April 25, 2013
Highcross’ Lakeside North Harbour business park in Portsmouth is hitting the headlines, as it welcomes another major company – the city’s daily newspaper.
The News, which has been producing papers from its headquarters in Hilsea, at the northern end of Portsmouth since 1969, has taken 12,500 sq ft at the 1000 Lakeside office building on a fifteen-year lease.
The rigours of the last 43 years and the changing face of the business means that The News’ current premises are no longer fit for purpose and 1000 Lakeside, less than one mile away, is seen as ideal for the modern-thinking, multi-media publishing company.
The Johnston Press-owned title joins more than 70 other businesses located at the 100-acre park, including The Southern Co-operative, Market Makers, Babcock, Handelsbanken and Capita. The 1000 Lakeside building is now 88% occupied, with around 30,000 sq ft in new lettings agreed since the beginning of the year.
Karl Dimmock, managing director of Johnston Press South said: ‘”This is an exciting move for everybody associated with The News. Within the last six months we have relaunched the newspaper, launched The News as a tablet app on Apple and Android and redesigned our website. As a dynamic, forward-thinking business we want to be working within a dynamic, forward-thinking office environment – and that is what 1000 Lakeside provides.”
The News will have a ground floor presence at 1000 Lakeside through a front counter and shop service for its readers and customers, while all editorial, advertising, newspaper sales, finance and IT support teams will be based on the third floor. The printing press, which produces a number of Johnston Press titles from across England as well as Local World newspapers, will remain on the current Hilsea site.
Nick Turner, asset management director at Highcross, added: “We are delighted by The News’ decision to move its operations to 1000 Lakeside. The paper plays an important role in the city’s business community and its new location at the heart of Lakeside North Harbour reflects the success and attractions of the business park and adds another dimension to the breadth of companies already located here.”
1000 Lakeside is located on the Lakeside North Harbour business park, adjacent to Junction 12 of the M27. It provides high specification office space and wide-ranging facilities including a cafe, meeting rooms, spectacular atrium, extensive car parking and complementary shuttle bus service.
Highcross’ plans for the business park ultimately comprise a total of around one million sq ft of new development, including office buildings alongside the lake, as well as a range of further facilities for businesses. The new retail and lifestyle hub in the park’s Central Square is already almost fully occupied, with The Southern Co-operative, Starbucks, dry cleaners and a hair salon now open.
Agents for Highcross at Lakeside North Harbour are Vail Williams and Hughes Ellard.
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