 |
 |
|
|
| 10.03.08 AUCTION HOUSE HAMMERS HOME NEW LOCATION ONE of the UK's largest auction houses is the latest occupier at Business Homes’ flagship office park on the south coast.The Hampshire and Isle of Wight arm of Clive Emson Auctioneers has just moved into Victory Park at Whiteley, near Southampton, after buying a freehold office. The firm bought the 1,324 sq ft self-contained ground floor at unit 14 for an undisclosed figure. Clive Emson had been previously based at a first-floor office, eight miles away at Lee-on-Solent, since August 2004. The firm has 40 staff and is a property and land auctioneer to estate agents, commercial property agents, statutory bodies and private clients. It was established by founder and director Clive Emson in 1989 and holds 21 regional auctions annually. The firm's reach includes Hampshire, Wiltshire, the Isle of Wight, Kent and south-east London, Sussex and Surrey. So far 11 of the 14 self-contained offices at Victory Park - a £14m flagship scheme completed in July 2007 by UK office parks developer Business Homes - have been sold. Initially four Clive Emson staff will be based at Victory Park - auctioneer Rob Marchant, valuer Andrew Rogers and back office operations team Lisa Marchant and Anne Al-Balushi. Rob said: “We've been reading in the regional press about the calibre of companies locating here and we are thoroughly impressed by the office, the campus-like environment and its close proximity to the motorway. “At our previous office it would take up to 25 minutes to get to the motorway - now it takes less than two minutes. That makes all the difference as we do so much driving. “It is important to stress that the office won't be used for holding auctions. We do that at big-name venues elsewhere.” Simon Houlston, chairman of Leeds-based Business Homes, which has 30 similar schemes across the UK, said: “We're nearly at the tremendous point of calling 'full house' at Victory Park, which is incredible bearing in mind the scheme was only launched last summer. “I'm thrilled that Clive Emson Auctioneers has made Victory Park the focal point of its Hampshire operations. Sales have exceeded expectations, and we're not seeing any slowdown despite what the Square Mile in London might be saying.” A number of other companies have taken root at Victory Park, which is located at Solent Business Park, just off junction nine of the M27. They include radio communications equipment provider Barrett Europe, estate agency Beals, personal development specialist Expression For Growth and legal firm Lawcomm. The scheme is being jointly marketed by Southampton-to-Portsmouth business space specialist Hughes Ellard and King Sturge. Offices are available freehold or leasehold, with rents at £19.50 a square foot. HELPING HANDS: Clive Emson auctioneer Rob Marchant, with prized auction hammer in hand, and from left, Anne Al-Balushi, Eleanor Marchant, Lisa Marchant and Andrew Rogers |
(2).jpg)
HELPING HANDS: Clive Emson auctioneer Rob Marchant, with prized auction hammer in hand, and from left, Anne Al-Balushi, Eleanor Marchant, Lisa Marchant and Andrew Rogers |