FHP Property Consultants have produced their latest Delivering in Derby booklet providing a range of information on services, achievements for both FHP and Derby over the last few months and is available to download below.

2016 has started strongly for the team with good quality office and industrial buildings letting quickly.  The freehold market is particularly strong with an acute shortage of properties and we have several client requirements for space.  The City Centre continues to see a resurgence, particularly in the Cathedral Quarter with lettings to both retail and leisure operators including most recently Dr Martens taking space on Sadler Gate.  We expect to make further announcements soon.

The Derby office is also able to offer expert rating advice from Kate Cholerton who has many years experience in the rating sector.  She is well positioned to advise on rating assessments which will be released later in the year for the new 2017 Rating Revaluation.

As ever if you would like any assistance then please pick up the phone to one of the team on 01332 343 222 or email timr@fhp.co.uk

It all started in Spring 2015 when in a moment of both inspiration and predominantly self interest in ensuring a supply of cakes on Monday mornings, Tim Richardson suggested a charity Derby office bake-off which was ultimately won by Mark Bradley’s show stopping sponge cake complete with full FHP logo and Derby ram.

Round Two was to comprise dishes from countries around the world.  The first casualty was Lauren’s cheesecake which although showing great potential was sadly drowned in a makeshift bain marie.  Next up were the Richardson “not very Mexican” cookies.  Having offered them around the office he finished off the rest forgetting that Kate had not yet arrived and thereby scoring nil points from her.  Then followed Theo’s Great British sausage rolls which immediately prompted two proposals of marriage!  Next up were Kate’s Grecian meatballs, whilst Jon commandeered the microwave with his catering size bowl of Italian risotto, and Mark produced an elegant French quiche.

Becki’s German apple cake was precision engineered, well built, but later was found to have higher than claimed emissions whilst Darran produced handmade (apparently he has no kitchen utensils) Jamaican truffles with enough rum to bring down a small rhino.

When the points were counted the winners were Theo and his chosen charity the RNLI who received the entry donations.

Ends.

Please see our FHP Derby Autumn Newsletter.

Stories covering; News from the Pentagon, The Big Interview, FHP business rates expert excels and more!

If you would like any further information on any of these stories please contact Tim Richardson on 01332 343 222 or timr@fhp.co.uk.

FHP’s Tim Richardson talks to the Derby Telegraph about Derby’s commercial property market.

Please see below part of the article.

Solving one problem often creates another – just ask commercial property agents in Derby.

The sector was hit hard by the recession but is now enjoying a renaissance. Demand returned around two years ago. It was undoubtedly a good thing but, as a result, supply is now diminishing fast.

It is a challenge that the city must tackle head-on, says Tim Richardson, of FHP Property Consultants and Agents.

“A large number of transactions have been concluded over the past 12-18 months,” the Derby-born surveyor says, citing a dramatic improvement in the economy as the main factor behind the surge.

“As a result, there is now a shortage of suitable buildings in Derby. Some of that demand will have built up during the recession when people sat on their hands.

“That phase has been largely fulfilled now, so we’ll be back to a normal, steady market, rather than one that went a bit crazy.

“But there’s a supply issue that has to be solved. We’ve had such a take-up of buildings that we’re now short in many sectors.”

To read more click here.

Please see our FHP Derby August Newsletter.

Stories covering; Zizzi joining Intu Derby, welcoming Kate Cholerton – Rates and Compensation Expert, Pride Park office news and more!

If you would like any further information on any of these stories please contact Tim Richardson on 01332 343 222 or timr@fhp.co.uk.

As part of FHP’s Quarterly Review we have found that enquiry levels in the first three months of 2015 have increased by 25% on the previous 5 year average for the same period. This is showing a general increase in enquiry levels across all size brackets in both the office and industrial sectors.

We are finding that although businesses are indeed in the market thinking more progressively about property moves, they are being frustrated by the lack of available existing stock required to achieve any required expansion. This has become a theme especially in the industrial sector and this lack of stock has seen rents increase over the last 12 months as well as freehold values. Unfortunately rental values, lease lengths and freehold values are still not at appropriate levels in many cases to stimulate speculative development given high build costs.

Therefore the issue over the lack of available existing stock is not one which is going to disappear overnight, but perhaps it will not be long before the underlying expansion requirements of the larger local businesses as the values increase enough to stimulate development.

For more information about the Press Release, contact: Mark Tomlinson at FHP Property Consultants on 0115 950 7577.

ENDS

FHP Property Consultants has promoted two of its rising stars as an increasing amount of work from major clients drives its national expansion.

Frankie Labbate, a surveyor in the firm’s market-leading retail and leisure department, and Jessica Hand, who holds a key role in the expanding professional services team, have both become associate directors.

Frankie and Jessica have played a key part in driving the substantial growth in the amount of work which FHP is carrying out on behalf of major names in the retail and property industries – work which means that the Midlands-based business is now responsible for property acquisitions and professional advice across the country.

Their promotion coincides with the 25th anniversary year of the business, and David Hargreaves, one of FHP’s founder-directors, says they are at the forefront of a renewed expansion drive brought on by the property market’s return to health.

He commented: “Frankie and Jess sum up what we’re really about. Both of them are ambitious, knowledgeable and willing to go the extra mile for clients who expect us to be proactive and add value to our relationships. They have grown into their roles at FHP and I’m confident that we will see further expansion as a result.”

