FHP Property Consultants are delighted to announce the recent letting of 27 Green Lane Derby to DRB Liquids.  The end terraced retail unit extends to 168.99m² (1,819ft²) and is located within Derby City Centre, close to the junction of Victoria Street and St Peter’s Street.

DRB Liquids have signed a new 5 year lease direct with the landlord.

Blake Lowis, director of DRB comments:

“To stumble upon a retail unit like this, adjacent to the busiest street in Derby is a fantastic opportunity for a new business owner like myself.  Derby’s local businesses are coming back stronger and better and opportunities like these aren’t going to be around for much longer”.

Darran Severn from FHPs Retail Team comments:

“With local and regional businesses beginning to strengthen and expand, there is a steady demand for units of this size.”

For any further information on this letting or to discuss the disposal of your property, please contact Darran Severn on 01332 343 222 or darran@fhp.co.uk.

End.

June 2015

Acting on behalf of private clients, FHP Property Consultants are delighted to announce the recent instruction of 50 Sadler Gate, Derby.

Located in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter the property occupies a very prominent position on the ever popular Sadler Gate, and provides a ground floor sales area with ancillary basement storage totalling 124m² (1,334ft²).  The property is available by way of a new lease direct with the landlord.

Darran Severn of FHP comments:

“I am delighted to welcome this property to the market and expect we will receive a high level of interest given the popular location within the Cathedral Quarter Business Improvement District”.

For further information on this property or any other retail property, please contact Darran Severn on 01332 343 222 or darran@fhp.co.uk.

Seven years after opening its doors in Nottingham, men’s barbers Brik Barbershop has taken a second shop in the city’s Flying Horse Walk.

Property consultants FHP acted as agents on deal that has seen a men’s barbers acquire a new premises in the city’s Flying Horse Walk. Seven years after opening its doors in Nottingham, men’s barbers Brik Barbershop has taken a second shop in the city.

The business initially opened in Byard Lane in the winter of 2007 and has since featured in a 2013 music video for a song by boyband Union J.

According to Jonathan Felstead, partner at Brik Barbershop, opening up a second site is now essential as they simply cannot accommodate the number of people looking for appointments. He said: “It’s great to be as busy as we are, but we currently have to turn customers away because we just don’t have the capacity  at the moment.”

The new unit is situated just two streets away and has been acquired in order to cope with demand and act as an overflow to the existing barbers. Jonathan added: “The second shop will hopefully be up and running in around five weeks’ time and should be a hold an additional four seats which will mean we can accommodate an additional 150 customers per week.”

Property consultants FHP acted as agents on the deal. Matt Revill, surveyor at FHP said: “Brik’s expansion is testament to Nottingham’s growing economy and is a great addition to the eclectic mix of shops located in the Flying Horse Walk.”

The barbers will open just inside the Flying Horse Walk’s St Peters Gate entrance.

Acting on behalf of Clowes Developments, Darran Severn has secured the letting of 1-2 Victoria Street, Derby to Rose Nail on a new 5 year lease.

The property extends to approximately 792ft² over ground floor and basement and is prominently positioned on the corner site of the junction of Victoria Street and Cornmarket, Derby.

Darran Severn of FHP comments:

“It is most encouraging to see a new business on Victoria Street and the nail salon will bring increased footfall to the area.  There are still several vacant units close by, however we are starting to see increased activity and viewings are on the up.  In the last week we have agreed terms on a couple of similar units within the vicinity.

The property is currently undergoing refurbishment and will be open for the summer.

For further information contact Darran Severn at FHP: 01332 343 222.

End

May 2015

The new look and feel of Nottingham’s intu Victoria Centre is attracting top new retailers to the Midlands, such as KIKO MILANO, an Italian cosmetics brand that features a range of fashionable makeup, face and body treatments. The new 1,260 sq ft store will open this summer and is the brand’s first venture in the Midlands.

Swatch have signed up to a new 1,000 sq ft store opposite KIKO, which follows recent lettings to Urban Outfitters and Superdry in the southern mall.

Alan Pearson, Associate Director of FHP commented:

“2015 is going to be an exciting year for intu Victoria Centre with the completion of the £40 million refurbishment programme this autumn and the opening of the new Catering Quarter. We have exchanged contracts with a number of new restaurant brands for the city, with further operators under offer which will be announced shortly. KIKO securing for their first Midlands’ store demonstrates the quality of the environment we are creating”.

Martin Breeden, Regional Director of intu said:

“Retailer interest at intu Victoria Centre is really snowballing on the back of our mall refreshment. Last year, River Island, Urban Outfitters and Superdry opened and we are delighted to announce KIKO. We have 23 million customer visits a year to the centre and Nottingham has 60,000 full time students in Nottingham so I am confident this growing brand will trade really well”.

KIKO’s concept focuses on offering quality beauty and skincare products at an affordable price. The store which has a 10 year lease agreement will benefit from its prime centre location, close to other trend led retailers and near the newly refurbished event square opposite John Lewis.

