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Business Hub Thrives On Portsmouth Waterfront

Published: 21st May 2013 11:33

WATERFRONT: From left, David Noble of antenna designer 2J UK, MYT events team Janine Lancaster, Eva Natcheva, Sally Holman (back), Harriet Clark (front) and Rachel Bradley, Harnish Patel of commercial property consultancy Hughes Ellard and Richard Saville, estates manager for landlord Premier Marinas, by The Slipway offices at Port Solent, Portsmouth. A thriving business hub overlooking one of the leading marinas in the South is close to calling full house.

Events management specialist MYT and antenna designer 2J UK are the latest firms to move into The Slipway at Port Solent, Portsmouth, with 24 of the 27 purpose-built, two-storey office units now let.

Hughes Ellard, the regional commercial property agency, acted in both upper-deck lettings for Premier Marinas, which owns and operates Port Solent.

Harnish Patel, a business space agent at Hughes Ellard, said: "The Slipway has become a thriving business hub in its own right for local firms seeking a profile location to facilitate regional and even international expansion. With the arrival of MYT and 2J UK, we are close to calling full house here."

Richard Saville, Premier Marinas' estates manager, said: "It's encouraging to see smaller firms doing well, given the strong economic headwinds of the past five years, and the many occupiers here at The Slipway appear to be bucking the trend. With just three units left, we anticipate 100% occupancy sooner rather than later."

With David Noble as design engineer and Steve Harris as sales director, 2J UK relocated from a small office in Portsmouth for expansion reasons. The firm designs antenna for upmarket cars and vessels, empowering navigation, radio communications and sound systems.

David said: "Whilst the bulk of our orders comes from the motor world, we are receiving increasing orders from the maritime sector - and our location just by the waterfront at Port Solent can only help with visibility and referral work."

Eight-strong MYT, led by managing director Janine Lancaster, moved from a converted barn at Chichester's marina due to growth and travel convenience.

Janine said: "More than 60% of our work, which centres on running hospitality events and employee recognition awards, is now overseas and we required larger space on the back of that, as well as a more central position for commuting.

"The ample parking here is also a big draw for staff and visitors - few offices along the M27, A3 (M) and A27 corridors offer this - along with sweeping views."

MYT's unit 20 is 66.5 sq m (715 sq ft), and 2J UK's unit 21/22 is 133 sq m (1,430 sq ft).

Hughes Ellard, joint agent with Lambert Smith Hampton, is offering flexible lease terms at a rent of £15 a sq ft, inclusive of rates, rent and service charge. Remaining units are up to 78 sq m (840 sq ft).

Port Solent, the third largest marina in England with 808 berths, is now home to a number of professional services, marketing and media firms, human resources specialists and a flourishing range of marine-related businesses.

On behalf of CBRE Investors, Hughes Ellard is also responsible for the lettings and asset management at The Broadwalk, Port Solent, with five restaurant lettings in the last three years, including Zizzi, Pizza Express and Chimichanga.