Mill suite secured for innovative education centre

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Mill suite secured for innovative education centre

A not for profit organisation is the latest Cambridge office occupier to be confirmed by Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews.

The organisation Cambridge Centre for Learning Spaces Innovation  (CCLSI) – a collaborative project between Gratnells Learning Rooms, A4LE and Ecophon – has taken a five year lease on the second floor office suite at Newnham Mill on Newnham Road, Cambridge.

A waterside landmark building beside Mill Common, within the historic city centre and bordering one of Cambridge’s high profile residential areas, Newnham, the 145 sq m (1,562 sq ft) self-contained office suite, will be the education specialist’s first venue in Cambridge from where it will launch this summer (June 2021).

As the first in a network of innovative education facilities centred on the importance of planning and design in the provision of learning spaces and educational environments, the founders of CCLSI – and authors of the publication, Planning Learning Spaces – had not been seeking premises for long before selecting Newnham Mill.

Murray Hudson, of CCSLI – and co-author of the book on whose principles the not for profit organisation is founded, explained, “Cambridge was always going to be the choice for the first of our centres for obvious reasons.

“As soon as we saw the Mill we were captivated. It is light and airy and full of character, as well as set in a picturesque yet accessible location.

“There are acoustic challenges in the Mill but this will allow us to show how drawbacks in a learning space can be overcome.”

Commenting on the announcement by Eddisons of the latest office letting in Cambridge, Ben Green, Director, said, “There is much talk of the role of ‘the office’ post-pandemic by commentators and this is, naturally, beginning to feature in the minds of occupiers.

“Cambridge is not immune to this and we are still seeing new office occupiers – such as CCLS – coming to the city with bespoke property requirements.

“Also, indigenous Cambridge companies are reviewing their requirements as business grows or leases expire in the natural churn of business, setting aside any post-pandemic considerations.

“But Cambridge remains a good place for doing business and the expansion of its office stock during the past decade can only serve to reinforce this position.”

Eddisons and Carter Jonas act on behalf of the landlord at Newnham Mill, Cambridge where a first floor office suite of 2,638 sq ft, with a feature terrace, is available to let.

Viewing is strictly by appointment through the agents.

For more information on the available suite at Newnham Mill or other office space to let in central Cambridge, contact Ben Green at Eddisons, tel 01223 467155, [email protected].

Find out more 

For any press queries, please contact:
Richard Jones, Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews, 01733 897722, [email protected].

Former city centre restaurant premises available for short term let

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19 Regent Street

Former city centre restaurant premises available for short term let

The premises of the former Pizza Hut restaurant on Regent Street in central Cambridge are now available for short term let following their acquisition by a Cambridge college.

This has been confirmed by the city office of Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews who acted on behalf of its college client in the acquisition of the property and has now been appointed as the sole letting agent.

At 19 Regent Street, the 295.97 sq m (3,185 sq ft) premises are in the historic city centre at a prominent location on the corner of the interchange between the busy thoroughfare and the landmark Parker’s Piece, close to the University Arms Hotel.

While the identity of the college remains undisclosed – as does the price paid for the property – due to commercial confidentiality, Eddisons’ Ben Green advised that the acquisition is part of the college’s long term strategic property investment programme and so the premises are being marketed to let now with a short term lease.

He added, “The property is in a prominent location and while appealing to a range of retailers, the short term let could favour an independent trader or community organisation looking for pop-up retail premises or, equally, a charity occupier.”

For more information on 19 Regent Street, Cambridge, contact Ben Green at Eddisons, tel 01223 467155, [email protected].

New commercial property supplement available

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New commercial property supplement available

Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews has published the latest edition of its commercial property supplement.

The Spring 2021 issue is the fourteenth edition in the series.

It contains detail market commentary on the four core market locations in the Eastern region – Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Huntingdon and Peterborough – as well as showcasing a selection of recent and current agency instructions in each location.

Market commentaries address sector strength and trends in each geographic locale and examine the early effects of Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic as each market emerges from the latest phase of business lockdown.

