move commercial 17

MOVECOMMERCIAL

March-May 2010LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESTER MANCHESTER

The north-west’s guide to property and business Issue 17

CHRIS OGLESBY,BRUNTWOODExclusive interviewSHANGHAI 2010Liverpool at World Expo.

ENTREPRENEUR MICHAEL CAINSABode Chester

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Liverpool in a buildingSuites available from 2,000 sq ft

• Open-plan, flexible and efficient floor-plates• Generous finished floor to ceiling height of 2.9m• High level of natural light• VRV/VRF heating and cooling system• Suspended ceiling• Fully accessible raised floors (150mm clear void)• PIR sensored LG7 lighting (400 lux)

The place to do business, the place to be seen...

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For more information contact:

The Investment Centre, Stanley Road, Bootle, L20 3EF

TO LET• Stunning offices in a town centre location• Superb access to all local amenities and public transport • Accommodation to suite various requirements• i-space – fully serviced incubator accommodation from single desks to 1-2 person offices• Flexible terms• Traditional office suites 920 sq ft – 3,316 sq ft• On site car parking • 65% Let• Excellent café/restaurant opportunity – 1,270 sq ft• Rents from £10 per sq ft

THE INVESTMENT CENTRE – BOOTLE

Rupert Lowe at Keppie MassieT: 0151 255 0755

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MOVE COMMERCIAL4

EI8HT WATER STREET

AT THE HEART OF LIVERPOOL’S GRANDESTCOMMERICAL THROUGHFARE

BE PART OF THE NEW LIVERPOOLSuperb offices to let opposite Liverpool One development

All enquiries contact the joint agents Hitchcock Wright & Partners orMattews & Goodman for more information:

Brian Ricketts 0151 227 3400 [email protected] Evans 0151 236 8732 [email protected]

20,310 sq ft (1,887 sq m) of quality refurbished office accommodation onthree floors • On site secure car parking spaces • Flexible, open plan

environment with excellent natural light

22,770 sq ft (2,115 sq m) of quality refurbished officeaccommodation • Ample secure parking on site • Flexible space

planning options available • Full security

TO LET

WHOLE

FLOOR RECENTLY

LET TO CONNECT

INTERNET SOLUTION

01-12:p03-12 8/3/10 21:08

MOVECOMMERCIAL

March-May 2010LIVERPOOL CITY REGION CHESTER MANCHESTER

The north-west’s guide to property and business Issue 17

CHRIS OGLESBY, BRUNTWOODExclusive interviewSHANGHAI 2010Liverpool at World Expo.

ENTREPRENEUR MICHAEL CAINSAbode Chester

Issue seventeen Move Commercial

Welcome to Move Commercial

Contents

30

13 07

In this issue of Move Commercial, looking forwards andpushing ahead is the theme for our featured developersand those with leadership roles in the city. Our Rising Starthis issue sees an interview with John Taylor from DerwentHoldings, quite literally on the ground at Edge Lane, the sitefor extensive work on the thoroughfare into Liverpool. MikeTaylor, investment director on the board at Liverpool Vision,talked us through the benefits for the city of showing atthe Shanghai Expo, and how we can hope to capitalise onthis audience for the region’s economic advantage. Regionalaspirations, competition and collaboration, are something

our Mover and Shaker Chris Oglesby of Manchester-basedBruntwood is well placed to comment on when we grill himat The Plaza. Out in Chester, Michael Caines shares his storyof overcoming adversity and his entrepreneurialachievements. In our regular roundtable feature, our panellooks ahead to how educators and business leaders need towork together and train up the workplace we need for thenorth-west region’s growth. Meanwhile, propertyprofessionals are gearing up in line with MIPIM, holding aspecial Cannes Do event in Liverpool for agents in the city.

move publishing ltdAdvertising DirectorFiona Barnet Tel 0151 709 3871Account ManagerJo Tait Tel 0151 709 3871Editorial TeamLucy Oliver and Jonathan KearneyEmail [email protected] 0151 709 3871Picture ResearcherFrances Gill. Email [email protected]

DesignerRob Whyte. Email [email protected] by Move Publishing LtdDirectorsDavid O’Brien, Kim O’Brien, Fiona BarnetPrinted by Precision Colour Printers LtdDistribution Liaison ManagerBarbara TroughtonTel 0151 733 5492 Mobile 077148 14662

Copyright Move Publishing Limited. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced copied or transmitted in any form orby any means or stored in any information storage or retrieval system without the publishers written permission.Although every effort is made to ensure the accuracy and reliability of material published, Move Publishing can accept no responsibility forthe veracity of the claims made by advertisers.

News06 Smiles all round in Sefton07 Towering ideas09 A Brand New Brighton13 Salford’s regeneration14 St Helens’ appeal15 Widnes’ deals in motion16 Supermarket sweep17 Seaforth skyline vision18 Aintree the favourite for SMEs20 Hotel for the Ropewalks21 Peel lets space in Wallasey22 Royal welcome at the

waterfront23 All sewn up

Features10 Bitesize Thinking

Food for thought24 Mover & Shaker

Chris Oglesby on shapingthe region

26 Rising StarThe vision for Edge Lane, Liverpool

28 EntrepreneurMichael Caines’ ambitionsin Chester

30 FocusLiverpool and Shanghai’scultural connections

35 DebateImagining the workplace ofthe future

38 Ask the PanelHow should the general election benefit the north-west?

Key Events19 The year in property

Professional Liverpool’smarket review

32 Mobile networksMerseyside Transport Partnership’s conference

24

MOVE COMMERCIAL 5

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MOVE COMMERCIAL6

News Move Commercial

Sefton’s appealincreasesBRUNTWOOD have attracted theirfirst buyers to the St Hugh’s officebuilding in Bootle. The building hasrecently undergone a £3.6millionrefurbishment, including a newreception and a selection of officesfrom 160 to 48,000 sq ft. AssetTraining and Consultancy havenow taken 2,515 sq ft of office spaceon the first floor of the building.Peter McEvoy, managing directorof Asset Training and Consultancy,commented: “We’re delighted to be

a customer at St Hugh’s. Wewere looking for a higher qualityoffice than our previousaccommodation without having togreatly increase our occupationalcosts and Bruntwood were able tocomfortably accommodate ourrequirements.” Colin Forshaw,head of sales at Bruntwood, added:“We’ve purposely developed thebuilding so it can accommodate adiverse range of customers in suitesfrom 450 to 4,500 sq ft. In doing

so, we’re giving small to mediumsized businesses access to some ofthe highest quality office space inBootle at a highly competitiveprice, all delivered with a level ofservice that’s difficult to findoutside our portfolio. It also meanswe’re able to offer our Liverpoolcustomers a greater variety inproduct and price along with theflexibility to move around ourportfolio as they require.”

Funding in place for first stage of development

CGI of how the Central Villagedevelopment will look

St Hugh’s in Bootle

SOUTH SEFTON Development Trusthas secured a deal with NHS Seftonbacking, for a 20-year lease on officespace at the Stanley RoadInvestment Centre in Bootle. The PCTwill fit-out the ground flooraccommodation with £500,000 toprovide state-of-the-art surgeries tolet and sub-let to BA Ventre andMartin Kelly dental practices. The newtenants will join existing occupiersSefton New Directions, ArvatoGovernment Services, SeftonCouncil’s economic regenerationdepartment and the buildingmanagers, South SeftonDevelopment Trust in the five-storeybuilding. Chief executive of the Trust,Cate Murphy, commented: “This 20-year agreement is a very significantletting for us and we’re delighted towelcome our new tenants. The deal isalso good news for the localcommunity in two ways, providingresidents with local top-class dentalfacilities, and when the building is fullany surplus rental income will bereinvested into future regenerationactivities in the area.” The latest dealmeans that 65 per cent of the

Investment Centre’s 26,000 sq ft isnow let. Rupert Lowe of KeppieMassie, agent for the building,commented: “We’re very pleased withthe current level of interest in thedevelopment and the accommodationis now starting to be taken up at anencouraging rate. As footfall in andaround the building increases, we’realso expecting more enquiries for thecafé and restaurant opportunity onthe ground floor.”

Big smilesat SeftonNew lettings atoffice scheme

Investment Centre, Bootle

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MOVE COMMERCIAL 7

Move Commercial News

LIVERPOOL has moved a stepcloser to housing one of the tallestbuildings in the UK. LandownersRichmont Properties anddevelopers Y1 Developments areconfident in receiving planningpermission to construct theproposed King Edward Tower atthe junction of The Strand andLeeds Street. If planning approvalis granted the 54-storey buildingwill become the tallest mixed-usedevelopment outside of London.The latest plans released for the165-metre building proposed forthe site of the old King Edward pubare a complete redesign from thoseput forwards in 2007, with the newdesigns having incorporatedcomments made by the city counciland CABE. The current design hasincorporated fresh master planproposals to work alongside and

enhance Peel’s proposed LiverpoolWaters development. Peter Buglassof Richmont Propertiescommented: “These designs andartists’ impressions are still work inprogress but are indicative of howthe building might look. We areconfident that following finalrevisions arising from the CABEreview the application will moveforward quickly to a positiveconclusion.” The proposed towerwill house a mixture of office, retailand residential properties, with alarge restaurant with open viewingdeck. Y1 Developments hasconfirmed that the first stagefunding for the development hasbeen secured. Subject to planningpermission, work could start on siteearly in 2011 with openingscheduled for 2014.

BRUNTWOOD has secured four newlettings at Liverpool’s CottonExchange. Lettings totalling 6,100 sqft have been agreed with HH Law,iProgress, Medicals Direct and MJPJustice at the Grade II listed building inthe city’s commercial district. MedicalsDirect, a health service provider to theinsurance sector, has taken a 1,000 sqft office on the building’s fifth floor.The company has also let a 3,000 sq ftsuite in Bruntwood’s St ChristopherHouse in Stockport. Personal injuryspecialist HH Law has signed a three-year lease on a 700 sq ft refurbishedoffice. Web design company iProgressis moving into a 400 sq ft suite on thesixth floor of the building, upgradingfrom a 200 sq ft office. Law firm MJPJustice is also doubling its space in the

Cotton Exchange, expanding from2,000 sq ft to 4,000 sq ft. Bothleases are for three years. ColinForshaw, head of sales at Bruntwood,commented: “These new lettings markanother great start to the year forBruntwood and we are pleased towelcome such a wide range ofbusinesses into the Cotton Exchange.The building remains one of our mostpopular properties and we’ve workedclosely with our tenants to ensurethey have the type and size of suitethat they need. Lettings tocompanies such as Medicals Directhighlight the flexibility that Bruntwoodoffers in allowing customers to moveseamlessly within our buildings as theirbusiness requirements change andthey look to up or downsize.”

Deals at the ExchangeFour new occupiers

The Cotton Exchange

Planning required for165 metre towerFunding in place for first stage of development

CGI of how King Edward Tower will look

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For more information and advice about investing in Wirral

Call 0151 650 6915 Visit www.investwirral.com

If you are considering relocation for your business,or expanding your company, Wirral offers accessible,user-friendly information that saves you time and enables faster, better informed decision-making.

You will find specialist advice and assistance from finding sites and development partners, through to recruiting and training quality staff and developing new supply chains.

