New plans for the Lowry Outlet to become a vibrant waterside dining destination have been revealed by Lifestyle Outlets.

“The Watergardens”, an elegant dining concept, has been designed by architects Chapman Taylor to maximise the waterfront location with a variety of new restaurants benefiting from the best waterside views in Greater Manchester.

In addition, a new waterfront promenade, improved public realm and integrated planting along the canal will connect the Millennium Bridge to the Outlet Mall, creating a unique landscaped waterside location. The Watergardens will incorporate biophilic design principles, to strengthen the connection between nature and natural elements and the man-made environment.

Since acquiring the Lowry Outlet, Lifestyle Outlets have already invested millions of pounds with a further £26 million investment planned that will secure over 1900 jobs.

Jason Pullen, Managing Director of Lifestyle Outlets said, “The redevelopment will transform the southern waterside of the Lowry Outlet, allowing people to relax and dine with some of the finest waterfront views.

“When the work is complete, the Lowry Outlet will be a unique shopping and leisure destination that will draw people from across the region to Salford Quays and MediaCityUK”

Prior to submitting a planning application to Salford City Council, Lifestyle Outlets will be showcasing its plans at a public consultation event. The exhibition will be taking place between 1pm and 7pm on Saturday 4 August 2018 at the Exhibition Suite, opposite the Clarks Outlet store on the ground floor of the Lowry Outlet.

Infrastructure and engineering specialist Taziker Industrial Ltd is almost doubling the size of its fabrication manufacturing capacity by relocating from Bolton to Birch Business Park, Heywood, Rochdale.

The relocation reflects Taziker’s confidence in its growth prospects and confidence in Birch Business Park as a location.

The deal was brokered by the Manchester office of real estate advisors Colliers International.

Taziker, the specialist provider of steelwork, scaffolding, surface preparation and coatings, civils and industrial services, has taken a 10-year lease on the refurbished 43,417 sq ft (4,033 sq metre) Unit C at Birch Business Park on Whittle Lane, Heywood.

Relocating from Lodge Bank, Crown Lane, Bolton, Taziker employs about 550 staff with other offices in Scotland, Plymouth, York, Middlesbrough and Cardiff.

As well as its 38,014 sq ft (3,532 sq metre) of fabrication manufacturing capacity, Unit C offers two-storey modern offices and reception, eight overhead cranes, car parking and 24-hour security.

Taziker’s move means Birch Business Park, comprising of 392,000 sq ft of industrial, manufacturing, warehouse and office accommodation across 32-acres, is fully let with landlord and developer Yeargate Ltd currently finalising plans for two speculative build units of 13,000 sq ft.

Birch Business Park is strategically located on the M62 corridor north of Manchester with direct access to the national motorway network and immediate links to central Manchester via the M60 and M62.

Acting on behalf of Yeargate, the deal was brokered by John Sullivan. director, industrial and logistics at the Manchester office of Colliers International.

He said: “This was a very good deal for both tenant and landlord. Unit C was the last remaining vacant unit on the estate, with the move providing evidence of Taziker’s confidence in its growth prospects and confidence in Birch Business Park as a location.”

On the back of its multi-award winning first Build to Rent (BTR) scheme, Legal & General today announces that it has pre-let 50% of units in its new 110,000sq ft BTR development in Greater Manchester, following the recent handover from lead developer, the English Cities Fund.

Having recently launched, the new scheme makes up the second phase of Legal & General’s Slate Yard development on the River Irwell in Salford. This comprises 135 custom-built one, two and three-bedroom riverfront apartments. Legal & General has a further 3,000 BTR units in development across eight sites UK wide, delivering on its objective to provide bespoke, quality rental stock in areas which need it.

The popularity of Phase II of The Slate Yard reflects the desire from elective renters for secure, flexible tenancies and added value services. Leases range from six months to five years and occupants benefit from a number of lifestyle offerings including a residents’ lounge and gym, free WiFi and access to a car club. The development has also been built to be sustainable, as part of Legal & General’s wider green initiative, and includes roof-mounted solar panels, providing reduced utility bills.

Dan Batterton, BTR Fund Manager at LGIM Real Assets, said:

“We are pleased to have secured 50% of lettings at Phase II of The Slate Yard within 8 weeks of opening the doors to the scheme. This is testament to the success of our first BTR proposition and demonstrates that improved services and flexibility are key drivers for of the modern renter. The scheme has attracted a wide range of residents, from single people to families to downsizers. The Slate Yard has led the market in encouraging residents to make their apartment their home, through allowing pets, painting and decorating and offering leases of up to 5 years.”

This latest scheme forms part of the wider New Bailey regeneration programme being delivered by English Cities Fund, a joint venture between Legal & General, Homes England and Muse Developments.

Phil Mayall, regional director at the English Cities Fund, said:

“We are very proud to have developed and delivered the very first institutionally funded, custom-built BTR scheme in Greater Manchester, so to hand over the second phase to Legal & General is a significant milestone for the fund and fantastic news for the area.

“New Bailey is becoming a completely new district for business, leisure and everyday life. It’s been great to see more people from all walks of life moving into the Slate Yard, so we’re very pleased to have completed the second phase.”

As with the Phase I of The Slate Yard, this second development will be operated by Manchester-based property management company urbanbubble.

Michael Howard, founder and managing director of urbanbubble, said:

“Slate Yard represents the first institutional build-to-rent appointment of our strategic partnership with Legal & General and is proving to be every bit as successful and popular with people wanting to rent as we knew it would be.

“The development is an exemplar of our commitment as a customer service provider, working with blue-chip partners using the BTR model in the provision of holistic care of properties, facilities management, lettings and residents’ management.”

Ashfield Healthcare Communications, a global micro network of connected agencies, part of UDG Healthcare plc, is set to expand its business further by opening an office in the heart of Manchester.

The new office will be the ninth in the UK for the company, which specialises in providing communications services across the health and life sciences sector.

Doug Burcin, President of Ashfield Healthcare Communications said: “The strategic location of Manchester gives us access to the ‘talent hub’ within the region that will support our future growth plans, particularly when it comes to building out new client service offerings.”

The expansion into central Manchester, the heart of the Northern Powerhouse and the UKs fastest growing, most creative city also shows the commitment of Ashfield Healthcare Communications to not only attract but to retain the very best talent in the industry.

The company aims to continue its recruitment success in the coming year by creating numerous roles for experienced communications professionals and training 80 medical writers through its new Allegro programme.

Gill Adair, Global Head of Talent Acquisition at Ashfield Healthcare Communications added: “The need for new talent has been driven by growing demand for outsourced healthcare communications services and a broadening of the range of skills we require in our field of work.”

“The location of the new office at One New York Street provides great transport links for employees and clients alike, with Piccadilly railway station just a short walk away and bus and Metrolink stations on our doorstep.”

Doug Burcin added: “The additional office will allow Ashfield Healthcare Communications to futureproof its business by strengthening our capabilities in science, data & creativity.  We’re thrilled to be a new player in town, a desirable option to attract local talent and a contributor to the community.”