Sentinel invests in Basingstoke

Sentinel Housing Association has announced it is to focus all its main office services in Basingstoke and relocate 35 staff from Fleet to new offices it has acquired.

To deliver better value for money and in a sign of further commitment to north Hampshire, Sentinel has acquired the neighbouring building to its Houndmills headquarters, allowing Sentinel to bring together most of the organisation in a single office complex.

Sentinel Chief Executive Martin Nurse said: “The current economic climate means we have to increase our focus on delivering even more value for money for our customers and partners, and acquiring our headquarters building will enable us remain financially strong and reduce costs in these times of recession.”

Sentinel is north Hampshire’s biggest landlord, employing more than 200 people, and has occupied its Houndmills headquarters, Oakfern House, since 1995. Sentinel has also now bought Oakfern House from Grainmarket Asset Management.

The acquisition was conducted by local property agents Baker Davidson Thomas (BDT), in time for the 35 Sentinel staff to move into a vacant office in the Tempus building over the summer.

BDT’s Richard Thomas said: “While a relocation was considered, the chance to buy this property, together with future expansion space, was just too good an opportunity to miss.”