A full package of location advice and business support is availabledesigned to give your company a competitive advantage.

bigon support

417JUN08PJ

MOVE COMMERCIAL8

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BrandNew BrightonTHE NORTHWEST RegionalDevelopment Agency hascontributed £3.9m to phase two ofthe ‘Brand New Brighton’ scheme.The grant will enable NeptuneDevelopments and Wirral Councilto continue with the developmentof the town’s waterfront with arange of new retail and leisureamenities. The facilities, across20,667 sq m of new floor space,are expected to create 714 new jobsupon completion in 2012. Theproject will also deliver 14 hectaresof public realm improvements

across New Brighton seafront thatwill include a new model boatinglake and promenade. Phase one ofthe project delivered a new FloralPavillion theatre and conferencecentre for New Brighton. Thedevelopment will eventuallyinclude a new Morrisonssupermarket, hotel, upgradedmarine lake and sailing schoolfacilities, an outdoor lido andcommercial and leisure facilitiesincluding a cinema, fitness centre,restaurants and bars. Phase two ofthe project will lever a further

investment of £33.6 million fromNeptune Developments. SteveParry, managing director ofNeptune Developments,commented: “The NWDA’sinvestment in public realm willcomplement the commercialscheme. All of this willundoubtedly provide a great boostto the local economy in thisdifficult time, as already achievedby phase one. We will continue towork closely with Wirral Council tocreate a new New Brighton for thepeople of Wirral.”

Funding for second phase secured

Neptune Developments’ New Brighton scheme

DILAPS UK, a dilapidations specialist,has announced the opening of itsLiverpool regional office. Headed upby Liverpool managing partnerJonathan Atkinson, the national firmwill bring the expertise of highlyexperienced and qualifieddilapidations surveyors to the serviceof corporate occupiers and landlordsin the region. Atkinson is confidentthat his track record and local detailedknowledge of dilapidations liabilities,claims and settlements, will be indemand among clients in the north-west. He commented: “Mostcommercial leases obligate corporateoccupiers to return premises to adefined condition on expiry of thelease. For tenants, Dilaps UK willminimise claims through eithernegotiation, the carrying out ofworks or argument that the claim isrestricted in view of minimal damage.Also for tenants, a deferred liabilityfor dilapidations can be assessed andstated as potential liability within thefirm’s financial accounts. “Whenrepresenting landlords, Dilaps UK canprovide required schedules, gainmonetary settlements, and superviseappropriate works.” For moreinformation, contact Dilaps UK on0845 604 6233.

Dilapidationsexperts bringskill to regionLiverpool office opens

Jonathan Atkinson

MOVE COMMERCIAL 9

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Bitesize thinking Move Commercial

STEVE PARRY,managing director ofNeptune Developments,received the enviabletask of choosing hisfavourite buildings toshare with MoveCommercial readers. “IfI had to pick myfavourite, it would bethe lesser known 16Cook Street inLiverpool, next door toPiccolino’s. Built in1866 by Peter Ellis, it’sone of the very oldestcast-iron framebuildings in Britain oreven the world.” Builtjust two years after OrielChambers on WaterStreet, 16 Cook Street isa Grade II* listedbuilding. When asked tochoose his favouritebuilding, from any inthe world, Steve settledon the Chrysler buildingin New York, USA. “I’man anorak – I just lovecars,” he says. The artdeco skyscraper erectedin 1930 on the east sideof Manhattan in theTurtle Bay area, standsat 329 metres tall. Itwas the tallest buildingin the world before itwas surpassed by theEmpire State Building.

By George he’s a big fella – he’s blockin’me view of the film. Still, that’s gotto be worth a good few bob, eh?

Chrysler Building,New York

16 Cook Street,Liverpool

SteveParry &Home

Away

FAVOURITE BUILDINGS

Only joking

MOVE COMMERCIAL10

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Move Commercial Bitesize thinking

Buzzword

IT’S A DECEPTIVELY informal-sounding, direct and to the point,statement, but the origins of thisphrase lie at the most senior levelof business, uttered by the directoror executive with the final say; thelast word on a deal. The phrase hasmade its way into popular culture,appropriated for use in every kindof scenario where an ultimatum isissued. Most recently, the termappears in ‘Up in the Air’ when acharacter refers to what a manabsolutely must have (in thisinstance, “nice eyes”) for arelationship to be successful. Of

course, the widening usage of theterm brings its own questionsabout the nature of relationships(business and romantic) and the‘deals’ formed and sustained withinthem, but a lengthy discourse onthis topic takes us further from ourstarting point, and its punching‘cut and thrust’ components. Anonline business tabloid in the USuses the compound noun’sgrammatical simplicity for its owntitle, setting a standard and hopingits journalists will measure up byproducing a publication that equalsthe sum of its parts.

Estimated net worth of the Open GolfChampionship to the wider region. The event returns to Royal Liverpool in 2014,marking the 12th time the Hoylake links hashosted the Open. In 2006 the event attracted230,000 visitors to the region, with the creationof 960 full-time jobs. The Open is expected togenerate around £40m from TV coverage alone.

£70m ...about the north-west I wouldhave moved here earlier. Being fromSouth Wales and moving straight toLondon I had not spent any time uphere. My first job avoided it as well,although I spent some time inHalifax, and for some reason Inever came further west. Therehad been an opportunity to work inLiverpool earlier in my career but Iheld on to the typical prejudicesthat I now fight against – namelythat opportunities would not behere and that I would best stayingin London. Once my first bigdevelopment (in Basingstoke)finished I was put on Liverpool andI have never looked back. So muchso that I have moved out of Londonto live in the north-west and hopeto stay here.

If only I'd known…

The north-west region is going toneed to have a stronger presencein London as the economycontracts, to manage perceptionsand opportunities to compete withother investment opportunities. Isplit my time between London andLiverpool and it is apparent thatwhilst my projects are happening inthe north-west, like One Park Westand Hanover Place, the pursestrings are held firmly in London.This might not apply across theboard, but be this with the banks,central government, funds,consultants and so on, there is aperception that the north-west isgoing to have to work harderagainst the reduction inGovernment spending and stand upfor itself more in London.

In my crystal ball…

‘DEALBREAKER’

Vital statistics

Guy Butler,Senior developmentdirector, Grosvenor

Guy Butler

MOVE COMMERCIAL 11

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MOVE COMMERCIAL12

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£10.8million kick-start for SalfordChapel Streetredevelopmentlaunched

A RAINFORD-BASED engineering firmhas expanded its operations with amove to Knowsley Business Park.Beverston Engineering intend torelocate their 32-strong workforcefrom their current premises onRainford Industrial Estate, St Helens, toa 15,000 sq ft site at Penrhyn Court,developed by Caddick Developments.The £2.1m expansion will also see thecreation of 14 additional jobs. Themove was finalised after KnowsleyCouncil awarded the company£35,000 for an Industrial ImprovementGrant. This allowed the company toupgrade the power supply to the newpremises, something which was

needed in order to run Beverston’sspecialist machinery. Rod Wah,managing director of BeverstonEngineering, commented: “We are verypleased to be moving to Knowsley. Thefinancial support of Knowsley Counciland the NWDA was instrumental inmaking this happen. After looking inseveral areas, Knowsley Council wasthe most helpful and keen to attractBeverston into their borough.” The firm,established in 1974, supply highprecision machined parts for a widerange of industries including theaerospace, pharmaceutical and pumpindustries. The move is expected to becompleted by May.

POWER UPSt Helens’ appeal

Riverside Park at the WirralInternational Business Park

THE NORTHWEST RegionalDevelopment Agency (NWDA) isgranting £10.76million to launchthe redevelopment of the ChapelStreet area in Salford.

The redevelopment plans forChapel Street, which have been ledby Central Salford UrbanRegeneration Company (URC)with developer partner EnglishCities fund (ECF) were approvedby Salford City Council in January2010 following more than twoyears of consultation with thecommunity and stakeholders.Investment will provide the publicinfrastructure needed to set inmotion a major mixed-useredevelopment scheme in the heartof the city. Funding of£8.97million from the NWDA anda further £1.79million under theEuropean Regional DevelopmentFund (ERDF), which is managed inthe Northwest by the NWDA, willestablish high quality public spacesand highways which will connectfuture retail, housing, leisure andoffice developments. The finalscheme will generate 220,000m2

of commercial floor space foroffice, retail, and leisuredevelopment, 849 homes and 390hotel rooms. Paul Lakin, directorof land and property at the NWDA,said: “The proposals for ChapelStreet will create a vibrant new citycentre in Salford and I am pleasedthat this funding means we canbegin to turn these plans into

reality. This illustrates how ourtargeted interventions can help tostimulate private investment andsupport economic recovery. Thearea has huge potential but needssignificant public investment tocreate the type of environmentwhich is essential to attract highlevels of private investment.” Hecontinued: "It will be a

monumental project which willmean more jobs, economic vitalityand a better future for both Salfordand Manchester." The ambitiousplans cover 17 hectares around themain road of Chapel Street, SalfordCentral station and the Adelphiand Bexley Square ConservationArea which features St PhillipsChurch and Salford Cathedral.

Architect’s impression, 'Salford Arches' in the NewBailey Street area, image courtesy of RHWL Architects

Penrhyn Court

MOVE COMMERCIAL 13

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MOVE COMMERCIAL14


A FIRM of mobile technologyspecialists has taken a doublesuite of offices in LiverpoolScience Park’s Innovation Centre2. Righttxt currently employs 21people in offices in Chester andLiverpool city centre. Managingdirector Ian Appleton, commented:“Opening our second UK office inLiverpool offers us an opportunityto grow the Righttxt brand in theheart of the knowledge quarter,during an exciting time for themobile communications sector. Weare leading the way in thedevelopment of applications formobile technology that bringsgreater power into the hands ofbusiness owners and users. Weare recruiting the best of thetalent the Liverpool City Regionhas to offer and we are a hugegrowth business for anyonelooking to fast track a career inMobile Communications.” Righttxtis one of the market leaders inmultiple platform mobilemarketing communications. ChloeYoung, business developmentdirector for Liverpool Science Park,commented: “We are delighted towelcome Righttxt to our newestbuilding, Innovation Centre 2. Thisexciting and dynamic companyrepresents a high-growth sectorin the region and is a very positiveaddition to our growingcommunity of science andknowledge based companies.”

THIS YEAR’S Cannes Do is set tobe a lavish affair for propertyprofessionals and their associates.The annual event, which keeps ongrowing, is to be held in the newlyrefurbished and high specificationNo1 Tithebarn House, showing offthe space available for businessesto locate. In the sell-out event withover 400 attendees organised byProfessional Liverpool, with mainsponsors Kenmore Property Group

and Legal & General, the ticketedevent will see a drinks receptionheld at 12pm for 12:30pm, withlunch at 1pm. The after startersspeech delivered by Chris Connorof Mason Owen is highlyanticipated by veterans of theCannes Do, and comedian PeterEdge will be trying to follow theproperty-related round-up afterthe main course is served.

