Property round up: M&S Foodhall; Chips A GoGo; PM+M & more
MARKS & Spencer Foodhall has agreed to open one of its recently re-branded stores at Wallasey on the Wirral.
It will open up at Derwent Group’s Junction 1 Retail Park at Bidston Moss.
Marks & Spencer Foodhall, formerly known as M&S Simply Food, has exchanged on Unit 2B at the Park with a 10,509sq ft store.
The signing of Marks & Spencer Foodhall follows hard on the heels of Aldi’s very recent commitment to an 18,084sq ft store at the site.
Over the last 15 months Derwent Group has clinched a number of deals at Junction 1 including Pets at Home, Home Bargains and Carpetright leaving only two existing vacant units at the site, one at 7,359 sq ft (unit 6) and 9,873 sq ft (unit 8) with another unit (7,225 sq ft) currently under construction.
James Maule-Ffinch, senior asset manager at Derwent said: “Marks & Spencer Foodhall’s commitment to Junction 1 Retail Park is fantastic news for the park. Having a high quality and a budget food offering with both M&S and Aldi on site means we now have the full package for customers at Junction 1.
“It’s been a great year of lettings for Junction 1 and Derwent Group in general and we’re confident of finding the right deals to ensure we’re fully let at Bidston in 2016.”
The Derwent Group is also in legals with Marks & Spencer Foodhall at another site within its portfolio and hopes to be in a position to announce the completion of this before the year end.
Landlord agent for The Derwent Group was Petch & Co and Cheetham & Mortimer acted for Marks & Spencer Foodhall.
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A NEW street food concept is opening soon in Liverpool ONE, with Chips A GoGo recently acquiring a vending kiosk in the shopping centre.
Chips A GoGo has instructed commercial property company CBRE to source other UK outlets on its behalf.
The signing at Liverpool ONE is Chips A GoGo’s first UK outlet and plans are already in the pipeline for more across the country.
Customers to the new outlet at Liverpool ONE will be given the option to choose the style of chips from sweet to normal fries, sprinkled with a range of seasonings from Himalayan Pink Salt to a Rosemary infused Atlantic Salt. Hungry shoppers are then treated to a wide range of over 20 authentic, homemade toppings varying between creamy mayonnaise, to peanut sauce and even a warm Nutella coating.
Nick Huddleston of CBRE’s Specialist Markets Team, who acquired the unit on behalf of Chips A GoGo, said: “We were excited to acquire Chips A GoGo’s first unit for their new concept. They have a great idea, which will undoubtedly be a firm favourite amongst hungry shoppers looking for a fresh quirky yet alternative snack.’
Chips A GoGo’s UK commercial director Sam Farage said: “After working consistently to improve the concept, we are excited to finally unveil our first unit to Liverpool’s visitors and shoppers.
“Liverpool ONE is a perfect complement to our brand and this will give the fresh and fast variety that its visitors are looking for. We are now working closely on other locations to bring our vision of quality chips to the rest of the UK.”
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PM+M, the chartered accountancy, business advisory and wealth management group, is planning for growth after moving its Burnley team to a new 2,700sq ft office.
The new office on Finsley Gate is headed up by Helen Binns following the move from Lodge House on Cow Lane, Burnley.
Binns is supported by a team of 11 people including Stella Rosthorn, who remains in her role as a director, and David Bradley – partner – who will be based at the new office for two days per week.
The other team members – some of whom are moving from the firm’s headquarters in Blackburn – are: Sarah Clancey, Maryam Mulla, Laura Fort, Julie Walsh, Evie Halliwell, Faye Holden, Ross Uttley, Nazir Master and Cath Parker.
Binns said: “As a business, we are passionate about Burnley so this is a real milestone for us.
“I’m confident that the new office and the changes we’ve made to the team will ensure that we are able to provide an even stronger service – especially to our tax and wealth management clients.
“We also hope that it will help us to be more visible and – most importantly – give us greater capacity for growth as we continue to focus on being the leading firm of accountants in Burnley.”
Jane Parry – managing partner of PM+M – added: “PM+M has operated in Burnley since 1990 and the new office is the latest phase in our evolution. The town is a core part of our growth strategy and this new base will act as a great foundation.”
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A COFFEE shop and deli in the Cumbrian market town of Kirkby Stephen has been put up for sale with a guide price of £480,000.
Specialist property adviser Christie + Co has been engaged to sell the Eden Emporium on Market Street.