Frankie, who took a real estate management degree at Nottingham Trent University, began his career in property in the estates division at Nottingham City Council. He joined FHP in 2011, becoming part of a retail and leisure team that has played a key part in helping Nottingham maintain and develop its status as a national shopping destination.

“I basically bombarded FHP with letters until a vacancy came up because they are the best in the business,” he said. “I joined the retail agency team in 2011, when it was a tough market and a steep learning curve. But that is the best way to develop your skills and experience.”

Having proved himself by driving lettings in town centre high streets, Frankie took on the marketing of city centre pitches like Flying Horse Walk and Bridlesmith Walk, securing deals which brought in a series of innovative independent tenants such as Stick & Ribbon, White Rabbit Tea Rooms and Apalts.

He is now spearheading the expansion of FHP’s retail acquisitions work, finding and acquiring new sites for high-profile retail brands like Morrisons (East Midlands and East Anglia), Peacocks (East and West Midlands), Edinburgh Woollen Mills, Specsavers and Ponden Home Interiors (all East Midlands and East Anglia), and has recently secured the mandate for acquisitions for Peacocks in the North and North-West.

Frankie added: “FHP’s retail acquisitions work has accelerated substantially over the last year and the target now is to strengthen our position and bring more clients on board. We have demonstrated that we can deliver for some high-profile clients and that has expanded our reach across the country.”

Jessica Hand, who is also promoted to associate director, joined FHP in 2010 after supplementing her accounting and finance degree with a Masters in property and development at Nottingham Trent University.

“I’d done work experience with commercial surveyors when I was younger and I knew I wanted to work in property,” she said. “I was looking for a commercial valuation role because it was an area I was really keen on and FHP has a very strong reputation for its professional work.”

Joining the firm as a graduate surveyor, she soon began to specialise in professional advice on business rates, working with retailers and shopping centre owners.

“It has been a difficult climate for retail and retail property over the past few years and there is a significant appetite for professional advice which can reduce costs and improve returns,” Jessica explained. “But to do that you need not only the technical expertise but the depth of market knowledge that is going to prove persuasive with the Valuation Office Agency.

“That means being proactive – getting out there, visiting the sites, talking to the retailers and understanding the local factors that affect their performance. I stay in touch with my clients daily, attend their management meetings and dig down into what is happening in their different markets. This is where you spot the opportunities to secure a better deal for them.”

Jessica now leads on the development of business rates work for shopping centres and retailers, but is also carrying out an increasing amount of work for fire and rescue authorities, who have been facing substantial financial challenges as a result of public sector retrenchment.

Jessica explained: “Fire authorities face difficult financial challenges and we have been able to demonstrate that careful examination of their property portfolios can often yield significant savings.”

She added: “More clients are aware of the need to manage their property commitments dynamically and we have the specialist knowledge to help them do that. I’m expecting further national expansion for FHP as a result.”

ENDS

30 April 2015

For further information contact DAVID HARGREAVES at FHP on 0115 950 7577

One of the biggest Commercial Property Consultants in the East Midlands is expanding its Derby operations as demand for professional advice on business space in and around the City continues to rise.

Pride Park-based FHP Property Consultants has added two new people to its team, with Jon Marriott coming in to head the firm’s professional services department and Darran Severn moving up from London to develop his agency career in a thriving industrial City.

Their arrival comes in the wake of the appointment last year of Tim Richardson as office head.  A well-known figure on Derby’s commercial property scene, he says the new recruits are a signal of FHP’s ambitions to expand the reach of its Pride Park operations.

He commented: “We’ve been firmly established in Derby for more than 10 years now, and the expansion is a reflection of the City’s role as the engine of regional growth.  Jon and Darran bring a mix of seasoned experience and real ambition, and they join us at a time when we are being asked to take on high quality instructions across Derbyshire, Staffordshire and along the M1 corridor”.

“The official figures show that the East Midlands is the fastest growing part of the UK economy, but the lion’s share of that stems from the aerospace, automotive and transport engineering industries which Derby is world famous for”.

“We’re seeing significant investment in projects like Infinity Park and the Derby Arena and projects like these make statements about the City’s ambitions which give people confidence that it’s a place that welcomes business and investors”.

Jon Marriott comes to FHP Derby with more than a decade’s experience of property valuation in both the public and private sector.  He worked most recently for a major global property consultancy, and says “I’ve been valuing property across the private sector gives me valuable experience of the way the market works here”.

“I’ve acted for some of the major lending institutions, private investors and property businesses, and I believe there is a real opportunity to grow our professional services work in a market which is performing strongly”.

Darran Severn moved to FHP in Derby after three years specialising in office and industrial agency work around London Heathrow Airport.  He says he was drawn to Derby because of its status as a fast growing City.  “I knew FHP because of their reputation in the industry as one of the most active agents, and Derby is a great place to develop your career because it’s a growing industrial City anchored on fantastic global businesses”.

Darran will work on a wide range of agency instruction for office, industrial and retails client.  He will work alongside Mark Bradley, who runs FHP’s successful retail team in Derby, and colleagues Lauren Sherwin and Becki Phillips.

FHP also have the largest retail team in the Midlands with eight surveyors across the Derby and Nottingham offices.  FHP continue to act as joint agents on Intu Derby with unprecedented demand throughout the last 12 months, demonstrating the strength of Derby and Intu Derby for expanding retailers.  FHP’s Alan Pearson leads the Intu marketing and has been instrumental in adding to the mix of quality retailers and restaurants in the centre.

