Stunning Grade II Listed George House in Henley-in-Arden comes to market

George House, a stunning Grade II Listed building, nestled in the heart of historic Warwickshire village Henley-in-Arden, has come onto the market for sale.

We are marketing the sale of the striking building, on Henley High Street, which consists of two occupied retail units at ground floor level and five apartments at ground and upper floor level – all of which have been sold, subject to ground leases.

Part of the attractive building dates back to the 17^th Century and was formerly the old George and Dragon Inn.

This part of the building, which overlooks High Street, has an impressive timber façade with a balcony to the first floor, overlooking an imposing solid oak doorway.

Jonathan Blood, senior surveyor at ehB, said: “This is a great opportunity to own a truly impressive Grade II listed building which boasts a stunning timber façade.

“Henley-in-Arden is an attractive, historic market town with a good range of shopping and leisure services which makes it a hugely desirable location, with George House situated in High Street, in the very heart of it.

“Both retail units are full and the apartments are sold, so the current annual income from the property totals £24,000 per year.”

The retail units are let to The Bridal Boutique and JSK Boutique ladies clothes shop, subject to two occupational leases.

For more information on George House, which is on the market for offers in the region of £300,000, visit https://ehbreeves.com/properties/view/george-house-121-high-street/.

Stunning Edwardian building will make impressive business base

An outstanding landmarked Edwardian Manor House in Leamington has come onto the rental market.

Gables House, located on Kenilworth Road, features an impressive 10,104 sq ft of office space and is set in 1.8 acres of mature woodland and landscaped gardens.

An elegant residence built at the turn of the century, Gables House provides a mixture of offices and large meeting rooms, many of which retain period features, and are centred around an impressive galleried reception area.

There is also parking for up to 76 vehicles in woodland within the grounds of the property.

The quoted rent for Gables House is £160,000 a year and negotiations are being handled by leading Leamington-based commercial property consultants, ehB Reeves.

Simon Hain, director of ehB Reeves, said: “This is a stunning Edwardian building which has undergone comprehensive refurbishment.

“It retains many period features, combined with modern, well-equipped offices, in a beautiful setting.

“Gables House provides a unique base for any firm which is looking for comfort, ample parking, good transport links and a real wow factor.

“We don’t think it will be long before this fantastic building is snapped up by a forward-thinking firm wanting to make an impression.”

ehB Reeves was formed by last year’s merger between Leamington-based companies ehB Commercial and Reeves and Partners. The new firm enjoys a growing management portfolio in excess of £100 million.

For more details, visit https://ehbreeves.com/properties/view/gables-house-kenilworth-road

Three new businesses breathe new life into historic Leamington building

The pulse has returned to a prominent building in the heart of Leamington town centre which had lay dormant for nearly two years, with the arrival of three new business tenants.

Advertising agency Adgen, international hotel developer and operator Castlebridge, and leisurewear distributor Tri Distribution have all taken leases and moved into 2 and 3 Chapel Court, in Holly Walk.

Adgen and Castlebridge have taken over three suites at the site, formerly home to accountants Burgis and Bullock, while Tri Distribution has taken the ground floor suite.

The owner of the building has invested £50,000 to convert the property for multiple occupancy and it was let jointly by Leamington-based commercial property agents ehB Reeves and Wareing and Company.

Simon Hain, ehB Reeves director, said: “This is a prime town centre location which has been brought back into use, which is of course good for business and good for the local economy.

“It’s a further sign of the resilience of the commercial property market in the town at a time when the struggles of the high street have been well documented.

“We’re delighted the full 6,300 sq. ft. available in the building is now let again and we are retained on the management.”

Aliya Harris, project coordinator at Castlebridge, said: “We were originally based in Coventry but my colleague spotted this property and immediately fell in love with it. And the area it is situated in is just great.

“The looks on people’s faces when they see we are based in this beautiful old renovated chapel is superb.

“The move went really smoothly as all the companies we dealt with were fantastic. It could have been difficult because of everything involved but it went brilliantly and we couldn’t be happier in our new location.”

New industrial units snapped up at £3m Southam development

Nearly all the industrial and warehouse units offered for sale and let at the new £3 million Maricott Court development in Southam have already been snapped up.

The development, adjacent to Holywell Business Park, in Southam is already proving popular with businesses as nine units are under offer at the site, with only one remaining for sale and three for let.

The 13 properties range in size from 1,873 sq. ft. to 6,268 sq. ft.

Jon Blood, senior surveyor at ehB Reeves, which is marketing the units for lease and sale freehold, said: “The huge interest being shown is truly indicative of how much demand there is for high quality commercial property. And that interest is not letting up.

“Industry is thriving in our region, despite the fears that exist over Brexit and what is going to happen next.

“Business owners in Warwickshire know the right thing to do is to invest in their future as this is the only way they will succeed.

“We are delighted, but not surprised, to see how popular this development is proving.”

The Maricott Court development is the final phase of the site, which is already home to businesses including Tesco, Find Me A Gift and The Tool Connection.

The development is expected to be complete by the end of the year.

