Leading property consultant Harvey Bibby has left Bidwells in Cambridge after almost 10 years to become a director of family firm Grovemere Property and help steer growth of its UK portfolio.

Bibby says Grovemere is seeing particular success at Lancaster Way Business Park in Ely where companies such as Michell Instruments, First Light Lamps Cambridge Commodities, Stock Shop and Optimum precision Engineering are expanding fast.

Michell Instruments relocated to Lancaster Way from Cambridge in 2007 taking a bespoke 25,000 sq ft facility. During 2011 the company has undertaken Phase 2 of its development plan, adding an 18,000 sq ft extension to the original building.

Michell manufactures dew point transmitters, chilled/cooled mirror hygrometers and relative humidity sensors. It plans to undertake a third phase of development within the next three years.

First Light Lamps is in the process of expanding into additional space on the estate, giving the company almost 10,000 sq ft of office and manufacturing space. First Light produces over 900 different lamp types and supply a range of parallel trigger transformers, flow tubes, flowplates and some laser system components.

Bibby says the company’s growth at the location provides an excellent example of Grovemere flexible approach to leasing. It first took occupation of 2,300 sq ft as a startup company in 2006 and has been allowed to expand into larger and larger premises as and when required, subject to availability.

Cambridge Commodities, which has been on the estate since 2003, is tripling its space at the estate. An importer and distributor of nutritional raw materials, it is moving from an 11,000 sq ft unit into 34,000 sq ft to enable continued expansion.

Stock Shop is also expanding at Lancaster Way and will move this month into a new 11,000 sq ft facility which is currently being refurbished.  Stockshop is an online retailer of women’s clothing, accessories and gift ideas and often has outlets within hospitals. The premises being taken will be a combination of office and dispatch/warehouse accommodation.

Optimum Precision Engineering – one of Lancaster Way’s longest tenants – has taken an additional 4,500 sq ft in addition to its existing 8,500 sq ft space. Bibby says the expansion has been driven by increased demand for UK precision engineering.

Bibby acted as agent to Grovemere while at Bidwells. He was head of office agency at Bidwells and before that worked for Savills in Cambridge for almost four years.

Lancaster Way is now a 175-acre business park following a full planning permission for four new buildings on 10 acres in 2007 and subsequently obtaining outline planning consent on a further 90 acres in 2010 – making the estate one of the largest in the eastern region.

Grovemere also owns the Morgan Way Industrial Estate in Norwich, Grovemere Court on the Bicton Industrial Estate Kimbolton and a variety of other industrial, retail and residential investments.

Bibby said: “Having worked with Grovemere for many years I feel that I am well versed with their style and ethic when dealing with tenants and companies looking to move to the estates and hope that we will continue to see expansion even during the continued economic uncertainty being experienced across Europe.

“2012 will see the launch of our new website which will give tenants and potentially interested parties a full overview of our holdings and the opportunities available.

“It will also encompass the firm’s new travel plan encouraging the use of a car sharing scheme and use of five on-site bicycles. We are also encouraging tenants to join together in purchasing electricity and our first meeting has been well received by future participants.”

• PHOTOGRAPH SHOWS: Harvey Bibby