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Abbey Barn Business Centre Fully Let

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QUALITY STILL IN DEMAND

Following on from the article published in the January edition of Talking Business, highlighting the success of marketing quality office space, Nick Ball, director at Philip Marsh Collins Deung, based in Beaconsfield, is delighted to announce that the prestigious Barn conversions he has been marketing on behalf of Carington Estates have all let. It is just 12 months since long term tenants BT Fresca vacated 3 barns at the end of their leases to move to double the amount of space in High Wycombe town centre.
“I have been involved in this development since it was originally converted in 2006 and although I have let the smaller units from time to time, I have been itching to test the larger buildings in particularly challenging times. When BT Fresca left, approximately 75% of the office space was available but I had every confidence that the product, environment and landlord would attract good tenants in a reasonable period of time.”
The smallest vacant unit let immediately, and with two companies competing, ensuring a good rent with no rent free period. Detailed negotiations had been going on with a nationally recognised organisation for the larger two buildings but they ceased after approximately 3 months. Fortunately, in the meantime, the existing occupier of the smaller units 3 & 4 had expressed a desire to expand within the development and a move into unit 1, surrendering their existing lease.
Those smaller units were then let fairly quickly to two separate companies, coming to Flackwell Heath from the Marlow and Maidenhead areas.
Finally, a lease on the largest unit completed at the beginning of April meaning that all the barns are now in separate occupation and income producing.
Nick closes by saying: “I will miss showing people around; you always get a buzz when people appreciate quality accommodation, and it’s is not just talk at Abbey Barn Business Centre.

Solar Energy Scheme Operational

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The Estate’s first solar energy installation is now fully operational. Located on the roof of a grain store at a farm near Newport Pagnell, this 21kWp Moser Baer solar array has already started to generate electricity, part of which will be used by the farm and any surplus exported to the National Grid.

Moulsoe Business Centre

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CARINGTON ESTATE GOES GREEN WITH ITS FIRST CUTTING-EDGE, ECO-FRIENDLY OFFICE DEVELOPMENT IN A REDUNDANT MILTON KEYNES FARMYARD

Moulsoe Business Centre is one of Milton Keynes’ first conversions from barn to eco-friendly office development. It was completed on 2 November and the first tenant, Adoption Plus, moved in on the same day. This project was the first of its kind for property owner Carington Estates and Bedford’s Land and Property Consultants, Robinson and Hall, who have seen the project through from plan to completion.

Renovating the disused barns into cutting-edge working environments took less than 12 months. Now they are packed with energy saving innovations that will not only provide tenants with lower running costs, but will also optimise working conditions.

Air-source heating and cooling units draw in fresh air from outside and create a comfortable working environment. This, coupled with the countryside surroundings and plentiful daylight throughout each office, is expected to lift the morale of anybody who works at the business centre.

Even the lavatories have been designed to use water from underground rainwater harvesting tanks. Energy efficient lighting, some of which is controlled automatically, reduces the risk and cost of leaving lights on in unoccupied areas. Both of these technologies will have a beneficial impact on running costs while helping to protect the environment.

“Moulsoe Business Centre has received a lot of interest since it was completed last month. Enquiries have come in from companies ranging from IT providers and solicitors to construction engineers and accountants. As business premises become more environmentally friendly, utility bills of offices such as those at Mousloe Business Centre could fall significantly compared to those of more traditional offices,” explains Simon Patrick, Associate and Head of Commercial Property Services for Robinson and Hall.

The project was a labour of love for Carington Estates. The barns were of no use for modern farming operations and were likely to deteriorate so conversion into an alternative use was the only option.

Robert Franklin of Robinson & Hall’s Building Surveying department led the design and project management of the office development with lettings being carried out by both Robinson & Hall’s commercial departments in Bedford and Buckingham and Lambert Smith Hampton in Milton Keynes.

“We could not wait to move in to such bright and airy offices. Although the work that has gone into this business centre is largely unseen, it has an enormously positive impact on the working environment. Maintaining a strong sense of wellbeing among staff is incredibly important as they are often dealing with high-pressure situations involving emotionally charged individuals,” explained Joanne Alper of Adoption Plus.

The eco-friendly offices include extensive car parking, sheltered storage for bicycles, high-speed broadband, 24-hour CCTV coverage and are located within easy reach of Junction 14 of the M1 motorway.