< PreviousCOMMERCIAL PROPERTY10Business Link www.blmforum.netThe property sector seems to be oneof contradictions. On one hand, manycompanies claim they’re unable to findaffordable, high quality property, yet onthe other there seems to be a numberof empty properties that appear to havebeen unoccupied for many years. Manybemoan the appearance of these emptyproperties as a major turn-off forvisitors and potential investors alike, butwhat can be done to solve theproblem?No doubt many of the region’sproperty specialists are trying hard tomake good use of unoccupied buildingsbut are being prevented from doing soby red tape. Yet there is work takingplace and Hull, Leeds and Sheffieldhave all been named as pilot areas for anew government scheme that couldrelease a lot more property for thecommon good.The scheme, known as One PublicEstate, is designed to encourage localcouncils to work with centralgovernment and other public sectororganisations to share buildings andreuse or release surplus property andland. Much of the work will be carriedout locally to ensure decisions aren’tmade in Whitehall and based entirely onstatistics – where it may seem to makemore sense to sell buildings as a wholerather than let individual floors andoffices – but instead on a local basiswhere efficiencies can be moreeffectively spotted.Examples of this scheme in progressinclude Sorby House in Leeds, a multi-agency building operated by thecouncil, which will not only host amulti-agency team of local authorityand health services, but also a range oflocal small businesses and educationservices, while Moorfoot, a previouslyredundant Government building, isproviding flexible office space for thecouncil and for various partners. Theadded bonus of this scheme is thatthere’s a 40% saving in floor space and49% reduction in CO2.Chloë Smith, the ParliamentarySecretary for the Cabinet Office, says,“Millions of pounds can be wasted byservices using expensive buildingswhen there’s a half empty propertydown the road –that’s taxpayers’money which could be used in so manyother ways. In central government,we’re working hard to ensure thetaxpayer does not have to pay forempty buildings. Already, we’ve raisedover £1 billion nationally by gettingdepartments to work together and usetheir property more efficiently.”It’s not just in the public sector whereexamples of existing buildings getting anew lease of life can be found – andthat’s highly valuable for propertyowners. Indeed, a High Court judgmentin a case relating to the use of abusiness rates mitigation scheme couldhave far-reaching implications,according to the real estate specialistsat Irwin Mitchell in Leeds.The decision by Mr Justice Sales inthe case involving the Public SafetyCharitable Trust and Milton KeynesCouncil, concerns a widely usedscheme promoted by the PSCTwhereby they take a lease ofcommercial premises and installtransmitters to provide free WiFi access.The PSCT, as a registered charity,would then apply for the mandatory80% rates relief afforded to charitablebodies in accordance with the LocalGovernment Finance Act, and in return,would receive a fee from the propertyowner which would be less than thecosts of the business rates that theproperty owner would have been liablefor but for the lease.Yet the judge found that the grantingof the rates relief “should depend uponthe charity actually making extensiveuse of the premises for charitablepurposes...rather than leaving themmainly unused”, so in this instance, thePSCT’s use of the premises was not“wholly or mainly” for charitablepurposes and therefore were notentitled to the relief. Those propertyowners who are reliant on schemessuch as this are now advised to look forother opportunities.There are certainly example ofexisting buildings enjoying a new leaseof life. One great example is SettleTown Hall, which was built in 1832 andin recent years has been restored to thelandmark building it has been in thepast as part of an ambitious project ledby new owner Marshall TaylorProperties. Many of the tenants haveremained after the facelift, such as thetown’s Tourist Information Centre,A newlease of lifeExisting buildings are being transformed with fresh thinking10-12:Layout 1 1/7/13 09:23 Page 1Business Link 11www.blmforum.netCOMMERCIAL PROPERTYalongside new occupants such as ColesSolicitors, on the look-out for a newproperty in the town after their acquisitionof Derek M Jordan’s business last year.Meanwhile, Criterion House in Hull,which was until recently the call centre fornow defunct retailer Comet, is now beingoccupied by call centre company Res-Q.The company has signed a ten-year lease,and is investing £500,000 refurbishing thefive-storey building over the next twelvemonths. Sales Director Matt Marshallsays, “It’s important for us that we have abuilding