Martin Breeden added:

“The remodeling and refurbishment has provided enhanced shop frontages, increased visibility, high quality finishes throughout and a large event area which enable us to deliver compelling experiences that attract customers more often, for longer and in turn, help our retailers to flourish”.

The project will provide a new two level catering cluster with feature entrance around the Grade II listed Clocktower, with pre-lettings including handmade burger Co, Coast 2 Coast, Tortilla and Ed’s Easy Diner.

FHP and JLL acted on behalf of intu, KLM on behalf of Swatch and Kiko represented themselves.

For further information with respect to this letting or for marketing advice, please contact Alan Pearson of FHP Property Consultants on 07876 396 005 or alan@fhp.co.uk.

I met with Alan at the BCSC conference where I found his knowledge and enthusiasm about the property he was marketing and Nottingham City Centre to be first rate. We subsequently arranged a visit to Nottingham, where he took us for a tour of the city, explaining in detail how the city was shopped and the strength of the location. We have now chosen Nottingham for our next site and look forward to opening our 8^th Restaurant in the city. I have no hesitation in recommending Alan and FHP Property Consultants.

Alan was appointed joint letting agent of Westfield Derby in 2009 and has provided Westfield with good quality, reasoned advice given his in-depth knowledge of the regional East Midlands and National Market. Since his appointment he has undertaken lettings to a number of regional, national and international retailers, enhancing the tenant mix and profile of the scheme

Alan Pearson, Director of FHP Property Consultants is delighted to announce a further letting at intu Derby to Office, who have committed to a new 2,300 sq ft unit.

Office will complement the centre’s existing high quality retail mix and will be located in a prime position opposite leading brands Zara, Topshop and Superdry and adjacent to All Saints.

Kristi Eames, Commercial Director of Office said:

“As owners of prime regional shopping centres, intu offers us great locations to base our brand across the UK and we’re very pleased to announce that we will be opening up at intu Derby. The new shop will open this summer and we have every confidence in its success.”

The centre which was bought by intu a year ago is based in the city centre and makes up the main element of Derby’s shopping offer. As a gateway to the Peak District and Derbyshire Dales which both attract high levels of tourism, intu Derby is an essential shopping destination that attracts 25 million visitors annually.

Martin Breeden, regional director of intu said:

“The team at intu Derby has been working hard to achieve the right balance of retail and exciting dining and leisure offers. Office is a key brand and is a great fit with our dynamic retail strategy to create a mix of high quality, aspirational retail for intu Derby. It’s always great to see a quality brand like Office recognising the strength of our prime regional shopping centres and we’re pleased to welcome another of their stores to our portfolio.”

Alan Pearson, Director of FHP commented:

“Intu Derby continues to attract quality retail and leisure operators and the letting to Office follows on the back of a strong 2014. Recent lettings to both Byron and Joe’s Kitchen on the same north mall were completed late last year and both retailers are on site fitting out to open in May and June 2015 respectively”.

FHP and Central Retail acted on behalf of intu and CBRE acted on behalf of Office.

For further information with respect to this letting or for marketing advice, please contact Alan Pearson of FHP Property Consultants on 07876 396 005 or alan@fhp.co.uk.

East Midlands property consultancy FHP has secured a major award for its market leading work in retail.

The Nottingham based business has been crowned Most Active Agent in Retail in 2014 in the Deals Competition run by the property industry’s ‘bible’, Estates Gazette.

The award comes as FHP celebrates its 25th year in business, and founding director David Hargreaves says the expertise it has built up since 1990 is one of the main reasons why it wins instructions from some of the biggest names in the retail industry.

He commented: “The Most Active Agent award is particularly significant because it sums up what FHP has always been about – getting out there, working hard on behalf of clients across the industry and using all the expertise we have built up over more than two decades to add value to what they want to achieve. This award acknowledges our market leadership in retail and I’m incredibly proud of what our team has done.”

FHP acts for a range of regional and national clients, including some of the biggest names in retail property development and some of the most well-known retail brands. Its work ranges from the sales and leasing of retail property to management of retail assets and professional advice on how they can be operated most effectively.

Its current instructions include acting for Intu on the Victoria Centre and Broadmarsh in Nottingham and at Intu Derby. Its retail acquisitions team works with a range of national clients which include supermarket giant Morrisons and brands like Edinburgh Woollen Mills and Specsavers.

Ben Tebbutt, a Director in FHP’s retail team, said: “2014 was an incredibly busy year for us and with the way the economy is going this year looks like being even busier. Intu is investing very heavily in the development of its two centres in Nottingham, with £40m being spent on upgrading the Victoria Centre and plans recently revealed for a comprehensive revamp of Broadmarsh.

We have secured some notable lettings at the Victoria Centre as a result, among them Urban Outfitters, Superdry, Office Shoes and River Island. Though the plans for Broadmarsh have only just been revealed, we are already out there in the market discussing opportunities with retailers.”

