Archive: Jun 2018

  1. Thrive co-working space to open in Farnworth town centre

     Thrive announced it has started building work to convert Miller House, 47-49 Market Street, Farnworth into a new co-working space which will feature 37 office suites and will be open in autumn this year.

    The £500,000 investment will see Miller House transformed into a contemporary, stylish Thrive office centre, featuring state-of-the-art facilities, including meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology, break-out areas and an on-site gym.

    Miller House is located close to Farnworth the town centre, which is included in the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Town Centre Challenge – the new initiative to help breathe new life into areas across the region.

    Bolton Council Leader, Linda Thomas said: “I am delighted to welcome Thrive to Farnworth and to see Miller House, which has been empty for a long time, being brought back to use. We are developing a new masterplan for the Farnworth area that will focus on both the place and its people. We are looking for innovative solutions from investors that will assist with regenerating the area to benefit local people. The proposals for Miller House fit with this and we hope that it will encourage others to take a similar approach.”

    Miller House has excellent transport links, connecting it to key destinations in the North West; the M60 is nearby, Farnworth train station is within walking distance and Bolton train station is less than three miles away.

    The new office space will form part of the Thrive network, which currently has operations in Wigan, Warrington and Newton-le-Willows.

    Matthew Settle, managing director, Thrive said: “Miller House will not only offer fantastic office suites, but it will also provide modern and vibrant communal areas and facilities, enhancing the working experience and giving our tenants an impressive space to host their clients.

    “Our occupiers benefit from automatic membership to Club Thrive, which allows them to use our facilities at other locations as well as connecting to other Club Thrive members.  We aim to grow Thrive considerably over the next six months, in addition to the Miller House we have plans to open at Burnley, Blackburn, Oldham, Cheadle and Widnes as well as having operations in Blackpool, South Yorkshire and the North East in the pipeline.”

    Office suites at Miller House will range from 160 sq ft for 2-3 people to 460 sq ft for 10-12 people. Prices start at just £475+VAT PCM for a 2-3 person suite, including access to all communal areas and facilities, free high-speed fibre broadband and Wi-Fi, cleaning and a concierge service.  A show suite will be opening at Miller House later in the summer.

    This news story was featured in Place North West and The Bolton News

  2. Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios increases Manchester office size

    OBI announced Feilden Clegg Bradley Studios (FCBStudios) has moved to larger premises at Carver’s Warehouse, Dale Street, Manchester. The practice, which also has offices in London, Bath and Belfast has taken 2,100 sq ft on the ground floor on a five year lease.

    FCBStudios, which first opened in Manchester in 2015, has increased its capacity and strengthened its commitment to Manchester to serve its clients in the city and further afield.

    The practice’s current projects in Manchester include: the Circle Square neighbourhood on the site of the former BBC Oxford Road campus in the heart of Corridor Manchester for Bruntwood and Select Property Group; three projects in Ancoats for Manchester Life, including the repurposing of Murrays’ Mills, a former steam-powered cotton mill, into a residential community, and ongoing work with MMU for its new International Screen School.

    Geoff Rich, Managing Partner, FCBStudios said: “We love being in Manchester and feel now is the right time to invest in our next chapter in the city and the wider region. Our new office gives us better space for our design activities, and for hosting our clients, collaborators and visitors.”

    OBI represented FCBStudios on the deal while Carvers Warehouse owner Town Centre Securities were represented by Avison Young.

    Andrew Cowell, transactions and asset management, OBI said: “FCBStudios renewed commitment to Manchester, and its plans for growth are a sure sign of the strength of opportunities available not just in the city centre but across the city region and Northern Powerhouse. Carvers Warehouse is a great fit for the architecture practice as the building offers great character space with many of the original features.”

    Chris Collins, Asset Manager, Town Centre Securities said: “I am delighted FCBStudios has chosen to grow its Manchester base with us at Carvers Warehouse. Carvers Warehouse occupies a convenient location, adjacent to the ever evolving Piccadilly Basin and just a 5-minute walk from Piccadilly station. We have no doubt it will be an ideal base for FCBStudio’s employees and clients.

    “Carvers Warehouse is one of Manchester’s oldest surviving warehouses (and the only one built of stone) and has continued to develop alongside the city’s thriving Northern Quarter and Piccadilly Basin; it is great to see such a creative company like FCBStudio’s recognising this and choosing it as their base.”

    Completed buildings in Manchester by FCBStudios include three projects for Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU): the Stirling Prize-shortlisted School of Art, the award winning Business Schooland new Student Union.

    Further afield, FCBStudios is working on significant projects in Leeds, Liverpool, Shrewsbury and Stoke on Trent. In Leeds the practice is working with CEG to develop a pioneering new neighbourhood at Kirkstall Forge. The practice has recently secured planning approval for CEG: South BankLeeds, a new £350 million mixed-use community on a 3.5 hectare site just minutes from the southern entrance to Leeds City Station.

    This news story was featured in TheBusinessDesk

  3. Telux moves to 55 Spring Gardens, Manchester

    The recent arrival of technology development company Telux, which has taken 2,532 sq ft of space on the first floor at 55 Spring Gardens, Manchester, means the building is close to being fully occupied with the second, third and part-fourth floors all under offer and just one suite remaining on the fifthfloor (7,033 sq ft).

    Murray Leach, Managing Director, Telux Limited said: “55 Spring Gardens provides a fantastic contemporary space for our growing team. The space reflects our business ethos and provides a great workspace from which we can develop the growth of our business.”

    Telux has relocated from The Royal Exchange due to its requirement for expansion space to help facilitate the growth of the business following its acquisition by Invosys. OBI acted on behalf of the building owner, Aviva Investor.

