Busy first year for Birmingham retail agents

Birmingham-based retail agents, Ed Purcell and Scott Robertson, are celebrating the end of their first twelve months of trading as niche property consultancy, Creative Retail.

Since establishing the business in November 2017, the retail and leisure specialists have quickly accumulated an elite landlord portfolio, advising on over 1 million sq. ft. and concluding over 100 property transactions in their first year of operating alone.

Ed and Scott – formerly of Cushman & Wakefield and Wright Silverwood respectively – have combined their considerable industry experience to breathe life back into some of Birmingham’s most iconic and recognised spaces. During their careers, the respected duo has been instrumental in bringing a number of well-known brand names in the food and leisure industry to the city centre, including Purecraft Bar & Kitchen, Damascena, Wildwood and Dirty Martini.

This year saw Creative Retail advise Tattu – an exclusive restaurant operator – leading to the signing of a new lease for The Grand Hotel; a renowned, historic building owned by Hortons’ Estates. The underground restaurant and cocktail bar is set to open early next year.

The team recently acted on behalf of DTZ Investors to secure an exciting new independent occupier for 1 Victoria Square, which formerly housed Chameleon bar. Kongs provides an entirely different leisure proposition for Birmingham residents as a late night 1980s arcade gaming club, bar and nightclub all in one.

Continuing to inject life into Birmingham’s leisure scene, Creative Retail has successfully advised Aviva Investors on a 17,000 sq. ft. letting to Mr Mulligan’s at Broadway Plaza, with the scheme having subsequently been sold to Legal & General. The new 36-hole indoor crazy golf course should open its doors in the early part of 2019. 

In addition to the aforementioned success in Birmingham’s leisure market, Creative Retail are also continuing to strengthen their high street, shopping centre and retail park instructions having recently secured new appointments from Real Estate Investors Plc on The Market Shopping Centre in Crewe and Jasper Retail Park in Tunstall.

In addition to the traditional retail and leisure market, the firm also has significant exposure to the out-of-town retail market, advising Seven Capital on their Midlands retail portfolio.

Scott Robertson said: “We’ve had an incredibly busy and exciting twelve months and have amassed a strong portfolio of instructions in a relatively short period of time and in what is an incredibly volatile market. We’re are eager to keep the momentum going into 2019 and build on the success we’ve experienced to date.”

“The retail sector is becoming increasingly uncertain and never has our role as retail property specialists been so imperative. The landscape seems to change on an almost weekly basis and we want to help our clients to prosper in this region, using our day-to-day exposure and industry experience to offer comprehensive advice and a complete understanding of the retail and leisure market place.”

Ed Purcell said: “It’s an exciting time for property and development in the West Midlands, and we are delighted to offer a modern, proactive and fresh approach for our clients, whilst providing high-quality advice and a first-class service. In a fast-developing region, we hope to be the face of retail property in Birmingham, as more and more shopping and leisure businesses look to establish a presence in the region.”

Birmingham-based property consultants, Creative Retail, provide specialist advice in the retail and leisure industries across lettings, acquisitions, development, investment, freehold sales and commercial property asset management.