ENVIRONMENTAL ACCREDITATION FOR BIRCHWOOD PARK

The facilities team for the award winning MEPC Birchwood Park, CB Richard Ellis, has won an environmental management accreditation, demonstrating the Park’s dedication to environmental responsibility.

ISO 14001 certification confirms the team’s achievement of a series of international requirements, providing a framework for the development of an environmental management system spanning a wide range of areas, including energy and water consumption and recycling.

Said MEPC Birchwood Park’s managing director, Jonathan Walsh: “The certification sends out a powerful statement regarding our environmental credentials to all our stakeholders - whether they be our occupiers, potential occupiers or employees - that MEPC Birchwood Park is taking its environmental responsibility very seriously indeed.”

The ISO accreditation for the Park’s facilities management is the latest environmental achievement for MEPC Birchwood Park, which is also promoted by the Department of Transport as an example of best practise for its travel management plan.

MEPC Birchwood Park has an on-site travel coordinator, to provide commuter advice and help to occupiers. The Park has established a successful on-line car-share scheme, provides a free bus link to the town centre and local railway stations and is continually investing in improving facilties for cyclists.

BRIDGEWATER PLACE FLIES THE FLAG FOR BIRCHWOOD PARK

MEPC Birchwood Park has let over 40,000 sq ft (3,716 sq m) during the last nine months at its flagship property Bridgewater Place, including 10,496 sq ft (975 m) to its newest occupant, Vaultex UK Ltd.

Vaultex manages cash processing for banks at sites across the UK, and its Bridgewater Place office will provide a new national support operation.

It will be staffed by a 90 strong team, mainly comprising current employees transferring from other North West sites, and a small number of new recruits.

Said Vaultex’ human resources director, John Arnott: “Bridgewater Place’s accessibility was a key factor in its selection, as were the on-site facilities, such as the meeting and restaurant amenities, gym and fitness centre and nursery.”

Vaultex’ neighbours at Bridgewater Place include David Wilson Homes, the Department of Work and Pensions, wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Celtic and GB Oils.

Bridgewater Place was recently named regional winner of the British Council for Offices Commercial Workspace award. It secured for the park the Property Executive North of England Office Award for Excellence, and its architects BDP won a gold award in the Roses Design Award commercial project category.

Said Birchwood Park’s managing director, Jonathan Walsh: “Bridgewater Place is attracting the kind of occupiers and accolades that reaffirm the park’s status at the top of the region’s office market. It is a “must-see” property for those seeking grade A space in the North West.”

BIRCHWOOD PARK HOTEL FIRST

An £8 million, 103 bedroom Ramada Encore hotel is under construction at Birchwood Park Warrington, now the first business park in the MEPC group and one of the first few in the country, to feature a hotel.

The launch of the 35,705sq ft (3,317 sq m) Ramada Encore Warrington in winter 2008 will further raise the competitiveness of Birchwood Park, and that of Warrington, in the North West commercial property market.

It will also see the creation of approximately 60 full- and part-time jobs for the local economy.

The hotel will be a new leisure service for Warrington’s business and consumer markets, offering a restaurant, bar and coffee shop, as well as contemporary guest rooms and work zone with data ports and free wifi for business travelers.

It joins Birchwood Park’s extensive portfolio of services, including The Centre with its meeting and restaurant amenities, the Alive and Well gym and fitness centre and Busy Nought to Fives nursery.

Said MEPC Birchwood Park’s managing director, Jonathan Walsh: “The hotel will affirm Birchwood Park as a leading North West destination for business and increase its competitiveness against city centre locations.”

The Ramada Encore is being developed by Ramcore Hotels and managed by BDL Management which also owns and operates other branded hotels such as Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn.

Ewan Campbell, managing director of Ramcore, said: “We look forward to this new opportunity to deliver our high-quality, value for money service. Birchwood Park Business Park is a development of increasing stature within the North West office market, and we are confident that our presence on the park will bring considerable mutual benefit.”