The Royal British Legion has opened a ‘pop-in’ centre in the heart of Southampton after an 18-month search for the right premises.
The Royal British Legion, which provides aid to ex-servicemen and women and their families, has signed a 10-year lease for a 4,100 sq ft shop and office space at 104, Above Bar Street.
The charity opened the 1,850 sq ft shop and 2,250 sq ft first-floor drop-in/advice centre this month after getting support from national commercial property consultancy Lambert Smith Hampton (LSH).
LSH negotiated a nine-month rent-free period for its client, as well as a tenant-only option to determine the lease after five years, and a capital contribution from the landlord towards the fit-out of the premises.
Elise Evans, senior surveyor in the agency department of LSH’s South Coast office, said the charity, which is one of its national clients, had been looking for premises that had high footfall potential. There had been limited choice because it also needed first-floor offices.
“Although there are a number of vacant shops in Southampton, there are very few that have access to a first floor from inside the premises,” said Elise.
“We heard that 104 Above Bar Street was going to go on the market and it was ideal for The Royal British Legion’s needs so we were very pleased to negotiate successfully before it was marketed.”
James France, area manager for Dorset and Hampshire, The Royal British Legion, said: “Our beneficiaries sit at the heart of everything we do as a charity and we have set a course to modernise the Legion, to meet changing needs of our beneficiaries.
“Making it easier to access our services – both online and in person – is part of this. Our new ‘pop-in’ centre on Above Bar Street will allow us to position our services closer to where our beneficiaries live. We will be more accessible, quicker to respond and extend our reach in the communities who need us most.”
