FHP Property Consultants are pleased to bring to the market this self-contained office suite situated on King Street in Alfreton which forms part of the Genesis Business Centre and provides excellent access to Derby Road, the A38 and M1 (Junction 28).

The offices are immediately available for occupation on new lease terms and comprise 231.54m² (2,492ft²) of open-plan space with meeting rooms.

Dan Mooney of FHP Property Consultants commented:

“It’s great to bring this excellent office suite to market which is available on a leasehold basis at a rent of £22,500 per annum. The property benefits from prime frontage to King Street which maintains a busy footfall given its location, and is currently occupied by retail, coffee shops, restaurants, and offices. Therefore, the property can suit alternative uses, including studio, clinic, and education. This is a great opportunity, so please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you are interested.”

In addition, we also have another office within the Genesis Centre available soon which comprises a 196.77m² (2,118ft²) self-contained two storey office premises. The accommodation is currently being refurbished and will be ready in the next couple of months.

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact either Dan Mooney (07929 716 330 / dan.mooney@fhp.co.uk) or Estée Coulthard-Boardman (07917 576 251 / estee@fhp.co.uk).

FHP Property Consultants are pleased to bring to the market 34 South Street situated within Ilkeston Town Centre.  Ilkeston lies approximately 9 miles west of Nottingham City Centre and 10 miles north-east of Derby City Centre.

The property comprises a self-contained first and second floor office extending to 5,468ft².  The accommodation provides a mixture of open-plan and cellular office space with kitchen and W/C facilities. The offices benefit from two entrances to the property with one at the front and an additional to the rear via the on-site car park.

Dan Mooney of FHP Property Consultants commented:

“I am delighted to bring this office premises to market.  The property is well located in Ilkeston Town Centre and benefits from its proximity to Bath Street and the Albion Centre which offers a wide mix of coffee and convenience shops, and general retail. The offices are to undergo a basic refurbishment which strengthens the specification with new carpet, upgraded lights and repainted walls. The property is available to let on new lease terms to be agreed at a rent of £40,000 per annum, and it may suit alternative uses, subject to planning. Please feel free to get in touch and I look forward to speaking with all interested parties.”

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact either Dan Mooney (07929 716 330 / dan.mooney@fhp.co.uk) or Estée Coulthard-Boardman (07917 576 251 / estee@fhp.co.uk).

ENDS

Dan Mooney

29 June 2021

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to bring to the market 2 Becket Street, Derby.  2 Becket Street is a two-storey self-contained office premises situated within Derby City Centre.  Becket Street adjoins the Wardwick to the north, one of Derby’s primary leisure pitches, and Macklin Street to the south, providing access to a mixture of residential and secondary retail.

The property comprises of an attractive Grade II listed building. The accommodation hosts a mixture of cellular and open plan offices with the benefit of good-sized rooms with high ceilings and large windows.  There are kitchen and W/C facilities, and disabled access to the ground floor.

Providing 3,541ft² of space over two floors, the property may suit a variety of uses, such as office or studio space, a café or labs.  It is also immediately available to let on new lease terms.

Dan Mooney of FHP Property Consultants commented:

“I am pleased to bring this office premises to market. The building could suit an alternative use, benefiting from the current planning use of Class E.  The property is available to be let at a rent of £21,000 per annum.  Please feel free to get in touch as I am more than happy to discuss all available options with this property.  I look forward to speaking with all interested parties.”

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact either Dan Mooney (07929 716330 / dan.mooney@fhp.co.uk) or Estée Coulthard-Boardman (07917 576251 / estee@fhp.co.uk).

ENDS

Dan Mooney

29 June 2021

After a challenging time for the Nottingham Office Market over the past twelve months, we are witnessing a small renaissance in 2021 with office enquiries and viewings up substantially on this time last year – a very encouraging sign indeed.

The small to medium sector of the market has been undoubtedly the most active, with several recent deals undertaken by FHP including:

• Digital House, Sherwood – 3,632ft²
• First Floor, Alan House, Nottingham – 3,101ft²
• First Floor, Toll Bar House, Edwalton – 2,713ft²
• 119 – 121 Canal Street, Nottingham – 2,671ft²
• Third Floor, 1 Broadway, The Lace Market – 2,003ft²
• 52 The Ropewalk, Nottingham – 1,486ft²
• Kings Court, Commerce Square, The Lace Market – 1,420ft²
• First Floor, The Corner House, Linby – 1,237ft²
• 80 Bridgford Road, West Bridgford – 1,089ft²
• Suite F01, 3 Hope Drive, The Park – 634ft²
• Suite 2, Parliament House, Nottingham – 588ft²
• Suite 2, Quantum House, Nottingham – 331ft²

We expect this activity to continue, with the full re-opening of society providing the confidence for these occupiers to finally plan for the future – with many having taken advantage of the pandemic to take a step back and reassess the role of their offices going forward.

Additionally, we are already seeing the influence of the changes to occupier requirements, with the focus shifting away from the fixed desk approach of traditional office layouts, to a more flexible working environment that provides hot desking, meeting rooms, relaxed break out areas and collaborative spaces for employees.

Therefore, we fully appreciate how difficult the process of understanding your fit out and size requirements in the current environment can be – and if helpful, we would be delighted assist you by space planning the fantastic options we currently have on the market to see which could be most suitable for your needs going forward.

