Latest news with #MCRPropertyGroup
BBC News
5 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Poole Civic Centre to be sold for £5.25m to developers
A former civic centre will be sold for £5.25m to developers. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (BCP) Council has approved the sale of the vacant former Borough of Poole site, which the authority said was costing £228,000 a year to maintain. The Grade II listed building was constructed in 1932 but has been empty since 2022 after BCP Council's formation three years Council's deputy leader Mike Cox said the authority felt there were "no alternatives" but to sell the site, which will be taken over by Manchester-based MCR Property Group. It had been marketed for offers between February and May and the council said it would now be used for MP Neil Duncan-Jordan said he opposed the plan to sell the building in the said in October that it could be used for the community, such as for a business development hub or social or key worker a statement, Cox said of the sale: "This marks a really significant step forward - not just for the site itself but for Poole and our residents more widely."We're committed to being ambitious for our three towns and this sale will unlock the redevelopment of a site that has been laying empty for years." You can follow BBC Dorset on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Owner wants to save what remains of fire-hit mill
The owner of a mill that was gutted in a major fire has said it wants to see what was left of the building saved. The Hotspur Press building in Manchester suffered massive damage when a blaze broke out last month, with only its outer walls remaining after the fire. Its owner, the MCR Property Group, said it wanted to "retain, reuse and repurpose" what remained" and "assess the building and understand what may be possible in the future". About 100 firefights tackled the fire at the Georgian-era building on Cambridge Street on 23 June. Experts have been unable to carry out a full forensic investigation into the cause of the fire because of site safety fears, and the building has been handed back to the owners. In a joint statement, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "There is no evidence to suggest anyone was in the building at the time of the fire." Tim Heatley, from development company Capital & Centric, said he tired to buy the Hotspur Press building ten years ago "wasn't able to pay the highest price for it". "I've been round that building, so I was gutted when it burned down. But hopefully it can be rebuilt and fingers crossed its not lost forever," he said. Steeped in history, The Hotspur Press building was built on the site of a previous mill that burned down in January 1801. For nearly 50 years, from 1933 to 1981, it was where the Percy Brothers' boys adventure magazine The Hotspur was printed, with more than 1,100 editions rolling of its presses. Several historic former cotton mills in Manchester have been preserved in recent years by converting them into luxury apartment blocks. Heatley said historic buildings presented "huge logistical challenges". He added: "It is a nightmare bringing these buildings back to life but they are worth it". Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council, said: "We want the owners of these buildings to work with the council to restore them in ways that work. "We want the Manchester of the future to be a beautiful blend of old and new". The Manchester tour guide Jonathan Schofield said: "I think Hotspur Press is a lesson, and the best thing we can do with our historic buildings is to occupy them". "We need to live in them, convert them and make them into something different," he added. In their joint statement, GMP and GMFRS said: "Due to the extensive damage sustained to the building in the fire, the site remains in an extremely dangerous condition. "It is our joint professional opinion that the building cannot be made safe enough to allow a thorough forensic investigation into the cause of the fire. "Furthermore, any potential forensic evidence is likely to have been destroyed in the blaze." Related stories Fire-hit mill was at centre of preservation battle Northern England's disused mills 'at risk'
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Hotspur Press owner wants to save what is left of fire-hit mill
The owner of a mill that was gutted in a major fire has said it wants to see what was left of the building saved. The Hotspur Press building in Manchester suffered massive damage when a blaze broke out last month, with only its outer walls remaining after the owner, the MCR Property Group, said it wanted to "retain, reuse and repurpose" what remained" and "assess the building and understand what may be possible in the future". About 100 firefights tackled the fire at the Georgian-era building on Cambridge Street on 23 June. Experts have been unable to carry out a full forensic investigation into the cause of the fire because of site safety fears, and the building has been handed back to the a joint statement, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) said: "There is no evidence to suggest anyone was in the building at the time of the fire."Tim Heatley, from development company Capital & Centric, said he tired to buy the Hotspur Press building ten years ago "wasn't able to pay the highest price for it"."I've been round that building, so I was gutted when it burned down. But hopefully it can be rebuilt and fingers crossed its not lost forever," he said. Steeped in history, The Hotspur Press building was built on the site of a previous mill that burned down in January nearly 50 years, from 1933 to 1981, it was where the Percy Brothers' boys adventure magazine The Hotspur was printed, with more than 1,100 editions rolling of its presses. Several historic former cotton mills in Manchester have been preserved in recent years by converting them into luxury apartment blocks. Heatley said historic buildings presented "huge logistical challenges".He added: "It is a nightmare bringing these buildings back to life but they are worth it".Bev Craig, the leader of Manchester City Council, said: "We want the owners of these buildings to work with the council to restore them in ways that work."We want the Manchester of the future to be a beautiful blend of old and new". The Manchester tour guide Jonathan Schofield said: "I think Hotspur Press is a lesson, and the best thing we can do with our historic buildings is to occupy them"."We need to live in them, convert them and make them into something different," he their joint statement, GMP and GMFRS said: "Due to the extensive damage sustained to the building in the fire, the site remains in an extremely dangerous condition. "It is our joint professional opinion that the building cannot be made safe enough to allow a thorough forensic investigation into the cause of the fire. "Furthermore, any potential forensic evidence is likely to have been destroyed in the blaze."
ITV News
12-07-2025
- General
- ITV News
Sections of Manchester's Hotspur Press building due to be demolished this weekend
Sections of Manchester's iconic Hotspur Press building are due to be demolished this weekend. The historic mill, believed to be among the oldest in Manchester city centre, was severely damaged when a huge blaze tore through the building on 23rd than 100 people were evacuated from buildings nearby, with smoke being visible for miles. Following the fire, an order for emergency demolition work was put in place. The Demolition is set to start on Saturday night into Sunday morning, to minimise disruption to the train line running past it. Machines were in place as workers prepared to get started on Friday. A spokesperson for MCR Property Group, which own the building, was present at the site. They said parts of the building have been safely removed as part of planned work. 'We've been instructed to carry out controlled work to make the site safe, that's our priority right now. Local shops have been informed, and police are on standby to make sure the area stays secure.' Meanwhile, the fire has reignited debate over why the building was never listed. Three heritage groups, including SAVE Britain's Heritage, have now submitted a Freedom of Information request, demanding answers after the culture secretary, Lisa Nandy, rejected Historic England's recommendation to protect the site.