FHP director Alan Pearson has also introduced a number of new retailers and restaurants at intu Derby. They include HMV, Ann Summers, Smiggle, Tiger and Hotter Shoes, while the restaurant offer is being strengthened through the arrival of Joe’s Kitchen and Byron – with three more restaurants currently under offer.

The EGi Most Active Retail Agent Award comes at a time when FHP has also been adding to its retail team and promoting key members. Frankie Labbate, who leads on acquisitions, and Jess Hand, an expert in retail business rates, have both been made associate directors, while Jack Ward joins the team from Sainsbury’s and Matthew Revill comes in from Christie & Co.

Ben Tebbutt concluded: “This is a period of significant expansion for us. The retail economy is busier, and clients are looking not just for insights into the best locations, but valuable expertise in managing their assets. We’ve got 25 years of both!”

For further information please contact:
Ben Tebbutt, FHP Property Consultants, on 0115 950 7577

On behalf of private clients, FHP Property Consultants are delighted to announce the recent instruction to market 27 Green Lane, Derby.

This excellent retail opportunity provides a ground floor sales area of 168.99m² (1,819ft²) and is available on a new full repairing and insuring lease at a rent of £15,500 per annum.

Should you require any further information on this property or any other retail opportunities in Derby then please contact Darran Severn at darran@fhp.co.uk or on 01332 343 222.

A new analysis carried out by FHP Property Consultants says that Nottingham city centre is reclaiming it’s crown as the top destination for shopping and leisure visitors in the East Midlands.

FHP’s Retail Review 2015 examines how Nottingham has changed in an era when the growth of internet shopping has meant that visitors are looking for more than just high quality shopping when they come into the city centre.

It suggests that the growth in the numbers of cafes and restaurants, along with renewed investment in both of the city’s shopping centres, means that Nottingham is now in a much stronger position to satisfy demands from visitors who want to spend more time experiencing what the city has to offer.

FHP has been in business for 25 years and its role in marketing premises in high streets, shopping centres and new concepts like The Cornerhouse has given it a unique expertise and a market-leading position in retail and leisure property services.

FHP’s Retail Review replaces its long-running report into the numbers of retail vacancies in the city, which Director Ben Tebbutt says is no longer relevant.

He commented: “We never accepted some of the wilder claims about the numbers of vacant shops in Nottingham. They were done by outsiders and they lacked grassroots knowledge of the way the city works. In any case, that debate is largely over, and the issue now is how cities and towns manage the transition to a world where the high street has to accommodate a mix of traditional shopping, click and collect and leisure activities.

The solutions lie in a mix of flexible, forward-looking planning policies and an understanding that people come into a city as an activity and an experience rather than a routine shopping trip. What our analysis shows is that Nottingham is, again, leading that transition in the East Midlands with a rise in the numbers of different restaurant and cafe concepts.”

The new arrivals have ranged from international brands like the Five Guys premium burger chain to the locally-owned 200 Degrees Coffee, which combines an intimate coffee house atmosphere with a barista school.

But Ben Tebbutt says there are also good reasons to be optimistic about the more traditional shopping locations, which were the subject of competing expansion plans in the past. He commented “Nottingham just isn’t big enough to support two large centres, and the risk was that if Westfield had proceeded with a massive expansion of Broadmarsh, the Victoria Centre might have been left behind.

With Intu now owning both centres, we have got the best of both worlds – a £45m refurbishment of the Victoria Centre that has transformed the interior, a new restaurant quarter under construction, and a substantial redevelopment of Broadmarsh to follow.

When you put that together with all the new restaurant and cafe brands that have signed up to make the most of the magnificent Market Square, you have a city which is in a very strong position to appeal to visitors who are looking for great shopping and a vibrant range of eating options.”

FHP has also played a leading role in bringing high-quality national restaurant and cafe chains to West Bridgford, supporting the economic growth of an increasingly popular affluent suburb. Ben Tebbutt says there are lessons to learn for planners in the way both the city centre and West Bridgford have evolved.

He commented “We spent some considerable time marketing some of the vacant retail premises in West Bridgford, but even with all our experience it was becoming obvious that the market had moved on. There has been vocal opposition to the arrival of some of the high-profile national restaurants and cafes that we have brought it, but the results speak for themselves – West Bridgford is a busier, more vibrant place and all of the shops have benefited from an increase in footfall.

There are lessons in what has happened in both West Bridgford and the city centre for planning authorities. The retail and leisure market is changing at a faster pace than ever before, and councils need to have policies which are flexible enough to enable them to take advantage of those trends.”

He concluded “Nottingham is an incredibly attractive location for retail and leisure operators. It has a big student population, a fantastic focal point in the Market Square and it’s seeing new brands arrive thanks to the investment in the shopping centres. We’re into a new era and the city is now back in a strong position.”

