Tag: commercial

Warwick law firm takes over 12,000 sq ft of space after Wareing deal

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A historic Warwick law firm is growing its office space by 50 per cent as part of an expansion drive after a Wareing & Company facilitated the move.

 

Moore & Tibbits, which has provided law services in Warwick for almost 200 years, has moved its whole operation to the third floor of Westgate House in the town after Jonathan Blood, director at Wareing & Company, was able to secure a deal.

 

Moore & Tibbits previously had an office on High Street for services such as conveyancing and business law, and a second office at a different part of Westgate House for its health and welfare and private client services.

 

Now, the firm will combine both these services by occupying more than 12,000 sq ft of modern office space in Westgate House in a ten-year lease as it looks to add at least 20 fee-earning staff to its current team of 80 over the coming years.

 

James Williams, Partner at Moore & Tibbits, explained the firm had outgrown its old offices and needed larger premises, but wanted to find somewhere in Warwick to keep its roots in the town where it had started.

 

He said: “Our connection to Warwick is part of who Moore & Tibbits are – we’re essentially a high street law firm that has grown organically in recent years.

 

“It recently became clear that our current setup wasn’t really working for us. Our high street office was looking tired and cramped, and there wasn’t much synergy with our existing Westgate House office.

 

“When we decided to move to larger premises, it was a must that we stayed in Warwick town centre, whilst also having an inviting office space for both our staff and our clients.”

 

Having known Jonathan and Wareing & Company through his work, James thought he may have a solution and decided to contact him.

 

“Jonathan understood our criteria perfectly and knew the third floor of Westgate House would fit the bill,” James added.

 

“The new space gives us 4,000 extra square feet compared to our previous two-office arrangement, meaning we will be able to easily accommodate new staff as we continue to grow.

 

“It will allow us to retain that close connection with Warwick that defines us as a firm, while also allowing us to modernise without leaving the town.”

 

Jonathan said: “For tenants such as Moore & Tibbits, location can mean absolutely everything.

 

“While some occupiers are more than happy to take out-of-town locations if the property is to their liking, for others, keeping their business in the same place can be vital.

 

“We felt the third floor of Westgate House would be ideal for Moore & Tibbits to keep them in Warwick and allow them to expand.

 

“It’s great to see the team have moved in and we look forward to seeing the business grow further in its new home.”

Car wheel specialists moving back to old Warwick home after 40 years away

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A supplier of wheels for modern and classic cars, which boasts customers from as far away as Australia, is set for a move back into its old Warwick home after more than 40 years away after Wareing & Company agreed a deal.

John Brown Wheels is in the process of moving into the 22,224 sq ft Taylor Group House on Wedgnock Lane following the deal’s completion.

The firm designs replicas of alloy wheels for a range of modern vehicles as well as classic cars in need of an upgrade, from tiny wheels for 1960s Minis, to larger wheels for classic Volkswagen Type 2 campervans, and supplies to both the public and the trade.

Founded in 1972 in Coventry, John Brown Wheels was founded by the late Jonathan Brown and his brother Chris, who started off storing wheels in their bedroom and directing customers to call a telephone box between 6 and 8pm for any enquiries.

After a loan of £100 from their mother, the brothers grew the business and eventually opened 16 branches around the UK while basing itself at Wedgnock Lane in the 1970s and 1980s.

In that time, John Brown Wheels built up a strong reputation among classic car enthusiasts both in the UK and abroad, with orders being shipped as far as Japan and Australia.

However, after two decades at its current premises in Stockton, Chris and his son Rich felt the time was right to find a new premises to help the business grow.

During a visit to Warwick, Chris happened to see that Taylor Group House was up for sale through Wareing & Company, and called the agents soon after.

From left: David Brown (John Brown Wheels), Chris Brown, and Jonathan Blood inside Taylor Group House
From left: David Brown (John Brown Wheels), Chris Brown, and Jonathan Blood inside Taylor Group House

 

He said: “When I saw Taylor Group House was up for sale, I thought it was fate.

“Our premises in Stockton was becoming a little tired and we were in need of a new place to call home. But I never thought we might be able to move back to our old place in Warwick.

“I was initially told the premises had just been sold, which was a real shame. But a couple of months later, Jonathan Blood at Wareing called me back to ask if I was still interested as the original deal had fallen through. I said I was and we quickly arranged a viewing.

“Seeing the building again on our first viewing brought back a lot of memories – not only of our success there, but of my brother too. The decision to come back just felt right.”

