8 minute read
Commercial property
Riverside site
A 1930s Grade II-listed property in Maidstone could be given a £30 million facelift, if planning permission is granted.
Private developers Classicus Estates have put in an application to restore Len House, the former Rootes Building, to create homes for discerning people with a love of history.
If permission is granted by Maidstone Borough Council, the building beside the River Len will be converted into 159 homes above commercial space on the ground fl oor. The original Crittall windows and interiors will be carefully restored and retained, but new features will include solar panels on the roof and a two-storey extension.
Part of the agreement for planning permission
will be to carry out ecological and biodiversity work to protect wildlife and minimise fl ood risk from the river.
Owner of Classicus Matthew Brett-Chaponnel said: “Len House is an iconic, modernist piece of architecture and our plans to redevelop will ensure its long-term sustainable future. The planning application aims to keep as much of the original property in place as possible, while enhancing and adding to the building with a new design and build which will complement Len House’s heritage, character and charm.
Designs for the project have been completed by architects Hollaway to preserve the appearance of the building, a former garage and car sales business.
Support where needed Surrey Chambers of Commerce has been Commerce (BCC) and local authorities, to help share supporting businesses on the frontline as the local and regional responses to the crisis. “fi rst responders” on the ground for the past We have organised over 40 webinars, in partnership 18 weeks. with many of our members, continuing to off er a range
We had to furlough a couple of team members, of relevant content that will empower businesses and as our events programme came to a halt – and provide much needed support during these times. with it any income. As a result, we have focused all One of the really heartening things has been the way our resources on our members, talking to them businesses have pulled together helping one another and helping direct them to government advice and at this diffi cult time and we have been able to facilitate support. much of this sharing of support.
We are supported by a strong business Do you remember Brexit? What used to be a board, led by an MD of a successful IT company signifi cant topic within my column over the last three (projectfi ve), so we have seen fi rst-hand the years has taken a back seat. However, we are hurtling all-encompassing eff ect of this crisis. towards the 1 January, 2021, when full border controls
Our dedicated team made more than 2,000 will be in place at all ports, regardless of any deal that meaningful engagements with the Surrey business is agreed with the EU. An estimated 200 million more community. We used these discussions to collate declarations will need to be made by traders annually, intelligence and to feed directly through to key when importing and exporting to and from the EU. stakeholders, including our local enterprise Surrey Chambers, along with the national network partnerships (LEPs), British Chambers of of chambers, is preparing to support this massive Hub appeal
Building services consultants IWA are bucking the national trend and moving offi ces.
As many businesses opt to stay put until the dust settles after lockdown, IWA – which designs heating, lighting, water, drainage and other mechanical and electrical systems for property developers and architects – moved into offi ces at Pacifi c House, on Eastbourne’s Sovereign Harbour Innovation Park.
IWA had been based in the town centre for 20 years, but director Phil Erridge said it was time to fi nd more modern, fl exible offi ces.
He said: “I looked at various options in Eastbourne and the surrounding area, but Pacifi c House clearly stood out. The communal feel of being part of a vibrant business hub is highly appealing. The building has a contemporary feel and the shared facilities including reception and meeting spaces make great sense for a fi rm like ours.”
Virtual viewing
An interactive video tour of offi ces in Bexhill will allow prospective tenants to view what’s on off er from a safe distance.
Sea Change Sussex has produced the virtual tour of High Weald House on the Bexhill Enterprise Park, with the option to move around spaces, or see the whole in “doll’s house” format.
High Weald House was designed by architects AHR to high environmental standards. It has plenty of parking and an atrium for break-out meetings.
C H A M B E R
C O M M E N T
change with some excellent training, ensuring that local businesses have the skills to understand exports and export documentation. We urge businesses to talk to us about their needs. We are also building the capacity in our team to ensure we are ready to support businesses with the changes to documentation when businesses with the changes to documentation when needed.