This latest edition also profiles the expertise of the firm’s professional services teams in the region in which sit experienced professionals across a range of property disciplines including planning & development, property management and building surveying.

The commercial property supplement is mailed to circa 10,000 businesses and occupiers and investors with interests in the Eastern region.

The Spring 2021 edition can be read online or downloaded from the website here.

To request a hard copy, please contact any of the offices  Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Huntingdon or Peterborough.

Lockdown no bar to business set-ups at Slater Court

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Lockdown no bar to business set-ups at Slater Court

A new-build commercial development of ten industrial units to the south of Peterborough is now fully let to a range of occupiers whose business growth has continued apace during lockdown.

Slater Court – where Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews is the sole agent – is part of the second phase at Eagle Park on Broadway, Yaxley by developer Barnack Estates UK Ltd.

The ten industrial units, ranging in size from 1,100 sq ft to 1,305 sq ft, were launched by the agent for pre-let or purchase last spring (2020).

By August, half had been legally complete with an almost even split of letting and purchase tenures.

Now fully let, Slater Court is home to a number of companies whose businesses trade across a variety of goods and services, ranging from heating and plumbing services, golf equipment sales and coaching, vintage and retro home styling and bespoke urban lodges and garden buildings among other commercial pursuits by the other occupiers.

Eagle Business Park is close to Junction 16 of the A1(M) at Norman Cross and onward connections to Peterborough’s Parkway System and, to the south, the newly upgraded A14 and network of local access roads across Huntingdon.

Occupiers at Slater Court reference the location and its transport connectivity, in addition to the quality of the new-build units, as the main reason driving the decision to take premises there.

The catchment area for recruitment is another reason cited for those occupiers looking to add to their current headcount.

Unit 10 has been leased to A F Golfstore who sells golf equipment and has on-site putting and swing studios for custom club fitting  within its premises. It is A F Golfstore’s second location in the county – the other is in Melbourn, to the south of Cambridge – and is part of the firm’s plans for the roll-out of three further stores.

Specialist antique, retro and vintage furniture seller, Whisper & Echo is in Unit 8 at Slater Court. Established in 2016, the company has chosen to relocate from South Yorkshire to the Peterborough area to be closer to its main customer base in London and the South East.

Nearby, at Unit 6, Willow Plumbing & Heating Services Ltd has moved its business premises to Yaxley from a small unit in St Neots to accommodate the company’s plans for growth in serving residential and commercial customers across in the all compass points around Peterborough.

Moving from a nearby unit at Discovery Business Park in Yaxley to Unit 4 at Slater Court is Urban Marque. While only relocating from Market Deeping to Discovery Business Park in 2018, its business of supplying and installing luxury lodge homes and garden buildings has grown substantially since the company started in 2015.

In the past twelve months, during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown phases, Urban Marque has required purpose-built premises, prompting the move to Slater Court.

Jake Thorpe, Managing Director, Urban Marque said, “The Peterborough area is always going to be a default location for businesses looking to grow in this region, given its strategic location for road communications and the expansive customer reach businesses can access from it.

“Slater Court provided us with premises of notable quality and space that we were looking for in a great location to be able to offer our customers the experience they deserve when buying from us.

“We acknowledge how fortunate we are in operating in a business sector that has been able to trade during lockdown.”

Richard Jones, Director, Eddisons, added, “Some businesses have prospered either because or despite the trading conditions of lockdown.

“Yet in looking at all the occupiers at Slater Court, it is apparent that many small businesses have weathered the past twelve months and some have prospered.

“Regardless of the business sectors in which the occupiers at Slater Court operate, all are now set in new premises from which they will be part of this region’s enduring economic prosperity as we all look forward to much better trading conditions.”

For current availability at Eagle Business Park, contact Richard Jones at the Peterborough office of Eddisons, tel 01733 897722, [email protected] or see eddisons.com/barker-storey-matthews.

Find out more 

For any press queries, please contact:
Richard Jones, Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews, 01733 897722, [email protected].

