London, UK - The Royal Parks has appointed Knight Frank to explore future options for two key central London sites and is now seeking Submissions of Interest from interested parties to acquire licences.

The Grade II listed 'Magazine' in Kensington Gardens and the 'Nursery' in Hyde Park have been identified for potential redevelopment as part of The Royal Parks' Better Buildings Programme, which aims to generate revenue to improve and enhance the facilities of the Parks and the services provided to visitors, by making more effective use of park buildings. The Programme has already brought about the refurbishment of seven Royal Parks' lodges for short-term residential lettings, with a further two properties to follow this year.

London, UK - The Royal Parks has appointed Knight Frank to explore future options for two key central London sites and is now seeking Submissions of Interest from interested parties to acquire licences.

The Magazine and the Nursery may be appropriate for a wide variety of different uses subject to planning and listed building consent. Potential uses include a training/ education centre; a cultural facility such as an art gallery, studio, museum or exhibition space; leisure and fitness uses; a cookery school; and a garden centre or specialist retail site. Proposals must be in keeping with the character and landscape of the park setting and comply with the objectives of The Royal Parks.

London, UK - The Royal Parks has appointed Knight Frank to explore future options for two key central London sites and is now seeking Submissions of Interest from interested parties to acquire licences.

James Leaver, partner, strategic consultancy and public sector, Knight Frank, said: "The Magazine and the Nursery represent two very exceptional opportunities in a high quality park environment. They also fall within the immediate catchment of the very best residential areas of West London. The potential is very exciting and, coupled with the commitment of The Royal Parks to look seriously at all proposals � no matter how quirky - we are looking forward to seeing what the market comes up with."

London, UK - The Royal Parks has appointed Knight Frank to explore future options for two key central London sites and is now seeking Submissions of Interest from interested parties to acquire licences.

Mark Camley, chief executive of The Royal Parks said: "Making better use of our buildings is an excellent way to ensure value for money to the taxpayer by generating income to invest back into the Parks for everyone to enjoy. We are seeking proposals that demonstrate a high standard of architectural, landscape and environmental design and complement the park setting and values."

London, UK - The Royal Parks has appointed Knight Frank to explore future options for two key central London sites and is now seeking Submissions of Interest from interested parties to acquire licences.

Submissions of Interest are invited through Knight Frank by Friday 28 November 2008.

For further information, please contact:

Knight Frank
James Leaver, partner, Knight Frank, +44(0)20 7861 1133
Naomi Curtis, commercial pr executive, Knight Frank +44(0)20 7861 1744

The Royal Parks
Lucy Skipper t: 020 7298 2145 e: lskipper@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk or
Katy Murray t: 020 7298 2128 e: kmurray@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk

Notes to Editors

• The Magazine comprises approximately 8,000 sq ft on 0.81 acres and occupies a prominent position on West Carriage Drive, the road that runs from south to north between Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park, across The Serpentine Lake. The building is of exceptional historical and architectural interest and is listed Grade II. Built in the early nineteenth century as a munitions depot for the army in the event of a foreign invasion or a popular uprising, it has not housed munitions for the last 50 years. Part of the building currently forms part of park operations, which could be relocated as part of the development process. The main building is single storey but with potential to add a mezzanine space. The tarmac areas round the buildings are currently used for parking.
• The Nursery in Hyde Park is approximately 200 metres to the north-east of the 'Magazine'. It is 3.7 acres with 77,284 sq ft of nursery glasshouses and 6,404 sq ft of single storey brick outbuildings. The site is screened by a belt of dense tree planting and has been used for at least 25 years for the growing of plants for Hyde Park and other Royal Parks, which could be relocated as part of the development process.
• Submissions of Interest aim to establish what the market suggests for these two sites. The exercise is not a move to procurement but will inform any future plans for both sites. Should The Royal Parks wish to progress a particular option, a standard tender process would be adopted to select an appropriate partner. The proposal would then be subject to planning permission.
• Sites will remain in the care of The Royal Parks and none of the buildings will be sold. All external contracts are granted by way of a terminable licence. The licence for The Nursery and Magazine sites would be likely to be at least ten years and not more than twenty and would need to be capable of being determined on 12 months' notice.

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The Royal Parks is an executive agency of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. The Royal Parks are: Bushy Park, The Green Park, Greenwich Park, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, The Regent's Park and Primrose Hill, Richmond Park and St James's Park. For further information please visit: www.royalparks.org.uk