For more information on Maricott Court, visit www.maricottcourt.co.uk.

ehB’s help at 11th hour saves Guinness World Record attempt

A Leamington firm of surveyors stepped in at the 11^th hour to save a Guinness World Record attempt held to support a charity helping homeless and vulnerable people in the town.

The effort to create the world’s largest blanket fort was held at Warwick University last summer, in aid of the LWS Night Shelter, which is based at Leamington Priors Club.

The blanket fort team feared they would have to abandon their attempts to get the 432.16 sq. m creation recognised as a world record, as they needed a chartered surveyor to certify it and were let down at the last minute.

Luckily, this news made it to Scott Blake, director and chartered surveyor at ehB Reeves, based in Clarendon Place, Leamington Spa, who offered to independently verify the floor area of the fort.

The new world record was confirmed by Guinness in December, meaning the existing record of 306.9 sq. m has been beaten.

“The organisers needed someone to help out at the last minute and I was more than happy to step in and do my bit,” said Scott.

“The LWS Shelter does a fantastic job of proving food, shelter and company to homeless and vulnerable people so was a very worthy cause to support.”

In a letter to Scott, Emma Clifford, project leader at Blanket Fort, said: “We would like to say a massive thank you to you for being the independent surveyor for our Guinness World Record attempt.

“Without you stepping in at the last minute, we would have had to abandon trying to get officially recognised as a World Record.”

Richard Pomfret retires from commercial property sector after four decades

A decade after the financial crash, the commercial property market’s recovery is once again under threat in the light of the uncertainty over Brexit, according to one of Coventry and Warwickshire’s most experienced practitioners.

Following the merger to create ehB Reeves, Richard Pomfret, former Managing Director of Reeves and Partners, who is retiring at Christmas after 40 years in the profession, said the Coventry and Warwickshire property market had recovered well, aided by the growth of the automotive sector and the reputation of Leamington as a nucleus for the games industry.

But, he warned, there is still a shortage of both office and industrial space within the small to medium range which could further hamper growth, if not addressed.

Too much emphasis has been placed on the release of green belt land for residential development and the conversion of older buildings to apartments, to the detriment of new build opportunities to meet strong commercial demand.

Brexit uncertainty

“Despite the Bank of England pumping billions into the economy through Quantitative Easing 10 years ago, this money primarily refinanced the banks who were then reluctant to lend to SMEs,” said Richard.

“As a consequence, there has been a paucity of development to meet demand.  Commercial property is in short supply at a time when the Coventry and Warwickshire markets were recovering well with businesses like Jaguar Land Rover.

“However, Brexit is now undoubtedly undermining confidence with the risk of a period of stagnation, whilst we wait and see how the economy reacts,” added Richard.

Retirement plans

Qualifying in 1975, Richard was a partner of Locke & England when the business was sold to Lloyds Bank in 1987 and subsequently became a director of Innes England when he ran the Coventry office.

Now based at the ehB Reeves offices in Euston Place, Leamington Spa, Richard has most recently headed up the firm’s agency, valuation and professional section, whilst acting for both regional and national charities.

A former rally co-driver, he has competed in a number of RAC Rallies, latterly racing a Porsche 911 within the British Historic Rally Championship where he was a champion co-driver.

With no work plans beyond his retirement, Richard hopes to improve his tennis and golf handicaps.  Having just returned from a touring holiday in Australia and Tasmania, he is also hoping to do more travel and walking within the UK.

Lindsay living the interior design dream thanks to ehB Reeves

A stylish new interior design studio in Southam town centre is the realisation of a 25-year-old ambition for owner Lindsay Vincent.

She’d dreamed of running her own furniture and accessories firm for a quarter of a century and this autumn she finally decided to act.

Incredibly, Lindsay opened the Simple Interior Company store in Coventry Street just a few weeks later to make her dream come true.

Lindsay explained: “This has been my ambition for 25 years but I have only just plucked up the courage to go for it.

“I know it’s going to be one of the biggest challenges of my life but that’s much better than a lifetime of regret.

“That was the clincher for me in the end – I didn’t want to be left looking back in a few years’ time and saying to myself ‘I wonder’.”

New start

Once she’d made the decision, Lindsay, from West Haddon, Northamptonshire, was scouring the area for a suitable property to launch her new venture.

It didn’t take long, thanks to Warwickshire-based commercial property specialists ehB Reeves, who helped Lindsay complete a deal on a converted cottage in the heart of Southam town centre.

Lindsay said: “My daughter Amy lives in Southam and I’ve always thought it was a lovely town and would be ideal for me to open a shop.

“Now it’s happened and happened very quickly. I saw the premises, I spoke with the landlord and with ehB, I told them I wanted it and the next thing I know I’m open for business.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind but I’m loving it and the response from local people has been really positive and complimentary.”

Jonathan Blood, senior surveyor at ehB Reeves, said: “We are delighted to help Lindsay find the ideal property for her to launch her first interior design store and we wish her every success in Southam.

