Member Article

FORMER ST MARY’S NURSING HOME IN EDNASTON TRANSFORMED INTO EXCITING NEW MANAGED WORKSPACE SCHEME

Refurbishment work to transform the former St Mary’s Nursing Home in Ednaston into an exciting new managed workspace scheme is nearing completion and is set to open for business next month.

Located off the A52 between Derby and Ashbourne, Ednaston Park is a magnificent period property dating back to the 19th Century and nestled in 18 acres of picturesque landscaped gardens.

The building, which was operated as a nursing home until 2016, was purchased by developer CWC Group in September 2017 and has been the subject of a major refurbishment to turn it into modern office accommodation, which combines contemporary styling with many of the building’s original features, to stunning effect.

Ednaston Park will comprise of 20,000 ft2 of flexible commercial space in the form of 32 hi-spec office suites ranging in size from 54 ft2 to 526 ft2, which will be available as single or multi-office lets, located across two stories.

It will include kitchen and break-out areas on each floor. On-site parking is also available.

Tenants will also be able to take advantage of other services, including meeting and training rooms. Meeting rooms will also be available for non-tenants to hire.

The building has been sympathetically restored, with a magnificent bespoke reception area, complete with spiral staircase and contemporary lighting which complements the original oak and stone flooring.

The building has been finished to the highest standards, with craftsmen produced Farrow & Ball tones selected to cover the interior and exterior walls.

Security is of paramount importance, with a leading-edge security system and CCTV. All rooms will have their own fob key entry. The scheme is set to be hugely attractive to the increasing number of entrepreneurs, micro-businesses and SMEs who are looking for an alternative to city centre-based working and to achieve a better work-life balance.

Lucy Delaney has been appointed business centre manager. Her brief will be to offer a professional concierge service and establish a strong business community, which encourages collaboration and networking between tenants.

Lucy has a vast amount of experience in the business incubation and support sector. She spent six years as a Business Broker at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce, where she supported numerous businesses to access training, funding and specialist business advice.

In 2009 Lucy was appointed as Business Development Manager at Keele University Science & Business Park where she was responsible for attracting and retaining tenant businesses across the 4 Innovation Centres. She also managed the creation and operation of a business incubation centre for early-stage businesses and a specially designed Business Growth Programme. Lucy holds a SFEDI accreditation for business advice.

Ednaston Park will be managed by CWC Group, who have recently relocated their headquarters to Ednaston Park from Brailsford Hall.

An Open Day is being staged to give potential tenants, neighbours and the local community the chance to visit Ednaston Park and see the results of the refurbishment programme. A date for the event will be announced shortly.

Commenting on the launch of the scheme, Andrew Bock, director at the CWC Group, said:

“There is currently no managed workspace provision of this quality in and around the Ashbourne area, which means that many small businesses may be having to work from home, or travel to other schemes in Derby and further afield.

“Ednaston Park will meet the growing demand from businesses looking for an alternative to city centre-based working and enable them to draw inspiration from this stunning location in the heart of the Derbyshire countryside.

“The ‘wow’ factor is already generating enquiries from businesses keen to take advantage of this unique opportunity to be located in one of the finest working environments in the region.”

Lucy Delaney added:

“I look forward to welcoming our tenants and supporting them however I can as they grow their businesses. It’s a privilege to set foot in this beautifully refurbished period property every day and I’m sure the businesses that join us here will feel the same sense of pride.

“This character accommodation is set in a unique rural location, close to all major road links. Having undergone extensive refurbishment, many of the magnificent period features remain and work effortlessly alongside new high-quality fixtures and fittings, creating a luxury contemporary feel.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Donna Hill .