Mark Chadwick, chief executive

of Professional Liverpool,commented: “The Cannes Do is agreat idea with a rich tradition anda great reputation, so I’m delightedthat Professional Liverpool has theopportunity to take this forward.This year, with 400 attendees, wehave almost twice as many peopleattending the lunch than everbefore. Our sponsors have beentremendously supportive, and I’dlike to thank all of them formaking it possible to put togetherthe biggest property lunchLiverpool has ever seen.”

Other sponsors of the eventinclude Move Commercial, DentonAssociates, Grant Thornton, HillDickinson, HSBC, LiverpoolVision, and The Purple WineCompany. The event will be held insupport of Local Mencap.

Canneswe do it? Annual property event to beheld at No1 Tithebarn

THE MERE GRANGE development ofself-contained offices off the St HelensLinkway have announced a newoccupier in Keller Geotechnique. Thespecialist in restricted access piling andground engineering has signed up for2,374 sq ft on the ground floor at the34,000 sq ft office development ofspeculative buildings. KellerGeotechnique, which developed into amulti-million pound enterprise in its firstten years, decided to move out of townas the business expanded. Deputy MD,Philip Ball, commented: “Following therecent restructuring of our business wefelt we had outgrown our existingbusiness centre premises in St Helens

but wanted to remain in the town, soMere Grange was the ideal choice forus.” Deborah McLaughlin, regionaldirector for HCA in the north-west,added: “It is great to see originalinvestment in this developmentcontinuing to reap the rewards byattracting private sector companies toMere Grange. The will safeguard localemployment and provide opportunitiesfor future jobs in St Helens.” Furtherphases of development at the site willsee total 300,000 sq ft in speculativeand bespoke office premises. KeppieMassie and King Sturge (Manchester)are joint agents on the scheme.

Langtree signs private sector tenant on a five-year lease

Innov-8-vemove atScience Park

LiverpoolScience Park

St Helens’ office take-up increases

The Cannes Do attracts agents from across the city

Phil Ball, Keller Geotechniqueand Jayne Furnival, Langtree

No1 Tithebarn

p13-32:p03-12 8/3/10 19:22

MOVE COMMERCIAL 15


THE STOBART GROUP, freightspecialist, has signed a deal withTesco to bring a new distributioncentre to Widnes. The state-of-the-art 528,000 sq ft centre will bedeveloped on Stobart’s inland portnext to the River Mersey and willhandle fresh food and goods from

July, replacing Tesco’s existingfacility in Middleton, GreaterManchester. The location withinthe Mersey Multimodal Gatewaywas selected by the supermarketgiant for the efficiency of itsdistribution network around thenorth-west. The Stobart Group

achieved £61m in the disposal andhas entered into a 25-year sale andleaseback agreement and expectsto develop further phases on theland at inland port, which totals 95acres. Chief executive at theStobart Group, Andrew Tinkler,commented: This asset disposal

illustrates a fundamental strategyof our Group which is to invest inassets in order to develop existingand new customer relationships,and then to realise the value of theasset at a profit, to reinvestelsewhere in the business.”

New distribution centre

WORK HAS STARTED on the constructionof an iconic 14 metre high wind-poweredilluminated flower on the banks of theRiver Mersey. Widnes Waterfront, themulti-million pound regeneration of over200 acres of former industrial land,commissioned the artwork as part of theongoing regenerative programme. TheFuture Flower has 120 metallic petalsthat will flutter in the wind and will beilluminated by 60 low powered LEDs invarious shades of red with their intensitydepending on the wind’s strength anddirection. The unique structure will beofficially launched at an event on the29th March. Although work on site isprogrammed to last for a total of fiveweeks, the art installation was erected byspecialist fabricators Mike Smith Studios inonly three days, with supervision from theappointed main contractor, Cheetham HillConstruction. The artwork was designedby award winning architects Tonkin Liu as

part of an international designcompetition and funded by the NWDA.Halton Borough Council leader Cllr TonyMcDermott commented: “We are proudto see how quickly the Widnes Waterfrontarea is developing, and expect thousandsof people to enjoy the Future Flower overthe coming months.” Anna Liu, director ofTonkin Liu, said: “It is great for us to seethe Future Flower rising out of the riverbank halfway between industry andnature. The view of the Mersey with theSilver Jubilee Bridge in the distance withthe wind-blown reeds in the foregroundmakes for a beautiful location. During theday the silver flower will reflect the ever-changing light of the expansive sky andas the sky darkens the flower will glowred to herald the power of the wind. Thefuture flower celebrates the regenerationof the area and encourages visitors toenjoy the natural beauty of the WidnesWaterfront.”

Future Flowerbeginning to bloom

Widnes deal brings job creation

Rosy future for Widnes Waterfront

Workmen finishing the Future Flower at sunset

p13-32:p03-12 8/3/10 19:24

MOVE COMMERCIAL16


AT THE END of February,Sainsbury’s chief executive JustinKin formally committed thesupermarket giant to the ProjectJennifer scheme with a visit toLiverpool. The £150m project in theGreat Homer Street area will see aSainsbury’s foodstore, community

facilities and a public realm spacetransform the northern corridorinto the city, and encourage furtherinvestment and development in thearea. A legal challenge from Tescoput the project on hold, but with ananchor tenant secured for themixed-use development St Modwen

developers, behind thetransformational scheme, aredelighted. Justin King ofSainsibury’s commented: “We areabsolutely committed to deliveringwhat will be the largestsupermarket on Merseyside, andsigning this contract today is a big

step towards making it happen. StModwen has worked very hard withthe local community for over fiveyears now, and we know that thescheme has the wholeheartedsupport of the people in the areawho just want to see someprogress.”

LAW FIRM DWF is continuing toexpand in Liverpool, taking moreoffice space on Old Hall Street inBruntwood’s the Plaza. The firm’sresolution law team will take 8,000sq ft on the building’s ninth floor,where around 30 lawyers will workfor claimants direct or through theirinsurance companies. Partner DavidBlaquière commented: “This latestmove is a further sign that we arecontinuing to buck the trend.” David

Guest, regional director ofBruntwood, commented: 2We’recommitted to making our customers’leases as flexible and practical aspossible. By listening to what DWFwanted we were able to providethem with value for money, through amove within our Liverpool portfolio.It’s great news for the city as thissignificant letting highlights areturning confidence to the region’sproperty market.”

The Plaza attractsnew tenants

Commercial district’s appeal

Sainsbury’s checks in

The Plaza David Blaquiere

Great Homer Street development secures anchor

The Great Homer Street development

p13-32:p03-12 8/3/10 20:52

MOVE COMMERCIAL 17

WIRRAL has put the north-west firmly on the map, andon the menu, with recentsuccesses for the peninsula’srestaurants ahead of the foodtourism events to be launchedfor 2010 Wirrals’ Year ofFood. At the beginning of2009, Fraiche in Oxton wasawarded a coveted Michelinstar and in the 2010 WhichGood Food Guide Da Pier inIrby was recognised as thebest new entry. Cllr BobMoon, cabinet member forculture, tourism and leisure onWirral, commented “Theresponse we’ve had from ourfood tourism business hasbeen fantastic and there willbe exciting new events as wellas established favourites foreveryone to enjoy throughout2010.”

THE THREE YEAR build ofthe new Whiston Hospital hasbeen completed six monthsahead of schedule. The £250mfacility is expected to be fullyoperational from 26 April,with the new A & Edepartment set to open priorto that, on 25 March. The75,000 sq m complex onWarrington Road, Prescot,includes 5,000 individuallydesigned rooms. The facilityhas been nine years in theplanning process, but took justthree years to build. The spaceincludes 400 single patientbedrooms with ensuitebathrooms and state of the artoperating theatres.


Kings Park plan in visionONE VISION is to spend £20m modernising three high risetower blocks in Sefton. The works by the social housingprovider, which were approved by the Government Officefor the North West, will see improvements to Montgomery,Churchill and Alexander Houses in Seaforth. One Vision alsoaims to remodel the open spaces around the Kings Parkarea over the next few years. The Kings Park plan willincorporate ‘Home Zones’ in an attempt to improveconditions for pedestrians and residents. The measures

include reducing traffic speeds to 10mph, improving streetlighting, landscaping and the creation of children’s playareas. The finished towers will hold 109 apartments andseven new affordable houses. Roy Williams, One VisionHousing chief executive, commented: “It is an exciting timeas we set out to achieve our vision of providing high quality,affordable homes in thriving communities where peoplehave a sense of pride and place. We have no doubt thatKings Park will provide this.”

Culinarycredentials

Seaforth skyline facelift

£250mhospitallaunched

Retail firms in Orbit

L-R Alexander House, Montgomery House and Churchill House

ORBIT DEVELOPMENTS has addedto its list of retail tenants at AintreeRacecourse Retail Park. The AlderleyEdge firm has secured lettings toWren Kitchens & Bedrooms and TheCarpet Company at the mixed-used

development. Wren, founded byHygena entrepreneur MalcolmHealey, has aggressive acquisitionplans and secured their third storewith a 10,000 sq ft unit. The CarpetCompany has taken 1,031 sq ft on a

ten-year lease at the Ormskirk Roadsite, next to Aintree Racecourse.Property agents Jones Lang LaSalleand Cheetham & Mortimer acted onbehalf of Orbit Developments for theduration of the deals.

Aintree Racecourse Retail Park

Fraiche interior

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A ONE DAY event organised byInvest Sefton saw over 200businesses meet at AintreeRacecourse for a special QuestionTime-style debate. Key issuessurrounding the recession weredebated by a panel of expertsincluding Gary Lee from BegbiesTraynor, Andrew Cross fromBrabners, Andy Wallis from InvestSefton and Mike Taylor, investmentdirector at Liverpool Vision. Theday also saw workshops andseminars delivered by the region’sleaders in finance, law procurementand e-marketing. Leading supportorganisations from across theregion exhibited, allowingbusinesses the opportunity to accesson the spot advice and help on arange of issues. Director of planningand regeneration at Sefton MBC,

Andy Wallis, commented: “We areacutely aware of the challengesbusiness are facing at the moment,and Business Plus Sefton deliveredan intensive programme of activityto provide them with the full rangeof support services under one roof.

We are committed to doing all wecan to listen to businesses and allownew and growing businesses accessto quality advice and help, to givethem the very best chance ofsurvival and growth.”

ENGLAND’S OLDEST shop front, theThree Old Arches store on BridgeStreet in Chester, has welcomed anew occupier. The city centrepremises, covering 1,800 sq ft ofretail space, have been let to IndiaJane furnishings, the first franchisefor the furnishing store north ofLondon. Owner Christine Lomaxcommented that the historic premisesand location were a pull in choosingthe space, and the business hasenjoyed a successful start to 2010.

New tenant for England’s oldest shop

Chesterwelcomesfurniturestore

Sefton is the favouriteSupport for SMEs at Aintree

(L-R) Andrew Cross, Gary Lee, Mike Taylor, SteveDickson, Steve Heneghan and Mike Mullin

Chester has launched a bid tobecome a World Heritage site. Aheritage panel will be formednext month with the aim ofputting the walled city on theinternational tourist trail. It ishoped a successful bid would be asignificant boost to the localeconomy and help fund thepreservation of the city’s heritage.Leader of Cheshire West andChester Council, Cllr Mike Jonessaid: "With two thousand years ofrich history, I believe thatChester has all the assetsnecessary to qualify for thisPremier League of historicattractions. From the walls, rows,cathedral and imperialamphitheatre, to some of theearliest council houses in thecountry, our architecturalheritage spans every period fromthe Romans onwards and is, inpart, unique.”

