Lettings latest: Blackburn’s Mall signs four new tenants; Pure Gym stretches out in Warrington; and more

THE Mall town centre shopping scheme in Blackburn has announced four new lettings within the past fortnight in the run-up to the pre-Christmas retail rush.

The centre, which is part of an investment fund managed by London-based property giant Capital & Regional and Aviva Investors, has signed up fashion retailer Bank, H&M, Pandora and Peackocks.

The Mall Blackburn recently underwent a £66m extension and refurbishement which completed in July, adding an extra 200,000 sq ft of space.

Loraine Jones, general manager of The Mall Blackburn, said: “We’re thrilled with the reception the redevelopment has had here in Blackburn and within the surrounding area. It has been a real success story and has provided the town with a host of new shops and significantly enhanced consumer choice.”

Joint letting agents at the scheme are Montagu Evans and Tushingham Moore.

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No-frills gyms operator Pure Gym has taken a 19,000 sq ft unit at Winwick Quay Business Park in Warrinton.

The company, which offers 24-hour access to its gyms, has taken a 15-year lease in former manufacturing space which has been converted after landlord Winwick Quay LLP gained change of use consent.

Chetham Court already operates an LA Bowl bowling alley and children’s play firm The Jungle.

The gym will open in early February 2011 once fit out works have been completed.

Ian Murray from Riddelltps, asset managers for the business park, said: “This new letting has proven yet again that Winwick Quay is the desired location for both local and national companies which need a presence in or around Warrington.

“The letting to Pure Gym is another piece of our jigsaw and helps increase leisure usage on Chetham Court. The external elevations of the building will be improved and Pure Gym will definitely take advantage of the prime location on the A49 along with the pull of the other leisure occupiers and the free car parking.

“The concept of low monthly fees, no contract, hi-tech equipment and 24 hour access will be a real benefit to the local residents and workers of Warrington.”

Joint letting agents for the estate are Riddelltps and the Manchester office of Colliers International.

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Nolan Redshaw and joint agents Sanderson Weatherall have announced a spate of lettings across Max Property Group’s North West Industrious portfolio in the last three months.

In total, 16,753 sq ft of space has been let across the portfolio, which extends to 520,000 sq ft across 15 sites.

The new lettings include: |a 4,866 sq ft at Haslemere Industrial Estate in Wigan to dust and fume engineer Climavent Systems on a one-year lease; a 3,200 sq ft at Linnyshaw Industrial Estate in Walkden on a three year lease to Abakus Ltd; a  3,350 sq ft unit at Dale Industrial Estate in Radcliffe on a five-year lease to High Grove Furniture; 2,939 sq ft of space at Half Penny Bridge Industrial Estate in Rochdale to Twenty Twenty Living on a three-year lease; and a 1,199 sq ft of space to  Remote Audio Visual and 600 sq ft to The Ice Cream House at Peel Industrial Estate in Bury – both on a three-year lease.

Steven Manifold, surveyor at Nolan Redshaw, said: “We have had continued success with the north west Industrious sites. To have secured so many lettings in such a short space of time is excellent bearing in mind the continued difficult economic climate. 

“We have a further six units in solicitors hands and the estates within the Industrious portfolio in Greater Manchester are filling up fast.”