News

Major offices letting by Vail Williams to global digital agency

County Gates House becomes one of the largest office lettings in Dorset this year after EPM Agency take three floors in Poole.
November 1, 2023
One of the largest office lettings in the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole conurbation this year has taken place.

Property consultancy Vail Williams has let three floors at the landmark County Gates House near Bournemouth.

EPM Agency, a full-service agency which offers digital, event and marketing services and is a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Inc., the American multinational conglomerate, will be the new occupier.

Currently based at North Street in Poole, EPM Agency signed a 10-year lease for 14,792 sq ft across the second, third and fifth floors of the offices building at 300 Poole Road, Poole.

The relocation to Westbourne will not only “help create a creative working space for its 100-plus employees but also give EPM Agency space to grow within the area”, it said.

Vail Williams represented the private landlord of 52,000 sq ft County Gates House, which has nine floors and is by the sought-after Bournemouth suburb of Westbourne and, just across the road, Branksome in Poole.

Bryony Thompson, an Associate at Vail Williams, working out of the firm’s Bournemouth office at Wessex Fields, said: “The letting to EPM Agency, which helps some of the world’s largest and most prestigious brands and companies, is one of the largest office lettings in the BCP conurbation this year.

“All three floors are to be extensively furnished to reflect EPM Agency’s brand values before moving staff in and the letting amounts to 28.5% of the building’s total area.

“The company was attracted to the location as staff were keen to be near Westbourne, with its independent shops, bars and restaurants, with the beach a mile away.

“This offices deal is also a good sign of local business committing further to the area, rather than relocating out of the conurbation. It will also mean inward investment, with extra spend at local businesses.”

Occupiers include Britannia Parking, IDE and Freedom Health Insurance.

Vail Williams is sole agent for County Gates House, which is a prominent building fronting the Wessex Way, Poole Road and Liverpool Victoria roundabout – Wessex Way leads directly to the A338/A31 dual carriageways providing access to the M3 and M27.

There is a further 8,000 sq ft of office accommodation in the building available to lease.

On a main bus route, the offices are approximately 3.5 miles from Bournemouth railway station, which has regular services to London Waterloo.

The property is situated in Westbourne, a busy suburb of Bournemouth approximately 1 mile to the west of Bournemouth town centre and approximately 4 miles to the east of Poole town centre.

EPM Agency website https://www.epm.agency/