City eyesworld prize

India JaneFurnishings

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A Professional performance Key events

Room with a ReviewProfessional Liverpool launched its annual review of the commercialproperty market at Downing’s Port of Liverpool building at the endof January, and confirmed the city’s status ‘as one of the largestand most active regional office markets in the UK’. The ProfessionalLiverpool forum calculated that in the 12 months to December2000, city centre take-up totalled 520,000 sq ft, and that the outof town market saw 721,000 sq ft taken up. While two large publicsector deals boosted the overall figures, the increases on take-uprepresent, according to Jim Gill, chief executive at Liverpool Vision,“a very good performance in the face of challenging economicconditions.” The supply of office space in out of town marketssurrounding the city has also fallen by 5.3 per cent to 720,000 sqft. Stuart Keppie, chairman of Professional Liverpool Property,added: “It seems the city has rallied after a significant reduction intake-up last year, while the creative, media and IT continues toshow underlying growth and the city fringe and Knowlsey marketsare performing reasonably well.”

By Lucy [email protected]

1. Stephen Burrows (Professional Liverpool Chair), Norman Jones from Mace & Jones, and Jim Gill (Liverpool Vision). 2. Sally O’Brien (Downing) with Stuart Keppie

(Keppie Massie). 3. Peter Smith (Liverpool Vision) and Gareth Pickering (Creative Liverpool). 4. John Brown (Knight Frank), Gary Banks (Arup) and Andy Lloyd (Baker

Tilly). 5. Richard Hughes and Stephen Fitzsimmons (NWDA). 6. The catering was provided by Pickled Walnut. 7. Colin McGregor (Alexander McGregor) and Helen Moss

(Knight Frank). 8. Fabian Delle (Downing), Dave Murphy (Andrew Louis), with Jon Swain (Mason & Partners) and Edward Landor (Edmund Kirby).

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A NEW four star hotel to open inLiverpool this July is set to have apositive economic impact on otherlocal businesses in the Ropewalksarea. The venture is the secondhotel by the base2stay brand afterthe launch of the first inKensington, London, in 2006. Thevenue, unlike other brandedhotels, will not offer dining or barfacilities for guests, insteadencouraging them to takeadvantage of the city’s bars, cafesand coffee shops with discountsagreed between the hotel and local

business owners. The £14minvestment for a 106 room hotel isdestined for Seel Street, andexpected to create 60 jobs in thecity. The building itself dates backto 1855, and was formerlyengineering works, a brewery anda cork warehouse. Base2stay chiefexecutive, Robert Nadler,commented: “The momentumwhich Liverpool has built up since2007 has been enormous and it isgreat to be a part of this. Thechance to get involved at a timewhen so many business drivers are

in conjunction is unusual.” Hecontinued: “All of theorganisations within Liverpoolhave tremendous dynamism and agreat pride in the city. It isn’tresting on its laurels post Capitalof Culture, but rather continues topush and strives to be even better.For instance, it is the only UK citywith a representation at the WorldExpo in Shanghai, with which it isnow twinned - something whichthe city should be justifiably proudof.” He added: “The RopeWalks,where our new hotel will be

located, may be the undiscoveredquarter of the city, and this givesus the opportunity to be one of thedrivers of the regeneration of thisarea. The development ofLiverpool One has shifted the citycentre, and RopeWalks is nowright in the heart of Liverpool. It’sa very exciting and historicquarter, with many of the elementsthat visitors to the city will belooking for. It combines history,culture and entertainment with afeel of the real Liverpool and anurban edginess.”

THE THIRD PHASE of Liverpool’sKnowledge Quarter is to be realisedwith the multi-million poundtransformation of the Mount Pleasantcorridor. The project will deliverimprovements along Mount Pleasant,Upper Mount Pleasant, Rodney Street,Clarence Street and Oxford Street, andcreate a new public space in front ofthe Metropolitan Cathedral. York stonesimilar to that used on Hope Street willbe used in the improvements to MountPleasant and Rodney Street, withsandstone used to improve the OxfordStreet area. The volume of traffic alongUpper Mount Pleasant will be reduced,with the road reserved for use bybuses, taxis and access to car parks.The scheme has been funded by theNorthwest Development Agency and

the European Regional DevelopmentFund, with contributions from both theUniversity of Liverpool and JohnMoores University. Liverpool Vision’ssenior development manager MattBiagetti commented: “This project willstrengthen links between theKnowledge Quarter and the rest of thecity centre, making both areas far moreaccessible, particularly for pedestriansand public transport. In addition theimprovements will create a superbenvironment in which to attract furtherinvestment to the city, complementingthe other major developments in theKnowledge Quarter.” It is estimated thecity’s Knowledge Quarter generatesaround £1bn per annum and supportsaround 14,000 full-time jobs.

A Pleasant transformation£6m scheme due to start in March

Liverpool’sappeal toleisure tenants£14m investment

Base2stay

The new public space in theKnowledge Quarter

development, Hope Square

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COMBINED HARVESTERS has signeda 10 year lease to help facilitate theircontinued expansion. The firm, whichwas previously located inBromborough, is one of the foremostsuppliers and fitters of rainwaterharvesting systems and associatedparts. Peel’s David Smith commented:

“Britannia House is an excellentlocation and offers flexiblewarehouse accommodation. We aredelighted that Combined Harvestershas seen the benefit of being locatedhere.” Al Tunnington, managingdirector of Combined Harvesters,added: “The company has seen an

impressive growth pattern over thelast three years and with theimplications of the new code forsustainable homes, the rainwaterharvesting and stormwatermanagement side of the businesswas set to grow the company further.”Legat Owen acted on behalf of Peel.


Rule BritanniaPeel has let 17,000 sq ft of space at Britannia House in Wallasey

GROSVENOR’S landmark LiverpoolOne scheme has attracted anotherleisure retailer to the mix.Liverpool’s first Catalonianrestaurant and deli, set to open on13 March, is a £750,000development based on College Lanein Liverpool One. The Lunyarestaurant will be split across twofloors, with a bar area on the ground

floor. Executive chef and proprietorPeter Kinsella commented: “Atpresent there are no otherrestaurants like it in the UK, nevermind Liverpool.” The signingfollows other recent retailersincluding Kirsty Doyle fashionboutique and Coast ladieswear atthe mixed-use city centre scheme.

Taste of SpainAn artists impression of La Lunya interior

A SOLICITORS firm hassecured new office space atKnowsley Industrial Park. GTLaw has signed a five yearlease on its new 12,000 sq ftpremises in a move which isexpected to create around100 jobs. GT Law directorGordon Tucker said: “Afterlaunching a fairly smalloperation down south lastyear we are now growing intoone of the leading law firmsin the UK. Our success insuch a short period of timemeant we had to movesomewhere quickly whichhad both quality commercialspace available at a goodprice and a quality workforce.The move to Kirkby isproviding us with both andthat’s why we signed a fiveyear deal as we are confidentthat the business willcontinue to grow.”

Large scaleletting inKnowsleyManchester-based solicitors Nikolich

& Carter have secured 1,040 sq ft ofnew office space at Manchester‚sSunlight House. The deal, on a five-year lease, has been secured just amonth after the completion of arefurbishment of the communalareas of the Grade II listed building.Steve Nikolich commented: "Themajor draw for us was theaccessibility of the building and therefurbished reception areas, whichhave given the building a modernfeel while still retaining the originalcharacter." Nick Taylor, senior assetmanager at Warner Estate Holdingscommented; “We are delighted towelcome Nikolich & Carter Solicitorsto Sunlight House. The letting is thefirst since the £3 millionrefurbishment of the common areasand further develops the reputationof Sunlight House as a major officelocation in Manchester City Centre."DTZ and Cannin O’Neill are the jointletting agents acting for WarnerEstate Holdings.

Solicitors see the light

Sunlight house

Gorden Tucker

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THE ROYAL Liver Building onLiverpool’s waterfront is set towelcome two new tenants to thenewly refurbished premises. Afterextensive and careful restorationwork by Claremont Group Interiors,the Royal Liver Group is set towelcome Amaze plc at the end ofMarch and Rights & Humanity inApril to the waterfront building.Amaze has signed for 5,000 sq ft

while Rights & Humanity hassigned for 10,000 sq ft both on thefirst floor floor, in newlyrefurbished Grade A suites. PeterFane, head of the Royal LiverGroup, commented: “We aredelighted to welcome two newtenants to the Royal Liver Building,as we are very proud of the space ofthe extensive refurbishment worksover the last 18 months.”

THE UNIVERSITY of Liverpool hasbeen awarded planning permission forits £45m ‘eco-halls’ project. Thedevelopment will include 710 en-suitestudy bedrooms on the site of themanagement school car park onChatham Street. The scheme will alsoinclude shops and a new 250-seatrestaurant. A spokesman for the

University commented: “TheUniversity is keen to ensure that thestudent experience offered atLiverpool is first-rate and recentmarket research indicates that in orderto attract the best students, theUniversity needs to offer moreaccommodation at its city centrecampus, particularly self-catered and

en-suite rooms. The residences will beat the cutting edge of sustainabledesign and will benefit from a lowenergy heating and cooling system,rainwater harvesting, low energylighting and solar thermal waterheating. The development will alsofeature green roofs with potential forwildlife habitats.”

Eco-build go-aheadPlans for students in city centre

Royal welcomefor tenantsLandmark site’s attraction

Royal Liver Building

Artists impression of Eco Residences

Wirral on course

ANTICIPATION is building as TheOpen Golf Championships willreturn to Hoylake on Wirral in2014. Hosted by the RoyalLiverpool Golf Club, it will be the12th time that Hoylake hashosted golf’s oldest Major. It’sestimated that each time theOpen Championships return to thenorth-west, £70m is generatedfor the local economy. There’salso a historic significance in thatHoylake hosted the inauguralAmateur Championship in 1885,and the first international matchbetween GB and the USA in1921. Cllr Steve Foulkes, leader ofWirral council, commented: “This isfantastic news for Wirral. We lookforward to getting ready towelcome new visitors to thepeninsula as well as returning golffans who enjoyed themselves somuch with us four years ago.”

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THREADNEEDLE PropertyInvestments have let an entire floorof their recently refurbished officescheme at New Barratt House inLiverpool city centre. The property,situated on the corner of NorthJohn Street and Lord Street, islocated directly opposite the mainentrance to the new Liverpool OneRetail Scheme to Connect InternetSolutions. David Colvin ofMatthews & Goodman, acting onbehalf of Threadneedle, said: “I’mabsolutely delighted to announcethe letting. Whilst the marketremains very difficult indeed, thequality of the accommodationavailable at New Barratt House, thelocation and the attractive deal onoffer made the building a clearfavourite despite fiercecompetition”.The accommodation comprisesapproximately 7,000 sq ft of fullyrefurbished offices. The new leasewas granted for a period of 10 yearsat a rental equating to £13.50 per sqft. The tenant also has the benefit of

six car parking spaces andbasement storage. A three year rentfree period was granted and thelandlords made a contributiontowards the tenants fitting out.Colin Charlton of Connect, whichrelocated from LiverpoolInnovation Park on Edge Lane,added: “We are very positive aboutour move to the city centre and thislocation is ideal for both Liverpool’sretail and commercial districts.Clients for website developmentand training now have convenientaccess to our purpose designedpremises” Connect moved into theCity from Liverpool InnovationPark on Edge Lane. Three floors ofaccommodation remain currentlyavailable in New Barratt Housealthough the agents report seriousnegotiations are being undertakenwith 2 further interestedparties.CBRE represented Connect,and Matthews & Goodman andHitchcock Wright & Partners arejoint agents for Threadneedle.

