Christmas Lunches in The Garden Restaurant

Get into the Festive Spirit and get your office together for Christmas Lunch in The Garden Restaurant at The Centre.

1 course - £6.99
2 courses - £8.99

Please click here to download the menu, available from Monday 19th – Thursday 22nd December.

MEPC Birchwood Park Secures Pre-let to Complete the Final Phase at Bridgewater Place

The award-winning MEPC Birchwood Park, has once again set the standard by securing one of the only pre-let deals in the North West this year. The final phase of its flagship 250,000 sq ft Bridgewater Place office scheme is about to start construction in February 2012, making the Park one of the first to commit to new development in the region.

An existing occupier will take two floors totalling 32,000 sq ft within the 47,500 sq ft building, 305 Bridgewater Place.

Comments MEPC Birchwood Park’s MD Jonathan Walsh: “The commitment to build 305 Bridgewater Place represents both a new and exciting phase of activity and a massive vote of confidence in what we can offer here at Birchwood Park. Our existing occupier undertook a major property search for its new space requirements and we were able to offer it the highest quality option in a brand new building at a location which is now regarded as one of the most successful out of town business destinations in the North West due to its strategic motorway location and the facilities and environment that we have created here to serve over 150 occupiers with a workforce of some 5,000 people.

“This is one of the only major pre-lets in the regional property market so far this year and enables us to forge ahead with the completion of Bridgewater Place which has been the most successful new office scheme in the North West with occupiers including the Department of Work & Pensions, Halcrow, GB Oils, Electricity North West and David Wilson Homes.

“305 represents the final piece of the Bridgewater Place jigsaw and paves the way for yet more development/investment plans that we have on the drawing board to grow the Park’s role as the region’s leading business address. We recently invested £1.2M in the creation of a new ‘state of the art’ conference centre at the Park’s existing facility known as The Centre. This exciting new facility will provide the Park’s 150 resident companies , as well as local and regionally based businesses , with a 168 seat lecture theatre and a range of meeting rooms as well as ‘The Hub’ offering free high speed WiFi, high backed booths for privacy and waitress service. Birchwood Park is one of the only business parks in the region to offer such a high quality business venue.

“In the first nine months of this year, we have let almost 90,000 sq ft of space to companies large and small which underlines our attractiveness to businesses of all sizes and in all spheres of operation. We are confident that this is set to continue.”

MEPC Birchwood Park Proves Best in Area as Recruitment Business Commits Future to Park

Alexander Mann Solutions and subsidiary Amiqus have committed their future to MEPC Birchwood Park, relocating on site to take a nine year lease on 3,500 sq ft premises at 101 Dalton Avenue.

The specialist recruitment and outsourcing consultancy and its interactive entertainment, digital media and technology subsidiary, have been resident at MEPC Birchwood Park since 2000, when they moved to Thomson House, relocating in 2005 to Chadwick House.

As their lease came up for renewal, the team reviewed the options available across the Birchwood area, and after considering a number of possibilities, decided that the modern, ground-floor accommodation at Dalton Avenue best met their current business needs.

Said Amiqus business manager, Liz Prince: “MEPC has been very flexible and supportive for the last 11 years, and we are delighted to commit to a further nine at the park.

“The decision to remain at MEPC Birchwood Park was influenced not only by the competitive rates, high quality of the building and good car-parking facilities, but also by the superb, easy-to-reach park amenities.

“The MEPC team is based on-site and has put in place a real infrastructure to support its occupiers, and this has been absolutely fundamental to the smooth-running of our business.”

MEPC Birchwood Park head of leasing, Jonathan Black commented “MEPC understands the needs of its customers and works hard to meet them. We are very proud that due to our flexible and comprehensive approach, we have once again proved that we really can offer the best all-round package in the Birchwood area.”

Brainwave is MEPC Birchwood Park’s Charity of the Year 2012

MEPC Birchwood Park is pleased to announce, that Brainwave will be our charity of the year 2012. Brainwave works with families to deliver individual home-based therapy and exercise programmes that help children with disabilities and Developmental Delay to achieve their potential and have a local centre here in Birchwood that is available to families across Cheshire and the surrounding area.

Fundraising will be kick-started with Brainwave’s annual 5km Santa Dash in Birchwood on Sunday 12th December we have a Birchwood Park team taking part and we hope to get support from the 150 companies based on the Park.

You can run, jog or walk the 5km route which starts at Birchwood Shopping Centre, through the Birchwood Forest Park ending at the Peacock Pub where a live jazz band and the finish line awaits.

Jonathan Walsh, managing director Birchwood Park, said: “MEPC Birchwood Park is proud to be supporting Brainwave, we hope to get as many of our companies involved in this year’s event to support our local Brainwave Centre here in Birchwood.

Download your entry forms here.

For more information about Brainwave please call Joanne Freeman, Community Manager, on 07872 411580 or e-mail joannefreeman@brainwave.org.uk.

