A NEW hospital is to open in Wokingham, after agreeing to a major letting deal.
NHS eyecare services provider SpaMedica is to open a new state-of-the-art hospital at Quoin House on Fishponds Road – the 20th site in its group.
Once open, it will offer a range of NHS treatments including cataract surgery and YAG laser capsulotomy.
Landlord Thomas Lawrence & Sons Ltd completed the deal with the help of Haslams Chartered Surveyors for the 13,100 sq ft space.
In a statement, James Clarke, Head of Property at SpaMedica, said: “The site at Wokingham is just what SpaMedica looks for when setting up our new hospitals – it’s in a great location, with easy access and lots of on-site parking available for our patients.
“All parties involved in the transaction and development have helped us deliver a first-class eye hospital, ready to deliver NHS cataract surgery to patients across the Wokingham region.”
The deal was welcomed by Thomas Lawrence & Sons Ltd.
Its head of property, Graeme Canning, said: “Our refurbishment of the property was essential to re-brand the office premises to enable us to attract a national occupier of SpaMedica’s quality to Wokingham in what is a very challenging economic climate.
“The new hospital will be a wonderful new facility for the town and we wish SpaMedica every success for the future.”
And Neil Seager, the company’s letting agent, said: “This letting vindicates the decision to market the property to as wide an audience as possible.
“This approach enabled us to secure a tenant before completion of our client’s refurbishment. Going forward, repurposing of offices will be more common as the office market contracts in none core locations.
“Landlords that have the vision such as in Wokingham, will benefit from demand from occupiers like SpaMedica.
“Those that remain blinkered will,I am afraid, suffer longer void periods.
“SpaMedica is the perfect tenant for this property. They were highly professional to deal with which, with the help of Wokingham Borough Council made for a smooth transaction.”
Haslams acted for the landlord. Lawson Hubbard Lowe represented the tenant.
