Lettings latest: Five head for Olympic Park; Royal Mail takes delivery of Stakehill space; and more
FIVE new occupiers have signed up for space at the Olympic Park office scheme in Birchwood, Warrington.
Taylor Made Financial Services, Gemu Valves, EMS Sigma, Clacksons and McCarthy Recruitment have taken more than 22,000 sq ft of accommodation in five self-contained office buildings. The units were let by Jones Lang LaSalle and Matthews & Goodman.
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GERMAN IT company GRENKE Leasing has opened an office at Peel’s MediaCityUK development.
The firm has taken 1,743 sq ft within the Blue Tower, which is located above The Studios block. It finances the lease of IT equipment to SMEs and will use the 20-space office as a sales base for the North West.
Stefan Zeeh, international sales director at GRENKE, said: “We are delighted to open our 5th UK Sales office at MediaCityUK. The location and prestigious development is a perfect fit for GRENKE’S continued UK and European expansion.”
Stephen Wild, managing director at MediaCityUK, said: “We are keen to attract a diverse array of companies to MediaCityUK to help achieve our vision of becoming a global hub for innovation and content creation.
“GRENKE’S position within the European IT leasing market makes them an extremely welcome addition to our growing community.”
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ROYAL Mail has taken 102,855 sq ft of temporary space at Stakehill Industrial Estate in Middleton, north Manchester.
The organisation has taken the space for a four-month period to handle increased mail over Christmas.
It has leased the newly-refurbished Unit 69 on the estate, whose existing tenants include Aldi, Booker and Cert Octavian.
Landlord Stakehill Ltd was advised by the industrial team at CBRE North West. Jones Lang LaSalle acted as joint agents.
Paul Cook, an associate director at CBRE North West’s industrial team, said: “Stakehill 69 provided the perfect solution for Royal Mail’s business needs, providing a high quality distribution facility with 10m eaves, cross dock loading, as well as being in an excellent location, close to the M62 motorway.
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A RETAIL unit at Llandudno in North Wales has been sold to an investor after a 15-year deal was agreed with a new tenant.
The Grade II listed, 3,770 sq ft unit at 68 Mostyn St was sold by developer Valad for £450,000. The deal was agreed after a letting was secured with clothing retailer Country Casuals on a 15-year lease with a two-year rent free period for an initial rent of £67,700 per annum.
Under its new landlord, the building will undergo refurbishment and the new store is due to open in Spring 2012.
Both the sale and the letting were handled by Manchester-based property consultancy Cheetham & Mortimer. Investment partner Robert Millington said: “As with many mid-sized towns, Llandudno has endured a difficult period.
“The simultaneous letting and sale of 68 Mostyn Street will hopefully inject some much-needed confidence back into the high street. We are delighted that our continued focus on providing clients with an effective joined-up approach has delivered such a positive outcome.”
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DIGITAL agency Hit Search has expanded within Liverpool Innovation Park following extensive growth since its launch four years ago.
The company, which specialises in search engine marketing, outgrew its previous offices in Baird House and has moved to a 2,237 sq ft unit in the Park’s newly-opened Maxwell House Business Centre.
Hit Search was set up in 2007 by co-founders Andy Redfern and Andy Donaldson. It now employs 16 people.
Redfern acknowledged the role of Liverpool Innovation Park in the firm’s growth. He said: “As a start up, we were looking for somewhere to offer us flexibility in terms of contract length and also an environment which compliments what we do.
“Being at the Innovation Park meant we were surrounded by a number of other forward-thinking companies in the digital sector who we could work with and share valuable leads and contacts.”
Dr Mark Tock, innovation manager at Liverpool Innovation Park, said: “The Park’s flexible offering and proactive approach in fostering the relationships of its occupants is what builds successful business.
“Andy and the team at Hit Search were able to complete negotiations, undertake significant customisation of the premises and move into the new premises within four weeks.
“This is just one example where we support our clients from the early stages to enable hassle-free growth so they can get on with running their business.”
Liverpool Innovation Park is operated by Space North West, a joint venture between Ashtenne Industrial Fund and the Homes and Communities Agency.
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RECRUITMENT consultancy Alexander Mann Solutions and its subsidiary, Amiqus, have signed up to a nine-year lease on a new 3,500 sq ft office at Birchwood Park.
The firm is relocating from a separate unit on the park, which is owned by MEPC, for the second time since initially moving onto the park 11 years ago.
Liz Prince, business manager of its digital media and technology subsidiary, Amicus, said: “MEPC has been very flexible and supportive for the last 11 years, and we are delighted to commit to a further nine at the park.
“The decision to remain at MEPC Birchwood Park was influenced not only by the competitive rates, high quality of the building and good car-parking facilities, but also by the superb, easy-to-reach park amenities.”
