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 Business In Estover for over ?2 million, new lettings and uplifts at rent reviews and lease renewals make up the remainder. Estate Manager, Ian Le Grice said "We now only have 1,350 sq.ft of vacant space at Faraday Mill Business Park and 1,500 sq.ft at Brent Mill Business Park in South Brent.". "This is a familiar scenario across all the established Business Parks within our portflio and, with the continued strong level of enquiries, is a picture we hope to replicate soon on more recent acquisitions, such as Theatre Royal workshop which adjoins Faraday Mill Business Park". This strong letting market is not just being experienced within the Plymouth area, with London & Westcountry Estates Business Parks in Barnstaple and Falmouth fully occupied and the majority of their recent acquisition in Exeter, Centurion Mill Business Park, now let. With interest rates remaining low, there are a number of enquiries for freehold properties, but there is a severe shortage of such stock in the market leading to increased pressure on the units available to let, with strong evidence of rental uplift as a result.