Consultancy expansion secured, despite difficult conditions facing property sector

Healthcare brand consultancy Strategic North has expanded its operations by taking new space in Hale.

The business works with global healthcare and pharmaceutical clients, but over the past three years has outgrown its existing offices at Westgate, Hale Road, in Hale, and has now taken a further 2,756 sq ft in Richmond House, Hale.

It has agreed a three-year lease on a first floor suite in this three-storey office building in the centre of Hale Village.

Managing director, Steve Padgett, said: “Ten years ago Strategic North began with four partners. Today, we are delighted to move into this light, bright, extra space which provides more room for our growing team of 50 with new space to meet clients and an environment to inspire our thinking about healthcare brands.

“The location is ideal, with quick access to Manchester Airport to connect with our global clients, just 20 minutes into the business, cultural and scientific hub of central Manchester and, no doubt, we’ll once again be enjoying the local buzz of Hale in the not too distant future.”

Daniel Lee, director, Regional Property Solutions, who acted on behalf of the landlord CBRE Global Investors, said: “This letting was agreed and in solicitors’ hands pre-COVID, so it’s very positive news that it was completed during lockdown.

“Encouraging though this deal is, the lockdown by the Government has arguably been the most serious threat to business in a generation and could conceivably be worse than the 2008 financial crisis.

“As a firm of commercial surveyors with a management portfolio of over 100 buildings and estates, we saw an element of panic from some tenants before any government announcements, so it was fundamental not to rush into decisions.

“One of my first sentiments as this pandemic evolved was that both tenants and landlords must share some pain along the way to come out of this successfully and with a business intact.

“To open up lines of discussion we have been communicating regularly with those involved, which is proving a key element in allowing all parties to arrive at a mutually sensible position.

Daniel Lee

“The assistance from central government has been plentiful, with the grants for rateable business premises, rates holidays, furlough, tax deferment and sensible loan schemes, all of which have been made available to a multitude of businesses up and down the country and given businesses time to reflect, reconsider and adjust their business plans.”

He added: “However, the hurdles for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are the hardest to resolve and a safe and successful strategy for the easing of the lockdown restrictions for this sector to open up is crucial.

“On a more positive note, in the last fortnight or so, we have experienced improved activity levels, albeit nowhere near normal or what we would like them to be, but we are hopeful these will continue and grow over the course of the year.”