Soldiers helped by law firm to get new HQ

By Ben Schofield on Sep 2, 08 01:48 PM

MERSEYSIDE'S Territorial Army and law firm Mace & Jones are celebrating the fruits of a unique deal to build the military outfit new head quarters.

The reserves and a troop of cadets are moving into their new £5m building after it was completed in August.

The two-storey TA Centre and Joint Cadet Building on Netherton Way, Bootle, was constructed thanks to a developers agreement hammered out with supermarket chain Asda.

Janice Weatherly outside the new TC centre on Netherton Way.jpg

In a deal brokered by Mace & Jones real estate partner Janice Weatherly, the supermarket agreed to support the building of the new HQ in return for taking over the site of the TA's former premises on Strand Road.

That site will now house Asda's flagship eco-store, which will be only the second of its kind in the country.

The new TA Centre is also the first purpose-built facility of it kind in the UK.

Weatherly represented the North West of England and Isle of Man Reserve Forces and Cadets Association (NW RFCA) during the negotiations with the retailer.

Their chief executive, Colonel Gerry Wells-Cole, believes the centre will make a significant impact on the development of careers for young people in the local community.

He told LDP Legal: "We believe the facilities can only inspire young people to fulfil rewarding careers whether that is in the forces or elsewhere in the working world.

"The new Centre is part of the 156 (North West) Transport Regiment Royal Logistic Corps (Volunteers) and its job is to help provide them with operational capability.

"The centre also acts as both a first class base for two national youth organisations, but also a venue that can provide challenging, adventurous community activities."

Weatherly added: "The NW RFCA is a valued client of the firm and it is extremely pleased with its new premises.

"All parties pulled together to bring about an exceptional facility for the TA and cadets."

The centre will be used by the Army Cadet Force and Air Training Corps and incorporates all anti-terrorism and Government building requirements. It will be officially opened in February 2009.

An Asda spokesperson said: "We had a positive working relationship with Mace & Jones throughout the development of our scheme. We are now looking forward to opening our new eco-store in Bootle."

The Asda store, which is due to open on October 27, will create more than 300 jobs and will be 40% more energy efficient and produce 50% fewer CO2 emissions than an Asda store built in 2005.

It will have its own biomass boiler, under-floor heating and will maximise natural lighting using innovations such as Sun Pipes.