Tag: leamington spa

Handelsbanken moves to 3,000 sq ft Leamington office after Wareing & Co secure deal

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A major bank is set to open a premier office location in Leamington Spa as part of its plans for growth in the area after Wareing & Company secured a deal.

Local relationship bank Handelsbanken will move to a new 3,000 sq ft office on the second floor of Olympus House from its current premises in the town after agreeing a 10-year sub-lease with leading law firm Wright Hassall.

Jonathan Blood, director at Wareing & Company, acted on the deal on behalf of Handelsbanken.

He said: “We have worked with Wright Hassall for a number of years now to help complete our own transactions, so it’s fitting that we secured the deal for Handelsbanken to move into Olympus House.

“The space and amenities fitted Handelsbanken requirement’s perfectly, and we hope the team enjoy settling into their new office.”

Handelsbanken is a relationship bank which offers banking and financial support for customers ranging from individuals to large corporate and financial institutions.

Its Leamington Spa branch, which serves its south Warwickshire customer base, was previously based at Myton House in the town centre for a decade, with all 13 staff due to relocate to Olympus House.

Dani Coe, Branch Manager for Handelsbanken Leamington Spa, said: “Moving to Olympus House is a natural step to accommodate our expanding team of relationship bankers in order to support even more customers in the local community.

“It not only provides a fantastic location for us with excellent parking for our customers, but almost double the office space as our previous site, alongside a welcoming open-plan office space which allows our team to be all on one floor.

“We are very thankful to Wright Hassall and Wareing & Co for helping with our move.”

Phil Wilding, Managing Partner at Wright Hassall, said: “I’m really pleased to welcome Handelsbanken to Olympus House, which has been our proud home since 2007.

“Modern offices look very different from when we first moved in, and in recent years we have seen companies across the world – including Wright Hassall – embrace hybrid working, with most of our 240 staff able to work in a hybrid manner.

“This working style has enabled us to consolidate the office space that we need as a business, and use our premises differently. It has meant we have been able to release some of our surplus space to other local businesses, which ties in with our aspirations to support local businesses and enable their growth and success.

“We still have plenty of office capacity for all of our staff, including space for growth, which is very much on our agenda.

“Handelsbanken is a well-respected name within the banking sector and we are delighted to welcome another local business into our office space.”

 

 

 

Leamington architects opening art gallery alongside studio after Wareing deal

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A chartered architects practice based in Leamington Spa is set to shake-up the high street with its latest move – by hosting a fine art gallery alongside the architects studio.

Rickett Architects is set to move into Regent Court, 2 Livery Street – the former home of fashion store Jaeger – from its current offices at 168 Parade in the town centre after Wareing & Company secured a deal.

Rickett Architects, which designs high density and affordable housing schemes, residential and care home buildings for clients all over the country, wanted to increase its presence in Leamington by moving into a ground-floor high street location.

But the move into the 1,944 sq ft unit on Regent Court is not just a simple office move. The bulk of the space will be dedicated to displaying and selling contemporary art from a range of regional and international artists in a concept Rickett Architects calls ‘Pavilion’.

Dan Rickett, Managing Director of Rickett Architects, said: “Through Pavilion, we wanted to bring the architects studio to ground level to improve our visibility, in addition to sharing the cost of space with complimentary uses to support our hybrid working policies.

“We are working with Gallery Director Kelly Childs who brings industry knowledge and unbridled enthusiasm for the project and knows a lot of up-and-coming artists through her work. It was through speaking to her that the idea for a combined space took hold.”

Dan saw that Wareing & Company were marketing the old Jaeger unit at Regent Court and thought the space could be perfect for the new venture.

“We want to use around three-quarters of it for the art gallery, and the rest for our architect’s studio,” he added.

“The idea is that the customer sees the fine art gallery first and this brings them in – and it’s also something that our clients can enjoy when they come to visit us in the studio.

