Anthony Haughian, owner of Unstoppable Fitness and Katherine Skerry, Site Manager at AC Lloyd Space Business Centre Warwick
Also pictured in the background are Thai Haughian (red shorts) and Zack Ermogenous.

A Leamington based Thai boxer is hoping to inspire more people to enjoy accessible sport after moving into his first business centre unit. 

Anthony Haughian, 42 from Coventry who started his Thai boxing business following 29 years of training, coaching and competing in the industry, is now expanding his business after moving into a new unit at Space Business Centre Warwick.

Anthony was introduced to Thai boxing when he was 13 before being introduced to the accessible nature of gym boxing for fitness during the 8 years he spent as a manager at an Australian gym.

After completing a youth training scheme at 17, Anthony became passionate about coaching people and helping to improve their fitness and technique in the ring, and started coaching clients in the boxing ring and at gyms across Warwickshire.

After 17 years of one-on-one coaching and inspired by his two children’s involvement in the sport, Anthony decided take the leap and began to look at starting his own business in March 2023.    

Anthony was looking to create an accessible and enjoyable gym space for clients to enjoy, destress and improve their fitness levels, with the flexibility of self-employment that allowed him to continue coaching his son and daughter in the sport they all loved.

Anthony found Space Business Centre Warwick and has now moved to the centre, after being impressed by the site’s central location and the flexibility the space offered for classes and coaching.  

 The centre’s flexible contract and variety of unit sizes were perfect for Anthony’s first move into self-employment, allowing him to create the perfect space for his sessions.

Alongside his new unit, Anthony has invested in new equipment to support clients, including circuit ropes, teardrop bags and the more innovative Aqua and Fairtex punching bags, allowing me to offer clients more varied workout sessions.

Anthony now offers a mixture of one-to-one and group boxing for fitness sessions, with a steady growing client base since opening.

Anthony said: “My first few weeks at Space have been great, and I have seen my client base really grow since opening. They love the new unit’s atmosphere and how the space has allowed me to increase the services I can offer.

“After making the decision to follow my passion and become self-employed, I knew I wanted a base that offered both flexibility and community in a great location, and was delighted to discover Space Business Centre.

“Moving to Space has really helped turn my business idea into reality, so I am excited to see what the future holds.”  

Katherine Skerry, Site Manager at AC Lloyd Space Business Centre Warwick, said: “It is great to hear how Anthony’s move to Space Warwick has helped him start his own Thai boxing business and become self-employed.

“We have a vibrant and growing community of smalls businesses from across Warwickshire based at our Business Centre and are looking forward to continuing enabling tenants like Anthony to start their own business.”

From the left, Katherine Skerry (AC Lloyd Space Business Centre Warwick), Jordan Blencowe and La Toya Fé (Blencowe’s bakery)

A family-run bakery has expanded into Warwickshire to continue to spread happiness through its specially-crafted creations.

Jordan Blencowe and his wife, La Toya Fé, set-up Blencowe’s bakery during lockdown from their kitchen at their home in Banbury during 2020.

Within six months, their cupcakes, weddings and birthday cakes, were such a success the couple had refurbished their parents’ garage to expand their operations.

When Jordan was made redundant as a head chef and La Toya as a wedding co-ordinator, they decided to focus on Blencowe’s bakery full-time and now, as well as maintaining their business in Oxfordshire, they have taken up a unit at Space Business Centre Warwick in Tachbrook Park, Warwick.

Jordan said this was an exciting new chapter to expand into Warwickshire and has given them the space to increase its product range and baking capacities.

He said: “We launched the business during lockdown through our creativity and combined skills. It was a great way to reach and connect with our community during those challenging times, which is where our ethos was formed. Spreading happiness is what we strive to do and from there it kept growing and growing!

“We needed more space than our kitchen so we refurbished our parents’ garage and turned it into a fully functioning bakery. As time has gone by, we have reached capacity.

“I was suddenly made redundant in November, which upon reflection gave me the gift of time that I wouldn’t have had if I was still working as a head chef. It has given me the opportunity to grow the business and nurture it.

“We have moved our operation from Oxfordshire to Warwick which was a big move but with the help of our family and friends we managed to complete it in just four weeks.

“The location at Space Warwick is very convenient and central. Being blessed with an empty shell to work in has been great because it has meant we have been able to expand the vision by adding our ovens, new sinks and more counter and office space to help with the greater influx in business.

“Our customer base has been very loyal and supportive over the last three years so we are continuing to maintain our business in Oxfordshire whilst now expanding into Warwickshire and beyond.

