DRL has relocated from Riverside, Salford to accommodate the rapid expansion of its Manchester operation, the firm is looking to grow numbers up to 160 employees at its Manchester office.

The business is headquartered in Bolton and generated sales of £205m in the 12 months to 31st March 2012 and expects to increase turnover again this year. It aims to reach £1bn by 2017.

Steve Caunce, Chief Operating Officer, DRL said: “We are delighted to have opened the new office in City Tower. It will provide a great base for us to continue with our rapid growth. We always wanted to keep our team on a single floor plate and our new office has enabled us to do this and also produce a fantastic place for our team to work.”

OBI Property negotiated the surrender of the Riverside lease and agreed the new terms at City Tower for DRL. Will Lewis, Office Partner, OBI Property said: “The existing relationship between DRL and Bruntwood made the transaction achievable as there was a lot to agree in a very short period of time. DRL wants to create a great working environment for their team and the new office looks very impressive.”

OBI Property also project managed the landlord and tenant fit out works and undertook the role of interior designer for the new office.

Andrew Cowell, Head of Sales, Bruntwood said: “This is exactly what Bruntwood does. We work closely with our customers and ensure we help them fulfil their business objectives.”

DRL sells appliances such as fridges, freezers, washing machines and dishwashers via www.appliancesonline.co.uk, and directly supplies customers of high street chains. DRL will soon employ more than 800 staff.

OBI Property was set up in 2010 by Will Lewis, Gary Scorah and Dominic Horridge. It is a real estate company which provides advice and consultancy to its clients which range from building owners and landlords to investment funds. In addition OBI Property provides project management on refurbishment and building projects which includes working with tenants to help them fit out their work space.

www.obiproperty.co.uk

Twitter: @OBIProperty

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For Further Information Please Contact

Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk

Situated within the grounds of the Lake District Visitor Centre at Brockhole, on the banks of Windermere, the deck, canopy and ticket booth are ‘found ‘elements – there are no prompts to their existence from afar, as they sit nestled within the woodland edge of the lake.

Pete Swift, Director Planit-IE is thrilled the project has received the award, he said: “The Landscape Institute Award validates the decision of our client – the Lake District National Park Authority – to choose a landscape architect for the commission, while also sending out a message that strong, contextual, contemporary design is welcomed by the Authority. This project would not have been realised were it not for the combination of the three key ingredients – a great client in Adam Thomas, a great craftsman in Chris Brammall and of course great landscape by Thomas Mawson and Mother Nature!

“In a year when the Olympic Park quite rightly swept the boards and helped changed the general public’s perception of the value of landscape architects, we feel we have done our bit too.”

The judges of the award said: “The materiality of this project is exceptional and grounds the project in the sensitive environment. It is a progressive project for the profession in terms of concept and quality.”

Planit-IE is working on the 20 year masterplan proposals for Brockhole for the Lake District National Park Authority Executive Board and will be revealing the plans later this year. Planit-IE is working alongside Stockley Engineers, Arca Architects, Ecologists PCA and Groundbreaking to map out a sustainable vision for the future of the estate.

Planit-IE was established in 1998 and is run by Peter Swift and Edward Lister with studios in Altrincham, London and Liverpool.

www.plant-ie.com

Twitter: @PlanitIE

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For Further Information Please Contact:

Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications Ltd on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk

Gary Scorah, Investment Partner at OBI Property said:  “A number of parties have worked on the Theatre Royal for the past six years to deliver schemes which were never fully viable.  Edwardian London offered themselves as realistic purchasers and will deliver an attractive scheme in an important area of Manchester City Centre.”

The deal was announced on Monday 19 November and it is understood the Radisson Blu Edwardian Hotel will expand into the Theatre Royal space.  The new owners will work closely with Manchester City Council and English Heritage to develop their plans for the site.

Christopher Dee acted on behalf of Edwardian London.