CONTACT Louise Punter, chief executive, Surrey Chambers of Commerce @surreychambers
A Brite future
An innovation hub in Brighton is launching a support programme off ering research and development, the use of high-spec machinery and equipment and specialist design teams to help with product development.
The new hub, known as Plus X, off ers membership of Brighton Research Innovation Technology Exchange – BRITE for short – to more than 100 businesses in and around Sussex. The project is funded by the European Research Development Fund and run in collaboration with the University of Brighton.
Joint CEO of Plus X, Mat Hunter said: “Innovators often achieve early-stage growth at trailblazing speed, but the path to scale with pace can slow signifi cantly without good guidance.
An historic industrial site has been given a new lease of life after developer Charter Land transformed it into Brighton Works – the
“The BRITE programme is a fantastic opportunity to support businesses based in the Coast to Capital area and help them grow. For the past fi ve years we have built a successful innovation space and accelerator programme at the Central Research Laboratory in Hayes. We will draw on our existing experience, blending our new team expertise and partnership with the world leading research from the University of Brighton, who have decades of experience working with SMEs in Sussex, unlocking unrivalled growth opportunities for our BRITE members.”
Chief executive at Coast to Capital Jonathan Sharrock said: “We are delighted to have supported the Plus X project with a £7.7 million Local Growth Fund contribution. This is a critical time for SMEs across the area and the BRITE programme will help businesses get back on their feet. Working with partners such as Plus X and the University of Brighton, our goal is to create spaces in which
New life for factory
cutting-edge businesses can thrive.”
largest new warehouse and industrial development in the city for 25 years.
The building in Auckland Drive, Bevendean, was home to Brighton Sheet Metal, which closed in 2018. It has been refurbished to a high standard to provide seven warehouse and industrial units.
Director of Charter Land, Charles Sandy said: “We are delighted to bring Brighton Works to life and to create an important central site for warehousing and light industrial businesses.” Produce distributor Sun Harvest has taken the fi rst lease on space, the remaining six are available to move into immediately.
Rent arrears in the private sector are looming, as tenants struggle to cope fi nancially during the pandemic.
Ronnie Pratten of RP Communications, a specialist in property matters, fears things will come to a head in August, as the government’s rental protection scheme comes to an end.
She writes: “You know that disaster is down the track when everyone is waving a red fl ag. Rent arrears in the residential lettings sector are no exception to that.
“Covid-19 offi cially arrived on these shores in March (though probably much earlier) and the resultant country-wide lockdown with its inevitable economic impact, has caused a tsunami of consequences, not least for tenants in the private rental sector.
“Massive government support through furloughing, business loans, business grants, business rates relief, mortgage holidays and other initiatives were well received, but lingering anxiety in the general population may determine when and if the economy recovers fully. Economic recovery Red flag for rents may be in a V, a W or L shape, and will, of course, be subject to any future return of the virus.
“There has been a united response by leaders across the residential property sector in off ering their expertise to solve problems facing tenants and their landlords as a result of lockdown and the economic downturn.
“Responding to the pandemic, the government introduced emergency measures to prevent eviction. These were welcomed, providing tenants with breathing space until that measure ends in August. So, guidance from the National Residential Landlords Association, ARLA Propertymark, the Chartered Institute of Housing, MyDeposits, the Tenancy Deposit Scheme and the Property Redress Scheme is timely and carries weight.
“The joint guidance is available as a 10-page downloadable document. Its step-by-step format is visual, simple to follow and understand. It encourages landlords and tenants to be pro-active and talk to one another before arrears become too diffi cult to overcome. The guide recommends that landlords and tenants negotiate and work together in order to agree a realistic rent arrears payment plan that suits all parties; and to stick to it. It signposts landlords to mortgage holidays on their buy-to-let property and encourages tenants to apply for benefi ts, if they are eligible.
“The guide covers circumstances when landlords may consider deferring payments until tenants receive grants or benefi ts they are entitled to (which could take time to materialise) or in extreme cases they may agree to recover any shortfall in rent from deposit money. The main message is to keep communication channels open.”
