Office space secured by growing funeral plan provider

Expanding Yorkshire funeral plan provider Safe Hands Funeral Plans has taken 2,518 sq ft of self-contained office space at Calder Park in Wakefield.

The company has signed a five-year lease at Unit 12, Mariner Court, which is owned by Venturian Property Holdings.

Elizabeth Ridler, partner at global property consultancy Knight Frank in Leeds, who represented the landlords, said: “This deal was completed within just six weeks of the new tenants first viewing the property, which is tremendous going and a resounding endorsement of a first-class building.

“These are challenging times for everyone, because of Covid-19. But it is important to remember that deals are still being done and that the property market hasn’t completely ground to a halt.

“This is an exciting move for Safe Hands Funeral Plans and will enable them to expand their business.”

Greg Allsopp, of Venturian, said: “The speed with which this letting was completed is testament not only to the location and quality of Mariner Court, but also to the hard work and expertise of the Knight Frank office agency team in Leeds.

“As landlords, we are delighted that a local company of the calibre and reputation of Safe Hands Funeral Plans has chosen our development as their new office headquarters in Yorkshire. We wish them the best of luck.”

Michelle Kemp, chief operating officer of Safe Hands Funeral Plans, explained: “Following the acquisition of Wakefield-based Safe Hands Plans by private investment company SHP Capital Holdings earlier this year, and a subsequent major investment in the business, we are pleased to have secured larger premises in an excellent location to provide us with room for expansion.”

SHP plans to grow the business, employing more staff, extending the product range and opening up new direct channels.

Safe Hands currently writes around 50 plans a day and holds more than £50m in a trust managed by UBS, making it one of the largest providers in the funeral plan sector.