Principle’s expanding London office wins six new estate management contracts

Six exclusive residential properties across London are to be looked after by the expanding London office of Principle Estate Management.

Principle will manage estates for exclusive leasehold apartments in a period property at 3 Callow Street in Chelsea, in a post-modernist building at 125 Alban Gate near the Barbican, and in a modern block at 9 Hanover Street near Soho.

It will also manage attractive apartments in three period properties in the trendy north London suburb of Camden, at 20 Marquis Road, Rosslyn Hill and Fitzjohns Avenue.

The six new contract wins come in the wake of Principle’s London office moving from former Soho premises to its larger venue at 50 Eastcastle Street in Fitzrovia this spring.

The London office manages properties on behalf of a mix of resident management companies, including right to manage companies and freeholder clients.

Properties managed by Principle include the Strata building, the 44-storey building at Elephant and Castle, in the London Borough of Southwark, with more than 1,000 residents living in 408 apartments.

Bob Simonds, business development director at Principle, said: “These new estate management contracts for bespoke properties across central and north London are great examples of the bespoke arrangements Principle is capable of.

“We are already looking after huge developments such as Strata but are just as keen on adding smaller estates to our portfolio, carefully pulling together a whole network of exclusive properties within the capital.

“Having a dedicated office based in Fitzrovia means we have the skilled staff needed to provide the personal service these sorts of properties require, ensuring that we can make a major difference to the everyday lives of our customers.”

Other Principle London properties are mainly around Regents Park, Hyde Park, Mayfair, Marylebone, Kensington, Fitzrovia and Covent Garden.

Mr Simonds added: “We have multiple live enquiries for potential new instructions in central London and look forward to our continued expansion in the city.

“We have invested a lot in the new London office fit-out, systems and people to ensure we can continue to provide excellent service levels as we continue to grow.”

Principle’s London office is headed by associate director Rachael Hornby, working closely with senior property manager Geovanni Pinto, who joined the company some 14 years ago when it was called Myhill Newman, which Principle purchased 15 months ago.

The London office now has a staff of nine which includes its own finance team to ensure a close relationship between property managers and finance.

Launched in 2018, Principle has since grown into what is now more than 60 staff looking after a portfolio of more than 11,000 units at around 300 developments across the UK.

Ends (440 words)

For further information please contact: 

Belinda Beasmore,

Principle Estate Management LLP, 137 Newhall Street, Birmingham B3 1SF

Tel: 07954 078711 / 0121 289 4315

Email: bbeasmore@PrincipleEstate.co.uk

www.PrincipleEstate.co.uk

https://twitter.com/PrincipleEM

https://www.linkedin.com/company/principle-estate-management/

https://www.facebook.com/PrincipleEstateManagement/

Editors’ notes:

Operating from offices in Birmingham and London, Principle is a forward-thinking, people-focused managing agent providing professional property management services nationwide. Founded in 2018 and led by experienced Chartered Surveyors, Principle’s vision is to positively impact the everyday lives of its communities. The company manages modern apartment buildings, traditional blocks of flats, mixed use developments, private housing estates and private rented sector (PRS) or build-to-rent (BTR) developments, as well as portfolios of rented properties for residential or commercial landlords.

Nicol & Co.’s Community Fund tops £50,000 for local causes

The Community Fund of Worcestershire’s leading independent estate agents has topped £50,000.

Nicol & Co., which has offices in Droitwich, Worcester and Malvern, began the scheme in 2021, giving  £12,000 to local community groups in its first year.

The firm provided twice as much support in 2022, with a total of £24,900 and has donated another £13,200 so far this year.

Managing director Matt Nicol, who founded the business in 2009, said: “Helping people buy and sell homes, I’ve always felt rooted in our community and this motivates me to make a difference wherever possible.

“I spearheaded a crowdfunding effort in 2014 that saw £16,500 raised to rebuild a children’s play area in The Lido Park in Droitwich after an arson attack and it’s always good to see families still having great time there nearly ten years on.