Tim Richardson concluded “Jon and Darran join FHP at an important time.  The East Midlands commercial property market is now progressing strongly as the economic recovery gathers pace and both occupiers and investors are looking to make the most of what the market has to offer.  They need experienced advisors who know the market and we are in pole position to do that”.

For further information please contact:

Tim Richardson

Associate Director

FHP Derby

01332 224 857

Although having worked in Nottingham for the best part of two decades Jon is from Derbyshire and knows the area very well, having an in depth knowledge of the East Midlands market.

Speaking about his decision to join FHP Jon Marriott said:-

“After being baased in Nottingham for many years, the opportunity arose to join the East Midlands biggest and best property consultants in expanding the Derby offering. The property market in Derby and Derbyshire is continuing to grow and is an essential part of the East Midlands overall market, attracting investment and opportunities from outside of the region.”

Jon’s role at FHP will see him undertake professional work primarily in the valuation field but will also see him involved in Landlord and Tenant work and compulsory purchase. He will be involved in all commercial markets and will also cover residential developments and portfolios as part of his remit.

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to announce that Lucinda Hancock is now a qualified ‘Chartered Surveyor’.  Lucinda has completed her training and passed her Assessment of Professional Competence (APC).

Lucinda is now a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the world’s leading professional body for qualifications and standards in land, property and construction.

John Proctor, Director and Head of the Nottingham Office of FHP Commented:

“I am delighted that Lucinda has now achieved the status of Chartered Surveyor.  It is well deserved and I am in no doubt that she will go on to have a successful career in property.  Lucinda has proven to be a valuable member of the team and this qualification is testament to the hard work and efforts that Lucinda put into her study and into her role at the firm.

Lucinda has been at the firm for over three years and is currently part of the Office and Industrial Team where she concentrates particularly on the Nottingham City Centre office market together with industrial instructions in North Nottingham and Ilkeston, Derbyshire.

I am sure that Lucinda will continue to become even more influential in the local property market.”

Lucinda Hancock comments:

“I was pleased to pass my qualification and achieve the chartered status which will be of use to me throughout my future career.

FHP has provided me with the platform of training and guidance to enable me to undertake this qualification and I would like to thank all at FHP who have helped in the process”.

FHP are pleased to announce the appointment of Darran Severn to bolster their Derby office. Darran will be working in the agency team alongside Tim Richardson based on Pride Park.

Darran comments “I am delighted to have joined the company at such an important stage in my career.  FHP are one of the most active agents in the East Midlands and I am really looking forward to a long future with them. I have been brought in to expand the Derby office at a time when Derby itself is seeing new investment and growing as a city.  

Having spent the last three years working in West London, I am pleased to have been able to move back to the East Midlands and join an award winning company.  In my previous role, I specialised in office and industrial agency work within a five mile radius of Heathrow Airport.  Marketing a portfolio of mixed properties has given me valuable experience in completing deals which benefit both landlords and tenants.

Now at FHP, I will be covering a wide range of agency instructions throughout Derbyshire including retail, office and Industrial properties.  Whilst covering these instructions I am planning to complete the Assessment of Professional Competence and become chartered. 

Although I have only been with FHP for a short time, it is very clear that everyone in the company shares a very forward thinking approach and it is very much a team effort.      

It is an exciting time for Derby, and I am looking forward to the challenge of this market.”     

Lucinda Hancock of FHP was invited by RICS Matrics to present the benefits of RICS student membership and how to get involved with RICS Matrics at the recent Nottingham Trent University Real Estate postgraduate induction day.

Almost one hundred students embarking on one of several pathways offered by the School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment were in attendance where Lucinda presented alongside members of the local RICS team.

The speakers provided an introduction to the RICS and the routes available towards obtaining Chartered status before Lucinda outlined the benefits of student membership and joining RICS Matrics. As an alumni of the university, Lucinda was then able to relate to her experience of the postgraduate course during a concluding Q&A session to discuss further queries raised by the staff and students in attendance.

Lucinda Hancock of FHP commented:

“It was great to be back at NTU.  Student membership welcomes students into the world of surveying by providing access to events, information and support as you progress through education, training and your career on the pathway to chartered status.  Support is available via committee, regional and national initiatives as well as regional trainers and RICS membership teams.  Matrics offers a full programme of activities including annual charity events and seminars on key issues within the industry.”

For further information with respect to getting involved with RICS Matrics Nottingham, please contact Lucinda Hancock of FHP Property Consultants on 0115 841 4794 or lucinda@fhp.co.uk.

END

Lucinda Hancock

30 September 2014

The firm’s Pride Park operation will be joined later this year by Tim Richardson, a well-known figure in the expanding Derby market.

Tim becomes an Associate Director of FHP and whilst presently based in Nottingham he will move over to lead the Derby operation at a stage when the City is rising up the rankings of business destinations as Inward Investors seek to capitalise on its status as a global centre for advanced engineering.

His move to FHP is the latest step in a 20 year career in commercial property that has seen him work for both national and local agencies. After qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor in 1996 he spent seven years within the industrial and business space department of LSH at their Northampton office dealing with industrial and logistics property and being part of the renowned team winning the annual national Property Week Industrial Agency Team Award three times.