Range of office suites and labs in Cambridge village R&D location

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Range of office suites and labs in Cambridge village R&D location

Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews is the sole agent on a range of suites to suit office or laboratory use available to let on flexible lease terms at Harston Mill, five miles south of Cambridge.

The available space ranges in size from 18 sq m (192 sq ft) to larger suites of 292 sq m (3,146 sq ft) with the ability to combine suites.

The suites are to let at £19 to £22 psf per annum, excl, on flexible lease terms.

Features of the suites now available to let through Eddisons include a shared reception area and receptionist services, bookable meeting and conference rooms, security and 24/7 security access, shower facilities, secure cycle parking and ample car parking.

Harston Mill is an established R&D location in a landscaped, picturesque setting and with riverside walks.

It is located is on the A10, two miles from the M11 and with onward access to the A505. The nearby village of Foxton has a railway station with direct train services to Cambridge and London King’s Cross.

Harston village has a range of local amenities including a village store and post office, petrol station, public houses/restaurants and a GP surgery.

Viewing of the office and laboratory space available to let at Harston Mill is strictly by appointment through Eddisons as the sole agent.

Virtual tours are available on request.

To arrange a viewing within permitted Covid-19 business guidelines or for more information, contact Ben Green, tel 07825 309599, [email protected] or see eddisons.com/properties/harston-mill-harston-cambridge-cb22.

Find out more 

For any press queries, please contact:
Richard Jones, Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews, 01733 897722, [email protected].

Peterborough ticks the boxes for niche packaging group

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Peterborough ticks the boxes for niche packaging group

 

Industrial premises in Peterborough’s Fengate business district have been let by joint agents Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews and Savills to a company who provides a wide range of specialist process and packaging solutions, primarily to the craft beverage industry in Ireland, UK and Europe.

Bevcraft Group – the parent company of Irish Craft Canning, Copack and Packsource – has taken a 10-year lease on 9 Titan Drive, Fengate.

The specialist packaging company identified Peterborough as being an ideal location from which to service a customer base within a two hour radius of the city and had been seeking suitable premises in the city for six months before securing the 10,412 sq ft (967.3 sq m) warehouse at Titan Drive.

The construction quality of the unit and its size were key considerations in looking for the right Peterborough premises in which to install new plant and machinery following Bevcraft Group’s recent substantial investment as part of its latest round of business growth.

Commenting on the deal to let 9 Titan Drive, Richard Jones, Director, Eddisons, said, “This is an occupier operating in a premium sector of modern manufacture and supply.

“That Bevcraft Group has chosen to locate and invest in Peterborough is a testament to the city’s contemporary industrial profile.

“It also confirms such occupiers’ appetite for commercial premises here in seeing a presence in the city as enabling company growth.”

For more information on industrial and warehouse premises to let in Peterborough, contact Richard Jones at Eddisons’ local office, tel 01733 897722, [email protected] or see eddisons.com/barker-storey-matthews.

Café use for former Bury St Edmunds boutique

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Café use for former Bury St Edmunds boutique

The premises of a former clothes boutique on St John’s Street in Bury St Edmunds have been let to the operator of an independent café.

This is confirmed by Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews whose local office acted on behalf of the landlord as the sole agent in the letting of 7 St John’s Street, which was formerly occupied by the Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing boutique, to the new café tenant which is due to open shortly.

As a Grade II Listed property, 7 St John’s Street sees the new occupier with ground floor and cellar space totalling 677 sq ft (62.89 sq m) and with an 8.3 metre frontage on to St John’s Street – one of Bury St Edmunds’ established town centre locations.

For information on other retail premises to let in Bury St Edmunds town centre, contact Steven Mudd at Eddisons’ local office, tel 01284 702655, [email protected] or see eddisons.com/barker-storey-matthews.

Find out more 

For any press queries, please contact:
Richard Jones, Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews, 01733 897722, [email protected].

A virtual ‘brand new’ high street

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A virtual ‘brand new’ high street

Julian Welch of Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews, who is its national retail and leisure agency lead, shares a view of the shape of the post-pandemic high street.

