THIRTY-THREE deals – including Warrington Borough Council's £205 million acquisition of Birchwood Park – formed part of a record year for property investment in the town.

The figures for 2017 were revealed at Warrington's 20th Annual Property Review, hosted by Warrington & Co, at the Village Hotel today, Friday.

Statistics and reports have been independently commissioned, compiled and collated by commercial property agents The BE Group for the last 20 years.

Thirty-three investment deals recorded in 2017 amounted to 225,167sq m changing hands, with a record total investment value of £278.9 million, due in large part to the council's purchase of Birchwood Park for £205 million.

The year's largest office deal saw Cavendish Nuclear take the whole of 106 Dalton Avenue at Birchwood Park, totalling 4,379sq m, while thirty-one office deals above 200sq m were completed in 2017, comprising 15,610sq m.

And Birchwood, once again, accounted for the year’s prime office rent, with three deals at Bridgewater Place achieving £215.30/sq m.

In total, four leasehold deals achieved in excess of £200/sq m.

The largest freehold figure was achieved at Sedgefield House, Trident Business Park, in a deal worth £1,453.28/sq m.

Fifty-four industrial deals above 200sq m were reported in 2017, comprising 51,151sq m, and the year’s largest industrial transaction saw the acquisition of Penketh Business Park from Langtree for just over £2 million.

Council chief executive Steven Broomhead, chairman of Warrington & Co, Warrington’s partnership for growth, said: "It is remarkable that the Annual Warrington Property Review has now reached its twentieth year.

"It's an invaluable and independent analysis of Warrington’s economy."

Steve Park, managing director of Warrington & Co, said 'it is telling that in 2017 Warrington's position has continued to strengthen with investment deals rising to an all-time high'.

He added: "Indeed, Warrington's continued appeal across 20 years has been evident in all market sectors.

"From small serviced offices to nationally significant logistics warehouses at Omega, Warrington continues to service all levels of business with office and industrial take-up exceeding 2.3 million sq m since 1998."

Council leader Cllr Terry O'Neill also welcomed the latest figures.

He said: "The Warrington economy is in a strong and enviable position which is reflected by our strong property market.

"Our robust and ambitious framework for growth, Warrington Means Business, is set in place to lead, maintain that position and help grow the economy.

"Despite economic uncertainty Warrington is bristling with optimism.

"We stand out as one of the most economically successful cities in the UK and a key engine in the Northern Powerhouse agenda.

"Through our implementation of the Warrington Means Business framework we aim to keep it there."