Property round-up: Aviva submits plans for Triangle clean-up; £10,000 houses for auction; and more
AVIVA Investors has submitted plans to Manchester City Council for the first phase of the transformation of the Triangle shopping centre.
The proposals focus on restoring the building’s Edwardian architecture by removing old signage, metal structures, outdated lighting and repairing damage to the historical stone facades.
The building will also revert back to its original Corn Exchange name with newer, simpler signage.
Philip Nell, Aviva Investors’ head of UK retail runds – real estate, said: “We’re delighted that we’ve successfully submitted our phase one proposals.
“We’ve tried to ensure that these proposals complement the wider plans to revitalise this key part of Manchester. We believe they will help bring new vitality to the centre and restore its heritage which will bring many benefits to the city centre.”
The proposals submitted for planning are part of the wider plans to revitalise part of the city centre which includes the introduction of the Metrolink Second City Crossing through Cross St to Victoria, which will include wider public realm improvements.
::
GUIDE prices of just £10,000 have been placed on some houses for sale at Eddisons property auction later this month.
The houses in Nelson, Burnley and Accrington are among 95 residential and commercial lots for sale at the firm’s Manchester auction on February 21.
An end through terraced house at Salisbury St in Warrington, which has been subdivided into 10 bedsits and studio apartments, is on the market for £150,000.
The part-let property currently produces annual income of £29,040, although this could rise to £36,000 if fully let.
A portfolio of properties on the Wirral is also up for sale on the instruction of joint LPA receivers.
These include a part-let mixed retail and residential property comprising a partly renovated café and a self contained, two-bedroom flat above. The guide price is £60,000-plus and the potential revenue when fully let is £10,000.
Andrew Brown of Eddisons said: ‘The catalogue is full of stock which is priced to sell and with high yields on offer I expect investors to be out in force.”
The auction takes place on February 21 at The Premier Inn at Trafford Wharf.
::
CHRISTIE + Co has been instructed to sell Oak Cottage Restaurant & Lodge near Knutsford off a guide price of £875,000.
The property is a family-run business which has operated a restaurant for 80 covers and a lodge with 12 ensuite bedrooms for around 10 years. It also has parlking for around 50 cars and a two-bed owners’ accommodation and is set within landscaped gardens.
The property has been put on the market following a decision by the freeholders to retire.
Keith Stringer, associate at Christie + Co’s Manchester office, said: “The sale represents an ideal opportunity for a new owner-operator to build on the existing goodwill, developing both the restaurant and function trade drawing clientele from the nearby market towns of Holmes Chapel and Knutsford.”
::
GNB Industrial Power (UK) and Exide Technologies have appointed Salford Quays-based interior specialist TSK to fit out its new 9,610 sq ft office at Mansell House at Middlebrook, Bolton.
Property consultants GVA, acting on behalf of Exide, completed the acquisition of the new site in January and have managed the relocation process bringing two sites together into the new space.
TSK’s design team have created an open plan working space designed to encourage greater collaboration between each department as they work together from the same site for the first time.
Andrew Burns, joint managing director at TSK, said: “When any business consolidates several existing locations into one, they face a number of challenges both logistical and organisational.
“Our design has been specifically tailored to help Exide’s teams manage this integration process better and to help foster long-lasting collaborative working between them.”
::
MANCHESTER-based planning specialists HOW Planning has been appointed by discount supermarket chain Aldi as one of its retained planning consultancies.
HOW Planning will provide the retailer with strategic planning advice on a variety of future schemes throughout the North West.
Aldi already has a multi-million pound programme of schemes either under construction or with planning consent throughout the UK and HOW will advise on future developments in Greater Manchester, Cumbria, Lancashire, Derbyshire and West Yorkshire.
Richard Woodford, partner at HOW Planning, said: “Securing planning permission can be a lengthy and complex process so it is beneficial to be involved from the very outset of a project.
“Our partnership with Aldi will ensure that we can offer our skills and expertise as soon as a scheme is conceived helping to secure the best possible outcome.”
BARCLAYS has opened a new branch at Altrincham’s Stamford Quarter.
The branch has ‘hotel-style’ counters which have no glass between the customer and the cashier. TV screens broadcasting BBC News and various Barclays information screens have also been installed to help to ease the queuing experience.
It was opened by the bank’s head of regional performance, Craig Hudson, and local MP Graham Brady.
Barclays area retail director Jason Clarke said: “The ongoing retail development that has been, and is continuing to, take place within the Stamford Quarter Altrincham makes it an ideal location for our new branch.
“Our enhanced branch will feature the very latest technology and provide a comfortable and accessible environment for both our customers and employees alike.”
::
MEREPARK has confirmed a deal to let 7,640 sq ft of space at its £160m Central Village development in Liverpool to Zouk Tea Bar & Grill – the independent Indian restaurant business with outlets in Bradford and Manchester (pictured).
It has taken a unit at the 75,000 sq ft Boardwalk building and joins other restaurateurs in the development such as Handmade Burger Co, Chiquito, and Pan-Asian restaurant chain Cosmo.
Neal Hunter, associate director at Merepark, said: “We’re excited to welcome another great brand to the growing ranks of restaurants who have been attracted to choose Central Village to enter the Liverpool market for the first time.
“This marks the tenth pre-let to be signed at Central Village – further proof that Liverpool is an attractive market and that Central Village is set to deliver a new, vibrant leisure destination in the heart of the city.”
The development will also contain offices, hotels, a cinema and new retail units.
::
THE specialists markets team at CBRE North West has been appointed by the Joint administrators of the Msaada Group of companies to dispose of a portfolio of five care homes, including two trading homes and a portfolio of residential properties in the Northampton and Kettering area.
CBRE senior surveyor Gemma Berrie said: ”The operating care homes within Msaada’s portfolio have strong occupancy levels and present a fantastic opportunity for both buyers looking to expand and new entrants to the care home market.