If you would like an informal chat in regards your office requirements, please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw of FHP Property Consultants on 07896 035805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to have been instructed to market Edward Lloyd House, Pinnacle Way, Pride Park, Derby.  Edward Lloyd House is situated on Pride Park, Derby’s premier business address providing excellent access to the A50, A52 and M1 along with Derby train station.

The offices provide high quality self-contained office space fitted to an excellent specification including; air conditioning, suspended ceilings with LED lighting, raised access floors, kitchen area, cycle store, showers, meeting rooms and reception/entrance.  In addition, the building benefits from two separate barrier accessed car parks providing 32 marked spaces.

The accommodation is split over ground and first floor totalling 9,700ft² and is available on new lease terms at a rent of £16.50 per ft².

Darran Severn of FHP Property Consultants commented:

“I am pleased to have been instructed to market these offices.  Edward Lloyd House is finished to an impressive specification and provides some of the best office accommodation in Derby.  Activity in the office market has certainly increased over the last 6 to 8 weeks and I expect this to continue as more businesses return to the office.

If you are contemplating your next office move, please feel free to get in touch and I would be more than happy to talk you through the various available options.”

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Darran Severn on 07917 470 031 / darran@fhp.co.uk or Estée Coulthard-Boardman on 07917 576 251 / estee@fhp.co.uk

ENDS

Darran Severn

22 June 2021

Estée Coulthard-Boardman of FHP Property Consultants is delighted to announce the letting of Room 8 iD Business Centre at RTC Business Park in Derby to Honest Communications Ltd.

RTC Business Park sits in a prominent position with direct access from London Road situated on the east side of Derby City Centre with the railway station approximately a 10-minute walk away.  The iD Business Centre is a well-equipped business incubation facility which lies within the business park and offers fully furnished, air-conditioned office suites ranging from 160ft² – 450ft².  The Centre has been newly refurbished to a high standard and benefits from broadband service, free car parking, 24-hour access and on-site security, free use of meeting room and break out facilities as well as access to extensive on-site facilities including a newly refurbished café and conference centre.  Additionally, the Centre also runs in partnership with the University of Derby so becoming a member will also give you access to a range of services and support tailored to your individual business requirements provided by the University.

Steve White of London & Continental Railways, the landlord, commented:

“I am very pleased to see this further letting within the iD Business Centre, which provides a variety of incubator office, break out and meeting space.  The support of the University of Derby in providing business development services to these new businesses is much appreciated.  I wish Honest Communications Ltd the very best of luck in their new space.”

Estée Coulthard-Boardman of FHP Property Consultants commented:

“I am really pleased to have let the largest suite at the iD Business Centre to Honest Communications Ltd.  We are now seeing real signs of revitalisation in the office market with enquiries and viewings increasing week by week, it is fantastic to see businesses regaining their confidence for the future.  The iD Business Centre offers high quality, newly refurbished office suites in a prominent location with great parking and is highly suitable for any new start up or small business.  I hope Honest Communications Ltd love their new space and I look forward to speaking with all other interested parties.”

For further information on this transaction, or to see how FHP can help you with any commercial property matter, please contact Estée Coulthard-Boardman on 01332 224 853 / estee@fhp.co.uk.

ENDS

Estée Coulthard-Boardman

14 June 2021

FHP Property Consultants, on behalf of retained clients are pleased to announce the sale of Unit 1, Oswin Road on Forest Business Park in Leicester to Pathfinders Community Support Ltd.

The care provider has purchased a fantastic two storey end terrace building, measuring 1,657ft² which has the additional benefit of 10 designated on-site car parking spaces.  The property is well connected, with easy access to Junction 21a of the M1 motorway via the A47 Hinckley Road, A563 Ring Road and Leicester City Centre.

In addition to the above sale, FHP have also recently brought to the market the property next door, Unit 2, Oswin Road – which has also just gone ‘under offer’ on a freehold basis.

Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Department commented:

“The office market in the Leicester locality is starved of good quality freehold options – so I am delighted to have been able to bring to the market two fantastic buildings for sale on Forest Business Park. 

Interest in both has been high, with the deals struck within a very quick timeframe and there were several parties who unfortunately missed out the opportunities – who remain active in the market. 

I am therefore seeking further instructions of this nature to facilitate these requirements – so please do get in touch if you are considering your office options moving forward.”

For further information on these disposals, or to see how FHP can be of assistance to your requirements as you return to the office, please do not hesitate to contact with Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Team on 07896 035805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

The construction consultancy behind some of the UK’s most unique projects, Edmond Shipway, has relocated its Nottingham office.

The award-winning practice has relocated its Nottingham operations to an open plan space at 1 Broadway in the Lace Market, after 18 years on Phoenix Park, facilitated by FHP Property Consultants.

Dealing with more than £600m of construction activity every year and working with national and international household name clients, some of Edmond Shipway’s best-known work includes numerous projects for the Nottinghamshire-headquartered Center Parcs over the course of two decades. The firm also works with well-known brands including IHG, Marriott, Moto, McCarthy Stone, Westfield, Coventry Building Society, The Hut Group and Hilton.

James Richards, director at Edmond Shipway’s Nottingham office, said:

“We have enjoyed many happy years on Millennium Way, but we are very pleased to be making the move to NG1 for 2021 with our new home at the heart of the Lace Market.

It’s an exciting time to take a central place in the local business community as we are emerging from the coronavirus pandemic – especially as such a transformational change is taking place in the city. Our people are our most important asset, and we are very much looking forward to welcoming the team into this new space, from which we can continue to deliver our innovative and creative solutions, which challenge the norm and make change happen.”

