Development honoursfor the new Merseyside

Jan 16 2008 by Richard Down, Liverpool Daily Post

THE developers who are changing the face of Merseyside are set to be recognised in the Liverpool Daily Post’s Property Awards for 2008.

There has been unprecedented development in Liverpool in the run up to the Capital of Culture year and this year’s Royal Bank of Scotland-sponsored awards, are widely regarded as the most prestigious in the region.

The awards bring together the very best of Merseyside, Cheshire and West Lancashire developers in recognition of the part they are playing in the success of the region’s property industry.

They will celebrate the achievements of both residential and commercial developers as the industry continues to pass through one of the most exciting periods in many years.

This will be the fourth year of the Liverpool Daily Post Property Awards and RBS is excited to be on board.

Hugh MacDonald and Philip Pugh, directors of the RBS corporate and commercial property finance teams, said: “Merseyside has a buoyant property market and these awards are an ideal forum to recognise the excellent work that is taking place locally..”

“Helping our property customers with their finance requirements continues to be the most important part of our business, which we deliver through teams of recognised property experts based across Merseyside.

“Our commitment to the property industry spans the whole range of activity through investment and development in many varied sectors. We have a large and wide-ranging customer base from which we have honed and developed the skills necessary to respond to the challenges facing investors and developers in today’s fast changing competitive marketplace.”

In 2007 Liverpool’s Crowne Plaza Hotel was the scene of a glittering black-tie ceremony celebrating the third annual awards.

The event was hosted by TV motor show personality Quentin Willson, who told nominees they were working in an exceptional city.

He said: “I have been coming up to Liverpool for the last decade and on recent trips have been thinking, ‘Good lord, something rich and strange is happening here’. There are more cranes in Liverpool than in Marbella or even Shanghai, it is absolutely incredible.

“This regeneration has been 30 years in the planning and suddenly over the last 12 months it has exploded like a neutron bomb.

“I can’t believe so much has happened in such a short space of time and I am honoured to be here with those responsible for this.

“You don’t hear the words excitement, ambition and world-class anywhere else in the country.”

This year’s glitzy gala dinner will be held at the BT Convention Centre where nominees will discover who will walk away with awards.

One of the awards up for grabs will be Residential Development of the Year – Social Housing, which was won by Purpose Built Housing for Disabled Children and Their Parents last year.

In 2008 the award is sponsored by Weightmans. Candidates in this category will have been coming to terms with major changes to the legal landscape caused by the Government’s new Housing and Regeneration Bill.

The bill handed unprecedented powers to the Government's new social housing watchdog – the Homes and Communities Agency.

Next week the Daily Post will take a look at the full impact of this legislation on the Merseyside industry.

THERE is still time to sponsor one of the award categories. Companies wishing to register their interest or receive a nomination form should contact the events team on 0151 330 4974 or email regionalpropertyawards@dailypost.co.uk

Deadline for entries is Friday, February 22, with the winners announced on Friday April 11.

richarddown@dailypost.co.uk

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