Former mill site sold to expanding local business

A 24,638 sq ft industrial premises on the site of a former mill has changed hands in Preston reports commercial property consultants Robert Pinkus & Co. LLP.

Acting on behalf of a private vendor, Robert Pinkus & Co. have sold an industrial warehousing property built ten years ago on the site of the former Bute Mill, Essex Street, Preston to Hunkydory Crafts Ltd, an award winning company specialising in the design, manufacture and retail of papercraft products for the international craft market.

Ann and David Newhouse formed Cardcraft Plus in 1990 from a small shop in Preston city centre and with Hunkydory Crafts established in 2008, have now grown to become a market leader in the papercrafting field. The move to larger premises will accommodate the existing 70 workforce and Hunkydory Crafts will anticipate creating 20 new jobs for the area within the next 12 months.

Daniel Newhouse, managing director at Hunkydory Crafts said: “The increased space we now benefit from at Essex Street will enable us to further invest in new machinery, training and resource which will help us to achieve our goals over the coming years.

“The unit that Robert Pinkus & Co sourced for us was in excellent condition and is ideal for our requirements, enabling us to further increase production volumes and satisfy our shopping television, wholesale and retail contracts. We have also taken the opportunity to build a 5,000 sq ft office suite, canteen and break-out area to create a better working environment for our talented team.” Danny Pinkus, partner at Robert Pinkus & Co. said: “Hunkydory Crafts and their sister company Cardcraft Plus were rapidly outgrowing their current Preston base on Sedgwick Street and need new premises to cope with their successful online and mail order businesses. Essex Street ticked all the boxes, being in close proximity to their existing unit, delivering on size and providing additional space for further expansion, and on the accessibility to the local motorway network.”