Press Release from Bigwood Auctioneers





Regulated tenancies are the hot lot of the day



Birmingham auction house Bigwood is set to stage the largest auction to be held outside of London so far in 2008 – including 49 much sought-after regulated tenancies.



Director Jonathan Hackett said that with 120 lots, the auction at the Clarendon Suite in Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Tuesday, April 29, was already set to be a major event in the Midlands auction calendar.



“The sale will include 49 regulated tenancies and 143 freehold ground rents in 16 lots, both of which are extremely popular with investors throughout the UK,” he said.



“Regulated tenancies are red hot at the moment as they provide a definite increase in capital value when the properties become vacant at some time in the future.



“We like to think of them as wine in the cellar and in the current market they attract fierce competition when they come up at auction.”



The 34 vacant residential lots include a former farmhouse in Furnace End, Warwickshire, a bungalow in Stratford-upon-Avon which is suitable for refurbishment or replacement and a six bedroom detached property in Moseley.



“We are also offering a further list of vacant lots, some suitable for refurbishment, some for occupation and some as buy-to-let properties,” he said.



Among the commercial properties listed in the latest auction catalogue is a period detached lodge and former stables within the grounds of Castle Bromwich Hall estate which are believed to date back to the 18th century and have a guide price of £350,000. The property is strategically located just one mile from junction 5 of the M6.



Other commercial lots include The Nest, a freehold public house in Muntz Street, Small Heath, Birmingham, and a prominent city centre building situated in the heart of the pub and leisure quarter of Derby which is suitable for conversion to a pub, restaurant or club and is expected to attract national interest.



Also on offer is a modern office block at Hagley Court South, The Waterfront in Merry Hill and a prominent freehold former pub and club close to Lichfield Cathedral.



Jonathan Hackett said: “This is an auction with something for everyone and with auctions of both residential and commercial property still proving immensely popular with sellers and investors alike, we are expecting strong demand and fierce competition for many of the more attractive investment opportunities.”



Ends (388 words)



For further information, please contact:



Jonathan Hackett, Director,

Bigwood, 51-52 Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 1TH

0121 456 2200

www.bigwood.uk.com



Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner of ASAP, 01527 892004. Mobile, 07990 978257.



Editors’ Notes



Bigwood offers the complete property service including commercial and residential agency, property management, valuations, auctions, agricultural, professional consultancy, building surveys and development and planning. The firm has offices in Edgbaston in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and Henley-in-Arden.

Press Release from John Truslove, Business Property Consultants


A superb and lofty warehouse depot, ideal for a transport company and built to high specifications, has just become available on the Washford Industrial Estate, Redditch.



Business property consultants John Truslove are offering the 19,720 sq ft gross internal floor area unit, with a large yard and car park on 1.5 acres, on a new lease available for five or more years at £105,500 per annum + VAT.



The warehouse, at Heming Point, is on a prominent and convenient location within ten minutes’ drive of the M42.



John Truslove said: “This is high quality industrial accommodation built in 2004 which is ideal for the right kind of business such as a transport company. It has an eaves height of more than 26 ft rising to 40 at the ridge of the building.”



The main warehouse provides 16,451 sq ft of clear working space. Access is provided by three up-and-over vehicle doors from the concreted yard.



The unit has an attached two-storey office block of 3,268 sq ft with a mess room and open-plan office areas. All main services are available.



Mr Truslove added: “We are offering a new business lease for a term of ten years or more but consideration will be given to a tenant-only break clause at the end of the fifth year.”



Ends (214 words)



For further information, please contact the offices of John Truslove

01527 584242



Prepared and issued by Dale le Vack of ASAP – 01527 892004, or mobile, 07972 506170

Press Release from Horwath Clark Whitehill LLP


Buy to let investors should be aware that tax investigations can work both ways, according to the Thames Valley office of accountants and business advisers Horwath Clark Whitell.



Tax partner Angela Lazda said that although there had been a lot of publicity about HM Revenue & Customs cracking down on undeclared property income, buy-to-let investors could actually be missing out on tax relief.



“Buy-to-let investors could be missing out on a lot of tax relief by not seeing a tax adviser or accountant and filing legal tax returns,” she said.



“Frequently there are expenses you can charge which might reduce your taxable profits to zero or create a loss.



“And if you don’t claim losses, which you can set against future profits, you may lose them forever,” she warned.



She said there was also the potential to save a lot of Capital Gains Tax by moving between properties.



“HMRC is targeting property owners who have failed to declare their investments. If evidence of fraud is uncovered, HMRC can demand tax, interest and penalties as far back as 20 years.”



She added that HMRC could obtain information on landlords and property investors through letting agents and Stamp Duty Land Tax returns.



“If you receive a letter which states ‘I have information that suggests you may have received rent from property but have not included it in your tax return. I need to check with you if my information is correct and, if you have received rents, to work out any tax that may be due’ it would be advisable to seek professional advice immediately.



“An HMRC intervention letter is not something that will go away, and it is best to deal with it immediately.



“On the plus side, an examination of your expenses may lighten the load considerably and even may result in a loss for tax purposes,” she said.



