PR901712 August 09

MORLEY ESTATES GETS GREEN LIGHT FOR PHASE ONE AND 10,500 SQ FT PRE-LET AT EMPRESS PARK

Altrincham-based developer and investor, Morley Estates has achieved planning consent for phase one at Empress Park in Haydock, Merseyside, a scheme which is being part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The news comes as the developer secures its first pre-let at the new build scheme to Chloride, one of Europe’s leading suppliers of Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) systems and services.

Chloride has taken a pre-let of 975 sq m (10,500 sq ft) of office accommodation on a 15 year lease. This deal forms part of phase one, which will comprise 5,760 sq m (62,000 sq ft) of office accommodation over four newly built buildings. The scheme will provide a secure working environment with a comprehensive CCTV surveillance system.

Oliver Morley of Morley Estates commented: “From the outset we have been focused on creating Empress Park into a business destination of the highest specification. Securing the first pre-let of this size is an extremely positive step towards achieving this goal and would not have been possible without the proposed ERDF grant funding. We are in discussions with two more interested parties to let the remaining space at phase one and are looking to appoint a main contractor in the coming weeks.”

Phil Batten, facilities manager at Chloride added: “Following the acquisition of Harath Engineering Services in 2005, we needed larger premises to accommodate our growing presence in the North West of England. The site at Empress Park is excellent both in terms of its location to the M6 motorway and its prominent position.”

Located in a prominent position, adjacent to the A580 and the Junction 23 of the M6 motorway, Empress Park benefits from excellent transport links. Manchester International Airport and Liverpool’s John Lennon airport are approximately a 30-minute motorway drive away. Haydock Thistle Hotel, Haydock Park Race Course, Holiday Inn Hotel can be found within a mile from the scheme.

Morley Estates has outline planning permission for phase two at Empress Park, which includes 9,104 sq m (98,000 sq ft) of office, leisure and retail accommodation.

Ends.

Media Contact:

Kate Healey

Roland Dransfield PR

0161 236 1122