A professional services office hub could be built at the Eden Forty One Business Park on the outskirts of Penrith, in-Cumbria can exclusively reveal.

According to PFK, the company behind the plans for the flagship development, there has already been strong interest from office developers, lawyers and accountancy firms to have a base at the site just off junction 41 of the M6.

The company was given outline planning permission for a major distribution logistics facility, large scale industrial or manufacturing operation or a high-tech office development at the 18.65-acre site by Eden District Council last year.

And while there is flexibility over what happens at the site, Stephen Lancaster, managing director of PFK says there is a strong appetite for an office development hosting professional services businesses who are looking to expand their presence in a location that offers strong transport connections by road, rail and, later this Spring, air.

“From the contacts that we’ve made that there’s a very real opportunity for a profession services hub at junction 41,” he told in-Cumbria.

“We’ve had some interest from spec office builders, contact from law and accountancy firms that want to expand. And you can’t rule out opportunities for PFK to be based at that site. When you look at something in isolation for yourself you think, maybe not, but when you go as a collective, as a team, it works well.

“And there’s clearly opportunities to host nuclear supply chain companies given the connection to national transport links but still close to West Cumbria. Decommissioning is still a massive opportunity even if new build is off the table for now.

“Nothing is set up yet, it is in the melting pot at this moment in time. It is exciting. That’s really for me to drive. I would encourage businesses to come and talk to us because it’s a great place to do business.”

Mr Lancaster said that market demand would ultimately drive development at the site – which is being offered for either land sales or design and build opportunities – and that there was the potential for mixed use development.

“At the moment, there’s no employment land left in Penrith and Eden,” he said.

“Gilwilly Industrial Estate has its challenges with access, so we see this as a place where people can expand and we can also capitalise on giving businesses that are maybe looking at Carlisle, the opportunity to be in Eden. We know there are indigenous businesses looking to expand.

“When you go to the market, you have a vision of what you might achieve, but ultimately it has to be market driven. I think we have to look at high value uses, such as offices, because that is a hell of a lot of jobs which doesn’t necessarily take a lot of space.

“But it is possible to have a manufacturing unit or logistics facility, designed correctly, alongside an office. It comes down to good design and I know the council is tuned in to that. We want to explore every opportunity.”

Mr Lancaster praised the support given to the development by Eden District Council, whose planning committee unanimously voted the application through last year, describing it as “a massive vote of confidence”.

The site is a key flagship development by the council, which is eager to bring more businesses and employment opportunities to the district.

Its chief executive, Rose Rouse, said the strong location coupled with the fact that Penrith was running out of employment land because of new businesses moving to the area and existing ones expanding, made E41 an attractive proposition.

“With its strategic location and potential to grow the economy, this is a significant new development site in the Eden District, in terms of the jobs it will create, the opportunities it will provide for existing Eden businesses to expand and the inward investment it will attract,” she said.

“Eden and Penrith are already popular with businesses thanks to our unique position at the centre of a major transport hub. It’s encouraging to see that a local business has taken this positive step to bring their land to the market and we will be providing support to help market the land to bring higher paid jobs to Penrith and Eden.”

As well as connections to the road network via the M6, the site is also close to the West Coast Mainline, which could, in the future be connected to both the Northern Powerhouse Rail Network, which links major cities across the north, and HS2.

It is also within close reach of Carlisle Lake District Airport, which will have links to London Southend, Belfast and Dublin and the onward connections they offer, when commercial flights take off sometime in the spring.

This article appeared in the March edition of in-Cumbria magazine and has been republished with their permission. To view the e-mag and for the latest business news from Cumbria visit www.in-cumbria.co.uk

1. Open the door to a new look!  Why not paint an internal door a bright colour to add a summery vibe, a pastel shade for a subtle new look, or a glossy black to appear classy and mysterious?

2. Get reflective! Adding a mirror to a room will instantly make it look bigger and reflect the light, as well as colours and patterns. Adding a large mirror to a slanted ceiling can also add an interesting, angled depth to the room.

3. Don’t skirt around the subject! Paint the skirting boards and door frames a bold colour to add interest to a neutrally decorated room without overwhelming it.

