Property briefs: Vantage Point, WRG on the move, and more

FINANCIAL recruiter Oliver James Associates has taken 8,000 sq ft at Vantage Point, Spinningfields.

It has agreed a 10-year lease for the fifth floor and part of the fourth floor.

Director James Rogers said: “We were seeking an impressive new home, primarily for our team, as the business continues to grow at a good rate considering market  conditions. Spinningfields is unrivalled as a location and we believe we have secured the best office space in city which sees us nearly triple the size of our current office.”

Oliver James also has offices in Hong Kong and Zurich, and 50 staff in London. Will Lewis of OBI Property advised Oliver James, while Alex Russell of CBRE advised landlord Ventnor Estates.

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EVENTS marketing specialist WRG has moved to Castlefield Estates’ Merchants Warehouse in Manchester.

It has taken 9,400-sq ft of space in the Grade II-listed building on Castle Street in Castlefield.

WRG, which also has offices in London, New York, Doha, Abu Dhabi and Hong Kong, has taken a 10-year lease with a five-year break option after leaving its former premises at The Deva Centre on Trinity Way in Salford.

The firm has been involved in some of the world’s largest events, including the G20 Summit and the Papal State Visit to the UK. It was also involved in the Olympic Torch Relay, as part of the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Carl Halliday, deputy managing director, said: “Bringing our teams in Manchester into one location will strengthen our creative talent and give us enormous power to service our clients more effectively. Our investment in the new office sends a strong message about our ambition for significant growth.”

WRG was advised by commercial property consultants Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH), while Castlefield Estates was advised by Colliers International and Edwards and Co.

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ONE of the first construction projects associated with the new Mersey Gateway Bridge is now underway in Widnes.

Initial development work on a replacement electricity substation for Widnes has begun on part of the former Widnes Tank Container services site in Ditton Road.

The new replacement substation, which is on the quieter section of Ditton Road to the east of Ditton roundabout, is required due to the existing substation being on

the proposed route of one of the main access roads to the new Mersey Gateway Bridge.

The Mersey Gateway is a £600m toll bridge over the Mersey between Widnes and Runcorn.