Eddisons Incorporating Banks Long & Co reports that Lincoln is the latest location in the sights of a fast-expanding self-storage company in confirming the agency’s sale of a 57,500 sq ft warehouse on a 3.5 acre site just off the city’s outer ring road.

The former retail warehouse on Greetwell Road, Lincoln has been acquired from private clients of Eddisons by joint venture partners, Wigwam Storage Management and Paloma Capital in a deal which saw Midlands-based agent Michael Johnson & Co acting on behalf of the JV partners in the transaction.

The price paid for the Greetwell Road warehouse & site remains confidential, but Eddisons confirms it was marketed for OIEO £3million.

Trading as Wigwam Storage, the firm – which currently has operational sites in Worcestershire, Warwickshire & Oxfordshire – is scheduled to open this new Lincoln site in the summer.

Nick Grant, Director, Wigwam Storage Management, confirms that the acquisition of this new site in Lincoln is part of the first phase of the joint venture partners’ £50million growth strategy in aiming for countrywide expansion beyond its original clutch of Midlands’ sites.

In explaining the targeting of Lincoln, Nick Grant said, “The city has ever improving road transport connections. This can only make it more accessible to centres of commercial and residential populations across the immediate area and its surrounding counties.

“As an edge of city site, Greetwell Road ticks all the boxes. It’s a very visible, large site that lends itself to external drive-up units, and the main warehouse has an excellent property specification for conventional indoor self-storage.

“We are actively seeking similar sites that tick all the boxes for the business of self-storage in the way this Lincoln one does.”

In announcing the sale of the Greetwell Road warehouse & site on behalf of its clients, Eddisons’ William Wall, said, “Factors fuelling the steady growth of the UK’s £1billion self-storage business sector – such as a shortage of rental properties in the face of high demand – look unlikely to abate for the foreseeable future.

“Lincoln’s position on the map means it’s perfectly placed to capitalise on this growing sector of the UK economy where location and logistical reach are operationally critical.”

To discuss more commercial property opportunities in Lincoln, contact Will Wall on 07717 546 269 or at [email protected].

A new retail outlet for Arthur Rank Hospice, the charity supporting people in Cambridgeshire living with an advanced serious illness or other life-limiting conditions, is set to open in the county later this year following the completion of a letting instruction by Eddisons.

The charity has signed a new, 10-year lease on 2,782 sq ft (258.44 sq m) retail premises at 20 Broad Street in March in a deal where Eddisons was acting as the sole agent under instruction on behalf of the landlord.

Most recently occupied by QD stores – and, before that, Thing-Me-Bobs – Arthur Rank Hospice will be undertaking a major refurbishment programme. According to the agent, this will see the transformation of the premises across its large retail floor in seeing the charity offer a variety of items including, clothing, homewares and furniture.

For more information about retail premises to let across the Cambridgeshire market towns, contact Steven Mudd at Eddisons, [email protected].

The next phase of business units at Oakwood Business Park, Sawtry, Cambs is now underway with the units launched for sale in readiness for occupation this summer following the confirmation of Screwfix leasing over 4,000 sq ft in the first phase.

Eddisons is the sole agent under instruction on the brand new business units which, it says, are suitable for a variety of uses including light industrial, manufacturing, trade counter, and warehouse.

There are a variety of unit size options available from 3,595 sq ft (334 sq m) to 19,709 sq ft (1,831 sq m) with increasing floor area achieved by combining adjacent units.

All the units are of steel portal frame, with up and over sectional door access to the main industrial/warehouse area. Unit heights are to be, approximately, 8 metres.

Each unit has first floor windows giving scope for occupiers to add an additional floor at mezzanine level. Each unit has a reception lobby, in addition to the main business space, and Eddisons advises that there is scope to create an additional office, subject to build stage.

There is allocated parking for each unit too.

Oakwood Business Park is adjacent to the A1(M) with south and northbound access points under a mile away. The A14 is seven miles from the park, Peterborough is 8 miles, Huntingdon 8.5 miles and St Neots is 16 miles away.

Matthew Hunt of Eddisons is leading the firm’s agency on this latest phase of Oakwood Business Park. Speaking about the launch of the new units for sale, he said, “These units are in a key transport location where there are not many new build opportunities for business units of this size.

“We anticipate interest in the freeholds from owner-occupiers as well as investors looking to capitalise on the ongoing resilience of the industrial sector in this part of the country.”

For more information on the units available in this next phase of Oakwood Business Park, Sawtry, Cambs, contact Matthew Hunt at Eddisons, tel 01480 451578, [email protected].