“Simple Interior Design certainly brings something fresh, stylish and quirky to the town centre and we’re glad there’s been such a positive reaction to it.”

For more information, visit the Simple Interior Company website.

Jack opens gym number three thanks to ehB

Warwickshire fitness guru Jack Gibson once set himself the target of owning his own gym by the age of 30.

He’s still only 28 but has already opened three – one in Kenilworth, one in Warwick and now his latest Fitness Worx venture in Southam.

The ambitious young businessman is now setting himself the target of making Fitness Worx the largest self-owned gym group in the Midlands.

Commercial property specialists ehB Reeves helped Jack acquire the site on behalf of its landlord.

Jack explained: “I asked ehB to find me a new premises in the area and they identified this unit at Southfield Road in Southam.

“The site is perfect and I couldn’t wait to rip out the interior and put in our new, specially designed equipment.

“My initial goal was to try to recruit 50 members but when we opened we already had 120 on the books and by the end of the first week we had 180.

“So it’s been a great success and the business is really flying but I’m not finished yet.

“I want Fitness Worx to be the biggest, self-owned group of gyms in the Midlands so I think I’ll be keeping ehB busy for a while yet.”

Simon Hain, director of ehB Reeves, said: “Jack was very specific about the sort of premises he was seeking and the one in Southam was easily the best match.

“We are delighted to have delivered him a property with the size and scope for him to open his latest Fitness Worx gym.

“He’s certainly wasted no time in transforming the unit and we’re thrilled the reaction has been so positive.”

New HQ for Stratford firm delivering vital support to disabled adults

Avon Support, an organisation which provides vital help for disabled adults in Stratford, has moved to a new headquarters in the town which will help it provide its services even more efficiently.

The organisation has left its former home in Western Road for a new site at Crown Buildings, in Alcester Road, a fully-accessible ground-floor setup which is much better suited to its needs.

Avon Support was formed in 2011 by social workers Sue Courtney and Marie Soros to provide a variety of services to disabled adults, including supported living, which allows clients to live independently and safely in their own homes.

It also offers day-time activities such as cooking, education courses and volunteering placements, as well as regular holidays, weekends and nights away to allow carers to take a break.

The majority of adults who use the service are referred to Avon Support by Warwickshire County Council and the NHS, based on an assessment of their needs.

“Everyone is really chuffed with the new building. We are so central here, which is key so people have easy access to all the facilities in Stratford town centre,” said Sue.

“There is a huge gap in social care at the moment as there aren’t enough service providers. The fact that we’re in a position to move to new premises shows we’re doing well.

“The key to our success is staying small and local. If you are good, you can get flooded with referrals and your ability to deal with them becomes compromised.

“We’re small, we know our area and we know our customers, so we’re never overstretched. This is very important to us.”

The new site also has a garden, providing another vital outlet for the adults who use the service – some of who volunteer to maintain the flowerbeds at the nearby Stratford-upon-Avon railway station, recently winning a Britain in Bloom award for their efforts.

Plans are also afoot to develop an exercise and massage room for physically disabled adults and the site also boasts an exercise and massage room, where an aromatherapist and sports physio assistant offer services to clients.

“We fund the activities we do because it’s important for disabled people to get out and about alongside members of the community. We think it is a really valuable service,” added Sue.

Leamington-based commercial property consultants ehB Reeves secured the letting of Crown Buildings for Avon Support.

Senior surveyor Jonathan Blood (pictured) said: “Avon Support is an important and well-used service in Stratford and we’re delighted to have played our part in getting Sue, Marie and the service users into their new home.

“The new site is 4,800 sq ft in size and the layout is far better suited to the organisation’s needs than what they had before.”

More information on Avon Support is available on its website.

ehB Reeves offering £1.8m Regency Villa in Leamington

A stunning, Grade II listed home, described as “one of Royal Leamington Spa’s finest Regency Villas,” has gone on sale with ehB Reeves for £1.8 million.

The four-storey, link-detached property dates back to the early 1800s and enjoys a prime location in Beauchamp Avenue, one of Leamington’s most sought-after addresses.

Property details issued by leading Warwickshire commercial property consultants ehB Reeves, also reveal it boasts accommodation covering 6,850 sq.ft. and has a Coach House and mature gardens to the front and rear.

The sale is being handled by ehB Reeves director Simon Hain, who said: “This is a rare opportunity to acquire one of Royal Leamington Spa’s finest Regency Villas.

“This residential investment is currently laid out to provide three high-quality income-producing apartments and the unconverted basement and separate Coach House mean it has excellent potential for further residential development.

“However, there is also the opportunity to convert this magnificent property back into what would undoubtedly be a grand and impressive family dwelling, with both front and rear secluded gardens.

“There has been keen interest already and not just locally. We’ve had inquiries from as far afield as Cornwall because this is a unique opportunity to acquire a unique property.”

ehB Reeves has created a 360 degree virtual tour of the villa, which is available to view online .

ehB Reeves was formed by the recent merger between Leamington-based companies ehB Commercial and Reeves and Partners. The new firm now enjoys a growing management portfolio valued in excess of £100 million.