News in Brief
Charge point operator (CPO) Believ has entered a strategic partnership with energy infrastructure business
Smart Metering Systems (SMS plc)
by acquiring SMS’ Public EV Charging Business. The partnership utilises SMS’ low-carbon energy infrastructure experience, and Believ’s proven EV charging capabilities and market-leading financial backing.
With SMS’ valued relationships with
landowners the acquisition widens the reach of Believ’s best-in-class EV charging experience. Guy Bartlett, Believ CEO, says: “Would-be EV drivers need to see more charge points, in the right places and working brilliantly, to make the switch. We’re now in an even better position to deliver on those requirements.”
A new way for businesses to support nature and fund biodiversity has been launched: voluntary biodiversity credits (VBC). The initiative was created by nature- based solutions provider, Earthly, and the credits represent 3x3m parcels of land, taken from off-site BNG-approved projects. The land will be conserved and restored to help biodiversity flourish and the effort is secured for 30 years. The first VBC buyer is King - the entertainment company behind the world famous Candy Crush game. King have a particular focus on helping the tech and gaming sector be a force for good for climate and nature.
Work has started on site for Blue Coast Capital’s pioneering office-led scheme Huntingdon Shoreditch. Designed by Morris+Company, the scheme will deliver 150,000 sq. ft. of best-in-class workspace in a prime location. The smart enabled building is designed to achieve BREEAM Outstanding and NABERS 5*; and will be fossil fuel-free and all- electric, in line with industry-wide net zero carbon targets. The contemporary warehouse scheme will range from three to nine-storeys, with active frontages on all sides. Anticipated to complete in early 2028, the building will offer curated retail space, flexible workspaces, a communal roof garden and events pavilion with city views.
Towngate PLC, has welcomed Likewise Floors
Limited to its £6 million+ development in Walkden, leaving just three units available to lease. Now officially complete, the former Lucozade factory site has been certified ‘Very Good’ by sustainability assessor BREEAM and granted an EPC ‘A’ rating.
Cubo, the UK’s fastest-growing flex office provider, has expanded into London, acquiring the entire 18,819 sq. ft. second floor of Soho Estates’ prestigious Ilona Rose House, W1. This move meets growing demand for a single office provider across multiple cities. Located 100m from Tottenham Court Road Station, the iconic building, completed in May 2021, includes 150,000 sq. ft. of office space, a public courtyard, and space for restaurants and bars, and was formerly home to Foyles Bookshop.
An Aberdeenshire company which exports its world- beating products across the globe is celebrating its 40th anniversary. The OTL Group’s interests are diverse spanning offshore cleaning, firefighting foams, foam testing and infection control products. Since opening for business in 1984, it has grown to encompass four divisions, over 200 products and almost 30 staff. Managing Director David Evans explained, “Right from the start, we have always been about four things – great products, being as environmentally sustainable as possible, great people and great customer service.”
Rushton Hickman are delighted to announce the successful sale of ‘The Thomas Sykes building’ which comprises a unique split-level former licensed public house that was originally developed from stables within the historic Everards Burton Brewery site. The
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY MONTHLY 2024
property is situated in an area that has seen a surge in the conversion of commercial buildings to residential use and being so prominently situated in a busy location, there is significant potential for the building.
A new survey launched today by flexible workspace provider Orega has revealed that flex space has now become a mainstream property strategy and looks firmly here to stay – with 55% of businesses surveyed now occupying some form of flexible office space. And of those not yet occupying any flexible space, over half, (52%) said they would be likely to consider taking some flex space in the future. Only (21%) said this was unlikely.
HiiLIFE secures latest renovation contract for Oxygen Activeplay Reading. They will deliver a full technology package at Oxygen Activeplay’s new site. The UK’s premier indoor activity park chain recently acquired the space in Reading, which is now open. The installations include a bespoke LED party holding system, an immersive excite tunnel, digital menu and marketing displays, and advanced audio-visual systems.
British shoe store, Office, known for its vast selection of well known-brands and trend-led footwear is delighted to be upsizing at Trafford Centre to create a brand-new Northern flagship within the sought- after retail destination, this autumn.
The newly upsized Office at Trafford Centre will offer customers the brand’s very best product range, including some top tier woman’s styles that are not available in any other high street locations. Shoe brands on offer will include Adidas, Nike, New Balance, Ugg, Birkenstock, Dr Martens, Asics plus many more.
The new retail space will become home to the widest collection of Adidas woman’s sneaker in the centre alongside some more up and coming brands such as Hoka, Miista, and Alohas. Office’s own range will also take centre stage in the new location as it grows its offering to meet regional demand.
