England centurion Bairstow goes in to bat for Middlewood Locks
England cricketer Jonny Bairstow has penned a deal to be brand ambassador for the £1bn Middlewood Locks development in Salford – the biggest residential development in Greater Manchester for years.
The wicketkeeping batsman, whose maiden century led England to its first one-day international win against the West Indies on Tuesday, met with special guests at the 24.5-acred Middlewood site after striking the deal with developer Scarborough Group International for an initial 12-month period.
In the public role, he will work closely with Middlewood Locks developer FairBriar International, a joint venture, led by Scarborough International Properties (50%) with Metro Holdings of Singapore (25%) and Hualing Group of China (25%).
Bairstow said: “The concept of Middlewood Locks is exciting and it is exceptionally located (in Salford) on the edge of the city centre of Manchester with direct access to one of the most vibrant cities in the world.
“It has to be the finest example of successful collaboration in the North of England where a large piece of disused land is being transformed with massive job creation.”
When completed Middlewood Locks will provide a total of 2,215 new homes, 900,000sq ft of commercial space including a hotel together with all the amenities of a new urban neighbourhood that is uniquely situated around three large basins of the Manchester, Bolton and Bury canals, connecting to the River Irwell. Phase one is well underway to deliver 571 one,two and three- bedroom apartments. They will be completed and ready to move into by Spring next year, with prices starting at £160,000 (£128,000 with Help to Buy).
Bairstow will also support the wider interests of Scarborough, endorsing developments such as Thorpe Park Leeds and other ventures.
He will also carry the eco-friendly Novell coffee brand, Scarborough’s UK joint venture with Spanish coffee group, Cafés Novell and will carry the distinctive Novell branding on the back of his bat.
He added: “I have got to know the Scarborough guys really well and I am delighted to be working with them as an ambassador. I am really impressed with Scarborough as a company.”