Having been brought up in Derby, in 2003 he decided to return to his roots, following in the footsteps of a long line of Richardson industrialists and businessmen in the City.  He has an in-depth knowledge of the Derby market, having been based in the City Centre for the past 11 years, and has been responsible for a number of prominent lettings and investment deals.

They include the sales of Ecclesbourne Park Industrial Estate at Alfreton and Prime Industrial Park in Derby. Tim also secured the sale of the 60,000 sq ft Midland House to the Department for Education, advised on the acquisition of 70,000 sq ft headquarters at Sinfin for Daher Aerospace and the letting of 72,000 sq ft of warehousing at Hilton as well as providing strategic property advice for a number of public bodies.

Speaking about his decision to join FHP, Tim Richardson said:-

“Derby is a global centre of excellence in aerospace, automotive, rail and high technology engineering.  These sectors and their supply chains are the engine room behind the growth in the City. But on top of that there is evidence now that Investors are looking for strong opportunities in the UK regions – Derby is one of them.  The City has great plans for continued regeneration and the Local Authority is one of the most proactive in the Country, pushing ahead with schemes to attract more people back into the City Centre, improving the leisure offer and promoting industry.

Going forwards, the Derby market will to continue to be a target City for investment, both locally and increasingly from outside of the region. The economy is now growing significantly and the city is in a very strong position to capitalise on this”.

He added:-

“Joining FHP is going to give me a chance to help Clients make the most of those opportunities. It is an ambitious, well-resourced business with a track record of innovative thinking for Clients and a great team.  FHP are market leaders winning EGi Regional awards in 2012 and Deals winner for Derbyshire in 2013. FHP also have a very strong retail team and presence with major flagship instructions such as Intu Derby.  I am looking forward to joining the office in December and working alongside Mark Bradley, Adam Wilson, Laura West and Georgia Crapper and building upon the great reputation they have in the area.”   

Further detail on the FHP team and their services can be found in the Committed to Derby brochure at https://www.fhp.co.uk/docs/FHP-Derby%20Brochure-June-2014.pdf

Tim’s role at FHP will see his experience deployed in a broad range of areas, including commercial property agency, strategic property advice, Landlord and Tenant work, valuation, rating, and compulsory purchase. He will cover the industrial and office markets, investment property and land, working with private and public sectors.

John Proctor, one of the founder directors of FHP, welcomed Tim’s arrival. He said:-

“Derby is an increasingly important market for us and one where there is clear evidence of rising confidence among occupiers and a strong appetite among Investors. Tim has extensive experience of the City’s market and he is a great fit for FHP as we seek to build on our presence in an ambitious City.”

ENDS

26^th June 2014

For further information contact Tim Richardson at FHP on 0115 950 7577

A Derby surveyor responsible for a series of major property deals in the industrial and office market has been given a top award by the industry’s “bible”.

Laura West, who heads the Derby office and industrial agency department of the property consultancy FHP has been named Derbyshire Dealmaker of 2014 by the Estates Gazette in its EGi East Midlands deals competition.

The award is a coup for Laura, who has been running FHP’s Derby agency operations for less than a year, representing a number of major clients in the county for the past four years.

Laura has been involved in the acquisition and disposal of West 28 at Alfreton on behalf of PMW Property Developments. Building on that success, she has since acquired another major industrial site close by for PMW, West Way, letting a third of the site within weeks of the keys being collected.

She has also been involved in a series of lettings at Commercial Estates Group’s Amber Business Centre at Somercotes, where a series of growing Derbyshire businesses have taken up residence over the past two years.

In the space of 18 months she has also let or sold all but one of the units at The Village, an office development close to Junction 28 of the M1 at South Normanton.

Mike Wrigley, who is the owner of PMW Property Developments, said: “I’m thrilled for Laura that she has won this award, not least because it’s partly a reflection of the success we have had in acquiring and developing key sites close to the M1 corridor.

“She has done a fabulous job for us – she knows the market inside out, understands the appeal of our sites and how they will work for potential occupiers.”

Laura, who joined FHP in 2010, said: “I’m really proud to receive this award. It’s something I’ve worked really hard for. But Derbyshire has been a great place to do deals, even during some challenging market conditions.

“What all these deals have taught me is that there are some very carefully run businesses across the county who have ridden out recession and now wish to expand.”

For further information place contact Laura West on 07917 460029.

END

FHP Property Consultants are delighted to announce that Mark Tomlinson has been awarded Nottinghamshire’s deal maker of the year for 2014 by the Estates Gazette having completed the highest number of transactions in the County over the last 12 months.  This follows from previous awards in 2012 and 2013.

Mark Tomlinson of FHP Property Consultants commented: –

“I am delighted to have won this award for the third year running, the market remains challenging but in spite of this I am pleased to have concluded over 60 transactions in the County last year which can only be a sign that the market is steadily improving.

Over the last 12 months in the office market we have seen a sharp decline in office availability in the professional quarter, resulting in a steady increase in freehold values and more bullish aspirations on rental terms for Landlords. We have also seen a noticeable increase in activity in the ‘Creative Quarter’ driven both by the funding for small businesses in this area and an appetite among Landlords to refurbish, which simply wasn’t there 12-18 months ago – finally companies have buildings to go to which match their creative nature. 