John Brown Wheels is now in the process of fitting out Taylor Group House and transferring its inventory over, with a planned opening date in the new year. It is also hopeful of hiring new staff once the company moves in.

“Demand has generally been good in wholesale and export, and we’re hopeful the retail side of the business is picking up too,” Chris added.

“And Warwick is a busy town – the Wedgnock Industrial Estate is full of useful suppliers for us and we expect business will move more quickly once we’re moved in.

“We think our move back to Warwick will be a real step forward for John Brown Wheels, and we’re really looking forward to being back in the town and grateful to Jonathan at Wareing for his patience in securing the property.”

Jonathan Blood, Director at Wareing & Company, said: “Not only is this a great example of a successful company choosing Warwick as their new base, but an incredible story for the Brown family.

“The business landscape at Wedgnock Industrial Estate was a clear draw for Chris, but the personal connection to Taylor Group House made it particularly appealing.

“We’re delighted to have made this deal happen for Chris and John Brown Wheels, and we hope their return to Warwick brings them great success.”

Wareing helps games company move into 20,000 sq ft offices in Leamington Spa

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A growing games company has shown its faith in the Leamington office market after moving into 20,000 sq ft of office space in the heart of the town as it looks to expand its team.

Lighthouse Games has moved into Imperial Court in Leamington Spa after Jonathan Blood, director at Wareing & Company, agreed a deal on the building.

The company, which recently received major investment from industry giants Tencent, is transitioning its staff from its old base in Marlborough House in Leamington to Imperial Court as the space across four floors is fitted out over the next few months.

It is now planning to grow its employee count significantly as it works on an as-yet unrevealed new project.

Nick Craig, Operations Director at Lighthouse Games, said: “We’d been looking for new offices for a while, as our old space at Marlborough House couldn’t accommodate our rapid expansion.

“The property ticked a lot of boxes for us – parking so any staff driving in can relax on their commute knowing they can easily park, close to the great local restaurants and bars Leamington has to offer so they can socialise together after work, and lots of space for us to expand.

Jonathan Blood, Director at Wareing & Company, said: “This deal shows Leamington’s office market is proving more resilient than other towns of its size, and also shows the faith the video games industry has in the town.

“Imperial Court is one of the most prominent office buildings in the town, and its versatility and ease of access were very attractive to Lighthouse Games.

“Leamington earned the nickname ‘Silicon Spa’ thanks to the high density of games companies in and around the town, and this deal only solidifies Leamington’s reputation as the place to be for the video games industry in the Midlands.”

New Nisa coming to Leamington after Wareing & Company strikes deal

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A new Nisa convenience store will soon be coming to a prime location in Leamington and will create 15 jobs in the town after Wareing & Company agreed a deal for a growing retail property business to buy the site.

The former Paperchase on 36 Parade in Leamington town centre will be replaced by a new Nisa store following the 5,709 sq ft building’s purchase by Dougall Group, a family-owned property company which owns a variety of convenience stores in the West Midlands and London.

The shop, which sits between McDonald’s and Flying Tiger Copenhagen and comes with a Pret A Manger-branded coffee machine, will open in September.

Ricky Dougall, director of Dougall Group, was informed of the opportunity by Jonathan Blood, director at Wareing & Company.

“We had been looking at opening a store in Leamington for a while, but we’d never been able to find a property that met all of our needs,” Ricky said.

“I’d been in contact with Jon on a previous deal that we didn’t pursue in the end, but we kept in touch because of our desire to find a Leamington site.

“When he told us about this opportunity – especially to buy rather than rent – we knew this was the site we were looking for.

“36 Parade is in an excellent location being right next to the main bus stops and attracting a high level of footfall.

“And the flexibility of Nisa being an independent retailer means we can adjust our stock depending on what our customers really need, and the Pret coffee machine will be a fantastic addition for those wanting a quick, quality coffee fix.

“We’re looking forward to opening in September and we’re confident Leamington will embrace the new store warmly. If all goes well, we’d be looking at potentially finding more sites in south Warwickshire to expand our portfolio further.”

Jonathan Blood, director at Wareing & Company, added: “It is rare for a property to be up for sale on Leamington’s Parade as opposed to a rental opportunity, and we’re delighted that Dougall Group has purchased the building.

“We had strong hopes for the site due to its enviable location on one of the busiest streets in the town in terms of footfall.

“It’s great news that 15 jobs will be created as a result of the store opening, and once again shows the strength of Leamington’s retail market compared to towns of similar sizes.”