“We’re also keen to make sure the art is at a good range of prices and supports local artists rather than focusing on exclusivity and prestige.

“Ultimately, we wanted to try a new model of getting an architectural business to viably have a presence on a high street. If successful, we will look to try and roll it out to other locations, with Pavilion being the anchor concept.

“We must thank Wareing & Company for their support too. They were very professional to deal with and made the process of securing the lease as smooth as it could have been. We can’t wait to move in.”

Bill Wareing, owner of Wareing & Company, said: “It’s great to see Rickett Architects trying something bold on the high street and combining office space with a different venture.

“Regent Court, 2 Livery Street is in a fantastic location in Leamington with plenty of footfall, so they won’t be short of people admiring the art on display.

“We wish Dan and the team all the best with the move and look forward to viewing the artwork ourselves.”

Law firm moving to vibrant offices in Leamington Spa

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An expanding law firm is set to relocate to new offices in Leamington Spa as part of its ambitious plans for growth.

Thomas Flavell & Sons Solicitors, a thriving law firm, are thrilled to announce their upcoming move to a dynamic and modern workspace at 19 Waterloo Place.

Currently operating from separate offices on Regent Grove and Smith Street in Leamington and Warwick respectively, Thomas Flavell & Sons Solicitors aims to centralise their operations by bringing their dedicated team under one roof.

The new premises will accommodate all existing staff and provide ample room for an additional 15 employees, further bolstering the firm’s ability to serve their growing client base.

The firm, whose services encompass residential and commercial property matters, family law, probate, and litigation, has enjoyed remarkable success in recent years. With the vision of expanding operations and attracting top talent, the firm sought an inviting and contemporary office space.

The upcoming move not only showcases the firm’s ambition and commitment to clients but also highlights their dedication to fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment. The modern amenities and strategic location of the Waterloo Place premises will undoubtedly enhance the firm’s ability to provide exceptional legal services while attracting talented professionals who share their values and vision.

Jamie Connolly, Director and Head of Corporate at Thomas Flavell & Sons, is looking to introduce a fresh and vibrant work environment by embracing open office space, hot-desking, and collaborative breakout areas. This approach aims to foster a relaxed atmosphere, departing from the conventional setting typically associated with traditional offices.

He said: “We wanted our new office to be a real draw for both our staff and our clients instead of being a staid environment where our employees didn’t really want to be.

“It was important that we were in a thriving town centre like Leamington too – there are so many great businesses, cafes and bars that staff can enjoy while working here.

“We were also inspired by places like 1 Mill Street in Leamington which is showing what the future of office working can be like with its flexible approach to working. We want to try and emulate that to a certain extent at Waterloo Place.

“Wareing & Company showed us a few places during our search, and the property on Waterloo Place really stood out for us thanks to its great interior space and central location.

“We’re really looking forward to the move and we’re confident our current staff, as well as future employees, will enjoy being based there.”

The office is expected to open in early September after the fit-out of the interior is finished and will add to the firm’s three offices in Leicestershire.

Jonathan Blood, Director at Wareing & Company, added: “Leamington Spa continues to be a desirable town for businesses to relocate providing the office space is of the right quality – and this deal is a clear example of that.

“19 Waterloo Place provides Thomas Flavell Solicitors with office space that is not only in a great location in the town, but has enough flexibility and size that they can fulfil their vision of open office working and expanding the business too.

“We’re delighted the move has completed and we look forward to seeing the business grow even more from its new home when it opens in September.”

New Greek restaurant opens in Leamington after deal agreed

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The owners of a successful Warwickshire pub chain have opened a new Greek restaurant in Leamington town centre after a delivery version of the business proved popular during lockdown.

Taverna Meraki is the latest venture of Matt & Alex Crowther, owners of Pug Pubs Limited which operates The Royal Pug, The Fat Pug, and coffee shop Procaffeinate in Leamington, The Black Pug in Warwick, and The Lazy Pug in Shipston.