Housed over two floors of a former church, the building retains many of the property’s original features.
The £480,000 is for the freehold and business.
Christie + Co’s Manchester-based James Moore-Martin who is handling the sale said: “Our clients have built up a superb reputation within the town and the surrounding areas as a vibrant and inviting venue.
“There is clear potential for any new owner to further develop the business by extending both the food menu and opening hours to cater for the lunchtime and evening meal markets.”
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AVS-SYS, the composite design engineering specialist, has completed its move to a new and larger manufacturing site just south of Manchester.
The new location at Alderley Park, Cheshire, provides the space and facilities needed as AVS-SYS expands the scale and scope of its operations, and is significantly larger than its former base in Macclesfield.
Previously solely occupied by pharmaceutical giant Astra Zenenca, the Alderley Park site has been redeveloped as a hub for high tech companies from across North West England.
The new facility has undergone a complete refurbishment to accommodate a larger staff of specialists and the world class equipment needed to assist in the design, manufacture and testing of advanced composite materials.
For more than a decade, AVS-SYS has operated in the aerospace industry nad has developed a reputation for its strengths in design engineering and project management across a wide range of aircraft types.
The company has evolved to become a full spectrum company capable of delivering projects from initial design through R&D and manufacturing.
AVS-SYS claims to be one of few companies able to offer full system design and integration for aerospace air distribution systems.
Managing director Paul Heaton said: “The relocation to Alderley Park is just a part of our wider strategy to grow and evolve as a company.
“To expand our manufacturing capability we need room so that we can deliver our innovative, advanced composites on a greater scale than ever before, while maintaining our commitment to quality and design excellence.”
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MANCHESTER Arndale is welcoming five new retailers, while two brands are upsizing to larger stores and O2 is opening its second store in the city centre shopping complex.
Joint owners M&G Real Estate and intu say they are capitlaising on growing occupier appetite for new and larger premises in the 1.4 million sq ft centre – one of the largets city centre retail hubs outside London.
Among the new stores will be O2 with its first digital store in the UK, the second shop the brand has taken in the centre.
Located at 39 Market Street, the 5,000sq ft unit has been secured on a 10-year lease.
New names at Manchester Arndale include Australian stationery company Smiggle, which is opening a 1,000sq ft store on a 10-year lease as part of its UK rollout, and House of CB, which will occupy a 1,400sq ft unit.
This will be the fourth standalone store for the e-retailer of ladies fashion, building on its success operating as a concession in Selfridges and Topshop.
Sock Shop and juice bar Boost have also recently signed to open stores, securing 650 and 1,200sq ft, respectively.
Ecco has signed a 10-year lease for a new 2,500sq ft shop in Halle Mall.
Additionally, footwear retailer Deichmann has moved to a 5,291sq ft unit, increasing its footprint by more than 1,000sq ft. The footwear retailer has signed a new 10-year lease, with a five-year break, for its bigger store.
Swatch is also relocating to a 932 square foot shop at 4, New Cannon Street on a new 10-year lease.
Elise Buchanan, director, Asset Management (Retail) at M&G Real Estate, said on behalf of the joint owners: “Our very active asset management strategy has allowed us to draw upon existing retailers’ growth ambitions as well as requirements from new names keen to join our line-up, to strengthen Manchester Arndale’s position as one of the UK’s core retail locations.
“Manchester has the fastest growing city population outside London and occupiers increasingly view it as a ‘must-trade’ location. This reputation has drawn many UK and international brands to Manchester Arndale at the heart of the city’s shopping scene.
“With a footfall in excess of 41 million annually providing an ideal catchment for retail brands, we expect continued interest in the few available units in the run up to the busy festive period.”
The retained agents for the Arndale are JLL and Metis Real Estate Advisors.
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PROPERTY company Roger Hannah & co has been appointed to manage St John’s House, the landmark offices in Manchester city centre.
The building at the corner of Deansgate and St John’s Street has 15,000sq ft of space and is currently home to specialist medical users.
New owners Kingsdean is looking to undertake a comprehensive refurbishment and extension of the building, providing a mixed use scheme of high quality residential apartments and specialist medical/commercial users on the ground floor and lower ground floor.
Roger Hannah has been appointed to facilitate the development and provide ongoing management services throughout the building.
Director John Somerville said: ‘Increasingly we are winning new instructions in the City Centre, which is very much a part of our developing business strategy.”