HISTORIC WILLIAM HOUSE IN DARLINGTON, COUNTY DURHAM, HAS BEEN SOLD TO ARCANUM PROPERTIES, READY FOR SPECIALIST LIVING.

Nestled on the corner of Nestfield Street, Barton Street, and Church Grove, this property showcases a combination of nine self-contained residential apartments, featuring a variety of layouts, including ground floor units with private entrances and outdoor patio/garden areas.

Boasting a total area of approximately 412.86m² (4,444sq ft), along with dedicated and on-street parking options, the two-story Victorian House apartment block underwent a transformation under the ownership of its previous owners, who ran a day nursery on the premises for over three decades.

Upon retirement, they developed the space, with each apartment finished to a high standard, boasting fully fitted kitchens, bathrooms, and spacious lounge areas. Now, Arcanum Properties, the purchasers of William House, have a vision to repurpose the apartments for specialist living.

The sale, facilitated by Matthew Jennings, highlights the enduring appeal of well-built residential developments in desirable locations, with the Victorian residence perfectly constructed to offer a compelling option for specialist living.

Situated approximately 1.5 miles from Darlington town centre, the location provides easy access to various amenities including Darlington College and Teeside University Darlington, along with the scenic Rockwell Local Nature Reserve.

With Darlington’s excellent road and rail connections, including proximity to the A1M, A66, and Darlington Railway Station, William House offers residents convenient and direct access Newcastle, Edinburgh and London King’s Cross.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SURROUNDING AREA, CONTACT MATTHEW JENNINGS AT EDDISONS BRADFORD, 01274 734101, [email protected]

Totalling, approximately, 4,120 sq ft (383 sq m) net internal area, a ground floor retail unit – with two basements and an adjoining workshop – occupies 1,965 sq ft (183 sq m). The rest of the accommodation is formed from two sets of offices spread across first and second floors, with independent accesses off Lensfield Road and Brookside.

Eddisons advises that the freehold incorporates an area of pavement on Lensfield Road.

On the corner of Lensfield Road and Brookside, the property’s central location in the historic city centre is in the immediate vicinity of many Cambridge landmarks including the Botanic Gardens, the Fitzwilliam Museum, in addition to several colleges of the University of Cambridge.

Ben Green, Director, Eddisons, believes it’s a property instruction that could appeal to developer investors given its scope for refurbishment or redevelopment, subject to planning consents. Or, equally, it could attract interest from owner occupiers operating in a range of commercial sectors, including retail and education provision.

He added, “Such freehold opportunities rarely become available in central Cambridge so we expect a good level of interest. Of particular appeal is the property’s prominence and its accessibility by foot to the city centre and central railway station”.

“It presents the opportunity for a fresh look and making best use of space to fulfil its investment and operational potential for its next occupiers.”

The freehold of 69 & 71 and 69a & 71a Lensfield Road, Cambridge is being offered with vacant possession for offers over £1.25 million.

Viewing is strictly by appointment through the agents and more information is available on enquiry.

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

A mix of water supply and transport issues, alongside national plan-making changes, pose challenges to Greater Cambridge’s planning.

As a result, South Cambridgeshire District Council and Cambridge City Council, who share planning services, agree on the necessity to extend the Greater Cambridge Local Plan (GCLP) timetable.

Originally working to a timetable agreed in 2022, those participant local authorities involved in the GCLP have now agreed an indicative revised timetable that is set to start the formal 30-month local plan process by autumn/winter 2025.

The previous timetable set out that consultation on a draft local plan was due to take place in autumn 2023, with proposed submission this autumn (2024) and submission to the Secretary of State for independent examination in summer/autumn 2025.

The reasons for the delay to the GCLP set out by the two councils are the water supply issue in the region, ongoing work on the wider transport strategy, and a new plan-making system where emerging plans under the current system can continue only if they are submitted for independent public examination by the end of June 2025.

In addition, in the Spring Budget earlier this month, the Government announced funding to address the water supply issue and proposals for further growth in the Greater Cambridge area that are to be driven by a dedicated Development Corporation.

According to Eddisons’ planning professionals in the region, while the delay is frustrating, it is important that the issues flagged-up by the local authorities are resolved to assist with the formal local plan process.

Lydia Pravin, Associate Planning Director, explains, “Water supply issues already affect current planning applications in the Greater Cambridge area, so the funding and continued co-operation across local and national governments are welcomed.

