneration agenda forward. Thecouncil’s have entered into the uniquearrangement as a temporary measure.Nick Kavanagh, who joined KnowsleyCouncil in 1985, commented: “Workingacross two councils is still a relativelynew idea and for that reason offers ahugely exciting challenge. I will beworking hard to ensure that my timeis spent driving the two councils’regeneration agendas and ensuringthat they are aligned for the on-goingbenefit of the city region. Who knowshow this might affect the waycouncils work across the region?Working together in partnership willoffer advantages to bothorganisations and this is an idealopportunity to really put that intoaction.” Liverpool City Council leaderJoe Anderson commented: “As werestructure, to make our council aleaner, more efficient organisation, Iam determined that the momentumof our regeneration work does notfalter by tapping into the talent thatwe have across the city region.” NickKavanagh was appointed asKnowsley’s director of regeneration,economy and skills in 2009.

Job sharefor regen’chief Nick Kavanagh tohead up Liverpoolregeneration

Nick Kavanagh

CGI of Wirral Waters

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MOVE COMMERCIAL8


PEEL has acquired the HolidayInn Express at Liverpool JLAfrom Centre Island. The moveis part of Peel Leisure`sstrategy of owning andoperating hotels in andaround the Peel Group’s otherbusiness interests and is in

keeping with Centre Island'sown continuing strategy tofocus on large town centreand city centre hoteldevelopments. Peel recentlyannounced their Holiday Innat MediaCity in Salford willopen in October this year. The

Salford Quays facility willoffer 218 bedrooms, a gym,meeting and dining facilitiesat the MediaCity site. BryanGray, chairman of Peel Media,commented: “The Holiday Innat MediaCityUK is adjacent tothe largest new studios in

Europe, making it a realconvenience for TV and filmprofessionals using thefacilities. In addition it offersvisitors to Manchester andSalford Quays excellent valueaccommodation in a vibrantwaterfront environment”.

Development begins in Childwall New health centre, library and sixth form centre for south Liverpool

Peel stay Inn touchJLA hotel acquisition follows MediaCity announcement

RECYCLING MINISTER LordHenley toured a cutting-edgeelectrical recycling plant nearSt.Helens as part of afamiliarisation drive since hisappointment in May. He asked to see the Viridorsite, in Parr, which wasofficially opened earlier thisyear after a £9m investmentto make it one of the mostadvanced facilities recyclingWaste Electronic andElectrical Equipment (WEEE).

It can process up to 120fridges, 60 TVs and six tonsof discarded householdequipment every hour.Electrical components areseparated for reuse and glass,metals and other recyclablematerials are removed andfurther distributed forrecycling.

Lord Henley said: “WEEE isbecoming a much biggertalking point with retailersand the public, who are nowbeginning to realise what canand must be done tominimise waste to landfill.The technology at thisfacility is highly impressiveand ensures we recoveruseful resources from itemsthat are discarded to benefitthe environment andcontribute to a sustainableapproach to managing waste.”

£9minvestmentpays off

WORK HAS BEGUN on an £8mscheme in Liverpool’s Childwallsuburb. The development includes anew health centre, library and sixthform centre for Childwall SportsCollege. The Childwall PartnershipProject is being developed byLiverpool and Sefton HealthPartnerships on behalf of LiverpoolPrimary Care Trust, Liverpool CityCouncil and the college. Gideon BenTovim, chairman of Liverpool PrimaryCare Trust, commented: “Thisdevelopment is part of Liverpool PCT’scommitment and long-term vision todeliver improved patient care closer topeople’s homes. We know through ourexperience on projects such as thosewe have delivered in Picton, BreezeHill and Everton the difference thesefacilities can make to communities.”

Photo credit: Peel Media

MediaCityUK, Salford Quays

Childwall Partnership Project

St.Helensrecyclingplantimpresseseco-minister

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St Paul’s Squareis top drawA TOPPING out ceremony has beenheld to celebrate the last phase ofthe St Paul’s Square development inLiverpool’s commercial district.Max Steinberg, recently appointedchief executive of Liverpool Vision,led the ceremony in his first publicevent since joining the economicdevelopment company in July,bolting on the final glass fin to thefaçade of the building, at No 4 StPaul’s Square. The 109,000 sq ftbuilding is due for completion inMay 2011, providing multi-let office

premises. Max Steinbergcommented: “A vibrant commercialdistrict is key to continued growthof the city’s economy and the StPaul’s Square development is one ofthe most significant new office-ledschemes in Liverpool city centre fora decade. With the completion ofthis final phase, St Paul’s Squarewill help maintain developmentmomentum and is a reflection ofthe confidence that exists in the citydespite tougher economicconditions. I have no doubt it will

become a vital focal point of thedynamic business quarter we havein Liverpool.” Darran Lawless fromdevelopers English Cities Fundadded: “With the availability ofgrade A office space in Liverpoolshrinking, this final phase of thescheme will provide the City with amarvellous and sustainable place towork. The lettings market has beenslow but Liverpool has bucked thetrend in the past and we’reconfident it will continue to inthe future.”

No 4 due for May 2011 completion

LIVERPOOL COUNCIL has grantedplanning permission for theredevelopment of the city’s EverymanTheatre. The designs, which weresubmitted in May this year, include newincarnations of the Everyman’s 400-seat ‘thrust’ stage auditorium, basementBistro and Everyman signage. Theredevelopment will also include a Youthand Community Space for the theatres’growing work with education andcommunity groups, rehearsal space,workshops and offices for productionstaff and a hub for writers to developtheir work. The £28m redevelopment isscheduled to go on site in 2011 for anexpected 2013 completion. TheEveryman management remainsconfident the redevelopment willprogress, despite the withdrawal of£2.4m Northwest RegionalDevelopment Agency support.Executive director Deborah Aydoncommented: "This is a fantasticendorsement by the City Council and avery positive signal to our stakeholdersand funding partners. It will be a greatboost to ongoing negotiations and helpmaintain the strong momentum of theEveryman redevelopment.”

Green lightfor £28mtheatredevelopmentEverymanconfident ofprogressing withplans

Everyman Theatre

No 4, St Paul’s

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To Let / May SellIndustrial units from 3,800 - 13,000 sq ft

LuminaWirral International Business Park,Bromborough

Lumina features 13 modern commercial buildings where particular attention has been paid to the circulation areas and the quality of the external landscaping and lighting.

• Electronically operated sectional up and over doors 4m x 5m

• First fl oor offi ces (selected units)

• Good parking circulation areas

• Heated by gas warm air blowers to warehouse and gas central heating to offi ce

Units benefi t from the following specifi cations:

For more information on these sites please contact us on 01925 273000 or visit ourwebsite www.langtreegroupplc.co.uk

£2 psf in

your 1st year

(subject to T&Cs)

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Move Commercial Bitesize thinking

If only I'd known…

Jack Stopforth,Chief Executive Liverpool Chamber

Jack Stopforth

Buzzword‘ N O - B R A I N E R ’

Without having to give any thoughtto a no brainer is something thatrequires little mental effort orintelligence to understand. It’sAmerican in origin and first beganbeing used there in the 1950’s. Itspopularity over here grew duringthe 1990s and 2000s and is now acommon buzzword in business andsocial environments alike. Anythingthat requires little thought attractsthis phrase and its extension of usehas grown considerably. From thevery mundane decisions of ‘Do youfancy coming the pub tonight?’’It’s a

no-brainer, what time? ’ to HarryRedknapp using it recently toexplain the football signing ofWilliam Gallas from Arsenal toTottenham it has crept intoeveryday use. As a businessbuzzword it is well established andis frequently applied to decisionswhich are straightforward. So bydefinition it is something that is soobviously right or obvious that itneeds no thought at all or is analternative view that when used itreally means can’t be bothered tothink about it.

A whopping 93,912 people visited the Picasso: Peace andFreedom exhibition at Tate Liverpool which is now theirbiggest ever exhibition, second only to Klimt in 2008. It’s agreat achievement for the gallery and fantastic news forthe city with huge commercial significance. We say bringon the next one!

93,912Vitalstatistics

Sarah Duncan, JST Lawyers Head ofConstruction picks her favouriteLiverpool building. “The bombed outchurch, St Lukes, on Leece Street issuch an iconic reminder of the effects

of war. I love that charities and artsorganisations like the Biennial andUrban Strawberry Lunch haveincorporated it into their cultural lifeas a venue for film and exhibitions,even street theatre. The innovativeuse of the building reallydemonstrates the continuing impactthat Liverpool, being chosen as city ofculture, has had on the confidence ofthe city’s arts organisations andcharities. Away from home it isSydney Opera House that has wonher heart. “As my dad is Australian Ihave spent a lot of time visiting familyand friends in Sydney and Melbourne.Nothing beats the opera house forsheer grandeur and its location on thewaterfront backed by (usually!) hotand sunny weather, is stunning. Theacoustics inside the hall are alsoamazing and I always try to catch aconcert when I am over there”.

Sarah Duncan,JST Lawyers

FAVOURITEBUILDINGS&Home

Away

St Lukes Bombed OutChurch Liverpool

Sydney Opera House

...that Liverpool would experiencethe phenomenal growth it enjoyedduring the early years of the newmillennium. I owned and managedbusinesses in the city in the mid1980s and early 1990s beforeselling up and briefly moving away in1997. I had a lot of fun andtremendous satisfaction inemploying people and stayingprofitable in tough times. I grew richin experience but missed out on thebenefits of a reviving economy andrehabilitated city reputation.

Returning as CEO of LiverpoolChamber of Commerce in 2005, ithas been fantastic to be at theepicentre of the city’s revival andrenewed confidence.

I would love to foresee whether thebusiness investment in Liverpool ofthe past five years will help ussustain employment growth. I believeit will and that are well on the way toending our dependence on Europeanand other funding. Historically, thepast few decades will be seen as nomore than a glitch and we are onceagain attracting private capital back.

The renaissance isn’t quitecompleted and relative to othercities we have narrowed the gap,but not closed it. Now we will needto see if still more privateinvestment can see us through alikely collapse in public spending. Ibelieve it can, but that crystal ballwould really come in handy.

In my crystal ball…

MOVE COMMERCIAL 11

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Best dealwith Downing

Quality and integrity have never mattered more. We expect occupiers to demand the best space on the best terms, but too many still overlook their long term relationship with their landlord. So it’s not just the quality and diversity of space we offer that sets us apart. Our dedicated in-house management team ensures that your occupation will be trouble free – now and in years to come.

WE INVITE YOU TO TALK TO US ABOUT YOUR ASPIRATIONS FOR YOUR NEW BUSINESS SPACE.