The move marks an important change for the firm, which was named on the Sunday Times 100 Best Small Companies to Work For list in 2020 thanks to its high standards of workplace and employee engagement.

Associate Director James Archer added:

“We are a relationship-driven business and are incredibly passionate about building long-standing and meaningful connections with our colleagues and clients alike, and this new central seat in Nottingham will position us perfectly to do this in the region, as well as the wider country thanks to the excellent transport links on our doorstep.

After a year of remote working, we are very much looking forward to welcoming the team back not just to our working environment, but to a new and flexible approach to working that will support us to add value to all of our clients’ projects through our four core services.”

Mark Tomlinson, Director at FHP Property Consultants, said:

“Edmond Shipway was quick off the mark in seeking a solution for its changing office requirements for the future. Initial plans were put together in 2020 during lockdown to source new premises that better suit the needs of the business going forwards. We are delighted to have simultaneously secured a suitable exit on the Phoenix Business Park property and to have secured this new office setting, which provides one of the best quality spaces in The Lace Market.”

Edmond Shipway’s four core services – cost consultancy, project management, M&E and sustainability consultancy – allow the practice to add value to all of its projects, and its specialist teams focus on individual markets to deliver industry-leading expertise and maximise efficiencies and results for clients.

For more information about Edmond Shipway’s services and projects, please visit https://www.edmondshipway.com/.

FHP’s Office Team continues to see an improvement in enquiry levels, with a marked increase in office occupiers considering their future office requirements as restrictions ease.

Office enquiries in the last 3 months 2021 are up 70% when compared to the final quarter of 2020 with a number of notable occupiers now seeking to change their office space to fit with their individual working practices as a result of the Coronavirus Pandemic.

Mark Tomlinson, Director of FHP Property Consultants commented:-

“It is encouraging to see these improved enquiry levels in the office market, we anticipate that these enquiry levels will improve further as restrictions ease and occupiers have a better understanding on how they wish to use their offices going forwards.  There has been a lot of speculation that office occupiers will seek to downsize and whilst this is true in certain circumstances, we have also seen a number of occupiers seeking better quality spaces and actually larger footprints to support increased collaboration and improve facilities to boost employee wellbeing”.

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to have completed on the letting of 52 The Ropewalk, in Nottingham’s prestigious Professional Quarter to Skin HQ Ltd.

The building will provide the company with circa 1,500 sq ft of ground floor space within an attractive, period building and the additional benefit of 4 car parking spaces.

Skin HQ are a leading aesthetic clinic who utilise cutting edge technology and this is their first clinic in Nottingham, having already expanded into several other cities in the UK.

Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Department commented:

“I am pleased to have secured Skin HQ for 52 The Ropewalk – a fantastic looking building in the heart of Nottingham’s Professional Quarter.

After initially looking at other options in the city centre, it was immediately apparent due to the nature of their business to join other similar style occupiers in the local area – in a building that also suited their requirements perfectly”.

For more information on this letting, or for any information on how FHP can assist you with your commercial property requirements, please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw of FHP on 07896 035 805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

On behalf of clients Clowes Developments, FHP Property Consultants are pleased to confirm the sale of Unit 5 Key Point Office Village, Keys Road, Alfreton, Derbyshire.

Key Point Office Village is situated off the A38, approximately 2 miles from Junction 28 of the M1 motorway.  The property comprises a mid-terraced two storey office building finished to a good specification providing a modern working environment.

The property has been sold in an off market deal to local business Wycliff Services.

Gillian Minogue, Management Surveyor at Clowes Developments commented:

“This is the second quick turnaround deal orchestrated by FHP to be concluded in Alfreton within a matter of months.  Demand and interest in our commercial portfolio remains high on a freehold and leasehold basis.  We wish Wycliff Services all the best in their premises.”

Darran Severn of FHP Property Consultants commented:

“This is an excellent result for all involved.  The sale completed within days of the property becoming vacant keeping void periods to an absolute minimum.  Freehold properties are still very much in demand and as people begin to return to the office, we are seeing a noticeable increase in office enquiries which is positive news.

 If you are looking for a similar property that provides self contained office accommodation with the ability to use the ground floor for storage, then we also have Unit 1 Key Point Office Village available.  Unit 1 Key Point Office Village extends to 180m² (1,938ft²) and is available on a freehold or leasehold basis.” 

 For further information on this sale or to discuss your property requirement, please contact Darran Severn on 01332 224 854 / darran@fhp.co.uk.

12 May 2021

London & Scottish Property Investment Management, Asset Manager on behalf of Regional REIT Limited, has completed an £800,000 refurbishment of 30-34 Hounds Gate in Nottingham to provide new offices for a Nottingham based tech company.

The refurbishment started in late 2020 and was part of a 10-year lease agreement with the company, which is expanding its operations in Nottingham by taking over the ground and first floors at 34 Hounds Gate.

Over 15,500 sq ft of office space has been stripped back and refitted. The reception area has doubled in size, new air conditioning has been installed and communal areas including the toilets have been upgraded.

Steven Griffiths, Head of Asset Management at London & Scottish said:

“We are delighted to have completed such a comprehensive refurbishment project on time and within budget, especially as so much work was done during strict lockdown conditions. As travel restrictions are lifted, occupiers will be looking to attract the best talent back into offices by providing inspiring places to work such as this.”

