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FLYING HIGH: John Johnson,
the landlord of 4 Kings Park Road in Southampton,
and Kerry Oxford, the sales consultant at ODT Business
Interiors,
outside the upgraded office and now home to the
headquarters of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air
Ambulance.
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When a long-vacant city centre office required upgrading to attract a new occupier, the landlord had no hesitation in utilising
the expertise of ODT Business Interiors - www.odt-businessinteriors.co.uk
With a modest £30,000 outlay, the three-storey period property at 4 Kings Park Road, Southampton, was transformed within time and budget.
Marketed in its new form, the refreshed self-contained office generated fresh enquiries which culminated in a delighted tenant.
The property is now the headquarters of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, which has flown more than 3,376 missions to date,
after the life-saving charity relocated from St Mary’s Stadium in Southampton because of the need for more space to accommodate a growing army of volunteers.
Kerry Oxford, the sales consultant at ODT Business Interiors, which is based at 1580 Parkway, Solent Business Park, Whiteley, oversaw the project
after being brought in by landlord John Johnson on a recommendation.
Kerry said:
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“The property at 4 Kings Park Road clearly had
potential, and we strongly advised against the costly
option of sub-dividing the building into two offices."
“What the office required was effectively a makeover –
it was a little too dark so we painted all the walls
with brilliant white paint and laid down neutral beige
carpets throughout. Immediately you get a professional
office feel."
“A key challenge was to sort out a cramped kitchenette
on the middle floor, which you arrived at in a narrow
corridor full of unnecessary cupboards in a throwback to
the days when paper files ruled."
“We removed all of the cupboards, and opened up the kitchenette to make pleasant refreshment facilities with space for staff to relax.”
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The exterior of 4 Kings Park Road also received a makeover, with the front door replaced with similar to that of the famous Black door at 10 Downing Street,
and a classic brass knocker.
John said:
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“Kerry and the team at ODT Business Interiors created an office that exceeded requirements and expectations.
“The fit-out provided a desirable workspace, and the new
look certainly played a key role in attracting Hampshire
and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance to make 4 Kings Park
Road the nerve centre of its operations, with a 10-year
lease."
“We listened to ODT Business Interiors’ advice, which was to refurbish rather than sub-divide the office into two, even though it meant far less money for them,
and we were impressed by the professionalism shown, from design through to finish.”
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Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance provides an efficient, prompt response to road traffic collisions, sporting accidents, collapses
and many other incidents throughout Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
The helicopter is based at Thruxton Airfield near Andover.
To find out more about the charity’s work please visit
www.hiow-airambulance.org.uk