WINTER 13
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
>> Village pubs More than £800,000 has been invested to transform one of Birmingham’s oldest pubs. The 1894 building formerly known as The Village Inn, in Moseley, has been lovingly restored as a quirky Victoriana-inspired venue in the heart of Moseley, creating 30 permanent jobs. Local entrepreneurs Adrian and Sharon Harvey are the husband and wife team behind The Village, the first venture to be launched under their Suburban Inns brand. Commercial interior design and brand experts Spencer Swinden designed the concept, interior and new exterior areas. Sharon Harvey said: “The combination of introducing an exciting new interior scheme with restoring the building’s original features, such as the vaulted ceiling, has been a real labour of love.” The Alcester Road venue will introduce what’s claimed to be a first for Birmingham – the ‘Carving Platter’, where a family or group of friends can carve an entire joint at their table.
>> US investment US-firm Cabot Properties Inc. has bought a 150,000 sq ft prime logistics unit for £8.55m in Solihull from a private investor. Colliers International advised the Americans in the deal for the Stirling 150 premises in Monkspath, which is let to DHL for a further three years. Justin Harvey, vice president at Cabot, said: “The expansion of our activities in the UK industrial sector is in line with our strategy of investing in high quality assets in strong locations with attractive yields.”
(l-r) Vicky Beach, Jones Lang LaSalle, Lance Turner, Harris Lamb and Steven Jagers, Jones Lang LaSalle
>> Landmark on the market The former Sealine International factory in Kidderminster is up for grabs. The 11.38 acre former manufacturing site has been a landmark in the town for 41 years, but sadly Sealine went into administration back in April. The brand name was subsequently sold to European investors and now Jones Lang LaSalle and Harris Lamb are marketing the 260,000 sq ft vacant buildings for the administrators. Vicky Beach, of Jones Lang LaSalle, said: “Premises of this type and size with cranage and high eaves rarely come to the market and we hope to bring a positive conclusion to the final chapter in Sealine International’s closure.”
>> Business doubles
>> Candy store in centre
A Midland family business has doubled its floorspace to handle growth. Redditch-based Flexel Ltd, which specialises in wiring assemblies, has doubled the size of its premises in a move to a 6,000 sq ft base at Moons Park, Burnt Meadow Road, advised by property agents John Truslove. The SME employs just eight people but is now looking to take on a couple more. “Such companies are the bedrock of the economy,” said John Truslove partner Ian Parker.
Harris Lamb has secured a key city centre retail location for posh clothes retailer The Candy Store. The Birmingham business, founded in 2007, opened its first location in Union Street and opened a second outlet in the heart of London last year, selling exclusive brands including 10.Deep, HUF, Diamond Supply and Crooks & Castles. The Candy Store has now taken on the 833 sq ft premises close to the new Stephenson Street entrance to New Street Station, in Lower Temple Street, with more space in the basement. Matthew Pegg, retail agent at Harris Lamb, said: “The Candy Store is an exciting, successful retailer, with strong roots in Birmingham, so the business was very keen to secure the best possible presence within the city centre.”
Such companies are the bedrock of the economy
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BUSINESS QUARTER | WINTER 13