FORMBY — In a move that’s been widely welcomed, the Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, now part of the Harland & Poston Group, have donated more than 75 pieces of commercial gym equipment during this Summer to 3 nearby schools: Range High, Scarisbrick Hall and Formby High School. The handover happened on July 24, the beginning of the summer term.This donation is part of the renovation that the resort will undergo, managed by HP Invest, starting with the gym. It is important to highlight that this is not outdated gym material gathering dust in a backroom. These are good quality machines, Technogym treadmills, Matrix strength trainers, Olympic-standard weights, all still in perfect condition.  What says the CEO of the Harland & Poston GroupDavid Poston, CEO of the Harland & Poston Group, said the donation is about “supporting young people in our community with practical tools for health and wellbeing.” “As we invest in the future of Formby Hall, we want to ensure our progress benefits the people around us,” he added. Each school is set to receive a tailored bundle, chosen to match their physical education needs. Think: treadmills, rowing machines, cable stations, and more. The equipment will be put to use across PE lessons, fitness programmes and extracurricular sports, helping to embed physical activity into everyday school life — at a time when budgets are tight, and demand is high. The 3 schools all play a vital role in the educational and social fabric of Sefton and West Lancashire. Range High, a short jog from Formby Hall, has served the community since the 1970s. It’s known for its focus on both academic and personal development — and now, it seems, for building stronger muscles too.  Statements from the SchoolsMr Owens, from the PE department at Range High School, was full of praise. “The generous donation from the new owners of Formby Hall Golf Club will significantly enhance students' physical education experience,” he said. “It promotes fitness, wellbeing, and healthy lifestyles — and provides greater access to quality resources, encouraging participation, improving performance, and inspiring lifelong habits that support both physical and mental health.” Scarisbrick Hall School brings a blend of heritage and forward-thinking education, set in one of the area’s most iconic buildings. Meanwhile, Formby High, going strong since 1938, continues to be a lynchpin for inclusive education and community spirit. Mrs Melia, the Curriculum Leader for Physical Education at Formby High School, also expressed her gratitude. "On behalf of the students and staff at Formby High School, I would like to thank Formby Hall Golf Club for their very kind and generous donation of free fitness suite equipment for our students to use. The students really enjoy using the fitness suite, and this donation will benefit them in lesson time as they now have access to more equipment, but it will also benefit those students who use the fitness suite after school. Staff also use the facility, so it will contribute to staff health and well-being too.” The generous gesture from Formby Hall is the start of a long-standing relationship with the area. Over the years, the resort has been more than a leisure destination; it’s hosted fundraisers, local events, and now, it seems, a new generation of fitness enthusiasts. The gym and wellness refurbishment itself is due to start later this year, with Schulte Hospitality Group overseeing the works. It forms part of a broader revamp following the Harland & Poston Group’s acquisition of the resort in early 2025. For now, the only heavy lifting going on is the delivery of dumbbells and rowing machines. But it’s the kind of weight everyone’s happy to carry.

Glasgow City Council has given the green light to the Cook Street Urban Garden development in Tradeston, a landmark scheme led by HP Invest. Spanning six buildings and delivering around 750,000 sq ft of mixed-use space, the project secured planning permission in principle on 21 August 2025 (Ref. 24/02516/PPP). The approval marks a decisive step in Glasgow’s wider regeneration agenda.A Strategic Regeneration Site with Citywide ImpactSituated on a prime 4.7-acre site within the city’s designated regeneration district, the scheme is designed with flexibility in mind. It will accommodate a blend of residential, purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) of up to 60%, build-to-rent apartments, co-living units, retail, food and beverage, leisure, and professional services. A central park lies at the heart of the plan, intended to restore balance to the area while offering residents valuable green space. With a fully electric infrastructure, the development will also contribute to Glasgow’s net-zero goals, cementing its place in the broader Cook Street Urban Garden vision.Flexible Masterplan Anchored by Mixed-Use VisionConceived as a student-led urban campus, the masterplan includes EV charging stations, cycling hubs, landscaped public realm, and ground-floor retail. The approved framework encompasses 848 PBSA units, 252 build-to-rent apartments (around 378 beds), and up to 40,000 sq ft of commercial and F&B space.Its location, close to the River Clyde and within walking distance of both West Street and Bridge Street subway stations, enhances accessibility. Combined with new retail, leisure, and landscaped areas, the development is set to create not only much-needed housing but also a lively, connected community hub.Leadership Perspective: A Milestone for HP InvestDavid Poston, CEO of HP Invest, said:“We’re thrilled with Glasgow City Council’s approval—this marks a defining moment for the Cook Street project and a major milestone in the regeneration of Tradeston. Our vision is to reimagine what urban living can be: delivering exceptional purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), a variety of high-quality residential options, and vibrant green spaces designed for community connection. This development is about building more than just homes—it’s about shaping a neighbourhood that blends affordability with ambition and adds a bold new chapter to Glasgow’s urban story.”As one of the most significant mixed-use consents granted in Glasgow in recent years, the Cook Street development breathes new life into underused brownfield land. By integrating sustainable design, dynamic leisure amenities, and long-term placemaking principles, the project reflects HP Invest’s commitment to creating enduring value for both the local community and the wider city. It represents a powerful step forward in the mission to deliver meaningful, people-focused regeneration.About HP InvestHP Invest is part of the Harland & Poston Group, a Portugal-based investment company committed to shaping resilient, future-focused communities. With a portfolio extending from Portugal to the UK, the Group’s projects span residential, hospitality, student accommodation, and commercial developments.Through a combination of local insight, sustainable construction, and innovative design, the Group seeks to enrich every environment it engages with. Its guiding philosophy is not only to identify opportunities but also to deliver them with foresight, responsibility, and impact.

