Rackham Planning’s Post

A Staffordshire-based group which encompasses three separate businesses is celebrating the best year yet for each of them – breaking through the £1 million turnover mark with plans to double it over the next three years. The Hewitt&Carr Group, based in Cheadle, encompasses Hewitt&Carr Architects, Hewitt&Carr Services and Hewitt&Carr Developments. Across the group turnover has increased by more than 60%, Architects has increased by 53%, Services by 93% and Developments by 44%. Staff numbers have grown from 12 in 2021 to 23 now with two new team members due to start soon and plans to recruit further this year. Success has been achieved in a number of ways including expanding the Services arm of the business which has taken on more staff. This has enabled an enhanced offering to clients, delivering on a larger scale and increasing its client base. The Architects arm of the business, founded in 2011, has celebrated some huge client wins over the last 12 months and is currently working on commercial projects for GivEnergy, Broxap, the Wrights Food Group as well as on student accommodation in the city. 2023’s bumper figures and client wins come as Hewitt&Carr Developments celebrates DaisyBank’s sixth birthday. The serviced office accommodation was set up to provide a social lifeline and communal base for rural enterprises. The first of its kind in the Staffordshire Moorlands its currently home to 12 units as well as offering hot-desking facilities. This year the Group has also moved into other areas with virtual offices in Wilmslow, Matlock, Nantwich and Whitchurch to expand their client base into Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire. Having broken through the £1 million turnover milestone across the group in 2023, the main focus will be to double turnover to £2 million by 2027. Co-founder Natalie Hewitt said: “It was fantastic to see the growth across each of our businesses last year. The figures for the Services arm of the Group were phenomenal and we are in a very strong position to exceed these results this year and hit all our targets to continue our sustained growth. “Our Group performance is something that as a team we are all incredibly proud of. To reward them and celebrate our results, each of the team has been given an extra day’s annual leave. We do what we do because of the people we work with and the people we work for, and our biggest mantra is that we are all about teamwork.” Fellow Director Mark Carr added: “We’ve got to where we are with strong leadership, hard work and sheer grit and determination. We pride ourselves on the level and quality of service we deliver and want to make our clients’ lives easier, but we couldn’t do it without the fantastic team we have, and I want to thank them for all their support.” Hewitt&Carr has entered the Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Beswicks Legal) and Team of the Year (sponsored by Plinkfizz - Strategic Marketing and Website Agency) categories of Staffordshire University Business Awards.

A Staffordshire-based group which encompasses three separate businesses is celebrating the best year yet for each of them – breaking through the £1 million turnover mark with plans to double it over the next three years. The Hewitt&Carr Group, based in Cheadle, encompasses Hewitt&Carr Architects, Hewitt&Carr Services and Hewitt&Carr Developments. Across the group turnover has increased by more than 60%, Architects has increased by 53%, Services by 93% and Developments by 44%. Staff numbers have grown from 12 in 2021 to 23 now with two new team members due to start soon and plans to recruit further this year. Success has been achieved in a number of ways including expanding the Services arm of the business which has taken on more staff. This has enabled an enhanced offering to clients, delivering on a larger scale and increasing its client base. The Architects arm of the business, founded in 2011, has celebrated some huge client wins over the last 12 months and is currently working on commercial projects for GivEnergy, Broxap, the Wrights Food Group as well as on student accommodation in the city. 2023’s bumper figures and client wins come as Hewitt&Carr Developments celebrates DaisyBank’s sixth birthday. The serviced office accommodation was set up to provide a social lifeline and communal base for rural enterprises. The first of its kind in the Staffordshire Moorlands its currently home to 12 units as well as offering hot-desking facilities. This year the Group has also moved into other areas with virtual offices in Wilmslow, Matlock, Nantwich and Whitchurch to expand their client base into Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire. Having broken through the £1 million turnover milestone across the group in 2023, the main focus will be to double turnover to £2 million by 2027. Co-founder Natalie Hewitt said: “It was fantastic to see the growth across each of our businesses last year. The figures for the Services arm of the Group were phenomenal and we are in a very strong position to exceed these results this year and hit all our targets to continue our sustained growth. “Our Group performance is something that as a team we are all incredibly proud of. To reward them and celebrate our results, each of the team has been given an extra day’s annual leave. We do what we do because of the people we work with and the people we work for, and our biggest mantra is that we are all about teamwork.” Fellow Director Mark Carr added: “We’ve got to where we are with strong leadership, hard work and sheer grit and determination. We pride ourselves on the level and quality of service we deliver and want to make our clients’ lives easier, but we couldn’t do it without the fantastic team we have, and I want to thank them for all their support.” Hewitt&Carr has entered the Small Business of the Year (sponsored by Beswicks Legal) and Team of the Year (sponsored by Plinkfizz - Strategic Marketing and Website Agency) categories of Staffordshire University Business Awards.