Ends (309 words)



For further information, please contact:



Michelle Hewitt, Marketing Manager, Horwath Clark Whitehill LLP,

Aquis House, 49-51 Blagrave Street, Reading, Berkshire RG1 1PL

Tel: 0118 959 7222



Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner of ASAP PR, 01527 892004, or mobile, 07990 978257



Notes to Editors



Horwath Clark Whitehill is a leading national provider of accounting and business advice. The firm offers specialist and technical expertise to owner-managed businesses and larger corporates, not-for-profit organisations, pension funds, professional practices and private clients.



Horwath Clark Whitehill has over 60 partners and around 500 staff based in 8 offices in the UK.



Worldwide, Horwath Clark Whitehill is the UK member of Horwath International. As one of the largest global professional service organisations, Horwath International has more than 120 independent member firms operating from 430 offices around the world.



For more information visit our website at www.horwathcw.com.



This information is published without responsibility on our part for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any information published herein. © Horwath Clark Whitehill LLP - 2008.

Picture caption: Sam Zumbe (left), business development director of Ibex Construction, John Griffiths of joint letting agents GBR with Ian Tudor of Bigwood and Paul Warder of Real Estate Investors plc.



ends



Press Release from Bigwood, business property consultants



One of Birmingham’s flagship city centre buildings is to be brought back to life with a £1.5 million refurbishment, property consultants Bigwood have announced.



Ibex Construction has been appointed to carry out the 16 week programme which will bring 11,500 sq ft on the five upper floors of 42-44 Waterloo Street, up to Grade A office standard.



The building was acquired in 2007 by Real Estate Investors plc and Bigwood have been appointed with joint agents GBR to market the revitalised property.



Bigwood director Ian Tudor said: “The former Birmingham Midshires offices stand right at the heart of the most desirable area of the city, but over time has lagged behind what the 21st century office market demands.



“This programme will provide Mayfair-style office accommodation comparable to anything available in London’s West End with the added bonus of spectacular views of St Philip’s Cathedral churchyard, which itself underwent a £1 million refurbishment not so long ago.



“In a location like this and with space to such a high specification on offer, we are anticipating strong demand from high quality end users such as private banks and private equity firms, and we are prepared to let the building floor by floor in order to offer the most flexible package.”



He said that the name of a high class retailer secured for the ground floor space would be revealed later in the spring and the frontage would now incorporate a five star reception area behind a new, fully glazed façade to Waterloo Street.



“The original building over the churchyard will be sympathetically restored to its former glory to create boutique-type office space which is perfect for board meetings and will provide conference rooms with great views,” said Mr Tudor.



“But internally we will be providing open plan modern office space and we expect the glazed floor to roof façade to be a real eye catcher.”



Ibex is set to start work in mid-April with completion expected in mid-August.



Ends (301 words)



For further information, please contact:



Ian Tudor, Director,

Bigwood, 104-106 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3AG.

Press Release from Bond Wolfe Auctions



Bond Wolfe’s property auctions are going from strength to strength with £18 million worth of commercial and residential property and land coming under the hammer in the firm’s April auction.



The jewel in the crown in the auction catalogue for Wednesday, April 16, is the sale of six former BP filling stations, all of which have excellent development potential, subject to planning permission.



They are sited across the UK in Croydon, Redcar, Arundel, Bromley, Weald and Carlisle and are being offered separately.



Bond Wolfe is also selling a wide range of property and land on behalf of Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Stoke-on-Trent councils.



Notable lots include Muchall Grove, a 1.94 acre redevelopment site being sold on behalf of Wolverhampton Council. The property is a former adult education centre which has been earmarked for redevelopment.



Sutherland House in Wolverhampton offers a 0.83 acre site with planning permission for 36 apartments on a guide price of £1.5 million.



Two former cemetery lodges which are ideal for conversion back to residential use are being offered on behalf of Stoke-on-Trent Council.



Bond Wolfe managing partner James Mattin said: “We had an excellent first auction of the year in February with an 85 per cent success rate.



“We are expecting interest from some of the bigger developers on a number of the larger sites available in our next auction on Wednesday, April 16, but we also have a strong listing of residential properties ideal for improvement which would appeal to the smaller developer.”



Bond Wolfe’s April auction takes place at The Holte Suite, Aston Villa FC, from 11am, and further details are available at www.bondwolfe.net or by ringing 0121 525 0600.



Ends (276 words)



For further information, please contact:

James Mattin, Managing Partner,

Bond Wolfe, West Plaza, 8th Floor, High Street, West Bromwich B70 6JJ

0121 525 0600



For further information, please contact: Andy Skinner of ASAP, 01527 892004. Mobile, 07990 978257.



Editors’ Notes



Bond Wolfe is an established private property investment company and major auction house based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands. Its services include auctions, commercial sales and lettings, property investment and development and overseas property sales.

Press Release from John Truslove, Business Property Consultants



Business property consultants John Truslove have sold an industrial unit in Redditch to a fast expanding and market-leading precision tool and die-making specialist.



Lasercomb Dies Ltd has bought the 4,283 sq ft unit at 6 Meir Road, Park Farm, for £295,000 from Voith Turbo Ltd, having already been established in Meir Road for two decades.