Offices from 500-100,000sqft

Call Robin Ellis on 0151 707 2666 or email [email protected]

www.downing.com

For Liverpool offices

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MSB open commercialproperty office

MSB SOLICITORS has opened anew Liverpool city centre office tofurther their expansionprogramme into commercialproperty and the generalcommercial market. The Liverpoolfirm recently opened their newcommercial property headquarterson the 13th Floor of SilkhouseCourt, Tithebarn Street. Theventure will draw on theexperience of three newlyappointed MSB partners; MarkForman and Neil Kelly, formerly ofCFK Legal Limited, and Nick

Sweeney formerly of BrabnersChaffe Street, all of whom arehighly experienced commercialpractitioners. Nine new membersof staff have also been recruited tothe commercial team, taking thetotal number of MSB partners toeight and the number of staff to 50across three sites. Paul Bibby,managing partner at MSBSolicitors, commented: “Mark, Neiland Nick all have a wealth ofcommercial experience and a widerange of clients that they arebringing to MSB Solicitors and we

are delighted to have themonboard. This new office has beena long time in the planning and ispart of a strategic growth strategyto strengthen MSB’s commercialoffering to our clients across theNorth West. Around 18months agowe identified the commercial arenaas an area that MSB could exploit.We could see that there is a realdemand for a city centre firm thatoffers high quality commercialwork but at a competitive rate andwe have now positioned MSB to bethat alternative.”

Liverpool law firm eye North West growth

OCEANS CONNECT is to relocate itsglobal headquarters to Speke. TheRuncorn-based outsourcing providerwill transfer its head office functionfrom London to Liverpool, creating200 new jobs in the city. The move,which was supported by theNorthwest Regional DevelopmentAgency, will safeguard the existingworkforce currently based inRuncorn. Chief executive HowardSarna commented: “We are delightedto be expanding our investment inthe Liverpool area. The positiveexperience we’ve had with our initialoperation, coupled with the help andsupport provided by the NWDA andlocal partners, has led us to locateour company headquarters inSpeke. An educated and plentifulworkforce, good building availabilityand a strong transport networkmakes the area around Liverpool JLAan ideal location for us to developour business.”

OceansConnectmake Spekemove200 jobscreated in HQswitch

From London to Liverpool

MSB Commercial

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CHESHIRE West and Chester Councilare seeking six candidates to joinEllesmere Port’s Development Board –the partnership formed to secure abright future for the town and itresidents.Successful applicants will join councildelegate, Councillor Herbert Manley,Executive Member, Prosperity, local MPAndrew Miller, and Supt Jon Betts,Chairman of the Local AreaPartnership Board, on the Boardrepresenting both public and privatesectors.Its first chairman, Robert Mee, 59,former Chief Executive of Bank ofScotland Retail Business, wasappointed recently to spearhead thedrive to ‘sell’ the potential that thetown offers for future investment anddevelopment.Said Cllr Manley: “We will be looking forpeople with strong interests oraffiliations with Ellemere Port; theability and desire to play anambassadorial role for the town andtime to commit to the role.” Potential skills required will include:strategic investment, property, land,enterprise and communitydevelopment; marketing, financial,legal and environmental experience.“Good communications skills, drive,determination sound judgement anddecisiveness are among the personalqualities needed to meet some of thechallenges we will undoubtedly facetogether” said Cllr Manley.“We want a strong board of highpersonal integrity and independencebut with the ability to work withothers and a strong empathy withlocal communities and the issues theyface.”Closing date for applications is Sept22 and interviews will be held on Oct12/13. First meeting of the EllesmerePort Development Board will takeplace on Nov 1.

EllesmerePort’sdevelopmentboard

Councilseeks newcandidates

REDSUN DEVELOPMENTS hassecured an anchor tenant for amajor industrial project on the

Wirral. The Merseyside commercialproperty developers purchased thesix acre site at the edge of Wirral

International Business Park lastyear. The resulting developmentincludes a 60,000 sq ft industrialunit to be occupied by aerospacemanufacturer CML Group, a newbuild 45,000 sq ft warehouse andan 8,000 sq ft office building.Birkenhead-based CML hadrequired new premises to expandits composites division. CraigBooton, Managing Director ofRedsun Developments Ltd said:“We’ve worked closely with CML toproduce a modern, efficient‘flagship’ building, which willprovide the foundations fromwhich to market themselves andtheir skills to the global aerospaceindustry.” Redsun Developmentsare to undertake a furtherdevelopment in Bromborough at an8 acre site, details of which arelikely to be announced shortly.

Anchor tenant for Redsun developmentCML to occupy 60,000 sq ft unit

JonathanBrown

Redsun developments

Assura arrives in Daresbury New face atbusiness parkMASON OWEN has secured 5,100sq ft of office space on DaresburyBusiness Park for Assura MedicalLimited. The organisation, aprovider of NHS medical servicesacross the UK, will occupy thestand-alone office in CinnabarCourt, the latest speculativedevelopment at Daresbury Park.Stephen Bradley, Assura MedicalLimited property manager,commented: “Mason Owenprovided us with a fast andprofessional service that allowedus to consider a number ofdifferent options and enable us tomake a quick decision as to ourpreferred location.” The Liverpoolagents recently announced the saleof 2,730 sq ft of office space atParamount Business Park,Huyton. The sale of unit A2 wasagreed with West LancashireFreemasons Charity, comprising ofa semi-detached, self-containedtwo-storey office unit.

Daresbury Science and Innovation Centre

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Dream start fortourism schemeSt Helens sculpture chosenby VisitEngland

THE LANDMARK 20-metre Dreamsculpture in St Helens has beenselected by VisitEngland to launch itsnew national Place of Interest QualityAssurance Scheme. The scheme hasbeen developed by VisitEngland toenhance quality and spread bestpractice within the tourism sector.Representatives from VisitEngland,the Northwest Regional DevelopmentAgency, The Mersey Partnership, StHelens Council, the ForestryCommission and the St Helens

Tourism and Leisure BusinessNetwork gathered at the SuttonManor site, which overlooks the M62,to unveil the scheme. JamesBerresford, chief executive ofVisitEngland, commented: “We aredelighted to launch PIQAS at Dreamin view of its regional, national andinternational significance. We hopethis launch encourages places ofinterest across the country to sign upto the scheme and showcase theirattractions to visitors worldwide.”

LIVERPOOL John Lennon Airporthas seen the largest year-on-yearpassenger of any UK airport. Thedata, compiled by RDC Aviation,relates to the first third of this yearcompared to the same period in2009. JLA was shown to be one ofonly six UK airports in a list of 50 tosee any growth in passengernumbers between January and Aprilthis year. A total of 89,050 morepassengers used JLA during the firstthird of the year, a 6.4 per centincrease on the previous year. PeelAirports’ newly appointed CEO CraigRichmond commented: “To thinkthat Liverpool is growing itspassenger numbers by more thananyone else in the UK, with airportsincluding Heathrow, Gatwick,Stansted and Manchester continuingto see a decline in passengernumbers, is yet another milestonefor JLA.” A £12m developmentprogram is ongoing at the airport. Anew passenger security screeningarea opened in July, while theexpansion of the airport’s departurelounge is due for completion by theend of autumn 2010.

JLA sees largestgrowth in UK

St Helens sculpture

Passenger numbers soar at Liverpool Airport

Liverpool John Lennon Airport

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LIVERPOOL agents Mason Owenhave been instructed to market the35,000 sq ft V7 building inKnowsley’s Kings Business Park.The premises were formerlyoccupied by US-based Computer

Sciences Corporation and arecurrently available for sale or let.Kings Business Park is currentlyhome to organisations such asBalfour Beatty, Knowsley PrimaryCare Trust and Vertex. Mason

Owen head of business premisesAndrew Owen, commented: “It isa stunning building and there arevery few properties of this qualityon the market. We are delighted tohave been instructed to market

such a prestigious building thathas been designed to the highest ofstandards.” For furtherinformation telephone AndrewOwen on Andrew Owen on 0151242 3120.

A 19-YEAR-OLD apprentice has wona tender worth £88,000 forKnowsley-based Sterling Services.Nineteen-year-old Joseph Birch, whojoined the Knowsley Business Parkfirm last year as part of the council’sapprenticeship programme, securedthe tender with Plantation CountyPrimary School in Halewood. Joseph,who is in the first year of his HigherNational Certificate in Construction,was unemployed when he secured arole as a trainee estimator at theroad and building firm. He said:“Winning the Plantation Schooltender was a really big job for me, ifnot the biggest. It took many hoursand late nights just so that we couldwin the job for the firm and in theend it all paid off.”

Apprentice’sSterlingservice

Agentsinstructedas KingmakersKnowsley’sfierce attraction

PLANNERS at Knowsley Councilhave granted formal approval forthe redevelopment of StockbridgeVillage. Work has begun on the£25m development, which includesthe creation of a new leisurefacilities, learning resource centre,police access point, primary school,family centre, games area and asupermarket. The new primary

school is due to be the firstcompleted part of the scheme inautumn 2011. Cllr Dave Lonergancommented: “This regenerationproject will completely transformStockbridge Village centre andprovide first class facilities andspaces for the local community toenjoy. The redevelopment ofStockbridge Village has long since

been a major priority for thecouncil and we have workedextremely hard with our partnersto bring to life the aspirations ofthe community.” The workscomplement other developmentprojects in the area, including anextension to the health centre andprovision of a new Play Pathfinderscheme in the village centre.

Stockbridge Village regeneration approvedWork begins on £25m scheme

V7 building, Knowsley

Stockbridge Village

JosephBirch

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Langtree showsCity WorksLANGTREE has announced thelatest occupiers for the secondphase of City Works in Openshaw,East Manchester. Local fruit andvegetable wholesaler CateringConnection has taken a 3,740 sq ftindustrial unit on a 5-year lease onthe Norbury Court part of the site.Joining Catering Connection on

the site is MMG Trading, an Ebaytrader selling military-ware, takinga 2,663 sq ft industrial unit on a 3-year lease. Langtree completed the58,000 sq ft second phase ofindustrial/businessaccommodation, known asNorbury Court, last year. The totalsite comprises 48 units for sale or

to let ranging from 2,600 sq ft to22,000 sq ft. Jan Page, propertymanager at Langtree, said: “We aredelighted to see the second phaseof City Works becoming as popularas the first one. There has beenstrong interest in the other unitsand we hope to have furtheroccupiers imminently.”

