Salford at 100 | Shaping a second century of opportunity

The commercial property market is in an interesting place heading into the show. Confidence is returning, but it’s uneven. Capital is moving, but carefully. Planning reform is creating pressure in both directions at once, writes Andrew Parker of BTG Eddisons Property Auctions

Seth Real Estate’s attempt to convert Imperial Court in the city centre into 106 apartments has been blocked by the city council due to some rooms having insufficient levels of daylight.

Billionaires, forecasts, and flashbacks.

Mayor Andy Burnham will contest a tricky by-election in Wigan in a bid to become an MP and launch a challenge to Keir Starmer’s leadership. If he wins, the mayoralty he has held since 2017 would be up for grabs.

James Bush has joined the multidisciplinary development consultancy from Stantec to lead its Northern masterplanning and urban design team, made up of Billy Burgess, Matthew Howard, and Georgia Gray.

The city council wants to hear feedback on a vision for four tall buildings off Water Street by Monday 25 May as the authority looks to add to its ever-evolving skyline.

Following planning approval, Stonebond and Great Places Housing Group are eyeing a swift start on site.

The Midlands is entering a defining period of growth, investment, and transformation. In its inaugural event, Place Midlands is bringing together the region’s movers and shakers to weigh in on the challenges and opportunities ahead.

Three years on from a resolution to grant approval, the council has issued a decision notice for a 100% affordable development off Preston New Road.

The London-based outfit has been selected to design a culture hub at the Llandudno events facility.

The multidisciplinary firm has brought in Giovanni Smanio as director of the division, as the business continues to expand.

Four bridges are due to be replaced along the 19-mile stretch of motorway between Chester and Wallasey as part of the National Highways programme, alongside a series of repairs, resurfacing, and drainage improvements.

The joint venture between Pension Insurance Corporation, Muse, and Homes England is expecting to secure approval for its 240-apartment affordable scheme on the former DW Sports site next week.

The supermarket group has committed to more than 16,000 sq ft at Bridge Properties’ Birchwood office development, and is joined by engineering group VolkerFitzpatrick, which has taken 2,300 sq ft.

After 12 years of ownership, the JV between Westrock and Silver Point that owns the 325,000 sq ft retail complex at the heart of the Rochdale town is seeking an exit.

Rightmove’s Commercial Insights Tracker for Q1 2026 showed that nationally, demand to lease offices fell by 3% year on year, while demand to invest in office property declined by 9% over the same period. In the North West, meanwhile, leasing demand for offices fell by 3%, so mirroring the national average, but investment demand fell by just short of 20%, writes Andy Miles of Rightmove.

In a bid to mitigate any possibility of the ‘new town’ proposal of Adlington, the council has opted to recruit a dedicated director of planning to lead the development of a new local plan.

Designed by Bowker Sadler Architects, the 17,000 sq ft facility includes a gym, hydrotherapy area, and physio spaces for use by the Women’s Super League champions.

The wheels are turning at the £1.5bn Manchester regeneration scheme. Construction of the city’s first speculative office in several years is continuing apace, updated plans for the next two buildings are in, and approval has been secured for the creation of a new area of public realm.