Latest News - Bucking the trend
‘Action not words’ for Thames Valley companies
Companies in the Thames Valley are taking decisive actions to secure their post-recessionary future, says Graham Denton, joint managing director of business parks specialist Country Estates.
“The positive business activity levels in both our letting and acquisition sectors over the past few months have been surprising all of us, bearing in mind the economic downturn. We ended 2009 by completing a number of significant deals and the trend is continuing now in the New Year.”
So, why does Country Estates’ commercial business appear to be ‘bucking the trend’?
“Well, first of all, I think the recession forced many businesses to restructure in the Thames Valley, but they weathered the recession relatively well, largely through good management and inherent business strengths. Around autumn, they began to feel that the worst was over and started looking for opportunities, deals and business premises to suit their post-recession future,” explains Graham Denton.
“Now, many people are thinking that they have been sitting on their hands long enough, don’t want to be left behind, and they are making positive decisions to move their businesses forward. I think a lot of companies have seen the New Year as the right time for a bright new start.”
“Oh, and the other reason that Country Estates is ‘bucking the trend’ is that we are providing the right sort of premises with the right deals; the sort of places that businesses can make into comfortable new ‘homes’, and employees can feel proud to work in,” added Denton.
Certainly, Graham Denton’s confidence in the Country Estates product is being matched by uptake and inquiries at its 15 business parks throughout the south, each offering high quality 21st century commercial facilities and flexibility allowing businesses to grow.
Country Estates has several contracts out for completion at present, some linked to its two business parks on the A339 south of Newbury at Kingsclere, well located for the important commercial triangle of Newbury, Reading and Basingstoke and key motorway and A-road transport links.
There has been particular interest in recently launched Kingsbrook House at New Kingsclere Park, built to the latest carbon emission, insulation and disability access standards. New Kingsclere Park, set to expand with design-&-build opportunities, is a good example of the standards and variety provided by Country Estates throughout its local business parks.
In Aldermaston at the popular 18-acre woodland site of Calleva Park, the largest of Country Estates business parks, two companies, one American, have recently signed three-year leases on new units.
Two companies – Reading-based House of Pine & Oak and global energy supply specialist Areva T&D – have also taken new three-year leases on premises at Country Estates’ Albury Close development in Reading, where Country Estates has its head office.
North of the Thames in Reading, Graham Denton, in association with Chris Solly of Checkmore Ltd, has recently sold land to data and IT company Network Critical Solutions in Caversham. Country Estates subsidiary Denton & Gibson Ltd will build office premises there later this year. West of Newbury, at the Shrivenham 100 business park, Denton and Solly have gained further significant lettings.
Meanwhile in Chippenham, at Country Estates’ Lansdowne Court location, near M4 junction 17, Connexions Somerset has taken a five-year lease on a brand-new 2,500 sq ft. building. A similar adjacent building with air-conditioned office space and good parking is available at present, and Country Estates hopes for further development of such premises later this year.
In Hampshire, Swift Fire & Security has, among other things, gained improved broadband communication links by moving to Hussar Court in Waterlooville on a three-year lease. Also at attractively landscaped Hussar Court, Smart CCTV has purchased a long leasehold on Dragoon House.
The Brambles Business Centre at Waterlooville, designed with start-ups in mind, has seen four suites taken up on short-term leases, ranging from six months to one year.
Completing Country Estates latest rush of client interest, Mail & Print Services Ltd has just taken a three-year lease on a large unit at Osprey Court in Bristol’s Hawkfield Business Park.
For more information: Sue Lamarque, 0118 981 1006 or visit suel@countryestates.co.uk or www.countryestates.co.uk
03/07/2010