Property round-up: Rathbones takes more space at Port of Liverpool, Booths, Madhouse, Lowry Outlet & more
WEALTH management company Rathbone Brothers has taken an extra 10,299 sq ft of space at developer Downing’s historic Port of Liverpool building.
FTSE 250-listed Rathbone now occupies more than 65,000 sq ft of space in the Grade II* listed building, housing 280 staff, after taking an extra three suites on the third floor as well as the building’s second-floor boardroom.
Rathbones has said that it will make the boardroom available “on a select basis” to other tenants in the building.
Last year, Downing completed a £15 million refurbishment project at Port of Liverpool, returning the building to its former glory and upgrading its office space.
Robin Ellis, senior agency surveyor at Downing, said: “Since acquiring The Port of Liverpool Building in 2001 we have an ongoing commitment to carry out refurbishments that provide the highest quality office space.
“Rathbones are a highly valued tenant and we are pleased that they have chosen to take advantage of the facilities we provide by taking additional space – we are also thrilled to see the magnificent boardroom back in action.”
Paul Chavasse, director at Rathbones, said: “The Port of Liverpool Building is already our largest office but this extension of our lease gives us the impressive historic boardroom as well as improved security and connectivity with our own private lift lobby.
“We were keen to stay in the building as it has unrivalled character and is in a fantastic location for us.”
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PLANNING consultancy Steven Abbott Associates has secured planning permission for a new 32,000 sq ft supermarket in Scotforth, south Lancaster for family-owned operator E.H.Booth & Co. The new store will replace an existing outlet nearby, which is too small.
The Scotforth store has been designed by Wilson Mason to use levels on the site to minimise its visual impact, enhance the setting and create a highly-sustainable, energy efficient building.
Steven Abbott, partner at Steven Abbott Associates, said: “Booths team, of which we are a part, has worked hard to bring forward a high quality development.
“The design of the proposed store is ambitious but also typifies the sensitivity with which Booths work to ensure their developments enhance their surroundings in a sustainable and responsible manner.
“We are delighted to have played a key role in securing permission for another Booths store and look forward to moving forward with the scheme.”
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COMMERCIAL Estates Group (CEG) has let a 5,072 sq ft office suite at its recently-acquired 196 Deansgate building in Manchester city centre to marketing agency Madhouse Associates.
The firm has relocated from 2 Mount St and signed a ten-year lease, with an option to acquire more space if needed.
CEG has recently completed a major refurbishment of 196 Deansgate, which has included a remodelling of its entrance and an upgraded atrium. The building now has space in office suites over five floors ranging in size from 2,000 sq dft to 35,000 sq ft.
Rob Thompson of Commercial Estates Group, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Madhouse at 196 Deansgate. The building really complements the company’s creative and vibrant personality and works well practically for them.
“We are confident 196 offers top quality refurbished space and highly competitive lease terms at a time when Grade A space is in short supply and we want to attract growing firms to our city centre building.”
Phil Rogerson, managing director of Madhouse Associates, said: “196 Deansgate meets all our requirements with its central location to ensure we continue to attract high calibre employees and clients, as well as its characterful space and charm. We have worked closely with CEG and its team to make our relocation and growth a long-term strategy.”
Edwards & Co and WHR are joint agents for the building. Canning O’Neill advised Madhouse.
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THE Lowry Outlet Mall has confirmed three new lettings in the last month.
The new tenants are Media City Physio, Yankee Candles Outlet and The Harvester Restaurant.
Media City Physio will be situated on the ground floor. The 2,701 sq ft store will provide physiotherapy, massage therapy, sports specific conditioning and a range of health related seminars. It will employ 10 members of staff.
Occupying a 877 sq ft unit, on the first floor, the Yankee Candles Outlet will employ four people. and offer a collection of candles, including the popular jar candles, tea lights and accessories.
The Harvester Restaurant will be located on the ground floor Plaza area of the Mall, next door to Lime Restaurant. Occupying a 4,111 sq ft unit and employing up to 30 full and part-time staff.
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A NURSING home in Oldham has been sold by its owners to an experienced local operator for an undisclosed sum.
Treetops is a Nursing home which is registered to house 33 patients and contains 30 bedrooms in a purpose-built detached property. It had been owned by Mrs C A Shaw and had enjoyed consistently high occupancy rates, according to selling agents Christie + Co.
Associate director Rosie Adlem, who handled both the marketing and sale of the home from Christie + Co’s Manchester office, said: “We are delighted to have assisted our clients in the sale of Treetops Nursing Home. Having developed the business themselves, it had been a very important part of their lives.
“We are also very pleased to have helped the purchaser, who had been looking to acquire a home for some time. I would like to wish both the previous and new owners of Treetops Nursing Home all the very best for the future.”
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A NEW estate of 35 semi-detached social housing properties in Leigh have been completed on time and to budget by Eric Wright Construction.
The contractor, which is part of Preston-based Eric Wright Group, designed and built the £3 million estate for Wigan & Leigh Housing, an arms’ length organisation working with Wigan Borough Council.
The estate is on the site of a former hospital behind the terraced street of Leigh Road, with access from Chatham Street and Carrington Street.
There are 13 two-bedroom, 14 three-bedroom and four 4-bedroom houses, as well as four 2-bedroom flats on the estate.
The project, including extensive landscaping and infrastructure works, was completed ahead of the 12-month timescale.
Cllr Kevin Anderson, Wigan Borough Council’s cabinet champion for communities, said: “The £3.5m project has provided a much-needed boost to the house building industry in Wigan Borough, creating local employment and training opportunities.
“The project has been supported by £1.4m of investment from the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) as well as Wigan Council’s own funding and land.
Cheryl Foster, new build & regeneration programme manager for Wigan and Leigh Housing, said: “The units delivered were excellent and the team were very client- and community-focused.”
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LEGAT Owen has let a 21,500 sq ft unit at Tebay Road in Bromborough, Wirral, to Verderg Connectors.
Verderg Connectors provides diverless subsea connection systems to the oil and gas sectors. The company has an office at Knaphill in Surrey and assembly facilities in Birkenhead but is relocating this and consolidating its production operations in response to an increase in orders.
The units at Tebay Road were built on a speculative basis by Andrews Property Investments. The have been built to BREEAM “Excellent” standards and one unit remains available to let.