The new restaurant started life as a takeaway business during lockdown, which saw many customers order its food again and again.

It found its permanent home on Regent Street at the 1,553 sq ft site of the former Café Rouge after Wareing & Company secured a deal.

Matt said: “I’d always had ambitions of opening some sort of Greek restaurant as I’d worked there for four years and loved the food.

“When we founded our first pub, The Fat Pug in 2012, we asked our friend from Greece, Yannis, to come over and work with us at the business, with the possible idea of starting a Greek restaurant at some point.

“Pug Pubs did very well, but when lockdown hit, we realised our pub offering did not translate well to delivery and we needed to come up with something new.

“This was the right time for us to finally start our Greek food idea, firstly as a delivery business. Customers loved the gyros, souvlaki and other authentic Greek dishes we served up. When lockdown was lifted, we toured the business around various food shows, with a similar response from customers.

“It was amazing to see how well it did, and many people asked us where they could go for a sit-down meal. That was when we realised we needed a permanent restaurant.”

Matt approached Bill Wareing, owner of Wareing & Company, who took them through various options in the area before narrowing it down to a few locations.

And when Matt visited the former Café Rouge on Regent Street – which has stood empty for around 18 months – the decision was simple for him.

“I just knew it was the one,” he added. “We wanted a building in the centre of Leamington, preferably with existing amenities and that didn’t require too much work. And Café Rouge ticked all the boxes.

“Bill’s knowledge of exactly which units offered what was incredibly useful, and meant the process of finding a suitable base was far easier than it might have been.”

Bill added: “This building is in a great central location in Leamington, being right next to the Royal Priors Shopping Centre and many other restaurants.

“This deal is yet another sign that Leamington’s food scene is continuing to grow despite the external pressures on the economy.

“Taverna Meraki is a fantastic new addition to the town centre and to the Pug Pubs brand.”

Leamington jewellers set to triple in size after Wareing & Company seals move

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A Leamington jewellers which dates back to the 19th century is set to triple in size by moving to a bigger premises in the town centre after a Wareing & Company completed a deal.

Tustains Jewellers, founded in 1895, is set to move into a 3,260 sq ft unit at Satchwell Court – three times larger than its current shop on Regent Street – just outside the entrance to the Royal Priors Shopping Centre.

The company, which sells a variety of luxury watches and fine jewellery including bespoke items, is confident the move will boost its turnover and is aiming to hire new staff for the new store.

The move was sealed after Wareing & Company agreed the deal with Tustains on behalf of the freehold owners of Royal Priors Shopping Centre.

Tom Milner, Director of Tustains, said: “Luxury retail requires space, particularly for multi-brand showrooms such as ours. Hospitality at the new store will be essential and we will be able to show a much more comprehensive collection from each watchmaker.

“We had wanted to move stores for a while, but part of the problem in finding a new home has always been that our location was already right.

“So when Wareing & Company showed us the unit on Satchwell Court, we knew it would be an excellent new home for us.

“It offers the same location on the right part of Regent Street, but also catches the footfall through the Royal Priors. We also like the presence of the wide frontage and the courtyard.

“This is a big step up for Tustains, and we are looking forward to opening the new store in the near future.”

Bill Wareing, owner of Wareing & Company, added: “Tustains has been a well-respected name in Leamington for more than 120 years, so to agree a deal to not only keep the business in the town but allow the team to fulfil their ambitions and bring jobs to the area is fantastic news.

“It is a great vote of confidence in town-centre retail, with the unit at Satchwell Court being among the most prominent in Leamington town centre.

“We hope the move allows Tustains to continue to flourish in Leamington and enable more people to earn a living within the town.”

Former Bravissimo offices in Leamington now on the market with Wareing & Co

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The former offices of a major Leamington company are now on the market with Wareing & Co.  

Imperial Court – the former home of national lingerie retailer Bravissimo – is a contemporary 20,419 square foot four-storey office block and is available to let.