The company was established in 1984 and now employs 75 people at its Redditch facility, where there has recently been investment in the latest generation of high speed machining centres for applying Braille text on to pharmaceutical packaging.



Lasercomb Dies Ltd and its Liverpool-based sister company, Palatine Engraving designs, manufacture and supply high-quality “press ready” tooling solutions to a diverse range of industry sectors including packaging, book printers, commercial printers, greeting cards and label manufacturers.



As a key partner in the pharmaceutical packaging supply chain, Lasercomb has also made a recent strategic investment in advanced milling technology to achieve the tight lead times - two to three days for die manufacture and supply – demanded by its customers.



The company’s finance director Mark Guest said: “We operate in a demanding and pressurised manufacturing environment. We have a technology-based approach to business and the acquisition of the new site at Meir Road will facilitate a period of growth.”



John Truslove said: “It is reassuring to find that while industry in general in the United Kingdom is experiencing tough times, there are high tech manufacturing companies like Lasercomb Dies enjoying a period of growth.



“Companies like this find Redditch the ideal location for their base with a good employment pool and easy access to the motorway network.”



Ends (268 words)



For further information, please contact the offices of John Truslove

01527 584242



Prepared and issued by Dale le Vack of ASAP – 01527 892004, or mobile, 07972 506170.

Picture caption: Highfields – executive living on a higher level from William Ashley Homes.



ends



Press Release from William Ashley Homes


William Ashley Homes are just weeks away from unveiling their exclusive development of just six 4 and 5 bedroom detached homes in Bridgnorth, Shropshire.



But potential purchasers will have the chance to put their marker down when the on-site marketing suite opens during a special Highfields launch weekend which William Ashley is staging on Saturday and Sunday, April 12 and 13.



The Highfields development is located on the outskirts of Bridgnorth, one of Shropshire’s most desirable market towns and consists of three 4-bedroomed detached houses with single garages and three 5-bedroom detached houses with double garages.



Following the launch of the marketing suite on April 12 and 13, the show home is expected to open in May and the first homes due for completion in June.



Located in High Town, Highfields will provide beautiful homes with spacious accommodation to an executive specification. All are in an elevated position and some have views over the Low Town area of Bridgnorth.



Alexandra Downes, William Ashley’s sales and marketing manager, said: “Highfields is priced very competitively when compared with metropolitan prices, starting from £375,000, and offering a very high standard of accommodation.



“When the marketing suite is open, those interested will be able to view the plans, the specifications, the computer generated images and see sample finishes. The marketing site will be open from Thursday to Sunday between 11am and 5pm.



“We are expecting high levels of interest for what will be market leading homes in this area and expect demand from executives and families looking for a rural retreat but one that offers good access to rest of the region.”



Highfield’s location offers good access by road to Telford, Wolverhampton, Kidderminster and Shrewsbury, and nearby Telford has connecting rail services to Birmingham New Street and motorway access via Junction 4 of the M54.



The development has primary and secondary schools within walking distance and good local amenities including doctors’ surgeries, banks, supermarkets and high street shops.



For more information on the marketing suite launch weekend, visit www.william-ashley.co.uk, or email sales@william-ashley.co.uk or call 0121 233 4490.



Ends (343 words)



For further information, please contact



Alexandra Downes, Sales & Marketing Manager,

William Ashley Homes Ltd, Irving House, 47 Frederick Street, Birmingham, B1 3HN

0121 688 8889

Press Release from John Truslove, Business Property Consultants



A modern factory/warehouse in the boom town of Alcester, on the market at £4 per sq ft free of VAT or offers over £1 million for the freehold, is already attracting strong interest from a number of successful companies according to the agents marketing the property.



The 26,828 sq ft premises, at 30 Kinwarton Road, Alcester, on the Arden Forest Industrial Estate, has parking for 30 cars and is being offered by business property consultants John Truslove at a rent of £107,300 per year.



John Truslove said: “This is really good quality industrial accommodation offered on a new business lease of three, four or five years, or multiples thereof - or with the possibility of acquiring the freehold.



“More and more businesses are finding Alcester an ideal location with its high quality labour pool.



“The area forms the predominant employment area for Alcester with occupiers including EIC, Walls and Ceilings and Marla Tube Fittings.



He added: “It is a lofty main warehouse with an eaves height of more than 31 feet with a gross internal floor area of 26,828 sq ft and with high level lighting and gas-fired radiant heating.”



The property, which has a concrete floor, is made up of a number of separate sections mainly of steel frame construction under, and clad with profile steel sheet.



The main office accommodation is at the front of the unit with a predominantly suspended ceiling with recessed lighting and carpeting throughout.



It is at the corner of Tything Road and Kinwarton Farm Road - the former links directly with the A435 and ultimately Junction 3 of the M42.



Ends (267 words)



For further information, please contact the offices of John Truslove

01527 584242



Prepared and issued by Dale le Vack of ASAP – 01527 892004, or mobile, 07972 506170

Press Release from DLA Piper LLP



DLA Piper in Birmingham acted for Jack Petchey’s property investment company Headway plc which has sold four business estates to Highcross Strategic Advisors Ltd for £26.6 million.



