THE MEWS
The MEWS, adjacent to the village of Mitcheldean, is situated in the south-west corner of VANTAGE POINT BUSINESS VILLAGE and is a self-contained business incubator area.
HISTORICAL
Originally Wintle’s Brewery, the site has had a varied history being used for such diverse activities as manufacturing searchlights and other highly specialised equipment for the War Effort in 1941, the manufacture of cine and photographic equipment by British Acoustic Films under licence to Bell & Howell, before becoming part of the Rank Organisation in 1948 – many will remember the Rank Organisation’s trade mark – the man with the gong. With the advent of xerographic copiers in 1949, and the forming of Rank Xerox in 1956, a new, well-documented chapter commenced in the Mitcheldean story.
APRIL 1984 – APRIL 2002 – MITCHELDEAN ENTERPRISE WORKSHOPS LIMITED
Established in 1984 as a major part of the former Rank Xerox Community Support Programme in the Forest of Dean, the MEWS initiative was supported by Local and National Government, by various Government Agencies and Trades Unions.
MAY 2002 – PRESENT DAY – VANTAGE POINT BUSINESS VILLAGE LIMITED
Vantage Point Business Village Limited – a subsidiary of BMJ International Limited – purchased the former Xerox Business Park in May 2002.
After 15 years, Vantage Point Business Village Limited continues to provide office and industrial accommodation at reasonable rents. The management team does everything possible to ensure that the MEWS continues to go from strength to strength, thus helping all the present companies in residence – and prospective companies – to have a worthwhile, successful and profitable future.
At the MEWS the aim is to help local enterprises, start-up firms and new and growing small businesses to keep their capital outlay to a minimum and avoid binding commitments of a long-term lease. Units are secured by signing a Tenancy at Will. With the advantages of an ‘easy in / easy out’ tenancy-at-will arrangement and the on-site services available, it should be possible for such businesses to adapt and grow rapidly.
Units are available in basic condition with lighting, electricity supply and wired for an external telephone. At management’s discretion, there will be some common lighting and heating and, in some cases, water supply and drainage; gas may be available in some units. Units are furnished, decorated and equipped by tenants according to their own requirements.
The application procedure for a tenancy at will is designed to be straight-forward so that tenants can move in quickly and will not be delayed unnecessarily. The prospective tenant discusses his/her requirements with a member of the Commercial Team. If a suitable unit is available, they sign the tenancy at will document, pay one month’s rent in advance, pay a deposit of three months’ rent and then move in.
Thereafter, a single inclusive monthly bill is prepared, including rent, services charges and VAT. In addition, electricity used in the unit is metered and invoiced monthly. Any charges for gas are made by the appropriate Authorities. Business Rates are paid by the tenant direct to the Forest of Dean District Council. Currently, a wide variety of businesses on the MEWS site include a brewery, a licensed bar, offices linked to a cider and perry making company, a retail outlet distributing industrial fasteners, fixings and engineering supplies, a contract electronic manufacturer, a manufacturer of billiard irons, industrial irons, wax dispensers, together with trade and retail of small tools, a café / takeaway, a charity working directly with children and a computer systems and specialised repair company.
At present there are several small offices and industrial units available for letting – details of which can be obtained by contacting the Commercial Team – via Vantage Point Business Village Main Reception on 01594 541222 or submitting an enquiry suing the online form.
