Hughes Ellard - Mixed-Use Letting - Southampton

Date: 15 Aug 2008

A Printing solutions specialist with growth ambitions has opened up a second outlet following a 48-hour property deal in Southampton with local commercial property agency Hughes Ellard.

Reebrooks, which supplies more than 1,500 clients ranging from sole traders to computer giant IBM and local authorities, has leased a two-storey, mid-terrace business unit near the Saints' football stadium.

The company has taken a nine-year lease on 2,291 sq ft at £15,000 a year - equivalent to £6.55 a sq ft - at Unit 4, Millbank House, Millbank Street.

Andy Gibbs of Hughes Ellard acted for the building's owner, a private landlord, after the premises became vacant. It was previously occupied by a property maintenance company.

He said: "The premises became available on the Friday and by the Monday Reebrooks had signed up and was in. It was a whirlwind deal within two working days - certainly the fastest we can recall locally."

Reebrooks employs nine people and has another branch in Waterlooville, near Portsmouth, which trades under the name Sprintprint.

General manager Martin Reed, who lives at Portchester, said: "An opportunity presented itself and good business is always about getting the timing right. We were impressed by the way Hughes Ellard got things moving so quickly."

He added: "Our intention is to expand in a triangle from Poole and Brighton to London by opening up a further four branches through bolt-on acquisitions."

Reebrooks specialises in servicing customers with print and stationary-related products.

It has also signed a deal to print half a million leaflets for an unnamed tyre company in the south and intends rolling out courier services.

Unit four has a ground floor with warehouse and production facilities while the first floor comprises of an open-plan office.

Other occupiers at Millbank House include Fireplaces UK, Tile World and Antony Forfar Interiors.