Property round-up: Russells strikes deal to convert bowling alley; furniture firm finds home in Warrington; and more

RUSSELLS Construction has won a £1.5m deal to convert a 40,000 sq ft former bowling alley at The Capitol Centre at Walton-le-Dale near Preston into a new Waitrose supermarket.

The company has been appointed by Royal London Asset management to complete a four-month refit, which is due to start in October.

Once work completes next February, the store will employ up to 200 staff.

The unit’s existing fittings will be stripped out while the roof and windows will be replaced and internal walls removed. New car parking and delivery areas will also be created alongside an entrance lobby outside the unit.

Gareth Russell, construction director for Trafford-based Russells Construction, said: “The supermarket sector has proved to be the most robust part of the retail sector over recent times and it’s great to see investment coming through for new stores, especially for a quality retailer like Waitrose.

“We have a lot of experience in retail construction over the last 15 years and so were delighted to have been appointed to this project by Royal London.”

The Capitol Centre is already home to a number of retailers, but the Waitrose unit will be its first foodstore.

Drew Watkins of Royal London Asset Management said: “I was delighted to secure Waitrose as a tenant for this property. They will be a fantastic addition to the retail and leisure parks.

“In extending consumer choice to include a high quality food store we felt we would be providing a popular new amenity for the local community. We’re pleased to have appointed Russells Construction to the project and to see work well underway.”

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MAG Developments has relaunched its service aimed at property professionals attending next year’s MIPIM property conference in Nice.

The airport’s property arm is offering a £400 package that includes return flights between Manchester and Nice, coach transfers to Canne, complimentaryt access to its T1 Escape lounge and a 25kg luggage allowance.

MAG Developments’ business development director Stephanie Mullenger said: “Feedback was very positive for the last MIPIM flight, so building on our collaborative approach, the service will again be operated at cost price.”

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TRANSPORT for Greater Manchester has begun refurbishing Droylsden’s Villemomble Square as part of its plan to extend the Metrolink line from the city centre to the square next summer.

Metrolink is providing new paving, trees, benches, litter bins, planters and street lighting.

Droylsden’s iconic town centre clock will also return, which was put into storage when the Metrolink work first started.

Improvements to the Market Street side of the Square, which include fitting new benches, litter bins, planters and street lighting, will get underway in January 2012.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the Transport for Greater Manchester Committee, said: “I’m delighted that in the course of bringing Metrolink to Droylsden we’re also going to be making these improvements to an important part of the town centre.”

“The very nature and scale of the construction work involved with delivering the Metrolink line means that disruption has simply been unavoidable, but we only have to look at the benefits the existing lines have brought to Bury, Altrincham, Eccles and Chorlton for a long-term view of having Metrolink on your doorstep.”

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ALLEN & Appleyard (Furniture) Ltd has taken a unit at Taurus Park on Europa Boulevard in Warrington.

The firm has agreed a new 10-year lease for the 16,196 sq ft Unit 3 at Taurus
Park for an annual rent of £85,000, or £5.25 per sq ft. Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) acted on behalf of landlord Aviva Investors.

JLL associate director Richard Johnson said: “We are delighted to have disposed of the largest available unit on this well located and high profile estate.

“A straight 10 year term was negotiated, which confirms the high quality of Taurus Park and its suitability as a long term trading location.”   

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A new housing scheme containing 21 apartments in Handforth for social housing firm Symphony Housing Group Handforth has been completed.

The Mersey View scheme was designed by Manchester-based based Pozzoni Architects, which designed the 21 apartments to achieve Level 4 in the Code for Sustainable Homes. Photovoltaic panels are used to harness electricity, and rainwater harvesting to reduce demands on metered households by reusing rainwater for washing machines and flushing toilets.

Margie Martin, interior designer, said: “This development has been considered down to the last detail; from the communal stairway spaces to the kitchen and bathroom components, we have designed in a contemporary yet domestic feel that appeals to the target group of 25 -35 year old professional individuals and couples.

“A high quality finish has been achieved and we hope that the new occupiers will enjoy their surroundings.”

The development is part of the government’s HomeBuy scheme to enable first-time buyers to get a foot on the property ladder.

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LIVERPOOL estate agency City Residential has agreed a deal with Liverpool Students’ Union to develop a joint venture partnership offering lettings in the city for students.

Student Union Lettings Ltd is a 50:50 joint venture with two directors from each partner organisation as well as one independent.

It has already begun a vetting process of landlords who, once approved, can list their properties both at a dedicated office on Victoria St, within the student union building and on its website.

Alan Bevan, managing director at City Residential, said: “This is a really special partnership between two companies who can substantially improve not only the image of the student lettings market but also ensure that both students and landlords have a positive experience.”

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DIGITAL creative agency Studio Liddell has taken an extra 1,000 sq ft of space at Property Alliance Group’s Fairbairm Buildings on Sackville St in Manchester city centre.

The company has taken the extra space having recently started work on a pre-school animation production for HoHo Entertainment and acquired by BBC for Cbeebies.

Studio Liddell moved into Fairbairn Buildings over three years ago alongside PR firm Golley Slater, Reid Architects and  Tata Steel.

Ian Liddell, managing director at Studio Liddell, said: “The style and character of space at Fairbairn Buildings continues to be an attractive factor for our staff and clients.  We’re delighted with the service provided at the building by Property Alliance Group and to be able to acquire additional space at Fairbairn to facilitate our company growth.”

Property Alliance Group has carried out a complete refurb of Fairbairn Buildings since acquiring the building in 2007.

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CO-OPERATIVE Funeral Services is opening a funeral directors’ at Copson Street in Withington, Manchester.

It has taken possession of unit 4 which has 1,766 sq ft of space – 1,348 sq ft on the ground floor and 418 sq ft of storage on the first.  It has signed a 10 year lease at an annual rental of £16,000.

Chris Renshaw of Manchester based CRC North, which represented Co-operative Funeral Services, said: “The Funeral Services division of the Co-operative is continually assessing its outlets and is always looking to increase or improve the location of its Funeral Directors to best serve the local community.”

Cheetham & Mortimer & Regional Property Solutions acted for the landlord Starcrester Properties.