Birchwood Park Puts Birchwood and Warrington on the Map at Celebrate Cheshire

For over a decade, MEPC Birchwood Park has invested in the local economy and championed the benefits of Birchwood and Warrington as a location for business.

This month, MEPC Birchwood Park is to sponsor a two-day event to promote Cheshire’s business credentials, at which it will fly the flag for the town.

As part of its sponsorship of Celebrate Cheshire, MEPC Birchwood Park has invested in a 30m hoarding at the event’s Chester Racecourse venue; this banner will promote the whole of Birchwood as the leading business destination in Cheshire.

MEPC Birchwood Park is the only Birchwood -based organisation among the sponsors of the not-for-profit Celebrate Cheshire initiative, which takes place on 16th and 17th September.

Since its acquisition of the park from UKAEA in 1998, MEPC has invested over £50M into Birchwood Park’s infrastructure and facilities.

Last month it announced the re-development of a £1.2 million conference and meetings venue, transforming the popular Centre at MEPC Birchwood Park to create a facility to rival anything else available in the region, putting Birchwood and Warrington firmly on not only the regional but also the national conference and meetings industry map.

Said MEPC Birchwood Park’s MD, Jonathan Walsh: “Birchwood is a great location for business and this is a great opportunity to show case everything that is great about Birchwood to the wider region.”

Celebrate Cheshire will highlight the “Cheshire Factors” which have contributed to the sub-region’s success as the strongest economy – worth more than £22bn – in the North West, and will set out Cheshire’s proposition for economic investment. It will mark one of the first key projects backed by Cheshire and Warrington’s new Local Enterprise Partnership.

Coming soon...newly refurbished The Centre at Birchwood Park

The Centre at Birchwood Park is currently undergoing some exciting changes:

• Investment of £1.2 million to enhance the current facilities
• New, unrivalled state of the art conference and meeting rooms
• A choice of seven flexible meeting rooms all with LCD projection and break out space including a 168 seater lecture hall with the latest audio visual equipment.
• Refurbished Garden Restaurant
• Creation of a new business 'Hub'
• Refurbished 'city style' cafe facility
• Opening September 2011

If you would like to be kept up to date with our development plans at The Centre, please click here.

Birchwood Park team scoops another Gold Award

For the fourth year in a row the MEPC Birchwood Park on-site management team has scooped a Gold RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Award. The team won the Gold Award in recognition of its continued commitment to developing the highest standards of workplace health and safety.

Elaine Peet, Birchwood Park Facilities Manager is thrilled to have won the award for the 4th time "It is a measure of our commitment and continuous efforts to improve our occupational health and safety management that we have achieved ‘gold' status for the forth year running'.

Birchwood Park Welcomes 10 new tenants

In the first five months of 2011, MEPC Birchwood Park let over 24,000 sq ft of office space with small suites accounting for all new lettings secured.

We have welcomed a number of new customers from a range of industries, including stationery distribution (Antallis Printall), recruitment and financial consultancy (FSR Group) and insurance services (Nationwide Claims Solutions).

All ten new companies have taken offices for 20 people or less. Birchwood Park continues to nurture this market, and has a strong track record of facilitating on-site growth by initially smaller occupiers.

Trade-ups by four existing customers are included in the deals. Optimise Internet Ltd expanded in Thomson House, while Nuclear Technologies PLC increased its presence at Chadwick House and Hydrosave UK Ltd and Skillray Transport Services UK also traded-up.

The average deal size across the period of 1,269 sq ft (approx.12 people office) reflects the trend highlighted in the latest Warrington Annual Property Review, which pointed to the importance of small suite deals in the town’s 2010 office market.

Said MEPC Birchwood Park’s head of leasing, Jonathan Black: “The park has for a long time encouraged occupation by new and small businesses, and our work with them to support on-site growth continues to be rewarded, as they expand into our larger premises.

“Yes, like all the other business parks we welcome and target large enquiries, and will continue to pursue these with determination and success to grow the park. But we have developed our offer to allow us to play the long game as well, drawing in entrepreneurial businesses and helping them to flourish.

“As many businesses remain cautious in the face of continuing national economic uncertainty, delaying relocations until they believe they have reason to feel more bullish, we are pleased that the smaller organisational sector, that we have for so long championed, continues to operate with optimism both in the park and across the Warrington area.”

Bike2 Work Week 2011: Monday 20th – Friday 24th June

Get on your bike and celebrate cycling at Birchwood Park - you could even win a BIKE or a UK CYCLING HOLIDAY!