In the shifting sands of global mobility, investors are constantly seeking new pathways — ways to tie up capital in meaningful ventures while anchoring their lives within stable jurisdictions. Occasionally, the intersection of these priorities produces something unexpected.Such is the case with Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa, a quintessentially British property with long heritage, which has quietly become a conduit for European residency — not through the UK, but via Portugal.It’s an unusual route. And that’s precisely what makes it worth exploring. Formby Hall: A Tangible Asset, a Strategic Entry PointSituated just outside Liverpool and surrounded by rolling acres of greenery, Formby Hall is an icon of British hospitality. It’s a venue that has long hosted professional athletes, public figures and well-heeled guests in search of quiet luxury. With an 18-hole championship golf course, a full-service spa, and facilities primed for private events, it has held its place in the leisure market with understated distinction.Recently acquired by the Harland & Poston Group — a cross-border investment firm headquartered in Lisbon — the property is now undergoing redevelopment. Plans are in motion to refurbish guest rooms, revamp the spa and dining experience, and squarely position Formby Hall in the upper echelons of the domestic and international hospitality market.But beyond the commercial upgrade lies something else: an invitation to participate — not merely as a guest, but as an investor.Investment Meets Migration: The Portugal AngleAt the centre of this opportunity lies HP Invest, the Group’s Portuguese-based investment vehicle and Investment Visa, the brand dedicated to residency programmes. Through it, qualified investors may participate in a European business venture linked to high-quality assets — including the renowned Formby Hall.This structure meets Portugal’s D2 Entrepreneur Visa requirements, aimed at entrepreneurs with genuine business interests in the country. While activities may expand abroad, the visa is granted on the understanding that core corporate operations remain in Portugal.In this light, investing through HP Invest offers more than just a financial foothold in a premium hospitality development — it opens the door to residency within the European Union, under a framework that values enterprise, innovation, and long-term vision.How the Portuguese D2 Visa WorksApplicants to the D2 Visa programme are expected to show:Ownership in a Portuguese businessA viable business plan or record of activitySufficient financial means to support themselves in-countryAccommodation in PortugalBasic administrative requirements (NIF, bank account, etc.)Upon successful application at a Portuguese consulate, the applicant receives a four-month entry visa, during which time they must formalise their residency with AIMA (Portugal’s immigration authority). This leads to a 2-year residence permit, renewable and extendable towards permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years.Importantly, the business’s physical operations may span borders — as they do in the case of HP Invest.Why This Structure Appeals to Global InvestorsIn an age where more conventional migration pathways have narrowed, this model offers rare alignment between investor intentions and regulatory frameworks.On the one hand, it provides a tangible asset-backed investment — not a paper company, nor a synthetic fund. On the other, it unlocks residency in Portugal, a country that continues to attract international residents for its political stability, mild taxation, and quality of life.This is not a case of compliance for compliance’s sake. It’s a thoughtful structure: European legal footing, British real estate foundation, and international investor access.The Role of the Harland & Poston GroupAny structure of this kind is only as strong as the entity behind it. The Harland & Poston Group began as a modest consultancy in Portugal in 2017 and has since evolved into a €500 million multinational operator, spanning real estate, visa consultancy, hospitality development and investment advisory.Led by co-founders David Poston and Gary Harland, the Group now runs operations through a network of offices in Lisbon, Manchester, Dubai, Athens, and Hong Kong — with over 70 professionals representing 17 nationalities.Its portfolio is as diverse as it is dynamic. In Portugal, it includes Fonte Santa Resort and Portimão Hotel in the Algarve, central Lisbon’s Matria Co-working hub, and a series of premium refurbishments. In the UK, alongside Formby Hall, the Group is behind the expansive Cook Street Urban Gardens in Glasgow — a 1,200-unit and 50.000 sqm regeneration project.The Harland & Poston Group is a seasoned player with the track record and infrastructure to handle cross-jurisdictional projects of substance.Harland and Poston Group’s CEO David Poston (left) and CFO Gary Harland (right)What Investors Can ExpectInvestors in Formby Hall — via HP Invest — gain not just residency exposure, but a seat at the table of a significant hospitality redevelopment.The financial model is built around:Revenue shares from the operational uplift of Formby Hall post-refurbishmentAsset-backed security tied to a historically valued propertyD2 Visa eligibility through Portuguese corporate ownershipMinimum investment thresholds apply, and applicants are subject to standard due diligence. But there’s no need to purchase residential property, no reliance on lease-back schemes, and no commitment to physical relocation — unless, of course, one wishes to reside in Portugal.A Quiet Evolution in Investment MigrationThis hybrid model — capital invested in a UK property; residency gained through Portugal — signals a deeper trend in the investor mobility space.We’re seeing the blending of commercial logic with migration policy, where investors no longer accept suboptimal projects simply for the sake of immigration status. The expectation is shifting high-quality assets, strong management, regulatory clarity — and meaningful personal or professional benefit.In the wake of Portugal’s curtailed Golden Visa routes and the UK’s increasingly inhospitable stance on investor migration, this model provides balance. It leverages the operational reliability of British real estate with the legal openness of the Portuguese residency framework.Looking AheadFurther UK acquisitions by the Harland & Poston Group are in the pipeline, with a vision to replicating this cross-border model. In doing so, they’re building a platform that does more than shelter capital — it activates it.CEO David Poston summarised the strategy succinctly:“This approach allows us to reshape how high-value assets are opened to investors. We’re creating access, not just returns. And in doing so, we’re linking lifestyle, mobility and growth in one coherent structure.”For investors navigating today’s complex landscape, that coherence may be the most valuable commodity of all.