“More recently we donated £100 to the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust for every instruction that signed up during the Coronavirus pandemic and gave Amazon tablets to three local primary schools to support online and remote learning.”

This lead to the establishment of the Nicol & Co. Community Fund which has now donated over £50,000 to community organisations and projects across the county.

Matt added: “We established the fund to make a difference across Worcestershire and now, for every property we sell, we offer to donate £100 to the school or local community organisation of our seller’s choice.

“The fund exists to help local schools, projects and initiatives in and around Worcester, Droitwich and Malvern that our clients care about, and we do too.

“Sometimes our vendors leave the choice to us and therefore we welcome applications for support from perhaps the less well-known local organisations via our website or email using community@nicolandco.co.uk

So far, the Community Fund has helped a wide range of beneficiaries including schools, community groups and local animal charities, alongside the more familiar Worcestershire Homeless Appeal, the foodbanks in Droitwich, Worcester and Malvern, Acorns and St Richard’s Hospice and the Grace Kelly Childhood Cancer Trust.

Another one of Nicol & Co.’s successful initiatives, earlier this year, was the Big Worcestershire Garage Sale with more than 30 streets signing up to join together to declutter their homes and sell unwanted items as part of a mass event.

Matt said: “This was so successful for the first attempt that we aim to repeat it every year now. Our community involvement will always be an essential ingredient in our business model – it’s in our DNA.”

You can find out more at https://www.nicolandco.co.uk/community-fund/

Ends (358 words)

For further media information or interviews, please call:

Matt Nicol, Managing Director, Nicol & Co, 226 Worcester Road, Droitwich Spa, WR9 8AY

Tel: 01905 799072

Notes to Editors 

Established in 2009, Nicol & Co is an award-winning estate agency offering advice on sales, lettings, new homes and land purchase. The company combines the latest in digital media with traditional high street courtesy and service to provide the perfect blend of old and new technology.

Prepared and issued by ASAP PR – 07990 978257.

Historic Hill Crest provides perfect modern day living in stunning rural setting

What were once two blacksmiths’ cottages and a forge have been sympathetically combined to form one specious and characterful four bedroom cottage.

Hill Crest, which dates back to the 1700s, has been brought to the market by Solihull agents DM & Co. Homes with a variety of options for would-be purchasers.

The detached property at Sherborne Hill, near Warwick, has outstanding open views over the Avon Valley.

Although it is currently a family home, it has previously thrived as a Bed & Breakfast and could easily be used for a similar use again, subject to planning permission.

Matthew Perry, sales negotiator in DM & Co. Homes’ Dorridge office, said: “This is a property with potential and has something for everyone.

“It’s location between Warwick and Stratford-upon-Avon with access to the national motorway network and trains nearby to major cities makes it perfect for partial working from home in a delightful setting.”

Hill Crest and Old Forge Cottage are the two former blacksmiths’ cottages that now form one residence.

Hill Crest Cottage is the larger of the two residences and the accommodation comprises sitting room with open fireplace, characterful beams and quarry tile flooring. The ground floor includes a snug with log burner which would make a perfect work-from-home office.

To the rear is the kitchen, which in turn opens to the conservatory offering fabulous garden views.

The main lounge can be accessed both from the rear lobby and the conservatory and again, with French doors directly to the garden, is a light and spacious room.

The outbuildings, including useful store room, utility room and workshop can also be accessed via the lounge.

Old Forge Cottage provides further accommodation which is accessed via the conservatory. To the front is a characterful dining room with feature fireplace which also offers versatile space.

The fourth bedroom is on the ground floor, overlooking the rear garden, and is complemented by a shower room and separate guest cloakroom. There is also a further utility room on this side of the property.

The combined properties come with two staircases. In Old Forge Cottage upstairs there is a double bedroom with an en-suite bathroom. The stairs from Hill Crest Cottage leads to two further double bedrooms. The principal bedroom has useful storage cupboard and access to the family bathroom, and the other benefits from a large en-suite shower room. There is the opportunity to connect the two cottages on the first floor via a hidden door.

The property is accessed from a slip road and there is a large in and out driveway providing parking for several vehicles, access to the garage and car port and gated access to the rear.