FHP continues its long standing involvement with the expansion programme for Betfred Bookmakers by acquiring three new shops in the first months of 2015.

Two of the units, Shirebrook and Great Barr, Birmingham were new locations and the third in Hucknall is a relocation for their existing branch which is subject to a CPO for the proposed town centre inner relief road.

Mark Bradley who acts for the bookies commented:-

“Betfred has been targeting Shirebrook for some considerable time but the lack of suitably sized premises had thwarted previous attempts. However a large unit at 26-28 Market Place was acquired by a local developer, and terms were quickly agreed off market for a pre-let subject to refurbishment to provide 1,200ft² on a prominent corner site fronting the Market Place.

At Great Barr, this was a strategic move at the Scott Arms Shopping Centre where an opportunity arose adjacent to the busy public house providing a better location than nearby competition. The unit has the benefit of an existing A3 consent so could be occupied for A2 enabling the lease to be completed in a relatively short timescale.

In Hucknall, the freehold of 41-43 High Street was acquired as a relocation for their existing branch. The new shop will provide a larger trading area and will ultimately benefit from the pedestrianisation of High Street once the new relief road opens.”

Betfred continue with their expansion programme throughout the Midlands and East Anglia and any suitable opportunities containing around 1,000 – 1,200ft² ground floor sales should be forwarded to Mark Bradley markb@fhp.co.uk / 01332 343222.

On behalf of private clients, FHP Property Consultants have been instructed to market prominent retail warehouse premises on a main arterial route in Derby.

The unit available is in a popular showroom and trade counter location with other occupiers including Screwfix, United Carpets, Go Outdoors, Magnet and Dunelm.

It comprises ground floor showroom premises of 10,119ft² with ample parking onsite and the unit is available as a whole or may split to provide 2 units of circa 5,00ft².

Ascot Drive is a busy thoroughfare linking the A6 London Road at its junction with Pride Park to the A5111 outer ring road, and is therefore readily accessible to a wide catchment area.

The property is offered to let on a new lease direct from the landlord.

For further information or to make arrangements to view please contact Tim Richardson on

01332 343 857.

City councillors were on site at Eastpoint Retail Park this week – to help mark one of the most significant developments in Nottingham for many years, which will create hundreds of jobs and boost much-needed skills and training for local people.

Eastpoint in Daleside Road on the outskirts of Sneinton has now started on site – providing investment for the city, and 200 jobs from construction phase, right through to completion.

The £12 million scheme is a catalyst for regeneration in the area and will breathe new life into the eastern gateway of Nottingham, said Peter Gadsby, chairman of Cedar House Investments which owns the site and is one of the region’s leading developers.

He said: “After so many years of this five-acre former Sunlight Laundry site lying derelict, this is a significant landmark that this scheme has started on site. Eastpoint will further facilitate investment in Waterside as this area of the city continues to thrive.

“We know that our retail development, which is anchored by an Aldi food store, is much needed for the people of Sneinton. The three retailers which move in this year will create 100 jobs. Cedar House is already engaged with the city council’s employment hub creating new jobs both during construction and when the scheme is open.

“Cedar House has been able to speculatively build and fund this development through its own resources and is delighted to be driving forward regeneration in the city. We have already attracted Aldi, Poundland and Costa Coffee which will be trading by Christmas. We also have a number of other retailers looking to commit to Eastpoint over the coming months.”

The site is 60% let with Aldi as the anchor retailer, taking up a 18,200sq ft unit. Costa Coffee and Poundland have also confirmed they will be taking units.

Local ward councillor is Coun David Mellen said: “For some time, the people of Sneinton have had a need for somewhere to shop for reasonably-priced food. There haven’t been enough opportunities for everyone to shop for food locally at a price which matches the tight budgets within which many families have to manage. I welcome this initiative to provide better shopping opportunities for the residents of Sneinton later this year.”

Local building contractor Radleigh Construction is already on site. The company will create 40 jobs for local people throughout the duration of the 12-month build. The project will help to develop education, skills and training for local people.

Coun Nick McDonald, Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for jobs and growth, said: “This scheme is significant, not least because it will catalyse our wider plans for this area of the city. What is most pleasing is that 100 jobs have already been filled by Nottingham people with another 100 to be filled before Christmas.”

“The scheme will help form a gateway to the Waterside development area, and along with Blueprint’s £26 million housing scheme located opposite will create a new city community,” added Peter Gadsby, who is responsible for several major developments in Nottingham through his companies – including the 105,000sq.ft. £30 million development called Trinity House built for EOn and the 38-acre NG2 Business Park which has attracted Experian, Speedo and Specsavers.

As part of wider improvements to public space which accompany the development, Cedar House will be contributing to works to be undertaken on the Sneinton Greenway public footpath and cycle way which runs behind the Eastpoint site.

“The combination of the housing scheme and the East Point Gateway sites are the major catalysts needed for the redevelopment and regeneration of this area of Nottingham,” added Peter.