4. Look down! Got a wooden floor that’s seen better days? Get some varnish on it or even paint it to spruce it up.

5. Don’t forget the cabinets! Improve a boring bookcase or cabinet by painting the outside edges an interesting colour and covering the back wall with some patterned wallpaper.

Penrith Farmers and Kidd’s PLC are pleased to announce the appointment of the new Head of Estate Agency, Lynne Lancaster.

Lynne lives in Carlisle with her husband and two sons. She began her career in estate agency in 1989 at Tiffen King & Nicholson, initially in the commercial department and then the sales department. In 1996 Lynne moved to Nottingham with her husband due to his career and she worked as a valuer for Nottingham Property Services. In 1999 they relocated back to Carlisle and Lynne worked for Cumberland Estate Agents, initially as a valuer then branch manager at their flagship office in Carlisle.

In 2015 Lynne managed the change in business direction of Cumberland Estate Agents and became the sales & lettings manager, overseeing 10 branches, which led to a significant growth in business results.

Lynne joins PFK with a wealth of estate agency experience and has a passion for the business. Lynne commented, “I am excited to be joining PFK as Head of Estate Agency. We have a fantastic team of people whose ethos is to make the buying or renting process as simple as possible, whilst providing a high level of customer service. I have every confidence that we can continue to build on our current success and be the people’s choice as an agent”.

Outside of work Lynne enjoys the gym, travelling, walking and meeting with friends.

PFK’s Managing Director, Stephen Lancaster, had the following comment to make:

“I am very pleased Lynne is joining PFK as Head of Estate Agency, her wealth of experience will add significant value and I look forward to working with her as she helps the business and team progress.”

1. Shower yourself with a treat! You don’t have to worry about the water pressure; a new super powerful shower head can make your shower feel like the tropical rainstorm you’ve see in those shampoo adverts.

2. Branch out! Houseplants are wonderful additions to any room and literally help us breathe a little easier. If you want some low maintenance options, go for a cactus if you always forget to water, a jade plant to pop in a particularly sunny spot or a peace lily for a space without much light.

3. Shuffle things around! Simply rearranging the furniture, or at least some of it, can make a room feel brand new and exciting.

4. Light things up! You don’t need an electrician on board, you can simply invest in some different styles of lamp to literally brighten the place up. A clip-on desk lamp is easy to install and doesn’t have to be for the office; it be popped on the headboard for night-time reading or clipped somewhere in the kitchen for some extra light when you’re cooking. A quirky floor lamp can light up a dark corner of the room as well as adding an eye-catching detail to the room. Try this one from IKEA: https://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/lighting/floor-lamps/hovn%C3%A4s-floor-lamp-art-60388786/

5. Look up! Painting the ceiling can add so much more to a room than you might think. Make the statement you want to make – a darker colour will make the room cosier, and a lighter colour will reflect the sun and make the room seem bigger and brighter.

1. Do a good clean! It will be more difficult to clean after your furniture has been arranged and things have been put away, so get it done before you unpack.

2. Change your address. Register with Royal Mail’s redirection service so you don’t miss any letters, and then contact everyone to let them know you’ve moved. We don’t just mean your family and friends – let your bank, utility suppliers, insurance companies, DVLA, doctors, dentists, schools and jobs (to name but a few) know as soon as possible.

3. Unpack the essentials first – the things you’ll need to get you through the first few nights. It’s a good idea to have packed a ‘weekend bag’ for the move so you don’t have to rummage through countless boxes for things in the first couple of days.

4. Make things feel subconsciously like home – get the iPod speakers and your favourite scented candles (and some matches) out on the first night and your new place will sound and smell like home faster than you can imagine.

5. Set aside a box room – collect all the less important items and boxes that you’re not quite sure what to do with just yet, and put them all in the same room so you can shut them away to make the place feel more normal. Then you can go in to sort them out gradually when you have time.

As head of our in-house media services, Al Williams takes stunning photos and videos of our properties on a daily basis, but he has recently announced that he is branching out into wedding videography as well. Using his skills as a drone pilot, he captures someone’s special day in a way most wedding videos don’t.