Matthew Perry added: “The garden contains a summer house which is perfect to enjoy the views – and the views are what makes this particular property so special.

“Stepping into the rear garden, you have the most spectacular views over the Warwickshire countryside. The large, mature garden, has established fruit trees, an expanse of lawn with ornamental pond and a terrace perfect for al fresco dining.

“To the side there is further land with a greenhouse and outbuildings, and this would be perfect for those looking to set up a small holding.”

Hill Crest is on the market for overs over £600,000.

You can see more at https://dmandcohomes.co.uk/property/4-bed-detached-house-for-sale-in-sherbourne-hill-warwick/522431 and on video here or by by calling Matthew Perry on 01564 777 314.

Ends (565 words)

For further information, please contact:

Dominic Murphy, Managing Director, DM & Co. Homes

T: 01564 777 314 E: dominic.murphy@dmandcohomes.co.uk

Unit 2, Forest Court Shopping Centre, Dorridge, Solihull, B93 8FG

www.dmandcohomes.co.uk

Editors’ notes:

DM & Co. Homes is a local, independent estate agent covering Solihull, Dorridge, Lapworth, Tanworth-in-Arden and the surrounding areas.

The company has traditional high street offices at The Forest Shopping Centre, Station Road in Dorridge and at The Pavilions, Cranmore Drive in Solihull, along with a recently launched Land and New Homes division that is quickly growing.

It has made a major investment in its head office, based on Cranmore Drive, where its land & new homes, lettings, financial advisors, sales progressors and administration teams are based.

DM & Co. Home’s media team also operates from the Cranmore Drive offices, providing photography, video and content planning that attracts more than 100,000 views a month via YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.

Watling hits the ground running with £130 million of deals in first quarter

Watling Real Estate, which launched from the management buyout of the real estate restructuring division of Avison Young on 1 June this year, has hit the ground running.

Results from the new firm’s first quarter show that Watling Real Estate notched up £130 million worth of deals in both its traditional core markets and in alternative sectors.

Highlights across the UK included £62.5 million of residential and part complete developments, £35 million in hotel sales, and £20 million in industrial and distribution sales.

During 1 June to 31 August, Watling Real Estate was appointed to handle the sale of the Dissington Estate.

Andrew Foster, joint receiver and managing director at Watling Real Estate’s Leeds office, said: “The Dissington Estate extends to a total of some 2,523 acres, which is one of the largest ever – if not the largest ever – receivership appointments ever to have been made in the UK.”

Watling also negotiated, and signed as receivers, a joint venture agreement with Hargreaves Land on a 550 acre residential development scheme at the Lincolnshire Lakes site in Gunness, near Scunthorpe.

Alan Ryall, joint managing director, said:” It has been an incredibly busy first three months across our national business on both the advisory and transactional fronts.

“We continue to advise across a number of significant restructuring assignments covering the food and beverage, and retail and leisure sectors, with a notable increase in work within the development finance and central London office markets.

“We have made our first hire in Manchester with more to follow, further strengthening our agency function.”

The business is headquartered in London with a network of offices in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol, providing national coverage with the benefit of local and regional expertise.  It has a team of 20+ professionals offering a multi-disciplinary real estate advisory business and, when launched, immediately become one of the UK’s largest real estate restructuring consultancies.

The team, originally part of the GVA business and more recently Avison Young post-merger in 2019, is one of the most highly regarded and experienced real estate advisors operating within the restructuring and recovery marketplace. Over the past decade, the team has advised or transacted on real estate with a total value of over £11 billion, having worked on some of the most significant real estate restructuring projects in the UK.

Watling Real Estate is backed by Bassi Capital, a private family office with extensive core investments in the real estate sector including publicly listed companies, private limited companies, and joint partnerships.

Ends (416 words)

For further information, please contact:

Alan Ryall, Joint Managing Director, Watling Real Estate, 1st Floor, 75-77 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2AP.

