Urban Splash signs off 2019 with 116,000 sq ft deals success

With substantial lets to tenants including Climbing Hangar at Liverpool’s Matchworks, Prince’s Trust at Beehive Mill in Manchester and Everyman Cinema at Plymouth’s Royal William Yard, the business has attracted an array of national brands, innovative starts ups, charitable and cultural organisations.

Speaking of the deals, commercial director Emily Handslip said: “2019 was an excellent year for our portfolio as we welcomed so many brilliant new businesses of varying sizes and disciplines – each of them enriching our commercial communities across the country.

“I am delighted to have wrapped up so many new deals and look forward to unveiling more contemporary, brilliantly designed spaces – including waterfront spaces at Melville at Royal William Yard and the first workspaces at Port Loop in Birmingham – in the coming months.”

30,000 sq ft of the deals were completed with existing tenants renewing or upsizing within the Urban Splash portfolio – a testament to the company’s commitment to its relationships with tenants. Emily continued: “Our flexible attitudes and leases mean that we can accommodate the changing requirements of our tenants, helping them move around our developments as they grow.

“This has been evident in 2019 with strong renewals and upsizing by occupiers who want to continue their business’ journey within an Urban Splash workspace; building relationships with them for the long term is at the heart of what we do.”

As well as lettings successes during the year, Urban Splash also continued its investment programme into its portfolio, primarily at the Matchworks in South Liverpool, where, in addition to the existing gym, a Climbing Hangar facility and cafe, indoor and outdoor meeting spaces and a programme of events including street food pop-ups have all been launched. This commitment to placemaking resulted in 20,000 sq ft of deals last year, and the estate’s lowest ever vacancy rate.

Looking ahead to the new year, the company will be introducing more new commercial opportunities including at Park Hill in Sheffield and New Islington in Manchester; anyone wishing to find out more should contact space@urbansplash.co.uk.