Property round-up: M&S to upgrade Market St store; Plan-IT advises on Brockhole’s future; and more

MARKS & Spencer has begun work on a complete makeover of its 110,000 sq ft Market Street store in Manchester.

The work will involve extending the store’s café, a new hot food counter, new deli and a doubling of the store’s in-house bakery.

The beauty department will be moved to the first floor alongside the lingerie and womenswear departments, and kidswear will be relocated to the basement alongside the food hall

The store will continue to trade throughout the re-fit.

Neil Parnell, Marks & Spencer Manchester store manager, said: “We are thrilled to be bringing an updated store to Manchester and can’t wait for our shoppers to benefit from the improvements.”

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A TEAM led by landscape architects Planit-IE has been appointed by the Lake District National Park Authority to map out a 20-year vision for the redevelopment of Brockhole – the Lake District Visitor Centre on the shores of Windermere.

Altrincham-based Planit–IE already has a working history with Brockhole, as it provided creative ideas for landside works put in place around the new jetty last year.

Brockhole’s programme director Adam Thomas said: “Anyone who has visited Brockhole in the last 12 months will have seen some major changes – a new jetty linking in with the lake cruises, exhibitions telling the story of the Lake District, extra retail opportunities in the shop, a new menu in the café, open water swimming and animal experiences – and a new high ropes course that will open later this year.

“Now, as the first stage of changes concludes, our thoughts are with what happens next to create an inspiring centre that encourages visitors and local people to explore and celebrate the Lake District,” he added.

Planit’s team includes design engineers Stockley, Carmody Groarke Architects and public space events firm Groundbreaking

Pete Swift, director of Planit-IE said: “We are delighted to have won the chance to further shape the future at Brockhole and to be working in the Lake District again.”

A public consultation on Brockhole’s future will take place later this year.

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HURSTWOOD’S Emerald House office development at Leigh Business Park is now fully let after a deal was struck with Omnica to rent the remaining space in the building.

The company will move into a 2,000 sq ft suite on the ground floor at the beginning of May.

Omnica joins current tenants First Response Finance and Fourteen Network Services in Emerald House, while Thyssenkrupp Elevator UK occupies the neighbouring Amethyst House building.

Omnica develops multi-channel retail software for e-commerce companies.

Managing director Harry Manley said: “We are a rapidly-growing company and needed new premises to support that growth.

Emerald House was opened in 2008 and features over 15,000 sq ft of open-plan office space over three floors.

There is still office space for rent at the site, with a 3,300 sq ft unit at the first floor of Amethyst House available.