Email – alan.ryall@watling.com

Issued by Andy Skinner at ASAP PR – 07990 978257

Editors’ Notes

Watling Real Estate was created on 1 June 2023 by a management buyout of the real estate restructuring division of Avison Young. The business is headquartered in London with a network of offices in Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol, providing national coverage with the benefit of local and regional expertise.  It has a team of 20+ professionals offering a multi-disciplinary real estate advisory business and will immediately become one of the UK’s largest real estate restructuring consultancies.

The team, originally part of the GVA business and more recently Avison Young post-merger in 2019, is one of the most highly regarded and experienced real estate advisors operating within the restructuring and recovery marketplace. Over the past decade, the team has advised or transacted on real estate with a total value of over £11 billion, having worked on some of the most significant real estate restructuring projects in the UK.

Watling Real Estate is backed by Bassi Capital, a private family office with extensive core investments in the real estate sector including publicly listed companies, private limited companies, and joint partnerships. https://bassicapital.com/

 

 

Bassi Capital seeking further acquisitions to grow to £10 billion assets under management

Bassi Capital, which this summer backed the MBO of the real estate restructuring team at Avison Young to launch Watling Real Estate, has set a target of £10 billion of assets under management as it eyes up another significant acquisition.

The launch of Watling Real Estate, with offices in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Leeds and Bristol, comes after Bassi Capital acquired a 50% stake in commercial property management firm CGBA Robson in late 2022. The business now has £3 billion in assets under management.

Chief executive Gurpreet Bassi said the strategy is to build a multi-disciplinary UK property group that can thrive at any stage of the economic cycle.

“We have a number of deals currently in discussion with a focus on property management, property agency and bridging finance, backed by Bassi Capital who are debt free, with the ability to leverage additional finance swiftly if a deal is agreed that cannot be financed out of pure cash.”

Ongoing trading remains robust through Bond Wolfe, the major auction house and agency business, with combined sales of £210 million last year – a 20% increase on the previous year – and at Watling Real Estate, the UK’s leading restructuring and recovery advisor.

Non-core investments of Bassi Capital include flooring and distribution, alongside award winning restaurant, Ashas in Birmingham city centre.

Investments are held in publicly quoted securities, private limited companies and partnerships.

Gurpreet Bassi said that each business Bassi Capital acquires will continue to retain its own identity and management team but as the group continues to grow, he has plans to establish an overall board of directors from across the group.

Ends (270 words)

For further information, please contact: 

Gurpreet Bassi, Chief Executive, Bassi Capital, 1st Floor, 75/77 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2AP

0121 312 1212.

bassicapital.com/

Editors’ notes:

Bassi Capital represents the private interests of the Bassi family, with a focus on real estate, but including non-core activities such as floor covering distribution, award winning restaurant, marketing and media.

Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner, ASAP PR – 07990 978257

New Midlands home and new name for internal audit firm Validera as John Truslove helps secure £320,000 move

A new name in the field internal audit and risk control is operating from a new Staffordshire headquarters after help from commercial property agents John Truslove.

HW Controls & Assurance has been working in its specialist field since the 1990s but in April rebranded with the trading name of Validera and has invested £320,000 on a new base in Burntwood.

The offices at Crompton Court, on Attwood Road – operating alongside its original site in Tamworth – provide enough space for Validera to double in size over the coming years.

Director Lee Glover said: “We have already doubled in size in the last few years and, after three decades as part of the Haines Watts accountancy group, it was time to establish ourselves as an independent business focused on the internal audit and risk management field.”

The role of internal audit is to provide independent assurance that an organisation’s risk management, governance and internal control processes are operating effectively.

Mr Glover said: “We have a range of clients in both the public and private sectors, from companies smaller than ourselves to major national operators. In every case we deliver an internal audit service which meets their assurance needs and reflects the wider remit to consult, add value and improve our clients’ operations to realise their full potential.

“We had been looking for new offices since September last year and the premises at Compton Court were a perfect fit. We got in touch with John Truslove as the agents and Ben Truslove – the joint managing director – has been really helpful.

“He kept things moving so we could achieve a fairly rapid completion and start moving in. The offices give us enough room to double our current team of 22 while accommodating a pattern of flexible working.