“The scheme has anchored the regeneration of the waterside link between retail and housing,” added Peter. “The scheme is the first major retail development for Nottingham in the last few years, showing the growing confidence which has been shown in Nottingham as a city.”

Joint agents JLL & FHP are marketing the remainder of the Eastpoint site.

The retail market in Bulwell remains healthy despite the economic downturn with a bidding war occurring on a prime property in Main Street being marketed by FHP Property Consultants.

The premises at 223 Main Street were available to let on a new lease following the expiry of the existing tenancy to a beauticians.

There was a strong level of interest from both the national retailers and local independents which resulted in the property being let to Marie Curie Cancer Care at a rent in excess of the asking terms on a 10 year lease with no rent free incentives.

Mark Bradley of FHP Property Consultants commented:-

“Bulwell has bucked the trend in terms of retail demand due to a combination of factors including the lack of supply of prime retail units and the demographics of the local economy which are “value” orientated with the letting to the charity shop epitomising the situation.

The letting will now assist our private investor client as this transaction can be used as evidence on the forthcoming lease renewal of the adjacent shop within her ownership and will further improve the investment value of the property.”

FHP Property Consultants acting on behalf of a private property company landlord have let 75 High Street, Alfreton to Ashgate Hospice Charity Shops, who are a Derbyshire based charity operating from Chesterfield.

The premises, which comprise ground floor sales of 2,160ft² together with first floor storage of 1,081ft² were let on a 10 year lease subject to a tenant only break option at the end of the fifth year on a stepped rent averaging £28,200 per annum.

Mark Bradley of FHP Property Consultants who acted for the landlord jointly with Ockleston Bailey of Chester commented:-

“We were pleased to secure this letting to Ashgate to assist with their expansion programme throughout Derbyshire. The size of the sales area suited their requirements ideally and the fact that our client had taken the initiative to put the premises in a condition ready for immediate occupation enabled the transaction to move swiftly once terms were agreed.”

If you are looking to let or sell your retail premises in any of the Derbyshire towns, please contact Mark Bradley at our Derby office on 01332 224852 / 07887 787884 / markb@fhp.co.uk

Sixty thousands students will have Five Guys to thank when they get a taste of the market-leading premium burger in Nottingham.

Five Guys is the US-based chain which pioneered the premium end of the market, cooking fresh not frozen customised burgers to take away – and it’s chosen Nottingham as its latest home in the UK.

More than 40 people will work at the new Five Guys restaurant on Long Row in the city’s Market Square, which is due to open on 16th March.

John Eckbert, the UK CEO of Five Guys, says the city’s student population and vibrant culture were key factors in its decision to come here.

“We want to come to the major cities of England and Nottingham is an important one,” he said. “It’s got one of the largest catchments and it has long been on our radar and our experience tells us that the best way to come into a new market is to go right into the middle of the city centre.

“There is a significant student population in Nottingham from Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham, and the city is also a top tourist destination with events and music festivals. All of these are factors for us – 60,000 students is important and the atmosphere that comes from culture and entertainment matters to us.”

Five Guys started out as a family business in Arlington, Virginia, in 1986. Today, its no-frills burger joints offer premium products whose appeal lies in fresh ingredients, carefully controlled cooking and a consistently great customer experience. In the USA, it controls 60% of the $2.5 billion market for better burgers, and now has 1,200 locations across North America and the UK – with many more planned.

Five Guys will trade from two floors of a former Pizza Hut outlet on Long Row. The deal was put together by Ben Tebbutt, a director in the retail and leisure team at the Nottingham property consultancy FHP.

He said: “I first came across Five Guys in Covent Garden and I knew then that they would be a perfect fit for Nottingham. There is a growing appetite for high quality fast food experiences and Five Guys has been serving up exactly that for nearly 30 years. They focus on what they know and they do it brilliantly well.

“Five Guys is one of the brands playing a key part in the transformation of the city centre from being retail-led to retail and leisure. We knew a place overlooking the Market Square would be perfect for them and they are really going to make their mark there.”

John Eckbert says Five Guys has a broad appeal which defies categorisation: “The thing that’s absolutely brilliant about our company and our brand is that you can’t pigeonhole our customers. You’ll get students coming in, people in suits or uniforms, tourists, all kinds of families and senior citizens. There’s been an explosion in demand for what we do.”

He added: “Everybody loves a burger. We may not be the cheapest, but we make a burger as well as it can be made and I’d put what we do up against what they serve on a white table cloth.

“We’re very purposeful about how we expand, and FHP has been a great help to us in giving us some critical insights into the Nottingham market. The more savvy we can be about local markets the better it is for us.”

Five Guys has taken a new 15 year fully insuring and repairing lease at £150,000 per annum with no break clause.

Ben Tebbutt concluded: “The leisure market is an attractive one on many levels. It is proving a key element in Nottingham’s resurgence as a visitor destination, supporting the retail economy’s evolution.

