New business centre launched at Kirkby Lonsdale (From The Westmorland Gazette)
When news happens, text KENEWS and your photos and videos to 80360. Or contact us by email or phone.
New business centre launched at Kirkby Lonsdale
1:34pm Tuesday 20th December 2011 in Business
Henry Armitage of the Underley estate, business centre manager Sarah Clegg and building co-ordinator Jeff Marnip
A £600,000 investment by Underley Estate has transformed former workshops into a new state-of-the-art business centre.
The Underley Business Centre at Kirkby Lonsdale — officially launched last week — offers five courtyard office units, ranging from 400 sq ft to more than 2,000 sq ft.
The development follows last year’s £250,000 investment by the estate to renovate Underley Grange.
Original features such as stonework, woodwork and per-iod windows have been pres-erved as part of the renovation, which is set around a landscaped courtyard.
Estate owner Phil Pease said: “We have created a significant quantity of versatile office space with ample car parking, situated in a peaceful rural setting.
“It offers the very best env-ironment to work in and yet is within walking distance of the centre of Kirkby Lonsdale.
“Rural offices are becoming ever more popular and we feel the workspace generated here will be a huge asset to both the estate and the local community.”
The buildings were formerly known as Underley Works and Home Farm buildings.
In their former incarnation they were the workshops for more than 100 tradesmen who were employed on the estate, from foresters to joiners. Part of the old blacksmith’s workshop has been re-used as an element in the renovation, which extends to 4,300 sq ft of ‘high-end’ office space, featuring integrated data cabling and air conditioning throughout.
Underley Estate says it has already received enquiries for the offices from businesses around Kirkby Lonsdale, Kendal and Lancaster.
The smaller premises are expected to attract start-up businesses and possibly regional and national firms wanting to open an office in the area.
The newly-restored Underley Grange, the Pease family’s former home, is now a nine-bedroom holiday home and conference venue, adding to the estate’s existing holiday cottage business.
“We are delighted with how well the house has been received and the mid-week conference facilities there are perfect for any new businesses moving into the new development, or indeed the area,” added Mr Pease.
