Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Budworth Brown, surveyors based in Kettering retain an active involvement in the marketing of industrial units throughout these three towns.

A new scheme on Orion Way of 11 units of just 3,000 sq ft is on line for practical completion this coming November.

Gilbert Harvey, a director at the firm already has two of the units under offer and is talking to prospective tenants on four others.

He said: “There is no doubt that there is a shortage of units of around 3,000 sq ft in the area. In the past, one would expect units of this size to go to companies which already exist in the town. It’s significant that we are attracting interest from firms from much further afield.”

This scheme is being developed by an Irish property company. Asking rents are £5.50 per sq ft.

Further south on the Park Farm employment area of Wellingborough, the firm is marketing the final phase of Wendel Point.

Developed by Folkes Properties, this scheme has been constructed to the highest specification.

Mark Brown, who advises the developer, has the responsibility for finding an occupier for the final unit of 45,000 sq ft.

He said: “It is clear that Wendel Point has succeeded because of the general appearance and high quality specification/layout of the scheme. In line with the existing buildings, the new unit will have 9m high eaves, secure yard areas and the option for dock loading alongside standard loading facilities.

“A rent of £5.25 per sq.ft. is being sought for a 15 year lease.”

Budworth Brown is also involved in large-scale, employment-based developments around Kettering. Rushden based Deejak has virtually completed development of its nine-acre site on the Kettering Venture Park area of the town.

The firm has agreed terms for the sale of units there to Kingsway Shoes and Groococks, which has relocated there from Rothwell.

A deal is also close to being completed on a brand new 60,000 sq ft factory-warehouse to another local company.

Brown said: “In addition to this company which must remain unnamed at this stage, the firm is also close to agreeing terms in relation to two 5000 sq ft. office buildings on the site. This pretty well uses up all the land available.”

Countering a shortage of employment land, North Kettering Business Park will boast 125 acres of mixed warehousing and B1 office space – hopefully from late spring – with Budworth Brown acting for distribution development specialist, ProLogis.