Walton Goodland prides itself in providing independent professional commercial property advice to individual owners and occupiers as well as small, medium and large business, public companies, financial institutions, pension funds, local government and related bodies. An essential element of which involves dissecting the latest changes and challenges to commercial property markets in order to offer the most up-to-date advice thereby ensuring our clients remain at a competitive advantage in business. This article touches on the latest regulations and legislation to affect the commercial property industry as well as some of the more specialist services Walton Goodland can offer.

New Investment Opportunity - 147 Botchergate, Carlisle

The buoyancy of the secondary commercial investment market continues in the face of the existing credit crunch. New to the market with Walton Goodland is a multi-let freehold investment opportunity at 147 Botchergate. The ground floor shop is let to Alzheimers Society for 12 years from May 2007, subject to periodic review, at £11,000 per annum. The tenant company recorded a turnover of £41.4m for the year end 2007. The 1st floor is currently let under licence on a 6 month term and is self-contained; the 2nd floor is vacant. The property has been refurbished throughout and the estimated rental value of the upper floors is £7,000 per annum. Alternatively this space could easily be converted to provide 2 x 1 bedroom flats, subject to planning. The property sits adjacent to a development site with consent for a mixed use scheme of retail shops and apartments.

13 Castle Street, Carlisle

The property comprises a freehold office investment occupied by an established regional law firm with offices in Newcastle and Teeside. Having attracted strong interest the property is now "Under Offer". Located within the 'Cathedral Quarter' of the City Centre the building is let to Crutes LLP for 10 years from December 2003 at a rent of £18,000 per annum with 5 yearly rent reviews. Offers of £245,000 are being sought. The property benefits from 5 car parking spaces, retail window frontage and disabled rear access. Stephen Sewell of Walton Goodland comments "Both investments represent attractive income with a good tenant covenant at an affordable price. We have accepted an offer in excess of the asking price on the Castle Street property following good initial demand and fully expect the Alzheimers unit to generate similar strong interest."

Profitable Newsagency Available for £1,000!!

Penningtons Newsagents business occupies a prominent corner location at the busy junction of Fusehill Street and Greystone Road close to Carlisle City Centre. Walton Goodland are offering a one-off opportunity to acquire the leasehold business for the nominal sum of £1,000 plus costs. The business has been trading profitably for in excess of 40 years and continues to do so today. The sale includes the business along with the fixtures and fittings with stock available separately at valuation. Interested parties are urgently requested to contact Walton Goodland.

The requirement for Energy Performance Certificates on all non-domestic dwellings when constructed, sold or leased by 1 October 2008 could severely impact upon the commercial property market. A lack of qualified people able to provide Energy Performance Certificates is a major concern within the industry. Walton Goodland is one of only a select few companies nationally having personnel qualified to Level 3 ABBE and BRE currently able to provide EPCs which are already required for non-domestic buildings exceeding 10,000 sq m.

Walton Goodland has been instructed in the letting of 26 Castle Street in Carlisle City Centre. The property is adjacent to Tullie House Museum and Carlisle Cathedral in what is an attractive historic area. The property is available as a whole or alternatively could be rented on a room by room basis. For further details please contact Walton Goodland.

Walton Goodland has recently completed the successful disposal of two investment properties in Carlisle and the surrounding area. This was achieved despite a widely publicised weakening of the national commercial property market in light of the recent credit crunch and on the back of two further successful investment sales of local landmark buildings at the end of 2007.

Michelangelos the long established and award-winning Carlisle restaurant (20 years!) is offered for sale following a record year of business. Comfortably seating 79 diners the restaurant offers contemporary Italian dining in classic surroundings close to the city centre, railway station and hotels.

Penrith Business Park is Fully Let

The final letting at the refurbished former stable block at Skirsgill Business Park adjacent to Junction 40 (M6/A66), Penrith has completed. The office development has been an amazing success due to its attractive surroundings, accessibility to major road networks and proximity to Penrith and the Lake District. In total over 8,000 sq ft of space has been let to multiple tenants during the course of the past 12 months.

An excellent retailing opportunity is offered to trade in the principal regional shopping centre destination by way of assignment of an existing 5 year lease at a fixed rent. Substantial ingoing incentives are available subject to status.

Walton Goodland have been active in the Penrith office market facilitating the demand for business space adjacent to the M6/A66 Corridor with good access, parking, rural outlook and proximity to the Lake District National Park.

New investment property for sale in central Carlisle comprising fully let freehold building with net annual income of £93,200.

Unbeknown to many, as of 6 April 2008 EPCs will be required for all new build and existing commercial property over 500 sq m (5,382 sq ft). All remaining commercial properties, i.e. under 500 sq m, must have an EPC by 1 October 2008. This article briefly explores the consequences.

Review of 95 Lowther Street, a rare opportunity to purchase freehold commercial shop premises adjacent to toni & Guy and The Lanes Shopping Centre in Carlisle City Centre. Update on new instructions included.

Walton Goodland increase their reputation as development consultants or major sites north and south of the Scottish border advising owners and occupiers.

The article examines the emergence of the Business Park as an alternative edge of town location to the more traditional city centre offices. Paying special attention to Parkhouse Business Park (Jct 44 m6/M74), the article compares Atlantic & Pacific House, developed by Stewart Williamson and managed by Walton Goodland, with city centre office space currently also being offered to let.