Double office letting in Birmingham

Billiards Building, Edmund Street, Birmingham

Two consultancies have relocated their Birmingham office to a new home.

Management consultancy Alvarez & Marsal has taken 9,264 sq ft on the eighth and part of the ninth floors of the Billiards Building, in Edmund Street, on a seven-year lease.

The company is currently based at Edmund Gardens in the same road. Hoare Lea has also relocated to the Billiards Building.

The engineering consultancy has taken 3,986 sq ft of fully fitted space on the ground floor, on a ten-year lease.

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The company, founded in Birmingham in 1862, was previously based at 54 Hagley Road.

Previously known as 134 Edmund Street, the Billiards Building comprises 79,000 sq ft of grade A office space in Birmingham's Colmore Business District.

The property has recently been upgraded and now has a new reception and business lounge, gym, yoga studio and communal roof terrace.

In addition, a ground-floor café operated by LAB Coffee Works opened this month.

Fergus Evans, director of office portfolio with landlord Grosvenor, said: "From the outset, our ambition for Billiards Building was to transform an outdated building into a net-zero workspace with the high-quality amenities modern occupiers look for.

"Confirming Alveraz & Marsal and Hoare Lea have joined Softcat in choosing the building for their new space in Birmingham is a clear sign that we have been successful.

"We look forward to working in partnership to deliver an excellent occupier experience."

Property firms CBRE and JLL were joint advisers on the letting to the landlord.

Theo Holmes, senior director and head of office agency at CBRE in Birmingham, added: "Recognising the changing market dynamics and shift in office occupier requirements, Grosvenor has invested heavily in the building, with the aim to exceed modern-day standards.

"As a result, the once tired, half-occupied building has been re-energized and is now almost fully let."

Growing affordable housebuilder Adderstone Living launches new Leeds office

North East affordable house builder Adderstone living has opened a new Yorkshire office in moves to meet demand for regionally based social housing design and construction. The business, which was founded by Stephen McCoy and Peter Galbraith, works with key social housing providers including Karbon Homes, Gentoo and Places for People to deliver hundreds of homes across the North. Now house builder has opened an office in Carrwood Park on the outskirts of Leeds, as part of its plans to drive growth across Yorkshire and become the developer of choice for social housing providers and the supply chain. Directors say Adderstone Living is seeing strong demand from social housing providers looking to tap into its land-led solutions, which include sourcing land, designing schemes, and gaining planning permission to allow homes to be built in cities including Leeds and the wider area. Led by recently appointed regional director Rick Long, who has experience in the residential house building sector, the new office will ramp up operations in Yorkshire. The office opening comes as the Government continues to push for the delivery of new homes to meet the chronic housing shortage and bring a halt to the decline in affordability of home ownership. Mr Long said: “Adderstone has seen strong growth as demand for our services has soared. So it’s part of our business strategy to develop a permanent presence in Leeds and we saw that the time was now right for new investment to support the next phase. “We are experiencing strong growth across core markets with a healthy order book and our new office strengthens our delivery capability. It’s a really exciting time for us and our team as we will be working closely with all our stakeholders to ensure we continue to deliver for our customers.” At the end of last year the firm announced plans to establish a presence in the North West. The division’s first Yorkshire project, a 70-unit scheme in East Cowton with a gross development value (GDV) of £16m, launched last year. Within accounts for parent company Adderstone Group, financial director Michael Shipley said: “To support rapid growth and regional diversification, Adderstone Living is actively pursuing key framework agreements. It has secured a place on the Homes England Delivery Partner Panel (DPP) and is targeting inclusion in other frameworks such as Prosper.

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Salford's long term vision for the future revealed – more homes, jobs, offices and transport options

