DEVELOPER ROBERT HITCHINS COMPLETES NEW FACILITY FOR MKM BUILDING SUPPLIES

Developer Robert Hitchins has handed over the keys for a new store to MKM Building Supplies in Kingsway Park, Gloucester.

The company is the UK’s largest independent builders’ merchant.

Michael Plimmer, Senior Development Manager for Robert Hitchins, said: “We started discussions with MKM about our site in Kingsway in 2021. They had a requirement for Gloucester and it felt like Kingsway was an ideal fit to serve the south of the city, situated just off the A38 with direct access to thousands of new homes and alongside complementary retailers.

“Having worked closely with their property team over the last 12 months, we have been able to design and obtain planning for a facility that meets their exact requirements and we are really pleased that our contractor EG Carter has been able to deliver this 20,000 sq ft building for us, not just on budget but also ahead of time.

“It has been a really successful development and we wish MKM Building Supplies every success.”

The branch, in Newhaven Road, is due to open this month.

Branch Director for MKM, Charles McArthur, said: “Robert Hitchins and EG Carter have developed a wonderful new branch for us to build a business. Our property team are carrying out the shop fitting which includes a kitchen and bathroom showroom and landscaping display.

Mark Harries, Associate Director for EG Carter, said: “The project has been a true collaboration of all parties from the outset, which was completed to budget and under programme.”

The arrival of MKM on a 20-year lease marks the completion of the Kingsway Business Park which forms part of a major mixed-use scheme on the site of the former 340-acre RAF Quedgeley.

A417 Missing Link at Birdlip on government’s priority infrastructure project list

The government has revealed that the A417 ‘Missing Link’ infrastructure project between Cirencester and Gloucester is one of 86 priority projects it aims to accelerate, aiming to get the vast majority starting construction by the end of 2023.

The A417 Air Balloon Missing Link Project is a £435 million project to build a new 3.4 mile dual carriageway linking the M4 and the M5.

The A417 running between Gloucester, Cirencester and Swindon, is a regular bottleneck and causes sometimes hours of delays. It has been described for years as one of the worst pinch-points on the national road network.

Real estate investment trust Picton has bought 109-117 High Street, Cheltenham for £5.3 million, which sits next to John Lewis.

The mixed-use property comprises 7,700 sq ft of ground floor retail space with 11,450 sq ft of office space over two upper floors, and is located in Cheltenham’s pedestrianised town centre.

Michael Morris, Chief Executive of Picton, said: “This is our second, mixed use acquisition this year. It is a quality, future-proofed building, that has recently been leased and after significant expenditure. The income profile and fixed rental uplifts will further improve our earnings.”

Christies sells former forecourt and workshop on A40 at Huntley near Gloucester

Commercial property agents Christie & Co has sold Ross Road Garage on the A40 in Huntley, Gloucester

The successful new owners, Dasitha Gamage and Janaka Watowita were drawn to the opportunity due to the large plot size and development potential.

They said: “We have many years of experience operating retail stores in the UK and we were keeping an eye out for an opportunity to acquire our first freehold forecourt business for over 10 years.

“We have several plans to develop this handy site into a modern-day forecourt and convenience store and we are excited at the prospect of working with one of the national fuel brands and symbol groups to bring these plans to life.”