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31 July 2003
Sleaford pride
- areview
It is some 7 years since the Urbed Report
was published which identified the physical
and social problems that Sleaford as a town
was experiencing. The report identified the
need for a coordinated drive to bring about
regeneration in both the town centre and the
employment base of the town.
North Kesteven District Council acknowledged
the challenges laid down in the report and
created Sleaford Pride which was the coordinating
body for the various partners that were ultimately
to be involved to help bring about the dramatic
turnaround in the towns fortunes over the
past 7 years.
Hodgson Elkington & Co the Lincoln and
Newark based chartered surveyors who specialise
in commercial property consultancy and management
acted for a number of clients within the town
who were able to bring forward their sites
to assist in the regeneration process.
Now with Sleaford Pride coming to an end
Hodgson Elkington and Co say they can look
back with immense satisfaction at the opportunities
that they have been able to assist in bringing
forward.
Partner Sam Elkington said “a number
of key locations were identified where the
funds that were available from Central Government
and European Agencies could have been channelled.
The most significant funding came through
the partnership with Farming Investment Company
and North Kesteven District Council and others
to open up Sleaford Enterprise Park, the principal
employment area of the town. A new roundabout
was constructed and a new access road into
the site which has helped to create a number
of new businesses and established national
businesses locating onto the park. This priming
of the industrial land has not finished.2
“A further ten acres of land have been
sold to a variety of users and new buildings
will start to come out of the former Rugby
Club ground during the course of this year.,”
said Mr Elkington. Hodgson Elkington and Co
remain sole agents for the majority of this
land and a further 40 acres will be hopefully
becoming forward for development within the
next two years.
In the town centre there have been significant
developments within Navigation Yard which
Hodgson Elkington have been instrumental in
bringing forward. The principal activity of
Sleaford Pride has been centered around this
area and in conjunction with the owners A
Hatcher & Sons Ltd and North Kesteven
District Council, a diverse array of facilities
have been created. The first was the creation
of the office / workshop units known as the
Old Stable Block at the entrance into Navigation
Yard. This followed with the creation of Sleaford
College, a purpose built college for local
people which is now running at very high levels
of occupancy.
Following on has been the main Hub building
which has involved the extension and refurbishment
of the old four storey Grain Warehouse. This
building which has been funded by SRB money
will be the district council’s principal
attraction within the Navigation Yard area
and will include a number of activities from
outlying villages being centered on the town.
For example The Pea Room, Heckington. Close
to the Hub building is the second phase of
the managed workshops which are being constructed
and are due for completion later this summer.
All six units have been pre-let. “This
shows the demand and interest that the regeneration
of the area has created,” said Mr Elkington.
Following the improvement to the new one
way system within the town, Hodgson Elkington
& Co were able to acquire on behalf of
Nottingham Community Housing Association the
former goods yard building on the site adjacent
to Sleaford railway station. This is now being
developed for social housing. “This
is another example of the public and private
sector working together,” added Mr Elkington.
The involvement of Hodgson Elkington &
Co in these schemes has led to general consultancy
advice being given to North Kesteven District
Council as well as formal management roles
of the industrial stock of the district council.
“'in order to offer complete consultancy
advice to the district council on property
valuation, management and agency matters it
has been necessary to work closely with the
officers over a long period of time. It is
this continuity of commitment that has been
one of the key features that Hodgson Elkington
& Co have been able to offer,” said
Mr Elkington.
“The regeneration that has taken place
to date hascreated immense advantages for
the town with some 94% of retail space now
occupied in the town with a total of in excess
of £15 million invested in the Sleaford
over the last seven years. It is important
that the town does not look to rest on its
laurels and Hodgson Elkington & Co are
now looking at other opportunities which in
conjunction with district and county council
support initiatives will hopefully ensure
that the town continues to prosper,”
said Mr Hodgson
Further information:
Paul Croft
Croft Communications Ltd
Willingham House, Willingham-by-Stow, Gainsborough,
Lincolnshire, DN21 5JX
Tel: 01427 788319
Fax: 01427 788214
Email: info@croft-communications.co.uk
Issued on behalf of Hodgson Elkington & Co. by Croft Communications Ltd.
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