Skinny Tonic signs for Aintree HQ

The frozen food retailer has signed a 10-year lease on a 10,000 sq ft unit at the Derwent Group’s Merseyside shopping complex.

The developer who fronted troubled Liverpool schemes including Herculaneum Quay and The Rise has been declared bankrupt in the city's County Court.

The Liverpool-based architecture firm has taken its headcount from six to 11 with the appointments of three architects, an architectural assistant, and a business development manager, following a 30% year-on-year increase in instructions. 

Max Caller, appointed by Government to inspect procurement practices at Liverpool City Council, is due to report his findings by 31 March.

The financial giant's merchant banking division, working with operating partner Pitmore, has acquired a 918-home portfolio of North West rented houses from Gatehouse Bank.

The council has been ordered to disclose to the Government details of any of its upcoming property development or disposal plans, and its strategy to secure “effective governance” following a string of high-profile arrests.

Bond Turner has signed to occupy the upper ground floor suite at the Liverpool office block, the first section to be refurbished in a project led by the property’s owner Downing.

The arrests of mayor Joe Anderson and four others on suspicion of bribery and witness intimidation could deter some investors but it still offers ample opportunities for growth and returns, according to commentators. 

The fraud inquiry by Merseyside Police, launched last year, has seen a clutch of high-profile arrests over the past 12 months, but no charges have been brought.