On Sunday 6 January he and Hannah, our head of marketing, attended Cumbria’s largest wedding and prom fair at Carlisle Racecourse and had a fun and successful day. Here is what went on behind the scenes and exactly what Al and Hannah thought of their first wedding fair.

THE NIGHT BEFORE

Hannah got all the decorative bits together for the stand, and Al loaded the signage, electronics and Harry the drone into our PFK van.

10.00

The two arrived at Carlisle Racecourse to set up. All they had was table, tablecloth and power sockets – everything else they had to provide themselves. It took an hour to set up due to the TV playing up a bit – hopefully next time it will take half that!

11.00

People hadn’t started to arrive yet so they had plenty of time have a look around the event themselves. Hannah even booked a ‘magic mirror’ for her own wedding next year!

12.30

People started arriving. PFK’s stand was near the entrance on the ground floor, so they had lots of attention. The big roller banner and the TV screen showcasing Al’s first wedding video also attracted a lot of interest. One couple actually booked their wedding videography there and then, and many others took our flyers.

When it was quiet, Al and Hannah managed to grab five minutes for lunch and popped to mobile caterer Grill Monkeys for the best chips and gravy they’d ever had!

17.00

The wedding fair finished. It had been a long day, but luckily it only took half an hour to tidy up!

It was a really successful day and Al and Hannah made a fantastic team, as Al had all the technical knowledge about the videography and the drone, and Hannah could really relate to the couples as she is currently planning her own wedding.

Hannah said “It was a really good opportunity to get our brand out there and let people know about our new venture. It was also lovely to meet new couples and get excited with them.”

Al said “The event was a great experience, as it was something a bit different and was outside of my comfort zone. It was great chatting to people, even though Hannah did most of the chatting! I felt it was great exposure for the company as a whole.”

Al and Hannah are now looking forward to attending their next event, which is the North Lakes Wedding Fair in Penrith this Sunday (27 January). They hope to see you there!

We offer various different packages for our wedding videography. For more information please contact Allen Williams on 01768 862323 or email allenwilliams@pfk.co.uk

PFK have been a feature of Cumbrian life since 1876, first operating as livestock auctioneers before moving into property, land, furniture and antiques.

“We have a proud heritage but are definitely not resting on our laurels,” said managing director Stephen Lancaster.

“In 2015 we opened our sixth estate agency office in Whitehaven and in 2016, in response to customer expectation, we opened the door to our new Carlisle branch, in a beautiful listed building in the heart of the city centre.

“Our new Facebook page PFK Property launched in September, adding to our already strong social media presence, and just this month we unveiled our new website, full of the user-friendly features that our customers told us they wanted.

“It is this willingness to adapt and change that has been key to our success.

“We’ve come a long way in the past 142 years and we’re looking forward to the future with confidence.”

Have you noticed our new website?

After a lot of work behind the scenes, we at PFK are proud to unveil our brand-new website.

It’s an exciting time for us, and our shiny new site is just a part of that.

As technology moves forward and systems change, an old website can get slow and inefficient. To avoid this, a website should be updated every two to three years, which meant ours was due a makeover.

When we reviewed our old website in the early stages of the revamp, customer feedback suggested that it wasn’t particularly user-friendly or easy to navigate, so we took this into consideration as we were keen to improve our clients’ experience when using our site.

We rebranded at the start of 2018, with new colours, fonts and logos. Our online presence is a massive part of what we offer so it was the perfect time for a revamped website that reflected the new branding.

The way the site is designed is now much more user-friendly and the search function easier to operate. You can find out much more than you could previously.

The ‘book a valuation’ button on our home page makes it even easier to arrange appointments online, which is a modern and useful alternative to contacting us by phone.

Of course, we are still here at the end of the line for anyone who would rather give us a call.

Each department now has its own mini-site which makes it much more straightforward for people to find exactly what they are looking for, while still having our services linked under the PFK umbrella.

A new Investors site gives an insight into the corporate side with information on shares, management frameworks and the year in review. This makes it easier for both current and potential investors to have essential information at their fingertips within seconds.

Over the past six months we have been closely working with Bert, an award-winning, independently owned branding agency with studios in London, Madrid and Manchester.