Mark Tomlinson, Director at FHP Property Consultants, said:-

“We have been working with the occupier for some time to source suitable premises to accommodate their expansion within Nottingham. The company has been expanding at a fantastic rate over the last few years and had a requirement to bring two separate office locations under one roof and to build further expansion into their requirements. Such is the lack of available good quality office space in Nottingham City Centre, this property was presented to the Tenant in an off-market deal subject to a full refurbishment. We are all delighted with the finished product that has been delivered here which is a first class refurbishment in the Nottingham office market.”

FHP Property Consultants are pleased to bring to market this first floor office at 12 Pride Point, Pride Park, Derby.

Pride Park is Derby’s premier business address. The location offers excellent accessibility to Junction 24 of the M1 motorway and the East Midlands Airport via the A50. Pride Park is situated immediately south of the A52 dual carriageway, which is one of the city’s principal routes connecting Junction 25 of the M1 to the east and also provides a direct link to the neighbouring city of Nottingham.  The property is located on Pride Point which is accessed off Pride Parkway, one of the main estate roads off Pride Park.

The property provides high quality first floor office space with its own self-contained entrance, within a two-storey mid terraced office building. The demise comprises 150.76m² (1,623ft²), providing a mixture of open plan and cellular accommodation with a built-in kitchen and disabled WC.  The property is well specified including LG3 lighting, suspended ceilings, raised access floors, comfort cooling and double glazing.  Additionally, there is on-site parking for 5 vehicles.

Estée Coulthard-Boardman of FHP Property Consultants comments:

“I am delighted to bring this property to market. Pride Point Drive is a modern office development constructed originally by Cedar House Investments and offers high quality office suites in a popular business location. There is an array of great business on the development including Unite the Union, Derby County Community Trust, Exponent International, BSP Consulting, Inchcape Toyota and Lexus. Although the office market has been quiet in recent months, we are beginning to receive enquiries from small office occupiers, and we are confident this will increase further as society begins to open up again. I look forward to speaking with all interested parties.”

Should you require any further information or to arrange a viewing then please contact either Estée Coulthard-Boardman on 07917 576 251 / estee@fhp.co.uk or Darran Severn on 07917 460 031 / darran@fhp.co.uk.

ENDS

Estée Coulthard-Boardman

9 April 2021

The past year has been challenging to say the least from an office market perspective with the lockdown and working from home guidance set by the government stifling the market.

As we now coming out the other end of this dreadful pandemic with the vaccine rollout and lockdown easing, it has been very encouraging to see the market start moving again. In recent weeks we have seen office occupier confidence growing, with enquiries / viewing numbers rapidly increasing and several instructions going ‘under offer’. It is also pleasing to note that these deals are being struck on lease terms close to what were being agreed pre-pandemic and rental values are holding firm.

Initial feedback from business in the market has been the increasing desire to get employees back to the office – whether that be full time or on more flexible working arrangements, perhaps even just a few days a week. This new way of thinking has dramatically changed occupiers’ requirements, with some companies wishing to downsize, others looking at more accessible locations such as business parks and others, just requiring their office for somewhere to drop in for meetings or a collaboration space with colleagues. It is therefore undoubtedly an exciting time for the market, and it will be very interesting to see exactly how the post pandemic world will shape occupier’s ideas in terms of both the look and functionality of their office space in the future.

Contrary to the story in other provincial cities, stock levels of high quality office options in Nottingham remain low and therefore it is a good time to engage with the market, with FHP having some great options to choose from – both in the city centre and the business parks beyond. If viewing in person isn’t possible, we have made life even simpler with video tours viewable on our website listings – making it even easier than ever to take a sneak peek at what’s on offer. If you would like an informal chat in regards to your office requirements going forward, please do not hesitate to call Thomas Szymkiw on 07896 035 805 or by email to thomas@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants are pleased to bring to the market two freehold office buildings known as 2 and 2a Wentworth House, Vernon Gate, Derby.

The buildings provide self-contained good quality office accommodation set in a popular development within close proximity of Derby City Centre.  Building 2 provides 151.98m² (1,636ft²) of accommodation over three floors and 2a provides 253.27m² (2,726ft²) of accommodation on a similar basis.

The properties are finished to a good specification including double glazing, suspended ceilings with inset lighting, heating and perimeter trunking.  In addition, there is on site parking for 25 vehicles.

The units are available to purchase either individually or combined.

Darran Severn of FHP Property Consultants comments:

“The Vernon Gate office park is a popular location being easily accessible to Friar Gate connecting the offices to the A38, A52 and Derby City Centre.  The offices provide a mixture of cellular and open plan accommodation with the added benefit of having your own front door.  There are few opportunities to buy your own offices in Derby and I look forward to speaking with interested parties, whether that’s owner occupiers or investors.”

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact either Darran Severn (07917 460 031/darran@fhp.co.uk) or Estée  Coulthard-Boardman (07917 576251/estee@fhp.co.uk).

4 March 2021

FHP Property Consultants are pleased to have been instructed to market 2B Aspen Business Park, Spondon on a leasehold basis.

The property has excellent access to the A52 dual carriageway on the east side of Derby and therefore has good access to the M1 motorway at Junction 25.

The building comprises an end terraced industrial/warehouse unit which has been extensively fitted out as good quality offices with ancillary storage.  The offices are fitted to a high specification including suspended ceilings with lighting, air conditioning and heating, double glazing and windows at first floor.  There is also a full height loading door and 3 phase power.

The property is available on new lease terms at a rent of £19,000 per annum.

