Portsmouth’s leading workspace, Lakeside North Harbour, has been named Business Park of the Year at the prestigious awards ceremony.
The 130-acre site was officially recognised for two awards at a special ceremony for the South Coast Property Awards 2022.
Lakeside took home not only the Business Park of the Year award, but also the Workplace Environment of the Year as well.
Business Park of the Year recognised the role the parks play in the region’s economy and celebrates the ability of the developer, owner or management team to create a sustainable and flexible environment with Lakeside’s significant number of new lettings over the past two years was a focus for the award entry.
The Workplace Environment of the Year award honoured organisations that have used their property strategy to create quality working styles, increase productivity, innovative working environments and give rise to open, inclusive work cultures. The park’s continued high occupier engagement levels throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, a high return to office and its health and wellbeing strategy were particular focuses in the entry.
As the first in-person event since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the park faced stiff competition in both categories, but its impressive environment and amenities, alongside flexible office space and a focus on wellbeing helped to wow the judges and be awarded the top prizes.
Simon Bateman, asset manager at Lakeside North Harbour, said: “Lakeside is more than a business park with a collection of businesses – we are a community. We make sure that we go the extra mile for all of our occupiers and make sure that we are having a positive impact on them and the environment. That includes the planned installation of roof-mounted solar PV panels across the site, something which makes Lakeside stand out from the crowd.”
Lakeside is home to world-class brands and vibrant SMEs located in superb, flexible grade A office space. Portsmouth City Council acquired the facility in 2019 and strategic real estate advisor Avison Young was appointed managing agent of the park to provide a comprehensive property management service.
Tom Southall, assistant director Property & Investment at Portsmouth City Council, added: “Lakeside makes a huge impact to not only the business community of Portsmouth, but also the wider environmental community as well and I am extremely proud that the park has been recognised for these awards.
“The park’s continued high occupier engagement levels, high return to office rate and our significant number of new lettings over the past two years would have helped us win these awards, along with our key brand values which are environment, health and wellbeing and community, which are at the core of everything that the team does.”
Councillor Steve Pitt, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Economic Development at Portsmouth City Council, said: “Congratulations to the team at Lakeside North Harbour on winning these prestigious business awards. It is testament to the staff’s commitment to ensure that our businesses are truly supported to grow and to create a sustainable working environment.”