Handelsbanken moves to 3,000 sq ft Leamington office after Wareing & Co secure deal

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A major bank is set to open a premier office location in Leamington Spa as part of its plans for growth in the area after Wareing & Company secured a deal.

Local relationship bank Handelsbanken will move to a new 3,000 sq ft office on the second floor of Olympus House from its current premises in the town after agreeing a 10-year sub-lease with leading law firm Wright Hassall.

Jonathan Blood, director at Wareing & Company, acted on the deal on behalf of Handelsbanken.

He said: “We have worked with Wright Hassall for a number of years now to help complete our own transactions, so it’s fitting that we secured the deal for Handelsbanken to move into Olympus House.

“The space and amenities fitted Handelsbanken requirement’s perfectly, and we hope the team enjoy settling into their new office.”

Handelsbanken is a relationship bank which offers banking and financial support for customers ranging from individuals to large corporate and financial institutions.

Its Leamington Spa branch, which serves its south Warwickshire customer base, was previously based at Myton House in the town centre for a decade, with all 13 staff due to relocate to Olympus House.

Dani Coe, Branch Manager for Handelsbanken Leamington Spa, said: “Moving to Olympus House is a natural step to accommodate our expanding team of relationship bankers in order to support even more customers in the local community.

“It not only provides a fantastic location for us with excellent parking for our customers, but almost double the office space as our previous site, alongside a welcoming open-plan office space which allows our team to be all on one floor.

“We are very thankful to Wright Hassall and Wareing & Co for helping with our move.”

Phil Wilding, Managing Partner at Wright Hassall, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Handelsbanken to Olympus House, which has been our proud home since 2007.

“Modern offices look very different from when we first moved in, and in recent years we have seen companies across the world – including Wright Hassall – embrace hybrid working, with most of our 240 staff able to work in a hybrid manner.

“This working style has enabled us to consolidate the office space that we need as a business, and use our premises differently. It has meant we have been able to release some of our surplus space to other local businesses, which ties in with our aspirations to support local businesses and enable their growth and success.

“We still have plenty of office capacity for all of our staff, including space for growth, which is very much on our agenda.

“Handelsbanken is a well-respected name within the banking sector and we are delighted to welcome another local business into our office space.”

 

 

 

Law firm moving to vibrant offices in Leamington Spa

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An expanding law firm is set to relocate to new offices in Leamington Spa as part of its ambitious plans for growth.

Thomas Flavell & Sons Solicitors, a thriving law firm, are thrilled to announce their upcoming move to a dynamic and modern workspace at 19 Waterloo Place.

Currently operating from separate offices on Regent Grove and Smith Street in Leamington and Warwick respectively, Thomas Flavell & Sons Solicitors aims to centralise their operations by bringing their dedicated team under one roof.

The new premises will accommodate all existing staff and provide ample room for an additional 15 employees, further bolstering the firm’s ability to serve their growing client base.

The firm, whose services encompass residential and commercial property matters, family law, probate, and litigation, has enjoyed remarkable success in recent years. With the vision of expanding operations and attracting top talent, the firm sought an inviting and contemporary office space.

The upcoming move not only showcases the firm’s ambition and commitment to clients but also highlights their dedication to fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. The modern amenities and strategic location of the Waterloo Place premises will undoubtedly enhance the firm’s ability to provide exceptional legal services while attracting talented professionals who share their values and vision.

Jamie Connolly, Director and Head of Corporate at Thomas Flavell & Sons, is looking to introduce a fresh and vibrant work environment by embracing open office space, hot-desking, and collaborative breakout areas. This approach aims to foster a relaxed atmosphere, departing from the conventional setting typically associated with traditional offices.

He said: “We wanted our new office to be a real draw for both our staff and our clients instead of being a staid environment where our employees didn’t really want to be.

“It was important that we were in a thriving town centre like Leamington too – there are so many great businesses, cafes and bars that staff can enjoy while working here.

“We were also inspired by places like 1 Mill Street in Leamington which is showing what the future of office working can be like with its flexible approach to working. We want to try and emulate that to a certain extent at Waterloo Place.

“Wareing & Company showed us a few places during our search, and the property on Waterloo Place really stood out for us thanks to its great interior space and central location.

“We’re really looking forward to the move and we’re confident our current staff, as well as future employees, will enjoy being based there.”

The office is expected to open in early September after the fit-out of the interior is finished and will add to the firm’s three offices in Leicestershire.

Jonathan Blood, Director at Wareing & Company, added: “Leamington Spa continues to be a desirable town for businesses to relocate providing the office space is of the right quality – and this deal is a clear example of that.

