When previewing a property local surveyors very rarely take to the skies to do so. But this was the case when representatives from several agencies from across Yorkshire were treated to an airplane ride to get a real ‘birds eye’ view of recently refurbished warehouse/industrial units at Celtica, Enterprise Way, Sherburn, near Leeds.

Several agencies were invited to the event, hosted by property developer Craigard Investments who has spent the past 3 months refurbishing the units. Formerly the Eurospace factory, the site consists of two units, one of 157,000 sq ft and the other 215,000 sq ft, with a further seven acres of land available for expansion, up to 500,000 sq ft in total.

"As we have done so much work to the site, we wanted to really show it off to the local surveyors and get them excited about the project," comments Managing Director of Craigard, Paul Foster. "The refurbishment will regenerate a site that has stood vacant for some time and will provide employment opportunities for the local labour market. I hope that the day was useful and enables the agents to fully appreciate how well connected the premises are in terms of access to the motorway network."

The letting of Celtica is being handled by agents Fuller Peiser (Tel. 0114 241 2222) and Gent Visick (Tel. 0113 245 6000). The site is ideally located amongst many large companies including Supercook and Eddie Stobbart, and has easy access to the M1 and A1(M).

Executive Director Paul Foster and his investors Deeley Group and Atkins are celebrating a hugely impressive first year, turning over £30m in transactions.

The company, which celebrated its first birthday last month, has established a niche in the commercial property market, securing five investments throughout the corridor between Weymouth and Brighton and northwards to the M4/M25.

Acquisitions in Thatcham, Southampton, Segensworth and Nursling all indicate areas of potential growth in the sector, and have been key targets for Craigard. Having dealt with local sites, Craigard is now beginning to explore other developments across the country, currently dealing with a 26 acre investment near Leeds in a deal worth £13.25m.

Executive director Paul Foster said, "I am very pleased with our initial progress and I can't believe that 13 months ago the company existed only as an idea; now at the end of our first year, we have made a small profit, which is an incredible feat for any company,"

Successful Midlands businessman and keen sailor, Paul Foster, has moved south to achieve a long held ambition of setting up his own property company close to his family and the sea. This significant step means that his new company, Craigard Investments looks set to become a major player in the south of England as it benefits from Paul’s impressive track record and financial backing by Atkins Holdings and the Deeley Group.

Paul, formerly the executive director of Warwick-based commercial property firm IM Properties, will be based at the Craigard offices at Enterprise House in Ocean Village, Southampton. Craigard’s target is to build a mixed £100m property portfolio over the next three to five years focused on the geographic ‘box’ between Weymouth and Brighton and northwards to the M4/M24. The target will be achieved through development, trading, investment, joint ventures and asset management.

"The project promises to be particularly exciting and already we are well on our way with a number of potential key projects," says Paul. "I have chosen to concentrate on the South as it has a sound business base, great communication and transport links, immense affluence and it’s an area I know well."

"On a personal level, I am looking forward to achieving a much better balance in my life," added Paul. "Coming home has also meant the opportunity to spend more time with my family and enjoy our boat. Although a lovely area, nowhere in England is further from the sea than Warwickshire! It’s hard to beat the south for great business opportunities and a superb standard of living."

Well known within the commercial property arena with an impressive track record at IM Properties spanning 15 years, Paul is looking to capitalise on his enviable list of contacts. In the last three years alone he closed on over £1billion of transactions and it is this wealth of experience that has already attracted Atkins Holdings Ltd and Deeley Group Ltd. Both are now on board. No surprise then that the Craigard team have an incredible track record of consistently good stock selection.

For more information on Craigard, please visit the website on www.craigard.biz or call Craigard on 07721 399 945.

Southampton based property company Craigard Investments has let 69,000 sq ft at its site at the former GCi building in Thatcham to DBC Foodservice on a 15 year lease. The building will be used to service DBC customers across Southern England.

The site was Craigard Investments first ever acquisition since its inception in early 2005 and this letting justifies their decision to invest in the Thatcham industrial market.

Paul Foster, CEO of Craigard Investments commented: "Thatcham was one of the first properties that we purchased when Craigard began, and I am delighted that we have now agreed terms with a national company, and one with such impressive links. The plan was to redevelop the site and bring more employment back into the local area, which I am glad will now happen. After an impressive first year result of over £30m in transactions, this deal is an indicator that Craigard is firmly stamping its name in the property market, and will continue to grow over the coming year."

Jones Lang LaSalle and Deal Varney acted on behalf of Craigard and Allsop Matcham on behalf of DBC Foodservice.

A lot can happen over the course of a year, and even more in eight months if you are Paul Foster. He has managed to return to his roots on the south coast from Warwickshire, set up his own business, Craigard Investments, and has now secured four properties worth £15million, creating a large wave in the property investment market. Pretty impressive stuff in a few months.

The acquisition of Hampshire House in Southampton is the latest property addition to the ever-growing client list. A 1960’s block just below Bar Gate, Craigard plan to refurbish and improve the original building. Their tenants include Barclays Bank, Solent Blue Line, Twilo the hairdresser, Universal Recruitment and Reed Employment. "This property showed enormous potential, and I believe that we will be able to sensitively refurbish the existing premises that will generate more business for the tenants, whilst enhancing the High Street" comments Paul Foster.

Hampshire House is not the only investment for this growing business, both the IO Centre on Segensworth Industrial Estate and the Mack premises on Nursling Industrial Estate have also been acquired by Craigard. "Both areas are very busy trading estates, and were a positive move for the company. By investing in these areas, we are steadily moving towards our first year’s goal – the beginnings of a diverse well structured portfolio full of opportunity. It was always going to be tough, but I think we will achieve," adds Paul.

"I have always wanted to move forward quickly with Craigard, but our success in acquiring these properties exceeded all my expectations for 2005."

So what of the future? Well Paul Foster intends to build on the start the Southampton–based company has already made. "I started Craigard Investments with strong market experience and a belief in the great potential offered in the South of England. Our initial success has proved it was the right decision but we are far from complacent; we are always on the lookout for future prospects and we now want to build a robust and substantial long term business."

With a business plan targeting a mixed £100m property portfolio within three to five, Craigard is set to become a signifcant player on the South Coast. The founder and director, Paul Foster, provides an impressive track record as does the backing partners, Atkins Holding Ltd. and the Deeley Group to ensure this target is met.

"The project promises to be particularly exciting and already we are well on our way with a number of potential key projects," says Paul. "I have chosen to concentrate on the South as it has a sound business base, great communication and transport links, immense affluence and it’s an area I know well."

Paul himself is well known within the commercial property for his impressive track record at IM Properties spanning 15 years. In the last three years alone he closed on over £1billion of transactions and it is this wealth of experience that has already attracted Atkins Holdings Ltd and Deeley Group Ltd. Both are now on board.

Moving from London, back to his family roots, Paul already has a great local knowledge and enviable list of contacts. A constant dialogue and longstanding relationships with professionals at the forefront of the property market ensures Craigard are kept fully aware of market trends. No surprise then that the Craigard team have an enviable track record of consistently good stock selection.

For more information on Craigard, please visit the website on www.craigard.biz or call Craigard on 07721 399 945.