Darran Severn of FHP Property Consultants comments:

“The unit is currently used for offices but would equally be suited to light storage or lab/studio space.  The accommodation provides a total of 5,440ft² which is split over two floors.  I’d be delighted to discuss the opportunity and show interested parties around at any time.” 

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact either Darran Severn (07917 460 031/darran@fhp.co.uk) or Estée  Coulthard-Boardman (07917 576251/estee@fhp.co.uk).

17 February 2021

FHP Property Consultants are pleased to bring to market Unit 20 The Village, Maisies Way, South Normanton, Derbyshire.  The Village is an office development ideally located half a mile from Junction 28 of the M1 at its intersection with the A38 dual carriageway, giving excellent road access throughout the Midlands and UK.  East Midlands Designer Outlet Village is within close proximity, providing numerous shops, cafés and dining facilities.

The property comprises 1,035ft² of modern, ground floor office accommodation with fully fitted kitchen and WC’s.  Set in an attractive office park environment with on-site security and designated parking, this open plan space is available to let on new lease terms.

Estée Coulthard-Boardman of FHP Property Consultants comments:

“I am delighted to bring this office premises to market. Although the office market has been fairly quiet over the past year, I am beginning to receive enquiries from small office occupiers. I strongly believe that office market activity will soon return as working from home continues to disprove itself as a long-term replacement to offices.  Businesses are beginning to look beyond the obstacles created by Covid-19 and therefore we expect to see an increase of activity in the market over the coming months, perhaps from those choosing to relocate or downsize to meet the changing needs of their business. This office space would be highly suitable for a range of small occupiers and I look forward to speaking with all interested parties.”

For further information or to arrange a viewing, please contact Estée Coulthard-Boardman of FHP Property Consultants on 01332 224 853 or estee@fhp.co.uk, Darran Severn on 01332 224 854 or darran@fhp.co.uk or Thomas Szymkiw on 0115 841 1159 or thomas@fhp.co.uk

12 February 2021

I believe that there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of office buildings and the office market generally as we come out of lockdown in a “post Coronavirus” world.

For many the newfound ability for staff to work from home has meant that we are seeing a number of occupiers reassess what it is they want from their office going forwards. The rush to get into the office before 9:00 am to not leaving the office until dark, especially over the winter months, is not something that many office-based workers are necessarily going to miss. But is there something else which many office workers are now missing? Has the initial novelty worn off?

At the start of the pandemic many companies undertook surveys of their staff as to how they wished to work going forwards, the overwhelming consensus among many organisations was that staff wanted to work from home, or go to the office a couple of times a week. Nearly a year on from the initial lockdown, the weeks of blissful weather over the summer of 2020 that followed, many of us are well and truly fed up of sitting in an office at home, attending back to back Zoom and Teams meetings until dark. More recent surveys suggest that an increasing number of us want to go back to the office 3 or 4 days a week, but with increased flexibility without the morning and evening rush.

As the latest lockdown restrictions are eased the role of the office going forwards will become increasingly important, not only to productivity but also to people’s mental health – something which has been highlighted by recent studies suggesting that almost one in five adults were likely to be experiencing depression in late 2020, double that of pre pandemic levels.

Going forwards no longer will there be a distinction between “working from home” and “being in the office”, there will be a more flexible and balanced outlook across a range of workplace settings. The role of the office will change, but I believe it will be equally as important as it was before for the following reasons:

Collaboration – The office will continue to be very important for collaboration of teams.  Remote conferencing facilities, such as Microsoft Teams and Zoom, can only go so far in bringing a team together.  Overheard conversations and the bits of information you pick up from walking around the office are lost in the current “working from home” environment and we are seeing many companies looking to bring teams back together to boost this collaboration.

The office is a socialisation hub – I think many of us are missing the social interaction of the workplace, it breaks up the day and a few laughs throughout the day are good for our spirits, a massive factor when considering our mental health.

Upskilling members of the team – I know from my own experience that I have learnt more from listening to colleagues and asking quick questions of colleagues within the office than I have from any form of structured training.  The role of the office should not be underestimated in the everyday upskilling of members of the team.

Staff Recruitment and New Clients – The office has a role in attracting new talent and bringing new clients in.  The presentation and attractiveness of a workplace environment plays a role in attracting good quality new talent to businesses, especially in the tech sector where sourcing talent can be so challenging.

Productivity – Getting through your emails and filing those reports in quick time has been an advantage of having no distractions in your home office, but it’s not necessarily ‘productivity’. Sharing of ideas and cross selling has a huge impact on overall productivity, and these things are far more challenging when working from home.

The property industry has a role in adapting the office offering to changing occupier requirements.  Already we have seen companies change their outlook and move towards reducing fixed desking and increasing collaboration areas with a view to having a more flexible “work from anywhere” approach.

The importance of the office has not diminished but perhaps the reason and purpose of the office has changed. It has now become increasingly important for occupiers to provide the best possible working environment for their staff, to encourage them back to the office but also make the office a place people want to be.

We are expecting to see a lot of activity in the market over the next 12-24 months while this re-assessment takes place.  There will be increased scrutiny by occupiers on lease events in considering whether to renew or relocate.  I suspect we will see an increase in those choosing to relocate for a variety of reasons to meet the changing operational requirements of each business.

It remains to be seen which subsectors of the office market will be the winners and losers in this changing perspective, for example we may see increasing preference for self-contained buildings where the occupier has better control over social distancing protocols, alternatively highly collaborative shared environments may be the preferred choice – only time will tell.

