Property round-up: Cheetham & Mortimer advises on new Chop House venture; and more
RETAIL and leisure agent Cheetham & Mortimer has advised The Victorian Chop House Company on its acquisition of Memorial Hall at Albert Square in Manchester to house its new £3.5m restaurant and hotel venture.
Cheetham & Mortimer has advised Roger Ward, owner of The Victorian Chop House Company, on his purchase of the five-storey, Grade II-listed building, which was chosen for its iconic status as well as its historic character.
The building will be developed in two phases, with a restaurant occupying the first three floors due to open in November. This will include a 140-cover restaurant with a similar menu to existing Chop House venues and a 100-seat function room.
The hotel will then be developed during the second phase.
Justin Mortimer, associate partner, said: “There were a number of different concepts and locations initially considered when we were instructed by Roger, but Memorial Hall stood out as the perfect choice for this type of venture, as its impressive, Venetian Gothic façade ties in well with the company’s brand and image.
“We have worked closely with English Heritage to ensure that the plans are in line with the building’s character, appointing specialist architects The Hurd Rolland Partnership, and we are confident that The Albert Square Chop House will be as successful as the company’s other ventures.
Roger Ward, owner of The Victorian Chop House Company, said: “We are delighted with this latest acquisition and are really excited to be bringing this historic building back to its original grandeur, which will hopefully be a catalyst to bring more life into Albert Square. Memorial Hall is a beautiful and unique venue and we’re frequently asked at the Chop Houses if we can put on events, weddings, business meetings and so on. This will give us the room to do that.”
The building, which dates back to 1864, was sold to Mr Ward’s company by Wrather Group. Edwards & Co advised it on the disposal.
Alun Jones of Edwards & Co advised Wrather Group on the disposal.
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HELP Your Claim has signed up to new space at 86 Deansgate as the second phase of a £3m refurbishment of the building has completed.
The letting of 5,00 sq ft to Help Your Claim – a claims management company which has moved from 2 Hardman St in Spinningfields – takes occupancy levels at the building to 50%. Cheetham & Mortimer also recently took 2,300 sq ft on the first floor after spending 34 years at its original office in St Anne’s Square.
Kamran Ahmed, who runs Help Your Claim, said: “We are delighted with our decision to move to 86 Deansgate as it provides us with not only high quality office space, but also meets all our requirements in terms of its local amenities and character, being in such a central location right on Deansgate.
John Whitehurst of owners Brooklawn Deansgate, commented: “We are delighted that both stages of 86 Deansgate’s significant refurbishment plan are now complete, and are sure that its dramatic transformation will provide both Help Your Claim and Cheetham & Mortimer with superb office surroundings to grow and develop their businesses.”
Other tenants in the building include Cottrills Solicitors, Quadra and MPH Solicitors.
Two suites remain available with space from 2,150 sq ft-5,750 sq ft. CBRE and WHR acted for landlord Brooklawn Deansgate.
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RECRUITMENT consultant Liquid Personnel has taken a five-year lease on a 4,000 sq ft office at 52 Princess Street, Manchester. The building is owned by Bridge Properties.
Liquid Personnel is specialises in social work and social care recruitment consultancy. The company, which was founded in 2006, is moving from 40 Princess St.
Jon Coxon, co-owner of Liquid Personnel, said: “We are all very excited about relocating to 52 Princess Street and we expect to be moving in towards the end of May. The new office provides a fantastic base as we are experiencing a very strong period of growth for our business.”
The firm was advised on the move by OBI Property, while landlord Bridge Properties was advised by Canning O’Neill. Edwards & Co is joint letting agent for the building.
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WHR Property Consultants has sold a 28,000 sq ft industrial unit in Bacup, Lancashire on behalf of client Kaymed for £650,000. The detached, single-storey building, which is situated on Newline Industrial Estate off the A6066, was acquired by new owner-occupier Superwide Digital.
Trevor Dawson was the building’s joint agent.
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ORBIT Developments, on behalf of Edge Wear Properties, has let 5,646 sq ft of office space to digital agency Net Search Media at Barlow House, just off Portland Street in Manchester city centre.
Net Search Media is an online marketing company offering SEO, social media and web design skills. Its move to Barlow House is an amalgamation of several other offices in Greater Manchester and it will house 50 staff.
James Raspin, leasing surveyor at Orbit Developments, said: “We are pleased to welcome Net Search Media to Barlow House. They are a fast growing company who will benefit from the buildings proximity to Piccadilly Gardens, mainline train stations, Metrolink and amenities.”
Lambert Smith Hampton and OBI Property acted for the landlord.
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ORBUS Leisure has taken a 1,400 sq ft unit at Hurstwood’s Three Point Business Park in Haslingden.
Orbus Leisure is a specialist retailer of fitness and weight loss equipment. It sells cross trainers, vibration plates, treadmills and other equipment.
Managing director Mike Billingsley said: “We’re really pleased to have secured a unit on the development. Orbus Leisure chose Three Point Business Park as it offers great motorway links and accessibility.”
Three Point Business Park is next to Carrs Industrial Estate in Haslingden. Two units remain available at the site – unit 7 (2,900 sq ft) and unit 21 (2,000 sq ft).
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BARIS Group has been appointed to provide two new 180 sq m granite screens and a 175 sq m glazed dome for Liverpool Central Library, which is currently undergoing a major restoration.
The project is being carried out on behalf of Liverpool City Council by the Inspire Partnership, a joint venture between International Public Partnerships and Shepherd Construction with architects Austin-Smith:Lord and Cofely as providers of facilities management services. The Nottingham-based company said the glazed dome, which is made from timber and aluminium, has proved to be challenging to manufacture but would offer dramatic views across Liverpool.
Managing director Terry Damms said: “Liverpool Central Library is a very prestigious project, and we are extremely pleased to have been appointed. The work involves several aspects that are hugely innovative, particularly the dome, and the team here are really looking forward to seeing it all come together later this year.”
Work on the library is due to complete at the end of the year.
