Commercial property can be a bit like chess but persistence and co-operation between two landlord and several operators has resulted in 75,000 ft² of new deals being brokered on Team Valley recently by Naylors Chartered Surveyors.

The background was that we were instructed by Tyne and Wear Economic Development Company to find a new tenant for their 1 Princes Park Unit, a 35,000 ft² prestigious building originally developed by UK Land Estates, whilst at the other end of Princes Park we were discussing lease issues between UK Land and news wholesalers JJ Gilhespie at their 38,000 ft² facility said Bill Naylor of Naylors Chartered Surveyors.

Into the equation came an enquiry from Leeds Surveyors Fox Lloyd Jones on behalf of CB Imports, a cash and carry chain wholesaler of florist products who viewed a number of buildings but identified Team Valley generally and the Gilhespie premises in particular as being ideal for their expansion into the North East.

Negotiations began between UK Land and Gilhespie and CB Imports to enable CB to acquire the Gilhespie building in its entirety which meant relocating two sub-tenants in the property, Team Digital Printers and distribution specialists Transpeed.

By coincidence Transpeed had also been considering moving to premises more suitable to their expanding business had and had viewed a number of possible alternatives resulting in their re-location to 1 Princes Park.  Team Digital moved to a Buildings for Business unit on Stirling Court.

Keith Stewart, Naylors’ Industrial Agency Head, commented “I had been working with Transpeed over a number of months and there was a prospect that this web of transactions might have folded on more than one occasion, but persistence and a large amount of goodwill from all parties made these transactions happen.  Solving complex problems aided by a close understanding of how property works created a good result all round.  It certainly is one of the more complicated projects we have been involved with this year”.

One of the last major residential development sites in a sought after South Tyneside conservation area has come onto the market.

The site at Bank Top Garage, West Boldon is in a prominent position within this popular village, and comes complete with detailed planning consent for 10 townhouses and 7 apartments.

“This is an ideal development site and possibly the last that will become available within this sought after, semi-rural residential location,” says Tim Rodgers of Naylors Chartered Surveyors who is handling the sale.  “It offers many advantages and we believe it will be of great interest to either a local developer or one of the region’s major builders.”

The 0.7 acre site, on the corner of the A184 Addison Road and Hylton Lane, comprises single and two storey car showrooms and workshops with external hard standing forecourt, together with the Green Meadows bungalow at rear.

It is immediately adjacent to a prestigious residential development undertaken by Glendale, is within walking distance of Boldon Golf Club and Lawn Tennis Club and has the benefit of elevated views across open farmland.

A petrol garage since the 1950s, Bank Top most recently operated as a Suzuki franchise before finally closing its doors in November 2005. Since that time it has remained unoccupied while planning permission was sought, in consultation with the local residents.

Detailed planning consent has subsequently been granted by South Tyneside MBC for a residential development comprising 10 three-bedroom houses and 7 two-bedroom apartments, together with 25 car parking spaces in a private landscaped courtyard to the rear. The site is held in freehold with full vacant possession on completion.

The medieval village of West Boldon, which is a conservation area, lies almost halfway between Sunderland and Newcastle, close to the A19 and A1(M) and boasts excellent transport links and good local amenities. These include a village shop and post office, several pubs and restaurants, a hotel, 24-hour Adsa store and a muliplex cinema.

Local businessman Mr. Christopher Head, owner of West Boldon Post Office and Village Store, said, “Bank Top Garage has been closed for a number of years and the boarded-up buildings have become a blot on the landscape. I, like most residents, am eager to see a new buyer demolish this eyesore and replace it with something that is both aesthetically pleasing and more in keeping with the rest of the village.”