Property briefs: Liverpool retail vacancy improves; Marshall CDP; Enterprise Ventures;
LIVERPOOL is one of the top two performing retail locations in the UK, according to the latest National Retail Barometer by commercial agent Colliers International.
The firm’s latest research of 15 key retail centres throughout the UK recorded Liverpool as having one of the largest decreases in empty shops nationwide, with 20 retail units totalling more than 100,000 sq ft being let in the six months between October 2013 and April 2014.
Colliers said this was partly down to the ongoing success of the Liverpool ONE shopping centre.
In the half year period the percentage of vacant or void shops in Liverpool fell to 11.8% from 14.4% and from 16.3% in October 2010. The percentage of vacant retail floorspace in Liverpool declined to 8% in April 2014 from 12.7 % in October 2013.
Liverpool and Cardiff were the top two performers nationwide with Bournemouth, Northampton and Worcester also registering marked declines in retail unit vacancy rates.
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YORKSHIRE construction group Marshall CDP is planning a further 40,000 sq ft of speculative offices at Cheshire Business Park in Northwich.
Graphic design firm Parker Design has just bought a 5,000 sq ft building at Admiral Court, the last of 14 self-contained units developed by Marshall CDP. The price was not disclosed.
The scheme is also home to Dechra Pharmaceuticals, ITC Consulting, KBC Advanced Technologies and CommsCare.
Jonathan Baucher of agent Cushman & Wakefield said: “Following on from the success of this first phase of the scheme, planning has been submitted for a further 40,000 sq ft of speculative commercial development, which will comprise of several buildings ranging in size from 1,000 sq ft to 15,000 sq ft available on a freehold or leasehold basis. There also remains a number of development plots for future design and build opportunities.”
Fifield Glyn is joint agent.
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INVESTMENT firm Enterprise Ventures has agreed a new five-year lease on its 2,600 sq ft office at The Pinnacle, King Street, Manchester.
WHR acted on behalf of landlord Legal and General, while OBI advised Enterprise Ventures.
OBI associate director Richard Lace said: “We have a longstanding business relationship with Enterprise Ventures having originally worked with them when they first acquired space in the building.
“With an option to relocate presenting itself they asked us to review their occupational requirements so they could consider the options available to the business. Having entered in to a discussion with their landlord we were able agree competitive terms for them to remain in their existing space.”
Jonathan Diggines, chief executive of Enterprise Ventures Group, said: “Our SME investment activities continue to grow and having recently acquired new space at Princes Parade in Liverpool we wanted to commit to a new lease in Manchester.”