Household names such as Iceland, Spotify and Next are among a whole host of major companies to have announced a string of commercial property deals across the North West in recent weeks.
Other huge names such as JD Sports have also signed deals for new stores alongside growing companies in the region.
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Here, BusinessLive rounds up 17 of those deals we feel you should not miss:
Iceland
Supermarket chain Iceland has signed a 20-year deal to occupy a major distribution centre which is expected to be completed in autumn 2023.
It has become the second company to sign up to the Omega West development, a 184-acre, 2.21 million sq ft extension of Miller Developments' Omega Business Park at Junction 8 of the M62.
The new distribution centre will extend to 505,000 sq ft and work is due to start on site in September.
Central Retail Park
A retail park anchored by B&M, Iceland and Pets at Home has been sold to an investment giant.
Orbit Developments, through its investment business North West Portfolio, has acquired Central Retail Park in Bolton.
The site extends to 86,521 sq ft across seven units and includes 305 car parking spaces.
Central Retail Park, located on Manchester Road, adds to Orbit’s portfolio in the area which includes Middlebrook Retail & Leisure Park and Burnden Retail Park.
Next
Fashion and home retailer Next has signed a decade-long deal to open a major store at Manchester's Trafford Centre.
The shop is expected to launched in November and stretch across 65,000 sq ft.
The company currently has a store in the Regent Crescent area of the shopping centre.
Unite Students
A portfolio of 11 student accommodation properties with almost 4,500 beds has been sold for more than £300m.
Unite Students has sold the buildings to an affiliate of Lone Star Funds for £306m.
The portfolio includes properties in Sheffield, Reading, Leicester, Bedford, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol and Leeds.
Harley Haddow
An engineering consultancy, which has completed projects for the likes of BAFTA, Arsenal and Edinburgh Castle, has opened a new base in Manchester and created jobs.
Harley Haddow has added the new office to its existing bases in London, Edinburgh and Glasgow.
The firm is aiming to have a 10-person strong local team in place within two years.
Spotify
Spotify is to open a sales hub in Manchester, it has been announced.
The music and podcast streaming giant has said the move is part of its drive to expand partnerships and opportunities in the UK.
The team will be led by director of sales Clare Beddow and composed of two full-time account directors.
Stockport County
A 250-year lease for Stockport County Football Club to play at Edgeley Park stadium has been unanimously backed by local councillors.
The deal was first agreed in February and has now been officially signed off by Stockport Council.
The club have previously said the new lease would allow them to ensure that further investment can be made on the ground and its facilities.
Kutchenhaus
Kitchen retailer Kutchenhaus has opened a showroom in Southport.
The showroom at 49 Hoghton Street is co-owned by Chris and Karen Davies, who already run one in Preston.
The building has 1,200 sq ft of retail space, seven displays including modern and traditional style shaker kitchens and features appliances from brands such as AEG, Bosch and Siemens.
There is also the option to expand the showroom by 1,000 sq ft in the future.
Kutchenhaus is owned by Nobilia, Europe’s largest kitchen manufacturer.
Ma Pub Group
Independent Liverpool bar operator Ma Pub Group, which is led by Iain Hoskins, has announced its plans for a third Liverpool site.
Nova Scotia is to open in May in the Mann Island building.
An investment of £250,000 in the previous Mann Island Social / &Company dockside site will create 50 new jobs.
Mr Hoskins said: "We have a great relationship with the Mann Island landlords, RBH Properties, who are our landlords at Ma Boyle's.
"Mann Island is a perfect fit for us, operating two neighbouring bars locally we know the area very well.
"With our other two sites we've found the perfect balance appealing to the business district footfall, local residents and tourists - there really is something for everyone and we are looking forward to a fabulous spring and summer in the city."
Bold Street Coffee
Bold Street Coffee is to open a new site at the University of Manchester’s University Green.
BSC University Green will open in time for the return of the students in September, and will have an outside terrace area and space for up to 80 people inside.
Bold Street Coffee first opened in Manchester on Cross Street in December 2021.