If you do wish to discuss your office strategy, then FHP would be delighted to help.  Similarly, if you are a landlord considering how best to approach your marketing strategy in this changing environment then we would be pleased to hear from you.

Mark Tomlinson, Director within the Office Agency Team at FHP Property Consultants.

ENDS

Mark Tomlinson

DD: 07917 576 254

February 2021

FHP Property Consultants have finalised the letting of over 21,000ft² of offices at Ergo House, Ruddington Fields Business Park. The deal involved a simultaneous surrender of the previous Tenant’s space and granting of a new lease for the new Tenants.

Ergo House comprises a multi occupied Grade A office building located on the established Ruddington Fields Business Park to the south of Nottingham.

The park has some well established Nottingham Tenants including Vision Express, Kuehne & Nagel, Capita, MHR and Quotient Sciences.

Mark Tomlinson of FHP Property Consultants who brokered the deal commented:-

“This deal was brokered in very challenging market conditions with an agreement taking place in the middle of the first national lockdown due to Coronavirus so I am delighted that we managed to broker this deal on an off market basis resulting in such a good outcome for the Landlords, the outgoing Tenant and the new Tenant alike.

Whilst the conditions within the office market remain challenging, we are now having some more meaningful discussions with occupiers regarding office relocations for later on in the year with many occupiers reconsidering how they wish to use their office spaces in the future, with an emphasis on flexible working environments, flexible working practices and accessibility in and out of the office on a more ad hoc basis being of increased importance.

Availability within the office market remains tight in many locations and it is becoming increasingly important for occupiers to engage early with the market in order that a suitable opportunity can be sourced within appropriate timescales”.

ENDS

Mark Tomlinson

DD: 07917 576 254

February 2021

The building, known as One Waterside Place, is the first phase of the ‘Basin Square’ character area within the £340 million Chesterfield Waterside regeneration scheme and has been forward funded by Chesterfield Borough Council as a key strategic investment for the town. When complete, the seven storey office building will provide Grade A offices totalling 32,000ft² alongside a retail unit of circa 5,200 ft².  Construction of the property is well underway and delivery is estimated in Q1 2022.

Tom Swallow, Development Manager at Bolsterstone Group, who are delivering the Chesterfield Waterside scheme comments:

“It is an exciting time for Chesterfield and our Chesterfield Waterside scheme. This is the first Grade A office to be delivered in the town for some time and will pick up the latent demand for high quality, large floor plate, sustainable office accommodation in the town. Chesterfield Borough Council’s commitment to the scheme demonstrates their forward thinking nature in their investment strategy and we consider there will be a ‘flight to prime’ for occupiers following the pandemic.”

Darran Severn from FHP Property Consultants comments:

“There is currently a lot of speculation in regard to the return of workers to the office.  My feeling is very much that we will see a return but the working week as we used to know will become more flexible.  There will always be a demand for offices and it’s great to see a speculative scheme being brought forward in Chesterfield.  The accommodation will provide a high quality working environment designed to a Grade A specification incorporating LED lighting, air conditioning, raised access flooring, high quality entrance foyer and showers.  Floor plates are available from 5,562ft² and can be sub-divided if required. We are pleased to confirm the first tenants – BHP Chartered Accountants, have signed up on 5,500ft² leaving up to 30,000ft² available.”

Cllr Tricia Gilby, Leader of Chesterfield Borough Council, said:

“We’re delighted to be bringing forward this state-of-the-art office building with Chesterfield Waterside Ltd, which will deliver supply chain opportunities for local companies during the construction phase and new jobs for local people with the companies that will be taking space at One Waterside Place.

These are uncertain times, but we must not stand still. We must continue to invest in this and other growth projects if we are to meet the Council’s objectives of making Chesterfield a thriving borough and improve the quality of people’s lives. One Waterside Place is just the start of what we believe will be a very special journey for the people of this great town and borough.”

For further information on Chesterfield Waterside, please contact Darran Severn on 07917460031/darran@fhp.co.uk or our joint agent Peter Whiteley of Knight Frank on 07979 530416/ peter.whiteley@knightfrank.com.

29 January 2021

Trent Education Centre Ltd have taken a lease of 16 Castle Boulevard, a 10,000 sq ft office building in Nottingham City Centre for a college building.

Recently refurbished, the property provides substantial open plan accommodation across two floors, all bathed in fantastic natural light from two central atriums and benefits from substantial car parking facilities to the rear.

Thomas Szymkiw of FHP Property Consultants Office Team who acted on behalf of the Landlord commented:-

“The building was previously multi-occupied by four tenants, however with the last one leaving just prior to Christmas it was increasingly obvious that during the lockdown period it would have been a struggle to see the space reoccupied to its full capacity within a swift timeframe.

 After previously assisting Trent Education Centre on a similar requirement a couple of years ago, they got back in touch with me to see whether I could help with their search for another site in the city. It made complete sense for me to put forwards the opportunity of taking the whole building to them – an opportunity that thankfully matched their requirement perfectly.

My client is of course very pleased with the outcome, which in a currently challenging office market, has not only secured a tenant for their 10,000 sq ft building, but also mitigated any potential empty business rates liabilities”.

For more information on this letting or to see how FHP can assist you with your office requirements going forward into 2021, please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw on 07896 035805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to announce the completion of the sale of 80 Bridgford Road in West Bridgford to TFT FM LTD..

The self-contained period building is located in an enviable position close to Central Avenue with shops, bars and restaurants close by.  The accommodation is situated over two floors, with the benefit of car parking to the front of the building.

Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s Office Agency Department commented:

“80 Bridgford Road provided a rare freehold opportunity for an owner occupier to purchase a well-appointed building in the heart of West Bridgford.

Naturally, the interest in the opportunity was incredibly high and we have managed to achieve an unprecedented ‘price per square foot’ for the property, reaffirming the fact that the demand for freehold offices in the locality results in premium values.

I would be delighted to discuss the West Bridgford office market with any other local occupiers to see how we can also be of assistance”.

For more information on how FHP can help you with your office requirements, please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw on 07896 035805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants have secured T. Bailey Asset Management as tenants for the first floor at Toll Bar House in Edwalton, south of Nottingham.

The 2,713 sq ft Grade A Office suite is situated within a brand new, attractive modern building and provides open plan accommodation benefitting from LED lighting, heating and cooling, shower facilities and full height feature reception area.

The property is located on the edge of a major residential development next to Wheatcroft Garden Centre which also includes an Aldi supermarket, Costa Coffee Drive-Thru and McDonald’s.  The property is well located for West Bridgford, Nottingham, the A52 ring road, the A46 and J24 of the M1 motorway.

Thomas Szymkiw of FHP Property Consultants Office Team who acted on behalf of the Landlord commented:-

“It is an absolute delight to secure T. Bailey Asset Management at Toll Bar House, a company whose requirement I had been working with for some time.

 Initially, they were city centre focused with their search – however the pandemic changed their minds on location, with Toll Bar House providing the company and their staff with a clean, modern office environment with generous levels of car parking – ideal for their flexible working arrangements going forward.

We are currently marketing the last available suite at the property on the ground floor and I would be delighted to speak with any other occupiers also looking to seize this unique opportunity”.

For more information on this letting or how FHP could help with your office requirements, please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw on 07896 035805 or thomas@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants acting on behalf of Sigma 2004 Limited have concluded the sale of Northgate House, the former HMRC offices on Agard Street, Derby to Staton Young.

Marc Brough of Staton Young commented:

“We are pleased to have concluded the acquisition of this Derby landmark building. Excellently located on Agard Street on the edge of Derby City Centre this property provides a blank canvas comprehensive redevelopment

Phil Daniels of FHP commented:

“It has been a pleasure working with Staton Young and we are pleased to have concluded the sale to them. We look forward to watching their plans for the property unfold.

Despite the global pandemic, demand for buildings of this nature and development sites remains undiminished.”

If you have an opportunity you would like to discuss please contact Phil Daniels of FHP Property Consultants on 07976 318269 or email phil@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants achieved an impressive ninth year in a row at the summit of Radius Data Exchange’s Nottingham office disposals league table, in a year which has seen the city’s market hit considerably by the Covid-19 pandemic.

According to Radius, FHP alone was involved in the disposal of just over half the office space in the city.

There was a promising start to 2020, with Metropolitan Thames Valley Housing taking 34,375 sq ft of space at Waterfront House on Beeston Business Park (pictured) in a deal brokered by FHP.

While the current figures indicate a downward trend, they should be seen in the context of what was a stand-out year last year, which included the massive 278,000 sq ft prelet to HM Revenue & Customs at Unity Square, also brokered by FHP. A 35% drop in deal numbers is perhaps a more telling indicator of what has undoubtedly been a tough year for the city’s office market.

Mark Tomlinson, Director in FHP’s Office Agency Team, commented:-

“It has been a strange year for the office market with many progressive relocations having been put ‘on hold’ during the coronavirus pandemic. This pause has allowed occupiers to reassess what it is they want from their office space going forwards and I am pleased to say that we are now working with a number of businesses for relocations into 2021. The role of the office for many has changed in a positive way with increased emphasis on the office being a place for interaction, upskilling, training, collaboration and even day to day wellbeing.”

ENDS

Mark Tomlinson

mark@fhp.co.uk

November 2020

Thomas Szymkiw, of FHP Property Consultants is delighted to announce the letting of a 3,483ft² office premises on Abbeyfield Road, just west of Nottingham City Centre to Kingfisher Professional Services Ltd.  This modern, self contained building provides accommodation over two floors with reception area, open plan office content and the benefit of substantial car parking facilities.

Thomas Szymkiw of FHP’s office agency team commented:

“This fantastic office building, located on Abbeyfield Road presented a rare opportunity for Kingfisher to move operations over from Grantham to Nottingham and provides them a modern office building in a prominent location, fronting the A52 Ring Road.

It is ever more pleasing that the company has decided to make such a key decision during these challenging times and I wish them all the best for the future.”

Innes England were joint agents on the deal.

For more information on this letting, or to discuss your office requirements in further detail, please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw on 07896 035805 or email thomas@fhp.co.uk.

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to announce the letting of the second floor at 19 Stoney Street to Voyage Care Limited.  The office provides the company with just under 1,500ft² of period office space within the Creative Quarter in the heart of Nottingham’s historic Lace Market.

Thomas Szymkiw who acted on behalf of the landlord commented:

“I am delighted to have secured the letting of the second floor at 19 Stoney Street on behalf of retained clients in a market that is proving challenging due to the ongoing pandemic.  It is pleasing to see that companies are still making positive moves and planning for the long term.

We still have several other fantastic office options in Nottingham City Centre and would be delighted to hear from anyone else who is in the market.”

Antonella Oliver of Voyage Care, the new tenant commented:

“Here at Voyage Care we provide care and support for people with learning disabilities, autism, brain injuries and complex needs.  Due to additional local demand we had outgrown our previous support office in Nottingham and we are excited to move into premises in Nottingham City Centre.

