Ben Blain, chartered surveyor with Carigiet Cowen has let Siesta House situated on Victoria Viaduct to a national organisation, British Heart Foundation. The landmark building which is in excess of 12,000 sq ft and has long been known locally as Chapman’s but was most recently occupied by Dickinson’s Furnishers. British Heart Foundation are due to open their doors for trading from the end of May.
British Heart Foundation currently has more than 700 stores and outlets positioned around the UK comprising a mixture of high street retail units and large furniture and electrical stores. With BHF already occupying 106 English Street for high street retail, the new Siesta House store will provide sales of the furniture and electrical side.
Acting on behalf of the landlord, Ben commented: “In the current retail climate, securing tenants of a strong covenant, on long term leases, relatively quickly is particularly difficult. Prior to the property becoming available, I was aware that there were some national retailers seeking a presence in Carlisle but encouraging them to come to the city and see what Carlisle has to offer can often be a tricky first hurdle to get over. On this letting, we were able to provide an efficient service to the landlord to overcome these difficulties. Given the uncertainties surrounding the existing tenants trading situation we did a deal ‘off the market’. This method dissolved any empty property void costs for the building owner and ensured a smooth transaction”.
This letting comes at a time when Carlisle is experiencing positive take up along English Street from other national retailers including Patisserie Valerie, Hotel Chocolat and Joules. “For our city to achieve 4 new lettings to 4 national occupiers in such a short space of time is a real positive. These lettings will improve the offerings along the main shopping pitches, hopefully draw more numbers in to Carlisle and increase dwell time for customers meaning local and national traders can benefit. Off the back of the recent good news, we are talking with other national retailers considering taking occupation within Carlisle and discussions with an international operator for a very exciting letting have recently moved in to legals”.
Elsewhere in Carlisle, Ben is marketing Unit 4 Carlyle’s Court where there is an opportunity to rent this modern recently refurbished retail unit. The property is suitable for a variety of uses, subject to planning and is conveniently positioned next to established retailers including SONY Centre, The Shabby Scholar, Jopson’s Jewellers and Beadle & Hill. The size and layout lends itself towards a business looking to gain a trading position amongst a range of niche independent and national retailers.
Moving away from retail, surveyor, Mike Beales is delighted to report yet another letting completed at the increasingly popular Hensingham Business Park in Whitehaven. There are now only 4 units remaining, with sizes to suit a wide variety of requirements, from 689 sq ft to 4,640 sq ft. Each unit offers brand new, detached high quality office accommodation, with bespoke fit outs available. In addition, the dedicated fibre optic broadband connection to the estate provides occupiers with up to 100mbps upload and download speeds.
To find out more about Carigiet Cowen’s professional property services and exciting commercial property opportunities on a rental or purchase basis, please call us on 01228 544733 or visit our website www.carigietcowen.co.uk