Salford's future is taking shape, with a vision for the city by 2042 outlined in the second part of Salford council's local plan including ambitious goals for jobs, housing, transport and property development. The document, known as the borough's 'core strategy and allocations.', includes plans for housing, employment, and transportation. The council has plans to construct at least 33,000 homes by 2042, but this figure could rise to around 40,000 as Salford has also adopted the Greater Manchester Places for Everyone scheme. The future blueprint for Salford also involves creating over 250,000 sq m of new office space and 550,000 sq m of industrial and warehousing facilities, providing a significant boost to the local economy and job creation. The plan indicates that a 'large proportion of new housing and office development' will be concentrated in the city centre and Salford Quays – identified as key growth areas – with industry and warehousing centred around Port Salford in the south-west part of the city. Approximately 85% of new development is planned to be built on previously developed land and existing buildings which are currently vacant, according to the plan. In the city centre and Salford Quays areas, new housing is set to focus on apartments and duplexes, with more houses within the inner-city areas such as Eccles and Ordsall, and further out towards the edges of the borough. Significant development projects are ahead for the Salford Community Stadium, which the council acquired with aims to bolster tourism, business, as well as industrial and warehousing sectors. In terms of transportation, Salford Council is devising strategies to 'minimise the need to travel', pushing for sustainable transport options to reduce car usage by expanding development work's scale and density. These initiatives align with imminent improvements to the city’s walking and cycling infrastructure, including upgrades along Chapel Street. The city's blueprint for growth also proposes allocating additional land at Duchy Road to supply new accommodation for the gypsy and traveller community, addressing an acute shortfall in plots for travelling showpeople, adjoining the north of the current site in that locale. Distinct masterplans for Salford’s neighbourhoods are being drafted to detail their prospective evolution. With an expected formal adoption by autumn 2026, the local plan has recently undergone a ten-week public scrutiny period spanning December to February 2025. Coun Mike McCusker, in charge of planning, transport, and sustainable development for Salford Council, said: "Core strategy and allocations is an important final element for Salford's local plan. "It builds on Places for Everyone and the Salford local plan: development management policies and designations, to support the continuing sustainable growth of a fairer Salford, fostering neighbourhoods where all communities can thrive. "This part of the local plan sets out how and where Salford's growth will happen, and how we'll ensure that this growth happens alongside a high-quality and resilient natural and built environment. "There's still a lot of work to do on the local plan as we progress, and we hope that the local community engages with this process as much as possible."

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City centre retail block sold

A prime retail and leisure building in Birmingham city centre has been sold in a £4 million deal. Temple Buildings, a part grade II-listed property on the corner of New Street and Temple Street, has been acquired from Hortons by a private investor. The complex comprises two adjoining properties, 49-50A New Street and 19-20 Temple Street, which together total 10,055 sq ft. The ground floor units are let to clothing retailer Moss Bros, Ryman stationers, bubble tea café T4 and Everyman Barbers. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. The upper floors of 19-20 Temple Street are let to Vogues Holdings for residential use. Birmingham-based agency MK2 Real Estate sold the building on behalf of Hortons. Director Mark Johnson said: "Despite the economic challenges over the last few years, Birmingham's retail and leisure market has remained resilient, with positive levels of take up and tenant demand. "Temple Buildings sits on the main thoroughfare from Grand Central to the Colmore Business District and the popular bars and restaurants in the area, with high footfall and passing trade as a result." Steve Tommy, head of asset management with Hortons, added: "The disposal of Temple Buildings is part of our ongoing strategy to reinvest in both existing and new projects within the industrial sector."

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Humber property firm Clark Weightman snapped up by national group Sanderson Weatherall