It was good to unpack the nuances of Melbourne’s office market at the recent Property Council of Australia Office Market Report event. Melbourne’s CBD office vacancy is high, with both changing work patterns and new stock contributing to supply. The market has delivered over 580,000sqm in net increased stock over the last four years, adding 12.2%, and the timing couldn’t have been worse. No other market in Australia has had to absorb such an increase through the pandemic. However, we’ve observed a cohort of prime grade assets achieving positive effective rental growth. The recovery is starting in Melbourne’s Eastern Core and rippling out to nearby precincts and along Collins Street. Conversely, structural vacancy is likely to be entrenched for older assets in weak locations, that are missing the precinct and building amenity features that tenants want. The outlook for Melbourne is increasingly positive as the capital value trough approaches, and investors look to Melbourne market growth fundamentals.. Keep an eye out for a report we’ll be issuing on this subject and a broader Melbourne real estate narrative shortly. Matthew Kandelaars ably led our panel with Andria Carniato, Charter Hall, William Dungey and Nick Poliansky and the discussions continued at our table with Mike Zorbas and Andrew Lowcock Thank you to the Property Council of Australia for another great event. JLL Kate Pilgrim, James Palmer Nick Drake Josh Rutman James Jorgensen Andrew Ballantyne Daniel Kernaghan Luke Billiau

London Offices This week I attended the CoStar “How to thrive in 2025: breakfast briefing on the state of the UK commercial property market” held at 22 Bishopsgate and Property Week’s “How will the Labour government’s drive for growth affect the commercial property sector?” presentation at 8 Bishopsgate.   Two very informative seminars, at fantastic venues, and excellent panels.   CoStar’s slides included:   - Brighter days ahead for GDP Growth - Recent revival in deal activity should persist into 2025 - Weakest six-month period for office construction starts this century! - Office take-up rose sharply in Q3 2024 - Vacancy in best quality London offices down 20% year-over-year - London’s vacancy rate well below US counterparts (the difference was huge) - Flight to quality likely to continue into 2025 - Giving encouragement to value-add investors, especially in London - £bns of dry powder in new funds targeting value-add The mood from the panel at Property Week’s seminar was equally optimistic (with our very own Kat Hanna along with JLL, ARUP & City of London) with a positive expectation in Labour’s ambition for economic growth (albeit early days yet).   Lovely also to have a hard copy of Property Week in my hands!

Early start today attending the Property Council of Australia Queensland Office Market Report Breakfast. It was a fascinating event with lots of knowledge shared by the panel. Here are my key takeaways from the event: - Investment in Road Transport: Crucial to future-proof growth. - Major Growth Predicted: Specifically in the donut (5-10km) radius around Brisbane. - Skills Shortage: Qld currently has current lack of trade skills to keep up with the development pipeline. - Office Supply: Long-term lack of supply doesn’t attract new tenants for A and B grade offices- specifically for tenants coming from Sydney and Melbourne markets. - Lease Renewals: Tenants are opting to renew leases due to a lack of capital for moving offices and high construction costs. - Capital Allocation: Capital is being directed towards hotels and accommodation, especially with the Olympics on the horizon, rather than office fitouts. - Office Fitout Trends: Focus on collaboration spaces, flexible floor plates, and environmental considerations like reducing landfill waste and carbon footprint mandates for the future. Exciting times ahead for the Brisbane property market! Did you attend the breakfast this morning? I'd love to hear your thoughts below... #PropertyCouncil #Queensland #OfficeMarket #KeyTakeaways #FutureGrowth #Development #Trends #Environment #CollaborationSpaces #Brisbane #Investment

Office market confidence is returning across the Thames Valley, Oxford and Surrey but a lack of new industrial supply remains a core issue for the commercial market, according to a report from property consultancy Vail Williams. https://lnkd.in/eV_ZjUVi #business #SouthEastBusiness #commercialproperty #Surrey

OFFICE NEWS: A longstanding client has been able to vacate their current office premises without a penalty as we secured a speedy underletting. Jan von Draczek, a Director at independent estate agency, Fine & Country was seeking to relocate from a Grade II listed office in Oundle, Northamptonshire but was still under lease. Having previously been a tenant at the Seaton Grange Business Centre in Rutland, Jan had stayed in touch with our Director, Jason Hercock MRICS. Jan explains: “Our business covers a wide geographical area and we found that Oundle wasn’t central enough so sought alternative premises. We quickly found a new office in nearby Uppingham and therefore needed to understand what our options were regarding exiting our current lease. “Having dealt with Jason previously, I knew him to be calm, approachable and very good at what he does, so put in a call. He highlighted the options we could explore, one of which was going to market for an underletting. With this knowledge, I was able to negotiate with our existing landlord to secure sufficient rights to proceed. “Jason’s expertise ensured a viable solution for all parties, and we were able to negotiate with an incoming tenant to take over the space,” adds Jan. The Old Town Hall office was brought to market and because of its prime town centre location, interest was high. A letting to accountants and business advisors, TC Bulley Davey was arranged within the required timescale. “It’s always pleasing to be able to follow and support tenants as their requirements change,” says Jason. “I’ve maintained a positive working relationship with Jan for several years and was happy to help him navigate the next phase for his business. “Our work towards Peterborough and the East of England has grown steadily in the last six months, meaning we were able to draw on local knowledge to find a suitable replacement tenant. Both parties acted promptly allowing the transaction to proceed smoothly and the expansion of these two businesses to progress. Jan has since instructed us on another property, so I look forward to completing another successful transaction together shortly.” For advice on your lease, property or landlord & tenant matters, please contact Jason Hercock MRICS via DM or on 01455 559030. #officenews #officemarket #underletting #agencyadvice #commercialproperty #lease #tenant #landlord #connections #Oundle #commercialpropertynews

