LIVERPOOL commercial agency Mason Owen has secured a dozen properties across the North West as part of a shop acquisition programme for its client Greggs.

Mason Owen has been instructed to find more than 20 properties that will serve as outlets for Greggs’ Manchester bakery – which covers Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Lancashire, North Wales, Cheshire, Shropshire and the Potteries.Š

The instruction came after Greggs announced plans to acquire 90 shops nationwide in 2010 – with at least 15 new premises in the North West region alone.

So far Mason Owen, who have been Greggs’ property consultants across the North West for 40 years, have acquired shops in Mold, Southport, Glossop, Llandudno, Manchester University, St Annes and Altrincham, with terms agreed on others in Kensington (Liverpool), Rhyl, Prestwich and Manchester.

Mason Owen’s retail team is also currently in negotiation on a further 10 properties – which will help Greggs reach its 2010 expansion plan successfully and on time.

Director Gary Turner said: “After working together with them (Greggs) now for more than 40 years we are delighted to continue to be involved in their success and future expansion.”

Mason Owen has also secured the sale of 2,730 sq ft of office space at Paramount Business Park in Huyton.

The sale of unit A2 was agreed last week with West Lancashire Freemasons charity and comprises a semi-detached, self-contained two-storey office unit set within landscaped gardens with 11 dedicated car parking spaces.

The building, which is located just seven miles from Liverpool city centre, was formerly the UK head office of Irish property developer Braidwater.

Andrew Owen, head of business space at Mason Owen, acted as agent for the property with joint agents Colliers CRE.

He said: “This is superb, high quality office space in an excellent location, and will be the perfect base for the West Lancashire Freemasonscharity.

“Paramount Business Park provides the ideal solution for companies and organisations looking to be close to the city centre but who do not want to face high city centre rents and car parking charges.

“Despite continued uncertainty within the marketplace, many companies are now realising that life goes on and are therefore taking a longer term approach to their business and property requirements.

“We have just one unit remaining now in the park.”