Management of Andover business parks to change hands

The management of Walworth and Portway Business Parks to change hands this spring, with property consultancy Carter Jonas taking over from Kier.

David Davies, estate surveyor at Test Valley Borough Council, confirmed the move at the council’s Business Breakfast on Wednesday, March 18.

Mr Davies said: “Over the last 15 years or so we have had a contract with Kier to manage the Walworth Industrial Estate.

“That contract comes to an end in May. We have retendered and extended the contract to include the Portway Industrial Estate. I am pleased to say that Carter Jonas have been appointed.”

Carter Jonas will officially take on management responsibilities in May. The firm, which has 33 offices across the UK and works with 154 local authorities, will oversee day-to-day operations, lease management, and financial administration for both business parks.

Robert Daniels of Carter Jonas said the change will be seamless for tenants.

He said: “We’ll be supporting the council and taking on the day-to-day property management function, acting as the first point of contact for any queries or leases.

“From the leaseholders’ point of view, invoices will now come from us, and we’ll handle the service charge, insurance, and credit control.”

He added that ownership of the estates remains with Test Valley Borough Council, with Carter Jonas providing management and lease advisory services on its behalf.

He said: “We are stepping into where Kier were and continuing the good work already done, to a large extent, it is business as usual.”

Established in 1855, Carter Jonas is one of the UK’s leading property consultancies, employing more than 1,000 experts across commercial, residential, rural, and infrastructure sectors.

The firm holds the Investors in People Gold Standard and manages more than 1.3 million acres of land nationwide.