Property news: Claremont completes John West brief, Fujitsu and more
WARRINGTON-based interiors group Claremont has completed the fit-out of John West’s new office at Mann Island in Liverpool.
The tinned fish specialist, owned by Thai Union Frozen Products, has taken a 10,000 sq ft floor at the waterfront building for 70 staff.
It has also completed the 20,000 sq ft European headquarters for scuba diving training provider PADI in Bristol.
Ann Clarke, joint managing director of Claremont Group Interiors said: “These projects are proof that companies are still growing and prospering even in tough economic times.
“Both of these clients needed more space to accommodate growth and to better reflect their brands and the work we’ve delivered achieves that in spades. For Claremont, these projects show our expertise as its best, drawing on the full range of in-house interior design, fit, furniture and AV capabilities.”
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FUJITSU services has sold a distribution warehouse in Warrington Tungsten Property Investment for an undisclosed sum.
Under the terms of the deal Fujitsu, part of the Japanese technology group, has taken a 10-year lease on the 140,827 sq ft facility on Daten Avenue in Birchwood.
Julien Kenny-Levick, director, logistics and industrial at the Manchester office of Colliers International in Manchester, acted for Fujitsu Services and Tungsten was advised by KAP Property Consultants.
He said: “Fujitsu was encouraged by the great level of interest shown in this investment opportunity and this further underpins the fact that demand for prime product let to good covenants remains very popular with investors.”
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A FAMILY business is to expand after winning outline planning consent for a new £1m, 24,000 sq ft warehouse.
John Davies & Co of Chester, which specialises in the transport and storage of food and consumer products, had previously been turned down because its Ince Lane site lies within the Cheshire Green Belt.
Chester-based architect Cassidy + Ashton believe the firm may be one of the first in the country to get such a scheme through under the new rules, which allow development within the Green Belt providing certain conditions are met.
The changes permit partial or complete redevelopment of previously developed sites on brownfield land providing this does not have an impact on the openness of the green belt.
Guy Evans, associate planner at Cassidy + Ashton, said: “The principle of the new National Planning Policy Framework was applied to this commercial site in the Cheshire green belt and the planning argument proved successful.
“The new policies were only introduced in March last year, so there is a limited amount of evidence to show how they are applied in practice. It’s understandable then that councils are still being cautious in their decisions, especially when the application relates to a commercial development within the green belt. We believe we may be one of the first to get such a scheme through under the new policy.”
A decision on the full planning application is expected in July.