PEEL is continuing to expand its offerin distribution space. Planning consenthas just been granted for HareshillDistribution Park in north Manchester.The 22 acre site provides self-contained, detached unties from20,000 to 370,000 sq ft close toJunction 3of M66 and Junction 19 ofM62. Business parks manager at Peel,Matt Fitton, commented: “HareshillDistribution Park is now arguablynorth Manchester’s premierdistribution location. With the recentB8 planning consent and qualityalternative sites and buildings inlimited supply, it’s well placed tocapitalise on what we hope will be animprovement in the design and build

market for 2010.” Colliers CRE will beacting as joint agents with BNPParibas. Mike Walker of Colliers CBREcommented: “The market for designand build opportunities seems to haveimproved because of the recent take-up of large new build big sheds in thenorth-west generally. This lack ofsupply of existing buildings, the factthat Heywood is a proven distributionlocation, and that Hareshill has B8consent means that it will be firmly onthe radar as a potential location forbig shed enquiries, fro occupierslooking for space in Manchester andthe north-west.” The investment isexpected to bring £15m ofinvestment to the area.

Launch attractslarge occupiers

Connecting businessThreadneedle’s spin for success

International attractions

LIVERPOOL Science Park’s ‘SoftLanding Centre’ is setting its sightson luring global businesses to takeup space in the city’s KnowledgeQuarter. The R&D BusinessCentre, a Lithuanian firm, hassigned up for space to test the UKmarket from a north-west base.Company director MariusLanskoronskis, was impressedafter attending one of the SciencePark’s business breakfasts in theKnowledge Economy series andcommented: “The Soft LandingCentre’ provides the ideal

combination: high quality space, acommunity of innovative SMEsand access to the rich academicand research base on its doorstep.”The Soft Landing Centre facilitylaunched in January 2010 to offerinternational firms space free ofcharge for a defined amount oftime on a low-risk trial period.Component XS from Canada havealso joined them and two Finnishcompanies, who enjoyed a threeday tour of the north-west workingwith ic2, are hoping to set up basein May.

Liverpool Science Park

New Barratt House

Hareshill Distribution Park

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The Plaza on Old Hall Street is oneof Bruntwood’s nine buildings inLiverpool, from the firm’s portfolioof 90 buildings across the north-west, and Midlands. Sitting at thecentre of Liverpool’s emergingcentral business district, itsimposing façade opens onto StPaul’s Square, the newly establisheddestination for the city’s professionalservices firms. The overtones in thenaming of the building evoking thatsense of a meeting place, a forum forbusiness, hearkening a return to thetimes when the public square was aplace where news was announcedand deals were brokered. SinceBruntwood purchased the 15-storeytower block and set to refurbishingit, the building has attracted anumber of high profile tenants to doexactly that. Plans are currentlyongoing for the emergingcommercial district in its vicinity,through public and private sectorpartnerships - with Bruntwood’schief executive officer bringing hisexperience and contacts into the mixfor the benefit of all parties. Chris Oglesby joined his father’sbusiness almost by accident but hasnow been at the helm for over adecade, during which time he’soverseen the business’s expansion inthe UK’s core cities, Birmingham,Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool,and the outlying areas of GreaterManchester and Merseyside.

From its beginnings in Cheadle,the now Manchester-basedcompany has increased its stafffrom fewer than 20 employees tobuild teams dedicated to each of itskey sites. In step with changes inthe market, and trends for newways of working, Bruntwooddevelops offices, virtual offices, andmeeting rooms, in response to thedemand from the client – whomChris says is placed at the centre ofBruntwood’s plans: “Our business

model revolves around placing thecustomer right at the centre of whatwe do. We work hard to understandwhat that is, and to make sure thatour products and our service are thebest they can be. That sounds as ifwe’re stating the obvious, but in theproperty industry – which is soinward looking – so often it puts theneeds of the financier beforeanybody else, and that often isn’twhat the end-occupier wants.”Having been taken on at Bruntwoodjust before the last recession, Chris’role charged him with running thefirm’s in-house leasing team andgrowing the business, and timeswere tougher then than they have

been this time around: “The ‘phonewasn’t ringing very often,sometimes for two or three days.The effects of that recession saw oureconomy change from itsmanufacturing base to see the startof a fragile service economy. Thisrecession hasn’t been nearly as bad,and the ‘phones have kept ringing;people are still looking for offices.”

Getting the business throughsome difficult years, and growing itout of the Manchester office, led toChris becoming MD in the mid1990s. The growth of the business

in the last decade was checked onlywithin the last 18 months, when thefirm began to take stock andcentralise the business once more.Yet, after some readjustment, thecompany’s plans for 2010 areambitious and directed towardsgrowth. Says Chris: “We’re nowstarting to grow our business out inthe regions once again, broadeningout.”

With a handle on the opportunitiesin each of the firm’s locations, Chrisliaises with major players acrosscities which find themselves incompetition, as they vie for inwardinvestors’ attention. In the past thisstrength has cast the shadow ofsuspicion on Bruntwood in somequarters, wary of the developer’sintentions, but the firm’sprofessionalism has allayed thosefears: “We understand that each ofthe regional cities has its ownconfidential agenda, and we’resensitive to that. We have at times inMerseyside found a little bit ofsuspicion about us being a companythat operates out of Manchester, butI can absolutely assure people thatanything that’s discussed inconfidence is kept that way. Ourteam here is focused on making surethat this part of the world prospersas much as it can.”

In Liverpool and Leeds, the firmhas taken best practice to work withlocal directors and partnersestablishing the LiverpoolCommercial District and West EndPartnerships. He says: “We’re in aprivileged position to be able to workacross the different areas and seewhat works well, and then takesomething from one area to another.We’re also playing an active role inthe Eco Cities project, by financingand involving our staff, buildings,and customers, in practical pilotprogrammes that will helpcontribute to the research.” That

five-year research programme intohow cities can impact on climatechange, whether through low-carbonbuildings, or by developingtechniques to make cityinfrastructures more resilient in theface of climatic changes, seems to bean investment made with the heartand the head at a time when manywould be less than keen to exploreany negative outcomes of theircurrent business operations.

Furthermore, Chris’s active role inlocal area partnerships in thedifferent regions – heredistinguishing between GreaterManchester and Merseyside -placeshim well to observe the barriers toinward investment and growth of theeconomy in the north-west. Hecomments: “The emergence of thebuy-to-let market saw the propertyindustry centre itself around buildingproperty for investors and not forpeople to want to live in – and wehave examples of that in the officemarket with a lot of the smallbusiness freeholds which aresitting empty.”

The success of the region’s scienceparks in recent years has beencoupled with the regional bodies’focus on the region’s capacity toattract inward investors. For globalfirms looking to pitch their productsin the north-west, where skilledstaffing is available, and regionaland international transport links arebetter than ever, new developmentsof office space in Liverpool andManchester will need to be tailoredto requirements. Bruntwood’s plansto develop in partnership withManchester Business School are setto expand and take the business in anew direction: “Our primarybusiness model is CBD offices to letto various financial and professionalservice companies, and this movewill take us into a new customersegment, so we won’t be in danger of

They’ve seen through two major recessions but Bruntwood office developers show nosigns of slowing down their pace, hand in hand with the UK regional cities in which theyoperate. At Bruntwood’s landmark Liverpool office building, The Plaza, Chris Oglesbyexplains how developing property for the occupier is his passion, and reveals the secretsto the firm’s success across five UK locations.

A public appeal

We’re in aprivileged positionto be able to seewhat works well,and then takesomething fromone area to another

““

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Chris Oglesby Movers & Shakers

cannibalising our existing holding. Itwill be a mixed use scheme, withretail and office space and a hotel,which makes it different to yourusual office scheme – and it’s anarea where we’re hoping to be ableto develop similarly in other cities.”

It’s clear that Chris’ businessphilosophy extends further than a

strategy for profits. As a director onthe board of Heathcotes restaurant,Chris has seen the difficulty firsthand for restaurant businesses inthe recession to cut costs whencompromising on the quality of theproduct is not an option:“Heathcotes is a personal passion ofmine as it’s such an authentic

business. That’s a journey we’re onin this part of the world – toappreciate real cooking, and locallysourced, fresh produce, butHeathcotes has built an incrediblystrong brand.” For Bruntwood, 2010will also bring fresh challenges:“Last year our ambition was tosurvive and this year I’m under no

illusions. At the same time, we areseeing more interest from newoccupiers. Our challenge this year isto really work on making sure thatour business is operating aseffectively as it can. This year islikely to be a year of growth for us.We want to provide the best servicewe can for our customers.”

Oglesby FileDOB: 09/09/67 in Scunthorpe

Education: Monetary Economics atLSE and BSc (Hons) Property Valuationand Finance at City University, PACEcourse at Manchester Business School.

Top tip: Be yourself.

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Behind the scenes of the visionaryscheme for the £110m projectspread over 50 to 60 acres of thecity, is Albert Gubay - the Liverpool-born entrepreneur best known forstarting Kwik Save and making itglobal, and for Total Fitness.Derwent Holdings, his developmentcompany, employs charteredsurveyor John Taylor as a director,overseeing the Edge Lane scheme.John has been working alongsideMr Gubay since he started his careerin property 30 years ago, at firstwhen he worked for Mason Owenand then in running John Taylor &Company. Gubay’s DerwentHoldings, however, is a propertyfirm with a difference – theorganisation develops land forcommercial use at schemes acrossthe UK in order to donate the profitsgenerated to charitable causes,through the AG Foundation. I arriveto meet John on site, in McDonaldson Edge Lane where trade hasalways been high, and find him withNigel Machin, a leading architect onthe scheme from Manchester-basedAEW. They spread the plans out toshow the scope and scale of theproject and John explains how the

hill has been allowed for in thegently sloping car park: “EdgeLane’s not just about a retail park,it’s about a complete urbanregeneration to sort out a lot of theissues in this part of the city. We’regoing to provide somewhere in thearea of 650,000 sq ft of retail spacewhich is not that much more thanwe have already, it’ll just be verymodern. It will be in the Europeanstyle, which this retail park merits.”The multi-million pound projectcurrently comprises a team of 4architects from AEW, two Spanisharchitects, two project managers anda team of engineers and otherconsultants working on it, and thediscussions for the next phases ofdevelopment will bring 10 years’work to fruition: “This is a firstgeneration retail park and it needsupdating. It’s been a long process.”

