Archive
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Business boost as co-working space to open in Widnes Business Park
Thrive has announced it has started building work to convert Foundry House, Foundry Lane, Widnes Business Park, into a new co-working space, which will feature 36 office suites and will open in autumn this year.
The renovation will see the 19,000 sq ft building transformed into 11,245 sq ft of modern, stylish office space, complemented by excellent facilities, including meeting rooms equipped with the latest technology, break-out areas and a garden area with external Wi-Fi.
Foundry House is the former estate headquarters of Widnes Business Park, a well-established commercial centre, which is home to over 50 businesses and has an on-site management team and 24-hour security.
Halton Borough Council Leader, Cllr Rob Polhill, said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Thrive to Widnes. The Mersey Gateway Bridge and road network improvements have transformed the borough and are providing much quicker and easier travel through Halton to the Liverpool City Region and the wider North West – it’s such an exciting time for the town and its small businesses.”
Foundry House is located within 1.5 miles of the A557 Expressway, giving access to the M62 and M56 motorways, and close to the recently opened Mersey Gateway Bridge and several train stations. Liverpool John Lennon Airport is also just five miles away, providing connections to destinations all over Europe.
The new office space will form part of the Thrive network, which currently has operations in Warrington, Newton-le-Willows and Wigan.
Matthew Settle, managing director, Thrive said: “Foundry House will not only offer great office suites to small businesses in Widnes and the surrounding areas, but it will also provide stunning communal areas and facilities, along with excellent connectivity across the North West.
“Our occupiers benefit from automatic membership to Club Thrive, which allows them to use our facilities at other locations as well as connecting them to other Club Thrive members. We aim to grow Thrive considerably over the next six months; in addition to Foundry House, we have plans to open in Burnley, Blackburn, Oldham, Cheadle and Farnworth as well as having operations in Blackpool, South Yorkshire and the North East in the pipeline.”
Office suites at Foundry House will range from 154 sq ft for 2-3 people to 795 sq ft for up to 15 people. Prices start at just £525+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 sales suite will be open in August and anyone interested in seeing the space should email hello@thriveofficespace.co.uk
This news story was featured in; hbcnewsroom and TheBusinessDesk
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Patrick Kennedy joins OBI
OBI announced Patrick Kennedy has joined the team to bolster the quality of service and skillsets OBI offers its clients. He will also work on building relationships with Manchester’s growing IT, professional, healthcare and recruitment sectors.
Patrick, who was part of the business development team at Morson Group for 18 months, has a BA (Hons) degree in Business Studies & Human Resource Management from Leeds Metropolitan University.
Joe Averill, transactions and asset management, OBI said: “It’s fantastic to welcome Patrick to the OBI team. We’re always looking at new and fresh approaches to business generation and strengthening our relationships with Manchester’s diverse business community.”
Patrick said: “I am relishing the opportunity to join OBI, its reputation is second none. I am looking forward to working across the business to make sure we are using the best tools and tech to market our clients and their assets, as well as helping to promote our workplace consultancy team who have recently delivered some incredibly designed spaces for the likes of NCC Group, AO.com and Playdemic.”
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Republic of Media expands at 26 Cross Street, Manchester
OBI announced media agency, Republic of Media has expanded its office space in 26 Cross Street, Manchester M2 7AQ. The letting follows the recent acquisition of 26 Cross Street where OBI advised Ventnor Group on the £11.5 million deal representing a yield of 5.5%.
Republic of Media has taken the whole fifth floor (2,830 sq ft) on a five year lease. The agency has also has an office in Edinburgh.
Hugh MacLaren, finance director, Republic of Media said: “It has been a great experience to work in 26 Cross Street, our team needed a larger office space to accommodate our expansion plans, and we think the building is perfect for us. With Manchester’s talent pool on our door step and a great working environment, we look forward to continue growing our team here.”
OBI is the sole leasing agent on 26 Cross Street after representing Ventnor on the building acquisition.
Debbie Meredith, transactions and asset management, OBI, said: “26 Cross Street’s location in the heart of Manchester and its easy access to major transport links play a crucial role in accelerating businesses growth. The building offers contemporary open plan workspace and it is fantastic to know Republic of Media is confirming its expansion in the building so soon after taking occupation. With the last remaining suite under offer to a new occupier we hope to announce the building fully let soon.”
26 Cross Street is the second building purchased by Ventnor in Manchester having bought Kabel House on Quay Street for £7 million last October.
Will Lewis, transactions and asset management, OBI Property said: “We’ve worked successfully with Ventnor in the past on buildings where asset management strategies can be carefully implemented and 26 Cross Street is another great opportunity for us to add real value.”
This news story was featured in; Insider Media and TheBusinessDesk
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SRL Technical Services Ltd chooses Canada House
OBI announced international engineering consultancy firm, SRL Technical Services Ltd has taken 1,402 sq ft on the first floor of Canada House, 3 Chepstow St, Manchester M1 5FW. The company has taken a five year lease.
The company has relocated its South Manchester office from Lynnfield House, Altrincham into Manchester City Centre. OBI is project managing the design and fit-out of SRL Technical Service’s new office.
Tris Edwards, Regional Manager, SRL Technical Services said: “The move to the city centre will allow us to work more closely with our clients and expose us to the opportunities Manchester has to offer. Canada House is a close-knit community with dynamic businesses and is a fantastic place for us to work.”
George Haddo, LJ Real Estate said: “I am delighted SRL Technical Services appreciates the modern yet diverse settings of Canada House. The building continues to generate interest from businesses in Manchester and we look forward to announcing further transactions soon.”
Debbie Meredith, Transactions and Asset Management, OBI said: “It is fantastic to witness Canada House transform into a vibrant workspace that appeals to all types of businesses from a wide and diverse range of sectors. I am pleased to welcome SRL Technical Services into Canada House.”
There has been a recent flurry of new deals at Canada House including recruitment agency, Axon Moore taking 3,007 sq ft on the same floor last month and an additional three new occupiers taking the following suites:
- Boomerang Communications Limited, a PR Agency has taken 422 sq ft
- Healthwatch Manchester who gather feedback of local health and social care services have taken 272 sq ft
- NuuK Digital, who specialise in digital marketing have taken 486 sq ft
The deal leaves only one suite available in Canada House, which is 1,660 sq ft and this can be sub-divided to create office suites from 250 sq ft upwards.
OBI has project managed the £3 million transformation of the Grade-II Listedbuilding. The project includes anew cycle park in the basement, the recently opened Clink café, meeting spaces and screening room have all added to the ground floor.
OBI is the sole leasing agent and acted on behalf of building owner LJ Real Estate.
This news story was featured in TheBusinessDesk
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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