Highcross has made the purchase on behalf of Bizspace and the estates are in Wakefield, Leeds, Bradford and Halifax, totalling some 615,000 sq ft.



With over 175 tenants producing around £2.278 million, this equates to £3.54 per sq ft overall and £43.25 per sq ft capital value.



Headway plc was represented by Petchey Holdings plc and Raman Jagpal, an associate in DLA Piper’s Birmingham office with BCM and David Moreley of Shoosmiths’ Nottingham office representing Highcross.



Raman Jagpal said: “This is a significant deal that indicates that the commercial property market is far from dead and we were delighted to act for Jack Petchey OBE once again.”



Previously DLA Piper's Birmingham office advised Save Investments Ltd and Petchey Holdings plc on its £94.57 million sale of a portfolio of 167 pubs.

Raman Jagpal led a team comprising real estate, corporate, tax and banking lawyers to advise Save Investments Ltd on the sale of the pubs to AIM-listed London Town plc.

Separately but in a linked transaction, Raman Jagpal advised Incorporated Holdings Ltd in the acquisition of a 24 per cent shareholding in London Town plc subject to completion of its AIM listing.



Ends (219 words)



For further information, please contact:

Raman Jagpal, Associate

DLA Piper LLP, Victoria Square House, Victoria Square, Birmingham B2 4DL


08700 111 111



Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner of ASAP, 01527 892004. Mobile, 07990 978257.



Notes to editors:



1. DLA Piper is the largest global legal services organisation in the world with over 3,600 lawyers across 64 offices and 25 countries. From its offices across Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the United States, legal and business advisers provide a range of services to local, regional and international businesses.

2. For further information about our organisation and services, please visit our website: www.dlapiper.com

Press Release from John Truslove, business property consultants



One of the West Midlands’ best known business property consultants has branded the new business rates regime which comes into effect on April 1 as “spiteful legislation”.



John Truslove, who is based in Redditch, believes the new legislation is another nail in the coffin of the UK’s industrial sector, and does nothing to encourage the speculative industrial and commercial development that is vital in encouraging economic development.



He said: “The Government is trying to fix something that is not broken.



“By tinkering with the rating system like this, they have produced a spiteful piece of legislation which helps no one in what is quite clearly a tightening economy.”



The Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007 comes into force on April 1. Its main effect is to reduce the exemption from empty property rates. Currently, most empty business properties receive 100 per cent relief for the first three months of vacancy and 50 per cent thereafter. Vacant industrial and listed buildings enjoy 100 per cent relief at all times.”



But from April there will be a three month rate free period for most non-industrial businesses and a six month rate free period for industrial properties – but then rates will have to be paid as if the buildings were fully occupied.



John Truslove said: “Empty factories are not empty because you want them to be. They are empty because they do not have tenants in them, paying rent and also business rates.



“And at the same time as owners are being asked to pay business rates on an empty building, their insurance policies will increase because of the surcharge on empty properties.



“Certain communal services still have to be paid for and the end result is major bills for property owners at a time when they have no tenant paying rent.”



He said a 50,000 sq ft factory standing empty could cost its owner £100,000 a year in business rates.



“This is the Government tinkering with market forces, which is not its job. This could create a wholly artificial market over the next few years.



“It may drive down industrial prices in the short term as landlords compete to fill their vacant premises but it is going to kill speculative development.



“Why would you construct a building without an agreed pre-sale or pre-let?



“Not only that, where business are contracting for reasons of increased efficiency or the tighter business climate, it could mean that companies with redundant space that are struggling to survive could be driven to the wall.”



He said that he regarded The Rating (Empty Properties) Act 2007 as the most significant piece of legislation since the 1954 Landlord & Tenant Act.



“That had a beneficial effect by providing stability of tenure and thus encouraging economic growth.



“This will, at best, have the opposite effect,” he said.



Ends (469 words)



For further information, please contact the offices of John Truslove

01527 584242



Prepared and issued by Dale le Vack of ASAP – 01527 892004, or mobile, 07972506170

Press Release from Bigwood Auctioneers



Prime commercial property and land - including a well known pub and a restaurant in a former railway station - will go under the hammer in Bigwood’s first auction of the year on Thursday, February 28, at The Clarendon Suite, Stirling Road, in Edgbaston, Birmingham.



Bigwood has moved this auction from its regular venue, the Holte Suite at Aston Villa Football Club, which is currently undergoing major refurbishment.



The sale comprises 62 varied lots throughout the Midlands.



One of the more notable commercial lots attracting the attention of property developers will be 78-79 Francis Road, Edgbaston.



Bigwood director Ian Tudor said: “This represents a rare opportunity to acquire a freehold office building just off Five Ways Island, and within walking distance of Brindleyplace, Symphony Hall and the ICC.”



Mr Tudor said the 6,216 sq ft building had a guide price of £1 million.



Interest is also likely to be directed towards a former government office building in Poplar Road, Sparkhill, which will be sold as spacious open plan accommodation. Subject to planning, it has potential for a number of alternative uses. It is offered with joint agents Lambert Smith Hampton at a guide price of £750,000.



