English Partnerships to set up new northern offices in Warrington

It has purchased the freehold of Arpley House - a three-storey building offering 2,880 sq m [31,000 sq ft] of floorspace - for an undisclosed figure.

The new building will bring together English Partnerships' two offices at New Town House, Warrington and The Parks, Newton-le-Willows and will accommodate more than 100 staff who are expected to move in early summer.

Arpley House is the fourth phase of HBG Properties' Birchwood Point, where occupiers include United Utilities, the Environment Agency and AIR MILES. The building, which has 161 car arking spaces, is located on a 0.6 ha [1.5 acre] site adjacent to the M6 motorway and was completed at the end of last year.

David Shelton, English Partnerships' Development Director, believes Warrington will be an deal location for the organisation which has regeneration and land responsibilities throughout the country.

Mr Shelton says: 'Birchwood Point will bring together the collective skills of both offices in the region and offers superb motorway access as well as facilities nearby for staff. All members of staff are actively looking forward to the move into attractive, purpose built modern accommodation.'

Clive Perrin, Regional Director of HBG Properties, commented: 'I am delighted to welcome English Partnerships to Arpley House. They join a first-rate selection of occupiers and confirm Birchwood Point as one of the premier business parks in the North West.

New headquarters 2

'We are already gearing up our design and construction team to start the final phase of development in May this year.'

Phase 5 will comprise two headquarters buildings totalling some 6,200 sq m [66,700 sq ft] with 354 car spaces and is due for completion in spring 2001. Both buildings will be three storey with traditional brickwork and slate pitched roofs and include raised access floors, with 4 pipe fan coil air conditioning and suspended ceilings with low energy, low glare recessed light fittings.

The buildings are acoustically designed, and will comply with Secure by Design requirements and have BREEAM environmentally friendly accreditation.Lingley House will be the largest single building ever developed at Birchwood Point at 3,560 sq m [38,330 sq ft] and will include double height reception and 200 secure car parking spaces. Sankey House will be smaller at 2,634 sq m [28,550 sq ft] and with 154 secure car parking spaces. The building works are being undertaken by the North West regional office of HBG Construction.

Knight Frank acted throughout for HBG Properties and GVA Grimley acted for English Partnerships in the purchase of Arpley House. Graeme Wood of Knight Frank said: 'The deal underlines the strength of the occupier market in Warrington and continues to demonstrate Birchwood Point as being the premier Business Park in the Central North West area.'

Press enquiries:

• Helen Thomas/Pauline Rawsterne at Meredith Thomas PR on 0161 839 0838
• Adrian Marsh at HBG Properties on 0208 338 2635
• Michele Grant at English Partnerships on 01925 644635.