Farnborough: New lettings at IQ

IQ Farnborough, SEGRO’s urban mixed-use business environment, has carried the momentum of last year into 2008 with a number of new lettings.

The first of the deals is at 200 Fowler Avenue, where The Royal Bank of Scotland's Commercial Banking team has taken a new lease on some 4,750 sq ft of office space.

The Royal Bank of Scotland's Commercial Banking team works with businesses with an annual turnover between £1-25 million. The team works alongside its business partners to provide various funding options which include Lombard, the asset finance provider, RBS Invoice Finance, and the bank’s International Banking Services and Banking Relationship Services teams, all of which have also moved into the new offices.

Tony Rider, relationship director, RBS Blackwater Valley Commercial Banking, said: “Our decision to move to IQ Farnborough was an easy one due to the superb location and extensive amenities on offer. It is an exciting move for the team, the new space offer room for our 23 strong team to grow with desk space almost doubling to 39. In addition our new meeting rooms will enhance the way we work with our customers and local businessess. We look forward to continuing to provide innovative financial solutions to help local businessess achieve their aspirational goals.”

Also at 200 Fowler Avenue, JAE Europe, the high-tech firm and one of the world’s leading manufacturers of connectors, has taken up 4,560 sq ft offices within the building.

Elsewhere at IQ Farnborough, Bluecoat Systems, a Californian computer hardware company, has leased offices totalling 9,416 sq ft at 250 Fowler Avenue.

And lastly, the Hub welcomed three new residents. Mi Liberty, a leading technology PR consultancy, has taken Suite 2, a unit of approximately 1,216 sq ft. Cartwright Consulting Ltd, an independent actuarial consultancy specialising in pensions, will also be moving in.

Finally Regus, the world’s largest provider of workspace solutions, has transformed the entire first floor into a 17,000 sq ft, 170 work station serviced office centre which opened in January.

Mark Dixon, CEO of Regus, said: “Our new centre at IQ Farnborough will allow small businesses to focus 100% on their core business as well as giving them opportunity to tap into the talent in Farnborough. When combined with the many amenities of IQ Farnborough, it will provide an unparalleled work place option for companies and professionals.”

SEGRO was represented by agents Hollis Hockley, Cushman & Wakefield and Jones Lang LaSalle in the deals.

Kate Dean, regional manager for SEGRO, commented: “2008 looks set to be as exciting as 2007 and we are delighted to welcome all these additions to our Farnborough family. This latest phase of speculative development has proved to be extremely popular and with this latest flurry of lettings the Hub is now 100% let, one suite remains available in 200 Fowler Avenue and only 2 floors are free for lease in 250 Fowler Avenue.”

IQ Farnborough is an “Innovation Quarter” within Farnborough and is an urban mixed-use business environment that offers a wide range of services, including state-of-the-art office facilities, a Heritage Quarter, 476 homes courtesy of Redrow and a café/bar.