OBI Property was set up in 2010 by Will Lewis, Gary Scorah and Dominic Horridge.  It is a real estate company which provides advice and consultancy to its clients which range from building owners and landlords to investment funds.  In addition OBI Property provides project management on refurbishment and building projects which includes working with tenants to help them fit out their work space.

www.obiproperty.co.uk

Twitter: @OBIProperty

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For Further Information Please Contact

Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk

The 6,040 sq ft building is wholly let to MAC Clinical Research Limited with 2.5 years to a tenant break option. The annual rent is £90,000 reflecting a rent of £14.90 per sq ft. The sale price of the property reflects a net initial yield of 10.6%.

Gary Scorah, Investment Partner at OBI Property said: “The sale of Wetherby House is an example of the increased level of private investors who are now back in the market to acquire properties with strong property fundamentals at attractive returns. Within the past 12 months, there have been a number of disposals within Cobra Park, demonstrating the popularity of the estate.”

OBI Property was set up in 2010 by Will Lewis, Gary Scorah and Dominic Horridge. It is a real estate company which provides advice and consultancy to its clients which range from building owners and landlords to investment funds. In addition OBI Property provides project management on refurbishment and building projects which includes working with tenants to help them fit out their work space.

www.obiproperty.co.uk

Twitter: @OBIProperty

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For Further Information Please Contact

Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk

Sold on behalf of Belfast based Benmore Group, the properties are part let producing an annual rent of £380,000. Comprising 52,500 sq ft in total, the buildings tenants include Bank of China, China Visa Services, Remploy and Scanlans Surveyors.

Gary Scorah, Investment Partner, at OBI Property said: “After of period of inactivity in the market for properties similar to Mosley Street, a number of buyers are now finding potential value going forward through various asset management angles and longer term holds. Financing such deals will continue to prove difficult for the foreseeable future and therefore further syndicated purchases are likely.”

OBI Property was set up in 2010 by Will Lewis, Gary Scorah and Dominic Horridge. It is a real estate company which provides advice and consultancy to its clients which range from building owners and landlords to investment funds. In addition OBI Property provides project management on refurbishment and building projects which includes working with tenants to help them fit out their work space.

www.obiproperty.co.uk

Twitter: @OBIProperty

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For Further Information Please Contact

Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk

Emma Powell of OBI Property who advised landlords Bilsdale Properties on the deal said: “We are delighted to have agreed a new deal so quickly after part of the 5th floor came back to us. G2 Legal were impressed with the quality of the natural light and views on offer and the building is now again fully let.”

Stuart Gillespie, director, G2 Legal said: “We wanted to find a new office which provided our team with the best working environment and one that provide the scope to develop our business in line with our plans.”

There has been further leasing activity within the building with both Taylors Solicitors and A2Z recently deciding to renew their leases and commit to the building for the foreseeable future.

Powell added: “80 Mosley Street is one of the best buildings in this location and it is very encouraging that the existing occupiers are keen to extend their leases. The occupiers appreciate the strong management team in place, the quality of the offices and the proposed enhancement of St Peter’s Square is good news for the building.”

Owned by Bilsdale Properties, 80 Mosley Street comprises 35,000 sq ft of office space. It is located on the corner of Mosley Street and Portland Street, at St Peter’s Square, in the heart of Manchester City Centre.

The joint letting agent on the scheme is JLL.

OBI Property was set up in 2010 by Will Lewis, Gary Scorah and Dominic Horridge. It is a real estate company which provides advice and consultancy to its clients which range from building owners and landlords to investment funds. In addition OBI Property provides project management on refurbishment and building projects which includes working with tenants to help them fit out their work space.

www.obiproperty.co.uk

Twitter: @OBIProperty

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For Further Information Please Contact

Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk

Nielsen and Jorgensen will be sharing their lecture titled “Pushing Sustainable Innovation to the Limit – for Building Design and the People Within it”, which will be given at the World Architecture Festival in Singapore this week.

Kim Nielsen, principal partner at 3XN said: “We are looking forward to our presentation at Planit-IE and meeting many of their clients and peers. We’re enjoying an exciting working relationship together, especially on the work we are doing in Copenhagen for the new arena, and we look forward to building on that and doing more work with them, both in the UK and overseas.”

