A growing firm of solicitors and a specialist dress boutique are relocating to bigger premises in Nottingham following a brace of deals brokered by commercial property consultants Innes England.
Sills & Betteridge is moving its Nottingham operation to 4 George Street in Hockley, allowing previous tenant Dress Place to surrender their lease and occupy a larger building in the former Courtaulds factory shop in Sherwood.
Ross Whiting, Business Space Surveyor who oversaw both lettings, said: ‘The original tenants Dress Place had found the perfect property for their expansion plans but were only part way through their lease with no upcoming break clauses.
‘We recognised that with, appropriate consent, George Street could be the perfect space for Sills & Betteridge and led the negotiations for Dress Place to surrender their lease. We also helped to obtain change of use from A1 for retail to B1 for business, making the property suitable for offices.
Sills & Betteridge merged with MacLaren Britton six years ago to offer a comprehensive range of personal and commercial legal services. The firm now has 14 offices across the East Midlands and South Yorkshire with over 300 partners and employees.
Planned growth in Nottingham exceeded expectations and the company needed additional space to grow.
Stephen Britton, Partner at Sills & Betteridge said: ‘Our premises on King Street have served us well since our two firms joined forces, but we are now ready to occupy larger, more prominently located offices.
‘The George Street presence will enable us to improve our internal operations and join a new business community in a vibrant neighbourhood.
‘A substantial reorganisation of the building is now underway, which will offer employees, clients and professional contacts a modern, comfortable and accessible environment in which to work and visit.’
‘We look forward to welcoming in local business owners to our new work hub which is planned for 2020. We plan to offer legal clinics and workshops for local business owners and provide a well-equipped suite of rooms where they can work or hold their own events.’
Dress Place is one of the largest bridal, prom and occasion stores in the UK. Owner Helen Dickson said ‘I am delighted with the service I have received from Ross; his customer service was second to none.
‘Although we enjoyed our time at George St, the change in the way brides and mothers want to buy their dresses meant it was time to move on.
‘Ross has enabled us to relocate our Dress Place Bridal Boutique to spacious and airy premises in the Courtaulds Building situated at 292 Haydn Rd.
‘With the amount of space available, it also meant there was room to open a second Brides & Mothers Designer Wedding Outlet shop, a sister shop to our Mansfield store, selling discounted ready to wear wedding dresses and mother of the bride outfits.
‘We are very happy in our new premises, especially as we have a large free car park, and customers are travelling from far and wide for our lovely dresses.
‘Our great reputation is going from strength to strength.’
Innes England has now been formally instructed to dispose of the freehold interest of 4 George Street as an income-producing investment. Further details are available from Ross Whiting.