Industrial activity is also improving, the main areas of activity being on properties below 5,000 sq ft and above 20,000 sq ft. The middle market is still a hard slog but hopefully increased confidence in the economy as a whole will see this change over the next 12 months. 

Freehold demand is certainly there among owner occupiers in both the office and industrial sectors, although many are finding that the dearth of availability is holding back potential expansions and relocations, stifling market activity.”

FHP Property Consultants have also taken the overall award for Nottinghamshire’s most active agent for the third year consecutive year. 

FHP Living have secured the portfolio and lettings role for 57 residential units principally within the Lenton / Dunkirk area and as a consequence of this and also the fact that Henry Shaw who currently works at our Weekday Cross Lettings and Management Office is leaving we now have openings for both an experienced and keen Residential Lettings Negotiator / Manager and a Residential Accounts Clerk.

The private rented sector continues to thrive and we are targeting growth within this sector, particularly as we are now seeing signs that new build, both student led and private rented focused schemes are on the cards.

With our commercial teams also seeing increased activity and with FHP (Commercial Property Consultants) also expanding we are looking for good quality people to help us with this expansion drive.

ENDS

30April 2014

For further information contact FHP Living on 0115 841 1155 or John Proctor on 0115 950 7577

Award winning Property Consultancy firm, FHP Property Consultants are pleased to announce the arrival of a new member of staff into their office on Pride Park.  Georgia Crapper has joined the agency department as FHP continue to expand their presence within the Derbyshire market.

Georgia Crapper commented:-

“I am thrilled to have joined the company at such a pivotal time for the Derby office.  FHP have an excellent reputation throughout the East Midlands and entering into a new market provides an extremely exciting challenge for me. After 4 years as an agent in Sheffield I have already hit the ground running in Derby by taking responsibility for a range of local instructions.

The majority of my professional experience was gained from working with my father who was a Chartered Surveyor for over 52 years. My training has ranged from the acquisition, disposal, letting and marketing of a vast range of commercial property. Through this I have a key understanding of the importance of delivering outstanding client care on a daily basis.”

One of FHP’s founders and the Head of industrial and office agency, John Proctor said:

“We are delighted to have Georgia as part of our team and I am confident that she will use her skills and knowledge of the property market to make a great impact within the Derbyshire region. Georgia has already worked with and formed strong professional bonds with some of our largest clients such as the Commercial Estates Group.

The Derby office continues to go from strength to strength and in doing so I predict this to be a bright future for FHP.”

AGENTS AT WEST BRIDGFORD’S FHP Living have facilitated the quick sale of four new build, three bedroom properties in West Bridgford.

Located on Radcliffe Road, phase one of the development saw the homes, named Maple View, Cedar Lodge, Redwood House and Cherry Trees brought to market at £295,000. Within three months, the first property had completed with the others quickly following suit.  All four of the properties were sold by FHP Living to young professional couples.

FHP Living will now be managing phase two of the development which is currently in the planning stages and is set to include 3 x three bedroom homes and 2 x four bedroom properties.

Jules Hunt, Property Consultant from FHP Living who managed the sales, together with Associate Director Steve Parker said:-

“Despite the fact that these properties have the perfect combination of location, style and size, we are extremely pleased with how soon we were able to match them to the right buyers.

We’re very excited about marketing the second phase of this development particularly at the current time with the property market steadily picking up which is a real positive.”

Each of the properties, which have been built by South Notts Developments Limited, include a generous 1,300 square feet of accommodation, all kitchen appliances, surround sound music and TV systems, master bedroom with en-suite, family bathroom, spacious living area and rear gardens with a terrace area.

The properties sit behind electrically operated gates and each home comes with its own private parking.

For more information on FHP Living and to view current available properties, visit the website www.fhpliving.co.uk

ENDS

17^th April 2014

For further information contact FHP Living on 0115 841 1155

A group of advisers based in North Nottinghamshire who believe the commercial property market is set to boom have formed the “North Notts Commercial Property Group” to ensure potential buyers have access to expert professional advice.

The firms that have teamed together include; commercial property consultants, FHP, The Royal Bank of Scotland, Chartered Accountants McGregors Corporate, Hopkins Solicitors, Elevation Investment Management, and insurance brokers Ellerton Knight.

Laura West, Associate Director at FHP Property Consultants was asked to join the panel by McGregors Corporate Director Phil Cudworth.

Laura commented:

“I am thrilled to be a part of the North Notts Commercial Property Group. Our meetings enable the group to share contacts, discuss market trends and potential opportunities. 2013 saw an increase in demand and take up of space within the Commercial Property Market and there are signs that 2014 will show a similar pattern.” 

“In pooling our skills together a package has been prepared which combines the services which will help identify suitable properties, provide access to funding, ensure the appropriate accounting and tax planning advice is given, and ensure the investment has insurance protection.”

The group meets every month to discuss potential deals and invites a new guest to each meeting. Alison North, the Invest in Ashfield & Mansfield Project Manager at Mansfield District Council attended the last meeting to learn more about the group’s activities and discuss how the Council can help bring further investment to the region.

So far members of the North Notts Commercial Property Group have advised on commercial property transactions valued in excess of £400,000, including the letting of a 90,000ft² industrial unit on Lower Oakham Way to a large printing company on a ten year lease.

For further information please contact Laura West on 07917 460029.

END

Jonathan Bishop, David Hargreaves and John Proctor are to be Team FHP at MIPIM 11^th to 13^th March 2014 in Cannes.

