Olswang acts on £350m Thornfield redevelopment

Olswang has acted for development company, Thornfield Properties plc ("Thornfield") on the completion of its main building contract with Laing O'Rourke for the £350 million redevelopment of Bury Town Centre in Greater Manchester.

The Bury Town Centre development project, which will be branded "The Rock", will see 1.6 million sq ft of land transformed into retail, leisure, restaurants, residential accommodation and a new medical centre. The retail will be anchored by two large department stores for Debenhams and Marks & Spencer, and the new leisure quarter will include a 10-screen Vue cinema, a 25-lane AMF 10 pin bowling unit, and eight family themed restaurants. New apartments will also be included in the scheme, as well as a 1,250 space multi-storey car park.

The project, which is due to complete in 2010, is the second major scheme on which Olswang has advised Thornfield Properties in the last 12 months. In June 2007, the Firm was appointed to manage the construction aspects of its entire £2 billion development portfolio.

Olswang Partner and Head of Construction, Richard Wilson, said, "Thornfield has rapidly established a reputation for providing high-quality, mixed-use regeneration schemes and The Rock promises to be another successful initiative. Working with our client on this locally important project is the perfect addition to our portfolio. Our experience in advising on mixed-use schemes, coupled with our widespread ability in acting for clients looking to invest in the industry, enabled us to complete this transaction in line with Thornfield's key business objectives."

The Firm's Construction practice forms part of the wider Real Estate Group, which advises on acquisitions and disposals of commercial property for development, occupation and investments.

Richard Wilson and Construction Associate Luke Baines led the Olswang team with assistance from Associate Jonathan Aquilina.