Category: PROPERTY

A pop-up shop in Kenilworth taking donations to help refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine has been inundated with items in the space of a few days.

The shop in Talisman Shopping Centre, run by Ukraine Aid Relief Kenilworth, has seen residents and visitors alike donating hundreds of bags full of food, clothes and medicine.

The idea to help in some way came from Kenilworth businessman Doug Leaf and friends who are regulars at The Engine pub in the town – and rapidly grew into something much larger.

The group used their contacts in Kenilworth to secure a collection site at Castle Farm in Kenilworth, but they also needed a site with good footfall too.

Bill Wareing, owner of Wareing & Co, was contacted by Doug, and offered to let the organisation use the old Hays Travel unit as a base for donations.

Doug said: “My friends and I knew we had to try and do something to help the millions affected by the awful events in Ukraine. I’m a father of two, and seeing the suffering of young children on my TV was deeply affecting.

“The appeal was only a small idea to begin with, but my friends and I realised we had the contacts to get a proper operation in place.

“I’ve worked with Bill before and he was able to get us set up in Talisman Shopping Centre in no time at all, which was incredibly helpful.

“We’ve also had help from printers Emmersons Press who produced the banners for us, Coventry Construction Ltd who provided us with pallets and packaging, and removal firm Squab have helped us move the donations from the Talisman shop to Castle Farm where they will later be collected and taken to the front line. It’s been a real team effort.

“And it’s just been touching to see how well Kenilworth has responded to the appeal in such a short amount of time. We’ve had tonnes of donations. It’s just so heartening.

“The appeal’s success is testament not only to the businesses that helped set it up, but the desire of Kenilworth residents to help the Ukrainian people.”

Bill added: “When Doug got in touch I knew the unit in Talisman Shopping Centre would be perfect for the appeal due to its high footfall.

“We were able to sort out the details very quickly, and they were set up in the shop in just a few days.

“And although we knew Kenilworth was a generous town, we have been blown away by the number of donations so far. We are glad to have played a small part in making the appeal a success, and we hope the donations keep coming in.”

Hugo Hawkings, chief executive of Talisman Shopping Centre developers Discovery Properties, said: “We were only too happy to help Ukraine Aid Relief Kenilworth move in when we heard about its appeal.

“Kenilworth has responded brilliantly in just a short space of time, which is incredible to see. We hope the shop will go some way to helping everyone affected by the horrible conflict in Ukraine.”

Doug is encouraging anyone wishing to donate to prioritise medical items and toiletries like nappies, shampoo, painkillers and first aid kits when they donate.

A full list of recommended items can be found on the group’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/UkraineAidReliefKenilworth

To donate, visit the store at 23 Talisman Shopping Centre between 10am and 4pm Monday to Saturday.

Up to 100 new jobs could be attracted to Southam after a major property deal was completed.

The Wigley Group – a Warwickshire-based independent property development, investment and construction firm – has purchased the former Tichsa building on Northfield Road in the town.

The firm is looking to let the 40,000 sq ft building, and it has already generated interest from a range of users across the region.

Leamington-based Wareing & Company is marketing the building for The Wigley Group, and has had enquires from manufacturing and engineering companies as well as logistics businesses.

Bill Wareing, of Wareing & Company, said: “The deal to purchase for The Wigley Group had not been completed before we had interest from companies looking to expand.

“There is unquestionably a shortage of buildings of this size across the region while at the same time we have a thriving economy and Southam is a good location.

“We expected to get interest from the logistics sector but we have had more than one manufacturing and engineering company expressing an interest as they are looking to expand and see this as the perfect opportunity.

“Suitable accommodation for expanding firms in that sector is not easy to come by and a lack of it can mean companies either moving from the area or not reaching their potential, so hopefully this might fit their bill.”

The modern high-bay building with offices is located on the main industrial estate in Southam and boasts an eaves height of approximately nine metres, rising to around 13 metres at the apex, making it an attractive space for large-scale storage and it is extensively racked.

It also includes a 2,000 sq ft mezzanine, two self-contained internal office blocks, goods yard and on-site parking with 46 spaces.

Wareing & Company and Bromwich Hardy are jointly marketing the property.
James Davies, of The Wigley Group, said: “We recently moved our headquarters into the Southam area and it has been brilliant for staff and for clients. We are in easy reach of Leamington, Daventry, Coventry and Banbury and there is great access to the regional motorway network.

“While we are always looking to add to our portfolio, we are very particular about our investments, but the attributes of the building allied with the advantages we have found being located in the area made this an attractive proposition – as we hope it will be for potential tenants.”

Further details regarding the lease are available through Wareing & Company on 01926 430700 and Bromwich Hardy on 024 7630 8900

The first step has been taken to create a new state-of-the-art European HQ for an electrical manufacturer in Warwick.

Sodick, which was established in Yokohoma, Japan, has been operating in Coventry since 2008 and is creating a new 45,000 sq ft complex at Tournament Fields in Warwick.

The firm, founded in 1976, is a world renowned manufacturer of electrical discharge machines, which are used to make tools and parts for a variety of industries including automobile, aerospace, electronics and more.

The move will see Sodick and Sodi-Tech EDM – the exclusive distributor of Sodick products in the UK – come together under one roof, with 46 members of staff, once it is built.

The new centre will run its sales, service and marketing support operation for the whole of Europe, as well as Russia and Africa.

The move has been made possible by leading law firm Wright Hassall,
independent property consultants and chartered surveyors, Wareing & Company, and Sodick’s property agents, Bromwich Hardy.

Sodick’s European CEO Peter Capp said: “The desire to build a new state-of-the-art-factory has been an objective of our expansion programme for several years and despite the UK Brexit vote we still decided that the UK was the perfect place to continue our growth.  Our Coventry base has been steadily growing its business over the last decade and we now turnover £45 million per year. We believe this is a great opportunity for us to continue to grow in the UK and Europe.”

Andrew Jones, partner at Leamington based law firm Wright Hassall, which has acted for Sodick since its arrival in the UK, helped complete the purchase of the land.  He said: “Sodick’s decision to keep its European HQ in the Coventry and Warwickshire area, while moving into state-of-the-art premises is good news for the area and for the company.  We have worked with them during an incredibly successful period since their move to Coventry and we look forward to their successful future growth.”

To mark the start of building work, developers, surveyors and Sodick bosses came together for a ceremonial ground-breaking ceremony.

Bill Wareing, of Wareing and Company, said: “Tournament Fields is a thriving site for businesses and the perfect location for Sodick to continue their development. It has grown to become a very valuable and vibrant commercial hub attracting a range of businesses which realise the benefits of being based in Warwickshire.”