Team FHP are supporting Talented Nottingham, a combination of City Council Leaders and Private Sector Companies. 

Team FHP are looking forward to meeting both existing Clients, colleagues, known friends and new contacts.

Give us a call to catch up in Cannes!

Click Download Press Release to read more.

FHP Living have been appointed to sell 110 apartments at Nottingham One in the heart of the City Centre.

The development, which comprises 237 apartments together with 55,000 sq ft of office accommodation and 2 floors of car parking providing 260 car parking spaces, benefits from views over the Lace Market and sits on the banks of the Canal.

David Hargreaves, a Director of FHP, said: “This £50 million development will be fully complete early in the new year and offers apartments of the highest standard in the very heart of the city centre.  Its waterside location fronting the Canals, supplemented by stunning views of the Lace Market, whilst being within walking distance of the Tram and the train station and the retail and leisure core of the city, making this a one-off development.”

Selling agent Sheryl Grundy of FHP Living said: “We are offering a variety of apartments from studios at £80,000 and 1 bedroom apartments at £90,000, through to 3 bedroom duplex penthouse apartments at £235,000 and even a 4 bedroom duplex penthouse with probably the largest terrace in the City at £500,000.  All the 2, 3 and 4 bedroom apartments benefit from an underground car parking space, whilst access is via a secure entry system.”

Neil Scott of FHP Living said: “Nottingham One has been built to a higher standard than any other apartment scheme in the city centre and with a large amount of glazing in each apartment and higher than average floor to ceiling heights, the effect is the creation of large, airy and spacious apartments which will find favour with owner occupiers and investors alike.” 

He went on to say that with the Government’s “Help to Buy” scheme where purchasers need find just 5% deposit and with mortgage rates at an all time low, an occupier could move into their new home at Nottingham One for approximately £5,000 and find that their monthly running costs including ground rent, service charge and mortgage are 30% less than they would pay in rent.

Selling agent Oliver Marshall of FHP Living said: “As well as being attractive to owner occupiers, Nottingham One offers a fantastic investment opportunity with investors likely to see a return on the cash they invest of at least 8% when deposit accounts are less than 2%.”

David Hargreaves said: “The web site has now “gone live” and we will be holding a number of “Open Evenings” in the weeks running up to Christmas.  We expect significant early interest particularly from first time buyers due to “Help to Buy”.

Anyone interested in taking a look around the 2 show apartments at Nottingham One should contact Oliver Marshall (07917 460028), Sheryl Grundy (07557 285470) or Neil Scott (07917 576255) at FHP Living (www.fhpliving.co.uk). 

David Hargreaves

14 October 2013

AN East Midlands surveyor who secured more than 60 deals in the course of one year has achieved another significant success.

Laura West, who is a member of the office and industrial agency team at FHP, has become an Associate Director of the leading regional consultancy. She has also become head of office and industrial agency for the firm’s Derby office.

The promotion marks a rapid rise for Laura, who has been with FHP for only three years. She graduated from Sheffield Hallam University with honours in Urban Land Economics and began work as a surveyor with a smaller Nottingham agency in 2006.

She moved to the office and industrial team at FHP in 2010, joining a six-strong department led by one of FHP’s founders, John Proctor. She completed her APC shortly after moving to the firm, whose offices are on Oxford Street, Nottingham and Pride Park, Derby, and completed 100 deals in the East Midlands shortly after her second anniversary of joining.

John Proctor commented:-

“Laura’s promotion to Associate Director is richly deserved. She has proved herself to be both tenacious in pursuit of opportunities and someone whose market knowledge and commitment to developing long-term relationships has contributed to our wider success.”

“She works alongside some very high profile clients and her understanding of the market for SME occupiers on the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border has helped to put FHP in a market-leading position in what has been a real bright spot for commercial property.”

Laura works with a number of high profile regional and national clients, including Commercial Estates Group, PMW Developments, Langham Park Developments, Abbeyfield Estates,  Welbeck Estates and Clowes Developments.

During the last year, she secured no less than 63 deals in the office and industrial market across Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire, enjoying significant successes at major schemes like the Amber Business Centre at Riddings, Langham Park Berristow Lane and The Village at South Normanton.

She commented:-

“Being made an Associate Director in such a successful team is a real privilege. I’m lucky to work alongside some of the most experienced people in the office and industrial market and together we have secured some significant deals despite a challenging market. Those challenges have meant that it has been very hard work over the past few years, but what has made the difference for us is nurturing long-term relationships with experienced developers who, like us, are committed to understanding what occupiers need and delivering the right product. What we’re all looking forward to now is a steady and sustainable upturn in the market.”

“Many of my recent deals have been around the M1 corridor along the Derbyshire-Nottinghamshire border, where there has been consistently strong activity in the office and industrial market. With the encouraging economic news we’ve seen recently, I’m optimistic that this trend will continue.”

Besides her work for FHP, Laura has been on the committee of the professional networking organisation Women in Construction for the past two years. She also recently raised £1,000 for the childrens’ charity Rainbows by completing the 50-mile Great Nottinghamshire Bike Ride.

Laura concluded:-

“Many of my friends headed straight for London when they completed their degrees, but I took a conscious decision that I was going to stay in the East Midlands and focus on getting to the top of my profession. Becoming Associate Director at FHP tells me it was the right move.”