“The relocation of the Cambridge Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP) from the north east side of the city is also a turnkey project with implications for both water supply & transport strategies, as well as the redevelopment potential of this key edge of city site. A decision on this, through a Development Consent Order, is expected by the end of this year.

“The forthcoming General Election introduces another level of uncertainty in anticipating the actions of any future administration regarding a Development Corporation for Cambridge.

“In involving so many organisations and statutory authorities, not to mention landowning and development interests, it’s vital that the GCLP addresses all matters in a holistic and strategic way.

“It is important that collaboration continues at pace, given the region’s importance as one of the country’s economic powerhouses.”

The recently converted Starbucks drive-thru coffee shop on the northbound Liphook by-pass in Hampshire has gone up for sale with a £1.4m guide price.

The single-storey 2,700 sq ft property, which is located on a 0.6 acre site on the northbound A3, north west of Liphook, is being marketed by Eddisons’ Fareham team and the site includes 20 parking spaces, with potential for four EV charging points to be installed.

Eddisons agency surveyor Nick Holtby said: “The Liphook store has recently been renovated and converted into a drive-thru and is let to 23.5 Degrees, Starbucks’ first UK franchise business, which now has 100 stores nationally.”

“The fact that there is also the potential to add an extra unit, parking and further EV charging, subject to planning consent, makes this property even more attractive as an investment.”

For more information contact Nick Holtby at Eddisons in Fareham at [email protected], 01329 221199.

Eddisons has acted jointly as agent on behalf of a private vendor in the unconditional sale of a 12.7 acre site in the Cambridgeshire market town of St Ives to developer Barnack Estates Ltd.

Situated in the town’s key commercial employment district, the site is located opposite the Somersham Road Industrial Estate, on the northern outskirts of the town by the B1040 road.

The site was sold with recently secured planning consent for commercial employment use.

In looking to offer opportunities for delivery in the early part of next year (2025), Barnack Estates Ltd is set to deliver a commercial scheme that will offer new build office and hi-tech facilities to the market, along with a mixture of commercial space to suit a diverse environment and economy.

Working with its partners, Barnack Estates Ltd will be promoting ideas for the development scheme across the wider community.

Eddisons has been appointed as the sole selling agent under instruction to market the freehold & leasehold opportunities as the development comes on stream.

Speaking about Eddisons’ role in the deal, Simon Parsons, Director, said, “In a region of high growth & ongoing economic investment, plus current and future housing growth in St Ives, the town and the wider Huntingdon district are strategic business locations that can meet the needs of both large and SME-sized companies in Cambridgeshire.

“This latest proposed commercial development seeks to offer a solution for such companies who want to benefit from being close to the R&D core of Cambridge, but feel the combined costs pressures of its highly competitive labour market and limited availability of quality business space.”

Vanessa Pomeroy, Managing Director, Barnack Estates Ltd, added, “We are delighted that we will be able to offer this much needed space for growing business both in the local area and further afield.

“We hope that our partnerships with Invest in Huntingdonshire & Cambridge Regional College will allow us to attract the most innovative and forward thinking businesses to the area.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON OPPORTUNITIES IN THE SURROUNDING AREA, CONTACT SIMON PARSONS AT EDDISONS HUNTINGDON, 01733 971808, [email protected]

See more:

MAINTAINED OFFICE SPACE, ATLANTIC ROAD, ST IVES

NEW-BUILD INDUSTRIAL SCHEME, WELLBECK COURT, PETERBOROUGH

ENTERPRISE PARK, YAXLEY, CAMBRIDESHIRE 

Acting as the sole agent on behalf of the vendor, Eddisons has confirmed that a detached period property in the centre of the Cambridgeshire market town of St Ives has been sold.

Atlantica House, on Station Road, is a two storey, double fronted property that draws on the Georgian architectural style in terms of presentation, room proportions and internal & external features.

In the town’s Conservation Area, it had been in commercial use for a number of years before its most recent occupier, a law practice, re-located last year ahead of Eddisons’ appointment as the selling agent last autumn.

Many internal period features, such as leaded windows and fireplaces & surrounds, had been cared for and respected by the vendor and previous business occupiers.

Atlantica House was marketed by Eddisons with planning consent for both a single town house or conversion to three dwellings at a guide price of £750,000.

The property attracted interest from a range of potential purchasers including developers, residential purchasers and businesses, with strong interest from several parties.

Eddisons understands the new owner is maintaining commercial office use.

For more information on offices for sale or to let in the St Ives and Huntingdon area, contact Stephen Power at Eddisons, tel 01480 451578, [email protected] or through eddisons.com/offices/huntingdon.