Each department has a representative which has worked alongside Bert to ensure the new website design works equally well for each different service we offer.

From workshops in Manchester to meetings in Penrith, our marketing team, department representatives and contacts at Bert have all been beavering away behind the scenes for a long time to get the new site off the ground and into the internet!

Please get in touch and tell us what you think. Phone 01768 862323 or email hello@pfk.co.uk

Taking the stress out of your survey

SURVEYS

Chartered surveyor Andrew Green works alongside office administrators Shirley Whitby and Cath Lyall.

The team provide valuations for mortgage providers and for probate and inheritance tax.

“We also produce reports on condition of properties, are a home-buyer representative and can do full building surveys.

“We’re an established team with a wealth of local knowledge and an extensive track record of successful client service.

“Property and land transactions can be complicated enough, so we try to make life easier for our clients; it’s our job to simplify things for you.”

Contact details: tel. 01900 821411, surveys@pfk.co.uk

We can guide you through planning

PLANNING

Rachel Lightfoot heads the team, assisted by town planners Kayleigh Lancaster and Naomi Howard.

“We help clients to navigate the complexities of planning rules and regulations, and work on housing schemes and with local authorities and private clients,” said Rachel.

“We try to eliminate the stress for a client going through the planning process, keeping them up to date and tackling any issues that may arise.”

The team has a good mix of skills and experience with newest member Naomi a graduate who is being moulded by the ethos of PFK.

“It is important that both we and the client go into the planning process with eyes open so there are no surprises,” Rachel added.

“Nothing is too big or too small for us to handle. From advice and applications to appeals, let us guide you through the planning process.”

Contact details: tel. 01768 890140, planning@pfk.co.uk

A creative eye in the sky

MEDIA SERVICES

Allen Williams, manager of the Media Services division, has worked at PFK for five years, delivering high-quality photography, using a drone for aerial images and videography for internal shots.

He said: “My role is to support the marketing function and I think what I do is rare in our industry.

“As far as I’m aware, not many estate agents have a drone pilot licensed by the Civil Aviation Authority.

“Whether you’re a commercial developer, landowner, a local authority or a private householder, aerial drone imaging is a fast, cost-effective way to add real value to your project or transaction.

“We use our equipment to capture HD/4k images and video, which are then professionally edited and presented to meet the requirements of each brief.

“Looking ahead, we’re planning to branch out into corporate videos and special events.”

Contact details: tel. 01768 862323, allenwilliams@pfk.co.uk

Hannah knows her market

MARKETING and COMMUNICATIONS

PFK’s marketing and communications function is headed by Hannah Warren.

She said: “I work across all departments, helping with graphic designs and ensuring marketing sits in company guidelines with a uniformed approach and consistency.

“I am also involved in media management, liaision with external companies and managing our website and social media.

“It’s unusual for an estate agency to have in-house marketing and it’s great that I make a difference in that way. I also enjoy creating bespoke customer sales material.”

Contact details: tel, 01768 862323, hannahwarren@pfk.co.uk

Peace of mind for landlord and tenant

PROPERTY MANAGEMENT

Manager Nicola Hadfield and assistant manager Mandy Green provide fully managed or let-only services, creating a seamless relationship between tenant and landlord.

Their work involves looking after the landlord’s asset, the property, and making a home for the tenant.

They currently manage 160 properties and also deal with

sub-contractors, supporting estate agent branches and customers and only becoming involved when the tenant signs up.

“We manage expectations for both parties,” Nicola said. “We deliver peace of mind for landlord and tenant and abide by up-to-date legislation.

“You can be sure that you are fully covered legally and in this respect we have legal support through my membership of ARLA.”

Contact details: 01768 862135, propertymanagement@pfk.co.uk

Land and property our business

LAND AGENCY

Guiding the farming and rural community through a comprehensive range of professional land and property services is one of the main aims of PFK’s Land Agency team.

It is headed by David Stout, assisted by Jo Edwards, Janet Flintoft and Guy Heelis.

Graduate surveyor Abigail Wass joined the team this year.

David said: “A land agent has the ability to influence existing and prospective clients.

