An international publishing and events company is set to relocate to new headquarter offices within Hampshire due to expansion.
Mercator Media is the publisher of seven highly-regarded industry magazines, such as Maritime Journal, as well as the event organiser for Southampton-based Seawork International, the largest and fastest growing international commercial marine and workboat exhibition and conference held in a European working port environment.
The 56-strong company is relocating from its split-site at The Old Mill, Lower Quay, Fareham, to 21,809 sq ft Spinnaker House at nearby Waterside Gardens.
Hughes Ellard, the commercial property consultancy, acted for Spinnaker House landlord Horatio Properties in the property deal, with Mercator Media leasing 8,500 sq ft over two floors.
Staff are due to move in at the end of this month (July). With the anchor letting, Spinnaker House, which underwent a £1m refurbishment, is now 40% occupied.
Hughes Ellard, through its building consultancy services, is project-managing a fit-out for Mercator Media.
Leanne Stewart, Managing Director at Mercator Media, said: “Relocation to Spinnaker House is a statement of intent as we take the business to the next level, including the international provision of market-making digital content and best-in-class trade exhibitions and conferences.
“Our split-site premises have served us well for many years but expansion means everyone needs to be under one roof, which will further enhance creativity and productivity.
“We’ve invested in fitting out our new offices into a superb, bespoke working environment for staff and we’re grateful to Hughes Ellard for facilitating the relocation and fit-out.”
Russell Mogridge is the business space director at Hughes Ellard, the independent commercial property consultancy with offices in Fareham and Southampton.
He said: “With the anchor letting by Mercator Media, Spinnaker House has 13,000 sq ft of Grade A office space available and we already have one company expressing a strong interest in taking up the remaining 60%.
“Through Hughes Ellard’s building consultancy services, we are providing a highly professional fit-out specification to suit Mercator’s exact requirements, creating an open-plan space to promote team work and inspire creativity. We tendered the works, including office furniture, with a 20% reduction on original quotes.”
Mercator Media was founded in 1989 by Chief Executive Andrew Webster.
Its online and print titles include Maritime Journal, Engineering Capacity, Boating Business, Port Strategy, World Fishing & Aquaculture, The Motorship and GreenPort.
Growth sectors include ports and terminals, commercial fishing and aqua farming, ship technology, subcontract manufacturing, commercial marine and the leisure marine industry.
Hughes Ellard’s professional services include development appraisal, search and acquisition, valuation, rent review and lease renewal, asset management, building consultancy, disposals and investment advice throughout the Solent Corridor and the UK.
Spinnaker House is jointly marketed by Hughes Ellard and LSH.
