Buyers flock to Norfolk retail businesses
Demand for retail outlets in Norfolk such as petrol filling stations and convenience stores has surged over 2023. Outlets which have come to the market have seen an average of 16 viewings and 20 offers and sites have sold at an average of seven per cent above the asking price according to agent Christie & Co. Interest has been strong in village or off-high street stores in the county. Norfolk’s attractions for buyers include its relative affordability, limited retail competition and its appeal to property developers who are seeking to take advantage of the availability of land and a growing population. The agent says enquiries for both freeholds and leasehold stores in Norfolk is staying high and demand levels will continue into 2024. Recent sales of retail outlets in the county include Esso Watton (photo, right), Norfolk House Stores in Hopton, Kenninghall Premier store, Dickleburgh Premier Store & Post Office and Fish Premier Store on the outskirts of Norwich.
Ipswich office building sells for close to £1.25 million
A three storey freehold office building in Ipswich, Cardinal House in St. Nicholas Street, has been sold at close to the £1.25 million guide price by agent Fenn Wright. The 15,750 sq. ft. office building (right) includes a self-contained suite which is let to Hays Recruitment. A larger section of the building, around 12,100 sq ft, has been stripped out for full refurbishment. Reader Commercial represented the purchaser.
Separately, Broadway Developments Yaxley has agreed the sale of two build-to-suit industrial units at Enterprise Park in Yaxley near Peterborough to BSW Window Solutions. A 13,300 sq ft unit has completed and the window supplier has taken occupation and a second unit of 10,204 sq ft is under construction. Savills and Eddisons advised Broadway Developments Yaxley.
Norwich partnership launched to boost innovative start-ups
A London-based digital consultancy, Adaptavist Group, has formed a partnership with Akcela, a Norwich business and start-up incubator, which it believes can be a ‘game-changer’ for start-ups in the city. The Adaptavist Group (TAG), which has worked with over half of the Fortune 500, uses a “Russian doll” approach to incubation. This involves a large corporation nurturing an incubator that supports emerging startups. It is suggested the new model ‘promises huge innovation in East Anglia’ and provides the potential to inspire similar corporate-backed incubators in other cities. Businesses at Akcela which have been involved with TAG include GoDesk,an adaptable ITSM tool and Tech Educators,a provider of instructor-led coding bootcamps.
Property agency to sponsor Ipswich Town defender
Property agency Penn Commercial is to sponsor Ipswich Town FC defender Axel Tuanzebe who signed for the EFL Championship team in early September. Managing director Vanessa Penn said: “It has been a great year for Penn and ITFC in 2023, and we are proud to be sponsoring Axel. Being a season ticket holder at Portman Road for so many years, I am always excited to be able to support our local club, and we are optimistic for the Blues prospects next year.” The player, who signed on an initial 12-month contract, started and played a full 90 minutes for a 2-1 win at Watford on 12th December, has admitted that the prospect of promotion is in the back of his mind as the blues went top of the Championship. Penn has been a previous sponsor of ITFC goalkeeper Nick Hayes.
Resort signs Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge
Wyboston Lakes Resort, west of Cambridge, has signed the Net Zero Carbon Events Pledge joining more than 600 leading conference and events industry organisations worldwide since its launch at Cop26. By signing the pledge, the resort has committed to support net zero emissions by 2050 and to actively promote and advocate for industry efforts. It will also publish its pathway to achieve net zero by 2050 at the latest, with an interim target to cut emssions by 50 per cent by 2030. The resort will also collaborate with partners, suppliers and customers to drive change, measure and track its Scope 1, 2 and 3 GHG emissions and report on its progress at least every two years. Louisa Watson, director of marketing at Wyboston Lakes Resort, said: “‘More sustainable, no apology’ is how we express our total commitment to sustainability and to driving down our carbon emissions. In 2022 we published a four-year Green Energy Roadmap, with phase 1 completed this year. Our 2023 ESG report gives further evidence of our commitment to Net Zero and Signing this Pledge is clear indication of our determination to continue to move forward to these goals.”
Record number of charities supported by Cambridge company
Cambridge company Domino Printing has helped a record number of charities – both local and national – involving more than 40 different causes during 2023, through its employees’ individual fundraising efforts and direct donations to appeals. Employees are encouraged to identify organisations through the company’s donations requests scheme and many individual fundraising efforts are supported. Examples of giving to the community close to its hq in Bar Hill are sports teams, local arts and photography clubs and hospices in the region, including Arthur Rank in Cambridge and the Hospice of St Francis in Hertfordshire. Employee fundraising events have raised more than £15,000 for different charities. Sharon Viccars, Domino internal communications manager, said: “Supporting charities both on our doorstep and nationally has always been an important part of our culture and never more so than during 2023 when we know many do not receive regular funding and need donations in order to survive.”
Photo: A visit to Castle School rounds off Domino Printing’s 2023 charity initiatives.
Bizeast.com wishes all readers a Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2024 and will be back in the new year from January 9th.
