Fears over listed building eight months after blaze

FEARS have been raised over the future of an endangered listed building, the former officers’ mess at the old Shoebury Garrison.

The building, which has been empty for years, was damaged by arsonists in August last year.

Brian Sandford, secretary of conservation group the Shoebury Society, said developers Country and Metropolitan Homes (formerly called Gladedale Homes), which bought the site from the Ministry of Defence, had ignored his requests to find out what was happening with the building.

He told the group’s latest meeting: “Many months have passed since firebugs badly damaged this lovely old building, but still nothing is being done to it.

“There are more listed buildings in Shoebury than in Southend, some in the old garrison lands. I have simply had no replies to my inquiries about the officers’ mess.”

Josie Saunders, spokeswoman for Country and Metropolitan Homes, said: “Since the unfortunate fire at the former officers’ mess last year, we have had structural survey work carried out and the building has now been stabilised.

“Architects have been appointed to look at how we can bring the property back to its original condition and this work is still ongoing

Caffé Nero takes unit in Southend.

Specialist retail consultancy Smith Price has advised Nero Holdings Ltd (t/a Caffé Nero) on the latest acquisition in its continuing expansion programme, a prominently positioned character property in the seaside town of Southend-on-Sea.

The property is located in a prime corner plot of the busy pedestrianised High Street (143 High Street) and has an abundance of character to create the perfect continental coffee house experience.

The company has acquired the 3,773 sq ft premises by way of an underlease for a term until 30th July 2020 at a commencing rental of £70,000 p.a. excl. subject to a first review with effect July 2015. Nero Holdings Ltd received a rent-free period on occupation.

Smith Price represented Caffé Nero and GCW represented the head tenant, Southern Amusements.

John Mortimer, Head of Agency Team at Smith Price said: "This acquisition takes advantage of a rare opportunity to acquire this well positioned period building and follows a number of store completions we have undertaken on behalf of our long standing client Café Nero in East Anglia, where we are the firm's retained agency."

Essex property investment ready for take off as airport prepares to expand

Property investors with holiday homes or rental accommodation in Essex were given an Olympic boost recently following news that plans have been approved to extend the runway at Southend Airport. The proposed improvements at the airport will also assist in the regeneration of the area which in turn will increase the value of property investments. The Stobart Group, which owns Southend airport, says the expansion plans will be finished well before the start of the London Olympic Games in 2012 and they estimate close to two million people will be using the facility by 2020. Building work on a new railway station linking the area with the centre of London has already started and is due to open this summer which will increase the rental opportunities for buy to let landlords and property investors. Plus, the journey from Southend to the main Olympics Park at Stratford in East London, will only take 40 minutes making the area an attractive place for visitors to rent during the 2012 games. Alastair Welch, MD of Southend Airport said: “We are incredibly pleased that the project can finally and fully get underway. The approval will see a 300m south west extension to the runway. Works will now get underway as soon as possible to meet the target completion date in 2011. “It is not just about the convenience of a local airport serving popular destinations, it is about the regeneration that this will bring to the wider Southend-on-Sea area, with the potential to enable many thousands of additional jobs over the next 10 years. “This development will make a significant contribution to increasing the attractiveness and prosperity of the South Essex area for businesses, which experts believe will have a positive effect on house and commercial property prices.” The final go head for the plans was given by John Denham, the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.