Howes Percival LLP has advised document archiving and storage specialist, Anglian Archives, on the acquisition of the freehold of new premises on the City Trading Estate in Norwich, significantly expanding the company’s storage capacity in the city.

Anglian Archives has purchased the freehold of three properties on the City Trading Estate; 53 Barker Street,18 and 20 Paddock Street. The acquisition of the new premises will enable Anglian Archives to accommodate the growing demand for its services as well as consolidate its existing operations. Anglian Archives’ data store at 36 Paddock Street, which opened in 2008, will remain at its current location.

In addition to its Norwich base, Anglian Archives also has a further storage facility in Northampton, allowing it to serve clients from the Midlands to the east coast and from Milton Keynes to London. Services include secure document storage, confidential document management, archive storage, data tape and disk rotation and document scanning. Clients include professional services firms, local government and clients in healthcare and education.

Howes Percival LLP’s Norwich office advised Anglian Archives on the legal and financial aspects of the deal.

Alan Kefford, Chairman of Anglian Archives said, “We are seeing a growing demand for our services as more companies recognise the cost and practical benefits of professional management and storage of documents and electronic data. In particular, off-site storage allows companies to free-up valuable office space and put it to more profitable use. The purchase of these new premises will enable us to consolidate our existing operations and puts us in a strong position to continue to grow and develop our business in Norwich.”

Tessa Haskey, Partner at Howes Percival LLP specialising in commercial property, banking and finance commented, “Despite the current economic climate, there has been a steady stream of commercial property transactions in East Anglia. Certain sectors have had a successful 12 months, but we hope to see this reflected across a wider range of business sectors in 2010. While it is still too early to tell whether 2010 will see a broader growth in sales, purchases and other commercial property transactions, we are certainly hopeful for a more buoyant year than 2009.”