THOUGHT

44
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
National retailer finds
Church Stretton home
Up to 10 new jobs will
be created in Church
Stretton when a
national retailer moves into
the town.
The former Scrappies recycling store in
Lutwyche Court, Lutwyche Road, has been
let to The Original Factory Shop, which has
220 stores around the country.
The 6,085 sq ft building, has been let
on behalf of Church Stretton Consolidated
Charities by Halls.
Mark Dodington, acquisitions manager
for The Original Factory Shop, said the
company would be making a significant
investment to refurbish the building before
opening in either February or March.
“We will be employing in the region of
six to 10 people,” he added.
“Church Stretton has everything that we
want, which is a good mix of independent
shops and a good, solid food store.
“We are a multi merchandise retailer
which offers very good value to customers
and we would like to find a lot more sites
like Church Stretton but that’s quite a
challenge. Expansion is a priority for the
company and we will consider any good
opportunity to open new stores in small
market towns in the next financial year.”
The Original Factory Shop’s nearest
store to Church Stretton is in Leominster.
The former Scrappies recycling store in Church Stretton will be The Original Factory Shop
Paul Stephens, chairman of Church
Stretton Consolidated Charities, is delighted
that James Evans from Halls Commercial,
who lives in the town, has managed to
attract a national retailer.
“We are very pleased that a national
company is taking the building in one
lease and this will help us to reinvest in the
community over many years,” he said. “This
was a good deal for everyone and every
part worked together.
“Scrappies has moved to smaller
premises in the town which has given them
an opportunity to readjust and the charity
is now in a good position and James has
found us a national retailer to move in.
Hopefully, The Original Factory Shop will
attract more visitors to Church Stretton.”
Mr Evans said the letting of the building
was “great news” for Church Stretton and
was one of a series of deals that Halls
Commercial was hoping to complete during
what promised to be a record December for
the Shrewsbury-based company.
Church is set to get a different use
New life is set to be breathed into a
Grade Two listed former Shrewsbury church
which is up for sale for £300,000.
Commercial agents Halls say The
Congregational Church, Coton Hill, is
suitable for a variety of alternative uses,
subject to planning consent. Existing
planning consent allows retail use.
The deconsecrated church extends
to 5,953 square feet – 3,724 sq ft on the
ground floor and 2,228 sq ft on the first floor
– and comes with eight car parking spaces.
Built in 1909, the brick church served
one of the suburbs of Shrewsbury and
incorporates significant stone detailing with
an Italianate style clock tower.
Meanwhile, in another Halls deal, a
three-in-one business between Shrewsbury
and Welshpool comprising a village
convenience store, off license and Post
Office has come onto the market for
£50,000.
The store has a sales area of 562 sq ft
with a rear stores and welfare facilities. The
property is fitted out as a post office and
convenience stores and is served by a large
car park.
Current owner Harry Blugher says
he’s looking for a buyer who will continue
Halls say The Congregational Church, Coton Hill, is suitable for a variety of alternative uses
to grow the business at Halfway House
Stores, Halfway House, which has been
open six days a week from 7.30am to 7pm.
Mr Blugher, who will continue his
ownership of the adjoining Tony’s Diner, is
selling Halfway House Stores to investigate
another business opportunity.
He said extending the front of the
store, doubling the stock and the customer
friendly opening hours had contributed to the
growth of the business.
“The extension has enabled us to
keep more stock in the shop and it now
looks more like a convenience store that
customers take seriously,” he added.
“I want a buyer who is going to take
the shop forward and who pays the rent on
time.”
COMMERCIAL PROPERTY
Story time just got interesting
A
new
children’s
book shop,
with a café
and basement
events rooms for
storytelling and
parties, has opened
in Shrewsbury town
centre.
Button and Bear, in Thornes
Hall, Castle Street, is a family
enterprise run by Louise and
Jon Chadwick and their four
daughters, Emma, Becky, Lucy
and Ellie. They also employ four
part-time staff.
The shop has a small
activities area for parents and
children who want a break from
shopping, while downstairs there
is a woodland themed room for
storytimes, rhymes and special
events.
Button and Bear leased the
shop, which has a sales area of
895 sq f t and a lower basement
area of 698 sq ft, through
commercial agents Halls’
Shrewsbury office. The shop was
marketed with a rent of £18,000
a year.
Louise, a former director
of programmes for the Book
The woodland themed room in the basement of Button and Bear
Trust for nine years, gave up the
London-based post two years
ago to study for a degree in
occupational psychology at the
University of Wolverhampton.
“It’s a complete change of
pace to my previous work with
the Book Trust, but I love it,” said
Louise.
“The challenge of something
new is great and our shop is
in a great location with a lot of
footfall.
“The growth area in books is
the children’s market with a focus
on picture books and highly
illustrated books.
“Despite the rise in e-book,
parents are still keen to buy
physical books for their children
to read.
• In another deal marketed
by Halls, a personal fitness
business based in Halesfield,
Telford, has celebrated its first
birthday by opening its second
studio in Shrewsbury as part of a
five-year drive to expand into 150
locations nationwide.
HITZone owners Stuart Cain
and Jodi Ambrose are working
closely with licensee Christine
Heath to establish the new studio
at Sweetlake Business Park, in
Longden Road.
Christine has let the 1,614
square foot, end of terrace,
single storey unit.
It has designated car parking
spaces, and Christine says
she is hoping to initially build
membership to 50.
45
Telecoms
company
relocates
A telecoms firm is
targeting a record year of
growth after relocating to
new offices in the heart of
Oswestry’s business district.
Ocean Telecom has
moved to a 1,700 sq ft office
on Mile Oak Industrial Estate
as part of an expansion drive
that is targeting more than
£1.8 million in contracts by the
end of 2017.
The company, a provider
of business mobile, landline,
broadband and hosting, has
a 12-strong team of sales,
technical and administration
staff at its new premises.
Ocean Telecom has
enjoyed huge growth since it
was founded in 1997 and now
looks after big-name north
Shropshire clients including
Pentons Haulage, Fullwood,
The Orthopaedic Hospital,
The Fort and Hawk Group.
Jeremy Rose, managing
director of Ocean Telecom,
said: “This is a great move for
our business and gives us the
independence and space to
grow.”
Office space available in Shropshire's most desirable
business park, surrounded by historic woodland but
minutes from Shrewsbury and the M54.
With high-speed fibre-optic broadband included and
an on-site landlord, enjoy the finest working
environment in the county - and the best commute.
Sansaw Business Park
01939 211100 info@sansaw.co.uk