that we can grow into, not onlyto accommodate the organic growth fromexisting customers but new clients aswell.”Managing Director Nic Marshall adds,“Although it was a call centre before itdidn’t offer the right infrastructure or thebest working environment for our team.12 Main: National Milk Records, the supplier of milk recording services, have sold their 14,693 sq ft laboratory and office premises on Skipton Road, HarrogateBelow: Settle Town Hall, which was built in 1832, has been restored to the landmark building it has been in the past as part of an ambitious project led by newowner Marshall Taylor Properties, with new occupants such as Coles Solicitors10-12:Layout 1 1/7/13 09:23 Page 2mercury_house@lincolnshire.gov.ukCOMMERCIAL PROPERTY12Business Link www.blmforum.netWe have had to strip the whole building and start afresh.The ground floor is being used for bespoke training suitesand a canteen. Two floors have now been fully fitted outwith the latest technology and brand-new furniture.”National Milk Records, the supplier of milk recordingservices, have sold their 14,693 sq ft laboratory and officepremises on Skipton Road, Harrogate. The specialistcompany sold the building for £1.5 million to The SmithersGroup, a global environmental science and technologycompany. Gent Visick brokered the deal on behalf of NMRwhich not only included the sale of their Skipton Roadproperty but also saw them relocate to new offices withinHarrogate.On a smaller scale, but no less valuable to the localcommunity, a former Lincolnshire Co-operative store hasbeen leased. Lincoln-based chartered surveyor Banks Long &Co has leased premises in Victoria Street, Newark to retailerB&M. The move follows Lincolnshire Co-operative openingits new £730,000 Albert Street food store and filling stationin the town in February, and the relocation of its VictoriaStreet staff to that development, and has addressed theincreasingly common problem of retailers moving to out-of-town locations while leaving their old premises, often inextremely prominent locations, unoccupied for long periodsof time.Making effective use of existing buildings is proving highlyvaluable for property owners and potential occupiers alike,and ensure our towns and cities remain vibrant.Criterion House inHull, until recentlythe call centre fornow defunctretailer Comet, isnow beingoccupied by callcentre companyRes-Q10-12:Layout 1 1/7/13 09:23 Page 313:Layout 1 1/7/13 08:55 Page 1Scan this code with your smartphone to visit our website01924 282 020www.whittlejones.comPremises available in over 200 locations throughout England and ScotlandManaging properties on behalf of Northern TrustOFFICESSILKWOOD PARK, WAKEFIELD, WF5 9TJSCARBOROUGHBRIDLINGTONHORNSEASTALLINGBOROUGHHULLPOCKLINGTONGAINSBOROUGHSCUNTHORPEGOOLEDONCASTER DINNINGTONTEMPLEBOROUGHDENABYMEXBOROUGHGOLDTHORPESOUTH KIRKBYBARNSLEYHUDDERSFIELDTODMORDENBRADFORDSHIPLEYUNITS AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT YORKSHIRE INCLUDING HUMBERSIDE & LINCOLNSHIREINDUSTRIAL ACCOMMODATION TO LET FROM 500 SQ FT UPWARDS - FLEXIBLE LEASESwww.thegateway-wakefield.co.uk/innovateSMALL OFFICE SUITES TO LET FROM 2 PERSONS (233 SQ FT) UPWARDSwww.whittlejones.com14:Layout 1 1/7/13 08:56 Page 1Call Armstrong House,Grimsby on 01472 310302Ground floor offices to letPrime location in Grimsby•A range of affordable office sizes available on easy in/easy out terms•Easy access to motorway, ports and town centre•Secure off street parking for staff and visitors •Virtual office services from only £15 per month WE AREHEREarmstronghouse15:Layout 1 1/7/13 08:56 Page 1RELOCATION AND INWARD INVESTMENT16Business Link www.blmforum.netWith a wealth of offices both in atraditional style and highly modern andwith industrial or workshop spaceavailable, there have been severalinstances of companies relocating orfurther investing in the local region. Onechallenge that many companies face,particularly in more rural areas, iscompeting with the quality of life youmight be able to get in a morecosmopolitan or urban area. However,improvements in transport links andcultural offerings are improving rapidly,particular in places like Lincoln and thelarger market towns where the ability tobalance work and leisure time isessential. One immediate example is theexpansion of the A46 aroundDoddington Road in Lincoln due to thenew Teal Park commercial site. Leisurefacilities been sited to serve the newaccommodation which is to house notonly a significant portion of engineeringfirm Siemens, but several other firmstoo. This kind of massive developmentencourages others to follow suit andthis area of Lincoln should see moreinward investment appearing as the sitegrows in popularity.Getting the right adviceHaving moved to new officesthemselves in the past year, Leeds Lawfirm Clarion