New Listing: Medical/ Professional Office Building in Tampa, FL Price: $2,725,000 Investment Highlights: -Fully Occupied:100% leased by a diverse mix of medical and professional services tenants. -Value-Add Potential: Short-term leases are currently priced significantly below market rates. -Well Maintained: No deferred maintenance issues, with the roof replaced in 2019 and the elevator & HVACs are in excellent working condition. -Attractive Cost Basis: The offering is priced below estimated replacement cost. -Strategic Proximity: Near major destinations including the airport, Westshore Malls, International Plaza, Veterans Expressway, and I-275. -Vast Amenities: Close to numerous restaurants, shopping centers, hotels, golf courses, and beaches. -Westshore Market: The area boasts the highest asking office rates in Tampa, averaging $37/SF, with higher-quality buildings reaching $45/SF. -High Demand: Westshore is the most sought-after office submarket in Tampa, leading in market demand -Strong Local Population: Over 164,000 residents with AHHI in excess of $88,000 within a 5-mile radius. -Tax Benefit: Florida offers no state income tax Call Lead Agent Darpan Patel today to learn more! #CRE #MarcusMillichap

Our property developer partner in Canterbury has secured an opportunity to purchase a mixed-use commercial property in an off-market transaction. This prominent building within Canterbury’s City Walls offers huge redevelopment potential. They are looking to partner with equity investors for this high-yielding, fixed interest investment opportunity. Investment of £1.1m is sought over 3.5 years on a compounded fixed return basis, with a minimum investment of £240,000. The plan is to transform the building into luxury serviced office suites and co-working spaces on the ground floor, with residential accommodation on the upper floors. Currently, there is no premium office space available in Canterbury and the wider region. Their goal is to create design-led, luxurious office spaces for local businesses and larger corporations seeking satellite offices in Canterbury. For further information, please reach out to Paul Kingston at 07581341163 or email [email protected]. #Canterbury #PropertyInvestment #CommercialRealEstate #EquityInvestment #EquityInvestor Propconnections Limited only markets to self certified investors. The content of this promotion is for information only and does not constitute, nor must be deemed to be financial advice. Reliance on this promotion for the purpose of engaging in any lending activity may expose an individual to a significant risk of losing some or all of the monies lent. Propconnections Limited does not provide pension, investment or financial advice, which can only be provided by a regulated financial adviser. All investments marketed by Propconnections Limited are not regulated, illiquid and non-transferable and you may not receive back all of what you invested. All prospective investors should seek independent professional advice before investing. Your capital will be at risk if you invest. Propconnections Limited is not authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and clients who invest will not have access to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) and the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Propconnections Limited is registered in England & Wales, Number 14408027 Registered Office: The Old Manor, Rogiet, Caldicot, Wales, NP26 3UQ

The Great Commercial Space Transformation: The latest figures from Savills reveal that demand for Scottish commercial property has shown signs of recovery in Q4 2023, with take-up increasing by 23% compared to the previous quarter. This positive trend follows a period of decline in the first half of the year. However, the report also highlights some ongoing challenges: Office Market: While office space take-up saw a slight increase, overall demand remains subdued due to the shift towards remote and hybrid working models. Retail Sector: The retail sector continues to face headwinds, with a 14% decrease in take-up compared to Q4 2022. Investment Market: Although investment activity picked up in Q4, the overall volume for 2023 still fell short of 2022 levels. Looking ahead, the report suggests that the Scottish commercial property market is likely to see a period of cautious optimism in 2024. Key factors to watch include: • The continued evolution of hybrid working and its impact on office space demand. • The performance of the UK economy and its influence on investor sentiment. • The effectiveness of government initiatives aimed at supporting business growth and regeneration. Do you have any thoughts on the future of the Scottish commercial property market? Share your insights in the comments below 👇 https://lnkd.in/eBSYFGsc #ScottishProperty #Scotland #CommercialProperty #officespace #commercialspace #retailspace #commercialbuilding #propertymanager #Industrialspace #retailpremises #commercialpremises #officepremises