Property briefs: John Shepherd; Civic Halls; Edmond Shipway
ESTATE agents John Shepherd is opening its first office in Birmingham city centre after signing a 10-year lease for space on Colmore Row.
It will be the company’s seventh office in the region, which it will open 25 years after it was founded.
John Shepherd will pay £60,000 a year rent for 2,120 sq ft on the ground floor of The Grand, which is currently undergoing a £14m refurbishment by owner Hortons’ Estate.
The firm is the fifth tenant to sign up at The Grand, following lettings to 200 Degrees Coffee, Crockett & Jones, The Alchemist and Gusto.
John Shepherd, chairman of the John Shepherd Group, said: “Our new ground floor presence on Colmore Row is part of the original Grand Hotel and occupies one of the most prestigious and premier positions in the city within the heart of the business quarter.”
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REVISED plans for the refurbishment of the Civic Halls in Wolverhampton have been approved by the city council.
Preliminary works had uncovered a problem with the existing steel structure, which has a lower load-bearing capacity than expected. This required a change to the designs, which mainly affects the planned second balcony.
It was going to be u-shaped, but will now be contained at the rear of the hall.
Cllr John Reynolds, City of Wolverhampton Council’s cabinet member for city economy, said: “This is an important step forward for the project.
“While the new design means a slight reduction in the number of additional seats to be installed in the Civic Hall, putting more seating at the rear will mean better sight lines and an improved visitor experience overall.”
The Civic Hall capacity will raise by over 500. The Wulfrun Hall will also get a balcony, increasing its capacity by over 200, allowing both venues to cater for almost 5,000 people in total.
The announcement of a preferred contractor for the scheme is expected shortly.
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CONSTRUCTION consultancy Edmond Shipway is to move its Birmingham operation into larger premises to accommodate an expanding workforce, following a number of appointments and project wins.
The firm is to relocate within Edgbaston from George Road to Frederick Road.
Jamie Crouch, director in Birmingham, said: “I am delighted that our continued expansion and multiple project wins have necessitated a move to larger premises. Edmond Shipway has developed a strong presence in the West Midlands and we are confident that this move will allow us to build on our success to date.”
Recent appointments include Mark Lathwood as senior quantity surveyor and Craig Stephenson who joins as project manager.
