Merseytravel in search for new office space

Dec 12 2007 by Tony McDonough, Liverpool Daily Post

MERSEYTRAVEL is seeking more than 100,000 sq ft of office space to relocate its Liverpool staff under one roof within the next 18 months to two years.

Neil Scales, chief executive of Merseyside’s public transport authority, told the Daily Post he had narrowed down the search to two sites – St Paul’s Square phase three and space being created at Mann Island.

Hundreds of Merseytravel staff are currently spread across several sites. They include workers at the main headquarters in Hatton Garden and staff working for Mersey Tunnels at George’s Dock Building, near the waterfront.

Work is due to begin in May next year on the next phase of the successful St Paul’s Square scheme, near to Old Hall Street.

Phase three will comprise 109,000 sq of space – perfect for Merseytravel’s requirements. Much of the space already built or under construction there will be occupied by professional services firms.

The 130,000 sq ft of office space being created at Mann Island could be ready for occupation by mid-2009 – several months earlier than St Paul’s.

Mr Scales said: “It is important we move under one roof. Hatton Garden, in particular, is now 100 years old and it is showing it. The maintenance costs are not going to get any less.

“It is important we stay in the heart of the city and, given the quality of the space becoming available at the moment, we have a unique opportunity to do that.”

Property agents at Irving Rice are working on behalf of Merseytravel to broker a deal.

tonymcdonough