Property news: Lowry Outlet; Grasscroft; Edozo & more
THE Lowry Outlet at MediaCityUK in Salford has reported a 24% increase in its footfall during the school half-term holidays in February.
Bosses say the delivery of a strong and expanding event programme, including the Gruffalo experience, proved more successful than 2015’s Peppa Pig event.
Key categories include food, which saw a performance increase of a huge 45%, fashion increased by 28% and footwear, which saw a 21% increase over the Half Term period.
Helen Anderton, centre manager, said: “Peel Outlets is tenant focused and we have invested in a programme of events to drive footfall and sales among key audience catchments. It is a strategy that is working for us and we are delighted to see our stats increasing in a healthy manner.”
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OLDHAM-based Grasscroft Property has completed a sale to Linden Homes of a nine acre site in Stafford.
The site on the South Side of Knightley Road in Gnosall was sold with planning permission for 55 houses.
Grasscroft worked the site through a strategic planning process over the last six years and won the approval at appeal in summer 2014.
Mike Coulter, founder and managing director at Grasscroft Property said: “This is a fabulous site for new housing and a sustainable location in Stafford. This will be a great site for Linden Homes and ought to sell very well. It’s a pity we had to take this opportunity to appeal, however, we threw everything at the process and were ultimately successful in getting the right result for ourselves and the landowner.”
Gnosall is a village and civil parish in the Borough of Stafford, Staffordshire, with a population of 4,736 across 2,048 households (2011 census). It lies on the A518, approximately half-way between the towns of Newport (in Shropshire) and the county town of Staffordshire, Stafford.
Wolverhampton-based First City acted as agent to Grasscroft on the sale.
::A NEW service has been launched to enable commercial property professionals in Manchester to share detailed property transaction records online.
Edozo says its online platform modernises the current methods of data sharing which until now were still predominantly based on good will and old-fashioned networking.
Marcus Ginn, Founder of edozo, said: “It’s an exciting time to be bringing something cutting edge to the north as the technology scene is going from strength to strength and the Northern Powerhouse is gathering momentum.
“Our innovative platform modernises the way that crucial information about property deals, known as comparable evidence, is shared. This enables surveyors to find the accurate information they need more quickly.’’
edozo is also the fastest growing social network dedicated to the industry, creating an online community for commercial surveyors.
Daniel Harris from Daniel Harris & CO in Manchester said: “Our sector has needed a service like this for a long time. Being able to access accurate evidence much quicker and also share information that we have with other companies in a secure and reliable way will save us time and help ensure the accuracy of our work.’’
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THREE agents have been appointed by a private investment company to market a self-contained office building on at Darebury Park in Cheshire.
Commercial property adviser Matthews & Goodman will work alongside Altus Eileen Bilton and Madison Commercial.
Extending to 31,250sq ft over three floors, 1200 Daresbury is situated on the development, at JN11 of the M56. Current occupiers on the estate include Virgin Care and technology companies Vistorm and Appsense.
Daresbury Park extends to 225 acres, incorporating on site leisure club and conference facilities via the Daresbury Park Hotel. Future development plans include the addition of retail and leisure facilities and a crèche.
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FISH and chip shop chain Harry Ramsden’s has opened an outlet in New Brighton on the Wirral.
The opening marks the return of the chain to Merseyside as the chain adopts a new style, which includes table service, a fresh design and interior.
Centrally located in Marine Point next door to Morrisons, the 1,750sq ft provides seating for 60 diners across two floors.
Harry Ramsden’s is the latest restaurant opening at New Brighton’s thriving Marine Point complex, with Bella Italia and United Kitchen also opening in the last few months.
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A SOUTH Manchester estate agency business is moving into the lettings market after agreeing a funding deal to support its growth.
Hale-based Hibbert Homes has also acquired new premises with the finance from HSBC.
Founded in 2012 by business partners Adrian Hibbert and William Magdzinski, Hibbert Homes has outgrown its current premises and supported by a six-figure finance package from HSBC, the fim has purchased a three-story property worth £500,000 on Ashley Road in the village to grow the lettings side of the business.
