Emerging lenders and debut investors are in a race against time to grab North West real estate before a window of opportunity closes, and what is at the heart of the Government’s freeport plan as Liverpool is selected to be one of eight English cities with the designation? Meanwhile, Subplot explores a new niche residential sector.

Student housing developers and investors fret about the return of high-rolling overseas students. Meanwhile, doubts about Vauxhall Ellesmere Port make hopes for a 6m sq ft gigafactory in the region feel more urgent and why 93 is the magic number for Everton’s newly approved Liverpool waterfront stadium.

Plans for Manchester’s House of Fraser raise hopes that the North West’s defunct department stores can find a new future. With the HS2 high speed line to Crewe now signed into law, Subplot asks if the town is all-aboard the workspace train. Meanwhile, Oldham Council pulls the threads together on the Spindles redevelopment.

Beds and sheds are every investor’s hot take on the 2021 property market, but is the lack of viable alternatives clouding judgment? Meanwhile, does anyone want to buy the North West’s distressed shopping centres, and can the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework return from the dead?

Will a Liverpool freeport with tentacles extending into Greater Manchester become a regional game-changer? With WeWork pondering a return to the acquisitions trail in Manchester, how will the flexible office sector make money and who will make it? Meanwhile, Subplot takes a look at property industry donations to politics, and examines the tightening investment criteria for hotels.

There is the scent in the air of a big Manchester tech relocation deal. Schroders, one of Greater Manchester’s most enthusiastic investors, explains how it sees the post-pandemic future. Meanwhile, we uncover the latest problems facing the 143,000 sq ft Factory arts venue and check on Liverpool’s hectic city centre residential market.

A government decision to call in a clutch of North West warehouse planning applications could cost the regional economy more than £1.4bn, Preston’s property future is up for grabs, meanwhile, Manchester’s office take-up figures may be better than you thought.

Will a major civil service relocation lead to a big win for Manchester, or will Leeds be celebrating? Manchester’s £2.8bn digital sector is flourishing but turning home-grown success into floorspace might not be so easy. And why there will be more American money in North West property this year.

Welcome to The Subplot, your regular slice of commentary on the North West business and property market from Place North West. This week: the hunt begins for a new Liverpool mayor which could mean a rethink of regeneration policy; green protesters are in court over Manchester car park plans, and the city’s occupiers and landlords start talks about an ‘unlockdown’ strategy.