NHS eyecare services provider SpaMedica has taken a 13,000 sq ft former office building in Wokingham for a new eye hospital.

Landlord, Thomas Lawrence & Sons, advised by Haslams Chartered Surveyors, has let Quion House in Fishponds Road to the company for a new state-of-the-art centre which will provide NHS ophthalmology services including cataract surgery and YAG laser capsulotomy.

The deal brings the total of SpaMedica’s eye hospitals to 20 with 20 with more sites in the pipeline.

James Clarke, head of property at SpaMedica, said: “The site at Wokingham is just what SpaMedica looks for when setting up our new hospitals.

“It’s in a great location, with easy access and lots of on-site parking available for our patients. All parties involved in the transaction and development have helped us deliver a first-class eye hospital, ready to deliver NHS cataract surgery to patients across the Wokingham region.”

Graeme Canning, head of property at Thomas Lawrence & Sons, said: “Our refurbishment of the property was essential to re-brand the office premises to enable us to attract a national occupier of SpaMedica’s quality to Wokingham in what is a very challenging economic climate.

“The new hospital will be a wonderful new facility for the town and we wish SpaMedica every success for the future.”

Neil Seager, letting agent for Thomas Lawrence & Sons, said: “This letting vindicates the decision to market the property to as wide an audience as possible. This approach enabled us to secure a tenant before completion of our client’s refurbishment.

“Going forward, repurposing of offices will be more common as the office market contracts in non-core locations.

“Landlords that have the vision such as in Wokingham, will benefit from demand from occupiers like SpaMedica.

“Those that remain blinkered will, I am afraid, suffer longer void periods. SpaMedica is the perfect tenant for this property. They were highly professional to deal with which, with the help of Wokingham Borough Council made for a smooth transaction.”

Lawson Hubbard Lowe represented SpaMedica.

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