Energy giants, global design companies and international streaming firms are among a whole host of businesses to announce high-profile commercial property deals across the North West in recent weeks.
The likes of Netflix and Apple TV streaming rival Roku, Octopus Energy and IBI Group have all taken significant space in the region.
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Here, BusinessLive rounds up 11 of those deals we feel you should not miss:
Roku
Netflix and Apple TV streaming rival Roku is to create more than 50 jobs after opening a new Manchester city centre office.
The California-headquartered company, which was founded by Manchester-born billionaire Anthony Wood, has taken space at Bruntwood SciTech’s No.1 Circle Square off Oxford Road.
The office will be Roku's fourth in the UK, following London, Cambridge and Cardiff.
Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy have been sold in a deal worth almost £400m. as part of a drive to create 300 jobs in the city.
The company has taken 40,000 sq ft workspace at Bruntwood SciTech’s No.2 Circle Square.
The renewable electricity provider is trialling the uptake of new green energy tariffs for customers in Greater Manchester after signing a deal with the city region last year.
Downing
Landmark buildings in Manchester, London and Coventry have been sold in a deal worth almost £400m.
Liverpool-based developer and property manager Downing has sold five properties within its portfolio to Greystar Real Estate for £388m.
The properties include River Street Tower in Manchester, Holbrook and Pound Field in London and City Point in Coventry, which together comprise a total of 1,807 student accommodation and build-to-rent beds.
IBI Group
A Canadian-headquartered global design firm is to open a new office in Manchester city centre which is already home to the likes of Amazon, The Co-op and WeWork.
IBI Group has taken approximately 6,600sq ft on a 10-year lease at the Dantzic building, part of the 20-acre NOMA neighbourhood.
The group has exited its offices in Didsbury and Rochdale in order to set up the new UK headquarters.
is to open a new office in Manchester city centre
Academy Business Park
A business park in Knowsley, owned and managed by Orbit Developments, has seen a secured of lettings.
Unilin, which has been providing smart living products for over 60 years and employs over 7,500 people in 105 locations worldwide, has taken 110,000 sq ft of warehousing space at Academy Business Park to use as its main UK distribution and training centre.
Screwfix will be opening a trade counter in early 2022 while Rontec has also signed up for a 4,400 sq ft unit to become a petrol filling station and kiosk store.
Arco
A health and safety expert has officially opened a new safety centre in Trafford Park, Manchester.
Created to provide both safety training and essential kit in one facility, Arco's new centre will be home to state-of-the-art training facilities for working at height, confined space, respiratory protection, face fit testing and health and safety management as well as a new store offering over 2,000 products to choose from.
Paul Frewin, divisional director of regions and retail, said: "The opening of our new Trafford Park Safety Centre is an important milestone for Arco as it will provide our customers with a one-stop-shop for all of their safety needs.
"As experts in safety, we understand that each business faces its own unique and complex challenges and that, in order to manage workplace health and safety, we need to provide joined-up safety solutions to help our customers."
Bold Street Coffee
GSG Hospitality is opening its second Bold Street Coffee site in Liverpool.
As part of a wider reimagining of The Plaza, the hospitality group will open its first concept in the building with a full restaurant and bar to follow in the spring.
GSG Hospitality is also behind the Duke Street Food and Drink Market, 81 Ltd, Salt Dog Slims and Slim’s on Bold Street.
Maldron Hotel
CBRE Investment Management has completed a transaction to provide forward funding investment to RJR Securities for the development of a new 188-bedroom Maldron Hotel on Chapel Street in Manchester city centre.
Dalata Hotel Group has agreed a 35-year lease on the new property to trade under the group’s Maldron Hotel brand.
The land was sold by Telereal Trillium, with JLL acting for its team. CBRE acted as funding advisor for RJR Securities, with Gleeds as development manager and Squire Patten Boggs as legal advisors. Avison Young represented CBRE Investment Management.
McAleer & Rushe has been appointed as contractor to deliver the new Dalata Maldron Hotel, which will be situated in the Chapel Street/ Embankment Quarter.
Currently used as a surface overspill car park by BT, the site will be regenerated into a 17-storey hotel with 188 bedrooms, coffee lounge, bar, restaurant and gym facilities.
Shopblocks
Tech firm Shopblocks has moved into new 6,500 sq ft offices in Stockport and secured additional investment of £250,000.
The company, which produces bespoke ecommerce websites at scale, has signed a six-year lease for the entire first floor at No 1 St Peter’s Square.
Shopblocks join IT security distributor Distology in the recently refurbished Orbit Developments’ building.
DSW Ventures recently injected an additional £250,000 into the business.
Counter Context
Specialist strategic communications agency Counter Context has opened a new office in Ancoats.
The agency, which specialises in supporting high-profile regeneration, transport and utilities projects, has worked on NOMA, Victoria North and the Co-op Live arena.
The agency has more recently added Manchester Life, Investec and Canal & River Trust to its client list.
Hightown Pharmacy
Specialist business property adviser Christie & Co has announced the sale of Hightown Pharmacy in Merseyside. Funding for the buyer was sourced through Christie Finance.
The business has been owned by Ellis and Fleur Hall-Lyon for over 15 years and was sold to allow Ellis to pursue property development interests, including establishing a coffee shop next door to the pharmacy. Fleur will continue with locum pharmacy work.
Hightown Pharmacy has been purchased by first-time buyer Daniel Higham who plans to expand the pharmacy’s services.
