A huge Plymouth factory building has been snapped up by the NHS to give it extra space and a training facility.
The University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust has taken a lease on th4 96,000sq ft building on Plymbridge Road, Estover, in the heart of Plymouth manufacturing area.
Originally built in 1967 for Gleason Works, the building was bought in 2010 by Underhill Engineering, which has recently moved to new premises in the Langage area of the city.
The transaction has taken the best part of two years to complete with the landlords undertaking a major refurbishment of the 1960s-built unit that included a complete external strip and reclad as well as internal redecoration throughout to ensure the long-term future and viability of the space for the NHS.
The building will provide greater flexibility and much needed additional space for the Derriford Hospital, being utilised as office accommodation, a training facility and warehousing with the potential to relocate some clinical support services in the future. The new lease commenced on the July 1.
Acting on behalf of one of his long standing clients, Mark Slade, of Bruton Knowles’ Plymouth office, facilitated the deal and said: “To see this 1960s-built unit transformed into what it is now has been a privilege to be a part of.
“A project such as this doesn’t come along that often, so to finally execute a deal of almost 100,000sq ft of space in the Plymouth area is something our office is very proud of.
“We cannot thank both our client and the University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust enough for their vision, belief and tenacity in getting this transaction completed.”
Michael Underhill, chairman of Underhill Engineering Ltd, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the project, Mark Slade at Bruton Knowles came to us with this occupier almost two years ago and to see it now come to fruition with a long-term lease is a truly great result, our sincerest thanks to the team at Bruton Knowles, Stephens and Scown Solicitors in Exeter, Bevan Brittan Solicitors in Bristol and University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust.”
Shaun Mann, senior category manager for estates and facilities at the NHS Trust said: “This facility provides a fantastic long term strategic solution to the NHS in the Plymouth area, we are grateful for the time and effort everyone has put in to bring this matter to a satisfactory conclusion.”
Set up in 1974, the Underhill Group has five divisions of which Underhill Engineering provides design, fabrication, welding, coatings and installation services, and structural, secondary and modular construction packages. The group employs up to 200 people.
