Focus turns to leisure as MoJ confirmed at Redfern

Take-up of North West industrial property in the first three months of this year hit 1.1m sq ft, the largest proportion of any UK region at 21.7% of the total.

Commercial or education space totalling 1m sq ft and a 300,000 sq ft student accommodation scheme feature in the Manchester masterplan being readied by investors Brookfield, Logik Developments and McLaren Property. 

Warrington Council has signed off a change of use application, allowing the development of a “shop front” for the University of Chester at the town centre mixed-use scheme.

Hatfields has acquired the remaining six-acre site within HBD Barnfield’s motorway junction scheme in Huyton.

Construction of the project on behalf of developer Bruntwood and the Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust was led by Engie, with Sheppard Robson as architect.

The company has scooped up the 30,000 sq ft Fortune House and a wider development site on Sefton Business Park for £3m, doubling warehouse capacity for its specialist retail arm.

Bury FC’s 12,000-capacity stadium has been put on the market, after initial attempts to dispose of the asset last year ground to a halt.

Andy King has joined engineering practice Eckersley O’Callaghan as structural director and will lead the firm’s newly established Manchester office, serving the north of the UK. 

Heritage conservationists appear to have won the battle to preserve Abbey Cinema on Church Road North after the supermarket giant withdrew plans to demolish the building when it was granted grade two-listed status. 

A 90-apartment scheme next to the former Royal Osborne Theatre on Oldham Road in Manchester is the developer’s second project in the area.