Covering a vast area, and asignificant one at that as a gatewayinto the city, seeds for theoverarching vision of a world classretail park were planted when workfirst began on land acquisition. Itfirst started 25 years ago with MFI,when Derwent bought an old millacross the road from the

McDonalds, followed by thesurrounding land, from RobinsonWilley at the eastern end of EdgeLane down to Montrose BusinessPark. John adds: “We acquiredsomething like 90 different freeholdinterests from houses to the oldMeccano factory, and a plasterworkshop – all sorts of differentthings. It’s taken us 25 years to gethere, and we acknowledge that theexisting retail park is very tired andneeds an overhaul. We’re taking itone step further in terms of makingit brand spanking new – state of theart. There’s not another retail parkin Britain like the one we’re going tobuild here. The design and layoutare fantastic – AEW are very goodand we’ve got the Spanish involvedtoo – under Alessandro Benet.”

It’s by no means been an easyjourney to arrive at this point. Johnconfirms: “We have an interestingrelationship with the city council –it’s been both very bad and verygood. I think a lot of credit needs togo to the two Jims – Jim Gill atLiverpool Vision and Jim Davies atDWF Solicitors. They got togetherand had a frank chat about what wasgoing on with Derwent Holdings

and the city council, and they got usto put everything to one side andcrack on. They did a great job anddeserve the credit for catalysingeverything. A lot of work fromeveryone has gone into this,particularly over the past 18 months,with our planning consultants DPD,AEW and myself in detailed, nittygritty negotiations with the city’splanning officers, Mike Birchnalland Nigel Lee. It’s been tough butwe’re getting there.” That involvedcoming up with a scheme to satisfythe city’s visions of growth andcompetition, meeting environmentaland social needs, in an area which isa prominent gateway and which hascertainly seen its share ofcontroversy in the press. Johncontinues: “Liverpool is aninteresting city politically and thereare challenges you find in Liverpoolthat you don’t necessarily find inother cities. We worked togetherwith the city over the last 18 monthsand we’ve come up with a fantasticsolution. In commercial propertyterms, location is everything. Wehave the best location for this type ofdevelopment – it’s as simple as that.He added: “What we eventually

Edge Lane Retail Park on the edge of Liverpooloccupies a prime position, and plans for its developmenthave provoked debate over the latter part of its 25years in existence. After extensive consultation withthe city’s planners, Derwent Holdings are ready to moveforwards, and John Taylor is tasked with making thisvision a retail reality.

Edgingforwards

John Taylor

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agreed on was, instead of justconcentrating on the retail park, anarea-wide strategy for urbanregeneration. That’s called the EdgeLane Central Developmentframework. The transport isseparate but it all plugs in. The citydid the Rocket end and then theHall Lane improvements, and it allties in to the Edge Lanemasterplan.”

For a private developer to devotesuch time and energy to a projectwhich, at many stages of the processmust have seemed a thankless task,takes an extraordinary vision. Withthe scheme on the cusp of gettingunderway, with four of five planningapplications submitted and the fifthexpected by the end of March, theplan is to get on site before the yearis out. It’s an exciting time aseverything comes to fruition,bringing together global inspirationsand years of experience anddedication to the task. Originallyfrom Wigan, rugby league lovingJohn doesn’t anticipate many moreproblems for the scheme with theSpanish-style emphasis in its designand outlook: “We got a lot of thedetailed ideas for the nitty gritty on

here from Zaragoza in Spain, wherethere is a very exciting retaildevelopment. The Spanish are verygood at building on hills, and they’vecreated a retail park built into theside of the hill at Zaragoza – it’sfantastic. From the top corner ofEdge Lane to the bottom cornerthere’s a 10m difference but here onthe drawing we’ve worked aroundthat so you would never know withramps and slopes. We did that bylooking at a lot of the Spanishschemes with their architects. Theyput a lot of detail into the publicareas with public art in publicspaces. We’ve incorporated a lot ofthat into this. We’re talking premierleague.

“The retail application will go in atthe end of the month, and we don’texpect a lot of issues because the cityhas already approved thedevelopment framework. Themajority of the detailed analysis hasbeen done and we want to be on siteat the end of the year, buildingphase one.” The challenges thatremain for 2010 are to continuewith the business’s plans across thecountry and to grow. The firm isclearly experienced and talented in

developing retail parks, currently onsite in Sheffield and Hull, andbuilding the biggest Tesco in Europein north Manchester at the moment.John adds: “There are very fewpeople building at the minute, butwe’re just cracking on.” He is alsopositive about the opportunity to domore in Liverpool – and although hewon’t disclose what that may be, it’sno secret that Derwent are a largelandowner in the city. Profitabilityand growth are linked: “The ethicthat Mr Gubay set up in terms of theway he ran his businesses in the pastwas always very tight cost control –and that will always continue in thebusiness. On the development sidethere’s a lot of creative guys in theteam who have come up with somevery visionary stuff. This isn’t likeyour traditional Which DIY kind ofscheme - it isn’t going to be one ofthose.”

Across the project’s industrial,retail and various related strands,anchors and occupiers includeexisting retailers and industrialoccupiers – beginning with the retailsite surrounding McDonalds in thecentre of Edge Lane. John adds:“We’re in discussion with a number

of big national retailers at themoment, which we can’t disclose,but a big national chain of chemistswants to be on board, a ladies’fashion brand and homewares haveexpressed interest and also acatalogue operator. The existingretailers are also staying - I had ameeting with Comet yesterday andthey are keen to relocate and expandtheir premises here. No one will beleaving, we’re just remodelling it.This is one of McDonalds’ beststores in Great Britain – it’s busy allthe time.”

From all of the firm’sachievements so far, John canpinpoint a number: “There’s loads –Total Fitness. Mr Gubay thought ofthat on holiday in South Africa – wesold the business a few years agoand that did very well. Kwik Saverepeated a successful formula allaround the world, and we’ve done somany big schemes across thecountry and Ireland – one of mybest ever deals was developing thebiggest Tesco in Ireland a few yearsago. Now we’re working on thebiggest Tesco in Europe in northManchester.” For Derwent, there’sclearly no holding back.

Edge Lane Rising Star

“There are very few people building atthe minute, but we’re just cracking on.

”

CGI of the plans for Edge Lane

MOVE COMMERCIAL 27

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MOVE COMMERCIAL28

AFTER JUST TWO MONTHS ashead chef at Gidleigh Park inExeter, the country park hotel atwhich he would later attain asecond Michelin star, Michael wasinvolved in a serious car accident.He avoided a fatality but lost hisright arm as a result. Undeterred hewas back in the kitchen two weekslater, ready to continue themomentum of a career that wouldsee him claim a string of accoladesand awards, including an MBE, andsuccessfully enter the hotel market,helping to create the ABode brandin 2006 as operational partner anddirector. We meet at the champagnebar of the ABode on Manchester’sPicaddilly, the brands first ventureinto the region which secured aturnover of £1.1m in its first year.Michael arrives from a visit to thenew Chester hotel, located on thesite of the former CheshireConstabulary headquarters,adjacent to the Roadee Racecourse.At 85 rooms it will be the largest ofthe ABode properties to date. Thehotel, which has been secured on along-term lease, will form part ofthe HQ development that will alsoinclude 35 offices and 60,000 sq ftof offices. Michael commented:

“There are bigger hotels but at 85rooms it’s our biggest. We couldhave put more bedrooms in but wewanted to give a generous size withthe rooms. We’ve got a fifth floorwhich is entirely for fine dining, achampagne bar on the ground floor,other restaurants, a late nightlounge bar and business andconference facilities. We’re beingquite diverse with what we’re doingand I feel it will be a real adventurefor the business. We feel it’s alandmark property for us.” Roomswill feature hand-built beds andoversized baths, with privatebalconies boasting views across thecity, the racecourse or internalplaza. As an integral part of thebusiness model, the venue alsoincludes food and beverageoverseen by Michael. “Chefs areinextricably linked with hotels. Istarted my training with theGrosvenor House Hotel on ParkLane, then I went to Le Manoir auxQuat'Saisons with Raymond Blanc.For me the heart and soul of thehotel is its food and beverage, itbrings them alive. So many hotelsdon’t do food and beverage well butit’s such a good opportunity. We seepeople crossing the road from our

competitors in Manchester andcoming in for our food andbeverage. So many people go tohotels and don’t think of eating in arestaurant that’s within that space.We’ve managed to create adestination restaurant within a city

which I think is quite important torecognise. In Chester we feel weoffer a real alternative to what’salready in the city. We fit within themarket as someone who is brighterand fresher than some of the

existing brands. I think the diningarea will prove very popular as aplace local people want to come andenjoy local food at local prices. Wewant to create a real destinationexperience.”Although very much anExeter boy, Michael believes theregion is key to the overall successof the business. He added: “Thenorth-west is a huge market for us.There’s a high level of affluencehere, built on a foundation ofhardworking people, and we’re verykeen to maximise that opportunityin cities like Chester andManchester. It’s a good leisuremarket, a good business market anda great tourist destination and I’mreally encouraged by our progresshere. Now we’ve got a great buildingand a great product Chester gives usthe opportunity to mature into atruly great brand.”The success ofthe business is aided in no smallpart by Andrew Brownsword, theentrepreneur with an estimatedwealth of £190m and former chiefexecutive of Hallmark. The pairentered into a business relationshipin 2000 with the purchase of theRoyal Clarence in Exeter and beganto develop the ABode brand fromthere. Michael feels Andrew’s desire

In April this year chef Michael Caines will launch the ABode Hotel Chester,the first custom built property of the brand he developed with businesspartner Andrew Brownsword. For a man who suffered a near-deathexperience, the north-west expansion displays a continued determinationto excel in the business world.

Bode’s wellfor the future

Chestergives us theopportunityto matureinto a trulygreat brand

““

p13-32:p03-12 8/3/10 19:29

MOVE COMMERCIAL 29

Michael Caines Entrepreneur

to develop his property portfolio hasgiven the brand an advantage overrivals in a time of economicuncertainty. “At times where somepeople are looking for help from thebank we don’t necessarily need todo that, but at the same time youcan’t just rely on deep pockets.We’ve got sound business guidancefrom Andrew and his co-directorand they have sound aspirations fortheir money. We’re very astute withour investments and the hotels have

to drive back independence quicklyfrom the parent company but at thesame time we recognise thatinitially there is need for supportfrom the parent company so theycan become established. We own allthe real estate outright, either witha very long lease or a freehold. Thatsuits Andrew’s portfolio but we alsohave a good trading asset on top ofthat. There are a lot of buildingsowned by wealthy people at themoment earning no rent because

there’s nobody in there. With ourhotels we’re the landlord and thetenant and that gives us the chanceto have the asset and continue totrade.”With a new site lined up inSalisbury and other locationsearmarked in London andelsewhere ABode is displaying aclear desire for continued expansionover the coming years. MichaelCaines is clearly a man capable ofdriving that ambition forward. “I’mvery determined to overcome

adversity and my accident was anissue I overcame. My determinationin life is to succeed and put a lot ofskill and effort into making it asuccess. I enjoy the challenge thatlife presents. I think life’s too shortnot to take opportunities and Ithink it’s better to be criticised fortrying to do something than sit backand do nothing. I’m the kind ofperson that has a go.”