“We offer good advice in all aspects of land and property and manage everything related to

land and property from start to finish.”

Core services delivered by the Land Agency division of PFK are estate management; agricultural estates, farmland and minerals; valuations; sales and lettings; compulsory purchase schemes; renewables; grants and Government schemes; shooting and fishing; interaction with lawyers and accountants for tax planning and ownership issues; general business management.

“ We have a sound reputation, good local knowledge, expertise and are focused on the quality of our service and the satisfaction of the client,” David added.

“We are proud to offer a comprehensive range of professional property services for the farming and rural community.”

Contact details: tel, 01768 866611, landagency@pfk.co.uk

Team with lots of advice and help

AUCTION

MICHAEL Roberts leads the seven-strong team of auctioneers and valuers.

The other members are the saleroom manager Simon Thompson, porters Paul Harkness and Josie Hall, office manager Sarah Mulheron, office assistant Zoe Antrobus and valuation assistant Megan Birley.

“We sell a very wide range of items throughout the year, from fine art and antiques to vehicles and machinery,” said Michael. “We also offer house clearances and valuation services.”

The team runs an auction every fortnight as well as periodic specialist sales.

Michael added: “We use our expertise to market clients’ goods to the highest standards to help achieve the best possible sale prices.

“There is a family feel to our auction which can remove uncertainty for clients, especially those who are new to the auction process.

“We care about customers and results, the arts and antiques we handle and our beautiful, diverse region.

“We are also proud to support local charities.”

Contact details: tel. 01768 890781, info@pfkauctions.co.uk

Holding your hand in home-buying process

ESTATE AGENCY

Carlisle

The Sales and Lettings team at Carlisle is headed by branch manager Paul Doyle, aided by valuer Hayley Kenny with sales negotiators and administrators James Harrison, Alex Weir and Rosie Negus.

Paul said: “Our work involves regular contact with vendors, guiding them through the sales process and helping them afterwards. We also contact our customers when new properties come to market that might interest them.”

This dedicated help and support makes the whole property process seamless and stress-free, he added.

“We are with you every step of the way, with Hayley helping and advising clients on marketing their properties and the sales team achieving the best price using sales negotiation skills.

“The housing market is challenging and we believe that clients use high street estate agents like us because they feel our traditional methods of selling properties makes the process of buying and selling easier. “

Contact details: tel, 01228 558666, carlisle@pfk.co.uk

Cockermouth

The Sales and Lettings team at Cockermouth is headed by branch manager and valuer Michael Hewitt, assisted by sales negotiators Pauline Ellis and Steven Earlam.

“Our experienced team is on hand to make the sometimes challenging business of property as simple as possible,” Michael said.

“We also provide marketing packages that cater to the specific needs of property developers.

“At the heart of our approach is an understanding that every client’s needs are unique.

“We take the time to get to know you, your needs and property goals.

“This enables us to create a bespoke package of services for each client, with the best possible outcome and value for money.

“Our distinct approach to marketing and negotiation creates a competitive environment around our properties, which is key to achieving great results in the current challenging market.

“This approach has cemented our position as the market-leading estate agent in Cockermouth and the surrounding area.” Contact details: tel, 01900 826205, cockermouth@pfk.co.uk

Whitehaven

The Sales and Lettings team at Whitehaven consists of branch manager and valuer Christine Lofthouse and sales negotiators Charlie Shaw and Chere Adair.

Christine and Chere joined this month, covering for manager Lesley Waugh and sales negotiator Lisa Murphy who are on maternity leave.

Christine said: “We provide a professional experience aligned with a deep personal knowledge of West Cumbria’s property market – something that incoming internet agents may not have.

“We make the sometimes challenging business of property as simple as possible and understand that every client’s needs are unique.

“Our services are expertly planned and transparently delivered with clear communication and full support every step of the way.

“Our distinct approach to marketing and negotiation is key to achieving great results in the current challenging market.

“This approach has cemented our position as the market-leading estate agent in Whitehaven and the surrounding area.”

Contact details: tel, 01946 695535, whitehaven@pfk.co.uk

Article credit  – Thanks to Newsquest Cumbria