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All posts tagged: leeds united
North West divided over United
I am on the train back from Manchester, where all the talk is of 'Project Bluebird', 'Project Boomerang' and now 'Project Beckford'.
I have been hearing about all this while chairing the judging for Property Week's North West awards, of which more later.
First, 'Project Beckford'.
Football fans will know what this is all about.
For non footie fans, here is an explanation.
First, Leeds striker Jermaine Beckford scores the winner to knock Manchester United out of the FA Cup.
Next, Cushman's Manchester associate Jonathan Baucher lands a confidential 25000 sq ft office requirement, from a local firm wanting to move.
Baucher is a fan of United's deadly rivals Liverpool: cue wind up for half the city's agency community, and Project Beckford.
The retort? Watch out Jonathan, because United agents are queuing up to launch 'Project Long', which all football fans will also understand after this week....
More significantly, 'Project Bluebird', understood to be for a European bank, is rumoured to be taking wing again through Jones Lang LaSalle.
Starting at 50000 sq ft, and rumoured to later rise to 150000 sq ft, this would ignite Manchester if it was chosen over other competing cities.
Finally, Cushman is also hunting for around 25000 sq ft in Project Boomerang, and is rumoured to be looking at Stockport's Peter House and Manchester's Piccadilly Place.
The codenames are interesting because it shows corporates are looking to move cities, presumably to save cost.
Also, possibly, that moving office right now might be seen as an extravagance even if it is the right thing in property terms to do.
As to the NW judging, we had 35 experts from the likes of Allied London, Ask, Bruntwood, Barclays, MEPC, Langtree, Town Centre Securities and Whitbread through Malmaison's doors.
Three agency categories were incredibly close, but there are some cracking winners all round.
Thanks to everyone who took part, including the new client category judges from the North West’s best agencies, and I will see you at the North West Conference and Awards at Manchester Central on Thursday February 11.
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