“Food and beverage operators are also good tenants for landlords as the investment they make in their operations is substantial and they are willing to make a longer lease commitment to make sure they get a return. This can make the properties they occupy a much more marketable commodity among investors.”

FHP Property Consultants are pleased to confirm the letting of 14 St Peters Churchyard in Derby City Centre to LaVanta Foods, who will be fitting out the premises before opening up a Mediterranean style café. 

The property extends to approximately 445 ft² and is situated between Reams Arts, Crafts and Stationery suppliers and Eddowes Waldron Solicitors.

Tim Richardson from FHP comments

“St Peters Cross has undergone significant public realm investment with repaving, street furniture and activities to bring life and vitality to this part of the City Centre.  14 St Peters Churchyard is within this pedestrianized area and will benefit from the increased footfall and improvements to the built environment in this area.”

Halil Argon, who will be running the café comments

“I have vast experience in this sector and am excited about opening an offering food which will be unique to the City”. 

The Café will be called LaVanta and is anticipated to open in March 2015.

For further information please contact Tim Richardson on 01332 224 857.

FHP have confirmed that detailed planning consent has been granted by Nottingham City Council allowing an exciting new development to be brought forward on the remaining 3.5 acres at Davidsons’ Portal site on Queens Drive in Nottingham.

The scheme will develop a new 43,000ft² Dunelm Soft Furnishings Store to allow them to relocate from their existing store on Radford Boulevard to a more prominent and more central location.

Davidsons will also be delivering a prestigious two storey car showroom at the entrance of the scheme and there will be a self contained three storey office building of approximately 14,000ft².

John Proctor at FHP has been advising on the scheme and agreed a letting to Dunelm and confirmed:-

“We are delighted to receive the green light to this scheme which will redevelop one of Nottingham’s most prominent undeveloped sites on the Queens Drive entrance into the City Centre.  Davidsons have worked hard at introducing high quality design and elevations to both the retail and car showroom element and we look forward to seeing the scheme take shape over the forthcoming months”.

27^th January 2015

John Proctor

For further information contact John Proctor at FHP on 0115 950 7577

FHP has let a former betting shop at 31 Market Street, Loughborough to a private individual to trade as a Pan Asian restaurant/takeaway.

The former Betfred shop became surplus to requirements following relocation by the bookies to larger premises in the town.

The unit which comprises 941ft² ground floor sales was sublet to the restaurant for a term until the expiry date of Betfred’s existing lease in November 2018 but incorporating the right for the restaurant to renew directly with the landlord.

Mark Bradley of FHP Property Consultants, who represented Betfred, commented:-

“This former Tote betting shop was smaller than Betfred’s ideal requirement and following relocation, FHP were instructed to dispose of the unit specifically targeting the A3/A5 market for which the unit is ideally located to serve the nearby student population and also benefits from an outside seating area.”

BEER, ale and cider are back on the menu at a former Nottingham pub following the opening of Brew Cavern in The Flying Horse Walk.  Over the last 400 years, the city centre site has been home to the Flying Horse Inn as well as five other pubs, including the Punch Bowl Vaults dating back to 1758.

Now, after 30 years ‘dry’ following the conversion of the inn into a shopping arcade, beer is once again on offer to the general public – unlike its predecessor though, you won’t find beer on tap, but bottled craft beers, ales and ciders which have been lovingly brewed from across the UK and further afield.

Matthew Hinton, owner of Brew Cavern, said:

“It’s great to have opened, and so far we’ve had a really positive reception from our customers here in Nottingham.

I discovered a real passion for beer whilst living in Sheffield; they have a couple of craft beer shops and I when I moved to Nottingham I noticed that there wasn’t really anything like that in the city centre and noted a gap in the market.

The beers, ales and ciders we have on offer here are all made to a high standard and each one is individual – we have a wide range to suit all from a vegan friendly beer, flavoured beer and beer that has been brewed to aid wildlife conservation.”

Brew Cavern stock a range from breweries across the UK and Europe – ‘From The Notebook’ designs blends in Nottingham that are then made created at a Worksop brewery.  Other stock includes popular London brewery The Kernel and Bevog, a German style beer that has been brewed in Austria.

Craft beer and ales have seen a substantial increase in popularity during recent years and Nottingham is no stranger to this growing trend as can be demonstrated by the popularity of this month’s Nottingham CAMRA beer festival.

Frankie Labbate from FHP, who let the unit on behalf of London and County, said:

“The Flying Horse Walk is home to a number of independent stores, each one offering something unique and of value to the Nottingham consumer market – Brew Cavern is no exception to this and we hope to see it go from strength to strength.” 

Brew Cavern is an independently owned shop selling brewed craft beer, real ale and bottled cider.

I’m a Director within the FHP Retail and Leisure Team focused on Roadside Retail, Development, Shopping Centre and High Street leasing and acquisitions for a number of retail and leisure clients across the Midlands and throughout the rest of the UK.