“It puts us in an excellent position as we continue to grow our business and attract more clients.”

To find out more about Validera and its range of services visit www.validera.co.uk.

Ben Truslove helped HW Controls & Assurance secure the acquisition of 2,383 sq ft of office space at 3 Crompton Court, on Attwood Road in Burntwood, in a deal valued at £320,000.

Mr Truslove said: “This deal demonstrates that John Truslove has continued to expand across the Midlands in recent years, beyond our traditional heartland in Worcestershire and Warwickshire, while maintaining our normal high levels of service.

“This was an important move for the newly rebranded Validera; a fresh headquarters that makes a statement about the company’s aims and intentions. We are delighted to have sealed the deal on behalf of the vendors and look forward to watching Validera’s continued growth in the internal audit market in the coming years.”

Douglas Wemyss Solicitors (DWS) in Leicester acted for HW Controls & Assurance.

Ends (448 words)

For more information, contact:

John Truslove, Daralbee House, Archer Road, Redditch, B98 8DJ

01527 584242

Editor’s Notes

Redditch-based chartered surveyors and valuers John Truslove was established by John Truslove in 1981 and has become the market leading independent agent for commercial property in North Worcestershire and North Warwickshire as well as the wider West Midlands.

John Truslove has been named top commercial property agency in Worcestershire again – for the third year in a row. The company, now in its 42nd year, left the competition standing.

In 2022, John Truslove signed off 77 deals, more than all the other top five agents in Worcestershire combined. And in Warwickshire, John Truslove ranked fifth.

The figures are revealed in the latest EG Radius On-Demand Rankings, the property trade national league table of commercial agents. It follows on the success from 2020 and 2021 when the firm was named Most Active Agent in Worcestershire for two years in a row in the Radius Data Exchange survey produced in conjunction with EG, the commercial property market magazine.

Joint managing director Ian Parker was also named Worcestershire Dealmaker of the Year AND Warwickshire Dealmaker of the Year for 2020. The survey year, which runs from August to August, saw John Truslove record a 36% increase in deals negotiated over the 12 months.

Issued by Andy Skinner of ASAP PR, mobile 07990 978257.

The Manse – an exquisite period home with heated outdoor pool set in serene Grimley 

An exquisite period home with its own heated outdoor swimming pool in the quiet village of Grimley near Worcester has been put on the market by the county’s leading independent estate agent Nicol & Co.

The Manse is described by Dan Westwood, sales manager of Nicol & Co.’s Worcester office, as a rare opportunity to buy a 200-year-old home of such calibre.

He said: “The Manse is a remarkable property that exudes timeless elegance and stands as a rich testament to the meticulous care which has been lavished on it over the past two centuries.”

He added that the five bedroom home, spread over an impressive 2,504 sq ft, is located in the serene village of Grimley, making it an enticing haven for those seeking tranquillity.

It is on the market with a guide price of £850,000.

On the ground floor, the entrance hall sets the tone for a captivating tour of the house, leading to an open plan kitchen/diner with adjacent utility and boot room. Further storage space is available in the cellar.

The cosy lounge has an inglenook fireplace and a second reception, which currently serves as a study, provides versatile space to suit modern needs in a historic setting.

The downstairs shower room provides modern comfort and convenience, especially after a dip in the heated outdoor pool.

The staircase leads to the first floor and a truly breathtaking principal bedroom which has picturesque views overlooking the swimming pool. The first floor also has two further double bedrooms and a well-appointed family bathroom.

The top floor offers magnificent views of Worcestershire and features two additional double bedrooms.

A separate double storey outhouse presents an exciting opportunity for renovation and could have a number of potential uses.

Outside, the mature and meticulously landscaped garden to the rear creates a serene oasis, with the sparkling heated swimming pool as a captivating centrepiece.

The property has off road parking for several vehicles, further demonstrating its credentials as a family home.

Dan added: “When you have made the most of the enchanting open fields just beyond the house, perfect for leisurely walks, there is also the family-run Camp House Inn just a stone’s throw away.”

