Why Liverpool is the next big city for business leaders this year
Last week, NovaLoca interviewed Andreas Anastasiou of Tano Properties Ltd to discuss how business has been for them in Liverpool during 2015. “2015 has been an extremely busy period for Tano Properties; the market has spiked massively in recent months. We have attracted some of our most exciting deals to date since the start of the year,” said Andreas.
Andreas informed us of their current acquisition deal on behalf of a leading city property developer which will see the revitalisation of Liverpool’s Chinatown. The interview also focused on how the restaurant sector is booming, properties with A3 planning consent and alcohol licenses are being “snapped up in a heartbeat” and the demand for flexible work space is on the rise.
Tano Properties Ltd showed us that business leaders are now seeing Liverpool as ‘the next big city’ and are keener than ever to do business in the Merseyside region. Very excited by the interview, NovaLoca wanted to find out about more projects taking place in Liverpool.
Through our research into the city, we found that there has been a lot going on in Liverpool’s commercial property market this year with big plans set for 2016 onwards. This year work began on a two-year programme to upgrade Liverpool’s commercial district, which was proposed to boost the area’s appeal as “the place to do business in Liverpool”. The Commercial District BID has invested £900k in the scheme which has been matched by Liverpool city council. In addition, a further £500k will be invested to upgrade Water Street in 2016.
Liverpool’s Commercial District
A recent upgrade on the historic Leather Lane has now been followed by a 10 week programme (which began on September 1st) to transform Bixteth Street with further plans for the rest of the district going on into Spring 2016. Bruntwood have been a major investor in Liverpool’s commercial district and have completed a multi-million pound upgrade on the Cotton Exchange which is situated on Bixteth Street. Colin Sinclair, Director of Property Marketing at Bruntwood, states: “It’s a great example of public and private sector working together to create an environment where businesses can grow and prosper, creating jobs and so benefitting the whole Liverpool economy.”
Cotton Exchange
The upgrades are focussed around improving road surfaces, pavements and street lighting. Jim Gill, Chairman of the Commercial District BID, which represents more than 850 businesses, said: “Upgrading the public realm is a critical part of a much wider programme to enhance the experience of the Commercial District and its appeal as the place to do business in Liverpool. Improving connectivity within the District, be it upgrading roads to improving broadband speeds, is a major goal of the BID as it will stimulate growth and investment and we’re delighted we have the support of the city council to help us achieve this.’’
Further proposals were approved in Summer 2015 for the £35m regeneration of Liverpool’s Lime Street. The approved scheme involves the creation of a 412-bedroom student building, a 101-bedroom hotel with restaurant, bar and meeting room facilities and 32,529 sq ft of ground floor commercial space accommodating a range of retail and food and drink uses. Liverpool’s Mayor, Joe Anderson, believes the plans will “bring Lime Street up to a much higher standard than it has been for decades.” Work on the project is scheduled to start this Autumn.
Regeneration Scheme
At the beginning of September this year Liverpool opened the doors of the Exhibition Centre Liverpool; the UK’s newest events venue. The 8,100 sq m building is the latest addition to the multipurpose events and convention venue, ACC Liverpool, situated on the city’s waterfront. The Exhibition Centre will host trade and consumer exhibitions including large national and international conferences, banquets, concerts and global sporting events.
The venue is now the only purpose-built interconnected arena, conference and exhibition centre in Europe. Bob Prattey, Chief Executive of The ACC Liverpool Group, said: “For the first time in Liverpool, customers will be able to visit large exhibitions whatever their hobbies and interests. We will attract more national and international visitors to the city who will help to boost the local economy by an additional £20m per year through staying in hotels and visiting leisure and retail attractions.” Public shows confirmed in the first year include The Ultimate Christmas Fair; Toytopia; Dualco Antiques and Collectors Fair; Girls Day Out; MCM Expo; The Allergy and Free From Show North and the Telegraph Cruise and Travel Show.
Liverpool Exhibition Centre
It is an exciting time for everybody in Liverpool at the moment as the city is fast becoming one of the leading visitor destinations in the UK, boosting local businesses as well as securing an attractive global reputation.
For further information on the interview with Tano Properties Ltd, click here
To find commercial property currently available in Liverpool, click here
