Monday 22 Aug 2011
NETWORK RAIL SUPPORTS SMALL BUSINESSES HIT BY RIOTS
- Region & Route:
- National
Network Rail is helping small businesses in areas hit hardest by the riots by offering one month’s free rent and 50% off each subsequent month’s rent on selected commercial properties up until the end of the year.
The special terms have been introduced to help small enterprises get back up and running as soon as possible and will apply to more than 100 Network Rail commercial premises in London, Birmingham, Manchester, Salford and Liverpool.
Simone Bailey, Network Rail’s head of commercial estate, said: "For many people running small businesses the riots weren’t only frightening and dangerous, they also left some small premises destroyed and so badly damaged that business could no longer continue.
"We have reacted to these unfortunate events and drawn up a list of vacant commercial properties which will be offered on special terms and shorter leases. Most premises will be available to occupy within 24 hours.
"Small businesses are the lifeblood of their local community and this is our small way of trying to help them to recover from these appalling events.
"Our main aim is to allow business to get back to normal and through our website we will list available premises with contact details.”
Many units located in railway arches in key city locations are uniquely placed to help small business and the type, style, quantity and size of use ranges from light industrial storage, to leisure, retail and office space.
Network Rail’s commercial property teams managing this initiative can be contacted using the contact details shown against the selected properties found on www.networkrail.co.uk/property or by calling 0800 830 840.
Notes to editors
Regional breakdown:
London - 59 premises
Manchester and Salford - 30 premises
Birmingham - 15 premises
Liverpool - 2 premises
The lettings estate offers a wide range of properties in terms of type, style, quality and size and current tenants range from car mechanics, hair dressers and cafes to architects, specialist cheese manufacturers, bathroom retailers and even a theatre group.
Network Rail is the country’s largest provider to small and medium sized business enterprises, with over 7,000 properties UK wide with a total 18million sq ft of space. Individual units range from 100 sq ft to 100,000 sq ft with uses ranging from office, retail and leisure to light industrial and storage
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