Terry’s Original Clock Man Returns

by | Mar 24, 2023 | Blog, News & Events, Past Developments, Updates

24

March, 2023

TERRY’S ORIGINAL CLOCK MAN RETURNS

Back inside the tower itself and up behind the clock faces

When the hands of the magnificent Terry’s Clock Tower in York started turning again there was one very special person in the watching crowd.

Peter Mortimer, now almost 90 years old, was responsible for maintaining the original Terry’s Clock Tower mechanism during his time working for the famous company.

He was heartbroken when the clock stopped working when the factory closed in 2005.

But 18 years on he was there to see a new mechanism installed and given a VIP trip back up inside the tower to see it working once again.

He said: “It was very special to go back inside the tower itself and up behind the clock faces. The mechanism is a wonderful feat of engineering and it was lovely to see it. It is a tribute to the teams that they managed to source identical parts to make it work again. It brought back happy memories.

“The mechanism takes care of itself and only really needs checking twice a year when the clocks changed. Hopefully this one will tick away for another 100 years.”

We were proud to learn that Peter maintained his connection with the Terry’s site even when the site closed, buying an apartment in The Residence, the main factory building which, like the Clock Tower itself, has been converted into apartments.

He said: “I enjoy living here and I have been looking forward to this day for a long time and I am so pleased that I got to witness it.”

Also on site to see the clock switched back on were Robert and Marion Archibald who will soon be moving into an apartment in the Clock Tower.

They travelled from Chester for the day to witness the historic moment and Marion said: “It was a great occasion. Terry’s Clock Tower is a heritage landmark for York and we are so pleased the clock is working again.

“We feel very proud that, through the management committee, we will be the new custodians of such an important building.”

The £60,000 restoration project was funded jointly by the PJ Livesey Group and Henry Boot Developments.

The clock tower will be opened as a small museum on a limited number of days each year to allow members of the public to see the clock mechanism and read information boards telling the story of Terry’s of York, which have been compiled by local resident Stan Young.

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Chorlton Shopping Centre Regeneration

by | Mar 24, 2023 | Blog, Community, New Properties, News & Events, Planning Consultation, Planning Information, Recently Acquired, Updates

28

March, 2023

CHORLTON SHOPPING CENTRE REGENERATION

We’ve been selected to design a new future for the Chorlton Shopping Centre

We are delighted to have been selected by the Greater Manchester Pension Fund as development partner to design and deliver a new future for the Chorlton Shopping Centre site in South Manchester.

The 3.2 acre site, bounded by Barlow Moor Road, Wilbraham Road and Nicolas Road, comprises of the shopping precinct, together with Graeme House and an adjoining 200 space surface car park.

The brief is to create a thriving and sustainable neighbourhood that captures the spirit of Chorlton, with a mix of new housing and shops together with new public spaces and cycle routes.

PJ Livesey development director, James Woodmansee, said: “This is a huge opportunity but also a huge challenge to get right and it has to meet the needs of the Chorlton community.

“We want it to be the centrepiece of the neighbourhood, a place where people come to shop, to meet and to live, with a range of high quality housing available to meet all needs.

“This new partnership marks the start of new life for the precinct site, and it also marks the start of extensive consultation about what that new life should be and we want local people to help us shape that.”

Formal public consultation will begin later in the year and existing retailers will continue to trade as normal during this process.

Gareth Conroy of Avison Young, property managers to The Greater Manchester Pension Fund, added “GMPF look forward to working in partnership with PJ Livesey to deliver an exceptional development in this key location. Sustainability will be a focus of the project and we look

forward to evolving the existing development framework to create something special which has a positive impact on Chorlton.

“The project is further evidence of GMPF’s continued investment within Greater Manchester, helping to stimulate the local economy whilst at the same time delivering much needed new homes.”

If you want to have your say or register your interest please go to the One Chorlton Website and fill in the questionaire.

Have your say here

Visit the One Chorlton website here

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Terry’s Clock Tower Keeping Time Once More

by | Mar 16, 2023 | Blog, Current Developments, News & Events, Past Developments, Portfolio, Uncategorised, Updates

16

March, 2023

TERRY’S CLOCK TOWER TICKS AGAIN

After 18 years, Terry’s Clock Tower clock is keeping time once more for the city of York

Thanks to the skills of specialist horologists and some deft detective work the rare mechanism needed to get the distinctive hands moving again has been reconstructed, and, at 12 noon on Wednesday March 15th, the famous clock started working again.

Managing director Georgina Livesey, said: “It was a momentous day and we are very grateful to the team at Smith of Derby for providing the skills to make it happen. The Terry’s clock was once known as the ‘kitchen clock of York’ and part of the City’s heritage and we are very proud to have played our part in seeing it restored.

“Terry’s is synonymous with York and the buildings are now saved and repurposed for generations to come.”

Smith of Derby were commissioned to restore the clock faces and track down original parts to recreate the mechanism in a project that has cost more than £60,000, funded jointly by P J Livesey and Henry Boot Developments who acquired the entire site when the factory closed.