The presentation looks at the relationship between architecture and landscape, and the contribution both buildings and the space around them make to the urban environment.

After the presentation, Stephen Hodder OBE, President Elect of the Royal Institute of British Architects and Manchester based architect will lead a debate with invited guests around the topics raised.

Pete Swift, director, Planit-IE said: “We are thrilled to be hosting an evening with Kim and Kasper, we are sure it will lead to a lively debate among our guests, and who knows where that could lead to!”

Planit-IE is part of the team, led by 3XN to design the new £120 million, 15,000 seat indoor multi-purpose arena in Ørestad South, Copenhagen, Denmark. The other members of the team are the UK office of HKS Architects, Arup and M&E Engineers (who are the M&E Engineers) who will work together to develop the designs to create a world-class arena set in a vibrant and attractive environment, which will support the daily life of the emerging Ørestad neighbourhood.

Planit-IE is a team of landscape architects and urban designers with a passion to make ‘Place’, spaces in which we work, live, learn and play that are healthy and engaging to all its users. Planit-IE takes an intelligent approach to design to ensure that what we do today will still be thriving for our future generations.

Planit-IE was established in 1998 and is run by Peter Swift and Edward Lister with studios in Altrincham, London and Liverpool.

The event on Wednesday 10 October from 6.30pm – 8.30pm is invitation only, however, if anyone would like to receive an invitation please contact Fiona Brindley at Planit-IE via fb@planit-ie.com to check availability.

www.plant-ie.com

Twitter: @PlanitIE

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For Further Information Please Contact:

Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications Ltd on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk

Andy Gregory, BGF Regional Director for the North of England, North Wales and Northern Ireland said: “We initially worked from serviced offices, however as the team has grown and our involvement in the region has increased, we required a permanent base in the city from which will also allow us to expand even further. We are delighted to be moving to a permanent home in Tower 12; the location will allow us to build on the success we have already had in the North of England.”

OBI Property advised BGF on the acquisition of its new premises and also designed and project managed the fit out works on BGF’s behalf. Will Lewis, partner, OBI Property said: “It has been great working with Andy Gregory and his team on this move at such an exciting time for BGF. The office looks stunning and I’m sure BGF will be an excellent asset, not just to Spinningfields, but to the many SME businesses in the region.”

Michael Ingall, chief executive of Allied London Properties Limited said: “We are delighted to be welcoming such an important organisation to Spinningfields and this is further confirmation that our thoughtful design of workspace at Tower 12 is appealing to a wide range of business sectors.

Tower 12 is undoubtedly Manchester’s major success this year, with this recent letting being the seventh transaction converted over the past 6 months.”

BGF began investing in October 2011 and is already one of the most active investors of long-term growth capital in the UK with its investment in fast growing companies totalling nearly £90 million to date.

In April 2012 BGF made its first investment in the Manchester region when it made a £3.25 million investment in award-winning Mexican street food chain, Barburrito. Since then the BGF team has expanded to five and has completed four deals including backing Northern pub chain Wear Inns and Springfield Healthcare, the largest independent provider of domiciliary care in Yorkshire and Humberside.

Formerly known as Manchester House, Tower 12 comprises 75,000 sq ft of floor space which includes 40,000 sq ft of office space over ten floors, all sitting above the ten new retail and leisure units which make up Avenue North.

Located in Spinningfields, Tower 12 is connected to Bridge Street via the pedestrian walkway created by Avenue North. Salford Central train station is just a few minutes walk from Tower 12, while Victoria station, providing access to trams and trains is just five minutes away.

Spinningfields combines world-class architecture and contemporary public space, with a vitality that comes from its exciting mix of offices, retail, restaurants, bars and living space. The award winning scheme hosts some of Manchester’s biggest calendar events, including outdoor summer cinema Screenfields and Manchester’s Christmas ice rink. With a total investment of £1.5bn, Spinningfields comprises 427,450 sq m (4,600,000 sq ft) of mixed-use development in the heart of the city centre.

www.obiproperty.co.uk

Twitter: @OBIProperty

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For Further Information Please Contact

Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk

Set up by Andrew Fenlon and Gary Harvey, Lock 91 is the former lock keepers cottage situated at 9 Century Street, opposite Atlas Bar and Deansgate Station. The pair have a created an intimate venue, designed to feel comfortable no matter how busy or quiet it is.

