Conway Group and the NI based retail operator Henderson Group have today announced their agreement for the leasing by Henderson of the Conway Groups award winning Spar retail and forecourt outlets at Brackenvale, Saintfield Road Belfast and Magherafelt Road, Moneymore and their Vivo convenience store in Magherafelt.

This announcement comes as great news for both Conway Groups retail division, Merit Retail and Henderson Group.

Henderson Group owns and operates 70 stores, and supplies almost 400 throughout the province. A spokesperson explained: “We are delighted to confirm that these three prime retail sites will now be operating under the Henderson Group, Merit Retail have operated these sites to a first-class standard for many years, each serving a vital role in the communities. We look forward to continuing the model of excellence that has been set. Three extremely strong businesses, this deal comes as great news for our business.”

Merit Retail added they have worked tirelessly to build their businesses to the levels of success they are today and are delighted the Henderson Group, who have been involved in all three businesses since inception, have taken this opportunity to take over these three businesses at this time.

Both parties confirmed that current staff will be retained at each site. Merit Retail would also take this opportunity to thank all employees and customers for their loyalty and support over the years.

The Irish State Broadcaster RTE have moved their Belfast Offices and Studios to the Centrepoint Building.
Occuping the 8th and 9th Floors of the prestigious new devlopment, the state of the art facilites were offically opened by Northern Irelands First and Deptuty First Mininster with the Irish Taoseach Mr Brian Cowan in attendance.

Irish Nationwide Building Society is re-locating to offices in Centrepoint. The financial institution is taking one of the development’s ten floors as its new Northern Ireland base. The deal represents a new headline rent of £15 per sq ft for Belfast reinforcing the confidence in the Centrepoint scheme.

Gary McCollum, Manager, UK Operations at Irish Nationwide, said: “Centrepoint provides an excellent prime city centre location in the heart of Belfast’s business district so it was an ideal choice for us. The move will allow us to further concentrate on the Northern Ireland market and continue to grow our commercial banking business.”

Speaking on behalf of the Conway Group, Des Taggart said, “The commercial property market in Northern Ireland remains buoyant and Belfast City Centre has been undergoing a vigorous regeneration in recent times. With projects such as Victoria Square recently complete and an increase in city centre living, tourism and retail we are confident this development will be a huge success.”
William Stewart, Associate Director for joint agents, Whelan, agrees: “Centrepoint provides the right location and quality of office space required by corporate occupiers and we are in discussions with a range of blue chip companies from the financial, media and professional service sectors.”

The high quality design includes an imposing glass and natural stone frontage and also features a unique external glass elevator which offers panoramic views across the city centre.

As part of their continued acquisition programme, Conway Group have acquired a prime restaurant investment in Manchester.

The property at 92-96 Deansgate occupies a highly prominent location at the junction of Deansgate and St Mary’’s Street in the heart of Manchester City Centre. Deansgate is considered Manchester’’s prime leisure location, with occupiers including; Café Rouge, The Living Room, Label, La Tasca, Weatherspoons and The Goucho Grill, in the immediate area.
In addition the property is located adjacent to House of Fraser (arguably Manchester’’s premier department store) and in close proximity to the prime retailing areas of King Street and St Annes Square.

Comprising over 6,800 sq ft of accommodation arranged over basement ground and four upper floors, the entire premises are let to Bella Italia Restaurant Ltd.

Conway Group have recently acquired a prime retail investment in South-West London.

The property is located in East Sheen, an affluent suburb of the Borough of Richmond –upon-Thames.

Occupying a prominent position on the main shopping thoroughfare of Upper Richmond Road West, the current occupiers of the scheme are Superdrug, WH Smith, and Cargo, totalling nearly 14,000 sqft of retail and ancillaryaccomodation.