Retail investments at the auction include 191 Stratford Road, Shirley - a prime position within the popular shopping district on a guide price of £350,000.



Another highlight of the sale will be restaurant premises within a former Shropshire railway station.



Mr Tudor said: “The restaurant premises are in Albrighton, Wolverhampton and they incorporate the attractive Grade II listed former railway station.”



He added: “It has 50 covers and the potential to extend further. The property has A3 planning consent and this rare opportunity comes with a guide price of £190,000.”



The Nest Pub in Muntz Street, Small Heath, was trading until recently and on a guide price of £300,000 is expected to attract keen local interest.



Mr Tudor said: “There is potential to extend to the rear and it is considered suitable for continued use as a pub, or conversion to a restaurant subject to planning permission.”



The building lies close to the original ground of Small Heath Alliance, now better known as the Premiership football club Birmingham City.



Mr Tudor said: “We have on offer a good mix of commercial investments, commercial property with vacant possession, development opportunities, residential investment and residential property with vacant possession.



“We are receiving an excellent level of pre-auction interest with many requests for brochures, details and viewings and are set for a busy start to our 2008 auction calendar.”



Ends (422 words)



For further information, please contact:



Ian Tudor, Director,

Bigwood, 51-52 Calthorpe Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 1TH

0121 456 2200

www.bigwood.uk.com



Prepared and issued by Dale le Vack of ASAP, 01527 892004. Mobile, 07972 506170



Editors’ Notes



Bigwood offers the complete property service including commercial and residential agency, property management, valuations, auctions, agricultural, professional consultancy, building surveys and development and planning. The firm has offices in Edgbaston in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and Henley-in-Arden.

Press Release from Lodders Solicitors LLP



A Warwickshire lawyer specialising in rural affairs has urged all landowners to do an immediate “health check” on their land - with the imminent passing of the Commons Act 2006.



The Commons Act is designed to protect land for current and future generations, and will give local communities new opportunities to register valued recreational sites to secure permanent protection.



Unregistered land used for any purpose by the public, including dog-walking, could be the subject of an application by a third party to have it designated as a village green - without any obligation to consult the landowner.



Helen Gough, a member of the agricultural team at Warwickshire law firm Lodders, is advising all landowners who think some of their land might be unregistered, to seek legal advice.



She is warning landowners that land can be registered as a village green if it has been used by local people for recreation “as of right”, without permission, force or secrecy, for at least 20 years.



This reflected the law of custom where the pattern of use created a presumption that local inhabitants had long-standing recreational rights over the land.



Miss Gough warned that the result of village green designation would be to remove any future possibility of future development of the land by the landowner – under laws that have been in existence since the 19th century.



She said: “Land held for generations in a family might not have been subject to registration because landowners remained ignorant of the potential consequences.”



Miss Gough said many firms of solicitors were not familiar with dealing with unregistered land. Applications could take up to five or six weeks to go through, which meant delay was risky.



“The danger is a third party, like a parish council, might act against a landowner’s interests without his or her knowledge.”



Miss Gough said that the new Commons Act was by no means all bad news for landowners.



One of the main purposes of the legislation would be to enable the voluntary deregistration of common land to allow development to take place - where replacement land was given in exchange, and the proposal was in the public interest.



The Act would also enable some types of land to be re-designated if it could be shown to have been wrongly registered as common land or a village green under the Commons Registration Act 1965.



Conversely the Act would enable other land to be registered now as common land or a village green if, in some cases, an application for registration under the 1965 act was unsuccessful.



The phased introduction of compulsory registration for transfers of land for value was extended in 1997 for the compulsory registration to any changes of ownership in land.



The Land Registry’s intention is to have all land within England and Wales registered by 2012 and is offering discounted rates for voluntary registration to help meet this target.



For example, land valued at between £200,000 and £500,000 usually incurs a registration fee of £220 but the fee payable on voluntary registration would be £165.



Ends (507 words)



For more information contact:



Helen Gough,

Lodders Solicitors LLP, Number Ten, Elm Court, Arden Street, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, CV37 6PA

Tel: 01789 293259





Notes to Editors:



Lodders Solicitors LLP is an established firm of solicitors based in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire. We offer specialist advice to individuals and businesses. Private client work has formed the core of our business for 150 years and remains the common thread of our other main areas of work: property, business and agriculture. We aim to combine technical ingenuity and thoughtful advice with a pragmatic approach to problem solving.

Press Release from John Truslove, Business Property Consultants



A growing Midlands design company has chosen Bromsgrove to establish its headquarters having bought the freehold of a prestigious property in one of the town’s new business parks.



D P Design Ltd, a company which has been operating for four years and which specialises in designing and installing office interiors, has acquired 2 Millennium Court, 7 Buntsford Park Road, Bromsgrove for £175,000.



The building has floor space of 1,222 sq ft and the address will be used as offices and design studios.



John Truslove sold the property to D P Design Ltd on behalf of Talepine Ltd, the South Woodford, Essex, civil engineering contractor.



David Perry, managing director of D P Design Ltd, said: “We have designers working on and off site and have established a niche in the market in designing and installing offices for our clients.



