OFFICES - TO LET, Haddington House, 28 Sidegate, Haddington, EH41 4BU

DESCRIPTION

Location

Haddington is one of East Lothian’s largest settlements with a resident population of approximately 12,000.  The town is strategically placed approximately 18 miles east of Scotland’s capital city, Edinburgh, which is accessible within 35 minutes via the A1, thus making it extremely popular amongst commuters.

The affluent town boasts a strong local economy with existing commercial occupiers including Tesco, Aldi and Boots.  Market Street and Court Street, the two principal retail thoroughfares, offer a diverse mix of shops, restaurants and cafes including national and local operators.

High demand for additional housing in the town has been met with several active developments.  The town boasts all levels of education from nursery through to senior to support this rapid expansion, and there is a growing range of sporting and community facilities.  

The nearest railway station is 4 miles away at Drem providing regular services to Edinburgh Waverley. There are also several direct bus links to Edinburgh and surrounding districts.

SITUATION

The property is situated in a prominent roadside position on Sidegate to the south-east of the town’s high street.  Sidegate is a principal route leading out of Haddington to neighbouring villages such as Gifford and Bolton.

The A1 is less than 1 mile away to the north and is the main commuter route to Edinburgh.  Other towns in East Lothian are easily accessible such as North Berwick (9 miles), Dunbar (12 miles), Musselburgh (12 miles) and Tranent (8 miles).

The immediate surrounding area is residential with a mixture of traditional terraced, detached and semi-detached properties.  Commercial occupiers are not too far away however with several businesses on nearby Church Street and a mixture of retail, restaurants and cafes on Hardgate and the High Street.

Accommodation

The subjects comprise a substantial detached category-A listed building extending over four storeys with a single storey south facing extension.  It is white rendered with a pitched and slated roof. The main building dates back to the 17^th century whilst the extension has been added in more recent times.  The building overlooks magnificent gardens belonging to the Haddington Garden Trust to which all tenants will have access.

The main access to the property is from a set of stone steps off Sidegate but there is also an entrance to the rear through the gardens.   The ground floor comprises of offices of varying sizes with a large kitchen/break out area just off the main reception.  A central spiral staircase with a sweeping original balustrade leads to the upper floors.

A number of the offices on the first and second floors contain period features and enjoy superb views over the gardens and neighbouring St Mary’s Cathedral. Office 7, for example, contains an original fire place and has two large Georgian bay windows.  

WC facilities are provided on each floor whilst shower facilities will be available on the ground and second.

PARKING

There are 21 car parking spaces available to be allocated to tenants of the building.  The car park will benefit from a secure barrier system.

ACCOMMODATION

Following a recent inspection of the premises we calculate the approximate net internal areas to be as follows:

SPECIFICATION

The building will be undergoing an extensive refurbishment to modernise the offices and retain the building’s historic features.    The specification will include the following:

·         Fibre broadband/WiFi connections

·         Data cabling in all rooms

·         New gas central heating system

·         New WC facilities throughout

·         Shower facilities

·         Ground floor communal break out space

·         New kitchen/tea preps on all levels

·         Secure door entry system

·         Fob access to each individual office

·         Modern LED lighting

·         New carpets and decoration throughout

Terms

LICENSE AGREEMENT

Rooms will be let on a flexible License Agreement for a minimum 12-month term.  There will be an administration charge to the ingoing tenant of £150 plus VAT for preparing the License Agreement.

RENTAL

All rents will be quoted to interested parties on application.

The building may also suit a single occupier on a full repairing and insuring lease with a rent quoted on application to any interested parties.

Specification

RATEABLE VALUE

According to the Scottish Assessors website (www.saa.gov.uk) the subjects have a Rateable Value of £22,600.  The uniform business rate for the current year is £0.49 pence in the pound.

Occupiers may be eligible for rates relief through the small business bonus scheme if the combined rateable value of all their business premises in Scotland is £35,000 or less.

The premises will require to be reassessed upon completion of the refurbishment works.

UTILITIES

The property is served by mains electricity, gas and water.

ENERGY PERFORMANCE CERTIFICATE

Available on request.

VIEWING AND FURTHER INFORMATION

By appointment through the sole letting agent, Allied Surveyors Scotland plc.

Iain Mercer 0131 357 4455

Iain.mercer@alliedsurveyorsscotland.com