A Hull property consultancy has been snapped up by national business Sanderson Weatherall to expand its regional presence. Clark Weightman, Hessle-based chartered surveyors and commercial property consultants, has become the 11th UK office for its new owners and it will maintain its name to trade as Clark Weightman, part of Sanderson Weatherall. The acquisition has been made to bolsters Sanderson Weatherall's presence in the Humber, East Yorkshire, and northern Lincolnshire regions, including the key port locations of Hull and Grimsby. The move also expands the firm's service offering to clients across various sectors. The Clark Weightman founders all previously worked for a regional firm before establishing the business, which has over 25 years of experience in the regional property market, with expertise in agency, business rates, property management, lease consultancy, valuation, healthcare, dispute resolution and public sector consultancy. David Rastrick, COO at Sanderson Weatherall said: “We are delighted to welcome Clark Weightman to the Sanderson Weatherall family. This acquisition aligns perfectly with our vision to further solidify our position as a leading SME in the property industry, with a strong local and regional presence. “Sanderson Weatherall, a certified B Corp, has established high standards for environmental and social impact, and a robust approach to governance. This has made the firm an attractive partnership option when you also consider the benefits that come from economies of scale for smaller companies concerned about the increasing financial burden and mandatory requirements, which continue to be introduced and implemented by Government and regulatory bodies.” Andrew Clark, director at Clark Weightman, added: “We recognise the growth opportunities in our region and are excited to join forces with Sanderson Weatherall, a highly regarded and well-established firm with national reach. This partnership will allow us to leverage their B Corp status and other accreditations, enabling us to offer our clients a broader range of services and expertise. It will also create exciting new professional development opportunities for our employees. “There will be no change in our personnel with myself, Simon Weightman and Carl Bradley joining as partners and other staff members continuing in their existing roles.” Mr Bradley added: “This is an exciting time for me and the Clark Weightman team. We have enjoyed a good working relationship with Sanderson Weatherall over recent years on a number of successful joint agency instructions and look forward to building that relationship in the future now that we have joined forces and become part of their business. I am sure our clients will share that excitement and will benefit from our expert local market knowledge whilst being part of a larger national consultancy.” Mr Weightman added: “This is the result of 12 months of active positive discussions which has resulted in the merger of our two firms. I’ve known some of the Partners of Sanderson Weatherall for many years, having graduated with Dan Hardy and Andrew Ellis back in 1989. I can’t wait to introduce my current and future clients to our wider range of services that this national consultancy can provide.”

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Plans unveiled for new £100m Digbeth scheme

A former ironworks site in Birmingham city centre could be transformed into a new £100 million mixed-use development. Hartwell, the automotive and property development company, has unveiled its proposals for the old Phoenix ironworks off Digbeth High Street which will be led by 240 new residential units. Called Phoenix Yard, the designs also include 260,000 sq ft of media and educational space, commercial floorspace, retail units, public realm and landscaping. The brownfield plot, which covers 2.8 acres and sits next to the new Eastside tram extension connected to the HS2 station, is bordered by Coventry Street, Oxford Street and Meriden Street. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Hartwell said Phoenix Yard could create around 200 construction jobs and has the potential to deliver more than 500 full-time equivalent jobs. Architecture practice Allford Hall Monaghan Morris has designed the scheme which Hartwell said paid homage to the land’s industrial history as Phoenix ironworks. The application site is now occupied by a children’s nursery and was home to South & City College and more recently Birmingham City University’s STEAMhouse innovation facility before it moved to a new development in Belmont Row. Hartwell, which owns the land, was founded in 1919 and also previously ran a garage there. A public consultation has now been opened into the proposals which runs until the end of March ahead of a planning application being submitted to Birmingham City Council. The project would join a long list of new developments currently in the pipeline for the Digbeth area including the Beorma Quarter opposite Selfridges and the neighbouring Stone Yard and Tower Leaf schemes, also off High Street. Elsewhere in the district, the BBC is revamping the former Typhoo factory to create a new home for its West Midlands teams currently based in the Mailbox and the Smithfield project will revamp the old Wholesale Markets site near the Bullring. Joanne Churchill, group property manager of Hartwell, said: "We are delighted to unveil our vision to transform an under-utilised brownfield site to deliver Phoenix Yard. "Through unlocking the potential of this site, our plans promise to positively contribute to the area’s ongoing transformation into a thriving and vibrant part of Birmingham, delivering an exciting range of new opportunities and living space for the future. "In recent years, Digbeth has benefitted from significant investment and is recognised by Birmingham City Council as a key growth area. This scheme has been designed with this investment and the wider ambitions for Birmingham in mind. "The potential delivery of media and educational space will support the continuing growth of BBC Midlands HQ and its ecosystem following its multimillion-pound investment into the area. "Similarly, new homes will complement the site’s location in Digbeth’s creative centre. "This will be supported by excellent connectivity, which is enhanced by nearby major transport investments including HS2’s Curzon Street Station and the Metro Eastside Extension. "We look forward to receiving comments on the proposals from local residents and businesses, with feedback set to help inform our final planning application."

