Merrifields

There's been recent debate in the Bury Free Press Facebook group about which businesses and brands residents would like to see fill the empty shops in the town. Suffolk News conducted a poll, and just under a quarter said a family-friendly restaurant, such as Toby Carvery, TGI Fridays or Five Guys, was what our town needed. The second-most desired option was an experience unit, akin to the former Rollerbury or a trampoline park. Sixteen per cent of respondents wanted a John Lewis, while 15 said a home store such as Lakeland or Homesense, to replace the likes of Palmers, was what they wanted. What are your thoughts?

OFFICE/RETAIL - TO LET Baxter Court is tucked behind Dipples Jewellers on Abbeygate Street in the heart of Bury St Edmunds. Office 5, located on the first floor via a communal entrance on High Baxter Street, offers two rooms with charming original sash windows, cosy carpeting, efficient LED and spot lighting, electric heating and shared WCs. 📍 5 Baxter Court High Baxter Street, Bury St Edmunds 📏 627 sq ft (58.25 sq m) 💰 To rent: £7,000 per annum For more information or an inspection please contact: Rowan Mason 01284 700700 / rowan@merrifields.co.uk Mark Kohler 01284 700700 / mark@merrifields.co.uk

The old Marlows facade/shop front sign was recently revealed at the 43-45 Churchgate Street during their reconstruction from former hairdressers to new Spanish tapas restaurant opening this spring. Some interesting history about the building and Marlows: This mock Tudor building, was designed by H S Watling in 1903 to replace Harveys grocers shop, destroyed by fire. On Tuesday, November 3, 1903, a fire broke out in this building at 1:40 am. Thankfully, the fire brigade was able to respond swiftly. They managed to prevent the fire from spreading to the boot shop or down the street to Mr. Travis’s taxidermy business. The building was later rebuilt with black-painted beams. This same style was once used at both The Fox and the Dog & Partridge pubs. Edwin Underwood and Albert Marlow founded a timber company in College Street, which operated from 1954 to 1978. They also opened to a showroom for bathrooms and sanitaryware in this very building. The faded inscription "TIMBER MERCHANTS MARLOW & CO LTD BUILDERS SUPPLIES" is still visible on the College Street facade. In the 1960s, Edwin’s son Ken, along with his grandsons Philip and Michael, expanded the business, eventually leading to the construction of new premises and yards on Hollow Road. In 1980, F W Cocksedge & Sons (Fred, Robert, and Teddy) of Mildenhall renovated these almshouses in College Street, with surveyor Charles Morris commemorated on a small brick at the southern end of the building. Now Grade II-listed, the former almshouses at 8-11 College Street are highly sought after, with nine additional properties built into the old yard behind, now called William Barnaby Yard.

INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE - TO LET Unit 51 at Red House Farm in Bacton is available for rent. This steel portal frame unit has been refurbished, featuring brick elevations, a concrete floor, a new insulated sheet roof, a large roller shutter door and three-phase electricity. 📍 Unit 51 Red House Farm, Bacton, Stowmarket 📏 7,390 sq ft (686.53 sq m) 💰 To rent: per annum For more information or an inspection please contact: Rowan Mason 01284 700700 / rowan@merrifields.co.uk Mark Kohler 01284 700700 / mark@merrifields.co.uk

Exciting news for tapas lovers 🍽️ a new restaurant is coming to Bury St Edmunds! We've let 43-45 Churchgate Street to LHK Venturs Limited, who will be opening a new Spanish tapas restaurant called Bellota. Led by husband and wife team Ruben Aguilar Bel and Gabriella Fogarasi, they hope to open in spring 2025. This addition to Bury St Edmunds' food scene highlights the demand for business space in the town centre. We wish Ruben, Gabriella and the LHK Venturs Limited team all the best and look forward to trying their food soon.

The history of the Post Office in Bury St Edmunds The iconic Victorian red-brick building served as the town's post office from 1895 until 2016. The main post office's journey began in 1861 at 10 Buttermarket before moving to 24 Abbeygate Street and later to 52 Abbeygate Street, now home to Barclays Bank. During this period, William Dawson dedicated 32 years to the Post Office, eventually retiring as Post Master in 1895. The Cornhill Post Office closed its doors in 2016. In 2018, St Edmundsbury Borough Council announced innovative redevelopment plans for the building, converting it into flats and commercial units while preserving its striking Victorian façade and the royal coat of arms on the pediment. This redevelopment aims to improve the link between the Cornhill Walk Shopping Centre and the historic town centre. Merrifields are currently promoting the letting of two retail units. View the properties here: https://lnkd.in/gSJydWBs

SUCCESS STORY 👏 We are pleased to announce the sale of 7 Rutherford Way in Thetford. This 2,948 sq ft industrial unit on the Fison Way Industrial Estate was sold to a local grounds work company, which is expanding its operations. Merrifields represented the beneficiaries of a pension fund who previously held the property as an investment. The high demand and low supply of freehold industrial properties in the area ensured a swift and beneficial transaction for both parties.

INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE IN NEWMARKET - TO LET This unit is located on Willie Snaith Road. It's conveniently situated just 1 mile from J37 of the A14. The unit features open plan storage areas on the ground floor, with ground and first-floor offices. There's ample parking for 16 vehicles, as well as yard and loading areas. The unit is equipped with a concrete floor, two up-and-over loading doors, translucent roof lights, LED lighting and gas blow heaters. Ideal for trade counter or roadside use. 📍 Duxford House, Willie Snaith Road, Newmarket 📏 7,278 sq ft (676.13 sq m) 💰 To rent: £72,500 per annum For more information or an inspection please contact: Rowan Mason 01284 700700 / rowan@merrifields.co.uk Mark Kohler 01284 700700 / mark@merrifields.co.uk

💰 RICS Bank verification process to reduce fraud. At Merrifields, we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of trust and transparency in our supplier relationships. That's why we are always going beyond the RICS-guidance on bank verifications. What does this mean? By following the guidelines set by the RICS, we ensure our supplier bank verifications are thorough, accurate, and reliable. This step is crucial in safeguarding our financial transactions and fostering stronger, more secure partnerships, by: ✔️ Obtaining details from a respectable source (invoice, active official website, e-mail correspondance) ✔️ Following up with a phone call to verify the source as true. ✔️ Undertaking a bank verification check that the banks details are as advised

INDUSTRIAL WAREHOUSE - TO LET The unit has a steel profile roof, level access doors and a pedestrian door leading to offices, kitchen and WC's. It also features a fenced yard. Nearby, you'll find LIDL, Screwfix, Howdens Joinery, Sainsbury's, McDonald's and B&Q. 📍 5a Burrell Way Trade Park, Thetford 📏 17,999 sq ft (1,672.11 sq m) 💰 To rent: on application For more information or an inspection please contact: Rowan Mason 01284 700700 / rowan@merrifields.co.uk Mark Kohler 01284 700700 / mark@merrifields.co.uk