Chill Factore begins space exploration
BUILDING consultancy firm Powell Williams has been appointed by the owners of Manchester-based tourist resort Chill Factore on developing the void space underneath the 590ft-long indoor ski slope.
Powell Williams has been appointed to advise on building surveying issues at the centre by longstanding client Blue Marble Properties, which is part of the Pemberstone Group. Pemberstone is one of Chill Factore’s key investors alongside London-based Bridges Community Ventures.
It has asked Powell Williams to carry out an analysis to determine how much work would need to be done to develop space under the slope and to enclose it within the existing development.
David Heatherington, senior partner at Powell Williams, will manage the project from the firm’s Birmingham office with support from the Chester team.
“This is quite a unique space and its development throws up a lot of interesting challenges.
“Temperature control, insulation and ventilation are obviously vitally important and the work we have undertaken will inform any future tenant of their obligations to the rest of the building.”
Chill Factore is now run by chief executive, Morweena Angove, who is a former sales and marketing director at Alton Towers. She replaced former chief executive David Moore in December 2010, following a refinancing of the business in August last year which saw Pemberstone and Bridges inject a further £1.2m of equity into parent company Extreme Cool.
Angove said: “Chill Factore is continuing to celebrate sustained growth and has established itself as one of Manchester’s premier leisure attractions.
“We are always considering ways to increase our offering and improve the visitor experience. This area was identified as wasted space and we were keen to understand the potential for its use.
“Following the completion of Powell Williams’ feasibility study, we are able to open negotiations with potential tenants and are confident any development of the space will be professionally and expertly handled.”
Chill Factore is based close to Peel’s Trafford Centre development alongside other leisure attractions including the JJB Soccerdome and the Airkix skydiving centre.
In the year to October 31, 2009, Extreme Cool declared a pre-tax loss of £1.1m on sales of £7.5m.
The Manchester office of property consultancy Colliers is letting agent for the retail element of the scheme.
