Member Article

Fitted Kitchen Specialist Invests in Expansion Move

Confidence is at the heart of a growing family firm’s decision to take its name to a popular business complex in uphill Lincoln.

SOTA Living, which is currently based in the LN6 area of Lincoln has snapped-up space at Bishops Trade Park, off Outer Circle Road, where the established kitchen design and installation business is relocating and expanding to also offer stylish fitted bedrooms.

It’s an exciting time for SOTA (State of The Art!) Living and great news for site developer Padley, which has confirmed that the final unit within Phase One of the Trade Park is now under offer.

Padley has said the development site ultimately holds the promise of creating 450 jobs and it is now eager to press ahead with a planning application to start Phase Two.

SOTA Living is headed by Directors Philip Ardron and his sons Rick and Tom. They are proud to be making their move, after enjoying a great start to the year and progressing their investment and relocation during a period of continuing national uncertainty.

Philip said: “We had a strong start to the year and we knew we needed more space. The fact that we have had the confidence to secure larger premises to meet our future aspirations, during the Coronavirus pandemic, sends out a positive message to potential customers.”

Tom said: “We are family-run and we specialise in the design, supply and installation of German-made kitchens. Having been experienced fitters for twelve years, we are delighted that our move will also give-us the room to design, showcase our work and go on to offer fitted bedrooms.

Rick added: “We have been watching how the Outer Circle Road area has been diversifying in recent months and attracting more national, regional and local businesses. We are confident that this is the ideal home for our growing business.”

SOTA is poised to move its team to Bishops Trade Park in early Autumn. The anticipated further growth of the business is expected to create a role for a further designer.

Lincolnshire developer Padley remained upbeat today after revealing that the last remaining unit with the first phase of Bishops Trade Park is under offer.

Commercial Director Richard Padley and chartered surveyor Banks Long & Co Director William Wall were delighted to reveal that this phase has proved a real winner with trade counter operators, in particular.

Buoyed-up by how much the development has fired the imagination of expanding companies within Lincolnshire and beyond, Padley is now keen to submit plans for Phase Two - which will feature complementary light industrial units.

Mr Padley said: “We embarked on this speculative development, off Outer Circle Road, after noticing a rise in the number of retailers and service businesses moving into this increasingly vibrant part of Lincoln and following progress on the construction of the city’s important Eastern Bypass.

“Our confidence has been rewarded, despite delays to the Bypass along with the challenges experienced by businesses of all sizes during the height of the Coronavirus pandemic. We are absolutely delighted with the popularity of the trade park.

Banks Long & Co Director William Wall said: “Bishops Trade Park is an exciting concept. It is great to see how the first phase has captured the attention of both expanding local businesses and national traders who are bringing extra choice to Lincoln.

“Tenants include companies which have a blend of customer showrooms and trade counters. They include Toolstation, Screwfix, Batley headquartered Easy Bathrooms & Tiles and the decorating specialist Kent Blaxill.

“Together they have not only created new jobs, but also provided opportunities for trade professionals to potentially win extra work,” added Mr Wall.

Padley development consultant Shield Commercial Estates Director Mike Shield said: “The success of the Phase One development reassures us that this is an excellent location, the tenants have reported extremely good turnover, even throughout the lockdown.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Glynis Fox .