The plight of retail and hospitality business fortunes has never been far from financial commentators’ coverage of the Covid-19 pandemic for the past twelve months.

During this time, this crucial sector of the UK economy has been at the centre of a number of initiatives and announcements by, arguably, the ultimate financial commentator – the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Last summer’s ‘Eat out to help out’ scheme was very much associated with the Chancellor. Indeed, in his latest Budget statement earlier this month (March), there were measures positioned as designed to directly aid the retail and hospitality sectors in the coming months as they steer their businesses according to the roadmap of lockdown lifting.

That the Budget measures announced were very much for the short and medium term is something on which we passed comment at the time of their announcement.

What we are forced to consider now is the future shape of our high streets and the place in them for retail, hospitality and leisure sector businesses.

These are matters investors and professionals in the field have been reviewing for the past two decades as the nation’s retail and recreational habits have been morphing.

There is a broad agreement – among professional and lay audiences, alike – that Covid-19 has merely served to hasten the process of the fundamental structural reform of retail and leisure businesses that the internet kickstarted in the 1990s.

Handily paraphrased as ‘clicks versus bricks’, retail ‘brands’ still retain their attraction.

During the past year, we’ve seen a number of brands being bought by online retailers. Topshop has been acquired by ASOS and Debenhams online has been purchased by boohoo. There have been – and will be – many, many more as businesses and consumers adjust to ‘the new normal’ way of shopping.

It’s the brands of those once mighty retail, high street giants that have been bought. It’s the clicks – their online functions and architecture – and not the bricks that attract modern shopping behemoths.

All of the upside of brand identity but none of the costs of operating a physical, high street presence is advantageous to online-only retailers.

The past year has pushed forward the market share of online retailers and hastened the decline of high street failures. Without the cost of property and other operational costs associated with a conventional ‘shop’, it’s the online retailers who have had the freedom to be fleet of foot and grab market share.

They are not going to cede the territory on which they have been encroaching for decades.

Where once shopping on the high street was a collective pastime and, for many, even a leisure pursuit in itself, for the past twelve months, it has been the opposite.

Shopping is now something a rising demographic is doing via devices in bedrooms, living rooms, kitchens or on-the-go to wherever. That looks set to stay.

There is deep uncertainty in the leisure and hospitality sector as to how we will approach venturing out post-pandemic, many for the first time in any meaningful way, to go to the pub, the cinema, a gig, a club, a restaurant and even a mini-break or a full-blown holiday.

Famed as a nation of shopkeepers, we were in the process of reinventing and adjusting to the way we do it but that pace of change has been turbo-charged by the pandemic and the land-grab of the online retailers.

The transmissible characteristic of a virus sees the nation’s innkeepers being forced to think about their place on the high street too.

What this means for property fortunes and the shape of the high street to come is a moot point.

But business – like nature – abhors a vacuum and fresh ideas about our high streets abound in property discussions.

Where those ideas will land and with what impact on the high street, remain to play out but challenging times are ahead for parties with property interests.

For more information about retail, food & beverage and leisure property prospects and opportunities, contact Julian Welch on 01733 897722.

 Find out more 

For any press queries, please contact:
Richard Jones, Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews, 01733 897722, [email protected].

Final development opportunity launched at flagship waterfront scheme

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Final development opportunity launched at flagship waterfront scheme

Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews has just announced the launch of the final development plot for sale at Fletton Quays, Peterborough.

Fletton Quays is the city’s flagship, waterside development, fronting the River Nene and Plot 4, is the latest – and final – development opportunity offered for sale.

Known as ‘FQ4’, the property for sale is a former Victorian goods shed associated with the old Peterborough East railway station, and extends to 12,357 sq ft (1,148 sq m) with a total site area of 0.815 acres (0.33 ha).

The property has outline planning consent for a variety of commercial uses including retail, leisure, community and arts, education and medical.

Fletton Quays is the largest development in Peterborough city centre for over 40 years.

