£1.9m scheme for Russells Construction

Date published: 20 July 2010

Russells Construction has commenced a new build project on behalf of Property Alliance Group at The Green, a new commercial office development in Bury. The contemporary scheme will provide a bespoke headquarters for LGC Standards, the Bury-based proficiency testing provider.

The £1.9m design and build contract involves the construction of a new 19,500 sq ft office, laboratory and warehouse for LGC Standards, which is set to move from its current premises at Bury’s Europa Business Park. Work has begun on site at Carlyle Street and is due for completion in November.

It is the second scheme the contractor has started in the last month, following Russells Construction’s appointment as construction partner for the Peel and Manchester City Council joint venture at the Eastbank residential development in Ancoats.

Andrew Russell, managing director of Russells Construction, said: “I’m delighted Property Alliance has secured its first tenant for The Green and, as their preferred construction partner, we have been able to commence work on this project. This is part of a major programme of investment in Bury town centre and is a welcome sign that the commercial property market is starting to move again.

“Until recently many schemes have involved refurbishment and renovation rather than new build, but the development of The Green demonstrates there is an appetite for high quality commercial property in good business locations. And, because we have remained very active during the downturn, with schemes including the £9m Holiday Inn Express in Manchester and a number of new manufacturing developments, Russells Construction is ideally placed to take advantage of these new opportunities as they arise.”

LGC Standards is relocating to The Green as part of its future expansion plans. In need of larger, more up-to-date premises, LGC Standards was also keen to stay in the Bury area enabling it to retain staff while also growing the business. Liz Jordain, General Manager for LGC Standards, said: “We were keen to relocate to a more modern, purpose-built headquarters which offered top-of-the-range internal specification and a pleasant working environment. It was important for us to remain in Bury and reduce the impact of the move on our valued employees, so The Green is the ideal location and I have no doubt our fantastic new facilities will also enable us to attract talented new staff from Bury and beyond.”

LGC Standards is the first confirmed tenant of The Green, the development of 92,000 sq ft flexible Grade A office accommodation right in the heart of Bury town centre, offering easy access to the north west motorway network. Set within landscaped grounds, overlooking the River Irwell, The Green will incorporate four separate buildings which can be subdivided depending upon customer requirements, and 265 parking spaces for employees and visitors.

Dominic Pozzoni, commercial director for Property Alliance Group, added: “We’re delighted to have attracted LGC to The Green and see the commencement of the construction project as an exciting step forward. The range of amenities available in Bury, the wider regeneration programmes ongoing in the town and the development’s location, make The Green the ideal solution for anyone seeking to relocate within the Greater Manchester and south Lancashire region.”