Park News
Business Weekly - 26 April 07
THE MANSION HOUSE AT CHESTERFORD
– A VARI-LEASE SOLUTION TO SMALL OFFICE SPACE
Chesterford Research Park, South of Cambridge, is offering smaller office space in it elegant Mansion House building on Vari-Lease terms suited to the needs of new and developing business.
Churchmanor Estates Plc and Morley Fund Management, joint developers of Chesterford Research Park, have launched a new Vari-Lease package, which gives incoming Mansion suite tenants the opportunity to take a one year contract or a longer lease with break options every six months after the first year in occupation.
Smaller office suites on Vari-Leases are available in unit sizes range in 342 sq ft to 1,869 sq ft, although these can be combined to form larger suites to suit individual requirements, with rent inclusive of heat, light, power, rates etc with only own telephone and data costs in addition.
This arrangement offers companies the most variable, cost-effective and risk-free way to move into office suites, without the need to commit to long term conventional leases.
Martin Sylvester, Director of The Churchmanor Estates Company plc, commented on the announcement: “Especially new, start-up businesses or those seeking a Regional presence, can have a need to be flexible in their business planning, the Vari-Lease package is designed to meet this need for flexibility.”
The Mansion House was originally built in the late 19th century, Churchmanor and Morley decided earlier this year that given its dominant position at the heart of the Park and the number and varying size of its individual rooms, it would be ideal to meet demand from start up or associated companies drawn from both the scientific and business communities.
The success of the Mansion House is evidenced by three businesses moving in since its completion. Cambridge Healthcare & Biotech, strategic advisors to biotech, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies in Europe and the US, is the latest occupier to join Cellcentric and Medivir at the Mansion House.
Tenants at The Mansion House benefit from the unrivalled facilities provided at Chesterford Research Park, including the gymnasium, health suite, 7-hole par three golf course, shop, restaurant, chauffeur driven transport, coffee and social bar.
As well as the opportunity to be part of a scientific & business community that includes some of the top names in the international bioscience industry, occupiers benefit from high quality on-site management and security provision.
The Park which is set in open parkland offers a secure and relaxed working environment as well as excellent communications to London, Cambridge and to Stansted Airport. The range and flexibility of space on offer makes the Park an ideal environment for both start-up and established businesses, with over 65,000 sq ft of new accommodation under construction with planning permission for further development of 76,000 sq ft leading to the planned park size of 600,000 sq ft.
Developers Churchmanor Estates Plc and Morley Fund Management have spent a considerable amount of time creating the right environment for tenants at the Park, with state-of-the-art facilities and a hub for networking opportunity, the latest has seen life with the opening in 2005 of the Nucleus - a facility designed with the vision to enable interaction and creativity between internal and external audiences and enrich their work experience - holds many event, conferences and meetings, offering a full range of facilities, it has a capacity which can cater up to 150 people.
The Park has lately be driving forward a number of new initiatives, attracting the industry’s movers and shakers to debate topical issues which are vital to bioscience industry’s future.
Today (Thursday 26th April), starting at 5pm, The Park is set to play host to a major bioscience industry forum for the South Cambridge Biotech Cluster at the Nucleus. Jointly hosted by Chesterford Research Park and the BioIndustry Association (BIA), the event will provide an update on and insight into central government policy towards the bioscience sector. The event – designed to be the first of many – has attracted leading industry speakers, including Sam Myers, Head of Biotechnology at the DTI, Laura Gilbert, Public Affairs Director of the BIA, and Martyn Postle, Chairman of Cambridge Healthcare and Biotech. Speakers will also provide an overview of the role of the Office of Science and Innovation and the BIA, aimed at driving the political and news agenda on bioscience. Further details about the event can be provided by calling The Park on 01799 532 252.