Sales and complex projects manager for Smith of Derby, Martin Butchers, said: “It is hugely satisfying for everyone who has worked on the Terry’s project over the years to complete the job and see this magnificent rare clock keeping time for York once more. I hope Noel Terry would be pleased.”

The restored the original four clock faces etched with the words Terry York which were replaced in a massive operation in 2019.

The space will now become a Terry’s Clock Tower Museum, open on a limited number of days each year with visitors able to see the intricate clock workings and also to learn more about the story of Terry’s of York on boards compiled by local York resident Stan Young.

We will post updates on the Museum opening dates when announced.

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Why Harry feels right at home in Standish

by | Feb 17, 2023 | Blog, Case Study, Current Developments, News & Events, Sales Information, Uncategorised

17

February, 2023

WHY HARRY FEELS AT HOME IN STANDISH

“It’s the perfect property for me, in the perfect spot”

Harry Parker had fallen in love with the Standish Estate way before PJ Livesey started the redevelopment of the 30-acre site.

He explained: “My mum was involved with marketing the site when it closed as a hospital and on many occasions when she had to visit for site meetings I would go with her.

“I was always energised by the atmosphere of the place. The huge trees, the wildlife and the greenness of the site. So, when PJ Livesey began work to convert the heritage buildings and to build the new houses I was obviously interested.”

Harry worked locally for Ecotricity before going into business with his father and he is now head of European sales for a software company.

He said: “I work 100% remotely so that was a factor when looking to buy a property. I had looked at others but really my heart was at Standish and when the properties in Phase2 were released I was thankfully in a position to buy.”

He chose a three-bedroom mews property with a terraced garden and private parking and moved in just before Christmas 2022.

He said: “I feel very fortunate in that I was able to live with my mum for a while and save hard for a deposit.

“The house is perfect for me. It is open plan downstairs with bi-fold doors onto the garden so is very light and bright and I use the large second bedroom as an office. I’ve already noticed how efficient the heating is and how warm it stays which is important when I am home all day.

“Where I used to live was very community focussed and I feel it is already like that at Green Walk. Because of the setting people just go for walks around the development and look at the trees and the wildlife and stop and say hello.

“And if I want to explore further I can walk 100 yards and I am out onto open fields and woodland walks.

“It’s the perfect property for me in the perfect spot and it’s amazing to think I have had a connection with the site for many years and now here I am. It was obviously meant to be!”

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Heritage Homes in a Perfect Cotswold Setting

by | Feb 3, 2023 | Blog, Current Developments, New Properties, Sales Information, Standish Hospital, Uncategorised

03

February, 2023

HERITAGE HOMES IN A HISTORIC SETTING

The Retreat at Green Walk offers the perfect lifestyle setting

With uninterrupted views over the Severn Estuary and country walks from the back door The Retreat at Green Walk offers the perfect lifestyle setting.

This handsome Grade 2 listed red brick building, designed in Art Deco style with intricate brick detailing and large windows, is being converted to create 13, two and three bedroom homes with original balconies to the first floor to sit and enjoy the view.

There will also be one unique four-bedroom property and all properties at The Retreat have private gardens and parking.

The first phase within The Retreat is being released for sale at a Preview Event on February 11th and 12th with priority given to buyers who have registered their interest and made an appointment to be the first to view.

Group Sales Manager Gavin Pearce said: “We know buyers love the character of our heritage properties and The Retreat will be really special because of its location towards the back of this mature 32 acre site.

“We already have a lot of interest and while a show property will not be available to view until March, we are offering hard hat tours across the site for people who have made an appointment for the Preview Weekend.

We want to make sure they have the time to fully appreciate the lifestyle on offer at Green Walk and the wonderful setting of The Retreat which not only has long distance views but direct access behind to country walks.

“The range of buildings at Green Walk make it unique and even in the midst of winter the development looks fantastic and it is always a pleasure to welcome new visitors to come and see what we are creating.”

Development of Green Walk has reached the mid-way stage with half of the total 140 homes now sold, ranging from two-bedroom starter homes to large detached six bedroom houses and character apartments.

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York Plans Endorsed by Historic England

by | Jan 27, 2023 | Blog, Current Developments, News & Events, Planning Consultation, Planning Granted, Planning Information, Uncategorised, Updates

27

January, 2023

YORK PLANS ENDORSED By Historic England

We are very pleased to have their public support for our plans for the Retreat

Historic England – the public body tasked with protecting the country’s built heritage – has voiced its support for our plans to transform The Retreat buildings at Heslington Road, in York.

We have worked closely with them since being named preferred developer for the 30-acre site and the detailed plans to convert the buildings to residential are now being considered by York City Council.

PJ Livesey Managing Director, Georgina Lynch, said: “Restoring and converting historic listed buildings is in our DNA and we always work closely with Historic England and value their officer’s input. We are very pleased to have their public support for our plans for the Retreat which we believe provide a sympathetic and sensitive new life for these wonderful buildings and the grounds.”

The Retreat was founded in the 18th century by the Quakers to provide pioneering mental health treatment based around care, purpose and outdoor recreation.

In-house services were ended in 2018 with new mental health provision by The Retreat offered from alternative locations.

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