Standard, superfast and ultra-fast broadband is available for flexible home working and live streaming of favourite shows when required.

You can view more details and photographs of The Manse here: https://www.nicolandco.co.uk/property/5-bedroom-property-for-sale-grimley-worcester-rps_nac-wos230391/

Alternatively, contact Mr Westwood at Nicol & Co’s Worcester office on 01905 676000 or at dan@nicolandco.co.uk.

Ends (410 words) 

For further media information or interviews, please call: 

Matt Nicol, Managing Director, Nicol & Co, 226 Worcester Road, Droitwich Spa, WR9 8AY

Tel: 01905 799072

Notes to Editors

Established in 2009, Nicol & Co is an award-winning estate agency offering advice on sales, lettings, new homes and land purchase. The company combines the latest in digital media with traditional high street courtesy and service to provide the perfect blend of old and new technology.

Prepared and issued by ASAP PR – 07990 978257.

The Lordship of the Manor of West Bromwich to go under the ‘ommer’

Bond Wolfe is offering the chance to bid for one of the oldest genuine English feudal titles which dates back to before the Norman Conquest in its next livestreamed auction on Thursday 14 September.

The Lordship of the Manor of West Bromwich will go under the hammer with a guide price of £20,000+*.

Famous citizens of West Bromwich who might be tempted into bidding include Frank Skinner, Robert Plant, Cat Deeley and Denise Lewis, plus most of Judas Priest!

Gurpreet Bassi, chief executive of Bond Wolfe, said: “This title predates the Norman invasion in 1066 and brings with it the right for the purchaser to style him or herself, The Lord or Lady of West Bromwich.

“It’s very rare for a title of this antiquity to come on the market, and we are expecting interest, not only in the UK but from around the world, from those proud of their West Bromwich roots.”

The motto on the Coat of Arms of the Lord of the Manor of West Bromwich is “Gaudet Tentamine Virtus” or “Strength rejoices in the challenge”.

As well as having the title of Lord or Lady, which may be recorded on the holder’s passport, the ownership of a Manorial Lordship may, in certain cases, bring with it enforceable rights including the right to claim what is known as the Waste of the Manor (land not claimed by others) and rights to mines and minerals and sporting or fishing rights.

England is almost unique in the world in still having legally valid Lordship titles which can be bought and sold.

The feudal system which such titles represent dates back over 1,000 years to the Saxon period and continued throughout the Middle Ages and up to the present day and, even though the law was modernised in 1922, such titles and many of the privileges they bring were preserved.

The Manor of West Bromwich came into existence in Saxon times and at the time of the Doomsday Book in 1086 was held by William Fitz Ansculf, the Lord of Dudley.

The Lords of Dudley continued to hold the Manor of West Bromwich until 1322 and by the 15th century it was held by the Vernon family and then by the Shelton and Jervoise families until it was bought by the 4th Earl of Dartmouth in 1823.

The Manor then remained in the hands of the Earls of Dartmouth until 1998 when it was sold by the present Earl to the current owner. The title is held freehold and without encumbrances. 

West Bromwich, not to be confused with Castle Bromwich, first appears as a tiny settlement in the 8th century when the area was known as “Bromwic” meaning a settlement in the broom. The open heathland in the area must have been covered in broom.West Bromwich was first mentioned as Bromwic (‘broom village’) in the Domesday Book of 1086. It is believed that it may have originally been part of the Handsworth parish. A Benedictine priory existed in West Bromwich from the 12th century around which the settlement of Broomwich Heath grew.

In 1727, the town became a stop on the coaching road between London and Shrewsbury and the beginning of its growth dates from this time.

Gurpreet Bassi added: “As they say in the Black Country, you’d have to be ‘saft as a biled taernip’ to miss the chance to proclaim your West Bromwich roots to the world and leave a legacy for your children!”

The Lordship of the Manor of West Bromwich is just one of scores of lots that are appearing in Bond Wolfe’s next auction, which will start at 9am on Thursday 14 September.