Andrew Fenlon said: “Our main aim is to be a home from home with the cottage style décor and our event schedule. Our drinks and service are geared around our guests and their comfort levels.

The Lock 91 team are all hired on personality and are trained to be hosts first and bar staff second, but service is paramount and so is a smile!”

The interior of Lock 91 has been designed by Manchester based NoChintz and includes a private VIP room complete with Chesterfield sofas, a games room featuring a pool table and darts board, private outdoor terrace and the top floor has been designed to allow for party nights, events and private hire.

Andrew and Gary have been working on Lock 91 for three years and have set up ADG Leisure to build on their shared and extensive experience of working in the industry. Andrew’s eight year career has seen him work with companies such as Living Ventures, PBR Leisure and Mitchell & Butlers; his last post was as general manager of Prohibition in Manchester.

Gary’s career has been solely with independents, working his way through the ranks to his last role which was as general manager of Atlas Bar.

www.lock-91.co.uk

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For Further Information Contact

Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk

MFDF12 is the UK’s largest urban festival of food and this year it celebrates its 15th anniversary, with the event called ‘The Big Fifteen’.

Angela Fielding, project director, Argent said: “Manchester Food and Drink Festival is a great asset to Manchester, and we at Argent are really proud of our long-term relationship with the event and the team behind it. As part of our deal this year, the team is moving into part of the ground floor of our development, The Hive on Lever Street.”

Siobhan Hanley of Manchester Food and Drink Festival, said: “This year is the 15th anniversary for Manchester Food and Drink Festival and in line with this milestone, the Festival is set to be bigger and better than ever. It’s also a fantastic time to begin the next chapter in our new HQ at The Hive and we’re delighted with the continued sponsor relationship we have with Argent, a company integral to Manchester.”

This year MFDF takes place from to September 21 until October 8, running for 18 days, including three weekends, of food and drink events at a variety of venues across the city. The centrepiece will be the Festival Hub on Albert Square, running for the duration the festival and featuring hundreds of events, brews, wines, street food traders, ciders, cocktails, musicians, producers and more!

MFDF was founded in 1998 in order to highlight just what Manchester had to offer in terms of dining, food and drink. Every year the festival takes over as much of the city and surrounding districts of Greater Manchester as possible and endeavours to highlight current issues in the food and drinks industry.

Over the years, the festival has drawn famous names such as Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay and Bill Wyman. The festival hosts events as diverse as childrens’ food workshops, to the popular, glittering gala dinner at The Lowry Hotel.

This year, MFDF has moved office to part of the ground floor of The Hive on Lever Street in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, taking up 1000 sq ft of space.

Other sponsors of the event include Metrolink, Capital FM, BBC Radio Manchester and The Palace Hotel.

The Hive on Lever Street is the only Grade A office building in Manchester’s Northern Quarter. Tenants include the Arts Council; The Studio – versatile space for meetings, launch events, conferences, training days and parties; Fatsoma, which helps people find out about events, purchase tickets and share plans with friends, and new brand experience agency Spacemen. It is also home to the Bakerie Tasting Store and The Classroom – which is run by Argent providing members with free space to work from.

The office space at the Hive is flexible to meet all requirements and is available from 1,000 sq ft to 40,000 sq ft. The building also benefits from a natural ventilation system which ensures it is one of the greenest and most cost effective buildings in Manchester.

www.theclassroom-mcr.co.uk

www.thehivemanchester.com

Twitter: @thehivemanc

www.foodanddrinkfestival.com

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For Further Information Please Contact

Lisa Ashurst, Ashurst Communications on 07973 401123 or lisa@ashurstcomms.co.uk