Ethel Austin’s former HQ on market
PROPERTY consultancy Mason Owen has been appointed to market the former head office and distribution facility of retailer Ethel Austin.
The 426,305 sq ft building – at School Lane on Knowsley Business Park, was bought by the late Ronald Austin and served as the headquarters of the retail business for 30 years.
However, following the recent administration of the company – its second in 18 months – it was bought back by retail entrepreneur Elaine McPherson who has renamed the business Life & Style Retail and relocated its headquarters to Altrincham in Greater Manchester.
The Knowsley site has been renamed Austin Park. Mason Owen said that the property, which is on a secure, 35.3-acre site, can be sold as one property or sub-divided into four 100,000 sq ft units. It added that alternative uses for the space, which is next to junction 4 of the M57 and the A580 East Lancashire Road, could also be considered subject to planning approval.
Mason Owen’s head of business premises, Andrew Owen, said: “We are delighted to have been invited to market such a major building on an important site.
“The sheer scale of the place is staggering and the possibilities for its future use are huge. It is strategically located less than eight miles from Liverpool and comes complete with extensive quality office space and expansion potential. The Liverpool office of CB Richard Ellis has been appointed as joint agents for the site.