END

Award winning Property Consultancy firm, FHP Property Consultants are pleased to announce the arrival of two new members of staff into their office on Pride Park.  Laura West is moving across from the Nottingham Office of FHP and will be leading up the Industrial and Office Agency Department.  Laura has been with FHP for over 3 years having recently been promoted to Associate Director.  Laura’s remit is to continue to expand FHP’s presence in these key commercial property sectors within the Derbyshire market.

Laura West commented:-

“I am excited with the new opportunities that the move to our Derby Office has to offer.  Over the last 18 months I have personally completed in excess of 100 transactions, the majority of which have been within Derbyshire.  The move to the Derby Office has been a natural progression and I am thrilled to have been promoted to both head of the agency department and Associate Director for FHP all in one week. 

We have a driven and energetic team at both offices which is great to be a part of.  Having been awarded Estates Gazette winners for both counties in 2013 further confirms our dedication and commitment to realising the full potential in your property”

In addition, Hannah Bailey has also joined the Derby Office of FHP having recently graduated from Northumbria University with a First Class Honours Degree in Estate Management. 

Hannah Bailey of FHP commented “Upon leaving university it was always my intention to try and find a graduate position with a firm close to my hometown of Ashbourne, and so I am delighted to have joined the Derby office of FHP, one of the East Midlands leading Property Consultancies.  I hope to build upon my experience gained at Eddisons and work towards becoming Chartered by completing the Assessment of Professional Competence”.

Adam Wilson Associate Director of FHP commented….”It is a pleasure to have someone of Laura’s experience join the team.  Laura has already established herself as one of the most active agents in Nottinghamshire and will no doubt have the same success in Derbyshire.  Hannah has also hit the ground running having previously undertaken a year in industry with Eddisons at their Bradford office.  She has already become a valuable member of the team assisting with all services provided by FHP”.

Mark Tomlinson, surveyor at FHP Property Consultants who specialises in office and industrial property has been named ‘2013 Most Active Deal Maker’ in Nottinghamshire by the Estates Gazette for the second year running.

Mark Tomlinson commented:- 

“I am delighted to be named Most Active Deal Maker for the second year running. These are challenging times in the commercial property market and last year was no exception but there is certainly some positive activity in the market to shout about.”

“We are seeing that demand at the smaller end of the market from SME’s has increased on previous years in the city. This is evidenced by the Nottingham Office Forum Market Review figures which highlighted that 60% of office transactions in the city core were on buildings under 3,000 sq ft. We are also experiencing increased levels of demand for industrial property, which is the stronger market at this time with more positive levels of demand from manufacturers, motor trade, distribution and trade counter operators.” 

“These awards are a testament to the strength of the multidisciplinary team whereby we can offer specialist advice on most areas of commercial property.”

The award follows a number of industrial transactions around Nottingham City Centre which include the letting to YESSS Electrical wholesalers on County Business Park, the sale of a 50,000 sq ft industrial estate in Kirkby in Ashfield again on behalf of receivers as well as a number of transactions with local businesses, assisting in their expansion. 

Tomlinson has also completed a number of city centre office transactions including the sale of the 10,000 sq ft of offices at The Steps in The Lace Market on behalf of receivers as well as a number of sales and lettings of period offices in The Professional and Creative Quarters of the city.

This activity has resulted in nearly 100 deals in the county over the last 2 years, transacting over 350,000 sq ft in the county. 

FHP Property Consultants have also been crowned ‘Most Active Agents’ for Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire having completed more deals than any other agent in the region. This follows a very active year for the firm in which FHP completed 400 transactions across the East Midlands securing over £20 million in rental income and £100 million in sales on behalf of their clients.

FHP Property Consultants have been awarded the most active agents award for both Derbyshire & Nottinghamshire by the Estates Gazette.  The award has been bestowed upon FHP by virtue of office, industrial and retail agency departments completing the highest number of commercial property transactions in 2012 and the first quarter of 2013.

It has been a very active year for FHP who have completed more than 400 deals across the East Midlands securing more than £20 million of rental income for their clients and £100 million in sales receipts.

James Hartley Associate Director at FHP commented:

“We are all extremely proud of what we have achieved across the region.  It has truly been a team effort and could not have been achieved without such a large and successful agency team spanning across the region.  There is no doubt that we are still working in a difficult market but we believe that by forming a strong partnership with clients and with our colleagues we are able to provide the best possible results.  Our market knowledge is comprehensive and much envied.  We always have our ear to the ground and we often spot opportunities with huge potential before others.

The success story is not focused in one particular area, we have been highly active in all areas of the market be it lettings within The Westfield Scheme, industrial deals at Amber Business Centre and Air Cargo Centre or offices on Pride Park such as the deal with Games Warehouse moving them from Nottingham to Derby.

People ask me all the time what is the key to shifting space in this market and I have to say that I find the key to achieving deals across all the board has to be a pragmatic and understanding approach to a tenants needs and also very important is the presentation of space.  We are finding that the better a property presents itself to the market the more successful it is in terms of time spent on the market, rent achieved and incentives granted.  First impressions are everything be it how it looks in the pictures, on the internet or brochure, down to how the space looks when someone is viewing.  With so much space on the market tenants and purchasers can be spoilt for choice and our advice is to ensure a potential occupier has no reason to disregard your premises for a reason that you can control.”