During Bike2 Work Week, the following activities will be available at Birchwood Park…

• Event Day at The Centre, Tuesday 21st June, 12noon – 2pm with cycle and equipment sales, information and advice from lots of partners!
• FREE 30 Minute Led Cycle Ride – Tuesday 21st June. Places are LIMITED so contact ehayes@mepc.com to join!
• FREE Biker’s Brunches (rrp £3.00 per voucher). Bring your bike to reception at The Centre from 7.30am – 9am & receive a FREE brunch voucher everyday your cycle to work during Bike2 Work Week!
• WIN a £30 Voucher for Maxgear if you cycle the furthest during the week!
• WIN a UK Cycling Holiday with Saddle Skedaddle (rrp £300 - £500)
• WIN a FREE Saddle Skedaddle Cycling Kit
• WIN a Trek 7000 E Hybrid Platinum 11 Bike (rrp £349.99)

Take part online or find out more at www.birchwoodpark.co.uk/bikeweek

1 month FREE membership at Alive & Well

Join Alive & Well before 30th June and get a FREE months membership!

A FRIENDLY gym that prides itself on its welcoming atmosphere

Choose from 'Anytime' or 'Off Peak' Membership. Why not come down, meet the team and view the facilities.

We would love to see you!

All of our memberships include:

• Full use of the fully equipped Techno gym
• Full use of the steam and sauna
• Over 30 weekly studio classes including Zumba, Bodypump, Bodycombat & Pilates to name but a few
• Two stage fitness induction
• Personalised programmes
• Regular re-assessments
• Static body test and report
• Heart rate training
• Great fun working out with a friendly team
• 3 free guest passes

Other services that can be enjoyed include nutritional advice, physiotherapy, reflexology and beauty treatments.

Alive & Well’s friendly and dedicated team is professionally qualified and offer monthly performance reviews and the option of personalised training programmes.

• Annual Anytime Membership just £350* or pay monthly for just £35 per month
• Annual Off-Peak Membership just £170* or pay monthly for just £17 per month

Remember JOIN before the 30th June and you also get a FREE MONTH

Why not call in TODAY or for more information log on to the website www.alive-well.co.uk or call 01925 824 455.

You can also follow Alive & Well on Twitter and Facebook – www.twitter.com/aliveandwellgym and www.facebook.com/aliveandwellgym.

Warrington Consultation on overhauling the UK's PAYE tax system

Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) will be conducting a consultation event in Warrington at 10.30am on Tuesday, 15th February, on its proposals to overhaul the UK’s PAYE tax system.

The event, hosted by the Warrington based employment solutions and PAYE umbrella services provider, Parasol, is open to all Warrington businesses who have an interest in PAYE schemes, providers of payroll software, providers of payroll services, employers and pension schemes and who would like the opportunity to feedback their thoughts directly to HMRC in person.

Under the current proposal HMRC, is seeking to introduce a system of real time information (RTI). This means that, under the RTI system, HMRC will collect information about tax and other deductions automatically each time employers run their payroll. This information will be submitted automatically to HMRC at the same time the employees are paid. The event will also be used to discuss any further long-term changes HMRC proposes to make to the PAYE system of taxation.

Commenting ahead of the event, Rob Crossland, Chief Executive of Parasol, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for Warrington businesses to speak directly to HMRC, an opportunity that does not come along very often. It is also an opportunity to help shape legislation that affects us. When these opportunities aren’t taken it is difficult to complain with any credibility about the consequences. Therefore, I would urge anyone looking to attend to contact us and reserve their place ASAP.”

For those wishing to attend spaces are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis. RSVPs should be sent to: amanda.hignett@parasolgroup.co.uk or steven.proud@parasolgroup.co.uk

Macmillan Starlight supper event

Your evening can be small & intimate for just a few close friends or a large & loud event for everybody in your address book. You are invited to arrange your own evening & ask your guests to each make a donation in exchange for some wonderful food & no doubt great company!

Registration to hold your own Starlight Supper is now open and Macmillan will provide you with everything you need to make your evening a huge success including invitations, place cards, blank menu cards, donation envelopes, quiz sheets, paying in slips, gift aid forms and pre-addressed envelopes.

From 8pm Smooth Radio will be playing four hours of your favourite music, non-stop. There will be no commercial interruptions, no news bulletins, just great music and many mentions to listeners across the UK who are hosting their own Starlight Supper.

To register for your free fundraising pack, containing everything you need for the perfect dinner party, go to www.smoothradio.co.uk.

You can also encourage your family and friends to put up a poster wherever they can to promote the event for us.

For further information contact Sharon Cottam Corporate Account Manager, Macmillan Cancer Support Direct Line: 01925 846745, Mobile: 07801 307047

MEPC reports on a positive 2010

2010 proved to be an encouraging year for MEPC’s leasing results with 213 leasing deals generating £2.2m pa of net additional income, with a strong lettings performance at both Hilllington Park and Milton Park.

Portfolio wide vacancy rates fell below 10% which is a ‘first’ in five years. Customer retention rates at lease breaks/expiries is still amongst the best in the industry at 86%.

MEPC confirmed plans to prepay £102m of the £470m loan securitised via Opera Finance (MEPC) plc in early 2011. Rick de Blaby, Chief Executive comments ‘MEPC is now positioned for a new and exciting phase of activity and performance in 2011 where we will continue to focus on driving revenue and maintaining customer focus to deliver investment performance’.