New occupiers for East Manchester site

JST Lawyers’ Women inConstruction event returns on 22September encouraging women inthe sector to network and buildtheir reputation in the media.Molten Brown will be givingguests a sneak preview of theirnew Christmas gift range before itlaunches to the public thefollowing day while TonyMcDonough, Deputy BusinessEditor of the Liverpool Daily Postwill be providing advice on how topromote your business in themedia. The event is for anywoman working in the industry,surveyors, estate agents,developers, architects, marketersand financiers. Held four times ayear it combines networking withan opportunity to develop theirskills. The next event will be heldat Brew in St Paul’s Square 22September, 6.00pm – 8.00pm. Toattend email [email protected] or call 0151 7067413.

Women inConstructionwantedJST lawyers tohost networkingevent forindustry

Last year’s Women inconstruction event

Langtree City Works

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PROPERTY GROUP Downing hasunveiled what it anticipates will beLiverpool’s most sought-after office,due to its stunning river views.The company has begun work on anew 8,330 sq ft office suite on thesecond floor of the Grade ll* listedPort of Liverpool building, boastingunrivalled views of the Mersey andWorld Heritage Waterfront. Thesuite can be split to provide 3,775 sqft or extended to 9,479 sq ft.Downing, Liverpool’s largest privatecommercial landlord, has begunstripping out the suite in preparation

for new occupiers and is reportinghealthy interest in the office space.The suite, one of the most striking inthe Port of Liverpool Building, hasspace for a company boardroom inits turret-room, directly overlookingthe waterfront and new Museum ofLiverpool. The refurbishment is thelatest in a comprehensive £15 millionprogramme of restoration thatDowning has progressed at the Portof Liverpool Building, includingrestoring the iconic dome to itsformer glory. Robin Ellis, senioragency surveyor at Downing, said:

“We’re confident that the suite won’tstay on the market for long – notonly does it have a stunning view,but the building’s interior is second-to-none and we can offer valuablecertainty on occupational costs. “The building offers occupiers thebest of both worlds – anarchitectural landmark that providesmodern efficient space with fullaccess raised floors and optionalcomfort cooling. We’ve investedheavily in the Port of LiverpoolBuilding to make sure it meets thehigh standards required by

businesses while protecting andenhancing the building’s strikinghistoric architecture.” Therestoration of the Port of LiverpoolBuilding included repairing andcleaning its Portland stone exteriorand restoring its internal Terrazzoflooring and marble wall claddingusing identical materials. Theproject, one of the UK’s largestprivately-funded refurbishmentsof a listed building, alsoincorporated new lifts, upgradedinternal and external lighting andnew disabled access.

Is this Liverpool's best office view?

CHESTER’S proposed CentralBusiness Quarter will have thecapacity to create over 1,100 newjobs. Members of CWAC Executivewill learn of the potential jobs boostwhen they consider a developmentframework for the proposal. Theframework – the result of 6 months

work – will establish standards andguiding principals for developmentwithin the proposed businessquarter. Approval will be a ‘majormilestone’ in plans to create avibrant, distinctive and sustainablebusiness quarter east and south ofthe City’s main railway station.

Chesterbusiness quarterto create jobs

Consultants openLiverpool office

A NORTH WEST propertyconsultant has opened a new officein Liverpool city centre. JBHProperty Consulting, which hasoffices in Oldham and Bowdon,has launched a new operation inthe city’s Mount Pleasant area. Thefirm will offer asset managementand building surveying servicesfrom their new Liverpool base. IanHeald, co-director of JBH,commented: “We are over the

moon to have opened a new officein Liverpool. With a growing localclient base, creating a presence inLiverpool was a natural step in thegrowth of our business. Despitepoor economic conditions, JBH’sexpansion is proof that byproviding a quality, director levelinput consultancy, clients’expectations are exceeded thanksto our enthusiastic and pro-activehands-on approach.”

JBH expand North West presence

1,100 new jobs predicted

Robin Ellis

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• Corporate Property and Litigation Services

• Commercial Contract Advice and Drafting

• Company Formations and Structure

• Acquisitions and Disposals

• Shareholder Agreements

• Director Service Contracts

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MSB Commercial

Call MSB Solicitors on0151 281 9040

[email protected] Solicitors, Liverpool city centre office, 13th Floor Silkhouse Court, Tithebarn Street, L2 2LZ

www.msbsolicitors.co.uk

13-32:p03-12 6/9/10 18:05 Page 20

1. Tony Reed, Stuart Keppie & Andrew Byrne (all of Keppie Massie). 2. Jo Swift & Ian Wilby (both of Barclays Wealth & Barclays Corporate). 3. David Evans (Denovo Designs),

John Carroll (Scott Wilson) & David Brigden (BRH Architects). 4. Nick Harrop & Brian Ricketts (both of Hitchcock, Wright & Partners) & Frank Mallon

(HFM Consulting Engineers). 5. Martin Unsworth & Kristina Stoddern (Maxwell Hodge Solicitors). 6. Trevor Sloane (Jones Lang Lasalle) & David Colvin (Matthews & Goodman).

7. Dave Lloyd (Lloyds Register), John Leader (Green Property) & Sarah Walsh (Lloyds Register). 8. Neil Kirkham (Hitchcock, Wright & Partners), Robin Evans (Matthew

Goodman) & Andrew Owen (Mason Owen). 9. Jon Swain (Mason and Partners) & Ann-Marie Millar (Green Property). 10. Mark Worthington (CB Richard Ellis), Jason Howard

(Ridge & Partners) & Norman Jones (Mace & Jones Solicitors).

Stylish revampfor historic siteJune marked the re-launch of the iconic India Buildings in Liverpool’scommercial district. Guests were invited to a drinks and canapésreception and a viewing of the new marketing suite at the building,which occupies an entire block in a prime city centre location. The historicGrade II listed building has benefited from a significant interior refit toestablish the site as one of the city’s most sought after office locations,with suites and whole floors available up to 35,000 sq ft.

India Buildings re-launch Key eventsBy Jonathan [email protected]

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Kings Business Park

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MOVE COMMERCIAL 23

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MOVE COMMERCIAL24

Despite the fact that KnowsleyCouncil is facing up to significantcutbacks, the progress ofregeneration in the area – backed upby private sector investment –remains relatively undiminished. It’sfitting then that representatives fromTesco precede me in Nick’s diary,before our meeting at the Council’sHuyton offices. A piece of abstract artthat would not look out of place inthe Tate Modern adorns the wallfacing Nick’s desk. In fact it is themasterpiece of his then 1 ½ year olddaughter, now aged four. Nick isclearly a proud Dad and proud of thescheme he hopes will transform hishome town Kirkby, where heattended St Kevin’s School and wherehis Mum and Dad still live. He said:“Perhaps it is a bit special for mebecause I grew up in Kirkby and I’veseen the town centre on a weeklybasis and it’s never exactly beenthriving. Asda pulled out of the townabout 20 years ago and I don’t thinkit ever really recovered from that.”Nick has been with the Council sinceleaving school 25 years ago and wasrecently trusted with sharedresponsibility for Liverpool’sregeneration agenda. Theregeneration of Kirkby town centre, a£250m scheme that would bring anadditional 320,000 sq ft of retailcapacity to the town, represents oneof the largest projects he has workedon to date. Nick said: “Initially I wasadministering insurance claims for

people who trip over in the street. Istarted at the bottom, making tea andeverything else. When I was 38 I gotmy first executive director positionand I was quite proud of that. I tookover my current role about 18months ago and I wanted to re-shapethe department and really take thelead on big regeneration projects.”The plans for the transformation ofKirkby have been significantly scaledback from the initial £450mDestination Kirkby project, whichcomprised of a major Tesco store,

leisure facilities, offices, homes andother retail units, not to mention a50,000-seater stadium for EvertonFC. The rejection of the scheme bythe government planning inspectorlast November forced theregeneration team and their partnersback to the drawing board. “We weregutted last November, I have to say. Ithought we’d get the scheme through.It would have been £450m worth ofinvestment and having Everton FC inthe borough would have put us on

the map, rather than people justseeing us as part of Liverpool. Thefirst thing to do once we got the newswas to establish whether Tesco wasstill interested in the scheme. Theysaid they were so we picked ourselvesup quite quickly, dusted ourselves offand we were back round the tablewithin a week.” Tesco’s regenerationsubsidiary Spenhill recentlysubmitted the new application forplanning approval, a £250m schemeincorporating a new Tesco store inthe town centre, a new retail park atthe south end of Cherryfield Drive, anew library and green spaces. If theplanning process runs smoothly,Nick is hopeful that the entire projectcan be completed within four years.“It will create about 1,250 new jobs,half of which will come from thearea’s unemployed. We’re looking at78,000 customers going through theTesco every week. If you think aboutthe benefit to the existing tradersthen it’s going to be huge and reallypick up the town centre and revitaliseit. At the moment, Kirkby towncentre is past its best to say the least.It’s still trading and still relativelyfull, but the retail offer for the peopleof Kirkby is not full enough and Ithink we need the Next’s and theother retailers in there, together withTesco, to give it a proper retail offer.”Despite the potential of the project,Kirkby has been just one area offocus for Nick since taking over asKnowsley’s executive director for

regeneration, economy and skills.The £25m regeneration ofStockbridge Village is further downthe line following planning approvalfrom the planners. Work has alreadybegun on that scheme, which will seethe creation of a new primary school,leisure centre, library and retail units.Work is also progressing on the newretail offer in Halewood. The 50,000sq ft Neptune development willfeature an Aldi supermarket at theheart of the scheme, unanimouslyselected by residents ahead of Tesco,together with a number of smallerunits aimed at high street retailers.With approval, work is expected tobegin in January 2011 and culminatein the completion of the £16mregeneration of Halewood’s RavenCourt site. “I can’t afford for Kirkbyto pre-occupy my time. It’s a hugescheme and I’ve got to keep a closeeye on that but there’s the new retaildevelopment in Halewood, wherewe’ve also just built a new counciloffice, library and PCT. It’s a veryimpressive new facility down there,receiving all sorts of brilliantfeedback from the local residents.The Neptune scheme has taken a bitof time because they have alreadyidentified a buyer for the schemefurther down the line. Normally youhave to built it first and see if it’strading! But we know it’s going to dowell down there. It’s a goodcatchment area and they’ve had sucha poor offer up until now that the

Kirkby born and bred Nick Kavanagh, Knowsley Council’s executive director for regeneration,economy and skills, is the man leading on the regeneration of the town. Nick was alsorecently charged with shared responsibility for Liverpool’s regeneration agenda.