Hibbert Homes currently has 11 staff. It focuses on the Cheshire and South Manchester housing market.
The new premises was crucial to the firm’s growth ambitions, with the increased space allowing the recruitment of additional staff.
Director Adrian Hibbert, said: “We now have space to accommodate a much larger team, enabling us to expand in to the lettings side the market and win new business.”
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A MAJOR improvement project to modernise more than 60 steel-built homes in Salford is gathering pace.
Housing association Salix Homes, which owns more than 8,300 homes in central Salford, is working alongside Oldham-based building specialists Emanuel Whittaker to transform 67 homes on the Weaste Steel estate.
The estate, built in 1948, is made up of pre-fabricated-style homes, known as British steel framed houses, which were designed and produced by the British Iron and Steel Federation (BISF).
The non-traditional method of construction became popular following the Second World War as part of a major homebuilding plan to address the housing shortage at that time, as the properties could be built much quicker than traditional brick-built houses.
The £600,000 renovation project will see the properties fitted with new kitchens, bathrooms, windows, doors, electrics and heating systems, as well as given an external facelift and re-painted.
Mark Foster, head of investment at Salix Homes, said: “These steel-framed homes in Weaste represent a real piece of history, but are in great need of modernisation, so this project marks a key milestone in our £22 million investment programme that we are delivering to homes and communities across the city over the next two years.
“Unlike other types of pre-fab homes, these steel-framed houses were built to stand the test of time and have a similar life-expectancy to a traditional brick-built home, but after suffering from lack of investment over the years, we are confident that our improvement programme will ensure these properties are brought back into the 21st century, creating modern and desirable homes that our tenants can continue to be proud of.”
Following the transfer of more than 8,300 homes from Salford Council to Salix Homes last year, the housing provider is carrying out much-needed improvements to 2,200 homes in Salford over the next two years.
John Gallagher, director at Emanuel Whittaker, said: “Modernising these types of properties can be quite complex and requires a different skill set than usual, however, our knowledge and expertise means we are looking forward to tackling this challenging job.
“We will also ensure that we look after the needs of residents during the works to keep disruption to a minimum and maintain our 100 per cent satisfaction rates.”
The improvement work on the Weaste Steel estate is expected to be completed by summer this year.
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CREATIVE consultancy The Chase has relocated its Manchester office from Parsonage Gardens to No 2 Commercial Street, Manchester.
Developed by Castlefield Estates, 2 Commercial Street is in the heart of Knott Mill, Castlefield and provides access to an eclectic mix of commercial and leisure amenities with almost immediate access to the new Deansgate Castlefield Metrolink interchange.
The Chase – which also has offices in Preston and London – has leased 4,000sq ft on the top two floors of the building for a term of 10 years paying a rental of £14.50 psf.
The vacant floors of the building were developed to a shell and core finish which in turn has allowed for the tenant to undertake a bespoke fit out for their intended operations.
Ben Casey, co Founder and Director of The Chase commented: “We are delighted with our new offices, and No.2 Commercial Street perfectly fulfils our initial brief, which was to create an inspiring and stimulating environment in a location that provided both ease of access and amenity. Matthews & Goodman provided an excellent service throughout the acquisition process and the move has undoubtedly re-energised our staff and productivity levels.”
David Laws of Matthews & Goodman who advised The Chase comments, “Commercial Street provided an excellent solution for The Chase as their lease expired at Parsonage Gardens. The location harbours a number of creative consultants and provides a particularly attractive work environment both internally and externally.”
Castlefield Estates were advised by Edwards & Co.
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NOLAN Redshaw Chartered Surveyors acting on behalf of Hurstwood Properties has negotiated a lease of approximately 3,500sq ft of office space at No 2 The Esplanade located in Rochdale town centre.
The tenant is the Disability Claims Tribunal and this deal represents one of the largest town centre lettings in recent years in the Rochdale area.
Jonathan Pickles, Agency Surveyor at Nolan Redshaw said: “This is a significant letting for the building and also for the town as a whole. It is the largest letting so far in the building and confirms The Esplanade as the most impressive town centre location especially as it has attracted a government department.”