    Christian Anderton, Aviva Investors said: “We provide workspace that enhances productivity for the businesses that occupy it. 55 Spring Gardens continues to generate interest from the tech and wider start-up community and Telux Limited are a strong addition to that group of residents.”

    Debbie Meredith, Transactions & Asset Management, OBI said: “It is great to welcome another occupier into the building. 55 Spring Gardens provides an inspiring contemporary working environment to businesses from a wide and diverse range of sectors in the heart of Manchester. The building has received significant interest and with a further deal in solicitor’s hands, we expect to be announcing the arrival of a further occupier in the near future”

    The specification of 55 Spring Gardens includes fully exposed M & E services, pendant lighting and exposed internal columns revealing a combination of concrete encasement and steelwork. The reception benefits from an interactive media wall and event space for occupier use, promotional events and client entertaining.

    This news story was featured in Insider Media and TheBusinessDesk

  4. Historic music venue Band on the Wall secures £1.65 million Capital funding from Arts Council England

     Inner City Music Limited, the charity that owns and operates Manchester’s multi award-winning music venue Band on the Wall, announced Arts Council England has approved £1.65 million stage two Capital funding for the venue’s Bigger, Better, Strongerexpansion plan.

     The funding represents a significant milestone in plans to expand the venue and bring the derelict Cocozza building, at the rear of Band on the Wall, back to life.

     Gavin Sharp, CEO, Inner City Music said:

     “Band on the Wall has worked closely with Arts Council England for many years. The welcome news of a successful stage two Capital funding will help transform Band on the Wall into a world-class space for music performance, education and cultural engagement for the people of Manchester and further afield.

     The Capital funding will allow Band on the Wall to significantly enhance its facilities for learning and participation activity and performance, and the expanded building will be a space for the public to experience both music from around the world, and participate in programmes that explore and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of the local area.”

     The expansion plans see the main venue capacity increase from 350 to 500, significantly improved facilities for education and community engagement programmes, and the Picturehouse Bar remodeled with external terrace space increased and a new small second venue for emerging artists. 

     The planned learning complex will include a rooftop A/V suite, allowing young people and education participants to create new work by engaging with international touring artists.

     The new learning spaces will be home to Band on the Wall’s improved archive facilities, enabling the organisation to better catalogue its rich library of historical content. Selected archive materials will continue to be exhibited throughout the venue.

     The Cocozza building is one of only a few remaining structures from the days of the Victorian Smithfield Market. Inner City Music is in the final stages of negotiating the purchase of the building and, subject to funding, the building façade will be saved and fully restored

     The inclusion of the Cocozza Building creates new opportunities in the Northern Quarter and Ancoats areas, and it is planned to install digital artworks in place of venue windows. These changing displays will provide a canvas for artists to tell the story of not just Band on the Wall, but the surrounding area.

     Arts Council England’s Capital programme supports organisations to develop resilience by giving them the right buildings and equipment to deliver their work, and to become more sustainable businesses. This capital investment will help Arts Council England to achieve its goal of making the arts more sustainable, resilient and innovative by prioritising the maintenance and improvement of existing buildings.

     Jane Beardsworth, Director, North, Arts Council England, said:

    “Band on the Wall is a hugely popular music venue which appeals to local, regional and national audiences. It showcases the best in upcoming and established contemporary musicians and we’re delighted that artists and audiences will benefit from our investment in its expansion plans.”

     Band on the Wall has championed and celebrated the value of diverse music for the best part of a century. It is a living music library and allows people to access, enjoy and participate in the best music of many cultures in a stimulating and social environment.

     The next phase of the Bigger, Better, Stronger expansion project is the development of a world-class music and heritage engagement programme and Activity Plan, partly funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF). These programmes will focus on the music, song, storytelling and dance heritage of Manchester’s rich and varied migrant communities.

     Band on the Wall is actively looking for supporters to help make the expansion happen – please visit the Band on the Wall Charity page to find out how to get involved.

  5. Planning application submitted to transform 80 Manchester Road, Burnley into new work space

    Thrive has announced it has submitted a planning and change of use application to Burnley Council for the £250k transformation of the Mill, 80 Manchester Road, Burnley into a co-working hub with small to medium sized offices with desk spaces for up to 100 people.

    Thrive, which already has operations in Wigan, Warrington and Newton-le-Willows, plans to convert the 11,600 sq ft Leeds-Liverpool canal-side 19th century mill into modern, flexible spaces for start-up and small businesses.

    There will be 19 suites in total with space to accommodate individuals (approx. 145 sq ft) up to around ten people in one space (approx. 615 sq ft). Some of the suites will be duplex with spiral staircases leading to a mezzanine floor. The spaces will retain the best of the original features of the building including exposed brick work.

    The Mill will also benefit from a meeting room, free high speed broadband and WIFI, a staffed reception, break-out area and shower facilities.

    Matthew Settle, managing director, Thrive said: “The Mill is a great building and we are sure it will be a fantastic addition to our Thrive network. Our other locations have proved very popular with everyone from start-ups and individual freelancers to small businesses employing up to ten or more staff.

    “Our occupiers benefit from automatic membership to Club Thrive, which allows them to use our facilities at other locations as well as connecting to other Club Thrive members.  We aim to grow Thrive considerably over the next six months, in addition to the Mill we have plans to open at Bolton, Blackburn, Oldham, Cheadle and Widnes as well as having operations in Blackpool, South Yorkshire and the North East in the pipeline.”

    If the planning application is successful Thrive aims to have the Mill open by the autumn.

    The Mill is located in the Weavers Triangle conservation area of Burnley and it has been owned by the team behind Thrive since December last year.

    This news was published by Place North West, Insider Media, and This is Lancashire.