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Contractor takes new office space

A building and civil engineering contractor has agreed a new office deal in Solihull. Dublin-based PJ Hegarty has taken 2,309 sq ft of space in a newly refurbished office block on the Quartz Point business park to bolster its network of sites across the UK and Ireland. The construction firm has an annual turnover in excess of £500m and employs more than 450 people. Email newsletters BusinessLive is your home for business news from across the West Midlands including Birmingham, the Black Country, Solihull, Coventry and Staffordshire. Click through here to sign up for our email newsletter and also view the broad range of other bulletins we offer including weekly sector-specific updates. We will also send out 'Breaking News' emails for any stories which must be seen right away. LinkedIn For all the latest stories, views and polls, follow our BusinessLive West Midlands LinkedIn page here. Contracts manager Sean Homer said: "Having established a reputation for being strategically positioned to serve our clients' needs, we see our new office at Quartz Point as an important next step towards further growth of our project portfolio in the UK." Tim Bromley-Martin, asset management director at landlord Colmore Capital, added: "PJ Hegarty is exactly the type of business we envisaged attracting to Quartz Park when we first brought the office units to market at the back of last year. "The business is on an upward trajectory and sees a quality office presence in the Midlands as being key to accelerating that growth even further." PJ Hegarty joins other recent lease deals on the park, in Stonebridge Road, including adoption agency Adoption Is 4 U.

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Northern seeks businesses to set up shop in 'property gems' on rail network

Train operator Northern has launched a call for businesses to consider setting up shop on its extensive rail network. Northern is the second largest train operator in the UK, operating 2,500 services a day to more than 500 stations across the North, which include scores of commercial units providing bases for a range of small businesses, from offices and restaurants to newsagents and cafes. Now the operator is showcasing 29 “property gems” on the railway which could provide a platform for new or existing businesses. The vacant units are currently being marketed by the train operator’s commercial property partner, Lambert Smith Hampton. Units within the North East include two sites at Chester-le-Street, while kiosk spots are currently under offer in Alnmouth and Hexham, both in Northumberland. In Sunderland, six units are are up for grabs at the new £26m Station Gateway redevelopment scheme. The scheme forms part of a larger, longer-term £100m Sunderland Council backed investment plan to transform the transport interchange. Three shell retail units and three pop-ups on the main concourse are available to rent on six-year leases. Marketing materials by Lambert Smith Hampton says: “The landlord is looking to create a new vibrant tenant mix for the station that will provide its customers and the surrounding community with a variety of high quality retail offers and uses, which are to include convenience, hot and cold food and drink together with service retailing.” Further afield, the Station House at Hebden Bridge in West Yorkshire is also on the market with options for full redevelopment, including leisure use, licensed restaurant, office or retail. Retail space is also available at stations including Alderley Edge, Chelford, Padgate, Poynton and Wilmslow in Cheshire; Ferriby in East Yorkshire; Bolton and Romiley in Greater Manchester; Wigan Wallgate in Lancashire; Knaresborough in North Yorkshire; Worksop in Nottinghamshire; and Bingley, Cross Gates and Keighley in West Yorkshire. In Padgate Station in Warrington, which has annual footfall of more than 142,000, the former station buildings on platform 1 are being offered as a commercial opportunity and are said to suit a variety of retail/catering uses with investment and refurbishment. Meanwhile in Crossgates, Leeds, part of the station buildings backing on to the station ticket office are up for rent. The premises are currently fitted out as a florists and will need a full shop re-fit including new fixtures and fittings, signage and decoration throughout. Other occupiers at the station include a cafe and Northern is looking for a tenant who will add to the mix. Robert Ellams, head of property at Northern, said: “There are some prime commercial spaces available at stations across our network that benefit from high footfall and great connectivity. Many of them are located within heritage buildings that mean a lot to the local community that use them.

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Hull firm builds unique glasshouse on eighth floor of new ‘urban living’ development

