“There are numerous benefits to setting up or relocating a business outside of town. Generally rural environments provide more space overall, both internally and externally and most rural developments are usually strategy placed to benefit from major motorway networks and of course there is no daily battle with city centre traffic just to get to the office. Another key benefit is generous parking for employees and visitors whereas inner city parking spaces are becoming a premium, being very limited with many employees facing expensive parking fees. Generally rural business parks have a more prestigious feel than city centre offices, space and views help, together with good maintenance and landscaping, it is easy to see why for many the ‘less stress, fresh air’ approach is an increasingly popular lifestyle choice for the working environment, whatever the business.”

Andrew, who currently manages seven rural business parks across South Leicestershire, is also keen to emphasise that in today’s market, a rural option can often be far more flexible, with the managing agent often being able to facilitate changes in a tenant’s circumstances to accommodate expansion or relocation, within the same business park.
“It is fair to say that in the south and south west of the county there is still space available on a number of quality rural business parks, although take up will increase with the natural optimism that better weather brings despite the continued economic pressures. There is still time to do a good deal and the opportunity to start up or relocate your business outside of the city has never looked so promising.”

Trevor Wells, of Wells McFarlane, a leading firm of East Midlands Chartered Surveyors with a broad experience in agricultural loss valuations, is strongly recommending that local farmers give their insurance broker a call to increase the cover on their produce.

He said: “Many farmers have simply not thought about whether they are adequately covered and should disaster happen, loss adjustors will be quick to point out that they were under insured, which would mean only a partial recovery of their losses. With wheat prices currently reported at over £200 per tonne and oil seed rape at over £400 per tonne, although it will increase premiums slightly, it is well worth making that call in my opinion.”

* Source BBC January 5th

Picture Caption: Local land expert Trevor Wells advises farmers and agricultural businesses across the region.

Having been commissioned by a number of clients to source land for existing local farming enterprises, Mr Wells, whose practice has over 20 years experience, has never known demand to so outstrip supply and is concerned that until the supply chain starts to free up, this shortage will continue to contribute to the ongoing frustration of potential  buyers.  With the price of agricultural land buoyed up by good produce prices, concerns are being voiced that if produce prices drop a consequence could be a lot of land is flooded onto the market at the same time, potentially resulting in a significant fall in land values within a very short space of time.

“The last two years have seen a great number of people put a hold on plans to sell their farm, due to a combination of increasing farming returns, poor interest rates on the money once sold, the general reduction of residential values relating to their farmhouses and the attractiveness of farmland for Inheritance Tax purposes.

“There is definitely an opportunity for people who are planning to sell, but have been waiting because of circumstances to capitalize on the current shortage and take advantage of frustrated cash rich buyers, some of whom are eager to roll over capital gains made elsewhere.” He continued, “ Once the demand has been met within an area these current premium prices will be considerably harder to achieve and landowners who are contemplating a sale should act now.”

Picture caption: Trevor Wells, director, Wells McFarlane.

CHARTERED SURVEYORS HEAD HUNT NEW SENIOR SURVEYOR

Wells McFarlane, a leading firm of East Midlands Chartered Surveyors, has added to its dynamic team with the appointment of Victoria Strickland.

Victoria was headhunted by Wells McFarlane directors, Trevor Wells and Andrew McFarlane Holt. Working closely with Trevor and Andrew, Victoria takes up the position of senior surveyor and will be involved in commercial property management, valuations, planning and land sales.

Andrew McFarlaneHolt comments: “Victoria brings precisely the right professional mix to the practise. A graduate of Exeter University and the Royal Agricultural College, she is a Member of The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and a Fellow of the Central Association of Agricultural Valuers (CAAV).

“As the business continues to grow year on year up by 40% from 2009, the demand for our services has increased. With a team who between them have over 40 years’ experience in property and land management, the addition of Victoria’s experience and expertise will help us continue to meet these demands and we feel she fits the Wells McFarlane ethos to a tee.”

Victoria added: “Wells McFarlane has a young, dynamic and vibrant team and I am proud to join them as a senior surveyor. I have strong links with the areas in which Wells McFarlane operate and look forward to building on the firm’s already solid foundations.”

Victoria currently lives in Warwickshire and enjoys Scuba Diving, walking and dog agility training with her Border terrier Devon.

This Grade II listed property built in 1834 was designed by the renowned architect Joseph Hansom, who famously  created Birmingham Town Hall and also the Hansom cab, the well known mode of transport in Victorian times which bears his name.

The Old Bank was originally built as a private bank for the Goodacre family, well known industrialists and land owners in the area at the time. Wells McFarlane took the decision to move from the outskirts to the centre of town when this unusual property came to the market, believing that this very special building reflects the ethos of their very special practise.

The move represents a significant milestone for the business, which has grown from a standing start to a team of eight, including founding Directors Trevor Wells and Andrew McFarlane Holt.

Trevor Wells takes up the story: “It was an excellent opportunity for us to invest in the building as we felt it gave us a central location in the town and room for further expansion. The business has grown year on year, despite the economic climate and it clearly demonstrates that in tough times hard work, expertise and a hands on personal service really does make a difference.”

The team, who between them have over 30 years experience in property and land management, offers dedicated and bespoke professional advice to property and land owners in the East Midlands and has a growing reputation in the management of commercial businesses and farm diversification enterprises, alongside its valuation, planning and development and sales departments.

Andrew McFarlane Holt commented: “Although we operate throughout the East Midlands and very much on the periphery of Leicester itself, we felt it was important to invest in our home town.  We have strong links with the area and want to attract and keep professional talent developing within the practise and in Lutterworth as we believe it is a key town in the continuing growth and development of the East Midlands.”

For further information contact: Wells McFarlane on tel 01455 559030 or visit www.wellsmcfarlane.co.uk

Wells McFarlane, one of the East Midlands leading commercial property management and chartered surveyors, has announced that both phases of one of the county’s most prestigious rural office parks are now fully let.

Desford Hall is a Grade II listed building which has been tastefully and sympathicially refurbished and comprises ten office suites from 480sq ft to 3,000sq ft together with an adjoining modern office development, the Coach House which has 12 stunning office suites, ranging from 500sq ft to 5,000sq ft.  Only recently completed, the Coach House blends the latest building techniques with traditional style construction and includes stone mullion windows and fully glazed infinity lifts.

The whole development is in ten acres of landscaped grounds only six miles from Leicester City Centre and has proved extremely popular with businesses seeking a rural environment with excellent communciation links and good parking.

Andrew McFarlane Holt, who has been handling the management of the business park for over two years, confirmed that enquiries are on the increase and is refering other businesses looking to relocate to the countryside to the impressive Narborough Wood Park, which is adjacent to Desford Hall and the Coach House, a scheme Wells McFarlane has successfully managed for over four years.

Of the 26 offices at the delightful Narborough Wood Park only three remain and with sizes ranging from 650sq ft to 4,500sq ft, this traditionally built scheme set around a central landscaped courtyard has a superb choice of space for either start ups or growing businesses. Nestling in beautiful South Leicestershire the business park has superb communication links, being only 3.5 miles from Junction 21 of the M1 on the edge of Leicester city.

For further information contact: Andrew McFarlane Holt on tel 01455 559030 or email andrew@wellsmcfarlane.co.uk

Inset: Office Unit at Narborough Wood Park Business Park