recently hosted a seminaraimed at businesses consideringrelocation with leading experts in theproperty market sharing theirexperience and providing advice.Speakers include Guy Gilfillan ofLambert Smith Hampton discussedopportunities and incentives for newtenants in the regional industrial andoffice market. James Lawson of Clarionlooked at the opportunities to take andthe pitfalls to avoid when taking on newpremises and finalising deals and PaulBurkinshaw talked about managingliabilities when vacating properties.Craig Murray of TSK also covered thelatest thinking behind the design andmanagement of space in the workplace.James Lawson, partner in Clarion’sproperty team, says, “In this demandingenvironment, many businesses arelooking critically at their own propertyrequirements and relocation is movingup the agenda. “Whether considering relocation dueto growth or contraction, or the searchfor a better deal and increasedefficiency, corporate occupiers are wellpositioned to take advantage of astrong negotiating position in thecurrent market.“Having relocated to Elizabeth Housejust last summer, we were in an idealposition to share our own experiencesand to explain how we went from thestrategic vision and requirements toMovingwith thetimesYorkshire and Lincolnshire boast some of the bestplaces to do business in the country. With enviableoffice and industrial accommodation available acrossboth regions, it’s no wonder many companies come toand remain in the area.Guy Gilfillan of Lambert Smith Hampton whorecently discussed the incentives available forthose companies who want to relocate.16-19:Layout 1 1/7/13 10:40 Page 1•• HHeeaalltthh && SSoocciiaall CCaarree •• BBuussiinneessss AAddmmiinniissttrraattiioonn •• MMaannaaggeemmeenntt && TTeeaamm LLeeaaddiinngg •• RReettaaiill && WWaarreehhoouussiinngg •• SSppoorrttss && FFiittnneessss•• TTeeaacchhiinngg AAssssiissttaannttss iinn SScchhoooollss •• IITT •• CChhiilldd CCaarree •• HHaaiirrddrreessssiinngg && BBaarrbbeerriinngg•• FFuunnccttiioonnaall SSkkiillllss EEnngglliisshh aanndd MMaatthhssThe Skills Consortium is a network oftraining providers delivering highquality Apprenticeship & skillstraining across all skill sectors andwe are dedicated to developing aworld class workforce.skillsconsortium@wylp.org.uk01274 665454www.wylp.org.ukUnemployed and need help getting back into work?Fancy brushing up your skills?Need some help getting motivated?Whatever your needs, the Skills Consortium canhelp you reach your potential.Business Link 17www.blmforum.netRELOCATION AND INWARD INVESTMENTphysically planning and implementingour move and the huge benefits ournew offices have brought.”But things are also taking on aninternational feel. Tracy Bush ofRelocate2Sheffield, a companyspecialising in relocation within theSheffield City Region, says, “Companiesthese days are struggling to attractcandidates from within their ownregions and as a result are speaking tothe rest of the world.“Relocation packages are no longersimply a lump sum to do with what youwant. Often companies now will selecta portion of that to work withcompanies like ours.“The aim is to future-proofcandidates’ expectations of the area wesuggest for them, getting theminterested in the region. We try to getthem settled and ready for life in thearea before they even reach their desk.It is certainly a case of hand-holding inmany cases, considering everythingfrom schools in the area and culturalneeds. For example, Sheffield has sucha variety of areas from the city livingaspect to more rural locations, so wetry and find out what people needbefore we suggest anywhere.Teal Park in Lincoln has seen localcouncils providing new transportprojects alongside privatecompanies like Siemens.Siemens will be using Teal Park todevelop their turbine business and othercompanies are set to take up spacealongside them at the huge development.18 “Relocation packages are no longer simply a lump sum todo with what you want. Often companies now will select aportion of that to work with companies like ours.”TRACY BUSH OF RELOCATE2SHEFFIELD16-19:Layout 1 1/7/13 10:40 Page 2RELOCATION AND INWARD INVESTMENT18Business Link www.blmforum.net“If we get people settled, companiesare not then paying for hotels ortemporary accommodation.”One company that has seen a large-scale move within the county howeveris housebuilder, Ben Bailey Homes. Thecompany recently moved its head officefrom Doncaster to Calder Park,Wakefield, recruiting twenty newmembers of staff in the process. The move follows the companyexperiencing sizeable growth in 2012,with the housebuilder now occupyingan 11,500 sq ft headquarters on CalderPark business park. 46 staff are based at the new headoffice, with a total of a hundred staffbeing employed by the company in theYorkshire region. The office