Acklam Group has lodged plans for an 11-storey, 136,000-square-foot offices redevelopment of a series of connected buildings in central Woking, as the Surrey town's office market sees a strong upswing in activity, CoStar News can reveal.
The Darling Associates-designed plans for the site at Chobham Road comprise offices on levels two to 10, with flexible use Class E space at ground and first floor targeting shops, restaurants and cafes, alongside cycle parking facilities and public realm improvements. CBRE is advising on the development.
The plans target a number of sustainability accreditations and break back to 12,639 square metres of offices, 721 square metres of amenity and 2,104 square metres of flexible Class E space.
Acklam's plans are for the redevelopment of a series of buildings close to Woking Railway Station and bound by Chobham Road, Church Street East and Christchurch Way. The buildings range from a single storey takeaway unit at the northern end to a four-storey office building at the southern end. The middle section comprises of a three-storey Victorian terrace of Victorian properties.
Acklam Developments principally focuses on residential-led real estate opportunities in London, the South East and major cities across the UK. Its decision to press on with the development is a response to a strong recent increase in letting activity with around 190,000 square feet under offer, particularly to firms relocating to new, more sustainable space, often from nearby Guildford, CoStar News can reveal.
Legal & General Investment Management is under offer to sign US oral hygiene group Colgate-Palmolive for 25,000 square feet of offices at Goldsworth Place in the town moving from its long-term offices at Guildford Business Park where it leases around 22,000 square feet.
LGIM has also completed a lease of 6,000 square feet to order communications group Clinisys, moving from its offices at Culverdon House, Abbots Way in Chertsey.
Market sources said V7 and Mayfair Capital is in talks to sign Nomad Foods for 30,000 square feet of offices and has signed BOC, moving from Guildford, for 16,000 square feet at the 76,000-square-foot Forge, 43 Church Street in Woking. Offshore energy systems engineering firm 2H Offshore is also in talks for a 6,000-square-foot move at Forge.
Elsewhere MSC Cruise, is in talks to take 20,000 square feet at the 95,000-square-foot Export House, the former British Amercian Tobacco building on Cawsey Way, which is owned by Woking Borough Council.
In addition, Malaysian oil and gas services company Sapura Energy has signed for 7,000 square feet and kitchen appliances group Instant Brands is in talks to take 9,000 square feet at Dukes Court, the 205,000-square-foot block on Duke Street, also owned by the council.
Finally, an undisclosed occupier is in talks to secure around 65,000 square feet via a lease surrender from existing occupier automotive giant McLaren at 1 Victoria Gate on Chobham Road.
The Woking market has been quiet since Kent and ID Business Solutions took space at Royal London Asset Management's Space, Woking, leasing 12,500 square feet and 19,350 square feet respectively.
The strong pick-up in activity reflects a wider trend of South East office occupiers committing to on moves as Grade A office supply reduces and they look for buildings which offer strong sustainability credentials and amenities.