“19 Waterloo Place provides Thomas Flavell Solicitors with office space that is not only in a great location in the town, but has enough flexibility and size that they can fulfil their vision of open office working and expanding the business too.

“We’re delighted the move has completed and we look forward to seeing the business grow even more from its new home when it opens in September.”

Specialist blinds firm moving to new Warwick HQ

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A specialist blinds company whose products feature on striking buildings around the world is set to start a new chapter after a move to a new HQ in Warwick was agreed thanks to Wareing & Company.

Guthrie Douglas creates unique blinds for a wide range of extraordinary buildings, including Covent Garden in London, the Etihad Towers in Abu Dhabi, and the Broad Museum in Los Angeles.

After embarking on a large recruitment drive and acquiring another blinds company, Shy, in 2022, Guthrie Douglas wanted to move to a larger office and manufacturing complex while not moving far away from its former base at Heathcote Way in Warwick.

Now, the company is set to move to Unit 3 at Titan Business Centre after Jonathan Blood, director at Wareing & Company, agreed a deal.

David Slade, partner at Leamington Spa law firm Wright Hassall, advised Guthrie Douglas on the legal aspects of the move.

The site features 31,422 sq ft of floor space, including a large warehouse, a two-storey office, and electrically-operated roller shutter doors.

Andrew Kitching, Managing Director of Guthrie Douglas, said: “Our acquisition of Shy and our recruitment push brought the company up from 15 employees to around 50, and we wanted to consolidate the team at a new HQ where we could double our capacity.

“We wanted to stay in Warwick if possible as it’s always been our home, and we knew Wareing & Company has a great knowledge of the market here, so we approached them to help our search.

“When we saw the unit at Titan Business Centre, it just ticked a lot of boxes for us. It has ample space for manufacturing our products, dedicated office space, and a pleasant mezzanine area where we can bring clients.

“We were only too happy to agree terms, and aim to start our phased move-in in April before fully moving in during the summer.

“This will be a new chapter for Guthrie Douglas, and we’re confident our new home at Titan Business Centre will allow us to reach new heights.”

Jonathan Blood, director at Wareing & Company, said: “Titan Business Centre is a popular estate for growing businesses like Guthrie Douglas, and benefits from its superb location in Warwick, being just a stone’s throw from the M40 and A46.

“It’s brilliant to see such an ambitious company choose to stay in Warwick, and highlights the strength of the market in this region.”

David Slade, a partner in Wright Hassall’s commercial real estate team, added: “Guthrie Douglas is a real success story in our region and it’s great to help with the next stage of its growth plans.”

Machine tool manufacturer to move to Stratford from Birmingham and create 20 new jobs

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A multinational engineering firm is moving its UK base from Birmingham to Stratford-upon-Avon and creating up to 20 new jobs in the process after Wareing & Company finalised a deal.

GROB Machine Tools UK, which currently employs 20 people, is set to move into the former Building Profiles unit on Timothy’s Bridge Road in Stratford and expand its team once a refurbishment of the site is complete.

The company, originally founded in Germany, manufactures machines used to create components used in a wide variety of sectors, such as automotive, aerospace, medical, and energy.

And after winning a 200 million-Euro contract with a major original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the time was right for the UK branch of the company to move away from its Birmingham base and into bigger premises.

The 14,000 sq ft unit was let to GROB Machine Tools UK after Jonathan Blood, director at  Wareing & Company, completed the deal.

Louis Hill, Managing Director of GROB Machine Tools UK, said: “We had outgrown our base in Birmingham, and we needed a site that not only had a good factory floor, but high-quality office space too.

“We saw there were lots of small units that had this, and lots of incredibly large warehouses, but we needed something that fell somewhere in the middle.

“The unit in Stratford that Wareing & Co promoted ticked all the boxes. It has manufacturing space, office space, and enough space for a showroom where we can bring current and prospective customers to highlight the work we do.

“And staying in the Midlands was key for us – we work across the country and into Ireland too, so having a central base that is easily accessible is very important.

“It’ll also be a nice bonus to be in a town like Stratford with all of its history and charm. GROB Machine Tools UK was originally based in Wellesbourne before it moved to Birmingham, so it’s great to be returning to Warwickshire.

“We’re hoping to be all moved in within a few weeks and we are really excited to start this new chapter in our company’s history.”

Jonathan Blood, director at Wareing & Company added: “GROB Machine Tools had very clear requirements about what it wanted, so it was brilliant to be able to find Louis and the team a site that was perfect for them.