“Everything is freshly made to order and we’re now providing gourmet muffins, tray bakes and pre-packaged cakes as well as our signature cupcakes and celebration cakes.

“Our mission at Blencowe’s bakery is to spread happiness through food, one bite at a time and we strive to do this nationally.”

Space Business Centre Warwick opened in February and provides 61 units ranging from 285 sq ft to 840 sq ft, with two facilities blocks each containing a kitchen, toilets and shower room, as well as allocated parking, 12 electric car charging points and a cycle shelter.

Katherine Skerry, Site Manager at AC Lloyd Space Business Centre Warwick, said there was a real diverse mix of businesses located at the 35,000 sq ft site.

“It is great that we are attracting a wide range of entrepreneurs which is already creating a real sense of community,” she said.

“Blencowe’s bakery is a perfect example of a business that was started during the pandemic and is flourishing post-Covid.

“Moving all their operations to Warwick highlights Jordan and La Toya’s determination to continue to grow the business and having tasted their cupcakes, I’m sure they are going to add to their customer base very quickly throughout Warwickshire.”

The retail units at Teal Park in Nottingham

A charity which supports children, young people and families in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire is looking forward to meeting its neighbours at a £30 million mixed-use development.

Valley CiDS charity shop has opened its 2,000 sq ft premises at Teal Park, off the Colwick Loop Road in Netherfield, which has been jointly developed by Warwickshire-based AC Lloyd Commercial (ACL) and Nottingham-based retail development specialists Henry Davidson Developments (HDD).

The Lighthouse Charity Shop completes the retail units alongside Birds Bakery and Pizza Triangle which are already trading along with Aldi.

A planning application is underway for Popeyes®, famous for its legendary Chicken Sandwich and being the home of Louisiana heat, to open one of the first UK drive-thrus at Teal Park.

Ian Tannahill, CEO of Valley CiDS, said the charity was looking forward to meeting its neighbours and supporting children, young people and their families in the area.

He said: “Teal Park is the first of our new concept stores, where we have moved away from the traditional high street, offering the convenience of free parking outside for customers and donors and benefiting from the additional footfall generated by neighbouring businesses.  

“Opening at Teal Park also enables us to expand our Nottinghamshire portfolio of Lighthouse Charity Shops, each of which provide employment and volunteering opportunities in the local community, whilst in turn offering low-cost, pre-loved goods and thereby promoting the importance of sustainable retail practices. 

“Teal Park also represents our commitment to expand upon our existing service provision in the surrounding area through building local connections with schools and community groups that will enable us to support local children, young people and families.”

Mark Edwards, managing director at AC Lloyd Commercial, welcomed Valley CiDS to Teal Park.

He said: “There is a real mix of different types of retail units at Teal Park to attract all sections of the community and there is already a real buzz around the site.

“We are delighted Valley CiDS has chosen Teal Park to launch its new concept stores which will benefit local people as well as continuing to raise their profile in the city.

“This site was our first development in the East Midlands and it has been a tremendous success.”

Richard Croft, director at HDD, added: “The fact that the Local Centre is fully let underlines the demand for all these businesses which was our aim when we started to build Teal Park in 2019.

“Valley CiDS is already attracting a steady flow of customers just like the other businesses and we wish them the best of luck.”

Tony Hargreave, Property Asset Manager at AC Lloyd Commercial

Tony Hargreave, Property Asset Manager at AC Lloyd Commercial, reflects on the opening of Space Business Centre Warwick.

“AC Lloyd Commercial has had huge success with the Space Business Centres in Cheltenham and Gloucester since we took them over in 2018.

“There are over 100 small businesses operating over the two sites and it has been so popular that we decided to launch Space Business Centre Warwick in Tachbrook Park in Warwick literally over the road from our HQ.

“AC Lloyd Commercial has developed Tachbrook Park continuously over the last 30 years, and Space Warwick represents the final piece of the jigsaw in a thriving commercial destination.

“After months of planning, the site officially opened at the end of February and there has been a consistent stream of enquiries since then.

“We currently have 20 of the 61 units let with five new additional businesses set to arrive this week which is really encouraging.

“The ethos behind Space Business Centre Warwick is to encourage entrepreneurs who have launched their business at home to move from their dining room table or shed into their first professional premises. What’s driving interest in particular is the 30 day rolling licences, the busy location with excellent nearby shopping facilities as well as the quality of space on offer.

“We have already attracted companies ranging from a mechanical contractor to a dog groomer to an alternative to hair transplants. In the near future, the site will see the arrival of a personal trainer and Thai boxing.