I act on behalf of a number of tenants including Starbucks, Mother Hubbards Fish & Chips, Relic x Hooked Vintage Clothing, Simmons Bakers and NRG Fitness in terms of acquisitions.

I act on behalf of the Victoria Centre, Derbion Centre and a number of regional shopping centres, neighbourhood schemes and high street and roadside retail and leisure space on behalf of landlords across the region.

I look forward to discussing any ideas with you in greater detail, whether that be for an acquisition, disposal or development, please give me a call.

Alan Pearson, Director of FHP Property Consultants and Joint Letting Agent of Intu Derby is delighted to announce a series of new lettings within the Intu Derby Shopping Centre.

Tiger, the Danish variety store retailer has recently opened a new 3,311 sq ft unit on the lower mall opposite H&M Kids.  They first opened in Copenhagen in 1995 and has now grown to 314 stores across Europe and Japan.  The retailer offers a wide variety of homewares, toys, stationary, toiletries and accessories.  This is Tiger’s third store in the Midlands, following openings in Merry Hill and Leicester. 

Hotter Shoes have leased SU144 on the lower mall, opening their second store in the East Midlands.  The store provides 2,000 sq ft of accommodation.  The company has been trading for over 50 years and currently trade from 71 units across the UK.

HMV have relocated from the junction of East Street and Albion Street onto level two of the centre, acquiring the former Republic store.  This unit provides 8,000 sq ft over ground and mezzanine level.  The unit occupies a prominent position close to the M&S Department Store and adjacent to Bank and JD Sports.

Ann Summers have relocated from St Peter’s Street to level two.  They have taken a unit adjacent to New Look and Dorothy Perkins. 

Alan Pearson of FHP commented: “The recent lettings continue to show the demand from retailers to gain representation within Derby and the relocation of both HMV and Ann Summers show the strength of the centre within Derby’s retail offer”.

For further information with respect to Intu Derby Shopping Centre or for marketing advice, please contact Alan Pearson of FHP Property Consultants on 07876 396 005 or alan@fhp.co.uk.

Vision Express, Costa Coffee and OFFICE are opening new stores at Intu Victoria Centre in Nottingham city centre, benefiting from the shopping centre’s £40 million refurbishment and remodelling plans.

Vision Express and Costa Coffee are now open relocating within the centre to 3,250 sq ft and 2,034 sq ft spaces respectively, in the North Mall. Shop frontages in this section have been realigned, opening up the area and giving customers a clear, uncluttered view, improving visibility and offering greater appeal.

OFFICE has moved to the centre from Bridlesmith Gate in Nottingham and are due to open in early October. The major shoe retailer will convert its previous store to an OFFSPRING store, which is OFFICE’s premium trainer offering.  At Intu Victoria Centre, OFFICE is taking 4,258 sq ft, plus 1,751 sq ft separately for storage and staff facilities.  The young and fashionable shoe brands will be a desired addition to the tenant mix, which already includes Monsoon, Topshop and recent openings Superdry and Urban Outfitters.

Alan Pearson of FHP commented: “Vision Express and Costa Coffee have both traded well from the Intu Victoria Centre for a number of years and have relocated to make way for the centres new catering quarter, scheduled to open late Summer 2015.

OFFICE have been undersized in Nottingham for a number of years and their relocation demonstrates the confidence in the Intu Victoria Centre’s remodelling following the opening of both Urban Outfitters and Superdry.  OFFICE is an excellent addition to the centre.”

FHP Property Consultants and JLL act on behalf of Intu with respect to the Intu Victoria Centre and Broadmarsh Shopping Centre, Nottingham.

For further information with respect to this letting or for marketing advice, please contact Alan Pearson of FHP Property Consultants on 07876 396 005 or alan@fhp.co.uk.

FHP acting on behalf of Morrisons have acquired a unit of 3,500 sq ft approximately for their Convenience Store format “M

FHP acting on behalf of Morrisons have acquired a unit of 3,500 sq ft approximately for their Convenience Store format “M Local” within the newly developed Nottingham Railway Station known as The Hub.

“The Hub” has been developed at a cost of £80 million and comprises a number of other occupiers including Costa Coffee.

FHP introduced the opportunity to Morrisons for whom they are retained to acquire Convenience Stores throughout the East Midlands and negotiated the terms on their behalf.

David Hargreaves said: “The thoroughfare leading from the Railway Station through to the Broadmarsh Shopping Centre has improved significantly over the past 2 or 3 years with a number of new lettings including the likes of Sainsburys, Tesco, Caffè Nero and Starbucks opening over the past 18 months.”

This is the first Morrisons Convenience Store in the City Centre following openings in the past 12 months at Aspley and Carlton.

Within the Professional Services Department, my day-to-day role involves dealing principally in Property Valuations and Investment Acquisition. I’m also trained as a Level 4 EPC Energy Professor to add to the range of services we’re able to provide our customers.

