Sainsbury’s eyes sixth city centre shop
SAINSBURY’S is planning to open another Manchester city centre branch on the ground floor of an office block that has been in limbo for several years.
Notices on the building show it has submitted a licensing application to sell alcohol at 22-26 Cross St, a former HSBC branch, but is understood to still be in talks over a lease for the 2,600 sq ft property.
Aurora Property Developments and Premier Property Group (PPG) own the eight-storey, 26,000 sq ft office building and submitted plans for a comprehensive refurbishment in September 2008.
Leeds-based Aurora originally hoped to start work in November, 2008, and have the offices – adjacent to The Royal Exchange – ready for occupation by June, 2009. But as the economy fell into recession the scheme was put on hold.
If the Sainsbury’s – its sixth in the city centre and one more than Tesco – goes ahead it will not necessarily trigger the refurbishment on the upper floors, according to Knight Frank agent David Porter who is handling the building.
“I don’t think the rest of the building will be kicked off. At this stage I’m not anticipating any work to be done to the office space,” said Mr Porter who stressed the developers would be prepared to start work on a speculative basis.
Aurora Property Developments is a Leeds-based developer established in 2006 by directors Ash Griffiths and James Silver and backed by North East entrepreneur Sir Tom Cowie OBE and Landid chief executive Trevor Silver. Aurora declined to comment.
Aurora and PPG appointed CB Richard Ellis and Knight Frank as joint agents to market the office accommodation and Jones Lang LaSalle for the retail outlet. Sainsbury’s could not be reached for comment.
