Property professionals from across the UK descended on a Midlands village for an event staged by Barberry Developments.
The Worcestershire-based property developers hosted a late summer luncheon to thank contacts across the sector for their contribution to what has been a successful year for the company despite tough trading conditions continuing. Barberry has experienced a busy year with notable contracts in Swansea, Droitwich and Coventry.
The luncheon was hosted by company director Paul Watson in a marquee at his home in Chaddesley Corbett, near Kidderminster. He was joined by colleagues including managing director Jon Bellfield, directors Henry Bellfield and Martyn Cartwright, and development surveyor Alex Watson.
Jon Bellfield said: “The event was a wonderful opportunity for the team to get together with people from all aspects of the business and thank them for all the hard work they’ve put into making our projects over the past year such a great success. We look forward to getting involved with equally exciting opportunities for development in the next 12 months.”
Representatives of many architects, surveyors, professional services firms, and property agents in the West Midlands, such as DTZ, Savills, JLL, Colliers and AJA Architects, were part of the 130-strong guest list. Other guests included Richardsons Capital, The Co-operative Bank, Deloitte and Eversheds.
Barberry’s current major projects include a £50 million superstore development in Coventry, a complete transformation of Phoenix and Lion Way retail parks in Swansea, and a major residential project in Droitwich Spa.
The Bishop Gate complex in Coventry city centre will see hundreds of jobs created by the retail-led scheme to transform the former Royal Mail Sorting Office. The site will feature a supermarket superstore of up to 130,000 sq ft, a gym/leisure facility and a multi storey car park providing 585 car spaces.
Phoenix Retail Park, which is located within four miles of Swansea city centre, was acquired by Barberry in 2007 and has undergone extensive improvements to include full refurbishment of six retail units, totalling 65,000 sq ft, and a major redesign of the car park and access roads.
Yew Tree Village, a residential development in Droitwich Spa, will provide 800 new homes, 40% of which will be affordable social housing. The scheme includes an education contribution of up to
£1 million, significant potential for job creation, around 40% of open space including an orchard, allotments, ponds, adventure playground and sports pitches, as well as new cycleways and footpaths.