Build Briefs: Derwent FM; Barnsley Trade Park; Douglas Scott

DERWENT FM has signed a £5m contract to manage student accommodation at Brunswick House in Cambridge.

The 15-year deal involves facilities and accommodation management of the 251-bed property, which will be undertaken by Derwent Students, a division of Derwent FM.

The deal is with Apache Capital Partners, on behalf of its jointly managed Social Infrastructure Strategy with Tadhamon Capital.

Martin Corbett, managing director of Derwent FM, said: “This is a great opportunity for Derwent, as we continue to build our student portfolio in the South East. By offering a one-stop fixed operating price, it means that Derwent Students enables investors like Apache to calculate their returns with greater certainty. Furthermore, Derwent’s covenant strength from its £400m balance sheet helps with obtaining funding from the debt markets.”
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BARNSLEY Trade Park has welcomed more national businesses as it nears full occupancy.

Euro Car Parts has leased a 6,325 sq ft trade unit at the park and Greggs recently opened a new 1,000 sq ft outlet on the front of the park.

Jonathon White, associate partner at joint agent Sanderson Weatherall , said: “Barnsley Trade Park has proved extremely popular, which is a testament to the foresight of the developer who built the site out speculatively in harsher market conditions than we face today.

“We have experienced strong levels of occupier interest which can be attributed to the high quality nature of the available units and the fact immediate occupation is available. Euro Car Parts has occupied the last of the larger format trade units and we are confident the remaining smaller units will all be let soon.”
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RECRUITMENT consultant Douglas Scott said there is a surge in regional property law jobs in Yorkshire.

The firm said that as consumers gain confidence in property as a viable investment again, it predicts that property lawyers will soon regain the top spot in terms of demand and wages.

Douglas Scott’s head of Yorkshire, Joanne Watkinson, said: “Government assistance for prospective housebuyers, plus a return of confidence in property as a whole, is meaning a shift – and this has already been reflected in Douglas Scott’s recruitment opportunities. Demand for experienced conveyancers is starting to outstrip supply.”