Christian Mill Business Park is growing and going places - the latest development at the successful Crownhill site is the building of 12 new units. Michael and Diane Hockin founded London & Westcountry Estates, the Plymouth - based commerical landlords, in 1993 after identfying a need in the market for commercial units for small to medium-size businesses within the City. ...

One of the most difficult decisions to take when running a successful business is how and when to expand or grow. Is it best to invest in addtional staff, or equipment, larger / additional premises or all three? All of these steps involve significant commitment in terms of time and finances and always create doubts and concerns as to the best way to achieve the best result. ...

The commercial property market in the South West continues to be buoyant and Plymouth baased landlord London & Westcountry Estates recent acquisition of a portfolio of 11 Business Parks in Bridgwater should take advantage of this. The properties provide a range of sizes from small office suites that can be leased on a monthly basis through to a large warehouse trade counter...

London & Westcountry Estates, a commerical property management company has bought a portfolio of 11 industrial estates. The Bridgwater Industrial Portfolio was sold by Gresham Property Partners LP, which is managed by Schroder Real Estate Ventures Group. The acquired industrial estates are ll located in Bridgwater Somerset and comprise more than 100 individual units cover...

In January, Westcountry Business broke the news that London and Westcountry Estates (Lonwest) had spent almost £21 million on 11 retail parks in Bridgwater. Clearly not wanting to hang about, the company has now completed a smaller deal for a site right on its doostep in Plymouth. Lonwest has paid what it called 'a considerable sum' believed to be more then £1 million - to ...

London & Westcountry Estates Ltd, the Plymouth based commercial landlord which now owns some 20 Business Parks across the region is delighted with the sustained growth and demand for business units in Plymouth and still enquiries rise at an unprecendented level. Over the last year it has undertaken vast developments at three of its most recently purchased sites in Estover. ...

A former Calor Gas depot in Plymouth could be suitable for a variety of new uses. Subject to Planning consent, the site in Cattewater Road could be re-developed for retail, offices, leisure or trade counter uses. Set in a prominent location, the site totals around 0.6 acres with a showroom unit of 3,000 sq.ft. Agent Monk & Partners is offering the freehold of the propert...

Plymouth based commercial landlords, London & Westcountry Estates Ltd have found that business hasnt slowed as the Christmas break approaches. The large number of enquiries over the past few months have ked to a number of new occupiers. A recent letting includes MAG Shopfitting Ltd which have taken a new six year lease at Unit 6 Chantry Mill Business Park in Plympton for th...

Following London & Westcountry Estates recent decision to split 3,000 sq.ft of office space at Phoenix Mill Business Park in Estover, the first tenant has already taken occupation. Davcom Trading Limited which operates the website www.homesupply.co.uk and have taken a six year lease of one of the 750 sq.ft ground floor units. Estates Manager Ian Le Grice confirms that te...

For a quick and easy convenient shopping experience that meets all your needs for house and home, look no further than Faraday Mill Business Park. For a one stop shop that meets all your DIY needs, Faraday Mill is the best place to be. Variety is the spice of life and there's certainly a variety of shopping experiences awaiting you. Faraday Mill has always been a popular...

For a one a stop shop that meets all your DIY needs, look no further than Faraday Mill Business and Trade Park. Variety is the spice of life and there's certainly a variety of shopping experiences awaiting you. Faraday Mill Business Park has always been a popular shopping location and during the past two years Faraday Mill Trade Park has headed in the same direction, offeri...

Plans are being put in place for the future of two of London & Westcountry Estates recent acquisitions. Phoenix Mill Business Park in Estover currently has a 6,000 sq.ft trade counter / industrial unit available and a 3,000 sq.ft office suite. But the new owners are now marketing these units in a more flexible format by being able to create two 3,000 sq.ft industrial / tra...

Plymouth based commercial property landlords are delighted to have concluded the purchase of the Ex-Cooper Standard Automotive Factory on Estover Road, Estover, Plymouth. In total the property comprises over 84,000 sq.ft of production and office space in a highly prominent location opposite the Wrigley's factory. Group Operations Director James Hockin is delighted to have o...

The explosion of enquries for units at Faraday Mill Trade Park at the beginning of 2005 has led to a number of new occupiers. As a result, alongside existing occupiers such as Neil Bryant Interiors, Interframe and Arrital Cucine UK, the likes of Plymouth Auction Rooms, Big H Pet Food Warehouse and Central Heating and Plumbing Supplies can be found. Plymouth Battery Centre h...

In the first five months of 2005, Plymouth-based commercial property landlords, London & Westcountry Estates have managed to increase their annual rental income by more than ?300,000 reflecting the continuing buoyant market for small to medium-sized business premises. Although approximately half this figure has been acheived as a result of the acquisition of Phoenix Mill Bus...

