Legat Owen, acting on behalf of The Duchy of Lancaster, has completed a series of office lettings at Crewe Hall Farm, reinforcing Crewe’s continued appeal as a prime location for companies seeking high quality, well connected office space.
The first floor of The Dovecote, comprising 3,172 sq ft, has been let to Johnson Tiles, a well established company from Stoke-on-Trent specialising in ceramic and porcelain tile design and supply.
Stephen Dixon, managing director, Johnson Tiles, said: “The location offers excellent connectivity and a professional environment that aligns perfectly with our brand and operational needs. As we continue to push boundaries in tile design and innovation, this location supports both our operational goals and our commitment to excellence.”
Bellino International, a wholesale ladieswear business relocating from Tarvin, has taken space in Office 1A of The Dairy. In the same building, Mako Commercial Interiors, known for transforming commercial spaces into inspiring and efficient workplaces, has let Office 1B, comprising 700 sq ft.
Shelley Naughton, director, Bellino International, said: “We chose the Dairy Farm for our new office because it was the right size for our business, had plenty of natural light, is well proportioned and felt a safe environment in which to work.
“We felt as our customer base is mainly in London there is easy access for our customers to visit our showroom and for us to access the motorway or train links to visit them. The onsite team are very helpful and have made us feel very welcome.”
Matt Fogg, managing director, MAKO Commercial Interiors, said: “We’re excited to announce that MAKO Commercial Interiors has opened its doors at Crewe Hall Farm – a location that perfectly reflects our blend of heritage, innovation, and community focus.
“Setting up our base here gives us the ideal platform to serve clients across Cheshire and beyond, while staying true to our local roots. The unique setting inspires creativity and collaboration, offering a welcoming space for our team, partners, and clients to connect and bring workplace visions to life.
He added: “Having a permanent home at Crewe Hall Farm is a milestone for MAKO, reinforcing our commitment to delivering high value, bespoke interiors from the heart of the region.”
Andy Butler, director, Legat Owen, said: “Crewe continues to be a very attractive business destination in the North West. Its excellent transport links, skilled workforce and ongoing regeneration make it a compelling choice for companies looking to grow.
“Crewe Hall Farm itself offers a unique blend of character and quality, and we’re delighted to welcome such a diverse mix of occupiers to the estate.”
Legat Owen is currently marketing two further opportunities at Crewe Hall Farm. The ground floor of The Dovecote, offering 3,535 sq ft of high quality office accommodation with dedicated parking, is available to let.
In addition, The Smithy, a 2,537 sq ft property most recently used as a veterinary practice, is also available. Previously used as offices, The Smithy would be suitable for similar use again, subject to refurbishment works.
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Andy Burnham at Sunlight House
Property group, Karrev, marked the completion of its £35m restoration of Manchester’s iconic Sunlight House with a celebratory launch event attended by city leaders and heritage advocates.
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, praised the transformation as a “powerful example of how Manchester can restore and repurpose its historic buildings for the future.”
Cllr Gavin White echoed the sentiment, highlighting the city’s drive to protect its architectural heritage while supporting regeneration and growth.
A stand out moment came when Marion Panayi, a relative of Sunlight House’s original visionary architect, Joseph Sunlight, joined the celebration after being traced by historian Dr Michala Hulme – offering a deeply personal link between Manchester’s past and present.
The restoration sees Sunlight House – a defining Art Deco landmark on Quay Street since 1932 – reimagined for a new era, blending historic character with modern design and sustainability to create Grade A workspaces and best in class leisure.
Julien Buronfosse, managing director at Karrev, said: “Sunlight House is part of Manchester’s DNA. Restoring it to its former glory while preparing it for the next generation has been a privilege.”
Last week Karrev revealed that Liverpool leisure operator, PINS will take over 25,000 sq ft of basement space in Sunlight House, on a 20-year lease.
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DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester is set to welcome guests after a significant railway-inspired refurbishment, overseen by hotel management company, Valor Hospitality, to transform 139 of the hotel’s luxury bedrooms.
Designed to accommodate increased demand for high end accommodation in the city, the recent revamp included full bedroom upgrades, improved lighting, enhanced in-room technology and high-quality furnishings.
The investment marks a key milestone in the hotel’s continued commitment to quality, adding to a previous refresh of 80 luxury bedrooms and contemporary fit-out of the hotel’s entrance, reception, lounge and lobby areas.
Delivered by ABDA Design, the bedroom upgrades have included contemporary design elements throughout the hotel’s East Wing to create a relaxing and welcoming environment and enhance guest comfort, style and experience.
The interior design takes inspiration from the site’s rich heritage, particularly its strong links to the railway industry with subtle details from rail-inspired headboard details to black metal finishes.
Valor Hospitality, which manages DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester, led the refurbishment process, bringing its operational expertise and design knowledge to ensure minimal disruption during the transformation.
Philip Rankin, general manager at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester, said: “Our recent bedroom renovations represent a wider transformation across our entire hotel, ensuring we have consistency in quality, design, and guest comfort throughout.
“By extending the luxury feel and modern finishes of our earlier refurbishment phase, we now offer a fully refreshed experience that goes above and beyond the expectations of our guests, reinforcing DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Spa Chester as one of Cheshire’s luxury destinations.”
