BOOKKEEPING FRANCHISE DOES ITS SUMS AT ROBINA

AUSTRALIA'S largest bookkeeping franchise First Class Financial Group has secured space for its new head office in the CityPods commercial development in CBDRobina.

The group, which has a network of more than 180 franchisees Australia-wide, has signed a five-year lease, with two five-year options, for the 208sqm two-storey stand-alone office.

The company is the second in as many months to set up at Robina Group's CityPods precinct, with Zone Planning Group, founded by development industry stalwarts David Ransom, David Geyer and Stephen Enders, opening last month.

The $14 million CityPods is now home to a diverse mix of companies including Robina Therapy, GCB Constructions, GC Property Rentals, Airport Consulting Group, Austra Group, AMBS Solutions and Pyramed.

First Class Financial Group general manager Debbie Stanton says the company, which was established in Robina in 2000, will relocate to its new space in April.

First Class Financial Group is expanding by 25 to 30 franchisees annually Australia-wide, with 10 staff, including technical support and business development trainers, to be based in the new office.

"We run six training groups a year, for up to 10 people at a time, as part of our 13-week training course for new franchisees, so it is important for us to have an in-house space that is suitable," says Stanton.

Robina Group general manager Hylton Slater says CityPods has experienced high demand in a tight Robina commercial market.

"New figures from the Property Council of Australia show Robina-Varsity Lakes has the largest volume of occupied commercial space in Gold Coast City," he says.

"At the same time, the area is earmarked for significant growth in the coming years, which will see its workforce grow to more than 40,000 by 2050, effectively doubling its share of the city's total employment.

"A significant proportion of this is being driven by innovative companies in the areas of education, health, telecommunications and business, which are actively seeking cutting-edge commercial space that reflects their corporate culture."

Details of the First Class Financial Group lease have not been disclosed, but remaining CityPods space is leasing from $375/sqm, including outgoings.