If you have a property you are considering selling, visit https://www.bondwolfe.com/free-property-appraisal/ email auctions@bondwolfe.com or call 0121 312 1212 or 01902 928 510 for advice or to arrange a free no obligation valuation.

Ends (641 words)

* Each property is subject to a reserve price which may be different from the guide price.  Please refer to the Important Information and legal pack(s) for further information and any additional fees which may apply.

For further information, please contact: 

Suzanne Randell, Operations Director,

Bond Wolfe, 1st Floor, 75/77 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2AP

0121 312 1212, SRandell@Bondwolfe.com

www.bondwolfe.com

Twitter – @BondWolfe

Editors’ notes:

Bond Wolfe, which celebrates 40 years in 2023, has a record breaking and award-winning team with over 500 years of combined property experience. Bond Wolfe is a multi-disciplined property business specialising in property auctions and property Agency. They sell all types of residential, commercial and mixed-use property, investments and land/development sites for private individuals and corporate clients. They will hold seven auctions in 2023, the remaining ones on 14 September, 26 October and 14 December, as well as offering online auctions, selling properties nationally across the UK.

Nine fully let flats on edge of Solihull available for £550,000 in Bond Wolfe auction  

A development of nine self-contained flats on the border of the prime residential town of Solihull is appearing in Bond Wolfe’s livestreamed auction next month.

The lot is made up of a pair of three-story, semi-detached houses which have been converted into the nine flats in communal grounds at 125 to 127 Oxford Road, Acocks Green in Birmingham.

The freehold investment property is currently bringing in rent of well over £62,000 per annum and will be going into the auction on Thursday 14 September with an attractive guide price* of £550,000+.

Jonathan Hackett, consultant director of Bond Wolfe, said: “We are expecting competitive bidding for this substantial development of flats in the popular suburb of Acocks Green, nestled up against Solihull.”

The accommodation at 125 Oxford Road starts with the Front Flat which has a vestibule, hall, reception room, kitchen, bedroom and shower room with toilet, rented out for £668.33 per calendar month.

125a Oxford Road has a ground floor side entrance to a communal hallway with cellar access and communal laundry facility.

Other flats include Flat 3, with a reception room, kitchen, bedroom and shower room with toilet, rented out for £567.10 per calendar month.

On the first floor is Flat 1, with a hall and store, reception room, kitchen, bedroom and shower room with toilet, rented out for £588.50 per calendar month.

Flat 4 is on the same floor and is made up of a bedsitting room/kitchen, with a shower room and toilet, rented out for £481.00 per calendar month.

Then on the second floor is Flat 2 with a hall, reception room/kitchen, bedroom and shower room with toilet, rented out for £513.60 per calendar month.

At 127 Oxford Road, the accommodation starts with the Front Flat, which has a vestibule, hall, reception room, kitchen, bedroom and shower room with toilet, rented out for £593.85 per calendar month.

127a Oxford Road is accessed from the side with a communal ground floor entrance, a hallway with cellar access and communal laundry facilities.

Flat 1 has a dining area, a reception room/kitchen with a spiral staircase leading to first floor bedroom, and a shower room with toilet, and this is rented out for £642 per calendar month.

On the first floor is Flat 2 which has a hall with store, reception room/kitchen, bedroom and shower room with toilet, rented out for £599.20 per calendar month.

Then on the second floor is Flat 3 with a hall, a reception room/kitchen, bedroom and shower room with toilet, rented out for £583.15pcm.

Each property is double glazed, with gas central heating via communal boilers in the cellar of each property, and mains smoke alarms with emergency lighting, plus communal grounds and parking spaces outside.

Mr Hackett added: “This is a well-thought out development with each flat let on an assured shorthold tenancy bringing in a total gross annual rent for the whole property of £62,840.76, which includes background heating and water rates.”

The Acocks Green property is just one of 180 lots that are appearing in Bond Wolfe’s next auction, which will start at 9am on Thursday 14 September.

If you have a property you are considering selling, visit https://www.bondwolfe.com/free-property-appraisal/ email auctions@bondwolfe.com or call 0121 312 1212 or 01902 928 510 for advice or to arrange a free no obligation valuation.