Generationgame

the retail offerfor the peopleof Kirkby is notfull enough““

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Nick Kavanagh, Knowsley Council Mover & Shaker

new retail offer is going to befantastic for them.” Knowsley has managed to attract andretain some major businesses inrecent years, with the borough’sbusiness parks boasting names suchas Kodak, News International, QVCand Jaguar and offering significantpotential for growth. Since taking uphis current role within the council,Nick has sought to maximise thepresence of such firms within theborough to ensure employmentopportunities locally. He said: “Whilebusinesses are growing there areopportunities for new jobs and skills.The department runs employmentand skills but before they weren’tworking together. Now I have twopeople that go into visit businesses.Since we’ve set that up we’ve hadJaguar with their deal to build thenew baby Range Rover, creating1,100 new jobs, while Vertex have gothold of a whole host of new contractsworth 700 jobs. What we’ve donewith both of those is put ouremployment and skills person in atthe same time. We’re recruiting forJaguar and recruiting for Vertex, sothat we make sure localpeople get into those local jobs ratherthan just leave it open to Job CentrePlus and the wider market. We do itdirectly. We’re also working ontraining 800 local people from thelocal area for the sort of skills they’regoing to need for Jaguar when theycome to recruit.”

KavanaghFileDOB:February 1969

Education:St Kevin’s, Kirkby

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L£uthSucdruuwd

Liverpool Marina, part ofHarbourside Marina plc whichDavid controls, together withLiverpool City Council, BritishWaterways and other partners, hashelped to bring the current level ofinvestment in the Liverpool BoatShow to £1.5m. David has now beenappointed to the board of directorsof organisers Marine IndustryEvents, offering first handinvolvement in an event he has theutmost confidence in. “I think theLiverpool Boat Show will become anannual regional festival” he said. “Ifthey can get over 300,000 people tothe Mathew Street Festival I thinkit’s indicative that our estimate of400,000 with the boat show isprobably an under-estimate.” Theinaugural Liverpool Boat Show willtake place at the end of April nextyear, with major boatmanufacturers such as Sealine,Fairline and Sunseeker among a raftof companies to have already signedup to the event, with organisationssuch as the Northwest RegionalDevelopment Agency, LiverpoolVision and The Mersey Partnershipalso supporting what is hoped willbecome a world-renowned date onthe boating calendar. David added:“It will certainly help Liverpool’sglobal profile because it will be aninternational boat show. There aretwo boat shows in the UK now,Southampton and ExCeL inLondon. ExCeL hasn’t performed at

all well over the last few years. Itwasn’t well patronised for the lastcouple of years and it’s difficult toget to. Southampton is a very goodevent but there’s room for anotherone in the north of England. We’vegot a fantastic catchment up here.The growth in boat ownership andboat interest is greater north ofBirmingham than south ofBirmingham, so I think we willattract an enormous number ofvisitors, both yachties and non-yachties, who will come and have alook at what boating is all about.”The Liverpool Marina, which Davidset up in 1986 as part of the earlyregeneration of Liverpool’s SouthDocks, will naturally play a key rolein the festival. The developmentsupports 450 berthing spaces,together with a 200 coverrestaurant, bar and conferencefacilities. The company recentlyagreed with British Waterways toextend their lease to incorporate thewhole of Coburg and BrunswickDocks and are currently indiscussions with regard to furtherextensions. “The business had itsups and downs but I think it’s wellgrounded now. We’ve got somereally good management in place,really good staff, and we’vebottomed out. Despite the recessionwe’re on the up.” A charteredsurveyor with a post graduatediploma in Financial Studies, Davidhas been directly involved in

developments for the past 10 years,working on industrial and officedevelopments in Trafford andresidential units around LiverpoolMarina. His last major land basedscheme was the £60m Citygatecomplex in Manchester city centre,a development of over 300apartments and 1000 sq m of

business space. Marrying the oldMark Twain adage “Buy land,because they’re not making anymore” with his love of all thingswater-based, the keen sailorestablished Wilmslow-basedFloating Concepts in 2006, focusingsolely on the unique remit ofdeveloping on water. In exploringideas for the surplus water space athis Liverpool and Salford Marinas,David contacted a number ofmanufacturers and professionals

involved in the design of floatingstructures and travelled extensivelyin Europe, Canada and South EastAsia. Initially, he secured the UKdistribution rights to the exclusiveDanish “Waterliving” luxuryhouseboat concept. The company’saspirations have since developedinto the creation of floating mixeduse communities. He added: “I sawthe opportunity of developing onwater as a natural extension ofland-based developments, whichfitted very well with my interest inwater. We now promote the ideathat “Bluefield land” as adevelopment medium is as valid asGreenfield and Brownfield sites,with the application of someaquatecture and imagineering!There are virtually no otherdevelopers on water. I don’t thinkthere are any who are as faradvanced with technology as we are.We’ve spent a lot of time finding theright type of foundation, so we’vemoved away from the normalpontoons that most people expect toutilise. We have a highly developedproduct with a design life of 100years which is insurable and fullymortgageable, so that’s a realbreakthrough.” Floating Conceptsis currently looking for threeshowcase sites across the UK and isconducting feasibilities into eightexisting locations includingGlasgow, Chester, Salford,Liverpool, Preston, York and

David Beard is a developer with a difference. The man with over fortyyears experience in developments sought to focus solely on water-baseddevelopments with the founding of Floating Concepts four years ago. Herecently invested £250,000 in the Liverpool Boat Show in the hope ofdeveloping the festival as a global event.

Steering ahead

it will be aninternationalboat show

““

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David Beard, Floating Concepts Founding Father

London. The company is hoping the£25m development of a new mixeduse floating village in Glasgow will betheir first breakthrough, afterScottish Enterprise shortlisted theunique development forconsideration. The proposeddevelopment includes bars andrestaurants, around 30 residentialunits, 25,000 sq ft of small officeunits, eight live work units and a newwater sports and activity centre. Thedevelopment will also include an 80

berth marina and approximately 170berths for recreational craft andvisitors. David commented: “It’ll bethe only floating village of its kind inthe world. We’re very hopeful on thatand we’ve been promised a decisionvery shortly. We hope that will beour first breakthrough. Also, withinthe master planning of the LiverpoolDocks, there’s likely to be asignificant element of floatingstructures, so we’d like to be a part ofthat.” He added: “There’s a large site

in Cheshire which we’re exploringwith United Utilities at the moment.It’s quite a sensitive site but we’rehoping we will create a new leisureand recreational destination there.That again will have a lot of touristappeal attached to it. We havereceived a number of approachesfrom potential investors and willprobably look for a suitable partnerto help us to our next stage of growthas soon as our first three majorschemes are in the bag.”

Beard FileBorn:Merseyside, 1948

Education:Leeds Modern Boys Grammar,Liverpool Polytechnic andHeriot-Watt University

First job:Mr Soft ice cream salesman

Hobbies:Sailing, rugby, good food andfine wines, travel, visiting andphotographing waterfronts

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MOVE COMMERCIAL28

Budget cuts were always likely to be the dominant issue for the currentGovernment, regardless of who had won May’s general election. With manyof the region’s development projects so intrinsically tied to public sectorsupport, the incumbent Government’s austerity measures have inevitablyappeared severe in the North West. Move Commercial looks at the state ofcapital projects in the region.

Cut tothe chase

ONE OF THE BIGGEST impacts hasbeen the measures imposed on theNorthwest Regional DevelopmentAgency following the Government’sEmergency Budget on 22 June. TheQuango will close in 2012, with allregional development agencies to bereplaced by Local EnterprisePartnerships controlled by localauthorities and the private sector.From then on, those affected by thecuts can re-apply to their respectivelocal bodies. For now though, thewindow for public sector funding onnew projects is effectively closed.The NWDA had £52m cut from this

year’s budget, with funding for anyun-committed projects cut from their2010/11 budget. Despite theinevitability of the cuts, the figuresimposed were believed to be morethan twice that which the Agencyhad expected. More than 100projects in the North West, at variousstages of coming to fruition, havehad their budgets cut, includingManchester International Festivaland Liverpool Science ParkInnovation Centre 3. Others affected,such as Chester Zoo’s £225m NaturalVision Project, have vowed tocontinue without the support of the

Agency, while the £28mredevelopment of Liverpool’sEveryman Theatre is likely to go onsite in 2011, despite a funding cut of£2.4m.The impact on the NWDA has alsoresulted in a knock-on effect for theQuango’s 30 partner organisationsacross the region. Operationalfunding for urban regeneration andeconomic development companiessuch as Central Salford and LiverpoolVision will cease in March 2011, thelatter having received £18m for itsbusiness development programmeand £500,000 for running costs overthe last year. The MerseyPartnership, which receives an annual£3.2m contribution from the NWDA,will see its inward investmentfunding continue until March 2012.Funding for projects alreadyunderway, such as those at MediaCity in Salford, Lancashire CountyCricket Club and the £1.5mrefurbishment of ‘The Florrie’ inLiverpool will continue, while £2m ingrants has been committed for smallfirms to develop technologies toreduce carbon emissions –representing essential funding or analarming waste public funds,dependant on your view of man-

made climate change.The new Royal Liverpool UniversityHospital was one local project underserious threat at one stage, as aconsequence of broader cutsnationwide. Pre-election, theConservatives had pledged tosupport the £450m scheme, but thecoalition Government reneged on thepledge six days into office, no doubtas the extent of the country’s budgetdeficit was becoming apparent. Theproject was finally approved byhealth secretary Andrew Lansley inJune. Two construction firms willsubmit final bids for the scheme inFebruary next year, in the hope ofstarting work in early 2012, althoughthe project recently came underthreat from a campaigner, who hascalled for a judicial review in protestof the development’s Private FinanceInitiative funding.Shortly before the election, as allparties were attempting to out-do

The ‘Florrie’

Everyman Thearte

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MOVE COMMERCIAL 29

Budget cuts Capital projects update

each other in offering promises andstark warnings, Labour’s Lord Adonis,the then secretary of state fortransport, pledged his support to theMersey Gateway project, saying hewas “committed to taking forward”the toll bridge scheme.Unsurprisingly, the £431m projectwas put on hold by the incumbentcoalition Government, after tellingHalton Borough Council they wouldhave to fund a greater percentage ofthe scheme themselves. The projectproposes a new six-lane toll bridgeacross the stretch of river betweenRuncorn and Widnes and would be

part subsidised by implementing atoll on the existing Runcorn Bridge.Halton Borough Council, who believe4,600 jobs will be created by theconstruction of the Mersey Gateway,recently announced that 70 per centof the project could be funded byprivate investment. The project,along with a number of otherschemes, is currently underconsideration by the Government,with its future likely to be announcedas part of the ComprehensiveSpending Review, due to be reportedin parliament on October 20.One of the major capital schemes to

affect the region since the coalitiongovernment came to power was theabolition of Labour’s Building Schoolsfor Future programme. £350m wasto be spent on the rebuilding ofsecondary schools across Liverpoolalone as part of the largest schoolbuilding programme since theVictorian era. Plans for 26 Liverpoolschools, that were to be rebuilt orcompletely modernised, have nowbeen scrapped. A £25m Academy forsouth Liverpool will go ahead as

planned with the proposed DeLaSalle Academy in Croxtethawaiting its fate in October’sComprehensive Spending Review.Projects under construction willcontinue to go ahead, but theGovernment will shift the emphasistowards its own education initiatives,such as the “free schools”programme, as it implements its ownagenda and response to thecountry’s budget deficit in an era ofeconomic restraint.

