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Yesterday Horsham District Council resolved to grant planning permission for Harwoods Group to relocate their Bentley and Landrover dealerships from Pulborough and their Jaguar dealership from Chichester, onto a new 12 acres site they have acquired from Chichester College. The new development will also house new head quarter offices for the Group. In all there will be approximately 9,600 sqm of new buildings and extensive landscaping with parking for over 700 vehicles. The existing educational links with the College will be strengthened through apprenticeships, learning opportunities and other training. Medhursts acted for Chichester College to agree the sale and supported in the planning process which included the adjoining 16 acre site which was also given outline consent for B1/B2 & B8 development. 

Unit 2 at the Pulsar Business Centre at Ellis Square in Selsey has been taken by Bunzl (UK) Ltd. Bunzl took  over local company WK Thomas about 2 years ago. The business supplies consumables (plastic cutlery etc) to the catering and airline induistries. Bunzl's second unit on the estate will be used to accommodate stock from another recent company acquisition, which secures the jobs in Selsey and is great news for the local economy. 

It is often said that there are 'so many' empty shops in Chichester. But there is a reason shops appear 'empty' for so long.

Following closely on the heels of the acquistion of 2 West Street for tenant Bailey's Artisan Gelato, we have just acted for the private landlord this time to complete a new lease on 13 East Street. This was previously Thorntons choclates, whose lease had expired.

Australian children's stationery shop Smiggle have signed up for a new 10 year lease. This very fast growing brand will breath fresh life into the Grade II Listed building. But Chichester's strict planning policy resulted in the need for 3 planning applications for refurbishment works, Listed Building Consent and Advertising permission for new signs. Hence why shops look to be 'empty' for so long!

We were exceptionally delighted to assist in the letting of Unit 19 at the City Business centre in Basin Road Chichjester. This was because of the incredibly frustrating approach taken by Chichester District Council's planning officers to the change of use from Class B1(business) to A1 (retail) necessary for a small barbers to open. The relatively insignificant change in the use created an unheralded amount of issues, costs and delays for what was a very small business unit. Nevertheless with some expert guidance, common sense prevailed and permission was granted! The new tenant Simon Seacombe and the private landlord are both very happy.