PROTOCOL GETS TO THE POINT AS WEST BRIDGFORD RAMPS UP ITS OFFICE CREDENTIALS

Office News

The UK’s largest supplier of staff to the further education sector is to move its headquarters to a landmark office development at West Bridgford in a deal secured by the office and industrial team at the Midlands property consultancies FHP and Innes England.

Protocol National, which has become the leading supplier of lecturers, assessors, verifiers and senior staff to colleges across the country, is to take more than 5,800 sq ft of space at The Point, a striking office complex on Loughborough Road, West Bridgford.

Protocol National’s arrival means that so far this year more than 11,500 sq ft of space at The Point has been let by joint agents FHP and Innes England.  Only two suites remain available at the new build office scheme.  James Hartley, associate director at FHP, says the deals reflect the increasing strength of West Bridgford as a business location, with high quality accommodation supported by good road links and excellent retail and leisure amenities.

He commented:

“Protocol National is a market leader in outsourced further education staffing and its decision to relocate its head office to The Point is a vote of confidence not just in The Point but in West Bridgford as a location generally.  During the past few months we have seen an increasing trend for businesses to consider sites in and around West Bridgford, which demonstrates that it has increasing professional appeal.”

Craig Straw of joint agents Innes England added:

“With the completion of this latest letting The Point is now 80% let reflecting the market’s preference for well designed and located premises.  With no commercial construction over recent years such opportunities are becoming increasingly scarce.”

Protocol National has moved its headquarters from a site in Nottingham, with two office suites at The Point merged to provide the business with 5,888 sq ft of high quality space.  It manages and coordinates the provision of more than 11,000 full and part-time staff every year for further education colleges across England, Wales and Scotland, providing an award-winning service to establishments looking for flexible staffing solutions.

Viv Cruickshank, Managing Director of Protocol National, commented:

“Professionalism and quality are the main priorities of Protocol National. The Point was, therefore, a perfect fit with the ethos of our company and the way in which we want to be perceived.  In coming to West Bridgford we are able to provide our staff with high quality offices with a professional appeal and presence, while still offering them vibrant facilities at a site still only minutes away from the city centre.”

James Hartley says lettings at The Point and other locations nearby point to both the high quality amenities available in West Bridgford and the appeal of sites which lie just beyond the zone which attracts a charge under the terms of Nottingham City Council’s Workplace Parking Levy.

“We have started to see a noticeable trend for people to examine options outside the WPL zone.  This is far from the only factor in these lettings, though.  Businesses are looking at locations like West Bridgford itself, Edwalton and Ruddington because edge-of-city sites are cost effective and because the calibre of the amenities is first class.  West Bridgford is an affluent suburb and the shops and restaurants reflect that.  These locations are still within easy reach of the city and all it has to offer, while the road links provide good access to the M1 motorway and the regional and national markets beyond.”

James Hartley added:

“Protocol National is currently engaged in the fit out of its new space at The Point and once the work is finished we will have a busy, thriving business location.  We now have only two suites remaining, offering 2,185 sq ft and 2,939 sq ft respectively, and we already have encouraging levels of interest in them.”

Adam Youatt, real estate partner at the Nottingham office of national law firm Gateley, acted for the landlord in the letting.  He said:

“This is the latest letting that we have advised on at The Point.  With its prime location, excellent transport links and competitive rents, it has fast become an appealing space for business.  With limited premium office space available in the City, The Point offers an excellent alternative.”