“They give us the empty space and we provide the total solution. At the design stage we use computer aided programmes so the client can see the interior building as a concept. We then carry out the fitting and installation work as a complete package.”



John Truslove said: “Bromsgrove is fast becoming a preferred centre in North Worcestershire for the growing cluster of advanced technology and CAD-based design companies like D P Design Ltd.”



Ends (212 words)



For further information, please contact the offices of John Truslove

01527 584242



Prepared and issued by Dale le Vack of ASAP – 01527 892004, or mobile, 07972506170

Press Release from William Ashley Homes



The eight remaining two-bedroom William Ashley apartment homes on a prime location in Halesowen will be on offer at a special preview event at Hagley Golf & Country Club over the first weekend in February.



Ten of the 18 apartments at Sanderson Place, on the corner of Uffmore Lane and Hagley Road, Hayley Green, Halesowen, have already been sold off-plan.



William Ashley is now making the remaining eight available prior to the show home opening in the spring.



Some prospective purchasers are likely to be down-sizers - but Sanderson Place has been designed to broadly appeal to people who prefer a mix of traditional architecture coupled with modern build standards all set in an intimate community.



Alexandra Downes, sales & marketing manager for William Ashley Homes, said: “Whether you’re looking to retire, downsize, invest for the future or take your first venture into the housing market, this will be apartment living at its best.



“The well appointed interiors fully reflect a modern lifestyle - with uncluttered living space, and stylish interior décor.”



There is a selection of open-plan and separate kitchens, walk-in entrance or communal access and garden terraces, and the whole development is just set over two floors.



Ms Downes added: “The lifestyle at Sanderson Place will be leisurely and relaxed, and designed for those who expect high standards.



“Sanderson Place is conveniently situated – within walking distance to Halesowen town centre and also to open countryside.



“There will be private maintenance of the grounds and communal areas, ensuring that residents have time to enjoy the village like atmosphere of Hayley Green.”



“For an appointment for the preview event at Hagley Golf & Country Club contact us on 0121 233 4490.”



Ends (280 words)



For further information, please contact

Alexandra Downes,

Sales & Marketing Manager, William Ashley Developments Ltd, Irving House, 47 Frederick Street, Birmingham, B1 3HN

0121 688 8889



Prepared and issued by Dale le Vack of ASAP - 01527 892004, mobile – 07972 506170

Press Release from MFG Solicitors LLP



West Midlands businesses have just weeks to ensure that they are fully compliant with new Government regulations requiring commercial properties to have Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs), property lawyers at MFG Solicitors are warning.



The clock is ticking down to April 6 when owners and landlords of commercial property in the United Kingdom will be required to instruct an energy assessor or inspector to survey the building, and issue a certificate of its energy performance.



Vanessa France, a property lawyer with MFG Solicitors, says that with only weeks to go there is confusion in the marketplace that may result in disagreements between landlords and tenants.



She also believes that in the long term the new regulations will affect how properties are valued, with their certificated “green credentials” establishing new criteria.



EPCs will be required from April for all newly constructed commercial properties and also on the sale or letting of property over 10,000 sq m.



On July 1 more commercial property will require them and from October 1 they will be necessary for the sale or letting of all commercial property.



The original October 2007 deadline for EPCs was revised following concerns that there would not be enough inspectors.



Ms France said: “EPCs record the energy efficiency and environmental impact of a building on a scale from A to G, with A being the most energy efficient and having the least impact through CO2 emissions.”



Government concern over the environment, climate change, and the need for sustainability, has resulted in a raft of new legal and regulatory changes.



Ms France warned that a lack of clarity in defining the new regulations could lead to confusion as to what constituted a building and subsequent disagreement between landlord and tenant.



“This could be a real issue in multi-let properties, for example shopping centres and office blocks and legal advice should be sought if a tenant in a multi-let building decides to sub-let or assigns its premises. It will have an effect on the whole of the building,” she said.



Ms France said this could have consequences for landlords trying to recoup costs of surveys from their tenants who had no interest in the transaction triggering the EPC, or were on short term or contracted out leases.



She also warned that Government predictions of the cost of a certificate being in the region of £1,790 may prove to be a significant underestimate for complex commercial premises.



The price for an Energy Performance Certificate would be set by the market and not by the Government, she said.



She said the solution to avoid disputes would lie in the clear drafting of agreements to establish the costs of obtaining an Energy Performance Certificate as a recoverable expenditure.



A major regional law firm, MFG Solicitors LLP has offices in Halesowen, Telford, Worcester, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Wellington, Stourport-on-Severn, Bewdley, Cleobury Mortimer and Oswestry.



Ends (503 words)



For further information please contact:



Vanessa France,



MFG Solicitors, 5 Centre Court, Vine Lane, Halesowen, West Midlands



B63 3EB



Tel: 0121 550 0777



Editors’ Notes



A major regional law firm, MFG Solicitors LLP has offices in Halesowen, Telford, Worcester, Bromsgrove, Kidderminster, Wellington, Stourport-on-Severn, Bewdley, Cleobury Mortimer and Oswestry.



