On Monday 24th October the Office was closed to allow us to all attend the memorial service in Hove of our former and valued colleague Garry Peltzer Dunn who died recently and unexpectedly after a short illness.

Chris first met Garry in the 1970s, over 50 years ago, when he was starting out in estate agency and Garry was already a chartered surveyor. They both worked for a variety of firms in the Brighton & Hove area at that time although not together but socialised through the Young Conservatives. Garry set up his own firm for a while before leaving and working in London.

In the late 1980s Chris set up Lawson Commercial and shortly thereafter Garry returned to Hove as an independent surveyor. He joined Chris in the Firm’s first office in Brighton as a consultant chartered surveyor dealing with all aspects of the professional work including surveys, rent reviews and lease renewals whilst keeping up his own independent practice. He followed the Firm when it moved initially to Hove and when it ultimately moved to Uckfield continued to regularly come into the Office.

As the Firm expanded Garry mentored new surveyors who joined the Firm and assisted in the Professional Department. Even after he retired he still visited the Office once a fortnight to assist with management matters and was always happy to discuss a difficult valuation or rent review. His long experience and knowledge was invaluable. He was also a great favourite of the Canine Team over the years.

Partners Chris & Julia enjoyed a close personal relationship with Garry and his wife Chip over the years and they often went on holiday together to France and latterly to Yorkshire and Northumberland. The week before Garry was taken ill the four of them went on a day Trip to Calais, with Garry & Chris tucking into their favourite Assiette de Fruits de Mer. That was the last time we saw him.

Garry was instrumental in the success of the Firm not just as a surveyor but as a mentor and friend, always there to lend an ear and give advice. We thank him for his support and encouragement during that period and will miss his experience and humour hugely.

On Wednesday 23rd Nov 2022 the Friends of Sussex Hospices have their Christmas Gift Fair which this year is being held at the East Sussex National Hotel in Uckfield.

Lawson Commercial have been long term supporters of Friends of Sussex Hospices a charity run entirely by volunteers which has supported the work of all 13 hospices in the area and has raised over £3.25 million since 1995. Every penny raised goes to the hospices. Our partner Chris Lawson has recently been appointed Chairman of Fund Raising & Management of this very worthy organisation.

This is a great opportunity to start your Christmas shopping. 36 stallholders are offering a huge variety of goods including fashion, jewellery, accessories, food & drink, home & gifts. Something for everyone.

This is a really worthwhile organisation to support. Book tickets online and get a reduction on the ticket price. Visit friendsofsussexhospices.org.uk.

Lawson Commercial have been instructed to find a tenant for the former dry cleaners in the heart of Forest Row comprising a lockup shop with basement.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone to acquire these premises and run their own dry cleaning business as there are currently no dry cleaners in Forest Row and it is a much needed service. Alternatively the premises lend themselves to another form of retail use.
The premises include an attractive lockup shop of some 559 sq ft of trading area with basement storage of 236 sq ft. and is available on a new 5 year lease at a rent of £13,000 pa.

New to the market in Herstmonceux is the Old Bakery, an industrial building with development potential.

Located right in the heart of Herstmonceux, almost directly opposite the Sundial Restaurant, the Old Bakery is a former engineering works and thus ideal for someone in the motor trade. Comprising some 2,000 sq ft on 2 floors, planning consent has been granted for conversion to two residential units, one ground floor unit with 3 beds and a 1st floor unit with one bed. Plans are available.

The property would suit either a developer of an owner occupier. and is available freehold for £295,000.