Caines’ Three Challenges1. Grow a new market in Chester and open it successfully

2. Retain and grow our current market share3. Achieve a third Michelin star at Gidleigh Park

Caines fileBorn:1969

Education: Exeter catering college

Michael became a Member of theOrder of the British Empire on 17June 2006.

ABode HotelManchester

The champagne and cocktail barat the ABode Hotel Manchesteroffers quality at highlycompetitive rates. The exclusive‘grazing menu’ features fullyexecuted variations from the à lacarte menu, created in smallersizes either to enjoy as a casuallight bite or with drinks, seated atthe bar, or to order and sharewith friends around a table.

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MOVE COMMERCIAL30

ORGANISERS hope to attract 70mvisitors to the Expo over the courseof its 184 day duration. In a displayof unwavering Chinese ambition,the event, with its theme of “BetterCity, Better Life”, has beenallocated a budget of around£40bn, almost twice that of theBeijing Olympics. Housed on a5.28 sq km site on the banks of theYangtze River it will be the largestWorld Expo ever. For Liverpool,who will stage their exhibition in a25 m by 18.5 m pavilion, theirpresence at the Expo representsthe clearest possible indication ofthe city re-igniting an existingpartnership with its Chinese sistercity. Mike Taylor, investmentdirector at Liverpool Vision,commented: “I think it’s fair to saythat probably for the first sevenyears we didn’t do anything withour twinning relationship and youcan put that down to the fact thatLiverpool had to sort itself out. Thephenomenal regeneration over the

last 10 years I think got us to apoint where as a world city wecould justifiably be twinned withShanghai. When we started goingback to Shanghai to re-energise thetwinning relationship it was clearthat the officials in Shanghai werequestioning Liverpool and saying‘well you’ve been twinned with usfor 10 years now, are you keen ondeveloping this?’” As a result oftheir successful applicationLiverpool will exhibit in the UrbanBest Practice Area of the Expo,displaying their cultural andhistorical assets over the course ofthe six month event. Theexhibition will be divided into sixcategories over the respectivemonths, enabling sponsors toallocate their resourcesaccordingly. Although a costlyventure, a £50m return has beenprojected for the region as aproduct of their presence inShanghai. Mike Taylor of LiverpoolVision commented: “Through the

Northwest Regional DevelopmentAgency we commissioned the ScottWilson Group to conduct anindependent assessment of thepotential economic value we couldaccrue from our presence at theExpo and they came up with theanswer that it should be worthsomething in the order of £50m ofGVA growth over the next 10 yearsor so. If you take that kind ofgeneral statement of £50m itbreaks down into an increase inthe number of tourists from Chinaand the rest of the Asian market,an increase in the number ofstudents coming to the north-westand an increase in the total volumeof imports and exports.”Key tosuccessfully funding the ventureinto the Far East will be thecontinued influx of sponsors.Around 50 per cent of the cost ofLiverpool’s presence in Shanghaiwill be footed by the private sector.The other half will essentially befunded by the tax payer, with the

NWDA committing £1.25m tosupport Liverpool’s presence andthe city council a further£300,000. The NWDA money hasbeen allocated for the physicalbuild of the pavilion and itscontent, £600,000 of which hasbeen earmarked for the audiovisual content, including a virtual3D journey from Shanghai toLiverpool which is hoped will beemployed for the future promotionof the city. Peel Holdings will beLiverpool’s lead sponsor at theevent at a cost of £100,000, withjust under 70 sponsors signed upin total, including small andmedium sized enterprisingcontributing £1,500 apiece. Peelintends to utilise the Expo toexpose projects such as Liverpooland Wirral Waters to aninternational audience.At the timeof going to press, a major north-west based company was lookingto secure the sponsorship packagefor the science and technology

With its launch on 1 May this year, Liverpool will be the onlyUK city represented at the Shanghai World Expo, a six monthevent that will welcome more than 200 nations andinternational organisations to forge new trading and culturalrelationships. Move Commercial looks at the implications forthe city and the wider region and how it hopes to benefit froma projected £3m – £3.5m investment.

Cultural connections

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MOVE COMMERCIAL 31

Liverpool’s international platform Focus

section of the exhibition, the lastremaining element of theexhibition without a main sponsor.Other major companies, such asLand Rover Jaguar, were also innegotiations to secure greaterexposure to the riches of the eastand join confirmed sponsors suchas Grant Thornton, Enterprise,Arup and Ernst & Young. As aresult of breaking down theexhibition into themes, Mikebelieves the expo has proven amore attractive and manageableproposition for smaller businesses,such as the Merseyside PensionFund: “Maybe we were a bit naiveoriginally. We thought this isobviously a great opportunity forthe private sector to go out andengage with pretty well everyemerging economy around theworld and that we’d have peoplequeuing up, but it’s more of anintensive one-on-one experiencefinding sponsors and I think that’sbecause many businesses have

really been wrestling with theirown business plans, with their ownbottom lines, balance sheets and

cash flow issues. Most of oursponsors have particularlyindividualised requirements ofwhat they want out of the Expo.

Selling a standard package ofsupport is not what they want.Some businesses have this verystrong sense of ‘I know I need togo out there and do business inthese international market placesbut I don’t really know how to doit’. We’re offering a verycomprehensive piece of research aspart of the package.”With a uniqueposition in Shanghai, Mike believesthose business can take advantageof that special relationship in yearsto come. “We know from ourstakeholders and partners whoalready do business in China thatit’s a long process of building arelationship and once you’ve builtthe relationship and you’vedemonstrated that you are agenuine friend then theyencourage their firms to dobusiness with us. As Liverpool willbe the only UK city in Shanghaithere’s a real opportunity to getLiverpool’s brand across andpresent the north-west as

something distinct from the south-east and position ourselves in avery favourable position forinvestment. It’s not just about theChinese market, there’s going to be140 countries with their ownpavilion, so for those businessesthat recognise indigenous growthin the UK is going to be hard tocome across in the next 10 years,they are going to have to findgrowth by dealing with theemerging markets. A lot ofbusinesses realise that and acceptthat and indeed many economistssay that the UK is actuallyreasonably well positioned tosecure economic growth at ahigher rate than other Europeancountries because we’ve got arelatively low exchange rate and arelatively low and flexible costbase. They do so say most of thatadditional growth is going to comefrom our ability to export and todo business in overseas markets.”

Pull quotecould go inhere tobreak thetext up alittle.

““a virtual 3D journey

from Shanghai to Liverpool“

“

Mike Taylor

p13-32:p03-12 8/3/10 19:31

Transport: the next step Key events

Challenges andconsultationsThe Hilton Hotel on Liverpool’s waterfront was the venue forthe latest instalment in Merseyside Transport Partnership’sseries of ongoing breakfast briefings to develop a workinglocal transport plan in the region. Neil Scales opened theconference by pinpointing the significance in the linkbetween an improved infrastructure and Liverpool city’sparticipation in the Year of Health and Wellbeing, andemphasising a new mobility culture as key to increasingexpectations and the standard of living. Low carbon, inclusivepublic transport systems and economic growth are to beviewed as partners in the process of change as a six-weekpublic consultation takes place to gather input from people inall sectors of the community. The next phase of the localtransport plan (LTP3) will be put into practice from April.

By Lucy [email protected]

1. Neil Scales (chair of the Merseyside Transport Partnership) with Richard Brown (Mott McDonald) and Joan Brookman (Liverpool PCT). 2. Steve Heneghan (Business

Link) with John Flamson (University of Liverpool). 3. Angela Smith and Chris Markey (Merseyside Police) with David Foulkes (CAMERA Partnership). 4. Paul Johnston

(Merseytravel) with Richard Brown (Mott McDonald) and Roelant Groen (Merseyrail). 5. Joan Brookman from Liverpool PCT addresses the guests. 6. Steve Tomkins

and Robert Taylor (Enterprise Rent-a-Car).

1

2

4

65

3

p13-32:p03-12 8/3/10 19:31

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On the instructions of administrators85-93 Stonebridge Lane, Croxteth, Liverpool - For Sale

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p33-40:p03-12 8/3/10 20:02

MOVE COMMERCIAL 35

What are the challenges forgraduates entering the workplacein the north-west this year?Jo Ives: Graduates are facing a veryuncertain future in terms of theirpotential and the rapidly changingwork environment. Technology isdriving a fast-paced employmentmarket and things are changingrapidly during the three or four yearsat university. What we’re trying to dois to prepare them for a lifetime ofemployment, not just a first job, soour challenges are to make them fitfor a fruitful career.Paul Redmond: We’ve beenresearching the job market this year

and we’ve found nationally thatvacancies are down by about 11.8per cent this year. That sounds bad,but in 1991 they were down by 32per cent and in 1999 by 34 per cent.Talking to graduate recruiters, theyexpect to take on more graduatesthis year but 50 per cent say theywill need to reduce their intake asthe jobs are already filled with lastyear’s graduates or with interns. It’sgoing to be a lively market. Are universities preparinggraduates to meet thesechallenges?PR: We have to ask, what is auniversity for? There’s nothing wrong

with studying a subject for the sheerlove and pleasure of it for threeyears. This generation is perhaps themost qualified in history – but theworld of work has shifted so that lotsof layers of middle managementhave been shedded, and theopportunities to join a company andmove up, training as you do so, arefewer. There’s less investment ingraduates; they’re expected to berough and ready – and often, thegraduates don’t have the lifeexperience. Things have changedand it’s not their fault, but it is theirproblem. Jeanette Kehoe-Perkinson: There

are companies which used to be thebest in the world, or in that sector,and which now no longer exist. PR: It’s interesting that 70 per centof graduate recruiters don’t specify adiscipline, it’s all about skills andattitude.How does that reflect the impactof the recession in the currenteconomic climate?PR: We talk to our students aboutjobs BC and AD – before the crunchand after the downturn. There’s a bigdifference now, and tactics andstrategies needed BC are verydifferent to AD. Of course thebiggest challenge for graduates

Panelists Jeanette Kehoe-Perkinson, VP at Mexx and a board member at Liverpool Vision, Dr Paul Redmond, head of Liverpool University’s Careers and Employability Service andauthor of The Graduate Jobs Formula, and Jo Ives, deputy director of the GraduateDevelopment Centre at LJMU, met at Liverpool Vision’s offices to discuss how the universitiesand employers can work together for the economic growth of the north-west region.