“We are not resting on our laurels and are still working on advertising our new flexible business units through attending networking events, local advertising and we are currently dropping off leaflets in key areas as part of our promotional activity.

“Launching our new site has been a great opportunity to work with companies we have already built relationships with, so we have the same CCTV and fire alarm servicing companies across all three Space centres.

“It has also been great to work with local contractors to carry out any touch up work that is always needed with a new site which has been a great way to grow our network and help publicise their services.

“A fantastic example of this is Paul from nearby Pixel Studios who has been fabulous and we now have an ongoing contract with him for signage works for both landlord and tenant requirements.

“Our social media influence is steadily growing with a number of leads from Instagram alone – and we are now at 146 followers and this is rising week-by-week.

“There is also an increasing awareness of our new Warwick site through our sites in Cheltenham and Gloucester. This has led to more exposure with our tenants discussing the site with their own social media networks.

“Warwick is also starting to come into its own with planting and blooms which makes it look more established and welcoming for our tenants and their customers.

“We have also started a partnership with a local coffee van so tenants have their daily caffeine fix!

“All of this is to help our tenants feel at home particularly since the majority have moved their business from their home.

“Feedback has been extremely positive from our new tenants so if you are considering taking your first step into professional premises and want to join a growing, friendly community of like-minded entrepreneurs then please visit www.spacebcwarwick.com for more information.”

From the left, Cllr Martin Watson (Warwickshire County Council), Katherine Skerry (Space Business Centre Warwick), Mark Edwards (AC Lloyd Commercial), Gary Thyeson (CW Growth Hub), Tony Hargreave (AC Lloyd Commercial) and Cllr Andrew Day (Warwick District Council)

Business leaders have heralded the arrival of a new £5.5m flexible business unit scheme in Warwick as an opportunity to support entrepreneurial growth in the region.

Space Business Centre Warwick, which has been developed by AC Lloyd Commercial on the final plot at the 132-acre Tachbrook Park, is already at 30 per cent occupancy, with business owners snapping up units, often, as their first official premises.

Cllr Andrew Day from Warwick District Council was joined by Warwickshire County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Economy Cllr Martin Watson and representatives from the Coventry and Warwickshire Growth Hub and Coventry City Council to tour the site, and offer advice to some of the entrepreneurs who have moved in.

The 35,000 sq ft site is comprised of 61 units ranging from 285 sq ft to 840 sq ft, with two facilities blocks containing a kitchen, toilets and shower room, as well as allocated parking, 12 electric car charging points, solar panels on some of the roofs and a cycle shelter.

Cllr Andrew Day said: “Space Warwick has huge potential to support a pipeline of new businesses by helping local business owners move out of their home and make the most of the business landscape here in Warwickshire.

“It is a fantastic venue to suit a range of purposes, and the initial reactions I’ve heard after speaking to some of the tenants have been very encouraging.”

Cllr Martin Watson, portfolio holder for economy with Warwickshire County Council, said:  “This comes around the time that we are launching the Property and Infrastructure Fund (the third strand of the Warwickshire Recovery and Investment Fund) and is a further demonstration of our commitment to supporting businesses to find suitable premises from which to prosper, and for successful business communities to thrive.”

Gary Thyeson, Operations Manager at the CW Growth Hub, said: “At Space Warwick there is a great opportunity for people in the area to grow their business or start a new enterprise.

“The site is in an ideal location to create a thriving business community in the heart of Warwickshire, while the support available across the region will only help to increase that potential.”

Tachbrook Park has been developed by AC Lloyd Commercial continuously over the last 30 years.

The Warwick-based property company also operates Space Business Centres in Gloucester and Cheltenham, which are regularly at capacity with an ever-changing roster of local-businesses.

Mark Edwards, Managing Director of AC Lloyd Commercial, said: “The initial reaction and interest in Space Warwick has been extremely promising, and there have already been lots of opportunities for collaboration and support.

“It was fantastic to take this opportunity to connect some of our first tenants with key figures from across the region, and we are looking forward to seeing the results of this entrepreneurial spirit in the coming months and years.”

For more information visit www.spacebcwarwick.com

One of the first UK drive-thrus for a US fried chicken restaurant is planning to open at a £30 million mixed-use development in Nottingham.

Popeyes®, famous for its legendary Chicken Sandwich and being the home of Louisiana heat, already has a branch in Upper Parliament Street in Nottingham city centre and is planning to further its presence in the city at Teal Park.

The site, off the Colwick Loop Road in Netherfield, has been jointly developed by Warwickshire-based AC Lloyd Commercial (ACL) and Nottingham-based Henry Davidson Developments (HDD).