A Humber engineering specialist has carried out the most challenging and unique project in its 70-year history – building a glasshouse on the eighth floor of a 12-storey apartment scheme. Hull based CambridgeHOK has built the new glasshouse on the roof of the new ‘urban living’ development in Swansea, to help residents connect with nature. The project has been created for Hacer Developments on its first-of-a-kind ‘Biophilic Living’ development, where the East Yorkshire firm had to install the glasshouse on floors eight to 11 of the new 12-storey complex. Three floors of the new 3,200 sqft glasshouse will be used for residents to explore hydroponic growing methods, producing their own crops and vegetables at growing stations. The top floor of the glasshouse, which offers stunning views across the city, will also provide a unique meeting room space for the building's users, surrounded by light and greenery. The glasshouse installation was completed in just eight weeks by the CambridgeHOK team, and is now ready for internal works to begin. The firm said it took a great deal of detailed pre-planning, as most glasshouses are usually single storey and built on the ground. Glazing panels, each three metres in size, had to be individually crane lifted to the eighth floor, with wind conditions taken into account. Rob Williams, structural and design team leader at CambridgeHOK, said: “There were many unique challenges in this project, from the glasshouse itself being a four-storey building, to it of course being installed at height. Due to it being multi-storey glasshouse we had to adapt our existing glazing system to ensure we balanced transparency requirements with essential structural elements. “The main challenge was to maintain the light, open feel of the space while also ensuring the framework provided adequate support, without compromising aesthetics. The elevated nature of the structure also introduced higher wind loads, requiring enhanced sealing measures beyond our standard glasshouse specifications. This ensures improved weather resistance and long-term durability, particularly at greater heights. “To further support both installation and future maintenance, the glazing system was also designed on a floor by floor basis. This modular approach allowed for flexible erection sequencing, enabling installation from either the top or bottom floor.” The Swansea complex will be home to around 120 residents, with each apartment having a balcony with pre-installed grow-boxes. Horticulture and allotment specialists will also be onsite to educate and inspire residents on how to grow their own produce. As well as having access to their own private space to grow, there will also be a rooftop community garden, giving residents the opportunity to socialise and collaborate. The building will also be home to around 350 people working in the commercial office spaces, shops, and offices. The project aims to provide a ‘radical new approach to living and working in the urban environment’ – creating ‘a building that lives and breathes’, providing its own energy through sustainable methods. Patrick Harte, joint managing director of CambridgeHOK, said: “We were thrilled to firstly be considered for this project, and then of course to be selected. As a business which is a known leader in the glasshouse field, but also as an innovator and a forward-thinking engineering specialist, this project was perfectly suited to us, as we always like to take on a new challenge. It is why we have a reputation for achieving industry firsts. “That is certainly the case with this project, and we are really proud to have been a part of.”

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Plans for 145 new homes in Old Trafford to replace warehouse and bakery

Plans for the construction of 145 homes on the site of a former wholesale warehouse and bakery in Old Trafford are likely to be approved at Trafford's planning committee meeting on Thursday. The proposed development, which will replace buildings previously occupied by trader Valitus Ltd and the Jesse Oldfield Bakery, includes a residential-led mixed-use scheme, community space, car parking, and landscaping. The project, proposed by YC Property Group Ltd, will be situated on a three-acre brownfield site on Brixham Road and will comprise 123 apartments and 22 terraced houses, with 40% designated as affordable housing. Additional features include a corner shop at the junction of Brixham Road and Ayres Road, 'local areas of play', and a series of interconnected communal gardens. Private amenity spaces will be provided through gardens, terraces, and balconies. Vehicle access to the site will be from both Ayres Road and Brixham Road, with courtyard parking available. The apartments will be distributed across four separate blocks fronting onto Ayres Road and Brixham Road, while four rows of terraced housing are planned for the south-western part of the site. A report by Trafford planning officers, who have extensively consulted with the applicant, recommends approval of the plans. The application has encountered opposition, with 10 letters of objection submitted by local groups including the Old Trafford Amateur Gardeners' Society (OTAGS) representing Seymour Grove Allotments and Orchard 49. The objectors have raised concerns about the potential construction impacts, such as dust generation affecting plant cultivation, possible food contamination, and soil damage. Some are calling for restrictions on construction hours to avoid noise pollution at evenings and weekends and have specified that any beehive relocation should occur only in winter, with compensation provided for any property damages incurred. One objection highlighted the importance of allotments, stating: "Allotments must be protected and cherished. They are of huge value to the local community and positive for physical and mental wellbeing." The planning report advises the committee to approve the project on the condition that the developer contributes £318,562 towards off-site affordable housing, £29,926 for open space provision, £219,936 for secondary education in the area, and pays £15,000 for a traffic regulation order review. The report argues that "The delivery of 145 new homes – including 40% affordable – on a sustainable brownfield site which would contribute significantly towards the delivery of housing within the borough would be of benefit. "This is of considerable importance, given the aspiration of both the council and the Government to significantly boost housing delivery. Substantial weight is attached to this benefit."

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