“Lonsdale Gate offers something for every business”

Eileen Leahy meets John Elkington, Group Executive Chairman of Penhurst, his son Jack Elkington, who is its Executive Director and the property business’s new Group Head of Business Centres, Daniel Jenkinson. Here they reveal why their premium serviced offices at
Lonsdale Gate in the heart of Tunbridge Wells are flexible, first class options for companies of all sizes..

Boasting 45 offices, a gym, a ‘breakout’ space, an impressive boardroom and super stylish lobby – think vaulted ceiling, marble and metallic detailing and ambient lighting – Lonsdale Gate is certainly proving to be the place to do business.

“We welcome companies of all sizes,” says John Elkington, founder and Group Executive Chairman of Penhurst, a successful property business which was established 38 years ago. The company also boasts Riverside House in Tonbridge and Penhurst House in Battersea, as well as a 300 property portfolio of commercial and residential properties in central London and some of its smartest postcodes including Wimbledon, Balham, Battersea and Wandsworth.

“We are very lucky to have this offering here in Tunbridge Wells,” continues John. “You have a selection of great office spaces, first class amenities and onsite parking. Lonsdale Gate is also minutes from the train station, which makes it very accessible to London – plus you’re within walking distance of so many of our great retailers and hospitality hotspots.”

We’re chatting in Lonsdale Gate’s aforementioned boardroom. The décor, just like the main lobby area, is stunning – think Herringbone wooden flooring, statement lighting and glossy surfaces against a background of slick, muted greys and taupes with the odd flash of metallic. As meeting rooms go it’s one of the best I have ever been in.

Also present at our interview are John’s son Jack, who is Managing Director of the group’s Business Centres and Daniel Jenkinson who is Penhurst’s Group Head of Business Centres.

John Elkington acquired the freehold of Lonsdale Gate for just over three million pounds six years ago. He and his team then oversaw a thorough modernisation of the building, which was the former HQ of Thomson Snell and Passmore law firm. As well as installing a new air conditioning system, they carried out a thorough redesign and modernisation of the site.

“We bought the freehold in 2019 and then of course the pandemic hit. But actually we have pretty much maintained 100 percent occupancy since opening,” explains Jack.

Now however, there are a couple of units available to rent, which is why the trio are talking to me about the benefits of basing one’s business in this very smart detached period building which is located on Lonsdale Gardens, just off Mount Pleasant.

A number of high profile companies are now based at Lonsdale Gate.

“As soon as people walk into this building they are wowed,” continues Jack. “We put a lot of time and effort into creating a space that people are proud to come to work in.”

Daniel, who previously worked in TV production before joining Penhurst, says that running all three business centres is a little like his old job.

“You have to manage different types of people and meet their needs, so in a way the two roles are fairly similar.”

One of the big draws he says about renting a space at Lonsdale Gate is having access to all the great facilities on offer – including the stunning boardroom.

“We have it on a first come, first served basis and are also able to hire it out to external businesses if they need it for meetings. Jess Gibson from the TN card and Nick Bryant of Brilliant Businesses both record their podcasts here.”

Daniel says that in addition to all the amazing facilities tenants have access to, another bonus of being based in Lonsdale Gate is that clients have access to their office around the clock. 

“So that means if you are working globally, like so many of our businesses do, it doesn’t matter what time zone you are in, you can still work here, whatever time of day or night.”

And although the companies currently in situ at Lonsdale Gate are from a variety of sectors and differ in terms of their numbers, one thing they have in common is community.

“That is key for us,” affirms Jack. “We want people to interact with one another – have those water cooler moments when they stop to make a coffee or take a break. There’s a lot of networking that goes on here.”

He goes on to say that was the thinking behind the cool ‘breakout room’ as the team call it. “Really it’s just a space where people can take time out. We have a TV in there, comfortable seating and even an honesty fridge with cold drinks in it.”

Daniel adds that Penhurst are also pet friendly with around four or five dogs coming to work with their owners. 

“I think that’s another thing that gives this place a good USP.”

But Lonsdale Gate is just one element of the group’s property empire. As the blurb on their website states with ‘assets of over £150million’, the business, which John founded in 1987, is now ‘one of the largest private property owners in South London.’

John confirms this by telling me the company has also been focused on investing in the residential sector for many decades. “We buy properties, let them and manage them,” he explains. “We currently have over 350 properties including 50 commercial units – and we are still expanding in London.”

But back to Tunbridge Wells and Daniel tells me that despite the look and feel of the Lonsdale Gate building being extremely premium, the packages they offer are very good value.

“Our smallest office space starts at around £360 a month – and that includes all the utilities, security, cleaning, high speed internet, refreshments and access to the boardroom. Parking is a big bonus for us as we have 40 spaces – and not many other serviced offices have this.” 

The group’s Riverside House also offers parking, with around 20 spaces available. And there’s a lovely bit of family history attached to this site which overlooks the River Medway in Tonbridge.

“We have some very special connections to the local area,” adds John before telling me that the Riverside House site was where his great, great, great grandfather established and ran a builder’s merchant. 

Centuries later John bought it and Penhurst did a major redevelopment on it 16 years ago. Like Lonsdale Gate, it has been incredibly popular boasting pretty much 100% occupancy ever since.

But the emotional and personal bonds to the area don’t stop there. As well as being born in Tunbridge Wells, John tells me that there is a special connection with the Lonsdale Gate building too.

“We acquired the freehold from Thomson Snell and Passmore back in 2019 and I realised that the law firm used to act for my grandfather – so there’s a connection to both towns.”

And while John and Jack are mainly based in London it is Daniel who is their ‘man on the ground’ here in Tunbridge Wells. What does Daniel enjoy most about his role?

“The fact that it is different every day. I like to think I am quite a sociable person so the fact I get to meet such a variety of people is great. From accountants to renovation companies, to physios and Ukrainian refugees who are restarting their business from here. No one day is the same.”

John then tells me that funnily enough Daniel used to work in the building so it’s no wonder he knows the place so well. 

“Yes I used to manage office number nine! That’s when I fell in love with the place.”

“He loved it so much he decided to work here!” laughs John.

Proof enough therefore that Lonsdale Gate is a great place to do business – whatever your size or sector…

For more information visit 

www.penhurst.co.uk

www.lonsdalegate.co.uk