They have exchanged contracts with Popeyes® for the 2,500 sq ft unit which will contain a 65-seating area, drive-through, car-parking and click and collect bays.

A planning application is currently being prepared and if planning approval is successful, work would begin later this year on converting the premises into another Popeyes site.

100 jobs would be created when it begins trading in the spring of 2024.

Popeyes pace of openings is seeing the chain expand across the UK at a faster rate than comparators which have also recently landed from across the pond.

Mark Edwards, managing director at AC Lloyd Commercial, said Popeyes®, which is famous for its Louisiana chicken, would be a welcome addition to the retail units already based at Teal Park.

“Popeyes® has continued to grow in popularity across the UK since it opened its first branch in London in 2021,” he said.

“They are starting the next stage of their growth plans by introducing drive-thru restaurants and, providing planning is approved, this will become among their first in the UK.

“Teal Park is a thriving mixed-use development with a diverse range of businesses and it would be great to add Popeyes® to the site.”

Richard Croft, director at HDD, added: “This has been a really successful project which is highlighted by the range of businesses which have opened units as well as the mix of international, national and local companies that are now based here.”

Teal Park is also home to Aldi, Birds Bakery’s, Pizza Triangle, Valley CiDS charity shop, a state-of-the-art care home, and a trade and industrial park.

Founded in New Orleans in 1972, Popeyes® has more than 50 years of history and culinary tradition.

Popeyes® distinguishes itself with a unique New Orleans style menu featuring the brand’s 12 hour marinated chicken and other regional items such as original Southern biscuits and gravy.

The chain’s passion for its Louisiana heritage and flavourful authentic food has allowed Popeyes® to become one of the world’s largest chicken quick-service restaurants with over 4,000 restaurants in the U.S. and around the world.

Tom Crowley, CEO at Popeyes UK, added: “The sustained demand we’re seeing for Popeyes is incredible, it’s great to see how enthusiastically the UK has welcomed us, and we’re particularly proud to be opening our first drive-thru locations this year. Following the success of our Upper Parliament Street restaurant which landed in Autumn 2022, opening a drive-thru location locally was an obvious choice for us. We’re looking forward to expanding our offering in Nottingham.”

Shires Gate Trade Park in Tachbrook Park Drive, Leamington

A Warwickshire property company has completed the biggest investment deal in its history by acquiring an opportunity on its doorstep.

AC Lloyd Commercial has acquired The Shires Gate Trade Park for an undisclosed seven-figure sum.

The Shires Gate Trade Park in Tachbrook Park Drive, Leamington, was previously owned by the Canal & River Trust.

The Trade Park comprises of a stand-alone Travis Perkins builders’ merchants and four smaller trade units occupied by City Plumbing, Tile Giant, Toolstation and Benchmarx.

AC Lloyd, whose headquarters are also in Tachbrook Park, has developed the majority of the 132-acre Tachbrook Park throughout its 75-year history.

Mark Edwards, managing director at AC Lloyd Commercial, said this was an excellent opportunity to add a high-quality asset with long-term income to its investment portfolio.

He said: “Tachbrook Park remains one of the busiest and most sought-after business parks in Warwickshire not just Leamington, and over our 75-year history we have helped to attract a wide range of businesses, across various sectors, to the location.

“The investment opportunity arose to purchase Shires Gate Trade Park and it was too good an opportunity to miss.

“We have also recently developed the £5.5 million Space Business Centre, Warwick on Tachbrook Park that is attracting occupiers from a wide range of sectors which underlines the need for units of all sizes to help businesses to thrive and boost our local economy.

“This deal represents a significant acquisition as part of our strategy for the expansion of our investment business activities.”

AC Lloyd Commercial was represented by agent Duncan MacLaren (MacLaren & Partners) and solicitor James Polo–Richards (JG Poole & Co) in the acquisition.

Katherine Skerry, who has been appointed property manager at Space Business Centre Warwick

An experienced property professional has been appointed the first site manager of a new £5.5 million business and industrial park in Warwickshire which is due to open this month.

Katherine Skerry has become property manager of the purpose-built 35,000 sq ft Space Business Centre Warwick in Tachbrook Park which is being developed by AC Lloyd Commercial.

The 61 units, ranging from 285 sq ft to 840 sq ft, are nearing completion and are aimed at start-ups wanting to move from their home or garden shed into professional premises as well as more established businesses who are growing.

Katherine spent seven years working for one of the world’s leading property agents Savills in London selling new-build properties at different sites across the capital.

The mum-of-two, who has recently moved to Warwickshire from Worcester, said it was great to be involved with the launch of the Space Business Centre Warwick.

