North West commercial law firm, CG, has expanded its Manchester presence by moving into larger office and meeting room space within the XYZ Building in Spinningfields.
This move comes ahead of schedule and as the firm continues to grow to meet an increasing demand for its services within the city, it said.
Since opening in Manchester, CG has seen its headcount rise by more than 50%, with a 25% increase in the past 12 months alone.
The decision to secure more space reflects this growth and ensures the team can continue to deliver its services to clients as well as continue to attract talent from the city firms.
Managing partner, Benjamin Dredge, said: “The move to larger offices came out of necessity rather than ambition and we’re already looking at further growth options so that we’re ahead of the curve.
“Our firm’s visibility and awareness in the city region has been remarkable given we’ve only been present in the city a few years but we’ve had incredibly positive engagement and we are seeing more and more clients come to us from the city market.
“As their needs grow and evolve, it’s vital that we have the capacity to respond quickly and effectively.”
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Behind Closed Doors bar
The Behind Closed Doors brand is expanding to open in Liverpool city centre this autumn.
Having originally opened in Manchester in May 2017, the bar opened a second venue in Leeds in August 2024.
It has now chosen Liverpool as its next city and will open on Colquitt Street next month (September), with capacity for 150 guests.
Behind Closed Doors says it was born taking inspiration from living rooms in the 1960s and 70s with the added touch of ‘debauchery and vintage erotica’. The bars also include its signature phone lines to call other tables.
The bar’s owners have more than 20 years of experience in hospitality, working their way through all levels of roles and management.
Director, Nick Parr, said: “We’re really excited to be opening our third Behind Closed Doors in the amazing city of Liverpool which is the third development in our North West expansion.
“We feel Liverpool has been ready for our concept of ‘sex, rugs & funk ’n’ soul’ for years now but we just needed to find the right venue.
“Our new space on Colquitt Street, close to Seel Street and the wider Ropewalks area, couldn’t be more perfect and we can’t wait to open our doors in September.”
He added: “Behind Closed Doors is a very exciting, mysterious speakeasy-style bar with risqué decor, naughty drinks and only the best boogie, funk and soul music to keep the party going all night long.”
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The Links
A scheme of luxury apartments has launched to the market on the North West coastline and Savills’ Manchester’s residential development sales team has been appointed as the selling agent.
The Links, a prestigious new development by Blueoak Estates is set in the heart of West Kirby, on the Wirral.
This exclusive collection of ten bespoke three-bedroom apartments and penthouses commands uninterrupted views over the world-famous Royal Liverpool Golf Course – home to The Open Championship and among the top 15 golf courses in the UK – and the Dee Estuary and North Wales coastline beyond.
The development has recently launched to the open market, with strong interest already being shown from interested buyers.
Ani Kraja, associate director in the residential development sales at Savills Manchester, said: “The Links represents a rare opportunity to own a home in one of the North West’s most sought-after locations. With its proximity to the renowned Royal Liverpool Golf Course, the natural beauty of the Wirral coastline, and the exceptional quality of design and finish, this prestigious development is already generating significant interest.”
Each apartment includes inset glazed balconies, open-plan living areas, and high specification finishes throughout.
The two penthouse suites offer expansive layouts and generous storage, creating a tranquil retreat in one of the UK’s most desirable coastal towns.
Iain MacLean, managing director of Blueoak Estates, said: “From the location, views, privacy, and architecture to the finishing and detail, The Links offers something truly unique on the Wirral.”
The homes range in price from £820,000 to £1,875,000.
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The Orion
Manchester brewer, Joseph Holt, has completed a £300,000 upgrade of its Withington pub, The Orion.
The pub was one of those chosen by Paul Heaton – former frontman of The Housemartins and The Beautiful South – to put money behind the bar for locals as part of his recent 60th birthday tour.
The Orion has undergone a ‘sympathetic revamp’ designed to preserve its unique appeal Now complete, the carefully considered makeover retains the pub’s warm and unpretentious atmosphere, but with some welcome updates.
The revamp includes heritage colour schemes, retro wallpaper, timber parquet flooring, and improved lighting throughout. New additions, such as upgraded toilets, indoor and outdoor TVs with full Sky Sports, and refreshed signage featuring old-style lettering on the original glass, give the space a renewed energy while honouring its roots, said the brewer.