At our new accessible community support hub at 19 Stoney Street, we have a fantastic space to provide assistance and training for supported living schemes in particular.  The location is ideal as it is close to public transport links so the people we support and support staff access us as easily as possible.”

For more information on this letting or for other opportunities within the office sector please do not hesitate to contact Thomas Szymkiw on 07896 035805 or email thomas@fhp.co.uk.

Cardinal Square, a landmark office building on the edge of Derby City Centre, is pleased to welcome CityFibre as its latest tenant.

CityFibre, the UK’s third national digital infrastructure platform, is investing £45m of private funds into the build of a state-of-the-art full fibre network to reach almost every home and business within the city.  The Company needed to set up an administration base in the City and chose Cardinal Square due to its convenient location, flexible terms and immediate availability of space.

Tim Richardson of FHP Property Consultants, who acted on behalf of the landlord, comments:

“CityFibre needed some space initially to get a base in the area and we were able to offer them the flexibility of occupation, combined with the ability to grow as the operation expands.  Cardinal Square ticked all the boxes and we are pleased to welcome them to the scheme.

One of the great advantages of Cardinal Square is that businesses can take space on a long or short-term basis and expand, or contract as rquired.  This is particularly important in the current market, where many businesses are uncertain as to how many people will be based in an office or even what their business will look like in 6, 12 or 24 months’ time.  Cardinal Square is able to offer that total flexibility, whether you need space for 2 people or 200, short, medium or long-term or just on a flexible rolling basis. Together with ready-installed fast broadband into the building, on-site parking, receptionist, cycle storage and landscaped courtyard garden, the building provides space for all needs. In addition the landlords have put COVID secure measures in place, offering additional protection.”

For further information, please contact Tim Richardson at FHP Property Consultants on 01332 224 857 or email timr@fhp.co.uk.

Tim Richardson
Date: 8^th October 2020

With flexible office space becoming increasingly popular, LCR have invested in relocating their established ID Business Centre to a new location within Brunel House, fronting London Road in Derby.  This forms part of the RTC Business Park, which is well known for design, engineering and technology and occupies an accessible location within walking distance of the railway station. Having just been completed last month, the landlords are delighted that two businesses have already moved in.

The accommodation has been finished to a very high standard and includes reception, kitchen/break out area and bookable meeting room.  The offices themselves extend from 150 sq ft upwards.

Tim Richardson of FHP Property Consultants, who are marketing the premises jointly with Sanderson Weatherall and in conjunction with the University of Derby, comments:

“These offices are ideal for both small businesses looking to make the next step and also for consultancies who may have a project locally and need a base to work from.  The space is finished to an excellent standard and has the use of break-out space and meeting room, together with on-site parking.”

Tenants can also make use of the conference and catering facilities available within the RTC Business Park.  Other benefits on the Park include cycle storage, on site management team and landscaped garden areas.

Companies will also have access to a range of services and support provided by the University of Derby, focused on development and growth and tailored to individual business needs.

David Gent, Engineering Consultancy Services Ltd, one of the new tenants adds “We are really impressed with the building – the quality of the finishes, the layout and the location are all superb and we’re really happy we have relocated here.”

Upper floors at Brunel House are also available, with each floor extending to around 3,250 sq ft which can be combined.  These again are finished to a high standard and can be offered on new leases.

LCR gained control of RTC Derby in 2013 in a bid to retain its position as a key employment site and to preserve its status as an internationally acclaimed engineering business cluster.

Steve White, Head of Commercial Assets at LCR, said: “The RTC Business Park is renowned as a leading destination for innovation.  We’re committed to supporting this reputation, and our investment in enhanced facilities at Brunel House plays a key role in this.  The centre offers its new tenants the opportunity to surround themselves with creativity, best practice and ingenuity, helping to nurture future technical and engineering excellence at RTC Derby.”

For further information, please contact Tim Richardson at FHP Property Consultants on 01332 224857 or email timr@fhp.co.uk or Andrew Ellis at Sanderson Weatherall on 0113 221 6000 or email andrew.ellis@sw.co.uk.

Tim Richardson
Date: 17^th September 2020

Following extensive refurbishment, upgrade and opening of the Flexibase Business Centre, Cardinal Square is firmly on the map as the place to be, with a flurry of lettings over recent months.

Bulkhead Interactive, gaming software programmers, have taken a floor of 6,500ft² as part of their expansion, whilst MWH Treatment have also committed to a long-term future in the building, renewing their lease for a further 7 years.

Within the Flexibase space, Astute Recruitment have now moved into a larger office, again as part of their expansion.

Also on the ground floor, CityFibre have taken a suite for administrative offices as they roll out their fibre network rollout in Derby.

Tim Richardson, who acts on behalf of the Landlords, Nurton Developments, comments:

“One of the great advantages of Cardinal Square is that businesses can take space on a long or short-term basis and expand, or contract, as required.  This is particularly important in the current market, where many businesses are uncertain as to how many people will be based in the office over the coming months.  Cardinal Square is able to offer that flexibility, whether you need space for 2 desks or 200, short, medium or long-term, or just on a flexible rolling basis, together with ready-installed fast broadband into the building, on-site parking, receptionist, cycle storage and landscaped courtyard garden, the building provides space for all needs.”

If you are interested, please do get in touch with Tim Richardson on 01332 224 857 or email timr@fhp.co.uk.

Tim Richardson
Date: September 2020