On behalf of Carluccio’s Savills, jointly with Kelion Sworn, has acquired new retail premises in The Mint Building, South St Andrew Square in Edinburgh from Chris Stewart Group. Due to open in February 2018, this marks the first site in Scotland’s capital city for the Italian restaurant chain. Carluccio’s will occupy the ground floor and basement totalling 4,439 sq ft (412 per sq m) on a new 25-year lease. Estelle Forrester, director in the retail team at Savills Scotland, comments: “It was important we found the right premises for the first Carluccio’s restaurant in Edinburgh and as a result the process has taken time. With the significant regeneration underway at St Andrew Square and a number of national leisure operators already confirmed for the area we are confident that this site will serve our client well – benefiting from strong footfall and close proximity to the main shopping streets and business locations, the train station and York Place tram stop.” According to Savills ‘Casual Dining in the UK 2016’ report, gradual change in food culture, particularly since the recession, means consumers are eating out more and this is creating new opportunities for further casual dining growth across the country. The research shows the five formats expected to be most successful over the next five years include premium fast food, all day and flexible formats, street food and pop ups, premium casual dining and third party delivery services. Chris Stewart Group was advised by Cushman and Wakefield. Carluccio’s is actively looking for more sites in Edinburgh and Savills is solely retained on all future acquisitions in Scotland. Source link

A leading North East construction company has forged ahead since the Brexit vote and is about to embark on a string of new projects. Despite post referendum fears of an industry slowdown, regeneration specialist Galliford Try Partnerships North is also celebrating selection for development frameworks involving projects worth over £60 million. Within the next few weeks, it hopes to be on sites in Blyth, Chester-le-Street and Killingworth, with projects worth almost £16 million that will deliver 104 new homes. In addition, the company has been selected by housing provider, Thirteen, to be one of seven construction partners that will bid to deliver up to £45 million worth of projects and by the Riverside Group for its ‘cutting edge’ framework, under which four partners will bid to deliver up to £16 million worth of work.  All of this is in the North East. Said Stephen McCoy, Managing Director with Galliford Try Partnerships North:  “It’s true that after a huge expansion over the past few years we have seen the industry slow in recent months but fortunately we have been successful in securing new work which enables us to continue our expansion.  We are delighted to have been able to forge strong and successful relationships with our partners and I think this has been the catalyst for selection to carry out work on a repeat basis.” Since 2012/13 the business’ annual turnover has grown from just over £8 million to an almost £60 million this year. The projects about to begin include a mixture of homes for sale, shared ownership and rent, which are designed to provide more opportunity for people to enjoy the benefits of living in modern, purpose designed energy efficient homes. The first scheme likely to go live is on the site of a former residential home in Chester-le-Street.  Here, 20 three bedroomed houses and two, two bedroomed flats will be constructed, all for affordable rent through Cestria Community Housing, part of Isos Housing Group. A similar project with the Riverside Group at Camperdown in Killingworth will provide 10 two bedroomed houses, 26 three bedroomed homes and four two bedroomed bungalows.  These will all be for shared ownership. Then, subject to planning permission, In October work will commence at North Farm, Blyth on behalf of the company’s new homes division – Linden Homes.  This will create 22 four bedroomed properties, 19 with three bedrooms and a two bedded bungalow.  Four of the three bedroomed houses will be sold at 10% lower than the true market value in order to help make home ownership affordable to more people.  Source link