Proof positive that Kent offers a great location for experts in the strawberry industry has seen Driscoll’s Genetics more than double the size of its operations at East Malling Research.
The company has doubled its space from 2,500ft2 to 5,400ft2. The 500 acre parkland estate is owned by East Malling Trust, the UK’s largest independent funder of horticultural research.
Commenting on the expansion Dr Carlos Fear, Director of Plant Breeding & Variety Development of Driscoll’s Genetics, said: “East Malling has provided a company like ours and ideal place to bring its research organisation. Not only is it an easy gateway for travel to the rest of Europe, but East Malling Research provides the facilities we require such as laboratories, offices, glasshouses and a site for field trials.”
The expansion of Driscoll’s Genetics, a Californian family-owned company, was negotiated by Smiths Gore, the Kings Hill-based chartered surveyors and property consultants which manages East Malling Trust’s property portfolio.
Tim Cathcart, Partner at Smiths Gore said: “With a reputation for high level scientific advancements spanning more than a hundred years, the buildings at East Malling Research and community of scientists on site, make it an attractive proposition for soft fruit and top fruit related businesses, such as Driscoll’s Genetics.”
Last month, Smiths Gore successfully let the 18th century Grade II tithe barn adjacent to Bradbourne House, which now provides 2,323ft2 of open plan office space to landscape design consultants Murdoch Wickham.
In addition to the scientific work undertaken at East Malling Research, the estate is also home to English Apples and Pears, the organisation which champions UK growers. Other companies include Evogro, the high-tech plant growing equipment company; specialist market research OMB Research, and seismic and drilling advisers Zebra Geosciences and Zebra Datasciences.
Further information on the properties available at East Malling can be found at www.eastmallingtrustestate.co.uk