Produced and issued by Andy Skinner of ASAP, 01527 892004, or mobile 07990 978257

Press Release from Bond Wolfe Auctions


West Midlands auction house Bond Wolfe is to stage what is believed to be the largest ever sale of local authority and institutionally owned property and land outside of London at its first auction of 2008 on Wednesday, February 27, at West Bromwich Albion FC.



And Stoke City Council has appointed the West Bromwich based firm to handle a substantial land and property disposal programme throughout 2008.



The appointment is just the latest in a series of major local authority appointments won by Bond Wolfe Auctions.



The council has already listed nine entries for Bond Wolfe’s auction on Wednesday, February 28, and these include three cemetery lodges, residential bungalows and a development site.



Bond Wolfe has now been appointed auctioneers for five local authorities including Stoke, Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Coventry, as well as British Waterways.



The February 27 auction also includes entries for Birmingham and Wolverhampton councils as well as over 20 entries by Sandwell council.



The catalogue, which is now available, also lists two Barclays Bank plc investments in Smethwick and Oldbury.



Managing partner James Mattin said: “Bond Wolfe is the only auction house outside of London to be appointed auctioneers to five major local authorities, plus British Waterways, and we are anticipating record levels of disposals of local authority stock throughout 2008.



“We are now set for a great start to the year following a record year of sales which saw over £41 million worth of property and land sold through Bond Wolfe Auctions in 2007.



“We are experiencing a busy start to 2008, despite toughening market conditions, and expect to have a great first auction of the year – the first of seven high profile auctions that Bond Wolfe is staging throughout 2008.”



Ends (286 words)



For further information, please contact:

James Mattin, Managing Partner,

Bond Wolfe, West Plaza, 8th Floor, High Street, West Bromwich B70 6JJ

0121 525 0600



For further information, please contact: Andy Skinner of ASAP, 01527 892004. Mobile, 07990 978257.



Editors’ Notes



Bond Wolfe is an established private property investment company and major auction house based in West Bromwich in the West Midlands. Its services include auctions, commercial sales and lettings, property investment and development and overseas property sales.

Picture caption: A computer generated image of how Norton Place will look when completed.



Ends



Press Release from William Ashley Developments Ltd



West Midlands’ developer William Ashley will unveil its latest residential scheme in Selly Oak this month – and anticipates strong interest in the choice of homes available.



Computer generated images of the development at Norton Place in Lodge Hill Road will be available at the on-site marketing suite when it is launched on Saturday and Sunday, January 26 and 27, between 11am and 4pm.



William Ashley Homes are building 18 two and three bedroom apartments set within a private courtyard and a one-off four-bedroom detached house all accessed via a private road.



The development will consist of Throckmorton House - offering four two bedroom apartments and Durant House with 12 two bedroom and two three bedroom apartments; many with garden terraces or Juliet balconies.



The first of these high specification properties, which all come with allocated parking and start from £159,500, will be built by early summer with a show home anticipated in late spring.



Alexandra Downes, sales and marketing manager of William Ashley Homes Ltd, said: “Homes at Norton Place will be eagerly sought after because they are in a quiet location only a stone’s throw from the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Selly Oak High Street, Sainsburys and the retail park.



“Norton Place is within easy walking distance to Selly Oak station and is just off the Bristol Road, making it an ideal base for anyone traveling into the city to work.”



Prospective buyers will be able to view plans in the marketing suite and look at a computer generated image of the apartments and samples of finishes in bathrooms and kitchens.



Flooring worth £1,000 will be included with any property reserved over the launch weekend, subject to terms and conditions.



For more information on Norton Place or William Ashley Homes visit www.william-ashley.co.uk or call 0121 233 4490 or call into the onsite marketing suite which will be open every Saturday and Sunday 11am to 4pm from January 26.



Ends (317 words)



For further information, please contact

Alexandra Downes,

Sales & Marketing Manager, William Ashley Developments Ltd, Irving House, 47 Frederick Street, Birmingham, B1 3HN

0121 688 8889



Prepared and issued by Dale le Vack of ASAP - 01527 892004, mobile – 07972 506170

Press Release from John Truslove, Business Property Consultants



An opportunity has arisen to acquire an industrial complex with parking in the heart of one of the town’s most popular and established manufacturing, distribution and service areas of Redditch.



Part of Trenton Works, a Redditch factory in need of full refurbishment, has been put up for sale by John Truslove at £375,000 plus VAT.



The site at Hewell Road, Enfield, is on the town’s most central industrial estate, and comprises 12,886 sq ft on 0.467 acres. It is available with immediate possession.



The property is a single-storey factory/warehouse with two-storey integral offices.



The site is designated in the local plan by Redditch Borough Council as ‘primarily employment within light and general industry, warehousing and distribution.



The available factory site will be shared with landowners Trenton Electroplating, one of the leading suppliers of electroplated finishes to the automotive industry, which has been trading since 1959.



John Truslove said: “There is an excellent supply of local labour, and plentiful nearby public transport.”



He added: “Enfield is the most central industrial estate, only half a mile from Redditch town centre and enjoys excellent communications, particularly to Alvechurch highway.



“The M5 is about 15 minutes drive away, while the M40 and M42 are a little nearer, some ten minutes away.”



