Fresh marketing push for Waterfront tenants

The company, which runs more than 20 shopping centres including the Trafford Centre and Lakeside at Thurrock, inherited the canalside site when it acquired Westfield's half share of Merry Hill for £407.7 million last spring.

It is already planning to spend £20m on Merry Hill over the next three years, enlarging stores, creating more restaurants and attracting more big-name retail chains.

But it is also aiming to revamp the Waterfront area.

The borough council has already launched the Dudley Business Investment Zone in a bid to fill up empty office space and create jobs at the Brierley Hill site, which comprises offices, retail and leisure premises and is soon to include 181 canalside apartments.

Now, Intu has hired Halls Commercial to act alongside existing property agents Vail Williams to stimulate interest in The Waterfront.

Intu's senior asset manager. Nick Round. said: "The Waterfront is a key part of our ownership and it is our responsibility to ensure that we maintain and enhance the vibrant working community built around the marina."

The development comprises around 750,000 sq ft of offices and the agents are offering space from as small as 600 sq ft up to 47,000 sq ft. There are around 2,000 car parking spaces on site as well as bars, restaurants, a hotel and leisure amenities.

The Copthorne Hotel, HM Revenue & Customs, the West Midlands Ambulance Service and about 40 businesses are located in the district, including JD Wetherspoon and Virgin Media.

Developer Seven Capital announced multi-million pound plans last summer to convert the seven-storey office block at Point North into The Landmark, comprising 181 luxury waterside apartments, set for completion by August.

Intu has also asked the joint agents to promote various development sites surrounding the centre.

Nick Round added: "Halls has great penetration in the Black Country market which convinced us to make this important appointment and we are excited about the prospects for the site as we move into 2015."

Halls partner Colin Jarvie said: "The new residential development along with a recently launched Dudley Business Investment Zone with a two-year break in rates for new businesses looks set to pump up interest in The Waterfront.

"Dudley Council hopes the new investment zone will bring 1,600 jobs to the region, fill up empty business space and encourage existing businesses to expand, who will also attract a business rates discount."

The Waterfront was built by Black Country developers the Richardsons, who also created the Merry Hill Shopping Centre.