Lawson Commercial partner Chris Lawson has recently been elected as President of Uckfield Chamber of Commerce, a position he last held back in 1991, 1994 and 1996.

Commercial agent and surveyor Chris, who has been in the property business for 44 years and commercial property for 40 years, is this year celebrating 30 years of running his own business. In the 1990s times were very different for businesses with the big Recession in progress and before the days of the Internet and emails.

The Chamber is today a lively bustling group of just under 200 members and extremely active in the local community. Uckfield businesses in the 21st Century have different pressures to those back in the 1990s. However Chris passionately believes that a strong business voice continues to be very important if Uckfield is to further prosper and grow particularly with the restricted planning policies in place which are curtailing not only residential but also commercial development.  The Chamber, he says, needs to work hard to persuade those setting policies that they need to adopt a more flexible attitude. The Chamber also needs to maintain support for our High Street where the march of online retailing continues to have a major impact throughout the UK.

The Chamber has good team of 10 plus on its Executive Committee and Chris is ably supported by  Vice Presidents Gary King of Uckfield FM and Angela O’Neill of Uckfield Matters.

Chris talked on Uckfield FM earlier this week about the Chamber and his new role and you can listen to his interview:

Carpet retailer Sebastian Bishop, who trades as Fluffy Side Up and is known locally as Mr Fluffy, is opening a shop in Uckfield High Street.

His famous sheep used to spend may happy hours attracting attention on the turf outside his former premises in Bell Lane and are now going to be based in the High Street where they will be welcoming all customers. In the better weather they may indeed make an appearance in front of the shop no doubt looking to see what they can filch to eat from customers sitting outside Hartfields next door.

We are delighted to have attracted Mr Fluffy and his sheep from their warehouse at Squires Farm to 75 High Street, the former Cuckoo Wine Bar premises. Fitting out is in progress and Fluffy Side Up hopes to be open for business in the next few days.

The sheep have been a very successful part of the marketing strategy for Fluffy Side Up and will, along with Sebastian,  greatly add to the attractiveness of “Town Square”.

Uckfield based Gunnebo Entrance Controls Systems hope to move from the Bellbrook Business Park into their new headquarters building nearing completion at the Ashdown Business Park in Maresfield in April.

The building is at an advanced stage of construction with the internal fit out moving ahead quickly. Our partner Chris Lawson, who was heavily involved in getting Gunnebo onto the Ashdown Business Park, had the opportunity of going round the building recently and found it most impressive.

Part of the design involves a technology suite for demonstrating innovative designs as well as offices and a more conventional industrial area for storage and manufacturing plus research & development.

Gunnebo are joining John Lewis on this prestigious new development. Contracts have just been exchanged on the adjoining two plots, subject to a planning variation, for another new hi-tech building

To encourage an early sale the price of a 70 seater restaurant business in the High Street at Seaford has been reduced.

This spacious well fitted restaurant is just under 1,900 sq ft overall. There is a very useful bar plus additional seating area at the front.

This leads through to a delightfully fitted out main restaurant area with seating for 70 plus.

It has traded as an Indian restaurant for some 10 years but it would be suitable for a wide variety of other styles of cuisine.

The property is held on a long lease from January 2007 at a very competitive rent of £23,000 per annum. The lease and business is now available for £120,000 and offers will be considered from seriously interested parties.

We have available a great opportunity to obtain a thriving hair salon right in the heart of the High Street in Uckfield between Coles Menswear and Millets. The central free shoppers car park is close by. The salon benefits from a prominent display window.

The premises are well fitted with 3 cutting points on the ground floor plus a 1st floor salon area with 2 basins and 3 backwashers. There are air conditioning units on both floors and the salon is extremely energy efficient with solar panels on the roof.

The business is long established and the premises are available on a new 5 year lease at a rent of £12,000 per annum. Offers are sought in the region of £35,000 for the business plus fixtures & fittings.

Lawson Commercial now have available a retail investment which comprises a compact property in Heathfield High Street that currently trades as an indian takeaway with residential accommodation above

The lease is not due to expire until 2023 and there are no break clauses. The rent is currently £12,000 pa with some scope for growth. Offers are being sought in the region of £150,000 subject to the existing lease so suitable for the smaller investor and showing a return around 8%.

Lawson Commercial have just been instructed to market an end-of-terrace modern industrial unit at the Potts Marsh Estate in Pevensey previously used for motor trade.

This is a good spacious unit of 1,525 sq ft on the ground floor including a reception area and cloakroom. There is also a very good useful mezzanine storage above of 844 sq ft, which has recently been re-floored.

With an overall area of just under 2,400 sq ft overall this unit is in very good order throughout with new uPVC double glazed windows and door to the front and new LED lighting. The unit is available on a new lease at £14,000 pa. and viewing is strongly recommended.

Lawson Commercial have just been instructed to market the former Carpetright retail warehouse in Bell Lane, Uckfield.

The property comprises two interconnecting units offering just over 8,000 sq ft of retail warehouse space close to the Tesco roundabout and just yards away from Halfords, Topps Tiles, Pennells Carpets and Howdens Joinery.

This is a first class opportunity for someone to get representation very close to the town centre and with better than average car parking as there is a wide tarmac area to the front.

The property is being refurbished and will be available on a new 15 year lease at a rent of £82,500 pa.

To encourage an early letting of the shop with flat at 2 Church Street Uckfield, we have been instructed to reduce the asking rent to £9,000 pa.

This attractive compact shop lies only a few yards from the High Street. With a sales area of some 200 sq ft it is ideal for someone who doesn’t need a large retail space such as someone dealing in collectables.

Above the shop is a 1-bedroomed flat, which extends over the top of the adjoining property, comprising sitting room, shower room & kitchen on the 1st floor with attic bedroom. This property needs redecorating but the Landlords will consider a rent free period to assist with an early occupation.

The property is available on a new 5 year lease and now at a rent which equates to just £750 per month for both the shop and flat.

We now have available freehold a substantial, modern factory/warehouse premises with yard in Diplocks Way in Hailsham.

The premises comprise a 2-storey brick office building at the front with factory/warehouse to the rear. There are good quality, well maintained offices of approximately 1,800 sq ft.

The overall factory area, including some ground floor office and staff accommodation plus a small mezzanine, is approximately10,500 sq ft with twin loading access to a part covered loading bay.

There is also a useful yard of some 6,000 sq ft. Overall the property offers 12,330 sq ft . Offers are invited for the freehold in the region of £1,250,000.