Proposed Royal Liverpool andBroadgreen University Hospital

Chester Zoo’s Natural Vision Project

Mersey Gateway Bridge

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THE RETAILER, which attractsaround one million customers aweek to its stores, recently acquiredthe Opus Homewares chain for£48m, furthering its expansion intoScotland and Northern Ireland andensuring its immense growthcontinues unabated. Since Bobbyand Simon bought the businessfrom venture capital group PhildrewVentures (now UBS Capital) in 2005the success of the business has beenmarked by the real estateopportunities born out of therecession and the decline of many awell-established name, both on thehigh street and beyond. As Simonsays: “B&M has grown very stronglyover the last two or three years,owing to the demise of retailers suchas Woolworths and Kwik Save. Wewould have grown anyway, but thedifference is that the loss of retailersfrom the high street has createdmore space for properties that aresuitable for us, in a quicker period oftime. I suppose the growth has beensomething of a surprise. We’vealways known that the stores arevery popular and whenever we’veopened one we’ve always been very

pleased with the response. I thinkwhat has been surprising is thenumber of premises that have cometo market in such a short space oftime. ” When so many retailers werestruggling to stay afloat, B&M’s pre-tax profits in 2009 had risen by astaggering 147 per cent on theprevious year. The programme ofexpansion over the last couple ofyears has been at a rate of one storeopening every week, with a further36 premises now under the B&Mbanner following the Opus deal. Thebusiness, which employs around5,500 staff nationwide, also has thefaith of the banks, another rare traitin such relatively times. BarclaysCorporate provided a £40m loan tofacilitate the Opus deal, while B&Msecured £10.85m from Lloyds TSBto help fund the purchase of TheVault, the company’s 625,000 sq ftnew headquarters in Speke.Managing director Simoncommented: “The banks have beennothing but supportive in helping uswith our expansion programme andalso with working capital for thebusiness.” The move from itsBlackpool roots to Speke’s Estuary

Commerce Park, which was alsoaided by a £1.75m grant fromLiverpool Vision, would certainlyappear to be to the advantage ofLiverpool and the business. Therelocation to the facility, which hasundergone an £8m refitprogramme, will lead to the creation

of around 200 office and 400warehouse jobs, the vast majority ofthem local. Simon commented:“We’re going to be fully operationalfrom The Vault from mid-September. The site willaccommodate our head officetogether with our distribution

facilities, so it was important that wefound a suitable environment for thehead office. There are strategicadvantages of being based inLiverpool, based on the proximity ofthe docks and secondly because ofthe quality of the businessenvironment in Estuary BusinessPark was very good.” It is from theirnew Liverpool base that Simon willplot the continued nationwideexpansion of a business that wasfounded in Blackpool in 1976 andnow enjoys an annual turnover of£400m. The brothers, who bothattended Manchester GrammarSchool, have established vital linkswith Chinese suppliers, enablingB&M to stock a wide variety ofbranded discount goods. With astrong retail presence secured onUK high streets, recent focus hasturned to out of town retail parks,together with a continuedgeographical expansion. Simoncommented: “We see retail parks ashaving growth opportunities,particularly in terms of the nature oftheir location. We see ourselves ashaving more opportunities down inthe Midlands and the South East

Discount retail chain B&M Retail was a 21-store business in 2005, with anannual turnover of £65m. Following the takeover by brothers Bobby andSimon Arora, the company now boasts over 200 trading stores and isconsidered one of the fastest growing retailers in the UK.

Chainreaction

We think the UKcan support 400B&M stores““

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Simon Arora Entrepreneur

and we see ourselves having moreopportunities away from thetraditional high street. That saidthere are still plenty of town centreswe are not in that we would like tobe in because there are plenty ofopportunities, even here in theNorth West. We try and achieve abalance in what we do althoughrecently there has been a greateremphasis on homewares and softfurnishings.” Considering Bobbyand Simon’s business experiencehad been cultivated on the supplyside, their rise to prominence inretail over the past five years hasbeen phenomenal. Sale-born Simon,who read Law at Cambridge, said:“I’ve always been involved inconsumer goods so it’s somethingthat I’m comfortable with but it’sonly in the last five years that we’vebecome retailers. Over the nextcouple of years we plan to openabout 40 stores per year as weconsolidate and carry on with ourorganic expansion programme. Wethink the UK can support 400 B&Mstores. There are no plans beyondthat at the moment. We’re just keento concentrate on the UK.”

Three hopes for the year ahead1. The pound remaining strong

2. Consumer confidence holding up

3. Good weather

Arora fileAge:40

Education: Manchester Grammar School,Cambridge University

Interests: Holidaying in Ibiza

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MOVE COMMERCIAL 33

The recognition provided to a cityin being awarded World HeritageStatus is considered to besomething special, but howsignificant is it in how it puts aplace on the map?Adam Hall: There is a perceptionthat if something is proposed todevelop a World Heritage Site, atleast among the general public, thatit shouldn’t or won’t happen becauseit’s something we need to protect.That’s not how we should viewopportunities within a WHS. It’simportant to preserve it, yes, but alsoto ensure we continue to enjoy thebest of the heritage we have, andthe way to do that is to allowregeneration to continue in andaround that area.Graham Marshall: When LiverpoolVision first put together its strategicplan for the city centre in 1999, itlooked at a whole range of initiatives

to raise the ante in Liverpoolbecause it ought to be a world classcity. The 800th birthday was atarget date, so was Capital of Culture,followed by World Heritage Status, tocelebrate the heritage of the city, itsculture and the history of thatculture, and thirdly how those twothings have combined to create aworld class mercantile city. That’s thebasis of what the WHS status means.It’s not about how fine the buildingsare within that boundary, but whatthose buildings represent. AH: It’s a recognition of Liverpool’spredominance as a great trading portof the 18th and 19th centuries, fromwhich the New World wasdiscovered, the dock system, thetrading – they’re spaces, notbuildings, which represent Liverpool’sgrowth. The public perception seemsto focus on the buildings.GM: Our plan was to get people to

pause and recognise the quality ofthe city that they had. At that timefor social and economic reasons,people both outside and inside thecity, were very down on it. When Iarrived here, in 1997, I saw a thingof elegance. It’s an organic city, asgood as any European medievalexamples, and the forms are thesame. It’s all about the marketplace,and how commerce grew up aroundDale Street.AH: What WHS status recognises andseeks to protect is zones and areas,the spaces in the city, not set piecesand buildings, although for thegeneral public it’s the buildings whichare talked about. I remember whenthe Albert Dock was silted up, andthere was talk of knocking it down,except that Michael Heseltine saw theopportunity there and potential forretail, leisure and housing – to engagewith Liverpool’s USP, being situated

on the Mersey. That’s one of the sixzones now in the WHS, but it couldhave been bulldozed – we’re so lucky.GM: We were. In the 70s GrahamShankland had a plan to demolish thecity centre – only the economicdepression and a lack of investmentprevented it from coming to fruition.AH: My father was an architect, andover two generations, the city haschanged remarkably. Something weneed to remember is that anycontemporary, quality building couldfind a home on or around the WHS –the status is intended to promote this,and future development, for thebenefit of the city.How does WHS put a city on themap?AH: A cruise liner docked here oversummer, one where the passengersare residents, and they chose to visitGlasgow and then Liverpool – theywanted to see these two cities, and

Graham Marshall, principal at Maxim Urban Design and formerly enabler at CABE and directorof planning and design at Liverpool Vision, and Adam Hall, managing director at FalconerChester Hall firm of architects, sat down to discuss the implications for the city’s futuredevelopment as a result of the World Heritage Status of its waterfront, over lunch at TheNoble House bar and restaurant in Liverpool’s Heywood building.

How important is Liverpool’s WorldHeritage Status, and how is itimpacting on future development?

World Heritage Status Lunch debate

Adam Hallmanaging director at Falconer Chester Hall firm of architects

Graham Marshallprincipal at Maxim Urban Design

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MOVE COMMERCIAL34

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the Capital of Culture status andinformation that’s been in the pressand online will have drawn them tomake that decision.GM: Liverpool has long been on theworld map, but people Google placesto visit and if they find positivearticles and information about a placethey’ll want to visit. In the 90s, theywould have found some negativepress about Liverpool which wouldn’tdraw them here – but that’s changednow. The WHS status is an accoladewhich can’t be rubbished, just as itoffers protection to buildings andspaces. The more people who visitand experience the city, the more thatmessage spreads.AH: Even among those who come forother reasons, maybe they do onlyknow about The Beatles or the GrandNational – they go away saying ‘Ididn’t realise you had all of this aswell’. There are many other thingsabout the city which we don’tbroadcast as well, but when they arehere, the sightseeing tours whichfocus on the buildings and theUNESCO recognition then pass on thatknowledge. Are there any comparable successstories of WHS elsewhere whichwe might take as a model? GM: It’s very difficult to compare twoWorld Heritage sites because they areso few in the world, and so different –whether they are natural or ancientsites, or a relatively modern site likeLiverpool. What’s special about a WHSis that it is a ‘one off’ and there isn’t apattern you can observe about thebenefits of it, or how to treat it.AH: Each site comprises a differentset of circumstances, so it’s aboutprotecting that site and enabling it tocontinue to live, to grow. It isn’t about

