PFK New Headquarters

Fifty jobs are to be created as part of a £2m investment in a new headquarters for one of Cumbria's oldest land and estate agents.

PFK Land and Estate Agents have submitted planning permission for a site in Mile Lane on the edges of Penrith, just a quarter of a mile from their current base.

The building has been designed using a net-zero carbon approach for the company who were founded in 1876.

In addition to the 55 people who will work in the offices, another 50 jobs will be created in the nine-month construction phase with work set to begin in 2023 on the 8,500 square-foot site.

Andrew Green, Managing Director said: "We've outgrown our current office accommodation at Skirsgill and by developing land already in the ownership of the Company allows us to continue to expand our Land Agency and Professional Services business into our own bespoke premises on Mile Lane."

As part of the new HQ, there will be opportunities for Penrith & District Farmers Mart to expand as well as offering similar openings for other small agriculture businesses.

"This will be of significant benefit to both businesses in supporting their continued growth and employment offer," Mr Green said.

"This is a unique opportunity for two thriving local businesses employing a significant number of people from within the community to continue to grow and expand. As a business we are keen to reinforce our local connections and continue to provide the highest standards of service to new and existing clients and suitable office accommodation is a key component of this goal.

"The development of a new Head Office will provide significant improvements to existing working practices of our Head Office, Land Agency, Professional Services and the Administration teams bringing together staff from existing departments who are currently dispersed across smaller offices."

The company's estate agent businesses will be unaffected by the move.

"The Mile Land site is located within open countryside; however, it is well related to Penrith in it is located just a short distance to the West and within very close proximity to Junction 40 of the M6 motorway," said Mr Green who has been with the company for 10 years.

"The site is also located adjacent to other recently approved employment development sites and as such is considered to be an appropriate location for this type of development.

"In terms of our own business the site is considered to be a highly sustainable location as much of our work requires easy access to transport links to both North and South whilst also retaining our local presence close to our long-established base."