BSC University Green is the fourth venue for the group, with a second Liverpool site opening in the business district at The Plaza in February.
ATPI
Global travel management company ATPI is to move its headquarters from London to Manchester.
The company will take up residence in the 75-capacity, specially-refurbished office from March 21.
It is the first time in the company’s history a global head office has been outside the South East.
Chief executive Ian Sinderson said: "We’re thrilled to be starting a new chapter in Manchester, making considerable investments into the city with creation of our head office in North West England and various community engagement projects.
"Increasing our support for organisations dedicated to making a positive impact on society, particularly amongst young people, , such as the HideOut Youth Zone and Belle Vue Aces is part of our commitment to ensuring that the city we call home benefits from our presence in as many ways as possible."
Augusto Pizzeria
Turin-inspired pizza restaurant Augusto Pizzeria is to open on Northgate Street in Chester on April 14.
Owner, Fabrizio Gobbato said: "We are over the moon to finally announce the grand unveiling of Augusto Pizzeria and what better way than to show off our branding to the people of Chester.
"The whole team has been working very hard in the background to make Augusto a reality and we’re so pleased it’s all finally coming together.
"Thanks to our talented chefs, we have a fantastic menu that we can’t wait for people to come and try and the restaurant itself is now looking brilliant. April can’t come soon enough."
Estateguru Marketplace
Property investment and financing platform Estateguru Marketplace has announced its first office opening in Manchester. It plans to start facilitating loans once fully FCA approved.
Following final approval from the FCA, the technology firm will facilitate property-backed loans for SMEs and present investment opportunities for both retail and institutional investors looking to get a return on their capital through real estate and development projects.
Estateguru Group was founded in Tallinn, Estonia in 2013 and has funded over €500m in loans to 3,000 development projects and business plans across Europe since then.
Estateguru Marketplace will begin its operations in Manchester, funding property and development projects across the North West region before expanding its services across the country, with a London office in the pipeline.
Calibre Search
Recruitment company Calibre Search has moved across Manchester's Northern Quarter and into the newly-refurbished Nine Stephenson Square after revenues reached £5.5m.
The business has also confirmed it will introduce 10 further specialist recruiters by the end of the year to its 1,461 sq ft base.
The company - specialists in the built environment, HVAC, IT and marketing - is on course to register revenues of £6.6m in 2022, a £2m increase on its 2020 figure.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen
Flying Tiger Copenhagen has signed a five-year lease for a 2,493 sq ft unit in the lower mall of Manchester Arndale.
The store, which is due to open in the autumn, will be one of its 83 locations across the UK.
Colin Flinn, spokesperson for Manchester Arndale, said: "The arrival of Flying Tiger Copenhagen further adds to the diverse range of retailers we have at Manchester Arndale.
"From high-end fashion brands to discount retailers this broad tenant mix, complemented by a growing F&B and leisure offer, helps to attract millions of visitors from across the North West."
Cheers Big Ears
Pub Invest Group is to open a new venue called Cheers Big Ears in Liverpool's Bold Street in April.
It will be located in the former premises of the Crafty Chandler in the city centre.
A spokesman said: "We look forward to opening on Bold Street, which is without doubt, one of the most eclectic and vibrant streets in Liverpool city centre.
"It has been a rollercoaster two years with the pandemic for everyone, but especially so for the hospitality industry.
"So it feels great to be opening a site this Spring with what we all hope can be a fantastic 2022 for the city with big events such as the Grand National Races much missed over the last few years."
JD Sports
A new JD Sports store has opened at Handforth Dean, creating 30 jobs.
The 4,950 sq ft space is located alongside Tesco and Marks and Spencer at the retail park.
A spokesperson for JD said: "We’re delighted to be opening a new store in Handforth.
"There is a massive opportunity here for a new clothing retailer and we’re looking forward to serving the community.
"Expect exceptional customer service, clean, tidy, friendly staffing environment, and an organised team that is focused primarily on making the store a success."