attracting visitors or investment,although for Liverpool that’ssomething we want to do. GM: For some sites it is aboutpreservation, conservation – forexample the pyramids at Giza, or theGreat Barrier Reef. In Liverpool, it’sabout having a strategic vision forfuture building and development. Anyquality building, which isn’t damaging,should be welcomed here. Liverpool isa first in so many areas, and the planwe put together at Liverpool Vision,was to cement all of those historieswith something like Liverpool One,knowing that something else shouldfollow to cement all of those otherthings. If you look at the size ofLiverpool and Manchester comparedto London, you’re then surprised tosee that we actually attract a farhigher density of students thanLondon does. We’re obviously doingsomething right, and now we justneed to keep graduates in the city.How has WHS contributed toeconomic growth in the citythrough the tourism and leisuresector?AH: Cameron when he visited recentlysaid that the UK really needs to focuson its tourist economy, and he saidthat Liverpool has demonstrated howwith its Capital of Culture status, andWHS status, it’s created an economywhich 10 or 15 years ago would nothave been viable to promote. Theincrease in hotels and the leisureindustry has been substantial, and wecannot quantify exactly how muchthis is due to any one factor.GM: Liverpool Vision and the NWDAhave all looked at the economics toascertain the growth of tourism, andthe economic growth, but it’s clearlyall in the round. It’s how it all works in

combination.What might be the advantages todeveloping near/on a WHS – andhow should it be done?AH: The land next to the Albert Dockwhere we now have the Arena andConvention Centre has attracted a lotof attention, and those buildings arehigh quality with obvious touristbenefits and a clear relationship to therest of the Albert Dock - bridging theold and the new. The economicbenefits of that scheme are clear.While I’d like to see more commerce inthe city, we have to thank the WHSfor the benefits brought to the city byincreased tourism. The WHS has beenof benefit in helping to bring aboutthese great modern buildings – ifanything, the WHS status has raisedthe bar, not prevented development.That’s one point I’d really like to getacross – that we can work with thisstatus to create great new buildings.The quality of new development hasto go up a few notches. In developing a WHS site, what arethe pitfalls and is it less attractive

to developers as a whole?AH: There’s been a lot of peoplemoaning about the new Mann Islanddevelopment, and that the view overSalthouse Dock was held to be one of

the key views. That’s been lost now. GM: I don’t like the masterplan forthat scheme. When we set up LV in1999 we spent a lot of time inLondon convincing civil servants inLondon that is was right for them tosupport the first urban regenerationcompany in the country. Essentially,the problems facing Liverpool werejust too complex for the city council todeal with, and the company was apilot to facilitate and assist the threepartners, English Partnerships, NWDAand the city council. The city centrehad been ignored for two decadeswith any development that happenedtaking place elsewhere. Our argumentwas that if the centre was dead, thenwe were in trouble, but I was alwaysagainst the idea of a masterplan asthat suggests we knew all theanswers, or had a single developer,and just needed the funding; what weneeded was a regenerationframework.AH: That’s right, if you have amasterplan and then the economicsituation changes, then you need toadapt it.GM: I took the term masterplan out ofall the documents. The first thing weestablished was that we could notregenerate Liverpool from the positionit was in; we needed a foundation. Weestablished a retail base, legitimateresidential base, and so on to stabiliseit. We looked at side streets from thecommercial district to the retail, asthat’s how people were moving. Doesanyone now think the Liverpool Canalwas a bad idea? But I had to sitthrough meetings where people weresaying that Liverpool would never bea great city again, and that it shouldjust accept that. In the pilot companythere was only myself and the chief


“The city needs newbuildings to work.

”

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exec who could stand up for Liverpool,and if you count all the people wholive here in the city and in theimmediate surrounds and see that thedecisions affecting the city total 1.5million then you can understand whywe had to keep struggling to convince

people of the potential. You do needa degree of resilience, some arroganceand humility – knowing when tospeak up, and when to shut up. Somepeople needed upsetting, becausethey were holding the city back. Ididn’t want to let a dozen peoplestand in the way of 1.5 millionpeople’s futures. How does quality building affecteveryday life?GM: I hate seeing a granite floor dugup by the gas board, and made to lookawful - and the city council shouldmanage those kinds of things better.But would you say that we shouldcompromise on the materials? A goodquality floor and building says thatthis is a world class city.AH: I agree, absolutely. The surfacesyou walk upon change perceptions ofthe place, for everyone who visits andwho lives here. From my school year, Ithink only two or three, includingmyself, work in Liverpool. They movedaway, and that saddens me.GM: Today, graduates now have achoice and so they should. We wantpeople to come here for university, orgo away and then come back becausethey can have a good job andstandard of living here. When theplans for the waterfront were firstmooted, the plans for The Cloudaimed to create something completelydifferent. If the other three buildingswere like teacups, in the sense thatyou wouldn’t really go inside them ifyou were a member of the public, this

one turned the teacup upside down. Ireally liked its potential, but everytime I saw a photo of it, it was the oneWill Alsop hated. You take the idea ofa cloud and you can’t see the edges. Itwas only not deliverable because theyweren’t allowed to build a load ofapartments – despite the fact thatthat’s exactly what’s happening now.AH: The reason for the downfall ofthat scheme, was it due to the publicreception or at the time the economicviability of it?GM: Everything’s economically viabledepending on how much profit youwant or how you offset it. It fell out offavour.AH: The new scheme was proposedvery quickly and I got the feeling thatit was about, oh dear, Liverpool hasn’tmanaged to let something happen –so let’s get something built in itsplace. Perhaps then the new schemedidn’t receive the same scrutiny.GM: And that’s always a mistake – iflife ran like clockwork, it would be soboring. Go back to Giza and thepharoahs who had control ofeverything, ordering pyramids to bebuilt, and they were so bored theyresorted to doing terrible things topeople. They ran out of things to do.The interesting thing is that, if youhave a great idea and it doesn’t workout – it’s ok. At least you stoppedbefore you went too far. You have tobe able to admit you made a mistake.Then let the system work through.Museums & Galleries wanted more

space. My idea was to pull theflyovers down and build there, aroundthe back, linking the culturalorganisations of the city together.Building apartments there would alsohave helped pay for it. It would alsohave joined north Liverpool to whatwas happening in the city centre. Youneed to take a hit in some areas forbenefits elsewhere. The moral of thestory is, you can make a mistake butyou need the bigger picture to work.With Mann Island, I think the planswere premature but how long will thebuildings last, 50 years? The value ofland in the city is always changing,and the buildings will be replaced.

AH: Was WHS status right to allowsomething to happen there? We needthe best historic and the bestcontemporary buildings. The newmuseum is a fantastic building. Ipersonally think The Cloud was toolarge. GM: We did need a focus out on thewaterfront, but I think the museum ismaybe not quite in the best place –but things change. But there’s alwaysa chance that the three waterfrontbuildings may change their function. Iremember working on a project inLondon and there was a building siteknocked down before it was finishedbecause the land values hadincreased so much. City centre landvalues change so much – but thespaces endure even while thebuildings come and go. While there’s afine line between taste, style andgood design you have to have a goodplanning committee who will notallow poor quality, damaging buildingsto be built just because they’re afraidthat the city lose an investment toanother city. We should be strong, andwait for the right investors with theright plans for the space, but to dothat we need a good committee, withquality people like Lady Doreen Jones.What might be the advantages andproblems to Peel developing thewaterfront?AH: There were some issues with

“What’s specialabout a WHS isthat it is a‘one off’.

”

“It’s important topreserve WHSstatus, but also toensure wecontinue to enjoythe best of theheritage we have,and the way to dothat is to allowregeneration tocontinue in andaround that area.

”

MOVE COMMERCIAL36

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where to place the tower blocks, but Ithink that, sensitively done, thescheme will bring Stanley Dock andother buildings around there, back intouse and that would be great for thecity. I’m definitely in favour of it inprinciple although I’d need to seemore detail before I could say how Imight impact on the WHS status ofthe city.GM: I’d agree. It’s the right approach tonorth Liverpool, big and bold, crossingthe water too, with a critical mass. It’sa lot more than just increasing landvalues with planning permission. It’s abig deal for Liverpool, on both sides ofthe water – and puts the city where itshould be. Liverpool has somethingManchester and Birmingham willnever have, and it’s something whichwill turn us into a Lyon.AH: We’re involved at FCH with Wirralwaters, and if their approach is thesame in Liverpool then the aspirationto capitalise on their assets withenergy generation is fantastic. Youwalk around Birkenhead now and it’sclear that just polishing street cornerswouldn’t do anything. You need tothink the unthinkable and Peel are

doing that. You have to admire theirapproach. Another factor in thescheme is that Peel is a largelandowner or none of it would bepossible. Look at the Ropewalkswhere the disparate ownership justmakes it impossible for much in theway of regeneration to happen. GM: Compare that with the city centrein 1999 which centred on ChurchStreet and there was just nowhere forbusinesses to expand. Next had

something like the highest salesturnover but in one of the smallesthigh street units in Liverpool –because the critical mass was notavailable. People had to queue outside– but where could they go? Grosvenorworked with the city council to CPOwhat they couldn’t buy and madetheir scheme happen. That’s whatPeel is doing. When it comes underone umbrella, exciting things canhappen, and where one developerleads others will follow. It’s an idealopportunity for the city – but theproblem is the backdrop of northLiverpool, which desperately needsregenerating, and that isn’t part ofPeel’s scheme. There are hopes thatthe Peel scheme will send a rippleeffect – but ripple effects often don’twork. There needs to be a plan forthat area of the city in its own right –although that’s another story.AH: I do hope that there will beinfluence from Peel’s scheme in theperimeter and raise potential todevelop around that.GM: That’s what concerns me. Takethe Edge Lane scheme in 1997 andAtlantic Boulevard – where the verybest corner sites were let to thewrong users. I think that in the citycentre the public realm should shapethe city, on the waterfront it’s theriver and the docks, and that shouldbe seen as a major high street. All theenergy needs to focus along that. Atthe same time we need a plan to lookat north Liverpool and how that’sgoing to work, in partnership with thepublic authorities. The masterplan fora scheme can’t defend itself by sayingthere’ll be a ripple effect – it needs tobe more proactive. How can developers work withWHS?AH: The criteria is very specific andthe big players know how it works.We’ve just had a plan approved for ahotel on Dale Street. We proposed awhole new building on the site ofthree old buildings, but the reactionfrom the planning committeeimproved the scheme so that nowwe’ll be keeping two of the buildingsfor heritage reasons, with one newbuilding in between them. At the backthere was a two-storey workhouse,which was a piece of the city’s history,and we argued that that should notstand in the way of new development– and won the case. It was agreedthat the viability of the new schemewould be hindered if the workhousewas maintained. The positive benefitsof the new development- getting oldbuildings back into use, bringinganimation to ground floor level on thatstreet – was seen to be morebeneficial than preserving that one

building. So the WHS worked with us,acknowledging that redevelopmentwas more important. The city needsnew buildings to work. You losesomething – but you gain more.Do we have a clear enough visionof Liverpool as a city and what itsaims should be in terms of how itcompetes within the region andwith other regional cities foreconomic success?AH: Liverpool Vision is in China now,telling people that Liverpool is a cityto invest in, and they have evidencenow of why that should be the case.GM: I think that there’s amisunderstanding of the sense ofcompetition in the region. While youneed to be cognisant of what’shappening in the region, Liverpool is aworld class city and doesn’t need toworry about what Manchester isdoing. It should blaze its own trail. Itshould look to capitalise on its assetsto imagine a new future. We have somany entrepreneurial people here, wehave quality stock, cheap land andgreat opportunities. Manchester can’tcompare with that. Yes, right nowwe’re experiencing economicproblems, but Liverpool has seen off50 years of that – if we keep themomentum going now, we will havethe benefit of apartments and officespaces to attract investment whenwe’re back on the upturn.