Anabel Twitchell Requena, designer at ABDA Design, said: “You’ll find subtle references to the local rail industry throughout the interiors, with details that reflect the industrial character of classic trains. The artwork in the rooms celebrates the area’s botanical heritage, with nods to orchids and alpine plants once cultivated by a well known local family. The corridor layout echoes the feeling of walking through an enclosed train carriage, with colour-drenched walls and black accents bringing a contemporary interpretation of a timeless motif.”
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Oldham RL Netpar training facility
Connolly has completed the first phase of the redevelopment of Oldham Rugby League Club’s Netpar training facility in Chadderton.
The project included the installation of new floodlights, regenerating and wrapping the pitch, and the creation of new offices, kitchens and physio rooms for the club’s first team and pathway set-up.
Connolly provided more than 2,000 hours of development and volunteering time, in addition to a further 500 hours from its locally-based supply chain and other key stakeholders in planning and delivering the project. The firm has also invested more than £80,000-worth of materials and plant and supported valued local suppliers and partners.
The new facility will also be used by ORLFC Foundation to host a range of community events.
Mike Ford, managing director at Oldham RLFC, said: “The immediate impact of this project is clear and it is hard to believe how much the facility has been improved. We are incredibly grateful to Connolly and all of those local businesses that have helped us to reach this stage.
“We want to go further, and hopefully this is just the beginning. We ultimately want to add a community hub for education, a function room and a facility for multi-sports including astro-turf, 5-a-side pitches and tennis courts.”
Liam Norbury, managing director of Connolly, said: “The driving force for us was to help deliver a project that would bring meaningful positive change to the local community. I believe we’ve certainly achieved that ambition.”
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KOMI workspace
KOMI Group, the Manchester-based global digital media company, is expanding its innovative Ancoats headquarters following a record year of growth.
The latest office expansion follows an initial £750,000 investment in the fit-out of Urban Splash-owned Waulk Mill in 2020. The work will provide an additional 620 sq ft of space with an extra 25 seats.
Overlooking New Islington Marina and just seconds away from the buzzing Cutting Room Square, the modern industrial office offers KOMI employees distinct spaces for focused work, collaboration, and for fostering social connection.
Designed by Studio R2A – the designers behind several of Manchester and Liverpool’s most creative hospitality venues and offices including Madre, Medlock Canteen, L’Aperitivo and Mowgli – KOMI’s office replicates the feel of a city centre flat, challenging expectations of a modern office.
Studio R2A has already combined creativity and the innovative use of high quality materials for the bespoke design of KOMI’s office, which it will continue throughout the expansion.
The office is designed to bring people together, centred around a longevity-focused design rather than being trend-led. The concept for the refurbished mill is to reimagine an office as an inspiring hub which rivals working from home.
The office has an open plan and fully fitted kitchen area – with high tables for collaborative working, as well as a laid back ‘living room’, which is kitted out with a large sofa and TV screen. On the upper floor are desks and quiet booths for employees, catering to those that prefer more quiet working.
Sam Lenehan, KOMI Group CEO, said: “We take partnership seriously at KOMI, and Urban Splash is more than a landlord to us – they’ve been a true collaborator in bringing our vision to life. Together with Studio R2A, our office is a space we are beyond proud of and has been the result of genuine partnership.
“We encourage people to treat our HQ as an extension of their home, and everyone who visits comments on its buzz. This latest expansion is an essential investment in our future, ensuring our team has the perfect environment to continue creating amazing things, together.”
Emma Gardiner, head of commercial property at Manchester developer Urban Splash, said: “We’ve worked closely with KOMI for many years – a relationship which has only grown stronger along the way. From supporting the team’s move from our Beehive Mill development to its current home in Waulk Mill, to now adapting the space so it can thrive long term, it’s been brilliant to see everything that the business has achieved.”
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Accrington Town Square regeneration
North west contractor Krol Corlett Construction has started work on the next stage of the transformative Town Square project in Accrington.
The £10.5m project covers the fit-out works for the town’s historic market hall and the art deco Burton Chambers, with completion expected in spring 2026.
The next phase of the project follows the successful delivery of phase 1 enabling works, which included strip-out, stonework conservation and the cleaning and repairs of both buildings’ façades.
In addition, new glazed curtain walling was installed in Burton Chambers, with window and roof repairs completed on the market hall.
Krol Corlett managing director, Daniel Tebay, said: “We’re looking forward to getting going. It’s not every day that you can deliver a project that will have the impact we know this will.
“A key focus for us will be working with the local supply chain to ensure that as much of our contract value as possible stays in the town.
“As important, we want local people to feel that the work is theirs, so we’ll also be liaising with Accrington and Rossendale College to identify what scope there is for students to become involved in the project.”
The project is the first of a wider programme of strategic interventions identified in the Accrington Town Centre Masterplan and has secured funding from the Government, Hyndburn Borough Council and Lancashire County Council.
Professionals supporting this project include AEW Architects, SI Sealy (building services), Civic Engineers (structures) and MAC Consultants (project and cost management).
The project forms the latest in a long list of major conservation schemes delivered by Krol Corlett, including Liverpool’s Florence Institute, Countess of Chester Hospital’s original Georgian wing and the Grade II-listed Islington Mill in Salford.
The company has operations in Liverpool, Manchester and Preston.