He continued: “We see this sale as a rare opportunity to acquire a key and valued site in Redditch for development.”



Ends (200 words)



For further information, please contact the offices of John Truslove

01527 584242



Prepared and issued by Dale le Vack of ASAP – 01527 892004, or mobile, 07972 506170

Picture caption: All set and ready for viewing. Alexandra Downes is pictured outside William Ashley Developments’ latest project in Kings Heath, Birmingham, which is available for viewing this month.



ends



Press Release from William Ashley Developments Ltd




One of the most eagerly awaited townhouse and apartment developments in south Birmingham will be available for viewing for the first time from January.



Kings Gate is William Ashley Developments’ latest project in Kings Heath, and the launch weekend starts on Saturday, January 19, at 11am.



There are just five spacious three-storey, four double bedroom townhouses, which have been built to the highest specification, and are available for immediate occupation.



The houses are all equipped with gas central heating, an ensuite bathroom to the master bedroom, a family bathroom, and downstairs cloakroom finished with stylish Porcelanosa sanitaryware and tiling.



They have contemporary kitchens with integrated Bosch dishwasher, washer-dryer and fridge-freezer complemented by stainless steel oven and hob.



French doors from the lounge lead on to private gardens to the rear, and all properties come with off-road parking on their private driveways.



Kings Gate also features ten two bedroom apartments with ensuite bathroom to the master bedroom and off-street parking, two of the apartments have views and patio doors directly onto the gardens.



There are just four of these brand new apartments remaining for sale with prices starting from £149,500 including allocated courtyard parking.



William Ashley sales and marketing manager Alexandra Downes said: “We are sure Kings Gate will be very popular as it is such a quiet and private setting yet it is ideally located to meet the demands of any discerning home hunter with a wide array of shops available at Kings Heath’s High Street, excellent parks nearby and great transport links.”



“There is an offer of a 32” LCD TV or £1000 worth of design options for any property reserved over our launch weekend subject to terms and conditions, plus there will be an independent mortgage advisor on hand to give advice.



“For more information contact the selling agents Connells on 0121 443 3357 or phone us on 0121 233 4490 or visit our website www.william-ashley.co.uk



“The onsite marketing suite and view homes are open every Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 4pm, or by appointment at other times.”



Ends (339 words)



For further information, please contact

Alexandra Downes,

Sales & Marketing Manager, William Ashley Developments Ltd, Irving House, 47 Frederick Street, Birmingham, B1 3HN

0121 688 8889



Prepared and issued by Dale le Vack of ASAP - 01527 892004, mobile – 07972 506170

Picture caption: Going, going, gone! Arnold Shepherd bids farewell to auctioneering with his two clerks Mary Hawthorne and Lesley Fowler.



Ends



Press release from Bigwood Auctioneers


Friends and professional colleagues turned out in their numbers to witness one of Birmingham’s best known auctioneers bring his gavel down on his last lot.



When Arnold Shepherd, aged 75, sold 22 Wilson Road, Knowle, Solihull, at Bigwood’s December auction at Aston Villa Conference Centre, he was finishing a long career on the rostrum but he will not be leaving Bigwood altogether.



His role as chairman has changed to non-executive chairman and he will remain with the firm to concentrate on one of his specialist areas, advising clients on the Leasehold Reform Act on which he is one of the country’s leading experts.



Helping him on the rostrum on his last auctioneering day for his final sale were the only two clerks he has ever worked with – Mary Hawthorne and Lesley Fowler.



Earlier this year he celebrated 50 years as a qualified chartered surveyor and he was also awarded the inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award at the Variety Club Midlands’ annual property awards.



In 1951, Mr Shepherd, as a tender young 18-year-old, articled to Sidney Blackwell, a small firm based in Halesowen, but was drafted into two years in the army after completing his intermediate exams.



He finally qualified as an associate of the Chartered Auctioneers’ and Estate Agents’ Institute, the organisation which then merged with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors in 1970.



“I joined Bigwood in 1986 when I had my own practice and, at the age of 56 or 57, was approaching retirement but I decided to join in the interests of my clients.”



“I started as an auctioneer in 1961 and have continued on the rostrum until today,” he said.



He well remembers the first property he ever sold – a house in Wilmington Road, Quinton, Birmingham. The house sold at auction for £2,200 in an area where prices of £160,000-170,000 are now regularly achieved.



Bigwood’s history can be traced back for more than 160 years. The firm was originally part of Edwards Bigwood & Bewlay.



The firm recently returned to the city centre after a break of 20 years when it opened its flagship office on Colmore Row.



Last week Bigwood announced it had acquired the Birmingham property management practice of Peter Checkley & Co.



Ends (368 words)



For further information, please contact:



Rory Daly, Managing Director,

Bigwood, 104-106 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3AG.

0121 237 4850

Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner of ASAP, 01527 892004. Mobile, 07990

978257.



Editors’ Notes



Bigwood offers the complete property service including commercial and residential agency, property management, valuations, auctions, agricultural, professional consultancy, building surveys and development and planning. The firm has offices in Colmore Row and Edgbaston in Birmingham, Stratford-upon-Avon and Henley-in-Arden.