“Liverpool is a worldclass city anddoesn’t need toworry about whatManchester is doing.

”

Our panel enjoyed theexpress lunch menu, withmeals inspired by New Yorkgreats Carnegie Deli andSmith & Ollensky, at TheNoble House, in the stunninginteriors of the historic gradeII listed Heywood building onBrunswick Street, in the heartof Liverpool’s businessdistrict. The express lunchmenu offers two courses for£14.95, with mains varyingfrom oak smoked Scottishsalmon to roast butteredbreast of chicken withSerrano ham, to vegetarianrisotto of shallots, confitcherry tomatoes and buffalomozzarella and flame grilledquarter pound beefburgerswith fries.To book a table, telephone0151 236 5346.

THE NOBLE HOUSERESTAURANT & BARHeywood Building, 5 BrunswickStreet, Liverpool, L2 OUU

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MOVE COMMERCIAL38

Q&AWith Tracy ThompsonLicensed Conveyancer,Property Department

I am interested in taking a 5 year lease of a small shop andthe landlord says he wants me to contract out of the

Landlord & Tenant Act 1954. What does this mean?

The Landlord & Tenant Act 1954 is a complex area of law of whichsections 24 – 28 offer the tenant of commercial premises security

of tenure at the end of the Lease term.Unless the lease is contracted out of these sections of the Act, you have

the right to remain in the premises until the landlord brings the tenancyto an end in one of the prescribed ways, usually by service of what iscalled a section 25 notice.

The section 25 notice must give between 6 and 12 months' notice toend the tenancy and the landlord will either offer a new tenancy orrefuse one using one of the specified grounds. Unless and until thisnotice is served you can stay in the premises.

There are 7 specified grounds available under the Act which allow thelandlord to refuse a new tenancy of which Ground F – demolition andGround G – the landlords intention to occupy the premises are mostcommonly cited. In any case, the landlord or the tenant can apply to theCourt for a new tenancy.

If you do agree to contract out of sections 24 – 28 of the 1954 Act, youwill be served with a notice prior to entering into the lease which youwill need to sign to declare that you accept the consequences of theagreement to contract out.

I am currently considering entering into a 10 year lease ofa beauty salon. What are the main things I need to

consider when negotiating the lease?

There are many issues which need careful consideration beforeentering into a new business tenancy and the following points are

important to bear in mind;As the lease is for 10 years, it is worth trying to negotiate a break clause

in the lease so that you have the right to end the lease at a specifiedtime, for example on the 5th anniversary, as this can provide muchgreater flexibility and peace of mind.

It is likely that as the lease is for more than 5 years there will be a rentreview clause. It is common for this to be to a market rent; however itmay be worth trying to negotiate for the rent to go down as well if rentshave generally fallen at that time.

If you are to be responsible for repairs to the premises, it is important toensure you are aware of your level of liability in that if the lease containsa full repairing covenant, at the end of the tenancy you will be requiredto put the premises into good repair at your own cost, even if thepremises were not in good repair at the start of your tenancy.

If it is possible you may want to pass the lease on to someone elseduring the term of the tenancy then you should ensure the lease allowsan assignment of the remaining term to a third party. You will also be wiseto check what the requirements of the landlord will be in his acceptanceof the incoming tenant meeting certain conditions and standards.

These are but a few of the important provisions which you willfrequently encounter in a commercial shop lease, however there aremany other considerations which is why it is important to take legaladvice to make sure you have a full understanding of the legal,commercial and financial implications and burdens being imposed.

Tracy Thompson is based in the Crosby office.2 Crown Buildings, Liverpool Road, Crosby, Liverpool, L23 5SR

Tel: 0151 924 9234 Website: www.morecroft.co.uk

A

Q

A

Q

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33-48:p03-12 6/9/10 17:37 Page 38

Town centre high street Focus

The north-west’s town centres are fighting back against therecession, and the trend in latter years for businesses to locate inretail and business parks. As opportunities from the recession are

opening up town centre high streets to new occupiers, the benefitsof reinvesting in town centres has become clear, with developers

working in partnership to capitalise on the potential – and thecompetition leading to some surprising results.

MOVE COMMERCIAL 39

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MOVE COMMERCIAL40

Focus Town centre high street

Seaside perspectivesA focus report on the seaside townof Southport undertaken earlier thisyear saw the town ranked 53rdnationally for shopping, as comparedwith Preston in 42nd place andLiverpool in 10th place. The pastdecade has seen demand for retail inSouthport vary, but since 2007 thissector has grown, despite the pitfallsfor the shopping street in the recenteconomic climate. There is plenty ofevidence to suggest that confidenceis growing in the town. In Februarythis year, there were 25 retailersseeking representation withinSouthport, collectively requiring up to28,015 sq m of retail floorspace(stats provided by Sefton Council). Ofthese, comparison traders account forthe largest number of requirementsin outlet terms. In the same monththere were 110 vacant retail units inthe town, occupying floorspace of27,270 sq m, and representing 14.4per cent of all units. To understand the town’s resilience,compare this with the nationalfigures for vacancy of 11.1 per centof units in a town. Since 2009,however, the proportion of vacantunits has decreased by two per cent,and the proportion of vacantfloorspace by 1.2 per cent. While thedemise of Woolworths last year left agap on the high street in a number oftowns centres and suburban highstreets, in Southport this unit hasbeen filled by high street fashion

stores New Look and H&M. Asthese popular and successful

retailers bring more shoppersinto the town, they are

also enticing a youngerdemographic than the

former Woolworthsstore. Of course,

while retail is alarge

attractiontoSouthport’svisitors, theplans to developthe seafront alsoplay a significantpart in attractingleisure customers tothe seaside town. Amasterplan anddevelopment strategy has alreadyseen significant amounts of fundingpour into the town and it’s expectedthat key infrastructure developments

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Town centre high street Focus

over the next five years will see anunparalleled reinvention of thehistoric retail and leisure destination.Neptune Developers, known for theirwork at Mann Island in Liverpool andon New Brighton waterfront arebecoming something of a specialist inleisure-based regeneration and haveinvested £20million into Southport’sseafront. The redevelopment of theFloral Hall Gardens site, with a fourstar hotel, casino and conferencefacilities and improvements to thepublic realm, a pedestrian area andthe Marine Lake should also bringsignificant improvements. With otherinvestments and innovations in thetown supporting this work, thetown’s prospects for the years aheadlook bright.

Looking to the futureIn St Helens, plans to boost the towncentre have focused on developingthe new £2million St Helens stadiumin the centre itself. Alan Shearervisited the town in May to open thedevelopment of nine indoor thirdgeneration five-a-side footballpitches and the additional 65 by 25metre pitch on the site of aredundant glass works. Thetown’s fame for its collieryand glass works weresensitivelyremembered andcommemoratedlast year withthe installationof animpressive 20metre highpiece of publicart in Sutton(visible from themotorway) - TheDream – which alsoexpresses the town’soutward and forward lookingvision for its future. The newstadium’s use of a redundant site is atruly regenerative project designed tooffer a platform for community-basedprojects, sporting events, and willwelcome VIPs and dignitaries to thetown on the site which looks at bothits history and its future. Langtreedevelopers, who own the site, haveworked with the borough council onthe project, who say the scheme willcreate hundreds of new jobs in theborough with a new Tesco superstoreoffering 140,000 sq ft of retailfloorspace forming a key part of the

scheme. The scheme will face historicformer Cannington Shaw Bottleshop,which dates from 1886 and is ascheduled ancient monument, andimprove the setting of this piece ofthe town’s history. Pedestrian links tothe town centre are expected toincrease the use of public transportinto the town, and the numbers ofmatch-goers attending on footshould also increase. While the towncentre’s retail offer could use a boost,no plans as yet are underway torevitalise shopping in the town centreitself – and in recent years, this hasleft the way open for neighbouringretail parks to grow and develop. It’shoped that Langtree’s investment inoffice space in the town, and now inthe delivery of the stadium, willprompt landlords and developers toup their game.

Taking stockStockport town’s ambitious plans forretail expansion were crushed in2008 when the preferred developerLend Lease withdrew from the£500million Bridgefield retail-ledscheme. While in some quarters thisbrought relief, at lest for Merseyway

shopping centre – its maincompetitor – it

remains thatinvestment in

Stockport isneeded inorder forthe towntocompetewith its

neighboursin the north-

west.Positives in

recent monthshowever, include a new

civic centre for the town andnew buildings at Stockport College. Abrand new 50,000 sq ft officebuilding at St Peter’s Square by BAMProperties, which has secured Sky asa tenant, show confidence in thetown as a centre for business. At themoment, the demand for antherBridgefield-type scheme does notseem to be driving forward anydevelopment in the town. Meanwhile,the Grand Central leisure complexscheme by Targetfellow is no nearera starting date, but plans to delivernew housing in the town centre in

the Covent Garden Village projectcould, if successful in securingresidents and a wider demographic ofresidents, increase a demand formore town centre improvements andaccelerate the progress that hasalready been identified as integral toStockport’s future.

Investing in educationA range of schemes were proposedunder Bootle’s town centremasterplan in 2003, designedspecifically to drawinvestment into thearea by creatingviable newbuildings, andimproving thepublic realm.The SouthSeftonInvestmentCentre onthe site ofVermontHouse onStanley Roadhas successfullyattracted the NHS toback the letting and sub-letting of its grade A facilities, on a20 year lease, to BA Ventre andMartin Kelly dental practices. Otheroccupiers include Sefton Council’sregeneration department, amongother government departments. Witha range of units designed for smallbusinesses and start-ups and aground floor café, the premises haveanimated the surrounding area. In thearea of education, Bootle’s HughBaird College’s investment in itscampus continues. The £4.1millioninvestment in the PembrokeConstruction followed by a further£50million into the new BalliolCampus at the site, which is expectedto be delivered by 2011, creatingworld class facilities for students.The town’s proximity to Liverpool andto Southport means that in retailterms, expectations in this area mustbe realistic, although Bootle’s towncentre management team has beenproactive in pushing for quality andvariety in this area.

