insideKENT Magazine Issue 45 - December 2015 | Page 163

BUSINESSNEWS

GRAVESEND BUSINESS RAISING
FUNDS FOR DEMELZA
CHILDREN’S HOSPICE

COMMERCIAL RENTS
ON THE RISE
UK businesses are predicted to face further financial pressures,
with commercial rents in the South East expected to rise by 3.2%
on average over the next 12 months, the Royal Institution of
Chartered Surveyors (RICS) warned in November.

Staff at Rudridge in Gravesend will be raising funds this Christmas
on behalf of the Sittingbourne-based children’s hospice, Demelza.
During the winter season, the team at the civil engineering and
groundwork material specialists, located on Mark Lane, will be
taking part in a range of different fundraising activities including
wearing Santa hats and selling cakes.

Demand for commercial properties continues to rise among both
renters and investors, with improvement continuing across the UK.
The survey reveals that 22% more respondents in the South East
had seen an increase in rental or occupier demand over the last
quarter across all sectors, with growth in demand for office and
industrial space much higher than for retail. However, 46% of
respondents believed supply of commercial property in the region
had decreased for the ninth consecutive quarter, helping to drive
up prices. This is generally consistent with the broader national
picture.

Charlotte Jones, new business & accounts executive at Demelza,
commented:
“Christmas is a time for making special memories. At Demelza we
aim to make the festive season as special as possible for the
children and their loved ones. We’re incredibly grateful to Rudridge
for their support.”

Commercial property values are expected to continue to rise relatively
strongly over the next twelve months. Retail property is projected
to remain the back-marker relative to office and industrial property
across all regions whilst in the South East 22% more respondents
have experienced a rise in foreign investment enquiries over the
last quarter – higher than much of the UK.

FURLEY PAGE CELEBRATES
OUTSTANDING RESULTS
Teams and individual lawyers at law firm Furley Page have achieved
an outstanding set of results in the annual rankings published by
the UK’s independent national legal guide, Chambers UK – with
one grateful client describing the firm as “my legal rock”.

FOLKESTONE COMPANY FIXED
FOR GROWTH

Ten lawyers have been personally ranked for their exceptional
services to clients, while Chambers UK has praised Furley Page
teams operating in nine specialised areas.

One of the country’s largest independent distributors of power
tools, hand tools, fixings and fasteners has been boosted by a
significant development capital investment.

The Corporate Team is identified as a real force in the market and
is ranked at the highest level for SME and owner-managed
business. Client comments include: “They always seem to cut
through the sea of detail to identify and fix the core issues efficiently”.

Kent-based Folkestone Fixings (“FFX”) has received backing from
funds managed by Foresight Group and both the existing and
incoming management teams. Specialist advice for the deal was
provided by law firm Cripps and Meta Corporate Finance (“Meta”).

The Dispute Resolution Team, described by the review as “highly
respected” and “a regional firm that really punches above its
weight,” is now ranked among the top national and regional
heavyweights in the South East, covering Kent, Surrey and Sussex.

Incoming managers, Patrick Ker and Tim Horrell had been looking
for a new business to invest in following the sale of their previous
venture, VJ Technology, which operated in a similar sector.

The Real Estate Team has an excellent reputation for advising
on commercial property services. “They are very responsive and
knowledgeable and they are good value for money for the great
service that you get” was one client’s verdict.

“We have been searching for some time to find the right sort of
business and have found it in FFX,” said Patrick Ker. “It is a really
well-run company, with a good reputation, well-known brand and
strong growth potential.”

Clients say that the firm’s Employment Team “gives reasoned
responses and always offer options regarding which course of
action you can take”.

FFX began trading in 2003 and has become one of the UK’s largest
independent suppliers of high-quality tools, fixings and building
supplies. The company, which has offices in Folkestone and Ashford,
as well as a significant online operation at www.ffx.co.uk, has a
reputation for the quality of its customer service, prices and products.

Senior partner and head of dispute resolution, Peter Hawkes, said
he was delighted to see that Furley Page continued to be regarded
as leaders in their field across so many sectors: “Our policy of
developing and strengthening our teams has helped to produce
these excellent results. We strive to provide our clients with the
highest quality service and we’re proud for this to be recognised
by Chambers UK.”

Tim Horrell added: “Our skills complement those of the existing
management team and together I am confident we will be able to
take FFX into new markets and product ranges that will make the
business even more successful and useful for our customers.”

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