The workplace ofthe future

Forward thinking Round Table

Jo IvesJohn Moores University

Jeanette Kehoe-PerkinsonLiverpool Vision

Dr Paul RedmondUniversity of Liverpool

p33-40:p03-12 8/3/10 20:38

MOVE COMMERCIAL36

though is that they are going to beworking for companies that don’t yetexist. We’ve developed a formula tohelp students calculate their ownemployability, and that’sE=Q+WE+SXC. That meansemployability equals qualifications,plus work experience, plus strategiesmultiplied by contacts. JI: We’ve looked at the same thing,and our programme World of Work(WoW) gets students to look at howthey can boost their employability,recognising what employers arelooking for. Our programmes aredevised and supported by local andnational employers – with work-related learning and to provide themwith what they need when they’relooking for work. JKP: I have a different perspective asan employer, but I can see thechallenges students are facing and itis a difficult place to be – atuniversity. I think the WoWprogramme is fantastic and was longoverdue- it’s an excellent programme.For the first stage of grauateswithout MBAs or Masters, it’s notenough. As an employer, the firstthing I will look for is a ‘can do’attitude coupled with evidence ofthe other skills and qualities theyhave, from their interests. Theiracademic skill and knowledge istaken for granted. If they have adegree then they’ve proven thatthey can learn. I’m more interested inthe extra-curricular activity, thesocial clubs and networks they’vejoined, the team involvement, and

how they have engaged with otherpeople outside of their study. Foralmost every job, proficiency incommunication is key. The biggestchallenge facing the students is theirability to use the networks availableto them, and the opportunities, toincrease their employability – and toput themselves out there andexpose themselves to jobs.Employers expect candidates to

come to them through differentroutes.Is social networking increasing inimportance for recruiters?JKP: As employers you are looking forbetter, low-cost ways to recruit, sowhen you go through sites likeLinkedIn or Facebook and the qualityof the content makes someone standout for a career opportunity thenthat’s one way of increasing theirprofile. It can be a way of findingcandidates who are serious aboutimproving their employability. Itshows their ability to be connectedand that they are conversant withtechnology. Working in differentsectors, there will be a need for veryspecialist degrees, but we needpeople who can see the commercialimplications of their research – whocan see the bigger picture. If youhave borderline candidates with thesame degree, you will take theperson with the commercial edge asthey will be the one to come up withthe ideas to take the businessforwards. JI: It makes a difference in the jobstoo. No one works in an organisationon their own. We work in teams,interacting with others, and sograduates need these skills, alongwith being creative and innovative.With Liverpool’s investment in aScience Park, and the changinglandscape of offices andworkspaces, how will the workingenvironment change?JKP: I’ve just taken out 40 per centheadcount of our company over the

past three years, because we had torespond to the economy. This isanother thing that students in thecommercial disciplines need to learn- the reality of, and the language ofbusiness. It’s not about revenues, it’sabout profitability. We need to seegraduates who understand a balancesheet and have educated themselveson the principles and drivers ofbusiness. If I ask half of the people in

my company to explain some termson the weekly reports they may notbe able to do that – but we needthem to be able to do this. There ismore portfolio career now – movingfrom job to job, and you have to beabsolutely sellable as a commodity,with a polished CV. You need to beaccountable for yourself – no oneowes anybody a living. There are noapprenticeships now, and that’s beena devastating blow to the economywith terrible consequences socially.PR: While higher education hasexpanded over the last 20 yearswe’ve seen a collapse in the numberof jobs for the youth. Those jobswhich before needed just two Alevels, say, are now available only tograduates. JKP: Britain now relies on a serviceeconomy, with no manufacturingbase.PR: We have a generation of 16-18year olds who are disenfranchised.JKP: This is a real challenge. Lookingat offices and sizes of structures –everything is being restructured foras lean a management structure aspossible, with an impact on thecareer ladder. JI: Opportunities won’t be available injust one organisation any longer.JKP: We have to see how graduatesrecognise that and approach theworld of work where they need toshow how, if they hold a job downfor two years, they deliveredsomething. PR: Employers need to see a returnon their investments.What do students need to expectfrom the changing workplace?JI: They need to be aware that theywill have to keep learning anddeveloping their skills, to keep up todate, and to be able to takeadvantage of opportunities that arise

as the market shifts and as jobsbecome obsolete. They need to beable to market themselves – and tobe able to see that as the nature oftheir career, rather than expecting toleave university and to walk into astable job, easily. That doesn’thappen any more. It’s aboutmanaging expectations as much asanything else.JKP: Students at university are usedto performing well and beingapplauded for their achievements –but in the workplace, there are somany applicants for every job thatyou really need something else aswell.JI: It’s about developing flexibility andproblem-solving skills these days.Traditionally, high education wasmore knowledge-based.JKP: Most of my generation wouldagree that what we learnt on ourdegree courses isn’t applicable, but alot of the skills will always be. Ifyou’re developing research skills thenthat will never leave you. How are universities working withemployers?JI: Programmes are becoming morevocational, with work-based learningdevised by employers with theirinput, and this gives students a morerealistic idea of what to expect whenthey graduate. Part time workalongside their degree can also bevery useful in giving them thevaluable management skills,confidence and aptitudes thattranslate to the workplace after theygraduate – even if it’s running a bar,or something that doesn’tnecessarily have an obviouscorrelation. It helps students tobecome self-aware and see whichkind of working environments suitthem.PR: We’re launching an internship

“There are so many people wholove Liverpool, but they can’tget the kinds of jobs that willpay them what they can earnelsewhere. Jeanette Kehoe-Perkinson

”

“What we’re trying to do is toprepare them for a lifetime ofemployment, not just a first job. Jo Ives

”

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MOVE COMMERCIAL 37

programmes, which is new for somesubjects, and helps to incorporatethose skills into the programmewithout devaluing the degreecontent. But as for employers, dothey have the capacity to help withthat?JKP: Yes, and they should. Graduatesdo need more access to employersfor role play to learn about what toexpect from interviews.JI: Students get huge value fromthose kind of scenarios. A lot ofsuccess at interview comes fromsocial confidence, and being able toexpress their own ability.JKP: University is a fantasticenvironment to be able to learnabout yourself – but so manystudents don’t take advantage ofthat opportunity to develop yourself.You don’t want to waste thoseopportunities. How is entrepreneurialismimportant to the economy? JKP: It’s increasingly so, as graduatesneed to create their ownopportunities. I have a strong take onthis, as I don’t think thatentrepreneurialism can be taught.You have it or you don’t. A lot of thereally successful entrepreneurs fellout of school. They are people withfrustration and impatience, coupledwith great ideas – which can befantastic. It comes down to somecore qualities; being rebellious, a risk-taker, not taking no for an answer,and these sorts of things were, inthe past, attributes that werediscouraged at university. PR: This generation is moreentrepreneurial- they buy and sell onEbay, they’re digital natives, and it’sseen as an aspiration. They’re morecynical about organisations. Thesedays being an entrepreneur has agood reputation.JI: In the past it was the case that toget a good, stable job at a large

company was the aim, but that’schanged. It used to be the case thatif you wanted to be an entrepreneurthen, why were you at university?For students now who want to workfor themselves there’s much moresupport available to them to set uptheir own businesses. In our region,in the creative industries inparticular, those skills are crucial. Wehave a student entrepreneurialprogramme, which gives bursaries tostudents with good ideas, to getthem marketing and up and runningwith them. We’ll also put them intouch with funders, and help themget organised, with a businessmentor and space to hold meetingswith clients. It’s obviously of benefitto the region when these start-upsbecome successful businesses andemploy other students andgraduates, which often is the case. PR: The Apprentice and other TVshows are popular with students,and I’m working with Tim Campbell(winner, 2004) who’s come in to talkto the students. The media has ahuge effect on students’expectations. They have to acceptthat they’re not going to be workingon a project with the chief executiveevery day. (All laugh) Which areas can you seedeveloping?JKP: Social enterprise is an areawhere students can make a realdifference – to the communities andto employability in the area bygetting a god idea up and running, aswell as overseas. Those enterprisesneed to learn from our students, andthat’s going to become a massivearea in the future. How are the universities andemployers using their internationalconnections to attract employersto the north-west?JKP: Liverpool Vision is working hardto attract alumni from the

universities, who are runningsuccessful companies internationally,back to city. A presentation has beenput together to show them how thecity is doing and what it can offerthem, and by networking with thosepeople who have lived here duringtheir student days, we hope toattract many of them to consider amove here. Liverpool’s a fantasticcity, and those who have studiedhere may not have wanted to leavebut they’ve had to, in order to workin a particular industry. Now, we’rehoping that that will change – andwe hope to attract any employerswho can provide jobs. It’s not aboutattracting small traders – we don’tsuffer from that in Liverpool - but weneed people who can provide biggernumbers of jobs. It’s an ongoingdebate; how we can attract people toinvest here.

PR: As a research-intensive, RussellGroup university, the University ofLiverpool is one of the UK's mostinternationally-orientateduniversities, with a campus in Chinaand links to countries across theworld. Because we have so manyglobal links, not only do studentsfrom across the world enrolwith us to study at Liverpool, ourhome-based students have fantasticopportunities to work and studyoverseas. This year, for example, wehave students on placement withFortune 500 companies in China. Inthe next few years, theseopportunities are set to expand,offering superb careeropportunities to our students.JI: We attract a large number ofoverseas students, a lot of the timebecause we offer courses they can’tdo in their own countries, and wehave relationships with institutionsinternationally. The UK does offer afantastic higher education system,and when they choose Liverpool itcan be for a number of reasons. Wedo have very good links withMalaysia, for instance. This isfantastic for bringing talent to thecity, and spreading the news that ourregion has a lot to offer those fromoverseas. We need to invest more inthis, as a region. JKP: There are so many people wholove Liverpool, and would love towork here, but they can’t get thekinds of jobs that will pay them whatthey can earn elsewhere. I’m verylucky in that I will be moving backhere shortly, to run my own business,but we need to tap into more peoplewho can create opportunities in thisregion, and employ people who wantto be part of those organisations. Ourchallenge at Liverpool Vision is toreach international alumni from thecity, to engage them in the future ofLiverpool, and to benefit everybody.

Forward thinking Round Table

“It’s all aboutskills andattitude. Dr PaulRedmond

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Expert views Ask the panel

What are your hopes for thenorth-west as a result of theforthcoming general election?

“I would like to see greaterencouragement of employmentretention in the north-west, agreater relocation of public sectoremployment from the SE,particularly the back officefunctions - so assisting publicsector cost cutting. There needsto be greater financial support forthe SME market, and a morepragmatic approach toencouraging the business sector,e.g. rationalising property taxesaccording to the economiccircumstances - particularlybusiness rates on empty buildings.”

Stuart Keppie, partner,Keppie Massie

“My fervent hope is that we get agovernment with a strongmandate. The threat of sustainedpolitical uncertainty arising fromthe prospect of a hung parliamentwill only serve to compound themarket's worries about the UK'sweak fiscal position and ourstruggling economy. This in turnthis will further underminesterling, our competitiveness andany prospects of a real recovery.”

Mark Chadwick, chiefexecutive, ProfessionalLiverpool

“It's all about jobs. The North Westhas to be in the best possible shapeto ride the upturn. We'll need amodern transport network to do it. I hope our (new?) leaders resist theurge to ditch plans for much-needed new transport - and digital– infrastructure.”

Liam Fogarty, chair,amayorforliverpool.org

“The last decade has seen theprofile and stature of the region’suniversities increase tenfold. Butthe work is only half done. Thenext step must be to ensure, asthey graduate from Liverpool andManchester, students take theirskills and talents into the region’seconomies, providing us with thenext generation of entrepreneursand professionals - rather thangoing back home.”

Laura Brown, senior accountmanager, The Design Foundry

“I would like to see an early aspossible election, delivering adecisive decision and thus electinga single party with the majority toimplement their chosen policies,which will go on to deliver muchneeded stability. For our region,rather than growth - which wouldbe welcome - I would settle for aleveling from recent falls.”

Neil Waddington, managingdirector, Prospect GB

“There needs to be greater financialsupport for the SME market, and amore pragmatic approach toencouraging the business sector.

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