| the north east


ESTABLISHED LAW FIRM EXPANDS INTO MORPETH A


successful North East law firm has launched its new and fourth office in one of the region’s most popular market towns.


O’Neill Richmonds, a firm which specialises in property law, Wills, Powers of Attorney and estate administration, has launched the operation on Bridge Street, Morpeth in response to demand for a traditional high street practice in the area.


Director Richard Twyford, who has over 12 years of experience in the industry, is running the Morpeth branch and has been joined by consultant solicitor Vernon Usher, as well as three other expert members of the team including Caroline Merifield and Helen Donaldson, both of whom have had many years of experience in residential conveyancing. Richard said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to provide O’Neill Richmonds’ expert services to a thriving and growing town. We’ve capitalised on our vast local knowledge and experience of the local area and look forward to serving the local community. “We have implemented state of the art


technology in order to provide the highest standard of service to our clients. We specialise here in commercial, agricultural and residential property law, and additionally provide Wills, Powers of Attorney and estate administration. We are also developing a specialisation in education law.


“No matter what the legal issue may be, we offer a personal service to each of our clients including private individuals and businesses. This is where our approach of big practice knowledge with family firm accessibility comes into its own.” The Morpeth office adds to established branches in Gosforth, South Shields and Benton.


Consultant solicitor Vernon Usher, who has lived in Morpeth for most of his life, has joined the firm following more than four decades in the industry as a specialist in residential conveyancing. He will support Richard and the firm with his knowledge and vast experience.


Senior partner John O’Neill said: “We are delighted to be launching our fourth office in Morpeth. This is a fantastic step for the business to launch its newest operation


headed by Richard with additional support from Vernon. We have an outstanding team and I look forward to further expanding our presence in Northumberland.


“Bridge Street has already proven to be a great location as we join some other fantastic businesses and retailers in a busy high street location. The town centre is bustling, which will ensure we become a recognisable brand in Morpeth and welcome many old and new clients to our firm. “Our client care is second to none thanks to our modern and up-to-date practices complimented by a traditional and caring approach. This combination allows us to provide a swift, efficient and professional yet personal service.” Senior partner John O`Neill, who began his legal career as a partner in Gibson Pybus Reay-Smith & Bellwood. Gibson Pybus was one of the oldest firms in Newcastle established circa 1835 and John went on to form John O`Neill & Co in 1994. Following subsequent amalgamations and partnerships, the firm, still with John at the helm, is now O`Neill Richmonds Law Firm Ltd.


NORTH NORTHUMBERLAND UPDATE


Northumberland. From the north, Berwick upon Tweed has seen little activity in its retailing with Marygate and Hide Hill still suffering from a surfeit of vacant units and limited demand. This is mainly as a result of the edge and out of town retail outlets and food stores developed in the last 10 years with ample parking facilities. Town centre parking would assist in improving customer experience and enhance the level of spend. High Rates are also proving a problem


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to occupiers in Berwick. There is still an oversupply of offices on the Windmill Way development north of the town but light industrial and warehouse demand is improving although to date this has had little effect on lifting rental values. Further south the coastal hotspots of Bamburgh, Seahouses, Alnmouth and Amble have proven popular for small retail and A3/A5 users which is likely to continue with promotion and encouragement of tourism in the region by Northumberland County Council. There have been a number of


successful tourist related developments such as the In Collection’s presence in


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017/2018 has been a relatively quiet period for commercial activity in North


Blyth and Alnwick with a new venture having commenced in Amble early in 2018. On the tourist front George F White


had considerable interest in a caravan site situated on the coast at Seahouses which sold in the summer of 2017 in excess of its guide price of £2.750.000 Demand for light industrial/ warehouses in mid Northumberland is sporadic. Northumberland Estates have commenced the next phase of the Lionheart Industrial Estate adjoining the A1 in Alnwick and have successfully constructed and let a large unit to the Highways Agency. It is likely that occupiers of the dated industrial estates in the town itself will be encouraged to relocate to the new industrial estate and there have already been proposals to develop the Willowburn Industrial Estate for residential purposes. Whilst Morpeth has been the shining


light with regard to retailing activity in Northumberland with the success of the Sanderson Arcade and relocation of Morrisons and the development of its existing store together with successful development of some town centre older retail stores such as the popular Lollo Rosso Italia in Bridge Street and the up


and coming conversion and improvement of the Queens Head hotel. The Coopies Lane and Coopies Way industrial area has seen little improvement. It is considered somewhat dated by modern standards. The estate is not ideally situated for ready access to other parts of Northumberland and is somewhat dated for a town which has experienced considerable residential growth following the completion of the new bypass in 2017. The continued popularity of


Cramlington and North Tyneside as a destination for such uses is a further reason why demand and rental values have stood relatively still. Northumberland has benefitted from


considerable investment by Northumberland Estates, particularly in Alnwick, with a proposed retail part in the pipeline adjacent to the A1. However generally speaking rents are such that there will be little speculative development over the next few years unless there is rental growth. The reality is that following a tough time post 2008 the market is improving and it is hoped that the superior quality of life and wonderful scenery will attract more than tourists to the area.


COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2018


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