The open plan offices will be the largest available space to rent in Leamington town centre, with floorplates ranging from 3,606 sq ft to 5,651 sq ft, and new lease terms are available on either the whole of the property or on a floor-by-floor basis.

The offices, spread across four floors, will undergo a refurbishment at the beginning of next year and specification is likely to include carpet tile and modern vinyl floor coverings, suspended ceiling with recessed LED lighting, tea point to each suite, two passenger lifts and on-site shower facilities.

It also boasts 72 parking spaces and benefits from Leamington’s great road and rail connections.

Jonathan Blood, Director at Wareing & Company, said: “Imperial Court is an important commercial building in Leamington Spa, with a history of national commercial tenants.

“It’s in a fantastic central location, with modern facilities and great road and rail transport connections to both London and Birmingham, with the added bonus of a great on-site parking ratio.

“The site presents a unique opportunity for growing and ambitious businesses looking to expand their operations within the Midlands.

“We are already receiving a lot of interest from a variety of sectors and are looking forward to seeing a new tenant move into this prominent building.”

For more information, contact Wareing & Company on 01926 430700.

Leamington music shop to move to bigger premises after Wareing & Co completes deal

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A popular music shop in Leamington is marking 36 years of trading with a move to bigger premises.

Presto Music, one of the UK’s premier sources of sheet music, classical and jazz recordings, musical instruments, accessories and music gifts, is relocating to new premises after Wareing & Co successfully completed the deal.

Presto Music opened in 1986 as a specialist classical recording retailer, loved by many and visited by thousands of customers. The store has seen a number of locations – its most recent, 7 Park Street, is where the business has grown into what it is today.

The current shop will close at 1pm on 20 October and, after the move, customers will be able to find the new store at 23 Regent Grove, CV32 4NN, from 24 October.

The new site is a 7,000 sq. ft purpose built location and will continue to stock the wide range of instruments and accessories, recordings, printed music and gifts that music lovers have enjoyed throughout the years, with an expanded range of next-step instruments, specifically curated for the advancing beginner and beyond. 

Phyllida Martignetti, Shop Manager of Presto Music, said: “We are so thrilled to be able to offer our very loyal customer base a new, vibrant store in the form of our Regent Grove location. The new store will bring with it expanded instrument ranges, such as Pearl flutes, Yanagisawa saxophones, Blackstar acoustic amplifiers, Faith guitars and several instruments from Conn Selmer, catering for all students and players up to a semi-professional standard, which is incredibly exciting, along with the reintroduction of our events, concerts and album launch series.”

The store will also house a multipurpose space for community focussed events and experiences such as: masterclasses, product launches, demonstrations, workshops, group music lessons and a performance area for album launch events and local concerts. The offices, where the editorial, content and customer experience teams operate, will also be located on the new premises.

The current rental scheme will also be available on a selection of string, woodwind and brass instruments: the perfect solution for those who want to make sure a new instrument is the right one before committing to a purchase.

The store will continue to offer a repair service, carried out by our two experienced instrument technicians working in store, particularly focused on the areas of brass and woodwind. 

Jonny Brading, Commercial Director of Presto Music, said: “Our vision is to offer an inclusive, enhanced musical environment for our customers, where they can visit and benefit from our newly created in-house team of instrument specialists. It’s an exciting time to bring something new to the music retail industry.”

Chris O’Reilly, CEO of Presto Music, said: “We believe passionately in the power of music to enrich lives, and are very excited by the opportunities our new expanded store will bring to the people of Warwickshire and indeed the whole Midlands area. We’ll be bringing world class musicians to Leamington Spa to launch their new albums and inspire the next generation.”

Bill Wareing, owner of Wareing & Co, said: “Presto Music has been a key fixture in Leamington for many years now, so it’s brilliant we’ve been able to secure a lease on a great new unit in Regent Grove which is only a short walk away from its former premises. We wish Presto Music every success in its new home.”

Opening hours: Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm and Saturday: 9am to 5.30pm.