Client

The Gerrick Rose Animal Trust is based in Plymouth and provides financial assistance to a range of animal charities with recent donations having been made to Battersea Dogs Home and The Flicka Foundation, a horse and donkey sanctuary in Helston.

Background

The Trust had made some property investments in Harrow and Sudbury in north-west London. The premises were both retail properties and had long standing tenants. Owning the freehold of both meant the Trust increased its investment several times over as property values in London soared. With property values at an all-time high, the Trustees made the decision it was the right time to sell.

Requirements

As clients of SH Professional in Ealing which merged with Bonsors in 2013, the charity’s trustees turned to the company once again to manage the sale of both properties.

Solutions and results

Located in Plymouth meant the Gerrick Rose charity’s trustees had limited knowledge of the London commercial property market despite their very wise investments several years ago. With our local knowledge and long standing relationship with the charity, we were the natural choice when it came to managing the sale.

In a highly competitive market where freehold retail properties are hard to come by, we were confident of finding a buyer quickly. The fact that both properties had sitting tenants who were operating successful businesses with a background of reliable rental payments was a bonus. It wasn’t long before an investor took advantage of the opportunity and purchased both units for a total of £900,000.

Releasing the capital means the charity can make further donations to the animal charities it supports.

What our clients said

”We enjoyed a partnership first with SH Professional and then under the Bonsors name for several years and we have found their advice to be completely on point. Whilst we have revinvested the rental income from the properties back into the charity over the years, the London market which has always been strong but performing way beyond anything we had seen in recent years, meant it was the right time to sell and realise the capital. With their understanding of the local market, it didn’t take the team at Bonsors long to find us a buyer, negotiate a price and manage the sale of both properties. It was an extremely smooth process and we are delighted to be able to put the funds to good use by donating to the animal charities we support.”

Tony Cusack, Managing Director, Gerrick Rose Animal Trust