“This deal will bring high-quality jobs into Stratford and ensure a unit that had been occupied in Stratford for a very long time by Building Profiles does not sit empty. We are looking forward to seeing GROB Machine Tools make their mark in Stratford.”

Former Bravissimo offices in Leamington now on the market with Wareing & Co

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The former offices of a major Leamington company are now on the market with Wareing & Co.  

Imperial Court – the former home of national lingerie retailer Bravissimo – is a contemporary 20,419 square foot four-storey office block and is available to let.

The open plan offices will be the largest available space to rent in Leamington town centre, with floorplates ranging from 3,606 sq ft to 5,651 sq ft, and new lease terms are available on either the whole of the property or on a floor-by-floor basis.

The offices, spread across four floors, will undergo a refurbishment at the beginning of next year and specification is likely to include carpet tile and modern vinyl floor coverings, suspended ceiling with recessed LED lighting, tea point to each suite, two passenger lifts and on-site shower facilities.

It also boasts 72 parking spaces and benefits from Leamington’s great road and rail connections.

Jonathan Blood, Director at Wareing & Company, said: “Imperial Court is an important commercial building in Leamington Spa, with a history of national commercial tenants.

“It’s in a fantastic central location, with modern facilities and great road and rail transport connections to both London and Birmingham, with the added bonus of a great on-site parking ratio.

“The site presents a unique opportunity for growing and ambitious businesses looking to expand their operations within the Midlands.

“We are already receiving a lot of interest from a variety of sectors and are looking forward to seeing a new tenant move into this prominent building.”

For more information, contact Wareing & Company on 01926 430700.

Leamington music shop to move to bigger premises after Wareing & Co completes deal

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A popular music shop in Leamington is marking 36 years of trading with a move to bigger premises.

Presto Music, one of the UK’s premier sources of sheet music, classical and jazz recordings, musical instruments, accessories and music gifts, is relocating to new premises after Wareing & Co successfully completed the deal.

Presto Music opened in 1986 as a specialist classical recording retailer, loved by many and visited by thousands of customers. The store has seen a number of locations – its most recent, 7 Park Street, is where the business has grown into what it is today.

The current shop will close at 1pm on 20 October and, after the move, customers will be able to find the new store at 23 Regent Grove, CV32 4NN, from 24 October.

The new site is a 7,000 sq. ft purpose built location and will continue to stock the wide range of instruments and accessories, recordings, printed music and gifts that music lovers have enjoyed throughout the years, with an expanded range of next-step instruments, specifically curated for the advancing beginner and beyond. 

Phyllida Martignetti, Shop Manager of Presto Music, said: “We are so thrilled to be able to offer our very loyal customer base a new, vibrant store in the form of our Regent Grove location. The new store will bring with it expanded instrument ranges, such as Pearl flutes, Yanagisawa saxophones, Blackstar acoustic amplifiers, Faith guitars and several instruments from Conn Selmer, catering for all students and players up to a semi-professional standard, which is incredibly exciting, along with the reintroduction of our events, concerts and album launch series.”

The store will also house a multipurpose space for community focussed events and experiences such as: masterclasses, product launches, demonstrations, workshops, group music lessons and a performance area for album launch events and local concerts. The offices, where the editorial, content and customer experience teams operate, will also be located on the new premises.

The current rental scheme will also be available on a selection of string, woodwind and brass instruments: the perfect solution for those who want to make sure a new instrument is the right one before committing to a purchase.

The store will continue to offer a repair service, carried out by our two experienced instrument technicians working in store, particularly focused on the areas of brass and woodwind. 

Jonny Brading, Commercial Director of Presto Music, said: “Our vision is to offer an inclusive, enhanced musical environment for our customers, where they can visit and benefit from our newly created in-house team of instrument specialists. It’s an exciting time to bring something new to the music retail industry.”

Chris O’Reilly, CEO of Presto Music, said: “We believe passionately in the power of music to enrich lives, and are very excited by the opportunities our new expanded store will bring to the people of Warwickshire and indeed the whole Midlands area. We’ll be bringing world class musicians to Leamington Spa to launch their new albums and inspire the next generation.”

Bill Wareing, owner of Wareing & Co, said: “Presto Music has been a key fixture in Leamington for many years now, so it’s brilliant we’ve been able to secure a lease on a great new unit in Regent Grove which is only a short walk away from its former premises. We wish Presto Music every success in its new home.”

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday: 9am to 5.30pm.