After six month campaign to change the profile and perception of Stockport by the town’s largest landlord its latest letting figures look set to be the best for more than five years.
Orbit Developments — the commercial division of The Emerson Group — is reporting that in the first six months of this year it has let 25,000 sq ft of commercial property across its portfolio of 12 town centre buildings. It also claims there is a “rising interest” in the rest of its Stockport portfolio.
“These figures comfortably beat Stockport town centre’s average total annual commercial lettings figure of 44,000 sq ft since 2010,” commented Orbit’s managing director, Tony Jones.
One benefit of the firm’s commitment to prove the Greater Manchester town is a “great place to do business” is that it has recently attracted several high-end software development businesses which, in turn, have pulled in a number of UK head office operations for international companies.
“We’re now seeing our investment in supporting events and activities in Stockport bearing fruit and benefitting the town,” Jones added. “Our ‘We Are Stockport’ campaign and the planned introduction of the Stockport Business Improvement District (BID) scheme are creating momentum for the initiatives producing positive change in the town.
“Businesses already in the town, and indeed those looking to relocate, can be assured that Stockport has all the elements required for economic success, which is great for the town, but also good news for the wider North West region.”
In June, the British telecommunications company, SKY, extended its St Peter’s Square call centre lease by a further 16,000 sq ft, leaving just one retail unit available in the building.
And award winning promotional merchandising specialists, Hatters Promotions, confirmed it is moving from Cheadle to the 10th floor of Orbit’s flagship Regent House in Stockport town centre.
Orbit has also invested heavily in its property portfolio, modernising office space and updating technology, including super-fast broadband connectivity.
Rhys Owen is the firm’s UK leasing manager. “We know we needed to change people’s opinion of locating a business in Stockport, and over the last six months we have seen a clear shift in perceptions,” he said.
“The draw of Manchester city centre is understandable, but Stockport has everything a business needs to flourish and more. If we work together to showcase what is great about the town and the borough, we can make that positive change happen.”
Established in 1971, Orbit has grown to be one of Britain’s largest private commercial property developers and investment management companies, operating in the North West and South East of England and the United States. It international portfolio now includes 200 properties, totalling almost 7.5m sq ft, leased to 2,000 tenants.