Sub-regional strategiesFor Warrington, its unique locationbetween two regional cities and thenumber of successful retail parks inits surrounding areas, have seen it

overlooked in the tables of north-west town centres; in some ways, avictim of its own success. Expansionin the town’s own retail offer did notmeet with initial success when, in2007 the northern part of the towncentre opened the Golden Squareshopping centre. Developed byAspire, working with the council, andcovering 740,000 sq ft (includingrefurbishment) the project wasvalued at £250million, and attractedretailers in the Bridge Street area torelocate their premises. The town’s

planning department wasquick to react to the

growing number ofvacant units

however, and amasterplan forthe BridgeStreet areawas putforward thefollowing

year,following

consultationwith stakeholders

to develop a visionfor this area of the

town’s regeneration. Thecouncil is now seeking a developmentpartner to deliver a mixed usedevelopment in the area, toconsolidate a focus in the town’sretail, business, leisure, cultural andentertainment offer. Underpinned bythe current Golden Squaredevelopment and complemented bythe town’s transport links, and withrecovery expected around the corner,Warrington’s town centre will surelysoon have new vibrancy at its core.

“enticing ayounger

demographicthan the former

Woolworthsstore”

“the town’soutward and

forwardlooking vision”

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For more information contact:

The Investment Centre, Stanley Road, Bootle, L20 3EF

TO LET• Stunning offices in a town centre location• Superb access to all local amenities and public transport • Accommodation to suite various requirements• i-space – fully serviced incubator accommodation from single desks to 1-2 person offices• Flexible terms• Traditional office suites 920 sq ft – 3,316 sq ft• On site car parking • 65% Let• Excellent café/restaurant opportunity – 1,270 sq ft• Rents from £10 per sq ft

THE INVESTMENT CENTRE – BOOTLE

Rupert Lowe at Keppie MassieT: 0151 255 0755

33-48:p03-12 6/9/10 17:12 Page 42

To LetIndustrial / Trade units from 3,000 - 4,500 sq ft

Sherdley Business Park St Helens

To LetIndustrial units from

5,000 - 7,000 sq ftSt Helens

Park Court is a development of 19 industrial/trade units totalling over 73,000 sq ft.

The scheme has been fi nished to a modern specifi cation to include:

• 6m clear eaves height • Quality offi ce content • Fully heated and lit • Good parking and circulation areas • Monitored CCTV

ParkCourt

Lea GreenLea Green Business Park comprises 21 high quality industrial/warehouse units ranging in size from 5,000 to 7,000 sq ft on a superbly located site.

The units benefi t from the following specifi cation:

• Quality internal offi ces • Fully serviced • Good parking/circulation areas • Monitored CCTV security system

Need fl exibility?

12 month leases

at £4.50 psf

Need low cost?

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from £3.00 psf

(subject to terms & conditions)


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MOVE COMMERCIAL44

Phil Warren, Managing Directorof Warmer Heating, earmarked2010 as a year for growth.Working alongside hisCommercial Director, BryanGlendinning, the firm identifiedopportunities that would helpthem expand, attract new clientsand potentially move out of theirpremises on South BoundaryRoad on Knowsley IndustrialEstate. After a six-month searchfor the right site, the company isready to move.

“Size was the biggest factor. Iwas looking for a site between12,000 – 15,000 square feet.Location was all important asthere were different factors tothink about; new contractsmeaning the need for morewarehouse space, more staff somore office space, our existingclient base and how we could bestserve them from various locations.I was conscious we wereoutgrowing our HQ in Knowsley,

but still had time to choose theright next step”.

Working with commercial agentsCB Richard Ellis, the firmidentified a number of sitesbut have opted for a move only afew miles from their currentKnowsley base.

“Many of the reasons as to whywe are staying in Knowsley are the

same as to why I moved here fromLiverpool four years ago. This isan excellent borough forentrepreneurs, particularly thoselooking to expand their business.The support the local authorityoffered me when I first moved toKnowsley from Anfield back in

2006 set the groundwork forexpansion. Funding streams havehelped us train our staff – eachstaff member at Warmer Heatingis trained to NVQ Level 1-3 – andhelped connect with otherbusinesses, particularly thoughthe Chamber of Commerce”.

The new premises are the rightsize, offering over 9,000 square

feet of warehouse space to helpmeet demand for new orders andclient contracts with 4,500 squarefeet of office space. Formerlyowned by Staffords, thecommercial space at OverbrookCourt in Knowsley Business Parkhas cost £800,000 leasehold.

Warmer Heating continues tohave a wide client base inKnowsley, while its proximity tothe motorway network help thefirm serveits clients across the North ofEngland.

The company’s first site was aformer cornershop on Breck Road.Steady growth helped the firm

move first to a double frontedshop further up Breck Road inAnfield as they won contractsthrough the government’s WarmFront scheme managed by Eaga.At that site the company grew toabout 60 staff. This summer, thefirm has continued its expansion

After a six month search, Warmer Heating’s MD has found the firms new UKHQ, less than a mile from their current base in Knowsley’s Industrial Park but overtwice the size. 2010 has seen significant expansion for the firm that began lifewith a small shop front in Anfield. The past year has left many companies feelingthat staying the same size is cause for celebration, but, having outgrown threepremises in just 12 years, what’s the secret of Phil Warren’s success and why isKnowsley staying as his base?

Trailblazer

You can’t walk into a company and tell them how tobe greener if you’re not already doing it yourself“

“

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MOVE COMMERCIAL 45

with a series of new client wins aswell as the takeover of Lancashirebased insulation firm IQ Energy,adding another string to their bowwhich includes bespoke centralheating systems along withrenewable energy solutions, aswell as the firm’s existingcontracts with Preston Council,Blackburn Council, Ribble ValleyCouncil and Cumbria CountyCouncil. All 15 staff at IQ Energyhave been retained, along withthat Warmer Heating has hired 12new staff. They currently employover 200 people.

Phil Warren sites the reason fortheir growth as an ability toembrace new ideas and trends.Growth in the renewable energymarket over the last year has beenstaggering as companies andprivate individuals make use ofgrants and government projects tomake their houses, andbusinesses, greener, eveninstalling Solar PV panels onto

their roofs. From the start of theirexpansion into the market, Philwas conscious they had to walkthe walk, if they were going to talkthe talk. “You can’t walk into acompany and tell them theyshould be making themselvesgreener and more conscious oftheir impact on the environment ifyou’re not already doing ityourself. We spent time reviewingand adapting our workingpractices from waste disposal torecycling water treatmentproducts used in all installation”.

This coincided with the WarmFront scheme, which offeredWarmer Heating an opportunityto expand within their existingsector, working with RegisteredSocial Landlords like ArenaHousing, Riverside, Regenda andMaritime Housing, Citywest Trustand Muir, as they look toregenerate existing housing stockand tackle fuel poverty. The workhas won the firm awards and

helped raise their profile, as wellas helping them grow into theprivate sector.

“This was a new industry andneeded new skills. Havingreceived support from the localauthority here in Knowsley we’vebeen able to train our staff whichhelps continue our reputation asbeing one of the most experiencedand qualified in the industry. Theborough already had the rightlabour market skills set and thatsupport was vital. The newMicrogeneration CertificationScheme, for example, has ensuredwe can prove our skill in the field.That’s what it’s about. At somestage, your company gets to a sizewhere you can’t be hands on onevery job. You have to trust yourstaff that they can represent youin people’s homes and businesses.Providing them with the righttraining and tools to do that isjust good business sense”.

WarrenFileCurrent HQ:South Boundary Road,Knowsley Industrial Park

New HQ:Overbrook Court,Knowsley Business Park

Size:13,500 square feet

Cost:£800,000 leasehold

Agent:CB Richard Ellis

Phil Warren, Warmer Heating Rising Star

33-48:p03-12 6/9/10 15:49 Page 45

Expert views Ask the panel

What are your hopes for theOctober spending review?

“The intention of the spendingreview squeeze is to put theUK on a firmer footing andeveryone will feel the impact. Ihope that the burden on theprivate sector to “rise to thechallenge” can be met, but thiscan only happen bymaintaining low interest ratesand giving businesses andentrepreneurs access torealistic finance, investmentdoes create opportunities.”

Lesley Martin-Wright,Chief Executive atKnowsley Chamber ofCommerce

“Considering that the spendingcuts in the October review areexpected to be even deeper thanthose outlined in the emergencybudget earlier this year, theoutlook would seem relativelygloomy. I certainly hope that keyinfrastructure and regenerationprojects in the North West are notaffected by the cuts - there areseveral schemes currently in thepipeline which will play a vital rolein stimulating the regionaleconomy and creating jobs.”

Pippa Page, Senior surveyor atCB Richard Ellis North Westand chair of RICS LocalAssociation Merseyside andNorth Cheshire

"It is important that cuts are madebecause like consumers, thegovernment cannot continue toborrow at the rate of knots it has beendoing. Key though is striking a balancebetween taking the necessarymeasures for the economy and beingable to give for example, UK plc andSMEs the confidence that we are setfor a brighter six to twelve months ofimproved growth prospects."

Tracy Thompson, LicensedConveyancer, Property Departmentat Morecrofts Solicitors

“The spending review willhurt - everyone appreciatesthat - but I hope to see anintelligent and fair approach,as opposed to a 'slash andburn' panic mentality. Iwould also like to think thatthe likely impacts on theprivate sector and deprivedareas have been properlyconsidered.”

Robin Ellis,senior agency surveyorat Downing

“As a former card carrying memberof the Socialist Workers Party(Bristol Poly branch) I don’t have anygreat hopes that the spendingreview will result in a sociallycohesive outcome but not many ofthe SWPs ideas made a lot of senseeither. Investment has to come fromsomewhere and we can only hopethat banks and private equity can fillthe potential gaps in developmentand infrastructure funding.”

Paul Bibby, Managing partnerat MSB Solicitors

“we can only hope that banksand private equity can fill thepotential gaps in developmentand infrastructure funding.

”MOVE COMMERCIAL46

33-48:p03-12 7/9/10 11:14 Page 46

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Documents

Move Commercial 19