FISHER HARGREAVES PROCTOR SELLS TO GRACE CHURCH –5-Mar-2010
FHP are delighted to announce the acquisition of 1 Castle Boulevard in Nottingham City Centre on behalf of a confidential client to Grace Church. The 1930s three-storey building, totalling 13,500ft², was previously used as the employment exchange and has stood vacant for some time, but holds a very prominent position on the corner of Castle Boulevard and Wilford Road. Since the acquisition, the building has been renamed The Ministry, a title which links the historic use by The Ministry of Labour with Grace Church’s vision to minister to the City.
Grace Church was started by Nick and Penny Sharp in autumn 2002. Having begun with just a handful meeting in their home, over the years the church has grown to hundreds gathering Sunday by Sunday in hired facilities at Notts County Football Club. However, last year it became clear that the church required a more stable base.
Nick Sharp, the Elder at Grace Church, explained:
“We had a brief of a City Centre building easily accessible by our congregation, which would also enable us to expand our community services and allow us to undertake work with children and youth groups. From the moment we inspected 1 Castle Boulevard we knew it was the perfect location for us and that our prayers had been answered. We still had a number of challenges ahead, namely a change of use application and a fortnight to raise funds for the sealed bid tender process.”
We have continued to grow as a church since we established Grace Church and we anticipate that with the additional services we can now offer this growth will continue.”
James Hartley of Fisher Hargreaves Proctor who acted for the Vendor commented:
“Given the property’s prominent location and open plan ground floor space we received a great deal of interest in the property from a number of different end users varying from long term developers through to healthcare providers and a number of churches.”
“This strong interest allowed us to set a best bids deadline that resulted in a number of competitive offers. I am delighted that we have been able to complete this deal with Grace Church both providing a good return on the building for our clients and having a part in Grace Church’s relocation has been satisfying. Via Ann Segaram I have been aware of their interest in finding new premises for some time and I would like to wish them all the best with their move to 1 Castle Boulevard and in the future.”
Ann Segaram, Associate at Innes England who negotiated the purchase, said:
“I am delighted the deal has completed and that Grace Church has a permanent home from where they can grow and continue to undertake their good work. Having spent time with them really understanding their brief and requirements, it was just a matter of time and perseverance to find them the perfect property.
“Although I advised on the overall property strategy, this was very much a team effort to achieve our goal. Various members of the congregation contributed with their time and individual skills to ensure we were successful in the procurement of this property. Martin Cheesman and Rob Mason undertook the building surveying roles and managed the inspections and surveys, Andrew Bull, an employee at Marchini Curran, ran the planning application process to acquire a change of use to Churches and Places of Worship (D1) and Jon Smart and his team comprising Thomas Golding and James Clamp of Freeth Cartwright ran the complex legal aspects of the instruction.”
The building is currently undergoing refurbishment and the first Sunday for the church will be 18 April 2010. Grace Church will then embark on a more public launch of the building with a programme of high profile events in the autumn.