Ends (547 words)

* Each property is subject to a reserve price which may be different from the guide price.  Please refer to the Important Information and legal pack(s) for further information and any additional fees which may apply. 

For further information, please contact:

Suzanne Randell, Operations Director,

Bond Wolfe, 1st Floor, 75/77 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 2AP

0121 312 1212, SRandell@Bondwolfe.com

www.bondwolfe.com

Twitter – @BondWolfe

Editors’ notes:

Bond Wolfe, which celebrates 40 years in 2023, has a record breaking and award-winning team with over 500 years of combined property experience. Bond Wolfe is a multi-disciplined property business specialising in property auctions and property Agency. They sell all types of residential, commercial and mixed-use property, investments and land/development sites for private individuals and corporate clients. They will hold seven auctions in 2023, the remaining ones on 14 September, 26 October and 14 December, as well as offering online auctions, selling properties nationally across the UK.

Black Country engineers join Ladder campaign to recruit welding apprentices

Two engineering businesses are the latest to join the Ladder for the Black Country campaign as they look to recruit five new apprentices.

Lead training provider Performance Through People (PTP) is recruiting for four welding vacancies at European Heathyard Engineering in Brownhills, which supplies the nuclear power industry, and two more for kiln and furnace manufacturer Bricesco, based in Wednesbury.

To support the recruitment programme – and provide an opportunity for anyone local who is considering an apprenticeship in welding – PTP is running a six-week Route to Work programme at its engineering centre in Walsall.

Kevin Newell, the project manager at PTP Training working with the two companies, said: “There is a high demand for skilled welders in the Black Country but also for fabrication skills.

“This course will provide applicants with a grounding in both skill sets and follows consultation with both employers. We work closely with recruiting companies to ensure they can find recruits with the right attitudes and aptitudes.

“Here at PTP we are also ensuring that these new recruits will fill the needs of the engineering businesses we work with, as well as providing opportunities for applicants to launch themselves into new careers, learning skills while being paid a wage.

“Ensuring the right fit between company and recruit is vital to the success of any apprenticeship. For example, European Heathyard needs to find candidates with a particular approach, combining a positive attitude to persistence and precision.

“Welding in the nuclear industry is an especially delicate and accurate job – there are very narrow margins of error. As a result, the company has very particular needs when it comes to recruiting apprentices.

“Here at PTP we recognise these needs and have already helped recruit a previous apprentice at European Heathyard who is make excellent progress.”

Both Bricesco and European Heathyard are recruiting due to expansion, so both employers are providing an ideal opportunity for the right candidates.

Gill Durkin, business executive at PTP added: “Both businesses want to recruit apprentices who wish to learn new skills, be rewarded for a good day’s work and grow with them.”

The six-week welding course is fully funded for any West Midlands resident aged 19 years or over who is not in employment, education or training.

The course will provide English, maths and digital support where required, pre-employment training to give the applicant the best chance of securing the job, training in the principles of MIG & TIG welding, health and safety, crane handling, safe use of grinders and cutters, basic understanding of Computer Aided Design, understanding drawing and diagrams, measuring and marking out.

As part of the process both employers are offering hands-on work experience where the applicant can shadow experienced welders whilst being mentored in the workplace. Any interested parties should email apprenticeships@ladderforblackcountry.co.uk or call 01922 651100.

Ends (466 words)

For further information, please contact:

Gill Durkin, Business Executive

Tel: 01543 460050, mobile: 07734 814905

Email: gill.durkin@ptp-training.co.uk

Website: www.ptp-training.co.uk

PTP Training, Essex Terrace, In-Town, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 1SQ.

Prepared and issued by ASAP PR – 07990 978257.

Note to editors:

Performance Through People (PTP Training) is one of the leading providers of workplace training and apprenticeships in the West Midlands. PTP supports employers, individuals and communities offering local solutions with national coverage. It delivers apprenticeships, bespoke commercial courses and a range of government funded training programmes to suit the needs of our customers, whoever they may be.