p13-26:p03-12
13/5/11
11:57
Page 15
Commercial News
Historical Wirral landmark for sale LOCAL property expert Mason Owen has been instructed to market the Bidston Observatory complex. The complex contains three plots, each of which is for sale separately and includes the Grade II listed Victorian observatory and surrounding land, the Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory and surrounding land and the site of the former Braehead Cottages, which lie outside the listed wall on the main access road. Set in an open space atop the Bidston Ridge, the three plots extend to approximately 45,000 sq ft. The former Bidston Observatory plot measures 14,500 sq ft, and is set in mature landscaped gardens and include offices, residential accommodation and car parking. The Proudman Oceanographic Laboratory’s site extends to approximately 29,100 sq ft. It includes a four-storey laboratory and office facility. It is held on a 99year round lease dated June 1 1973 from Wirral Borough Council, at a current rent of £1,800 per annum. The former Braehead cottages plot is a potential residential development site to the east of the
Bidston Observatory
observatory measuring 0.17 acres. Situated in heathland designated as open space in the local development plan, it is suitable for hotel, leisure or residential use. Andrew Owen, head of business space at Mason Owen, said: “This is
a unique opportunity to buy a piece of local history. “These lots are available individually and each one offers a prime development opportunity for residential, leisure and hotel. We are confident that this complex will
Helping hand for graduate entrepreneurs THREE leading North West centres for innovation have joined forces to help
Liverpool Science Park
young entrepreneurs expand their wings across the region.
Graduate i-pass is a new initiative created by Liverpool Science Park, Manchester Metropolitan University’s business incubator Innospace and the University of Chester’s new Riverside Innovation Centre. It allows graduates and start-up tenants to access facilities across the three sites. The facilities offer guest day passes, free wireless connection, use of communal facilities and the option to book meeting rooms. In September 2010 Liverpool Science Park opened a Graduate Enterprise Centre exclusively for new and recent graduates starting out in science and knowledge-based sectors. The 24-hour facility provides tenants with all the of the necessary ingredients they need to build a business, including low cost, short term lease options.
attract a lot of attention from interested parties.” This iconic landmark and occupies a central position on the Wirral, easily accessible by road and rail, and five miles from Liverpool city centre and 23 miles from Chester.
CBRE advises on £10.45m office investment THE NORTH WEST Capital Markets team at CB Richard Ellis (CBRE) has advised Kenyan-based Sammer Group on the £10.45m purchase of the Barclays call centre in Wavertree, Liverpool. The 94,000 sq ft office has 12 years remaining on its lease and is home to Barclays personal telephone banking and Barclaycard operations with over 1,200 employees. The bank has occupied the premises since 1988 and is one of the largest call centres in Barclays’ portfolio. Robin Jones, senior surveyor in the Capital Markets team, commented: “Although the UK is feeling the effects of the recession and Government cut-backs, this deal highlights that the UK, and the North West in particular, are still attractive targets for international investors.” King Sturge advised the vendor on the sale. MOVE COMMERCIAL 15