Pictured above: Barn conversions at Packington Estate.

Some businesses seeking new office space are turning to opportunities outside the traditional purpose built office stock, reports Drivers Jonas.

The Birmingham office of Drivers Jonas has seen particularly high interest in what it's dubbing 'alternative' business park opportunities; locations which combine less conventional office space with swift transport links. 

One such development seeing increased demand is the Packington Estate in Meriden which offers commercial opportunities within the 4,500 acre historic rural estate. Offering businesses the opportunity to operate from offices and workshops located in converted Estate buildings including barns dating back to the early 1800's, the Estate has seen a rise in enquiries over the past few months, bucking the general fall in interest in many other types of schemes.

Philippa Pickavance of Drivers Jonas, Packington's letting agents on a number of the schemes commented: "We are increasingly finding that occupiers are recognising that barn conversions do not equate with 'remote' or 'lack of services'. These alternative opportunities allow businesses to secure a suite, often all on one level, with their own front door, good parking ratios and very attractive peaceful setting, yet with swift access to A45, M42 and M6. We have been pleasantly surprised in this difficult market that enquiry levels have been maintained and indeed have risen over the past couple of months with thirteen property viewings in July and August.

 "Alongside offering unique properties, the Packington Estate has also astutely recognised that occupiers are looking for shorter term leases and more flexible deals in the current market. This open approach to forging lasting tenant relationships has resulted in serious interest being generated with one barn of 1,300 sq ft let in August on a short term flexible basis at rent of £17.50 per sq ft  and a number of other barns currently under offer or in the process of having terms issued."  

The latest scheme to be undertaken on the Packington Estate is Park Farm Barns which will provide accommodation from 500 sq ft up to just over 1,000 sq ft all single storey accommodation with the exception of one, two storey, unit of 2,144 sq ft.  In total 7,170 sq ft of accommodation is to be provided arranged around an attractive landscape courtyard just minutes from the A45 and junction 4 of the M6. Two pre-lets at the speculative development should be announced shortly. The Estate has also just started a speculative workshop complex of nine units at Patrick Farm Barns in Hampton in Arden, which is generating particularly high interest.

Commenting on the popularity of the refurbished barns on the Estate, Nick Barlow, Estates Manager for Packington Estate Enterprises Limited said: "Our model for the conversion of many older buildings including traditional brick and tile barns commenced in the 1970's. However, the majority have been converted since the late 1980's and we now have over 75,000 sq ft in ten main schemes around the Estate in Meriden. Units range from as small as 300 sq ft up to 23,000 sq ft.  Rents have held up well and traditionally are just a little below those at Birmingham Business Park. 

"Our barns are converted to a high quality specification that present an attractive alternative to the normal business park. Externally they are constructed of brick with hand-made tile roofs and internally include some exposed brickworks and beams with a combination of open plan and cellular accommodation. The latest conversions will have eco friendly air to air heat pumps that will give combined heating and cooling facilities, ensuring occupiers benefit from the combination of a traditional location with the specification and technology required to run a 21st century business. "