Laura West Surveyor at FHP concludes:

“FHP pride themselves on offering the full range of property services to our clients.  Winning the most active agent award within both Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire demonstrates our collective ability to think laterally, give reasoned professional advice and more importantly add value through offering a complete service to our clients.  Our presence throughout the East Midlands continues to grow and as we closely approach the end of the second quarter for 2013 it is evident that our success to date mirrors our results in 2012.”   

For further information on how FHP can provide you with further property advice then please contact either our Nottingham Office on 0115 9507577 or Derby Office on 01332 343222.

FHP have won the much sought after “Most Active Investment Agent” Award from Jones Lang LaSalle in the Estates Gazette EGi Deals Competition for 2012.

During 2012 a variety of investments were acquired or sold from individual residential investments at £80,000 through to student accommodation investments, industrial estates to a retail investment at £8.6 million.

FHP are currently marketing 38 investments which can be seen on our web site.

To discuss your requirement as either a buyer or a seller, please contact Noel Roper (M: 07711 211511, E: noel@fhp.co.uk) or David Hargreaves (M: 07876 396003, E: davidh@fhp.co.uk).

Once again FHP’s Retail Team have beaten the competition to win the prestigious “Most Active Retail Agent” Award for the East Midlands, with almost double the number of retail deals to its nearest challenger.

David Hargreaves, a founder of FHP, confirmed that during 2012 167 retail transactions were secured by the team from offices in Nottingham and Derby.

Ben Tebbutt said: “Despite a difficult market creativity and thinking outside the box still allows deals to be put together for the benefit of both landlord and tenant.

Alan Pearson, Associate Director, said: “Our deals have been spread more or less equally between the Shopping Centres (Broadmarsh Nottingham, Westfield Derby, Four Seasons Mansfield and Idlewells Sutton-in-Ashfield) and the High Street throughout the region.

David Richardson said: “The FHP Retail Team are well-known in the industry, attending events such as the BCSC, Completely Retail Market Place and Bread & Butter (the retail showcase event in Berlin).  This month we have sponsored the SAS Drinks Party in London, whilst at the end of April we will have a stand at Completely Retail Market Place.”

Other members of the Retail Team include David Richardson, Frankie Labbate, George Dunnicliff and Mark Bradley.

To discuss your retail property needs, either as landlord or tenant, please see our web site or give David Hargreaves a call (M: 07876 396003, E: davidh@fhp.co.uk).  

FHP have recently launched a new sub-brand for their residential division, FHP Living, to be known as “FHP Student Living”.

David Hargreaves confirmed that the brand is a response to the number of lettings that the company have been involved with over the last 2 or 3 years to students and the growth in the student living sector, particularly with redundant office buildings being converted.

Any student renting through FHP Student Living will get an FHP Privilege Card which will give them free access to the Gatecrasher Club in Nottingham for a year and 10% off purchases in Ark – both clients of FHP.

The FHP Student Living team will be headed by David Hargreaves, with day to day involvement by Henry Shaw with assistance from Jonty Green. 

Hargreaves confirmed that last year some 200+ lettings were completed to students by FHP Living and it was felt the need to provide a brand that reflected this trend.   Rents achieved were £550/month to £1,200/month.

END

More than 500 local people from Mapperley Park marked the Diamond Jubilee weekend with a spectacular street party – the first of its kind since the 1940s.

Families and residents all gathered on Carisbrooke Drive in Mapperley Park to celebrate the Queen’s 60 year reign.

The party was organised by the Mapperley Park Residents Association and sponsored by property agents, FHP Living.

Organisers Siobhan Hargreaves, Sue Good and Suma Harding, all live in Mapperley Park and wanted to bring together the community to celebrate in style – and they certainly did that!

Siobhan said: “One of the Park’s older residents told us there hasn’t been a street party since the end of the Second World War. So we decided it was about time we got our community together to mark this momentous event.”

There was lots to do for young and old, with a bouncy castle, a range of stalls selling everything from plants to vintage clothing, and a friendly tug-of-war tournament. A New Orleans streetband and a fantastic string quartet, made up of four talented local children, kept everyone entertained.

Food on offer included a gourmet BBQ from the award-winning Nottingham butcher, Johnny Beedham, as well milkshakes made by the city’s Homemade café. There was also a cake stall with nibbles made and donated by residents, plus a bar for refreshing drinks.

Siobhan added: “It’s one of the biggest social events the residents association has ever organised and we were overwhelmed with the response we had to our invitation. So many people came out to celebrate, many of whom don’t usually take part in community events. It was amazing to see so many families enjoying it together and getting to know one another. I think we did her majesty proud.”

Women In Construction networking group held its first lunch event of 2012 at the newly opened Browns Brassiere. Guest speaker and inspirational Life Coach Cherie Concannon gave a talk to the group on her journey and experiences based on the Position, Transition and Refocus of business executives for on-going success. The talk inspired the members and stimulated an interesting debate over the lunch.

2012 has brought about a new committee for WIC, these include Jenna Frudd (FC7 Ltd), Victoria Trafford (Chesterton & Humberts) and Laura West (FHP Property Consultants).

Laura West commented:

“I was thrilled to be invited to join the WIC committee. The group seeks to enhance the profile of women in this competitive sector, by providing regular meetings with a group that represents all disciplines within the property and construction industry.  The group provides a forum for business opportunities, exchanging of views, networking and personal development.”