Covering over 6.5 hectares, it hosts the new headquarters of the City Council and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB). With retail units already let to café occupiers, it has a 400 space multi-storey car park.

Development has also commenced on a new 70,000 sq ft office building, providing a ‘Government hub’ for the Passport Agency and other official departments.

The residential element of Fletton Quays sees 350 high quality apartments built, with further homes planned as part of the ongoing development which also includes a new 160-hotel being built on behalf of Hilton Garden Inn.

Fletton Quays is on the southern bank of the River Nene and FQ4 is immediately opposite the site selected for the new University of Peterborough on the north bank, close to the Key Theatre, with plans for a new footbridge to connect each side of the river.

The relocation of the Peterborough United FC’s stadium has seen a site close to Fletton Quays identified as a suitable location too.

Commenting on the launch of FQ4, Julian Welch, Director, Eddisons, said, “Fletton Quays was always going to be a landmark project in Peterborough and the development is already delivering high quality space.

“The development is transforming a previously derelict part of the city and will inject a vibrancy that will help to take Peterborough towards its next phase of economic growth.

“FQ4 offer the last opportunity to be part of this exciting scheme.”

Eddisons is acting on behalf of Peterborough Investment Partnership in the sale of Plot FQ4 where bids are to meet a deadline of 12 noon on Friday 14 May 2021.

Access to the site is restricted and by appointment only. Price on application.

For further information, contact Julian Welch at Eddisons’ Peterborough office, tel 01733 897722, [email protected].

Find out more 

For any press queries, please contact:
Richard Jones, Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews, 01733 897722, [email protected].

New Cambridge office meets care agency’s expanding needs

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New Cambridge office meets care agency’s expanding needs

A care agency is relocating its Cambridge office across the city to premises which better meet its needs in this crucial and growing business sector, according to Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews who acted as sole agent on behalf of the landlord.

The agent’s latest deal sees Availl, who provide homecare services and healthcare recruitment, move to St Giles Hall, Pound Hill from premises on Regent Street where it has been located since 2009.

St Giles Hall is a period building on the edge of the Cambridge’s historic city centre. It provides a self-contained office setting with parking. Office accommodation totals 3,975 sq ft (360 sq m) including open plan offices, a large boardroom and additional meeting rooms.

Close to the key road junction of Queen’s Road (‘The Backs’) with Madingley Road and Northampton Street (‘The Backs’), St Giles Hall gives Availl and its office-based and community-based staff good access to private and public transport options to and from Cambridge and the surrounding area in which its local clients are based.

The care provider began its search for new premises in January this year (2021), ahead of the expiry of its Regent Street office lease next year (2022) and St Giles Hall met its property requirements on a number of levels.

Graham Parker, Founder, explained, “Our current office in a shared building no longer met the needs of our staff or the expansion plans for the business.

“St Giles Hall gives us stand-alone office premises, with accommodation we can configure to ensure Covid-19 workplace compliancy for staff and visitors alike.

“In addition to our allocated parking, there is easy access to on-street, metered parking and the Madingley Road Park & Ride facility for our staff and any visitors to the office.

“Relocating from Cambridge city centre to its edge gives quicker access to the M11 and A14, as well as across and around the city itself, maximising efficiency in the deployment of personnel to meet our clients’ needs.”

Ben Green of Eddisons – whose Cambridge office is also on Pound Hill and is visible from St Giles Hall – added, “We have been happy to help meet Availl’s pressing property requirements and to have done so in such short order.

“St Giles Hall is a unique property, offering lots of character with its vaulted ceiling and outside amenity space. Despite a tricky market, it was always going to appeal with its combination of on-site parking, proximity to the city centre and easy access to the region’s main roads.”

For information about offices to let in Cambridge, contact Ben Green, tel 01223 467155, [email protected] or see eddisons.com/barker-storey-matthews.

Find out more 

For any press queries, please contact:
Richard Jones, Eddisons incorporating Barker Storey Matthews, 01733 897722, [email protected].