May 18, 2009
Highcross and Cantium Developments have let the first unit at their new Watermark Kent office park near Sittingbourne to Kent based C Watkins Plumbing.
Watkins has taken a 3,092 sq ft office building on a five-year lease at an initial rent of £6 per sq ft rising to £13.95 per sq ft. The building is one of 13 highly specified office units in the development’s first phase, Conqueror Court.
The move will enable the company to bring all of its regional operations together under one roof, with staff relocating to Sittingbourne from the head office, previously based in Ramsgate, and a branch office in south-east London. Operating across London and the Home Counties, Watkins provides plumbing and mechanical services to businesses working in the residential and commercial property sectors.
Managing director, Brad Harding said Watermark Kent’s accessible location was a key attraction: “The development is ideally situated for our needs, with good motorway access and a location convenient for our customers. We were very impressed with the building’s layout and the overall quality of the development and the process was made quicker and easier by Highcross’ hands-on approach.”
The 18-acre Watermark scheme includes four further planned development sites between 2 and 5.8 acres, which can accommodate a range of other commercial occupiers and uses. Planning permission has been secured to provide a mix of building type and style, including headquarters facilities from 10,000 sq ft – 90,000 sq ft, making it unique in the Kent marketplace.
The development has also been fully enabled and serviced, allowing Highcross and Cantium to provide fast track delivery of bespoke buildings to meet occupier requirements.
The first phase of Watermark Kent, Conqueror Court, has office space available from 1,210 sq ft for a single floor and from 2,527sq ft – 7,032 sq ft for self-contained units. Rents start from £140 a week for 1,210 sq ft.
Highcross director, Chris Mills adds: “Watkins’ decision to relocate to Watermark Kent reflects the development’s high quality office space and excellent location just two miles from the M2. These attributes, coupled with our affordable rents, are attracting positive interest from the regional business community, with further deals already in the pipeline.”
Agents for Watermark are Atisreal, Watson Day and Harrisons.