Competitors from across the world have started arriving in Plymouth as the countdown begins to the spectacular trans-Atlantic yacht race. So far a total of eight competitiors from the UK, the US, France and Holland have arrived at the race village at Queen Anne's Battery in preparation for the Faraday Mill Original Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race (OSTAR) which starts on Su...

Commercial Landlord London & Westcountry Estates is delighted with the successful and thriving Christian Mill Business Park at Crownhill. The site, which was brought in 1997 for ?1.1 million, now totals 85,000 sq.ft. Although vacant for a period of 18 months, it has now undergone major redevelopment works. In 2003 work began to divide up the buildings to create business un...

Organisers of this year?s Ostar transatlantic yacht race have pulled off two major coups.
Not only will Sir Francis Chichester?s original yacht Gipsy Moth III ? which he used to win the first ever transatlantic race in 1960 ? be on the starting line, but the race will be officially started by Val Howells, the only surviving competitor from that year.
The 2800 mile ra...

An historic transatlantic race which sets off from a Westcountry port will be helping to raise funds for a special needs school which is aiming to raise ?1.8 million to improve its standard of care.
This year's Original Single-Handed Transatlantic Race - named The Faraday Mill OSTAR for short - starts from Plymouth on May 29 and ends in Newport, Rhode Island, USA.
The mas...

The official charity of this year's single-handed transatlantic race has been announced as the Dame Hannah Rogers School, in Ivybridge.
Race sponsors London & Westcountry Estates announced that the school, for young people with physical disabilities, will benefit from the high-profile race, which will set sail from Plymouth in May.
The school is currently fundraising to ...

Property developer Urban Splash has revealed it is working up ideas for the former Mount Wise naval base, as the bidding war for the 30-acre site begins to hot up.
Urban Splash is the latest firm to express an interest in the former Maritime Headquarters site, which contains the 18th century Admiralty House, offices, underground bunkers, tennis courts and a cricket pitch.

A Plymouth property firm wants to turn the former Mount Wise naval base into an, 'urban village' similar to Prince Charles's experimental Poundbury development in Dorset. Michael Hockin's Cattedown-based commercial property firm London and West Country Estates is planning a multi-million pound bid for the 30-acre former Royal Navy Maritime Headquarters site, vacated last August...

Property firm London and Westcountry Estates Ltd has appointed a new estates manager.
The Cattedown firm has appointed Ian Le Grice, who has relocated from Berkshire to Plymouth to take up the post.
Ian previously worked as a senior estates surveyor in a retail department where his role involved dealing with all aspects of managing an extensive portfolio of shopping cen...

Organisers of a single-handed trans-Atlantic yacht race starting from Plymouth in May have described interest from this country and overseas as 'phenomenal'.
So far 40 amateur sailors from seven countries, including France, Italy, Holland, Britain and the US, have signed up for the historic Royal Western Yacht Club's Original Single-Handed Transatlantic Race.
And the e...

EVENING Herald editor Alan Qualtrough has received a cheque for ?5,000 after completing his trek to the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro for the Give A Child A Chance appeal.
Alan was sponsored ?5,000 by Plymouth commercial landlord Michael Hockin of London & Westcountry Estates to complete the Sugar Mill Kilimanjaro Challenge.
During the trek in October, Alan was joined b...

THE Royal Western Yacht Club was both pleased and relieved last week when able to make the long-awaited, and much hoped for announcement that their new look Transatlantic race has found a title sponsor.
One of the Plymouth's leading businessmen Michael Hockin, who is the chairman of London and Westcountry Estates, has stepped forward with the funds to become the title spon...

THE raising of champagne glasses heralded the official launch of next year's single-handed transatlantic race.
The 12th Original Single Handed Transatlantic Race (STAR) for 2005 ~ which starts from Plymouth on May 29 next year - was kicked off in suitable fashion in front of more than 100 supporters at the Royal Western Yacht Club (RWYC).
Basil Butter, commodore of th...

IT'S never too early to start planning for Christmas, but gifts and turkey aren't the only things that need a bit of thought.
Have you considered making the most of the space you've got to avoid the usual gridlock round the buffet table? Or maybe your home gets turned into a veritable B&B over the festive season and you'd rather guests didn't have to fight for the spare ro...

LONDON and Westcountry Estates, which now owns 13 business parks in Devon and Cornwall, is delighted with the sustained growth and demand for business units in Plymouth, especially at Faraday Mill.
Faraday Mill Business Park has always been one of the group's most successful locations, presently being 100 per cent occupied, and it seems Faraday Mill Trade Park is heading i...

DEVELOPER Michael Hockin describes himself as a visionary, His wife and business partner Diane is inclined to agree but adds he is hopeless with money. It is their combined talents which have resulted in their company London & Westcountry Estates being the success it is today. In the last 21 years it has acquired a total of 13 Business Estates in Devon and Cornwall and has...