AMBITIOUS law firm The PM Law Group has a new city location to add to its South Yorkshire portfolio. As part of its business development plans, the firm, with clients across Yorkshire, has taken a 7,500 sq ft office at ARBA Group’s Meadowhall Business Park, complementing its Shepcote Lane premises and range of professional and personal legal services. The PM Law Group will occupy the ground floor of Block 1 of the 70,000 sq ft park, joining existing and longstanding tenants including NG Bailey, TATA Steel UK, Galaxy Insulation and Dry Lining, JNP Group and Preventx Ltd at the popular development.
Starting this month, LSL Estate Agency Franchising (LSLEAF) is launching two new business-to-business campaigns for its brands, Your Move and Reed Rains, targeting independent agents who may be looking to switch to a franchising model.
Shopping centre group SGS announces a new asset manager for its portfolio of shopping centres, including Lakeside in Essex, atria Watford, Victoria Centre in Nottingham and Braehead near Glasgow. In October 2020, SGS appointed Global Mutual as asset manager alongside AlixPartners in an executive management and board role, and Savills as property manager. With the stability and consolidation phase now complete and following the completion of the financial restructuring and the appointment of a new board of directors, SGS and its assets enter a new growth phase which coincides with the appointment of retail asset managers Pradera Lateral.
Hilco Real Estate Finance (HREF), the specialist bridge lender, has provided a £5.3m bridge loan to leading Manchester-based property developer,
Shenton Group. The loan, which was delivered at 70% LTV with a 24-month term, has refinanced existing facilities and released equity, enabling the borrower to acquire additional property. As such, the loan is secured on a variety of assets, including co-living, leisure, office, and residential properties. The deal was introduced to HREF by David Rainford of accountancy firm Cowgills, with Savills and CBRE providing valuations, and Marie Pugh of Clarion Solicitors leading the legal due diligence. Kuits Solicitors provided legal advice to Shenton Group.
Clearbell Property Partners III LP (Clearbell), a fund managed by Clearbell Capital LLP, has entered a new lease agreement with multifaceted film company Curzon, for prime office space in the iconic Kodak Building in London’s Covent Garden. Curzon, a prominent name in independent film exhibition and distribution, has moved to the seventh floor of The Kodak, occupying 6,941 sq ft. The relocation was driven by Curzon’s commitment to providing a more modern, dynamic environment for its team, enhancing both productivity and the overall workplace experience. The new office space offers a vibrant, contemporary setting that fosters creativity and aligns with the company’s vision for future growth. Originally constructed in 1911 for photography brand Kodak, the Grade II listed building holds the distinction of being London’s first purpose- built, open-plan office block, complete with ancillary labs and photographic rooms. The building has recently undergone an extensive redevelopment and repositioning by Clearbell to bring new life into its historic shell, and now comprises of 70,000 sq ft of Grade A office accommodation set over eight stories.
Award-winning Halls Commercial has secured instructions to offer to let a prominently located, new build development of four trade counter or commercial units in
Kidderminster.The four detached units at Silverwoods Trade Park, Silverwoods Way range from 1,477 sq ft to 9,690 sq ft and will be available to let as a whole or separately for occupation from the third quarter of 2025. Silverwoods Trade Park is prominently located adjacent to the Costa Coffee drive thru, with which it shares an access road, and opposite Aldi store in a sought after area of Kidderminster with significant road frontage to Silverwoods Way. The units will be of steel portal frame construction, clad in profile sheeting with elements of glazing under a profile sheet roof cover with translucent roof lights, designated car parking and servicing access via roller shutter doors.
Batchelor Air Conditioning & Refrigeration has announced a significant milestone in its operations, marked by record-breaking installations and service visits throughout the summer months. Commenting for Batchelor, general manager Mark Richardson says: “This achievement underscores an unwavering commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction. It is made possible by the trust and support of our valued customers, and a dedicated team of service engineers, whose expertise and commitment to excellence have been pivotal in achieving record performance levels.
Flexible workspace provider infinitSpace has made three new senior appointments as part of its ongoing global expansion. Founded by workspace expert Wybo Wijnbergen (CEO) and his brother, serial tech entrepreneur Wilco Wijnbergen (CTO), infinitSpace has launched nine workspace locations across two continents and four countries since March 2022. Their plan is to grow to 100 locations by December 2027. The tech-led creator of workspaces has appointed Richard Axtell as Group Real Estate & Acquisitions Director, Rocco del Campo as Finance Director and Joshua Moulder as Director Sales and Broker Relations Director EMEA
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