managesconstruction, land acquisition, technical,planning, finance, sales and marketingand customer care. Mark Mitchell, Ben Bailey Homes’Managing Director, says, “We’veexperienced considerable expansionrecently and are looking forward tobuilding on this success even furtherthis year. The relocation of ourYorkshire head office puts the companyin an excellent position right in theheart of Yorkshire and allows easyaccess to all of our developmentsthroughout the region whilst alsoproviding room for further growthwithin the business.”Sometimes it’s simply a case oflogistics. Print specialists KRL Grouprecently relocated to larger premises inHull as part of plans to expand and takeon more staff.Directors believe the modern building– bringing together sales, warehousingand maintenance teams under one roof– will help improve workflow and createthe right impression with potential newcustomers. The company, which has aturnover of £2.5 million, is targetinggrowth of 10% this year.George Baker, managing director ofKRL Group, says, “The move to theselarger premises presents our customerswith a more professional, up-to-date,impression of KRL Group, proves wehave excellent resources and are here tohelp them for the long term.“When a company purchases printand copier technology it’s an investmentof between three and five years.“With this relocation we aredemonstrating – to whatever type ofCostcoLeeds,LeathleyRoad,Hunslet,Leeds,LS101BGT:01132042920E:marketing106@costco.co.ukorvisitwww.costco.co.ukForfurtherinformation,pleasecontactourMembershipTeamatCostcoLeedson01132042920YoumaybeeligibleforCostcoMembership...WHENJOININGINTHEWAREHOUSE,PLEASEQUOTE“BUSINESSLINKMAGAZINE”TORECEIVEYOURFREEGIFT.Sometimes it’s simply a case oflogistics. A Yorkshire-based copierand print specialist recently relocatedto larger premises as part of plans toexpand and take on more staff.16-19:Layout 1 1/7/13 10:40 Page 3www.blmforum.netRELOCATION AND INWARD INVESTMENTbusinesses that come through our door – we have the capacityand capability to look after them and we’re not going todisappear. These first impressions do count and allows us tocompete with the largest of rivals.”The new environment is already improving businessefficiency – its position on the main road of an industrial estateallows larger lorries to make fewer deliveries each daycompared to the previous location in a residential area. Thefirm, whose management buyout was led by George Baker andfellow director Glenn Parrish, employs 25 people and is nowlooking to recruit two more sales staff as it expands.It seems like making the leap to new premises or expansionwithin the region is perfectly possible and with so much choiceand assistance out there, this year could see more moves thanwe’re used to in the region. Although it shouldn’t be entered intolightly, it seems that relocation is at least becoming less fraughtwhich can only be a good thing for the region in general. KRL staff at their new, larger premises. The group movedtheir due to expansion and to create more jobs.Communicationcounts withIncom SystemsIncom Systems are a leading supplier and installer of awide range of communication systems for businesses.With over fifty years’ experience, they can offer theright solution for any project.Based in Ossett, IncomSystems have establishedthemselves as one of the UK’sleading independent forces inthe communications industry.A nationwide network of highlytrained, experienced andmotivated sales, technical support and field service engineersmean customers can benefit from the innovative and state of theart technology. This ensures they can offer communicationssolutions for retail, educational and government establishmentsthrough to nursing and social housing providers.In addition to the extensive range of products that can providea solution to any job, they also provide bespoke systems thatare tailor made to their customers’ exact needs andrequirements.Incom Systems is dedicated to building long term customerrelationships through commitment, care, competence and highvalue services. Incom defines its customers as not just the payingclient, but also their residents, patients, members and others towhom the service affects. They ensure that they form thesepartnerships by adhering to their customer care policies and thestandards of conduct expected from their representatives.Through constant hard work by all their staff, internal andindependent external auditing and continued improvements,Incom Systems are still maintaining their commitment to ensuretheir service is second to none. Give them acall and they can get started on providingyou with the solution you require.For more information, call 01924267626, email info@incom.org.uk orvisit www.incom.org.uk.Business Link 1916-19:Layout 1 1/7/13 10:40 Page 4Next >