Crest Nicholson has confirmed two new commercial operators at its Brightwells Yard development in Farnham – with more incoming.

South African restaurant giant Nando’s, which the Herald revealed had signed a pre-let agreement with Crest last August, and Jetts Gym were officially announced this week.

Both are expected to open later this year – with news of more arrivals to follow “shortly”, says the developer.

Surrey County Council has paid an undisclosed sum believed to be around £30 million for a long lease on the commercial units at Brightwells.

But Crest Nicholson, as well as owning the lease on the residential units, remains responsible for finding commercial tenants.

FTSE 250 firm Crest Nicholson has warned shareholders it stands to lose almost £16 million on its 239-home £115 million regeneration of land south of East Street, which it has blamed on “incremental costs”
FTSE 250 firm Crest Nicholson has warned shareholders it stands to lose almost £16 million on its 239-home £115 million regeneration of land south of East Street, which it has blamed on “incremental costs” (Daniel Gee)

To-date, REEL Cinema is the only commercial operator to open at Brightwells Yard. But others including Nando’s, Jetts Gym, Coppa Club and Heaven’s Kitchen Meditteranean Steakhouse (the latter still unconfirmed by Crest) are expected to follow later this year.

The scaffolding was also removed from Brightwell House on Tuesday – revealing the Grade II-listed building’s new roof and soon-to-be glass-fronted extension.

Crest Nicholson was forced to rebuild the 230-year-old house’s roof after breaching its planning consent for the works last year. Once complete, restaurant chain Coppa Club will begin its fit-out of the building, which was once home to the Redgrave Theatre.

Developer Crest Nicholson was forced to rebuild the roof at Grade II-listed Brightwell House after breaching its planning consent for the works
Developer Crest Nicholson was forced to rebuild the roof at Grade II-listed Brightwell House after breaching its planning consent for the works (Daniel Gee)

A spokesman for Crest said: “The Brightwells Yard development is swiftly progressing towards completion, with several residential blocks already fully occupied and more on the way.

“Grade II listed Brightwell House is carefully being restored before Coppa Club begins their exciting fit-out, and REEL cinema has also been a buzzing local spot since it opened its doors on February 1.

“The retail spaces are now taking shape – the Crest Nicholson construction team has been hard at work fitting out the units for the varied individual tenant needs. Crest Nicholson can now officially announce that two of these will be occupied by Nando’s and Jetts Gym.”

Farnham's new Nando's restaurant at Brightwells Yard will be located three doors up from the REEL Cinema
Farnham's new Nando's restaurant at Brightwells Yard will be located three doors up from the REEL Cinema (Daniel Gee)

Of the latest confirmed arrivals, Nando’s has more than 480 restaurants in the UK and Ireland, specialising in Portuguese-style peri-peri chicken. Its Farnham restaurant will be located three doors up from REEL Cinema, which opened on February 1.

Jetts 24/7 Fitness is an ‘affordable, boutique fitness franchise’, offering 24/7 access to gym members. Farnham will be its 17th UK gym.

Nick Daruwalla, Land Director at Crest Nicholson South said “Farnham’s vibrant community deserves the best and I’m glad they will have this wide variety of exciting new places to visit.

“It’s great to see a space where people can exercise in a way that suits them, and I’m sure Nando’s will become a firm favourite for people of all ages.

“We hope to be able to share the news of more commercial units shortly.”

Brightwells Yard is at last nearing completion – 21 years after Crest Nicholson was awarded a contract to design and build-out the development
Brightwells Yard is at last nearing completion – 21 years after Crest Nicholson was awarded a contract to design and build-out the development (Daniel Gee)

Brightwells Yard will bring a new 25-unit shopping centre, a six-screen Reel cinema, cafés, bars, restaurants, open space, 239 new homes and a multi-level car park to Farnham.

Of the 239 new homes, 72 will be available under shared ownership, providing a total of 30 per cent ‘affordable’ housing delivered by Crest Nicholson for Thames Valley Housing Association.

Oaktree has acquired a number of residential units already, with some residents already living there.

On the commercial side, Crest Nicholson is working with lettings agency JLL to secure a “balanced and appropriate” selection of commercial tenants, chosen to “create the desired environment and atmosphere at Brightwells Yard”.