I’ve been part of the Nottingham Property Market for many years and am also now actively involved in the Newark Retail Market. As such I have many contacts and have advised clients in Investment Acquisition and in the Letting and Investment sale of Fat Face on Middlegate in 2010.

I qualified as a Level 4 Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) Surveyor in 2008 and now undertake a range of assessments on all types of commercial buildings, ranging from a bar/restaurant complex to large and small industrial units, and a retail parade. My current role also includes bank Valuation Work, Investment Sales and advising in Property Litigation.

As a Director within FHP’s Professional Services Team my own work now focuses primarily on two areas. Business Rates to reduce liabilities whether a building is occupied or vacant and Lease Consultancy providing advice to both Landlords and Tenants at lease renewal, rent review and during lease re gear negotiations.

I am experienced in providing Expert Witness evidence at both Valuation Tribunal and during the course of dispute resolution regarding rent reviews and lease renewals.

I work across the Country for a wide variety of clients from institutional investors and pension funds to entrepreneurial businesses and developers.

I am also an APC Counsellor to a number of the FHP Graduates and I help co-ordinate in-house training sessions to support our APC candidates.

Valuation encompasses all aspects of professional work and it’s of paramount importance to have a broad depth of knowledge and experience in order to advise clients appropriately.

I provide extensive valuation advice, primarily within the East Midlands, for a variety of purposes. Key clients range from the majority of the major lending institutions to private individuals.

Within the Education sector, I am developing our work with Academy clients, where FHP Education has advised over 200 Academies since 2012.

Another key area of my work is in respect of Compensation and Compulsory Purchase, where in particular I have acted on behalf of a variety of claimants on schemes including the Nottingham Express Transit NET2 tram, A46 Newark to Widmerpool Trunk Road Improvement, Loughborough Inner Relief Road and the Nottingham Left Bank Flood Alleviation Scheme.

The property market is constantly changing and the economic events of recent years have clearly demonstrated the importance of open, analytical, market-informed appraisals which FHP prides itself on providing to our clients.

Looking back, I feel that I’ve learned considerably more in the last near decade or so that at any other time in my 46-year career. That’s because at FHP, I’m surrounded by surveyors who are highly intelligent, highly motivated and extremely knowledgeable.

I buy and sell commercial investments and now sell a number of residential investments, mainly within a 40 or 50 mile radius of Nottingham, although I have bought properties on the south coast and elsewhere. FHP has helped me broaden my investment knowledge in relation to other markets.

I have been able to advise certain wealthy individuals on a considerable amount of investment and development funding situations whereby we have provided the finance for small time developers to be involved in projects far greater than any bank would have allowed them. This has given us an unrivalled expertise in the funding and secondary market within the East Midlands area. A large number of those projects have been highly successful although, admittedly, during the present economic times one or two schemes have been “moth balled” but however other ones are ongoing and are, (despite the present market conditions), now letting out well. However we are now coming out of the recession and are looking at pre-letting these outstanding development sites.

We believe that the market is slowly improving and there are certain special opportunities where we are taking advantage of market conditions to be able to buy sites and go and carry out developments.

In more recent years we have confined the activities to purely selling and buying investments. During the last 12 months we have received a considerable number of instructions to sell investments and providing they are correctly priced they do sell readily well.

Throughout my 11 years at FHP I thoroughly enjoyed working here with the other Surveyors and have hopefully been able to add to the profile of FHP in terms of the investment market. Despite the present economic climate we probably do more investment work than any of the other agents in the Nottingham area.

Life changes through being in recession since August 2007 and recessions don’t go on forever. We are slowly coming out of recessions, there are lots more lettings albeit soft deals but soon the development cycle will start again even if it is some 12/24 months away and there are lots of opportunities. The current availability of all the main sectors i.e. retail, office and industrial is shrinking and this will consequently lead to an increase in hardening in rents, disappearing incentives as far as the tenants are concerned, which will lead to the development cycle starting again.

I set up FHP back in 1990 alongside John and Brian, and I head up the Retail and Leisure Team who are one of the most dominant retail agency teams in within the East Midlands, and certainly the most active.

I went on to establish FHP Living, which is now one of the pre-eminant residential agencies in Nottingham, covering Land, Sales, Lettings, Management and Development. Our commercial and a residential companies now work seamlessly alongside each other, meaning we’ve been involved with some of the most forward thinking developments in Nottingham from the initial stages right through to sales and completion, including Trent Basin.

Prior to setting up FHP, I was the Director of Nottingham Development Enterprise Limited, a public/private sector organisation, and prior to that was a Governor of Nottingham High School and was Chairman of the Trustees at St Joseph’s School. Having graduated from Nottingham Trent Polytechnic in 1984, I previously acted as member of the Alumni Board at Nottingham Trent University, and was schooled and grew up in Halifax, West Yorkshire.