“I’m looking forward to meeting our tenants from the wide variety of businesses we expect to be based here and setting up a real community,” she said.

“That community feeling is really important for start-up business owners who may be taking their first step into having their own units and we want to make it as easy as possible.

“I’m excited to be involved in running a completely new site and I will be focused on the day-to-day operations of the Space Business Centre Warwick and dealing with tenants to help them settle in as well as looking after new enquiries to encourage more people to locate here.

“It is a fantastic new business park aimed at small companies who have reached a stage where they have outgrown their spare bedroom or shed and want to take their business to the next stage.

“We have the facilities to help them reach their goals as well as foster a community spirit between the tenants.”

Mark Edwards, Managing Director of AC Lloyd Commercial, welcomed Katherine to the business at an exciting time ahead of the launch of Space Business Centre Warwick.

“It is great to have Katherine on board with her high level of expertise as we sign-up tenants and continue to attract businesses to locate here,” he said.

“We are really pleased with the level of enquiries which highlights the demand for these kinds of small flexible premises that are ideal for office space, workshop and storage units.

“The location is also a big plus along with the fact that tenants have 30-day rolling agreements with no service charges and we are looking forward to opening on schedule towards the end of this month.”

For more information about Space Business Centre Warwick, please visit www.spacebcwarwick.com.

Pav Rainu from Develco (left) with Tony Hargreave from AC Lloyd Commercial

The owner of a specialist interiors company has been stepping back in time after moving to its first professional premises to continue its growth.

Owner Pav Rainu who set up Develco, who are experts in commercial and residential construction and refurbishments, wanted to take the business to the next level.

And after being shown round various sites, Athena Court in Tachbrook Park, which is owned and managed by Warwick-based AC Lloyd Commercial, ticked all his boxes and Pav had the added bonus of being on familiar territory.

He explained: “I had been looking at offices for six-to-eight months throughout Leamington but nothing really met all our needs.

“I was shown round unit 17 at Athena Court which is an area I know well because I worked for 13 years at a company – which is no longer there – so when I sit in our office, I can see my old work place!

“I set up Develco just three months before the pandemic so it was tough but we kept on going and coming out of it the other side, business is continuing to grow.

“I have worked in this industry for a long time and we work for designers, architects and individual clients up and down the country.

“This location at Athena Court is ideal because it is near the motorway which is important since we’re a nationwide contractor and the offices are perfect for our needs because as we are growing, we are dealing with bigger companies and we can now hold meetings.

“We are also planning to take on two trainee apprentices in quantity surveying and project managing and potentially a site-based carpenter so it is great to have the space to recruit them and provide training here.

“I started as a trainee and worked my way up and I want to offer the same opportunities to other people.”

Tony Hargreave, Property Asset Manager at AC Lloyd Commercial, said he was pleased to welcome Develco to Athena Court.

He said: “Athena Court is home to a wide range of businesses of different sizes in different industries and it is great that Pav is returning to a site which he is very familiar with.

“The area remains buoyant and the size of the units mean it is ideal for businesses such as Pav’s who are expanding but don’t want to grow too fast too soon.

“We have let these offices to Develco for three years and I wish Pav and his team the best of luck in their new home.”

The retail units at Teal Park in Nottingham

Two more retail units have opened at a £30 million mixed-use development in Nottingham which is nearing completion.

Birds Bakery’s latest outlet is trading at Teal Park, off the Colwick Loop Road in Netherfield, which has been jointly developed by Warwickshire-based AC Lloyd Commercial (ACL) and Nottingham-based Henry Davidson Developments (HDD).

Valley CiDS charity shop, which supports children, young people and families through its out-reach work in schools and the wider community, is planning to open its 2,000 sq ft premises in the countdown to Christmas.

This will be followed in the New Year by Pizza Triangle opening its first restaurant in the city.  The business already has restaurants in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Solihull and Walsall.

Mark Edwards, managing director at AC Lloyd Commercial, said Teal Park was proving to be a huge success for businesses from a wide range of sectors.

He said: “It is great the economy is being boosted by the opening of these retail units.

“Aldi opened in August and the addition of the new retail units will mean they help each other to thrive.

“The area is a hive of activity and the Local Centre is providing amenities for residents on their doorstep which they can walk or cycle to which is good news for the environment as well.”

Richard Croft, director at HDD, added: “We are delighted the Local Centre is fully let and that we have a mix of local and national occupiers across Teal Park.

“Teal Park is going from strength to strength and is adding to the retail mix of this popular area of Nottingham.”