Denis Maddocks, estates executive at Joseph Holt, said: “Reviewers have previously described the Orion as ‘Withington at its finest’. We were determined to refresh the pub while preserving the character and warmth that make it special.”
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Cobalt Housing staff outside Villiers Court
Liverpool-based housing association, Cobalt Housing, has completed the acquisition of Villiers Court, a new strategic depot and workspace that will serve as a central hub for its growing in-house repairs and environmental services teams.
The move forms part of a significant improvement project that will bring the repairs function in-house, transforming service delivery and supporting local job creation.
Located close to Cobalt’s Croxteth office, Villiers Court will provide modern facilities to support the storage and coordination of fleet, materials and equipment, enabling a faster, more efficient and responsive service to its 6,000 homes.
Claire Griffiths, Cobalt Housing CEO, said: “Villiers Court is a key step in our strategic investment to our local communities. It enables us to deliver improved outcomes for our customers and create jobs and modern working environments that reflect the future of housing services in our region.”
The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, comes as Cobalt prepares to roll out Total Mobile, a digital workforce management platform that will streamline repairs operations.
Together, these initiatives represent a significant shift in how housing services are delivered, with a strong focus on customer experience, data-led decision making and frontline support.
Claire added: “This is about delivering the infrastructure and tools we need to be the landlord our communities deserve. It’s a long term investment not just in our services, but in the people and places that make up our region.”
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Homes handover
Housebuilder, Kellen Homes, has handed over the keys to new homes in Salford and Manchester to Sigma Capital Group.
A total of 32 apartments at Albion Place, Seaford Road in Salford, have been completed and signed over to Sigma – a key provider in the build-to-rent market.
And a further 36 apartments at The Gateway, Bennett Street in Manchester, have also transferred into the custodianship of Sigma as part of progress on the development.
Sigma will provide all the homes under its private rental brand, Simple Life, which has more than 9,000 properties across the UK.
The handovers mark an important milestone in the construction of the two neighbourhoods, providing new homes for local people and further strengthening the relationship between Kellen Homes and Sigma.
Kellen Homes is developing 96, one- and two-bedroomed apartments and 72 two- and three-bedroomed homes on the Salford site and a further 172 houses and 100 apartments at Bennett Street in Manchester for Sigma.
Kellen Homes’ head of land and partnerships, Ellie Frith, described the handover as a significant moment for both developments and for the relationship between Kellen Homes and Sigma.
She said: “It’s great to see the collaboration between Kellen Homes and Sigma and the hard work that has gone into bringing these developments forward to reach the point of handing over this latest phase of new homes.
“We are incredibly proud of the quality and design of the homes that we have built here and of the strength of our partnership that has allowed us to deliver this important new housing.”
Lee Catterall, associate development director (regional) at Sigma, said: “With the addition of these homes to our portfolio we will be able to offer local renters high quality, brand new homes, teamed with a professional management approach to renting.
“Within easy reach of Manchester and Salford centres, renters can get from the best of the city whilst benefitting from car parking, and pets welcomed. Both developments are already proving incredibly popular, and we are excited about this latest wave of new homes.”
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Bull’s Head interior
The Bull’s Head in Lymm has reopened following a £160,000 refurbishment by independent brewer Hydes, bringing a stylish new interior and enhanced guest experience.
The refurbishment focused on a complete internal redecoration, transforming the pub’s interior with a refreshed, contemporary design while retaining its warm and traditional character. The investment has revitalised the layout and overall atmosphere.
The £160,000 refurbishment forms part of a wider, multimillion-pound investment programme by Hydes to futureproof its pub estate.
Hydes, which owns and operates more than 40 pubs across the North West and North Wales, continues to invest heavily in its estate, it said.
Managing director of Hydes Brewery, Adam Mayers, said: “The Bull’s Head has always had a special place in our estate and is a firm favourite with locals and visitors to the village alike. With this refurbishment, we’ve given the pub a fresh new lease of life while keeping its traditional appeal very much intact.”
General manager Iain Craig, who has run the Bulls Head for the past four years but has worked with Hydes for 23 years in total, has some exciting plans lined up now the refurbishment is complete.
He said: “Many of the regular customers have been looking forward to this and the changes really do make a big difference without altering the character which serves the pub so well.”
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