Two billion reasons to invest: Blackpool returns to UKREiiF

The UK’s largest live entertainment arena has generated more than £1.3bn in total turnover created by visitors in and around the venue, according to an economic impact report from Lichfields.

It is no coincidence that, back in 1988, when SMEs built almost 40% of all new homes in the country, England managed to deliver 202,000 new dwellings – more than at any point for two generations, writes Patrick Hickey of MAKE NW. 

The Cheshire Lines and Shorelines site and buildings, which at present offer more than 140,000 sq ft and 135 parking spaces, have come to market.

A £127.5m loan provided through CBRE will support completion of 47 storeys, including 217 apartments, 75,000 sq ft of offices and a 162-bed hotel operated under Marriott’s high-end W brand.

Copley Point Capital and Sixth Street have acquired four logistics assets, including a 128,500 sq ft Warrington unit, from the global investment manager in an off-market deal.

The prominent Blackburn investor has further bolstered its holdings in the town with the acquisition of the 33,000 sq ft Ainsworth Street asset.

A tender exercise has been launched by Blackpool Council, which wants to appoint a consultancy to attract international investors to the £300m project.

Manchester Metropolitan University has formally entered into a joint venture with Unite Students, as the partners near a planning submission for the £390m project at Cambridge Halls.

Working in partnership with Knowsley Council, the regeneration specialist is looking to advance a £163m development programme.

Blacklight Capital Partners, which took on the stalled PBSA scheme in 2022 and can now report 100% occupancy, has appointed Savills to find a buyer for the asset, Place North West understands.

The next phase of the city’s Southern Gateway project will see enhancements around English Street, where a Tesco deal signals a retail pitch on the up.

Thomas Armstrong, which has consent for 90 homes at Harras Moor, Whitehaven, wants to remove a planning condition stating that nine of the dwellings approved should be affordable.

The property group has seen its gross profit increase by 23% to £70m and net assets grow to £202m year-on-year in its latest financial year results, citing growth throughout the country.

Hotels in Salford and Liverpool are among nine Campanile hotels to be acquired by the budget brand, with two further deals taking Travelodge’s UK portfolio to 599 locations.

Broadwood Capital has provided loans to fund the development of an 89-bed scheme in Preston and an 80-bed project in Stalmine.

Bringing to an end a bidding war between the American vehicle and rival Primary Health Properties, the deal values the Altrincham-based healthcare investor at £1.6bn.

Site promoters BXB Land Solutions and Promenade Estates have signed an agreement with the combined authority and St Helens Council that paves the way for 1,100 homes and 200,000 sq ft of employment space.

JLL has been tasked with finding a backer for the firm’s 538-bedspace Cross Lane PBSA project, a scheme with a GDV of £98m.

An additional £100m package from Barclays, HSBC UK, Lloyds, NatWest and Santander UK has taken the group’s total facilities to £580m.