The first two quarters in 2010 saw a significant improvement in the industrial and commercial transactional markets in Coventry and Warwickshire, with several notable deals.

1) Oak Tree Court, Binley, Coventry

Acting for A J Mucklow, D & P Holt introduced the Coventry Building Society to Oak Tree Court, a 30,000 sq ft office building, where a new 15-year lease was negotiated on behalf of Mucklow following the surrender of the two years remaining on the Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce Lease.

2) Unit H2 Prologis Park, Coventry

Acting on behalf of Prologis, D & P Holt advised on the letting to British Gas Industries, part of British Gas, of the new warehouse unit extending to 105,000 sq ft.

3) Severn Trent Office Centre, Coventry

Completion of the new 170,000 sq ft facility for Severn Trent is due in September 2010, which will see the centralisation of 6 office functions of Severn Trent into Coventry, employing some 2,000 personnel. D & P Holt advised Stoford Developments on this project.

4) Ansty Park, Coventry

The development of a new 130,000 sq ft Manufacturing Technology Centre has commenced which aims to provide step changes in manufacturing performance.

Plans are also at an advanced stage for the commencement of development for the new Research Centre for Tata, the holding company for JLR, for their new European wide development projects. David Holt says this is very encouraging news for Coventry and Warwickshire, and promises to deliver several thousand new jobs and attract other business investments to the City.

However, these exciting projects are now even more important given the ‘considerable’ economic uncertainty and political risks, not only in the UK but worldwide.

D & P Holt have benefited from an improved volume of commercial transactions across all sectors, however looking forward we are focused on the profitable growth of our business, but given the fragile state of the economy, our outlook remains cautious. The demand for freehold property both with vacant possession and for investment purposes remains positive, but there is strong resistance from companies taking on long leases for industrial and office premises. Flexibility remains key and most tenants or purchasers are retaining the services of consultants like D & P Holt to negotiate the best deals.

D & P Holt aim to drive revenue growth during the year and remain competitive.