BEAUTY BUSINESS FINDS FOUNDATION FOR THE FUTURE IN ALCESTER

Offices in one of Alcester’s historic buildings are the new home of a thriving cosmetics clinic, thanks to the help of property agents John Truslove.

Marie Dolan has moved her Define business into Shakespeare Chamber at 3c High Street, taking a three-year lease on 699 sq ft at £8,500 per annum.

“It’s a lovely building dating back to around the 17th century with exposed beams and whitewashed walls. It provides lots of space as I expand my business,” said Marie.

A qualified nurse, she has worked in the aesthetics industry for 12 years and decided to set up on her own providing cosmetic injections, anti-ageing treatments, dermal fillers, lip fillers and skincare. “I wanted somewhere that would be central and easy to access but would also provide a degree of discretion,” she said. “At the same time, given the enormous growth in aesthetics and the clinical cosmetics market, I needed somewhere where my business could expand.”

Landlord Larry Brown was happy with the deal. “The premises were only empty a couple of days before the new tenant moved in,” he said.

Ian Parker, joint managing director at John Truslove, said: “We are delighted to have been able to bring together a landlord and tenant in such short order.”

Kite Creative swaps garden studio for Manor House view

Interiors design and build business Kite Creative has moved to new offices in a former stable block at Howbery Business Park near Wallingford.

Now in its sixth year of business with 30 sub-contractors on its books and several employees, Kite Creative had outgrown the purpose-built studio in the garden of its co-founders and directors, Helen and Bruce Gordon.

Bruce, Kite Creative’s Managing Director, said: “I can’t think of a nicer place to have an office in the area where we live. I love the way things are run here and it’s a very calming environment.”

Creative Director Helen specialises in the interior design side of the business while Bruce focuses on construction and project management.

Donna Bowles, Estates Manager at Howbery Business Park, said: “We aim to provide convenient office spaces in a natural, calm environment that supports a work-life balance.”

The UK’s largest Ford dealer group has signed a seven-year lease and becomes the biggest occupier for site owner St Modwen.

Stuart Foulds, Chairman and Chief Executive at TrustFord, said: “This expansion of acreage reflects our ongoing dedication and investment in our industry-leading fleet and national logistics centre. The location is perfectly situated as our national hub for vehicle preparation and delivery.”

TrustFord arrived at Meon Vale Business Park near Junction 15 of the M40 in 2014: it signed a fiveyear lease to occupy a 10,000 sq ft warehouse and storage unit.

Developer St Modwen has now let more than 500,000 sq ft of warehouse accommodation to businesses across multiple sectors at Meon Vale in the last year.

Occupiers include Unipart Logistics, Desire Tech Ltd and Berkeley International Services Ltd.

Gemma Butler, Asset Manager at St Modwen Industrial & Logistics, added: “The deal reaffirms our industrial and logistics strategy, illustrating clear market demand.”

David Penn of Bromwich Hardy and Chris Keye of Darby Keye are joint agents for the site

County ploughs £19.5m into business centre to transform Nuneaton

Warwickshire County Council has agreed to invest nearly £19.5 million in the Transforming Nuneaton project by building a new library, café and business centre in the town.

The aim is to help create a vibrant economy in the town centre which will attract businesses and unlock other land for private sector development.

The investment from the authority’s Capital Investment Fund is earmarked for the Church Street area, currently occupied by Wilkos, Powell House and the Royal Mail. The buildings and land are owned by Warwickshire County Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.

The ground floor of the new building will provide a new library. The first floor will consist of office space for county council staff and a reception area for the business centre offering approximately 70 offices, aimed at small start-ups. Revenue will be generated from rent at the business centre and the café – an estimated £490,000 per annum once target occupancy is achieved.